THE B A H WORLD ~ ~ VOLUME XV
125, 126, 127, 128 and 129 OF THE BAHA'I ERA 1968-1973 His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili I1 of Western Samoa AN I N T E R N A T I O N A L RECORD
Prepared under the supervision of The Universal House of Justice
V O L U M E XV
125, 126, 127, 128 and 129 O F THE BAHA'I E R A 1968 - 1973
BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE HAIFA 197 6 01975 The Universal House of Justice World Rights Reserved
NOTE: The spelling of the Oriental words and proper names used in this volume of The Bahri'i World is according to the system of transliteration established at one of the International Oriental Congresses.
ISBN 0 85398 059 4
Printed in Great Britain at tlze University Press, Oxford by Vivian Ridler Printer to the University Typesetting andpage layout by The Broadwater Press Limited Welwyn Garden City, Herifordshire PREFACE THE successive volumes of The Bahri'i World have come to be anticipated by BahB'is 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 BahLi'i Worldis becoming ever more widely known as a source of authentic information about the aims, tenets, history, activities, organization and growth of the BahB'i Faith. The editors therefore have always in mind the preservation of an even balance between the presentation of material of supreme interest t o believers and of a fair and objective picture to enquirers. In this they are guided by the policy of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the BahB'i Faith, who directed the compilation of the successive volumes from I to XI1 covering the years 1925 to 1954. The first volume, known as Bahd'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 XI1 presented the periods 19461950 and 1950-1954 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 BahB'is, 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. Volume XIV, 1963-1968, dealt with the historic centennial of the "announcement and initial proclamation by BahB'u'llBh of His Mission" and with the completion, by the election of the Universal House of Justice, of the administrative structure of Baha'u'- 118h's World Order. This volume, XV, relating to the years 1968-1 973, records the centenary celebrations of BahB'u'llah's arrival in the Holy Land and of His revelation of the KitLib-i-Agdas,the "Most Holy Book" of the Baha'i Faith, and reflects an accelerating development and expansion of the Faith. It also records the publication by the Universal House of Justice of A Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitrib-i-Aqdas and the adoption of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice. CONTENTS
Introduction Page AIMS A N D PURPOSES O F T H E BAHA'I FAITH, by David Hofman . . 1
PART O N E THE BAHA'I REVELATION
I. EXCERPTS F R O M THE BAHA'I S A C R ED W RITI N G S 1. Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2. TheBab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 i 3. 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
11. EXCERPTS F R O M T H E WRITINGS O F SHOGHI E F F E N D I . 1. A Summary of the Kitbb-i-Aqdas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
PART TWO THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES
I. T H E CENTENARY O F T H E ARRIVAL O F BAHA~U'LLAHI N T H E HOLY LAND 1. BahB'u'llah's Incarceration in 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 2. The First Oceanic Conference-Palerrno, Sicily . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 3. The Commemoration at the World Centre of the Centenary of the Arrival of Baha'u'llah in the Holy Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
11. T H E CENTENARY O F T H E REVELATION OF T H E KITAB-I-AQDAS 1. Announcement of Publication by the Universal House of Justice of A Synopsis and Codification of he Laws and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas . . . . . . 87 2. Introduction to A Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, by the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 3. -4 Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas . 93
111. T H E FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY O F T H E PASSING O F 'ABDU'L- BA H A 1. The Station and Titles of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 2. An Account of the Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 3. The Commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Passing of 'Abdu'l-BahB 125 4. The Close of the Heroic Age-Excerpts from GodPasses B y . . . . . . . . 129 5. The Will and Testament of Abdu91-Baha A . By Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 B. By H. M. Balyuzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 vii CONTENTS Page 6. Six Books About 'Abdu'LBaha. reviewed by Kazem Kazemzadeh and Firuz Kazemzadeh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 7. The Significance of the Formative Age-Excerpts from the writings of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV.THE CENTENARY O F THE PASSING O F M ~ R Z AM I H D ~ . THE PUREST BRANCH 1. The Testimony of Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Testimony of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. The Message of the Universal House of Justice-A call for Prayer . . . . . 4. The Commemoration at the World Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART T H R E E INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 1968-1973 I. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY O F CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES . 1. The World Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. First Head of State Embraces the Cause of BahB'u'llBh . . . . . . . . . . 3. Survey by Continents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c.Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Australasia and the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Expansion and Consolidation of the BahB'i Faith in the Nine Year Plan- Information Statistical and Comparative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c.Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Australasia and the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F. BahB'i National Spiritual Assemblies. Ridvan 1973 . . . . . . . . .
I1. EIGHT OCEANIC AND CONTINENTAL CONFERENCES 1. Unity in Diversity-A Pictorial Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Messages of the Universal House of Justice to the Eight Oceanicand Continental Conferences A. La Paz. Bolivia; Rose Hill. Mauritius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Monrovia. Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c. Singapore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Kingston. Jamaica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Suva. Fiji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F. Sapporo. Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. Reykjavik. Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I11. YOUTH ACTIVITY 1. International Survey of Youth Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Laws Governing the Spiritual Life-Excerpts from a letter written by the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONTENTS ix Page 3. Impressions of a BahB'i Youth from a Journey Round the World. by Gregory C. Dahl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV. THE BAHA'IFAITH A N D THE UNITED NATIONS 1. The Beginnings of BahB'i Relationship with United Nations . . . . . . . . 2. The BahB'i International Community and the United Nations . . . . . . . 3. Development of the Relationship Between the Baha'i International Community and the United Nations-1963-1968 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. The BahB'i International Community and the United Nations-1968-1973 . 5. Baha'i Proposals to the United Nations for Charter Revision . . . . . . .
V. RECOGNITION O F T H E BAHA'IFAITH- DOCUMENTATION 1. Incorporation of National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. A Selection of Other Documents Recording Official Recognition of the BahB'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VI. I N MEMORIAM . . . . . . .. . . . . Page 'AIB'i. Ni'mat . . . . . . . . 448 Hamdi. Ahmad . . . . . . . . Alexander. Agnes Baldwin . . . 423 Hannen. Carl A . . . . . . . . Allen. Jeanne Gwendolin . . . 458 Himmati. Buzurgmihr . . . . . Almond. Percy Meade . . . . . 489 Holmes. Ethel May Bowman . . Backwell. Richard . . . . . . 525 Holmlund. Marie Ciocca . . . Banani. Mbsa . . . . . . . . 421 Jankko. Greta . . . . . . . . Baxter. Evelyn . . . . . . . . 456 Kabu. Tommy . . . . . . . . Bergamaschi. Napoleon . . . . 503 Kelsey. Curtis DeMude . . . . Blue Mountain. Pacora . . . . 466 Kelsey. Harriet Morgan . . . . Blum. Alvin J. . . . . . . . . 439 Kenny. Sara M . . . . . . . . Bode. Mary Hotchkiss . . . . . 460 Kevorkian. Haik . . . . . . . Bolton. Mariette Germaine . . . 435 Khavari. Ihraq . . . . . . . . - Bosio. Maud . . . . . . . . . 443 Koestlin. Anna . . . . . . . . Bouchoucha. Mustapha . . . . 462 Kruka. Aminda Josephine . . . Brown. Ruth Randall . . . . . 463 Lamprill. Gretta Stevens . . . . Bullock. Matthew W . . . . . . 535 Lawrence. Loyce Drugan . . . Burton. Esmie . . . . . . . . 505 Little. Marion . . . . . . . . Buhru'i. Badi' . . . . . . . . 545 Matthisen. Andrew F . . . . . . Chee. Leong Tat . . . . . . . 527 Matthisen. Nina B. . . . . . . Christian. Roberta K . . . . . . 497 Meyer. Eugenie . . . . . . . . Collison. Mary Gale . . . . . 486 Montenegro. Luis . . . . . . . Coppock. William Paul . . . . 517 Mu'ayyad. Habib . . . . . . . Corbin. Doris Foye . . . . . . 461 Muqbil. Kayausraw . . . . . Dean. Martha Ross . . . . . . 507 Murray. Ethel . . . . . . . . Dean. Sidney I . . . . . . . . . 508 Nordstrom. Addie . . . . . . Earl. Joy Hill . . . . . . . . 531 Otiniera. Barere . . . . . . . Evans. Winston . . . . . . . 540 Parke. Gladys Irene . . . . . . Fantom. Mary Tilton . . . . . 529 Quant. Ella C . . . . . . . . . Fitzner. Harold Thomas . . . . 449 Rawhani. 'Abdu'l-Vahhab . . . Furu&i. Parviz . . . . . . . . 514 Rawhani. Murassa' . . . . . . Graeffe. Etty . . . . . . . . . 453 Roberts. Charley . . . . . . . Grossmann. Hermann . . . . . 416 Rutfjall. Nils . . . . . . . . . Jjakim. Lutfu'llah . . . . . . 430 Sadiqi. Parviz . . . . . . . . CONTENTS Page Samandari. TarLzu'llah . . . Thiele. Paul Fred . . . . . . . 522 Schopflocher. Florence (Lorol) Ullrich. Clarence . . . . . . . 465 Seto. Mamie Loretta . . . . Vujdani. Farimarz . . . . . . . 514 &aydan.&idi. Abu'l-Qasim . Walsh. Laura . . . . . . . . 501 Simple. Peter . . . . . . . . Ward. Forsyth . . . . . . . . 451 Smith. Elton Mason . . . . . Weeden. Benjamin Dunham . . 478 Snider. Howard J . . . . . . Wright. Ionita . . . . . . . . 434 Stamp. Elizabeth . . . . . . Wrout. Stanley . . . . . . . . 485 Steinmetz. Elsa . . . . . . . Yen. Hilda Yank Sing . . . . . 476 Sunshine. Rezsi . . . . . . . Yaganagi. Isfandiyar . . . . . 492
PART FOTJR THE WORLD ORDER O F BAHA'U'LLAH I . T H E UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE 1. The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Second Intesna.tiona1Convention for the Election of the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. The Relationship of the Institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I1. T H E H A N D S O F T H E CAUSE O F GOD 1. The Hands of the Cause of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Work and Travels of the Hands of the Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. The Travels of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyihuanurn during.the Nine Year Plan . 4. Hands of the Cause who Represented the Universal House of Justice at Conferences and Dedications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. Hands of the Cause who Represented the Universal House of Justice at Conventions for the election of National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . 6. The Establishment of the Continental Boards of Counsellors . . . . . . . 7. The Relationship of Continental Boards of Counsellors to National Spiritual Assemblies, by Edna M. True . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I11. T H E INSTITUTION O F T H E M A S ~ R I Q U ' L - A ~ K A R 1. Foreword. by Horace Holley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Spiritual Significance of the M a ~ r i q u ' l - A a k a r . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America and the International Teaching Conference. Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. La Inauguraci6n Del Templo Madre De Amkrica Latina . . . . . . . . . 5. The History of the Panama Temple.- Address by Robert W. McLaughlin . . 6. Panama Temple Data and Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IV. T H E INSTITUTION O F T H E NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 1. Introduction. by Horace Holley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. A Model Declaration of Trust and By-Laws for a National Spiritual Assembly 3. A Procedure for the Conduct of the Annual BahB'i Convention . . . . . .
V. T H E LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 1 . The Institution and Its Significance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONTENTS xi Page VI. T H E NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER O F T H E BAHA'I FAITH . . . . 679
VII. BAHA'I s A N D MILITARY SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 1. The BahB'i View of Pacifism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 2. The BahB'i Position on Military Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 3. Loyalty to Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686 4. Summary of the Guardian's Instructions on the Obligation of BahB'is in connection with Military Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687
VIII. BAHA'I CALENDAR. FESTIVALS A N D DATES O F HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE 1. Foreword. by Dr J. E. Esslemont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 688 2. Baha'i Feasts. Anniversaries and Days of Fasting . . . . . . . . . . . . 688 3. BahB'i Holy Days on which Work should be Suspended . . . . . . . . . 689 4. Additional Material Gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (vol. 11). regarding the BahB'i Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 689 5. Historical Data Gleaned from Nabil's Narrative (vol. 11). regarding Baha'u'llah 692 6. Dates of Historical Significance in the Rise of the Baha'i Faith . . . . . . . 696
PART FIVE DIRECTORY. BIBLIOGRAPHY. GLOSSARY
I. BAHA'I DIRECTORY 1968-1973 1. The Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Hands of the Cause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Continental Boards of Counsellors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. BahB'i International Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . : . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. BahB'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11. BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. BahB'u'llBh's Best-Known Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. The Bib's Best-Known Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. 'Abdu'l-BahB's Best-Known Works in Persian and Arabic . . . . . . . . 4. Some Compilations from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-BahB . . . 5. Shoghi Effendi's Best-Known Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6. Languages Into Which Baha'i Literature has been Translated . . . . . . . A. Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. The Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c.Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Australasia and the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F. Invented Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. Total by Continents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7. The Short Obligatory Prayer in Two-Hundred and Ninety-Five Languages . 8. Major Works and Partial List of Languages in which they are available . . . A. Works of BahB'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Works of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c. Works Compiled from the Writings of BahB'u'llah, the Bab and 'Abdu'l- BahB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Works of Shoghi Effendi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONTENTS Page 9. A Selection of Introductory and Expository Works . . . . . . . . . . . 753 A. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753 B. For Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754 c. Periodicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754 D. International Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754
I11. ORIENTAL TERMS 1. Transliteration of Oriental Words Frequently used in BahB'i Literature . . . 755 2. Guide to Transliteration and Pronunciation of the Persian Alphabet . . . . 757 3. Notes on the Pronunciation of Persian Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . 757 4. Definitions of Some of the Oriental Terms used in BahB'i Literature . . . . . 759
PART SIX LITERARY AND MUSICAL WORKS
I. ESSAYS A N D REVIEWS 1. Three Momentous Years of the Heroic Age-1 868-1 870. by Adib Tahirzadih . 767 2. The Spiritual Revolution. by Douglas Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 773 3. The Writings of 'Abdu'l.Bahri. by Amin Banani . . . . . . . . . . . . . 780
I1. VERSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785
I11. MUSIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 794 L I S T OF I L L U S T R A T I O N S Page Frontispiece One: His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili I1 of Western Samoa . . . . . . Frontispiece Two: One of Mihkin-Qalam's Illuminated Designs of "The Greatest Name" Aerial view of present-day 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Upper chamber. House of the Bab. a i r a z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 A view of the house of the 1mBm.Jum'ih. I~fahan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Present-day view of Mah.Ku. 'Aairbayjan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 The fortress of Q i h r i q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Interior view of the Masjid.i.Vakil. &iraz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Pulpit of the Masjid-i-Vakil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 A photograph of 'Abdu'l-Baha taken in Adrianople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Dr. Auguste Henri Forel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 The upper rooms at No. 7 Persian (Haparsim) St.. Haifa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 The resting place of Shoghi Effendi. Great Northern London Cemetery. New Southgate . 49 The Farmin banishing BahB'u'llah to 'Akka. Palestine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The Bay of 'Akka viewed from Mt. Carmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 The Bay of 'Akka with Mt. Carmel in the distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 'Akka viewed from the mouth of the River Belus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 'Akka viewed from the north-east . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 A typical mule-driven water wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 A view of the land gate. 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 An early photograph taken looking through the land gate. 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . 64 A view of the sea gate. 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 A view of the prison at 'Akka showing the room occupied by Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . 68 A distant view of 'Akka. from the north-east . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Engraving dated 1877 showing the German Templar colony. Mt. Carmel. Haifa . . . . 71 Map showing the voyage of BahB'u'llah from Adrianople to the Holy Land . . . . . . 72 BahB'is gathering at the site of the Mediterranean Conference. Palermo. Sicily . . . . . 75 The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery addressing the Mediterranean Conference . . . . 76 Interior view of the hall where the Mediterranean Conference was held . . . . . . . . 77 A view of the Shrine of the Bab as seen from the Bay of Haifa . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 A group of believers disembarking at Palermo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 A group of Bahi'i pilgrims at the Most Great Prison. 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 The Hands of the Cause who attended the commemoration observance in the Holy Land marking the centenary of the arrival of Bahi'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 The Baha'is gathered at Bahji for the commemoration observance . . . . . . . . . . 82 Baha'is circumambulating the Shrine of BahB'u'llah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Baha'is ascending the terraces leading to the Shrine of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Members of the Universal House of Justice with Bahi'i youth volunteers during the centenary observance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Hands of the Cause and members of the Universal House of Justice bearing the casket of the Hand of the Cause Tarazu'llah Samandari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 An early photograph of the House of 'Abbud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 The room where Baha'u'llah revealed the Kitab.i.Aqdas. House of 'Abb6d . . . . . . . 91 Facsimile of a page of Shoghi Effendi's handwritten outline of a synopsis and codification of the laws and ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 A photograph of 'Abdu'l-Baha taken in Paris in 1911 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 A Tablet in the handwriting of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 A calligraphic arrangement by Mihkin-Qalam of titles conferred upon 'Abdu'l-Baha or mentioned in various Tablets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 The funeral procession leaving 'Abdu'l-Baha's home. November 29. 1921 . . . . . . . 112 ... Xlll xiv LIST OF ILLUST RA T ION S
Page The funeral of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Theroomoccupied by 'Abdu'l-Bahaandin whichHepassedaway . . . . . . . . . . 115 Funeral cortkge ascending Mt. Carmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Some of those attending the funeral of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 A view of the train of mourners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Corn being distributed to the poor at the home of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . 122 The inner Shrine of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Three glimpses of 'Abdu'l-BahB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
National Spiritual Assemblies formed between 1968 and 1973 Page Burundi and Rwanda (1969) . . . . 142 South West Pacific Ocean (1971) . . 150 Papua and New Guinea (1969) . . . 142 Sudan (1971) . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Botswana (1970) . . . . . . . . . 144 Trinidad and Tobago (1971) . . . . 150 Dahomey. Togo and Niger (1970) . . 144 Afbinistan (1972) . . . . . . . . 151 Ghana (1970) . . . . . . . . . . 144 Arabian Peninsula (1972) . . . . . 151 Guyana. Surinam and French Guiana Bangladesh (1972) . . . . . . . . 153 (1970) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Iceland (1972) . . . . . . . . . . 153 Malawi (1970)-inaugural Convention 146 Republic of Ireland (1972) . . . . . 153 Near East (1970) . . . . . . . . . 146 Malagasy Republic(l972) . . . . . 153 Samoa (1970) . . . . . . . . . . 146 Nepal (1972) . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Tonga and the Cook Islands (1970) . 146 North West Pacific Ocean (1972) . . 155 Upper West Africa (1970) . . . . . 147 Puerto Rieo (1972) . . . . . . . . 155 Zafre (1970) . . . . . . . . . . . 147 RBunion (1972) . . . . . . . . . . 155 Central African Republic (1971) . . 148 Rwanda (1972) . . . . . . . . . . 157 Chad (1971) . . . . . . . . . . . 148 Seychelles (1972) . . . . . . . . . 157 Congo (Brazzaville) and Gabon (1971) 148 Singapore (1972) . . . . . . . . . 157 Lesotho (1971) . . . . . . . . . . 148 Windward Isla~lds(1972) . . . . . . 157 Ivory Coast. Mali and Upper Volta (1971) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Bronze plaque marking the resting place of Mirza Mihdi. the Purest Branch . . . . . . Mirza Mihdi. the Purest Branch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Shrines of the Purest Branch and his mother. Navvab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A view of the Mansion of Mazra'ih . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aerial view of gardens at Bahji . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A new garden in the vicinity of the Shrine of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Obeliskmarkingthesiteof thefutureMa&riqu'l.A&kar. Mt. Carmel . . . . . . . . New gate at the western approach to the Mansion of Bahji . . . . . . . . . . . . . New gate at the south-western approach to the Shrine of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili I1 of Western Samoa with Baha'i friends attending the Annual Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of Western Samoa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of North East Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baha'i Teaching Conference. Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of North West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The President of Dahomey receiving Baha'i literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The President of Togo receiving Baha'i literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The President of Niger on the occasion of the signing of the official decree granting recognition to the Baha'i Faith in Niger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XV
Page The Vice-President of Liberia with Hands of the Cause and Counsellors; Continental Conference. Monrovia. Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The National Haziratu'l.Quds. Monrovia. Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of South and West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hands of the Cause who attended the Oceanic Conference. Rose Hill. Mauritius . . . First Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of the Malagasy Republic (Madagascar) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Her Royal Highness Princess Gcinaphi of Swaziland at the opening of the Leroy Ioas BahB'i Teacher Training Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of Central and East Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fourth Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Semi-annual Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members. Bangui. Central African Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of the Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of Central America and the Caribbean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baha'i International Teaching Conference. El Salvador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Baha'i College Club of Latin America; Puebla. Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regional Baha'i Conference. Port.au.Prince. Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Jalal u i z e h with the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Alaska and members of the Auxiliary Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . National Haziratu'l-Quds of Canada; Willowdale. Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . Silver Anvil Trophy presentation to North American BahB'i Office for Human Rights . . BahB'i exhibit at annual convention of the National Association of Human Rights Workers ; Tulsa. Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of South America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m i n u m presenting Baha'i literature to the President of Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Commemorative Congress in observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Baha'i Faith in Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with some Colombian Baha'is . . . . . . . . . Some of the children who attended BahB'i Children's School; Esmeraldas. Ecuador . . . Baha'i group at the Teaching Institute held in the Chaco. Paraguay . . . . . . . . . . Baha'i teacher presenting a study lesson; Racchi. Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A group of Baha'is attending a BahB'i Teaching Institute held in the Guajira. Venezuela . Map of Western Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Vice-President of India receiving Hands of the Cause and a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel with Baha'i friends; Andhra Pradesh. India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause William Sears at BahB'i Summer School of Persia . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause 'Ali Akbar Furutan with BahB'i friends at the first Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Nepal . . . . Some Baha'is gathered at the site of the future Maariqu'l-Aakkr of Ceylon . . . . . . BahB'i Summer School of Turkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Map of South East Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mr. Yan Kee Leong of the Continental Board of Counsellors with the first two Chinese to accept the Baha'i Faith in Burma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Jalal a a z e h with Baha'i friends at the first Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi LIST O F ILL U ST RATIONS
Page The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone with some Baha'is of Vientiane. Laos . . . 255 Map of North East Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with some BahB'is of Hokkaido. Japan . . . . . 261 The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone presenting Baha'i literature to the Mayor of Taipei. Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 Map of Australasia and the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Friends attending the dedication of the BahB'i Teaching Institute; Madina. New Guinea . 265 Map of the Pacific Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 Map of the North West Pacific Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Map of the South West Pacific Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visiting the Solomon Islands . . . . . . . . . . 270 BahB'i Teaching Conference; Port-Vila. New Hebrides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Map of islands of the South Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 The National Haziratu'l-Quds and Baha'i Teaching Institute; Tarawa. Gilbert and Ellice Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273 Float entered by Samoan BahB'is in Independence Day celebrations . . . . . . . . . 274 Map of Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery with BahB'i friends of Malta . . . . . . . . 277 BahB'i Summer School; Orleans. France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 The Hand of the Cause John Robarts at the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference; Reykjavik. Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 The Hand of the Cause William Sears presenting Baha'i literature to the President of the Republic of Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 The Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283 The first of a series of proclamation posters produced by the BahB'is of the Netherlands . 285 The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with friends at the BahB'i Summer School of Norway 286 The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah8'is of Portugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 National BahB'i Teaching Conference. Uppsala. Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 BahB'i exhibition and literature display; Basel. Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 Eight Oceanic and Continental Conferences; A Pictorial Report . . . . . . . . . 296-316 The Hands of the Cause and some of the friends who attended the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323 First National Youth Conference of the BahB'is of the United States . . . . . . . . . 325 Regional ~ a h a ' Youth i Conference; Seoul. Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 326 First National Youth Conference of the BahB'is of Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 First Pacific Area BahB'i Youth Conference; Apia. Western Samoa . . . . . . . . . . 330 European BahB'i Youth Conference; Salzburg. Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 332 International BahB'i Youth Conference; 0teppe.Namur. Belgium . . . . . . . . . . 333 BahB'i Youth Conference; Da-nang. Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 334 The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-BahB Ruhiyyih = h u m with some of those who attended the European BahB'i Youth Conference; Fiesch. Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . 337 European BahB'i Youth Conference; Padova. Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 "The Dawn-Breakers"singing group of Italy performing at the Baha'i Youth Conference; Dortmund. Germany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339 BahB'i Youth Conference; La Vega. Dominican Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340 First BahB'i Youth Summer School of Southern Africa; Swaziland . . . . . . . . . . 340 First National Youth Conference of the Baha'is of Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341 International Baha'i Youth Conference; Cali. Colombia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 342 International Baha'i Youth Conference; Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 "Great Day". the first Baha'i Youth singing group of the Netherlands . . . . . . . . 344 LIST O F I L L U S T R A T I O N S xvii Page "The Dawn-Breakers of Europe" performing A Pleafor One World . . . . . . . . . . 345 "Windflower"-BahB'i Youth singing group of Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 346 American BahB'i Youth team who participated in the "Hand in Hand" teaching project in Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BahB'i Youth who participated in the Inter-Faith devotional service sponsored by the United Nations Association of Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Ponapean Baha'i Youth with visiting BahB'i teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BahB'i Teacher Training Institute in a village in southern Korea . . . . . . . . . . . Baha'i Youth at the National Haziratu'l-Quds; Singapore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Three BahB'i Youth departing on a teaching trip to Cameroon and Chad . . . . . . . Partial view of the audience at the Baha'i Youth Conference; Padova, Italy . . . . . . Partial view of skyline of New York showing the United Nations complex . . . . . . . Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations; New York . . . . . . . . . Dr. Victor de Araujo, accredited representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, seen in his office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Mary Sawicki, Administrative Assistant to Dr. Victor de Araujo, seen in the offices of the Baha'i International Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The conference room, offices of the Baha'i International Community . . . . . . . . . Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, observer for the Baha'i International Community, at the United Nations Seminar on "The Danger of Recrudescence of Intolerance"; Nice United Nations Seminar on "The Evils of Racial Discrimination"; YaoundC, Federal Republic of Cameroon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate issued by the Minister of Justice granting recognition to the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Papua and New Guinea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Jamaica . Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Taiwan . Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Nigeria . Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Bangladesh . Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Puerto Rico Certificate of the Department of Justice granting recognition to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rwanda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Seychelles Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Uruguay Act of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago for the incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Port-of-Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Stavanger, Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Uma, Fiji . . Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Port-Vila, New Hebrides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Bwitengi, Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Concepci6n, Belize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Liberia for the Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Gbota, Bong County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of Registration of a Baha'i symbol granted to the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Certificate of BahB'i marriage, Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii LIST OF ILLU STRATION S
Page Circular No. 1. 1970. of The United Republic of Tanzania. granting leave of absence on BahB'i Holy Days to BahB'is in government service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 400 Amendment enacted by the Legislature of the State of Hawaii recording recognition of Naw-Ruz as a BahB'i Holy Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 Licence authorizing Baha'i marriages under The Law of Marriage Act. 1971. Section 30; The United Republic of Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 402 Senate Bill No. 39 of the Legislature of the State of West Virginia. U.S.A., recognizing the legality of Baha'i marriage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 403 Extract from the Government Gazette of the Republic of Singapore giving recognition to Baha'i Holy Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 Circular of the Department of Education. Gilbert and Ellice Islands. permitting children of Baha'i parents to absent themselves from school on BahB'i Holy Days . . . . . . . . 405 Licence authorizing BahB'i marriages. Western Samoa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 406 Letter from the Commissioner of the Public Service of Australia granting leave of absence on Baha'i Holy Days to BahB'is in government service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407 English translati011 of a letter from the Ministry of Educational Affairs. Iceland. permitting Baha'i students to absent themselves from school on Baha'i Holy Days . . . . . . . 408 House Concurrent Resolution No. 128 of the Legislature of the State of Michigan. U.S.A. commending the Detroit BahB'i Spiritual Assembly and the Wayne State University Baha'i Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 409
In Memoriam Page Tarazu'llih Samandari . . . . . . . 412 Curtis DeMude Kelsey . . . . . . Hermann Grossmann . . . . . . . 41 7 Harriet Morgan Kelsey . . . . . . Musa Banani . . . . . . . . . . . 422 Rezsi Sunshine . . . . . . . . . . Agnes Baldwin Alexander . . . . . 424 Elsa Steinmetz . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Lutfu'llah Hakim . . . . . . . 43 1 Hilda Yank Sing Yen . . . . . . . Ionita Wright . . . . . . . . . . 435 Benjamin Dunham Weeden . . . . Mariette Germaine Bolton . . . . . 436 Mamie Loretta Seto . . . . . . . . Marie Ciocca Holmlund . . . . . . 438 Howard J. Snider . . . . . . . . . Alvin J. Blum . . . . . . . . . . 440 Nils Rutfjall . . . . . . . . . . . Sara M. Kenny . . . . . . . . . . 442 Haik Kevorkian . . . . . . . . . Maud Bosio . . . . . . . . . . . 444 Stanley Wrout . . . . . . . . . . Addie Nordstrom . . . . . . . . . 445 Mary Gale Collison . . . . . . . . Kayhusraw Muqbil . . . . . . . 446 Florence Evaline (Lorol) Schopflocher Loyce Drugan Lawrence . . . . . . 447 Percy Meade Almond . . . . . . . Ni'mat 'Ala'i . . . . . . . . . . . 449 Elizabeth Stamp . . . . . . . . . Harold Thomas Fitzner. . . . . . . 450 Isfandiyar Yaganagi . . . . . . . . Forsyth Ward . . . . . . . . . . 452 Aminda Josephine Kruka . . . . . Etty Graeffe . . . . . . . . . . . 454 Ahmad Hamdi . . . . . . . . . . Charley Roberts . . . . . . . . . 455 Roberta K . Christian . . . . . . . Evelyn Baxter . . . . . . . . . . 456 Peter Simple . . . . . . . . . . . Gladys Irene Parke . . . . . . . . 457 Murassa' (Yazdi) Rawhani . . . . . Jeanne Gwendolin Allen . . . . . . 459 Laura Walsh . . . . . . . . . . . Tommy Kabu . . . . . . . . . . 460 Habib Mu'ayyad . . . . . . . . . Mary Hotchkiss Bode . . . . . . . 461 Napoleon Bergamaschi . . . . . . Doris Foye Corbin . . . . . . . . 462 Elton Mason Smith . . . . . . . . MustaphaBouchoucha . . . . . . 463 Ella C . Quant . . . . . . . . . . Ruth Randall Brown . . . . . . . 464 Martha Ross Dean . . . . . . . . Clarence Ullrich . . . . . . . . . 466 Sidney I. Dean . . . . . . . . . . Pacora Blue Mountain . . . . . . 467 Hiji Abu'l-Qasim a a y d a n - a i d i . . LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page Page Carl A. Hannen . . . . . . . . . 511 Leong Tat Chee . . . . . . . . . 527 Anna Koestlin . . . . . . . . . . 512 Mary Tilton Fantom . . . . . . . 529 Buzurgmihr Himmati . . . . . . . 514 Andrew F. Matthisen . . . . . . . 530 Parviz Sadiqi . . . . . . . . . . . 515 Nina B. Matthisen . . . . . . . . 530 Faramarz Vujdani . . . . . . . . 515 Joy Hill Earl . . . . . . . . . . . 532 Parviz F u r u d i . . . . . . . . . . 515 Gretta Stevens Lamprill . . . . . . 534 Barere Otiniera . . . . . . . . . . 516 Matthew W. Bullock . . . . . . . 536 WilliamPaul Coppock . . . . . . 517 'Abdu'l-Vahhab Rawhani . . . . . 540 I&raq a a v a r i . . . . . . . . . . 518 Winston Evans . . . . . . . . . . 541 Ethel Murray . . . . . . . . . . 521 Greta Jankko . . . . . . . . . . 543 Paul Fred Thiele . . . . . . . . . 522 Badi' Bu&r6'i . . . . . . . . . . 546 Eugenie Meyer . . . . . . . . . . 525 Marion Little . . . . . . . . . . 548 Richard Backwell . . . . . . . . . 526 Luis Montenegro . . . . . . . . . 550
The members of the Universal House of Justice elected at Ridvan. 1968 . . . . . . . . Site of the future seat of the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interior view of Beit Harofe Auditorium. Haifa. where the general sessions of the second International Convention were held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delegates casting ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice . . . . . . . Partial view of interior of Beit Harofe Auditorium during a session of the International Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with delegates representing the National Spiritual Assembles of the United States. Kenya and Nicaragua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delegates representing the National Spiritual Assemblies of Peru. Brunei. Botswana and Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exterior view of No. 10 Haparsim Street. Haifa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hands of the Cause and members of the Universal House of Justice gathered in the BahB'i gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Hands of the Cause Page Amatu'l-Baha Rubiyyih a a n u m . . 573 'Ali-MuhammadVarqa . . . . . . Ugo Giachery . . . . . . . . . . 573 Agnes B. Alexander . . . . . . . . Tarazu'llahsamandari . . . . . . 573 Enoch Olinga . . . . . . . . . . 'Ali-Akbar Furutan . . . . . . . . 573 William Sears . . . . . . . . . . Herma~lnGrossmann . . . . . . . 574 John Robarts . . . . . . . . . . Bikru'llah m a d e m . . . . . . . 574 Hasan M. Balyuzi . . . . . . . . Shu'2u'llah 'Ala'i . . . . . . . . . . 574 John F'erraby . . . . . . . . . . Musa Banani . . . . . . . . . . . 574 H . Collis Featherstone . . . . . . . Adelbert Miihlschlegel . . . . . . . 574 Rabmatu'llah Muhijir . . . . . . . Jalal U a z e h . . . . . . . . . . . 574 Abu'l-Qasim Faizi . . . . . . . . Paul E. Haney . . . . . . . . . . 574
The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery with some of the friends attending the first Icelandic BahB'i Summer School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Tarazu'llah Samandari with some of the friends attending the BahB'i Summer School of Turkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baha'i Conference sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors in North America; Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Hand of the Cause Uikru'llah U a d e m with some Jamacian friends at the Caribbean Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . XX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Page The Hand of the Cause Jalal m a z e h participating in the Indian Ocean Conference . . . . 580 The Hand of the Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel accepting floral tributes from the Baha'is of Secunderabad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 581 The Hand of the Cause Paul Haney with four members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Central and East Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 582 The Hand of the Cause 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa with friends attending the first Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Central African Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 583 The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with some Baha'is of Stavanger, Norway . . . . 584 The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with some Baha'is of Fiji . . . . . . . . . . . 584 The Hand of the Cause William Sears with some of the friends attending the Baha'i Summer School of Persia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 585 The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi with some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Central Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 586 The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyihuanum photographed with the vehicle she drove during "The Great Safari" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 588 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih u a n u m paying an official call on the Acting Governor-General of Trinidad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590 The Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m and Enoch Olinga with friends who attended a devotional service at the Mother Temple of Africa; Kampala, Uganda 591 Baha'i meeting in Kibisi Settlement Scheme, Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 592 Map depicting the four journeys in "The Great Safari" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 593 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m with His Highness the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware I1 of the Asante; Kumasi, Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 594 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m with some Ethiopian Baha'is . . . . . . . . . . . . 595 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih u a n u m turning the earth for the foundation stone of the future Baha'i Centre of Gemeto, Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 595 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a k n u m with the President of the Ivory Coast . . . . . . . . 596 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m with the Mayor of Timbuktu . . . . . . . . . . . 597 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m with the President of Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . 597 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m i n u m with Baha'i friends of Gbendebou, Sierra Leone . . . 598 A casual Bahk'i meeting in Malekei Village, Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 598 Amatu'l-Bahi Ruhiyyih Khanurn with Baha'is in ceremonial dancing costumes; Akpabys, Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 599 Amatu'l-Bahh Ruhiyyih a a n u m with friends at the boundary of Upper Banyang, West Cameroon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 Amatu'l-Baha Rbhiyyih a a n u m with the Fon of Mankon; Bamenda District, United Republic of Cameroon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m with some Chiefs and sub-chiefs who entertained her in Ishamba Village, Occidental Kasai, Zai're . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602 Amatu'l-Baha RuhiyyihKhanum addressing a Baha'i Children's Class ;Salisbury, Rhodesia 603 Amatu'l-Bahi Ruhiyyihuanum being presented with the gift of a clay pot; Givogi, Kenya 604 Amatu'l-Bahk Ruhiyyih u a n u m with a group of Masai women; Geteri market, Kisii, Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 605 The Hand of the Cause John Robarts as he appeared at the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 Dr. Chellie J. Sundram of the Continental Board of Counsellors in South-eastern Asia with the Hands of the Cause and guests visiting the Baha'i Exhibition at the Oceanic Conference of the South China Seas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 LI S T O F I L L U S T R A T I O N S xxi Page The Continental Boards of Counsellors Page Northwestern Africa . . . . . . . 614 Western Asia . . . . . . . . . . . 622 Central and East Africa . . . . . . 615 Southeastern Asia . . . . . . . . . 623 Southern Africa . . . . . . . . . 615 Northeastern Asia . . . . . . . . . . 623 NorthAmerica . . . . . . . . . . 618 Australasia . . . . . . . . . . . 625 Central America . . . . . . . . . 619 Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . 627 South America . . . . . . . . . . 619
The Mother Temple of Latin America. on Cerro Sonsonate. Panama-coloured photograph between pp. 638-639 Aerial view of the Mother Temple of North America; Wilmette. Illinois . . . . . . . . 631 Aerial view of the Mother Temple of Latin America; Cerro Sonsonate. near Panama City. Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632 BahB'is gathering for the dedication of the Panama Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . 632 Mr. Athos Costas of the South American Board of Counsellors reading a Spanish translation of the dedicatory address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635 A Guaymi believer presenting a devotional reading at the dedication service . . . . . . 636 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m as she appeared at the dedication service . . . . . . . 636 Some of the Indian BahB'is who attended the dedication service . . . . . . . . . . . 637 "The Jin-ai Singers"of Washington performing at a public meeting during the International BahB'i Teaching Conference; Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 639 A view of the Panama Temple during construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 640 Three views of the Panama Temple during construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 642 Mr. Robert W. McLaughlin. Mr. Peter Tillotson and others attending areception at the time of the dedication of the Panama Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644 Some Indian believers who participated in the Temple dedication and International Teaching Conference; Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645 Another view of the Mother Temple of Latin America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 647 BahB'is gathering for the dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America . . . . . . . 649
Sonze Local Spiritual Assemblies forrned between 1968 and 1973 Page Savolinna. Finland (1972) . . . . . 650 Bhutan. Eastern Himalayas (1972) . . 674 Falkland Islands (1972) . . . . . . 650 Kimo. New Guinea (1968) . . . . . 678 &aft. Iran (1972) . . . . . . . . . 660 Kirkwall. Orkney Islands (1969) . . 684 Mathibatsela. Botswana (1973) . . . 666 Fort Qu'Appelle. Saskatchewan. Can- Cayenne. French Guiana (1968) . . . 666 ada (1968) . . . . . . . . . . . 686 San Pablo Jocopilas. Guatemala (1971) 674 Bohicon. Dahomey (1970) . . . . . 687
Facsimile of the Short Obligatory Prayer in Braille (English) Grade I1 . . . . . . . . . 750 BahB'i literature display aboard the Santis; Landestag Burkliplatz. Zurich . . . . . . . 750 A selection of Baha'i literature in some of the 589 languages in which it is available . . . 752 Baha'i exhibition and literature display; Basel. Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . 752 Mi&kin.Qalam. outstanding calligrapher of Persia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758 The first and last verses of BahB'u911ah'sThe Hidden Words (Arabic) arranged and written in three different styles of calligraphy by MiGkin-~alam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 763 INTRODUCTION
AIMS AND PURPOSES O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
R ELIGION has two objectives, the regenera- that can best incarnate this fundamental printion of men and the advancement of mankind. ciple of its life."l "All men have been created to carryforward an Religion sees the course of history as an ever advancing civilization" proclaims BahB'ul- organic process, moving towards the full realllah, and "The purpose of the one true God, ization of all the potentialities implanted in exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto man. The vicissitudes, the great advances, the men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden hiatuses it regards as the natural unfoldment of within the mine of their true and inmost 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, BahB'i great religions of the past have developed their scripture explains, the process is the same. The social orders within generally definable times sun 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 Wordof God, upon which depends the the dispersion, to the Near East; Zoroastrian- training of thepeople of the country of tho~ght."~ ism remained Persian until the Arab conquest The creative Word, revealed in each stage of and the settlement of a remnant in Western human progress by a Manifestation of God, India; Christianity became the religion of Euro- and conditioned to the requirements of the pean civilization; the building of the nation time, is the effective agent in the long, single state undertaken by Islam remained a Muslim process of humanity's development from experiment until feudal Europe learned the infancy to World Order. This truth is enshrined lesson and its city states gave way to and adopt- in all revealed religion although it needs the ed the more advanced order. It has remained illumination of BahB'u'llah's revelation to for the BahB'i religion to declare and promote enable men to perceive it. "The first picture the cause of world order-the sine qua non of its presented in the Bible is that of human unity in existence-and to disclose the concomitant its simplest form; that of a single family. The unities of religion, of mankind and of historical last picture is that of a unity manifold and unipurpose. "Unity of family, of tribe, of city- versal in which all kindreds and tongues and state, and nation have been successively peoples and nations are gathered into one and attempted and fully established. World unity is unified in the enjoyment of a common worship, the goal towards which a harassed humanity is a common happiness, a common glory. striving. Nation-building has come to an end. "The great problem which, according to the The anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is Bible, confronts the human race in its progress moving towards a climax. A world, growing to is that of advancing from the barest, baldest maturity, must abandon this fetish, recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relation- Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the BahL'i Faith, The Unfoldment of World Civilization, 1936. ships, and establish once for all the machinery BahL'u'llAh, IVordsof Wisdom. 2 THE BAHA
unity through a long experience of multiplying Such a world-shaking transformation cannot diversities till ultimately a balance between the be brought about by any movement of reform, two principles is struck, poise is gained and the however disinterested, nor by any unaided two forces of variety and unity are blended in a human effort. Modern man has turned away multiple, highly developed world fellowship, from God, and bereft of his traditional sancthe perfection of whose union was hardly sug- tions, has inevitably wrecked his old order gested in the primitive simplicity of early which, in truth, is lamentably inadequate to man."l modern conditions and is not susceptible of This spiritual view of evolution is the con- repair. "Soon," is BahB'u'llah's prophetic view stant theme of religion. Each revelation refers of our day, "will the present-day order be rolled to the past, looks forward to the future and con- up, and a new one spread out in its stead." Likecentrates upon the immediate need for spiritual wise, "The signs of impending convulsions and regeneration and enlightenment. The Prophet chaos can now be discerned, inasmuch as the evokes in human hearts a sacrificial love which prevailing order appears to be lamentably defectranscends self-interest and causes the early tive." believers to dedicate themselves entire1y to the The current aim of religion, embodied in the practice and diffusion of the new message. As aims and purposes of the BahB'i Faith, is the it spreads it works like leaven in society, re- initiation and development of the next stage in forming its morals, uplifting its vision and pro- the organic process of human evolution, which moting a greater diffusion of love in social may be regarded as the coming of age of the action. human race. The signs of this maturity will be, "World history at its core and in its essence is inwardly the complete and utter acceptance as the story of the spiritual evolution of mankind. the basic axioms of human life of the oneness of From this all other activities of man proceed mankind and the oneness of religion, and outand round it all other activities r e ~ o l v e . " ~ wardly the unification of mankind in a single Unlike the revelations of the past, the Baha'i all-embracing world order, the objectification revelation releases not only the creative Word of Bahi'u'llah's statement . . . the earth is but "
necessary to the renewal of spiritual vitality in one country and mankind its citizens." the human spirit, but embodies that divine The energies of the BahB'is therefore, in purenergy in an administrative order capable of suance of this aim, flow in three major channels ; bringing within its shade all the diversified individual spiritual development, conveying ethnic groups and myriad types of the human the message of BahB'u'llah to others, and derace, who may find within its wide embrace a veloping the pattern of world society embodied full, happy and purposeful life. BahB'i activity in the BahL'i administrative order. All these therefore is directed not only, as in the past, to activities derive from the sacred text and it is the spreading of the Word, but to the establish- the unique feature of the BahB'i revelation that ment of the fabric of that Order which, en- whereas the first two are common to all reshrined within the creative Word itself, be- vealed religions it is only Baha'u'llih who crecomes the chief instrument for the further ates the institutions and reveals the laws, dediffusion and social application of the Divine lineates the social order and establishes the Message. This World Order, which the BahB'i principles of the civilization to which His reve- Faith exists to establish, is none other than that lation will give rise. Neither Moses nor Christ, long-promised Kingdom in which peace, justice Muhammad, Buddha, Zoroaster or Krishna and brotherhood shall prevail universally and did this, although They all foretold that it "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of would be done by Him Who would take the the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the government upon His shoulders and establish sea."3 The establishment of this World Order is the Kingdom in peace and righteousness. dependent upon the regeneration of mankind None of the traditional motives operates to which must turn again to God and recognize create the Baha'i community, neither former His purpose. The two aims of religion are, associations, political or economic identity of therefore, interacting and interdependent. interest, racial or patriotic grouping. Only the GeorgeTownshend, The Heart o f t h e Gospel, 1939. recognition and love of Baha'u'llah brings into ibid. Habakkuk 2:14 close relatedness and co-operative action people INTROD
from every human background, of all types of mankind, ultimately control the entire recharacter and personality, divergent and diver- sources of all the component nations, and will sified interest. Through their brotherhood in enact such laws as shall be required to regulate Baha'u'llah the old crystallized forms of human the life, satisfy the needs and adjust the reladivisiveness to which they formerly belonged, tionships of all races and peoples. A world whether of class, race, religion, occupation, executive, backed by an international Force, temperament or degree of civilization lose their will carry out the decisions arrived at, and rigidity and eventually disintegrate. The grow- apply the laws enacted by, this world legislaing Bahi'i community on the other hand is ture, and will safeguard the organic unity of the essentially based on love, is a brotherhood, a whole commonwealth. A world tribunal will family, each member delighting in the diversity adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final of its membership, welcoming the former verdict in all and any disputes that may arise pariah or outcast as a new flower in the garden, between the various elements constituting this each as proud of his humanity as was ever the universal system. A mechanism of world interformer chauvinist of his country. communication will be devised, embracing the Within such a community the sun of Baha'u'- whole planet, freed from national hindrances 11ih's revelation can evoke new morals, new and restrictions, and functioning with marvelattitudes, new conventions, new hopes and lous swiftness and perfect regularity. A world visions, all enshrined within the text of the reve- metropolis will act as the nerve centre of a lation itself and which provide the spiritual world civilization, the focus towards which the atmosphere and distinctive culture of the new unifying forces of life will converge and from day. Such a community, as it grows, becomes which its energizing influences will radiate. A more and more a true social order, providing world language will either be invented or a soil to human life, a climate for its best chosen from among the existing languages and development, an arena for the practice of its will be taught in the schools of all the federated highest aspirations, and a beacon light to attract nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongue. and guide the disillusioned, spiritually impo- A world script, a world literature, a uniform verished, frenetic and frustrated peoples of the and universal system of currency, of weights earth. and measures, will simplify and facilitate inter- The energies of this new culture, guided and course and understanding among the nations conserved to the service of human welfare by and races of mankind. In such a world society, the agencies of BahB'u'llBh's World Order will science and religion, the two most potent forces result in the proliferation of new arts and in human life, will be reconciled, will co-operate, sciences,new social and economicrelationships, and will harmoniously develop. The press will, new educational methods and a general acces- under such a system, while giving full scope to sion of well-being and felicity. The vision of the the expression of the diversified views and con- BahB'i Faith, though glorious, is a practical victions of mankind, cease to be mischievously one, and the number of its dedicated promoters manipulated by vested interests, whether prigrows with increasing speed. It is summarized vate or public, and will be liberated from the in the following words by the Guardian of the influence of contending governments and Baha'i Faith in his essay The Unfoldrnent of peoples. The economic resources of the world World Civilization : will be organized, its sources of raw materials "The unity of the human race, as envisaged will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will by Bahi'u'llah, implies the establishment of a be co-ordinated and developed, and the distriworld commonwealth in which all nations, bution of its products will be equitably reguraces, creeds and classes are closely and per- lated. manently united, and in which the autonomy of "National rivalries, hatreds, and intrigues its state members and the personal freedom and will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice initiative of the individuals that compose them will be replaced by racial amity, understanding are definitely and completely safeguarded. and co-operation. The causes of religious strife This commonwealth must, as far as we can will be permanently removed, economic barvisualize it, consist of a world legislature, whose riers and restrictions will be completely members will, as the trustees of the whole of abolished, and the inordinate distinction between classes will be obliterated. Destitution on can stimulate the intellectual, the moral, and the one hand, and gross accumdation of spiritual life of the entire human race. ownership on the other, will disappear. The "A world federal system, ruling the whole enormous energy dissipated and wasted on earth and exercising unchallengeable authority war, whether economic or political, will be con- over its unimaginably vast resources, blending secrated to such ends as will extend the range of and embodying the ideals of both the East and human inventions and technical development, West, liberated from the curse of war and its to the increase of the productivity of mankind, miseries, and bent on the exploitation of all the to the extermination of disease, to the extension available sources of energy on the surface of the of scientific research, to the raising of the stan- planet, a system in which Force is made the dard of physical health, to the sharpening and servant of Justice, whose life is sustained by its refinement of the human brain, to the exploita- universal recognition of one God and by its tion of the unused and unsuspected resources of allegiance to one common Revelation-such is the planet, to the prolongation of human life, the goal towards which humanity, impelled by and to the furtherance of any other agency that the unifying forces of life is moving." PART QNE
T H E B A H A ' ~R E V E L A T I O N EXCERPTS FROM T H E B A H A ' ~SACRED W R I T I N G S
(Passages from the Kithb-i-Aqdas translated by SHOGHIE FFE N D I )
1. The first duty prescribed by God for His keys of My mercy for My creatures. Thus hath servants is the recognition of Him Who is the it been sent down from the heaven of the Will Dayspring of His Revelation and the Foun- of your Lord, the Lord of Revelation. Were tain of His laws, Who representeth the God- any man to taste the sweetness of the words head in both theKingdomof His Causeand the which the lips of the All-Merciful have willed world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty to utter, he would, though the treasures of the hath attained unto all good; and whoso is de- earth be in his possession, renounce them one prived thereof, hath gone astray, though he be and all, that he might vindicate the truth of even the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth one of His commandments, shining above the every one who reacheth this most sublime Dayspring of His bountiful care and lovingstation, this summit of transcendent glory, to kindness. observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Say: From My laws the sweet smelling savour Desire of the world. These twin duties are of My garment can be smelled, and by their aid inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the the standards of Victory will be planted upon other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who the highest peaks. The Tongue of My power is the Source of Divine inspiration. hath, from the heaven of My omnipotent glory, They whom God hath endued with insight addressed to My creation these words: "Obwill readily recognize that the precepts laid serve My commandments, for the love of My down by God constitute the highest means for beauty." Happy is the lover that hath inhaled the maintenance of order in the world and the the divine fragrance of his Best-Beloved from security of its peoples. He that turneth away these words, laden with the perfume of a grace from them is accounted among the abject and which no tongue can describe. By My life! He foolish. We, verily, have commanded you to who hath drunk the choice wine of fairness refuse the dictates of your evil passions and from the hands of My bountiful favour, will corrupt desires, and not to transgress the circle around My commandments that shine bounds which the Pen of the Most High hath above the Dayspring of My creation. fixed, for these are the breath of life unto all Think not that We have revealed unto you a created things. The seas of Divine wisdom and mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have un- Divine utterance have risen under the breath of sealed the choice Wine with the fingers of the breeze of the All-Merciful. Hasten to drink might and power. To this beareth witness that your fill, 0 men of understanding! They that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. have violated the Covenant of God by breaking Meditate upon this, 0 men of insight! His commandments, and have turned back on their heels, these have erred grievously in the 2. Whenever My laws appear like the sun in the sight of God, the All-Possessing, the Most heaven of Mine utterance, they must be faith- High. fully obeyed by all, though My decree be such 0 ye peoples of the world! Know assuredly as to cause the heaven of every religion to be that My commandments are the lamps of My cleft asunder. He doth what He pleaseth. He loving providence among My servants, and the chooseth; and none may question His choice. Whatsoever He, the Well-Beloved, ordaineth, people hath followed its own fancy and idle the same is, verily beloved. To this He Who is imaginings. the Lord of all creation beareth Me witness. Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation direct Whoso hath inhaled the sweet fragrance of the from God, ere the expiration of a full thousand All-Merciful, and recognized the Source of this years, such a man is assuredly a lying imposter. utterance, will welcome with his own eyes the We pray God that He may graciously assist shafts of the enemy, that he may establish the him to retract and repudiate such claim. Should truth of the laws of God amongst men. Well is he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him. If, it with him that hath turned thereunto, and however, he persisteth in his error, God will, apprehended the meaning of His decisive de- assuredly, send down one who will deal mercree. cilessly with him. Terrible, indeed, is God in punishing! Whosoever interpreteth this verse 3. We have commanded you to pray and fast otherwise than its obvious meaning is deprived from the beginning of maturity; this is ordained of the Spirit of God and of His mercy which by God, your Lord and the Lord of your fore- encompasseth all created things. Fear God, fathers. He has exempted from this those who and follow not your idle fancies. Nay, rather are weak from illness or age, as a bounty from follow the bidding of your Lord, the Almighty, His Presence, and He is the Forgiving, the the All-Wise. Generous. Be not dismayed, 0 peoples of the world, 4. . . . We have enjoined upon you fasting when the Day-star of My beauty is set, and the during a brief period, and at its close have de- heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from signated for you Naw-R6z as a feast. . . The your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to traveller, the ailing, those who are with child exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you or giving suck, are not bound by the fast. . . at all times, and shall strengthen you through Abstain from food and drink, from sunrise to the power of truth. We are truly almighty. sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of Whoso hath recognized Me, will arise and serve this grace that is appointed in the Book. Me with such determination that the powers of earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his 5. The Lord hath ordained that in every city purpose. a House of Justice be established wherein shall The peoples of the world are fast asleep. gather counsellors to the number of Baha, and Were they to wake from their slumber, they should it exceed this number it does not matter. would hasten with eagerness unto God, the . . . It behoveth them to be the trusted ones of All-Knowing, the All-Wise. They would cast the Merciful among men and to regard them- away everything they possess, be it all the treaselves as the guardians appointed of God for sures of the earth, that their Lord may rememall that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon ber them to the extent of addressing to them but them to take counsel together and to have one word. Such is the instruction given you by regard for the interests of the servants of God, Him Who holdeth the knowledge of things for His sake, even as they regard their own hidden, in a Tablet which the eye of creation interests, and to choose that which is meet and hath not seen, and which is revealed to none seemly. Thus hath the Lord your God com- except His own Self, the omnipotent Protector manded you. Beware lest ye put away that of all worlds. So bewildered are they in the which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear drunkenness of their evil desires, that they are God, 0 ye that perceive. powerless to recognize the Lord of all being, Whose voice calleth aloud from every direc- 6. 0 ye servants of the Merciful One! Arise tion: "There is none other God but Me, the to serve the Cause of God, in such wise that the Mighty, the All-Wise." cares and sorrows caused by them that have Say: Rejoice not in the things ye possess; disbelieved in the Dayspring of the Signs of tonight they are yours, tomorrow others will God may not afflict you. At the time when the possess them. Thus warneth you He Who is the Promise was fulfilled and the Promised One All-Knowing, the All-Informed. Say: Can ye made manifest, differences have appeared claim thatwhat yeown is lasting or seeure?Nay ! amongst the kindred of the earth and each By Myself, the All-Merciful. The days of your T H E B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S 9 life flee away as a breath of wind, and all your and the ocean of My utterance is stilled. In My pomp and glory shall be folded up as were the presence amongst you there is a wisdom, and pomp and glory of those gone before you. Re- in My absence there is yet another, inscrutable flect, 0 people! What hath become of your to all but God, the Incomparable, the Allbygone days, your lost centuries? Happy the Knowing. Verily, We behold you from Our days that have been consecrated to the remem- realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will brance of God, and blessed the hours which arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the have been spent in praise of Him Who is the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company All-Wise. By My life! Neither the pomp of the of Our favoured angels. mighty, nor the wealth of the rich, nor even the 0 peoples of the earth! God, the Eternal ascendancy of the ungodly will endure. All will Truth, is My witness that streams of fresh and perish, at a word from Him. He, verily, is the soft-flowing waters have gushed from the rocks, All-Powerful, the All-Compelling, the Al- through the sweetness of the words uttered by mighty. What advantage is there in the earthly your Lord, the Unconstrained; and still ye things which men possess? That which shall slumber. Cast away that which ye possess, and, profit them, they have utterly neglected. Ere on the wings of detachment, soar beyond all long, they will awake from their slumber, and created things. Thus biddeth you the Lord of find themselves unable to obtain that which creation, the movement of Whose Pen hath hath escaped them in the days oftheir Lord, the revolutionized the soul of mankind. Almighty, the All-Praised. Did they but know Know ye from what heights your Lord, the it, they would renounce their all, that their All-Glorious, is calling? Think ye that ye have names may be mentioned before His throne. recognized the Pen wherewith your Lord, the They, verily, are accounted among the dead. Lord of all names, commandeth you? Nay, by My life! Did ye but know it, ye would re- 7. Lament not in your hours of trial, neither renounce the world, and would hasten with your joice therein; seek ye the Middle Way which is whole hearts to the presence of the Wellthe remembrance of Me in your afflictions and Beloved. Your spirits would be so transported reflection over that which may befall you in by His Word as to throw into commotion the future. Thus informeth you, He Who is the Greater World-how much more this small Omniscient, He Who is Aware. and petty one! Thus have the showers of My 8. Unto every father hath been enjoined the bounty been poured down from the heaven of instruction of his son and daughter in the art of My loving-kindness, as a token of My grace; reading and writing and in all that hath been that ye may be of the thankful. laid down in the Holy Tablet. He that putteth away that which is commanded unto him, the 11. Beware lest the desires of the flesh and of a Trustees are then to take from him that which is corrupt inclination provoke divisions among required fol their instruction, if he be wealthy, you. Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the memand if not the matter devolveth upon the House bers of one body. Thus counselleth you the Pen of Justice. Verily, have We made it a shelter for of Revelation, if ye be of them that believe. the poor and needy. He that bringeth up his Consider the mercy of God and His gifts. He son or the son of another, it is as though he hath enjoineth upon you that which shall profit you, brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My though He Himself can well dispense with all Glory, My loving kindness, My Mercy, that creatures. Your evil doings can never harm Us, have compassed the world. neither can your good works profit Us. We summon you wholly for the sake of God. To this 9. 0 ye Men of Justice! Be ye in the realm of every man of understanding and insight will God shepherds unto His sheep and guard them testify. from the ravening wolves that have appeared in disguise, even as ye would guard your own sons. 12. Enter into wedlock, 0 people, that ye may Thus exhorteth you the Counsellor, the Faith- bring forth one who will make mention of ful. Me.. . 10. Let not your hearts be perturbed, 0 people, 13. 0 kings of the earth! He Who is the sovwhen the glory of My Presence is withdrawn, ereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God's, the omnipotent Protector, the Self- through a word from Him, and ordained you to Subsisting. Worship none but God, and, with be, for all time, the emblems of His soverradiant hearts, lift up your facesunto your Lord, eignty. the Lord of all names. This is a Revelation to By the righteousness of God! It is not Our which whatever ye possess can never be com- wish to lay hands on your kingdoms. Our mispared, could ye but know it. sion is to seize and possess the hearts of men. We see you rejoicing in that which ye have Upon them the eyes of Baha are fastened. To amassed for others and shutting out yourselves this testifieth the Kingdom of Names, could ye from the worlds which naught except My but comprehend it. Whoso followeth his Lord guarded Tablet can reckon. The treasures ye will renounce the world and all that is therein; have laid up have drawn you far away from how much greater, then, must be the detachyour ultimate objective. This ill beseemeth you, ment of Him Who holdeth so august a station! could ye but understand it. Wash from your Forsake your palaces, and haste ye to gain hearts all earthly defilements, and hasten to admittance into His Kingdom. This, indeed, enter the Kingdom of your Lord, the Creator of will profit you both in this world and in the earth and heaven, Who caused the world to next. To this testifieth the Lord of the realm tremble and all its peoples to wail, except them on high, did ye but know it. that have renounced all things and clung to that How great the blessedness that awaiteth the which the Hidden Tablet hath ordained. king who will arise to aid My Cause in My This is the Day in which He Who held con- Kingdom, who will detach himself from all verse with God hath attained the light of the else but Me! Such a king is numbered with the Ancient of Days, and quaffed the pure waters companions of the Crimson Ark-the Ark of reunion from this Cup that hath caused the which God hath prepared for the people of seas to swell. Say: By the one true God! Sinai Baha. All must glorify his name, must reverence is circling round the Dayspring of Revelation, his station, and aid him to unlock the cities with while from the heights of the Kingdom the the keys of My Name, the omnipotent Protec- Voice of the Spirit of God is heard proclaiming: tor of all that inhabit the visible and invisible "Bestir yourselves, ye proud ones of the earth, kingdoms. Such a king is the very eye of manand hasten ye unto Him." Carmel hath, in this kind, the luminous ornament on the brow of Day, hastened in longing adoration to attain creation, the fountain-head of blessings unto His court, whilst from the heart of Zion there the whole world. Offer up, 0 people of Baha, cometh the cry: "The promise is fulfilled. That your substance, nay your very lives, for his which had been announced in the holy Writ of assistance. God, the most Exalted, the Almighty, the Best- 0 Emperor of Austria! He Who is the Day- Beloved, is made manifest." spring of God's Light dwelt in the prison of 0 kings of the earth! The Most Great Law 'Akka, at the time when thou didst set forth to hath been revealed in this Spot, this scene of visit the Aqsa M0sque.l Thou passed Him by, transcendent splendour. Every hidden thing and inquired not about Him, by Whom every hath been brought to light, by virtue of the house is exalted, and every lofty gate unlocked. Will of the Supreme Ordainer, He Who hath We, verily, made it1 a place whereunto the ushered in the Last Hour, through Whom the world should turn, that they might remember Moon hath been cleft, and every irrevocable Me, and yet thou hast rejected Him Who is the decree expounded. Object of this remembrance, when He appeared Ye are but vassals, 0 kings of the earth! He with the Kingdom of God, thy Lord and the Who is the King of Kings hath appeared, Lord of the worlds. We have been with thee at arrayed in His most wondrous glory, and is all times, and found thee clinging unto the summoning you unto Himself, the Help in Branch and heedless of the Root. Thy Lord, Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Take heed lest pride verily, is a witness unto what I say. We grieved deter you from recognizing the Source of Reve- to see thee circle round Our Name, whilst lation, lest the things of this world shut you out unaware of Us, though We were before thy face. as by a veil from Him Who is the Creator of Open thine eyes, that thou mayest behold this heaven. Arise, and serve Him Who is the glorious Vision, and recognize Him Whom Desire of all nations, Who hath created you Jerusalem. THE B A H ~ S'A~C R E D W R I T I N G S 11 thou invokest in the daytime and in the night that which hath been raised from the Dayseason, and gaze on the Light that shineth above spring of Grandeur: Verily, there is none other this luminous Horizon. God but Me, the Lord of Utterance, the All- Say: 0 King of Berlin! Give ear unto the Knowing. Bind ye the broken with the hands of Voice calling from this manifest Temple: justice, and crush the oppressor who flourisheth Verily, there is none other God but Me, the with the rod of the commandments of your Everlasting, the Peerless, the Ancient of Days. Lord, the Ordainer, the All-Wise. Take heed lest pride debar thee from recog- . . . 0 SpotZ that art situate on the shores of nizing the Dayspring of Divine Revelation, the two seas! The throne of tyranny hath, lest earthly desires shut thee out, as by a veil, verily, been established upon thee, and the from the Lord of the Throne above and of the flame of hatred hath been kindled within thy earth below. Thus counselleth thee the Pen of bosom, in such wise that the Concourse on high the Most High. He, verily, is the Most Gracious, and they who circle around the Exalted Throne the All-Bountiful. D o thou remember the one1 have wailed and lamented. We behold in thee whose power transcended thy power, and whose the foolish ruling over the wise, and darkness station excelled thy station. Where is he? vaunting itself against the light. Thou art in- Whither are gone the things he possessed ? Take deed filled with manifest pride. Hath thine warning, and be not of them that are fast asleep. outward splendour made thee vainglorious? He it was who cast the Tablet of God behind By Him Who is the Lord of mankind! It shall him, when We made known unto him what the soon perish, and thy daughters and thy widows hosts of tyranny had caused Us to suffer. and all the kindreds that dwell within thee shall Wherefore, disgrace assailed him from all lament. Thus informeth thee the All-Knowing, sides, and he went down to dust in great loss. the All-Wise. Think deeply, 0 King, concerning him, and 0 banks of the Rhine! We have seen you concerning them who, like unto thee, have con- covered with gore, inasmuch as the swords of quered cities and ruled over men. The All- retribution were drawn against you; and you Merciful brought them down from their palaces shall have another turn. And We hear the lamto their graves. Be warned, be of them who entations of Berlin, though she be today in reflect. conspicuous glory. We have asked nothing from you. For the Let nothing grieve thee, 0 Land of Ta,3 for sake of God We, verily, exhort you, and will God hath chosen thee to be the source of the be patient as We have been patient in that which joy of all mankind. He shall, if it be His Will, hath befallen Us at your hands, 0 concourse of bless thy throne with one who will rule with kings ! justice, who will gather together the flock of Hearken ye, 0 Rulers of America and the God which the wolves have scattered. Such a Presidents of the Republics therein, unto that ruler will, with joy and gladness, turn his face which the Dove is warbling on the Branch of towards, and extend his favours unto, the Eternity: There is none other God but Me, the people of Baha. He indeed is accounted in the Ever-Abiding, the Forgiving, the All-Bountiful. sight of God as a jewel among men. Upon him Adorn ye the temple of dominion with the orna- rest forever the glory of God, and the glory ment of justice and of the fear of God, and its of all that dwell in the kingdom of His revelahead with the crown of the remembrance of tion. your Lord, the Creator of the heavens. Thus Rejoice with great joy, for God hath made counselleth you He Who is the Dayspring of thee "the Dayspring of His light", inasmuch as Names, as bidden by Him Who is the All- within thee was born the Manifestation of His Knowing, the All-Wise. The Promised One Glory. Be thou glad for this name that hath hath appeared in this glorified Station, where- been conferred upon thee-a name through at all beings, both seen and unseen, have re- which the Day-star of grace hath shed its joiced. Take ye advantage of the Day of God. splendour, through which both earth and hea- Verily, to meet Him is better for you than all ven have been illumined. that whereon the sun shineth, could ye but Ere long will the state of affairs within thee be know it. 0 concourse of rulers! Give ear unto changed, and the reins of power fall into the Napoleon 111. Constantinople. Tihran. 12 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
hands of the people. Verily, thy Lord is the All- Land, and proclaim: "The Kingdom is God's, Knowing. His authority embraceth all things. the sovereign Lard of all, the All-Powerful, the Rest thou assured in the gracious favour of thy Loving!" Lord. The eye of His loving-kindness shall We have not entered any school, nor read everlastingly be directed towards thee. The day any of your dissertations. Incline your ears to is approaching when thy agitation will have the words of this unlettered One, wherewith He been transmuted into peace and quiet calm. summoneth you unto God, the Ever-Abiding. Thus hath it been decreed in the wondrous Better is this for you than all the treasures of the Book. earth, could ye but comprehend it. Whoso interpreteth what hath been sent 14. Say: 0 leaders of religion! Weigh not the down from the heaven of Revelation, and al- Book of God with such standards and sciences tereth its evident meaning, he, verily, is of them as are current amongst you, for the Book itself that have perverted the Sublime Word of God, is the unerring balance established amongst and is of the lost ones in the Lucid Book. men. In this most perfect balance whatsoever 15. The Lord hath granted leave to whosoever the peoples and kindreds of the earth possess desireth it that he be instructed in the divers must be weighed, while the measure of its tongues of the world that he may deliver the weight should be tested according to its own Message of the Cause of God throughout the standard, did ye but know it. East and throughout the West, that he make The eye of My loving-kindness weepeth sore mention of Him arnidst the kindreds and over you, inasmuch as ye have failed to recogpeoples of the world in such wise that hearts nize the One upon Whom ye have been calling may revive and the mouldering bone be quickin the daytime and in the night season, at even ened. and at morn. Advance, 0 people, with snowwhite faces and radiant hearts, unto the blest 16. Adorn your heads with the garlands of and crimson Spot, wherein the Sadratu'l- trustworthiness and fidclity, your hearts with MuntahA is calling: "Verily, there is none other the attire of the Fear of God, your tongues with God beside Me, the Omnipotent Protector, the absolute truthfulness, your bodies with the ves- Self-subsisting !" ture of courtesy. These are in truth seemly 0 ye leaders of religion! Who is the man adornings unto the temple of man, if ye be of amongst you that can rival Me in vision or in- them that reflect. Cling, 0 ye people of BahA, sight? Where is he to be found that dareth to to the cord of servitudeunto God, theTrueOne, claim to be My equal in utterance or wisdom? for thereby your stations shall be made mani- No, by My Lord, the All-Merciful! All on the fest, your names written and preserved, your earth shall pass away; and this is the face of ranks raised and your memory exalted in the your Lord, the Almighty, the Well-Beloved. Preserved Tablet. Beware lest the dwellers on We have decreed, 0 people, that the highest earth hinder you from this glorious and exalted and last end of all learning be the recognition station. Thus have We exhorted you in most of of Him Who is the Object of all knowledge; and our Epistles and now in this, Our Holy Tablet, yet, behold how ye have allowed your learning above which hath beamed the Day-star of the to shut you out, as by a veil, from Him Who is Laws of the Lord, your God, the Powerful, the the Dayspring of this Light, through Whom All-Wise. every hidden thing hath been revealed. Could When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed ye but discover the source whence the splen- and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn dour of this utterance is diffused, ye would cast your faces toward Him Whom God hath puraway the peoples of the world and all that they posed, Who hath branched from this Ancient possess, and would draw nigh unto this most Root. Consider the pettiness of men's minds. blessed Seat of glory. They ask for that which injureth them, and Say: This, verily, is the heaven in which the cast away the thing that profiteth them. They Mother Book is treasured, could ye but com- are, indeed, of those that are far astray. We find prehend it. He it is Who hath caused the Rock some men desiring liberty, and priding themto shout, and the Burning Bush to lift up its selves therein. Such men are in the depths of voice, upon the Mount rising above the Holy ignorance. THE B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S 13
Aerial view of present-day 'Akkd. The strzlcture with arched windows, centre foreground, is the House of 'Abbzid where Bahh'u'llrih revealed the Kitab-i-Aqdas, circa 1873.
Liberty must, in the end, lead to sedition, Will, that pervadeth all created things. Say: whose flames none can quench. Thus warneth The liberty that profiteth you is to be found you He Who is the Reckoner, the All-Knowing. nowhereexcept incompleteservitudeunto God, Know ye that the embodiment of liberty and its the Eternal Truth. Whoso hath tasted of its symbol is the animal. That which beseemeth sweetness will refuse to barter it for all the man is submission unto such restraints as will dominions of earth and heaven. protect him from his own ignorance, and guard 17. Consort with all religions with amity and him against the harm of the mischief-maker. concord, that they may inhale from you the Liberty causeth man to overstep the bounds of sweet fragrance of God. Beware lest amidst men propriety, and to infringe on the dignity of his the flame of foolish ignorance overpower you. station. It debaseth him to the level of extreme All things proceed from God and unto Him depravity and wickedness. they return. He is the source of all things and in Regard men as a flock of sheep that need a Him all things are ended. shepherd for their protection. This, verily, is the truth, the certain truth. We approve of liberty 18. Blessed is the man that hath acknowledged in certain circumstances, and refuse to sanction his belief in God and in His signs, and recogit in others. We, veriIy, are the All-Knowing. nized that "Heshall not be asked of His doings." Say: True liberty consisteth in man's sub- Such a recognition hath been made by God the mission unto My commandments, little as ye ornament of every belief, and its very founknow it. Were men to observe that which We dation. Upon it must depend the acceptance of have sent down unto them from the Heaven of every goodly deed. Fasten your eyes upon it, Revelation, they would, of a certainty, attain that haply the whisperings of the rebellious unto perfect liberty. Happy is the man that may not cause you to slip. hath apprehended the Purpose of God in what- Were He to decree as lawful the thing which ever He hath revealed from the Heaven of His from time immemorial had been forbidden, and forbid that which had, at all times, been regar- Baha. By the Lord! Ye are the billows of the ded as lawful, to none is given the right to Most Mighty Ocean, the stars of the firmament question His authority. Whoso will hesitate, of Glory, the standards of triumph waving bethough it be for less than a moment, should be twixt earth and heaven. Ye are the manifesregarded as a transgressor. tations of steadfastness amidst men and the Whoso hath not recognized this sublime and daysprings of Divine Utterance to all that fundamental verity, and hath failed to attain dwell on earth. Well is it with him that turneth this most exalted station, the winds of doubt unto you and woe betide the froward. This day, will agitate him, and the sayings of the infidels it behoveth whoso hath quaffed the Mystic will distract his soul. He that hath acknow- Wine of Everlasting Life from the Hands of the ledged this principle will be endowed with the loving-kindness of the Lord his God, the Mermost perfect constancy. All honour to this all- ciful, to pulsate even as the throbbing artery in glorious station, the remembrance of which the body of mankind, that through him may be adorneth every exalted Tablet. Such is the quickened the world and every crumbling bone. teachingwhichGod bestoweth on you, a teach- When the Mystic Dove will have winged its ing that will deliver you from all manner of flight from its Sanctuary of Praise and sought its doubt and perplexity, and enable you to attain far-off goal, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatunto salvation in both this world and in the soever ye understand not in the Book to Him next. He, verily, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Who hath branched from this mighty Stock. Most Bountiful. 21. The world's equilibrium hath been upset 19. 0 concourse of divines! When My verses through the vibrating influence of this most were sent down, and My clear tokens were regreat, this new World Order. Mankind's orvealed, We found you behind the veils. This, dered life hath been revolutionized through the verily, is a strange thing. . . We have rent the agency of this unique, this wondrous Systemveils asunder. Beware lest ye shut out the people the like of which mortal eyes have never witby yet another veil. Pluck asunder the chains of nessed. vain imaginings, in the name of the Lord of Immerse yourselves in theocean of My words, all men, and be not of the deceitful. Should ye that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all turn unto God, and embrace His Cause, spread the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths. not disorder within it, and measure not the Take heed that ye do not vacillate in your deter- Book of God with your selfish desires. This, mination to embrace the truth of this Cause-a verily, is the counsel of God aforetime and here- Cause through which the potentialities of the after. . . Had ye believed in God, when He might of God have been revealed, and His revealed Himself, the people would not have sovereignty established. With faces beaming turned aside from Him, nor would the things withjoy, hasten ye unto Him. This is the changeye witness today have befallen Us. Fear God, less Faith of God, eternal in the past, eternal in and be not of the heedless. . . This is the Cause the future. Let him that seeketh, attain it; and that hath caused all your superstitions and idols as to him that hath refused to seek it-verily, to tremble. . . God is Self-Sufficient, above any need of His 0 concourse of divines! Beware lest ye be the creatures. cause of strife in the land, even as ye were the Say: This is the infallible Balance which the cause of the repudiation of the Faith in its early Hand of God is holding, in which all who are in days. Gather the people around this Word that the heavens and all who are on the earth are hath made the pebbles to cry out: "The Kingweighed, and their fate determined, if ye be of dom is God's, the Dawning-Place of all signs!" them that believe and recognize this truth. Say: . . . Tear the veils asunder in such wise that the Through it the poor have been enriched, the inmates of the Kingdom will hear them being learned enlightened, and the seekers enabled to rent. This is the command of God, in days ascend unto the presence of God. Beware, lest gone by, and for those to come. Blessed the man ye make it a cause of dissension amongst you. that observeth that whereunto he was bidden, Be ye as firmly settled as the immovable mounand woe betide the negligent. tain in the Cause of your Lord, the Mighty, the 20. Happy are ye, 0 ye the learned ones in Loving. 2. THE BAB EFFENDI, (Passagesfrom the Writings ofthe Bdb translated and commented upon by SHOGHL compiled by BEATRICE ASHTON)
SHOGHI EFFENDI, the Guardian of the any previous religion. He Himself affirms, while Baha'i Faith, has mentioned in God Passes By, confined in Mah-Ku, that up to that time His his history of the first hundred years of theFaith, writings, embracing highly diversified subjects, certain Writings of the Bab, in particular, which had amounted to more than five hundred thoucame to be well known and had a profound sand verses. 'The verses which have rained from effect on the scholars and officials of Persia, not this Cloud of Divine mercy,' is Bahi'u'llah's only during the six years of the Bkb's ministry testimony in the ~itbb-i-fqcin,'have been so (1 844-1850) but in succeeding years as well. abundant that none hath yet been able to esti- In order that "the people of the West" may mate their number. A score of volumes are now become better acquainted with some of these available. How many still remain beyond our Writings of the Bab, excerpts from them are reach! How many have been plundered and have presented here, chronologically, as they have fallen into the hands of the enemy, the fate of been identified and made available in trans- which none knoweth!' No less arresting is the lations by Shoghi Effendi, together with his- variety of themes presented by these volumintorical information concerning them given by ouswritings, suchasprayers, homilies, orations, the Guardian in his books and by Nabil in his Tablets of visitation, scientific treatises, docnarrative, The Dawn-Breakers. trinal dissertations, exhortations, commen- Concerning the Writings of the Bab Shoghi taries on the Qur'an and on various traditions, Effendi states : epistles to the highest religious and ecclesia- "Alike in the magnitude of the writings ema- stical dignitaries of the realm, and laws and nating from His pen, and in the diversity of the ordinances for the consolidation of His Faith subjects treated in those writings, His Revela- and the direction of its activities."' tion stands wholly unparalleled in the annals of GodPasses By, pp. 22-23.
THE QAYYUMU'L-ASMA' The Qayylimu'l-Asmb' (Commentary on the clarion-call and dire warnings addressed to the Qur'an Slirih of Joseph) was revealed in Ara- 'concourse of kings and of the sons of kings'; bic, in a i r a z . The first chapter was revealed forecasts the doom of Muhammad &ah; com- "in its entirety" in the presence of Mulla mands his Grand Vazir, Haji Mirza Aqasi, to Husayn on "that memorable night" when the abdicate his authority; admonishes the entire Bab declared His Mission, May 23,1844. It was Muslim ecclesiastical order; cautions more characterized by Baha'u'llah in His Kitrib-i- specifically the members of the a i ' a h commufqbn as "the first, the greatest and mightiest of nity; extols the virtues, and anticipates the all books" in the Babi Dispensati~n.~ coming, of Baha'u'llah, the 'Remnant of God', Its "fundamental purpose was to forecast the 'Most Great Master'; and proclaims, in unwhat the true Joseph (Bahi'u'llah) would, in a equivocal language, the independence and unisucceeding Dispensation, endure at the hands versality of the Babi Revelation, unveils its imof one who was at once His arch-enemy and port, and affirms the inevitable triumph of its blood brother. This work, comprising above Author. It, moreover, directs the 'people ofthe nine thousand three hundred verses, and divi- West' to 'issue forth from your cities and aid the ded into one hundred and eleven chapters, each Cause of God'; warns the peoples of the earth chapter a commentary on one verse of the of the 'terrible, the most grievous vengeance of above-mentioned surih, opens with the Bab's God'; threatens the whole Islamic world with ibid., p. 23. 'the Most Great Fire' were they to turn aside 16 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
from the newly-revealed Law; foreshadows the W e have established a separate Covenant con- Author's martyrdom; eulogizes the high station cerning the "Remembrance of God" and His ordained for the people of Baha, the 'Com- Day. Manifest, in the realm ofglory and through panions of the crimson-coloured ruby Ark'; pro- the power of truth, are the "Remembrance of phesies the fading out and utter obliteration of God" and His Day bejore the eyes of the angels some of the greatest luminaries in the firma- that circle His mercy-seat.' 'Should it be Our ment of the Babi Dispensation; and even pre- wish,' Heagain affirms, 'it is in Our power to dicts 'aflictive torment', in both the'DayofOur compel, through the agency of but one letter of Return' and in 'the world which is to conle', for Our Revelation, tlze world and all that is therein the usurpers of the Imamate, who 'waged war to recognize, in less than the twinkling of an eye, against Husayn (Imam Husayn) in the Land of the truth o f Our C a ~ s e . ' " ~ the Euphrates.' In this commentary on the Surih of Joseph "It was this Book which the Babis univer- "we read the following references to BahaYu'- sally regarded, during almost the entire minis- 11ah: 'Out of utter nothingness, 0 great and try of the Bab, as the Qur'an of the people of the omnipotent Master, Thou hast, through the Bayan; whose first and most challenging chap- celestialpotency of Thy might, brought me forth ter was revealed in the presence of Mulli and raised me up to proclaim this Revelation. I Husayn, on the night of its Author's Declara- have made none other but Thee my trust; I have tion; some of whose pages were borne, by that clung to no will but Thy will . . . 0 Thou Remsame disciple, to BahB'u'llah, as the first fruits nant of God! I have sacrificed myself wholly for of a Revelation which instantly won His en- Thee; I have accepted curses for Thy sake, and thusiastic allegiance; whose entire text was have yearned for naught but martyrdom in the translated into Persian by the brilliant and path of Thy love. Suficient witness unto me is gifted Tahirih; whose passages inflamed the God, the Exalted, the Protector, the Ancient of hostility of Husayn Khan [the governor of the Days.' 'And when the appointed hour hath province of Fkrs] and precipitated the initial struck,' He again addresses Baha'u'llAh in that outbreak of persecution in a i r a z ; a single page samecommentary, 'do Thou, by the leave of God, of which had captured the imagination and en- the All- Wise, reveal from the heights of the Most tranced the soul of Hujjat; and whose contents Lofty and Mystic Mount a faint, an infinitesimal had set afire the intrepid defenders of the Fort of glimmer of Thy impenetrable Mystery, that they s a y & Tabarsi and the heroes of Nayriz and who have recognized the radiance of the Sinaic Zanjan."l In this book, moreover, the Bab Splendour may faint away and die as they catch refers to His wife and to His little son.Z a lightning glimpse of the fierce and crimson "'I ant the Mystic Fane,' the Bab thus pro- Light that envelops Thy Re~elation.'"~ claims His station in the Qayyrimu'l-Asmh', "' A s to those who deny Him Who is the Sub-
'which the Hand of Omnipotence hath reared. I lime Gate of God,' the Bab, for His part, has am the Lamp which the Finger of God hath lit affirmed in the Qayyumu'l-Asmri', 'for them within its niche and caused to shine with deathless We have prepared, as justly decreed by God, a splendour. I anz the Flame of that supernal sore torment. And He, God, is the Mighty, the Light that glowed upon Sinai in the gladsonze Wise.' And further, ' 0 peoples of the earth! I Spot, and lay concealed in the midst of the swear by your Lord! Ye shall act as former Burning Bush.' generations have acted. Warn ye, then, your- " ' 0 Qurratu'l-'Ayn!' He, addressing Him- selves of the terrible, the most grievous venself in that same commentary, exclaims, 'I geance of God. For God is, verily, potent over all recognize in Thee none other except the "Great things.' And again: 'By M y glory! I will make Announcementu-the Announcement voiced by the infidels to taste, with the hands of M y power, the Concourse on high. By this name, I bear wit- retributions unknown of any one except Me, and ness, they that circle the Throne of Glory have will waft over the faithful those musk-scented ever known Thee.' breaths which I have nursed in the midmost heart "'With each and every Prophet, Whom We of M y t h r ~ n e . ' " ~ have sent down in the past,' He further adds, World Order ofBaha'u'lldh, b y Shoghi Effendi, p. 126 . GodPasses By, pp. 23-24. ibid., p. 101. Dawn-Breakers, p. 76, notes 3 and 4; p. 81, note 2. The Promised Day is Come, b y Shoghi Effendi, p. 2. T H E B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S 17
Upper chamber of the House of the Brib in Qirciz where He announced His Mission to Mullri Husayn. 18 THEi B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
In this same commentary the Bab "has issued due, with the truth andby His leave, the countries, this stirring call to the kings and princes of the for in this world thou hast been mercifully inearth : vested with sovereignty, and will, in the next, " ' 0 concourse of kings and of the sons of dwell, nigh unto the Seat of Holiness, with the kings! Lay aside, one and all, your dominion inn~atesof the Paradise of His good-pleasure. which belongeth unto God. . . Vain indeed is your Let not thy sovereignty deceive thee, 0 &rih,.for dominion, for God hath set aside earthly pos- 'every soul shall taste of death,' and this, in very sessions for such as have denied Him . . . 0 con- truth, hath beenwritten downasadecree of God."2 course of kings! Deliver with truth and in all To the &i'ih clericals "who, as BahB'u'llhh haste the verses sent down by Us to thepeoples of declared, had they not intervened, Persia would Turkey and of India, and beyond them, with have been subdued by the power of God in power and with truth, to lands in both the East hardly more than two years" the Bab addressed and the West . . . By God! If ye do well, to your the following words: "0 concourse of divines! own behoof will ye do well; and if ye deny God Fear God jiom this day onwards in the views ye and His signs, We, in very truth, having God, can advance, for He Who is Our Remembrance in well dispense with all creatures and all earthly your midst, and Who cometh from Us, is, in dominion.' very truth, the Judge and Witness. Turn away "And again: 'Fear ye God, 0 concourse of from that which ye lay hold of, and which the kings, lest ye remain afar from Him Who is His Book of God, the True One, hath not sanctioned, Remembrance (the Bab), after the Truth hath jbr on the Day o f Resurrection ye shall, upon the conle unto you with a Book and signs,from God, Bridge, be, in very truth, held answerable for the as spoken through the wondrous tongue of Him position ye occ~pied."~ Who is His Remembrance. Seek ye grace fronz "0concourse of &i6ihs! Fear ye God, and Our God, for God hath ordained for you, ajier ye Cause, which concemeth Him Who is the Most have believed in Him, a Garden the vastness of . Great Remembrance of God. For great is its fire, which is as the vastness o f the whole of Para- as decreed in the Mother-Book." "0 people oj' dise.' "I the Qur'an! Ye are as nothing unless ye submit Addressing Muhammad &ah: "0 King of unto the Remembrance of God and unto this Islrim! Aid thou, with the truth, after having Book. Ifye jollow the Cause of God, We willjoraided the Book, Him Who is Our Most Great give you your sins, and ifye turn aside from Our Remembrance, for God hath, in very truth, des- command, We will, in truth, condemn your souls tined for thee, and for such as circle round thee, in Our Book, unto the Most Great Fire. We, on the Day of Judgement, a responsible position verily, do not deal unjustly with men, even to the in His Path. I swear by God, 0 Shah! If thou extent of a speck on a date-stone." showest enmity unto Him Who is His Remem- "And finally, in that same Commentary, this brance, God will, on the Day of Resurrection, startling prophecy is recorded: 'Erelong We condemn thee, before the kings, unto hell-five, will, in very truth, torment such as waged war and thou shalt not, in very truth,jindon that Day against Husayn (Imam Husayn), in the Land of any helper except God, the Exalted. Purge thou, the Euphrates, with the most afJEictive torment, 0 s a h , the Sacred Land (Tihran) fronz such and the most dire and exenlplary punishment.' as have repudiated the Book, ere the day where- 'Erelong,' He also, referring to that same people, on the Remembrance oj'God cometh, terribly and in that same Book, has written, 'will God wreak of a sudden, with His potent Cause, by the leave His vengeance upon them, at the time of Our o f God, the Most High. God, verily, hath pres- Return, and He hath, in very truth, prepared for cribed to thee to submit unto Him Who is His then?,in the world to come, a severe tornlent.' "4 Remembrance, and unto His Cause, and to sub-
, Shoghi Effendi, p. 27. Tl~ePrornisedDay is C o t i ~ eby T H E S A H FIY-I-BAYNU'L-HARAMAYN ~ The "Epistle between the Two Shrines" was the most outstanding exponents of the &ayQi "revealed between Mecca and Medina, in school, who at times went so far as to assert answer to questions posed by Mirza Muhit-i- his independence of the leadership of that Kirmkni", a &ayfii leader, who had presented school assumed after the death of Siyyid Kazim many questions to the Bab while in Mecca. This by Haji Muhammad Karim Khan, a redoubi- Epistle was revealed in January, 1845.' able enemy of the Babi Faith. The second was Shoghi Effendi states that the visit of the the invitation, in the form of an Epistle, con- Bab to Hijaz "was marked by two episodes of veyed by Quddds, to the Sherif of Mecca, in particular importance. The first was the de- which the custodian of the House of God was claration of His mission and His open challenge called upon to embrace the truth of the new to the haughty Mirza Muhit-i-Kirmani, one of Revelati~n."~ I
God Passes By, p. 24; Dawn-Breakers, pp. 136-1 37, GodPasses By, p. 9 . 140.
EPISTLE T O T H E SHERIF O F MECCA "No sooner had the Bab performed the last which had been addressed to him by the Bab, of the observances in connection with His pil- failed to respond to the call of the Divine grimage to Mecca than He addressed an epistle Me~sage."~ "Seven years later, when in the to the Sherif of that holy city, wherein He set course of a conversation with a certain Haji forth, in clear and unmistakable terms, the dis- Niyaz-i-Babdadi, this same Sherif was intinguishing features of His mission, and called formed of the circun~stancesattending the upon him to arise and embrace His Cause. This mission and martyrdom of the Prophet of epistle, together with selections from His other Shiraz, he listened attentively to the description writings, He delivered to Quddus, and in- of those events and expressed his indignation structed him to present them to the Sherif. The at the tragic fate that had overtaken Him."4 latter, however, too absorbed in his own material pursuits to incline his ear to the words Dawn-Breakers, p. 138. ' GodPasses By, p. 9.
KITABU'R-R~JH This work of the Bab, "comprising seven period before His banishment to the fortress hundred ~ u r i h s " , was ~ also revealed in the prisonof Mah-K6. Godpasses By, p. 24.
The aasci'il-i-Sab'ih (meaning literally "The immediately all its provisions". Mulla gadiq, Seven Qualifications") "enjoined the altera- "among the first believers who identified themtion of the formula of the a a a n " (the Muslim selves with the Message proclaimed by the Bab", call to prayer). This was a treatise in which the "impelled by the injunction of the BAb in the BAb had "set forth the essential requirements aasd'il-i-Sab'ih to alter the sacrosanct forfor those who had attained to the knowledge of mula of the a a a n , sounded it in its amended the new Revelation and had recognized its form before a scandalized congregation in claim". A copy was entrusted by the Bab to &iraz, and was instantly arrested, reviled, Quddus when he departed from Buhihr to stripped of his garments, and scourged with a - Shiraz. Quddus, soon after arriving in &iriz, thousand la she^."^ gave it to Mulla Sadiq-i-aurasani, and "stressed the necessity of putting into effect "bid., pp. 24,lO-11; Dawn-Breakers, pp. 143-144. View of the house where the Bab spent forty days of Hi$ sojourn in I~fdhdnin 1846 as the guest of the Imam-Jum'ih, "one of the principal ecclesiastical dignitaries of the realm, in accordance with the instructions of thegovernor of the city, Manlieihr Khbn . . . who hadreceivedfrom the Bbb a letter requesting him to appoint theplace where He shoulddwell."
RISALIY-I-FURU'-I-~ADL~YYIH Written originally in Arabic, this work of the was staying at the residence of the Imam- Bab was "rendered into Persian by Mull5 Jum'ihin1sfahan.l Muhammad-Taqiy-i-Harati" while the BBb 1 ~ ~B ~p., 24;d D ~ p ~ ~p.~208. - B~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~
COMMENTARY O N T H E S U R IH O F KAWTHAR The Commentary on the S6rih of Kawthar the delegate of the &ah that he, contenting (Qur'an, 108) was revealed by the Bib during himself with a mere written report to the Court the third interview held with Him by Siyyid Chamberlain, arose forthwith to dedicate his Yahyiy-i-Darabi, surnamed Vahid, sent by entire life and resources to the service of a Faith Muhammad &ah, "to investigate and report that was to requite him with the crown of to him the true situation" concerning the martyrdom during the Nayriz upheaval." The Bab's claims. Vahid was "one of the most one in whose soul this commentary of the erudite, eloquent and influential" of the sub- Bab's "effected such a transformation" was jects of the &ah. "Broad-minded, highly ima- designated by BahB'u'llah in His ~ i t d b - i d q & ginative, zealous by nature, intimately associ- "that unique andpeerless figure of his age." He ated with the court, he, in the course of three was "a man of immense erudition and the most interviews, was completely won over by the pre-eminent figure to enlist under the banner of arguments and personality of the Bab. . . the new Faith." To his "talents and saintliness'' During the third interview the circumstances and "high attainments in the realm of science attending the revelation of the Bab's commen- andphilosophy" the Bab testified in His DalZiltary on the S~irihof Kawthar, comprising no i-Sab'ih("SevenProofs").2 less than two thousand verses, so overpowered 2 ~ ~ B ~pp. , 11-12, d 24, p50. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ T H E B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S 21
C O MM E N T A R Y O N TH E SURIH O F VA'L-'ASR The Commentary on the Siuih of Va'l-'Avr 1miim-~um'ih.The Bib, "writing with astonish- (Qur'an, 103) was revealed by the Bab during ing rapidity . . . in a few hours, had devoted to the first forty days of His sojourn in I~fhhan the exposition of the significance of only the when he was "the guest of Mirza Siyyid first letter of that sbrih-a letter which &ay& Muhammad, the SultBnu'l-'Ulama, the Imam- Ahmad-i-AhsB'ihad stressed, and which Bahk- Jumcih, one of the principal ecclesiastical dig- 'u'llah refers to in the Kitbb-i-Aqdas-verses nitaries of the realm, in accordance with the that equalled in number a third of the Qur'kn, instructions of the governor of the city, Man& a feat that called forth such an outburst of &ihr U n , the Mu'tamidu'd-Dawlih, who had reverent astonishment from those who witreceived from the Bfib a letter requesting him to nessed it that they arose and kissed the hem of appoint the place where He should dwell." His robe."' This well-known commentary was revealed "one night, after supper" at the request of the Godpasses By, pp. 14,24; Dawn-Breakers, p. 201.
DISSERTATION O N T H E SPECIFIC MISSION O F MUHAMMAD Written at the request of Manb&ihr m a n , As Shoghi Effendi points out, "The great the governor of Isfahkn, "a Georgian by origin bulk of the writings emanating from the Bbb's and a Christian by birth," the Dissertation on prolific mind was, however, reserved for the the Specific Mission of Muhammad was re- period of His confinement in MAh-Ku and vealed also in the house of the Imam-Jum'ih. Chihriq. To this period must probably belong "Before a brilliant assemblage of the most the unnumbered Epistles which, as attested by accomplished divines" the Mu'tamid "re- no less an authority than BahB'u'llkh, the Bab quested the Bab to expound and demonstrate specifically addressed to the divines of every the truth of Muhammad's specific mission. To city in Persia, as well as to those residing in this request, which those present had felt com- Najaf and Karbili, wherein He set forth in depelled to decline, the Bkb readily responded. In tail the errors committed by each one of them. less than two hours, and in the space of fifty It was during His incarceration in the fortress pages, He had not only revealed a minute, a of Mah-Kh that He, according to the testivigorous and original dissertation on this noble mony of &ay& Hasan-i-Zunfizi, who trantheme, but had also linked it with both the scribed during those nine months the verses coming of the QB'im and the return of the dictated by the Bab to His amanuensis, revealed Imam Husayn-an exposition that prompted no less than nine commentaries on the whole of Manuhihr m a n to declare before that gather- the Qur'hn--commentaries whose fate, alas, is ing his faith in the Prophet of Islam, as well as unknown, and one of which, at least the Author his recognition of the supernatural gifts with Himself affirmed, surpassed in some respects a which the Author of so convincing a treatise book as deservedly famous as the Qayybmu'lwas endowed ."z A~ma)."~ God Passes By, pp. 14-15; Dawn-Breakers, pp. 202- God Passes By, p. 24. 204.
T H E PERSIAN BAYAN "Within the walls of that same fortress [Mah- as His warning regarding, 'Him Whom God will K6] the Baykn (Exposition)-thatmonumental make manifest'-was revealed. Peerless among repository of the laws and precepts of the new the doctrinal works of the Founder of the Babi Dispensation and the treasury enshrining most Dispensation; consisting of nine Vkhids (Uniof the Bab's references and tributes to, as well ties) of nineteen chapters each, except the last THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Vahid, comprising only ten chapters; not to be barrier that might be an obstacle to its recogconfounded with the smaller and less weighty nition. 'He, verily,' BahB'u'llah, referring to the Arabic Bayan, revealed during the same period; Bab in His Kitcib-i-Badi', has stated, 'hath not fulfilling the Muhammadan prophecy that 'a fallen short of His duty to exhort the people of Youth from Bani-Haaim . . . will reveal a new the Bayrin and to deliver unto them His Message. Book and promulgate a new Law'; wholly In no age or dispensation hath any Manifestasafeguarded from the interpolation and cor- tion made mention, in such detail and in such ruption which has been the fate of so many of explicit language, of the Manifestation desthe BBb's lesser works, this Book, of about tined to succeed Him.' eight thousand verses, occupying a pivotal po- ". . . in the third Vahid of this Book there sition in Babi literature, should be regarded occurs a passage which, alike in its explicit primarily as a eulogy of the Promised One reference to the name of the Promised One, and rather than a code of laws and ordinances de- in its anticipation of the Order which, in a later signed to be a permanent guide to future gene- age, was to be identified with His Revelation, rations. This Book at once abrogated the laws deserves to rank as one of the most significant and ceremonials enjoined by the Qur'an regard- statements recorded in any of the Bab's wriing prayer, fasting, marriage, divorce and in- tings. 'Well is it with him,' is His prophetic heritance, and upheld, in its integrity, the belief announcement, 'who fixeth his gaze upon the in the prophetic mission of Muhammad, even Order of Bahri'u'llih, and rendereth thanks unto as the Prophet of Islam before Him had an- his Lord. For He will assuredly be made mangest. nulled the ordinances of the Gospel and yet God hath indeed irrevocably ordained it in the recognized the Divine origin of the Faith of Bayrin.' " Z Jesus Christ. It moreover interpreted in a mas- "The germ that holds within itself the potenterly fashion the meaning of certain terms fre- tialities of the Revelation that is to come is enquently occurring in the sacred Books of pre- dowed with a potency superior to the combined vious Dispensations, such as Paradise, Hell, forces of' all those who follow Me." "Of all the Death, Resurrection, the Return, the Balance, tributes I have paid to Him Who is to come after the Hour, the Last Judgement, and the like. Me, the greatest is this, M y written confession, Designedly severe in the rules and regulations that no words of Mine can adequately describe it imposed, revolutionizing in the principles it Him, nor can any reference to Him in M y Book, instilled, calculated to awaken from their age- the Baycin, do justice to His C a ~ s e . ""The ~ long torpor the clergy and the people, and to Bayrin and whosoever is therein revolve round administer a sudden and fatal blow to obsolete the saying of 'Him Whom God shall make maniand corrupt institutions, it proclaimed, through fest', even as the Alif(the Gospel) and whosoits drastic provisions, the advent of the antici- ever was therein revolved round the saying of pated Day, the Day when 'the Summoner shall MuIzammad, the Apostle of God." " A thousand summon to a stern business,' when He will perusals of the Bayrin cannot equal the perusal of 'demolish whateverhath been before Him, even as a single verse to be revealed by 'Him Whom God the Apostle of God demolished the ways of those shall make manifest'. . . Today the Bayin is in thatpreceded Him.' the stage of seed; at the beginning of the mani- ". . . Unlike the Prophets gone before Him, festation of 'Him Whom God shall make mani- Whose Covenants were shrouded in mystery, fest' its ultimate perfection will become apparent unlike Baha'u'llah, Whose clearly defined Cov- . . . The Baycin and such as are believers therein enant was incorporated in a specially written yearn more ardently after Him than the yearning Testament, and designated by Him as 'the of any lover after his beloved. . . The Baycin Book of M y Covenant', the Bab chose to inter- deriveth all its glory from 'Him Whom God shall sperse His Book of Laws, the Persian Bayan, make manifest'. All blessing be upon him who with unnumbered passages, some designedly believeth in Him and woe betide him that reobscure, mostly indubitably clear and con- jecteth His t r ~ t h . " ~ clusive, in which He fixes the date of the pro- " It is clear and evident that the object of all mised Revelation, extols its virtues, asserts its pre-eminent character, assigns to it unlimited 1 GodPasses By, pp. 24-25,28. ibid., p. 25. WorldOrderofBaha'u'llah, by Shoghi Effendi, p. 100. powers and prerogatives, and tears down every ibid.,pp. 100-101. THE B A H A ' ~SACRED WRITINGS 23
A present-day view of Mah-Kh '~&irbdyjdn, where the Bdb was confined for nine consecutive months commencing in the summer of 1847. The castle is seen at the base of the overhanging rock above the village.
preceding Dispensations hath been to pave the light.' 'If thou attainest unto His Revelation,' way for the advent of Muhammad, the Apostle He, in another connection declares, 'and obeyof God. These, including tlze Muhammadan Dis- est Him, thou wilt have revealed the fruit of the pensation, have had, in their turn, as their objec- Baydn; ifnot, thou art unworthy of mention betive the Revelation proclaimed by the Qd'im. The fore God.' purpose underlying this Revelation, as well as '"0 people of the Baydn!' He, in that same those that preceded it, has, in like manner, been Book, thus warns the entire company of His to unnounce the advent of the Faith of Him followers, 'act not as tlze people of the Qur'dn Whom God will make manifest. And this Faith have acted, for if ye do so, the fruits of your -the Faith of Him Whom God will make mani- night willcome to naught.' 'Suffer not the Baydn,' fest-in its turn, together with all the Revela- is His emphatic injunction, 'and all that hash tions gone before it, have as their object the been revealed therein to withhold you from that Manifestation destined to succeed it. And the Essence of Being and Lord of the visible and inlatter, no less than all the Revelations preceding visible.' "2 it, prepare the way for the Revelation which is "And finally is this, His moving invocation yet to follow. The process of the rise and setting to God: 'Bear Thou witness that, through this of the Sun of Truth will thus indefinitely con- Book, I have covenanted with all created things tinue-aprocess that hath had no beginning and concerning the mission of Him Whom Thou shalt will have no end."l make manifest, ere the covenant concerning M y "'The Bayan,' the Bab in that book, refer- own mission hadbeen established. Sufficientwitring to the Promised One, affirms,'is, from be- ness art Thou and they that have believed in Thy ginning to end, the repository of all of His attri- signs.' "3 butes, and the treasury o f both His fire and His "'How veiled are ye, 0 M y creatures,' He, World Order of Bahd'u'lldh, b y Shoghi Effendi, p. 11 7. 29. GodPassesBy,~. ibid., p. 30. 24 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D speaking with the voice of God, has revealed in lamp! And yet, in places (of worship) which in the Bayan, ' . . . who, without any right, have varying degrees reach out unto Him, unnurnconsigned Him unto a mountain (Mah-Ku), not bered lamps are shining! All that is on earth hath one of whose inhabitants is worthy of mention. . . been created for Him, and all partake with With Him, which is with Me, there is no one delight of His benefits, andyet they are so veiled except him who is one of the Letters of the from Him as to refuse Him even a lanlp!' "l Living of M y Book. In His presence, which is M y Presence, there is not at night even a lighted 1 Thepromised D C Z I~~Come, p. 7 .
T H E ARABIC BAYAN The "smaller and less weighty Arabic Bayan" was also revealed during the Bab's confinement in Mah-Kk2 God Passes By, p. 25.
TABLETS T O M U H A M M A D SHAH The first Tablet of the Bab to Muhammad " I am the Primal Point from which have been - was written following the Commentary Shah generated all created things. I am the Countenon the S6rih of Joseph, and the second Tablet ance of God Whose splendour can never be obsome two years later, after the Bab's Disser- scured, the Light of God Whose radiance can tation on the Specific Mission of Muhammad, never fade. . . All the keys of heaven God hath revealed in Ivfahan. In the second Tablet to chosen to place on M y right hand, and all the Muhammad &ah, the Bab wrote "craving an keys of hell on M y left. . . I am one of the susaudience in which to set forth the truths of the tainingpillars of the Primal Word of God. Whonew Revelation, and dissipate his d o ~ b t s " . ~ soever hath recognized Me, hath known all that "The Bib was still in Mah-K6 when He wrote is true and right, and hath attained all that is the most detailed and illuminating of His Tab- good and seemly. . . The substance wherewith lets to Muhammad %ah. Prefaced by a lauda- Godhath created Me is not the clay out of which tory reference to the unity of God, to His others have been formed. He hath conferred Apostles and to the twelve Imams; unequivocal upon Me that which the worldly-wise can never in its assertion of the divinity of its Author and comprehend, nor the faithful discover. . . of the supernatural powers with which His " By M y life! But fir the obligation to ack- Revelation had been invested; precise in the nowledge the Cause of Him Who is the Testiverses and traditions it cites in confirmation of mony of God . . . I would not have announced so audacious a claim; severe in its condem- this unto thee. . . In that same year (year 60) nation of some of the officials and represen- I despatched a messenger and a book unto thee, tatives of the &ah's administration, particu- that thou mightest act towards the Cause of larly of the'wickedandaccursed' H u s a y n u i n ; Him Who is the Testimony of God as befitteth the moving in its description of the humiliation and station of thy sovereignty. . . hardships to which its writer had been subjec- " I swear by the truth of God! Were he who ted, this historic document resembles, in many hath been willing to treat Me in such a manner of its features, the Lawh-i-Sulldn, the Tablet to know who it is whonr he hath so treated, he, addressed, under similar circumstances, from verily, would never in his l$e be happy. Nay-I, the prison fortress of 'Akka by BahB'u'llih to verily, acquaint thee with the truth of the matter Na~iri'd-Din&ah, and constituting His leng- -it is as if he hath imprisoned all the Prophets, thiest epistle to any single ~overeign."~ andall the men o f truth, andall the chosen ones. . . The Bib was confined in the fortress of Woe betide him from whose hands jloweth evil, Mah-K6 for nine months, about July, 1847 to and blessed the man from whose hands jloweth April, 184K5 From this mountain fortress He good.. . thus addressed Muhammad &ah: " I swear by God! I seek no earthly goods from ibid., p. 24. i b i d . , ~26. . 5bid.,pp. 17-19. thee, be it as much as a mustard seed. . . I swear T H E B A H A ' SACRED ~ WRITINGS 25 by the truth of God! Wert thou to know that God. . . Alas, alas, for the things which have which I know, thou wouldst forego the sover- touched Me! I swear by the Most Great Lord! eignty of the world and of the next, that thou Wert thou to be told in what place I dwell, the mightest attain M y good-pleasure,through thine first person to have mercy on Me would be thyobedience unto the True One. . . Wert thou to selj: In the heart of a mountain is a fortress refuse, the Lord of the world would raise up one (Mah-Kh) . . . the inmates of which are confined who will exalt His Cause, and the Command of to two guards and four dogs. Picture, then, M y God will, verily, be carried into effect."' plight. . . In this mountain Ihave remainedalone, " I swear by God! Shouldst thou know the and have come to such a pass that none of those things which in the space of these four years have gone before Me have suffered what I have sufbefallen Me at the hands of thy people and thine fered, nor any transgressor endured what I have army, thou wouldst hold thy breath from fear of endured!" The Promised Day Is Come, pp. 4 3 4 4 . ibid., pp. 6-7.
DALA'IL-I-SAB'IH (SEVEN PROOFS)" "The most important of the polemical works pass. This is what happened to the monarchs that of the Bab", the Dali'il-i-Sab'ih was also re- held fast unto the Gospel. They awaited the vealed during the Bab's confinement in Mah- coming of the Prophet of God (Muhammad), Kc. "Remarkably lucid, admirable in its pre- and when He did appear, they failed to recogcision, original in conception, unanswerable in nize Him. Behold how great are the sums which its argument, this work, apart from the many these sovereigns expend without even the slightest and divers proofs of His mission which it thought of appointing an oficial charged with the adduces, is noteworthy for the blame it assigns task of acquainting them in their own realms with to the 'seven powerful sovereigns ruling the the Manifestation of God! They would thereby world' in His day.- . as well as for the manner in have julflled the purpose for which they have which it stresses the responsibilities, and cen- been created. All their desires have been and are sures the conduct, of the Christian divines of a stillfixed upon leaving behind them traces of their former age who, had they recognized the truth names.' of Muhammad's mission, He contends, would "The Bab, moreover, in that same treatise, have been followed by the mass of their co- censuring the failure of the Christian divines to religionist^."^ acknowledge the truth of Muhammad's mis- "'Gracious God!' writes the Bab with refer- sion, makes this illuminating statement: 'The ence to the 'seven powerful sovereigns ruling blame falleth upon their doctors, for ifthese had the world' in His day, 'None of them hath been believed, they would have been followed by the informed of His (the Bab's) Manifestation, and mass of their countrymen. Behold, then, that if informed, 1wne hath believed in Him. Who which hath come to pass! The learned men of knoweth they may leave this world below full of Christendom are held to be learned by virtue of desire, and without having realized that the their safeguarding the teaching of Christ, and thing for which they were waiting had come to yet consider how they themselves have been the For the translation into the French, by A . L. M. cause of men's failure to accept the Faith and Nicolas of excerpts from this Tablet, see The Baha'i attain unto salvation!' "5 World, vol. vlrr, p. 205. God Passes By, p. 26. The Promised Day Is Come, p. 17.
LAWH-I-HURUFAT (TABLET O F T H E LETTERS) "During the Bab's confinement in the fortress science of divination, was later recognized to of Qihriq, where Hespent almost the whole of have unravelled, on the one hand, the mystery the two remaining years of His life, the LawE-i- of the Mustadath, and to have abstrusely Hurbfit (Tablet of the Letters) was revealed, in alluded, on the other, to the nineteen years honour of Dayyan-a Tablet which, however which must needs elapse between the Declaramisconstrued at first as an exposition of the tion of the Bab and that of Baha'u'llah. . . 26 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The jorhess of a i h r i q , near Urlimiyyih (known today as Ridd'iyyih). The Bdb was transferred to a i h r i q , surnamed by Hinz "the Grievous Mountain", about April 10, 1848.
"To this period of incarceration in the for- BahB'u'llah, in His Epistle to the Son of the tresses of Mih-Ku and Qihriq-a period of Way; cites a passage from the Tablet of the unsurpassed fecundity, yet bitter in its humilia- Bab to Dayyan, prefacing it with these words: tions and ever-deepening sorrows-belong al- "Dayydn, who, according to the words of Him most all the written references, whether in the Who is the Point . . . is the repository of the trust form of warnings, appeals or exhortations, of the one true God. . . and the treasury of the which the Bib, in anticipation of the approach- pearls of His knowledge, was made by them to ing hour of His supreme affliction, felt it sufler so cruel a martyrdom that the Concourse necessary to make to the Author of a Revela- on high wept and lamented. He it is whom He tion that was soon to supersede His own."l (the Bab) had taught the hidden and preserved This Tablet was revealed for "a prominent knowledge and entrusted him therewith, through official of high literary ability . . . later sur- His words: '0thou who art named Dayydn! This named Dayyan by the Bab",Z on whom "He is a hidden and preserved Knowledge. We have conferred the title of 'the thirdLetter to believe entrustedit unto thee, andbrought it to thee, as a in Him Whom Godshall make manlifest'." mark of honour from God, inasmuch as the eye of According to Nabil, "The mystery of the thine heart is pure. Thou wilt appreciate its Musta&ath [literally, "He Who is invoked"] value, and wilt cherish its excellence. God, verily, had long baffled the most searching minds hath deigned to bestow upon the Point of the among the people of the Bayin and had proved Baydn a hidden and preserved Knowledge, the an insurmountable obstacle to their recogni- like of which God hath not sent downprior to this tion of the Promised One. The Bab had Him- Revelation. More precious is it than any other self in that Tablet unravelled that mystery; no knowledge in the estimation of God-glorifiedbe one, however, was able to understand the expla- He! He, verily, hath made it His testimony, even nation which He had given. It was left to as He hath made the verses to be His testi- BahB'u'llah to unveil it to the eyes of all men."4 mony.' "s GodPasses By, p. 27. The Dawn-Breakers, p. 303. GodPasses By, p. 28. ' Tlie Dawn-Breakers, pp. 304-305. opcit.,pp. 174-175. THE B A H A ' ~SACRED W R I T I N G S 27
DENUNCIATORY TABLET T O H A J ~M ~ R Z A AQAS~ "It was during these years-years darkened unsparing in its condemnation, this epistle was throughout by the rigours of the Bib's cap- forwarded to the intrepid Hujjat, who, as cortivity, by the severe indignities inflicted upon roborated by Baha'u'llah, delivered it to that Him, and by the news of the disasters that over- wicked ministerw1 [Grand Vazir of Muhamtook the heroes of Mazindaran and Nayriz- mad SBh]. This Tablet was given the name of that He revealed, soon after His return from the autbiy-i-Qahriyyih (literally, "Sermon of Tabriz, His denunciatory Tablet to Haji Mirza Wrath").2 Aqasi. Couched in bold and moving language, GodPasses By, p. 27. The Dawn-Breakers, p. 323.
"In the Kithb-i-Panj-sa'n, one of His last consummate His own Revelation . . . 'Wait works, He had alluded to the fact that the sixth thou,' is His statement to 'Azim, 'until nine will Naw-Rdz after the declaration of His mission have elapsed,from the time of the Baydn. Then would be the last He was destined to celebrate exclaim: "Blessed, therefore, be God, the most on earth."3 ". . . to 'Azim He divulged, in the excellentof Makers!"' "' Kithb-i-Panj-Sha'n, the name, and announced 4 ibid,, pp, 28, 29. Mulla Sl?ay& 'Ali, the approaching advent, of Him Who was to 'Azim (literally, "great") by the Bab, was one of t'he "outstanding figures among the eccles~asticalleaders GodPasses By, p. 51. of l(hurasan3'(Dawn-Breakers, p. 125).
Interior view of the Masjid-i- Vakil, airriz. 28 T H E B A H A ' ~WORLD
Pulpit of the Masjid-i-Vakil, Sirciz, ,from which the Bbb addressed the congregation in 1845. THE B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S
Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, The Hague 'Abdu'l-Bahci's reply to a communication addressed to Him by the Executive Committee of the Central Organization for a Durable Peace, despatched to it at The Hague by the hands of a special delegation, a Tablet described by Shoghi Effendi in G o d Passes B y as being of 'Ifarreaching importance".
December 17,1919 But the wise souls who are aware of the essential relationships emanating from the realities 0 YE esteemed ones who are pioneers among of things consider that one singlematter cannot, the well-wishers of the world of humanity! by itself, influence the human reality as it ought The letters which ye sent during the war were and should, for until the minds of men become not received, but a letter dated February 1 lth, united, no important matter can be accom- 1916, has just come to hand, and immediately plished. At present Universal Peace is a matter an answer is being written. Your intention de- of great importance, but unity of conscience is serves a thousand praises, because you are essential, so that the foundation of this matter serving the world of humanity, and this is con- may become secure, its establishment firm and ducive to the happiness and welfare of all. This its edifice strong. recent war has proved to the world and the Therefore His Holiness BahB'u'llah, fifty people that war is destruction while Universal years ago, expounded this question of Univer- Peace is construction; war is death while peace sal Peace at a time when He was confined in the is life; war is rapacity and bloodthirstiness while fortress of 'Akka and was wronged and impripeace is beneficence and humaneness; war is soned. He wrote about this important matter of an appurtenance of the world of nature while Universal Peace to all the great sovereigns of peace is of the foundation of the religion of the world, and established it among His friends God; war is darkness upon darkness while in the Orient. The horizon of the East was in peace is heavenly light; war is the destroyer of utter darkness, nations displayed the utmost the edifice of mankind while peace is the ever- hatred and enmity towards each other, relilasting life of the world of humanity; war is like gions thirsted for each other's blood, and it was a devouring wolf while peace is like the angels darkness upon darkness. At such a time His of heaven; war is the struggle for existence Holiness BahB'u'llah shone forth like the sun while peace is mutual aid and co-operation from the horizon of the East and illumined among the peoples of the world and the cause Persia with the lights of these teachings. of the good-pleasure of the True One in the Among His teachings was the declaration of heavenly realm. Universal Peace. People of different nations, There is not one soul whose conscience does religions and sects who followed Him came tonot testify that in this day there is no more gether to such an extent that remarkable important matter in the world than that of gatherings were instituted consisting of the Universal Peace. Every just one bears witness various nations and religions of the East. Every to this and adores that esteemed Assembly be- soul who entered these gatherings saw but one cause its aim is that this darkness may be nation, one teaching, one pathway, one order, changed into light, this bloodthirstiness into for the teachings of His Holiness BahB'u'llah kindness, this torment into bliss, this hardship were not limited to the establishment of Uniinto ease and this enmity and hatred into fellow- versal Peace. They embraced many teachings ship and love. Therefore, the effort of those which supplemented and supported that of esteemed souls is worthy of praise and com- Universal Peace. mendation. Among these teachings was the independent 30 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
investigation of reality so that the world of fore, even as was the case in the past, the world humanity may be saved from the darkness of of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness imitation and attain to the truth; may tear off of nature and cannot attain illumination except and cast away this ragged and outgrown gar- through the abandonment of prejudices and the ment of 1,000 years ago and may put on the acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom. robe woven in the utmost purity and holiness in If this prejudice and enmity are on account of the loom of reality. As reality is one and cannot religion consider that religion should be the admit of multiplicity, therefore different opin- cause of fellowship, otherwise it is fruitless. And ions must ultimately become fused into one. if this prejudice be the prejudice of nationality And among the teachings of His Holiness consider that all mankind are of one nation; Bahi'u'llah is the oneness of the world of all have sprung from the tree of Adam, and humanity; that all human beings are the sheep Adam is the root of the tree. That tree is one of God and He is the kind Shepherd. This and all these nations are like branches, while Shepherd is kind to all the sheep, because He the individuals of humanity are like leaves, created them all, trained them, provided for blossoms and fruits thereof. Then the estabthem and protected them. There is no doubt lishment of various nations and the consequent that the Shepherd is kind to all the sheep and shedding of blood and destruction of the edifice should there be among these sheep ignorant of humanity result from human ignorance and ones, they must be educated; if there be chil- selfish motives. dren, they must be trained until they reach As to the patriotic prejudice, this is also due maturity; if there be sick ones, they must be to absolute ignorance, for the surface of the cured. There must be no hatred and enmity, for earth is one native land. Every one can live in as by a kind physician these ignorant, sick ones any spot on the terrestrial globe. Therefore all should be treated. the world is man's birthplace. These bounda- And among the teachings of His Holiness ries and outlets have been devised by man. In BahB'u'llah is, that religion must be the cause of the creation, such boundaries and outlets were fellowship and love. If it becomes the cause of not assigned. Europe is one continent, Asia is estrangement then it is not needed, for religion one continent, Africa is one continent, Ausis like a remedy; if it aggravates the disease then tralia is one continent, but some of the souls, it becomes unnecessary. from personal motives and selfish interests, And among the teachings of BahB'u'llah is, have divided each one of these continents and that religion must be in conformity with science considered a certain part as their own country. and reason, so that it may influence the hearts God has set up no frontier between France and of men. The foundation must be solid and must Germany; they are continuous. Yea, in the first not consist of imitations. centuries, selfish souls, for the promotion of And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is, their own interests, have assigned boundaries that religious, racial, political, economic and and outlets and have, day by day, attached patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of hu- more importance to these, until this led to inmanity. As long as these prejudices prevail, the tense enmity, bloodshed and rapacity in subworld of humanity will not have rest. For a sequent centuries. In the same way this will conperiod of 6,000 years history informs us about tinue indefinitely, and if this conception of patthe world of humanity. During these 6,000 years riotism remains limited within a certain circle, the world of humanity has not been free from it will be the primary cause of the world's deswar, strife, murder and bloodthirstiness. In truction. No wise and just person will acknowevery period war has been *aged in one coun- ledge these imaginary distinctions. Every limitry or another and that war was due to either ted area which we call our native country we religious prejudice, racial prejudice, political regard as our motherland, whereas the terresprejudice or patriotic prejudice. It has there- trial globe is the motherland of all, and not any fore been ascertained and proved that all pre- restricted area. In short, for a few days we live judices are destructive of the human edifice. on this earth and eventually we are buried in it, As long as these prejudices persist, the struggle it is our eternal tomb. Is it worth while that we for existence must remain dominant, and should engage in bloodshed and tear one bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue. There- another to pieces for this eternal tomb? Nay, THE B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S 31 far from it, neither is God pleased with such man should not prefer himself to others, but conduct nor would any sane man approve of it. rather should sacrifice his life and property for Consider! The blessed animals engage in no others. But this should not be introduced by patriotic quarrels. They are in the utmost fel- coercion so that it becomes a law and man is lowship with one another and live together in compelled to follow it. Nay, rather, man should harmony. For example, if a dove from the East voluntarily and of his own choice sacrifice his and a dove from the West, a dove from the property and life for others, and spend willingly North and a dove from the South chance to for the poor, just as is done in Persia among the arrive, at the same time, in one spot, they BahB'is. immediately associate in harmony. So is it with And among the teachings of His Holiness all the blessed animals and birds. But the BahB'u'llah is man's freedom, that through the ferocious animals, as soon as they meet, attack ideal Power he should be free and emanciand fight with each other, tear each other to pated from the captivity of the world of nature; pieces and it is impossible for them to live for as long as man is captive to nature he is a peaceably together in one spot. They are all un- ferocious animal, as the struggle for existence sociable and fierce, savage and combative is one of the exigencies of the world of nature. fighters. This matter of the struggle for existence is the Regarding the economic prejudice, it is ap- fountain-head of all calamities and is the suparent that whenever the ties between nations preme affliction. become strengthened and the exchange of com- And among the teachings of Bahi'u'llah is modities accelerated, and any economic prin- that religion is a mighty bulwark. If the edifice ciple is established in one country, it will of religion shakes and totters, commotion and ultimately affect the other countries and uni- chaos will ensue and the order of things will be versal benefits will result. Then why this utterly upset, for in the world of mankind there prejudice ? are two safeguards that protect man from As to the political prejudice, the policy of wrongdoing. One is the law which punishes God must be followed and it is indisputable that the criminal; but thelaw prevents only themanithe policy of God is greater than human policy. fest crime and not the concealed sin; whereas We must follow the Divine policy and that the ideal safeguard, namely, thereligion of God, applies alike to all individuals. He treats all prevents both the manifest and the concealed individuals alike: no distinction is made, and crime, trains man, educates morals, compels that is the foundation of the Divine Religions. the adoption of virtues and is the all-inclusive And among the teachings of His Holiness power which guarantees the felicity of the world Bahi'u'll&h is the origination of one language of mankind. But by religion is meant that which that may be spread universally among the is ascertained by, investigation and not that people. This teaching was revealed from the pen which is based on mere imitation, the founof His Holiness Baha'u'llah in order that this dation of Divine Religions and not human imiuniversal language may eliminate misunder- tations. standings from among mankind. And among the teachings of BahB'u711ihis And among the teachings of His Holiness that although material civilization is one of the Baha'u'llah is the equality of women and men. means for the progress of the world of man- The world of humanity has two wings-one is kind, yet until it becomes combined with Diwomen and the other men. Not until both wings vine civilization, the desired result, which is the are equally developed can the bird fly. Should felicity of mankind, will not be attained. Conone wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not sider! These battleships that reduce a city to until the world of women becomes equal to the ruins within the space of an hour are the result world of men in the acquisition of virtues and of material civilization; likewise the Krupp perfections, can success and prosperity be guns, the Mauser rifles, dynamite, submarines, attained as they ought to be. torpedo boats, armed aircraft and bombing And among the teachings of Bahi'u'llah is aeroplanes-all these weapons of war are the voluntary sharing of one's property with others malignant fruits of material civilization. Had among mankind. This voluntary sharing is material civilization been combined with Digreater than equality, and consists in this, that vine civilization, these fiery weapons would 32 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D never have been invented. Nay, rather, human wish realized in it. At present the teachings of energy would have been wholly devoted to use- His Holiness BahB'u'llah are such that all the ful inventions and would have been concen- communities of the world, whether religious, trated on praiseworthy discoveries. Material political or ethical, ancient or modern, find in civilization is like a lamp-glass. Divine civili- the teachings of BahB'u'llah the expression of zation is the lamp itself and the glass without their highest wish. the light is dark. Material civilization is like For example, the people of religions find, in the body. No matter how infinitely graceful, the teachings of His Holiness BahB'u'llah, the elegant and beautiful it may be, it is dead. Di- establishment of Universal Religion-a revine civilization is like the spirit, and the body ligion that perfectly conforms with present gets its life from the spirit, otherwise it becomes conditions, which in reality effects the immedia corpse. It has thus been made evident that the ate cure of the incurable disease, which relieves world of mankind is in need of the breaths of every pain, and bestows the infallible antidote the Holy Spirit. Without the spirit the world of for every deadly poison. For if we wish to mankind is lifeless, and without this light the arrange and organize the world of mankind in world of mankind is in utter darkness. For the accordance with the present religious imiworld of nature is an animal world. Until man tations and thereby to establish the felicity of is born again from the world of nature, that is the world of mankind, it is impossible and imto say, becomes detached from the world of practicable-for example, the enforcement of nature, he is essentially an animal, and it is the the laws of the Old Testament (Torah) and also teachings of God which convert this animal in- of the other religions in accordance with to a human soul. present imitations. But the essential basis of all And among the teachings of BahB'u'llah is the Divine Religions which pertains to the the pron~otionof education. Every child must virtues of the world of mankind and is the be instructed in sciences as much as is necessary. foundation of the welfare of the world of man, If the parents are able to provide the expenses of is found in the teachings of His Holiness this education, it is all right, otherwise the com- BahB'u'llah in the most perfect presentation. munity must provide the means for the teach- Similarly, with regard to the peoples who ing of that child. clamour for freedom: the moderate freedom And among the teachings of His Holiness which guarantees the welfare of the world of BahB'u'llah is justice and right. Until these are mankind and maintains and preserves the unirealized on the plane of existence, all things shall versal relationships, is found in its fullest power be in disorder and remain imperfect. The world and extension in the teachings of His Holiness of mankind is a world of oppression and cruelty, BahB'u'llah. and a realm of aggression and error. So with regard to political parties : that which In fine, such teachings are numerous. These is the greatest policy directing the world of manmanifold principles, which constitute the grea- kind, nay, rather, the Divine policy, is found in test basis for the felicity of mankind and are of the teachings of His Holiness BahB'u'llah. the bounties of the Merciful, must be added to Likewise with regard to the party of "equathe matter of Universal Peace and combined lity" which seeks the solution of the economic with it, so that results may accrue. Otherwise problems: until now all proposed solutions the realization of Universal Peace by itself in have proved impracticable except the econothe world of mankind is difficult. As the teach- mic proposals in the teachings of His Holiness ings of His Holiness BahB'u'llah are combined BahB'u'llbh which are practicable and cause no with Universal Peace, they are like a table pro- distress to society. vided with every kind of fresh and delicious So with the other parties: when ye look food. Every soul can find, at that table of in- deeply into this matter, ye will discover that the finite bounty, that which he desires. If the highest aims of those parties are found in the question is restricted to Universal Peace alone, teachings of BahB'u'llah. These teachings conthe remarkable results which are expected and stitute the all-inclusive power among all men desired will not be attained. The scope of Uni- and are practicable. But there are some teachversal Peace must be such that all the com- ings of the past, such as those of the Torah, munities and religions may find their highest which cannot be carried out at the present day. T H E B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S
Photograph oj"Abdu'1-Baha taken in Adrianople, circa 1868. It is the same with the other religions and the other countries. Should any teaching, or any tenets of the various sects and the different par- principle, or any community fall under the ties. threat of a powerful and bloodthirsty monarch For example, the question of Universal it will be annihilated within a short space of Peace, about which His Holiness BahB'u'llah time. At present for fifty years the BahB'is in says that the Supreme Tribunal must be esta- Persia and most regions have been under severe blished: although the League of Nations has restrictions and the threat of sword and spear. been brought into existence, yet it is incapable Thousands of souls have given their lives in the of establishing Universal Peace. But the Su- arena of sacrifice and have fallen as victims preme Tribunal which His Holiness BahaYu'- under the swords of oppression and cruelty. llah has described will fulfil this sacred task Thousands of esteemed families have been upwith the utmost might and power. And His rooted and destroyed. Thousands of children plan is this : that the national assemblies of each have been made fatherless. Thousands of country and nation-that is to say parliaments fathers have been bereft of their sons. Thou- -should elect two or three persons who are the sands of mothers have wept and lamented for choicest men of that nation, and are well in- their boys who have been beheaded. All this formed concerning international laws and the oppression and cruelty, rapacity and bloodrelations between governments and aware of thirstiness did not hinder or prevent the spread the essential needs of the world of humanity in of the teachings of BahB'uYllah.They spread this day. The number of these representatives more and more every day, and their power and should be in proportion to the number of in- might became more evident. habitants of that country. The election of these It may be that some foolish person among souls who are chosen by the national assembly, the Persians will affix his name to the contents that is, the parliament, must be confirmed by of the Tablets of His Holiness BahB'u'llah or to the upper house, the congress and the cabinet the explanations given in the letters [Tablets] and also by the president or monarch so these of 'Abdu'l-Baha and send it to that esteemed persons may be the elected ones of all the nation Assembly. Ye must be aware of this fact, for and the government. From among these people any Persian who seeks fame or has some other the members of the Supreme Tribunal will be intention will take the entire contents of the elected, and all mankind will thus have a share Tablets of His Holiness BahB'u'llah and pubtherein, for every one of these delegates is fully lish them in his own name or in that of his comrepresentative of his nation. When the Supreme munity, just as happened at the Universal Races Tribunal gives a ruling on any international Congress in London before the war. A Persian question, either unanimously or by majority- took the substance of the Epistles of His Holirule, there will no longer be any pretext for the ness Baha'u'llah, entered that Congress, gave plaintiff or ground of objection for the defen- them forth in his ownnameand published them, dant. In case any of the governments or nations, whereas the wording was exactly that of His in the execution of the irrefutable decision of Holiness BahB'u'llah. Some such souls have the Supreme Tribunal, be negligent or dilatory, gone to Europe and have caused confusion in the rest of the nations will rise up against it, the minds of the people of Europe and have because all the governments and nations of the disturbed the thoughts of some Orientalists. world are the supporters of this Supreme Tri- Ye must bear this fact in mind, for not a word bunal. Consider what a firm foundation this is! of these teachings was heard in Persia before But by a limited and restricted League the pur- the appearance of BahB'u'llkh. Investigate this pose will not be realized as it ought and should. matter so that it may become to you evident and This is the truth about the situation, which has manifest. Some souls are like parrots. They been stated. learn any note which they may hear, and sing Consider how powerful are the teachings of it, but they themselves are unaware of what His Holiness BahB'u'llkh. At a time when His they utter. There is a sect in Persia at present Holiness was in the prison of 'Akka and was made up of a few souls who are called Bhbis, under the restrictions and threats of two blood- who claim to be followers of His Holiness the thirsty kings, notwithstanding this fact, His Bab, whereas they are utterly unaware of His teachings spread with all power in Persia and Holiness. They have some secret teachings THE B A H A ' ~SAC RED W R I T I N G S 35 which are entirely opposed to the teachings of Therefore whatever is the cause of harmony, BahB'u'llah and in Persia people know this. attraction and union among men is the life of But when these souls come to Europe, they the world of humanity, and whatever is the conceal their own teachings and utter those of cause of difference, of repulsion and of separa- His Holiness BahB'u'llBh, for they know that tion is the cause of the death of mankind. And the teachings of His Holiness BahB'u'llah are when you pass by a garden wherein vegetable powerful and they therefore declare publicly beds and plants, flowers and fragrant herbs are those teachings of Baha'u'llah in their own all combined so as to form a harmonious whole, name. As to their secret teachings, they say that this is an evidence that this plantation and this they are taken from the Book of Baycin, and the rose garden have been cultivated and arranged Book of Bay& is from His Holiness the Bab. by the care of a perfect gardener, while when When ye get hold of the translation of the Book you see a garden in disorder, lacking arrangeof Baydn, which has been translated in Persia, ment and confused, this indicates that it has ye will discover the truth that the teachings of been deprived of the care of a skilful gardener, Baha'u'llah are utterly opposed to the teachings nay, rather, it is nothing but a mass of weeds. It of this sect. Beware lest ye disregard this fact. has therefore been made evident that fellowship Should ye desire to investigate the matter fur- and harmony are indicative of the training by ther, enquire from Persia. the real Educator, while separation and disper- In fine, when travelling and journeying sion prove wildness and deprivation of Divine throughout the world, wherever one finds con- training. struction, it is the result of fellowship and love, Should any one object that, since the comwhile everything that is in ruin shows theeffect munities and nations and races and peoples of of enmity and hatred. Notwithstanding this, the world have different formalities, customs, the world of humanity has not become aware tastes, temperaments, morals, varied thoughts, and has not awakened from the sleep of heed- minds and opinions, it is therefore impossible lessness. Again it engages in differences, in dis- for ideal unity to be made manifest and computes and wrangling, that it may set up ranks plete union among men to be realized, we say of war and may run to and fro in the arena of that differences are of two kinds: One leads to battle and strife. destruction, and that is like the difference be- So is it with regard to the universe and its tween warring peoples and competing nations corruption, existence and non-existence. Every who destroy one another, uproot each other's contingent being is made up of different and families, do away with rest and comfort and numerous elements and the existence of every- engage in bloodshed and rapacity. That is thing is a result of composition. That is to say, blameworthy. But the other difference consists when between simple elements a composition in variation. This is perfection itself and the takes place a being arises; the creation of be- cause of the appearance of Divine bounty. Conings comes about in this way. And when that sider the flowers of the rose garden. Although composition is upset, it is followed by decom- they are of different kinds, various colours and position, the elements disintegrate, and that diverse forms and appearances, yet as they being becomes annihilated. That is to say, the drink from one water, are swayed by one annihilation of everything consists in the de- breeze and grow by the warmth and light of one composition and the separation of elements. sun, this variation and this difference cause Therefore, every composition among the ele- each to enhance the beauty and splendour of ments is the cause of life, while dissociation and the others. The differences in manners, in cusseparation are the cause of death. In short, toms, in habits, in thoughts, opinions and in attraction and harmony of things are the cause temperaments is the cause of the adornment of of the production of fruits and useful results, the world of mankind. This is praiseworthy. while repulsion and inharmony of things are the Likewise this difference and this variation, like cause of disturbance and annihilation. From the difference and variation of the parts and harmony and attraction, all living contingent members of the human body, are the cause of beings, such as plant, animal and man, are real- the appearance of beauty and perfection. As ized, and from inharmony and repulsion decay these different parts and members are under the sets in and annihilation becomes manifest. control of the dominant spirit, and the spirit permeates all the organs and members, and all the souls to leaves, blossoms and jiuits. rules all the arteries and veins, this difference Therefore all the branches, leaves, blossoms and and this variation strengthen love and harmony fruits must be in the utmost of freshness, and the and this multiplicity is the greatest aid to unity. bringing about of this delicacy and sweetness If in a garden the flowers and fragrant herbs, the depends upon union and fellowship. Therefore blossoms and fruits, the leaves, branches and they must assist each other with all their power trees are of one kind, of one form, of one and seek everlasting life. Thus the friends of colour and of one arrangement, there is no God must maniJlst the mercy of the Compasbeauty or sweetness, but when there is variety, sionate Lord in the world of existence and must each will contribute to the beauty and charm of show forth the bounty of the visible and invisible the others and will make an admirable garden, King. They must purify their sight, and look and will appear in the utmost loveliness, fresh- upon mankind as the leaves, blossoms and fruits ness and sweetness. Likewise, when difference of the tree of creation, and must always be and variety of thoughts, forms, opinions, thinking of doing good to someone, of love, concharacters and morals of the world of mankind sideration, aflection and assistance to somebody. come under the control of one Supreme Power, They must see no enemy and count no one as an and the influence of the Word of the One True ill wisher. They must consider every one on the God, they will appear and be displayed in the earth as a friend; regard the stranger as an intimost perfect glory, beauty, exaltation and per- mate, and the alien as a companion. They must fection. Today nothing but the power of the not be bound by any tie, nay, rather, they should Word of God which encompasses the realities be flee from every bond. In this day the one who of things can bring the thoughts, the minds, the is favoured in the threshold of grandeur is the hearts and the spirits under the shade of one one who oflers the cup of faithfulness and be- Tree. He is the potent in all things, the vivifier stows the pearl of gift to the enemies, even to of souls, the preserver and the controller of the the fallen oppressor, lends a helping hand, and world of mankind. Praise be to God, in this day considers every bitter foe as an aff'ectionate the light of the Word of God has shone forth friend. upon all regions, and from all sects, communi- These are the commands of the Blessed ties, nations, tribes, peoples, religions and de- Beauty, these are the counsels of the Greatest nominations, souls have gathered under the Name. 0 ye dear jbiends! The world is engaged shadow of the Word of Oneness and have in the in war andstruggle, and mankindis in the utmost most intimate fellowship united and harmon- conflict and danger. The darkness of unfaithized! fulness has enshrouded the earth and the illu- Some time ago, during the war, a letter nzination of faithfulness has become concealed. [Tablet] was written regarding the teachings of All nations and tribes of the world have sharp- His Holiness BahB'u'llAh which may appro- ened their claws and are warring and fighting priately be appended to this epistle. with each other. The edifice of man is shattered. Thousandsoffamiliesare wanderingdisconsolate. Opeople of the world! Thousands of thousands of souls are besmeared The dawn of the Sun of Reality is assuredly with dust and blood in the arena of battle and for the illumination of the world and for the struggle every year, and the tent of happiness and manvestation oj' mercy. In the assemblage of life is overthrown. The prominent men become the jamily of Adam results and fruits are praise- commanders and boast of bloodshed, andglory in worthy, and the holy bestowals of every bounty destruction. One says: " I have severed with my are abundant. It is an absolute mercy and a com- sword the necks of a nation," and one: " I have plete bounty, the illumination of the world, levelled a kingdom to the dust"; and another: fellowship and harmony, love and union; nay, " I have overthrown the foundation of a governrather, mercifulness and oneness, the elimina- ment." This is the pivot around which the pride tion of discordand the unity of whomsoever are on and glory of mankind are revolving. In all the earth in the utmost of freedom and dignity. regions friendship anduprightness are denounced The Blessed Beauty [Bahci'u'llhh]said: "All are and reconciliation and regard for truth are desthe fruits of one tree andthe leavesofone branch." pised. The herald ofpeace, reformation, love and He likened the world of existence to one tree and reconciliation is the Religion of the Blessed Beauty which haspitched its tent on the apex of healing. Be a helper of every oppressed one, the the world and proclaimed its summons to the protector of every destitute one, be ye ever mindpeople. ful to serve any soulof mankind. Attach no impor- Then, 0 ye friends of God! Appreciate the tance to self-seeking, rejection, arrogance, opvalue of this precious Revelation, move and act pression and enmity. Heed them not. Deal in the in accordance with it and walk in the straight contrary way. Be kind in truth, not only in path and the right way. Show it to the people. appearance and outwardly. Every soul of the Raise the melody of the Kingdom and spread friends of God must concentrate his mindon this, abroad the teachings andordinances of the loving that he may manifest the mercy of God and the Lord so that the world may become another bounty of the Forgiving One. He must dogood to world, the darkened earth may become illu- every soul whom he encounters, and render benemined and the dead body of the people may ob- fit to him, becoming the cause of improving the tain new life. Every soulmay seek everlasting life morals and correcting the thoughts so that the through the breath of the Merciful. Life in this light of guidance may shine forth and the bounty mortal world will quickly come to an end, and of His Holiness the Merciful One may encomthis earthly glory, wealth, comfort, and happiness pass. Love is light in whatsoever house it may will soon vanish and be no more. Summon ye the shine and enmity is darkness in whatsoever abode people to God and call the souls to the manners it dwell. and conduct of the Supreme Concourse. To the 0 friends of God! Strive ye so that this darkorphans be ye kind fathers, and to the unjor- ness may be utterly dispelled and the Hidden tunate a refuge and shelter. To the poor be a Mystery may be revealed and the realities of treasure of wealth, and to the sick a remedy and things made evident and manifest.
Tablet to Dr. Auguste Henri Forel' 0 REVERED personage, lover of truth! Thy doubt of great benefit, and if published, send us letter dated July 28, 1921, hath been received. a copy of each. The contents thereof were most pleasing and By materialists, whose belief with regard to indicated that, praised be the Lord, thou art as Divinity hath been explained, is not meant yet young, and searchest after truth, that thy philosophers in general, but rather that group power of thought is strong and the discoveries of materialists of narrow vision that worship of thy mind manifest. that which is sensed, that depend upon the five Numerous copies of the epistle I had written senses only, and whose criterion of knowledge to Dr. Fisher are spread far and wide and every is limited to that which can be perceived by the one knoweth that it hath been revealed in the senses. All that can be sensed is to them real, year 1910. Apart from this, numerous epistles whilst whatever falleth not under the power of have been written before the war upon the same the senses is either unreal or doubtful. The theme, and reference, too, hath been made to existence of the Deity they regard as wholly these questions in the Journal of the San Fran- doubtful. cisco Univer~ity,~ the date whereof is known It is as thou hast written, not philosophers in beyond any doubt. In like manner have the general but narrow-minded materialists that philosophers of broad vision praised highly the are meant. As to deistic philosophers, such as discourse eloquently delivered in the above- Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, they are indeed named University. A copy of that paper is thus worthy of esteem and of the highest praise, for enclosed and forwarded. Thy works are no they have rendered distinguished services to Dr. Auguste Henri Forel of Zurich was born in 1848 mankind. In like manner we regard the materiand became a Bahgi in 1920. His special field was entomology and psycho~ogy~ For years he held moderate P ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ the chair of psychiatry at Zurich. "By his tireless re- that have been of service (to mankind). search Dr. Forel greatly augmented scientific knowledge and rendered inestimable service to mankind." We regard and wisdom as the ("In Memoriam", The Baha'i World, vol. v, P. 420.) foundation of the progress of mankind, and ThisTablet was writtenin 1921. Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, 1912. extol philosophers that are endowed with broad vision. Peruse carefully the San Fran- standeth not the soul, whereas the reasoning cisco University Journal that the truth may be power of themindproveth theexistence thereof. revealed to thee. In like manner the mind proveth the exis- Now concerning mental faculties, they are in tence of an unseen Reality that embraceth all truth of the inherent properties of the soul, even beings, and that existeth and revealeth itself as the radiation of light is the essential property in all stages, the essence whereof is beyond the of the sun. The rays of the sun are renewed but grasp of the mind. Thus the mineral world unthe sun itself is ever the same and unchanged. derstandeth neither the nature nor the perfec- Consider how the human intellect develops and tions of the vegetable world; the vegetable weakens, and may at times come to naught, world understandeth not the nature of the whereas the soul changeth not. For the mind animal world, neither the animal world the to manifest itself, the human body must be nature of the reality of man that discovereth whole; and a sound mind cannot be but in a and embraceth all things. sound body, whereas the soul dependeth not The animal is the captive of nature and canupon the body. It is through the power of the not transgress the rules and laws thereof. In soul that the mind comprehendeth, imagineth man, however, there is a discovering power that and exerteth its influence, whilst the soul is a transcendeth the world of nature and conpower that is free. The mind comprehendeth trolleth and interfereth with the laws thereof. the abstract by the aid of the concrete, but the For instance, all minerals, plants and animals soul hath limitless manifestations of its own. are captives of nature. The sun itself with all The mind is circumscribed, the soul lin~itless. its majesty is so subservient to nature that it It is by the aid of such senses as those of sight, hath no will of its own and cannot deviate a hearing, taste, smell and touch, that the mind hair's-breadth from the laws thereof. In like comprehendeth, whereas, the soul is free from manner all other beings, whether of the minall agencies. The soul as thou observest, whether eral, the vegetable or the animal world, cannot it be in sleep or waking, is in motion and ever deviate from the laws of nature, nay, all are the active. Possibly it may, whilst in a dream, un- slaves thereof. Man, however, though in body ravel an intricate problem, incapable of solu- the captive of nature is yet free in his mind and tion in the waking state. The mind, moreover, soul, and hath the mastery over nature. understandethnot whilst the senses have ceased Consider: according to the law of nature man to function, and in the embryonic stage and in liveth, moveth and hath his being on earth, yet early infancy the reasoning power is totally his soul and mind interfere with the laws thereabsent, whereas the soul is ever endowed with of, and, even as the bird he flieth in the air, full strength. In short, the proofs are many that saileth speedily upon the seas and as the fish go to show that despite the loss of reason, the soundeth the deep and discovereth the things power of the soul would still continue to exist. therein. Verily this is a grievous defeat inflicted The spirit however possesseth various grades upon the laws of nature. and stations. So is the power of electrical energy: this un- As to the existence of spirit in the mineral: it ruly violent force that cleaveth mountains is is indubitable that minerals are endowed with a yet imprisoned by man within a globe! This is spirit and life according to the requirements of manifestly interfering with the laws of nature. that stage. This unknown secret, too, hath be- Likewise man discovereth those hidden secrets come known unto the materialists who now of nature that in conformity with the laws maintain that all beings are endowed with life, thereof must remain concealed, and transeven as He saith in the Qur'an, "All things are fereth them from the invisible plane to the living." visible. This, too, is interfering with the law of In the vegetable world, too, there is the power nature. In the same manner he discovereth the of growth, and that power of growth is the inherent properties of things that are the secrets spirit. In the animal world there is the sense of of nature. Also he bringeth to light the past feeling, but in the human world there is an all- events that have been lost to memory, and embracing power. In all the preceding stages the foreseeth by his power of induction future happower of reason is absent, but the soul existeth penings that are as yet unknown. Furthermore, and revealeth itself. The sense of feeling under- communication and discovery are limited by THE B A H ~ S' A~C R E D W R I T I N G S 39
Dr. Auguste Henri Forel.
the laws of nature to short distances, whereas come. Nature hath no consciousness of itself, man, through that inner power of his that dis- man knoweth about all things. covereth the reality of all things, connecteth the Should any one suppose that man is but a East with the West. This, too, is interfering with part of the world of nature, and he being enthe laws of nature. Similarly, according to the dowed with these perfections, these being but law of nature all shadows are fleeting, whereas manifestations of the world of nature, and thus man fixeth them upon the plate, and this, too, nature is the originator of these perfections and is interference with a law of nature. Ponder and is not deprived therefrom, to him wemake reply reflect: all sciences, arts, crafts, inventions and and say: the part dependeth upon the whole; discoveries, have been once the secrets of nature the part cannot possess perfections whereof the and in conformity with the laws thereof must whole is deprived. remain hidden; yet man through his disco- By nature is meant those inherent properties vering power interfereth with the laws of nature and necessary relations derived from the reaand transfereth these hidden secrets from the lities of things. And these realities of things, invisible to the visible plane. This again is inter- though in the utmost diversity, are yet intifering with the laws of nature. mately connected one with the other. For these In fine, that inner faculty in man, unseen of diverse realities an all-unifying agency is needed the eye, wresteth the sword from the hands of that shall link them all one to the other. For nature, and giveth it a grievous blow. All other instance, the various organs and members, the beings, however great, are bereft of such per- parts and elements, that constitute the body of fections. Man hath the powers of will and un- man, though at variance, are yet all connected derstanding, but nature hath them not. Nature one with the other by that all-unifying agency is constrained, man is free. Nature is bereft of known as the human soul, that causeth them to understanding, man understandeth. Nature is function in perfect harmony and with absolute unaware of past events, but man is aware of regularity, thus making the continuation of life them. Nature forecasteth not the future; man possible. The human body, however, is utterly by his discerning power seeth that which is to unconscious of that all-unifying agency, and yet acteth with regularity and dischargeth its existence, not a material one. Moreover, diffunctions according to its will. ferentiation of stages in the contingent world is Now concerning philosophers, they are of an obstacle to understanding. How then can two schools. Thus Socrates the wise believed the contingent conceive the Reality of the absoin the unity of God and the existence of the lute? As previously mentioned, differentiation soul after death; as his opinion was contrary of stages in the contingent plane is an obstacle to that of the narrow-minded people of his to understanding. Minerals, plants and anitime, that divine sage was poisoned by them. mals are bereft of the mental faculties of man All divine philosophers and men of wisdom and that discover the realities of all things, but man understanding, when observing these endless himself comprehendeth all the stages beneath beings, have considered that in this great and him. Every superior stage comprehendeth that infinite universe all things end in the mineral which is inferior and discovereth the reality kingdom, that the outcome of the mineral king- thereof, but the inferior one is unaware of that dom is the vegetable kingdom, the outcome of which is superior and cannot comprehend it. the vegetable kingdom is the animal kingdom Thus man cannot grasp the Essence of Divinity, and the outcome of the animal kingdom the but can, by his reasoningpower, by observation, world of man. The consummation of this limit- by his intuitive faculties and the revealing less universe with all its grandeur and glory hath power of his faith, believe in God, discover the been man himself, who in this world of being bounties of His Grace. He becometh certain toileth and suffereth for a time, with divers ills that though the Divine Essence is unseen of the and pains, and ultimately disintegrates, leaving eye, and the existence of the Deity is intangible, no trace and no fruit after him. Were it so, there yet conclusive spiritual proofs assert the exisis no doubt that this infinite universe with all tence of that unseen Reality. The Divine Esits perfections has ended in sham and delusion sence as it is in itself is however beyond all deswith no result, no fruit, no permanence and no cription. For instance, the nature of ether is effect. It would be utterly without meaning. unknown, but that it existeth is certain by the They were thus convinced that such is not the effects it produceth, heat, light and electricity case, that this Great Workshop with all its being the waves thereof. By these waves the power, its bewildering manificence and endless existence of ether is thus proven. And as we perfections, cannot eventually come to naught. consider the outpourings of Divine Grace we That still another life should exist is thus certain, are assured of the existence of God. For inand, just as the vegetable kingdom is unaware of stance, we observe that the existence of beings the world of man, so we, too, know not of the is conditioned upon the coming together of Great Life hereafter that followest the life of various elements and their non-existence upon man here below. Our non-comprehension of the decomposition of their constituent elethat life, however, is no proof of its non-exist- ments. For decomposition causes the dissocience. The mineral world, for instance, is utterly ation of the various elements. Thus, as we obunaware of the world of man and cannot com- serve the coming together of elements giveth prehend it, but the ignorance of a thing is no rise to the existence of beings, and knowing that proof of its non-existence. Numerous and beings are infinite, they being the effect, how conclusive proofs exist that go to show that can the Cause be finite? this infinite world cannot end with this human Now, formation is of three kinds and of life. three kinds only: accidental, necessary and Now concerning the essence of Divinity: in voluntary. The coming together of the various truth it is on no account determined by any- constituent elements of beings cannot be accithing apart from its own nature, and can in no- dental, for unto every effect there must be a wise be comprehended. For whatsoever can be cause. It cannot be compulsory, for then the conceived by man is a reality that hath limi- formation must be an inherent property of the tations and is not unlimited; it is circumscribed, constituent parts and the inherent property of a not all-embracing. It can be comprehended by thing can in nowise be dissociated from it, such man, and is controlled by him. Similarly it is as light that is the revealer of things, heat that certain that all human conceptions are con- causeth the expansion of elements and the tingent, not absolute; that they have a mental solar rays which are the essential property of T H E B A H ~ SAC ' ~: R E D W R I T I N G S 41 the sun. Thus under such circumstances the de- causation goes on, and to maintain that this composition of any formation is impossible, process goes on indefinitelyis manifestly absurd. for the inherent properties of a thing cannot be Thus'such a chain of causation must of necesseparated from it. The third formation re- sity lead eventually to Him who is the Evermaineth and that is the voluntary one, that is, Living, the All-Powerful, who is Self-Depenan unseen force described as the Ancient Power, dent and the Ultimate Cause. This Universal causeth these elements to come together, every Reality cannot be sensed, it cannot be seen. It formation giving rise to a distinct being. must be so of necessity, for it is All-Embracing, As to the attributes and perfections such as not circumscribed, and such attributes qualify will, knowledge, power and other ancient attri- the ef5:ct and not the cause. butes that we ascribe to that Divine Reality, And as we reflect, we observe that man is like these are the signs that reflect the existence of unto a tiny organism contained within a fruit; beings in the visible plane and not the absolute this fruit hath developed out of the blossom, perfections of the Divine Essence that cannot the blossom hath grown out of the tree, the be comprehended. For instance, as we consider tree is sustained by the sap, and the sap formed created things we observe infinite perfections, out of earth and water. How then can this tiny and the created things being in the utmost regu- organism comprehend the nature of the garden, larity and perfection we infer that the Ancient conceive of the gardener and comprehend his Power on whom dependeth the existence of being? That is manifestly impossible. Should these beings, cannot be ignorant; thus we say that organism understand and reflect, it would He is All-Knowing. It is certain that it is not observe that this garden, this tree, this blossom, impotent, it must be then All-Powerful; it is not this fruit would in nowise have come to exist by poor, it must be All-Possessing; it is not non- themselves in such order and perfection. Simiexistent, it must be Ever-Living. The purpose is larly the wise and reflecting soul will know of a to show that these attributes and perfections certainty that this infinite universe with all its that we recount for that Universal Reality are grandeur and perfect order could not have only in order to deny imperfections, rather than come to exist by itself. to assert the perfections that the human mind Similarly in the world of being there exist can conceive. Thus we say His attributes are forces unseen of the eye, such as the force of unknowable. ether previously mentioned, that cannot be In fine, that Universal Reality with all its sensed, that cannot be seen. However, from qualities and attributes that we recount is holy the effects it produceth, that is from its waves andexalted aboveall minds andunderstandings. and vibrations, light, heat, electricity appear As we, however, reflect with broad minds upon and are made evident. In like manner is the this infinite universe, we observe that motion power of growth, of feeling, of understanding, without a motive force, and an effect without a of thought, of memory, of imagination and of cause are both impossible; that every being discernment; all these inner faculties are unhath come to exist under numerous influences seen of the eye and cannot be sensed, yet all are and continually undergoeth reaction. These evident by the effects they produce. influences, too, are formed under the action of Now as to the infinite Power that knoweth still other influences. For instance, plants grow no limitations; limitation itself proveth the and flourish through the outpourings of vernal existence of the unlimited, for the limited is showers, whilst the cloud itself is formed under known through the unlimited, just as weakness various other agencies and these agencies in itself proveth the existence of power, ignorance their turn are reacted upon by still other agen- the existence of knowledge, poverty the existcies. For example, plants and animals grow and ence of wealth. Without wealth there would be develop under the influence of what the philo- no poverty, without knowledge no ignorance, sophers of our day designate as hydrogen and without light no darkness. Darkness itself is a oxygen and are reacted upon by the effects of proof of the existence of light for darkness is the these two elements; and these in turn are absence of light. formed under still other influences. The same Now concerning nature, it is but the essential can be said of other beings whether they affect properties and the necessary relations inother things or be affected. Such process of herent in the realities of things. And though 42 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
these infinite realities are diverse in their char- theircentre, their source and their motive power. acter yet they are in the utmost harmony and For instance, as we have observed, co-operaclosely connected together. As one's vision is tion among the constituent parts of the human broadened and the matter observed carefully, body is clearly established, and these parts and it will be made certain that every reality is but members render services unto all the compoan essential requisite of other realities. Thus to nent parts of the body. For instance, the hand, connect and harmonize these diverse and in- the foot, the eye, the ear, the mind, the imagifinite realitiesanall-unifying Power isnecessary, nation all help the various parts and members that every part of existent being may in perfect of the human body, but all these interactions order discharge its own function. Consider the are linked by an unseen, all-embracing power, body of man, and let the part be an indication of that causeth these interactions to be produced the whole. Consider how these diverse parts and with perfect regularity. This is the inner faculty members of the human body are closely con- of man, that is his spirit and his mind, both of nected and harmoniously united one with the which are invisible. other. Every part is the essential requisite of all In like manner consider machinery and workother parts and has a function by itself. It is the shops and the interaction existing among the mind that is the all-unifying agency that so uni- various component parts and sections, and teth all the component parts one with the other how connected they are one with the other. that each dischargeth its specific function in All these relations and interactions, however, perfect order, and thereby co-operation and re- are connected with a central power which is action are made possible. All parts function their motive force, their pivot and their source. under certain laws that are essential to existence. This central power is either the power of steam Should that all-unifying agency that directeth or the skill of themaster-mind. all these parts be harmed in any way there is no It hath therefore been made evident and doubt that the constituent parts and members proved that interaction, co-operation and interwill cease functioning properly; and though relation amongst beings are under the direction that all-unifying agency in the temple of man be and will of a motive Power which is the origin, not sensed or seen and the reality thereof be un- the motive force and the pivot of all interknown, yet by its effects it manifesteth itself actions in the universe. with the greatest power. Likewise every arrangement and formation Thus it hath been proven and made evident that is not perfect in its order we designate as that these infinite beings in this wondrous uni- accidental, and that which is orderly, regular, verse will discharge their functions properly perfect in its relations and every part of which only when directed and controlled by that is in its proper place and is the essential re- Universal Reality, so that order may be esta- quisite of the other constituent parts, this we blished in the world. For example, interaction call a composition formed through will and and co-operation between the constituent parts knowledge. There is no doubt that these inof the human body are evident and indisputable, finite beings and the association of these diverse yet this does not suffice; an all-unifying agency elements arranged in countless formsmust have is necessary that shall direct and control the proceeded from a Reality that could in no wise component parts, so that these through inter- be bereft of will or understanding. This is clear action and co-operation may discharge in per- and proven to the mind and no one can deny fect order their necessary and respective func- it. It is not meant, however, that that Universal tions. Reality or the attributes thereof have been com- You are well aware, praised be the Lord, that prehended. Neither its Essence nor its. true both interaction and co-operation are evident attributes hath any one comprehended. We and proven amongst all beings, whether large maintain, however, that these infinite beings, or small. In the case of large bodies interaction these necessary relations, this perfect arrangeis as manifest as the sun, whilst in the case of ment must of necessity have proceeded from a small bodies, though interaction be unknown, source that is not bereft of will and understanyet the part is an indication of the whole. All ding, and this infinite composition cast into these interactions therefore are connected with infinite forms must have been caused by an allthat all-embracing power which is their pivot, embracing Wisdom. This none can dispute save THE B A H A ' ~S A C R E D W R I T I N G S 43 he that is obstinate and stubborn, and denieth no wise possible. Every community in the the clear and unmistakable evidence, and be- world findeth in these Divine Teachings the cometh the object of the blessed Verse: "They realization of its highest aspirations. These are deaf, they are dumb, they are blind and teachings are even as the tree that beareth the shall return no more." best fruits of all trees. Philosophers, for in- Now regarding the question whether the stance, find in these heavenly teachings the most faculties of the mind and the human soul are perfect solution of their social problems, and one and the same. These faculties are but the similarly a true and noble exposition of matters inherent properties of the soul, such as the that pertain to philosophical questions. In like power of imagination, of thought, of under- manner men of faith behold the reality of restanding; powers that are the essential re- ligion manifestly revealed in these heavenly quisites of the reality of man, even as the solar teachings, and clearly and conclusively prove ray is the inherent property of the sun. The them to be the real and true remedy for the ills temple of man is like unto a mirror, his soul is and infirmities of all mankind. Should these as the sun, and his mental faculties even as the sublime teachings be diffused, mankind shall rays that emanate from that source of light. be freed from all perils, from all chronic ills and The ray may cease to fall upon the mirror, but it sicknesses. In like manner are the BahB'i ecocan in no wise be dissociated from the sun. nomic principles the embodiment of the highest In short, the point is this, that the world of aspirations of all wage-earning classes and of man is supernatural in its relation to the vege- economists of various schools. table kingdom, though in reality it is not so. In short, all sections and parties have their Relatively to the plant, the reality of man, his aspirations realized in the teachings of BahB'uY- power of hearing and sight, are all super- 11ah. As these teachings are declared in churches, natural, and for the plant to comprehend that in mosques and in other places of worship, reality and the nature of the powers of man's whether those of the followers of Buddha or of mind is impossible. In like manner for man to Confucius, in political circles or amongst macomprehend the Divine Essence and the nature terialists, all shall bear witness that these of the great Hereafter is in no wise possible. The teachings bestow a fresh life upon mankind merciful outpourings of that Divine Essence, and constitute the immediate remedy for all the however, are vouchsafed unto all beings and it ills of social life. None can find fault with any is incumbent upon man to ponder in his heart of these teachings, nay rather, once declared upon the effusions of the Divine Grace, the they will all be acclaimed, and all will confess soul being counted as one, rather than upon their vital necessity, exclaiming, "Verily this is the Divine Essence itself. This is the utmost the truth and naught is there beside the truth limit for human understanding. As it hath pre- but manifest error." viously been mentioned, these attributes and In conclusion, these few words are written, perfections that we recount of the Divine and unto everyone they will be a clear and con- Essence, these we have derived from the exist- clusive evidence of the truth. Ponder them in ence and observation of beings, and it is not that thine heart. The will of every sovereign prewe have comprehended the essence and perfec- vaileth during his reign, the will of every philotion of God. When we say that the Divine sopher findeth expression in a handful of dis- Essence understandeth and is free, we do not ciples during his lifetime, but the Power of the mean that we have discovered the Divine Holy Spirit shineth radiantly in the realities of Will and Purpose, but rather that we have the Messengers of God, and strengtheneth acquired knowledge of them through the Di- Their will in such wise as to influence a great vine Grace revealed and manifested in the nation for thousands of years and to regenerate realities of things. the human soul and revive mankind. Consider Now concerning our social principles, how great is this power! It is an extraordinary namely the teachings of His Holiness BahB'u'- Power, an all-sufficient proof of the truth of llah spread far and wide fifty years ago, they the mission of the Prophets of God, and a converily comprehend all other teachings. It is clusive evidence of the power of Divine inspiraclear and evident that without these teachings tion. progress and advancement for mankind are in The Glory of Glories rest upon thee. 44 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The upper rooms at No. 7 Persian Street, Haifa, where Shoghi E;trendi did much of his writing. EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS O F SHOGHI EFFENDI
(Excerpts from G o d Passes By)
U N I Q U E and stupendous as was this Pro- clear guidance regarding the future adminisclamation,l it proved to be but a prelude to a tration of the affairs of His Faith; unlike even still mightier revelation of the creative power of the Qur'kn which, though explicit in the laws its Author, and to what may well rank as the and ordinances formulated by the Apostle of most signal act of His ministry-the promul- God, is silent on the all-important subject of gation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. Alluded to in the the succession, the Kitdb-i-Aqdas, revealed ~itdb-i-jqhn;the principal repository of that from first to last by the Author of the Dispen- Law which the Prophet Isaiah had anticipated, sation Himself, not only preserves for posterity and which the writer of the Apocalypse had the basic laws and ordinances on which the described as the "new heaven" and the "new fabric of His future World Order must rest, but earth", as"the Tabernacle of God", as the"Holy ordains, in addition to the function of inter- City", as the "Bride", the "New Jerusalem pretation which it confers upon His Successor, coming down from God", this "Most Holy the necessary institutions through which the in- Book", whose provisions must remain invio- tegrity and unity of His Faith can alone be safelate for no less than a thousand years, and guarded. whose system will embrace the entire planet, In this Charter of the future world civilimay well be regarded as the brightest emanation zation its Author-at once the Judge, the Lawof the mind of BahB'u'llih, as the Mother Book giver, the Unifier and Redeemer of mankind of His Dispensation, and the Charter of His -announces to the kings of the earth the pro- New World Order. mulgation of the "Most Great Law"; pro- Revealed soon after BahB'uYllahhad been nounces them to be His vassals; proclaims transferred to the house of ' ~ d ai a m m i r Himself the "King of Kings"; disclaims any (circa 1873), at a time when He was still en- intention of laying hands on their kingdoms; compassed by the tribulations that had afflic- reserves for Himself the right to "seize andposted Him, through the acts committed by His sess the hearts of men"; warns the world's enemies and the professed adherents of His ecclesiastical leaders not to weigh the "Book of Faith, this Book, this treasury enshrining the God" with such standards as are current priceless gems of His Revelation, stands out, amongst them; and affirms that the Book itself by virtue of the principles it inculcates, the is the "Unerring Balance" established amongst administrative institutions it ordains and the men. In it He formally ordains the institution function with which it invests the appointed of the "House of Justice", defines its functions, Successor of its Author, unique and incom- fixes its revenues, and designates its members parable among the world's sacred Scriptures. as the "Men of Justice",the"Deputies of God", For, unlike the Old Testament and the Holy the "Trustees of the All-Mercijul", alludes to Books which preceded it, in which the actual the future Centre of His Covenant, and invests precepts uttered by the Prophet Himself are Him with the right of interpreting His holy non-existent; unlike the Gospels, in which the Writ; anticipates by implication the institution few sayings attributed to Jesus Christ afford no of Guardianship; bears witness to the revolu- The Proclamation by Bahd'u'llah of His Mission. tionizing effect of His World Order; enunciates the doctrine of the "Most Great Infallibility" Him, neither of which, He affirms, is acceptable of the Manifestation of God; asserts this without the other. infallibility to be the inherent and exclusive The significant summons issued to the Presiright of the Prophet; and rules out the pos- dents of the Republics of the American consibility of the appearance of another Mani- tinent to seize their opportunity in the Day of festation ere the lapse of at least one thousand God and to champion the cause of justice; the years. injunction to the members of parliaments In this Book He, moreover,. re scribes the throughout the world, urging the adoption of *
obligatory prayers; designates the time and a universal script and language; His warnings period of fasting; prohibits congregational to William I, the conqueror of Napoleon 111; prayer except for the dead; fixes the Qiblih; the reproof He administers to Francis Joseph, institutes the Huqtiqu'llah (Right of God); the Emperor of Austria; His reference to "the formulates the law of inheritance; ordains the lamentations of Berlin" in His apostrophe to institution of the Ma&riquYl-Aakir; esta- "the banks of the Rhine"; His condemnation of blishes the Nineteen Day Feasts, the Bahi'i "the throne of tyranny" established in Constanfestivals and the Intercalary Days; abolishes tinople, and His prediction of the extinction of the institution of priesthood; prohibits slavery, its "outwardsplendour" and of the tribulations asceticism, mendicancy, monasticism, penance, destined to overtake its inhabitants; the words the use of pulpits and the kissing of hands; pre- of cheer and comfort He addresses to His scribes monogamy; condemns cruelty to ani- native city, assuring her that God had chosen mals, idleness and sloth, backbiting and calum- her to be"the source of the joy of all mankind" ; ny; censures divorce; interdicts gambling, the His prophecy that "the voice of the heroes of use of opium, wine and other intoxicating Burrisrin" will be raised in glorification of their drinks; specifies the punishments for murder, Lord; His assertion that men "endued with arson, adultery and theft; stresses the impor- mighty ~alour"will be raised up in Kirmin who tance of marriage and lays down its essential will make mention of Him; and finally, His conditions; imposes the obligation of engaging magnanimous assurance to a perfidious brother in some trade or profession, exalting such occu- who had afflicted Him with such anguish, that pation to the rank of worship; emphasizes the an "ever-forgiving, all-bour,teous" God would necessity of providing the means for the educa- forgive him his iniquities were he only to repent tion of children; and lays upon every person the -all these further enrich the contents of a duty of writing a testament and of strict obedi- Book designated by its Author as "the source ence to one's government. of true felicity", as the "Unerring Balance", Apart from these provisions Baha'u'llah as the "Straight Path" and as the "quickener of exhorts His followers to consort, with amity mankind". and concord and without discrimination, with The laws and ordinances that constitute the the adherents of all religions; warns them to major theme of this Book, Baha'u'llah, moreguard against fanaticism, sedition, pride, dis- over, has specifically characterized as "the pute and contention; inculcates upon them breath of life unto all created things", as "the immaculate cleanliness, strict truthfulness, mightiest stronghold", as the ~ r u i t s "of His spotless chastity, trustworthiness, hospitality, "Tree", as "the highest means for the mainfidelity, courtesy, forbearance, justice and fair- tenance of order in the world and the security of ness; counsels them to be"even as thefingers o f its peoples", as "the lamps of His wisdom and one hand and the limbs of one body"; calls upon loving-providence", as "the sweet smelling sathem to arise and serve His Cause; and assures vour of His garment ", as the "keys" of His them of His undoubted aid. He, furthermore, "mercy" to His creatures. "This Book," He dwells upon the instability of human affairs; Himself testifies, "is a heaven which We have declares that true liberty consists in man's sub- adorned with the stars of Our commandments mission to His commandments; cautions them andprohibitions.""Blessed the man," He, morenot to be indulgent in carrying out His statutes; over, has stated, "who will read it, andponder prescribes the twin inseparable duties of recog- the verses sent down in it by God, the Lord of nizing the"Dayspring of God's Revelation" and Power, the Almighty. Say, 0 men! Take hold of of observing all the ordinances revealed by it with the hand of resignation. . . By M y life! WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI 47 It hath been sent down in a manner that amazeth which may well be regarded as the hall-mark of the minds of men. Verily, it is M y weightiest Baha'u'llah's Revelation and the pivot of His testimony unto all people, and the proof of the teachings. Of such cardinal importance is this All-Merciful unto all who are in heaven and all principle of unity that it is expressly referred to who are on earth." And again: "Blessed the in the Book of His Covenant, and He unreserpalate that savoureth its sweetness, and the per- vedly proclaims it as the central purpose of His ceiving eye that recognizeth that which is trea- Faith. " We, verily," He declares, "have come sured therein, and the understanding heart that to unite and weld together all that dweNon earth." comprehendeth its allusions and niysteries. By " So potent is the light o f unity," He further God! Such is the majesty of what hath been re- states, "that it can illuminate the whole earth." vealed therein, and so tremendous the revelation " A t one time," He has written with reference of its veiled allusions that the loins of utterance to this central theme of His Revelation, " W e shake when attempting their description." And spoke in the language of the lawgiver; at finally: "In such a manner hath the Kitab-i- another in that ofthe truth seeker and the mystic, Aqdas been revealed that it attracteth and em- and yet Our supreme purpose and highest wish braceth all the divinely appointed Dispensations. hath always been to disclose the glory and sub- Blessed those who peruse it! Blessed those who limity of this station." Unity, He states, is the apprehend it! Blessed those who meditate upon goal that "excelleth every goal" and an aspirait! Blessed those who ponder its meaning! So tion which is "the monarch of all aspirations". vast is its range that it hath encompassed all men "The world," He proclaims, "is but one country, ere their recognition of it. Erelong will its sove- and mankind its citizens." He further affirms reign power, itspervasive influenceand the great- that the unification of mankind, the last stage ness of its might be manifestedon earth." in the evolution of humanity towards maturity, The formulation by BahB'u'Llah, in His is inevitable, that "soon will the present day Kitab-i-Aqdas, of the fundamental laws of His order be rolledup, anda new one spreadout in its Dispensation was followed, as His Mission stead", that "the whole earth is now in a state of drew to a close, by the enunciation of certain pregnancy", that "the day is approaching when precepts and principles which lie at the very it will have yielded its noblest,fruits, when from core of His Faith, by the reaffirmation of truths it will have sprung forth the loftiest trees, the He had previously proclaimed, by the elabora- most enchanting blossoms, the most heavenly tion and elucidation of some of the laws He blessings." He deplores the defectiveness of the had already laid down, by the revelation of fur- prevailing order, exposes the inadequacy of ther prophecies and warnings, and by the patriotism as a directing and controlling force establishment of subsidiary ordinances de- in human society, and regards the "love of signed to supplement the provisions of His mankind" and service to its interests as the wor- Most Holy Book. These were recorded in un- thiest and most laudable objects of human ennumbered Tablets, which He continued to re- deavour. He, moreover, laments that "the viveal until the last days of His earthly life, tality ofn~en'sbelief in God is dying out in every among which the Idragat (Splendours), the land," that the "ace of the world" is turned Bidarat (Glad Tidings), the "Tarrizrit" (Orna- towards"waywardness andunbelief"; proclaims ments), the "Tajalliyrit" (Effulgences), the religion to be " a radiant light and an impreg- Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise), nable stronghold for the protection and welfare the Lawh-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Tablet), the of the peoples of the world" and "the chief "Lawh-i-Dunyri" (Tablet of the World), the instrun~ent,forthe establishment of'order in the Lawh-i-Maqsrid (Tablet of Maqsud), are the world"; affirms its fundamental purpose to be most noteworthy. These Tablets-mighty and the promotion of union and concord amongst final effusions of His indefatigable pen-must men; warns lest it be made " a source of dissenrank among the choicest fruits which His mind sion, of discord and hatred" ;commands that its has yielded, and mark the consumn~ationof principles be taught to children in the schools of His forty-year-long ministry. the world, in a manner that would not be pro- Of the principles enshrined in these Tablets ductive of either prejudice or fanaticism; attrithe most vital of them all is the principle of the butes "the waywardness of the ungodly" to the oneness and wholeness of the human race, "decline ofreligion"; and predicts "convulsions" 'i WORLD of such severity as to "cause the limbs of man- to men, and "begin with words and end with kind to quake". words". The principle of collective security He unre- The injunction to "consort with all men in a servedly urges; recommends the reduction in spirit oj:friendliness andjellowship" He further national armaments; and proclaims as neces- emphasizes, and recognizes such association to sary and inevitable the convening of a world be conducive to "union and concord", which, gathering at which the kings and rulers of the He affirms, are the establishers of order in the world will deliberate for the establishment of world and the quickeners of nations. The necespeace among the nations. sity of adopting a universal tongue and script Justice He extols as "the light of men" and He repeatedly stresses; deplores the waste of their "guardian", as "the revealer of the secrets time involved in the study of divers languages; ofthe world of being, and the standard-bearer of affirms that with the adoption of such a lanlove and bounty"; declares its radiance to be guage and script the whole earth will be conincomparable; affirms that upon it must de- sidered as "one city and one land"; and claims pend "the organization of the world and the to be possessed of the knowledge of both, and tranquillity of mankind". He characterizes its ready to impart it to any one who might seek it "two pillars -"reward and punishmentv-as from Him. M
"the sources of lije" to the human race; warns To the trustees of the House of Justice He the peoples of the world to bestir themselves in assigns the duty of legislating on matters not anticipation of its advent; and prophesies that, expressly provided in His writings, and proafter an interval of great turmoil and grievous mises that God will "inspire them with whatinjustice, its day-star will shine in its full splen- soever He willeth". The establishment of a condour and glory. stitutional form of government, in which the He, furthermore, inculcates the principle of ideals of republicanism and the majesty of "moderation in all things"; declares that what- kingship, characterized by Him as "one of the soever, be it "Liberty, civilization andthe like", signs of God", are combined, He recommends "passeth beyond the limits of moderation" must as a meritorious achievement; urges that special "exercise a pernicious influence upon men" ;ob- regard be paid to the interests of agriculture; serves that western civilization has gravely per- and makes specific reference to "the swiftly turbed and alarmed the peoples of the world; appearing newspapers", describes them as "the and predicts that the day is approaching when mirror of the world" and as "an amazing and the"flame" of a civilization "carried to excess" potent phenomenon", and prescribes to all who "will devour the cities". are responsible for their production the duty to Consultation He establishes as one of the be sanctified from malice, passion and prejufundamental principles of His Faith; des- dice, to be just and fair-minded, to be painscribes it as "the lamp of guidance", as "the taking in their inquiries, and ascertain all the bestower of understanding", and as one of the facts in every situation. two "luminaries" of the "heaven of Divine The doctrine of the Most Great Infallibility wisdonz". Knowledge, He states, is "as wings to He further elaborates; the obligation laid on man's lge and a ladder for his ascent"; its His followers to "behave towards the governacquisition He regards as "incumbent upon ment of the country in which they reside with every one" ; considers "arts, crafts and sciences" loyalty, honesty and truthfulness", He reto be conducive to the exaltation of the world affirms; the ban imposed upon the waging of of being; commends the wealth acquired holy war and the destruction of books He through crafts and professions; acknowledges reemphasizes; and He singles out for special the indebtedness of the peoples of the world praise men of learning and wisdom, whom He to scientists and craftsmen; and discourages extols as"eyes" to the body of mankind, and as the study of such sciences as are unprofitable the "greatest g$ts7' conferred upon the world. WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI 49
The restingplace of Shoghi Effendi,Guardian of the Bahd'i Faith, in the Great Northern London Cemetery, New Southgate. PART TWO
T H E C O M M E M O R A T I O N OF H I S T O R I C ANNIVERSARIES T H E C E N T E N A R Y OF T H E A R R I V A L OF
I. BAHA'U'LLAH'S INCARCERATION I N GAKKA
THE arrival of BahB'u'llAh in 'Akkil marks but for the persecution of His enemies, His the opening of the last phase of His forty-year- banishment and exile." long ministry,= the final stage, and indeed the Indeed such a consummation, He assures us, climax, of the banishment in which the whole of had been actually prophesied "through the tonthat ministry was spent. A banishment that gue of the Prophets two or three thousand years had, at first, brought Him to the immediate before". God, 'tfaithjul to His promise", had, vicinity of the strongholds of a i ' a h orthodoxy "to some of the Prophets" "revealed and given andinto contactwithits outstandingexponents, the good news that the 'Lordof Hosts should be and which, at a later period, had carried Him to manifested in the Holy Land.' " Isaiah had, in the capital of the Ottoman empire, and led this connection, announced in his Book: "Get Him to address His epoch-making pronounce- thee up into the high mountain, OZion that bringments to the Sultan, to his ministers and to the est good tidings; lift up thy voice with strength, ecclesiastical leaders of Sunni Islam, had now 0 Jerusalem, that bringestgoodtidings. L i t it up, been instrumental in landing Him upon the be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah: 'Beshores of the Holy Land-the Land promised hold your God! Behold the Lord God will come by God to Abraham, sanctified by the Revela- with strong hand, and His arm shall rule jor tion of Moses, honoured by the lives and la- Him."' David, in his Psalms, had predicted: bours of the Hebrew patriarchs, judges, kings "Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates; even lijt them and prophets, revered as the cradle of Chris- up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory tianity, and as the place where Zoroaster, shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? The according to 'Abdu'l-Baha's testimony, had Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory." "Out "held converse with some of the Prophets of of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath Israel", and associated by Islam with the shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep Apostle's night-journey, through the seven silence." Amos had, likewise, foretold His heavens, to the throne of the Almighty. Within coming: "The Lord will roar from Zion, and I the confines of this holy and enviable country, utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the habi- "the nest of all the Prophets of God", "the Vale tations of the shepherds shall mourn, andthe top of God's unsearchable Decree, the snowwhite of Carmelshall wither." Spot, the Land of unfading splendour" was the 'Akkh, itself, flanked by the "glory of Le- Exile of Ba&dad, of Constantinople and Adria- banon", and lying in full view of the "splendour nople condemned to spend no less than a third of Carmel", at the foot of the hills which enof the allotted span of His life, and over half of close the home of Jesus Christ Himself, had the total period of His Mission. " It is dificult," been described by David as "the Strong City", declares 'Abdu'l-Baha, "to understand how designated by Hosea as "a door of hope", and Bahci'u'llah could have been obliged to leave alluded to by Ezekiel as "the gate that looketh Persia, and to pitch His tent in this Holy Land, towards the East", whereunto "the glory ofthe On August 31, 1868, with members of His family and Israel came from the way lhe East," other companions, "numbering about seventy", who His voice "like a noise of many waters". To it shared His exile. 1853-1892. the Arabian Prophet had referred as " a city in Syria to which God hath shown His special even the agonies of the SiyAh-ail of Tihran, mercy", situated "betwixt two mountains. . . in and to which no other event in the history of the middle of a meadow","by the shore of the the entire century can compare, except the insea . . . suspended beneath the Throne","white, ternal convulsion that rocked the Faith in whose whiteness ispleasing unto God"."Blessed Adrianople. "Know thou," Baha'u'llah, wishing the man," He, moreover, as confirmed by to emphasize the criticalness of the first nine BahB'u'llah, had declared, "that hath visited years of His banishment to that prison-city, has 'Akkri, and blessed he that hath visited the visi- written, "that upon Our arrivalat this Spot, We tor of 'Akkci." Furthermore, " He that raiseth chose to designate it as the 'Most Great Prison'. therein the cull to prayer, his voice will be Though previously subjected in another land lifted up unto Paradise." And again: "The poor (Tihrkn) to chains and fetters, We yet refused to of'dkkci are the kings ofparadise and the princes call it by that name. Say: Ponder thereon, 0 ye thereof. A month in 'Akkri is better than a thou- endued with understanding!" sand years elsewhere." Moreover, in a remark- The ordeal He endured, as a direct conseable tradition, which is contained in s a y & quence of the attempt on the life of Nasiri'd- Ibnu'l-'Arabi's work, entitled Fut~hdt-i- Din Shah, was one which had been inflicted Makkiyyih, and which is recognized as an upon Him solely by the external enemies of the authentic utterance of Muhammad, and is Faith. The travail in Adrianople, the effects of quoted by Mirza Abu'l-Fadl in his Farri'id, this which all but sundered the community of the significant prediction has been made: "All of Bab's followers, was, on the other hand, purely them (the companions of the QB'im) shall be internal in character. This fresh crisis which, slain except One Who shall reach the plain of during almost a decade, agitated Him and His 'Akkci, the Banquet-Hallof God." companions, was, however, marked throughout BahB'u'llah Himself, as attested by Nabil in not only by the assaults of His adversaries from his narrative, had, as far back as the first years without, but by the machinations of enemies of His banishment to Adrianople, alluded to from within, as well as by the grievous misdeeds that same city in His Lawh-i-Sayyah, desig- of those who, though bearing His name, pernating it as the "Vale of Nabil", the word petrated what made His heart and His pen alike Nabil being equal in numerical value to that of to lament. 'Akka. "Upon Our arrival," that Tablet had 'Akkk, the ancient Ptolemais, the St. Jean predicted, " W e were welcomed with banners of d'Acre of the Crusaders, that had successfully light, whereupon the Voice of the Spirit cried defied the siege of Napoleon, had sunk, under out saying: 'Soon will all that dwell on earth the Turks, to the level of a penal colony to be enlistedunder these banners.' " which murderers, highway robbers and politi- The banishment, lasting no less than twenty- cal agitators were consigned from all parts of four years, to which two Oriental despots had, the Turkish empire. It was girt about by a in their implacable enmity and short-sighted- double system of ramparts; was inhabited by a ness, combined to condemn BahB'uYllah,will people whom Baha'u'llah stigmatized as "the go down in history as a period which witnessed generation of vipers"; was devoid of any source a miraculous and truly revolutionizing change of water within its gates; was flea-infested, in the circumstances attending the life and damp and honey-combed with gloomy, filthy activities of the Exile Himself, will be chiefly and tortuous lanes. "According to what they remembered for the widespread recrudescence say," the Supreme Pen has recorded in the of persecution, intermittent but singularly Lawh-i-Sulfrin, " it is the most desolate of the cruel, throughout His native country and the cities of the world, the most unsiglztly of them in simultaneous increase in the number of His appearance, the most detestable in climate, and followers, and, lastly, for an enormous exten- the .foulest in water. It is as though it were the sion in the range and volume of His writings. metropolis of the owl." So putrid was its air that, His arrival at the penal colony of 'Akka, far according to a proverb, a bird when flying over from proving the end of His afflictions, was but it would drop dead. the beginning of a major crisis, characterized Explicit orders had been issued by the Sultan by bitter suffering, severe restrictions, and in- and his ministers to subject the exiles, who were tense turmoil, which, in its gravity, surpassed accused of having grievously erred and led The Bay of 'Akkri viewedfrom Mt. Carmel. Facsimile of engraving, circa 1880.
others far astray, to the strictest confinement. .. 'Akka . confer with its governor regarding all Hopes were confidently expressed that the sen- necessary measures for the strict maintenance tence of life-long imprisonment pronounced of their imprisonment . . . and appoint, before against them would lead to their eventual exter- his return to Damascus, a representative on the mination. The farmin of Sultan 'Abdu'l- spot to insure that the orders issued by the Sub- 'Aziz, dated the fifth of Rabi'u'a-aani 1285 lime Porte will, in no wise, be disobeyed. I have, A.H. (July 26,1868), not only condemned them likewise, instructed him that once every three to perpetual banishment, but stipulated their months he should proceed from Damascus to strict incarceration, and forbade them to associ- 'Akk$ and personally watch over them, and ate either with each other or with the local in- submit his report to the Legation." Such was habitants. The text of the farman itself was read the isolation imposed upon them that the publicly, soon after the arrival of the exiles, in BahB'is of Persia, perturbed by the rumours set the principal mosque of the city as a warning to afloat by the Azalis of I$fahhn that Baha'u'llah the population. The Persian Ambassador, ac- had been drowned, induced the British Telecredited to the Sublime Porte, had thus assured graph office in Julfa to ascertain on their behalf his government, in a letter, written a little over the truth of thematter. a year after their banishment to 'Akkk: "I have Having, after a miserable voyage, disemissued telegraphic and written instructions, for- barked at 'Akki, all the exiles, men, women and bidding that He (BahB'u'llah) associate with children, were, under the eyes of a curious and any one except His wives and children, or leave callous population that had assembled at the under any circumstances, the house wherein He port to behold the "God of the Persians", conis imprisoned. 'Abbas-Quli =An, the Consul- ducted to the army barracks, where they were General in Damascus. . . I have, three days ago, locked in, and sentinels detailed to guard them. sent back, instructing him to proceed direct to "The first night," BahB'u'llah testifies in the Lawlz-i-Ra'is,"all were deprivedof either food or affirmed by BahB'u'llah, they were given twice drink. . . They even begged for water, and were the amount required for their burial. "None," refused." So filthy and brackish was the water in He Himself has written, "knoweth what befell the pool of the courtyard that no one could Us, except God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing drink it. Three loaves of black and salty bread . . . From the foundation of the world until the were assigned to each, which they were later present day a cruelty such as this hath neither permitted to exchange, when escorted by guards been seen nor heard of." " He hath, during the to the market, for two of better quality. Subse- greater part of His life," He, referring to Himquently they were allowed a mere pittance as self, has, moreover, recorded, "been sore-tried substitute for the allotted dole of bread. All fell in the clutches of His enemies. His suferings sick, except two, shortly after their arrival. have now reached their culmination in this Malaria, dysentery, combined with the sultry aflictive Prison, into which His oppressors have heat, added to their miseries. Three succumbed, so unjustly thrown Him." among them two brothers, who died the same The few pilgrims who, despite the ban that night, "locked", as testified by Baha'u'llah, "in had been so rigidly imposed, managed to reach each other's arms". The carpet used by Him the gates of the Prison-some of whom had He gave to be sold in order to provide for their journeyed the entire distance from Persia on winding-sheets and burial. The paltry sum ob- foot-had to content themselves with a fleeting tained after it had been auctioned was deli- glimpse of the face of the Prisoner, as they vered to the guards, who had refused to bury stood, beyond the second moat, facing the them without first being paid the necessary window of His Prison. The very few who sucexpenses. Later, it was learned that, unwashed ceeded in penetrating into the city had, to their and unshrouded, they had buried them, without great distress, to retrace their steps without coffins, in the clothes they wore, though, as even beholding His countenance. The first
The Bay of 'Akkci with Mt. Carmel in the distance. Facsimile of engraving, circa 1880. 'Akkh viewed from the mouth ofthe River Belus. Facsimile of engraving, circa 1880.
among them, the self-denying Hiji Abu'l- twilight, one evening, wrapped in his custom- Hasan-i-Ardikini, surnamed Amin-i-Ilahi ary devotions, when he fell through the un- (Trusted of God), to enter His presence was guarded skylight onto a wooden crate, standonly able to do so in a public bath, where it had ing on the floor beneath, which pierced his ribs, been arranged that he should see Baha'u'llhh and caused, twenty-two hours later, his death, without approaching Him or giving any sign of on the 23rd of Rabi'u'l-Avval 1287 A.H. recognition. Another pilgrim, Ustad IsmB'il-i- (June 23, 1870).l His dying supplication to a K a h i , arriving from Mosul, posted himself on grieving Father was that his life might be the far side of the moat, and, gazing for hours, accepted as a ransom for those who were prein rapt adoration, at the window of his Beloved, vented from attaining the presence of their Befailed in the end, owing to the feebleness of his loved. sight, to discern His face, and had to turn back In a highly significant prayer, revealed by to the cave which served as his dwelling-place Bahi'u'llah in memory of His son-a prayer on Mt. Carmel-an episode that moved to that exalts his death to the rank of those great tears the Holy Family who had been anxiously acts of atonement associated with Abraham's watching from afar the frustration of his hopes. intended sacrifice of His son, with the cruci- Nabil himself had to precipitately flee the city, fixion of Jesus Christ and the martyrdom of the where he had been recognized, had to satisfy Imam Husayn-we read the following: "I himself with a brief glimpse of BahSt'u'llBh have, 0 my Lord, offered up that which Thou from across that same moat, and continued to hast given Me, that Thy servants may be roam the countryside around Nazareth, Haifa, quickened, andall that dwell on earth be united." Jerusalem and Hebron, until the gradual relax- And, likewise, these prophetic words, addressed ation of restrictions enabled him to join the to His martyred son: "Thou art the Trust of exiles. God and His Treasure in this Land. Erelong will To the galling weight of these tribulations God reveal through thee that which He hath was now added the bitter grief of a sudden desired." tragedy-the premature loss of the noble, the After he had been washed in the presence of pious Mirza Mihdi, the Purest Branch, 'Abdu'l- Bahi'u'llah, he "that was created of the light Baha's twenty-two year old brother, an aman- of Bahri," to whose "meekness" the Supreme uensis of Baha'u'llah and a companion of His Pen had testified, and of the "mysteries" of exile from the days when, as a child, he was whose ascension that same Pen had made menbrought from Tihran to Baghdad to join his Father after His return from Sulaymaniyyih. 1 See p. 159 for a report on the commemoration of the Centenary of the passing of Mirzi Mihdi, "the Purest He was pacing the roof of the barracks in the Branch". 58 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
tion, was borne forth, escorted by the fortress retaliatory acts against their tormentors, and guards, and laid to rest, beyond the city walls, had even sent back to Beirut an irresponsible in a spot adjacent to the shrine of Nabi Salih, Arab convert, who had meditated avenging from whence, seventy years later, his remains, the wrongs suffered by his beloved Leader, simultaneously with those of his illustrious seven of the companions clandestinely sought mother, were to be translated to the slopes of out and slew three of their persecutors, among Mt. Carmel, in the precincts of the grave of his whom were Siyyid Muhammad and Aqa Jan. sister, and under the shadow of the Bib's holy The consternation that seized an already sepulcher. oppressed community was indescribable. Bahk- Nor was this the full measure of the afflictions 'u'llah's indignation knew no bounds. "Were endured by the Prisoner of 'Akka and His We," He thus voices His emotions, in a Tablet fellow-exiles. Four months after this tragic revealed shortly after this act had been comevent a mobilization of Turkish troops neces- mitted, "to make mention of what befell Us, sitated the removal of BahB'u'llah and all the heavens would be rent asunder and the mounwho bore Him company from the barracks. He tains wouldcrumble." " M y captivity," He wrote and His family were accordingly assigned the on another occasion, "cannot harnz Me. That house of Malik, in the western quarter of the which can harm Me is the conduct of those who city, whence, after a brief stay of three months, love Me, who clainz to be related to Me, and yet they were moved by the authorities to the house perpetrate what causeth M y heart and Mypen to of Khavvam which faced it, and from which, groan." And again: " M y captivity can bring on after a few months, they were again obliged to Me no shame. Nay, by M y life, it conferreth on take up new quarters in the house of Rabi'ih, Me glory. That which can make Me ashamed is being finally transferred, four months later, to the conduct of such of M y followers as profess the house of 'Udi KhamrnBr, which was so to love Me, yet in fact follow the Evil One." insufficient to their needs that in one of its He was dictating His Tablets to His amanrooms no less than thirteen persons of both uensis when the governor, at the head of his sexes had to accommodate themselves. Some troops, with drawn swords surrounded His of the companions had to take up their resi- house. The entire populace, as well as the milidence in other houses, while the remainder were tary authorities, were in a state of great agiconsigned to a caravanserai named the Khan- tation. The shouts and clamour of the people i-'Avamid could be heard on all sides. Baha'u'llBh was Their strict confinement had hardly been peremptorily summoned to the Governorate, mitigated, and the guards who had kept watch interrogated, kept in custody the first night, over them been dismissed, when an internal with one of His sons, in a chamber in the crisis, which had been brewing in the midst of - Khan-i-aavirdi, transferred for the following the community, was brought to a sudden and two nights to better quarters in that neighbourcatastrophic climax. Such had been the con- hood, and allowed only after the lapse of duct of two of the exiles, who had been in- seventy hours to regain His home. 'Abdu'lcluded in the party that accompanied Bah6'u'- Baha was thrown into prison and chained llah to 'Akka, that He was eventually forced to during the first night, after which He was perexpel them, an act of which Siyyid Muhammad mitted to join His Father. Twenty-five of the did not hesitate to take the fullest advantage. companions were cast into another prison and Reinforced by these recruits, he, together with shackled, all of whom, except those responsible his old associates, acting as spies, embarked on for that odious deed, whose imprisonment a campaign of abuse, calumny and intrigue, lasted several years, were, after six days, moved even more pernicious than that which had been to the Khan-i-agvirdi, and there placed, for launched by him in Constantinople, calculated six months, under confinement. to arouse an already prejudiced and suspicious "Is it proper," the Commandant of the city, populace to a new pitch of animosity and excite- turning to Baha'u'llih, after He had arrived at ment. A fresh danger now clearly threatened the Governorate, boldly inquired, "that some the life of Baha'u'llih. Though He Himself had of your followers should act in such a manner ?" stringently forbidden His followers, on several " If one of your soldiers," was the swift reoccasions, both verbally and in writing, any joinder, "were to commit a reprehensible act, THE HOLY LAND 59 would you be held responsible, and be punished Big Tawfiq, for one whose mind had been in hispluce ?" When interrogated, He was asked hopelessly poisoned against the Faith and its to state His name and that of the country from followers; the unremitting labours of 'Abdu'lwhich He came. " It is more manifest than the Bahk, now in the full flower of His manhood, sun," He answered. The same question was put Who, through His contacts with the rank and to Him again, to which He gave the following file of the population, was increasingly demonreply: "Ideem it notproper to mention it. Refer strating His capacity to act as the shield of His to the farmcin of the government which is in Father; the providential dismissal of the offiyourpossession." Once again they, with marked cials who had been instrumental in prolonging deference, reiterated their request, where- the confinement of the innocent companionsupon Baha'u'llah spoke with majesty and power all paved the way for the reaction that was now these words: " M y name is Bahci'u'llbh (Light of setting in, a reaction with which the period of God), and M y country is Ndr (Light). Be ye Baha'u'llah's banishment to 'Akka will ever apprised of it.'' Turning then, to the Mufti, remain indissolubly associated. He addressed him words of veiled rebuke, after Such was the devotion gradually kindled in which He spoke to the entire gathering, in such the heart of that governor, through his associavehement and exalted language that none made tion with 'Abdu'l-Baha, and later through his bold to answer Him. Having quoted verses from perusal of the literature of the Faith, which the Suriy-i-Muhik, He, afterwards, arose and mischief-makers, in the hope of angering him, left the gathering. The Governor, soon after, had submitted for his consideration, that he sent word that He was at liberty to return to His invariably refused to enter His presence withhome, and apologized for what had occurred. out first removing his shoes, as a token of his A population, already ill disposed towards respect for Him. It was even bruited about that the exiles, was, after such an incident, fired with his favoured counsellors were those very exiles uncontrollable animosity for all those who bore who were the followers of the Prisoner in his the name of the Faith which those exiles pro- custody. His own son he was wont to send to fessed. The charges of impiety, atheism, ter- 'Abdu'l-Bahi for instruction and enlightenrorism and heresy were openly and without ment. It was on the occasion of a long-sought restraint flung into their faces. 'Abbud, who audience with Baha'u'llah that, in response to a lived next door to Bahi'u'llah. reinforced the request for permission to render Him some serpartition that separated his house from the vice, the suggestion was made to him to restore dwelling of his now much-feared and suspected the aqueduct which for thirty years had been Neighbour. Even the children of the impri- allowed to fall into disuse-a suggestion which soned exiles, whenever they ventured to show he immediately arose to carry out. To the inthemselves in the streets during those days, flow of pilgrims, among whom were numbered would be pursued, vilified and pelted with the devout and venerable Mulla Sadiq-istones. a u r a s a n i and the father of Badi', both sur- The cup of Baha7u'llih's tribulations was vivors of the struggle of Tabarsi, he offered now filled to overflowing. A situation, greatly scarcely any opposition, though the text of the humiliating, full of anxieties and even perilous, imperial farman forbade their admission into continued to face the exiles, until the time, set the city. Mustafa Diya Pa&&, who became by an inscrutable Will, at which the tide of governor a few years later, had even gone so far misery and abasement began to ebb, signa- as to intimate that his Prisoner was free to pass lizing a transformation in the fortunes of the through its gates whenever He pleased, a sug- Faith even more conspicuous than the revolu- gestion which BahB'u'llah declined. Even the tionary change effected during the latter years Mufti of 'Akka, &ay& Mahm~id, a man of Baha'1i'11ahYssojourn in Ba&dad. notorious for his bigotry, had been converted The gradual recognition by all elements of to the Faith, and, fired by his newborn enthusithe population of Bahi'u'llah's complete inno- asm, made a compilation of the Muhammadan cence; the slow penetration of the true spirit traditions related to 'Akkb. Nor were the of His teachings through the hard crust of their occasionally unsympathetic governors, desindifference and bigotry; the substitution of patched to that city, able, despite the arbitrary the sagacious and humane governor, Ahmad power they wielded, to check the forces which 60 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
were carrying the Author of the Faith towards mination of His nine-year confinement within His virtual emancipation and the ultimate the walls of the prison-city, before He would accomplishment of His purpose. Men of letters, consent to leave its gates. The garden of and even 'ulamas residing in Syria, were moved, Na'mayn, a small island, situated in the middle as the years rolled by, to voice their recognition of a river to the east of the city, honoured with of Baha'u'llah's rising greatness and power. the appellation of Ridvan, and designated by 'Aziz Pasha, who, in Adrianople, had evinced Him the "New Jerusalem" and "Our Verdant a profound attachment to 'Abdu'l-Baha, and Isle", had, together with the residence of had in the meantime been promoted to the rank 'Abdu'llah Pasha-rented and prepared for of Vali, twice visited 'Akka for the express pur- Him by 'Abdu'l-Bahi, and situated a few miles pose of paying his respects to BahA'u'llBh, and north of 'Akkk-become by now the favourite to renew his friendship with One Whom he had retreats of One Who, for almost a decade, had learned to admire and revere. not set foot beyond the city walls, and Whose Though BahB'u'llah Himself practically sole exercise had been to pace, in monotonous never granted personal interviews, as He had repetition, the floor of His bed-chamber. been used to do in Ba&dad, yet such was the Two years later the palace of ~ d=ammar, i influence He now wielded that the inhabitants on the construction of which so much wealth openly asserted that the noticeable improve- had been lavished, while BahB'u'llah lay imment in the climate and water of their city was prisoned in the barracks, and which its owner directly attributable to His continued presence had precipitately abandoned with his family in their midst. The very designations by which owing to the outbreak of an epidemic disease, they chose to refer to him, such as the "august was rented and later purchased for Him-a leader", and "his highness" bespoke the rever- dwelling-place which He characterized as the ence with which He inspired them. On one "lofty mansion", the spot which "God hath occasion, a European general who, together ordained as the most sublime vision of mankind". with the governor, was granted an audience by 'Abdu'l-BahB's visit to Beirut, at the invitation Him, was so impressed that he "remained of Midhat Pa&&, a former Grand Vizir of kneeling on the ground near the door". Turkey, occurring about this time; His associa- &ay& 'Aliy-i-Miri, the Mufti of 'Akka, had tion with the civil and ecclesiastical leaders of even, at the suggestion of 'Abdu'l-Bahi, to that city; His several interviews with the wellplead insistently that He might permit the ter- known &ay& Muhammad 'Abdu served to
'Akkh viewedjrom the north-east. Facsimile of engraving, circa 1880. On the left is the aqueducr restored at the request of Baha'u'llhh; on the right, the principal mosque of 'Akkh. A typical mule-driven water wheel describedas being situated "in a garden near Haifa." Engraving, circa 1880. A similar water wheel exists in the Garden at Ridvhn.
enhance immensely the growing prestige of the His influence and power. Governors and muticommunity and spread abroad the fame of its sarrifs, generals and local oficials, would hummost distinguished member. The splendid wel- bly request the honour o f attaining His presence come accorded him by the learned and highly -a request to which He seldonz acceded." esteemed &ay& Yhsuf, the Mufti of Naza- It was in that same mansion that the distinreth, who acted as host to the valis of Beirut, guished Orientalist, Prof. E. G. Browne of and who had despatched all the notables of the Cambridge, was granted his four successive incommunity several miles on the road to meet terviews with Baha'u'llah, during the five days Him as He approached the town, accompanied he was His guest at Bahji (April 15-20, 1890), by His brother and the Mufti of 'Akka, as well interviews immortalized by the Exile's hisas the magnificent reception given by 'Abdu'l- toric declaration that "these fruitless strifes, Baha to that same & a y a Yusuf when the these ruinous wars shall pass away and the latter visited Him in 'Akka, were such as to 'Most Great Peace' shall come." "The face of arouse the envy of those who, only a few years Him on Whom I gazed," is the interviewer's before, had treated Him and His fellow-exiles memorable testimony for posterity, "I can with feelings compounded of condescension never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those and scorn. piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; The drastic farman of Sultan 'Abdu'l- power and authority sat on that ample brow. . . 'Aziz, though officially unrepealed, had by now No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I become a dead letter. Though Baha'u'llah was bowed myself before one who is the object of still nominally a prisoner, "the doors of majesty a devotion and love which kings might envy and true sovereignty were," in the words of and emperors sigh for in vain." "Here," the 'Abdu'l-Baha, "flung wide open." "The rulers visitor himself has testified, "did I spend five ofPalestine," He moreover has written, "envied most memorable days, during which I enjoyed unparalleled and unhoped-for opportunities of the appointment of a few of His followers as holding intercourse with those who are the "Hands oj'the Cause of God"; the restoration of fountain-heads of that mighty and wondrous the Holy House in a i r a z , whose custodianship spirit, which works with invisible but ever- was now formally entrusted by Him to the increasing force for the transformation and Bab's wife and her sister; the conversion of a quickening of a people who slumber in a sleep considerable number of the adherents of the like unto death. It was, in truth, a strange and Jewish, Zoroastrian and Buddhist Faiths, the moving experience, but one whereof I despair first fruits of the zeal and the perseverancewhich of conveying any save the feeblest impression." itinerant teachers in Persia, India and Burma In that same year BahaYu'll&h'stent, the were so strikingly displaying-conversionsthat "Tabernacle oj'Glory", was raised on Mt. Car- automatically resulted in a firm recognition by mel, "the Hill of God and His Vineyard", the them of the Divine origin of both Christianity home of Elijah, extolled by Isaiah as the "moun- and Islam-all these attested the vitality of a tain of the Lord", to which "all nations shall leadership that neither kings nor ecclesiastics, flow". Four times He visited Haifa, His last however powerful or antagonistic, could either visit being no less than three months long. In destroy or undermine. the course of one of these visits, when His tent Nor should reference be omitted to the emerwas pitched in the vicinity of the Carmelite gence of a prosperous community in the newly Monastery, He, the "Lordof the Vineyard", re- laid out city of 'Ishqabbd, in Russian Turkistan, vealed the Tablet of Carmel, remarkable for its assured of the 'good will of a sympathetic allusions and prophecies. On another occasion government, enabling it to establish a Baha'i He pointed out Himself to 'Abdu'l-BahA, as He cemetery and to purchase property and erect stood on the slopes of that mountain, the site thereon structures that were to prove the prewhich was to serve as the permanent resting- cursors of the first Mahriqu'l-Aakir of the place of the Bab, and on which a befitting Baha'i world; or to the establishment of new mausoleum was later to be erected. outposts of the Faith in far-off Samarqand and Properties, bordering on the lake associated BubBrk, in the heart of the Asiatic continent, with the ministry of Jesus Christ, were, more- in consequence of the discourses and writings over, purchased at Baha'u'llah's bidding, de- of the erudite Fadil-i-QB'ini and the learned signed to be consecrated to the glory of His apologist Mirza Abu'l-Fadl; or to the publica- Faith, and to be the forerunners of those "noble tion in India of five volumes of the writings of and imposing structures" which He, in His the Author of the Faith, including His "Most Tablets, had anticipated would be raised Holy Book"-publications which were to her- "throughout the length and breadth" of the ald the vast multiplication of its literature, in Holy Land, as well as of the "rich and sacred various scripts and languages, and its dissemiterritories adjoining the Jordan and its vicinity", nation, in later decades, throughout both the which, in those Tablets, He had permitted to East and the West. be dedicated, "to the worship and service of the "Sullcin 'Abdu'l-'Aziz," Baha'u'llkh is reporone true God". ted by one of His fellow-exiles to have stated, The enormous expansion in the volume of "banished Us to this country in the greatest BahB'u'llah's correspondence; the establish- abasement, and since his object was to destroy ment of a BahB'i agency in Alexandria for its Us and humble Us, whenever the means of g1or.v despatch and distribution; the facilities pro- and easepresented themselves, We did not reject vided by His staunch follower, Muhammad them." "Now,praise be to God," He, moreover, Mustafa, now established in Beirut to safe- as reported by Nabil in his narrative, once reguard the interests of the pilgrims who passed marked, "it has reached the point when all the through that city; the comparative ease with people of these regions are manifesting their subwhich a titular Prisoner communicated with the inissivenessunto Us." And again, as recorded in multiplying centres in Persia, 'Iraq, Caucasus, that same narrative: "The Ottoman Sul&in, Turkistan, and Egypt; the mission entrusted without any justification, or reason, arose to by Him to Sulayman Ban-i-Tanakabuni, known as Jamal Effendi, to initiate a system- Kitrib-i-Aqdas; revealed in 'Akkd, circa 1873. Passages from.this work translated by Shoghi Effendi appear atic campaign of teaching in India and Burma; on pp. 7-14. BAHA'U'LLAH IN T H E HOLY L A N D
A view of the landgate, 'Akkri. Engraving, circa 1880,
oppress Us, and sent Us to the fortress of 'Akkii. His glory reached the East and the West." "His His imperial farmiin decreed that none should light at first had been a star; now it became a associate with Us, and that We should become mighty sun." "Until our time," He, moreover the object of the hatred of every one. The hand of has affirmed, "no such thing has ever occurred." Divine power, therefore, swiftly avenged Us. It Little wonder that, in view of so remarkable first loosed the winds of destruction upon his two a reversal in the circumstances attending the irreplaceable ministers and confidants, 'Ali and twenty-four years of His banishment to 'AkkB, Fu'rid, after which that Hand was stretched out BahB'u'llah Himself should have penned these to roll up the panoply of 'Aziz himsez and to weighty words: "The Almighty . . . kath transseize him, as He only can seize, Who is the formed this Prison-House into the Most Exalted Mighty, the Strong." Paradise, the Heaven of Heavens." "His enemies," 'Abdu'l-BahA, referring to this same theme, has written, "intended that While Bahh'u'llah and the little band that His imprisonment should completely destroy and bore Him company were being subjected to the arznihilate the blessed Cause, but this prison was, severe hardships of a banishment intended to in reality, ofthe greatest assistance, and became blot them from the face of the earth, the steadthe means of its development." ". . . This illus- ily expanding community of His followers in trious Being," He, moreover has affirmed, "up- the land of His birth were undergoing a perselifted His Cause in the Most Great Prison. From cution more violent and of longer duration than this Prison His light was shedabroad; His fame the trials with which He and His companions conquered the world, and the proclamation of were being afflicted. Though on a far smaller 64 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
An early photograph taken looking through the landgate, 'Akka'. Circa 1921.
scale than the blood baths which had baptized rible acts subsequently perpetrated by an inthe birth of the Faith, when in the course of a satiable and unyielding enemy covered as wide single year, as attested by 'Abdu'l-Baha, "nzore a range and were marked by an even greater than four thousand souls were slain, and a great degree of ferocity. multitude of' women and children left without Bahi'u'llah's incarceration in the prisonprotector and helper," the murderous and hor- fortress of 'Akka, the manifold tribulations He THE HOLY LAND 65 endured, the prolonged ordeal to which the mental tenets and principles underlying that community of His followers in Persia was being Dispensation. subjected, did not arrest, nor could they even The Proclamation of His Mission had been, impede, to the slightest degree, the mighty as already observed, directed particularly to the stream of Divine Revelation, which, without kings of the earth, who, by virtue of the power interruption, had been flowing from His pen, and authority they wielded, were invested with and on which the future orientation, the integ- a peculiar and inescapable responsibility for the rity, the expansion and the consolidation of destinies of their subjects. It was to these kings, His Faith directly depended. Indeed, in their as well as to the world's religious leaders, who scope and volunle, His writings, during the exercised a no less pervasive influence on the years of His confinement in the Most Great mass of their followers, that the Prisoner of Prison, surpassed the outpourings of His pen 'AkkA directed His appeals, warnings, and exin either Adrianople or Ba&dad. More remark- hortations during the first years of His incarable than the radical transformation in the ceration in that city. "Upon Our arrival at this circumstances of His own life in 'Akka, more Prison," He Himself affirms, "We purposed to far-reaching in its spiritual consequences than transmit to the kings the messages oj their Lord, the campaign of repression pursued so relent- the Mighty, the All-Praised. Though We have lessly by the enemies of His Faith in the land of transmitted to them, in several Tablets, that His birth, this unprecedented extension in the which We were commanded, yet We do it once range of His writings, during His exile in that again, as a token ofGodYsgrace." Prison, must rank as one of the most vitalizing To the kings of the earth, both in theEast and and fruitful stages in the evolution of His Faith. in the West, both Christian and Muslim, who The tempestuous winds that swept the Faith had already been collectively admonished and at the inception of His ministry and the wintry warned in the Suriy-i-MuWk revealed in Adriadesolation that marked the beginnings of His nople, and had been so vehemently summoned prophetic career, soon after His banishment by the Bab, in the opening chapter of the from Tihran, were followed during the latter Qayylimu'l-Asma', on the very night of the part of His sojourn in Baddad, by what may Declaration of His Mission, Baha'u'llah, during be described as the vernal years of His Mission the darkest days of His confinement in 'Akka, -years which witnessed the bursting into visi- addressed some of the noblest passages of His ble activity of the forces inherent in that Divine Most Holy Book. In these passages He called Seed that had lain dormant since the tragic upon them to take fast hold of the "Most removal of His Forerunner. With His arrival Great Law"; proclaimed Himself to be "the in Adrianople and the proclamation of His King of Kings" and "the Desire of all Nations"; Mission the Orb of His Revelation climbed as it declared them to be His "vassals" and "emwere to its zenith, and shone, as witnessed by blems of His sovereignty"; disclaimed any inthe style and tone of His writings, in the pleni- tention of laying hands on their kingdoms; tude of its summer glory. The period of His bade them forsake their palaces, and hasten to incarceration in 'Akka brought with it the gain admittance into His Kingdom; extolled ripening of a slowly maturing process, and was the king who would arise to aid His Cause as a period during which the choicest fruits of that "the very eye ofmankind" ;and finally arraigned mission were ultimately garnered. them for the things which had befallen Him at The writings of Baha'u'llah during this their hands. period, as we survey the vast field which they I n His Tablet to Queen Victoria He, moreembrace, seem to fall into three distinct cate- over, invites these kings to hold fast to "the gories. The first comprises those writings which Lesser Peace", since they had refused "the constitute the sequel to the proclamation of His Most Great Peace"; exhorts them to be recon- Mission in Adrianople. The second includes the ciled among themselves, to unite and to reduce laws and ordinances of His Dispensation, their armaments; bids them refrain from laying which, for the most part, have been recorded in excessive burdens on their subjects, who, He the Kitrib-i-Aqdas,His Most Holy Book. To the informs them, are their "wards" and "treathird must be assigned those Tablets which sures" ;enunciates the principle that should any partly enunciate and partly reaffirm the funda- one among them take up arms against another, 66 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
all should rise against him; and warns them not upon her to incline her ear to the voice of her to deal with Him as the "King of ZslLm" and Lord, the Lord of all mankind; bids her "cast his ministers had dealt. away all that is on earth," and set her heart to- To the Emperor of the French, Napoleon 111, wards her Lord, the Ancient of Days; asserts the most prominent and influential monarch that "all that hath been mentioned in the Gospel of his day in the West, designated by Him as the hath been fulJilledW;assures her that God would "Chief of Sovereigns", and who, to quote His reward her for having "jorbidden the trading in words, had "cast behind his back" the Tablet slaves", were she to follow what has been sent revealed for him in Adrianople, He, while a unto her by Him; commends her for having prisoner in the army barracks, addressed a "entrusted the reins of counsel into the hands of second Tablet and transmitted it through the the representatives of the people" ; and exhorts French agent in 'Akka. In this He announces them to "regard themselves as the representhe coming of " H i m Who is the Unconstrained", tatives of all that dwell on earth", and to judge whose purpose is to "quicken the world" and between men with"pure justice". unite its peoples; unequivocally asserts that In a celebrated passage addressed to William Jesus Christ was theHerald of His Mission ;pro- I, King of Prussia and newly acclaimed emclaims the fall of "the stars of the firmament of' peror of a unified Germany, He, in His Kitbb-iknowledge", who have turned aside from Him; Aqdas, bids the sovereign hearken to His exposes that monarch's insincerity ;and clearly Voice, the Voice of God Himself; warns him to prophesies that his kingdom shall be "thrown take heed lest his pride debar him from recoginto c o ~ ~ u s i o n "that , his "enipire shall pass" nizing "the Dayspring of Divine Revelation", from his hands, and that "commotions shall and admonishes him to "remember the one seize all the people in that land", unless he arises (Napoleon 111) whose power transcended" his to help the Cause of God and follow Him Who power, and who "went down to dust in great is His Spirit. loss". Furthermore, in that same Book, apos- In memorable passages addressed to "the trophizing the "banks of the Rhine", He pre- Rulers of America and the Presidents of the Re- dicts that "the swords of retribution" would be publics therein" He, in His Kitab i-Aqdas, calls drawn against them, and that "the lamentaupon them to "adorn the temple of dominion tions of Berlin" would be raised, though at that with the ornament of justice and of the fear of time she was "in conspiczrous glory". God, and its head with the crown of remem- In another notable passage of that same brance" of their Lord; declares that "the Pro- Book, addressed to Francis-Joseph, the Ausmised One" has been made manifest; counsels trian Emperor and heir of the Holy Roman them to avail themselves of the " Day of God"; Empire, BahB'u'llih reproves the sovereign for and bids them "bind with the hands of justice having neglected to inquire about Him in the the broken" and "crush" the "oppressor" with course of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem; takes God "the rod of the commandnients of their Lord, to witness that He had found him "clinging unto the Ordainer, the All- Wise". the Branch and heedless of the Root"; grieves to To Nicolaevitch Alexander 11, the all-power- observe his waywardness; and bids him open ful Czar of Russia, He addressed, as He lay a his eyes and gaze on "the Light that shineth prisoner in the barracks, an Epistle wherein He above this lunzinous Horizon". announces the advent of the promised Father, To ' ~ lPasha, i the Grand Vizir of the Sultan Whom "the tongue of Isaiah hath extolled", of Turkey, He addressed, shortly after His and "with Whose name both the Torah and the arrival in 'Akka, a second Tablet, in which He Evangel were adorned"; commands him to reprimands him for his cruelty "that hath "arise . . . and summon the nations unto God" ; made hell to blaze and the Spirit to lament"; warns him to beware lest his sovereignty with- recounts his acts of oppression; condemns him hold him from " Him Who is the Supreme Sove- as one of those who, from time immemorial, reign"; acknowledges the aid extended by his have denounced the Prophets as stirrers of mis- Ambassador in Tihran; and cautions him not chief; prophesies his downfall; expatiates on to forfeit the station ordained for him by God. His own sufferings and those of His fellow- To Queen Victoria He, during that same exiles; extols their fortitude and detachment; period, addressed an Epistle in which He calls predicts that God's "wrathful anger" will seize A photograph of the sea gate, ' A k k a , before alterations were undertaken. To the right can be seen the wall of the caravansarai, Bdn-i-'Avanzid (Inn o f the Pillars), one room of which was occupied by 'Abdu'l-Bahh who entertained guests and pilgrin~sthere prior to leading thenz to the presence of Bahri'u'llhh.
him and his government, that "sedition will be heed His call, and denounces, in certain specific stirredup" in their midst, and that their "donzin- cases, their perversity, their extreme arrogance ions will be disrupted"; and affirms that were and tyranny. he to awake, he would abandon all his posses- In immortal passages of His Kitab-i-Aqdas sions, and would "choose to abide in one of the and other Tablets He bids the entire company dilapidatedroonis oj'this Most Great Prison". In of these ecclesiastical leaders to 'Ifear God", to the Lawh-i-Fu'dd, in the course of His reference "rein in" their pens, "fling away idle fancies and to the premature death of the Sultan's Foreign imaginings, and turn then towards the Horizon Minister, Fu'ad P a h a , He thus confirms His of Certitude"; warns them to "weigh not the above-mentioned prediction: "Soon will W e Book of God (Kitab-i-Aqdas) with such standdismiss the one ( ' ~ l Pa&&) i who was like unto ards andsciences us are current" amongst them; him and will lay hold on their Chief (Sultan designates that same Book as the "Unerring 'Abdu'l-'Aziz) who ruleth the land, and I, verily, Balance established anzongst men"; laments am the Almighty, the All-Conipelling." over their blindness and waywardness; asserts No less outspoken and emphatic are the mes- His superiority in vision, insight, utterance and sages, some embodied in specific Tablets, others wisdom; proclainls His innate and God-given interspersed through His writings, which knowledge; cautions them not to "shut out BahB'u711ahaddressed to the world's ecclesias- the people by yet another veil", after He Himtical leaders of all denominations-messages self had "rent the veils asunder"; accuses them in which He discloses, clearly and unreservedly, of having been "the cause of the repudiation the claims of His Revelation, summons them to of the Faith in its early days" ;and adjures them 68 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
to "peruse with fairness and justice that which calls upon him to "exhort the kings" to "deal hath been sent down" by Him, and to "nulliJj, equitably with men"; and counsels him to walk not the Truth" with the things they possess. in the footsteps of his Lord, and follow His To Pope Pius IX, the undisputed head of the example. most powerful Church in Christendom, pos- To the patriarchs of the Christian Church sessor of both temporal and spiritual authority, He issued a specific summons in which He pro- He, a Prisoner in the army barracks of the claims the coming of the Promised One; exhorts penal-colony of 'Akka, addressed a most them to 'year God" and not to follow "the weighty Epistle, in which He announces that vain imaginingsof the superstitious";and directs "He Who is the Lord of Lords is come over- them to lay aside the things they possess and shadowed with clouds," and that "the Word "take fast hold of the Tablet of God by His which the Son concealed is made manifest." He, sovereign power". To the archbishops of that moreover, warns him not to dispute with Him Church He similarly declares that " He Who even as the Pharisees of old disputed with is the Lord of all men hath appeared," that they Jesus Christ; bids him leave his palaces unto are "numbered with the dead", and that great is such as desire them, "sell all the embellished the blessedness of him who is "stirred by the ornaments" in his possession, "expend them breeze of God, and hath arisen from amongst in thepath of God", abandon his kingdom unto the dead in thisperspicuous Name". In passages the kings, "arise . . . amidst the peoples of the addressed to its bishops He proclain~sthat "the earth", and summon them to His Faith. Regard- Everlasting Father calleth aloud between earth ing him as one of the suns of the heaven of and heaven," pronounces them to be the fallen God's names, He cautions him to guard him- stars of the heaven of His knowledge, and self lest "darkness spread its veils" over him; affirms that His body "yearneth jor the cross"
A view of theprison at 'Akkri, circa 1921. The two windows on the extreme right are those of the room occupied by Bahri'u'llrih. THE HOLY LAN D 69 and His head is "eager for the spear in the path which He stigmatizes their deeds, and proof the All-Merciful". The concourse of Chris- phesies that their "glory will be turrred into the tian priests He bids "leave the bells", and come most wretched abasement", and that they shall forth from their churches; exhorts them to behold the punishment which will be inflicted "proclaim aloud the Most Great Name among upon them, "as decreed by God, the Ordainer, the nations"; assures them that whoever will the All- Wise". summon men in His Name will "show .forth To the Jewish people, He, moreover, anthat which is beyond thepower of all that are on nounced that the Most Great Law has come, earth"; warns them that the "Day of Reckon- that "the Ancient Beauty ruleth upon the throne ing hath appeared"; and counsels them to of David," Who cries aloud and invokes His turn with their hearts to their "Lord, the For- Name, that "jirom Zion hath appeared that giving, the Generous". In numerous passages which was hidden," and that 'IfromJerusalem is addressed to the "concourse o f monks" He bids heard the Voice of God, the One, the Incomparthem not to seclude themselves in churches and able, the Omniscient." cloisters, but to occupy themselves with that To the "high priests" of the Zoroastrian which will profit their souls and the souls of Faith He, furthermore, proclaimed that "the men; enjoins them to enter into wedlock; and Inconrparable Friend" is manifest, that He affirms that if they choose to follow Him He will "speaketh that wherein lieth salvation",that "the make them heirs of His Kingdom, and that if Hand of Omnipotence is stretched forth from they transgress against Him, He will, in His behind the clouds," that the tokens of His long-suffering, endure it patiently. majesty and greatness are unveiled; and de- And finally, in several passages addressed to clared that "no man's acts shall be acceptable in the entire body of the followers of Jesus Christ this day unless he forsaketh mankind and all that He identifies Himself with the"Father" spoken men possess, and setteth his face towards the of by Isaiah, withthe"Comforter" WhoseCove- Omnipotent One." nant He Who is the Spirit (Jesus) had Himself Some of the weightiest passages of His established, and with the"Spirit of Truth" Who Epistle to Queen Victoria are addressed to the will guide them "into all truth"; proclaims His members of the British Legislature, the Mother Day to be the Day of God; announces the con- of Parliaments, as well as to the elected reprejunction of the river Jordan with the "Most sentatives of the peoples in other lands. In these Great Ocean"; asserts their heedlessness as well He asserts that His purpose is to quicken the as His own claim to have opened unto them world and unite its peoples; refers to the treat- "the gates of the kingdom"; affirms that the ment meted out to Him by His enemies; exhorts promised "Temple" has been built "with the the legislators to "take counsel together," and hands of the will" of their Lord, the Mighty, the to concern themselves only "with that which Bounteous; bids them "rend the veils asunder", profiteth mankind"; and affirms that the "soveand enter in His name His Kingdom; recalls reign remedy" for the "healing of all the world" the saying of Jesus to Peter; and assures them is the "union of all its peoples in one universal that, if they choose to follow Him, He will make Cause, one common Faith", which can "in no them to become"quickeners of mankind". wise be achieved except through the power of a To the entire body of Muslim ecclesiastics skilled and all-powerful and inspired Physician". BahB'u'llah specfically devoted innumerable He, moreover, in His Most Holy Book, has passages in His Books and Tablets, wherein He, enjoined the selection of a single language and in vehement language, denounces their cruelty; the adoption of a common script for all on condemns their pride and arrogance; calls upon earth to use, an injunction which, when carried them to lay aside the things they possess, to hold out, would, as He Himself affirms in that their peace, and give ear to the words He has Book, be one of the signs of the "coming of age spoken; and asserts that, by reason of their o f the humnn race". deeds, "the exalted station of the people hath No less significant are the words addressed been abased, the standard of Islrim hath been separately by Him to the ''people of the Bayrin", reversed, and its mighty throne hath fallen." To to the wise men of the world, to its poets, to its the "concourse ofPersian divines" He more par- men of letters, to its mystics and even to its ticularly addressed His condemnatory words in tradesmen, in which He exhorts them to be 70 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
A distant view of the ancient city of 'Akko ('Akka) viewed from the north-east. Facsimile of engraving, circa 1880. It was known to the Greeks and Romans as Ptolemais.
attentive to His voice, to recognize His Day, of any previous religion, and to which the and to follow His bidding. messages directed by the Prophet of Islam to Such in sum are the salient features of the some of the rulers among His contemporaries concluding utterances of that historic Procla- alone offer a faint resemblance. mation, the opening notes of which were "Never since the beginning of the world," sounded during the latter part of BahB'u'llah's BahB'u'llBh Himself affirms,"hath the Message banishment to Adrianople, and which closed been so openlyproclaimed." "Each one of them," during the early years of His incarceration in He, specifically referring to the Tablets adthe prison-fortress of 'Akka. Kings and em- dressed by Him to the sovereigns of the earth perors, severally and collectively; the chief -Tablets acclaimed by 'Abdu'l-Baha as a magistrates of the Republics of the American "miracle"-has written, "hath been designated continent; ministers and ambassadors; the by a special name. The first hath been named Sovereign Pontiff himself; the Vicar of the 'The Rumbling', the second 'The Blow', the Prophet of Islam; the royal Trustee of the King- third 'The Inevitable', the fourth 'The Plain', the dom of the Hidden Imam; the monarchs of fifth 'The Catastrophe', and the others 'The Christendom, its partiarchs, archbishops, Stunning Trumpet-Blast','The Near Event','The bishops, priests and monks; the recognized Great Terror', 'The Trumpet', 'The Bugle', and leaders of both the Sunni and a i ' a h sacerdotal the like, so that all the peoples of'the earth may orders; the high priests of the Zoroastrian know, of a certainty, and may witness, with outreligion; the philosophers, the ecclesiastical ward and inner eyes, that He Who is the Lord of leaders, the wise men and the inhabitants of Names hath prevailed, and will continue to pre- Constantinople-that proud seat of both the vail, under all conditions, over all men." The Sultanate and the Caliphate; the entire com- most important of these Tablets, together with pany of the professed adherents of the Zoroa- the celebrated Suriy-i-Haykal (the Surih of the strian, the Jewish, the Christian and Muslim Temple), He, moreover, ordered to be written Faiths; the people of the Bayan; the wise men in the shape of a pentacle, symbolizing the of the world, its men of letters, its poets, its temple of man, and which He identified, when mystics, its tradesmen, the elected representa- addressing the followers of the Gospel in one tives of its peoples; His own countrymen-all of His Tablets, with the "Temple" mentioned have, at one time or another, in books, Epistles by the Prophet Zechariah, and designated as and Tablets, bee11 brought directly within the "the resplendent dawning-place of the Allpurview of the exhortations, the warnings, the Merciful", and which "the hands of the power appeals, the declarations and the prophecies o f Him Who is the Causer of Causes" had built. which constitute the theme of His momentous Nor should a review of the outstanding feasummons to the leaders of mankind-a sum- tures of Bahk'u'llkh's writings during the latter mons which stands unparalleled in the annals part of His banishment to 'Akka fail to include a reference to the Lawlz-i-Hiknlat (Tablet of With this book, revealed about one year prior Wisdom), in which He sets forth the funda- to His ascension, the prodigious achievement mentals of true philosophy, or to the Tablet of as author of a hundred volumes, repositories of Visitation revealed in honour of the Imam the priceless pearls of His Revelation, may be Husayn, whose praises He celebrates in glow- said to have practically terminated-volumes ing language; or to the "Questions and An- replete with unnumbered exhortations, revolswers" which elucidates the laws and ordi- utionizing principles, world-shaping laws and nances of the Kitrib-i-Aqdas; or to the Lawh-i- ordinances, dire warnings and portentous Burhdn (Tablet of the Proof) in which the acts prophecies, with soul-uplifting prayers and perpetrated by &ay& Muhammad-Baqir, sur- meditations, illuminating commentaries and named " a i ' b " (Wolf), and Mir Muhammad- interpretations, impassioned discourses and Husayn, the Imam-Jum'ih of Isfahan, sur- homilies, all interspersed with either addresses named "Raq&a" (She-Serpent), are severely or references to kings, to emperors and to condemned; or to the Lawh-i-Karmil (Tablet of ministers, of both the East and the West, to Carmel) in which the Author significantly ecclesiastics of divers denominations, and to makes mention of "the City of Godthat hath de- leaders in the intellectual, political, literary, scended fronz heaven," and prophesies that "ere- mystical, commercial and humanitarian spheres long will God sail His Ark" upon that moun- of human activity. tain, and "will manijest the people of Baha". " W e , verily," wrote BahB'u'llah, surveying Finally, mention must be made of His Epistle1 in the evening of His life, from His Most Great to Shaykh Muhammad-Taqi, surnamed "Ibn- Prison, the entire range of this vast and i-mi'b" (Son of the Wolf), the last outstanding weighty Revelation, "have not fallen short of Tablet revealed by the pen of BahB'u'llah, in Our duty to exhort nzen, and to deliver that which He calls upon that rapacious priest to whereunto I was bidden by God, the Almighty, repent of his acts, quotes some of the most the All-Praised". "Is there any excuse," He furcharacteristic and celebrated passages of His ther has stated, "left for any one in this Reveown writings, and adduces proofs establishing lation? No, by God, the Lord of the Mighty the validity of His Cause. Throne! M y signs have encompassed the earth, Translated into English by Shoghi Effendi and pub- and n y power enveloped all mankind." (God lished in 1941 under the title, Epistle to the Son of the Passes By, chapters XI, XII.) WOK
German Templar colony at the foot of Mt. Carnzel, HaiJ1?. Engraving, 1877. The Templars, wrote Shoghi Effendiin God Passes By, "in anticipation ofthe 'coming o f the Lord', had forsaken their homes and foregathered at the foot of that mountain, in the very year of Baha'u'llah's Declaration in Baddad (1863) . . ." T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bahd'u'llrih left Adrianople on Wednesday 12th August 1868 A.D. and/ourneyed via Urdn-Kupriand Kadanih to Gallipoli. This journey took about 4 days. After a few days' stay in Gallipoli He sailed Or an Austrian steanter bejore noon, arriving in Madelli about sunset, and leavit~g at night for Sniyrna where He stayed 2 days.
TH E YOY A G E O F BA HA'YJ'LLA'H FROM T H E L A N D OF M Y S T E R Y T O T H E M O S T G R E A T PRISON IN T H E H O L Y L A N D AUGUST 1868
' Bahd'u'lldh arrived in the ------- and left the sattie nlght. BAHA'U'LLAH I N T H E H O L Y L A N D
2 . THE F I R S T O C E A N I C C O N F E R E N C E
Palermo, Sicily- August 23-25, I 968
ON November 12,1967, the Universal House by Mr. Thomas Anaquod, its first Indian memof Justice cabled the Bahi'i world: ber. Approximately twenty-five special tour buses displaying "BahB'i Mediterranean Con- OCCASION HUNDRED FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY ference" signs transported the BahB'is from BIRTH BLESSED BEAUTY WE CONTEMPLATE their hotels to the exposition grounds. The WITH HEARTS OVERFLOWING GRATITUDE IN- townspeople were drawn to the conference site ESTIMABLE BOUNTIES CONFERRED BY GOD and the bus drivers were found in conversation THROUGH HIS SUPREME MANIFESTATION EN- during the day with many of the Baha'is. SURING FULFILMENT GLORIOUS LONG PRO- MISED KINGDOM NOW EVOLVING WOMB TRA- VAILING AGE DESTINED CONFER PEACE UN- PRELUDE DREAMT FELICITY MANKIND STOP ANNOUNCE In the airy meeting hall on the eve of the con- CONVOCATION TWENTYTHIRD TO TWENTY- ference opening the friends from East and West FIFTH AUGUST 1968 FIRST OCEANIC CONFER- chatted quietly, awaiting the beginning of the ENCE BAHAI WORLD PALERMO SICILY HEART Unity Feast, renewing skeins of friendship SEA TRAVERSED GODS MANIFESTATION CEN- woven through the years. At the end of the TURY AGO PROCEEDING INCARCERATION MOST room, facing almost directly east, was the GREAT PRISON STOP TWOFOLD PURPOSE CON- Greatest Name, black on a white background, FERENCE CONSIDER MOMENTOUS FULFILMENT standing out as if carved in relief. The platform AGEOLD PROPHECIES TRIUMPH GODS MES- was a radiant green, flanked with plants and SENGER OVER EVERY GRIEVOUS CALAMITY AND shrubs and spear-pointed with crimson gla- CONSULT PLANS PROPAGATION CAUSE IS- dioli. Behind the scenes the friends who were LANDS LANDS BORDERING MEDITERRANEAN working on service committees prepared for SEA STOP PARTICIPANTS INVITED HOLY LAND action: translators conferred, preparing to IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CONFERENCE AT- make simultaneous translations in English, TEND COMMEMORATION ARRIVAL LORD HOSTS Italian, Persian, Spanish, German and French; THESE SACRED SHORES RECONSECRATE THEM- cameramen took readings, trying to assess the SELVES THRESHOLD HIS SHRINE PROSECUTION lighting for their shots. GLORIOUS TASKS AHEAD.
More than 2,300 Baha'is from sixty-seven countries gathered in Palermo, soon filling all avail- THE UNITY FEAST able hotel space in this city of 600,000. Large, The conference proceedings opened on colourful signs on public buildings directed the Thursday evening, August 22, with some 1,750 visitors to the garden site of the Mediterranean friends in attendance at the Unity Feast. The Fair in the eastern part of the city where the assemblage was honoured by the presence of conference was held. Excitement mounted as the Hand of the Cause Ugo'Giachery, the repreeach new group arrived to swell the attendance. sentative of the Universal House of Justice, and A chartered liner brought 175 Persian friends the Hands of the Cause 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, from Piraeus, Greece, the ship to serve as a mikru'llah m a d e m , Adelbert Miihlschlegel, hotel during the conference, to move on to Jalal a a z e h , Paul E. Haney, Enoch Olinga, Haifa, and then return to Piraeus where the William Sears, John Ferraby, Rahmatu'llah friends would depart for fran. A family from Muhajir and Abu'l-Qasim Faizi. Professor northern Ireland sailed on a thirty-two-foot Alessandro Bausani, Chairman of the Na- Bermuda cutter. One hundred and twenty be- tional Spiritual Assembly of Italy, welcomed lievers attended from Canada, the National everyone. During the devotional session pray- Spiritual Assembly being officially represented ers were read and chanted in many languages, Adapted from a report by Hugh McKinley, U.S. Bahd'iNews, N o . 451, October, 1968. attesting the regenerating and unifying power its potentiality for disaster, which confronted of the Word of God. Groups of friends from Him. Consigned to a prison cell, debarred from each of the countries represented were intro- access to those to whom His Message must be duced and welcomed. addressed, cut off from His followers save for Mr. William Maxwell of the Continental the handful who were to accompany Him, and Board of Counsellors for Northwestern Africa, deprived even of association with them, it was chairman of the Feast programme, introduced apparent that by all earthly standards the ship the Hand of the Cause William Sears who spoke of His Cause must founder, His mission wither on "The Day of God". He traced the travels of and die. Baha'u'llah and outlined what the friends But it was the Lord of Hosts with Whom they would see when they visited the Holy Land. He were dealing. Knowing the sufferings which uplifted the hearts and encouraged the BahB'is faced Him His one thought was to instil conto realize the bounties we have that are not yet fidence and fortitude into His followers, to shared with the world. whom He immediately despatched sublime Tablets asserting the power of His Cause to MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL overcome all opposition. Should they attempt HOUSE O F JUSTICE to conceal its light on the continent, is one of His powerful utterances on this theme, it will An even larger number of believers gathered assuredly rear its head in the nzidnzost heart of the following day when the Hand of the Cause the ocean, and, raising its voice, proclainz: " I a m Ugo Giachery, the representative of the Univerthe lifegiver of the world!" All the afflictions sal House of Justice, read the message adwhich men could heap upon Him were thrown dressed "To the Hands of the Cause of God back from the rock of His adamantine will like and the BahB'i Friends Assembled in Palermo, spray from the ocean. His patient submission Sicily, at the First Baha'i Oceanic Conference": to the affronts of men, His fortitude, His divine The event which we commemorate at this genius transformed the sombre notes of disasfirst Baha'i Oceanic Conference is unique. ter into the diapason of triumph. At the nadir Neither the migration of Abraham from Ur of of His worldly fortunes He raised His standard the Chaldees to the region of Aleppo, nor the of victory above the Prison City and poured journey of Moses towards the Promised Land, forth upon mankind the healing balm of His nor the flight into Egypt of Mary and Joseph laws and ordinances revealed in His Most Holy with the infant Jesus, nor yet the hegira of Book. Until our time, comments 'Abdu'l-Baha, Muhammad can compare with the voyage made no such thing has ever occurred. by God's Supreme Manifestation one hun- Contemplating this awe-inspiring, supernal dred years ago from Gallipoli to the Most episode, we may obtain a clearer understand- Great Prison. BahA7u'llAh's voyage was forced ing of our own times, a more confident view of upon Him by the two despots who were His their outcome and a deeper apprehension of chief adversaries in a determined attempt to the part we are called upon to play. That the extirpate once and for all His Cause, and the violent disruption which has seized the entire decree of His fourth banishment came when the planet is beyond the ability of men to assuage, tide of His prophetic utterance was in full flood. unaided by God's revelation, is a truth repea- The proclamation of His Message to mankind tedly and forcibly set forth in our Writings. The had begun; the sun of His majesty had reached old order cannot be repaired; it is being rolled its zenith and, as attested by the devotion of His up before our eyes. The moral decay and disfollowers, the respect of the population and the order convulsing human society must run their esteem of officials and the representatives of course; we can neither arrest nor divert them. foreign powers, His ascendancy had become Our task is to build the Order of Baha'u'llah. manifest. At such a time He was confronted Undeflected by the desperate expedients of with the decree of final exile to aremote, obscure those who seek to subdue the storm convulsing and pestilential outpost of the decrepit Turk- human life by political, economic, social or ish empire. educational programmes, let us, with single- Baha'u'llah knew, better than His royal per- minded devotion and concentrating all our secutors, the magnitude of the crisis, with all efforts on our objective, raise His Divine Sys- B A H A ' U ' L L A H IN THE H O L Y L A N D 75
Bahd'is gathering at the site of the Baha'i Mediterranean Conference, Palerrno, Sicily, August, 1968.
tem and sheltered within its impregnable strong- the lands bordering the southern and western hold, safe from the darts of doubtfulness, shores of this sea witnessed the glory of Islam's demonstrate the Bahi'i way of life. Wherever a Golden Age. BahA'i community exists, whether large or In the day of the Promised One this same small, let it be distinguished for its abiding sense sea achieved eternal fame through its associaof security and faith, its high standard of rec- tion with the Heroic and Formative Ages of His titude, its complete freedom from all forms of Cause. It bore upon its bosom the King of prejudice, the spirit of love among its members kings Himself; the Centre of His Covenant and for the closely knit fabric of its social life. crossed and recrossed it in the course of His The acute distinction between this and present epoch-making journeys to the West, during day society will inevitably arouse the interest of which He left the indelible imprint of His prethe more enlightened, and as the world's gloom sence upon European and African lands; the deepens the light of Baha'i life will shine Sign of God on earth frequently journeyed upon brighter and brighter until its brilliance must it. It enshrines within its depths the mortal reeventually attract the disillusioned masses and mains of the Hand of the Cause of God Dorocause them to enter the haven of the Covenant thy Baker and around its shores lies the dust of of Bahi'u'llah, Who alone can bringthem peace apostles, martyrs and pioneers. Forty-six and justice and an ordered life. Knights of Bahk'u'llah are identified with seven The great sea, on one of whose chief islands of its islands and five of its territories. Through you are now gathered, within whose hinter- such and many other episodes, Mediterranean land and islands have flourished the Jewish, the lands-ancient home of civilizations-have Christian and Islamic civilizations is a befit- been endowed with spiritual potentiality to disting scene for the first Oceanic Baha'i Confer- solve the encrustations of those once glorious ence. Two millenniums ago, in this arena, the but now moribund social orders and to radiate disciples of Christ performed such deeds of once again the light of Divine guidance. heroism and self-sacrifice as are remembered Through dedicated, heroic and sacrificial to this day and are forever enshrined in the deeds during the course of the beloved Guardannals of His Cause. A thousand years later ian's ministry, the Faith of BahB'u'llah was 76 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
established in this area. Eight pillars of the arrival in the Holy Land will take place. The Universal House of Justice were raised, the hearts and minds of the entire Baha'i world will first of an even larger number to be established be focused on the Most Holy Shrine, where now and during the course of future plans, to those privileged to attend this commemoration include, as envisioned by Shoghi Effendi, Na- will circumambulate that Holy Spot and raise tional Spiritual Assemblies in major islands of their prayers to the Lord of the Age. Let them that historic sea. remember their fellow-believers at home and The timing of such exciting developments is supplicate from the depths of their souls for dependent upon the outcome of the Nine Year such bounties and favours to descend upon the Plan. At this midway point of that Plan, friends of God everywhere as to cause them to although great strides have been made, more rise as one man to demonstrate their love for than half the goals are still to be won. The Him Who suffered for them, by such deeds of greatest deficiencies are in the opening of new sacrifice and devotion as shall outshine the centres where BahB'is reside and the formation deeds of the past and sweep away every obof Local Spiritual Assemblies, which inevi- stacle from the onward march of the Cause of tably affects the ability to establish National God. Spiritual Assemblies. A dramatic upsurge of teaching--effective teaching-is necessary to The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi make up the leeway; pioneers are needed, recounted the exile of BahB'u'llah and gave teachers must travel, funds must be provided. many touching accounts of early believers in It is our hope that there will be engendered at service to Baha'u'llah and the sacrifices they this Conference, through your enthusiasm, made to journey with and assist Him. Today prayers and spirit of devotion, a great spiritual we have the opportunity to spread the Word of dynamic to reinforce that grand momentum God throughout the world, he said, and invited which, mounting steadily during the next four us to reflect upon the effect that would be proyears, must carry the community of the Most duced if the believers attending the conference Great Name to overwhelming victory in would depart from the World Centre, after 1973. their visit there, and raise the call Yci Bahh'u'l- Dear friends; within a few short days the Abha (0Thou the Glory of Glories!) in all parts observance of the Centenary of Baha'u'llah's of the globe.
The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery, who represented the Universal House of Justice, addressing the Palernlo Conference. PALERMO OFFICIALS WELCOMED race and that other teaching plans will be A public meeting was held on Saturday night launched continually until mankind is enlisted at Teatro del Parco di Villa Castelnuovo. In the under the banner of Bahb'u'llah. Our primary outdoor theatre among the jasmine trees, Pro- duty is to aid the Faith to emerge from obfessor Bausani spoke on the Baha'i Faith to an scurity, he said, and reminded the friends that audience of Bahb'is and guests including the they are not alone or helpless, that they draw officials of the city of Palermo. strength from each other and from the power Highlighting the morning session on August of the Administrative Order. Mr. Haney elab- 24 was a presentation to the Governor of the orated on the twin processes now so clearly Province of Palermo, His Excellency Dr. Raval- observable in human affairs, one destructive of li, by the Hand of the Cause Dr. Giachery. The time-honoured but outworn institutions and Governor extended warm regards and words of traditions; the other constructive in providing welcome, saying "My heart is very much like a pattern of a new world order. In the midst Bahii'i. This day will not be forgotten." The of this turbulent age, he said, only the BahB'is Governor received with appreciation a copy of look forward hopefully to the future for only The Proclamation of Bahci'u'll~h. they can perceive the cause of the contemporary turmoil.
THIS DAY O F JUSTICE The chairman of the session, Mr. Erik PROCLAMATION PROGRAMMES Blumenthal, of the Continental Board of Coun- CITED sellors in Europe, then introduced the Hand of The morning programme continued with the Cause Paul E. Haney who addressed the statements and reports of proclamation activifriends on the world-wide proclamation cam- ties by representatives of the National Spiritual paign. He emphasized the significance of "This Assemblies of Canada, Switzerland, the United Day of Justice" and reiterated the statement of Kingdom, and the United States. On Saturday the Universal House of Justice that the purpose afternoon the Hand of the Cause Adelbert of Baha'u'llah's Message is to unify the human Miihlschlegel served as chairman. Further re-
Interior view of the hall irz Palernzo where the Mediterranean Conference was held. In the centre of the front row are seen a number ofthe Hands of the Cause. i WORLD ports were given by representatives of National Assemblies now incorporated, and by growing Spiritual Assemblies primarily concerned with recognition in various states and localities of the development of the Cause in the Mediter- the legality of BahB'i marriage and the right of ranean area: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Baha'is to observe their Holy Days. North Africa, North East Africa, North West The speaker then turned to consideration of Africa, Spain, Lebanon, Turkey and the the World Centre of the Faith, its infinite United Kingdom. The programme closed with beauty, and its significance as the focal centre the reading of passages from Tablets of the around which are developing the world-direct- Divine Plan, and from the writings of Shoghi ing administrative institutions ordained by Effendi related to the Mediterranean islands BahB'u'llkh-the Universal House of Justice, and territories. the Hands of the Cause, the newly created Continental Board of Counsellors who have already assumed their important responsibilities, THE BAHA'~ WORLD TODAY assisted by the members of the Auxiliary On Sunday morning, August 25, the Hand of Boards. the Cause Ugo Giachery spoke of "The Baha'i In conclusion, Dr. Giachery exhorted us to World Community One Century after Baha'u'- turn our grateful hearts in thought to the self- Ilkh's Journey". As the representative of the less deeds of those who have preceded us and Universal House of Justice he contemplated made it possible for us to witness the greatness the magnitude of the accomplishments achieved and triumph of the Cause of Baha'u'llah which by the community of the Greatest Name as will guide man's destiny for the next five thouwitness to the power of BahB'u'llah's mighty sand centuries. Revelation. Foremost among these accom- Mr. Paul Thiel, supervising engineer of the plishments, he said, is the birth and evolution of Panama Temple, then gave a brief resume of the Administrative Order, the nucleus and true the initial steps, the unending frustrations, pattern of the new world order, and at its difficulties and obstacles, and the miraculous head is the Universal House of Justice, the triumph over every barrier which has marked stupendous dome of an indestructible structure, progress in the preparatory stages of the erecresting on the pillars of eighty-one1 National tion of the Mother Temple of Latin America. Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world. Construction is scheduled to begin in January, Representation of the Faith in 314 countries, 1969, he said, and to proceed without pause the 32,000 localities where Baha'is reside, the until completion. 6,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies and 26,000 As the conference moved to its climax, the BahB'i groups attest, he said, the awe-inspiring Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga informed the spread of the Faith during these past one hun- gathering that at that very moment the memdred years, as do the Temple sites, national bers of the Universal House of Justice were supendowments, summerjwinter schools, teaching plicating at the Shrine of BahB'u'llah for the institutes and educational schools established success of the conference. He called for those by the believers around the world. Another present to seize the opportunity to proclaim the noteworthy accomplishment of this century is Message of BahB'u'llah and to vow that the the representation of over one thousand races months ahead would be the zenith, the crownand tribes united in brotherhood and one pur- ing point of their lives. He urged the friends to pose in the Faith of BahB'u'llah; and another is direct attention to the unachieved goals of the the publication of BahB'i literature in over four Nine Year Plan. In response to the call for hundred languages. pioneers, one hundred and twenty-six volun- Dr. Giachery also outlined the growing pres- teers thronged to the platform. More than one tige and recognition of the Faith evidenced by hundred travelling teachers offered their serthe achievement of incorporation within the vices. Those who could not leave their homes laws of their respective countries of fifty-six of were provided an opportunity to make finanthe eighty-one National Spiritual Assemblies, cial contributions to the International Depuby an increase in the number of Local Spiritual tization Fund. Two of the beloved Hands, greatly moved by this three-fold expression of By Ridvan, 1973, a total of 113 National Spiritual Assemblies had been established. See p. 702 for list. willingness to serve, embraced, exclaiming "Victory! Victory !" for truly the prayers of the today thousands of BahB'is honour the Blessed Universal House of Justice were answered. Beauty and labour for the ultimate triumph of His Cause. The conclusion of the conference was be- BAHA~U'LLAH'SINCARCERATION fittingly glorious. Two believers from Vietnam, IN 'AKKA by travelling day and night, arrived in time to On Sunday afternoon the Hand of the Cause offer prayers in yet another tongue at the con- 'Ali-Akbar Furutan spoke on the subject of clusion of the meeting. "BahB'u'llah's Ministry in the Holy Land". He In his closing remarks, Professor Bausani of began with an outline of the 3,500-year history Italy mentioned that a number of Sicilians had of 'Akka. BahB'u'llih wrote in the Lawh-i- told him that Palermo will not be the same as a Sul?rin that 'Akkk was said to be " . . . the most result of this conference. He concluded with desolate of the cities of the world, the most un- an expression of appreciation to the believers sightly of them in appearance, the most detes- whose devoted work made the conference a table in climate, and the joulest in water". The success and with special thanks to Bahfi'u'llah Blessed Beauty was condemned to perpetual for the spiritual bounties that had been incarceration in the prison city in order to break showered upon the gathering. His will and end His influence. Baha'u'llBh Speaking earlier in the day, the chairman responded by renewed proclamation. It was had summed up the feelings of the friends : "Not here that many of His most important writings, by the words spoken, nor by the numbers including the Kitcib-i-Aqdas, were revealed and attending shall we be remembered. This conthe flame of His light burned most brightly. The ference will be remembered by the practical author of the farman which banished Baha'uY- results which flow from it." llah to 'Akka is now dead and forgotten but
View of the Shrine o f the Bab on Mt. Carmel as seen from the Bay o f Haifh.. In the foreground is the ship chartered by agroup ofPersian Baha'is to transport them to the Conference andserve as a hotel during their visit to Palermo and the Holy Land. A group of Persian believers disembarking at Paiermo jrom the ship which carried them to the Mediterranean Confirence, August, 1968.
A group of Bahd'is waiting their turn to visit the room occupied by Bahh'u'lldh in the Most Great Prison, 'Akkd. 3. T H E COMMEMORATION AT , T H E WORLD CENTRE O F T H E CENTENARY O F T H E ARRIVAL
August 26-31, 1968
IT WAS a day not unlike any of the thousands upon rows of benches for the auspicious occaof hot summer days which had come and gone sion. Stately cypress trees lined the paths of in the Holy Land since the last day of August, smooth white pebbles, and all along were cir- 1868, when Baha'u'llah came ashore in Haifa cular patterns of shrubs and flowers and lines of near the end of His historic journey from eucalyptus and olive trees. And then there it Gallipoli to the prison city of 'AkkL. Now, was in all its beauty-Bahji-the white arcade exactly one hundred years later, we drove down of its balconies, its blue shutters, its rose-tiled Vine Street past the very grove of trees where roof. The BahB'is came in multi-coloured garb the Lord of Hosts pitched His tent on one of -a fascinating sight to onlookers whose eyes His visits to Haifa. Nearby was one of the had never beheld such a gathering and whose square stone houses of the German colony ears had never heard such a multiplicity of lanwhich formerly housed one of the Templar guages. Quietly the friends waited in the shade families who came here in the 1860s to await of the trees in front of the Mansion where the return of Christ. The lintel above the door Baha'u'llih, after years of incomparably torwas inscribed "Der Herr ist nahe". menting imprisonment, summoned to His pre- Now on this day in 1968 there were almost sence the entire company of believers-includtwo thousand of us-from every continent, ing several pilgrims-before His ascension. every background, every race-united by the Here it was that He spent the twelve final years bond of His Word, coming as the kings of the of His life. earth will come in the future to pay homage to Now on this day, cool breezes were wafted Baha'u'llah. Only days before the friends had over the assemblage as from a breath on high, assembled in Palermo, Sicily to hear words of mitigating the heat of the sun. As four o'clock inspiration and to share plans for spreading approached, all stood as the honoured Hands BahB'u'llah's healing balm to every corner of of the Cause and members of the august Unithe world, to every stratum of its societies. In versal House of Justice entered single file to be blazing early afternoon sun, buses from Haifa seated in front of the Bahji Mansion, followed and the environs wound their way down the by the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha mountain slopes-the golden dome of the Ruhiyyih manurn, widow of the beloved Shrine of the Bab gleaming on levels above the Guardian, attended by the Hand of the Cause blue arc of the Bay of Haifa. Past grey and Dr. Ugo Giachery. Missed from their midst was beige stone buildings of this new yet ancient the Hand of the CauseTarazu'llah Samandari, land, past the palm trees and the rosy bougain- who lay ill in a hospital. villaea overhanging the winding walls, the Signalling the beginning of the commembuses rumbled through streets made quiet by oration, Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m observance of Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath. brought greetings on behalf of the Hands of the And unlike that unheralded arrival of BahB'u'- Cause and the Universal House of Justice. 11ah in Haifa one hundred years ago, today bus Emphasizing the monumental significance of radios announced in Hebrew the arrival of His the occasion, she read, in Persian, words of followers-the largest number ever gathered in 'Abdu'l-Baha about His Father. Characterizthe Holy Land-to pay honour to Him. ing the Cause as a great love affair, she cited Through lovely massive iron gates we God's love for His creatures and named streamed to an expanse of lawn lined with rows Baha'u'llah as the greatest Beloved that the Adapted from a report by Jean Norris, U .S. BahgiNews, No. 452, November, 1968. 82 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The Hands of the Cause who attended the commemoration observance at Bahji. On the right, Amatu'l-Bahri Rlihiyyih Grinurn, escorted by Dr. Ugo Giachery.
The Bahh'isgathered at Bahji for the commemoration observance. In the left foreground (backs to the canzera) are seen the Hands of the Cause; in the right foreground the members of the Universal House of Justice. world has ever known. Stressing, together with Persian; Mr. Paul Haney read extracts in BahB'u'llah's majesty, His infinite kindness and English (pp. 64-67) from the Writings of mercy, she said, "We must come to feel Him Baha'u'llah quoted in The Advent of Divine as the nearest thing in our midst." Turning to Justice. Mr. Dhikrullah U a d e m then recited Baha'u'llah's mission, she referred to His words a eulogy of BahB'u'llah in Arabic from the to Professor Browne-the only Westerner writings of the beloved Guardian, followed by known to have left any record of attaining His Mr. William Sears' recitation of a eulogy of presence-in which Baha'u'llah stated that He Baha'u'llah in English-quoting extracts from sought the good of the world and the happiness God Passes By (pp. 93-100). Following the of nations. She commented on the extent of the eulogies Mr. 'Ali-Akbar Furutan presented in misery of the world, stating that no longer are Persian quotations from Lawh-i-Ra'is-The only individuals unhappy but whole nations Tablet of Bahi'u'llah to the Grand Vizir of are engulfed by sorrows. She characterized the Sultan of Turkey. Mr. Enoch Olinga then BahB'u'llah's message as one of joy and fulfil- read a meditation of BahB'u'llah (pp. 103-106, ment, emphasizing that the Baha'is who were Prayers and Meditations). While the entire present must become rededicated and take to assemblage faced the Shrine of BahB'u'llah, the Bahi'is at home and to the world the inspira- Mr. Abu'l-Qasim Faizi closed the verbal part tion of the days of the commemoration of of the commemoration with the recitation in BahB'u'llBh's journey to the Holy Land and Arabic of the Tablet of Visitation of Bahi'u'llah. the gathering of an unprecedented number of Then filing in solemn procession, the honfriends at the Shrines. Beloved Ruhiyyih oured Hands of the Cause, led by beloved a a n u m closed with a prayer in English Ruhiyyih a a n u m and the members of the (Prayers and Meditations, pp. 35-39). Universal House of Justice, began circumam- Alternating among Persian, Arabic and bulating the Shrine of Bahi'u'lliih, followed by English, other Hands of the Cause followed the friends who had come by air and by sea for with readings and prayers. Dr. Rahmatu'llih this unforgettable occasion. Struck with awe Muhajir presented a prayer of 'Abdu'l-Baha in by the great beauty and the immensity of the
Baha'is circltrnarnbrtlating the Shrine of Bahri'u'llrih during the comrnenzorationof the centenary of Bahri'u'lkih's arrival in the Holy Land. 84 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
cypress-lined gardens, they streamed down the early morning heat of Haifa. Looking far up paths past the green, red and purple patterns of to the magnificent Shrine of the Bib above and shrubs and flowers. Only the sound of foot- looking back occasionally to the streets and the steps, the singing of the trees, and whispered harbour below, the friends-the old and the greetings of "Allkh-u-Abh2' could be heard as young-mounted the steep path lined by the continuous stream passed guides along the towering cypress trees and bougainvillaea along way-youth from many countries who had the wall. Photographers along the way recorcome to serve at the World Centre for the ded the climb for a film that will seek to convey period of commemoration. Then as twilight the beauty, the uniqueness and the univerdescended the last members of the long pro- sality of our beloved Faith. cession climbed the steps leaving the gardens, These days of commemoration, inspiration, returning past the Bahji Mansion to the waiting and rededication shine forth as the friends buses. scatter now to all corners of the world with the Another procession highlighted the next introductory words of Bahi'u'llah's Tablet of morning-this time the steepest of ascents to Carmel in their hearts: Allglory be to this Day, the Shrine of the Bab, the route that the kings the Day in which the fragrances of niercy have will take in the future to pay homage. At the been wafted over all created things, a Day so foot of the mountain, only blocks from the blest that past ages and centuries can never hope home of 'Abdu'l-Baha and from the head- to rival it, a Day in which the countenance of the quarters of the Universal House of Justice, the Ancient of Da.ys hath turned towards His holy pilgrims assembled starting the ascent in the seat.
Baha'i pilgrims ascending the nine terraces leading fronz Carmel Avenue to the Shrine of the Bab during the conzmemoration of the centenary of BahLi'u'llah's arrival in the Holy Land. THE PIL< A few early arrivals registered for their pil- room where the Blessed Beauty ascended in grimage on Monday, August 26-but the great 1892. bulk of the more than 1,800 who came arrived Upon return to Haifa each one was permitted in Haifa much later. At the Old Technion cam- a brief visit to the International Archives buildpus, where registration headquarters had been ing and was privileged to view the portraits of set up, a crew of World Centre staff and volun- Baha'u'llah and the Bab. Arrangements were teer youth helpers verified credentials and dis- also made for the friends to visit the House of tributed tickets for buses which would transport the Master in Haifa during the afternoons. The the friends to the Holy Places in 'Akka and Shrine of the Bab was open from 8.00 a.m. Bahji and to the commemoration programme until 8.00 p.m. and the gardens were open for on August 31. two more hours each day. All were asked to Buses left from UNO Avenue near the Shrine pray silently so that everyone could meditate of the Bab almost every hour from 8.00 in the and be alone with his thoughts in this Sacred morning until 4.00 in the afternoon. Forty- Spot. five minutes later they arrived at the Most Mazra'ih and the Ridvan garden were not on Great Prison in 'Akka, and the pilgrims visited the official tour, but many believers made the cell where Baha'u'llah was imprisoned one special trips to see these historic sites while they hundred years ago. They were also permitted were here. to see the House of 'Abbud where BahB'u'llah A significant contribution to the success of stayed with His family for seven years, and to the commemoration was made by some sixty set foot in the room where the Kitab-i-Aqdas youth volunteers from various countries who was revealed. served as guides and in other capacities during In Bahji both the Shrine of BahB'u'llah and the period of pilgrimage. In an article pubthe Mansion were open and the friends were lished in the October/November issue of the able to pray at the Holy Threshold and in the Bahri'i Journal of the United Kingdom one of
Membersof the UniversalHouse ofJustice with some of the Bahri'iyouth volunteers from various countries who served as guides during the centenary celebrations in August, 1968. 86 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
the British youth volunteers wrote: "So many for allowing me to come to the Holy Land; and important and significant events occurred from now it was my turn to try to repay what little the very moment of our arrival that every day I can to Him. felt like a whole year of normal life. By the time "The commemoration of the arrival of we left, we felt as though we had lived in Haifa Baha'u'llah in the Holy Land was an occasion for years; as though our previous lives were of great dignity and one at which all were very only a dream, a distant shadow; our previous aware of the power and magnitude of the Cause. friendships but fleeting faces on a crowded At Bahji one could sense the unity of the whole street; the things that we had thought impor- Baha'i world, drawn together in prayer. It was tant before, merely ephemeral notions. For all particularly moving to see those hundreds of of us these were undoubtedly the greatest days Baha'is from so many parts of the worldof our lives. None of us will ever have a greater many of them in national dress-circumamexperience or a greater bounty. For myself, I bulate the Shrine of BahB'u'llah in an atmoshall never forget one of those days-they were sphere of humility and love. This was beautiful priceless. As we departed, I was not sad, for I beyond the power of words to describe." knew in my heart I was grateful to Baha'u'llih
Hands of the Cause and members of the Universal House of Justice bearing the casket of the Hand of the Cause Tarrizu'llrih Samandari who passedaway on September 2, 1968. See "In Memoriam", p. 410. T H E CENTENARY O F T H E REVELATION
I . Announcement of Publication by the Universal House of Justice of A Synopsis and CodiJication of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitiib-i-Aqdas ". . . the Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), that priceless treasury enshrining for all time the brightest emanations of the mind of BahB'u'llBh, the Charter of His World Order, the chief repository of His laws, the Harbinger of His Covenant, the Pivotal Work containing some of His noblest exhortations, weightiest pronouncements, and portentous prophecies, and revealed during the full tide of His tribulations, at a time when the rulers of the earth had definitely forsaken Him. . ." SHOGHI E F F E N DI, The Promised Day is Come.
ON January 19, 1973, the Universal House of Justice addressed the following cable to all National Spiritual Assemblies: JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE COMPLETION SYNOPSIS CODIFICATION KITABIAQDAS FOR PUBLICATION RIDVAN SYNCHRONIZING CELEBRATION HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY REVELATION MOST HOLY BOOK FULFILLING WORLD CENTRE GOAL NINE YEAR PLAN STOP CONFIDENT RELEASE THIS PUBLICATION ENVISAGED BY BELOVED GUARDIAN AND WHOSE MAIN FEATURES HE OUTLINED WILL CONSTITUTE ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT STEP PATH LEADING BAHAI COMMUNITY FULL MATURITY ESTABLISHMENT WORLD ORDER BAHAULLAH.
2. Introduction to A Synopsis and CodzJication of the Laws and Ordinances ofthe Kitiib-i-Aqdas, b y the Universal House of Justice Think not that W e have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, W e have unsealed the choice Wine with theJingers of might andpower. To this beareth witness that which thepen of Revelation hatlz revealed. Meditate upon this, 0 men of insight! BahB'uYll&h,Kitdb-i-Aqdas.
INTRODUCTION ONE hundred years ago, in a room over- tribulation. HisForerunnerhadbeenmartyred; looking a dusty square in the ancient seaport of His young Son, the Purest Branch, and some 'Akka, was penned a Book that will come to be twenty-thousand believers, men, women and recognized as the charter of world civilization. children, had given their lives that the new Its Author, Baha'u'llah, had for more than a Revelation might live. He Himself had been tor- ' quarter of a century endured tribulation upon tured, imprisoned, despoiled of His worldly goods, betrayed by His half-brother, and had by virtue of the principles it inculcates, the been subjected, with His family and a small administrative institutions it ordains and the band of followers, to successive exiles and function with which it invests the appointed finally to incarceration in the pestilential Turk- Successor of its Author, unique and incomish prison-city of 'Akka. His enemies, deter- parable among the world's sacred Scriptures. mined to obliterate His Cause, had all un- For, . . . the Kitrib-i-Aqdas,revealed from first wittingly served to fulfil the ancient purpose of to last by the Author of the Dispensation God by bringing to the Holy Land the One Himself, not only preserves for posterity the Who was destined to establish the Kingdom of basic laws and ordinances on which the God on earth. With His arrival the time for the fabric of His future World Order must rest, revelation of the Law of that Kingdom had but ordains, in addition to the function of come. interpretation which it confers upon His The circumstances surrounding the revela- Successor, the necessary institutions through tion of this Book, designated by its Author the which the integrity and unity of His Faith can Kitrib-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), are re- alone be safeguarded." counted by Shoghi Effendi in God Passes By, "The laws and ordinances that constitute his history of the first hundred years of the the major theme of this Book, BahB'u'llah, BahB'i era. Having dwelt upon the world- moreover, has specifically characterized as shaking significance of Baha'u'llah's proclama- 'the breath of life unto all created things', as tion of His Faith, which had opened in 1867 'the mightiest stronghold', as the 'jiruits' of with the revelation of the S~iriy-i-Mul~k (Tablet His 'Tree', as 'the highest means for the to the Kings), he continues, maijztenance of order in the world and the secilrity of its peoples', as 'the lamps of His "Unique and stupendous as was this Pro- wisdom and loving-providence', as 'the sweet clamation, it proved to be but a prelude to a smelling savour of His garment', as the still mightier revelation of the creative power 'keys' of His 'mercy' to His creatures. 'This of its Author, and to what may well rank as Book,' He Himself testifies, 'is a heaven the most signal act of His ministry-the pro- which We have adorned with the stars of Our mulgation of the Kitdb-i-Aqdas. Alluded to commandments and prohibitions.' . . . 'Say, in the Kitab-i-fqdn; the principal respository 0 men! Take hold of it with the hand of resigof that Law which the Prophet Isaiah had nation. . . By My life! It hath been sent down anticipated, and which the writer of the Apo- in a manner that amazeth the minds of'men. calypse had described as the 'new heaven' and Verily, it is M y weightiest testimony unto all the 'new earth', as 'the Tabernacle ofGod', as people, and the proof of the All-Merciful the 'Holy City', as the 'Bride', the 'New Jeru- unto all who are in heaven and all who are on salem coming down from God', this 'Most earth.' And again: 'Blessed the palate that Holy Book', whose provisions must remain savoiireth its sweetness, and the perceiving inviolate for no less than a thousand years, eye that recognizeth that which is treasured and whose system will embrace the entire therein, and the understanding heart that complanet, may well be regarded as the brightest prehendeth its allusions and nzysteries. By emanation of the mind of Baha'u'llah, as the God! Such is the nzajesty of what hath been Mother Book of His Dispensation, and the revealed therein, and so tremendous the reve- I Charter of His New World order: lation of its veiled allusions that the loins of "Revealed soon after BahB'u'llah had been utterance shake when attempting their destransferred to the house of ' ~ d Ui a m m a r 1 cription.' And finally: 'In such a manner (circa 1873), at a time when He was still en- hath the Kitrib-i-Aqdas been revealed that it compassed by the tribulations that had afflic- attracteth and embraceth all the divinely ted Him, through the acts committed by His appointed Dispensations. . . So vast is its enemies and the professed adherents of His range that it hath encompassed all men ere Faith, this Book, this treasury enshrining the their recognition of it. Erelong will its priceless gems of His Revelation stands out, '.. sovereign power, its pervasive influence and the greatness of its might be manifested on 1 This house was later joined t o the adjacent house of Abbud, by wh~chname both are now known. earth."' An earlyphotograph ofthe House of 'Abbdd where Bahd'u'llbh "revealed His Book of Laws, the Kitab-i-Aqdas (circa 1873)." The carriage of 'Abdu'l-Bahh is seen on the right.
"For a number o f years," Baha'u'llah states revelation of further prophecies and warnin one of His Tablets, "petitions reached the ings, and by the establishment of sub- Most Holy Presence from various lands begging sidiary ordinances designed to supplement for the laws of God, but We held back the Pen the provisions of His Most Holy Book. These ere the appointed time had come. Thereupon the were recorded in unnumbered Tablets, which Day-star of'thelaws and ordinances shone forth He continued to reveal until the last days of from above the horizon of the Will of God, as a His earthly life. . ." token of Hisgrace unto the peoples of the world. Among such works is the Questions and An- He, verily, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous." Not until twenty years from the swers which constitutes an appendix to the intimation of His Revelation received by Him Kitbb-i-Aqdas and contains the answers revealed by BahB'u'llah to questions posed by one in the Siyih-ma1 of Tihrin did BahB'u'llah of His disciples about the laws. Notwithstandreveal the "Mother Book" of His Dispensation. ing the volume of His writings on His laws and In another Tablet He indicates that even after ordinances, Baha'u'llih has, as Shoghi Effendi its revelation the Aqdas was withheld by Him points out, deliberately left gaps to be filled for some time before it was sent to the friends subsequently by the Universal House of Jusin Persia. tice. Shoghi Effendi recounts how Concerning the implementation of the laws "The formulation by Bahi'u'llah, in His themselves BahCu'llah wrote in one of His Kitbb-i-Aqdas, of the fundamental laws of Tablets: "Indeed the laws of God are like unto His Dispensation was followed, as His Mis- the ocean and the children of men as fish, did sion drew to a close, by the enunciation of they but know it. However, in observing them certain precepts and principles which lie at one must exercise tact and wisdonz. . . Since the very core of His Faith, by the reaffirma- most people are feeble andfar-removed from the tion of truths He had previously proclaimed, purpose of God, therefore one must observe tact by the elaboration and elucidation of some and prudence cinder all conditions, so that noof the laws He had already laid down, by the thing might happen that could cause disturbance 'f W O R L D and dissension or raise clamour among the heed- ship, Shoghi Effendi fixed the pattern and laid less. Verily, His bounty hath surpassed the the foundations of the Administrative Order of whole universe and His bestowals encompassed Bahi'u'llah, set in motion the implementation all that dwell on earth. One must guide mankind of the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l-Baha for the to the ocean of true understanding in a spirit of spread of the Faith throughout the world, and, love and tolerance. The Kitrib-i-Aqdas itself as these twin processes of administrative conbeareth eloquent testimony to the loving provi- solidation and widespread expansion prodence of God." gressed, started to apply and enforce, gradually This divinely-purposed delay in therevelation and according to the progress of the Cause, of the basic laws of God for this age, and the those laws of the Kitcib-i-Aqdas that in his estisubsequent gradual implementation of their mation it was timely and practicable to apply provisions, illustrate the principle of progres- and which were not in direct conflict with the sive revelation which applies, as BahB'u'llih civil law. At his instance the National Spiritual Himself explained, even within the ministry of Assembly of the BahB'is of Egypt prepared a each Prophet. "Know of a certainty that in codification of the BahB'i laws of personal every Dispensation the light of Divine Reve- status relative to marriage, divorce and inherilation hath been vouchsafed to men in directpro- tance. portion to their spiritual capacity. Consider the The Guardian explained that an essential presun. How feeble its rays the moment it appeareth lude to the publication of the Most Holy Book above the horizon. How gradually its warmth and was the preparation of a synopsis and codifipotency increase as it approacheth its zenith, cation of its Laws and Ordinances. This would enabling meanwhile all created things to adapt be followed in due time by a complete translathemselves to the growing intensity of its light. tion of the Book itself, made by a competent How steadily it declineth until it reacheth its body of experts, and copiously annotated with setting point. Were it all of a sudden to manifest detailed explanations. Such annotations will the energies latent within it, it would no doubt undoubtedly have to contain references to the cause injury to all created things. . . In like man- many Tablets of Baha'u'llah which supplener, if the Sun of Truth were suddenly to reveal, ment the Aqdas, to the interpretations penned at the earliest stages of its manifestation, the by 'Abdu'l-Baha as well as those from the wrifzrll measure of the potencies which the provi- tings of Shoghi Effendi, and will need to elucidence of the Almighty hath bestowed upon it, the date certain passages of the Book, or to amplify earth of human understanding would waste away its religious, cultural and historical references. and be consumed;.for men's hearts would neither It is clear that such a Book, rich in allusion and sustain the intensity of its revelation nor be able referring to laws and practices of previous Disto nzirror forth the radiance of its light. Dis- pensations, could easily be misconstrued by mayed and overpowered, they would cease to anyone unfamiliar with such laws and practices, exist." insufficiently versed in theTeachings of BahB'u'- 'Abdu'l-Baha followed this principle and llah and not thoroughly informed of His funconcentrated His energies on the widespread damental purposes. In particular, inadequate dissemination of His Father's teachings and translations could be seriously misleading. the elucidation of the far-reaching principles During His own lifetime BahB'u'llah comthat they enshrined. At the same time He re- mented upon a translation of the Aqdas made vealed interpretations which are of fundamen- by one of the believers: "Although the inten-. tal importance in understanding the laws of the tion ofthe translator was good, such an action in Aqdas, culminating in the writing of His Will these days will lead to differences and is therefore and Testament, "that immortal Document not permissible." wherein He delineated the features of the Ad- Shoghi Effendi, towards the end of his life, ministrative Order which would arise after His adopted as one of the goals of the Ten Year passing, and would herald the establishment of Crusade the codification of the laws and ordithat World Order, the advent of which the Bib nances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, and he himself had announced, and the laws and principles of 'worked upon it, leaving an outline of a synopsis which Baha'u'llah had already formulated". and codification in English, and notes in Per- During the thirty-six years of his Guardian- sian. This constituted a great part of the task which the Universal House of Justice included In this Most Holy Book BahB'u'llah deas a goal of the Nine Year Plan and which it clares: " By M y life, if you knew what We have then completed according to the pattern he had desired for you in revealing Our holy laws, you set. would offer up your souls for this sacred, The number of laws at present binding upon mighty and lofty Cause." "This Book is none Baha'is is not increased by the publication of other than the ancient Lamp of God for the whole this work. When the Universal House of Jus- world and His undeviating Path amongst men. tice deems it advisable it will inform the friends Say, it is verily the Dayspring of divine knowwhat additional laws are binding upon them, ledge, did ye but know it, and thi Dawningand will provide whatever guidance and sup- place of the commandments of God, could ye plementary legislation will be necessary for but comprehend it." "Say, this is the spirit of the their application. Certain laws, however, as Scriptures breathed into the Pen of Glory, pointed out by the beloved Guardian, "have causing all creation to be dumbfounded, except been formulated in anticipation of a state of those who are stirred by the vitalizing fragrance society destined to emerge from the chaoticcon- o f M y tender mercy and the sweet savours of M y ditions that prevail today." bounty which pervade all created things." THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE Haifa Ridv8n 130 (April 1973 A.D.)
A room once occupied by BahLi'u'lldlz in the House of'Abbdd, 'Akkd. In this room Bahri'u'lldh revealed the Kitab-i-Aqdas, "this treasury enshrining the priceless gems of His Revelation . . . unique and inconzparabb among the world's sacred Scriptures." 92 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Facsimile oj'apage of Shoghi Eflendi's handwritten outline o f a synopsis and codification oj'the laws and ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. 3. A $nopsis and CodzJcation ofthe Laws and Ordinances of the Kithb-i-Aqdas
PREFACE T O T H E PUBLISHED E D I T I O N T H I S Synopsis and Codijication offers a concise and comprehensive presentation of the laws, ordinances, exhortations and other subjects which appear in both the Kitrib-i-Aqdas itself and in the Questions and Answers which forms an appendix to that Book. Not all details are included, nor is it possible to give in such a circumscribed form an impression of the loftiness and magnificence of the language of BahB7u'llBh.In order to provide readers with at least some intimation of this splendour of theme and language, there are included as a prelude to the Synopsis and Codijication, and in the order in which they appear in the Kitbb-i- Aqdas, those passages which have been translated into English by the Guardian of the Faith.' It will be the formidable task of future translators t o match the beauty and accuracy of Shoghi Effendi's rendition. A number of additional details, explanations and references are given in notes. See pp. 7-14.
SUMMARY OF CONTENTS I. THE A PP O I N TM E N T OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA A S IV. LAWS, ORDINANCES AND EXHORTATIONS THE S U CC E SSO R O F BAHA'U'LLAH AND A. Prayer INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS B. Fasting A. Turn towards Him C. Laws of Personal Status B. Refer to Him D. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations 11. ANTICIPATION OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE GUARDIANSHIP V. SPECIFIC ADMONITIONS, REPROOFS AND WARNINGS 111. THE INSTITUTION OF THE HOUSE OF JUS- TICE VI. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS
SYNOPSIS AND CODIFICATION I. THE A PP O I N TME N T O F 'ABDU'L-BAHA AS A. The House of Justice is formally or- THE SUCCESSOR OF B A H A ' U ' L L ~ H AND dained. INTERPRETER OF HIS TEACHINGS B. Its functions are defined. A. The faithful are enjoined to turn their C. Its revenues are fixed. faces towards the One "Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched IV. LAWS, ORDINANCES A N D EXHORTATIONS from this Ancient Root". A. Prayer2 B. The faithful are bidden to refer whatso- (1) The sublime station occupied by the ever they do not understand in the Obligatory Prayers in the Baha'i Reve- Baha'i writings to " Him Who hath lation. branched from this mighty Stock". (2) The Qiblih:3 11. ANTICIPATION OF THE INSTITUTION OF (a) Identified by the BBb with "the One GUARDIANSHIP Whom God will make nlanifest". 111. T HE I N S T IT U T I O N OF T HE H O U S E O F JUS- (b) The appointment made by the Bab TICE~ is confirmed by Baha'u'llah. 94 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
(c) Baha'u'llah ordains His resting-place (g) Ablutions are essential whether a as the Qiblih after His passing. bath has been taken previously or (d) Turning to the Qiblih is mandatory not. while reciting the Obligatory Prayers. (11) Determining the times fixed for Prayer: (3) The Obligatory Prayers are binding on (a) Reliance on clocks is permissible in men and women on attaining the age determining the times for offering of maturity, which is fixed at 15. the Obligatory Prayers. (4) Exemption from offering the Obliga- (b) In countries situated in the extreme tory Prayers is granted to: north or south, where the duration of (a) Those who are ill. days and nights varies considerably, clocks and timepieces should be re- (b) Those who are over 70. lied upon, without reference to sun- (c) Women in their courses provided rise or sunset. they perform their ablutions4 and repeat a specifically revealed verse5 (12) In case of danger,= whether when tra- 95 times a day. velling or not, for every Obligatory Prayer not offered a prostration and (5) The Obligatory Prayers should be of- the recital of a specific verse is enfered individually. joined, to be followed by the repetition, (6) The choice of one of the three Obliga- eighteen times, of another specific tory Prayers is permissible." verse.1° (7) By "morning", "noon" and "evening", (13) Congregational Prayer2 is forbidden mentioned in connection with the except the Prayer for the Dead. Obligatory Prayers, is meant respec- (14) The recital, in its entirety, of the tively the intervals between sunrise7 Prayer for the Dead" is prescribed and noon, between noon and sunset, except for those unable to read, who and from sunset till two hours after are commanded to repeat the six sunset. specific passages in that Prayer. (8) The recital of the first (long) Obligatory (15) The Obligatory Prayer to be thrice re- Prayer, once in twenty-four hours is peated, three times a day, at morn, sufficient. noon and evening, has been super- (9) It is preferable to offer the third (short) seded by three Obligatory Prayers sub- Obligatory Prayer while standing. sequently revealed.12 (10) A b l ~ t i o n s : ~ (16) The Prayer of the Signs has been an- (a) Ablutions must precede the recital nulled, and a specifically revealed verse of the Obligatory Prayers. substituted for it. The recital of this (b) For every Obligatory Prayer fresh verse is not however obligatory.13 ablutions must be performed. (17) Hair, sable, bones and the like do not (c) Should two Obligatory Prayers be nullify one's prayer.14 offered at noon one ablution for both B. Fasting prayers is sufficient. (1) The sublime station occupied by fast- (d) If water is unavailable or its use ing in the BahB'i Revelation. harmful to the face or hands, the repetition, five times, of a specifically (2) The period of fasting commences with revealed verses is prescribed. the termination of the Intercalary Days and ends with the Naw-Rhz Festival.15 (e) Should the weather be too cold the use of warm water is recommended. (3) Abstinence from food and drink,16 (f) If ablutions have been performed for from sunrise to sunset, is obligatory. other purposes, their renewal prior (4) Fasting is binding on men and women to the recital of the Obligatory Pray- on attaining the age of maturity, er is not required. which is fixed at 15. (5) Exemption from fasting is granted to: (f) Marriage with one's step-mother is (a) Travellers forbidden. i. Provided the journey exceeds 9 (g) All matters related to marriage with hours. one's kindred are to be referred to ii. Those travelling on foot, provided theHouse of Justice. thejourney exceeds 2 hours. (h) Marriages with unbelievers is periii. Those who break their journey for mitted. less than 19 days. (i) Betrothal: iv. Those who break their journey i. The period of engagement must not during the Fast at a place where exceed 95 days. they are to stay 19 days are exempt ii. It is unlawful to become engaged from fasting only for the first three to a girl before she reaches the age days from their arrival. of maturity. v. Those who reach home during the (j) TheDowry: Fast must commence fasting from i. Marriage is conditioned on paythe day of their arrival. ment of a dowry. (b) Those who are ill. ii. The dowry is fixed at 19 mit&al~'~ (c) Those who are over 70. of pure gold for city-dwellers, and (d) Women who are with child. 19 mir$qals of silver for village- (e) Women who are nursing. dwellers, depending on the permanent residence of the husband, (f) Women in their courses, provided and not of the wife. they perform their ablutions and repeat a specifically revealed verse 95 iii. It is forbidden to pay more than 95 times a day.5 mihqals. (g) Those who are engaged in heavy iv. It is preferable that a man conlabour, who are advised to show tent himself with the payment of respect for the law by using dis- 19 miaqals ofsilver. cretion and restraint when availing v. If the full payment of dowry is not themselves of the exemption. possible the issue of a promissory (6) Vowing to fast (in a month other than note is permissible. the one prescribed for fasting) is per- (k) Should either party following the missible. Vows which profit mankind recital of the specifically revealed are however preferable in the sight of verse and the payment of the dowry, God. take a dislike to the other, before the marriage is consummated, the C. Laws ofPersonal Status period of waitingz0 is not necessary (1) Marriage : prior to a divorce. The taking back (a) Marriage is highly recommended of the dowry, however, is not perbut not obligatory. mitted. (b) Plurality of wives is forbidden.17 (I) The husband must fix for his wife the (c) Marriage is conditioned upon both time of his return when intending to parties having attained the age of travel. If, for a legitimate reason, he maturity which is fixed at 15. is prevented from returning at the (d) Marriage is conditioned on the con- appointed time, he must inform her sent of both parties and their parents, and strive to return to her. If he fails whether the woman be a maiden or to fulfil either condition, she must not. wait 9 months, after which she may (e) It is incumbent upon both parties to remarry, though it is preferable for recite a specifically revealed verse her to wait longer. If news of his indicating their being content with death or murder reaches her, and the the will of God.18 news is confirmed by general report THE BAHA'I WORLD
or by 2 reliable witnesses, she may marriage tie is valid. If this reconremarry after the lapse of 9 months. ciliation is followed by estrangement (m)If the husband departs without in- and divorce is again desired, a new forming his wife of the date of his year of waiting-will have to be comreturn, and is aware of the law pre- menced. scribed in the Kitrib-i-Aqdas, the wife (g) Should differences arise between may remarry after waiting a full husband and wife while travelling, year. If the husband is unaware of he is required to send her home, or this law, the wife must wait until entrust her to a dependable person, news of her husband reaches her. who will escort her there, paying her (n) Should the husband, after the pay- journey and her full year's expenses. ment of the dowry, discover that the (h) Should a wife insist on divorcing her wife is not a virgin, the refund of the husband rather than migrate to dowry and of the expenses incurred another country, the year of waiting may be demanded. is to be counted from the time they (0) If the marriage has been conditioned separate, either while he is preparing on virginity the refund of the dowry to leave, or upon his departure. and of the expenses incurred may be (i) The Islamic Law regarding redemanded and the marriage invali- marriage with the wife whom one dated. To conceal the matter, how- has previously divorced is abroever, is highly meritorious in the gated.21 sight of God. (3) Inheritance: * (2) Divorce: (a) Inheritance falls into the following (a) Divorce is strongly condemned. categories : (b) If antipathy or resentment develop (1) children on the part of either the husband or 1,080 out of 2,520 shares the wife, divorce is permissible, (2) husband or wife only after the lapse of one full year. 390 out of 2,520 shares The beginning and end of the year (3) father of waiting must be testified by two 330 out of 2,520 shares or more witnesses. The act of divorce (4) mother should be registered by the judicial 270 out of 2,520 shares officer representing the House of (5) brother Justice. Intercourse during this 210 out of 2,520 shares period of waiting is forbidden and whoever breaks this law must repent (6) sister and pay the House of Justice 19 150 out of 2,520 shares mi&~qalsl~ of gold. (7) teacherzz (c) A further period of waiting after di- 90 out of 2,520 shares vorce has taken place is not required. (b) The share of the children, as allot- (d) The wife who is to be divorced as a ted by the Bab is doubled by Bah2u'- result of her unfaithfulness forfeits IIah, and an equal portion correthe payment of the expenses during spondingly reduced from each of the the waiting period. remaining beneficiaries. (e) Remarrying the wife whom one has (c) i. In cases where there is no issue the divorced is permissible, provided she share of the children reverts to the has not married another person. If House of Justice to be expended on she has, she must be divorced before orphans and widows and for whather former husband can remarry her. ever will profit mankind. (f) If at any time during the waiting *The method o f dividing the estate is to be applied in cases o f intestacy. See item ( 0 )in this section and note period affection should recur, the 25. REVELATION OF THE ' K I T ~ B - I - A Q D A S ' 97 ii. If the son of the deceased be dead a company for purposes of investand leave issue, these will inherit ment, until they attain the age of the share of their father. If the maturity. A share of the interest daughter of the deceased be dead accrued should be assigned to the and leave issue, her share will have trustee. to be divided into the seven cate- (i) The inheritance should not be divigories specified in the Most Holy ded until after the payment of the Book. Huququ'llah" (The Right of God), (d) Should one leave offspring but either of any debts contracted by the depart or all of the other categories of ceased and of any expenses incurred inheritors be nonexistent, two thirds for a befitting funeral and burial. of their shares reverts to the offspring (j) If the brother of the deceased is from and one third to the House of Jus- the same father he will inherit his tice. full allotted share. If he is from an- (e) Should none of the specified bene- other father he will inherit only two ficiaries exist two thirds of the in- thirds of his share, the remaining one heritance reverts to the nephews and third reverting to the House of Jusnieces of the deceased. If these do not tice. The same law is applicable to exist the same share reverts to the the sister of the deceased. aunts and uncles; lacking these to (k) In case there are full brothers or full their sons and daughters. In any sisters, brothers and sisters from the case the remaining third reverts to mother's side do not inherit. the House of Justice. (1) A non-Baha'i teacher does not in- (f) Should one leave none of the afore- herit. If there should be more than mentioned heirs, the entire inheri- one teacher the share allotted to the tance reverts to the House of Jus- teacher is to be equally divided tice. among them. (g) The residence and the personal (m)Non-Baha'i heirs do not inherit.25 clothing of the deceased father pass (n) Aside from the wife's used clothing to the male not to the female off- and gifts of jewellery or otherwise spring.23If there be several residences which have been proven to have been the principal and most important given her by her husband, whatever '
one passes to the male offspring. The the husband has purchased for his remaining residences will together wife are to be considered as the huswith the other possessions of the de- band's possessions to be divided ceased have to be divided among the among his heirs. heirs. If there be no male offspring (0) Any person is at liberty to will his two thirds of the principal residence possessions as he sees fit provided and the personal clothing of the de- he makes provisions for the payment ceased father will revert to the fe- of Huququ'llah and the discharge of male issue and one third to the his debts. House of Justice. In the case of the deceased mother all her used cloth- D. Miscellaneous Laws, Ordinances and ing is to be equally divided amongst Exl7ortations her daughters. Her unworn cloth- (1) Miscellaneous Laws and Ordinances : ing, jewels and property must be (a) Pilgrimage2 divided among her heirs, as well as her used clothing if she leaves no (b) H u q ~ q u ' l l a h ~ ~ daughter. (c) Endowments (h) Should the children of the deceased (d) The Ma&~riqu'l-A&kar~~ be minors their share should either (e) Duration of the BahL'i Dispensabe entrusted to a reliable person or to tionS8 98 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
(f) BahB'i Festivalsz9 xxiii. Calumny (g) The Nineteen Day Feast xxiv. Carrying arms unless essential (h) The Baha'i Year xxv. Use of public pools in Persian (i) The Intercalary Days bathsd4 (j) The age of maturity xxvi. Entering a house without the owner's permission (k) Burial of the dead3 O xxvii. Striking or wounding a person (1) Engaging in a trade or profession is made obligatory and is exalted to xxviii. Contention and conflict the rank of worship31 xxix. Muttering sacred verses in the (m) Obedience to government street (n) Education of children xxx. Plunging one's hand in food45 (0) The writing of a testament xxxi. Shaving one's head (p) Tithes3' xxxii. Growth of men's hair beyond the lobe of the ear (q) Repetition of the Greatest Name 95 times a day 33 (2) Abrogation of specific laws and ordi- (r) The hunting of animals34 nances of previous Dispensations, which prescribed : (s) Treatment of female servants35 g6 (a) Destruction of books (t) The finding of lost property (b) Prohibition of the wearing of silk (u) Disposition of treasure trove (c) Prohibition of the use of gold and (v) Disposal of objects held in trust3' silver utensils (w)Mansla~ghter~~ (d) Limitation of travel (x) Definition ofjust witnesses3' (e) Offering priceless gifts to the Foun- (y) Prohibitions : der of the Faith i. Interpretation of the Holy Writ (f) Prohibition on questioning the Founii. Slave trading der of the Faith iii. Asceticism (g) Prohibition against remarrying one's iv. Monasticism divorced wifez1 v. Mendicancy40 (h) Penalizing whoever causes sadness vi. Priesthood to his neighbour vii. Use of pulpits (i) Prohibition of music viii. The kissing of hands (j) Limitations upon one's apparel and ix. Confession of sins41 beard (k) Uncleanliness of divers objects and x. Plurality of wives1' peoples4" xi. Intoxicating drinks (1) Uncleanliness of semen xii. Opium (m)Uncleanliness of certain objects for xiii. Gambling purposes of prostration xiv. (3) Miscellaneous Exhortations : xv. Adultery4' (a) To associate with the followers of all xvi. Murder4" religions with fellowship xvii. Theft4' (b) To honour one's parents xviii. Homo~exuality~~ (c) Not to wish for others what one does xix. Congregational prayer, except for not wish for one's self the dead2 (d) To teach and propagate the Faith xx. Cruelty to animals after the ascension of its Founder xxi. Idleness and sloth (e) To assist those who arise to promote xxii. Backbiting the Faith (f) Not to depart from the Writings or xxi. Not to lose one's temper to be misled by those who do xxii. Not to anger one's neighbour (g) To refer to the Holy Writ when dif- (r) To be closely united ferences arise (s) To consult competent physicians (h) To immerse one's self in the study when ill of the Teachings (t) To respond to invitations (i) Not to follow one's idle fancies and (u) To show kindness to the kindred of vain imaginations the Founder of the Faith4' (j) To recite the holy versei at morn and (v) To study languages for the furtherat eventide ance of the Faith (k) To recite the holy verses melo- (w) To further the development of cities diously and countries for the glorification of (1) T o teach one's children to chant the the Faith holy verses in the Mahriqu'l- (x) To restore and preserve the sites Aakar associated with the Founders of the (m)To study such arts and sciences as Faith benefit mankind (y) To be the essence of cleanliness: (n) To takecounsel together i. To wash one's feet (0) Not to be indulgent in carrying out ii. To perfume one's self the statutes of God iii. To bathe in clean water (p) To repent to God of one's sins iv. To cut one's nails (q) To distinguish one's self through v. To wash soiled things in clean water good deeds vi. To be stainless in one's dress i. To be truthful vii. To renew the furnishing's of one's ii. To be trustworthy iii. To be faithful V. SPECIFIC ADMONITIONS, REPROOFS AND iv. To be righteous and fear God WARNINGS v. To bejust and fair Addressed to: vi. To be tactful and wise 1 . Theentire human race vii. To be courteous 2. Crowned heads of the world4g viii. To be hospitable 3. The concourse of ecclesiastics O ix. To be persevering 4. The Rulers of America and Presidents x. To be detached of the Republics therein51 xi. To be absolutely submissive to the 5. WilliamI, King of P r u s ~ i a ~ ~ Will of God 6. Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria53 xii. Not to stir upmischief 7. The people of the Bayan xiii. Not to behypocritical 8. Members of parliaments throughout xiv. Not to be proud the world xv. Not to be fanatical VI. MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS xvi. Not to prefer one's self to one's 1. The transcendent character of the neighbour Baha'i Revelation xvii. Not to contend with one's neigh- 2. The exalted station of the Author of bour the Faith xviii. Not to indulge one's passions 3. The supreme importance of the Kitrib-ixix. Not to lament in adversity Aqdas, "The Most Holy Book" xx. Not to contend with those in 4. The doctrine of the "Most Great Infalauthority libilityns4 100 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
5. The twin duties of recognition of the 18. Eulogy of the learned among the Manifestation and observance of His people of Baha6" Laws, and their inseparability 5 5 19. Assurance of forgiveness to Mirza - 6. The end of all learning is the.recog- Yahya should herepentG5 nition of Him Who is the Object of all 20. ~~~~~~~~h~ addressed to Tihran66 knowledges 21. Apostrophe addressed to Constanti- 7. The blessedness of those who have nople and its people67 recognized the fundamental verity "He shall not be asked of His doings"57 22. Apostrophe addressed to the "banks 8. The revolutionizing effect of the Most of the Rhine" 68 Great Order" 58 23. Condemnation of those who lay false 9. The selection of a single language and claim to esoteric knowledge the adoption of a common script for 24. Condemnation of those who allow all on earth to use: one of two signs of pride in their learning to debar them thematurity of the human races9 from God 10. Prophecies of the Bab regarding "He 25. Propheciesrelating t o a ~ r a s a n ~ ~ Whom God will make manifest" 26. Prophecies relating to Kirman7 11. Prediction relating to opposition to the 27. Allusion to a a y b Ahmad-i-AhsB'i71 Faith 12. Eulogy of the king who will profess the 28. Allusion to the Sifter of Wheat72 . Faith and arise to serve it 6 29. Condemnation of Haji Muhammad- 13. The instability of human affairs61 KarimIQ~an~~ 14. Themeaning of true liberty 62 30. Condemnation of & a y h Muham- 15. The merit of all deeds is dependent mad-Ha~an~~ upon God's acceptance 31. Allusion to Napoleon1117 16. The importance of love for God as the 32. Allusion to Siyyid-i-Muhammad-imotive of obedience to His Laws63 Isfahini7 17. The importance of utilizing material 33. Assurance of aid to all those who arise means to serve the Faith i7 4. Notes and References appended to A Synopsis and Cod$catt of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitib-i-Aqdas References to pages in these notes are to the originalpublication, e.g. Note 51 " Seepage 20".
1. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas Bahi'u'llah ordains 8. The specifically revealed verse to be recited both the Universal House of Justice and the five times under certain circumstances in Local Houses of Justice. In many of His place of ablutions is: "In the Name of God, laws He refers simply to "the House of Jus- the Most Pure, the Most Pure." tice" leaving open for later decision which 9. "Danger" here refers to a condition of inlevel or levels of the whole institution each security which makes the saying of the law would apply to. Obligatory Prayers impossible. When asked 2 . Congregational prayer, in the sense of for- whether this provision meant that obligamal prayer which is to be recited in accor- tory prayer was to be completely suspended dance with a prescribed ritual, is forbidden during travel, BahB'u'llah replied that this in the Baha'i Faith, with the exception of referred only to insecurity, and that if one the Prayer for the Dead (see note 11). Thus could find a secure place in which to say the the three Daily Obligatory Prayers are to prayer one should do so. be recited privately, not in congregation. 10. In place of every Obligatory Prayer that has There is no prescribed way for the recital been missed the believer is to kneel and, of the many other Bahi'i prayers, and the bowing his forehead to the ground, say friends are free to use them in gatherings or "Glorified be God, the Lord of Might and individually as they please, "But," as the Majesty, of Grace and Bounty7', or only Guardian explains, "although the friends "Glorified be God". After the requisite numare thus left free to follow their own incli- ber of prostrations he is to sit cross-legged nation, . . . they should take the utmost care and repeat eighteen times "Glorified be that any manner they practise should not God, the Lord of the Kingdoms of earth and acquire too rigid a character, and thus deveheaven". lop into an institution. This is a point which the friends should always bear in mind, lest 11. The Prayer for the Dead is published in they deviate from the clear path indicated Prayers and Meditations of Bahb'u'llah, in the Teachings." No. C L X V II . It is the only Baha'i obligatory prayer which is to be recited in congrega- 3. The Qiblih: the Point of Adoration, i.e. tion; it is to be recited by one believer while Bahji, 'Akka. all present stand. There is no requirement to 4. Ablutions: washing the hands and face in face the Qiblih when reciting this prayer. preparation for prayer. 12. The original Obligatory Prayer referred to 5. The specifically revealed verse, which is to had been revealed separately from the be repeated 95 times a day between one KitLib-i-Aqdas.The three Obligatory Prayers noon and the next, is "Glorified be God, the which superseded it are those which are now Lord of Spbndour and Beauty." in use. Shortly after the Ascension of 6. These three Obligatory Prayers are pub- Baha'u'llah, the text of the superseded lished in Prayers and Meditations of prayer was stolen by the Covenant-break- Baha'u'llah, Nos. CLXXXI,CLXXXII and ers. CLXXXIII. 13. In Islam a special prayer was ordained to 7. 'Abdu'l-Baha has stated that when saying be said in times of natural phenomena the morning Obligatory Prayer it is per- which cause fear, such as earthquakes. This missible to do so asrearlyas dawn. has been annulled, and in its place a Baha'i may say "Dominion is God's, the Lord of one of the heirs, meant a specific individual the seen and the unseen, the Lordof creation." teacher or teachers, or whether the term 14. BahL'u'llah states that hair, sable, bones could be applied generally, i.e. to education and the like do not nullify one's prayers, and learning, the Guardian replied that the and points out that the belief that they did manner in which the law will be applied in so was evolved by the 'ulama (Muslim this respect will be determined by the Unireligious leaders) and was not a teaching of versal House of Justice. the Qur'an. 23. It has been explained by 'Abdu'l-Baha that 15. As the Bab did not specifically define the the residence and personal clothing of the place for the Intercalary Days in the calen- deceased father go to the eldest son, or dar, the Babis were at a loss as to how they if he has predeceased his father, to the should regard them. The Kitbb-i-Aqdas re- second son, and so on. solved this problem. For further details see 24. Huququ'llah (The Right of God). If a perthe section on the BahB'i calendar in any son has possessions equal in value to at volume of The Baha'i World. least 19 mithqals in gold, it is a spiritual obligation for him to pay 19 per cent of the 16. In one of His Tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha, after total amount, once only, as Huququ'llah. stating that fasting consists of abstinence Certain categories of possessions, such as from food and drink, categorically says that one's residence, are exempt from this. smoking is a form of "drink". (In Arabic Thereafter, whenever his income, after all the verb "drink" applies equally to smoexpenses have been paid, increases the value king.) of his possessions by the amount of at least 17. The text of the Kitcib-i-Aqdas upholds 19 miaqals of gold, he is to pay 19 per cent monogamy, but as it appears also to per- of this increase, and so on for each further mit bigamy, the Guardian was asked for increase. a clarification, and in reply his secretary 25. In a letter to the National Spiritual Assemwrote on his behalf: "Regarding BahB'i bly of the BahB'is of India the Guardian's marriage; in the light of the Master's Tablet secretary wrote on his behalf: "Although interpreting the provision in the Aqdas on in the Questions and Answers Baha'u'llah the subject of the plurality of wives, it be- has specifically stated that non-BahB'is have comes evident that monogamy alone is perno right to inherit from their BahB'i parents missible, since, as 'Abdu'l-Bahk states, or relatives, yet this restriction applies only bigamy is conditioned upon justice, and as to such cases when a Baha'i dies without justice is impossible, it follows that bigamy leaving a will and when, therefore, his prois not permissible, and monogamy alone perty will have to be divided in accordance should be practised." with the rules set forth in the Aqdas. Other- 18. The specifically revealed verse is " W e will wise, a BahB'i is free to bequeath his proall, verily, abide by the Will of God." perty to any person, irrespective of religion, 19. A mithqal is a weight designated by the provided however, he leaves a will, speci- Bab and is equivalent to a little over 36 fying his wishes. As you see therefore it is grammes always possible for a BahB'i to provide for his non-Baha'i wife, children or relatives 20. See section IV.C.(2)(b) on page 42 for the by leaving a will. And it is only fair that he definition of the period of waiting. should do so." 21. This refers to a law of Islam which decreed 26. In the Kitab-i-Aqdas BahB'u'llah specithat under certain conditions a man could fically ordains pilgrimage to the Most Great not remarry his divorced wife unless she House in Bagfidad and to the House of the had married and been divorced by another Bab in a i r a z . Details concerning these pilman. This provision has been abolished by grimages are given in other Tablets. In a the Aqdas. Tablet to an individual believer 'Abdu'l- 22. When asked by an individual believer Baha commented on the general subject of whether the term "teacher", referred to as visits to holy places: " You have asked about visiting holy places and the observance of also commemorated and 'Abdu'l-Baha admarked reverence toward these resplendent ded the observance of the Ascension of spots. Holy places are undoubtedly centres of Bahi'u'llah as a corollary to these Holy the outpouring of Divine grace, because on Days, making nine in all. In addition to entering the illumined sites associated with these nine days, the Day of the Covenant martyrs and holy souls, and by observing and the Anniversary of the Passing of reverence, both physical and spiritual, one's 'Abdu'l-Bahk are commemorated, but work heart is moved with great tenderness. But is not suspended on these two days. See also there is no obligation for everyone to visit the section on the Baha'i calendar in any suchplaces, other than the three, namely: the volume of The Bahri'i World. Most Holy Shrine, the Blessed House in 30. Briefly the law for the burial of the dead Baddridand the venerated House of the Bab states that it is forbidden to carry the body in a i r & . To visit these is obligatory if one for more than one hour's journey from the can aford it and is able to do so, and if no place of death; that the body should be obstacle stands in one's way. Details are wrapped in a shroud of silk or cotton, and given in the Tablets. These three Holy Places on its finger should be placed a ring bearing are consecrated to pilgrimage. But as to the the inscription "I came forth from God, and other resting places of martyrs and holysouls, return unto Him, detached fronz all save it is pleasing and acceptable in the sight of Him, holding fast to His Name, the Mercifirl, God if a person desires to draw nigh unto the Compassionate"; and that the coffin Him by visiting them; this, however, is not a should be of crystal, stone or hard fine binding obligation." wood. A specific Prayer for the Dead is or- 27. The Maariqu'l-AakBr (The Dawning- dained, to be said before interment (see Place of the Praise of God) comprises a cen- note 11). It has been explained by 'Abdu'ltral House of Worship and, clustered around Baha and the Guardian that this law proit, a number of dependencies which, in the hibits cremation of the dead. The formal words of Shoghi Effendi, "shall afford relief prayer and the ring are meant to be used to the suffering, sustenance to the poor, for those who have attained the age of shelter to the wayfarer, solace to the be- maturity. reaved, and education to the ignorant". 31. If a person is unable to earn his own living Within the central edifice there shall be read, it is incumbent upon the House of Justice chanted or sung only the words of the and the wealthy to provide for him. Sacred Scriptures of the revealed religions, or hymns based upon those words."Blessed 32. In respect to tithes BahB'u'llah has oris he," wrote BahB'u'llah in the Kitdb-i- dained that what is prescribed in the Aqdus, "who directeth his steps towards the Qur'an should be followed. In general the Ma$riqu'l-A&krir at the hour of dawn, law imposes an obligation to give a porcommuning with Him, attuned to His re- tion of one's assets for the relief of the poor, membrance, imploring His forgiveness. And for various other charitable purposes, and having entered therein, let him sit in silence to aid the Faith of God. The details of the to hearken to the verses o f God, the Sove- application of this law are left to the Unireign, the Almighty, the All-Praised." versal House of Justice to decide in future, and the Guardian has stated that in the 28. Concerning the duration of the BahB'i meantime the believers may contribute Dispensation see the quotation No. 6 on regularly and according to their means to page 14. the Baha'i Fund. 29. In the Kitrib-i-AqdasBaha'u'llfih establishes the festivals of Ridvan (on the first, ninth 33. The believer should perform his ablutions and twelfth days of which work is to be (see note 4), seat himself and then repeat suspended), the Declaration of the Bab, the "Allah-u-Abhk" ninety-five times. Birthday of the BAb, the Birthday of 34. Baha'u'llah warns against hunting to excess Baha'u'llah, and Naw-Ruz. In the days of and prescribes laws prohibiting the eating Baha'u'llah the Martyrdom of the BBb was of game if it is found dead in a trap or net. 104 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
35. BahB'u'llah states that a man may employ ships He looks upon as such, besides being a maiden for domestic service. This was not against nature." permissible under a i ' i h Muslim practice 44. In Persian baths it was formerly the custom unless the employer married her. for everyone to wash in the same water. 36. Concerns the ruling laid down to trace the 45. The prohibition against plunging one's owner of lost property. hand in food refers to the manner of eating. 37. Refers to the exchange of property held in 46. See God Passes By page 154. trust in order to protect the owner against 47. In the Kitdb-i-Aqdas BahB'u'llah writes that loss. the injunction to show kindness to His 38. Deals with the question of compensation in Family does not give them a share of the case a person kills another without inten- properties of men. tion to do so. 48. BahB'u'llah states that the law requiring the 39. When something is to be proved on the renewal of the furnishings of one's house testimony of two just witnesses, the cri- after nineteen years applies only if one is terion for determining the justice of a wit- able to do so. 'Abdu'l-Baha has explained ness is his reputation, irrespective of whe- that the purpose of the law is that one ther he is a BahB'i. should change those furnishings that become old, lost their lustre and provoke re- 40. BahB'uYllahforbids both begging and giving pugnance. It does not apply to such things to beggars, but exhorts the wealthy and the as scarce -or treasured articles, antiques or House of Justice to help the needy, and re- jewellery. ferring to the House of Justice He says, 49. See page 17, No. 13. "Verily have W e made it a shelter for the poor andneedy." (cf. note 31). 50. See page 22, No. 14, and page 26, No. 19. 41. BahB'u'llih prohibits confession to, and 51. See page 20, No. 13. seeking absolution of one's sins from, a 52. See page 20, No. 13. human being, and enjoins the sinner, when 53. See page 19, No. 13. alone, to repent before God, for it is He 54. See Sonie Answered Questions Chapter Who forgives. In this connection theGuard- XLV and God Passes By page 214. ian's secretary wrote on his behalf to an individual believer: "We are forbidden to 55. See page 11, confess to any person, as do the Catholics 56. See page 23, No. 14. to their priests, our sins and shortcomings 57. See page 25, No. 18. or to do so in public, as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously desire to 58. See page 27, No. 21. acknowledge we have been wrong in some- 59. See God Passes By page 211. The other thing, or that we have some fault of charac- sign of maturity is cited in Tlze Promised ter, and ask another person's forgiveness Day Is Come page 72. or pardon, we are quite free to do so." 60. See page 19, No. 13. 42. Punishn~entsfor arson, adultery, murder 61. See page 15, No. 6. and theft are specified in the Aqdas, but they 62. See page 24, No. 16. are intended for a future condition of 63. See page 12, No. 1. society, when they will be supplemented and applied by the Universal House of Justice. 64. See page 27, No. 20. 43. In a letter to an individual believer, the 65. See God Passes By page 215. Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf: 66. See page 21, No. 13. "No matter how devoted and fine the love 67. See page 21, No. 13. may be between people of the same sex, to 68. See page 21, No. 13. let it find expression in sexual acts is wrong. Immorality of every sort is really forbidden 69. See God Passes By page 215. by BahB'u'llah, and homosexual relation- 70. See GodPasses By page 215. 71. See The Dawn-Breakers Chapter 1, and 74. &ayQ Muhammad-Hasan-i-Najafi, one page 201 (B.P.T. Wilmette, 1962). of the leading a i ' i h ecclesiastics, who re- 72. Mulla Muhammad Ja'far-i-I~fahini. See jected the Bab. The Dawn-Breakers page 99. 75. See page 20, No. 13. 73. See the itr rib-i-fgrin pages 184-191 (B.P.T. 76. See Godpasses By pages 164-169. Wilmette editions). 77. See page 16, No. 10. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
'ABDU'L-BAHA Photograph taken in 1911, studio of Boissonnas and Taponier, 12, rue de la Paix, Paris. I11 T H E F I F T I E T H A N N I V E R S A R Y OF T H E PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA
M y name is 'Abdu'l-Bahci. My qualification is 'Abdu'l-Baha. M y reality is 'Abdu'l-Bahci. M y praise is 'Abdu'l-Bahci. Thraldom to tlze Blessed Perfection is m y glorious and refulgent diadem, a~zdservitudeto all the human race my perpetual religion. . . No name, no title, no mention, no commendation have I, nor will ever have, except 'Abdu'l-Baha. This is my longing. This is m y greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory.
AN attempt I strongly feel should now be belief that inclines to exalt Him to a state of made to clarify our minds regarding the sta- absolute equality with either the central Figure tion occupied by 'Abdu'l-BahA and the signi- or Forerunner of our Faith. For wide as is the ficance of His position in this holy Dispensa- gulf that separates 'Abdu'l-Baha from Him tion. It would be indeed difficult for us, who Who is the Source of an independent Revelastand so close to such a tremendous figure and tion, it can never be regarded as commenare drawn by the mysterious power of so mag- surate with the greater distance that stands netic a personality, to obtain a clear and exact between Him Who is the Centre of the Covenunderstanding of the r61e and character of One ant and His ministers who are to carry on His Who, not only in the Dispensation of BahBYu'- work, whatever be their name, their rank, their llhh but in the entire field of religious history, functions or their future achievements. Let fulfills a unique function. Though moving in a those who have known 'Abdu'l-Baha, who sphere of His own and holding a rank radically through their contact with His magnetic perdifferent from that of the Author1 and the sonality have come to cherish for Him so fer- Forerunner2 of the Baha'i Revelation, He, by vent an admiration, reflect, in the light of this virtue of the station ordained for Him through statement, on the greatness of One Who is so the Covenant of Bahi'u'llah, forms together far above Him in station. with them what may be termed the Three Cen- That 'Abdu'l-Baha is not a Manifestation of tral Figures of a Faith that stands unap- God, that, though the successor of His Father, proached in the world's spiritual history. He He does not occupy a cognate station, that no towers, in conjunction with them, above the one else except the Bab and BahB'u'llah can destinies of this infant Faith of God from a level ever lay claim to such a station before the exto which no individual or body ministering to piration of a full thousand years-are verities its needs after Him, and for no less a period which lie embedded in the specific utterances of than a full thousand years, can ever hope to both the Founder of our Faith and the Interrise. To degrade His lofty rank by identifying preter of His teachings.. . His station with or by regarding it as roughly 'Abdu'l-BahB's own statements . . . are no equivalent to, the position of those on whom less emphatic and binding: " . . . My station is the mantle of His authority has fallen would be the station of servitude-a servitude which is an act of impiety as grave as the no less heretical complete, pure and real, firmly established, en- > BahA'u'llah. The Bab. during, obvious, explicitly revealed and subject to no interpretation whatever. . . I air2 the Inter- human knowledge and perfection have been preter of the Word of' God; such is my inter- blended and are completely harmonized. . . pretation." " 0 Thou Who art the apple of Mine eye!" . . . From such clear and formally laid down Baha'u'llah, in His own handwriting, thus statements, incompatible as they are with any addresses 'Abdu'l-Baha, " M y glory, the ocean assertion of a claim to Prophethood, we should of M y loving-kindness, the sun of M y bounty, the not by any means infer that 'Abdu'l-Baha is heaven of M y mercy rest upon Thee. W e pray merely one of the servants of the Blessed God to illunzine the world through Thy knowledge Beauty, or at best one whose function is to and wisdom, to ordain,for Thee that which will be confined to that of an authorized interpreter gladden Thine heart and impart consolation to of His Father's teachings. Far be it from me to Thine eyes." "The glory of God rest upon Thee," entertain such a notion or to wish to instill such He writes in another Tablet, "and upon whososentiments. To regard Him in such a light is a ever serveth Thee and circleth aroundThee. Woe, manifest betrayal of the priceless heritage be- great woe: betide him that opposeth and inqueathed by BahB'u'llah to mankind. Im- jureth Thee. Well is it with hirn that sweureth measurably exalted is the station conferred jealty to Thee; the fire of hell torment him who is upon Him by the Supreme Pen above and be- Thine enemy." " W e have made Thee a shelter yond the implications of these, His own writ- ,for all mankind," He, in yet another Tablet, ten statements. Whether in the Kitrib-i-Aqdas, affirms," a shield unto all who are in lzeuve~zand the most weighty and sacred of all the works of on earth, a stronghold ,for whosoever hath be- Baha'u'llah, or in the Kitcib-i-'Ahd, the Book of lieved in God, the Inconiparable, the All- His Covenant, or in the Suriy-i-GJup (Tablet Knowing. God grant that through Thee He may of the Branch), such references as have been protect them, may enrich and sustain them, that recorded by the pen of BahB'u'llah-references He niay inspire Thee with that which shall be a which the Tablets of His Father addressed to ivellspring o f wealth unto all created things, an Him mightily reinforce-invest 'Abdu'l-Baha ocean of bounty unto all men, and the dayspring with a power, and surround Him with a halo, of niercy unto allpeoples." which the present generation can never ade- "Thou knowest, 0 my God," Baha'u'llah, in quately appreciate. a prayer revealed in 'Abdu'l-Baha's honour, He is, and should for all time be regarded, supplicates, "that I desire for Him naught except first and foremost, as the Centre and Pivot of that which Thou didst desire, and have chosen BahB'uYllah'speerless and all-enfolding Cove- Hinl for no purpose save that wl~ickThou hadst nant, His most exalted handiwork, the stain- intended for Him. Render Hinl victorious, thereless Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar fore, through Thy hosts of earth and heaven. . . of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of His Ordain, I beseech Thee, by the ardour of M y Word, the embodiment of every Baha'i ideal, love for Thee and M y yearning to manifest Thy the incarnation of every Baha'i virtue, the Most Cause, .for Hini, as well as ,for then? that love Mighty Branch sprung from the Ancient Root, Him, that which Thou hast destinedjor Thy Mesthe Limb of the Law of God, the Being "round sengers and the Trustees qf' Thy Revelation. Whom all names revolve", the Mainspring of Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the All-Powerful." the Oneness of Humanity, the Ensign of the (The Dispensation ofBahl?ri'u'lldh.) Most Great Peace, the Moon of the Central He alone had been accorded the privilege of Orb of this most holy Dispensation-stylesand being called "the Master", an honour from titles that are implicit and find their truest, their which His Father had strictly excluded all His highest and fairest expression in the magic other sons. Upon Him that loving and unerring name 'Abdu'l-Baha. He is, above and beyond Father had chosen to confer the unique title of these appellations, the "Mystery of Godw-an "Sirru'llrih" (the Mystery of God), a desigexpression by which Baha'u'llah Himself has nation so appropriate to One Who, though chosen to designate Him, and which, while it essentially human and holding a station radidoes not by any means justify us to assign to cally and fundamentally different from that him the station of Prophethood, indicates how occupied by BahB'u'llah and His Forerunner, in the person of 'Abdu'l-Baha the incompatible could still claim to be the perfect Exemplar of characteristics of a human nature and super- His Faith, to be endowed with superhuman A Tablet in the handwriting of'Abdu'1-Bah6 revealedjoraay& Khzim, surnamed"Samandar", one of the nineteen Apostles of Bahri'u'llah and the father of the Hand ofthe Cause Tariizu'lIah Samandari. 110 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
knowledge, and to be regarded as the stainless rest upon Thee, and upon whosoever serveth Thee mirror reflecting His light. To Him, whilst in and cireleth around Thee. Woe, great woe, be- Adrianople, that same Father had, in the tide him that opposetlz and injureth Thee. Well is Suriy-i-Buan (Tablet of the Branch), referred it with him that sweareth fealty to Thee; thefive as "this sacred and glorious Being, this Branch ofhell torment hi111who is Thy enemy." of Holiness", as "the Limb of the Law of God", And now to crown the inestimable honours, as His "most great favour" unto men, as His privileges and benefits showered upon Him, in "most perfect bounty" conferred upon them, as ever-increasing abundance, throughout the One through Whom "every nlouldering bone forty years of His Father's ministry in Bahdkd, is quickened," declaring that "whoso turneth in Adrianople and in 'Akka, He had been eletowards Him hath turnedtowards God," and that vated to the high office of Centre of Bahi'u'- "they who deprive then~selvesof the shadow of 11ah's Covenant, and been made the successor the Branch are lost in the wilderness of error." of the Manifestation of God Himself-a posi- To Him He, whilst still in the city, had alluded tion that was to empower Him to impart an (in a Tablet addressed to Haji Mullammad extraordinary impetus to the international ex- Ibrahim-i-Ualfl) as the one amongst His sons pansion of His Father's Faith, to amplify its "jironz Whose tongue God will cause the signs of doctrine, to beat down every barrier that would His power to stream forth", and as the one obstruct its march, and to call into being, and Whom "God hath specially chosen ,for His delineate the features of, its Administrative Cause". On Him, at a later period, the Author Order, the Child of the Covenant, and the of the Kitdb-i-Aqdas, in a celebrated passage, Harbinger of that World Order whose estabsubsequently elucidated in the "Book of My lishment must needs signalize the advent of Covenant", had bestowed the function of inter- the Golden Age of the Baha'i Dispensation. preting His Holy Writ, proclaiming Him, at the The immediate effect of the ascension of same time, to be the One " Whom God hath Baha'u'llah had been . . . to spread grief and purposed, Who hath branched jrflom this Ancient bewilderment among his followers and com- Root ". To Him in a Tablet, revealed during that panions, and to inspire its vigilant and resame period and addressed to Mirza Muham- doubtable adversaries with fresh hope and remad Quliy-i-Sabzivari, He had referred as "the newed determination. . . Gulj'that hath branched out of this Ocean that Yet, as the appointed Centre of BahB'u'llah's hath encompassed all created things", and bid- Covenant and the authorized Interpreter of His den His followers to turn their faces towards it. teaching had Himself later explained, the dis- To Him, on the occasion of His visit to Beirut, solution of the tabernacle wherein the soul of His Father had, furthermore, in a communica- the Manifestation of God had chosen temtion which He dictated to His amanuensis, paid porarily to abide signalized its release from the a glowing tribute, glorifying Him as the One restrictions which an earthly life had, of neces- "round Whom all names revolve", as "the Most sity, imposed upon it. Its influence no longer Mighty Branch of God", and as " His ancient circumscribed by any physical limitations, its and i m ~ ~ ~ u t a Mystery". ble He it was Who, in radiance no longer beclouded by its human several Tablets which Baha'u'llah Himself had temple, that soul could henceforth energize the penned, had been personally addressed as "the whole world to a degree unapproached at any Apple of Mine eye", and been referred to as "a stage in the course of its existence on this planet. shield unto all who are in heaven and on earth", Bahi'u'llah's stupendous task on this earthly as " a shelter for all mankind" and " a stronghold plane had, moreover, at the time of His passing, for whosoever hath believed in God". It was on been brought to its final consummation. His His behalf that His Father, in a prayer re- mission, far from being in any way inconclusive, vealed in His honour, had supplicated God to had, in every respect, been carried through to "render Him victorious", and to "ordain . . .for a full end. The Message with which He had Him, as well as for then? that love Him", the been entrusted had been disclosed to the gaze of things destined by the Almighty for His "Mes- all mankind. The summons He had been comsengers" and the "Trustees" of His Revelation. missioned to issue to its leaders and rulers had And finally in yet another Tablet these weighty been fearlessly voiced. The fundamentals of words had been recorded: "The glory of God the doctrine destined to recreate its life, heal its A calligraphic arrangement by Midkin-Qalam of titles conferred upon 'Abdu'l-Baha or mentioned in various Tablets.
sickness and redeem it from bondage and de- tory-stood guard over it, alert, fearless and gradation had been impregnably established. determined to enlarge its limits, blazon abroad The tide of calamity that was to purge and its fame, champion its interests and consumfortify the sinews of His Faith had swept on mate its purpose. . . with unstemmed fury. The blood which was to The cloud of despondency that had momenfertilize the soil out of which the institutions of tarily settled on the disconsolate lovers of the His World Order were destined to spring had Cause of Baha'u'llah was lifted. The continuity been profusely shed. Above all the Covenant of that unerring guidance vouchsafed to it that was to perpetuate the influence of that since its birth was now assured. The significance Faith, ensure its integrity, safeguard it from of the solemn affirmation that this is "the Day schism, and stimulate its world-wide expan- which shall not be Jollowed by night" was sion, had been fixed on an inviolable basis. now clearly apprehended. An orphan com- His Cause, precious beyond the dreams and munity had recognized in 'Abdu'l-Baha, in its hopes of men; enshrining within its shell that hour of desperate need, its Solace, its Guide, its pearl of great price to which the world, since Mainstay and Champion. The Light that had its foundation, had been looking forward; con- glowed with such dazzling brightness in the fronted with colossal tasks of unimaginable heart of Asia, and had, in the lifetime of complexity and urgency, was beyond a per- Bahi'u'llah, spread to the Near East, and illuadventure in safe keeping. His own beloved minated the fringes of both the European and Son, the apple of His eye, His vicegerent on African continents, was to travel, through the earth, the Executive of His authority, the Pivot impelling influence of the newly proclaimed of His Covenant, the Shepherd of His flock, the Covenant, and almost immediately after the Exemplar of His faith, the Image of His per- death of its Author, as far West as the North fections, the Mystery of His Revelation, the American continent, and from thence diffuse Interpreter of His mind, the Architect of His itself to the countries of Europe, and subse- World Order, the Ensign of His Most Great quently shed its radiance over both the Far East Peace, the Focal Point of His unerring guidance and Australasia. (God Passes By, chapters XIV, -in a word, the occupant of an office without xv.) peer or equal in the entire field of religious his- T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The funeral procession leaving 'Abdu'l-Bahci's kon~e,No. 7 Persian (Haparsim) Street, Hatfa, Tuesday, Noveniber 29, 1921.
The funeral of "Abdu'l-Bahb, wrote Shoghi Efendi, was one "the like of which Haifa, nay Palestine itself, had surely never seen, so deep was the feeling that brought so many thousands of n7ourners together, representative of so n?any religions, races and tongues." 2 . AN ACCOUNT O F THE, PASSING O F
LABDU'L-BAHA~ Extracts frorn the account written by SHOGHIE FFE N D I and LADY BLOMFIELD
IT is well known that the loved ones of'Abdu31- that I have uttered the call to prayer, the vast Baha, in every part of the world, are anxiously multitude will of themselves chant the prayer.'" waiting to receive some details of the closing When the Master had passed away, His events of His unique and wonderful life. For family pondered over this dream and interthis reason the present account is being written. preted it thus : We have now come to realize that the Master He had called that same vast multitudeknew the day and hour when, His mission on all peoples, all religions, all races, all nations, earth being finished, He would return to the and all kingdoms-to unity and peace, to unishelter of heaven. He was, however, careful that versal love and brotherhood; and, having called His family should not have any premonition them, He returned to God the Beloved, at of the coming sorrow. It seemed as though their whose command He had raised the majestic eyes were veiled by Him, with His ever-loving call, had given the divine message. This same consideration for His dear ones, that they multitude-the peoples, religions, races, nashould not see the significance of certain tions and kingdoms--would continue the dreamsand other signs of theculminating event. work to which 'Abdu'l-Baha had called them, This they now realize was His thought for them, and would of themselves press forward to its in order that their strength might be preserved accomplishment. to face the great ordeal when it should arrive, A few weeks after the preceding dream the that they should not be devitalized by anguish Master came in from the solitary room in the of mind in its anticipation. garden, whichHe hadoccupied of late, and said : Out of the many signs of the approach of the "I dreamed a dream and behold the Blessed hour when He could say of His work on earth, Beauty [Baha'u'llah] came and said unto me, "It is finished," the following two dreams seem 'Destroy this room!' " remarkable. Less than eight weeks before His The family, who had been wishing that He passing the Master related this to His family: would come and sleep in the house, not being "I seemed to be standing within a great happy that He should be alone at night, extemple, in the inmost shrine, facing the east, in claimed, "Yes, Master, we think Your dream the place of the leader himself. I became aware means that You should leave that room and that a large number of people were flocking come into the house." When He heard this into the temple; more and yet more crowded in, from us, He smiled meaningly as though not taking their places in rows behind me, until agreeing with our interpretation. Afterwards there was a vast multitude. As I stood, I raised we understood that by the "room" was meant loudly the'Call toprayer'. Suddenly thethought the temple of His body. . . came to me to go forth from the temple. In the same week He revealed a Tablet to ''When I found myself outside I said within America, in which is the following prayer: myself, 'For what reason came I forth, not " Y a Baha'u'l-Abha! [0 Thou the Glory of having led the prayer? But it matters not; now Glories] I have renounced the world and the An abridged version of the compilation Tlie Passing people thereof, and an? heartbroken and sorely of 'Abdu'l-Bahd published privately in 1922 by Lady aj4icted because of'the imnfaithful. In the cage of Blomfield with the approval of Shoghi Effendi and reprinted with emendations In Baha'i Year Book (New this world [flutter even as a jkightened bird, and York: Baha'i Publishing Committee, 1926), I, 19-31. Lady Blomfield (see "In Memoriam", The Baha,'i yearn every day to take n ~ flight y unto Thy king- World, vol. VIII, p. 651), became a Baha'i in Pans doni. during the early years of this century and received " Yd Baha'u'l-Abhh! Make nie to drink of the Abdu'l-Baha in London in 191 1. In 1921, she accompanied Shoghi Effendi, then studying at Balliol cup ofsacrifice and set rne,free.Relieve n ~ from e Follege, Oxford, to Haifa after the passing of Ahdu'l-Baha. Lady Blomfield died in 1939. these woes and trials, frorn these aflctions and 114 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
troubles. Thouart He thataideth, that succoureth, circled round it, and would have succeeded in that protecteth, that stretcheth forth the hand of taking his life had it not been for the opportune help.". . . arrival of a friend who reached him in time to After lunch He dictated some Tablets, His prevent the accomplishment of his tragic inlast ones, to Ruhi Effendi. When He had rested tention. . . He walked in the garden. He seemed to be in a During the evening 'Abdu'l-BahB attended deep reverie. the usual meeting of the friends in His own His good and faithful servant Isma'il Aq&, audience chamber. relates the following: In the morning of Saturday, November 26, "Some time, about twenty days before my He arose early, came to the tea-room, and had Master passed away, I was near the garden some tea. He asked for the fur-lined coat which when I heard Him summon an old believer had belonged to BahB'u'llah. He often put on saying: this coat when He was cold or did not feel well, " 'Come with me that we may admire to- He so loved it. He then withdrew to His room, gether the beauty of the garden. Behold, what lay down on His bed, and said, "Cover me up. the spirit of devotion is able to achieve! This I am very cold. Last night I did not sleep well, flourishing place was, a few years ago, but a I felt cold. This is serious, it is the beginning." heap of stones, and now it is verdant with After more blankets had been put on, He foliage and flowers. My desire is that after I am asked for the fur coat He had taken off to be gone the loved ones may all arise to serve the placed over Him. That day He was rather divine cause and, please God, so it shall be. feverish. In the evening His temperature rose Ere long men will arise who shall bring life to still higher, but during the night the fever left the world.'. . . Him. After midnight He asked for some tea. "Three days before His ascension, whilst On Sunday morning, November 27, He said, seated in the garden, He called me and said, 'I "I am quite well and will get up as usual and am sick with fatigue. Bring two of your oranges have tea with you in the tea-room." After He for me that I may eat them for your sake.' This had dressed, He was persuaded to remain on I did, and He, havingeaten them, turned to me, the sofa in His room. saying, 'Have you any of your sweet lemons?' In the afternoon He sent all the friends to He bade me fetch a few. . . Whilst I was pluck- the tomb of the Bab, where on the occasion of ing them, He came over to the tree, saying, the anniversary of the declaration of the Coven- 'Nay, but I must gather them with my own ant a feast was being held, offered by a Parsi hands.' Having eaten of the fruit, He turned to pilgrim who had lately arrived from India. me and asked 'Do you desire anything more?' At four in the afternoon, being on the sofa in Then with a pathetic gesture of His hands, He His room, He said, "Ask my sister and all the touchingly, emphatically, and deliberately said, family to come and have tea with me." 'Now it is finished, it is finished!' His four sons-in-law and Ruhi Effendi came "These significant words penetrated my very to Him after returning from the gathering on soul. I felt each time He uttered them as if a the mountain. They said to Him, "The giver of knife were struck into my heart. I understood the feast was unhappy because You were not His meaning but never dreamed His end was there". He said unto them: so nigh." "But I was there, though my body was ab- It was Isma'il Aqa who had been the Master's sent, my spirit was there in your midst. I was gardener for well nigh thirty years and who, in present with the friends at the tomb. The friends the first week after his bereavement, driven by must not attach any importance to the absence hopeless grief, quietly disposed of all his be- of my body. In spirit I am, and shall always be, longings, made his will, went to the Master's with the friends, even though I be far away." sister, and craved her pardon for any misdeeds The same evening He asked after the health he had committed. He then delivered the key of of every member of the household, of the pilthe garden to a trusted servant of the household grims, and of the friends in Haifa. "Very good, and, taking with him means whereby to end his very good," He said when told that none were life at his beloved Master's tomb, walked up ill. This was His very last utterance concerning the mountain to that sacred place, three times His friends. The room occupied by 'Abdu'l-Baha and in which He passed away in the early morning I~oursoj' November 28. 1921.
At eight in theevening He retired to bed after loving-kindness upon humanity, whether taking a little nourishment, saying, "I am quite friends or foes, were now closed. The hands that well." had ever been stretched forth to give alms to He told all the family to go to bed and rest. thepoorandtheneedy, the haltand themaimed, Two of His daughters, however, stayed with the blind, the orphan and the widow, had now Him. That night the Master had gone to sleep finished their labour. The feet that, with unvery calmly, quite free from fever. He awoke tiring zeal, had gone upon the ceaseless errands about 1.15 a.m., got up, and walked across to of the Lord of Compassion were now at rest. a table where He drank some water. He took The lips that had so eloquently championed the off an outer night garment, saying, "I am too cause of the suffering sons of men, were now warm." He went back to bed; and, when His hushed in silence. Theheart that had so powerdaughter R ~ i h a u a n u mlater , on, approached, fully throbbed with wondrous love for the childshe found Him lying peacefully; and, as He ren of God was now stilled. His glorious spirit looked into her face, He asked her to lift up the had passed from the life of earth, from the pernet curtains saying: secutions of the enemies of righteousness, from "I have difficulty in breathing, give me more the storm and stress of well nigh eighty years of air." Some rose water was brought of which He indefatigable toil for the good of others. drank, sitting up in bed to do so, without any His long martyrdom was ended! help. He again lay down, and as some food was Early on Monday morning, November 28, offered Him, He remarked in a clear and dis- the news of this sudden calamity had spread tinct voice: over the city, causing an unprecedented stir "You wish me to take some food, and I am and tumult, and filling all hearts with ungoing?" He gave them a beautiful look. His utterable grief. face was so calm, His expression so serene, they The next morning, Tuesday, November 29, thought Him asleep. the funeral took place, a funeral the like of He had gone from the gaze of His loved ones ! which Haifa, nay Palestine itself, had surely The eyes that had always looked out with never seen, so deep was the feeling that brought 116 THE B A H A
so many thousands of mourners together, rep- hind it came the members of His family, next resentative of so many religions, races and to them walked the British High Commissioner, tongues. the Governor of Jerusalem, and the Governor The High Commissioner of Palestine, Sir of Phoenicia. After them came the consuls and Herbert Samuel, the Governor of Jerusalem, the notables of the land, followed by the vast the Governor of Phoenicia, the chief officials of multitude of those who reverenced and loved the government, the consuls of the various Him. countries, resident in Haifa, the heads of the On this day there was no cloud in the sky, nor various religious communities, the notables of any sound in all the town and surrounding Palestine, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druses, country through which they went, save only Egyptians, Greeks, Turks, Kurds, and a host the soft, slow, rhythmic chanting of Islam in of his American, European and native friends, the call to prayer, or the convulsed sobbing men, women and children, both of high and moan of those helpless ones, bewailing the loss low degree, all, about ten thousand in number, of their one Friend, Who had protected them mourning the loss of their beloved One. in all their difficulties and sorrows, Whose This impressive, triumphal procession was generous bounty had saved them and their headed by a guard of honour, consisting of the little ones from starvation through the terrible City Constabulary Force, followed by the Boy years of the "Great Woe." Scouts of the Muslim and Christian com- "0 God, my God!" the people wailed with munities holding aloft their banners, a com- one accord, "Our father has left us, our father pany of Muslim choristers chanting their verses has left us!" from the Qur'an, the chiefs of the Muslim com- 0 the wonder of that great throng! Peoples munity headed by the Mufti, a number of of every religion and race and colour, united in Christian priests, Latin, Greek, and Anglican, heart through the manifestation of servitude in all preceding the sacred coffin, upraised on the the lifelong work of 'Abdu'l-Baha! shoulders of His loved ones. Immediately be- As they slowly wended their way up Mount
Funeral cortkge ascending Mt. Cormel. Carmel, the Vineyard of God, the casket leader of mankind? They are too glorious to be appeared in the distance to be borne aloft by praised, too many to recount. Suffice it to invisible hands, so high above the heads of the say, that He hath left in every heart the most people was it carried. After two hours walking, profound impression, on every tongue most they reached the garden of the tomb of the Bab. wondrous praise. And He that leaveth a mem- Tenderly was the sacred coffin placed upon a ory so lovely, so imperishable, He, indeed, is plain table covered with a fair white linen not dead. Be solaced then, 0 ye people of cloth. As the vast concourse pressed around the Baha! Endure and be patient; for no man, be tabernacle of His body, waiting to be laid in its he of the East or of the West, can ever comfort resting place, within the vault, next to that of you, nay he himself is even in greater need of the Bab, representatives of the various denomi- consolation." nations, Muslims, Christians, and Jews, all The Christian then came forward and thus hearts being ablaze with fervent love of 'Abdu'l- spoke : Baha, some on the impulse of the moment, "I weep for the world, in that my Lord hath others prepared, raised their voices in eulogy died; others there are who, like unto me, weep and regret, paying their last homage of farewell the death of their Lord. . . 0 bitter is the anto their loved one. So united were they in their guish caused by this heart-rending calamity! acclamation of Him, as the wise educator and It is not only our country's loss but a world reconciler of the human race in this perplexed affliction. . . He hath lived for well-nigh and sorrowf~~l age, that there seemed to be eighty years the life of the messengers and nothing left for the Baha'is to say. apostles of God. He hath educated the souls of The following are extracts from some of the men, hath been benevolent unto them, hath speeches delivered on that memorable occasion. led them to the way of Truth. Thus He raised The Muslim voicing the sentiments of his His people to the pinnacle of glory, and great coreligionists spoke as follows: shall be His reward from God, the reward of "0 concourse of Arabians and Persians! the righteous! Hear me 0 people! 'Abbas is not Whom are ye bewailing? Is it He who but yes- dead, neither hath the light of Baha been extinterday was great in this life and is today in His guished! Nay, nay! this light shall shine with death greater still? Shed no tears for the one everlasting splendour. The Lamp of Bahi, that hath departed to the world of eternity, but 'Abbas, hath lived a goodly life, hath maniweep over the passing of virtue and wisdom, of fested in Himself the true life of the Spirit. And knowledge and generosity. Lament for your- now He is gathered to glory, a pure angel, selves, for yours is the loss, whilst He, your lost richly robed in benevolent deeds, noble in His one, is but a revered wayfarer, stepping from precious virtues. Fellow Christians! Truly ye your mortal world into the everlasting home. are bearing the mortal remains of this ever Weep one hour for the sake of Him who, for lamented One to His last resting place, yet well nigh eighty years, hath wept for you! Look know of a certainty that your 'Abbas will live to your right, look to your left, look East and forever in spirit amongst you, through His look West and behold, what glory and great- deeds, His words, His virtues, and all the esness have vanished! What a pillar of peace hath sence of His life. We say farewell to the macrumbled ! What eloquent lips are hushed ! Alas ! terial body of our 'Abbas and His material In this tribulation there is no heart but aches body vanisheth from our gaze, but His reality, with anguish, no eye but is filled with tears. Woe our spiritual 'Abbas, will never leave our unto the poor, for lo! goodness hath departed minds, our thoughts, our hearts, our tongues. from them, woe unto the orphans, for their "0 great revered Sleeper! Thou hast been loving father is no more with them! Could the good to us, Thou hast guided us, Thou hast life of Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas have been re- taught us, Thou hast lived amongst us greatly, deemed by the sacrifices of many a precious with the full meaning of greatness, Thou hast soul, they of a certainty would gladly have made us proud of Thy deeds and of Thy words. offered up their lives for His life. But fate hath Thou hast raised the Orient to the summit of otherwise ordained. Every destiny is predeter- glory, hast shown loving kindness to the people, mined and none can change the divine decree. trained them in righteousness, and hast striven What am I to set forth the achievements of this to the end, till Thou hast won the crown of 118 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
glory. Rest Thou happily under the shadow of il a pu toujours convaincre. Les exemples the mercy of the Lord Thy God, and He, vivants sont d'un autre pouvoir. Sa vie privCe verily, shall well reward Thee." et publique Ctait un exemple de dkvouement et Yet another Muslim, the Mufti of Haifa, d'oubli de soi pour le bonheur des autres. . . spoke as follows: "Sa philosophie est simple, direz-vous, mais "I do not wish to exaggerate in my eulogy of elle est grande par cette m&mesimplicit&,Ctant this great One, for His ready and helping hand conforme au caractere humain qui perd de sa in the service of mankind and the beautiful beaute lorsqu'il se trouve faussC par les prC- and wondrous story of His life, spent in doing juges et les superstitions. . . 'Abbis est mort a that which is right and good, none can deny, Caiffa, en Palestine, la Terre SacrCe qui a prosave him, whose heart is blinded. . . duit les prophetes. Devenue stQile et aban- "0 Thou revered voyager! Thou hast lived donnCe depuis tant de siecles elle resuscite de greatly and hast died greatly! This great funeral nouveau et commence a reprendre son rang procession is but a glorious proof of Thy great- et sa renommCe primitive. Nous ne sommes pas ness in Thy life and in Thy death. But 0 , Thou les seuls a pleurer ce prophbte, nous ne sommes whom we have lost! Thou leader of men; pas les seuls a le glorifier. En Europe, en generous and benevolent! To whom shall the Amerique, que dis-je, dans tous pays habit6 par poor now look? Who shall care for the hun- des hommes conscients de leur mission dans ce gry? And the desolate, the widow and the or- bas monde assoiff6 de justice sociale, de fraphan ? ternit&,on le pleurera aussi. I1 est mort apres "May the Lord inspire all Thy household and avoir souffert du despotisme, du fanatisme et de Thy kindred with patience in this grievous I'intolCrance. Acre, la Bastille turque, lui a calamity, and immerse Thee in the ocean of His servi de prison pendant des dizaines dlannCes. grace and mercy! He, verily, is the prayer- Bagdad la capitale Abbasside a ete aussi sa hearing, prayer-answering God." prison et celle de son pbre. La Perse, ancien The Jew when his turn came, paid his tribute berceau de la philosophie douce et divine, a in these words: chasse ses enfants qui ont c o n y leurs idCes "Dans un Sibcle de positivisme exagCrC et de chez elle. Ne voit-on pas 18 une volontC divine materialisme effrCn6, il est etonnant et rare de et une prbference marquee pour la Terre Protrouver un philosophe de grande envergure tel mise qui Btait et sera le berceau de toutes les que le regrette 'Abdu'l-Bahi 'Abbas parler idees gCnCreuses et nobles? Celui qui laisse notre coeur, a nos sentiments et surtout cher- a p r b lui un pass6 aussi glorieux n'est pas cher a Cduquer notre 2me en nous inculquant mort. Celui qui a Ccrit d'aussi beaux principes a les principes les plus beaux, reconnus comme agrandi sa famille parmi tous ses lecteurs et a Ctant la base de toute religion et de toute morale passe a la postCritC, couronnC par I'immorpure. Par ses Ccrits, par sa parole, par ses talitC."l entretiens familiers comme par ses colloques The nine speakers having delivered their cClbbres avec les plus cultivCs et les fervents funeral orations, then came the moment when adeptes des thCories sectaires, il a su persuader, the casket which held the Pearl of loving servi- In a century oir~aggcratedpositivism and unbridled abandoned for so many centuries, it is coming back rnaicrial~sm.i t is nstonish~ncand rare to find a nhilo- to life and is beginning t o recover its rank and its sopher of great scope, s u c h i s the lamented ' ~ b d u ' l - original renown. We are not the only ones to grieve Baha 'Abbas, speak to our heart, t o our feelings, and for this prophet; we are not the only ones to testify to especially seek to educate our soul by inculcating in His glory. In Europe, in America, yea, in every land us the most beautiful principles, which are recognized inhabited by men conscious of their mission in this as being the basis of all religion and of all pure mora- base world, athirst for social justice, for brotherhood, lity. By His Writings, by His spoken Word, by His He will be mourned as well. He is dead after suffering intimate conversations as well as by His famous dia- from despotism, fanaticism, and intolerance. 'Akka, logues with the most cultivated and the most fervent the Turkish Bastille, was His prison for decades. adepts of sectarian theories, He knew how to per- Baghdad, the Abbassid capital, has also been His prisuade; He was always able to win our minds. Living son, and that of His Father. Persia, the ancient cradle examples have a special power. His private and pub- of gentle and divine philosophy, has driven out her liclife was an example of devotion and of forgetfulness children, who brought forth their Ideas within her. of self for the happiness of others. . . May one not see herein a divine will and a marked His philosophy is simple, you will say, but it is preference for the Promised Land which was and will great by that very simplicity, since it is in conformity be the cradle of all generous and noble ideas? He who with human character, which loses some of its beauty leaves after Him so glorious a past is not dead. He who when it allows itself to be distorted by prejudices and has written such beautiful principles has increased superstitions. . . 'Abbas died in Haifa, Palestine, the His family among all His readers and has passed to Holy Land which produced the prophets. Sterile and posterity, crowned withimmortality. Some oj'those attending the funeral of 'Abdu'l-Bahd. " A great throng had gathered together, sorrowing for His death, but rejoicing also for His life," was the testimony of the High Commissioner, Sir Herbert Samuel.
tude passed slowly and triumphantly into its Mohammedan, Hindu and Zoroastrian, Jew simple, hallowed resting place. and Christian, sat in amity. 'Creatures', he said, 0 the infinite pathos! that the beloved feet 'were created through love; let them live in should no longer tread this earth! that the pre- peace and amity."' sence which inspired such devotion and rever- The New York World of December 1, 1921, ence should be withdrawn! published the following: Of the many and diverse journals that "Never before 'Abdu'l-Baha did the leader throughout the East and West have given in of an Oriental religious movement visit the their columns accounts of this momentous United States. . . As recently as June of this event, the following stand as foremost among year a special correspondent of the World who them : visited this seer thus described him: 'Having Le Temps, the leading French paper, in its once looked upon 'Abdu'l-Baha, his personaissue of December 19, 1921, under the title lity is indelibly impressed upon the mind: the 'Un Conciliateur' (A Peacemaker), portrays majestic venerable figure clad in the flowing graphically the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha. . . 'abi, his head crowned with a turban white as The London Morning Post, two days after his head and hair; the piercing deep set eyes His passing, among other highly favourable whose glances shake the heart; the smile that comments, concluded its report of the move- pours its sweetness over all.' . . . ment in the following words : "Even in the twilight of his life 'Abdu'l- "The venerated Baha'u'llah died in 1892 and Baha took the liveliest interest in world affairs. the mantle of his religious insight fell on his When General Allenby swept up the coast from son 'Abdu'l-Baha, when, after forty years of Egypt he went for counsel first to 'Abdu'l-Baha. prison life, Turkish constitutional changes per- When Zionists arrived in their Promised Land mitted him to visit England, France and Ame- they sought 'Abdu'l-Baha for advice. For Palesrica. His persistent messages as to the divine tine he had the brightest hopes. 'Abdu'l-Baha origin and unity of mankind were as impressive believed that Bolshevism would prove an adas the Messenger himself. He possessed sin- monition to the irreligious world. He taught the gular courtesy. At his table Buddhist and equality of man and woman, saying: 'The world 120 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
of humanity has two wings, man and woman. bay, would have stirred the feelings of many If onewing isweak, then the bird cannot fly.'. . ." who, without belonging to the BahB'i brother- Nearly all representative American news- hood, sympathize with its tenets and admire papers devoted attention to the passing of the life-work of those who founded it. As it is 'Abdu'l-Baha. The Evening Telegram, New we have learned almost by chance of this great York, December 4, 1921, found in the inter- religious leader's death, but that fact need not national peace movement a complete vindica- prevent our turning aside from politics and the tion for the Baha'i ideals. "In all countries of turmoil of current events to consider what this the world today can be found mourners of the man did and what he aimed at." prophet 'Abdu'l-Baha. . . Churches of all Sketching then in brief an account of the hisdenominations in New York City and Chicago tory of the movement it concludes as follows: were thrown open to him for, unlike the leaders "It is not for us now to judge whether the of many cults, he preached not the errors of purity, the mysticism and the exalted ideas of present religions but their sameness." The New BahB'ism will continue unchanged after the loss York Tribune on December 2 carried an edi- of the great leader, or to speculate on whether torial entitled 'Abdu'l-Baha. "A prophet, as his BahB'ism will some day become a force in the followers believe, and the son of a prophet, was world as great or greater than Christianity or 'Abdu'l-Baha, who is now at rest with all pro- Islam; but we would pay a tribute to the memphetic souls bygone. He lived to see a remark- ory of a man who wielded a vast influence for able expansion of the quietist cult of which good, and who, if he was destined to see many he was the head. . . BahB'u'llah over sixty years of his ideas seemingly shattered in the world ago set forth a peace plan not dissimilar to the war, remained true to his convictions and to his aspirations of today." belief in the possibility of a reign of peace and The magazine Unity, published in Chicago, love, and who, far more effectively than Tolincluded an article on the Master in its issue of stoy, showed the West that religion is a vital December 22. "'Abdu'l-Baha voiced and made force that can never be disregarded." eloquent the sacred aspiration that yearns Out of the vast number of telegrams and dumbly in the hearts of men. He embodied in cables of condolence that have poured in, these glorious, triumphant maturity that ideal which may be mentioned : in others lies imprisoned behind the veil. Men His Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State and women of every race, creed, class, and for the Colonies, Mr. Winston Churchill, telecolour are united in devotion to 'Abdu'l-Baha graphing t o His Excelleilcy the High Comrnisbecause 'Abdu'l-Baha has been a pure, selfless sioner for Palestine, desires him "to convey to mirror reflecting only the noblest qualities of the Baha'i con~munity,on behalf of His Maeach." jesty's Government, their sympathy and con- The Sphinx, of Cairo, Egypt, on December 17 dolence on the death of Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha described 'Abdu'l-Baha as a great leader of 'Abbas, K.B.E." men. "In his personality and influence 'Abdu'l- On behalf of the Executive Board of the Baha embodied all that is highest and most BahB'i American Convention, this message of striking in both the Christian and Moslem condolence has been received: faiths: living a life of pure altruism, he preached "He doeth whatsoever He willeth. Hearts and worked for inter-racial and inter-religious weep at most great tribulation. American unity. . . When in the presence of 'Abdu'l- friends send through Unity Board radiant love, Baha thoughtful inquirers soon realized that boundless sympathy, devotion. Standing steadthey were speaking to a man of unique per- fast, conscious of His unceasing presence and sonality, one endowed with a love and wisdom nearness." that had in it the divine quality." Viscount Allenby, the High Commissioner The Times o f India, in its issue of January for Egypt, has wired the following message, 1922, opens one of its editorial articles as fol- through the intermediary of His Excellency the lows : High Commissioner for Palestine, dated No- "In more normal times than the present the vember 29,1921 : death of 'Abdu'l-Baha, which was sorrowfully "Please convey to the relatives of the late Sir referred to at the Baha'i Conference in Bom- 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas Effendi and to the Baha'i A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E P A S S I N G O F 'ABDU'L-BAHA 121 community my sincere sympathy in the loss of "For the Holy Family Theosophical Society their revered leader." send affectionate thoughts." The loved ones in Germany assure the The thousands of BahB'is in Tihran, the cap- Greatest Holy Leaf of their fidelity in these ital of Persia, remembering their Western terms: brethren and sisters in London and New York "A11 believers deeply moved by irrevocable assure them of their steadfast faith in these loss of our Master's precious life. We pray for words: heavenly protection of Holy Cause and pro- "Light of Covenant transferred from eye to mise faithfulness and obedience to Centre of heart. Day of teaching, of union, of self sacri- Covenant ." fice." An official message forwarded by the Coun- And lastly, one of the distinguished figures in cil of Ministers in Babdad, and dated Decem- the academic life of the University of Oxford, a ber 8,1921, reads as follows: renowned professor and an accomplished "His Highness Sayed Abdurrahman, the scholar, whose knowledge of the Cause stands Prime Minister, desires to extend his sym- foremost among that of his colleagues, in the pathy to the family of His Holiness 'Abdu'l- message of condolence written on behalf of Baha in their bereavement." himself and wife, expresses himself as follows : The Commander in Chief of the Egyptian "The passing beyond the veil into fuller life I Expeditionary Force sent through His Excel- must be specially wonderful and blessed for lency the High Commissioner for Palestine One Who has always fixed His thoughts on these words of sympathy: high and striven to lead an exalted life here be- "General Congreve begs that you will con- low." vey his deepest sympathy to the family of the On the seventh day after the passing of the late Sir 'Abbas al-Baha'i." Master, corn was distributed in His name to The Theosophical Society in London com- about a thousand poor of Haifa, irrespective of municated as follows with one of the followers race or religion, to whom He had always been a of the Faith in Haifa: friend and a protector. Their grief at losing the
A view of the long train of ~i~ourners attending the funeral of 'Abclu'l-Baha. 122 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Corn being distributed to the poor in the garden of the honze of 'Abdu'l-Bahh, No. 7 Persian (Haparsim) Street, Hatfa, Decenzber 4, 1921.
"Father of the Poor" was extremely pathetic. After the luncheon the guests came into the In the first seven days also from fifty to a hun- large central hall, this also bare of ornament, dred poor were daily fed at the Master's house, save only for the portrait of Him they had asin the very place where it had been His custom sembled to honour and some antique Persian to give alms to them. tapestries hung upon one wall. Before this was On the fortieth day there was a memorial placed a platform from which the speeches were feast, given to over six hundred of the people of made to the rapt and silent throng, whose very Haifa, 'Akka and the surrounding parts of hearts were listening. Palestine and Syria, people of various reli- The Governor of Phoenicia, in the course of gions, races and colours. More than a hundred his address, spoke the following: of the poor were also fed on this day. The Gov- "Most of us here have, I think, a clear picture ernor of Phoenicia, many other officials and of Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas, of His dignified some Europeans were present. figure walking thoughtfully in our streets, of The feast was entirely arranged by the mem- His courteous and gracious manner, of His bers of the Master's household. The long tables kindness, of His love for little children and were decorated with trailing branches of flowers, of His generosity and care for the poor bougainvillea. Its lovely purple blooms min- and suffering. So gentle was He, and so simple gled with the white narcissus, and with the that, in His presence, one almost forgot that He large dishes of golden oranges out of the be- was also a great teacher and that His writings loved Master's garden, made a picture of love- and His conversations have been a solace and liness in those spacious lofty rooms, whose an inspiration to hundreds and thousands of only other decoration was the gorgeous yet people in the East and in the West." subdued colouring of rare Persian rugs. No His ['Abdu'l-BahB's] detailed and poweruseless trivial ornaments marred the extreme fully written Will and Testament reveals the dignity of simplicity. following words of general counsel to all His The guests received, each and all, the same friends : welcome. There were no "chief places". Here, 0 ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Disas always in the Master's home, there was no pensation, conflict and contention are in no wise respecting of persons. permitted. Every aggressor deprives hinlself of God's grace. It is incunibent upon everyone to the Bestower, the Compassionate, the Almighty, show the utniost love, rectitude of conduct, the All-Bountiful! straightjbrwardness and sincere kindliness unto For His enemies this is His prayer: all the peoples und kindreds of the world, be they I callupon Thee, 0 Lord, m y God! with m y tonfriends or strangers. So intense niust be the spirit gue and with all m y heart, not to req~iitethem for of love and loving-kindness, that the stranger their cruelty and their wrong-doings, their craft may find himself a friend, the eneniy a true and their mischiek for they are foolish and igbrother, no difference whatsoever existing be- noble and know not what they do. They discern tween them. For universality is of God and all not good from evil, neither do they distinguish limitations are earthly. Thus nian niust strive right from wrong, nor justice from injustice. that his reality may manifest virtues andperjec- They follow their own desires and walk in the tions. the light whereof may shine upon every footsteps of the most imperject and foolish one. The light of the sun shineth upon all the amongst them. 0 m y Lord! Have mercy upon world and the nierciful showers of Divine Prov- them, shield them from all aflictions in these idence fall upon allpeoples. The vivifying breeze troubled times andgrant that all trials and hardreviveth every living creature and all beings en- ships may be the lot of this Thy servant, that dued with life obtain their share and portion at hath fallen into this darksome pit. Single me out His heavenly board. In like nianner, the affections for every woe and make me a sacrifice for all and loving-kindness of the servants of the One Thy loved ones! 0 Lord, Most High! May my True God must be bountifully and universally soul, m y life, nly being, m y spirit, my all be extended to all mankind. Regarding this, restric- offered up,for them! 0 God, my God!Lowly, suptions and limitations are in no wisepermitted. pliant and fallen upon my face, I beseech Thee Wherefore, 0 m y loving friends! Consort with with all the ardour of nzy invocation to pardon all the peoples, kindreds and religions of the whosoever hath hurt me, to forgive him that world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, hath conspired against me and offended nie, and faithfulness, kindliness,goodwillandfriendliness, to wash away the misdeeds of them that have that all the world of being may be filled with the wrought injustice upon me. Vouchsafe unto them holy ecstasy of the grace of Bahi, that ignorance, Thy goody gifts, give them joy, relieve them enmity, hate and rancour may vanish from the from sorrow, grant then1 peace and prosperity, world and the darkness of estrangenient amidst give then? Thy bliss and pour upon them Thy the peoples and kindreds o f the world may give bounty. way to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples Thou art the Powerful, the Gracious, the Help and nations be unfaithful to you show your in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. ,fidelity unto theni, should they be unjust toward And now, what appeal more direct, more you show justice towards them, should they keep moving, with which to close this sad yet stiraloof from you attract them to yourselves, should ring account of His last days, than these His they show their enmity be friendly towards them, most touching, most inspiring words? should they poison your lives, sweeten their souls, Friends! The time is conzing when I shall be should they inflict a wound upon you, be a salve no l o ~ g e rwith you. I have done all that could be to their sores. Such are the attributes ofthe sin- done. I have served the Cause of Baha'u'llih to cere! Such are the attributes of the truthful! the utmost of' m y ability. I have laboured night 0 ye beloved of the Lord! Strive with all your and day, all the yeurs of my life. 0 how I long heart to shield the Cause of God fronz the on- to see the loved ones taking upon thenzselves the slaught of the insincere, for souls such as these responsibilities of the Cause! Now is the time to cause the straight to become crooked and all proclaim the Kingdom of Balza! Now is the hour benevolent efforts to produce contrary results. of love and union! This is the day of the spiritual He prays for the protection of His friends : harmony of the loved ones of God! All the re- 0 Lord, my God! Assist Thy loved ones to be sources of inyphysical strength I have exhausted, firm in Thy Faith, to walk in Thy ways, to be andthe spirit of m y life is the welconle tidings of steadfist in Thy Cause. Give them Thy grace to the unity of the people of Balih. I am straining withstand the onslaught of self and passion, to m y ears toward the East and toward the West, follow the light of Divine Guidance. Thou art toward the North and toward the South that the Powerful, the Gracious, the SelJ'Subsisting, haply I niay hear the songs of love and fellowship 124 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
chanted in the meetings of the faithful. M y days of the Covenant is pleading; will they not obey? are numbered, and, but for this, there is no joy Ah me, I am waiting, waiting, to hear the joyful left unto me. 0 how I yearn to see the friends tidings that the believersare the very embodiment united even as a string of gleamingpearls, as the of sincerity and truthfulness, the incarnation of brilliant Pleiades, as the rays of the sun, as the love and amity, the living symbols of unity and gazelles of one meudow! concord. Will they not gladden my hear? ? Will The mystic nightingale is warbling for them they not satisfy my yearning? Will they not all; will they not listen ? The bird of paradise is manifest my wish? Will they not ,fulfil my singing; will they not heed? The angelof Abha is heart's desire ? Will they not give ear to my call? calling to them; will they not hearken ?The herald Ianz waiting, Iampatiently waiting.
The inner Shrine of 'Abdu'l-Baha. 3. T H E C O M M E M O R A T I O N O F T H E F I F T I E T H A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E PASSING O F
IN its message to the Baha'is of the world at beloved Guardian's Ten Year Crusade, the RidvBn, 1971, the Universal House of Justice current Nine Year Plan, other plans to follow said : throughout - successive epochs of the Formative Age of the Faith, are all phases in the imple- On November28,1971, theBaha'i World will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the mentation of the Divine Plan of cAbdu,l-Bahi, set out in fourteen of His Tablets to North passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of the America. Covenant, the Ensign of the Oneness of Mankind, the Mystery of God, an event which sig- The Universal House of Justice wrote to all nalized at once the end of the Heroic Age of our national communities in July, 1971 : Faith, the opening of the Formative Age and the birth of the Administrative Order, the nu- We have noted with deep satisfaction that cleus and pattern of the World Order of some National Spiritual Assemblies have al- BahB'u'llah. As we contemplate the fruits of the ready initiated plans to befittingly commemo- Master's ministry harvested during the first rate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the passing of fifty years of the Formative Age, a period domi- 'Abdu'l-Baha and the inception of the Formanated by the dynamic and beloved figure of tive Age of the Baha'i Dispensation. Shoghi Effendi, whose life was dedicated to the We feel it would be highly fitting for the systematic implementation of the provisions of three days, November 26 to 28, during which the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha and of the Day of the Covenant and the anniversary of the Tablets of the Divine Plan-the two char- the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha occur, to be set ters provided by the Master for the adminis- aside this year by all National Spiritual Assemtration and the teaching of the Cause of God- blies for specially arranged gatherings and conwe may well experience a sense of awe at the ferences, convened either nationally or locally prospect of the next fifty years. That first half- or both, on the three following main themes: century of the Formative Age has seen the The Baha'i Covenant, The Formative Age and Baha'i Community grow from a few hundred The Life of 'Abdu'l-Baha. centres in thirty-five countries in 1921, to over We hope that these gatherings will serve to 46,000 centres in 135 independent states and 182 intensify the consecration of the workers in the significant territories and islands at the present Divine Vineyard in every land, and provide day, has been marked by the raising throughout them with the opportunity, especially in the the world of the framework of the Adminis- watches of the night of that ascension, when trative Order, which in its turn has brought they will be commemorating the passing hour recognition of the Faith by many governments of our Beloved Master, to renew their pledge to and civil authorities and accreditation in con- BahB'u'llah and to re-dedicate themselves to sultative status to the Economic and Social the accomplishment of the as yet unfulfilled Council of the United Nations, and has wit- goals of the Nine Year Plan. nessed the spread to many parts of the world of The Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land, that "entry by troops" promised by the Master the members of the Universal House of Justice, and so long and so eagerly anticipated by the and all resident and visiting believers at the friends. World Centre will, on that memory-laden night, A new horizon, bright with intimations of visit the Shrine of that Mystery of God on bethrilling developments in the unfolding life of half of the entire community of the Blessed the Cause of God, is now discernible. The Beauty and will supplicate for the stalwart approach to it is complete victory in the Nine champions of the Faith labouring in the fore- Year Plan. For we should never forget that the front of so many fields of service and winning 126 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
fresh triumphs in His Name, for the self- Adams and embellished with excellent photosacrificing believers without whose support and graphs. Accompanying the review was an arsustained assistance most of these victories ticle about the Faith written in most sympacould not be achieved, and for those who will thetic terms by a prominent Israeli journalist. be inspired to join the ranks of the active and Some of the Hebrew-language newspapers in dedicated promoters of His glorious Cause at the Holy Land also carried brief accounts of this crucial stage in the development of the the life and passing of the Master. Plan, that we may all meet our obligations and In the days that followed the commemoradischarge our sacred trust, thus making it pos- tion, the World Centre was flooded with cablesible in the latter months of the Plan for our grams, newspaper clippings, magazine arentire resources to be devoted to an even ticles, letters and reports describing the worldgreater expansion of the Faith in its onward wide observance of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha march towards the spiritual conquest of the Whose "magic nameH2-today no less than planet. during His lifetime--evokes in the heart of every Baha'i a wave of love and tenderness and At the World Centre the Hands of the Cause, stirs within them a resolve to gladden His soul the members of the Universal House of Justice, in the immortal realm by befittingly discharg- BahB'i pilgrims from the Malagasy Republic, ing the divine mandate He established among Swaziland, Panama, the Philippine Islands, them to plant the banner of His Father's Faith Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, England, in every corner of a sore-tried world. Alaska, Norway, the Hawaiian Islands, the The following is a diminutive summary of United States and Persia, with members of the representative activities and features of the World Centre staff, enjoyed the privilege of commemoration observances held throughout visiting the room in which the Master ascended the world, gleaned from reports received at the in His home at No. 7 Haparsim Street. Haifa. World Centre : The friends gathered in a reverent atmosphere Canada: The Hand of the Cause John Robarts for prayers at His bedside and then made their addressed a gathering of approximately four way to the Pilgrim House where a service was hundred friends who gathered in the Maxwell held and prayers were offered in unison with home, where 'Abdu'l-Baha had stayed during the believers all over the world. His visit in 1912. The friends were able to visit Following the readings and a visit to the the bedroom occupied by the Master, and there Shrine of the Bab, the friends went quietly into pray and meditate. For the first time the entire the Shrine of the Master and in that sacred spot proceedings of a national meeting were in the Tablet of' Visitation of 'Abdu'l-Baha was French and English-of symbolic significance chanted at 1 a.m. because of the importance attached by 'Abdu'l- The Jerusalem Post, an English-language Baha to the establishment of the Cause among newspaper read throughout Israel, devoted two French-speaking Canadians. "Elsewhere in the pages of its issue of November 26, 1971, to a country," the report states, "the friends review of the newly published book 'Abdu'lgathered in homes and in halls, in open coun- Bahri, by the Hand of the Cause H. M. Balyuzi try, on Indian Reservations, in cities and in (London, George Ronald, 1971), part of his towns, filled anew with love for 'Abdu'l-Baha splendid trilogy of the lives of the Central and gratitude for the life of our beloved Exem- Figures of the Faith.l This work, the publicaplar." tion of which was timed to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of 'Abdu'l-BahB's passing, Colombia: Almost four thousand believers, "owes its inception to a gracious remark by some in remote and distant areas, were visited Shoghi Effendi", the author states in his fore- in this period and presented with a small bookword and represents the completion of a task let about the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha. begun in 1939. Fiji Islands: "At 1 a.m.," one community The review carried in The Jerusalenz Post writes, "we gathered quietly together for our was written by a Baha'i youth, Mrs. Bahiyyih service of commemoration. A large spotlight See Baha'u'Nah, by H. M . Balyuzi, abridged in The Baha'i World, vol. XIV, pp. 587-611. "hoghi Effendi, Tlze Dispe~~sntiorz of Baha'u'llah. had been fixed on a large and beautiful baka special issue contained many photographs, tree and there, under God's sky, as vast as the articles about the Master, an outline of His life Master's love for us, prayers were read for our and service and a rCsumC of the BahL'i Teachrededication. . ." The Fiji Times carried a ings. lengthy article on the Master's life. India: In addition to countless meetings held Germany: The entire October issue of Baha'i through the country the Illustrated Weekly de- Briefe was dedicated to 'Abdu'l-Baha and con- voted one full page to the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha. tained reproductions of His photograph, and The well-written article was accompanied by extracts from His Tablets. photographs. The Publishing Trust of India produced an exquisite, handsomely designed Guyana: The Continental Board of Counsellors compilation entitled The Mystery of God consponsored a three-day deepening conference taining Writings of the Master and passages dedicated to 'Abdu'l-Baha and related to a from Tablets of Baha'u'llah about 'Abdu'lstudy of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah. Baha. Hawaiian Islands: A commemorative news- Malaysia: Regional conferences were held in paper was produced, bearing the headline: three languages throughout the area of the juris- "'Abdu'l-Baha Heralds World Peace". The diction of this National Spiritual Assembly and an attractive souvenir publication on the life of Special selections of books by or about 'Abdu'l-Baha was printed and widely distri- 'Abdu'l-Baha were sent to the places He visited buted. while He was in the British Isles, to be made available at the commemorative functions in Panan~a:A three-day Institute was held and on those places. the evening of the anniversary of 'Abdu'l- "All over the country people gathered for BahB's passing the friends gathered for readings commemorative meetings," a Baha'i youth reand talks to prepare themselves for the sacred ported. "The Oxford community held theirs in hour of the Master's ascension. the actual college at which 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke. Papua and New Guinea: The November issue We visited the college library in which the of Bahri'i Kundu, a journal printed in Papuan Master gave His address, as well as the library Pidgin, had a supplement with photographs of of Dr. Carpenter who had arranged for the the Master and the story of His life, which was Master to speak there. This library contains distributed throughout all centres. many Baha'i books." A characteristic observance was that held by South Africa: The National Spiritual Assembly the friends of the Liverpool and Kirkby comof South and West Africa commemorated the munities where roses, a universal symbol of love passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha through the publicaforever associated with 'Abdu'l-Baha, were tion of an Afrikaans translation of 'Abdu'ldistributed to the friends. Bahri, the Perfect Exemplar. In addition, meetings and conferences were held throughout the Unifed States: The entire Fall 1971 issue of territories under the jurisdiction of the As- WorldOrdermagazinewas devoted to 'Abdu'lsembly. The Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Baha in commemoration of the anniversary of Olinga was the source of happiness of the be- His passing. lievers through his participation in a confer- The believers in New York were privileged ence held at Umgababa, Natal. to tour some of the major sites visited by the Master during His stay in that city. A motor- Sri Lanka: A special presentation booklet, cade carried more than two hundred believers tastefully designed and attractively printed, to the Church of the Ascension where He made was made available to the friends. The compila- His first public address in America; the Bowery tion consisted of thirty pages and was en- Mission, where he addressed a large group of hanced by a photograph of 'Abdu'l-Baha. outcasts; two hotels where He stayed while in United Kingdom: The British Publishing Trust that city and a Harlem church where He had commemorated the anniversary by reprinting spoken. The pilgrimage continued the follow- The Passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, by Shoghi Ef- ing day and brought publicity in newspapers fendi and Lady Blomfield (published privately throughout the city. in 1922 by Lady Blomfield with the approval of In addition, services were held in Baha'i the G ~ a r d i a n ) . ~ centres throughout the entire country, in a See p. 11 3 for extracts. spirit of reverence and dedication. ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA 129
4 . THE CLOSE O F THE HEROIC- AGE
AS the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahi drew to a Divine Plan unveiled at the first Convention close signs multiplied of the resistless and mani- after the war, the great-hearted and heroic fold unfoldment of the Faith both in the East Hyde Dunn, at the advanced age of sixty-two, and in the West, both in the shaping and con- promptly forsook his home in California, and, solidation of its institutions and in the widening seconded and accompanied by his wife, settled range of its activities and its influence. In the as a pioneer in Australia, where he was able to city of 'Iaqabad the construction of the carry the Message to no less than seven hun- Maariqu'l-A&kar, which He Himself had dred towns throughout that Commonwealth. initiated, was successfully consummated. In A new episode began when, in quick response to Wilmette the excavations for the Mother those same Tablets and their summons, that Temple of the West were carried out and the star-servant of Baha'u'llah, the indomitable contract placed for the construction of the base- and immortal Martha Root, designated by her ment of the building. In Baddad the initial Master "herald of tlie Kingdom" and "harbinger steps were taken, according to His special of the Covenant", embarked on the first of her instructions, to reinforce the foundations and historic journeys which were to extend over a restore the Most Great House associated with period of twenty years, and to carry her several the memory of His Father. In the Holy Land times around the globe, and which ended only an extensive property east of the Bab's Sep- with her death far from home and in the active ulchre was purchased through the initiative of service of the Cause she loved so greatly. These the Holy Mother with the support of contri- events mark the closing stage of a ministry butions from Baha'is in both the East and the which sealed the triumph of the Heroic Age of West to serve as a site for the future erection of the Baha'i Dispensation, and which will go the first Baha'i school at the world Adminis- down in history as one of the most glorious and trative Centre of the Faith. The site for a fruitful periods of the first Bahi'i century. Western Pilgrim House was acquired in the 'Abdu'l-Baha's great work was now ended. neighbourhood of 'Abdu'l-Baha's residence, The historic Mission withwhich His Father had, and the building was erected soon after His twenty-nine years previously, invested Him passing by American believers. The Oriental had been gloriously consummated. A memor- Pilgrim House, erected on Mt. Carmel by a able chapter in the history of the first Baha'i believer from 'Ihqabad, soon after the en- century had been written. The Heroic Age of tombment of the Bkb's remains, for the con- the Baha'i Dispensation, in which He had parvenience of visiting pilgrims, was granted tax ticipated since its inception, and played so exemption by the civil authorities (the first time unique a r61e, had drawn to a close. He had such a privilege had been conceded since the suffered as n o disciple of the Faith, who had establishment of the Faith in the Holy Land). drained the cup of martyrdom, had suffered, The famous scientist and entomologist, Dr. He had laboured as none of its greatest heroes Auguste Forel, was converted to the Faith had laboured. He had witnessed triumphs such through the influence of a Tablet sent him by as neither the Herald of the Faith nor its 'Abdu'l-Baha-one of the most weighty the Author had ever witnessed. . . Master ever wrote. Another Tablet of far- Thus was brought to a close the ministry of reaching importance was His reply to a com- One Who was the incarnation, by virtue of the munication addressed to Him by the Executive rank bestowed upon Him by His Father, of an Committee of the "Central Organization for a institution that has no parallel in the entire Durable Peace", which He dispatched to them field of religious history, a ministry that marks at The Hague by the hands of a special dele- the final stage in the Apostolic, the Heroic and gati0n.l A new continent was opened to the most glorious Age of the Dispensation of Cause when, in response to the Tablets of the Baha'u'llah. The texts of these two Tablets appear on pp. 29-43. Through Him the Covenant, that "excellent 130 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
and priceless Heritage" bequeathed by the the validity and indispensability of its verities Author of the Baha'i Revelation, had been pro- fully and publicly demonstrated. Through the claimed, championed and vindicated. Through warnings He sounded, an unheeding humanity, the power which that Divine Instrument had steeped in materialism and forgetful of its God, conferred upon Him the light of God's infant had been apprised of the perils threatening to Faith had penetrated the West, had diffused disrupt its ordered life, and made, in conseitself as far as the islands of the Pacific, and quence of its persistent perversity, to sustain illunlined the fringes of the Australian con- the initial shocks of that world upheaval which tinent. Through His personal intervention the continues, until the present day, to rock the Message, Whose Bearer had tasted the bitter- foundations of human society. And lastly, ness of a life-long captivity, had been noised through the mandate He had issued to a valiant abroad, and its character and purpose dis- comn~unity, the concerted achievements of closed, for the first time in its history, before whose members had shed so great a lustre on enthusiastic and representative audiences in the the annals of His own ministry, He had set in chief cities of Europe and of the North Ameri- motion a Plan which, soon after its formal incan continent. Through His unrelaxing vigi- auguration, achieved the opening of the Auslance the holy remains of the Bab, brought tralian continent, which, in a later period, was forth at long last from their fifty-year conceal- to be instrumental in winning over the heart of ment, had been safely transported to the Holy a royal convert1 to His Father's Cause, and Land and permanently and befittingly en- which, today,2 through the irresistible unfoldshrined in the very spot which Baha'u'llah Him- ment of its potentialities, is so marvellously self had designated for them and had blessed quickening the spiritual life of all the Repubwith His presence. Through His bold initiative lics of Latin America as to constitute a bethe first Mabriqu'l-Aakir of the Baha'i world fitting conclusion to the records of an entire had been reared in Central Asia, in Russian century. Turkistan, whilst through His unfailing en- Nor should a survey of the outstanding feacouragement a similar enterprise, of still vaster tures of so blessed and fruitful a ministry omit proportions, had been undertaken, and its mention of the prophecies which the unerring land dedicated by Himself in the heart of the pen of the appointed Centre of Baha'u'llah's North American continent. Through the sus- Covenant has recorded. These foreshadow the taining grace over-shadowing Him since the in- fierceness of the onslaught that the resistless ception of His ministry His royal adversary had march of the Faith must provoke in the West, been humbled to the dust, the arch-breaker of in India and in the Far East when it meets the His Father's Covenant had been utterly routed, time-honoured sacerdotal orders of the Chrisand the danger which, ever since Baha'u'llah tian, the Buddhist and Hindu religions. They had been banished to Turkish soil, had been foreshadow the turmoil which its emancithreatening the heart of the Faith, definitely re- pation from the fetters of religious orthodoxy moved. In pursuance of His instructions, and in will cast in the American, the European, the conformity with the principles enunciated and Asiatic and African continents. They forethe laws ordained by His Father, the rudimen- shadow the gathering of the children of Israel tary institutions, heralding the formal inaugu- in their ancient homeland; the erection of the ration of the Administrative Order to be banner of Baha'u'llah in the Egyptian citadel founded after His passing, had taken shape and of Sunni Islam; the extinction of the powerfill been established. Through His unremitting influence wielded by the a i ' a h ecclesiastics in labours, as reflected in the treatises He com- Persia; the load of misery which must needs opposed, the thousands of Tablets He revealed, press the pitiful remnants of the breakers of the discourses He delivered, the prayers, poems Baha'u'llah's Covenant at the world centre and commentaries He left to posterity, mostly of His Faith; the splendour of the institutions in Persian, some in Arabic and a few in Turkish, which that triumphant Faith must erect on the the laws and principles, constituting the warp slopes of a mountain, destined to be so linked and woof of His Father's Revelation, had been elucidated, its fundamentals restated and inter- Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania; see The Bnha'i World, vol. vr. preted, its tenets given detailed application and Written in 1944. ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA 131 with the city of 'Akka that a single grand metro- S i c a h Islam and of the Christian Missions in polis will be formed to enshrine the spiritual the East, and by the cruel fate that is now overas well as the administrative seats of the future taking so many of thecrowned heads of Europe. Baha'i Commonwealth; the conspicuous hon- Nor can this subject be dismissed without our which the inhabitants of BahB'u'llih's na- special reference to the names of those men of tive land in general, and its government in par- eminence and learning who were moved, at ticular, must enjoy in a distant future; the various stages of 'Abdu'l-BahB's ministry, to unique and enviable position which the com- pay tribute not only to 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself munity of the Most Great Name in the North but also to the Faith of Baha'u'llah. Such American continent must occupy, as a direct names as Count Leo Tolstoy, Prof. Arminius consequence of the execution of the world mis- Vambery, Prof. Auguste Forel, Dr. David sion which He entrusted to them: finally they Starr Jordan, the Venerable Archdeacon Wilforeshadow, as the sum and summit of all, the berforce, Prof. Jowett of Balliol, Dr. T. K. "hoisting of' the standard of God among all Cheyne, Dr. Estlin Carpenter of Oxford Uninations" and the unification of the entire human versity, Viscount Samuel of Carmel, Lord race, when "all men will adhere to one religion Lamington, Sir Valentine Chirol, Rabbi . . . will be blended into one race, and become a Stephen Wise, Prince Muhammad-'Ali of single people." Egypt, & a y b Muhammad 'Abdu, Midhat Nor can the revolutionary changes in the Pashi, and U u r h i d Pa&a attest, by virtue of great world which that ministry has witnessed the tributes associated with them, the great probe allowed to pass unnoticed-most of them gress made by the Faith of BahB'u'llah under flowing directly from the warnings which were the brilliant leadership of His exalted Sonuttered by the Bab, in the first chapter of His tributes whose impressiveness was, in later Qayylimu'l-,4smci', on the very night of the years, to be heightened by the historic, the Declaration of His Mission in &iraz,l and repeated and written testimonies which a which were later reinforced by the pregnant famous Queen, a grand-daughter of Queen passages addressed by Baha'u'llah to the kings Victoria, was impelled to bequeath to posterity of the earth and the world's religious leaders, as a witness of her recognition of the prophetic in both the Suriy-i-Mul~ikand the Kitcib-i- mission of Baha'u'llkh. Aqdas. The conversion of the Portuguese As for those enemies who have sedulously monarchy and the Chinese empire into repub- sought to extinguish the light of Baha'u'llah's lics; the collapse of the Russian, the German Covenant, the condign punishment they have and Austrian empires, and the ignominious fate been made to suffer is no less conspicuous than which befell their rulers; the assassination of the doom which overtook those who, in an Nasiri'd-Din &ah, the fall of Sultan 'Abdu'l- earlier period, had so basely endeavoured to Hamid-these may be said to have marked crush the hopes of a rising Faith and destroy its further stages in the operation of that cata- foundations. . strophic process the inception of which was signalized in the lifetime of BahB'u'llah by the With the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha the first murder of Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz, by the drama- century of the BahB'i era, whose inception had tic downfall of Napoleon 111, and the extinc- synchronized with His birth, had run more than tion of the Third Empire, and by the self- three quarters of its course. . . Behind the walls imposed imprisonment and virtual termination of the prison-fortress of 'AkkB the Bearer of of the temporal sovereignty of the Pope him- God's newborn Revelation had ordained the self. Later, after 'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, the laws and formulated the principles that were to same process was to be accelerated by the constitute the warp and woof of His World demise of the Qajar dynasty in Persia, by the Order. He had, moreover, prior to His ascenoverthrow of the Spanish monarchy, by the col- sion, instituted the Covenant that was to guide lapse of both the Sultanate and the Caliphate and assist in the laying of its foundations and in Turkey, by a swift decline in the fortunes of to safeguard the unity of its builders. Armed with that peerless and potent Instrument, May 23, 1844. The "auspicious birth" of 'Abdu'l- 'Abdu'l-Baha, His eldest Son and Centre of His Baha occurred that same night. See God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi, p. 240, Wilmette ed. Covenant, had erected the standard of His Father's Faith in the North American conti- seed of the newborn Message had been incunent, and established an impregnable basis for bating and those which are destined to witness its institutions in Western Europe, in the Far its efflorescence and ultimate fruition. East and in Australia. He had, in His works, The Formative Period, the Iron Age, of that Tablets and addresses, elucidated its principles, Dispensation was now beginning, the Age in interpreted its laws, amplified its doctrine, and which the institutions, local, national and intererected the rudimentary institutions of its future national, of the Faith of Baha'u'llah were to Administrative Order. In Russia He had raised take shape, develop and become fully conits first House of Worship, whilst on the slopes solidated, in anticipation of the third, the last, of Mt. Carmel He had reared a befitting mau- the Golden Age destined to witness the emersoleum for its Herald, and deposited His re- gence of a world-embracing Order enshrining mains therein with His Own hands. Through the ultimate fruit of God's latest Revelation to His visits to several cities in Europe and the mankind, a fruit whose maturity must sig- North American continent He had broadcast nalize the establishment of a world civilization Baha'u'llah's Message to the peoples of the and the formal inauguration of the Kingdom of West, and heightened the prestige of the Cause the Father upon earth as promised by Jesus of God to a degree it had never previously ex- Christ Himself. perienced. And lastly, in the evening of His To this World Order the Bab Himself had, life, He had through the revelation of the Tab- whilst a prisoner in the mountain fastnesses of lets of the Divine Plan issued His mandate to A&irbiyjan, explicitly referred in His Persian the community which He Himself had raised Bayan, the Mother-Book of the Babi Dispenup, trained and nurtured, a Plan that must in sation, had announced its advent, and associathe years to come enable its members to diffuse ted it with the name of Baha'u'llah, Whose the light, and erect the administrative fabric, Mission He Himself had heralded. " Well is it of the Faith throughout the five continents of with Him," is His remarkable statement in the the globe. sixteenth chapter of the third Vahid, "who The moment had now arrived for that un- fixetlz his gaze upon the Order of Bahd'u'llah, dying, that world-vitalizing Spirit that was born and rendereth thanks unto his Lord! For He will in a i r a z , that had been rekindled in Tihran, assuredly be made manifest. . ." To this same that had been fanned into flame in Ba&dad Order Baha'u'llah Who, in a later period, reand Adrianople, that had been carried to the vealed the laws and principles that must govern West, and was now illuminating the fringes of the operation of that Order, had thus referred five continents, to incarnate itself in institutions in the Kitcib-i-Aqdas, the Mother-Book of His designed to canalize its outspreading energies Dispensation : "The world's equilibrium hath and stimulate its growth. The Age that had wit- been upset through the vibrating influence of this nessed the birth and rise of the Faith had now Most Great Order. Mankind'sordered lije hath closed. The Heroic, the Apostolic Age of the been revolutionized through the agency of this Dispensation of BahA'u'llah, that primitive unique, this wondrous System, the like of' which period in which its Founders had lived, in which mortal eyes have never witnessed." Its features its life had been generated, in which its greatest 'Abdu'l-Baha, its great Architect, delineated heroes had struggled and quaffed the cup of in His Will and Testament, whilst the foundamartyrdom, and its pristine foundations been tions of its rudimentary institutions are now established-a period whose splendours no being laid after Him by His Followers in the victories in this or any future age, however East and in the West in this, the Formative brilliant, can rival-had now terminated with Age of the BahB'i Dispensation. (God Passes the passing of One Whose mission may be re- By, ch. xx, XXI,XXII.) garded as the link binding the Age in which the THE last twenty-three years of the first Baha'i be tantamount to a repudiation of one of the century may thus be regarded as the initial most fundamental verities of the Faith. stage of the Formative Period of the Faith, an The Administrative Order which this his- Age of Transition to be identified with the rise toric Document has established, it should be and establishment of the Administrative Order, noted, is, by virtue of its origin and character, upon which the institutions of the future Baha'i unique in the annals of the world's religious World Commonwealth must needs be ulti- systems. No Prophet before Baha'u'llah, it can mately erected in the Golden Age that must be confidently asserted, not even Muhammad witness the consummation of the BahB'i Dis- Whose Book clearly lays down the laws and pensation. The Charter which called into being, ordinances of the Islamic Dispensation, has outlined the features and set in motion the pro- established, authoritatively and in writing, anycesses of, this Administrative Order is none thing comparable to the Administrative Order other than the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l- which the authorized Interpreter of BahB'ul- Baha, His greatest legacy to posterity, the 11ah's teachings has instituted, an Order which, brightest emanation of His mindand themighti- by virtue of the administrative principles which est instrument forged to ensure the continuity its Author has formulated, the institutions He of the three ages which constitute the com- has established, and the right of interpretation ponent parts of His Father's Dispensation. with which He has invested its Guardian, must The Covenant of BahB'u'llih had been in- and will, in a manner unparalleled in any prestituted solely through the direct operation of vious religion, safeguard from schism the His Will and purpose. The Will and Testament Faith from which it has sprung. Nor is the prinof 'Abdu'l-Baha, on the other hand, may be ciple governing its operation similar to that regarded as the offspring resulting from that which underlies any system, whether theomystic intercourse between Him Who had cratic or otherwise, which the minds of men generated the forces of a God-given Faith and have devised for the government of human inthe One Who had been made its sole Inter- stitutions. Neither in theory nor in practice can preter and was recognized as its perfect Exem- the Administrative Order of the Faith of plar. The creative energies unleashed by the BahB'u911ahbe said to conform to &ly type of Originator of the Law of God in this age gave democratic government, to any system of autobirth, through their impact upon the mind of cracy, to any purely aristocratic order, or to Him Who had been chosen as its unerring Ex- any of the various theocracies, whether Jewish, pounder, to that Instrument, the vast impli- Christian or Islamic which mankind has witcations of which the present generation, even nessed in the past. It incorporates within its after the lapse of twenty-three years,l is still structure certain elements which are to be found incapable of fully apprehending. This Instru- in each of the three recognized forms of secular ment can, if we would correctly appraise it, no government, is devoid of the defects which each more be divorced from the One Who provided of them inherently possesses, and blends the the motivating impulse for its creation than salutary truths which each undoubtedly confrom Him Who directly conceived it. The pur- tains without vitiating in any way the integrity pose of the Author of the BahB'iRevelation had, of the Divine verities on which it is essentially as already observed, been so thoroughly in- founded. The hereditary authority which the fused into the mind of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and His Guardian of the Administrative Order is called Spirit had so profoundly impregnated His upon to exercise, and the right of the interprebeing, and their aims and motives been so com- tation of the Holy Writ solely conferred upon pletely blended, that to dissociate the doctrine him; the powers and prerogatives of the Unilaid down by the former from the supreme act versal House of Justice, possessing the exclusive associated with the mission of the latter would right to legislate on matters not explicitly re- Written in 1944. vealed in the Most Holy Book; the ordinance 134 THE BAHA
exempting its members from any responsibility Muhammad-'Ali, and the complicity of his to those whom they represent, and from the son &u'&'u'llah and of his brother Mirza obligation to conform to their views, convic- Badi'u'llah; reaffirms their excommunication, tions, or sentiments; the specific provisions re- and predicts the frustration of all their hopes; quiring the free and democratic election by the summons the Afnan (the Bab's kindred), the mass of the faithful of the Body that con- Hands of the Cause and the entire company of stitutes the sole legislative organ in the world- the followers of BahB'u'llah to arise unitedly wide BahB'i community-these are among the to propagate His Faith, to disperse far and features which combine to set apart the Order wide, to labour tirelessly and to follow the identified with the Revelation of Baha'u'llah heroic example of the Apostles of Jesus Christ; from any of the existing systems of human warns them against the dangers of association government. . . with the Covenant-breakers, and bids them The Document establishing that Order, the shield the Cause from the assaults of the in- Charter of a future world civilization, which sincere and the hypocrite; and counsels them may be regarded in some of its features as to demonstrate by their conduct the universupplementary to no less weighty a Book than sality of the Faith they have espoused, and the Kitrib-i-Aqdas; signed and sealed by6Abdu'l- vindicate its high principles. In that same Docu- Bahi; entirely written with His own hand; its ment its Author reveals the significance and first section composed during one of the dark- purpose of the Huqfiqu'llah (Right of God), alest periods of His incarceration in the prison- ready instituted in the Kitrib-i-Aqdas; enjoins fortress of 'Akka, proclaims, categorically and submission and fidelity towards all monarchs unequivocally, the fundamental beliefs of the who are just; expresses His longing for marfollowers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah; reveals, tyrdom, and voices His prayers for the repenin unmistakable language, the twofold charac- tance as well as the forgiveness of His enemies. ter of the Mission of the Bab; discloses the full Obedient to the summons issued by the station of the Author of the Baha'i Revelation; Author of so momentous a Document; conasserts that "all others are servants unto Him scious of their high calling; galvanized into and do His bidding"; stresses the importance of action by the shock sustained through the unthe Kitrib-i-Aqdas; establishes the institution of expected and sudden removal of 'Abdu'l-Baha; the Guardianship as a hereditary office and out- guided by the Plan which He, the Architect of lines its essential functions; provides the mea- the Administrative Order, had entrusted to sures for the election of the International House their hands; undeterred by the attacks directed of Justice, defines its scope and sets forth its against it by betrayers and enemies, jealous of relationship to that Institution; prescribes the its gathering strength and blind to its unique obligations, andemphasizes theresponsibilities, significance, the members of the widely-scatof the Hands of the Cause of God; and extolls tered BahB'i communities, in both the East and the virtues of the indestructible Covenant esta- the West, arose with clear vision and inflexible blished by Baha'u'llah. That Document, fur- determination to inaugurate the Formative thermore, lauds the courage and constancy of Period of their Faith by laying the foundations the supporters of Baha'u'llah's Covenant; ex- of that world-embracing Administrative system patiates on the sufferings endured by its ap- designed to evolve into a World Order which pointed Centre; recalls the infamous conduct of posterity must acclaim as the promise and Mirza Yahya and his failure to heed the warn- crowning glory of all the Dispensations of the ings of the Bab; exposes, in a series of indict- past. (GodPasses By, ch. XXII.) ments, the perfidy and rebellion of Mirza 'ABDU'L-BAHA wrote His Will and Testa- glory, andpower can turn aside from the Covenment, which is in three parts, at different times ant o f God and His Testament, established ,.
during the seven-year period (1901-1908) of firmly by His clear and manifest words, writ and His incarceration within the city walls of 'Akka. revealed by His All-Glorious Pen and recorded Characterized by the Guardian of the Faith as in the Preserved Tablet. 'this supreme, this infallible Organ for the Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest accomplishment of a Divine Purpose', and as upon that primal branch of the Divine and Sacred 'an Instrument which may be viewed as the Lote-Tree, grown out, blest, tender, verdant, and Charter of the New World Order which is at flourishing from the Twin Holy Trees; the most once the glory and the promise of this most wondrous, unique, and priceless pearl that doth great Dispensation', the Will and Testament of gleam from out the Twin surging seas; upon the 'Abdu'l-Baha is manifestly a document of mo- oflshoots ofthe Tree of Holiness, the twigs of the mentous and incalculable significance. Celestial Tree, they that in the Day of the Great It is not proposed here to scrutinize it closely. Dividing havestoodfastandfirm in the Covenant; Much has been, much will be written in an upon the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God that effort to elucidate its far-reaching implications, have diffused widely the Divine Fragrances, for it is the founding Charter of the Adminis- declared His Proofs, proclaimed His Faith, trative Order of Baha'u'llah-the 'nucleus' and published abroad His Law, detached themselves 'very pattern' of the Order 'destined to em- from all things but Him, stoodjor righteousness brace in the fullness of time the whole of man- in this world, and kindled the Fire of the Love kind'. In this document 'Abdu'l-Bahi'unveiled' o f God in the very hearts and souls of His serthe character of the Administrative Order of vants; upon thenz that have believed, rested the Faith, 'reaffirmed its basis, supplemented assured, stood steadjust in His Covenant, and its principles, asserted its indispensability, and followed the Light that after my passing shienumerated its chief institutions'. neth from the Dayspring of Divine Guidance- But there are three provisions of the Will ,for behold! he is the blest and sacred bough that which must be mentioned here, for through hath branched out from the Twin Holy Trees.l them 'Abdu'l-Baha created infallible protec- Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter ofhis tion for the Cause of Bahi'u'llah after His pass- shade that shadoweth all mankind. ing. Briefly, He appointed His successor, defended him from any possible challenge, and Thus, at the very outset a succession was defined the means by which the Universal established and Baha'is knew to whom they House of Justice, the supreme body instituted had to turn. Later, in the first section of the by BahB'u'lla, should come into being. Will and Testament, the successor was speci- The Will opens with this majestic passage: fically named and his authority was elevated above that of all others: All praise to Him Who, by tlze Shield of His ' 0 my loving friends! After the passing away Covenant, hath guarded the Temple ofHis Cause o f this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the from the darts of doubtfulness, Who by the A d s a n (Branches): tlze Afnbn twig^)^ of the Hosts ofHis Testament hathpreserved the Sanc- Sacred Lote-Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the tuary of His Most Beneficent Law andprotected Cause of God, and the loved ones oftlze Abha His Straight and Luminous Path, staying there- Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi-the youthby the onslaught of the company of Covenantful branch branched from the Two hallowed and breakers, that have threatened to subvert His sacred Lote-Trees and the ,fruit grown from the Divine Edifice; Who hath watched over His union of the Two offshoots of the Tree ofHoliness Mighty Stronghold and All-glorious Faith, through the aid of men whom the slander of the A reference to Bahi'u'llah and the Bab, from both of Whom Shoghi Effendi was descended. slanderer afSect not, whonz no earthly calling, 2 Relatives of Bahi'u'llih. 3 RelativesoftheBib. -as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the I swear by the most holy Abha Beauty andby the guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all Light shining from His Holiness, the Exalted the A d s a n , the Afnan, the Hands of the Cause of One (may my soul be a sacrifice for their lowly God, andHis loved ones must turn. . . servants), that because of this iniquity the dwell- The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian ers in the Pavilion of the Abhd Kingdom have of the Cause of God as well us the Universal bewailed, the Celestial Concourse is lamenting. . . House of Justice, to be universally elected and So grievous the deeds o f this iniquitous person established, are both under the care andprotec- became that he struck with his axe at the root of' tion of the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and the Blessed Tree, dealt a heavy blow at the Temple unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted of the Cause of God, deluged with tears of blood One (may m y life be offered up for them both).' the eyes of the loved ones of the Blessed Beauty, Whatsoever they decide isof God. Whoso obeyeth cheered and encouraged the enemies of the One him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed True God, by his repudiation of the Covenant God. . . It is incumbent upon the House ofJustice, turned many a seeker after Truth aside from the upon all the members of the A d s a n , the Afnan, Cause of God, revived the blighted hopes of the Hands of the Cause o f God to show their Yahyci's,following, made himselfdetested, caused obedience, submissiveness, and subordination the enemies of the Greatest Name to beconie unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn audacious and arrogant, put aside tke firm and unto him and be lowly before him. . . conclusive verses, and sowed the seeds of doubt. Had not the promised aid ofthe Ancient Beauty It should be pondered that if the despotic been graciously vouchsajed at every moment to ruler of the Ottoman Empire or any other adthis one, unworthy though he be, he surely would versary had terminated the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha have destroyed, nay exterminated, the Cause of during the period in which the Will was written, God and utterly subverted the Divine Edifice. the Head of the Faith would have been a child But, praised be the Lord, the triumphant assisof about ten years of age. Shoghi Effendi was tance of the Abha Kingdom was received, the born in 1896. hosts of the Realm above hastened to bestow Before specifically naming Shoghi Effendi victory. . . Now, that the true Faith of God may the Guardian of the Cause of God, 'Abdu'lbe shielded and protected, His Law guarded and Bahi related the story of Mirza YahyB's represerved, and His Cause remain safe andsecure, bellion against Baha'~'llah,~ and then showed it is incumbent upon everyone to hold fast unto how and why His own half-brother Mirza the Text of the clear andfirmly established bless- Muhammad-'Ali, designated by BahB'u'llah in ed verse, revealed about him. . . He (3ahb'u'- His Book of Testament as the Greater Branch, Ililz) sayeth, glorious and holy is His Word: had forfeited his station and could not be the " M y foolish loved ones have regarded him even Head of the Faith: as my partner, have kindled sedition in the land 0 ye that stand fast andfirm in the Covenant! and they verily are of the mischitlf'makers." The Centre of Sedition, the Prime Mover of mis- Consider, how joolish are the people! They that chief, Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, hath passed out have been in His (Bahri'u'llah's) Presence and from under the shadow of the Cause, hath broken beheld His Countenance, have nevertheless the Covenant, hath falsijiedthe Holy Text, hath noised abroadsuch idle talk, until, exalted be His inflicted a grievous loss upon the true Faith of explicit words, He said:"Shouldhe for a moment God, hath scattered His people, lzath with bitter pass out from under the shadow qf the Cause, he rancour endeavoured to hurt 'Abdu'l-Baha, and surely shall be brought to naught." Reflect! What hath assailed with the utmost enmity this servant stress He layeth upon one moment's deviation: of the Sacred Threshold. Every dart he seized that is, were he to incline a hair's breadth to the and hurled to pierce the breast of this wronged right or to the left, his deviation wouldbe clearly servant, no wound did he neglect to grievously established and his utter nothingness made n~aniinflict upon me, no venom did he spare but he fest. . . poisoned therewith the life of this hapless one. What deviation can be greater than breaking These terms refer to Baha'u'llah and the Bab. res- the Covenant of God! What deviation can be pectively. greater than interpolating and falsifying the See H. M. Balyuzi, Edward Granville Browne and The Bahd'i Faith, for a full account. words and verses of the Sacred Text, even as testi- A N N I V E R S A R Y O F THE P A
fied and declared by Mirzri Badicu'llrih! What not good from evil, neither do they distinguish deviation can be greater than calumniating the right from wrong, norjustice from injustice. They Centre of the Covenant himself! What devia- follow their own desires and walk m the foottion can be nzore glaring than spreading broad- steps of the most rmperfect and foolish amongst cast false and foolish reports touching the them. 0 my Lord! Have mercy upon them, shield Temple of God's Testament! What deviation them from all aflictions in these troubled times can be more grievous than decreeing the death andgrant that all trials and hardships may be the of the Centre of the Covenant. . . lot of this Thy servant that hath fallen into this darksonie pit. Single me out for every woe and 'Abdu'l-Baha mentioned next the details of make me a sacrifice for all Thy loved ones. 0 the intrigues of Mirza Muhammad-'Ali and Lord, Most High! May my soul, my life, my his associates, intrigues which had led to the being, my spirit, nzy all be offered up for them. dispatch of a Commission of Enquiry from 0 God, my God! Lowly, suppliant, and fallen Istanbul, and concluded : upon my face, I beseech Thee with all the ardour The Committee of Investigation hath approved of my invocution to pardon whosoever hath hurt andconfirmed these calumnies of nw brother and me, forgive him that hath conspired against me ill-wishers and submitted them to the presence and offended me, and wash away the misdeeds of His Majesty the Sovereign. Now at this of them that have wrought injustice upon me. moment a fierce stornz is raging around this Vouchsafe unto then? Thy goodly gifts, give prisoner who awaiteth, be it ,favourable or un- them joy, relieve them fronz sorrow, grant them javourable, the gracious will of His Majesty, peace and prosperity, give thenz Thy bliss and may the Lord aid hini by His grace to be just. In pour upon thenz Thy bounty. whatsoever condition he may be, with absolute Thou art the Powerful, the Gracious, the Help calm and quietness, 'Abdu'l-Baha is ready for in Peril, the Self-Subsisting! self sacrifice and is wholly resigned and sub- And that prayer is immediately followed by initted to His Will. What transgression can be these words : more abominable, more odious, more wicked than this! 0 dearly beloved friends! I anz now in very In like manner, the focal Centre of hate, hath great danger and the hope of even an hour's lije purposed to put 'Abdu'l-Bahci to death and this is lost to me. I am thus constrained to write these is supported by the testimony written by Mirzri lines for the protection of the Cause of God, the Shu'ri'u'llcih himselj'and is here enclosed. . . - preservation of His Law, the safeguarding of In short, 0 ye beloved of the Lord! The Centre His Word and the safety of His Teachings. By of Sedition, Mirzci Muhammad-'Ali, in accord- the Ancient Beauty! This wronged one hath in ance with the decisive words of God and by no wise borne nor doth he bear a grudge against reason of his boundless transgression, hath any one; towards none doth he entertain any illgrievor~slyfallen and been cut o f ffroin the Holy feeling and uttereth no word save for the good Tree. Verily, we wronged them not, but thej~have of the world. M y supreme obligation, however, of wronged themselves! necessity, pronipteth nle to guard and preserve the Cause o f God. . . Despite a thorough exposition of the evil deeds of the violators of the Covenant, in the And this is the conclusion of the second part second part of the Will and Testament, 'Abdu'l- of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will, written, as the above Baha offered a prayer for them. "The breakers words testify, at the height of crisis both for of the Covenant are consigned to the wrath of Himself and for the Cause of God: God, but for these same people, the contemp- 0 God, niy God! I call Thee, Thy Prophets and tible enemies of 'Abdu'l-Baha, there is only Thy Messengers, Thy Saints and Thy Holy Ones, this' : to witness that I have declared conclusively Thy I call upon Thee, 0 Lordmy God! with my tongue Proofs utzto Thy loved ones andset forth clearly and with all my heart, not to requite them for all things unto theni, that they may watch over their cruelty and their wrong-doings, their craft Thy Faith, guard Thy Straight Path, andprotect and their mischief; for they are fooltsh and ig- Thy Resplendent Law. Thou art, verily, the Allnoble and know not what they do. They discern Knowing, the All- Wise! It should be noted that the authority of the terity" and "the brightest emanation of His Universal House of Justice is not derived from mind". the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha. That The counsel contained in these lines, from authority was conferred by Bahi'u'llah. But the the first part of 'Abdu'l-BahB's Testament, Will of 'Abdu'l-Baha clarified its station and illumines the way through centuries unborn: instituted the electorate which would choose its members. 0 ye beloved of the Lord! In this sacred Dispensation, conflict and contention are in no wise And now, concerning the House of Justice permitted. Every aggressor deprives himself of which God hath ordained as the source of all God's grace. It is incumbent upon everyone to good and freed from all error, it must be elected show the utmost love, rectitude of conduct, by universal suffrage,that is, by the believers. Its straightforwardness, and sincere kindliness unto members nzust be manifestations of the fear of all the peoples and kindreds of the world, be God and day-springs of knowledge and underthey friends or strangers. So intense must be standing, must be steadfast in God's ,faith and the spirit of love and loving kindness, that the the well-wishers of all mankind. By this House is stranger may find himseIf a friend, the enemy a meant the Universal House of Justice, that is, true brother, no difference whatsoever existing in all countries, a secondary House of Justice between them. For universality is of God and must be instituted, and these secondary Houses of all lirnitatiozs earthly. Thus man must strive that Justice must elect the members of tke Universal his reality may manifest virtues andperfections, one. Unto this body all things must be referred. It the light whereof may shine upon everyone. The enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are light of the sun shineth upon all the world and not to be foundin the explicit Holy Text. By this the merciful showers of Divine Providence fall body all the dificultproblems are to be resolved... upon all peoples. The vivifying breeze reviveth Just as provisions concerning the Guardian every living creature and all beings endued with of the Faith are included in the three sections life obtain their share andportion at His heavenly of the Will, so, too, the authority of the Uni- board. In like manner, the affections and loving versal House of Justice is, in each part, asserted kindness of the servants of the One True God and underlined. The extract just quoted comes must be bountifully and universally extended to from the first part; here are extracts from parts all mankind. Regarding this, restrictions and two and three: limitations are in no wisepermitted. Wherefore, 0 my loving friends! Consort with . . . Unto the Most Holy Book every one must all the peoples, kindreds, and religions of the turn andall that is not expressly recorded therein world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, must be referred to the Universal House o f Jusfaithfulness, kindliness, goodwill, and friendtice. That which this body, whether unanimously liness; that all the world of being may be filled or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Bahd, that Truth and the Purpose of God himself. . . ignorance, enmity, hate, and rancour may vanish . . . All must seek guidance and turn unto the from the world and the darkness of estrange- Centre of the Cause and the House of Justice. ment amidst thepeoplesandkindredsof the world And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is inmay give way to the Light of Unity. Should other deed in grievous error. peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show The WillandTestamentof 'Abdu'l-Baha con- your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust stitutes the "indissoluble link" between the toward you show justice towards them, should Revelation of Baha'u'llah and the universal they keep aloof from you attract them to your- Order which it is the purpose of that Revelation self, should they show their enmity be friendly to promote. It is the very Charter of that Order towards them, should they poison your lives and compels the most persistent and earnest sweeten their souls, should they inflict a wound study of all who seek to understand the destiny upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the of mankind in this age. In the words of the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes Guardian of the Faith, the Will and Testament of the truthful!(From 'Abdu'l-Baha, ch. 25; see of 'Abdu'l-Baha is "His greatest legacy to pos- p. 149.) 6. S I X BOOKS ABOUT 'ABDU'L-BAHA Reviewed by K AZEM K AZEMZADEH and FIRUZ K AZEMZADEH
N OT until fifty years after the passing of as best he could. He gives us brief but memor- 'Abdu'l-Baha did there exist a work dealing able sketches of the Master: fully, or even adequately, with His life. The A door opens and a man comes out. He is of reasons for this are easy to discern. The neces- middle stature, strongly built. He wears flowing sary documentary materials were not yet avail- light-coloured robes. On his head is a light able, much research remained to be done in the buff fez with a white cloth wound about it. sources preserved in the various archives on at He is perhaps sixty years of age. His long grey least three continents. The available material hair rests on his shoulders. His forehead is is in several languages, including Persian and broad, full, and high, his nose slightly aquiline, Arabic, which limits their use to a relatively his moustaches and beard, the latter full small number of potential biographers. More- though not heavy, nearly white. His eyes are over, the basic concern of Baha'i writers over grey and blue, large, and both soft and penethe years has been in spreading the Teachings trating. His bearing is simple, but there is a of which 'Abdu'l-Baha was the Perfect Exem- grace, dignity, and even majesty about his plar. Above all, it was the lack of perspective movements. He passes through the crowd, and that doomed any attempt to write about as he goes ntters words of salutation. We do 'Abdu'l-Baha to greater or lesser failure. not understand them, but we see the benignity Shoghi Effendi has written that : and the kindliness of his countenance.' It would be indeed difficult for us, who stand Phelps tells of 'Abdu'l-Baha's love of manso close to such a tremendous figure and are kind, of His charity, of His tolerance, genedrawn by the mysterious power of so magnetic rosity, and unfailing kindness. We read of a a personality, to obtain a clear and exact under- poor Afghan who for years accepted without standing of the r81e and character of One Who, thanks food and clothing given by the Master not only in the Dispensation of BahB'u'llah but until one day he came to the Master's door and in the entire field of religious history, fulfils a cried: "For twenty-four years I have done evil unique functi0n.l to you, for twenty-four years you have done The first attempt to write a full-length study good to me. Now I know that I have been in the of 'Abdu'l-Baha in English was made in 1903 ~ r o n g . "We ~ read of 'Abdu'l-BahB's refusing by a New York lawyer, Myron H. Phelps, who to take a private carriage and riding to Haifa had early become attracted to the Faith, visited in a stage-coach to the surprise of the driver. 'Abdu'l-Baha in Palestine, and studied the Upon arrival, while the Master was still in the meagre literature then available in Western coach, he was approached by a fisherwoman languages. Phelps lacked knowledge of Islam who had caught nothing that day and had to and knew neither Persian nor Arabic, as was go home to a hungry family. "He gave her five pointed out in the rather ungracious preface to francs, and turning to the stage-driver said: Phelps' book written by the eminent Orien- 'You now see the reason why I would not take talist Edward G. Browne. Insufficient know- a private carriage. Why should I ride in luxury ledge of the Faith and of its historical back- when somany are starving?' "4 ground led Phelps into a number of major and The most valuable portion of the book is the minor errors both of fact and of interpretation. story of 'Abdu'l-Baha's life told by His sister, However, his Life and Teachings of Abbas Bahiyyih manurn, known to the Baha'is as Efendiretains some interest to this day. the Greatest Holy Leaf. Those eighty odd pages Phelps, like so many others, fell in love with of narrative are the book's marrow and its 'Abdu'l-Baha. Even when understanding failed justification. Bahiyyih U i n u n l is simple and him, his heart saw the truth, and he reported it direct : ' Myron H. Phelps, Life nrzd Teachings of Abbas Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahd'u'lkdh, Effendi, Putnam's, New York, 1904, p. 3. BahB'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Ill., 1965, p. 131. ibid., p. 10. ibid.,pp. 101-102. 'I WORLD "My brother, Abbas Effendi, now our Lord, my momentary heat evaporated. He smiled as was born in Teheran in the spring of 1844, at winningly as a lover smiles upon his beloved, midnight following the day upon which, in the and the arms of His spirit seemed to embrace evening, the Bab made his declaration. I was me as He said softly that I should try my way born three years later. He was therefore eight and He would try His. and I five, when in August, 1852, the attempt It was as though a cool hand had been laid was made upon the life of the Shah of Persia by upon a fevered brow; as though a cup of neca young Babi, who through ungoverned en- tar had been held to parched lips; as though a thusiasm had lost his mental balance. The key had unlocked my hard-bolted, crusted and events following this attempt are vividly rusted heart. The tears started and my voice impressed upon my mind. My mother, Abbas trembled, "I'm sorry," I m u r r n ~ r e d . ~ Effendi,myself, and my younger brother, then a Ives understood then that 'Abdu'l-Baha babe, were at the time in Teheran. My father spoke to the soul. His logic was not the logic was temporarily in the country."l of the schoolman, ". . . His slightest association with a soul was shot through with an illumina- When Phelps reports his own observations ting radiance which lifted the hearer to a higher and impressions, they ring true. As a guide to plane of consci~usness."~ the Teachings, however, he is quite unreliable. Daily 'Abdu'l-Baha demonstrated to this He claims, for instance, that "The body of docnew-found disciple the all-encompassing nature trine which Beha'ism teaches, is not put forof His love. The Master lived among men, yet ward in any sense or particular as new, but as He transcended their limitations and rose far a unification and synthesis of what is best and above their prejudices. In America where the highest in all other religion^."^ Though the rot of racism had eaten deep even into man's BahB'i Faith unifies and fulfils the great relisubconscious, He taught lessons of unity. A gions of the past, it does not synthesize. Moregroup of boys from the Bowery came to see over, the very basis on which its openness to 'Abdu'l-Baha. The last youngster to enter the and its acceptance of other religions rests-the room was about thirteen years old. concepts of progressive revelation and of the He was quite dark and, being the only boy of relativity of religious truth-is strikingly novel. his race among them, he evidently feared that Today one would not readphelps to understand he might not be welcome. When 'Abdu'l-Bahk the BahB'i Faith, but one is still moved by the saw him His face lighted up with a heavenly record of his encounter with the Master. smile. He raised His hand with a gesture of Howard Colby Ives, a onetime pastor of a princely welcome and exclaimed in a loud voice Unitarian church in New Jersey, set himself a so that none could fail to hear; that here was a more modest task than Phelps and achieved black rose. a much greater success. Ives did not attempt a This significant incident had given to the biography of 'Abdu'l-Bahk or a detailed expowhole occasion a new complexion. The atmossition of the Teachings. His is a tale of a perphere of the room seemed now charged with sonal search. A "modern" Christian, Howard subtle vibrations felt by every soul. . . To the few Colby Ives had lost faith in many of the old of the friends in the room the scene brought certainties of his religion. He was not even cervisions of a new world in which every soul tain that anyone could know the meaning of would be recognized and treated as a child of the words of Christ. In the home of Mr. and ~ o d . ~ Mrs. Kinney on Riverside Drive in New York Gradually Ives himself underwent a transhe heard 'Abdu'l-Baha interpret those words formation. The Master challenged him to rise in a way which differed sharply from accepted above his limitations and to follow Him in the doctrine. Sceptical and impatient with the service of God and humanity. 'Abdu'l-Bahk at Master's assurance, he cried out, "That I cana wedding, 'Abdu'l-Baha speaking of peace in not believe." Ives expected a rebuke. Instead, a Unitarian Church, 'Abdu'l-Baha travelling He looked at me a long moment before He coast to coast, 'Abdu'l-Baha patiently listening spoke. His calm, beautiful eyes searched my soul with such love and understanding that all Howard Colby Ives, Portals to Freedom, George Ronald, London, 1962, p. 37. l ibid., pp. 12-13. ibid., p. 144. ibid., p. 39. ibid., pp. 65-66. A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E PA
to others-and in His every word, His every Mirza Haydar 'Ali to rework his notes into a gesture a profound lesson. Ives was beginning book. The result was the ~ a d d ~ i ' u ' l - ~ - & (The r to reflect the spirit of love and servitude. He dis- Wondrous Annals). The first volume was pubcovered in himself a strength of which he had lished inBombay in 1914, the second in 1921. not even been aware. 'Abdu'l-Baha came to America on the invitation of the' American Baha'is. Arriving in When one sees with his own eyes human souls New York in April 1912, he visited Washingawakened, hearts touched with a divine afflatus, ton, D.C., and many other cities, among them lives deeply affected . . . by the Words taken Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Boston, Philafrom the prayers and explanations of these delphia, Minneapolis, Denver, San Francisco Divine Ones, and applied like a soothing oint- and Los Angeles. He sailed from New York ment to the wounds of the soul, to doubt the aboard the Celtic on December 5. In Britain he Spirit from which they emanated would have visited Liverpool, London, Bristol. On the conbeen to doubt all the prophets of the past; tinent he stopped in Paris, Vienna, Budapest, would have been to cast discredit on the Ser- Stuttgart, and Marseilles. Mirza Mahmud was mon on the Mount. . . "If this is not of God," I present at most of the meetings, parties, intersaid to myself, "then there is no foundation for views, dinners and private conversations. His faith in God. I would rather be wrong with this notes contain the texts of entire speeches taken great Faith than seemingly right with all the down verbatim and later read and approved by doubters and cavillers in the world." From the the Master. Thus the book has exceptional very depths of my being there came the cry as value. Having been authenticated by 'Abdu'luttered by the firm believers of old: "My Lord Baha Himself, it transcends the category of and my God!"l private memoirs and enters the realm of BahL'i literature as a primary source of first impor- Portals to Freedonz "covers" a minute seg- tance. ment of 'Abdu'l-BahL's life. It recounts some ~add~i'u'l-k&rir is a chronicle. (Some exfascinating stories and anecdotes of the days cerpts from it have long circulated among the Master spent on the East coast. The value American BahL'is under the title of "Mahof the book, however, lies not in what it mud's Diary".) It does not analyse-it reports, chronicles but in what it points to: 'Abdu'l- faithfully and in detail. The very nature of a Baha, emerging from forty years of prison and chronicle makes a summary impossible. Every exile, a victim of bigotry and despotism, day brings a new episode, often seemingly unopening to a Unitarian minister from New connected with the previous ones, as 'Abdu'l- Jersey the portals to freedom. Baha and His entourage travel the length and breadth of the continent. Mirza Mahmud-i-Zarqani, a learned Per- In New Jersey a clergyman asked Him to sian gentleman who accompanied 'Abdu'l- write a few words in an album. He obliged and Bahb on His historic travels in Europe and penned a beautiful prayer which Mirza Mah- America, left posterity a precious record in two mud instantly copied. At Stanford University large volumes that constitute a full chronicle. He spoke to nearly two thousand students and Mirza Mahmud was well prepared for his task. faculty and received a standing ovation. In Ne- He had travelled and taught in the company of braska He visited the wife of William Jennings one of the greatest teachers of the Faith, Haji Bryan, the latter being absent, campaigning for Mirza Haydar 'Ali. On 'Abdu'l-BahB's request Woodrow Wilson. On another occasion he visited India, learned Urdu, and was ad- 'Abdu'l-Baha commented on presidential elecmired for his learning as Hakim Mahmud-i- tions, saying that the man worthy of the preirani. Later the Master invited him to join the sidency should have no ambition to surpass small group of secretaries and interpreters who others but should rather feel that he has no accompanied 'Abdu'l-Baha on His Western strength to carry such a great burden. If the travels. Mirza M a b u d kept copious notes, purpose of the office is the good of the public, recording everything he saw and heard. Upon the president ought to be an altruist; and, if he returning to Haifa, he was urged by Haji is an egoist, his election is harmful to the nation. ibid., pp. 230-231. At Ella Cooper's home in Oakland, He reminisced about the days of Bahdad and said better than these are the gifts of divine love that, when Bahi'u'llah disappeared one day which are preserved in the treasuries of the (retreating into the Kurdish mountains) a cer- hearts." Jewels, He continued, must be put in g. tain Aqa Abu'l-Qasim-i-Hamadhi, a fellow boxes on shelves and will eventually be scatexile, also disappeared. Later he was robbed tered. The gifts of love will remain, and it is and killed by some horsemen on the road. The these that He will take back to His family. His news reached Baddad. When his will was read, household had no use for diamond rings and it was discovered that he had bequeathed his rubies. He had accepted the gifts but would worldly possessions to a Danish Muhammad. leave the jewels in America to be sold and the Those who knew how close Abu'l-Qasim had money to be given for the construction of the been to Baha'u'llkh concluded that Darvih temple in Chicago. When the friends continued Muhammad must be Bahi'u'llah and that He to insist that He take the jewels to His family must be somewhere in the area of Sulaymaniy- He said that He wanted a gift "that would reyih. Friends were sent to seek out Bahi'u'llih main in the world of the eternal and a jewel that and beg Him to return to Baddad. has to do with the treasury of the hearts. It is Once, seeing a man selling college pennants, better thus."l 'Abdu'l-Baha asked for the banner of universal In Paris while speaking of world peace, peace so that the world could march under it. 'Abdu'l-Baha said that every good action must Shortly before He departed from the Uni- be motivated by a spiritual force. Mere knowted States, a number of Baha'is in New York ledge of good and evil is insufficient. One may brought 'Abdu'l-Baha gifts of jewels for His know the good but be dominated by passion or family. Previously He had refused all presents. self-interest and do evil. When the represen- Now, 'however, He expressed His gratitude. tatives of the various nations met at the Hague "You have brought presents for members of Mahm6d-i-Zarqbni, ~add~i'u'l-k&ir,2 "01s. (Bommy household. These are most acceptable. But bay, 1914, 1921), I, 397.
National Spiritual Assemblies formed Ridvan 1969
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Burundi and Rwanda, Ridvan, 1969.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Papua and New Guinea, Ridvan, 1969. Miss Violet Hohnke, of the Australasian Auxiliary Board, is seen third from the right. and made speeches about peace, 'Abdu'l-BahP of literature and poetry, some of the hadith,' compared them to wine merchants who talk some of history and philosophy. Arabs talked about the evils of drinking and go on selling of Arab independence. Jews talked of the future wine. of Palestine. Hundreds of persons laid before Everywhere 'Abdu'l-Baha met numbers of Him their problems, All left satisfied, full of famous people, including Theodore Roo~evelt, love and joy, their tongues praising Rim. Andrew Carnegie and Alexaader Graham Bell. The poor could always count on 'Abdu'l- He also met three outstanding Orientalistfl, Bahh's help. He gave even to professional beg- Edward G. Browne, Ignatius Goldziher and gars whom He knew by name. Frequently He Arminius Vambery. left His house alone early in the morning to visit From Mirzb Mahmird's unhurried narrative the poor in their homes. Dr. Mu'ayyad here there emerges the panorama of 'Abdu'l-Bahi's repeated the story of the Afghan whom the triumphal tour of the West. Hete indeed is a Master befriended and who remained hostile rich record of that amus mirabilis when the far a lang time but was finally Won over, Baha'i Faith made its first impact upon the Dr. Mu'ayyad reports 'Abdu'l-Bahti'g con- Christian world. No future historian will be versatiahs with visitors and with His entourage. able to ignore The Wondt'ous Annals. One may Long before World War I the Midgter told a only wish that they might appear in a good group of pilgrims of Jewish background that English translation before long. the Jews would soon return to the Holy Land and would become a great people, envied by Habib Mu'ayyad came to Haifa in 1907 and friend and fae alike. Such was the will of God stayed there and in Beirut for several years, and hothing could prevent this from happening, 'Abdu'l-Baha sent him to medical school and Palestine would become a centre of science and took personal interest in his progress. Living industry, 'Akka and Haifa would grow into a d the daily single metropolis, and the desert itself would close to the Master, Dr. M ~ " a y y lfelt rhythms of His life, noted dawn details of His b l o ~ m . ~ activities, and recorded the comings end goihgs As a medical doctor, Mu'ayyad was much of pilgrims, visitors, and guests. Mare personal interested in the Master's physical well-being, and less systematic than Mirza M~bm6d'sgreat noting carefully His eating and working habits, chronicle, Habib's Memoirs are full of fasci- and on one occasion giving 'Abdu'l-Baha a nating ob~ervations. physical examination. The Master slept little He describes the construetion of the Eastern and ate sparingly, His food consisting largely pilgrims' house on Mt. Carmel and tells of of bread, milk, cheese and herbs. Frequently 'Abdu'l-Baha's solicitude for the comfort of He remained awake ]ate at night, chanting in the guests. He reports meeting the outstanding a low voice. Listening outside the Master's Baha'i teachers, the scholarly MirzL Abu'l room, the young doctor could make out only Fadl, and the angelic Haji Mirza Haydar 'Ali. the words "0 my God and my Beloved", which He tells how food was prepared for the pil- were repeated again and again3'Abdu'l-Bahk's grims and how the Master ate with them. health was exceptionally good for a man of His The pilgrims played an important role in the age and background. Years of prison, exile, and life of 'Abdu'l-Baha, especially after the Turk- superhuman work had not sapped His strength. ish revolution of 1908, when restrictions were It is strange and thrillingtoreadDr. Mu'ayyad's removed and the Baha'i world gained a rela- matter-of-fact clinical report and to learn that tively free access to 'Akka and Haifa. All pil- the Master's hair Was abundant and His eyes grims and visitors, Dr. Mu'ayyad writes, asked were so good that He seldom used eyeglasses. questions but no two questions were alike. In spite of rather frequent head colds, His nose, Some visitors were materialists, others reli- throat, and ears were free of pathological gious bigots. Some were aflame with patriotism, changes. His teeth had no cavities, the heart and others were proponents of the brotherhood of lungs were normal, as wereHis nervous reflexes. man. Some were Asian, others European. 'Abdu'l-Baha complained of occasional low Some spoke of women's liberation, others de- Muslimtraditions. fended female slavery and polygamy. Some Habib-i-Mu'ayyad, aatircit-i-Habi (TihrBn: 11 8 B.E.), p. 53. spoke of the proletariat and communism, some ibid., p. 131. 144 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
$ational Spiritual Assemblies formed Ridvan 1970
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahci'is of Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland), Ridvan, 1970; one member absent.
The National Spiritual Assenzbly of the Baha'is of Dahomey, Togo and Niger, Ridvan, 1970. The Hand of the Cause Jalal B a z e h is seen in the centre. Fourth from the right is Mr. Bahman Sadigzadih of the Northwestern African Auxiliary Board. fevers but believed that these were caused by 'Abdu'l-Baha resolved a number of problems news of troubles in the Baha'i community. A posed to Him by Laura Clifford Barney. The bit of good news would quickly bring His tem- Master's casual discourses were later published perature to normal. as Some Answered Questions, a book that has However, 'Abdu'l-Baha's physical strength become a basic Baha'i text. and stamina were as nothing compared to the The effect of 'Abdu'l-BahC on the visitors, strength of His character and will. When the Yunis Khan writes, was related to their own enemies plotted His downfall in 1908 and His personalities, and the degree of their own life was in immediate danger, an opportunity spiritual development. The Master was the Sea, presented itself to leave 'Akka aboard an and those who immersed themselves received Italian ship. S ~ x ah course of action was advo- the most. The Sea was never the same. At times cated by a group of friends who had consulted It was agitated and full of waves, at other times on the subject. Having heard them out, the It was tranquil. True believers did not have to Master replied: "No. This would not be good press for answers. 'Abdu'l-Baha answered for the Cause of God." He refused to flee in the their unasked questions and solved their unface of danger, thereby reaffirming His inno- stated problems. Finally there were those who cence of the wrongdoings of which His ene- had reached the station exemplified by an mies had accused Him.l illumined soul in a story: They asked a gnostic Like Habib Mu'ayyad, Yunis Khan-i- Cdril), "What do you desire of God?" He re- A f r h l t i h came to 'Akka as a young man. plied, "I desire of God that I might desire The trip from Persia was long and the route cir- n ~ t h i n g . "But ~ whether asked or not, the Mascuitous, taking him through Baku in Russian ter constantly taught the virtues of tolerance, I ~ a i r b a y j a n ,Batumi on the Black Sea in forbearance, and love. The Baha'is must not Georgia, Constantinople, and Alexandria. return evil for evil but must shower love on all. From 1900 to 1904 he served 'Abdu'l-Baha as a With great evocative power Yunis Khan detranslator and then, again like Mu'ayyad, was scribes a mournful procession marching to the sent by the Master to study medicine in Beirut. shrine of BahB'u'llah on a November day to Having become a doctor and travelled in commemorate the passing of God's Messenger. Europe, he returned to Persia, his nine years 'Abdu'l-Baha walked at the head, followed by of proximity to 'Abdu'l-Bahi forever engraved the Baha'is, each carrying a lighted candle and on his memory. a vial of rose perfume. At the shrine they His aatircit-i-Nuh-Scilihy-i-'Akkh (Memor- sprinkled the perfume among the flowers, set ies of Nine Years in 'Akka) are outstanding. the candles in the ground, and stood still while Though not as rich a collection of facts as 'Abdu'l-Bahk chanted the Tablet of Visitation. Mirza Mahmud's annals, nor as personal as As a medical doctor, Yunis m a n , like Howard Colby Ives' confession, they surpass Mu'ayyad, records his observations of 'Abdu'lboth in the power of observation, acuteness of Bahh's physical condition. His findings are analysis, and, most important, quality of ex- almost identical with those of Mu'ayyad, who pression. Yunis B a n was a born writer whose was to examine the Master several years later. art was formed under the influence of the Per- Again like Mu'ayyad, Yunis Khan reports that sian classics. Snatches of Hafiz, echoes of the Master worked long hours, slept little, and Rumi, addaliterary dimension and grace absent ate sparingly (mostly bread, olives, cheese, and from the writings of the others. Yet his style seldom meat). is free of that bane of modern Persian litera- Life at 'Akka and Haifa in the reign of ture-imitativeness.The voice is cultivated but 'Abdu'l-Hamid was full of tension and danger. the song is fresh, the language almost collo- Palestine was a tinder box. Tribes fought each quial and always vigorous and direct. other. Crime was rampant. The streets of 'Akka In Yunis Khan's memoirs, as in Mu'ayyad's, were too narrow for bandits to roam free, but one reads of the coming of pilgrims, among in Haifa they were aconstant threat. Shots were them the distinguished French orientalist heard every night but murderers were never Hippolyte Dreyfus, Lua Getsinger, and Edith apprehended. Whenever 'Abdu'l-Baha was in Sanderson. Y6nis Khan was present when Ylinis uln-i-Afrufitih, Kitab-i-adtirat-i-Nuhl ibid., p. 153. Salihy-i-'Akka (Tihran: 109 B.E.), pp. 256-257. 146 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
(Above) The inaugural Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Malawi, Ridvdn, 1970. The Hand of the Cause Paul E. Haney is seen seated in the centre of the second row.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of the Near East, Ridvan, 1970.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Samoa, Ridvan, 1970.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Tonga and the Cook Islands, Ridvcin, 1970. AN N IVERSARY OF THE P ASSING O F 'ABDU'L-BAHA 147 Haifa, the BahB'is feared for His life and If 'Abdu'l-Baha's life was in danger, so were watched His movements. Frequently He went the lives of uncounted thousands of Baha'uY- to visit the poor alone at night, refusing an 11ah's followers in Persia. In the years after the escort or even a lantern-carrier. However, at a Persian revolution of 1906 both the Constitudistance a Baha'i would secretly watch His tionalists and the reactionaries courted and progress to the very door of His house. attacked the Baha'is simultaneously. Each One night it was YunisKhan's turn to follow realized that the Baha'is were potentially a sigthe Master. 'Abdu'l-Bahi was returning home nificant force, yet each knew that religious past midnight when in the dark three shots rang fanaticism could be easily evoked against them. out from a side street. Having become inured When the Baha'is refused to serve either, both to the sound of gunfire, Y6nis Khan paid no groups turned against them. The reactionaries attention to the first shot. The flash of the claimed that the BahB'is advocated the estabsecond shot sent him running toward the Mas- lishment of a republic, while the Constitutionter. He had reached the intersection when the alists accused them of favouring despotism. third shot was fired and saw two men running The massacre of 1903 in Yazd was still fresh in away. He was now no more than a step be- all memories. One can imagine how 'Abdu'lhind the Master. 'Abdu'l-Baha walked on with- Bahi felt, contemplating the possibility of both out changing His pace or turning His head. His sides uniting against the Baha'is and extertread was firm and dignified. He had paid no minating the entire community. It was under attention to what had occurred but quietly mur- such circumstances, Yhnis =in reports, that mured prayers as He walked. At the gate of His 'Abdu'l-Bal.18 insistently urged the Baha'is to house He acknowledged Y6nis m a n ' s pre- stay out of politics, abstaining even from sence, turning to him and bidding him good- opening their lips on subjects that agitated the bye ("jiamani'l1ah"-under God's protection).l n a t i ~ n .His ~ position may have been misibid., p. 166. ibid.,pp. 532-533.
The National Spiritual Assenzbly of the Bahh'is of Upper West Africa, Ridvrin, 1970.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Zaike (formerly Congo/ Kinshasa), Ridvrin, 1970. National Spiritual Assemblies formed Ridvan 1971
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Central African Republic, Ridvan, 1971.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahh'is of Congo (Brazzaville), and Gabon, Ridvan, 1971; one member absent. The Hand of the Cause 'Ali-Muhammad Varqd is seen seated second from the right. Seated third from the right is Mr. Oloro Epyeru of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Central and East Afiica.
The National Spiritual Assenzbly ofthe Baha'is of Lesotho (formerly Basutoland), Ridvcin, 1971. A N N I V E R S A R Y O F THE P ASSING O F 'ABDU'L-BAHA 149 understood by E. G. Browne, who criticized book could have been subtitled " 'Abdu'l-Baha the uninvolvement of the BahL'is in Persian and the West". There is little here about the politics, but it saved countless lives, and per- progress of'the Faith in the East and the Mashaps prolonged the life of the Constitutioilal ter's continuous involvement with Bahi'i commovement by dissociating it from the Baha'i munities in Burma, India, Persia, the Caucasus, Faith. and Central Asia. Of course, the author is aware "How poor is the world's workshop of of the problem. He faces it squarely at the bewords," complained a Russian poet. "Where ginning as well as at the end of his book: "No does one find the fitting ones?" Myron Phelps, description," he writes, "can measure up to looking at 'Abdu'l-Baha across an ocean which the theme of a life which transcended every stands for more than geographic distance; barrier to its total fulfilment. It lies beyond the Howard Colby Ives, finding personal rebirth in range of assessment because every event in the the service of the Servant; Mirza Mahmud-i- life of the Son of Baha'u'llah carries a major Zarqani systematically recording the details of accent ." the Master's journeys; Habib-i-Mu'ayyad and Having registered one's objections, one must Y6nis Khan-i-Afrirbtih, young physicians pri- admit immediately that they are minor, and vileged to listen to His heartbeat-theyall tried the merits of Mr. Balyuzi's book far outweigh their best to capture 'Abdu'l-Bahb for pos- its shortcomings. Despite the neglect of the terity, but He would not be captured. In these first fifty years of His life, this is the most comprofiles, in the long and short accounts, in prehensive, the richest, the most penetrating chronicles and personal memoirs He remains and the most scholarly life of 'Abdu'l-Baha yet forever the Mystery of God. produced. No future biographer will be able to ignore it either as a source of factual in- One can imagine few tasks as difficult as that formation or of wise interpretation. of writing a biography of 'Abdu'l-Baha. His Mr. Balyuzi's perceptions are clear, his life was long, active, varied, tense, dangerous, judgements true, his love of the Master evident full of pain and joy. No one was closer to on every page. Shortsighted critics will cavil Baha'u'llah, and no one paid so high a price and accuse him of a lack of objectivity. If by for his devotion. Paradox was part of His daily objectivity is meant indifference, Mr. Balyuzi is existence. He loved all men indiscriminately, guilty for he, as a Bahb'i, cannot be indifferent. yet had to suffer hatred and ingratitude. He If, however, objectivity is to be understood as travelled four continents, yet spent most of His honesty and fairness, he is scrupulously oblife as a prisoner and an exile. He was the in- jective. carnation of kindness and humility, but also His work is not based on extensive research of majesty and power. His disciples called Him in archives and unpublished sources. It is rather the Master, yet He wanted no other title than a gathering and ordering of already available 'Abdu'l-Baha (Servant of Baha) and prayed for data. Mr. Balyuzi, however, deserves praise for grace to serve man, for selflessness and for the manner in which the data have been armartyrdom in God's path. ranged. He uses several well known Persian Now, fifty years after His passing, Mr. Hasan sources inaccessible in the West. Those who M. Balyuzi in his 'Abclu'l-Bahd: The Centre of' read English will now learn many of the facts the Covenant of Baha'.u'llah (George Ronald, contained in the memoirs of Haji Mirza Haydar London, 1971) has achieved a large measure of 'Ali, Dr. Yunis Khan-i-Afrfltih, Dr. Habib-isuccess. Mu'ayyad, and in the chronicle of Mirza It must be stated at the outset that Mr. Mahmud-i-Zarqani. In addition to these, Mr. Balyuzi's achievement is not unqualified. The Balyuziusesextensively the Writings of 'Abdu'lwriting is rather stiff and pale, with a number of Bahi, themselves a veritable mine of biostylistic infelicities that could have been elimi- graphical information, as well as the writings of nated by a good copy editor. The structure of Shoghi Effendi whose understanding and apthe book is not fully satisfactory, for the first preciation of the Master will never be equaled. fifty years of 'Abdu'l-Baha's life are covered Finally, he puts to excellent use the Star of the in some fifty pages, while His eight moilths in West, the venerable predecessor of the Ameri- America are allotted 168 pages. Indeed, the can Baha'i News. 150 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta, Ridvan, 1971; one member absent. Seen seated in the centre is the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih f&num.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of the South West Pacific ,
Ocean, Ridvan, 1971.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Trinidad and Tobago, Ridvh, 1971. A N N I V E R S A R Y O F THE P A S S I N G O F ' A B D U ' L - B A H A 151 The book consists of three parts, each sub- war years and the last years of 'Abdu'l-Baha's divided into chapters. Part One, "Youth, ministry contain some material unknown in Imprisonment, and Freedom", is the niost the West. fascinating for it deals with the less known It is impossible in a brief review to convey the period of 'Abdu'l-Baha's life. His greatness be- flavour of Mr. Balyuzi's book. Absorbing from comes palpable to the reader who observes the its first page, it holds one's attention to the end. Master emerging from the shadow of BahB'ul- It tells many old stories of 'Abdu'l-Baha that llah after His passing in 1892. There follow the the Baha'is love to hear again and again but dark years of trial, embittered by conflict and adds several new ones. Whether familiar or not, betrayal within 'Abdu'l-Baha's own family. each story provides a fresh insight into the Some BahB'is find the topic of the defection of character of 'Abdu'l-Baha. In some instances Mirza Muhammad-'Ali, the brother of 'Abdu'l- the author tantalizes the reader by referring to Baha, too painful for mention. Mr. Balyuzi does "another witness" and withholding the name. not shrink from recounting the latter's male- In other instances herecords anecdotes he heard factions. Painful as it may be, the existence of from the witnesses themselves, thus increasing evil growing in the shadow of good must be the reader's sense of the reality of 'Abdu'lexposed to view and allowed to teach its Baha's presence. inexorable lessons. Mr. Balyuzi's book will be widely read and The contents of Parts Two and Three, en- used as a text in BahB'i study groups and sumtitled respectively "America from Coast to mer schools and will occupy a place of honour Coast" and "Europe and the Closing Years", in the growing literature on 'Abdu'l-Baha. are more familiar, though the chapters on the 152 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
7. T H E S I G N I F I C A N C E O F T H E F O R M A T I V E AGE B Y S H O G H I E FFE N DI
IN directing the attention of the Baha'is of the the Transitional and Formative period of the world to the significance of the passing of Faith-a stage that must in the fullness of time 'Abdu'l-Baha "an event which signalized at reach its blossom and yield its fruit in the exonce the end of the Historic Age of our Faith, ploits and triumphs that are to herald the Goldthe opening of the Formative Age and the birth en Age of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. of the Administrative Order, the nucleus and Dearly-beloved friends! The onrushing pattern of the World Order of Bahi'u'llah",l forces so miraculously released through the the Universal House of Justice called upon all agency of two independent and swiftly suc- National Spiritual Assemblies "to formulate cessive Manifestations are now under our very and implement plans designed to educate the eyes and through the care of the chosen stewards friends everywhere in their understanding of of a far-flung Faith being gradually mustered the significance of the Formative Age of our and disciplined. They are slowly crystallizing Faith", and "as an aid to this programme" dis- into institutions that will come to be regarded tributed a compilation of extracts from the as the hall-mark and glory of the age we are writings of Shoghi Effendi on this general called upon to establish and by our deeds imtheme, from which the following have been mortalize. For upon our present-day efforts, selected : and above all upon the extent to which we Out of the pangs of anguish which His be- strive to remodel our lives after the pattern of reaved followers have suffered, amid the heat sublime heroism associated with those gone beand dust which the attacks launched by a sleep- fore us, must depend the efficacy of the instruless enemy had precipitated, the Administration ments we now fashion-instruments that must of Bahi'u'llah's invincible Faith was born. The erect the structure of that blissful Commonpotent energies released through the ascension wealth which must signalize the Golden Age of the Centre of His Covenant crystallized into of our Faith. this supreme, this infallible Organ for the ac- "Dispensation of Baha'u'llah" complishment of a Divine Purpose. The Will -February 8, 1934 and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha unveiled its The World Order of Bahb'u'llbh-p. 98 character, reaffirmed its basis, supplemented its principles, asserted its indispensability, and 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who incarnates an institution enumerated its chief institutions. for which we can find no parallel whatsoever in any of the world's recognized religious sys- "Anierica and the Most Great Peace" tems, may be said to have closed the Age to -April 21, 1933 which He Himself belonged and opened the The World Order of Bahb'u'lldh-p. 89 one in which we are now labouring. - His Will and Testament should thus be regarded as the With 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension, and more perpetual, the indissoluble link which the mind particularly with the passing of His wellof Him Who is the Mystery of God has conbeloved and illustrious sister the Most Exalted ceived in order to insure the continuity of the Leaf-the last survivor of a glorious and heroic three ages that constitute the component parts age-there draws to a close the first and most of the Baha'i Dispensation. The period in moving chapter of Baha'i history, marking the which the seed of the Faith had been slowly conclusion of the Primitive, the Apostolic Age germinating is thus intertwined both with the of the Faith of Bahi'u'llah. It was 'Abdu'lone which must witness its efflorescence and Bahi Who, through the provisions of His the subsequent age in which that seed will have weighty Willand Testament, has forged the vital finally yielded its goldell fruit. link which must for ever connect the age that The creative energies released by the Law has just expired with the one we now live inof Baha'u'llah, permeating and evolving with- The Universal House of Justice, letter dated April 15, 1971. in the mind of 'Abdu'l-BahB, have, by their A N N I V E R S A R Y O F T H E P A S S I N G O F 'ABDU'L-BAHA
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is of the Republic of Ireland, Ridvan, 1972.
The National Spiritual Assenzbly of th Baha'is of the Malagasy Repubh (Madagascar), Ridvan, 197; very impact and close interaction, given birth needs beget is as yet unborn. Though the to an Instrument which may be viewed as the Heroic Age of His Faith is passed, the creative Charter of the New World Order which is at energies which that Age has released have not once the glory and the promise of this most as yet crystallized into that world society great Dispensation. The Will may thus be which, in the fullness of time, is to mirror forth acclaimed as the inevitable offspring resulting the brightness of His glory. Though the framefrom that mystic intercourse between Him Who work of His Administrative Order has been communicated the generating influence of His erected, and the Formative Period ofthe Baha'i divine Purpose and the One Who was its Era has begun, yet the promised Kingdom into vehicle and chosen recipient. Being the Child which the seed of His institutions must ripen of the Covenant-the Heir of both the Ori- remains as yet uninaugurated. . . ginator and the Interpreter of the Law of The heights, BahB'uYllah Himself testifies, God-the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha which, through the most gracious favour of God, can no more be divorced from Him Who sup- mortal man can attain in this Day are as yet unplied the original and motivating impulse than revealed to his sight. The world of being hath from the One Who ultimately conceived it. never had, nor doth it yetpossess, the capacity for BahB'u'llih's inscrutable purpose, we must ever such a revelation. The day, however, is approachbear in mind, has been so thoroughly infused ing when the potentialities of so great a favour into the conduct of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and their will, by virtue of His behest, be manifested unto motives have been so closely wedded together, men. that the mere attempt to dissociate the teach- For the revelation of so great a favour a ings of the former from any system which the period of intense turmoil and wide-spread sufideal ~ x e m p l a rof those same teachings has fering would seem to be indispensable. Resestablished would amount to a repudiation of plendent as has been the Age that has witone of the most sacred and basic truths of the nessed the inception of the Mission with which Faith. BahB'u7ll&hhas been entrusted, the interval The Administrative Order, which ever since which must elapse ere that Age yields its 'Abdu'l-Bahi's ascension has evolved and is choicest fruit must, it is becoming increasingly taking shape under our very eyes in no fewer apparent, be overshadowed by such moral and than forty countries of the world, may be con- social gloom as can alone prepare an unrepensidered as the framework of the Will itself, the tant humanity for the prize she is destined to inviolable stronghold wherein this new-born inherit. child is being nurtured and developed. This As we view the world around us, we are com- Administrative Order, as it expands and con- pelled to observe the manifold evidences of that solidates itself, will no doubt manifest the po- universal fermentation which, in every contitentialities and reveal the full implications of nent of the globe and in every department of this momentous Document-this most re- human life, be it religious, social, economic or markable expression of the Will of One of the political, is purging and reshaping humanity in most remarkable Figures of the Dispensation anticipation of the Day when the wholeness of of Baha'u'llah. It will, as its component parts, the human race will have been recognized and its organic institutions, begin to function with its unity established. A two-fold process, howefficiency and vigour, assert its claim and de- ever, can be distinguished, each tending, in its monstrate its capacity to be regarded not only own way and with an accelerated momentum, as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New to bring to a climax the forces that are trans- World Order destined to embrace in the full- forming the face of our planet. The first is ness of time the whole of mankind. essentially an integrating process, while the "Dispensation of Baha'u'llah" second is fundamentally disruptive. The former, -February 8,1934 as it steadily evolves, unfolds a System which The World Order of Bahri'u'llbh-pp. 143-144 may well serve as a pattern for that world polity towards which a strangely-disordered Dearly-beloved friends: Though the Reve- world is continually advancing; while the latter, lation of BahB'u'llah has been delivered, the as its disintegrating influence deepens, tends to World Order which such a Revelation must tear down, with increasing violence, the anti- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of Nepal, Ridvdn, 1972.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the
--
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is ofPuerto Rico, Ridvdn, 1972.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahh'is of Rkunion, Ridvdn, 1972. 156 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
quated barriers that seek to block humanity's epochs which must precede the inception of the progress towards its destined goal. The con- last and Golden Age of that Dispensation-a structive process stands associated with the Dispensation which, as the Author of the Faith nascent Faith of BahB'u'llah, and is the har- has Himself categorically asserted, must exbinger of the New World Order that Faith tend over a period of no less than one thousand must erelong establish. The destructive forces years, and which will constitute the first stage that characterize the other should be identified in a series of Dispensations, to be establishe'd with a civilization that has refused to answer to by future Manifestations, all deriving their the expectation of a new age, and is conse- inspiration from the Author of the BahB'i Requently falling into chaos and decline. velation, and destined to last, in their aggre- A titanic, a spiritual struggle, unparalleled in gate, no less than five thousand centuries. . . its magnitude yet unspeakably glorious in its During this Formative Age of the Faith, and ultimate consequences, is being waged as a re- in the course of present and succeeding epochs, sult of these opposing tendencies, in this age of the last and crowning stage in the erection of transition through which the organized com- the framework of the Administrative Order of munity of the followers of Baha'u'llah and man- the Faith of BahB'u'llih-the election of the kind as a whole are passing. Universal House of Justice-will have been "The Unfoldment of World Civilization" completed, the Kitcib-i-Aqdas, the Mother- -March 11, 1936 Book of His Revelation, will have been codi- The World Order of Buha'~l'1lbh-pp. 168-171 fied and its laws promulgated, the Lesser Peace will have been established, the unity of The first seventy-seven years of the preceding mankind will have been achieved and its century, constituting the Apostolic and Heroic maturity attained, the Plan conceived by Age of our Faith, fell into three distinct epochs, 'Abdu'l-Baha will have been executed, the of nine, of thirty-nine and of twenty-nine years' emancipation of the Faith from the fetters of duration, associated respectively with the religious orthodoxy will have been effected, and Babi Dispensation and the ministries of its independent religious status will have been BahB'u'llah and of 'Abdu'l-Baha. This Primi- universally recognized, whilst in the course of tive Age of the BahB'i Era, unapproaclied in the Golden Age, destined to consummate the spiritual fecundity by any period associated Dispensation itself, the banner of the Most with the mission of the Founder of any pre- Great Peace, promised by its Author, will have vious Dispensation, was impregnated, from its been unfurled, the World Baha'i Commoninception to its termination, with the creative wealth will have emerged in the plenitude of its energies generated through the advent of two power and splendour, and the birth and effloresindependent Manifestations and the establish- cence of a world civilization, the child of that ment of a Covenant unique in the spiritual Peace, will have conferred its inestimable blessannals of mankind. ings upon all mankind. The last twenty-three years of that same cen- "Challenging Requirements of the Present tury coincided with the first epoch of the second, M Hour -June 5,1947 the Iron and Fdrmative, Age of the Dispensa- Citadel of Faith-pp. 5-6 tion of BahB'u'llBh-the first of a series of The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is of Seychelles, Ridvan, 1972. The Hand of the Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel is seen seated in the centre. Mr. S . Appa of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Southern Africa is seen to the right. In the back ' row, secondfrom the left, is the representative of the National Spiritual Assenlbly of the Indian Ocean, Mr. P. Sauboorah.
OF SINGAPORE APRIL 22,"' - 2 3 ' 7 9 7 2 . The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Singapore, Ridvan, 1972. Seen seated in the front row, holding The Greatest Name, is the Hand of the Cause Jalbl &izeh and (left to right) Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, Auxiliary Board member; Mr. K. Payman, Mr. Yan Kee Leong and Dr. Chellie Sundram, nzembers of the Continental Board of Counsellors in South-eastern Asia.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the * II Bahci'is of the Windward Islands, Ridvan, 1972. 158 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bronzeplaque inarking the restingplace of Mirzri Mihdi,the Purest Branch, (5-27 oj'the Bahri'i Era, 1848-1870), in rnonunlent gardens, Mt. Carmel, Ha*. T H E C E N T E N A R Y OF T H E PASSING OF MIRZA MIHDI, T H E P U R E S T BRANCH
T this very moment, M y son is being washed thee, unto God, the Creator qf the Morn." before M y face, afler Our having sacrificed kinz "Glorified art Thou, 0 Lord m y God! Thou in the Most Great Prison. Thereat have the seest me in the hands of Mine enemies, and M y dwellers of the Abhd Tabernacle wept with a son bloorl-stained before Thy face, 0 Thou in great weeping, and such as have sufered im- Whose hands is the kingdom of all names. I have, prisonment with this Youth in the path of God, 0 m y Lord, oflered up that which Thou hast the Lord of the promised Day, lamented. Under given M e , that Thy servants niay be quickened such conditions M y Pen hath not been prevented andall that dwell on earth be united." from remembering its Lord, the Lord of all nations. It sun~moneththe people unto God, the "Blessed art thou, and blessed he that turneth Almighty, the All-Bountiful. This is the day unto thee, and visiteth thy grave, and draweth whereon he that was creutedof the light of Bahd nigh, through thee, unto God, the Lord of all has suffered martyr don^, at a time when he lay that was and shall be. . . I testyy that thou didst in~prisonedatthe hands of his enemies. return in meekness unto thine abode. Great is thy "Upon thee, 0 Branch of God! be the renzem- blessedness and the blessedness of them that hold brance of God and His praise, and the praise of jast unto the hem of thy outspread robe. . . Thou all that dwell in the Realms of Inzniortality and art, verily, the trust of' God and His treasure in of all the denizens of the Kingdom of Names. this land. Ere long will God reveal through thee Happy art thou in that thou hast been faithful to that which He hath desired. He, verily, is the the Covenant of God and His Testament, until Truth, the Knower of things unseen. When thou Thou didst sacrifice thyself before the face of wast laid to rest in the earth, the earth itself thy Lord, the Al~nighty,the Unconstrained. Thou, trembled in its longing to meet thee. Thus hath it in truth, hast been wronged, and to this testi- been decreed, and yet the people perceive not. . . fieth the Beauty of Him, the Self-Subsisting. Were We to recount the mysteries of thine Thou didst, in the first days of thy lve, bear that ascension, they that are asleep would awaken, which hath caused all things to groan, and made and all beings would be set ablaze with the fire every pillar to tren~ble.Happy is the one that of the renien~branceof M y Name, the Mighty, rernembereth thee, and draweth nigh, thros~glz the Loving."
2 . THE T E S T I M O N Y OF S H O G H I E F F E N D I TO the galling weight of these tribulations brought from Tihran to Ba&dBd to join His was now added the bitter grief of a sudden father after His return from Sulaymaniyyih. tragedy-the premature loss of the noble, the He was pacing the roof of the barracks in the pious Mirza Mihdi, the Purest Branch, 'Abdu'l- twilight, one evening, wrapped in his cus- Baha's twenty-two year old brother, an tomary devotions, when he fell through the amanuensis of Baha'u'llah and a companion of unguarded skylight onto a wooden crate, His exile from the days when, as a child, he was standing on the floor beneath, which pierced 160 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
his ribs, and caused twenty-two hours later, his days of BahB'u'llAh's incarceration in the death, on the 23rd of Rabi'u'l-Avval 1287 A.H. barracks of 'Akka entreated, on his death-bed, (June 23, 1870). His dying supplication to a his Father to accept him as a ransom for those grieving Father was that his life might be ac- of His loved ones who yearned for, but were cepted as a ransom for those who were pre- unable to attain, His presence, and the saintly vented from attaining the presence of their mother of 'Abdu'l-Bahi, surnamed Navvib Beloved. by Baha'u'llah, and the first recipient of the "In a highly significant prayer, revealed by honoured and familiar title of 'the Most Baha'u'llah in memory of His son-a prayer Exalted Leaf', separated in death above half that exalts his death to the rank of those great a century, and forced to suffer the humiliation acts of atonement associated with Abraham's of an alien burial-ground, are now at long last intended sacrifice of His son, with the cruci- reunited with the Greatest Holy Leaf1 with fixion of Jesus Christ and the martyrdom of whom they had so abundantly shared the tribthe Imam Husayn-we read the following: 'I ulations of one of the most distressing epihave, 0 my Lord, offered up that which Thou sodes of the Heroic Age of the Faith of BahB'u'- hast given Me, that Thy servants may be quick- 11ah." (Messages to America 1932-1946, p. 31.) ened, and all that dwell on earth be united.' And, likewise, these prophetic words, addressed to "The conjunction of these three resting- His martyred son: 'Thou art the Trust of God places, under the shadow of the Bab's own and His Treasure in this Land. Ere long will God Tomb, embosomed in the heart of Carmel, reveal through thee that which He hath desired.' facing the snow-white city across the bay of "After he had been washed in the presence 'Akka, the Qiblih of the Baha'i world, set in a of Baha'u'llah, he 'that was created of the light garden of exquisite beauty, reinforces, if we o f Baha', to whose 'meekness' the Supreme would correctly estimate its significance, the Pen had testified, and of the'mysteries'of whose spiritual potencies of a spot, designated by ascension that same Pen had made mention, Baha'u'llah Himself the seat of God's throne. was borne forth, escorted by the fortress guards, It marks, too, a further milestone in the road and laid to rest, beyond the city walls, in a spot leading eventually to the establishment of that adjacent to the shrine of Nabi Salih, from permanent world Administrative Centre of the whence, seventy years later, his remains, simul- future Baha'i Commonwealth, destined never taneously with those of his illustrious mother, to be separated from, and to function in the were to be translated to the slopes of Mt. Car- proximity of, the Spiritual Centre of that Faith, me], in the precincts of the grave of his sister, in a land already revered and held sacred alike and under the shadow of the Bib's holy by the adherents of three of the world's outsepulchre." (God Passes By, pp. 188-189.) standing religious systems." (GodPasses By.) "And lastly, there should be mentioned, as a "For such as might undertake, in the days to further evidence of the blessings flowing from come, the meritorious and highly enviable pilthe Divine Plan, the transfer, a few years later, grimage to these blessed shrines, as well as for to that same hallowed spot, after a separation the benefit of the less privileged who, aware of in death of above half a century, and notwith- the greatness of their virtue and the prestanding the protests voiced by the brother and eminence of their lineage, desire to commune lieutenant of the arch-breaker of Baha'u'llah's with their spirits, and to strive to acquire an Covenant, of the remains of the Purest Branch, added insight into the glory of their position, the Martyred son of Baha'u'llah, 'createdoj'the and to follow in their footsteps, let these testilight of Baha', the 'Trust o f God' and His monies written by BahB'u'llah and 'Abdu'l- 'Treasure' in the Holy Land, and offered up by Baha be their inspiration and guidance in their his Father as a 'ransonz' for the regeneration of noble quest." (Guidance jor Today and Tothe world and the unification of its peoples." nzorrow, p. 72.) (GodPasses By, pp. 347-348.) "The Purest Branch, the martyred son, the companion, and amanuensis of Baha'u'llah, Bahiyyih a a n u m , "well-beloved" sister of 'Abdu'l- Baha. See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. v, that pious and holy youth, who in the darkest pp. 169-188. CENTENARY O F THE PASSING O F M ~ R Z A MIHD~
M ~ R Z AM I H D ~ The Purest Branch 162 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The Shrines of the Purest B r a ~ c hand his mother, Navvrib, decorated for the conimemoration of the centenary of the passing of Mirzb Mihdi, June 23, 1970.
3 . T H E MESSAGE O F T H E U N I V E R S A L H O U S E O F JUSTICE- A CALL F O R PRAYER ON March 25, 1970, the Universal House of revealed in that grievous hour Bahi'u'llah sor- Justice addressed the following message to all rows that This is the day whereon he that was National Spiritual Assemblies: created of the light of Bahri has suffered mar- In commemoration of the centenary of the tyrdom, at a time when he lay imprisoned at the martyrdom of the Purest Branch, which falls hands of his enemies. Yet He makes clear that on June 23, 1970, we call upon the BahB'is of the youth's passing has a far profounder meanthe world to unite in prayer for "the regenera- ing than His acceptance of the simple request, tion of the world and the unification of its declaring that Thou art, verily, the trust of God peoples." and His treasure in this land. Ere long will God During those days one hundred years ago reveal through thee that which He hath desired, BahB'u'llah was enduring His imprisonment in In a prayer revealed for His son He proclaims the Barracks of 'Akka. Upon the tribulations the purpose underlying the tragedy: I have, 0 which weighed Him down was heaped the fatal my Lord, offered up that which Thou hast given accident which befell His young son, His com- Me, that Tlty servants may be quickened, and panion and amanuensis, Mirzi Mihdi, the all that dwell on earth be united. Thus upon a Purest Branch, whose dying supplication to his youth of consummate devotion who demon- Father was to accept his life "as a ransom for strated such beauty of spirit, and total dedithose of His loved ones who yearned for but cation was conferred a unique station in the were unable to attain His presence." In a Tablet Cause of God. C E N T E N A R Y O F T H E P A S S I N G O F M ~ R Z AM I H D ~ 163 In your recalling the bereavement of BahB'u'- Centre on Mt. Carmel there will be an obserllah upon the loss of His loved son, and hon- vance at the grave of Mirza Mihdi, at which ouring a highly significant event in the Faith, time his pure example and sacrifice for all we leave it to the discretion of the Assemblies mankind will be remembered through the whether they choose to hold special gatherings words of his glorious Father. of prayer. In the Holy Land at the World
4. T H E COMMEMORATION AT T H E WORLD CENTRE ON the morning of June 23, 1970, the hun- the path to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah where the dredth anniversary of the tragic death of Mirza Tablet of Visitation was recited. Mihdi, the Purest Branch, the Hand of the Towards sunset the friends assembled on Mt. Cause Paul Haney, and members of the Uni- Carmel at the twin monuments of the Purest versal House of Justice, gathered at the barracks Branch and his saintly mother, Navvab, to in the prison city of 'Akka to offer prayers in conclude the programme commemorating the the cell which Baha'u'llah had occupied for two centenary of the martyrdom. Prayers and years, two months and five days following His verses appropriate to the occasion were read arrival in 'Akkii in 1868. The scene of the mar- and chanted. tyrdom was also visited and a prayer chanted Thus at the spiritual heart of the BahB'i there. world was honoured the memory of a blessed Immediately afterwards the party proceeded youth whose life was offered up for the quickento Bahji where they joined others serving at the ing of the spirits of the servants of BahB'u'llih World Centre and approximately eighty pil- and hastening of the unity and promised regrims who came from many countries. All demption of mankind. walked around the Haram-i-Aqdas and down PART T H R E E
I N T E R N A T I O N A L SURVEY O F C U R R E N T B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 1968-1973 I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF C U R R E N T B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S
"This flow [of reicforcements], moreover, will presage and hasten the advent of the day which, as prophesied by 'Abdu'l-Baha, will witness the entry by troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Baha'i world-a day which, viewed in its proper perspective, will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races, and as a direct result of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic in nature, and which cannot as yet be even dimly visualized, will suddenly revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith, derange the equilibrium of the world, and reinforce a thousandfold the numerical strength as well as the material power and the spiritual authority of the Faith of Baha'u'llah." Shoghi EfSendi
THE last five years of the Nine Year Plan of Local Spiritual Assemblies and nearly were characterized by unprecedented procla- doubling the number of National Assemblies mation of the Faith, a tremendous increase in during the course of the Nine Year Plan. The the activities of Baha'i youth, the horizontal Baha'i world was poised for a hard won victory expansion of the world-wide BahB'i community celebration as it observed the one hundredth to the remotest parts of the earth, and the anniversary of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah's beginnings of the vertical expansion (i.e. a vast Most Holy Book (Kitbb-i-Aqdos) during the increase in numbers) of that same community closing days of the Nine Year Plan. alluded to by Shoghi Effendi in his letter to the Two significant events further highlighted American believers dated July 18, 1953.l the importance of this five year period in the Mass teaching and "entry by troops", wit- annals of Baha'i history: the dedication of the nessed earlier in such places as India, Indo- Panama House of Worship, the Mother Temple nesia, the Philippines and Bolivia, were now of Latin America, and the public declaration of spreading to many other parts of the world, the first reigning monarch to embrace the resulting in a more than six-fold increase in the Teachings of Baha'~'l1ah.~ number of Baha'i centres, trebling the number H. H. Malietoa Tanumafili 11, Head of State of Cited above. Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 117. Western Samoa. See p. 180. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D INTERNATIONAL SURVEY O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S
I . THE WORLD C E N T R E
The growth of the Faith throughout the world must necessarily be reflected at its World Centre-a "Centre" which may be regarded as the very heart of the planet itself. Thus when, on June 7, 1972, the Universal House ofJustice announced that a building for its permanent seat would soon be erected above the Arc on the slopes of Mount Carmel a further evidence oj'the wdrld-wide development o f the Faith was at hand. At Ribcin, 1973, on the occasio~zoj'the third International Convention, the delegatesfiom the four corners of the planet would stand on this sacredground and rededicate it to its holy purpose.
THREE historic cables announcing import- FULL MATURITY ESTABLISHMENT WORLD ant World Centre victories were sent to the ORDER BAHAULLAH.~ 19 January 1973 Bahi'i world during the closing five m o n t h s of the Nine Year Plan: OCCASION NAWRUZ 130 JOYOUSLY ANNOUNCE WITH GRATEFUL JOYOUS HEARTS ANNOUNCE BAHAI WORLD ACQUISITION BY PURCHASE ENTIRE BAHAI WORLD ADOPTION PROFOUNDLY MANSION MAZRAIH RESULT SEVERAL YEARS SIGNIFICANT STEP IN UNFOLDMENT MISSION PATIENT PERSISTENT DETERMINED NEGO- SUPREME ORGAN BAHAI WORLD COMMON- TIATIONS THEREBY ADDING TO BAHAI EN- WEALTH THROUGH FORMULATION CONSTITU- DOWMENTS HOLY LAND FIRST RESIDENCE TION UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE STOP AFTER BAHAULLAH AFTER NINE YEARS SPENT WALLED OFFERING HUMBLE PRAYERS GRATITUDE ON PRISON CITY AKKA STOP CONTROL THIS HOLY DAY COVENANT AT THREE SACRED THRESHOLDS SITE REACQUIRED BY BELOVED GUARDIAN BAHJI HAIFA MEMBERS GATHERED COUNCIL AFTER LAPSE MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS WHEN CHAMBER PRECINCTS HOUSE BLESSED MASTER HE SECURED LEASE MANSION 1950 EXTENDED APPENDED THEIR SIGNATURES FIXED SEAL ON TO PRESENT TIME STOP PURCHASE INCLUDES INSTRUMENT ENVISAGED WRITINGS BELOVED LAND AREA APPROXIMATING TWENTYFOUR GUARDIAN HAILED BY HIM AS MOST GREAT THOUSAND SQUARE METRES HIGHLY SUITABLE LAW FAITH BAHAULLAH STOP FULLY ASSURED EXTENSION GARDENS CULTIVATION STOP MEASURE JUST TAKEN WILL FURTHER REIN- OFFERING PRAYER THANKSGIVING SACRED FORCE TIES BINDING WORLD CENTRE TO THRESHOLD THIS GREATLY CHERISHED NATIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT BOUNTY .3 1.5 March 1973 WORLD RELEASE FRESH ENERGIES INCREASE ENTHUSIASM CONFIDENCE VALIANT WORKERS The first two of these cables announced the HIS DIVINE VINEYARD LABOURING ASSIDU- completion of two important World Centre OUSLY BRING MANKIND UNDER SHELTER HIS goals; the third recorded one of the many ALL GLORIOUS COVENANT.^ supplementary achievements of the Plan. A 26 Novenzber 1972 summary of other World Centre achievements JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE COMPLETION SYNOPSIS follows: CODIFICATION KITABIAQDAS FOR PUBLICATION RIDVAN SYNCHRONIZING CELEBRATION HUN- DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTION DREDTH ANNIVERSARY REVELATION MOST OF THE HOLY BOOK FULFILLING WORLD CENTRE GOAL HANDS OF THE CAUSE O F GOD NINE YEAR PLAN STOP CONFIDENT RELEASE At the end of October and early in Novem- THIS PUBLICATION ENVISAGED BY BELOVED ber, 1964, t h e . Universal House of Justice GUARDIAN AND WHOSE MAIN FEATURES HE consulted with the Body of the Hands of the OUTLINED WILL CONSTITUTE ANOTHER SIGNI- Cause of God and, after considering their views FICANT STEP PATH LEADING BAHAI COMMUNITY See p. 7 for text of passages translated by Shoghi See p. 555 for full text of the Constitution of the Effendi. Universal House of Justice. See p. 170 for photograph. 170 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
A view of the Mansion of Mazra'ih where Baha'u'llih spent approxiinately 2 years (circa 1877-18793 after leaving the prison city of 'Akka. Seen iiz tlze background ispart o f theproperty surrounding the mansion. This extension was acquired in March, 1973.
and recommendations, and studying the Sacred duties in relation to the Auxiliary Boards, were Texts, concluded that under the circumstances thus enabled to discharge their appointed there is no way to appoint, or to legislate to functions on a world scale and to operate make it possible to appoint Hands of the Cause individually in direct relationship to the Uniof God. Accordingly, interim arrangements versal House of Justice. were made for the Hands of the Cause, with the The Hands of the Cause Residing in the assistance of their Auxiliary Boards, to carry Holy Land, in addition to serving as liaison out their functions of protection and propaga- between the Continental Boards of Counsellors tion pending future developments. and the Universal House of Justice, were asked Following the second International Conven- to assist the Universal House of Justice in the tion in 1968 the Universal House of Justice establishment of the International Teaching consulted further with the Body of the Hands Centre in the Holy Land foreshadowed in the of the Cause of God and, after carefully con- writings of the beloved Guardian. sidering their views and the relevant Texts, The Continental Boards of Counsellors were decided in June, 1968, to appoint eleven Con- instructed to operate in a manner similar to tinental Boards of Counsellors, three each for that set forth by Shoghi Effendi for the Hands Africa, the Americas and Asia and one each for of the Cause, and their particular attention was Australasia and Europe, to ensure the extension drawn to the Guardian's letter of 4 June 1957. into the future of the functions of protection They were charged to work in close collaboraand propagation conferred upon the Hands of tion with the Hands of the Cause, to welcome the Cause in the Sacred Texts.l The Hands of them to their meetings and to share informathe Cause of God, freed from administrative tion with the Hands of the Cause residing in, or visiting, their respective areas. Authority for See p. 611 for texts of communications announcing expulsion and reinstatement continued to be the establishment of the Continental Boards of Counsellors. exercised by the Hands of the Cause, subject in I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 171 each instance to the approval of the Universal able progress in fulfilling this goal has been House of Justice. achieved. In addition to appointing and directing the The original Tablets of Baha'u'llah and members of their respective Auxiliary Boards, 'Abdu'l-Baha, together with the original letters the Continental Boards of Counsellors were of Shoghi Effendi so far received, number some authorized to administer their respective Con- 10,900, of which ilearly 2,600 are Tablets of tinental Funds, and a member of each Board Baha'u'llah, six thousand of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and was appointed Trustee. In 1969 the number of 2,300 are letters of Shoghi Effendi. Moreover, Counsellors was raised from thirty-six to thirty- from both East and West there have been reeight and in 1970 to forty-one. ceived authenticated copies of some 1,780 Tab- The number of Auxiliary Board members lets of Bah6'uYllah,4,690 Tablets of 'Abdu'lwas increased from seventy-two to 135 in 1964, Baha, and 12,130 letters of Shoghi Effendi, and by a further forty-five at Ridvan, 1970, totalling some 18,600 documents. bringing the total number of members of All these documents have been studied, im- Auxiliary Boards to fifty-four for protection portant passages from them excerpted and and 126 for propagation. classified, and the subject matter indexed for The members of the eleven Continental ready reference under four hundred titles. The Boards of Counsellors have served the Faith work in the Holy Idandhas been supported and with distinction, devotion and in a spirit of lov- enriched by the labours of a special committee ing self-sacrifice. They have ably assisted in appointed by the Persian National Spiritual bearing the responsibilities resting on the Assembly which has been assiduously engaged Hands of the Cause of God in the fields of in classifying the Holy Texts in fulfilment of the protection and propagation and have demon- goal assigned to that National Spiritual strated by their labours that the objective en- Assembly. visioned in this goal of the Nine Year Plan has During the period of the Plan, 15 compilabeen attained. tions from the Writings on various subjects The contribution of the Hands of the Cause have been prepared and all these have been themselves has been greatly enlarged. Many shared either with all National Spiritual Assemembarked on extensive journeys to remote blies or with National Assemblies in specific parts of the world, lending their distinguished areas. Another important step undertaken has services to struggling national Baha'i comrnuni- been the sorting into chronological order and ties labouring to win their respective goals. classification according to subject matter of They have undertaken special missions for the Shoghi Effendi's voluminous incoming mail. Universal House of Justice, including serving Among the various items are the specific letters as its official respresentatives at conferences to which he replied. These number some 26,000 and on other occasions. Some have been able letters: six thousand from the East and twenty to devote more of their time to literary pursuits thousand from the West. It has been found that and to other important works on behalf of the a comparison of the texts of his answers with Faith. A deep debt of gratitude is owed the the original questions or reports presented to Standard Bearers of the Nine Year Plan for him results in a fuller understanding and deeper their wise counsel, their untiring devotion and appreciation of the manifold implications of his their selfless labours.' replies. It is of profound interest to note that a large proportion of the letters Shoghi Effendi received from the East and answered, bear pen- COLLATION AND CLASSIFICATION cil notes written in his own hand on the margins OF THE of the letters, instructing his secretary ltow to BAHA'I:SACRED SCRIPTURES phrase the answers. These marginal notes have Thanks to the valued collaboration of the been typed and added to the body of extracts National Spiritual Assemblies, particularly of from his writings. Persia and the United States, and the response Shoghi Effendi also kept copies of all the of the friends throughout the world, remark- telegrams he sent during his ministry which constitute another source of guidance for the See pp. 577-587, "The Work andTravels of the Hands of the Cause of God". Universal House of Justice. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
EFFORTS TOWARD ALGERIA THE EMANCIPATION O F After the Palermo Conference1 and the en- THE FAITH thusiastic participation of a number of the The Writings of the Faith clearly indicate new Algerian believers at that Conference, a that the full emancipation of the Faith from wave of interrogation was initiated by the the fetters of religious orthodoxy is an objective Algerian authorities. Sixteen of the Persian to be pursued over a prolonged period and to believers were subsequently expelled from culminate in the universal recognition of the Algeria and their properties and Bahii'i hold- Faith and the emergence of its World Order. In ings confiscated. Some three months later, one the course of this and subsequent plans of the Persian believers working for the Algerthroughout the Formative Age, this goal will ian Government was arrested and beaten but have to be progressively pursued. The countries was released. This was followed by the arrest where the Faith has been persecuted or has of five local Algerian believers who were bansuffered proscription are noted below, and the ished to towns in the interior but were allowed steps taken towards attaining this essential ob- to meet with the members of their immediate jective are set forth. families. Following several petitions presented to the MOROCCO government, both on behalf of the pioneers and One of the Moroccan believers was arrested the Baha'i community, the confiscated properand brought before the court on January 26, ties were returned, including the release of 1968 on the charges of having abused the sacred- balances held in their banking accounts, but ness of Islam and using deceptive methods in while the national Haziratu'l-Quds was not converting the people to another religion. He returned, the local Haziratu'l-Quds in Algiers was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. was leased by the authorities to one of the The appeal which was entered on October 24, Bahi'i families, enabling it to stay on the 1968 resulted in the extension of his imprison- premises. The order of banishment affecting ment to four years. the five local believers was gradually relaxed Another Moroccan BahB'i imprisoned was a and recently completely repealed, enabling widowed mother of seven children. Her de- these friends to reside wherever they wish. ceased Baha'i husband had been buried in the The spirit of the Algerian believers has been Baha'i cemetery and she duly applied for a high and their devotion and fortitude exemcertificate to confirm her legal custodianship of plary. While the ban on organized BahB'i her children. When asked to give her religion activities and the functioning of Baha'i institushe stated that she was a BahB'i, and when tions is still effective, these devoted friends are she refused to deny her faith, a court case confident that the false allegation brought was initiated against her. On October 9, 1969 against them of meddling in political affairsshe was sentenced to six months' imprison- an unfortunate misinterpretation of the operament. tion of the Bahi'i World Centre in the Holy Certain selected National Spiritual Assem- Land-will be eventually cleared up and their blies were asked to send cables to the King of services to the Holy Threshold of Baha'u'llah Morocco, and in countries where there were will be resumed individually and collectively. Moroccan Embassies Baha'i delegations called at the Embassies to explain the Bahi'i position EGYPT and to appeal for justice. Nevertheless, the two Ever since the Decree of the former President victims of this wave of persecution in Morocco of the United Arab Republic in 1960 banning were not released until they had each served all Bahi'i activities, the friends in Egypt have their full terms of imprisonment. Both are now been subjected to a series of interrogations, free. At this time the friends in Morocco are arrests, imprisonments and fines, as well as quietly pursuing their Baha'i activities, fully abuse in the mass media of the country. At the confident that the authorities will increasingly present time five cases are pending before the appreciate the Baha'i position on respect for local courts and although some ten score of the Islam, on loyalty to government and on non- local believers have already been fined, iminterference in political affairs. See p. 73 for full report. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 173 prisoned and subseqyently released, the final authorities to no avail. Although the governverdicts by these courts have not yet been ment took no repressive measures physically rendered, and at every appointed date the against the Baha'is themselves, Baha'i books hearing has been postponed. belonging to the friends throughout the country The friends in Egypt submitted a petition on were confiscated, the Ha~iratu'l-Quds in October 13,1971 to the Supreme Constitutional Ba&dad and in one of the villages were requi- Court asking for redress and for justice to be sitioned, and in certain outlying villages the upheld. Although on several occasions that local friends were threatened and forced in Court met to consider the Bahk'i petition, every several instances to deny their faith. time it chose to postpone its final verdict. The A selected number of National Spiritual views of eminent French lawyers and professors Assemblies were called upon by the Universal have been sought and sent to the non-Baha'i House of Justice to present petitions to 'Iraqi lawyers who are presenting the Baha'i case. A Embassies and Consulates throughout the recent significant development has been the world. Although contacts with 'Iraqi officialpublication of the opinion given by the Manda- dom abroad was usually cordial and promises tory of the government who had been asked to were made to submit the Baha'i petition to the study the Baha'i file. This commissioner stated central authorities in Bahdad, unfortunately that the 1960 Decree was unconstitutional. there has been no favourable decision to re- The final outcome of the various cases move the ban. As law-abiding citizens, the against the Egyptian Baha'is, and particularly friends in 'Iraq are patiently expectant that the the decision of the Supreme Constitutional authorities will appreciate the Baha'i attitude Court will have considerable repercussions in and grant them freedom to pursue their BahB'i all Arab countries, since Egypt is regarded as a services and activities. centre for both the Arab and Muslim worlds. PERSIA NEAR EAST The National Spiritual Assembly of Persia In Lebanon, although for many years the on several occasions made representations to Baha'is have owned a Baha'i cemetery, the the &ah and high authorities in Persia about Faith was not officially recognized. In August, the discrimination practised against the Baha'is 1969, upon application by the Local Spiritual of that land. There has been some improvement Assembly of Beirut, its By-Laws were accepted recently in some of the government offices toby the authorities and the Assembly was wards relaxing employment restrictions affectlegally incorporated. This was the first time ing Baha'is. At the United Nations a number that any Arab government had granted the of officials have been briefed on the conditions Faith this kind of recognition. However, soon in Persia affecting the Baha'i community. Disafterwards one of the departments in thegovern- cussions with the authorities in Persia are being ment queried this recognition and although pursued at the highest level in connection with further study of the Baha'i file has been com- confiscatory taxes on the Baha'i properties in missioned, no decision has yet been made that country. whether to uphold or repeal the incorporation of the Assembly. In the meantime, the Assem- TURKEY bly's legal status continues to be effective. For the registration of property and Holy In Jordan, where the local friends also had Places in Turkey, a BahB'i endowment was their own Baha'i cemeteries, a new piece of proposed. After a very lengthy procedure, the land was officially set aside in September, 1969 civil court, on the grounds that the Baha'i by the Prime Minister of the country to serve as Faith is a separate religion and not a sect of the cemetery of the Baha'i community of Irbid. Islam, gave its verdict that the Baha'i endowment is constitutionally permissible in Turkey. 'IRA'Q However, the Endowment Department of the In May, 1970, the 'Iraqi government issued a Turkish government rejected the verdict of the decree disbanding all Baha'i institutions and court and appealed to the High Court on the banning all Baha'i activities. The local friends grounds that the Baha'i Faith is not an indetried to explain the Baha'i position to the pendent religion. The High Court ruled that since the file did not include expert opinion on In conclusion, as will be noted in the reports whether the BahB'i Faith is an independent on incorporation, the institutions of the Faith religion or a sect of Islam, the case was to be have been given legal standing in a number of referred back to the same court for re-adjudica- countries where a single religion predominates. tion. That court obtained the opinion of three university professors who unanimously stated that the Baha'i Faith is an independent religion. EXTENSION AND BEAUTIFICATION On the basis of this opinion, and after re- O F THE GARDENS examining the previous verdict, the civil court AT THE WORLD CENTRE confirmed the legality of the establishment of Plans for the development and beautification the Baha'i endowment and requested the En- of the entire area of BahB'i property surrounddowment Department to register it. This de- ing the Holy Shrines have been approved by partment again appealed to the High Court the Universal House of Justice, and the gardens which, this time, without ruling on the nature on Mount Carmel in the vicinity of the Shrine of the Faith, raised the technical objection that of the Bab and on the Temple land have been the purpose of-the endowment was to legalize extended. the BahB'i administration which, according to As those who have visited the Holy Shrines the court, was not possible under Turkish law. in Bahji and on Mount Carmel know, the The interesting point is that the Chief Justice Bahi'i properties in those areas are very extenof the High Court ruled in favour of the Baha'i sive, approximating 550,000 square metres. case, but was overruled by the other two Less than half this total area has been developed judges. At present the BahdY case is under into gardens. It must be realized that the full consideration of the Assembly of High Court extension of the gardens and the beautification Judges. Meanwhile, the Baha'is of Turkey are of the surroundings of the Shrines will call for taking other steps for the recognition of the vast financial resources and take many years, Faith as an independent religion, and actions Developments at Bahji have also been taken to safeguard the BahB'i The closing of the sand road which ran close properties in Turkey. by the Mansion of BahB'u'llah and the acquisi- A number of BahB'is have been successful in tion of a small strip of land to the northeast obtaining court rulings permitting them to made further developments possible. To the change the designation on their birth certifieast of the Mansion two new quadrants and a cates from "Muslim" to "BahB'i". rectangle between have been developed and planted. To the south the gardens have been INDONESIA extended to 'Abdu'l-Baha's Tea House, with The National and Local Spiritual Assemplantings and paths under the old olive trees. blies were forbidden to conduct any adminis- A new entrance path, some 400 metres in trative activities under a ban imposed by former length, has been built from a gate on the President Sukarno in 1964. This ban included northern boutldary to the Collins Gate, and a number of international organizations. has been lined with shrubs, trees and lamp- Measures, both within and outside the country, posts, providing a majestic approach to the were taken to clarify the position of the Faith Haram-i-Aqdas. A new western gate has also and to remove all misunderstandings as to its been built, leading to a car park outside the true character. These measures were successful Haram-i-Aqdas, to serve a greatly increased for a brief time, and the friends resumed their number of pilgrims. Altogether more than activities. However, although most of the high 125,000 square metres have been developed. authorities in the Government are in favour of removing the ban against the Faith, one minis- Develop~nentson Mozmzt Carrnel ter is vehemently against it, and he has so far The main lines of development of the land been successful in thwarting the attempts of the on Mount Carmel had long been laid down by friends to have the ban removed. A number of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi: that there actions have been initiated internationally in the should be nine terraces below the Shrine of the hope of persuading the government of Indo- Bab and nine terraces above it; that the world nesia to consider favourably the BahB'i case. administrative centre of the Faith should be Aerial view showing the extension of thegardens surrounding the Shrine of Bahci'u'lldh and the Mansion of Bahji; May, 1972.
A new garden in the vicinity of the Shrine of the Bcib, Mt. Carmel; July, 1971. 176 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
for approximately 2 years before BAHA"/ H O L Y P L A C E S I N gobrg to &rlrjl. 'AKKA' AND HAIFA
In the Ma~rsionof Bnhji Bohd'a'llrjh
.\loderrr Roads ---- 0 1 1 His arrival br 'Akkd Bahd'rr'llrjh rvos Drrprisorred irr lhe Barracksfor 2 years, 2 nrontlrs, arrd 5 days. It was torvards the errd of this period that the Arresr Brotrch sacrifcsrl his l f i . 0111ear.Org the Barracks Baha'rr'llill, after living for n short ti~rreit1 variorrs horrses, 111oved cvmtr~ollyto the Horrse of 'Abbrid it1 wliiclr He spelrt appro.ritrmtely 7 years, drrring wplrichti~rrethe Kitrib-i- Aqdas was revealed. New Jerusaletil" and "Our Verda~rt
Baliri'u'lMlr visited Haija orr 4 occasions, pitching His tent on Morort Car~rrel.011orre of fhese visits He revealed the Tnblet of Car~rielatid orr arrother He desip noted the sirefor rhe Sltrbre of the Bab. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~ACTIVITIES 177
Obelisk marking the site of the future Madriqu'l-A&kdr on Mt. Carmel, erected in August, 1971. The obelisk is 10.856 metres in height and contains more than 20 tons of marble. Inside the south facing at the base is an inscription prepared by Shoghi Efendi stating that the stone is placed in dedication oftlze site. A small formal garden has been developed around the base of the structure.
constructed arour~dthe far-flung arc centering have been constructed, and the hillside immeon the resting places of the illustrious members diately above this wall has been covered with an of the Holy Family; and that this centre should informal rock-garden, pending the construcinclude, in addition to the International tion of the first terrace in this area. The Archives Building, buildings for the Universal Guardian's plan for floodlighting the Archives House of Justice, for the Study of the Texts, Building has been implemented, and the floodfor the Teaching of the Faith, and for a Library. lighting of the Shrine of the Bab has been ex- For a number of years a distinguished BahB'i tended. Owing to the steady increase in the architect has, at the request of the Universal number of visitors to the Shrine, the main gate House of Justice, been working on a detailed has been closed to vehicles, and a small car park plan to realize this concept. This plan has now for BahB'i visitors has been constructed behind been adopted, and is being used as the basis of a the Pilgrim House. A new garden in the imme- Town Planning Scheme which is to be sub- diate vicinity and to the south-west of the mitted to the Municipality of Haifa. Impelled Shrine of the Bab was completed in 1971, by the rapid progress of the Faith around the opening a new and beautiful view of the Shrine world and its World Centre, the Universal from UNO Avenue. At the same time a wrought House of Justice has also taken the initial steps iron gate was erected at the entrance to the to obtain a design for the building which will path by which 'Abdu'l-Baha, at one time, used serve as its Seat on Mount Carmel. to approach the Shrine. Along the southern side of UNO Avenue, An obelisk which had been fabricated in between the Archives Building and the bound- Italy on the irlstructions of Shoghi Effendi has ary of Baha'i property, a wall and a sidewalk been erected on the Temple land at the head of 178 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
New gate erected in April, 1973, at the western approach to the Mansion of Bahji.
Mount Carmel. A small garden has been made In August 1968, in commemoration of the around it. one hundredth anniversary of the journey of Bahi'u'llah on the Mediterranean Sea, the DEVELOPMENT OF THE first Oceanic3 Conference was held in Palermo, RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE Sicily. Afterwards, those who had attended the B A H COMMUNITY ~ AND THE Conference were invited to journey to the UNITED NATIONS Holy Land where, in the precincts of the Most Holy Shrine, the arrival of Bahi'u'llih on the During the past decade we have witnessed a shores of the Holy Land was commemorated significant development in the relationship of by over 2,000 believers. the BahB'i International Community with the Finally, a series of eight Oceanic ahd Conti- United Nations, the most important step being nental Conferences was called :4 the obtaining of Consultative Status with the La Paz, Bolivia and Rose Economic and Social Council on May 27, Hill, Mauritius -Au ust, 1970 1970.l Monrovia, Liberia and y Singapore --Jhnuary, 1971 THE HOLDING OF Suva, Fiji and Kingston, OCEANIC, CONTINENTAL AND Jamaica -May, 1971 INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCES Reykjavik, Iceland and As reported in The Bahb'i World, vol. X I V , ~ Sapporo, Japan -September, 1971 six Intercontinental Conferences were held in A total of nearly 17,000 believers from all parts October 1967. of the world attended the fifteen Continental, Intercontinental and Oceanic Conferences. See p. 366, "The Baha'i International Community and the United Nations", for a complete report. For complete report see p. 73. The Bahri'i World, vol. xrv, pp. 221 ff. For complete report see p. 296. New gate erectedin 1971 at the south-western approach to the Shrine of'the Bhb, at the entrance to the path by which 'Abdu'l-Baha,at one time, used to approach the Shrine. 180 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
2 . F I R S T H E A D O F STATE EMBRACES THE CAUSE O F BAE-IA'U'LLAH How great the blessedness that awaiteth the king who will arise to aid M y Cause in M y Kingdom, who will detach himselffrom all else but Me! BahB'u'llAh, Kitdb-i-Aydas
THAT His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili 11, His Highness offered Dr. Giachery his chair the first reigning monarch to embrace the and after exchanging courtesies the book was Cause of BahB'u'llah, should do so during the presented on behalf of the Universal House of year marking the centenary of the revelation of Justice. The Malietoa was greatly pleased to the Sdriy-i-Muldk and that he should openly receive it and thoughtfully leafed through its declare his faith to his fellow believers during pages. The Hand of the Cause explained what the days marking the one hundredth anniver- the volume contained and drew attention to sary of the revelation of the Kitbb-i-Aqdas the list of kings and rulers to whom the original must surely be recognized as one of the most Tablets had been addressed. Throughout the significant events in the evolution of the Form- conversation which lasted for almost ninety ative Age. It is also most interesting that his minutes many questions about the Faith were country, Western Samoa, is located in the answered and His Highness expressed great middle of the vast Pacific Ocean bringing to interest in the Baha'i Teachings. As Dr. mind the prophecy of BahB'u'llah about His Giachery prepared to take his leave, the Malierevelation that should they attempt to conceal its toa grasped his hands and expressed the hope light on the continent, it willassuredly rear its head that he would return some time for another in the midmost heart of the ocean, and, raising visit. No one knew at that time how soon this its voice, proclaim; ' I anz the life-giver of the hope was to be realized. world!' In early December, 1967, Dr. Giachery The events leading up to the acceptance of reported that he had recently received two the Faith by His Highness began with the de- letters from the American pioneer, Mr. Virgil cision of the Universal House of Justice to pre- Wilson, in which he stated that on more than sent a deluxe edition of The Proclamation of one occasion the Malietoa had stated his desire Bahb'u'llah to today's reigning monarchs and to join the Faith. Because of the importance heads of state. The Malietoa was one of the of the possibility that one of so high a rank and one hundred and forty-one to receive this book, occupying a station which had been so greatly re-stating BahB'u'llah's Own announcement exalted by Baha'u'llah would embrace the to the kings and rulers of His day. Cause, the Universal House of Justice asked The Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery to who was in Samoa on his return from the Inter- return to Western Samoa to discuss this matter continental Conference in Sydney in October, with His Highness. 1967, was requested by the National Spiritual The first historic meeting with the Malietoa Assembly of the BahB'is of the South Pacific took place at his official residence in Vailima Ocean to present The Proclamation of Bahb'u'- on Monday, January 16, 1968. Dr. Giachery llhh to the head of state of Western Samoa, reported, "On arrival at the main entrance a which he was glad to do. An appointment was triumphal chant was heard and His Highness made, and in the late afternoon of October 27, rushed in person to the automobile with out- 1967, His Highness Malietoa Tanurnafili I1 re- stretched hands bidding us welcome. After the ceived Dr. Giachery and the National Spiritual exchange of greetings, he led us along the main Assembly representative, Mr. Virgil Wilson, at staircase to the large reception hall where we a newly built Samoan fale on a tiny off-shore were seated. . ." During the course of the island at Letulatala Lefata. It was at this spot conversation which followed, the Malietoa dethat His Highness had some years before been clared, "I am a Baha'i . . . I believe in BahB'uY- invested with the title "Malietoa". 11ah." His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa (centre, with lei) with Bahci'i friends attending the Annual Convention of Samoa, held at the National Bahci'i Teaching Institute; Lelata, Apia, Western Samoa.
Afterward the Hand of the Cause cabled the Baha'u'llah, the exalted Founder of the Baha'i Universal House of Justice: Faith, to the rulers of His time. . .", and added: "This gift is immensely appreciated because "HEARTY WELCOME JOYFUL CONVERSATION it has assisted me in better understanding . . . CONFIRM CONVICTION. . ." the Teachings of BahB'u'llah, which I have It is noteworthy that it was this Malietoa's fully and wholeheartedly accepted. I do congreat-great-grandfather, Malietoa Tavita, who sider myself a member of the BahB'i Faith, even accepted Christianity in 1830 in response to the if at this time I do not deem it necessary to make teaching work of John Williams of the London a public declaration, but I do hope that your Missionary Society. prayers at the Holy place of our Faith will On February 11,1968, another meeting took attract upon me the divine assistance needed place at the private residence of the Malietoa. to carry on my duties and to increase my spiri- His Highness showed keen interest and asked tual powers which will make of me a just and many questions as Dr. Giachery reviewed with honored ruler. . ." him the principles of the Faith and its adminis- The Universal House of Justice replied: tration. Again he stated that he believed in "That the first ruling monarch should declare Baha'u'llah and His Revelation. Within the his wholehearted acceptance of Baha'u'llah hour, Dr. Giachery cabled the Universal during the centenary of BahB'u'llah's procla- House of Justice : mation brought great happiness to our hearts. Our souls are filled with feelings of awe and "TODAYS INTERVIEW CONFIRMS HEARTFELT wonderment as we contemplate the fulfilment, ACCEPTANCE. . ." in this day, of some of the prophecies of Later, on February 19, 1968, the Malietoa BahB'u'llBh regarding the kings and rulers of wrote the Universal House of Justice expressing the world. . . appreciation for "the beautiful and precious "The historic significance of your membervolume containing some letters addressed by ship in the Baha'i Faith has been recorded in 182 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Western Sanzoa is an independent sovereign Stevenson, at Vailima in Apia now serves as the State within the British Commonwealth consist- oficial residence of' His Highness Malietoa ing of two main islands and several smaller ones Tanumafili II. in the South Pacific Ocean. (See map above.) The tiny island, Letulatala Lefata, where His The chief town and administrative centre is Highness first met the Hand o f t h e Cause Dr. Apia on the island of Upolu. The house built there Ugo Giachery, is located o f the north shore of by the famous English author, Robert Louis Upolu west of Apia. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 183 our annals. We fully appreciate your feeling enthusiasm enabling them to rise to new not to make a public declaration at the present heights of endeavour in their God-give11role in time. We shall await word from you before the quickening of mankind." informing the Baha'is of the world of this mo- Five years and one month later, His Highness mentous event in the history of our Faith, made known to his fellow believers his faith in which will fire their hearts with new zeal and BahB'u'llah. His letter is reproduced below.
Greatly esteeined rnemtxtrs of tke Universal House o f Jw-Fice, much admired Hands of the Cause of God, respected C o w e l l o r s and honoured delegates attending the Wrd InternatTaml Convention
It is a joy f o r me rind f a r my f a l l o w BrihilSfs o f the Samoan Islands Ln the h e a r t of the Pacific, t o be wLth you i n s p i r i t and iujtl:! the friends of God thrrou&out the world, f n colebratSw tl6.s most s i g a i f i e a n t f i r s t century o f the revelatian of the &tab-i-Bqdas, the Emt E o l y Book of ~ ' u ~ l l a h .
We pray f o r the success of &he hietosic convention now being held Ln the s h & o w of the ltountain of God i n t h e Holg Larule Although v e are tumble t o be with you i n person 022 tkis memora"ue occasion, our hearts sbme r r i t h you these never t o be forgotten clap and the hoiuledge of the trerfiendow v i c t o r i a s won f o r Ybe W i t h of God.
To the north, t o the south, t o the e ~ r s tnu& do the west, t o t.h0 most populous and t o tho most remote places, we send our fond greetingit and c h e ~ i & d3.0ve, the a p i r j t create& by your m t h e r i s g at the Eioly S k ~ j n e spave tile way f o r t h e rapid estab2isbtnent o f the Kin&om of God on earth and the uxljty o f &LX the p o p l e s of Lht? wsrla.
klofa t e l e a t u lava m t o u una i Sarnoa n e i , 3 . SURVEY BY CONTINENTS A . AFRICA
OF the total increase of fifty-seven National Cause throughout the world are dealt with Spiritual Assemblies in the world during the elsewhere in this volume and the following course of the Nine Year Plan, the continent of report does not represent a comprehensive sur- Africa provided twenty-six. Starting in 1963 vey of the activities of the Hands of the Cause with the four Regional National Assemblies who made their services available in Africa. outlined on the accompanying map, the regions The role played by the Continental Boards of were subdivided at Ridvan, 1964, and again Counsellors, acting in close collaboration with at Ridvan, 1967, so that at the beginning of the the African National Spiritual Assemblies, period covered by this volume the following contributedeffectively to the successfulachieve- National Spiritual Assemblies had been estab- ment of the goals of the Nine Year Plan. lished : Tribute must be paid to the host of BahB'i youth from many countries whose travels in 1. Cameroon Republic Africa hastened and ensured the success of the 2. Indian Ocean Nine Year Plan in that continent, and in parti- 3. Kenya cular to the international "rescue squad" of 4. North Africa youth from Persia, India, the Philippines, 5. North East Africa Malaysia and other countries who in the closing 6. North West Africa hours of the Plan sealed its triumphant conclusion in Africa. 7. South Central Africa As a result of consultations with the Univer- 8. South and West Africa sal House of Justice early in 1972, the Hand of 9. Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique the Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhajir visited Persia, 10. Tanzania India, Malaysia and the Philippine Islands 11. Uganda and Central Africa raising a call for believers who could rush to the 12. West Africa assistance of the hard-pressed believers in the 13. West Central Africa three East African countries, as well as Swazi- 14. Zambia land, Chad and the Cameroon Republic. The response was immediate: forty teachers Africa, long dormant, was beginning to -largely youth-arose in Persia volunteering emerge into a period of great political, social to serve wherever needed in Africa. India, and economic development. Clearly this was a Malaysia and the Philippines-where the youth time when the peoples of Africa, especially had already achieved such signal victoriesthose south of the Sahara, would be searching contributed eleven, six and four teachers resfor new thoughts and ideas-a time when more pectively. Three of those from Malaysia were and more of them would be receptive to the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Teachings of BahB'u'llih. Taking advantage of their home country. The delegation from the this great opportunity to spread the Faith 239 Philippines included a member of the National pioneers from all over the world settled in Spiritual Assembly and a member of the Auxili- African countries during the Nine Year Plan, ary Board. Although not called upon to send the majority during its final five years, and teachers, the National Spiritual Assembly of scores of travelling teachers journeyed to that the United States in that very hour wrote excontinent. The outstanding contribution in this pressing its intention to send a contingent of field was that of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l- volunteers, and other volunteers came from Bahi Rubiyyih m a n u m who spent nearly four Canada. years criss-crossing the African continent by Mr. Sankaran-Nair Vasudevan, a member of Land R0ver.l The services of the Hands of the the Board of Counsellors in Western Asia, arose and led the way, blazing an exemplary See "The Travels of Amatu'l-BahL RfibiyyihKhLnurn During the Nine Year Plan: The Great Safari", p. 594. path, and the friends in Africa were later I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 185,
WEST AFRICA
Equator
.:., f;
'.
joined by the Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah The friends in several countries of Africa are Muhajir. Spurred on by their example, the also indebted to the outstanding services of Dr. visiting teachers and those in the African 'Aziz Navidi, an international lawyer and countries-so many of them youth-worked BahB'i International Community Representashoulder to shoulder and established a dazzling tive for Africa, who assisted the Baha'i comrecord of service. munities in these countries in obtaining official 186 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
recognition and performed other valuable Hill, Mauritius (August, 1970) and the other services. in Monrovia, Liberia (January, 1971). Two of the eight Oceanic and Continental A review of the development of the Faith in Conferences1 were held in Africa, one in Rose each of the four great regions of Africa in the See "Unity in Diversity", p. 296. quinquennium under consideration follows.
North East Africa
Although a number of countries are included In 1968, in Ethiopia, a most unexpected and in this region, because of certain difficulties providential wave of events began. For exand unfavourable circumstances in most of ample, in a small town some two hundred them the major share of the accomplishments kilometres from the capital city, six Baha'i was achieved in Ethiopia where a greater de- university students camped for ten days and gree of religious freedom existed. While the taught the Faith to people living there and in goals assigned to the region may not have the surrounding villages. Later an internaseemed large when compared with those given tional Baha'i teacher and two believers from to other parts of the world, when one considers Addis Ababa went to these same villages and that for many years the opening of new centres were bountifully rewarded by enroling twentyin all countries, including Ethiopia, had almost five new believers. During the next year when reached stagnation, the fulfilment of the Nine the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Rhhiyyih Year Plan goals is a tremendous achievement. m a n u m visited Ethiopia over a thousand new I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H A ' ~ACTIVITIES 187
Bahb'i Teaching Conference, Addis Ababa; June, 1971. Seen in the second row, centre, is Mr. 'Aziz Yazdi of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Central and East Africa. Mr. Bekte Worku, Auxiliary Board member, is seen fourth from the right, standing.
BahB'is joined the ranks, and by 1971 the goal construction of a National Haziratu'l-Quds in of twenty-five Local Spiritual Assemblies in a beautiful and rapidly developing residential Ethiopia had been attained. But this did not section of Addis Ababa, the location of many -- - satisfy the friends; they went on, and by the Embassies. The one-storey building is of end of the Plan they had exceeded that goal modern design, simple and tasteful, and permits by 150 per cent. of expansion when needed in the future. The As the Nine Year Plan approached its close, land for the building was donated by one of the this region also witnessed an unprecedented friends and at the annual convention in 1970 upsurge of teaching activities in the territories the attendants pledged the cost of every item of of Afars and Issas, and Somalia. In these areas, construction and furnishing. which had been almost unpenetrated and where In the first half of the Plan one of the believers conditions suggested that the friends should not contributed a large plot of land consisting of actively engage in teaching activities, the Faith two million square meters in the southern part has now gained strongholds. The site for a of Ethiopia, an area abounding in natural National Haziratu'l-Quds has been acquired in beauty-greenery, forests, and natural water Somalia where, in the last part of the Plan, the falls. A Baha'i Winter and Summer School was designated number of Local Spiritual Assem- established here and named "Banani House" blies has been surpassed. A temple site was to perpetuate the memory of the Hand of the acquired in Addis Ababa, on a hill overlooking Cause Musa Banknil whose passing in 1971 the city. deprived the BahB'is of Africa of their "spiri- The Sudan, formerly administered by the tual father". Regional National Spiritual Assembly of North ~ e n t i o n ~ m u be s t made of the long estab- East Africa, formed its own National Spiritual lished communities of Egypt and Libya which, Assembly in 1971. although still experiencing recurrent periods of A challenging project engaged the attention persecution and having been hindered in funcof BahB'is throughout North East Africa-the See "In Memoriam", p. 421. 188 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
tioning as normal BahB'i communities in their the devitalizing onslaughts inflicted upon them. teaching work, have been a great example and Such is their example that their sister communiinspiration to the entire region of North East ties in Africa and throughout the world marvel Africa due to their perseverance, staunchness at them. of belief and their steadfast ability to withstand
North West Africa
At Ridvin, 1968, the National Spiritual Ifni Assemblies in North West Africa and the terri- Madeira tories comprising them were as follows: Canary Islands The Cameroon Republic (with its seat in West Africa (with its seat in Monrovia) Victoria) Liberia North West Africa (with its seat in Tunis Sierra Leone 1963-1967; Rabat 1967-1974) Guinea Morocco Gambia Mauritania Sknkgal Rio de Oro Portuguese Guinea Spanish Sahara Cape Verde Islands I N T E R N A T I O N A L SURVEY O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 189 Ivory Coast be listed the establishment of 179 Local Spiri- Mali tual Assemblies in the Cameroon Republic, Upper Volta including at least one in each major administra- West CentralAJLical(with its seat in Victoria tive subdivision of the country and nineteen of 1964-1967; Lagos 1967-1970) which were incorporated; the establishment of Spanish Guinea three Local Spiritual Assemblies in Fernando Fernando Po Island Po and one in Rio Muni; the acquisition of Corisco Island fourteen Local Haziratu'l-Quds; an increase to Siio Tome and Principe Islands 640 in the number of localities where BahL'is Nigeria resided, being forty in excess of the goal estab- Niger lished; the acquisition by donation of two plots Dahomey of land as national endowments, being situated Togo respectively at Ebeagwa and Atebong Wire; Ghana the enrichment of Baha'i literature in the Douala, Basa, Ewondu and Kenyang lan- These areas were scenes of intense teaching guages, indigenous to the area; and the enrollactivity and the followingindependent countries ment of three thousand new believers during were to have their own National Spiritual the last year of the Plan alone. Assemblies by the end of the Plan : In the final years of the Plan a successful Algeria2 Ghana beginning was made in the important areas of 'The Central African Republic Nigeria stimulating activity among BahB'i youth and Chad Tunisia the adoption of means to ensure the education Congo (Brazzaville) Zalre of BahB'i children. In addition, considerable Added to these were the Regional National strides were made in deepening the knowledge Spiritual Assemblies of: of believers throughout the country through institutes, classes and conferences. Dahomey, Togo and Niger Ivory Coast, Mali and upper Volta Upper West Africa DAHOMEY, TOGO AND NIGER West Africa The final five years of the Nine Year Plan saw an influx of Hands of the Cause, travelling CAMEROON REPUBLIC teachers and pioneers into Dahomey, Togo and In its message to this national community at Niger, and a subsequent burst of growth in all Ridvan, 1967, the Universal House of Justice three countries. On January 1,1968, the Official called upon the believers in the United Republic Journal of Dahomey published the recognition of Cameroon to accomplish nineteen specific of the Faith by the Government, granted on goals in the remaining years of the Nine Year November 24,1967. Plan. Early in 1969 an intensive two-weeks teach- Among the most significant achievements of ing project resulted in the Dahomey Baha'is this young community during this period must being granted audiences with the principal Dahomean authorities each of whom was pre- The National Spiritual Assembly of West Central sented with The Proclamation ofBahci'u'll~hand Africa existed between 1964-1970 and during part of that period had within its jurisdiction the Cameroon other Baha'i books. Republic, Spanish Guinea, Corisco Island, SBo Tome and Principe Island, Fernando P6 Island, Nigeria, The Universal House of Justice authorized Dahomey, Niger, Ghana and Togo. In 1967 the the formation of the National Spiritual Assementity became known as the National Spiritual Assembly of the Cameroon Republic and the re- bly of Dahomey, Togo and Niger at Ridvan, aligned Regional National Spiritual Assembly of 1970, with its seat in Cotonou. The Hand of the West Central Africa, with its seat in Lagos, had within its jurisdiction Nigeria, Dahomey, Togo, Niger Cause Jalal U a z e h represented the Universal and Ghana. In 1970 it was dissolved with the forma- House of Justice on this occasion. The visits tlon of the three independent National Spiritual Assemblies of Nigeria; of Ghana; and of Dahomey, of the Hands of the Cause lent impetus to the Togo and Niger. This National, Spiritual Assembly with its seat in teaching work and the guidance and encourage- Algters, came Into existence for a brief period, and ment of the Continental Board of Counsellors comprised both Algeria and Tunisia. It had to be disbanded owing to unfavourablelocal circumstances. greatly assisted. 190 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
The President of Dalzomey, His Excellency Sourou Migan Apithy, (Presidential Council, Porto Novo) receiving Bahd'i literatitre at his residence in Dahomey from Mrs. Meherangiz Munsiff; Bahd'i travelling teacher, who visited fourteen African countries in 1972.
In September, 1971, a BahB'i delegation met blishing twenty Local Spiritual Assemblies. with General Etienne Eyadema, President of The Haziratu'l-Quds was completed in 1971- the Republic of Togo where the Faith was 1972. A Teaching Institute was erected in officially recognized in February, 1973, largely Avarankou in 1972 and inaugurated on Februdue to the efforts of Dr. 'Aziz Navidi. Recogni- ary 25, 1973, with the Prefect, Under-Prefect tion of the Faith was obtained in Niger in and Village Chief and over one hundred Baha'is April, 1972. in attendance. In 1972 a Temple site was pur- Their Excellencies Sorou Migan Apithy and chased near Cotonou. A school was begun by Justin Tometin Ahomadegbe of the Dahomean the local believers in Tchedegbk in 1970 with Presidential Council received Amatu'l-Baha the assistance of the National Spiritual Assem- Ruhiyyihmanum during her visit in 1971. bly. BahB'i literature was published in French, His Excellency Mathieu Kkrkkou, President Goun, Fon and Mina. of Dahomey, in June, 1973, received a delega- Thirteen Local Spiritual Assemblies were tion of BahB'is who presented him with The formed in Togo, exceeding the goal by three. A Proclamation of Bahd'u'llih, an event which local centre was erected in Agoukvk in 1972. In was broadcast on the national radio network. 1972 a Temple site was acquired. BahB'i litera- Later in the year the Minister of Justice of ture was enriched through the publication of a Dahomey met with members of the National pamphlet in Ewe. Spiritual Assembly and gave permission to the Niger, assigned the task of forming five Local Attorney-General, Mr. Alexandre Durand, to Spiritual Assemblies, established seven and speak at the BahB'i commemoration of the acquired a teaching institute and an endowtwenty-fifth anniversary of the declaration of ment, the latter a plot of land a few kilometres Human Rights. from Niamey. BahB'i literature was published Dahomey exceeded by five its goal of estab- in three indigenous languages. The National I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 191
His Excellency General Etienne Eyadema, President of Togo, receiving Baha'i literature from Mr. G . Ferdo~vs,Baha'i travelling teacher; October, 1971.
His Excellency Hanzani Diori, President of Niger, (centre) photographed with Dr. 'Aziz Nnvidi (left)and Mr. Ltopold Kaziende, a cabinet minister, on the occasion of the signing by the President of the officialdecree granting recognition to tlze Bahd'i Faith in Niger; April, 1972. 192 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Youth Committee published a journal Badi' of whom she presented The Proclamation of which has maintained a vital link among the Bahd'u'llah. believers and established a high standard of The education of Baha'i children commenced quality. in 1969 and is actively pursued in a number of In all three countries a total of 133 localities localities. were opened, surpassing the goal of one hun- At Ridvan, 1973, Ghana reported that fortydred. Children's classes were established in all one Local Spiritual Assemblies had been three countries. The believers have been active formed and BahB'is resided in 157 localities. in composing poems and songs with BahB'i The number of Bahb'is had increased to 1,721. themes in the languages of their countries.
NIGERIA GHANA The BahB'i community administered by the The National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria was was formed in 1970 with its seat in Accra, its formerly under the jurisdiction of the Regional community having formerly been under the National Spiritual Assemblies of North West Regional National Spiritual Assemblies of Africa from 1956 to 1964 and of West Central North West Africa from 1956 to 1964, and of Africa from 1964 to 1967. In 1968 the affairs of West Central Africa from 1964 to 1970. The the Cause in Nigeria were administered by an Universal House of Justice was represented at emergency committee. The present National the inaugural Convention by the Hand of the Spiritual Assembly describes the Cause as being Cause Jalal a a z e h . in its infancy in Nigeria in this period, and there At the time the National Assembly was were only a few isolated believers scattered formed there were thirteen Local Spiritual throughout the country. In 1969, due to civil Assemblies in Ghana and the Faith was estab- war, activity was still restricted, but some work lished in forty-nine localities. The believers was done in the Calabar area in the southnumbered approximately four hundred. eastern region, and the believers were eager to The first wide scale proclamation of the expand their activities. Faith occurred in 1971 when the Baha'is parti- The inaugural Convention cabled from cipated in the second Ghana International Calabar on May 4, 1970 that twenty-four dele- Trade Fair, where literature -was distributed. gates and many observers were in attendance. During this same period at least fifty per Dr. William Maxwell of the Continental Board cent of the population of two villages, Domi- of Counsellors in North-western Africa repreabra and Amanfro, became Baha'is, it was re- sented the Universal House of Justice on this ported. occasion. The Convention reported that five The National Spiritual Assembly achieved new Local Spiritual Assemblies had been incorporation, as did five Local Spiritual formed and an entire village had accepted the Assemblies; a Temple site was acquired near Faith. Aburi, approximately twenty-five miles from The year 1971 was marked by arapid increase Accra; governmental recognition was accorded in the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies Baha'i marriage and BahB'i Holy Days, the and a growing interest in the Cause among the latter exempting BahB'is and their children Nigerian public. At Ridvan, 1972, it was refrom attending business or school on these ported that a National Haziratu'l-Quds had days, and a quantity of BahB'i literature was been acquired and a year later the Nine Year translated and produced in a variety of local Plan was triumphantly concluded when it was languages including Fante, Twi, Hausa, Dag- reported that the National Assembly was inbani, Ga and Ewe. corporated, one Teaching Institute had been Village teaching was accelerated by the visits established, one National and three Local of Hands of the Cause. During her visit Haziratu'l-Quds had been obtained, and that Amatu'l-Bahb Rfihiyyih Q a n u m was received the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies had by His Excellency Acting Prime Minister been raised to eighty-eight, surpassing the goal J. Kwesi Lamptey and His Highness the of fifty, and the number of localities where Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware 11, to each BahB'is reside increased to 208, surpassing the I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U K V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 193 goal of 180. In addition, BahB'i literature had of the Plan the majority of the Local Assembeen translated and/or published in a number blies in the Gambia were Jola settlements. The of African languages indigenous to the area. culmination of teaching and proclamation was the West African Baha'i Youth Conferencq held in December, 1972, under the sponsorship IVORY COAST, MALI of the Continental Board of Counsellors, with AND UPPER VOLTA youth from nine West African countries parti- Formerly under the jurisdiction of the cipating, and climaxed with a public meeting Regional National Spiritual Assemblies of attended by more than a hundred people North West Africa, from 1956 to 1964, and of including several dignitaries. West Africa from 1964 to 1971 the BahB'i com- In 1968, Baha'i localities totalled only munity of Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta twenty; by 1973, this increased to 117, only elected its National Spiritual Assembly at three short of the goal. There were less than four Ridvan, 1971, with its seat in Abidjan, Ivory hundred believers in 1968 and more than 1,800 Coast. Representing the Universal House of in 1973. Eight Local Assemblies were reported Justice on this occasion was the Hand of the in 1968. There were eleven by 1970 and thirty- Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Qanum. At six by 1973; both Senegal and Mauritania surthis time it was reported that there was one passed their goals. Local Spiritual Assembly in Mali, one in In January, 1973, a letter from the Secretary- Upper Volta, twelve in the Ivory Coast, and General of the Gambian Government advised that Baha'is resided in twenty-three localities the National Assembly that the Baha'is were in the last named country. The National Spiri- "permitted freedom of worship in the Gambia". tual Assembly was assigned the tasks, among Literature in the indigenous languages was enothers, of raising the number of localities on the riched during the Plan and commencing in 1971 homefront to at least sixty-five and increasing an informative bilingual newsletter was pubthe number of Local Spiritual Assen~bliesto lished. In 1973 the National Haziratu'l-Quds, ten in the Ivory Coast, three in Mali and three purchased in 1970, was exempted from taxain Upper Volta. tion. The National Assembly feels that the By the end of the Nine Year Plan, at Ridvan, period 1968-1973 marked considerable pro- 1973, the community had achieved an impres- gress in the expansion of the Faith in its area sive record, having doubled the number of and paved the way for greater consolidation. Local Spiritual Assemblies, and having almost trebled the number of localities. The property goals were achieved and Baha'i literature was WEST AFRICA produced in several local languages. The National Spiritual Assembly of West Africa was established in 1964 with its seat in Monrovia, Liberia. The five years under review UPPER WEST AFRICA were marked by vigorous efforts to proclaim The formation of the National Spiritual the Cause throughout this area. In June, Assembly of Upper West Africa took place at ' 1968, The Proclanzation of Baha'u'llrih was pre- Ridvan, 1970, when the Hand of the Cause sented to I-Iis Excellency W. V. S. Tubman, Enoch Olinga represented the Universal House President of Liberia. After the passing of Presiof Justice. The inaugural Convention was held dent Tubman, a similar presentation was made in Banjul, Gambia, where the Faith was first to his successor, His Excellency William R. introduced in 1954 by the Knight of Baha'u'- Tolbert, Jr. ; to His Excellency Sekou Toure, Ilah, Fariburz Ruzbihyan. President of Guinea; and to The Hon. S. I. The community launched a vigorous attack Koroma, Vice-President of Sierra Leone. on the goals assigned to it in the Nine Year Plan Visits from various Hands of the Cause, and their efforts were supported by the visits of members of the Continental Board of Counsela number of Hands of the Cause, and pioneers lors and outstanding travelling teachers were a and travelling teachers. A signal event was the source of inspiration and their suggestions rapid growth of the Faith among the Jola tribe about teaching methods were of great help. in the Fonyi districts of the Gambia. By the end Mid-way through the Plan, weekend Schools, 194 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
During the Continental Conference held in Monrovia, Liberia, in January, 1971, His Excellency Dr. William R. Tolbert, Jr., Vice-President of Liberia, (second from right) was photographed with the Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahh Ruhiyyih a h n u i n and Dr. Rahmatu'llhh Muhhjir. Dr. William Maxwelland Mr. Kolonario Oule of the Continental Boardof Counsellorsin Africa are seen at the far left and fourth from the left respectively.
The National Ha@'ratu'l-Quds, Monrovia, dedicated December 28, 1968. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 195 Teaching Institutes and Conferences it was many as two thousand persons including offireported increased the capacity and under- cials of the Government and many youth atstanding of the friends and heightened their tended one such programme in 1971, which was determination to win the goals of the Plan. broadcast live over the national radio network, The West Africa Summer School building and the masses heard the introductory remarks located at Bomi Hills, Liberia, was successfully of the Secretary of the National Spiritual completed in December, 1970, and as time Assembly speaking about the teachings of went on attracted international teachers and Baha'u'llah relating to world peace. students. In addition to participating in a number of The 1971 Continental Conference of Africa, public meetings in observance of United called by the Universal House of Justice, was Nations Day the community, in 1972, through held in Monrovia January 1-3, 1971 and associationwiththemassmedia, wasable to take exerted an incalculable influence on communi- part in the production of a seventy-minute ties throughout West Africa. A special bounty video-tape on the United Nations. Of this time, was having present the Hands of the Cause thirty-five minutes were allotted to the Baha'is. Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m and Dr. Mention was made of the BahB'i principles in Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, the official representa- relation to world problems, and the important tive of the Universal House of Justice. contribution of the Baha'i International Com- A rapid increase in enrolments among youth munity to the aims and programmes of the was characteristic of this period. In 1972 enthu- United Nations. siastically mounted and well organized youth On December 31, 1971, the Ministry of projects, entirely planned by the BahB'i Youth Education of Liberia gave official recognition Club, often including non-BahB'i participation, to Baha'i Holy Days. were conducted; one which achieved national By Ridvan, 1972, thirteen new Local Spiriattention was the "World Peace Essay Con- tual Assemblies had been formed in Liberia, test" held in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. and four new ones in Sierra Leone. The goal The topic "The Role of Individual Youth in of building two more Local Haziratu'l-Quds Achieving World Peace" attracted entries from in Liberia was accomplished by Ridvan, 1973. youth of numerous high schools and various In March of 1973 the Liberian community religious denominations. This event served to achieved the incorporation of the Local Spiriproclaim the Faith widely and was given un- tual Assemblies of Gboweta, Mano River and precedented news coverage. Yekepa. At the conclusion of the Plan there While concentrating primarily on deepening were twenty-five Local Spiritual Assemblies and consolidation, West African communities and ninety localities where BahB'is resided in took advantage of every opportunity to colla- the territories under the jurisdiction of this borate with the United Nations Association by national community. sponsoring or participating in programmes. As
South and West Africa Before the Nine Year Plan this region was The National Spiritual Assembly of the divided into three National Spiritual Assembly Indian Ocean with its seat in Port Louis areas : (Mauritius) Mauritius The Indian Ocean Chagos Archipelago South Central Africa Rodriguez Island South and West A,fiica Malagasy - . Republic (formerly Madagas-
In 1964 a further division was made resulting car; name changed in 1958) in the formation of the following National Seychelles Islands Spiritual Assemblies and areas of jurisdiction Comoro Islands as at Ridvan, 1968 : Reunion Island 196 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The National Spiritual Assenzbl>~of Soutlz By the end of the Plan, the following inde- Central Africa1 with its seat in Salisbury pendent countries were to have their own (Rhodesia) National Spiritual Assemblies: Malawi (formerly Nyasaland; name Botswana changed in 1964) Malawi Southern Rhodesia Rhodesia Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland; name Lesotho changed in 1966) Mauritius The National Spiritual Assemblj~ of South Seychelles and West Africa with its seat in Johan- Malagasy Republic nesburg (Republic of South Africa) The Regional National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa Swaziland and Mozambique remained as did South West Africa the Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Zululand South and West Africa, the latter with an Angola altered area of jurisdiction comprising South St. Helena Island Africa, South West Africa, Zululand, Angola Lesotho (formerly Basutoland; name and St. Helena. The National Spiritual Assemchanged in 1966) bly of the Malagasy Republic was given juris- The National Spiritual Assembly o f Swazi- diction over the Comoro Islands and the land, Lesotho and Mozambique with National Spiritual Assembly of the Seychelles its seat in Mbabane (Swaziland) had jurisdiction over the Chagos Archipelago and Agalega Island. The National Spiritual Assembly of Zambia (known as Northern Rhodesia until 1964) with its seat in Lusaka SOUTH AND WEST AFRICA Formerly under the jurisdiction of the Regional The National Spiritual Assembly of South National Spiritual Assembly of South and West and West Africa came into being in 1956 with Africa (1956-1964) this community in 1964 elected its National Spiritual Assembly which existed its seat in Johannesburg and has existed since with various t rritorial changes until its dissolution then, with various territorial changes. With the in 1970 with the formation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Botswana, of Malawi and of Rhodesia. formation in 1967 of the National Spiritual I N T E R N A T I O N A L SU R V EY O F B A H P ; ' ~ A C T I V IT I E S 197 Assembly of Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozam- enrolment of representatives of the Herero bique the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual tribe, in 1970, and of Shua Bushmen in 1971. Assembly of South and West Africa included South Africa, South West Africa, Angola, St. Helena and Zululand. THE INDIAN OCEAN Despite seemingly overwhelming obstacles To the east of the great African continent the hard-pressed believers of this area recorded and south of theequator lie a number of islands statistical gains in the period under review and which were the scenes of exciting BahB'i activity a qualitative, subtle but impressive strengthen- during the closing years of the Nine Year Plan. ing of the foundations of the Cause in the When one realizes that only two of them, regions within the jurisdiction of this National Madagascar and Zanzibar, had been opened Assembly. At Ridvan, 1968, approximately before the beloved Guardian's Ten Year Crufifty Local Spiritual Assemblies were in exist- sade, and that at the beginning of the Nine ence, scattered throughout South Africa and Year Plan most of these islands were included Zululand. By the end of the Plan the number in the area of one Regional Spiritual Assembly, had more than doubled, distributed throughout the achievement of establishing four National all areas of jurisdiction including Angola and Spiritual Assemblies by Ridvin, 1972, stands St. Helena, and BahB'is resided in approxi- out as truly remarkable. During the last five mately five hundred localities throughout the years of the Plan the Indian Ocean area more region. BahB'i literature was enriched through than doubled the number of localities where material translated and/or published in Afri- BahB'is resided (from 113 to 288) and more than kaans, Zulu, Tswana and Xosa and a news- trebled the number of Local Spiritual Assemletter was published in South West Africa to blies (from twenty-seven to eighty-nine). meet the needs of the Ovambo believers. The The tempo of teaching activity was heightcommunity was further diversified through the ened by the visits of Hands of the Cause and a
The Hands of the Cause (left to right) Jalbl KJdzeh, William Sears, representative of the Universal House of Justice, and Dr. Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, plzotographed during the Oceanic Conference, Rose Hill, Mauritius; August, 1970. Seen standing to the riglzt is Mr. Roddy Lutclzmaya, a member ofthe Natiorzal Spiritual Assembly of the RahiYis of the Indian Ocean. number of travelling teachers who visited these countries remained behind to participate in the islands. Amatu'l-Baha R6hiyyih a a n u m teaching work. visited all the major islands and the Hands of It should be mentioned that two National the Cause JalaIKhazeh, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, Spiritual Assemblies in the Indian Ocean Adelbert Miihlschlegel and William Sears all (Mauritius and Seychelles) achieved their invisited the Indian Ocean during this period- corporations by Acts of the legislature. some of them more than once. But the outstanding event was tbe Oceanic Conference at Rose Hill, Mauritius, in. August, SEYCHELLES 1970. More than one thousand believers The fi-iends in Seychelles were unusually attended representing twenty-seven countries, successful in the field of radio. In early 1969 some coming from as far away as the United their efforts to obtain regular time on the local States, France, Italy, England, Japan and radio station met with success when the Broad- Australia. The Hand of the Cause William casting Manager agreed to allow fifteen minutes Sears who represented the Universal House of of time on ten different occasions, mostly on Justice at the Conference paid courtesy calls on Baha'i Holy Days. Thus the Message of the Governor-General and the Prime Minister, BahB'u'llBh reached not only the people of the and maiiy government officials and members of main island of Mahe, but also those on other the diplomatic corps attended the official recep- islands of the Seychelles Archipelago. It was tion ai the Conference. The press, radio and reported that everywhere people spoke of the television provided znl-~ch publicity for the Faith and that the children took up the singing Faith. But above all the inspiration and enthusi- of BahB'i songs which they heard on the radio. asm generated among the believers attending Not only was Seychelles the recipient of the Conference provided a springboard for the pioneers and teachers; this rapidly growing increased teaching activity necessary to win Baha'i community sent pioneers to Chagos, to and, in many cases, surpass the goals of the Agalega Island and to RCunion. There was a Nine Year Plan. Many believers from different great awakening among the youth of the
Thefirst Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritilal Assembly of the Bahci'is of the MaIagasy Republic (Madagascar); April, 1972. The Handof the Cause Dr. Rahmatu'llrih Muhrijir is seen seated in the centre ofthe second row. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 199 Seychelles who played a significant role in many ance was received from the Continental Board teaching activities. Some of the songs composed of Counsellors and members of the Auxiliary by BahB'i singing groups found their way to Board. A youth meeting in 1969, held in Plaine Mauritius and the mainland of Africa. des Cafres, sparked interest among young people. An active Regional Youth Committee was formed which held regular meetings. The MALAGASY REPUBLIC Faith was proclaimed through a three-day exhi- The National Spiritual Assembly of the bit in St. Pierre. Malagasy Republic was formed at Ridvan, In 1970 The Proclamation of Bahri'u'llah was 1972, with its seat in ~ananarive.;The Hand of presented to the Prefect of RBunion. Five Local the Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhaj'ir represented Spiritual Assemblies existed at that time. The the Universal House of Justice on this occasion. following year a series of successful public The homefront territory consisted of the meetings was conducted and the Baha'i teach- Malagasy Republic and Comoro Islands and ings were presented to several Mayors. at that time thirty-two localities had been At Ridvin, 1972, eight Local Spiritual opened to the Faith. There were eight Local Assemblies were formed. A visiting Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies in Malagasy and one in teacher was interviewed by the press and Comoro Islands. One of the Local Assemblies appeared on radio and television, the first time in Malagasy had achieved incorporation. A these media devoted attention to the Faith. In National Vaziratu'l-Quds had been acquired in November, a special programme was devoted November, 1970, a Temple site in January, to children. The State authorities of RBunion 1971, and a national endowment in April, 1972. accorded official recognition to the National Representatives of the Antaimoro, Antaifasy, Spiritual Assembly in June, 1972. Antambahoaka and Antaisaka tribes were en- In January, 1973, an endowment was rolled enriching the membership of the com- acquired in Bras-Creux and in March a Temple munity which already consisted of representa- site was obtained. There were thirteen Local tives of the Hova and Betsileo tribes and Spiritual Assemblies in existence by Ridvhn, Comorians. By Ridvan, 1973, among the vic- 1973. Five Baha'i marriages were conducted in tories recorded in this national community, the period under review and a number of was the establishment of twenty-seven Local classes for children were established. Spiritual Assemblies in the Malagasy Republic and two in the Comoro Islands, with a total of eighty-three localities where Baha'is resided. BOTSWANA The Hand of the Cause Paul Haney represented the Universal House of Justice at the REUNION inaugural Convention at Ridvan, 1970. The The Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah formation of this National Assembly, with its Muhajir was the representative of the Universal seat in Gaborone, was an achievement beyond House of Justice when the believers of Reunion the original goals set for the Nine Year Plan and formed their National Spiritual Assembly at was made possible by an increase in the number RidvBn, 1972, with its seat in St. Pierre. of Local Spiritual Assemblies and localities, as At Ridvan, 1968, there was only one pioneer well as by the settlement of a small number of residing in Reunion and three Local Spiritual active pioneers, during the years immediately Assemblies had been established. In April of before 1970. The number of Local Assemblies that year recognition of the Spiritual Assembly grew from six, in 1968, to twelve in 1970. These of St. Pierre was published in the State official communities were sustained by regular visits Gazette. Additional pioneers settled and assist- from members of Continental Board of Counance was received from travelling teachers. In sellors and the concerted efforts of the resident November, 1968, the Local Haziratu'l-Quds of pioneers. St. Pierre was acquired. A Summer School was The first year of the existence of the Botswana held in that same year. national BahB'i community saw extensive pro- The flow of visiting teachers increased in 1969 clamation and teaching throughout the country and subsequent years, and considerable assist- in the form of public meetings in the villages, often called by village Chiefs themselves. Local BahB'i Writings are the first words ever to have believers, travelling teachers and pioneers were been written or put into print in these languages. used in this massive effort, resulting in open meetings in over eighty villages, contact with MALAWI more than fifty chiefs, and distribution of The National Spiritual Assembly was estab- BahB'i literature to more than five thousand lished with its seat in Limbe at Ridvan, 1970, people. The National Spiritual Assembly's own when the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney repregoal to achieve an all-BahB'i village was accomsented the Universal House of Justice. At that plished in Bonwapitse. During a proclamation time there were nine Local Spiritual Assemmeeting several people became BahB'is in blies established, eight of them in the southern Bonwapitse and after thevillage Chief, who had region and one in the northern, (one of them already embraced the Faith, attended a Conferhaving achieved incorporation), and Baha'is ence at Gaborone and returned home fully resided in eighty-nine localities, a figure which confirmed in his belief, almost the entire popuwasrevised within afew months to onehundred. lation of one hundred at Bonwapitse accepted In April, 1970, a Teaching Institute had been the Cause. acquired at Amalika, near Blantyre. During the following two years the specific In 1971 BahB'i literature was enriched goals of the Plan were focused upon and often through the translation and/or publication of a surpassed. The goal of establishing twenty number of titles in Cicewa and Tumbuka and Local Spiritual Assemblies was exceeded by by 1972 representatives of all the tribes of four ;and instead of fifty localities, eighty-eight Malawi were enrolled in the Faith. were recorded. All the property goals were ac- In the six months before the conclusion of complished, including acquisition of a Temple the Nine Year Plan, spectacular victories were site, and a Teaching Institute at Mahalapye. recorded: four new Local Spiritual Assemblies The goal of acquiring one Local Haziratu'lwere established, bringing the total at Ridvan Quds was met when local believers built one at to twenty-seven; approximately two hundred Thamaga, and exceeded when another was new believers enrolled; and twenty-three addibuilt at Selebi-Pikwe. The legal incorporation tional localities were opened to the Faith of the National Spiritual Assembly was bringing the total to a figure in excess of 225. achieved as well as that of eight Local Assem- In 1971 the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga blies: three more than called for in the Plan. paid a visit to Malawi where he was accorded Contact with the nomadic Bushmen of the gracious interviews by the Life President of Kalahari Desert was a goal of the Ten Year Malawi, His Excellency Dr. Kamuzu Banda, Crusade. This goal was inherited from the and Mr. Albert Muwalo, Minister of State. region of South and West Africa. A few individuals had been successfully contacted during the Crusade, but in terms of definite localities RHODESIA the goal was finally achieved in 1971. In 1970, with the dissolution of the National Following thevisit of Amatu'l-BahaRuhiyyih Spiritual Assembly of South Central Africa U a n u m 1 to the Bushmen in June, 1972, a and the formation of three independent Nasingularly inspiring conference was held at the tional Spiritual Assemblies in Botswana, Mali National Centre in Gaborone attended by nine and Rhodesia, the newly-formed Rhodesian Bushmen representing three distinct language National Spiritual Assembly was designated as groups. Soon thereafter eighty Bushmen the "mother" Assembly. The Nine Year Plan entered the Faith in about fifteen localities, two goals were divided among the three Assemblies of which, at Tshasane and Mathibatsela, have and their accomplishment was the primary all-Bushmen Assemblies. Translation of BahB'i concern of the Rhodesian National Assembly. literature, including the creative Word, was The most significant innovations in the accomplished in four of the Bushman "click" teaching work within Rhodesia were the inlanguages, requiring special phonetic notation. creased participation by the African believers This was particularly significant in that the and the shift of emphasis from urban to village teaching, innovations which originated from See "TheTravels of Amatu'l-Bahi Rdhiyyihminum DuringtheNineYear Plan: TheGreat Safari", p. 594. suggestions made by the Universal House of I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 201 Justice. The wisdom of this course soon became land. In 1968 there were twelve Local Spiritual apparent when the first Rhodesian navelling Assemblies and eight hundred believers in teacher, Pande Sibanda, enrolled dozens of Swaziland, six Local Spiritual Assemblies and new believers, including Paramount Chiefs three hundred believers in Lesotho, and one Chiweshe and Chaona. Encouraged by these Local Spiritual Assembly and less than 250 initial successes,teacher training institutes were believers in Mozambique. The Nine Year Plan held for training additional teachers so that by called for the establishment of fifty Local Spirithe time the Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llkh tual Assemblies and 150 localities in Swaziland; Muhajir first visited Rhodesia, urging the fifty-seven Assemblies and 280 localities were acceleration of the process of mass teaching, a recorded at Ridvan, 1973. Mozambique exgroup of five trained teachers was available. All ceeded the Local Assembly goal by two, with five of these teachers were sent to the Gokwe twelve established, four of them in the Tete area area where five hundred new Baha'is were en- which were assisted by travelling teachers from rolled, including Paramount Chief Nen~angwe. Rhodesia, and the balance in the southern part Teachers based in this area also established con- of Mozambique. tact with the remote Batonga tribes and soon After much work and many disappointments established a Local Spiritual Assembly among a lovely property was acquired near Mbabane. them, Subsequent mass teaching efforts resulted The property includes a Temple site, endowin large scale enrolments in the Mtoko a.nd ment land, a Haziratu'l-Quds, and a Teacher Mrewa areas and even spilled over into the ad- Training Institute named after the Hand of the joining areas in Mozambique where four new Cause Leroy Ioas. The dedication of the Insti- Local Assemblies were formed in time to help tute was attended by a representative of His the National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland, Majesty King Sobhuza I1 and by Her Royal Lesotho a.nd Mozambique achieve their Nine Highness Princess Gcinaphi who planted a tree Year Plan goals. Another major accomplish- in honour of the occasion. The incorporation of ment was when Rhodesia sent its first pioneer the National Spiritual Assembly on July 14, to another country: Dennis Makiwa, school 1969, was an outstanding victory and subseteacher, and Chairman of the National Spiri- quently five Local Spiritual Assemblies obtual Assembly, pioneered to Botswana. tained incorporation. Absence from school and Two donations of land in memory of out- work is permitted on Baha'i Holy Days and the standing believers enabled Rhodesia to achieve Government confirmed and gazetted the its goals of acquiring a national endowment, appointment of amarriage officer, allowing him several local endowments and a Temple site. to conduct Baha'i weddings at the National Official recognition of the Faith was furthered Centre. by the incorporation of nine additional Local A further goal of the Nine Year Plan was Spiritual Assemblies, and by the first officially accomplished with the construction of a Local registered Baha'i marriage in Rhodesia. I;Ia7iratuYl-Qudsat Mncitsini. The mass niedia devoted newspaper articles A highlight of 1972 was the visit of the Hand to the Faith and considerable publicity resulted of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih KhAnum from the memorable visit of the Hand of the who was received by His Majesty King Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m , re- Sobhuza 11 and was a guest at the Ceremonial ported elsewhere in this volume. Reed Dance of the Maidens (Umhlanga) and By Ridvan, 1973, the Baha'is of Rhodesia at the Independence Celebrations. had accomplished the goals of the Nine Year Some excellent work was done among child- Plan and ended the period with a community ren and the youth work was outstanding. numbering close to five thousand Baha'is and Three youth pioneers spearheaded proclamafifty-seven Local Spiritual Assemblies. tion meetings and assisted with many institutes at theNational Bahi'i Centre and in rural areas. On one occasion they addressed a meeting at a SWAZILAND, LESOTHO high school where three hundred people learned AND MOZAMBIQUE about the Faith. This National Spiritual Assembly was estab- The translation and publication of BahB'i lished in 1967 with its seat in Mbabane, Swazi- literature in Zulu, Siswati, Shimakhuwa and T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Her Royal Highness Princess Gcinaphi of Swazilandplaizted a tree at the dedication cerenzony marking the opening of the Leroy Ioas Bahb'i Teacher Training Institute, Mbabane, Swaziland; December, 1970: Also seen are (leji to right) Mrs. Helen Wilks, Auxiliary Board member; Mr. Mnisi, representative of His Majesty King Sobhuza 11; Mr. S. Appa, of the Continental Board of Co~msellors.
Shimakhonde was achieved, the last mentioned ZAMBIA being an accomplishment in excess of the goals The Baha'i community which elected, in of the Plan. 1967, the National Spiritual Assembly of Zambia with its seat in Lusaka, had been under the LESOTHO jurisdiction of the Regional National Spiritual The trials and difficulties of this young com- Assembly of South and West Africa (1956- munity, whose National Spiritual Assembly 1964), and of South Central Africa (1964- was elected at Ridvan, 1971, with its seat in 1967). The area known as Zambia was called Maseru, were rapidly overcome through ma- Northern Rhodesia until 1964. ture and loving cooperation with the Continen- The Zambian BahB'i community entered the tal Board of Counsellors. The combined efforts last half of the Nine Year Plan with sixteen of the two institutions led to victories at Local Spiritual Assemblies, believers residing Ridvan, 1973, when thirty-three Local Spiri- in 251 localities, close to two thousand believers tual Assemblies were established, the Faith was and one Local Haziratu'l-Quds. Through dilireported to be rooted in 171 localities, a gent effort they reported at Ri(tvBn, 1973, the National Haziratu'l-Quds was acquired as well formation of seventy-two Local Spiritual as a local one at Liphaleng, and the National Assemblies, the establishment of 581 localities Spiritual Assembly and five Local Spiritual where BahB'is reside, a community numbering Assemblies achieved incorporation. in excess of 3,800, the incorporation of the BahB'i literature was enriched and several National Spiritual Assembly, the acquisition of conferences and training courses were held to a National Haziratu'l-Quds, a Temple site, and deepen the knowledge and understanding of a national endowment and recognition by the the friends in the divine teachings. authorities of Baha'i marriage. Central and East Africa At Ridvan, 1964, the Regional National By the end of the Nine Year Plan National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa Spiritual Assemblies had been formed in each was dissolved in order to form three new of these countries with the sole exception of National Assemblies. Two countries, Kenya Burundi where, because of local conditions, the and Tanzania (the area known as Tanganyika administrative institutions had to be dissolved. prior to 1964, and Zanzibar) elected their own The name of the Congo Republic, the capital National Spiritual Assemblies. The rest of the of which was Leopoldville, became known as region was under the jurisdiction of the newly Zai're in 1971, and the name of Leopoldville created Regional National Spiritual Assembly was changed to Kinshasa. of Uganda and Central Africa, comprising the Three elements characterized most of the following countries : reports of the areas composing Central and East Uganda Africa in the period covered by this review: Burundi (a) They still had most of their teaching goals Rwanda to complete, and were very apprehensive about Congo Republic (Leopoldville)-(name their ability to achieve victory. changed to ZaPre in 1971) (b) All were elated to be included in the Congo Republic (Brazzaville) Great Safari of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l- Gabon Baha Ruhiyyihaanum, and were thankful for Central African Republic the unique and valuable contribution she was Chad able to make. 204 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
(c) Unanimously they voiced high praise and ber, 1971, the President accepted an invitation grateful thanks for the assistance rendered by to attend a special service at the BahB'i House youthful pioneers from a number of countries of Worship in Kampala commemorating the including Persia, India, Malaysia, the Philip- birthday of BahB'u'llah and in his address on pines, the United States, Canada, and various that occasion warmly praised the BahB'is countries of Europe during the last year of the for their admirable principles and for up- Plan and whose services are described in the holding the tenets of their Faith, including nonopening passages of this survey. interference in politics. Later the President was presented with The Proclamationof Bahb'u'llrih. A conference held in Nairobi in June, 1972, UGANDA under the aegis of the Continental Board of In addition to achieving the establishment of Counsellors, was attended by more than 250 the independent National Spiritual Assemblies BahB'is from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda which came into existence in the latter half of who considered what action was necessary to the Plan in the areas under its jurisdiction, three complete the remaining goals of the Plan. A Teacher Training Institutes were established, Victory Conference held the following month at Mbale, in the eastern region, at Gulu, in the in Uganda reinforced the spirit and dedication northern region and in Kampala within the generated at the earlier gathering and led to the shadow of the Mother Temple of Africa. formulation by the National Youth Committee Throughout the period two Baha'i schools, of Uganda of a ten-month plan under which at Tilling and Odusai, both named in memory more than one thousand youth were enrolled, of the Hand of the Cause Louis Gregory, proclamation programmes were conducted at functioned and were further developed. Each secondary schools throughout the country, includes classrooms for primary students assistance was given to struggling or weakened through Grade VII, staff houses, administra- Local Assemblies, teaching trips to the Ssese tion buildings, gardens and playing fields. Islands and Seychelles were undertaken and A number of significant proclamation pro- projects with village youth were initiated. A grammes advanced recognition of the Faith popular youth newsletter The Trumpet was throughout the country. By Ridvan, 1970, the published, follow-up visits were made to Faith was established in all districts except schools and colleges, Bahi'i clubs were estab- Madi and the BahB'i community of Uganda lished on campuses and BahB'i books were included representatives of all major tribes of presented to school libraries. The Ugandan the country including the Pygmies in the west- "Dawn-Breakers", a multi-racial music group, ern region, some of whom were present at the was formed, travelled many miles teaching the National Convention that year. In 1971 youth Faith through music and song in villages and activities gained prominence and a series of schools and on several occasions performed three seminars was conducted at Makerere and were interviewed about the Faith on University, with moderate success, followed by television. intensive youth activity. Participating in the An all-women's institute, held in Mbale in seminars were the Hand of the Cause Enoch October, 1970, the first of its kind in Uganda, Olinga, Mrs. Isobel Sabri of the Board of tapped yet another potential source for spread- Counsellors, Mrs. Zylpha Mapp and a panel ing the Faith. An active women's group, the of Baha'i youth. Aregular newsletter came into Kobwin BahB'i Women's Union, formed as a being in 1971 which served as a vital link result of the Institute, redoubled its numbers among the Ugandan Baha'is. within a short time and with the constant en- The BahB'irelationship with the Government couragement and guidance of Mrs. Elizabeth was enhanced through invitations extended to Olinga and Mrs. Lois Isimai held weekly meetthe Baha'is by His Excellency, General Idi ings at the Louis Gregory Memorial BahB'i Amin Dada, President, to participate in various School at Tilling for prayers, handiwork and religious conferences aimed at establishing a discussions about the Faith. Other women's greater basis of religious unity in the country, classes were held sporadically and weekly disand the Faith thus became more widely known cussion groups at Kalemen included many as an independent universal religion. In Novem- women. Mrs. Katherine Kabali and Mrs. Edith I N T E R N A T I O N A L SURVE
Senoga devoted much of their time to teaching, with children's classes, open to the children of visiting outlying districts, committee service non-Baha'is as well as of believers, which reand to increasing the enrolment and participa- sulted in awakening the interest of many tion of women. parents. The children assisted in teaching and Teaching among children, apart from the were enthusiastic in learning prayers and the work being done in the Bahi'i schools, was re- principles and history of the Faith. Ninety ported as showing some progress in a few students aged from five to fourteen attended. villages, and some youth were trained to assist Amatu'l-Baha R6hiyyih a i n u m visited many in this programme. centres during her Great Safari and was inter- Shortly before Ridvan, 1973, the goals of viewed in French on radio, an event which recognition of Baha'i marriage and incorpora- broadly proclaimed the Cause. Progress was tion of the National Spiritual Assembly were recorded in enrolling Pygmy Baha'is. reported achieved, thus preparing the way for A series of events early in 1973 brought the the incorporation of the Local Assemblies Plan to fulfilment: the acquisiton of national called for in the Plan. and local endowments and a Temple site; the The expansion of the Baha'i Publishing acquisition of a Teaching Institute and the Trust, including the enrichment of BahB'i National Haziratu'l-Quds; and governmental literature, was undertaken, and under the able recognition of the Faith achieved in part direction of Mrs. Maurine Kraus an impressive through the assistance of Dr. 'Aziz Navidi. list of titles now exists. Significantly, local believers serving as chairman and secretary of each Local Spiritual Assembly attended classes on BahB'i adminis- BURUNDI AND RWANDA tration early in April and played a key role in Known until 1962 as Ruanda-Urundi, the the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies countries separated in 1962 at which time their which marked the triumphant conclusion of the names were changed to Rwanda and Burundi. Plan at Ridvan, 1973. They were formerly part of the area administered by the Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa (1956- ZAIRE 1964), of Uganda and Central Africa (1964- Known as the Belgian Congo until 1960 and 1969) and in the latter year the National Spiri- as Congo (Kinshasa) during the period 1960- tual Assembly of Burundi and Rwanda was 1971, this country became known as Zalre in formed. In 1972, when there were approxi- the latter year. The National Spiritual Assemmately forty Local Spiritual Assemblies in bly was formed in 1970 with its seat in Kinshasa, Burundi and the Faith was established in formerly Leopoldville, at which time the Hand approximately fifty localities, independent of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi represented the National Assemblies were created in Burundi Universal House of Justice. and Rwanda, the former with its seat in Bujum- The majority of the Baha'is were resident in bura, but in that same year because of disturb- the eastern provinces of the country and it was ances in the country the Spiritual Assembly of important to broaden the base of the national Burundi was dissolved and the affairs of the community and develop the teaching work, Faith placed under an administrative com- particularly in the capital, Kinshasa, so that mittee. effective representation could be made to the At Ridvan, 1968, two Local Spiritual Assem- authorities to obtain official recognition of the blies existed in Rwanda; forty-seven were Faith. It soon became evident that no Baha'i recognized at Ridvan, 1973, by which time activity could be conducted without this recog- Baha'is resided in a total of 191 localities. By nition. Dr. 'Aziz Navidi was summoned to the 1971, even before the formation of the National scene and with his characteristic determination Spiritual Assembly, literature had been trans- and unique expertise in such matters and with lated and published in the Kinyarwanda lang- the valuable support of the resident pioneers it uage, and a monthly newsletter designed to in- was possible to explain and establish the true form and deepen the friends commenced publi- stature of the Faith and obtain recognition for cation in 1972. Excellent progress was made its institutions. As soon as.this prize was won, the National are unity and brotherhood. The official recog- Spiritual Assembly undertook the task of nition that was granted extended to all Local achieving, in the nine remaining months of the Spiritual Assemblies. In December, 1972, the Nine Year Plan, the goals it had been assigned property goals were realized-acquisition of a since 1963. The accomplishments were truly Temple site, a site for a National Haziratu'lremarkable. Quds and national and local endowments. At Ridvan, 1973, the National Spiritual At Ridvan the Congolese community trium- Assembly reported a membership of 19,800 phantly recorded that all goals of the Plan were with 490 Local Spiritual Assemblies and 557 not only achieved but amply exceeded. The localities where BahB'is resided. In addition, Faith was established in more than eighty the National Haziratu'l-Quds, the Temple site localities, twenty Local Spiritual Assemblies and a Teaching Institute were acquired. Nearly had been formed, and the number of Baha'is two hundred Local Spiritual Assemblies had had increased more than twenty-five times. either acquired local endowments or built their Meritorious undertakings since Ridvan, 1971, own local centres. included the publication of a Nineteen Day Feast Newsletter and the publication, commencing in January, 1973, of a correspondence CONGO REPUBLIC (AND GABON) course for broadening the foundation of the The National Spiritual Assembly of Congo knowledge of the Congolese believers. came into being in 1972 with its seat in Brazzaville. A part of French Equatorial Africa, the Baha'i community had been under the Regional CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC National Spiritual Assemblies of Central and At Ridvan, 1968, the situation in the Central East Africa from 1956 to 1964, of Uganda and African Republic was very little different from Central Africa from 1964 to 1970, of Central what it had been at the end of the Ten Year Africa from 1970 to 1971 and was under the Crusade in 1963; there was one Local Spiritual jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly Assembly, situated in Bangui, devotedly mainof Congo and Gabon during 1971-1972 until, tained over the intervening years by a handful in the latter year, Gabon had to be separated of believers. Late in 1968 teaching work was from that region, leaving the National Spiritual undertaken in communities contiguous to Assembly of Congo as an independent entity. Bangui and in the central part of the country The semi-annual statistical report of the with the result that by Ridvan, 1969, four Local "mother" National Assembly, that of Uganda Spiritual Assemblies were established and there and Central Africa, indicates that at Ridvan, was recorded an increase in the number of 1968, there were two Local Spiritual Assem- believers and localities opened to the Faith. blies in Congo (Brazzaville). With the settle- On instructions from the Universal House of ment of dedicated pioneers, the administrative Justice a Regional Administrative Committee foundations of the Cause were strengthened was appointed in September, 1969, and charged and by Ridvan, 1970, seven Local Spiritual with responsibility for governing the affairs of Assemblies had been securely established. the Faith in the territories of Chad, Gabon, When the Congo Republic was dissociated Congo (Brazzaville) and the Central African from Gabon and the National Spiritual Assem- Republic, in preparation for the election, at bly of Congo (Brazzaville) came into being, Ridvan, 1970, of the first National Spiritual there were sixteen Local Spiritual Assemblies, Assembly of the BahB'is of Central Africa with six more than called for in the Nine Year Plan. its seat in Bangui. During her ten day visit to the The number of localities increased and also Bangui area in January, 1970, Amatu'l-Baha surpassed the assigned goal. Ruhiyyihaanum did much to encourage and The goal of achieving recognition of the deepen the Bahi'is in the several communities Faith encountered many difficulties but due to she visited, including a Pygmy village in the devoted and untiring efforts over a protracted forest area. The inaugural Convention at period by Dr. 'Aziz Navidi the Faith was recog- Ridvan, 1970, blessed by the presence of the nized in March, 1972, by the Congolese State Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi, was a as an independent world religion whose aims happy event. Delegates and friends from all I N ' T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 207 four countries converged on Bangui and a the expansion goals had been surpassed. On special bus brought more friends from Chad April 1 the Baha'is obtained permission to than had ever been welcomed at one time. present a regular weekly radio programme on The main goal of the year ahead was to pre- the national broadcasting network. The progpare, in turn, for the division of the region into rammes covered subjects including the history three new National Spiritual Assembly areas- of the Faith, the lives of its Founders, Baha'i Chad, the Central African Republic, and administrative principles, social teachings and Congo (Brazzaville)/Gabon. To this end the ordinances, and Christian subjects, and served work of expansion and consolidation was con- the dual purpose of acquainting the public with tinued. The encouragement provided by a visit the Faith and broadening the knowledge of the of the Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah believers. The enrolment of Baha'is accelerated Muhajir led to the purchase at Naw-Rilz (New and many youth embraced the Cause. Local Year), 1971, of the National Haziratu'l-Quds. believers translated Baha'i literature into +
Because of misrepresentations made to it Sango, the national language, and a small leafabout the true nature and purpose of the Faith let was published in Baya, another indigenous the Government imposed a temporary ban on tongue. the activities of the believers extending from Ridvan, 1973, dawned on a victorious com- November, 1970, to February, 1971. Following munity. There were twenty-two Local Spiritual a visit by Dr. 'Aziz Navidi, a special meeting of Assemblies established and Baha'is resided in the Council of Ministers was called to study 115 localities scattered throughout twelve of the documents prepared in application for recogni- fourteen administrative divisions of the countion and registration of the Faith. The applica- try. More than one thousand believers, many tion was granted on February 13 and that of them youth, were ready to carry forward the day, and for the next twenty-four hours, a Faith which was now not only recognized by special radio announcement was broadcast the authorities but had achieved equality of with each news bulletin, the first public procla- standing with other religions in the country. mation of the Faith by radio in the country.' Most of the important property goals had been Hindrances removed, the activities of the achieved and the remainder were well on the Baha'is increased and the Faith surged forward. way to completion. Through the bounties of At Ridvan, 1971, in the presence of the Hand Baha'u'llah, the small sapling had grown, in of the Cause 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa, and five short years, from a tender shoot to a sturdy Counsellor Oloro Epyeru, the first Annual young tree producing its first fruits. Convention of the Central African Republic elected its first National Spiritual Assembly. A Victory Conference led by Counsellor Isobel CHAD Sabri in October, 1971, focused on the out- This national community was administered standing goals of the Plan confronting the by the Regional National Spiritual Assemblies believers. In March of 1972 a Temple site of of Central and East Africa from 1956 to 1964, over five hectares was acquired on the outskirts of Uganda and Central Africa from 1964 to of Bangui and at Ridvan, 1972, the friends 1970, of Central Africa from 1970 to 1971, and gathered at the second National Convention at Ridvan, 1971, in a shelter of poles and straw geared themselves for total victory. In Septem- matting constructed on land donated to the ber, 1972, a national endowment of more than Faith by the Baha'is of the village of Gassi, the eleven hectares was acquired in the vicinity of first National Spiritual Assembly of Chad came Bambari and in February, 1973, a two-hectare into being with its seat in Fort Lamy (known plot of land situated forty-seven kilometres since 1973 as N'Djamena). Representing the from Bangui was acquired for a teaching insti- Universal House of Justice was the Hand of the tute. A further application for land for a local Cause Enoch Olinga. endowment was made for two hectares in the At Ridvan, 1968, only three months after west of the country, near Baoro. the settlement in Chad of two pioneers, there By January, 1973, the Faith was established was but one Baha'i community, in the capital in 101 localities and there were more than city of N'Djamena. Immediately after Ridvan nine hundred believers in the country. Most of of that year the Faith began to expand rapidly. The fourth Annual Convention for the election of the Nationai Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is of Tanzania held at the National Haziratu'l-Quds, Dar-es-Salaam; May 25-26, 1968. The Hand ofthe Cause Enoch Olinga is seen third froin the left, standing.
Small rooms were rented in various areas of Spiritual Assembly of Chad at Ridvan, 1971, N'Djamkna, focal points from which the new Nine Year Plan goals were assigned by the Message could be broadcast and the knowledge Universal House of Justice, with only two years of the believers deepened. From among the of the Plan left in which to achieve them. Again BahB'is who attended study classes in these there was an influx of Hands of the Cause, centres arose local teachers eager to carry the Counsellors, travelling teachers and pioneers. Faith into the villages to the south and east of Chad also cooperated with its sister Assemthe city. At Ridvan, 1969, thirteen Local Spiri- blies. In 1970, two African believers from Chad tual Assemblies had been established, twenty- went as pioneers to the Republic of Congo. In one localities had been opened, and more than December, 1972, six members of the Chad one thousand BahB'is enrolled. community participated in the first regional Aided by the visits of Hands of the Cause, Youth Conference for the Central and East Counsellors and international travelling teach- Africa zone held at YaoundC, Cameroon. On ers the Faith continued to spread. Chadian their return from the conference, they taught teachers and pioneers established the Faith in and deepened in the French-speaking villages three more areas of the country, Moundou, all the way to the Chad frontier. Thus the Bongor and Sarh. Local Spiritual Assernblies in- youth began to make a vital contribution to creased to twenty-seven and the goal of seventy- the teaching work. five localities was surpassed. 'Through the inde- At Ridvan, 1973, Chad was able to report fatigable assistance of Dr.'Aziz Navidi theChad victory in almost all its obtainable assigned Government officially recognized the BahB'i goals under the Nine Year Plan. The number of Faith as an independent religion and granted it Local Spiritual Assemblies had been increased full authority to function throughout Chad. from twenty-seven to fifty-two; 273 localities With the establishment of the National had been opened to the Faith; the community I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 209 numbered more than 3,500; seventy-five child- Toukoura, Kalem-Kalern, Balirnba, Banda I ren had been instructed in the Bahi'i principles and Manda. Translation of BahB'i literature at the school conducted by the National Spiri- was made in the Kanouri language. tual Assembly at Gassi; and children's classes "Only the confirmations of the Blessed had been held in the Baha'i Centres at Moun- Beauty showered upon all those who arose to dou and Sarh. A Teaching Institute, National spread His world healing Message in Chad Haziratu'l-Quds, a national and five local en- could have brought about such victories in the dowments had been secured, the latter five short space of five years," the National Spirithrough the generosity of village believers in tual Assembly reported.
Semi-annual Conferenceof the Continental Board of Counsellors andAuxiliary Board members, Bangui, Central A.fricart Republic; March, 1972. Dr. Mihdi Samandari of the Western .Africa Board of Counsellors is seen on the far right. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 211
B. THE AMERICAS
Central America and the Caribbean With the formation in 1957 of two regional establishment of firmly rooted BahB'i commu- National Spiritual Assemblies in Central nities. Great credit is due the few who have America and two in South America, the scope pioneered this scattered sea-girt world of of the Ten Year World Crusade took on new beautiful tropical islands inhabited by blacks dimensions. In both Central and South and whites, Amerindians, East Indians and America emphasis was placed upon establish- Chinese. ing a National Spiritual Assembly in each of the Republics. By 1961 this objective was largely Central America achieved and in 1964 seven fledgling National Spiritual Assembliesin the Central region of the BELIZE Americas joined forces with forty-nine sister The National Spiritual Assembly of Belize, National Spiritual Assemblies to meet the with its seat in Belize city, came into being in challenging tasks of the Nine Year Plan. 1967 and at Ridvan, 1968, the community Originally, Central America and the islands comprised thirteen Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Caribbean were administratively joined and BahB'is resided in eighty-one localities. together in a sprawling great Regional National The rapid growth of the Faith in this area, the Spiritual Assembly of Central America and the National Spiritual Assembly commented, is Antilles, formed in 1951. As a result of the attributable in part to a steady stream of visiting establishment of various Regional National Bahfi'i teachers including American BahB'i Spiritual Assemblies, the far-flung islands of youth who participated in projects in two sucthe Caribbean have reached a level of adminis- cessive years and who "together with native trative independence which offers a firm base youth and pioneers conducted energetic camfor healthy growth. paigns which resulted in numbers of new The Caribbean Baha'i communities, with believers". Particularly appreciated were the their multiple languages (Spanish, English, visits of Dr. Arthur Dahl whose professional French and Dutch), their small and unusually commitments brought him to the area on a mountainous topography set in a vast sea area, number of occasions at which time he made his their comparative underdevelopment as econo- services available to the BahB'i friends. mic and social entities, have posed very special Noteworthy accomplishments of the Belize challenges for the settlement of pioneers, the BahB'is in the period being surveyed are. incirculation of travelling teachers, and the corporation of the National Assembly by a 212 T H E B A H A ' ~WOR.LD
special Bill; the incorporation of four Local Counsellors was an outstanding success, as Assemblies; exemption from school attendance were two intensive teaching projects. The first on Baha'i Holy Days; construction of a Teach- of these, held in 1971, resulted in one hundred ing Institute named in honour of the Hand of new believers accepting the Faith and six new the Cause Enoch Olinga; acquisition of a towns were opened in a short time. The second, National Haziratu'l-Quds; compilation and spearheaded by Auxiliary Board member Ruth broadcasting of a regular series of weekly radio Pringle of Panama in January, 1972, and supprogrammes; establishment of a correspond- ported by devoted and gifted youth, attracted ence course and the compilation and publica- new believers of capacity who greatly reintion of lessons for Baha'i children's classes. forced the teaching efforts in Costa Rica.
COSTA RICA EL SALVADOR A part of the area administered by the Like its neighbour, Costa Rica, El Salvador Regional National Spiritual Assemblies of was part of the area of two successive Regional Central America and the Antilles (1951-1957) National Assemblies before establishing its and of Central America, from 1957, Costa Rica own National Spiritual Assembly in 1961, with elected its first National Spiritual Assembly in its seat in San Salvador. The early years of the 1961 with its seat in San Jose. Nine Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assem- Resounding success marked the efforts of bly reported, were a period when the "enrolling the Costa Rican community in dealing with the of one new believer was an occasion for congoals of the Nine Year Plan: all the civil divi- siderable celebration . . . a handful of believers sions of the country were opened to the Faith; struggled against despair and worked to the Local Assembly goals were exceeded by thir- point of exhaustion; there were many tests, teen; groups were exceeded by five; and by much anguish and desperate prayer. . . the nine Ridvan, 1973, fifty-one localities in excess of localities and three Local Assemblies that were the goal of one hundred had Bahh.'is residing the frail pillars of the National Spiritual Assemtherein. The Guanacaste BahB'is completed bly had not grown appreciably since 1961 and their goal of establishing twenty-nine new these had been sustained with so much self- Local Spiritual Assemblies within a two-year sacrifice and effort that even modest goals period. The believers of Talamanca, a moun- appeared beyond reach." tainous area sparsely populated by various In 1968 these struggles and prayers began to indigenous tribes, the National Spiritual bear wondrous fruits. "A new spirit was born Assembly reported, "are self-sufficient, respon- in the community," the National Assembly sible, devoted and engaged in active service to commented, "which manifested itself partithe Faith . . . two Baha'i Centres were con- cularly in the enrolment of new' believers, structed with their own materials and labour." especially among the youth. These, working The Minister of Education authorized the side by side with members of the existing com- Costa Rican school system to recognize Baha'i munity and newly arrived pioneers of out- Holy Days and students are excused from standing calibre led to victories on a scale not classes with the written consent of their parents. anticipated." Although Baha'i education for women In 1968, coinciding with avisit of the Hand of has not commenced on a formal or regular the Cause Ugo Giachery, the BahB'is prepared basis there are outstanding women BahB'is an exhibit for the El Salvador International active in various communities and some child- Fair which was the occasion for the disseminaren's classes are already in operation using tion of 37,000 specially printed pamphlets. materials prepared for this purpose. The Similar participation was arranged in 1970 and National Youth Committee, the National 1972 when 71,000 and 108,000 pieces of infor- Assenlbly commented, "is extremely active, mative literature were distributed at the Interdedicated and of unusual capacity and activi- national Fair and 490 specially prepared radio ties have been initiated in the University." An announcements were broadcast. Much free international Youth Conference in December, press coverage accompanied the most recent of 1972, sponsored by the Continental Board of these exhibitions. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 21 3
BahLi'i lnternatiorzal Teaching Conjerence, El Salvador; May, 1969. The Hand of the Cause Dr. Rahmatu'lldh Mirhkjir is seen standing in the centre.
Proclamation commenced in the villages far surpassed. Asked to establish one locality making use of the considerable musical talents in each of the fourteen Departments of the of a pioneer couple and many embraced the country, the friends established two or more Cause. A crash programme of consolidation Local Spiritual Assemblies in all Departments produced a series of quarter-yearly conferences. but one; the goal of establishing nine Local Regional youth institutes were also conducted Assemblies was far outdistanced through the and a correspondence course was launched establishment by Ridvan, 1973, of fifty-five with over four thousand subscribers. Weekend Local Assemblies; and 231 localities were teaching trips using newly designed deepening opened to the Faith outstripping the goal of material sustained and strengthened the faith of twenty-seven. the new believers. More than one hundred participated in these trips in one year alone and GUATEMALA in one three-month period more than ninety With the disbanding of the Regional such weekend trips were reported. Two books, National Spiritual Assemblyof Central America five pamphlets and various other teaching aids in 1961, the National Spiritual Assembly of were produced and distributed to other Spanish Guatemala was established with its seat in speaking countries. Eight Salvadorean believers Guatemala City. By Ridvan, 1968, there were served as international travelling teachers and nine Local Assemblies and the Faith was two pioneered abroad. The Proclamation of established in seventy-seven localities. Baha'u'llkh was presented to the President of The Teaching Institute in Chichicastenango, the Republic. Many special projects were named after the Hand of the Cause Dorothy undertaken including one where thirty-six Baker, was the venue of a series of conferences, believers visited a mountain village, remained summer and winter schools and other activities four days and enrolled ninety per cent of the designed to pave the way for community-wide population. participation in teaching. A youth group from In the five year period under discussion the the United States visited in June, 1969, were Salvadorean Baha'i community grew twenty housed at the Institute, and intensified the intimes in number and its teaching goals were volvement of local BahA'i youth. A series of international teaching conferences for youth ences, one in La Ceiba and one in Karbi1i.l reinforced this effort and in the summer of 1972 The Baha'is participated in radio and television a youth project group from the United States programmes and in the villages were able to spent some time in Guatemala. present the Faith through slides, musical pre- An important development of the period sentations and visual aids. Mr. and Mrs. M. under scrutiny was the teaching and enthusias- Dreyer and "The New Era Trio" made valuable tic reception of the Faith by the black minority contributions and four youth projects involving of Guatemala concentrated on the east coast, in American BahB'i youth resulted in opening new Livingston where the local believers, using areas to the Faith and carrying the Teachings native materials, constructed a Baha'i Centre, to the masses. Children's classes were estabpermission for the use of the land and construc- lished in a number of centres. A National tion having been granted by the municipal Haziratu'l-Quds was constructed in Teguciauthorities. The building was dedicated in galpa, and some endowments were acquired. February, 1972, named after the Hand of the Surveying their progress at Ridvan, 1973, the Cause Enoch Olinga, and has served both as a National Spiritual Assembly reported that six BahB'i Centre and kindergarten. Literature additional Local Assemblies achieved incorwas translated and published in four indigenous poration making a total of twelve; fifty Local languages. Assemblies were formed, surpassing the goal In 1971 BahB'i children were exempted from by ten; and the goal of establishing the Faith attending school on BahB'i Holy Days. Con- in 150 localities was outdistanced by the wincentrated teaching among youth in 1972 in ning of 212. Baha'i literature was produced for Barberena, Ciudad Vieja, Esquintla and Asun- use in teaching and deepening and the Argencion Mita proved rewarding and at the conclu- tinian BahB'i correspondence course was sion of the Plan, twenty-two per cent of the adopted for local use. Baha'is of Guatemala were youth. Resounding successes were registered at Ridvan, 1973: total BahB'i membership had almost quadrupled MEXICO between 1968-1973; believers resided in 264 With the dissolution of the former Regional localities, with at least one locality in each National Spiritual Assemblyof Central America Department; and the number of Local Assem- in 1961, the National Spiritual Assembly of blies had grown to twenty-seven. At least six Mexico was elected, with its seat in Mexico City communities were holding regular children's and its territory embracing Cozumel Island, classes. Typical of BahB'i community life in Las Mujeres Island, Quintana Roo Territory Guatemala, the National Spiritual Assembly and Seri Reservation. Although prevented by stated, is Palmira Vieja, a mountainous pueblo circumstances beyond their control from bordering Mexico, where the Faith flourishes achieving all their goals, the believers of without a resident pioneer and where the be- Mexico more than doubled the goal of establievers hold regular meetings, deepening ses- lishing fifty Local Assemblies by raising the sions, children's classes and are in regular total to 104 and the goal of establishing the communication with the National Spiritual Faith in 150 new localities was exceeded by Assembly. more than thirty. An important step forward in the BahB'i HONDURAS education of children in this period was made In 1961 the National Spiritual Assembly of in the villages where mothers and youth gave Honduras was formed, with its seat in Teguci- weekly classes using material provided by the galpa, and its jurisdiction embracing Islas de National Committee dedicated to that service. Bahia. A large number of youth entered the Faith and Agreaterreceptivity to and acceptance of the with enthusiasm and spirit initiated their own Faith was noted by the National Spiritual conferences and deepening classes through Assembly in the five year period included in this their National Youth Committee and indivisurvey. Institutes and proclamation projects dual enterprise; they took an increasingly large were held in a number of centres throughout See Marcia Steward de Matamoros, "In Memoriam", the country and two significant youth confer- The Bahd'i World, vol. XIV,p. 304. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 215
The first Bahri'i College Club of Latin America, University o f the Anzericas, Puebla, Mexico; 1971.
part in regional teaching activities and BahB'i reported by the National Assembly, were a administration. The Faith was carried to the heightened sense of unity of purpose in the Universities of Nomclova, Coahuila, Mon- community and the acceptance of the Faith by terrey, Nuevo Leon and the University of the numbers of dedicated youth who immediately Americas, Cholula, Puebla, where a Baha'i arose to serve the Cause in many capacities. Club was formed. The Faith was proclaimed in the University of Mexico and books were placed in its library and in the Faculty of Inves- NICARAGUA tigation of Philosophy. BahB'i students at the Like its sister communities in Central National Polytechnic Institute placed BahB'i America, the Nicaraguan community had been books in the library there. administered by two successive Regional On three occasions in Mexico City and one National Assemblies until 1961 when the in Merida, Yucatan, the Baha'i Message was National Spiritual Assembly of Nicaragua was given on television. A series of radio announce- established with its seat in Managua. ments was broadcast by four radio stations in The early and mid years of the Nine Year Mexico City and in Oaxaca a weekly radio Plan were a period of testing of the community programme using quotations from the Writings and were characterized by a slow but steady was broadcast over a period of several months. progress. Between Ridvan, 1968, and Ridvan, Extensive proclamation and teaching trips 1973, the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies carried the Faith throughout Mexico and a increased from thirteen to nineteen; the number veritable "army"of thirty-five regional teachers of localities where BahB'is reside grew from constantly visited and encouraged communities forty-seven to sixty-nine; and membership of in their respective areas. Enrolments were re- the community more than trebled. Baha'is corded among the Seri Indians and the Tara- were resident in all Departments of the country humaras of Chihuahua and a number of by the end of the Plan. In a six-months period pioneers, some of them Mayan, served on the alone, toward the end of the Plan, almost two homefront or as international pioneers. hundred new believers accepted the Faith and Outstanding characteristics of the period, thirteen localities were opened to the Cause. 216 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The activities of the Board of Counsellors and establish children's classes throughout Panama visiting BahB'i youth were extremely valuable and an imaginative and hardworking committee in achieving progress towards the goals estab- produced a wide range of teaching material in lished for Nicaragua. Spanish, the lack of which had previously The Bahi'i world was keenly distressed by handicapped this effort. In addition to lessons the earthquake which, in December, 1972, the children were provided with art materials virtually destroyed the city of Managua. Al- as well as illustrated cards on subjects related to though damaged, the Managuan Baha'i the Faith. An increasing number of indigenous Centre was reported still standing with the believers responded to the encouragement to Greatest Name in place on the wall. "There are become involved in teaching these classes. no known killed or badly wounded BahB'is," Effective changes in the structure of the a report to the World Centre stated, "which is National Teaching Committee hastened comin itself a miracle as many had their houses pletion of homefront goals and pioneer placecollapse over them . . . there are still three vali- ments. Travelling teachers from many areas ant pioneers at their posts, Cynthia Lucas in visited Panama and the country was blessed Bluefields, Cecelia King in Rivas and Rose with many visits from some of the Hands of the Mangapis in Granada . . . a meeting was held Cause, Continental Counsellors and members with the seven National Spiritual Assembly of the Auxiliary Board. The dedication of the members still in Nicaragua." It was reported Mother Temple of Latin America1 brought that plans were laid for active teaching in large many teachers to the country and gave an centres of population which were flooded with additional impetus to the teaching work that refugees. resulted in more than two thousand conversions to the Faith. PANAMA The efforts put forth and the sacrifices made The National Spiritual Assembly of Panama resulted in the meeting or surpassing of all came into existence in 1961 with its seat in Panamanian goals in the Nine Year Plan. The Panama City, following^ dissolution of the number of Local Assemblies increased from Regional National Spiritual Assembly which forty-four to eighty-nine and the number of had directed the affairs of the Faith in Central localities where BahB'is reside grew from 244 America. to 334. Baha'i Writings were translated and Even at the beginning of the five year period published in three indigenous dialects, Cuna, being reviewed many BahA'i youth were among Guaymi and Choco. the most active teachers and were particularly successful in maintaining contact with believers in the most inaccessible areas of the country The Ca~ibbean and some had pioneered to the interior spend- CUBA ing up to a year or more establishing Bahi'i The National Spiritual Assembly of Cuba communities and travelling into the surroundwas established in 1961 with its seat in Havana. ing countryside. However the role of youth Although in the period under review the bebecameincreasingly significantand theNational lievers there were restrained by local circum- Youth Committee became more dynamic and stances from participating in the activities of creative. A youth bulletin of high quality was the Faith to a full extent, nevertheless they did produced, a Baha'i Club was formed at the maintain their association, their administration University of Panama which held institutes and, in full measure, demonstrated their throughout the country for the purpose of loyalty and steadfastness. stimulating and deepening the knowledge of new BahB'i youth and there was an increase in youth membership from 296 in 1968 to 1,245 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC at Ridvan, 1973. "Their assistance has been 1, 1961 the ~ ~~ ~ ~formed ~ ~ its b il i ~~ i vital," the National Spiritual Assembly re- own National Spiritual ~ ~with its ~seat ~ ~ b ported, "and they constitute the backbone of in santo ~ ~ ~ i ~ ~ ~ the teaching force." Seep. 633 for areport on thededication of the Mother Considerable success Was met in attempts to Temple of Latin America. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 217 "All but one of the goals of the Nine Year tuted in 1971 and, strengthened by the tests and Plan were achieved in the last three years of the trials experienced in its early development, the Plan," the National Spiritual Assembly re- administrative institutions matured and the ported. "Credit for the conception and inspira- teaching work progressed. tion of the massive teaching plan must go to the The teaching goals assigned to the Haitian Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhajir who community were completed during the first in his visit in January, 1972, encouraged us to seven years of the Nine Year Plan and by think in terms of mass teaching . . . the support Ridvan, 1973, sixty-nine Local Spiritual Assemof this endeavour by the BahB'i community blies had been established (nineteen in excess enabled large gains to be made; the community of the goal) and Baha'is resided in 105 localities grew from only a few hundred to over three (surpassing the goal by five). Pioneers from thousand believers." Even at Ridvan, 1971, the Haiti settled in the Central African Republic, goal of achieving fifteen Local Assemblies was Dahomey and Guadeloupe. met and by Ridvan, 1973, twenty-seven had Construction was commenced in Pktionville been established. Baha'is resided in almost one of a Baha'i Institute named after the late Hand hundred localities by the end of the Plan, far of the Cause Leroy 1oas.l Three Baha'i schools surpassing the goal of forty-five. Exemption of functioned during the period being surveyed: children from school on Baha'i Holy Days was The Amelia Collins School in Liancourt, obtained from the National Secretary of Edu- founded in 1962; Mt. Carmel School, Pontcation in 1972 and in the following year five Benoit, founded in 1965, and 1'Institution Local Assemblies achieved incorporation. mixte bahB'ie de LBogane, founded in 1969. In In 1968 The Proclamation of Bahh'u'llah was addition, four other schools were founded by presented to the President of the Dominican Baha'is and operated for varying periods of Republic, Jaoquin Balaguer, and the pro- time. gramme of acquainting officials of the government with the Faith was continued in 1972- JAMAICA 1973 when similar presentations were made to In 1961 the National Spiritual Assembly of many Provincial Governors. Jamaica was established with its seat in Kings- Although no formal programme of educating ton. At the mid point of the Nine Year Plan the Baha'i children was accomplished on a national National Spiritual Assembly described itself as level in the period under review, several Local emerging from a period of severe trials and dis- Assemblies held regular children's classes, and couragement. The visits of the Hands of the Baha'i youth were active in many areas of Cause Ugo Giachery in 1968, and Rahmatu'llih service. The first BahB'i Youth Conference of Muhajir in 1969, the National Spiritual the Antilles was sponsored by the Continental Assembly commented, resulted in an awaken- Board of Counsellors in November, 1971. ing of the BahB'i community to the challenges "Many took part in the 1972 teaching project of the Nine Year Plan and a fresh infusion of which carried the Faith to the masses in six inspiration and determination. A constant flow chosen areas and resulted in the enrolment of of pioneers, travelling teachers, members of the 1,700 new believers," the National Spiritual Board of Counsellors and its Auxiliary Board, Assembly stated, "but the heroic and contin- youthful singing groups-these assisted in uous effort of the young pioneers, Frank and turning the tide. The National Assembly Agnes Sheffey, was outstanding." achieved its goal of incorporation at Ridvan, 1970, and in a jubilant mood received a welcome visit from the Hand of the Cause Enoch HAITI Olinga in August of that year. The National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti Early in 1971 a mass teaching project in was formed in 1961 with its seat in Port-au- which visiting Bahh'is from the deep south of Prince. Although for a brief time in the period the United States worked closely with local under review the Baha'i community of Haiti native teachers resulted in the enrolment of functioned under an Administrative Committee approximately one thousand new believers and appointed by the Universal House of Justice, See "In Memoriam", The Bahri'i World, vol. xrv, the National Spiritual Assembly was reconsti- p. 291. 'f W O R L D an increase in the number of Local Assemblies There was considerable teaching activity from six to fifteen. Old and new believers colla- among the French-speaking population of the borated to prepare for the Caribbean Confer- islands and the administrative foundation of ence held in Kingston in May, 1971. The Con- the Faith was strengthened. ference, the National Assembly reported, had Recognition of Baha'i marriage was achieved a "brilliant effect" upon the people of Jamaica, in 1970 through an enactment by the Legislaresulted in widespread publicity and carried the ture of the Virgin Islands amending the Virgin Message of BahB'u'llah throughout the island. Islands Code and the amendment was signed The first Summer School of Jamaica was held into law by the Governor. A Temple site and in 1972 and the majority of Nine Year Plan Haziratu'l-Quds were acquired in or near goals were accomplished within the year. Re- Charlotte Amalie and a national endowment cognition of BahB'i Holy Days was obtained; was secured on Montserrat Island. steps were taken toward recognition of BahB'i marriage; four additional Local Assemblies were incorporated and a triumphant commun- PUERTO RICO ity, by Ridvan, 1973, registered the establish- Puerto Rico, mentioned by 'Abdu'l-Raha in ment of twenty-two Local Assemblies plus one His Tablets of the Divine Plan, con~prised,at in Grand Cayman Island. In addition, it was Ridvan, 1968, one Local Spiritual Assembly reported that the Faith was established in 120 (San Juan, established in 1944)and two groups. localities. From 1925 until 1972 it was under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. At Ridvan, 1972, the National THE LEEWARD AND VIRGIN ISLANDS Spiritual Assembly of Puerto Rico was elected The Regional National Spiritual Assembly with its seat in San Juan. of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands The establishment in 1968 of a Goals Comcame into being in 1967 with its seat in Charlotte mittee based on the island and fluent in Spanish Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. At heartened the Puerto Rican believers, resulted Ridvan, 1972, the area was split and two in the intensification of the teaching effort, en- National Assemblies were established, the largement of their newsletter, translations of National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward deepening materials and presaged the enroland Virgin Islands the seat of which remained ment of fifteen youth at a Mayaguez meeting in in St. Thomas and the jurisdiction of which 1969. "As a result of these first fifteen," the extended to Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, National Assembly reported, "over three Guadeloupe, ile des Saintes, Marie Galante hundred enrolments followed within the next Island, Martinique, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. year, thus setting in motion a new phase in the Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, St. BarthClemy, the annals of the North American BahB'i com- Virgin Islands and St. Martin Island; and the munity." The subsequent visits of the Hands of National Spiritual Assembly of Barbados and the Cause and talented resource people assisted the Windward Islands with its seat in St. in broadening the foundation of the faith of Lawrence, Barbados and comprising within its the new believers. Enrolments continued and jurisdiction Barbados, Grenada, the Grena- many new centres were opened. Assessing this dines, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Dominica. period the National Spiritual Assembly stated, The chartered ship bearing Baha'is to and "Believers, particularly youth, travelled to the from the Caribbean Conference stopped in St. beautiful mountainous i,nner areas of the island Thomas on its return voyage to the United telling the story of BahB'u'llah to men on horse- States, and the teaching efforts of the passen- back and families living on mountain tops gers resulted in a number of people embracing whose houses could be reached only by agilethe Faith. A delegation of Baha'is called upon footed lovers of BahB'u'llih longing to share the Governor of the Virgin Islands. Teaching His Message. Proclamation meetings were held teams, both local and from the United States in many areas in the city square and much and Canada, as well as travelling teachers of teaching was done through means of person-tointernational reputation, visited various islands person encounters and presentations of slides and assisted with the work of consolidation. and films about the Faith." I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 219
A group of Bahri'is at the Regional Bahd'i Conference, Port-au-Prince, Haiti; July, 1969. The Hands of the Cause &ikru'lldk a d d e n t and Dr. Rahmatu'lldlz Muhbjir are seen in the back row, third andfifth from the right, respective(v.
Encouraged by the record of achievement of area during the Nine Year Plan. Representing the Puerto Rican community the Uiliversal the Universal House of Justice on this occasion House of Justice in 1971 called for the forma- was the Hand of the Cause Dhikru'llkh tion of the National Spiritual Assenlbly at Dadem. Ridv?n, 1972, and increased the number of The Faith in these islands grew at a dramatic go'als assigned to the believers. Originally re- pace throughout the five year period under quested to raise the number of Local Assem- scrutiny. Between 1968 and 1973 thenumber of blies to three, the National Assembly reported Local Assemblies increased from one to that eight had been established at Ridvan, 1973, seventy-two; the number of localities where and one had achieved incorporation. In addi- Baha'is reside from one to two hundred; and tion, BahB'is resided in thirty-five localities; there was a hundredfold increase in the size of the islands of Culebra and Vieques were the BahB'i community. opened; the community had witnessed the de- The work in this area was greatly enhanced parture of the first Puerto Rican pioneer to through a series of visits from some of the settle in another country (Peru), had the joy Hands of the Cause, members of the Continenof seeing the first Puerto Rican visit the Holy tal Board of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board Land as a pilgrim and rejoiced that five mem- members, and through a number of conferences bers of the first National Spiritual Assembly sponsored by the Counsellors, the National attended the International Convention in Haifa Teaching Committee and the National Youth for the third election of the Universal House of Committee. Justice. To a remarkable degree the community enjoyed cordial relations with outstanding figures TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO in the islands and achieved a vast amount of The National Spiritual Assembly of Trinidad publicity through the friendly interest of synland Tobago, with its seat in Port-of-Spain, was pathetic members of the press, radio and teleestablished in 1971, another pillar of the BahB'i vision. Commencing in December, 1971, the administrative order erected in the Caribbean National Spiritual Assembly reported, a free five-minute weekly radio programme has been Windward Islands remained until Ridvan, carried over Radio Trinidad which has served 1972, when an independent National Spiritual to "carry the message of the BahB'i Faith to the Asse~nblywas formed in the Windward Islands entire population." BahB'i books have been with its seat in St. Lawrence, Barbados. presented to a number of dignitaries and placed The geographic location of these islands in in libraries throughout the islands. The presen- the southern Caribbean, together comprising tation of literature to schools resulted in per- an area of one thousand square miles, including mission being obtained for the BahB'is to pre- four large and ten smaller islands, presented sent lectures and slide programnies on progres- many challenges to travelling teachers ~ n d sive revelation to students and teachers, pioneers alike. "That the Faith grew from two followed by lively debates. believers in 1953 to more than 2,500 believers In addition to numerical growth, the Na- with a National Spiritual Assembly and twentytional Assembly reported the followingachieve- seven Local Assemblies by the end of the Nine ments: exemption from attendance at school Year Plan is testimony to the Divine Grace of on BahB'i Holy Days and recognition of Baha'i Baha'u'llah and the persistent, efforts of stalmarriage, in 1970; acquisition of a Temple site wart pioneers, travelling teachers and new and endowment land, in 1972; and in the same friends," the National Assembly reported. year, by Act of Parliament, incorporation of In this period the first indigenous believers the National Spiritual Assembly. arose as pioneers to establish the Faith in other islands; mass teaching projects were inailgurated; the first Teaching Institute was held; the WINDWARD ISLANDS enrolment of the first Carib Indian indigenous The Windward Islands and Barbados, visited to St. Vincent was recorded; widespread newsas early as 1927 by the Hand of the Cause Keith paper, radio and television publicity was Ransom-Kehler, are part of the Lesser Antilles achieved; and The Proclamation of Bahci'u'llcih to which 'Abdu'l-Bahi directed attention in was presented to the Governor-General, His His Tabletsof the Divine Plan. In the early years Excellency Sir Winston Scott, who accorded the development of the Faith in the Lesser cordial audiences to the Hands of the Cause Antilles was under the direction of the National Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m (who repre- Spiritual Assembly of the United States. At sented the Universal House of Justice when the Ridvan, 1967, the National Spiritual Assembly National Spiritual Assembly was formed at the of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands inaugural Convention in 1972) and Enoch was established under whose jurisdiction the Olinga. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 22 1
firth America Twenty years after the Tablets of the Divine ESTABLISH STRUCTURAL BASIS OF HIS WORLD Plan were revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha to the ORDER.^
WOULD TO GOD EVERY STATE WITHIN AMERI- establishment in 1948 of a separate National CAN REPUBLIC AND EVERY REPUBLIC IN Spiritual Assembly in Canada. Nine years later, AMERICAN CONTINENT MIGHT ERE TERMINA- the Alaskan BahB'i community elected its first TION OF THIS GLORIOUS CENTURY' EMBRACE National Spiritual Assembly. With the incep- THE LIGHT OF THE FAITH OF BAHAULLAH AND tion of the Nine Year Plan in 1964, the youthful The first century of the BahA'i era, ending May 22, 1944. Messages to America, p. 6 . 'i WORLD Alaskan community and the zealous Canadians Baha'is. Victories, while thrilling and dramatic, assumed responsibilities, comparable to those lagged behind the goals assigned. Early in 1970 borne by the veteran United States community, the National Spiritual Assembly reported that for spreading the Message of Baha'u'llah Alaska had sufficient resources but the rate of throughout North America. development would have to be increased to ensure victory. A dramatic remobilization of resources was ALASKA inaugurated in consultation between the The first National Spiritual Assembly of National Spiritual Assembly and Mr. Jenabe Alaska was formed in 1957 with its seat in Caldwell, a member of the Auxiliary Board, Anchorage. who conceived a series of bold teaching innova- Alaska witnessed remarkable activity during tions which were directed by the National the closing half-decade of the Nine Year Plan. Spiritual Assembly. The first, called "Procla- Of the five virgin goals, two remained to be mation" mobilized teaching teams which filled. Residents of the Pribiloff Islands enrolled travelled from town to town presenting proand returned home, filling that goal. St. grammes of Indian and/or Eskimo dancing, Lawrence Island, forty miles from Siberia, was Baha'i films, music and the Baha'i Messageresettled by heroic pioneering, with the sacri- simple and direct. Enthusiasm mounted and ficial assistance of Baha'is of Kodiak, Juneau enrolments accelerated. and Seattle. Formation of a Local Spiritual A new spirit was sparked at the 1971 National Assembly in 1973 crowned these valiant efforts. Convention when the community pledged to A thrilling thrust forward occurred in rela- conquer Alaska spiritually and to bring to tion to the international goals. A number of fruition the hope expressed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in pioneers departed for overseas areas and some His Tablets of the Divine Plan that Perchance, settled in territories not assigned to Alaska. In God willing, the lights of the nzost great guidance the final year of the Plan alone, sixty-three may illumine that country and the breezes of the Alaskans made more than eighty teaching trips rose garden of the love of God may perfume the to twenty-six different countries. nostrils of the inhabitants o f Alaska. Immedi- Within Alaska the number of Local Spiritual ately after the Convention, the National Spiri- Assemblies more than doubled, from seventeen tual Assembly launched "Massive Encou~iter", to thirty-eight, exceeding the goal by eight. The designed to carry the Message of Baha'u'llah number of localities where Baha'is reside in- throughout the country. With permission of the creased nearly threefold from fifty-three to 158, Board of Counsellors, Mr. Caldwell was desigexceeding the goal by fifty per cent. There was nated "Field Commander" and directed the nearly an eightfold increase in the number of day to day operations of the project under the Alaskan believers and a heightened degree of supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly. maturity was reflected in increased contribu- Galvanized as never before, the body of betions to the Fund. lievers became the "Army of Light" and all Early in 1969 the Continental Board of could serve through contributing the three re- Counsellors met with the National Assembly sources of prayer, time or financial assistance. and inspired the creation of a new Local Assem- Nine-day Institutes prepared the field force bly through the settlement of pioneers in a through immersion in the Writings and "more hitherto "impossible" community. The Coun- than any other single factor," the National sellors sponsored a conference with the Hand Assembly stated, "created the necessary spiriof the Cause 'Ali-Akbar Furutan in Juneau in tual orientation, zeal and moral courage." 1969, and in 1970 a minorities conference was When willing listeners were found the essential held in Petersburg with the Hand of the Cause features of the Faith were presented in a direct Enoch Olinga as honoured guest. manner and hundreds upon hundreds em- Proclamation activities continued as presen- braced the Cause through this approach. A tations were made to public officials, both local work force was created. Dedicated believers and national. Up to the middle of 1970 most of worked at any available job--usually cannery the accomplishments had been the result of work-and contributed their entire earnings to herculean efforts on the part of individual the Fund for the teaching work. A twenty-four I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 223
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Alaska, April, 1973, with tlze Hand of tlze Cause Jalhl B a z e h (front row, third jiom the left) and Mr. Jenabe Caldwell and Mr. Howard Brown, North American Auxiliary Board members (second and,fourthfrom the left respectively).
hour "prayer watch" assured constant suppli- fore had so tested the believers or posed such a cation for the success of these ventures. When challenge to internal unity as the radical deprayer was suspended, the National Spiritual partures which tested the very foundations of Assembly noted, morale deteriorated and prob- established teaching methods and swept up lems developed. While the majority of the veteran believers in a whirlwind of unfamiliar full-time participants were youth-many from activities." the United States, Hawaii or Canada-BahB'is Throughout the exciting five years Alaska of all ages (including children), races, levels of received many inspirational visits. In addition education and material means gave exemplary to those mentioned there were six visits from service. Mrs. Florence Mayberry of the Board of The National Spiritual Assembly divided Counsellors and generous contributions of time Alaska into sixteen regions for this systematic by Auxiliary Board members Mrs. Peggy Ross, "spiritual conquest". By the end of the Plan Mr. Ted Anderson, Mr. Howard Brown and the project had been more than ninety per cent Mr. Paul Pettit, the last two mentioned spendcompleted; that is, the Faith had been pro- ing two months directing "Massive Encounter" claimed to ninety per cent of the villages, towns in urban areas. Others far too numerous to or cities in the area. Whereas in 1970 Alaska mention gave greatly appreciated assistance, was behind schedule, two years later all the but tribute must be paid to the multi-racial assigned goals had been completed and, musical team of BahB'i Youth, "Windflower", through "Massive Encounter", Alaska com- who gave sacrificially of their time and talent pleted its goals second only to Fiji. and made a vital contribution not only on the "It is a significant tribute to the steadfastness homefront but internationally. of the believers and the strength of the Coven- The half-decade ended with new challenges, ant that unity was maintained", the National as victories edged Alaska closer to the plea Spiritual Assembly reported, "for nothing be- penned by 'Abdu'l-Baha that the breezes qf'the 224 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
rose garden of the love of Cod nzay perjume the quantitative," the National Spiritual Assembly nostrils ofdle inhabitants ofAlaska. noted. "Following the 1967 proclamation by the Universal House of Justice to the Heads of State around .the world, the Canadian com- CANADA munity eagerly launched itself on the 'unknown "The last five years of the Nine Year Plan sea' of proclamation, in a series of announcewere memorable," the National Spiritual ments to leaders of thought and various sectors Assembly reported, "and Canadian Baha'is of the population, Through delegations, the successfully fulfilled the share of the great trust preparation of briefs, pamphlets, and other assigned to them, the victory far exceeding any- publications, the intensive use of the mass thing we dared imagine at the midway point of comn~unicationmedia, and public events of the Plan in 1968." every kind, an unprecedented degree of free Apart from the statistical victories, the publicity and goodwill were won for the Faith. National Spiritual Assembly commented, The two main groups of the population to "something happened to the believers them- respond in large number to these teaching and selves as they made the effort which the Plan proclamation efforts were the youth and the required-the emergence in Canada of a real people of French Canada. At the height of the sense of being a BahB'i community. During proclamation to youth, in 1971, the annual these recent years especially this community, increase in membership reached fifty per cent. conceived over sixty years ago by 'Abdu'l-Baha This response has greatly enriched the comin references in the Tablets of the Divine Plan munity's life, and enormously increased its and born twenty-five years ago at Canada's attractiveness, as well as equipping it for a far first National Co~lventionin 1948, has now more ambitious role abroad." begun to emerge in the consciousness of its The five years from 1968 to 1973 witnessed members as an embryonic society with its own an equally great advance in the consolidation unique identity, but with the primary mission of the Cause in Canada. Among the nlilestones of serving and becoming part of the unification in this development were the acquisition of a of mankind. Its shape and quality can be magnificent seventeen acre site for a Temple detected in the achievements of the five year and National Haziratu'l-Quds, together with a period just ended, and particularly in three large building that presently houses the various main areas of effort: homefront expansion, departments of the National Office; and the homefront consolidation and overseas service." rapid emergence from its former obscurity of The most dramatic and readily grasped fact the Institution of the National Shrine in Monis the sheer extent of the expansion of the com- treal, the Maxwell home visited by 'Abdu'lmunity. At the midway point in the Plan there Baha in 1912, culminating in the formal recogwere seventy Local Spiritual Assemblies in nition of the building by the civil authorities as Canada; the Plan ended with 201 Assemblies, a sanctuaire. forty-seven more than required. In the same In 1968 the goal of creating a National period, the number of localities where BahB'is Teaching Institute was realized with the erecreside grew from 350 to approximately one tion of alarge two-storey building on a property thousand, a threefold increase. By 1971 the previously acquired in the Fort Qu'Appelle number of incorporated Assemblies had sown valley, Saskatchewan. Here, too, the goal was from twenty-six to fifty-seven, the established surpassed by the subsequent establishment of goal, and during the last year of the Plan in Institutes in the far north, at Baker Lake and response to a supplementary appeal from the Frobisher Bay in the Arctic, and at Yellowknife Universal House of Justice an additional thirty in the District of Mackenzie, as support for the incorporations were added, thus gaining civil work of the Spiritual Assemblies established in recognition for alrnost one half of Canada's those centres. A new summer school was establocal administrative bodies. The Canadian be- lished at Bowser, British Columbia, on Vanlievers demonstrated their maturity through couver Island. dramatic and sustained increases in contribu- Other significant developments in the field of tions to the Fund. consolidation included the rapid increase in "But the expansion has been more than the maturity of Local Spiritual Assemblies INTERNATIONAL S U R V E Y O F B A H A'I A C T I V I T I E S 225
National fTaziratu'l- Quds o f Canada, Willo wdale, Ontario; acquired in 1969.
which began to recruit overseas and homefront teaching teams, often in cooperative ventures pioneers, mobilize and deputize teaching teams, with other national communities, to every conassume direct responsibility for the national tinent and oceanic region of the globe. Fund, initiate imaginative proclamation pro- The objective of the establishment of the grammes and demonstrate a new capacity to National Spiritual Assembly of Iceland was solve burdensome counselling problems, as an achieved at Ridvan, 1972; BahB'i literature in aid to which process the National Spiritual Icelandic was increased; and almost total civil Assembly in 1971 established "Assembly Re- recognition for the institutions of the Cause in source Teams" to provide the Local Assenl- Iceland was obtained. In September, 1971, the lies with teaching ideas, guidance on adminis- Canadian believers had the bounty of organiztrative principles and consultation on national ing in Iceland the last of the great Oceanic programmes; the transformation of Canadian Conferences called by the Universal House of Bahri'i News from a modest bulletin to a vital, Justice. creative and bilingual organ of communica- "Two aspects of Canadian activity overseas tion; the reorganization of the committee which were not specific responsibilities of the charged with the responsibility for sale and dis- Plan but which have been very gratifying," tribution of BahB'i literature through its estab- the National Assenlbly reported, "were the lishment as a department of the National Office opportunity given to a number of Canadian with its own full-time staff. believers to serve at the World Centre and the During the concluding five years of the Plan major role Canada had assumed in meeting the Canadian community was able to finance the urgent needs of the francophone world, in wholly or in part the acquisition of Temple or pioneer and teaching assistance, large-scale Haziratu'l-Quds sites ,in Iceland, Mauritius, subsidy of French-language literature, and Denmark, Trinidad and Venezuela, as well as collaboration in audio-visual and translation contribute to the erection of the Temple at projects." Panama; it settled 536 pioneers overseas or in Assessing the half-decade under review, the other centres specified by the Universal House National Spiritual Assembly commented: of Justice. Parallel with this effort, a wave of "There is no significant victory which the Canadians arose as travelling teachers and Canadian community won during the Nine 226 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
Year Plan which was not the product of the which resulted in an unprecedented expansion close collaboration with the Hands of the of the Faith among young people and their Cause of God, with the newly-created Institu- pervasive participation in the administration tion of the Continental Board of Counsellors of the community; and (3) the concerted teachand their Auxiliary Board members. The love ing campaign in the Southern States designed and encouragement which they poured out to bring into the BahB'i community large flowed like oil through the entire machinery of numbers of black people." the Cause. The followers of BahB'u'llah in Proclamation activities, the National Assem- Canada have a growing awareness that they bly noted, "developed into forms of assertiveare a community but ahead lies the challenge ness heretoforelargely untried by the believers," set before them by the Universal House of and resulted in an exploitation of "every likely Justice at the inception of the Plan-'. . . this national and special occasion, social condition, community now enters a new era in its history mass medium of communication as well as when it must raise in its great homeland . . . a every possibility created by the commemorative mighty structure representing all (its) many publication of TheProclamationofBahri'u'llah." races, religious and cultural backgrounds . . . a The overwhelming nationwide publicity which religious community so unified, so dedicated to the Faith received as a result of the activities the oneness of mankind and the oneness of associated with the centenary of Bahk'u'llah's religion as to astonish and attract the mass of proclamation to the kings (1967) signified a its fellow countrymen."' breakthrough which, the National Spiritual Assembly commented, "emboldened the initiatives of local communities and the National THE UNITED STATES BahB'i Public Information Office in their use of The majority of the extensive goals assigned mass media on a wider scale. Several films were to the American community in the Nine Year subsequently produced, notably A New Wind Plan were accomplished during the period from and It's Just the Beginning which were seen by 1968 to 1973, and in several instances the millions on television; a series of spot anaccomplishments surpassed the objectives. For nouncements for radio and film clips for televiexample, at Ridvan, 1973, the National Spiri- sion were developed and disseminated throughtual Assembly recognized 824 Local Spiritual out the country with impressive results; the Assemblies, exceeding the goal by 224; there heightened visibility of the community brought were 4,809 localities where BahB'is resided, requests from radio and television stations for 1,809 in excess of the goal; and 238 Local more and more BahB'i programs; and news- Spiritual Asseniblies had been incorporated, papers and magazines also began carrying in- 121 more than at the beginning of the Plan finitely more feature stories and new items which required the incorporation of one in each about the Faith." State. These statistics reflect a surge of energy Detailing some of the most outstanding proand enthusiasm in the BahB'i community clamation activities, the National Spiritual which had its genesis in the call of the Universal Assembly stated: "The observance of Inter- House of Justice at Ridvan, 1967, for world- national Human Rights Year in 1968 and of wide proclamation of the Faith. "This call gal- International Education Year in 1970 provided vanized the American community to its roots," rich possibilities for Baha'i functions, by which the National Spiritual Assembly reported, and means the community combined its intention assisted the community to embark "upon a to strengthen its relationship with the United simultaneous series of multifarious activities Nations and its proclamation objectives. Under designed at once to call the attention of the the aegis of the North American BahB'i Office non-Baha'i public to the Faith and to further of Human Rights (NABOHR), which had expand and consolidate the community. been created both as a BahB'i response to the Among the most outstanding of these activities human rights problems in the United States were those which constituted: (1) the proclama- and a special proclamation agency, Internation projects which took the Message of tional Human Rights Year was observed BahB'uyll&hto various strata of American nationally by the holding of ten regional society; (2) the Five Year Youth Program, BahB'i conferences, one national conference in I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H . ~ 'A~C T I V I T I E S 227
On behalfof the North American Bah6'i Ofice for Human Rights (NABOHR), Mrs. Juliette B. Buford (right), Director of NABOHR, acceptsjrom Dr. Carl F. Hawver, Chairman of the Silver Anvil Awards Committee, a Silver Anvil Trophy presented by the Public Relations Society of America for o~ctstandirlgperformance in special events. With Mrs. Buford is Mrs. Natalie M . DiBuono, Assistant Director of the National BahZi Public Infornzation Department. May 15,1969.
Chicago, and an awards banquet in Washing- berger for his work with the United Nations ton, D.C., on Human Rights Day. Interna- and particularly as chairman of the Commistional Education Year was similarly observed sion to Study the Organization of Peace; the by holding one national conference in Wil- Xerox Corporation for its educational televimette, three regional educational conferences sion projects on the history and contributions and a culminating awards luncheon in New of black Americans (1968); Dr. James L. York. Olivero, executive director of Southwestern "In conjunction with these observances, the Cooperative Educational Laboratory, for his widely acclaimed statement embodying the work among children of minorities; the Child- Baha'i position 'Human Rights are God-Given ren's Television Workshop for producing the Rights' was published and the Louis G. educational program "Sesame Street" (1970); Gregory1 award, 'for service to humanity', was Mr. Roy Wilkins, executive director of the created. The unique design of the award was National Association for the Advancement of conceived by the noted American sculptor Colored People, for his extensive work in the Vernon Voelz and executed in stone and field of human rights (1972). The net effect of bronze. Recipients were: Mr. Clark M. Eichel- these special activities was the increased recognition the Faith received in ever-widening The Hand of the Cause Louis G. Gregory, "noble- circles. The coveted Silver Anvil Award given minded, gold-hearted. . . pride (and) example (to the) Negro adherents (of the) Faith . . . loved, admired by the Public Relations Society of America, (and) trusted (by) 'Abdu'l-Baha." Deceased 1951. See Inc., for excellence in public relations pro- "In Memoriam", The Baha'i World, vol. xu, pp. 666-670. grams, was presented to NABOHR (1968);and 228 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
the President's Comnlissioil for Observance of House of Justice on January 30, 1971, to cable Human Rights Year (1968) cited the activities the Baha'i world : of the BahB'i community. The presentation of JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE BAHAI WORLD PROCESS The Proclamation of Baha'u'lldh to government ENTRY BY TROOPS RAPIDLY ACCELERATING officials and prominent persons continued UNITED STATES EVIDENCED BY ENROLLMENT throughout the entire period and was largely 8000 NEW BELIEVERS SOUTH CAROLINA COURSE responsible for the immeasurable increase in publicity given the Faith." SIX WEEKS . .. The Five Year Youth Program, described "The beginning of that process," it was reelsewhere in this volume, the National Spiritual ported by the National Assembly, "can be Assembly said, "tremendously boosted the traced to the Southern Teaching Conference varied youth activities and reinforced the pro- which was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, clamation programs" and its goals, established on September 12-14, 1969. A Deep South in 1968 and developed within the framework Committee was formed as a direct consequence of the Nine Year Plan were so successfully met and within six months its activities, encouraged by June, 1970, when the second national youth by a number of scattered individual teaching conference was held in Evanston, Illinois, that successes, spearheaded large-scale enrollment the National Spiritual Assembly was com- of believers in the Southern States, particularly pelled to supplement the objectives of the pro- Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South gram. From the proceedings of the second Carolina and Texas. The most spectacular conference, attended by two thousand youth, results were experienced in South Carolina the film It's Just the Beginning was produced. which had two Local Spiritual Assemblies in The highlight of the conference was the parti- 1968 and fifty-five by RidvAn, 1973. An imporcipation of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l- tant outcome of this rapid expansion was the BahA Ruhiyyih a a n u m who had temporarily establishment of the first permanent teaching interrupted her African teaching circuit to institute in the United States, which was named attend. in menlory of the Hand of the Cause Louis G. "Gaining impetus from the youth program," Gregory and is situated in Hemingway, South the National Assembly observed, "the summer Carolina. youth projects which had succeeded on the "In overview," the National Assembly rehomefront in previous years in employing the flected, "the celebrated development in the teaching ability of youth were expanded to the South had the effect of demonstrating the ripeinternational sphere and in 1973, alone, 143 ness of the American BahB'i community for young people served in summer projects in expansion; it freed the teaching spirit of the Europe and Latin America, projects which, believers throughout the nation and encouraged especially in Europe, had a signal effect upon them to teach among other minorities, princithe accomplishment there of the Nine Year pally those people of Indian and Spanish- Plan goals. The use of youth teaching teams speaking background, resulting in an increase became a regular part of the expansion work on to 119 of the number of Indian tribes reprethe homefront." sented in the American BahB'i community; the International assistance was not confined to translation of Baha'i literature into twelve addiyouth projects. Hundreds of believers set out tional Indian languages within one year alone for pioneer posts in the Far East, Africa, (1972-1973); and the inauguration of a sus- Europe, Latin America and islands in the vast tained program of teaching among Spanish- Pacific Ocean. Another important facet of speaking people in Arizona, California and international aid was the underwriting of pro- Texas. The pervasiveness of this effect is perty acquisitions to help a number of National attested by the fact that expansion accelerated Spiritual Assemblies meet their goals. To in every region of the country and that Local accomplish these tasks, the annual budget of Spiritual Assemblies were established outside the National Assembly has had to be increased the deep South in sufficient numbers to fulfill each year. the Nine Year Plan goal of six hundred. It is An extraordinary development in the Ameri- noteworthy that over fifty per cent of the can BahB'i community prompted the Universal enrollments in these latter years occurred I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 229
Bahd'i exhibit at annual convention of the National Association of .Human Rights Workers, Tulsa, Oklahoma; October, 1970. Sinzilar exhibits arranged by the United States Bahd'i Public Informatiori Ofice were seen throughout the country during October.
among people between the ages of fifteen and Assembly members being condncted between thirty. 1972 and 1973 alone; the publication of a "This unprecedented expansion was also due Comprehensive Deepening Program in which in part to the direct or indirect influences of all members of the community could particisuch developments, in particular, as the impact pate; the promotion of the House of Worship of the newly-established Continental Board of as a centre of attraction to both the believers Counsellors and the stimulus produced by the and the public; the increase and enrichment several series of regional conferences which of Baha'i SummerIWinter School programs; they held at different periods between 1970- the systematic use of weekend institutes for 1973; and the enthusiasm which American training in the principles of Baha'i administraparticipants brought back from oceanic and tion and deepening the knowledge of the becontinental conferences, notably the one held lievers; the publication, in tabloid format, in Reykjavik, Iceland, to which two hundred of beginning in 1969, of two national internal them went, and the one held in Kingston, bulletins The National Review and The American Jamaica, for which a ship was chartered to Bahri'i, to facilitate the communication of news transport the six hundred American Baha'is and special information; and the enlarging of who attended." the Publishing Trust facilities to enable it to Among the measures adoped by the National produce and distribute audio-visual materials Spiritual Assembly to meet the challenges and as well as literature for the community. complexities created by such rapid expansion "Only time will demonstrate the full results were: the strengthening of Local Spiritual of these measures," the National Assembly Assemblies through a series of training pro- stated, "but signs of success are already appargrams, forty seminars for Local Spiritual ent at RiQvan, 1973." 230 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
BOLIVIA
Soutlz America I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H ~ ACTIVITIES ' ~
South America .is early as 1936 the Guardian wrote express- vast territory of Argentina extending from the ing the hope that by the close of the first Baha'i inhospitable desert wastes of the Chaco area in century, May, 1944, the banner of the Faith of the north to the rugged regions within the Baha'u'llah might be planted in "every state shadow of the great glaciers of the Andes in the within the American Republic and every Re- far south. By the midway point in the Plan no public in the American continent". So urgent significant numerical gains had been registered was this need that he asked the delegates to the although it was reported that the total number Annual Convention of the BahB'is of the United of localities required in the Plan had been States and Canada in 1937 to prolong their ses- opened and there had been a slow but progressions and come forth with a Seven Year Plan one sive increase in the number of believers. of the objectives of which was to achieve estab- In July, 1968, challenged by the Universal lishment of a centre in each Latin American House of Justice to intensify their efforts, the Republic and the Caribbean.The work in Latin believers in Argentina adopted the goal of America thus developed under the first Seven establishing the Faith in an additional forty Year Plan (1937-1944), the second Seven Year localities. Plan (1946-1953) and by 1951 the Regional An outstanding characteristic of the period ~ a t i o n aSpiritual l Assembly of South America was the close cooperation which was developed had been formed including in its jurisdiction and n~aintainedbetween the Continental Board all South America except the Guianas. of Counsellors in South America and their In 1957, with the dissolution of this Regional Auxiliary Board, and the National Spiritual Assembly, two Regional National Spiritual Assembly. As a result of this auspicious rela- Assemblies came into being: The National tionship the National Spiritual Assembly was Spiritual Assembly of Argentina, Chile, Uru- able to initiate, launch and spearhead through guay, Paraguay and Bolivia; and the National the Counsellors a number of mass teaching Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, projects in both rural and urban zones which Ecuador and Venezuela. In 1961 independent met with remarkable success, especially those National Spiritual Assemblies were formed in conducted in village areas among the Toba each of the above countries with seats in Indians, as a result of which enrollments Buenos Aires (Argentina), Santiago (Chile), dramatically increased and the Faith became Montevideo (Uruguay), Asuncion (Paraguay), established in every province of the country La Paz (Bolivia), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Lima including the virgin territory of the Argentinian (Peru), Bogota (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador) Tierra del Fuego. These projects soon won the and Caracas (Venezuela). wholehearted support and active participation In the Nine Year Plan the Guianas were the of both veteran and new believers, and their objects of special attention by the National acceleration, particularly from 1971 onward, Spiritual Assemblies of the United Kingdom ensured the victory for Argentina. (British Guiana), France (French Guiana) and By Ridvan, 1973, the community had witthe Netherlands (Surinam) until the establish- nessed successive triumphs including a more ment of the National Spiritual Assembly of than fourfold increase in the number of Local Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana in 1970 Spiritual Assemblies; a threefold increase in with its seat in Georgetown, Guyana. the number of localities where Baha'is reside; a more than ninefold increase in the number of believers in the country; the further diversifica- ARGENTINA tion of community membership, which already The first four years of the Nine Year Plan included Mataco and Chiriguano Indians, was a period of consolidation and strengthen- through the enrollment of representatives of a ing of the administrative framework and the number of additional Indian tribes including development of individual initiative within the Toba, Tewelche and Mapuche; the translation community which geared itself to carry the and publication of BahB'i literature in Mataco; Faith throughout the length and breadth of the the expansion of the facilities of the Spanish- 232 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
language Publishing Trust, Editorial Bahri'i Other signal victories included the incorpor- Indo-Latinoamericana, an increase in its titles ation of a Local Assembly in each of the nine including both introductory and deepening Departments of the country; the publication of literature, some of prestige quality, and the a resolution by the Ministry of Education reextension of its services to more than twenty- cognizing the BahB'i Holy Days and granting five countries; the increased involvement of permission to BahB'i teachers and students to Baha'i youth in the work of the Faith and the absent themselves on these days with full assumption by them of a leading role in teach- remunerative privileges; the extension and ing teams; a widespread use of original musical consolidation of the Faith in the highlands of compositions on BahB'i themes and the holding Bolivia and the Departments of Tarija, Pando, of an International Music Festival described Beni and Santa Cruz, in the last two of which more fully elsewhere in this volume; the estab- hundreds of persons accepted the Faith; the lishment and continued functioning of an establishment of a National Child Education International Summer School with a high level Committee which prepared teaching materials of courses, the.activities of the School being for children and youth, conducted training both a source of stimulation to the believers courses, sponsored BahB'i youth programmes and a means of p~oclaimingthe Faith through and encouraged weekly classes for BahB'i public programmes; the inauguration of stu- children in rural areas; the enrichment of dent teaching at both universities and high Bahk'i literature through the translation and/or schools; the development of extremely cordial publication into a number of languages indigrelationships with local authorities who ex- enous to the area including Siriono, Yanaigua, tended cooperation during the mass teaching Baure, Trinitario, Tacana, Pukina, Chahuanco projects; the arising of native believers, includ- and Quechua; the holding of a training course ing Indians, to serve as homefront and inter- for Baha'i women in La Paz, in 1969, as well as a national travelling teachers; the further deve- Summer School in the Department of Santa lopment of classes for BahB'i children and the Cruz and a Deepening Conference in Sucre in unprecedented use of radio, television and 1971 which attracted almost three hundred newspaper publicity as a means of proclain~ing believers including a group of children who the Faith. walked for three days to attend and present a These were among the great gains achieved group of songs they had learned in one of the by the Argentine community near whose capital twenty literacy centres conducted by Baha'is city lie the remains of May Ellis Maxwell, des- throughout the country; and the sponsoring of cribed by the Guardian as 'Abdu'l-BahB's be- a series of BahB'i exhibits including one held in loved handmaid and distinguished disciple, the municipal building in Sucre during which whose spirit of devotion continues to sustain eight thousand pieces of BahB'i literature were the believers of Argentina in their efforts to distributed and twenty-five youth sponserve the Cause of Baha'u'llAh. taneously embraced the Faith. Elsewhere in this volume is described the Intercontinental Conference held in August, BOLIVIA 1970, an outstanding event of which was the "The progress of the teaching work within audience granted to the Hand of the Cause the five years under review has been very signi- Amatu'l-Bahi Ruhiyyih Khanum by His Exficant," the National Spiritual Assembly re- cellency General Ovando Candia, President ported, "and although mass conversion con- of the Republic of Bolivia, to whom she pretinued on a reduced scale nevertheless between sented The Proclamation o f Bahd'u'llrik. A re- April and August, 1970, alone, the Faith was port published by Baha"i International News embraced by more than six thousand persons. Service describing the event stated: "On the By Ribvan, 1973, more than seven hundred day after the closing of the Conference word Local Spiritual Assemblies were established was received through the Minister of Education (more than one hundred in excess of the goal) that the President of the Republic would receive and the number- of localities where BahB'is all the BahB'is in the Presidential Palace. About reside-had risen.t0:3,761, almost triple the total 350 believers, led by the beloved Hand of the required in the Plan." Cause, met with the President for a televised I I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H ~ ACTIVITIES ' ~ 23 3
The Hand oj'the Cause Amutu'l-Bahh Rlihiyyih KJrilzumpresenting a copy ofThe Proclamation of Baha'u'llah to His Excellency General Apredo Ovando Candia, President of Bolivia; August, 1970.
interview. The President said that he had been Year Plan, at Ridvan, 1968, we found ourselves in Haifa and knew the Baha'i Holy Places and in practically the same situation as that in knew the objectives of the Baha'is. He ex- which we had started the Plan in 1964 and our pressed the hope that the Baha'is would con- anxiety was mounting. Our hopes were born tinue working for the welfare of all the peoples anew in 1968 as a result of the stimulating visit of the world. He requested the delegates to take of the Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah back his personal greetings to each of their own Muhajir who encouraged us to make bold new countries. A touching incident at that interview teaching plans. Those hopes became assurance was the impulsive gesture of a Bolivian Quechua in 1970, following the Intercontinental Conferbeliever who took off a long woven scarf and ence in La Paz, Bolivia, when Mr. Donald put it around the President's neck saying: 'This Witzel and Mr. Hooper Dunbar of the Contiis a remembrance of love from the Bolivian nental Board of Counsellors in South America Baha'is and from all of us.' The President led two teaching teams across our great northaccepted it with appreciation, giving Julian east and gave clear proof that the masses were Ugarte, the believer, a big embrace as photo- indeed thirsting for the Baha'i message. As we graphs were taken of the two of them together." developed experience in mass teaching more and more believers arose enthusiastically to teach with rewarding results. When we gathered BRAZIL in Salvador, Bahia, in February, 1971, to pay Examining the last half-decade, the National tribute to our beloved 'spiritual mother', Mrs. Spiritual Assembly reported : "Although our Leonora Armstrong, and to celebrate with her ranks had been strengthened and our few Local the completion of fifty years of selfless service to Assemblies fortified by the arrival of veteran the Faith as a pioneer in Brazil, our member- Baha'i pioneers from the United States and ship had increased to approximately five Persia, and although many lofty plans had thousand, concentrated in the north-eastern been made during the first years of the Nine states and largely in the Bahia area, the number Commembrative Congress held in observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Bahri'i Faith in Brazil; February, 1971. More than 300 Bahri'is gathered to honour the first pioneer to Brazil, Mrs. Leonora Armstrong, who arrived there in February, 1921. Mrs. Armstrong, wearing a white dress, is seen in the centre o f the photograph. At her left is Mr. Hooper Dunbar of the South American Board of Counsellors.
of Local Assemblies had surpassed by fifteen fruitful and cooperative relationships with the our goal of forty-five, and we had long since Continental Board of Counsellors and memexceeded the required number of localities bers of the Auxiliary Board, the latter being a where Baha'is reside. Our international goals particularly effective force in working with were accon~plished. . . and we were awarded local communities and offering inspiration at two additional foreign goals . . . From 1971 on, conferences and institutes throughout the our efforts were principally concentrated in country; the publication and widespread diswinning our few remaining homefront goals, in semination of a national Baha'i bulletin and a expanding and consolidating the Faith in all Nineteen Day Feast letter; the inauguration of regions, and in attempting to proclaim the a well-designed correspondence course; the de- Faith to all strata of society . . . Proclamation velopment of audio-visual materials including has been more local and regional than national slides, tapes, literature and locally-composed . . . such occasions as the visit of the Hand of the songs with BahB'i themes and the holding of reg- Cause Enoch Olinga, with resultant television ular Summer Schools, Institutes, conferences and newspaper coverage and increasingly cor- and national and regional youth gatherings. dial relations with these news media, have been "In addition to the faithful day-to-day teachof untold benefit." ing of a few permanent instructors and the Other significant developments in the period increased travel teaching of many Baha'is," the under review include an increased number of National Spiritual Assembly report concluded, Brazilian BahB'is who served as international "the youth must be mentioned. Their activities travelling teachers ;increased recognition of the have included inter-community meetings and Faith through the recognition of Baha'i Holy public gatherings, youth panels and other pro- Days by the authorities of Porto Alegre in rela- grammes. They are helping open up the field of tion to BahB'i children attending the Baha'i teaching among university students." Institute in Gravatai; the reorganization and revitalization of the administrative and teaching structure and the resultant assault upon the CHILE gigantic twin tasks of further extension of the Summarizing the development of the Faith Faith into all states and territories and the con- in Chile during the second half of the Nine Year solidation of existing conlmunities; extremely Plan, theNational Spiritual Assembly reported : "By 1968 the Baha'i community in Chile had Cause. In addition, prayers were published in already fulfilled some of the goals of the Plan. the Mapuche language thus partially fulfilling The National Assembly had achieved incorpor- the goal of enriching literature in indigenous ation and twenty-one of the required twenty- languages. five Local Assemblies had been established. "In the following years a threefold goal of Teaching among the Mapuche-the name the Plan was accomplished through the opening applied generally to the more than 200,000 to the Faith of Chi106 Archipelago, Mocha Araucanian Indians who inhabit the Andean Island and the Chilean part of Tierra del Fuego. highlands of central Chile and Argentina- The establishing of three localities on Chiloe had been successfully launched. The year 1968 Island surpassed by one the number required. was marked by the initiation of a proclamation By Ridvan, 1973, there were more than 180 programme which was one of the outstanding localities where Baha'is reside, considerably features of the activities of the Cause in Chile. exceeding the seventy-nine required under the It started with a poster contest sponsored by Plan, and there were fifty-one Local Spiritual the National Assembly, a project which gave Assemblies formed, being double the number broad publicity to the Faith. The winner was a required. non-Bah8'i and the subject he chose was 'The "The increased participation of Baha'i youth Unity of Mankind'. in all activities of the Faith was a distinguishing "In 1969 another important goal was accom- hallmark of the last half decade. Young Baha'is plished through the purchase of a twenty-acre settled as pioneers in various homefront goals Temple site overlooking the capital, Santiago. and played an outstanding role in the develop- Another significant event of that year was the ment of the Faith in Chile during the period." settlement of the first pioneer in the Mapuche area which brought in its wake the enrollment of a vast number of indigenous believers who COLOMBIA now constitute the majority of the Baha'is in Reporting succinctly on the development of Chile and actively participate in the National the Faith in Colombia during the last half of Convention, conferences and the work of the the Nine Year Plan, the National Spiritual
S o ~ n eColombian Bahri'is with the Hand oJ't11eCause Enocl~Olirzga on the occasion oj'lzis visit to Bogotd, Colon?bia;June, 1970. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Some of the estimated one thousand BahLi'i children who attended Baha'i' Children's School, Esrneraldas, Ecuador; March, 1972.
Assembly commented: "The first part of the cussed. The first, held in Bogota after the dedi- Nine Year Plan saw all of Colombia opened to cation of the Panama House of Worship in the Faith. A few devoted believers travelled and 1972, was attended by three hundred friends taught throughout the country. The only area including the Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery in which mass conversion occured was the and the South American Counsellors; the Guajira, a narrow peninsula about eighty miles other, an international youth conference held long between the Gulf of Venezuela and the in Cali in January, 1973, under the sponsorship Caribbean. of the Continental Board of Counsellors in "During the years 1968-1973 mass teaching South America, attracted a large attendance methods met with success in many rural areas andcombineditsprogramme withproclamation and even the cities. The entry by troops began activities as a result of which thousands of in the Chocb region with its largely black popu- people heard the Bahi'i Message. Bahb'i Interlation and soon spread to Tumaco and then to national News Service, reporting on the youth Valle del Cauca. Mass teaching was successful conference, stated that 'the second largest radio in cities such as Barranquilla where there are station presented six daily announcements in presently more than two thousand Bahi'is. prime time; two stunning slides were made and As a result of this process Colombia was able to shown for a month in two of the busiest movie attain her supplementary goal of establishing a houses and thirty-two Government leaders, Local Spiritual Assembly in every Department including the Mayor, were visited and pre- (State). This was made possible through the sented with The Renewal of civilization and appointment of regional committees which The Proclamation of'Baha'u'lldh. during the two year period of 1970--1971 "The creation of an Audio-Visual Centre reached and even surpassed the goals. With the gave a new impetus to the teaching work. tremendous increase in the number of believers Through this agency materials were produced the national conferences attracted larger num- which brought us closer to the goal of simulbers of believers. Two important international taneous teaching and deepening. conferences were held in the period being dis- "During the period 1968-1973 the number I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 237 of Baha'i properties increased as a result of two capital, a project so well received that the Dean generous contributions. There is now a Baha'i resporlsible for student activities at this Catho- Institute in Valle de Cauca and land on which lic institution requested the BahB'i Club to take an Institute is to be built in the Choco." charge of all social and cultural programmes of the student body. Commenting upon the remarkable success ECUADOR experienced in the last half of the Plan the "It has been a sweet task to review the deve- National Spiritual Assembly stated: "The lopment of the Faith in Ecuador over the spirit of mass conversion was felt in all parts of period 1968-1973," the National Spiritual the country and the very Andes mountains Assembly reported, "for it enabled us to re-live seemed to be moved. It was as though the voice heroic moments that reflect the loving labours of the Master sounded 011 all sides with its of the Baha'is of this country who, by one redemptive call, and its echo became mingled means or another, have made the Name of with the blood in our veins and gave us the BahB'u'llah resound by proclaiming His courage to raise aloud the call of the Kingdom Message from the Pacific Coast to the mountain throughout thelength and breadth of the land." range and, beyond that, to the Amazon Much assistance was rendered, the report Valley." continued, by the inspiring visits of a number Significant statistical gains were reported of the Hands of the Cause including Dr. fromEcuador: by Ridvan, 1973, the number of Ralpnatu'llah Muhajir whose suggestion, made Local Spiritual Assemblies had grown to 207, at the International Teaching Conference in surpassing the goal by eighty-seven; BahB'is Quito, in August, 1969, led to Ecuador adoptresided in 531 localities, surpassing the goal by ing the goal of increasing the number of 231; the number of incorporated Local Assem- Baha'is in the country by nine thousand in one blies grew from one to twelve, surpassing the year. This was accomplished, thus bringing the goal by one; and the BahB'i community which number of Ecuadorian believers to fifteen at Ridvan, 1968, had numbered approximately thousand. Valuable assistance was also rensix thousand had grown by 1973 to approxi- dered by the South American Continental mately 28,000 the majority of these believers Board of Counsellors, members of the Auxiliary being Indians and Negroes. There were large- Board, and international travelling teachers. scale enrollments among both rural and urban "Proclan~ation of the Faith," the report dwellers. Two Baha'i groups were established stated, "was carried out in accordance with the in the Galapagos Islands, teaching among request of the Universal House of Justice. The children and youth was actively pursued and Proclamation of Baha'u'llbh was presented to Baha'i literature was made available in both the President of the Republic and then to Shuara and Cayapa, languages indigenous to several regional authorities. The Faith was the country, the latter being a supplementary made known through radio, television and the accomplishment. The firsf Baha'i cemetery was press. The need to sustain our achievements and acquired in Ecuador, at Cuenca. Assistance deepen the newly enrolled believers led us to was rendered Argentina by translating into present radio programmes commencing in Quechua excerpts from The Dawn-Breakers by March, 1973, which, at first, were sporadic and Nabil-i-Zarandi. Prayers were also translated later were placed on a regular basis." into this tongue and a number of original songs In April, 1973, the National Assembly wrote: with BahB'i themes were written in Quechua. "At present we broadcast from 5.30 a.m. to The overseas goals assigned to Ecuador were 8.00 a.m. on Radio Turismo in Otavalo with also accomplished. twenty five-minute spot announcements In March, 1972, an estimated one thousand throughout the day giving quotations from children attended a Baha'i school in Esmeral- the Baha'i Writings and calling attention to the das, perhaps one of the largest gatherings of early morning programmes. On Radio Otavalo, Baha'i children in the history of the Faith, we broadcast a one-half hour programme daily details of which are set out elsewhere in this from 6.30 a.m. to 7.00 a.m. and thirty spot volume. Ecuadorian Baha'i youth established announcen~ents throughout the day. Radio a Baha'i Club at the University in Quito, the Nacional in Quito, owned by the State, has offered us twenty to thirty minutes free time public meeting. The first National Convention every fifteen days, and the Programme-Director was a moving experience." himself participated in and helped tape the last During the subsequent three years the programme broadcast." It was reported that fledgling national community of Guyana, the programmes-in both Spanishand Quechua Surinam and French Guiana achieved a num- -were enthusiastically received and led to ber of goals assigned to it under the Nine Year many enquiries about the Faith, and plans Plan including incorporation of the National were laid for a series of broadcasts "of a general Spiritual Assembly and one Local Assembly, nature covering the cultural and historical and the acquisition of a Temple site and of an background of the Indian peoples." And again: endowment property near Georgetown. In this "It is exciting to pass through the market place period the community was enriched and diverwhere the Indians sell their hand-woven fabrics sified through the enrollment of Bush Negroes and to see them listening to the BahB'i pro- in Surinam and Galibi Indians in French gramme 'At the Hour of Dawn'. Some of them Guiana; the foundation of the Faith was have written expressing appreciation, extending broadened and strengthened through the excongratulations and commenting 'At last we pansion of the teaching work into Northhear the Name of BahB'u'llah over the radio !"' western Guyana, a project warmly encouraged by the Hand of the Cause Arnatu'l-Baha Kaiyyih Khanurn; and the beginning of entry GUYANA, SURINAM AND by troops was witnessed as a result of teaching FRENCH GUIANA trips undertaken by visiting teachers including Reporting on the work of the Faith in this youth. By Ridvan, 1973, thirty-eight Local area between 1968 and 1973 the National Assemblies had been established, the number Spiritual Assembly which came into being at of localities where BahB'is reside had increased Ridvan, 1970, with its seat in Georgetown, to seventy-four and the membership of the Guyana, stated: "The exciting news of the community had more than doubled. formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Cayenne, French Guiana,-a prerequisite to the establishment of the National Assembly PARAGUAY -lifted our spirits at Ridvan, 1968, disappoin- Assessing its position at Ridvan, 1968, the ted as we were at our failure to increase the National Spiritual Assembly commented that number of Local Assemblies in Guyana from the prospect was disheartening, but the followtwo to four as called for in the Nine Year Plan. ing five years was a period of rededication and The Hand of the Cause Jalal m a z e h visited a sacrificial outpouring of the resources of the Guyana in July of that year and greatly inspired entire community with the result that "many us to greater teaching efforts. The village of 'firsts' were achieved on all fronts and the ad- McDoom was opened later that year and early ministrative bodies matured greatly." Paraguay in 1969 Mr. Hooper Dunbar of the South was among the first to fulfill all goals of the American Board of Counsellors encouraged Nine Year Plan and at Ridvan, 1973, triumphand assisted the friends to concentrate on this antly recorded the establishment of twice the village with the result that nine believers were number of Local Assemblies called for in the enrolled and a Local Assembly assured. Plan; that Baha'is resided in thirty-seven locali- Through the settlement of pioneers in 1969 ties, surpassing the goal by twenty-two; four and a particularly helpful visit from Mrs. Local Assemblies were incorporated; and Margot Worley, a member of the Auxiliary national recognition had been obtained of Board, Local Assemblies were formed in Kitty BahB'i Holy Days in relation to the attendance and Campbellville, Guyana, thus ensuring the of Bahi'i children in primary schools. erection at Ridvan, 1970, of another pillar of Significant among the trends noted in the the Universal House of Justice, on which period being surveyed were the marked inoccasion the House of Justice was represented crease in enrollments among Indian believers by the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha and their increased participation in the teach- Rbhiyyih a a n u m who also participated in a ing work; the involvement of youth who "are two-day teaching conference and addressed a playing a major role in travel teaching, service A group of Bahh'is at the BahLi'i Teaching Institute held in the Chaco, Paraguay; Jub~,1970.
on local and national administrative bodies, "A great percentage of all teaching effort was and in proclamation programmes"; a surge directed towards the Indian population and of enrollments anlong youth many of whom Institutes especially for Indian believers comcompose and perform songs with Baha'i menced in 1969 and have been repeated periodithemes, a development which was internation- cally ever since. The spirit of these noble people ally recognized when Paraguay won over fifty is reflected in the fact that a group of eight who per cent of the awards at the International longed to attend the Intercontinental Confer- Baha'i Youth Musical Festival in Argentina; ence in Bolivia in August, 1970, was forced to a greater access to mass communications media turn back at the Bolivian border after five days resulting in many references to the Faith on of arduous travel in intense heat, along dusty television, radio and in the press; the use of a roads, sometimes without food and water, tri-weekly BahB'i radio programme in Villar- because their funds were used up in meeting rica; the presentation of Baha'i books and other various crises encountered along the way. They literature to leading figures throughout the prayed, consulted and tearfully decided to turn country; and an active and continuing coopera- back. On their return journey they stopped at tion with the United Nations and support of its the BahB'i Institute at Chaco, conducted study programmes; and cordial relationships with classes from 8.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m. and the South American Board of Counsellors and employed their rest periods for teaching trips members of the Auxiliary Board whose assist- into the nearby area. May this spirit of dedicaance and support is gratefully acknowledged. tion always be our example!" What the National Assembly described as "the first bilingual Convention ever to be held in Paraguay where Spanish and Guarani are the PERU predominant languages" took place in 1970 At Ridvan, 1968, the midway point in the and was attended by representatives of three Nine Year Plan, twenty Local Assemblies had Indian tribes-Yanaigua, Chulupi and Maka. been formed in Peru and Baha'is resided in In the Indian village of Racchi, Peru, a Bahd'i teacher explains the meaning of apictorial study lesson; September, 1970.
sixty-nine localities throughout the country. high mountain region of Cuzco, visiting the Having exceeded the goals of the Plan as early Indian believers and opening several new as 1970, additional goals were set and in most villages to the Faith." instances surpassed. By Ridvan, 1973, impres- By the end of the Nine Year Plan every Desive statistical gains had been recorded. There partment of Peru had been opened, including were 103 Local Assemblies formed that year, the Amazonas, and contact had been estabmore than quadruple the original number re- lished with the Machiguenga Indians in the quired, and Baha'is resided in 380 localities, northern part of Cuzco. The publication of more than six times the minimum number some literature was undertaken and material originally assigned as the goal. translated into the Quechua language gave the During the last half of the Plan mass enroll- newly-enrolled believers fuller access to the ments, particularly among the Quechua Indians Baha'i Writings. The National Teaching Instiin the Cuzco area, resulted in the enrichment of tute in Cuzco acquired in November, 1969, was Baha'i community life and the growth in size of a valuable aid in deepening the knowledge of the Baha'i community many times over. A the friends. A total of twenty-four Local typical report of the latter development, written Assemblies had achieved incorporation by in 1969, states in part: ". . . adults, youth, and Ridvan, 1973. Summer Schools, youth confereven children, are now travelling to other De- ences and general teaching confererlces were partments from Lirna to teach the Faith, visit-. regular features of the half-decade under ing numerous centres and expending their own review alld a characteristic trend of the period funds for this purpose . . . a remarkable expan- was a heightened degree of ~~niversal participasion of the Faith has occurred among the tion in the work of the Faith. An increassd Quechua lndians in Cuzco . . . following the measure of publicity was obtained on televi- Summer School in January, a group of youth sion, radio and in the press, particularly in between the ages of thirteen and twenty-eight relation to the visirs of the Hands of the Cause undertook a fifteen-day teaching trip to the Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u n ~and Enoch INTERNATIONAL SURVE
Olinga, in 1970. As a result of the visit of Dr. group Arca Carmesi(Crimson Ark) was formed Victor de Araujo, accredited representative of in Montevideo, participated in many local, the Baha'i International Community at the national and some international events, pro- United Nations, cordial contact was established claimed the Faith on radio and television in with the United Nations office in Lima. both Argentina and Uruguay, and won the grand prize at the February, 1973, International BahB'i Youth Conference in Argentina." URUGUAY As was the case in many areas of the world, At Ridvan, 1968, there were seven Local youth activity "markedly increased in the five Assemblies in Uruguay and Baha'is resided in year period and culminated in a very successful twenty-three localities. The goals of the Nine youth conference held in Montevideo in Year Plan included the establishment of nine December, 1972, attended by young believers Local Assemblies and raising the number of from Uruguay and Argentina." localities where Baha'is reside to twenty, Only a few days before the Annual Convenincluding one in each Department. By Ridvan, tion at Ridvan, 1973, the victories achieved by 1973, twenty-four Local Assemblies had been Uruguay were crowned by the achievementformed, nearly triple the original goal, and after years of persistent effort--of yet another Baha'is resided in a total of forty-eight centres, goal, the incorporation of the National Spirimore than double the number called for. tual Assembly. "The achievement of this im- I n addition, the con~munityalmost tripled in portant goal at the eleventh hour of the Plan," size. the National Assembly commented, "brought Reporting on its growth, the National Spiri- great joy to the Assembly and the entire comtual Assembly paid tribute to the devoted munity." efforts of local and pioneer teachers, including Mr. Jerry Bagley whose contribution to the work in a number of atin in American countries VENEZUELA was of great value, and expressed appreciation As the half-way point in the Nine Year Plan for the frequent visits of the members of the was reached and the Venezuelan Baha'is South American Board of Counsellors, and gathered for their Annual Convention, it was "particularly Mr. Athos Costas whose frequent reported that thirty-six Local Assemblies had presence and loving and wise counsel, were in- been established and BahB'is resided in 203 valuable to the administrative and teaching localities including Trinidad and Tobago activities in the country. Several conferences where three centres had been opened. Steady sponsored by the Counsellors were also of increases in the number of believers presaged assistance in deepening the knowledge of the continued progress throughout Venezuela and friends. The Auxiliary Board member, Ram6n the teaching work in C u r a ~ a oand Bonaire Moreira, was an example of dedication." Island had witnessed a good beginning. Child- Music was an important means of proclainl- ren's classes had been inaugurated and there ing the Faith in Uruguay during the latter half were some active youth teachers. By December, of the Plan. Commenting on this, the National 1969, an additional Baha'i property was Assembly stated: "The noted pianist, Alfredo acquired at Paraguaipoa for use as a Teaching Speranza, visited the country in 1971 for the Ir~stituteand a significant number of new Negro purpose of proclaiming the Faith through his believers had embraced the Cause in the Barlocompositions inspired by the Baha'i Teachings. vento area. Progress continued to be reported While in Uruguay he gave a total of eleven in the important work of teaching anlong the concerts during which he played his original indigenous people and in May, 1970, alone, compositions with Baha'i themes, in various more than one thousand Guajiro Indians encities and towns, accompanied by Mr. Athos rolled in the Faith. A typical report written Costas, Mr. Ramon Moreira or Mrs. Maralynn during the period described the first all-Guajiro Dunbar, Auxiliary Board member, who would conference as "a tremendous success". In attengive a short talk about the Faith at each per- dance were more than two hundred Guajiro formance. Mr. Speranza also appeared on tele- Indians as well as a Guajibo Indian teacher vision several times . . . In 1972 a Baha'i music from the Amazon territory. "Men and women 242 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
A group o f Bahci'is at the Bahh'i Teaching Institute held in the Guajira, Venezuela; November, 1970. To the right, back row, is seen Mr. Donald R. Witzel of the Continental Board of Counsellors in South America.
alike," the report stated, "pledged themselves In December, 1972, a Temple site was to undertake expansion teaching projects in acquired in Caracas, and an additional goal both Venezuela and Colombia. The conference was achieved through the publication of BahB'i site was the model community of Los Mochos prayers in the Yaruro language. Significant where thenewly finished Local Haziratu'l-Quds gains were reported among the Cariiia Indians was dedicated and inaugurated. A visit was some of whom were actively teaching among paid to the first Venezuelan BahB'i cemetery at their own people. Los Mochos and to the Teaching Institute." It At Ridvan, 1973, a highly meritorious record was noted that there were 110 Local Assen~blies of achievements had been established. Having in the Guajira area many of which were func- commenced the Nine Year Plan with only six tioning in an exemplary fashion. Local Assemblies and only forty-two localities At Ridvan, 1971, the labours of the Venezue- opened to the Faith, the community more than lan community were rewarded as they saw their tripled the numbers called for in the Nine Year "daughter" community come into being with Plan-167 Local Assemblies were formed, the establishment of the National Spiritual BahB'is resided in 464 localities, and the num- Assembly of Trinidad and Tobago. ber of Baha'is had increased eight times. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S
c. A S I A Asia, that massive giant of continents, com- underwent subsequent deterioration and was prises 17,000,000 square miles stretching from razed in 1963. polar wastes to regions of tropical abundance Despite the disabilities which have affected and is the home of more than fifty-six per cent the Cause in Asia the Nine Year Plan witnessed of the world's population. In this great conti- an effloresence the result of which has been that nent the BahB'i Revelation was born; its soil today more than one-half of the BahB'is of the was drenched with the blood of thousands of world are found here, more than one-half of the martyrs and upon it were enacted scenes of the localities where Baha'is reside are situated in most bitter persecution, violent oppression and Asia and nearly one-half of the existing Local sublime heroism the infant Cause has experi- Spiritual Assemblies are located there.z enced. Within Asia's great land mass lie coun- Nowhere in Asia does the star of the Cause tries which were the first to hear of the Teach- shine more brightly than in India, a country ings of Baha'u'llih and on its western boundary whose teeming masses have demonstrated a lies the Holy Land where, at Bahji, is found receptivity to the BahB'i Teachings which "the heart and Qiblih of the Baha'i world." justifies the spiritual distinctions showered Asia was the first continent to see a Mashriqu'l- upon it through it having been the host of A&kar,l "symbol and precursor of a future distinguished teachers sent there during the world civilization," raised to the glory of God ministries, and at the behest of, the Bab, at 'Ishqabad, Turkistan, a centre founded in the Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha. The tree of the days of BahB'u'llah. This structure, initiated Cause in India, so attentively nurtured, sudcirca 1902 by 'Abdu'l-Baha and fostered by denly burst into bloom just before 1963 and Him at every stage of its development, des- now shelters one-quarter of the BahB'i centres cribed by Shoghi Effendi as one of "the out- in the world. standing achievements" associated with His There follows a report of developments in the ministry, was, tragically, expropriated in 1938, Asian countries in the period under review. sustained eathquake damage a decade later,
Western Asia AFGHANISTAN was exceeded by four, making a total of thirteen The goal assigned to the National Spiritual centres opened to the Faith in Afghanistan. Assembly of Persia-that of establishing an independent National Assembly in Afghanistan-was successfully achieved at Ridvan, BANGLADESH 1972. Mr. Hadi Rahmani of the Continental Formerly known as East Pakistan, the Board of Counsellors in Western Asia repre- Baha'i community in this land developed under sented the Universal House of Justice on this the aegis of various Regional National Spiritual occasion. The seat of the newly-formed Na- Assen~bliesfrom 1923 until its emergence as an tional Assembly is Kabul; its homefront con- independent national Baha'i community at sists of Afghanistan only. Ridvan, 1972, with its seat in Dacca. Mrs. The goals given to the community of Afghan- Shirin Boman of the Continental Board of istan included the formation of four Local Counsellors in South Central Asia represented Spiritual Assemblies and increasing the number the LJniversal House of Justice at the inaugural of localities where Baha'is reside to nine. At Convention. Ridvan, 1973, the National Spiritual Assembly Beginning in 1968 pioneer families settled in reported that four Local Assemblies had been Bangladesh and travelling teachers from Pakiestablished and the goal of increasing localities See "Expansion and Consolidation of the Bahb'i l See "The Razing of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkbr of Faith-Information Statistical and Comparative, 'I+qLbLd", The Balzd'i World, v z XIV,pp.T79-481. RiQvbn, 1973", p. 291. 244 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Western Asia I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 245
The Vice-President of India, His Excellency G. S. Pathak, received the Hands of the Cause 'Ali-Akbar Furutan and Dr. Rahmatu'llhh Muhajir (jar left and right respectively) during their visit to India in 1969. Also seen are Auxiliary Board member Dr. Perin Olyai and Dr. K. K. Bhargava, Chairnzan ofthe National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahh'is of India.
stan and elsewhere assisted the development of National Spiritual Assembly commented, "the the teaching work which gained in momentum Baha'i youth in Bangladesh were very active in wit11 particularly exciting responses in the rural this period, travelling far and wide throughout areas, the Hill Tracts and among the Tipura the country, in groups and alone, proclaiming people. In 1972 there were eleven Local Spiritual the Faith in educational institutions, to digni- Assemblies. This number doubled within a taries and among various ethnic groups and year. During the months of political unrest, the minorities. The youth are the main organizers, National Spiritual Assembly reported, "con- participants and even teachers in every teaching ditions were abnormal and it was difficult to and deepening programme of the National continue regular activities and the only instru- Assembly. The National Youth Committee ment in the hands of the friends was prayer; but organized the first Winter School in Bangladesh during these times many souls embraced the in December, 1972. In some areas special Cause and the believers stood like firm rocks, classes and activities have been arranged for exhibited exemplary conduct and fully demon- women and children." strated the non-prejudicial character of the In addition to achieving its property goals Faith." When conditions made it possible, the Bangladesh community considerably en- Baha'i literature was presented to the President riched BahB'i literature in Bengali. and Prime Minister and to various government officials. The first broadcast took place at Ridvan, 1972, when Radio Bangladesh carried INDIA a talk on the Faith in Bengali. The National Even in the lifetime of BahB'u'llih, the Faith Spiritual Assembly achieved incorporation and was established in India, and the work there thirteen 1,ocal Assemblies were registered. Re- developed under various Regional National cognition of Baha'i marriage was also achieved Assemblies from 1923 until the National Spiriin 1972. tual Assembly of the BahB'is of India was "Like their fellow youth in other lands," the formed in 1959 with its seat in New Delhi. 246 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The Hand oj'the Cause Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel (centre), Mrs. Miihlschlegel, and other Bahh'i friends attending a teaching conference in a village of Andhra Pradesh, lndia; 1969.
The veteran community of India, in the Nine "During the period covered by this survey," Year Plan, successfully met its international the National Spiritual Assembly reported, goals of assisting in the establishment of Na- "though the attention was mainly concentrated tional Spiritual Assemblies in Nepal and on consolidating the goals achieved and Sikkim; assisting in the acquisition of National strengthening of the administrative founda- Haziratu'l-Quds in Nepal, Sikkim and the tion, the teaching work continued with the Gambia; establishing one Local Assembly and cooperation of a large number of student opening two localities in Bhutan. An impressive pioneers and travelling teachers from other number of pioneers settled in posts in nine countries and mainly from Persia and Malaysia. countries abroad and thirteen travelling Local teachers and friends were trained and teachers undertook circuits for three to six teamed up with the pioneers from abroad and months in Africa in response to the call of the many new localities in various parts of the Universal House of Justice. country were opened to the Faith. Approxi- Within India, a national endowment was mately 157,000 persons were enrolled as beacquired; the number of localities where lievers and thousands deepened their know- Baha'is reside was raised to 22,283 (being 2,283 ledge of the Faith through a correspondence in excess of the goal); Local Assemblies were course introduced for this purpose." increased to 4,404 (surpassing the goal by 404); Under the auspices of the National Youth more than ten thousand new believers were Committee, national youth conferences were provided an opportunity to deepen their know- held and the youth periodical Glory was establedge of the Faith through their attendance at blished and is growing in popularity within four Teaching Institutes; BahB'i literature was India and among Baha'i youth abroad. Deeptranslated into eleven major indigenous lan- ening classes, firesides, proclamation proguages, and Baha'i education was made avail- grammes, exhibits, Summer/Winter schools able to hundreds of children and youth were some of the main features of youth activity through attendance at New Era High School, during the period. A large number of local the Rabbani School and forty-five village youth committees began functioning. The schools. Western Asia Youth Conference described The teaching successes in India, which in an elsewhere in this volume1 attracted the attendearlier period astonished the entire Baha'i ance of more than three hundred youth from world, continued at an impressive pace. S e e p . 335. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 247
The Hand o f the Cause Willianz Sears (standing left) addressing the Bahri'i Sul?inzer School of Persia; July, 1970.
ten countries, infused a fresh impetus into the Spiritual Assembly of Tihrkn because condiyoung Indian Baha'is to teach their contempo- tions were not propitious for the election of the raries in universities and colleges and led to the Baha'i community's national governing body. establishment of a successful,sustained and sys- In 1934, restrictions having been relaxed to tematic teaching project aimed at this purpose. some degree, the first elected National Spiri- Through various media of publicity and pro- tual Assembly was formed with its seat in clamation, thousands throughout India ie- Tihran. ceived the Message and a planned follow-up Despite the difficulties that still obtain in programme was undertaken through corres- Iran on account of the persecution of the pondence. The Proclamation of Bahri'u'llrih was BahB'is and the lack of recognition of the presented to a very large number of officials in Cause as an independent world religion, the Central and State Governments, including Persian believers registered impressive achieve- Ministers and Governors. Radio, television ments during the Nine Year Plan and successand the press publicized the Faith in sympa- fully fulfilled their goals both at home and thetic interviews, articles and feature stories. abroad. In compensation for the disabilities In its assessment of the period under review under which they function the Persian comthe National Spiritual Assembly stated that munity, in the period under review, sent out "characteristic trends were the strengthening some 3,500 pioneers to fill both domestic and of the functioning of the administrative order international goals, and some five thousand and especially the Regional Teaching Commit- travelling teachers. More than 1,300 gatherings tees, the bringing to maturity of Local Spiritual were held for Baha'is and selected friends, and Assemblies and the organizing of student approximately seven hundred teacher training teaching and deepening projects." classes were sponsored. Concerted efforts were made to reach minority groups within the country, as a result of which a few hundred i~A N became Baha'is, and approximately 2,300 Prior to 1934 BahB'i affairs in the cradle of people embraced the Faith as a result of private the Faith were directed by the Local (Central) inquiry and attendance at fireside meetings. Although prohibited to print books, 184 titles, a highly popular magazine for BahB'i women as well as regular Baha'i periodicals and news- was produced regularly; circuit tours were bulletins, were produced by mirneography and made throughout the country to assist with other means. women's programmes in various areas; all- During the period the Persian community women's conferences were held; and women continued to exercise its blessed responsibility were increasingly encouraged to play important to acquire, maintain and safeguard historic sites roles as teachers, pioneers and administrators. and holy places associated with the birth and It was reported that by Ridvan, 1973, the efforts rise of the Baha'i dispensation. These precious of the Committee had to all intents and pursites are visited by an ever-growing flow of poses effectively eradicated illiteracy among pilgrims from around the world as circum- Baha'i women under the age of forty throughstances permit. out Iran. The vital task of indexing the Baha'i Writings The Baha'i Children's Education Committee was pursued actively by a committee appointed continued its programme on an ever-expanding for this purpose. It was reported that in the last scale, maintaining regular classes, preparing half-decade 1,801 Tablets of Baha'u'llah, 5,675 special materials for use in training children, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha and 1,206 letters of and, in the period under discussion, estab- Shoghi Effendi were listed and their contents lishing a monthly BahB'i magazine for childclassified. ren the standard of which won it wide Among the significant developments wit- popularity in the Baha'i community and a nessed during the period under review was a growing demand on the part of non-Baha'i considerable advance in the progress of Baha'i parents. women. As a result of intensified activities the Baha'i youth were very active. More than 120 special Committee charged with this responsi- programmes for BahB'i youth were arranged; bility held special training classes; extracts from classes, Summer Schools and conferences were the Writings were compiled relating to such held; two specially organized groups of youth subjects as family life and the status of women; visited the Holy Land on pilgrimage; Persian
The Hand of the Cause 'Ali Akbar Furdtan (second roiv centre) with delegates and friends attending the first Annual Convention,for the election oj'the National Spiritrlal Assembly of the Bahci'is of Nepal; April, 1972. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H P ; ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 249 Baha'i youth made generous financial contribu- PAKISTAN tions to the National Fund as well as to youth After developing under various Regional programmes in other countries, and in the past ~ ~ tAssemblies i ~ the ~ Bahh'i ~ lcommunity of five years sent out more than 1,500 homefront Pakistan elected its National Spiritual Assempioneers and more than one hundred pioneers bly in 1957, its jurisdiction embracing West to foreign goals. With the approval of the Pakistan and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). ~ a t i o n a lspiritual Assembly an agency Was Bangladesh became an independent communcreated to provide scholarships for deserving ity in 1972 leaving the National Spiritual Baha'i youth to enable them to pursue their Assembly of Pakistan, with its seat in Karachi. education. The last five years of the Nine Year Plan witnessed dramatic progress of the Faith in NEPAL Pakistan. At Ridvan, 1968, there were twenty- Between 1923 and 1972, the Faith in Nepal three Local Spiritual Assemblies and Baha'is developed under various Regional National resided ill sixty-eight localities. Important Spiritual Assemblies and, under the guidance statistical gains were recorded at Ridvan, 1973, of its "mother" community, India, it emerged by tirne 112 ~~~~l Spiritual Assemblies as an independent National Spiritual Assembly established, four of them in Baluchistan, in 1972 with its seat in Katmandu. The Hand and ~ ~ hresided a ~ ini 228 ~ homefront localities of the Cause 'Ali-Akbar Furutan was the repre- and eleven localities in Baluchistan. In addi- Sentative of the Universal House of Justice at tion, twenty-four ~~~~l Assemblies had the inaugural Convention. achieved incorporation. Baha'i literature was Teaching work developed slowly in Nepal, increased in Urdu and Sindhi, teaching among the National Spiritual Assembly reported. minorities was actively pursued and representa- Travelling teachers visited in 1945 and in sub- tives of the surabi tribe of Baluchistan emsequent years but the Faith "slumbered in the braced the cause, l-he youth of Pakistan hearts of those who loved it until pioneers were encouraged to arise and take their full settled in the late sixties". Warln appreciation part in the work of the Cause and their efforts is to the Hands of the Cause- yielded rich rewards. The members of the Adelbert Miihlschlegel, Collis Featherstone ~ ~ tspiritual i ~ ~ ~ ~~ displayed l ~ leader-~ ~ b l and Rahmatu'llah Muhajir-who visited Nepal hi s p by actively participating in the teaching in the period under review, to the Continental programmes and reports received in the period Board of Counsellors, the pioneers and travel- under review indicated that throughout the ling teachers whose visits, the National Assem- community there was reflected a growing bly stated, "gave the Cause a great impetus". awareness of the golden opportunities open Youth took an active part in the teaching work before the believers to teach the Cause. and were encouraged in this activity by the National Teaching Committee. By 1972, Nepal was able to fulfill the minimum conditions set SIKKIM by the Universal House of Justice for the for- The inaugual Convention for the election of mation of the National Spiritual Assembly. It the National Spiritual Assembly of Sikkim was was reported that nineteen Local Spiritual held in 1967. Its seat is in Gangtok. The Faith Assemblies existed including those of Katman- developed in Sikkim under a succession of du, Bhaktapur, Biratnagar and Birganj. Regional National Spiritual Assemblies until Indicative of the progress of the Faith in its emergence as an independent community. Nepal is the fact that at Ridvan, 1973, the At the time of its formation, the National National Assembly reported that forty-one Spiritual Assembly reported that there were Local Assemblies had been formed, Baha'is forty-three Local Spiritual Assemblies and the resided in forty-four localities, and themember- Faith had been established in 112 localities. ship of the Baha'i community had more than At Ridvan, 1973, it was stated that eighty doubled. The National Spiritual Assembly's Local Assemblies existed and the number of review concluded: "The progress of the Faith localities where Baha'is reside had grown to at this time is growing apace both in the rural more than four hundred. and urban areas of Nepal." The five years under review were character- 250 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Some Buhci'is of Ceylon gathered ut the site of tlze,future Madriqu'l-A&kbr of Ceylon; Naw-Rliz, 1973.
ized by a strengthening of the foundation of Baha'i literature in Sinhalese and Tamil; the Baha'i administrative order in Sikkim, a establishment and publication of a monthly process in which the Continental Board of Baha'i newsletter; the extension of teaching Counsellors played a vital role particularly work among minority groups including the through the visits of Mrs. Shirin Boman. It Veddhas; intensification of mass teaching was noted that there exists in Sikkim a remark- programmes particularly in rural areas; an able degree of receptivity to the Faith and that increase in the number of ' ~ o c a lSpiritual the use of BahB'i youth teachers was a signifi- Assemblies and localities where Baha'is reside cant factor in the accomplishment of the goals and the sending of travelling teachers to the of the Plan in that country. Maldive Islands. Baha'i youth were reported to be very active in Sri Lanka and a number of significant con- SRI LANKA ferences were organized by the National Youth Known as Ceylon until 1972, the work in this Committee. General teaching conferences were area developed under various Regional Na- also held resulting in an increased participation tional Spiritual Assemblies from 1923 until by local believers in teaching programmes. an independent National Spiritual Assembly Members of the community enthusiastically was established in 1962 with its seat in Colom- supported Summer and Winter Schools. bo. Included in its jurisdiction are the Maldive "The visits of several Hands of the Cause, Islands. Counsellors and visiting Baha'i teachers", the "The period from 1968 to 1973 marked a National Spiritual Assembly said, "were of steady progress in teaching and proclaiming great assistance in propagating the Faith in the Faith in Sri Lanka," the National Spiritual Sri Lanka. Many distinguished citizens at- Assembly reported, "as a result of which tended Baha'i public lectures and cordial relaapproximately two thousand people accepted tions with the news media resulted in publicity the Baha'i Faith." Achievements under the through the local press and Sri Lanka Broad- Nine Year Plan included the incorporation of casting Corporation." the National Spiritual Assembly and acquisi- The BahB'is of Sri Lanka actively particition of a Temple site in 1972; the enrichment of pated in observances of United Nations Day I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 251
Bahri'i Summer School of Turkey; 1968. The Hand of the Cause Tarcizu'lkah Samandari is seen seated in the centre.
and Human Rights Day and representatives Istanbul. Its jurisdiction extends to Imroz of the United Nations took part in Bahfi'i Idland, Bozca Ada and Marmara. sponsored events. During the Nine Year Plan the Bahfi'is of Classes for children were established in the Turkey succeeded in achieving their homefront period under review and a special programme goals including the acquisition of three local for "Children's Day", held at the National Haziratu'l-Quds, one of which is situated in Centre, attracted the attendance of children a village which Baha'u'llah passed through on from various parts of Sri Lanka. His way to exile in 'Akka. They also acquired a "In addition to the blessings of Baha'u'llah Bahs'i cemetery. and the prayers and guidance of the Universal Youth and children's classes were held House of Justice," the National Spiritual regularly during the last half of the Plan and Assembly concluded, "the cooperation ex- teaching activity proceeded with particularly tended to the National Assembly by the successful results among the 'Alaviyyih, a believers in Sri Lanka enabled our comn~unity religious minority. to make rapid progress in the last half-decade." The process of obtaining recognition of the Faith as an independent religion was taken a step further through the Bahfi'is successfully TURKEY appealing to the court for the right to change The National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey the designation on their identity cards from was established at Ridvan, 1959, with its seat in "Muslim" to "Baha'i". ZSZ I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S
'South East Asia BURMA youth and children; the enrollment of repre- Burma was opened to the Faith during the sentatives of the Chin, Karen and Shan tribes; time of Baha'u'llah. Three early believers, enrichment of the literature of the Faith Haji Siyyid Mihdi, Jamal Effendi and Siyyid through translation into Burmese and the Mustafa Rumi, were the first to arrive, circa mobilization of Baha'i youth as a highly effec- 1878.' The Baha'i community there was under tive teaching force participating fully in the the jurisdiction of various Regional National winning of the goals. In 1971, for instance, the Spiritual Assemblies until the emergence in National Spiritual Assembly reported, "more 1959 of the independent National Spiritual than forty youth visited fifty villages in the Assembly of the Baha'is of Burma with its seat thirty mile distance between Rangoon and in Rangoon. Daidanaw en route to the National Conven- Asked to raise in the Nine Year Plan the tion, teaching and distributing literature, and number of Local Spiritual Assemblies to thirty on their return visit enrolled new believers in and the localities where Baha'is reside to ninety- the Faith." five, the National Spiritual Assembly reported at Ridvan, 1973, that these objectives had been surpassed through the formation of eighty- EASTERN MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI eight Local Assemblies and the opening of 245 The National Spiritual Assembly was establocalities. Other accomplishments included the lished in 1972 with its seat in Kuching, Saraerection of a Local Haziratu'l-Quds at Layde wak. The Hand of the Cause Jalal Q i z e h rethrough the labours of the community and presented the Universal House of Justice on members of the National Spiritual Assenlbly; this occasion. the maintenance of regular classes for women, "The last five years of the global Plan saw an unprecedented expansion in the number of See "An Account of the Services of Siyyid Mustafi Rumi", The Bnhri'i World, vol. x, p. 517. Local Assemblies and localities opened to the
Mr. Yan Kee Leong of the Continental Board of Counsellors in South-eastern Asia with the fist two Chinese to accept the Bahri'i Faith in Burma.
-. . - -- - -- ~ 254 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
Faith in East Malaysia, mainly in Sarawak," too few to serve the vast number of believers the National Spiritual Assembly commented. scattered over hundreds of localities. In many "In 1968 the number of Local Assemblies stood divisions of Sarawak, local believers, Ibans at twenty-five and there were 139 groups. In the mainly, are responsible fol teaching. These men next half-decade and especially during the last and women travelled long distances, in most twenty-four months of the Plan these figures instances at their own expense and under diffimultiplied with a spurt to stand at 136 and 506 cult circumstances, to ensure Local Assembly respectively. elections and to encourage the friends who now "The Cause has gained a fair amount of live in 712 localities. Youth are the mainstay recognition in Sarawak where the Government of the corps of teachers. In addition to travelhas formally granted permission for Baha'i ling to near and distant communities they children to absent themselves from school on helped to conduct classes for adults and child- BahB'i Holy Days. The Government calendar ren, their services often being requested by the lists the Holy Days and tourist brochures men- Local Spiritual Assembly. Toward the end of tion the Cause in Sarawak. The Faith is listed the Plan some youth worked on farms owned in publicity material distributed by the Govern- by Local Spiritual Assemblies and deputized ment and we have been allowed Baha'i broad- others to travel teach." casts over Radio Malaysia (Sarawak) since The National Spiritual Assembly reported a 1969. In Brunei State, however, the Cause is growing awareness on the part of the believers discouraged or under ban and in Sabah there of their separate identity as members of the is no move towards recognition." Baha'i community and an increased effort to Discussing the teaching work the National bring their lives into conformity with BahB'i Spiritual Assembly related that "the most in- teachings. spiring development has been the gradual assumption by the native believers of Sarawak LAOS of the work of teaching and assisting to develop The National Spiritual Assembly of Laos the institutions of the Faith. A handful of de- marked the second year of its existence at voted believers from West Malaysia have Ridvan, 1968, its community having been, helped lay the foundation but these friends are since 1957, part of various regional communi-
The Hand o f the Cause Jalcil B a z e h (centre, holding the Greatest Name) with delegates and friends attending the fist Annual Convention for the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei; April, 1972. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 255
The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone (centre rear) with some Bahri'is of'Vientiane, Laos; October, 1970.
ties until its emergence in 1967 as anindependent Ridvan, 1973, at which time BahB'is resided in BahB'i community with its seat in Vientiane. 601 localities throughout the country. In In describing the development of the Faith in January, 1969, the National Spiritual Assembly Laos the National Spiritual Assembly com- was incorporated under the name "Spiritual mented that "the teaching work was exceed- Assembly of the BahB'is of Laos"; in 1973 the ingly slow and was confined to some tribal civil authorities granted recognition of BahB'i areas, a few villages and some towns until 1968 marriage and Baha'i Holy Days; and two addiwhich marked a turning point . . . the years of tional Local Assemblies were incorporated, patience were rewarded when war refugees Savannakhet in 1970 and Luang Prabang in proved receptive and accepted the Faith in 1973. large numbers. Teaching progress continued to Assessing the period being surveyed the accelerate towards the endof theNineYear Plan Spiritual Assembly of Laos commented: "Alleading to the challenges confronting every com- though there have been few youth activities, munity which experiences mass conversion." and programmes for the BahB'i education of At the suggestion of the Government minis- children were hampered by lack of capable try dealing with religious affairs within the teachers, in the last year of the Plan children's country, the Spiritual Assembly presented classes were established with great success, BahB'i literature to a number of high-ranking primarily among children in refugee villages. government officials. The BahB'is of Laos have How gratifying to have these children greet you enjoyed very cordial relations with the Govern- warmly with 'Allah-u-Abha', recite Bahi'i ment and travelling teachers have been provided prayers by heart, confidently repeat the English with identity cards to facilitate their journeys. alphabet or produce a simple art work!" In addition to creating a publishing committee, enriching BahB'i literature in Lao and achieving the goals relating to acquisition of MALAYSIA properties, the community exceeded its objec- The original goals given to Malaysia in 1964, tive of forming thirty-sixLocal Spiritual Assem- at the opening of the Nine Year Plan, as well blies through the establishment of 105, at as the supplementary goals assigned by the 256 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Universal House of Justice were all accom- classes were conducted in many urban and a plished and many-such as raising the number few estate communities and experiments with of Local Spiritual Assemblies, increasing the classes for older children approaching the age number of localities where BahB'is reside, pro- when their declaration of faith would be regisviding pioneers, acquiring property and pro- tered proved very successful. ducing translations and publications-were "Although entry by troops had already been exceeded. Although no Malaysian pioneers experienced," the Malaysian report continued, were called for at the outset of the Plan, in "acceptance of the Faith by the masses really response to later appeals from the Universal got underway in Malaysia in December, 1971. House of Justice pioneers were sent to a number The first wave of mass teaching moved into of countries abroad and Malaysian students Singapore and the large increase in the number have taken an active part in Baha'i communi- of believers assisted the National Assembly of ties in countries where they are studying. The that country to achieve legal recognition of objective of publishing Baha'i literature in Baha'i marriage. In many ways, 1972 was a five indigenous languages was surpassed with significant year. At Ridvan of that year Malaythe translation of the BahB'i Writings into sia achieved the important task of assisting the Semelai and Temuan. In addition to acquiring a Republic of Singapore and the territories of National Haziratu'l-Quds and a Teaching East Malaysia and Brunei to achieve National Institute, three other Local BahB'i Centres were Assembly status. Malaysia continued its resobtained and numerous Local Centres were ponsibility for the fulfilment of the original built by the jungle-dwelling Orang Asli (or goals of the Plan. A milestone in the maturity "original people"),the Aboriginals of Malaysia. and progress of the Malaysian community was Although a vigorous programme of teaching marked, it is felt, by the participation of six of was conducted in urban centres, among Tamil- our community, three of them members of the speaking people employed on estates or planta- National Assembly, in the African pioneering tions, and among the Chinese, the National programme in September, 1972." Spiritual Assembly reported that "perhaps the In an effort to meet the challenge of consoliarea of greatest success has been among the dating the rapid progress of the last half-decade Asli. Regular contributions to the National the National Assembly inaugurated institutes Assembly come from many of these communi- designed to provide opportunities for deep ties. A newsletter in Malay is sent to all Asli study of the Writings, increased literature in the communities each Baha'i month and a recent vernacular languages and established a corresmajor achievement was the registration of two pondence course. Malaysian Bahci'i News has Local Assemblies in Asli areas, under the become an imaginative and effective means of Societies Act-the first official recognition communicating with the community and a accorded the Asli BahB'is. Success in teaching growing number of newsletters have been pubduring the five years under review has been lished in various languages at the local level. primarily due to systematic short-term plans of The National Spiritual Assembly noted that two or three months' duration. The participa- teaching and consolidation work at the local, tion of youth was also an important factor in state and national levels is increasingly underthe achievement of the goals. They played a taken in a spirit of service and sacrifice often predominant role in all activities, especially without financial assistance from the national since 1967 when their activities began to be body and the community has recognized the directed by the effective leadership of the growing need to assist the neighbouring Baha'i National BahB'i Youth Committee whose communities of Thailand, Singapore and monthly newsletter helps establish their iden- Eastern Malaysia. tity in the Malaysian Bahi'i community. The Concluding its report of the period the youth have been most successful in teaching National Spiritual Assembly stated: "The most their own age groups in schools, colleges and significant trend has been the increasing partiuniversities and a number of Campus BahB'i cipation by youth in all fields of activity at the Societies have been formed including one in local, regional and national levels, and their the University of Singapore largely through the enthusiasm has served as an inspiration to the efforts of a Malaysian pioneer. Children's entire community." I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H P ; ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 257 THE PHILIPPINES the first youth teaching team was organized, The Baha'i community of the Philippines, Baha'i students leaving their own schools to administered by the Regional National Spirit- teach among fellow students. Within six ual Assembly of South East Asia from 1957 months the astounding number of 3,100 stuuntil 1964, in the latter year elected its inde- dents in five universities had accepted the Faith. pendent National Spiritual Assembly with its The susceptibility of youth to the Baha'i teachseat in Manila. ings is being discovered in all strata. Baha'i "The years 1968-1973 saw the extension of youth began to assume positions of responsithe Faith into an additional 1,868 localities, the bility on National Committees and in the adopening of twenty-three cities, twenty-one ministrative work, evincing a growing sense of provinces and twelve islands," the National self-reliance and the desire to serve." Assembly reported. In the same period a new A notable event of the period was the pre- National Haziratu'l-Quds was constructed and paration of a series of one-minute radio dramas Local Haziratu'l-Quds were acquired in each of as a means of proclaiming the Faith and the eight major islands. In addition, smaller requests for the scripts of these were received centres were built by BahB'is in the villages. from nineteen National Spiritual Assemblies. Recognition of Baha'i marriage was obtained In 1968, approximately two thousand persons in 1968 and seven universities exempted Baha'i had enrolled in the correspondence course students from attendance on Baha'iHoly Days. offered in English and three local languages; The National Spiritual Assembly recorded by 1973, the number of subscribers had inwarm appreciation of the visits of a number of creased to more than four thousand, a factor the Hands of the Cause and paid tribute to a which the National Spiritual Assembly feels programme "initiated by the Hand of the assisted in deepening the knowledge of the Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhajir under which masses of new believers. It was reported that sixty-four young Iranians came to the Philip- Baha'i courses (for credits) were given in three pines to enrol in university, thus combining high schools and that at least ten Local Spiritual pioneering with further study. The first to come Assemblies formed and conducted children's arrived in 1967; three of those who graduated classes. have since settled in other pioneering posts in BahB'i literature in languages indigenous to Asia." Assuming an increasingly mature role the Philippines was considerably enriched in in the development of the Cause, the Philip- the period through the translation and/or pines sent out a number of pioneers to foreign publication of material in Ilocano, Tagalog, posts and for seven months Auxiliary Board Cebuano, Waray, Hiligaynon, Bicol, Kalingamember Alfredo Ramirez assisted in East and Apayao, Bilaan, Ata and Manobo. "Increas- West Africa. ingly," the National Spiritual Assembly con- At the suggestion of the Hand of the Cause cluded, "we are becoming aware of the need to Collis Featherstone information about the deepen individually, to make singular efforts Faith was provided to all high-ranking leaders to serve the Cause and to develop strong Local of the Government. As a direct result, a very Spiritual Assemblies." cordial letter was received from the office of the Chief of the National Constabulary. "In 1972," the National Spiritual Assembly SINGAPORE commented, "by what could only have been a Formerly under the jurisdiction of the mysterious working of Providence, the Philip- Regional National Spiritual Assemblies of pine community was stirred to profound depths South East Asia (1957-1964) and of Malaysia of grief and renewed dedication by the sacrifice (1964-1972) the BahL'i community of Singaof three Persian youths1 who gave their lives pore elected its own National Spiritual Assemwhile teaching the Faith. bly in 1972, with its seat in Singapore. The "The second half of the Nine Year Plan Hand of the Cause Jalal a a z e h represented witnessed the beginning of a new phenomenon, the Universal House of Justice at the inaugural the mass enrollment of youth. In August, 1970, Convention. Four women were elected to this first national body. At Ridvan, 1968, two l See"In Memoriam", Parviz Sadiqi, Faramarz Vujdani, Parviz Furu&i, p. 514. Local Spiritual Assemblies had been estab- ,'i W O R L D lished, at hueenstown and Serangoon. In the VIETNAM following years a steady expansion of the ad- The Faith in Vietnam had developed under ministrative foundation of the Cause was ex- the Regional National Spiritual Assembly of perienced and by Ridvan, 1972, the number of South East Asia between 1957 and 1964 and in Local Assemblies had increased to seven. As a the last year the National Assembly of Vietnam result of a plan of reorganization of the admi- came into being with its seat in Saigon. A renistrative units in Singapore, suggested by the allocation of territory took place in 1969 since Universal House of Justice in August, 1972, the which time its jurisdiction has comprised only number of Spiritual Assemblies was reduced Vietnam. to five. At the midway point in the Plan there were As early as 1969 the expansion of the Faith 176 Local Spiritual Assemblies and the Faith among youth gave rise to the holding of the had been established in 720 localities in Viet- South East Asia BahB'i Youth Conference in nam; the National Spiritual Assembly had Singapore. The following year a Baha'i Society achieved incorporation as had sixty Local was formed at Singapore University. Assemblies; a National Haziratu'l-Quds and The year 1971 was marked by island-wide endowment had been acquired; BahB'i literaproclamation related to the Oceanic Confer- ture had been enriched through the translation ence held in Singapore in January.l In Decem- and/or publication of material in a number of ber of that year the first Baha'i Winter School indigenous languages including Nhung, Rhade, was held. Meo and Thaidam; recognition of Bahi'i Holy Among the objectives achieved in the Nine Days and Baha'i marriage had been obtained Year Plan were the acquisition of a National from the civil authorities; and there had been Haziratu'l-Quds, recognition of Baha'i Holy vigorously pursued a programme for the ex- Days (published in the official Government tension of Baha'i education to youth and Gazette), and translation and/or publication of children through the establishment of village Baha'i literature in Chinese. schools and the translation and publication of special materials for children. The Faith continued to expand at a remark- THAILAND able pace in the years under review and in- Under the aegis of the Regional National creasingly the BahB'i youth of Vietnam arose Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia since to play their part. A number of the Vietnamese 1957, Thailand elected its independent National Baha'is attended, at their own expense, the Spiritual Assembly in 1964 with its seat in Singapore Conference in January, 1971, and Bangkok. the Assembly noted this as an indication of a Among the significant achievements in the maturing community. last five years of the Nine Year Plan were the At Ridvan, 1972, the National Spiritual incorporation of the National Spiritual Assem- Assembly cabled : bly; the acquisition of a National Haziratu'l- DUE BAD COMMUNICATION UNDER SERIOUS Quds and endowment; obtaining recognition WAR REQUEST CONSIDER ALL LOCAL SPIRITUAL of BahB'i Holy Days in relation to students ASSEMBLIES LOCALITIES REMAIN SAME TOTAL attending the BahB'i school in Yasothon; en- SIX HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN LOCAL SPIRITUAL hanced diversity of the Bahi'i community ASSEMBLIES AND NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY TWO through the enrollment of representatives of the Yao, Mauser, Yaw and Khon Muang LOCALITIES STOP . . . SUPPLICATE PRAYERS . . . tribes; an increase in participation of Baha'i At the subsequent Ridvan the National youth in the activities of the community and the Spiritual Assembly reported that all goals had enrichment of Bahi'i literature in Thai. been achieved except, due to circumstances The period was marked by a high degree of beyond their control, the acquisition of a cooperation with the Continental Board of Temple site, and that 687 Local Spiritual Counsellors in South-eastern Asia. Assemblies had been formed and the Faith was See "Unity in Diversity", p. 296. established in 1,685 localities. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H A ' ~ACTIVITIES 259
North East Asia KOREA at the beginning of the Plan and more than Korea was opened to the Faith during the twice the number at Ridvan, 1968. The goal of ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahi by Agnes Baldwin opening localities was exceeded by five. The Alexander1 and was administered by the objective of teaching ethnic groups was accom- Regional National Spiritual Assembly of plished by the conversion of Chinese-the only North East Asia from 1957 until 1964 when the major ethnic group in Korea-in three cities. National Assembly of Korea was established The number of believers in Korea more than with its seat in Seoul. doubled between 1968 and 1973 and repre- All the goals of the Nine Year Plan relating sented a seven-fold increase from the beginning to expanding the Faith to three hundred locali- of the Plan. Whereas in 1968 Local Assemblies ties and the establishing of one hundred Local had been established in five Provinces of the Assemblies were accomplished. By Ridvan, country, all nine Provinces were covered at the 1973, the number of localities where BahB'is end of the Plan. reside was 557, more than five times the number Noteworthy strides towards the goal of uni- ' S e e "In Memoriam", p. 423. versal participation were taken through an 260 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
increased participation of youth and women in in Chungchong Namdo Province, was desigthe affairs of the Cause. "The women believers, nated as "Radiant Village" by the Provincial comprising only about thirty per cent of the Governor. The National Spiritual Assembly community, began to evince their potential by commented, "When the BahB'i representative participating in travel teaching which resulted was asked at an official ceremony to explain in their gaining in knowledge and enthusiasm the secret of the village he replied: 'it's very and youth became some of the key teachers," simple; we just try to follow the Teachings of the National Spiritual Assembly commented. Baha'u'llah and lead a Baha'i life, that's all.' " The goal of world-wide proclamation was In 1970 The Proclamation of Bah2u'llrih was actively pursued through a series of public presented to President Park Chung Hee who, meetings in urban and rural areas, through in a cordial letter of acknowledgement, stated: distribution of approximately 120,000 pieces of ". . . at this moment when the existence of man- Baha'i literature and through introducing the kind itself is being menaced by thermonuclear Faith by means of mass media. Talks were given weapons . . . we found a great consolation in this by prominent Baha'is throughout the country great teaching that foretold clearly . . . the in universities, schools, and women's organiza- necessity of unity and friendship." tions resulting in television interviews and In its report of activities in the period under newspaper publicity. review the National Spiritual Assembly paid Among the most significant events were the tribute to the Hands of the Cause who visited Asian Youth Conference in December, 1968; Korea and expressed deep appreciation in the first teaching conference held under the particular to Dr. Rahmatu'llah Muhajir "who joint auspices of the Continental Board of visited at least six times and through his helpful Counsellors and the National Assembly; the advice inspired the friends to make more effecformation of the BahB'i Club in Pusan City tive teaching plans and rise to higher levels of composed of 150 college students and organ- service. " ized by Auxiliary Board member Charles Duncan in 1970; and the four-day Post Oceanic NORTH EAST ASIA Conference held in Seoul in September, 1971, The National Spiritual Assembly of North which was attended by the Hand of the Cause East Asia came into being in 1957 with its seat Collis Featherstone, representing the Universal in Tokyo and has experienced several changes House of Justice, Counsellors from a number of jurisdiction. In 1974 it will be dissolved with of zones and BahB'is from thirteen countries the formation of two National Spiritual Assemincluding 150 believers from Persia and three lies, Japan and Hong Kong. hundred Korean BahB'is. The conference com- Reviewing the last half of the Nine Year Plan, memorated the fiftieth anniversary of the reve- the National Spiritual Assembly stated: "Local lation shortly before His passing in 1921 of the Spiritual Assemblies, groups and isolated sole Tablet 'Abdu'l-Baha directed to Korea. centres increased approximately threefold in Considerable publicity resulted from the con- Japan and Hong Kong. The goals of the Nine ference. Year Plan were accomplished, among them BahB'i literature in Korean was enriched that of raising the number of Local Assemblies through the translation and/or publication of to sixty; opening the Ryukyu Islands to the a number of titles including a correspondence Faith; translating and printing Baha'i literature course; the property goals were achieved; and in Khalka Mongolian (official language of the the National Spiritual Assembly obtained in- People's Republic of Mongolia); assisting with corporation and recognition of BahB'i Holy the acquisition of nine Haziratu'l-Quds in Days and Baha'i marriage. One evidence of India and incorporating the National Spiritual increased recognition was the fact that the Assembly of Hong Kong." National Spiritual Assembly was asked to The property goals of the National Assembly participate in the United Nations Day recep- were surpassed through the acquisition of an tion by the United Nations Commission for the endowment and an additional local Haziratu'l- Unification and Reconstruction of Korea. At Quds. The first youth conference was held in the village level the exemplary community 1969 and periodic teaching conferences held in development of Dukpyong-ri, a farming village different areas, and yearly two-day Summer I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H A ' ~ACTIVITIES 261
The Hand of'the Cause Enoch Olinga (standing, third from the right) with some of the believers oj'Japan. Shiradi, Hokkaido; December, 1970.
Schools reinforced enthusiasm in the teaching In the period covered by this survey BahB'i work. literature in Japanese was considerably en- "Group teaching, consolidation and pro- riched and material designed to broaden the clamation activities were developed greatly. believers' knowledge of the Faith was prepared Teaching and consolidation teams travelled at and distributed to all Baha'is. intervals throughout Japan and Hong Kong "The greatest single event to take place in with local believers participating actively." In this area during these years was the North 1970 a concerted proclamation programme was Pacific Oceanic Conference1 held in September, launched under which half a million informa- 1971," the National Assembly concluded. "In tive brochures were distributed in conjunction the wonderful spirit generated one could see the with "Expo '70", the six-month-long inter- early glimmerings of the prophecies of 'Abdu'lnational exhibit organized by the Government Baha concerning the great spiritual future of of Japan. "Subsequently," the report contin- Japan." ued, "information centres were established in a few cities, several new pamphlets were printed TAIWAN and systematic mailing was done. The Japanese The National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan translation of The Proclamation of Baha'u'llrih was formed in 1967 with its seat in Taipei. was presented to more than forty-five Prefec- Formerly known as Formosa, the work in this tural Governors. Introductory material was area developed under the Regional National sent to many leaders of thought throughout Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia from the country and press kits were provided to 1957 until 1967. hundreds of newspapers and people in the Assessing the period under scrutiny, the communications media. There were presenta- National Spiritual Assembly commented that tions of books to libraries and information the early difficulties experienced by this young about the Faith was brought to the attention community "served to deepen and broaden our of school principals, students and people in See "Unity in Diversity", p. 296, for a report of this various professions." conference. 262 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstonepresenting Bahb'i literature to Mr. Henry Kao, Mayor of Taipei, Taiwan; May, 1972.
understanding of the spiritual verities of the the Chinese; an increase in the number of Local Faith and led to a strengthening of the adminis- Spiritual Assemblies; official recognition of trative foundation of the Cause." Baha'i marriage, in 1973; a marked accelera- Achievements recorded during the latter half tion of the teaching programme; and the estabof the Nine Year Plan included incorporation lishment and registration in September, 1972, of the National Spiritual Assembly in 1970, a of a BahB'i Publishing Trust which produced a process in which the Hand of the Cause Collis number of impressive pieces of BahB'i literature Featherstone and representatives of the Coun- in Chinese. sellors and the Auxiliary Board were extremely In 1971 the BahB'is cordially welcomed as a helpful through their representations to the guest speaker at their Annual Convention a Ministry of the Interior about the appropriate representative of the Taipei Special Municipaltranslation of the name of the Assembly from ity, Mr. Lee. D . AUSTRALASIA AND T H E P A C I F I C ISLANDS Australasia To adequately appreciate the miracles asso- population. Except for PapuaINew Guinea and ciated with the growth of the Faith of Baha'uY- New Zealand, the other localities in the Pacific llah in this area one must have some concept of are, for the most part, relatively small islands the vastness and character of the region. Lying with vast distances separating the various wholly within the area referred to by geo- island groups. graphers as the water hemisphere, that half of At the beginning of the Nine Year Plan only the globe which is less than twelve per cent land, five National Spiritual Assemblies had been it is bounded on the east by the Marquesas formed: Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, New Islands and on the west by Western Australia; Zealand, the South Pacific Ocean and the South on the north by the Mariana Islands and the West Pacific Ocean, and two of these (the Hawaiian Islands and on the south by the Hawaiian Islands and the South West Pacific South Island of New Zealand. The only large Ocean) had just been elected. By the end of the land mass is Australia which has an area Plan, in 1973, eleven National Spiritual Assemroughly equivalent to that of the continental blies had been formed, the largest percentage United States, but with only a fraction of its of increase of any part of the world except
165' OD
South
P a c i f i c Africa. When one realizes that Christianity did Timor which resulted in the formation of two not come to the Pacific until the 1830s, the Local Spiritual Assemblies there, winning that growth of the Cause of Baha'u'llah here in the important overseas goal. latter part of the twentieth century is all the The first moves towards the transfer of the more amazing. Haziratu'l-Quds from Sydney to the Temple The Pacific boasts at least two "firsts": the area took place in 1972 with the sale of the first reigning monarch to embrace the Faith1 former administrative building at Centennial and the first national community to win all the Park and the setting up of temporary national goals assigned to it under the Nine Year Plan.z headquarters at Mona Vale.
AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND The contribution of Australia to the ad- The National Spiritual Assembly of Austravancement of the Faith in the Pacific was very lia and New Zealand was formed in 1934. In great. Pioneers and travelling teachers arose 1957 an independent National Spiritual Assemin greater and greater numbers throughout the bly was established in New Zealand with its Nine Year Plan, going to Papua/New Guinea, seat in Auckland. Fiji, the Solomons, Tonga, the Cook Islands, By Ridvan, 1968, the National Assembly rethe Gilberts and Samoa. Without the man- ported that the immediate prospect of achieving power and funds supplied by the Australian its Nine Year Plan goals appeared bleak; with Baha'i community it would not have been pos- two-thirds of the Plan elapsed only one-third sible to win the goals in these islands. of the goals had been accomplished. Then, However, the Australian homefront was dramatically, the tide turned. At a nlemorable lagging far behind its goals at Ridvan, 1968. conference sponsored by the Continental The first four years of the Nine Year Plan had Board of Counsellors to which great inspiration witnessed a net gain of one Local Spiritual was contributed by the Hand of the Cause Assembly. There were then thirty-one; the goal Abu'l-Qasim Faizi the believers in New Zeawas sixty. But by Ridvan, 1973, Australia had land resolved to win the victory. Commenting its sixty Local Assemblies with one to spare; on the results which flowed from that resolve, and the goal of 250 localities was also won. the National Spiritual Assembly stated: "It It was during this period that Australia cele- was a moment of destiny. Spearheaded by brated the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of newly-declared youth, strengthened by the inthe Australian continent to the Faith of valuable aid of friends from overseas, sup- Baha'u'llah with the arrival on April 18, 1920, ported by a handful of adult pioneers from of John Henry and ClaraHyde Dunn. "Father" the homefront, the Baha'i 'Army of Light' was and "Mother" Dunn were later elevated to the on the march. Naw-R6z, 1970, saw the pioneers rank of Hand of the Cause by Shoghi EffendL3 at their posts, new teaching methods developed, The National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and expansion became inevitable." and New Zealand came into being in 1934 with By Ridvan, 1973, New Zealand reported its seat in Sydney and in 1957 New Zealand having surpassed a number of the goals set for separated with the formation of an independent them through almost doubling the required National Spiritual Assembly. number of Local Assemblies and localities The Australian BahB'i youth were especially where Baha'is reside and doubling the goal for active during the latter part of the Nine Year the incorporation of Local Assemblies. Plan and contributed much to the achievement A vigorous campaign of proclamation was of the teaching goals. The first National Youth pursued on both the national and local levels Conference was held at Yerrinbool School on under which literature and information about April 4-6, 1969, and other conferences fol- the Faith were presented to leading government lowed. One significant contribution of the officials, members of the judiciary, those in the youth was the teaching project in Portuguese communications media, national organizations His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili I1 of Western and societies, church dignitaries and public and Samoa. Seep. 180. school libraries. A special brochure, designed Fiji. See p. 270. See The Bal~a'iWorld, vol. xiv, pp. 449, 453. to proclaim the Faith to all strata of society, I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 265
Dedication of the Baha'i Teaching Institute, Madina, New Guinea; January, 1972. Seen standing in the joreground is Mr. Rodney Hancock, Auxiliary Board n7eniber.
inspired by a suggestion made by the Hand of of New Guinea and amongst the Talasea the Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhajir and eagerly people of New Britain. adopted by the National Assernbly, was pro- The majority of the people in PapuaINew duced and widely distributed. Other introduc- Guinea live on a subsistence basis, adhering to tory materials were printed including Te the customs and traditions of the past. These Marama, a booklet designed for the Maori customs were to some extent affected by the people. arrival of Christian missionaries in the previous A special proclamation project marking the century, the administration of the Territory by completion of the Nine Year Plan was launched several overseas nations and the war in the throughout the country. This project employed Pacific. Most of the people hold to pagan bethe use of radio, the press and the display of liefs and have no knowledge of the religious slides on theatre screens of posters created for history of other parts of the world. However, the occasion. In some areas information the response to the Teachings of Baha'u'llah centres were set up in leased empty shops and has been, in many cases, immediate. Although in one community the civic authorities per- the hundreds of separate tribal communities mitted the erection of a large street banner in were until quite recently isolated in small geoconjunction with the information centre, graphical pockets amid rugged mountains and newspaper interviews and press releases. streams, many recognized the need for a unifying belief and recognized the validity of the principle of the oneness of mankind. PAPUAINEW GUINEA By Ridvan, 1973, the enrolment had topped The years 1968 to 1973 witnessed many three thousand and there were 246 localities wonderful teaching experiences, triumphs and where Baha'is resided. Sixty-seven Local Spiriresounding victories in PapuaINew Guinea, tual Assemblies had been formed, three of not the least of which were the formation of its which were incorporated. Other accomplishown National Spiritual Assembly at Ridvan, ments included the purchase of a National 1969, and its incorporation the following year. Haziratu'l-Quds in Lae in June, 1972; the The year 1968 began on a high note of enthu- acquisition of a Temple site near Lae; the siasm as wave after wave of enrolments was acquisition of Teaching Institutes in Sogeri and recorded, particularly among the people of the Arufa; and the recognition of Baha'i marriage Gulf District of Papua, the Eastern Highlands and Baha'i Holy Days. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S'URVEY OF B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S
'The PaczJic Islands THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS pation in school carnivals and Sea Sprees, In itsmessage to the Baha'is of Hawaii on the sponsoring displays of the work of ~ a h i ' i occasion of the community's first Convention artists, and addresses given by Baha'is at colin 1964,the Universal House of Justice stated: leges, high schools and civic clubs are examples "Immensely blessed by being the resting- of some of the teaching events that took place place of the mortal remains of the unique during this period. Summer and Winter and saintly Martha Root; highly honoured Schools were held regularly, rotating sites on as the birthplace of yet another heroic Hand five different islands. In the five years under of the cause of Godl who was among the review there was an eleven-fold increase in the outh in the community and an earliest believers to respond to the call of number Of y
cAbdu,l-Baha and, with sublime faith, active programme of Baha'i child education carried the Message to the nations of the Far Was pursued, approximately fifty per cent Of the East; enriched by a population drawn from Local Assemblies holding regular classes for many different races; favoured by material Baha'i well-being; and boasting a united and Beyondthehomefrontthecontributionofthe community, these Islands Hawaiian Baha'is was no less spectacular. In vigorous are surely destined to a prominent role addition to supplying pioneers to Samoa, the in the awakening of the entire Pacific area.w Philippines, New Zealand, the Solomons, the Gilbert and Ellise Islands, Japan, the Marianas The accomplishments of the Hawaiian and the Carolines, this national community, in Baha'i community during the succeeding nine collaboration with the Bahi'is of the United years, and particularly in the last five years of States was able to consolidate the BahB'i comthe Plan, amply justified the expectations munity in Micronesia and increase its strength voiced in 1964.The number of believers in these sumciently so that a National Spiritual Assemislands increased more than seven-fold between bly could be established there at Ridvkn, 1972, lg6' and and the number Of Local (the National Spiritual Assembly of the North Spiritual Assemblies increased from ten to West Pacific Ocean), a supplementary achievetwenty-eight, the maximum number obtainable of the Nine Year Plan. since the total of civil areas of jurisdiction in the ment Always financially independent, the Hawai- Hawaiian Islands is also twenty-eight. Ten of ian Baha'i community gave generously of its these Assemblies were incorporated. funds, not only to support pioneers and There were many outstanding proclamation travelling teachers abroad, but to assist in and teaching projects. A Baha'i float was the purchase of National Yaziratu31-Quds entered annually in the Aloha Week parade in in Trinidad and Tobago and in New Caledonia, Honolulu, winning awards and resulting in and also to assist with pioneer budgets in wide radio, television and newspaper coverage. such goals as Tahiti and Portugal. Thousands The Proclamation of Baha'u'llih was presented of dollars were also spent in the translation to the Governorythe four 'Ongressmen who and printing of literature for use in the Philiprepresent Hawaii, and heads of local governments in the Hawaiian Islands. Throughout the pSpiritual ines and in Micronesia. In 1972the National Assembly produced a BahB'i film years under review the Governor and Mayors It,s a New Day using local talent. The film of several islands signed proclamations relating has been viewed on television many times and to special Baha'i events; public meetings were copies were purchased by individuals and held; library and store window displays were National Assemblies in various parts of the placed at spots for events; world. In that same year a tragic fire destroyed Bahsi booths were regularly set UP on neigh- the entire second floor of the National bouring islands for their respective County tu31-Quds.One year later the building was refairs and on some occasions in Honolulu at the , having been rebuilt and refurbished, State Fair; Unity Feasts, coffee hours, partici- dedicated much of the labour being contributed by local l Agnes Baldwin Alexander. See "In Memoriam", p. 423. believers. 268 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D 140. / -. I 1. 180. @ 20:
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NORTH WEST PACIFIC OCEAN The establishment of the National Spiritual The area under the jurisdiction of this Assembly with its seat in Ponape at Ridvin, National Spiritual Assembly, one of the last to 1972, then, was a supplementary achievement be formed during the Nine Year Plan, is, in of the Plan. Their Convention cable said: terms of distances involved, one of the largest BAHAIS NWPACIFIC OVERWHELMED FLOOD of any in the world. Yet in terms of land area VICTORIES MARK ELECTION FIRST NSA HONORED and population, it is one of the smallest. Com- PRESENCE BLESSED WISE COUNSEL HAND posed of Guam and the islands of the United FEATHERSTONE COUNSELLOR HARWOOD RE- States Trust Territory of Micronesia, it consists PRESENTATIVE HAWAIIAN NSA TWO AUXILIARY of over two thousand individual islands with a BOARD NINETEEN NEW LSAS ASSURED BRING combined area of 893 square miles spread out TOTAL TWENTY SIX FIRST BAHAI CENTER DEDI- over 3 million square miles of ocean. Total CATED SOKEHS PONAPE ACHIEVEMENTS ESTAB- population is estimated at 150,000. BLISH NSA FIRM FOUNDATION ... Such geographical considerations impose a Additional supplementary achievements invariety of problems in communication, teach- cluded the incorporation of the National Spiriing and administration, but in spite of these tual Assembly and the recognition of the difficulties the North West Pacific area, with Baha'i marriage ceremony as legal by the Trust assistance from the Hawaiian and United Territory Government. States communities, blossomed during the By the end of the Plan the banner of the latter years of the Nine Year Plan. Whereas in Faith had been raised in over 150 localities in 1968 there were only two local Spiritual these widely separated islands of the North Assemblies, one in Guam and one in Majuro, Pacific. Marshall Islands, this number rapidly increased in succeeding years so that by February, 1971, the Universal House of Justice was able to THE SOLOMON ISLANDS announce that a new National Spiritual This group of islands lying east of Papual Assembly was to be formed the following year. New Guinea and between the 7th and 11th The rapid increase in the number of believers south parallels had, a quarter of a century was due largely to the work of a few travelling earlier, been the scene of war and carnage. teachers and teaching teams from the Hawaiian Some of the most famous battles of World Islands and the United States. One team attract- War 11, notably that of Guadalcanal, had been ed over two thousand islanders to the Faith. waged here. Now the islands were witnessing an invasion of another kind-a spiritual inva- National Haziratu'l-Quds two miles east of sion. The Knights of Baha'u'llah Alvin and the heart of Honiara; the acquisition in July, Gertrude Blum opened the Solomons in 1969, of a four-acre Temple site near Honiara; March, 1954. Seventeen years later, on May 1, authorization for Baha'i marriage by public 1971, Mrs. Blum (who remained at her post announcement in the Government Gazette on after the passing of her husband in 1968) wit- September 24, 1971; recognition of BahB'i nessed the fulfilment of a cherished dream with Holy Days under which the children of BahB'i the formation of the National Spiritual Assem- parents may absent themselves from school bly of the Solomon Islands, with its seat in attendance on those days; incorporation of the Honiara. National Spiritual Assembly on July 26, 1971 ; In the period under review the teaching work incorporation of seven Local Spiritual Assemin the islands was reinforced through the efforts blies; acquisition of a national endowment in of pioneers and travelling teachers, some of Auki on the island of Malaita. them youth. Teaching teams were established The Solomons BahB'i community very early with success on several extended programmes joined the ranks of those who had con~pleted which resulted in opening to the Faith the all the goals assigned under the Nine Year Plan. Western Solomons and Gela Island. On two occasions youth teaching teams went to the north and south areas of Malaita with good SOUTH WEST PACIFIC OCEAN results. This area, comprising the New Hebrides, Among the achievements of the Solomons New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands, is BahB'i community were the acquisition of a under the jurisdiction ofthe last of the Regional 270 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visiting the Solonion Islands; December, 1970.
National Spiritual Assemblies of the South Islands. By the end of the Nine Year Plan the Pacific. All other national groupings of these number of Assemblies had increased to eight islands had their own National Spiritual and the number of Baha'i centres had grown to Assembly by the end of the Nine Year Plan. In nineteen. 1968 this area, together with the Solomon The teaching work in Tuamotu Archipelago, Islands, had its seat in Honiara, Guadalcanal, the Marquesas Islands and the Society Islands but in 1971 when the Solomons elected a was placed under the jurisdiction of the Naseparate National Spiritual Assembly the seat tional- Spiritual Assembly of the South Weswas transferred to Noumea, New Caledonia. Pacific Ocean at Ridvan, 1971. A Local Spiri- The history of the Faith in New Caledonia tual Assembly was established in Tahiti. In all goes back to 1952 when, as aresult of a teaching there was a total of three Bahi'i centres in these visit of Mrs. Mariette Bolton, an individual islands by Ridvan, 1973. declared his faith; and to October, 1953, when Other goals accomplished included the the Knight of BahA'u'llah Mrs. Bertha Dobbins acquisition of a National Haziratu'l-Quds in settled in Port-Vila, New Hebrides. Noumea; the purchase of a Temple site fifty At the beginning of the period under review kilometres from Noumea; and the incorporathere were but three Local Spiritual Assem- tion of the National Spiritual Assembly. blies, two on Efate in the New Hebrides and one in Noumea, New Caledonia. There were also groups on Efate and Tanna in the New Hebrides FIJI as well as isolated believers on four other These islands lying about 1,700 miles northislands of this group and two in the Loyalty east of Sydney, Australia, are often referred to Baha'i Teaching Conjkrence,Port-Vila, New Hebrides; May, 1971. The Knight ofBahci'u'll6h, Mrs. Bertha Dobbins, is seen in the centre of'the group.
as "the cross-roads of the South Pacific". Days by the Department of Education in Suva, on the big island of Viti Levu was the February, 1972, Fiji became the first country administrative centre of the original National in all the world to have won all its goals. This Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands achievement was later officially commemorated formed at Ridvan, 1959. When the South by planting a tree in the Suva Botanical Gardens. Pacific region was divided in 1964, Suva Among the achievements of the Fijian Baha'i became the seat of the newly created National community in the last half of the Nine Year Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean. Plan were the incorporation of the National Six years later, Ridvan, 1970, Fiji formed its Spiritual Assembly in 1970; the registration of own National Spiritual Assembly and the a BahB'i marriage officer in October, 1968, the BahB'i Centre in Suva, which had served for first Baha'i marriage taking place on Rabi so many years as the Haziratu'l-Quds of the Island in February the following year; raising Regional South Pacific Assemblies and had the number of Baha'i centres from fourteen in been the focal point of so much of the work in 1968 to eighty in 1973; raising the number of that region, then became the National Hazira- Local Spiritual Assemblies from three to tu'l-Quds for Fiji. seventeen of which three were incorporated. To this fledgling National Spiritual Assembly In the same period the membership of the was given the task of organizing one of the community experienced a nine-fold increase. eight Oceanic Conferences held during this period. More than four hundred believers from all over the Pacific area, and some from as far THE GILBERT AND ELLICE away as Europe, Persia and the United States, ISLANDS gathered in Suva in May, 1971, to attend the The Faith in these islands developed under historic first Pacific Oceanic Conference. the aegis of various Regional National Spiritual The Fijian BahB'i community lost no time in Assemblies until 1967 when the National Spirisetting to work on the goals of the Nine Year tual Assembly of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Plan, and with the recognition of Bahi'i Holy came into being with its seat in Tarawa. 272 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
Islands of the South Pacific The National Haziratu'l-Quds (left)and Baha'i Teaching Institute (right), Tarawa, Gilbert and Ellice Islands; January, 1971.
Lying athwart the Equator and just west of leased at Funafuti, Ellice Islands, for ninetythe International Date Line, the Gilbert and nine years and a Temple site was acquired in Ellice Islands extend in a north-westerly direc- 1972 on Tarawa. A Teaching Institute building tion from 10.5" south latitude to 4 O north was constructed in 1969 and the BahB'is of the latitude. The total land area is approximately village of Tewai, Tabiteuea South, built a new 125 square miles stretched out over a distance BahB'i Centre of local materials in the same of almost one thousand miles of ocean. Of the year. total population of approximately 43,000, it Although it was often difficult for pioneers to was reported that 2,460 were Baha'is by the obtain visas because of local regulations, many end of the Nine Year Plan, an increase of 150 pioneers and travelling teachers did go to the per cent over the 1968 enrolment. Relatively Gilberts to assist with the teaching and confew people in the colony had not heard the solidation work. Among them were Gina and name of BahB'u'llah. Russ Garcia who, in their trimaran, had sailed Over the same period, the number of BahB'i through the islands of the South Pacific to centres increased from sixty-eight to 151 and bring the teachings to the native populations the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies from through their music. One result of the visit of eight to fifty-seven. Of these, nine were regis- Mr. and Mrs. Garcia was that free broadcasting tered with the Colonial Government, as was time was obtained on the local radio station, the National Spiritual Assembly. In 1972 the and the Baha'is of the area were able to main- BahB'is obtained recognition of BahB'i Holy tain these programmes throughout the re- Days. mainder of the Nine Year Plan. The scarcity of available land on these tiny islands made the task of acquiring a Temple site and other properties extremely difficult. Never- SAMOA theless an endowment of approximately two Reviewing the development of the Faith in acres was acquired in 1969 near the village of Samoa in the period from 1968 to 1973, the Eita, Tarawa, a small section of land was National Spiritual Assembly stated: "The 274 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
' Float entered by the Samoan Bahri'is in the parade marking the tenth anniversary ofthe independence,of Western Samoa; 1972.
BahL'i community of the Samoan Islands was buting to the success of their teaching efforts, and continues to be deeply overwhelmed and the National Spiritual Assembly reported, was touched by the signal honour conferred upon the visit of an American teaching team whose it through the acceptance of the Faith of direct methods of presenting the Message of BahB'u'llah by His Highness Malietoa Tanu- Baha'u'llah had brought dramatic results in the mafili 11, Head of State of Western Samoa . . . United States. Projects undertaken on Savai'i, and his announcement in this respect to the Upolu and Tutuila using this direct presenta- BahL'i world at the victorious close of the tion assisted greatly in raising the number of Plan . . ." Local Spiritual Assemblies. Mass teaching The Samoan Islands, Western and American, efforts were complemented by a flow of local lie at the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Opened to travelling teachers, consolidation teams, conthe Faith in January, 1954, by the Knight of ferences, teacher training and deepening insti- BahB'u'llah Lilian Wyss ('AlB'i), these islands tutes, Summer Schools and seminars. The exwere under the jurisdiction of the Regional pansion of the teaching work led to the neces- National Spiritual Assemblies of the South sity of a Teaching Institute and through the gift Pacific Islands (1959-1964) and the South of a believer and as a result of labour on the Pacific Ocean (1964-1970). At Ridvan, 1970, part of the friends a building suited to this the first National Convention of the Samoan purpose was erected on the Summer School Islands elected its own National Spiritual property adjoining the National Haziratu'l- Assembly. The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Quds in Apia. Featherstone represented the Universal House A number of proclamation events were held of Justice on this occasion. and some use was made of press, radio and tele- In the ensuing years, through the constant vision to inform the public of the Cause. A float labour of the friends, the goals of the Nine entered in the parade commemorating the Year Plan were achieved or exceeded. Contri- tenth anniversary of Western Samoa's inde- I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E:YO F B A H A ' ~A . C T I V I T l E S 275 pendence attracted favourable comment. In TONGA AND this connection a Baha'i information booth THE COOK ISLANDS was established, a window display arranged The National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga and, as a public service, free programmes of and the Cook Islands was formed at Ridvan, events were printed and distributed, these con- 1970, with its seat in Nuku'alofa, Tonga. Its taining a quotation from the Writings. Many jurisdiction extends to Niue Island. Previously BahB'i children participated in proclamation Tonga and the Cook Islands had been adand teaching activities and their spontaneous ministered by the Regional National Spiritual and happy efforts attracted waiting souls and Assemblies of South Pacific Islands (1959- made the word "Baha'i" known. 1964) and the South Pacific Ocean (1964-1970). Baha'i literature in Samoan was enriched in At Ridvan, 1970, there were sixteen Local this period largely through the efforts of Mr. Spiritual Assemblies in Tonga and the Cook Niuoleava Tuataga: a member of the Auxiliary Islands, five of which were incorporated, and Board, who translated a volume of Baha'i the Faith was established in thirty-eight localiprayers and several items from the Writings of ties. Baha'u'llah. Within a year a number of the goals assigned Significant achievements in the Nine Year in the Plan were accomplished. A National Plan included the incorporation of the Na- Haziratu'l-Quds was acquired in Nuku'alofa, tional Spiritual Assembly in 1971; the recog- recognition of BahB'i marriage was obtained nition by the Samoan authorities of Baha'i from the civil authorities, and BahB'i literature Holy Days and BahB'i marriage; an increase in which already existed in Tongan and Rarothe number of localities where BahB'is reside tongan Maori was further enriched through the from twenty-one in 1968, to 129 in 1973; an publication of a selection of BahB'i prayers in increase in the number of Local Spiritual the Niue language. In March, 1973, accom- Assemblies from three in 1968, to twenty-eight plishment of another goal was achieved when in 1973, five of these being incorporated; and it was reported that recognition of Baha'i the establishment of BahB'i centres on three Holy Days had been obtained. atolls of the remote Tokelau Islands. At Ridvan, 1973, the National Spiritual This latter achievement during the closing Assembly reported that nineteen Local Assemmonths of the Nine Year Plan was the result of blies had been formed in the Tonga Islands, the devoted efforts of a Samoan travelling exceeding the goal by four, and the number of teacher, Mr. Tumanuvao White, who brought localities where BahL'is reside in Tonga was to fruition the seed that had been planted raised to sixty-eight, surpassing the goal by there many years before by Mr. Toma Aviata, eighteen. The three Local Assemblies required for many years the only Tokelau islander to to be established in the Cook Islands were have embraced the Faith. brought into being-in part through the assis- One of the most outstanding events of the tance of the National Spiritual Assemblies of period under review was the first International New Zealand, Australia and the United States Youth Conference of the South Pacific, held in -and the goal of establishing the Faith in six Apia, from December 29, 1969, to January 2, localities in the Cook Islands was exceeded by 1970. Some ninety youth from Australia, Fiji, two. One of the Cook Island Assemblies Hawaii, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Tonga achieved incorporation, and the goal of conand the United States joined the youth of solidating the Faith in Niue Island was accom- Samoa in stimulating and exciting consultation plished through the establishment of three on the teaching work. localities where Baha'is reside. 276 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 277
E. E U R O P E
Youth! Youth! Youth! References to youth Oteppe-Namur, Padov, Fiesch, Salzburg, appearing in almost every report of National Dortmund, Padua, Plijn . . . these cities where Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world important European Youth Conferences were were especially prominent in the European held will, together with the Dawn-Breakers reports. In most countries of that continent it troupe of eager young BahB'is who spent two was the activity of the youth which transformed summers travelling and teaching throughout steadily plodding BahB'i communities into the continent, forever be associated with the lively and exciting ones; which heightened the renaissance of the teaching work in Europe. resolution of all the friends to get on with the One of the highlights of the last five years was work and challenged them to win the goals of the holding of the Oceanic Conference in the Nine Year Plan. In one community a Reykjavik, Iceland, in September, 1971, a few pioneer was heard to say, "We can probably months after the formation of the National hold our National Convention in a telephone Spiritual Assembly in that country. It was the booth"-so small was the community. Within young believers in Iceland, too, who were months scores of youth were enrolled, and the largely responsible for the rapid growth of that pace of teaching increased, enabling that com- community. munity-the Republic of Ireland-to form its A country by country survey of the develop- National Spiritual Assembly. ment of the Faith in Europe follows.
The Baha'i comrn~mityo f Malta; December, 1972. The Hand o f the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery is seen in the centre of the back row. Mrs. Giachery appears in the right foreground and Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, a n~en~ber of'the North Alnerican Auxiliury Board, is seen in the back row, secondjro~rl~ k left. e 278 T H E B A H ~ wOKI,U ' ~
AUSTRIA election of new Local Spiritual Assemblies, and Fornlerly part of the area of the National a corresponding internal spiritual growth and Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, heightened maturity as the Baha'is strove to the Austrian Baha'i community elected its own become, to a fuller extent, "shining examples of National Spiritual Assembly for the first time the grandeur of BahB'u'llah's Teachings." in 1959 when eleven per cent of the believers in that country were native Austrians. One of the most dramatic developments in the course of BELGIUM the Nine Year Plan is reflected in the propor- Forming part of the area administered by the tion of native believers which had risen to Regional National Spiritual Assembly of the seventeen per cent by Ridvan, 1964, to twenty- Beneluxcountries, whichhad its seat inBrussels, five per cent by Ridvan, 1968, and in the period from 1957 until 1962, the Baha'i community of under review, grew to sixty per cent, the Belgium became an independent entity in the majority of them youth. last year of that period. At the midway point of In addition to the awakening of youth to the the Nine Year Plan Local Spiritual Assemblies beauty of the Baha'i Message, the years 1968 had been established in seven centres and to 1973 were characterized by activities de- BahB'is resided in thirty localities. Between signed to proclaim the Faith to all strata of 1968 and 1973 the number of Local Assemblies society and by an increased use of direct teach- increased to twelve and the number of localities ing methods. to sixty-six. Other significant advances made In the realm of proclamation two teaching by the Belgian community in the period under instruments of particular importance were a review include the establishment of a Publish- Bahsi exhibition, designed and built by the ing Trust (Maison d'Pditions BahB'ies) for the Austrian friends which, beginning in October, publication of French literature; the obtaining 1967, was shown in twenty-two cities through- of legal recognition for four Local Spiritual out the country, in some centres on more than Assemblies; the granting of permission to one occasion, and attracted thousands of Baha'is to request noncombatant service in the visitors; and the Austrian Dawn-Breakers armed forces, even in the case of the recall of singing group,l which performed in various servicemen who in previous years had served centres between 1970 and 1973 to more than in combatant units, and the sending of pioneers two thousand people, appeared thrice on tele- to Luxembourg and Zaire. vision, obtained excellent press publicity and The Faith was widely proclaimed throughout whose songs were often played on the radio. the country. His Majesty King Baudouin twice Direct teaching and proclamation activities, within four years graciously received gifts of the National Spiritual Assembly reported, were Baha'i books. In 1968 a BahB'i exhibition was spearheaded by "unselfish and dedicated held in the Maison de la Presse in Brussels and Bahsi youth who increasingly developed their was followed by other exhibitions in the provspecial talents alld potential and whose ser- inces; these were successful in making the Faith vices were decisive in the fulfilment of the goals kr~ownto a large number of people, and suitof the Plan in Austria; newly-declared youth able litelature was presented to authorities grew to become independent and responsible throughout the country. The Baha'i Publishing supporters of the Faith and enthusiastically Trust of Belgium participated in the important took the load of Assembly and Committee international book fair held in Brussels in 1972 work upon their shoulders." (in observance of International Book Year) The National Spiritual Assembly also re- and displayed BahB'i literature in many ported a growth in the degree of universal languages and dialects, thus bringing the Faith participation in the work of the Faith by the to public attention to a remarkable degree. Austrian believers, an expansion of the Faith The youth campaign organized in Belgium to all provinces of the country, a strengthening (Oteppe-NamurIa in March, 1971, by the of the foundation of the Cause through - the European Youth Conference was intensively pursued in the subsequent years throughout For a report 011 the development of the Dawn- Belgium, and international teaching teams of Breakers singing groups, see Youth Activity section, p. 343. See Youth Activity sectjol~,p. 324. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H A ' ~ACTIVITIES 279 young people joined with Belgian 'youth in community. The many Finnish BahB'is who crossing and recrossing the country proclaim- attended the Palermo Conference in 1968 and ing BahB'u'llah's Teachings with resultant made the associated visit to the Holy Land widespread newspaper and radio publicity and returned with a new enthusiasm and courage, increased enrolments among youth. infused their zeal and insights into their home community, and launched a vigorous assault on the teaching work. The BahB'i youth of DENMARK Finland played a significant part in the expan- The National Spiritual Assembly of Den- sion of the Faith from 1968 to 1973. Enrollmark was established in 1962 with its seat in ments among minorities and particularly Copenhagen. The first half of the Nine Year among the Gypsies and Lapps were due, in Plan was devoted to strengthening the five large measure, to youth activities. Increasingly, Local Spiritual Assemblies in the country and opportunities arose to proclaim the Faith increasing the number of localities where through the press and on radio and television. BahB'is resided throughout Denmark and in In the period under review the number of Greenland. Local Spiritual Assemblies in Finland trebled, In the second half of the Plan teaching and the total membership of the BahB'i community proclamation activities were extended and in more than doubled, and the community was 1969 a nation-wide advertising programme enriched and diversified through the enrollcommenced. In February, 1969, The Proclama- ment of Gypsies, Lapps and Swedish-speaking tion of Baha'u'llah was presented to His Finns. BahB'i literature was translated and Majesty King Frederik IX, and between 1971 published in a number of languages indigenous and 1973 approximately twenty-five Mayors to the region as well as in Estonian. With the received this volume, often with attendant pub- assistance of the Baha'is of Sweden a Local licity. Approximately thirty libraries accepted Spiritual Assembly was formed in Mariehamn, BahB'i literature ;lectures were given in schools; capital of the Aaland Islands, and Finnish and radio and television studios interviewed travelling teachers achieved the goal of teaching Baha'is. Invaluable assistance and stimulation and establishing the Faith in areas beyond the resulted from the visits of the Hands of the borders of Finland. Cause, members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, musical groups such as The Dawn-Breakers and a Canadian-Icelandic FRANCE youth team and many outstanding youth Paris had been one of the earliest and most teachers including Miss Linda Marshall, Miss important centres of Bahi'i activities in Europe Mona Yazdi and Miss Fiona Dunn. Literature from the time of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and in 1958 the in Danish was considerably enriched in this National Spiritual Assembly of France was period and in the spring of 1972 a Temple site established with its seat in that city. In comwas acquired north of Copenhagen. At the menting on developments within the comend of the Plan there were ten Local Spiritual munity in the period under review the Na- Assemblies, four of which were incorporated, tional Spiritual Assembly stated, "The single and the Faith was established in forty localities. most important development of this period has been the preeminent role played by Baha'i youtli in teaching, proclamation and deepening FJNI.,AND activities. Summer proclanlation campaigns, The Finnish Baha'i community was under regular weekend proclamation activities and the jurisdiction of the Regional National Spiri- public meetings in youth, worker and univertual, Assembly of Scandinavia and Finland sity centres were possible because of their from 1957 until 1962 when the National Spiri- initiative and active participation. Their untual Assembly of Finland was established with tiring work made possible the inauguration of its seat in Helsinki, and the following year new teaching methods and was largely responsachieved its incorporation. ible for achieving the goals of the Plan." The first half of the Nine Year Plan was a In addition to contributing French-speaking period of consolidation and testing within the pioneers and travelling teachers to various 280 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bah6'i Summer. School, Orleans, France; August, 1971.
parts of Africa the homefront goals of the mented, to the degree of active and intense French community were met and in some cases participation of the Baha'is of France. exceeded. Asked to increase the localities where Baha'is reside to sixty, the French community achieved a total of 116 localities. The GERMANY goal of establishing sixteen Local Spiritual One of the earliest BahB'i communities in Assemblies was surpassed by two, including Europe, its National Spiritual Assembly had, Metz and Bastia. Significantly, two-thirds of until 1959, jurisdiction over the BahB'is in both those who became Baha'is in France in 1973 Germany and Austria. In that year Austria were French, and one-half were under twenty- achieved its own independent National Assemone years of age. bly. Particularly since 1971 a number of deepen- At Ridvan, 1963, there were thirty Local ing workbooks, brochures and other materials Spiritual Assemblies in Germany and BahB'is were produced by the National Teaching Com- resided in 131 centres. Mid-way in the Plan, mittee for Northern France. This Committee two Local Assemblies had fallen below also dubbed into French the sound track of the strength and 228 localities had been opened. At film It's Just the Beginning, more than eighty Ridvan, 1973, the German community jubilcopies of which have been distributed in antly recorded that Baha'is resided in more French-speaking countries; improved arrange- than five hundred centres and more than sixty ments were made for the distribution of French Local Assemblies had been established, includliterature, only one phase of the increased ing one in the North Frisian Islands and one in degree of cooperation and information ex- Trier; groups had been established in Crete change which has developed among franco- and in the East Frisian Islands; assistance had phone BahB'i communities. been rendered to the work of the Faith in Although the National Spiritual Assembly Greece and in other areas beyond the borders noted that such rapid acceleration of the growth of Germany. of the Faith as was witnessed in the last half With the passing, in July, 1968, of the Hand of the Plan provided new challenges to the of the Cause Hermann Grossmann,' the French community, an unprecedented atmos- German community sustained the loss of one phere of love and unity enveloped the friends, of its most outstanding members. Its other attributable, the National Assembly com- ' See "In Memoriam", p. 416. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 28 1 Hand, Dr. Adelbert Miihlschlegel, continued German youth and the visiting American young throughout the Plan to render indefatigable people serving in the "Hand-in-Hand" teaching services to the Cause in Europe and farther project. afield. In 1968 and 1970 respectively, Erik A half-hour film made of a youthful teaching Blumenthal and Anneliese Bopp, distinguished team was shown on German television and German believers, were appointed to the constituted a valuable audio-visual teaching European Board of Counsellors. aid. Another brief film of the German House of The progress of the Cause in Germany in Worship was shown in more than one thousand the period being discussed, the National Spiri- movie theatres throughout the country and tual Assembly reported, was due in large meas- was seen by approximately 4 million viewers; ure to the visits of the Hands of the Cause and it was also shown outside Germany. to an awakening among the youth. The forma- With the sale of the former Haziratu'l-Quds, tion in 1969 of the first European Dawn- in 1970, a beginning was made on the construc- Breakers singing group, the Assembly com- tion of a new National Centre in Langenhain, mented, representing the first major youth pro- adjacent to the Mother Temple of Europe. ject on a continental scale "restored the faith BahB'i literature in German was considerably and hope of many believers and reactivated enriched in the period under scrutiny and the them as well." The second Dawn-Breakers German Baha'i periodical, Baha'i Briefe, congroup organized in the summer of 1970 started tinued publication. its itinerary with a well-received performance in Bad Godesberg. The groups which evolved from the two original groups "each played a ICELAND significant role in reaching the masses during The National Spiritual Assembly of Iceland the final years of the Plan." The untimely was elected in 1972, with its seat in Reykjavik, passing, in 1972, of Dr. Buzurgmihr Himmati in the presence of the Hand of the Cause Enoch (Bozorg Hemmati),l the ceaselessly-labouring Olinga representing the Universal House of and much loved youthful chairman of the Justice. National Assembly dealt another blow to the When the Nine Year Plan was launched in community and galvanized the efforts of the 1964 there were but seven Baha'is in Iceland, a See "In Memoriam", p. 513. country which had first been briefly visited by
The Handof the Cause John Robarts with one ofthe Icelandic Baha'iyouth at the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference, Reykjavik; September, 1971. 282 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
the late Hand of the Cause Amelia E. Collins1 IRELAND in 1924. In 1965 the first Local Spiritual Assem- At Ridvan, 1968, the Faith in the Republic bly was established in the capital, and the Faith of Ireland, comprising a Local Spiritual Assemwas established in four centres. Progress was bly in Dublin and a number of pioneers elseslow, despite assistance from the National where, was administered by the British Nation- Spiritual Assembly of Canada which had al Spiritual Assembly. In preparation for its responsibility for the goals in Iceland, but establishment as an independent entity at translation and publication of Baha'i literature Ridvan, 1972, three additional Local Spiritual in Icelandic continued. Assemblies were to be established, in Cork, In 1970, with the establishment of a National Dun Laoghaire and Limerick, where groups Teaching Committee, teaching work developed had already been formed. A National Haziraat an increased pace. A conference inspired by tu'l-Quds and a site for a future House of a member of the European Board of Counsel- Worship had been purchased by 1968, but it lors in January, 1971, resulted in an overnight remained for a national endowment to be doubling of the number of believers in Iceland. acquired and Baha'i literature in Erse to be en- These new Bahgis were, for the most part, riched. The first Summer School was held on youth. The trend continued and at Ridvan, thesoil of theIrishRepublic that year, attended 1973, there were 370 BahB'is in Iceland, mostly by approximately ninety friends, mostly from youth. the United Kingdom, and graced by the pre- Preparatory to the formation of the National sence of the Hand of the Cause Jalal a a z e h . A Spiritual Assembly, four Local Spiritual number of Irish believers attended the Palermo Assemblies had been established by Ridvan, Conference and made the subsequent pilgrim- 1971. At the invitation of the National Spiritual age to the Holy Land following which came a Assembly of Canada, six Icelandic believers new wave of pioneer settlers for the Republic's attended the National Convention in Canada goal towns and a gathering spiritual impetus that year. In September, 1971, the North which was accelerated by visits from the Hands Atlantic Oceanic Conference2 was held in of the Cause William Sears, John Robarts and Reykjavik, the largest international Baha'i Ugo Giachery. gathering yet held in Iceland. Following the European Youth Conference In 1972 andther Nine Year Plan goal was in Fiesch3 in the summer of 1971 a teaching achieved through the purchase of a Temple site at Nbnhaea (Noonhill) in Kopavogur, near See Youth Activity section, p. 336 for a report of this Conference. Reykjavik, and at Ridvan of that year a fifth Local Spiritual Assembly was established. After the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly the remaining goals of the Plan were quickly accomplished, including official recognition of BahB'i marriage, of BahB'i Holy Days, and the incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly due in part, the Assembly feels, to a growing awareness of the international significance of the Faith on the part of Icelandic government officials and a desire to see Iceland play its part in encouraging a movement which has as its central aim the establishment of world peace. The entire membership of the National Spiritual Assembly attended the International Convention in Haifa at Ridvin, 1973, and participated in the election of the Universal His Excellency Eamon De Valera, President of House of Justice. the Republic of' Ireland, receiving Baha'i litera- 1 See "In Memoriam", The Baha'i World, vol. ~ 1 1 1 , ture from the Hand of the Cause William Seur,s p. 834. See p. 296 for report of this Conference. jlejj); October, 1969. I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 283
The Annual Convention for the election o,f the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of Italy. Rome; April, 1970.
project was held in four Irish centres resulting ITALY in the enrollment in the Faith of the first native The Baha'i communities of Italy and Switzer- Cork believers and as many as nineteen new land were united from 1953 until 1962 under believers in Limerick, the great majority being one National Spiritual Assembly but at Ridvan, youth of Catholic background. In December, 1962, they became independent. The National 1971, the first Irish Teaching Conference was Spiritual Assembly of Italy was formed with its held. seat in Rome. A year of unparalleled activity commenced The characteristic trends of the period under at Ridvan, 1972, when the National Spiritual review, the National Spiritual Assembly re- Assembly of the Republic of Ireland was estab- ported, were a steady increase in the number of lished. The Hand of the Cause William Sears native Italian believers, a growth in the number represented the Universal House of Justice on of Local Spiritual Assemblies and localities this occasion. Within the year the Assembly where Baha'is resided and a diversification of achieved incorporation, acquired a national en- activities and projects in the fields of proclamadowment and succeeded in enriching Baha'i tion and teaching. Statistically, at the end of literature in Erse. Through sacrificial pioneer the Plan, the proportion of Italian believers in moves, Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed the community had risen to eighty per cent; in Galway and Bray, thus raising the number of between 1968 and 1973 the number of Local Local Assemblies to six, two in excess of the Assemblies increased from thirteen to twenty- Plan goal. A national Baha'i publication, New six, and the number of centres from forty-six to Day, was established, the goal towns of Water- 157. In addition, one Local Assembly was ford and Kilkenny were opened to the Faith established in San Marino, one in Rhodes, one and pioneers were dispatched to British and in Sardinia, one in Capri and three in Sicily. European goals. On the crest of this wave of Both in the number of Spiritual Assemblies victory the nine members of the National established and the number of localities opened Assembly paid tributes of gratitude at the Holy to the Faith, Italy exceeded its Nine 'Year Plan Shrines and participated in the third Interna- goals. An additional victory was achievement tional Convention in the Holy Land at Ridvan, of the goal to have the Baha'i certification of 1973. marriage recognized. The Baha'i Publishing Trust of Italy (Casa primarily through regular and sustained assist- Editrice Baha'i) reprinted existing titles and ance from Luxembourg Baha'i youth. produced new editions in Italian of important The Dawn-Breakers successfully toured Baha'i literature and made available approxi- Luxembourg in 1970, attracting large audiences mately 120,000 copies of introductory leaflets and obtaining excellent publicity including a for immediate use in teaching. sympathetic article in the Letzeburg Revue, a The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah was pre- weekly news magazine with wide circulation. sented by a Baha'i delegation to a representa- This was followed in August, 1971, with a tive of Pope Paul VI, to a representative of the teaching campaign involving twenty youth President of the Italian Republic and to the from various countries who had attended the Capitani Reggenti of the Republic of San Fiesch Conference and whose activity stimu- Marino who received it in person. The book lated the Baha'i young people of Luxembourg was also presented to civic leaders in various to undertake special teaching projects in various cities. goal cities. "These activities," the National Although large conferences were held in all Spiritual Assembly commented, "in no small the important centres of Italy, as a result of measure, assisted in the fulfilment of all the which the Faith was widely proclaimed, it was teaching goals of the Nine Year Plan." A considered a signal honour that the first BahB'i Spanish musical Baha'i team, Pancho and Oceanic Conference was held in Palermo, in Kamal, performed in several centres in Luxem- August, 1968, in observance of the centenary of bourg in February, 1973, obtained good publi- Bah~'u'1lAh's crossing the Mediterranean sea city and appeared on television. on His way to exile in the Holy Land. It was Two particularly significant accomplishattended by approximately four thousand ments should also be noted. In the last three Baha'is from around the world. This event was years of the Plan successful teaching developed given widespread attention by the Italian press, among the large Portuguese minority in radio and television. Luxembourg; and, at Ridvan, 1972, the Local National Youth Symposia were held each Assembly of Esch-sur-Alzette was elected conyear and the European Youth Conference held sisting of nine Luxembourg citizens, the first in Padua in August, 1972, attracted an attend- local community to achieve this distinction. ance of 1,500 youth of forty nationalities. The first Luxembourg Winter School was Tribute is paid to Mr. Jerry Bagley for his work held in Pktange in 1972. This and the regularly in Sicily, Sardinia and Piedmont and to the held Summer Schools and special one-day and Dawn-Breakers singing group whose tour re- weekend institutes contributed greatly to the sulted in the opening of many new localities work of consolidating the Faith in Luxemand increased enrolments. bourg.
LUXEMBOURG THE NETHERLANDS The Faith in Luxembourg showed a dramatic The National Spiritual Assembly of the growth during the period under consideration. Netherlands was established in 1962, with its The numbers of believers and localities in- seat in The Hague. At Ridvan, 1968, the comcreased threefold, (exceeding by five the num- munity comprised eight Local Assemblies, ber of localities required), and the number of eleven groups and eleven isolated centres; there Local Spiritual Assemblies grew from three to were very few youth in the community. Aleigh't. though their number was small the Dutch Early in 1969 a Temple site was acquired BahB'i youth were hosts at the first Interapproximately seven kilometres south of national BahB'i Summer School to be held in Luxembourg-Ville on a main national highway. theNetherlands The National Spiritual Assem- Two international goals were achieved at bly reported that this school, greatly encour- Ridvan, 1972, with the establishment of Local aged by the attendance of the Hand of the Assemblies in Trier, Germany and Metz, Cause Jalal a a z e h and a large attendance of France; the establishment of a Spiritual youth from other European countries, and Assembly in Arlon, Belgium was achieved inspired by a stirring message from the Univer- I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 285
The first of a. series of' proclamation posters produced by the Bahri'is o f the Netherlands and posted in public transport centres throughout the country duri~zgthe period 1968 to 1973.
sal House of Justice, "marked the beginning of community comprised sixteen Local Spiritual I a steady growth in the number of believers, Assemblies, twenty-six groups, thirty isolated particularly among youth." When Ridvan 1973 centres and the total membership of the comarrived, seventy per cent of the Dutch com- munity had more than doubled since 1968. munity were under thirty years of age, and the Baha'i youth, seeking new ways of teaching 286 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bahd'i Summer School of Norway; 1972. The Hand of the Cause Enoclz Olinga is seen seated in the centre of the front row.
their contemporaries, responded to initiatives the Norwegian BahB'i community, at Ridvan, of communities abroad and developed a vocal 1962, elected its own National Spiritual Assemgroup to spread the BahB'i Faith by music and bly with its seat in Oslo. song. After participating in the international At Ridvan, 1968, the achievement of the Dawn-Breakers group, an all-Dutch vocal goals of the Nine Year Plan in Norway showed group "Great Day" was formed and presented only slight progress, and the numerically small a well conducted programme available at all community was confronted with the tasks, times for proclamation and teaching events at among others, of increasing the number of the local and national level. Local Assemblies and localities where BahB'is The growing number of young Baha'i fami- reside, acquiring a Temple site and establishing lies in the community sparked a heightened a group in Spitzbergen. interest in establishing classes for children and During the first years of the Plan the press special attention was paid to this need in accorded the Faith a growing amount of pub- Summer Schools and at seminars. licity, and in 1968 the magazine section of a In 1968 the secretariat of the National Spiri- leading newspaper carried a four-page report tual Assembly was moved from the private of an interview with a member of the National address of the secretary to its official seat in the Spiritual Assembly. Haziratu'l-Quds and alterations to the National Proclamation activities included the presen- Centre created an auditorium capable of hold- tation of The Proclamation of Bahb'u'llah to ing eighty people; space for the National Baha'i Crown Prince Harald on the occasion of his Library was found in a smaller room. marriage and a specially designed brochure A major goal of the Plan was the purchase of was distributed to eight hundred outstanding a Temple site in the vicinity of The Hague and Norwegian leaders. this was accomplished in the closing months of Intensified teaching activity and visits of the Nine Year Plan. The site is approximately travelling teachers led to the establishment of 150 metres from a large lake and comprises the Spiritual Assembly of Trondheim in 1969. eight acres. The publication of a Norwegian translation of Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llhh, the NORWAY National Assembly reported, "confirmed and Formerly under the jurisdiction of the accelerated the teaching work." In 1970 a Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Norwegian couple settled in Spitzbergen. A Scandinavia and Finland from 1957 until 1962, year later through the enactment of new legis- I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y OF B A H A ' ~ACTIVITIES 287
The National Spiritual Assenzbly o f the Bahci'is ofPortuga1;June, 1968. The Handof the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery is seen sixth from the 1eJT.
lation the Faith was registered with the civil 1962 when it elected its National Spiritual authorities, thus achieving the goal of obtaining Assembly, with its seat in Lisbon and its jurisrecognition of the Faith, an event which re- diction including the Azores. In 1967 Madeira sulted in publicity in the press. Recognition of was added to its jurisdiction. Baha'i marriage soon followed, also as a result The Portuguese community entered the last of the new law. half of the Nine Year Plan with only six Local In 1972 a Temple site was acquired near Oslo Spiritual Assemblies, five in Portugal and one and the Faith was given much publicity as a in the Azores, and BahB'is resided in twenty-six result of a half-hour television programme ex- centres in the three areas of jurisdiction. plaining its tenets. In the summer of that year Through the visits of Hands of the Cause and a group of young American BahB'is devoted European %ounsellors, a series of conferences their vacation time to working with the Scan- devoted to the interests of believers in the dinavian youth in a well planned teaching pro- Iberian Peninsula, and the sacrificial services ject throughout Norway. "The significance of of pioneers and travelling teachers who their work cannot be overestimated," the worked hand in hand with the Portuguese com- National Spiritual Assembly reported. munity, what was described as "a new spirit of At the conclusion of the Plan Norway had energy and hopefulness" was noted in 1970 established the Faith in thirty-one localities which led, by Ridvan, 1973, to phenomenal including the Lofoten Islands and Spitzbergen, growth being recorded,: there were fourteen brought into being a Local Assembly in Lofoten Local Assemblies established in Portugal and and eight in other parts of Norway. two in Madeira; the Faith was established in seventy-one localities throughout Portugal, the Azores and Madeira, and the membership of PORT,UGAL the community had more than quadrupled. From 1957 until 1962, the Baha'i community In the period under review a national endowin Portugal was administered by the Regional ment and a National Ha?iratu'l-Quds were National Spiritual Assembly of the Iberian acquired, a Temple site having been secured Peninsula. It became an independent entity in earlier in the Plan. 'i W O R L D SPAIN was made to the civil Governors of Seville, From 1957 to 1962 there was one National Murcia and Guadalajara. Spiritual Assembly for the Iberian penins.uk, Nine books published in Spain in this period with its seat in Madrid. In 1962 the Baha'i com- under-non-Baha'i auspices made mention of munities of Portugal and Spain elected their the Baha'i Faith and the National Spiritual own separate National Spiritual Assemblies, Assembly reported that 136 newspapers are that of Spain having jurisdiction over the known to have made reference to the Faith Balearic Islands, and Andorra. In 1967 the either through the intervention of Baha'is or Canary Islands were added to its area, and in on the initiative of local journalists. 1974 the Spanish Sahara. In the period being surveyed Baha'i literature At the midway point in the Nine Year Plan in Spanish was considerably enriched through there were sixteen Local Spiritual Assemblies the publication by EBILA,' of additional titles and Baha'is resided in twenty-five localities. At in this language. the conclusion of the Plan, at Ridvan, 1973, these figures had grown to twenty-seven and SWEDEN sixty-seven, respectively. Adnlinistered from 1957 to 1962 by the In 1968 the National Spiritual Assembly Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Scanachieved recognition as did, not long thereafter, dinavia and Finland which had its seat in Stocksixteen Local Assemblies. A year later the holm, the Swedish Baha'i community elected National Haziratu'l-Quds was registered as a its own National Spiritual Assembly at Ridvan, place for the holding of BahB'i gatherings under 1962. By Ridvan, 1968, the community had the law of religious freedom and all Local evolved to what was described by the National Haziratu'l-Quds and Baha'i Centres received Spiritual Assembly as "a period of conscious equivalent recognition. The Publishing Trust responsibilities and loving labour" which witof Spain (Editorial Baha'i) was officially regis- nessed in the next five years a harvest of "hearttered in 1969 and the National Spiritual Assem- warming fruitfulness". Significant developbly obtained permission to publish its news ments included recognition of Baha'i marriage journal, Bolletin de inforlnacion Bahd'i. In in 1972; the recognition of Baha'i Holy Days in October, 1969, The Proclanzation of Bahci'u'lldh more than twenty schools, state and private was presented to His Excellency Francisco Editorial Bahi'i Indo-Latinoamericana. See "Baha'i Franco Bahamonde and to the Bishop of Urgel, Eubljshing Trusts", Directory section, p. 703 and Major Works and Partial List of Languages in which co-prince of Andorra. A similar presentation they are Available", p. 751.
National Bahci'i Teaching Conference, lippsala, Sweden; October, 1971 I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 289
Baha'i exhibition and literature display, Basel, S~vitzerland;May, 1969. Mr. Mark Tobey, the noted American painter (centre), a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Basel, assisted the friends irz mounting the exhibition.
concerns and companies; the translation and activities throughout Scandinavia on a scale publication of BahB'i literature in Lule Samish never before attained. (one of the three principal Samish languages) At Ridvan, 1973, the community triumphas well as the publication of the first Baha'i antly recorded that all the goals assigned to it book ever written by a native Nordic author, had been accomplished, and in some instances Mr. Sverre Holmsen, of Sweden, copies of surpassed. which were distributed to four hundred libraries; the establishment of the Baha'i Publishing SWITZERLAND Trust of Sweden and the general enrichment of From 1953 until 1962 a part of the commu- Baha'i literature in the Swedish tongue; the nity administered by the National Spiritual appearance of more than four hundred articles Assembly of Italy and Switzerland which had on the Faith in the Swedish press and its men- its seat in Rome, the Baha'i community of tion and the presentation of its verities on radio Switzerland elected its own National Spiritual and television; the presentation of The Procla- Assembly in 1962, with its seat in Berne. mation of Bahh'u'llah to the late King of Important developments were witnessed Sweden, Gustav VI Adolf, as well as to a num- during the last five years of the Nine Year Plan, ber of Provincial Governors and thirteen the National Spiritual Assembly reported. Tra- Bishops; the distribution of BahB'i literature to ditional teaching methods led to the opening of two thousand church dignitaries attending the the Principality of Liechtenstein and a few World Council of Churches in Uppsala in 1968 additional cantons but the need was felt for and the presentation of a specially designed reaching seekers on a wider scale. The use of an brochure on the Faith to 2,500 clergymen of the audio-visual approach, notably in an exhibition Swedish Lutheran Church; the sending of mounted in 1970, excited enthusiastic support pioneers abroad and participation by the in the community and proved to be among Swedish community in inter-assembly colla- the most powerful instruments in winning the boration projects and the marked expansion of goals of the Plan. In 1970 Switzerland benefited the role played by youth in teaching and pion- from participation in the European Dawneering and their spearheading of travel teaching Breakers group and later developed a Swiss 290 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
counterpart of young Baha'i musicians. That former community administered by the Local same year a conference for Baha'i parents and Spiritual Assembly of London into communichildren was held as a result of which regional ties in the various boroughs which comprised conferences were spontaneously held and London, resulting in the formation of ten regular children's classes were established in Local Spiritual Assemblies in place of the one. some centres. The overseas picture, the National Assembly In 1971 a group of American Baha'i youth reported, was "equally distressing". The joined with the young people of Switzerland in following year was marked by the development a concerted teaching effo~teffectively led by of a new spirit of vitality, attributable the Linda Marshall and Shanta Murday, a project National Assembly felt, to a series of challengassessed by the National Spiritual Assembly ing messages from the Universal House of as being "very rewarding and deeply encourag- Justice, the visits of a number of the Hands of ing". The European Youth Conference at the Cause, the formation of and initial consul- Fiesch in the summer of 1971 attracted 1,500 tation with the European Board of Counsellors, youthful participants from fifty natjons and the attendance of two hundred British friends resulted in proclamation activities on an un- at the Palermo Conference,l an energetic homeprecedented scale. Surging to the forefront, the front teaching campaign, internal administra- Swiss youth in the last years of the Plan estab- tive improvements and a gradual but marked blished a University Club in Lausanne. Invita- upsurge of youth activity, the young people tions came from schools requesting BahB'i playing a leading role in teaching at home speakers to address classes on religion. "New and abroad and in the universities, and in horizons opened," the Assembly commented. various proclamation activities, many of which "Old teaching methods and religious concepts resulted in increased publicity and requests for were swept away . . . we became more aware of Bahi'i speakers at clubs, schools and societies. the joy, hope and grandeur of the Cause. . . we The tide turned and victories were recorded gained a fuller understanding of the value of both in overseas goals and on the homefront. prayer and the need to put our trust in BahB'uY- At Ridvan, 1972, the National Spiritual llih . . . we gained confidence. . . the Message Assembly reported that the number of new was taken to people in all walks of life." BahB'is enrolled was "three times as many as At Ridvan, 1973, all teaching goals were won any previously recorded in one year," and and in some cases surpassed. Although recog- ninety-seven Local Spiritual Assemblies were nition of BahB'i marriage and Holy Days was established. Large numbers of pioneers connot fully achieved, with permission obtained tinued to arise; youth activity continued unfor BahB'i children in two centres to com- abated. At the conclusion of the Nine Year memorate BahB'i Holy Days the National Plan, 106 Local Assemblies had been formed Assembly felt that a good beginning had been on the homefront and the required number of made. Assemblies had been established in Malta, Cyprus and the Faeroes. UNITED KINGDOM The Baha'i Publishing Trust of the United The venerable BahB'i community of the Kingdom, in the period undel review, expanded British Isles, one of the oldest in the Baha'i its facilities, witnessed a considerable increase world, has had a National Spiritual Assembly in sales and extended the range of its publicasince 1923. In 1972 with the establishment of a tions. separate National Spiritual Assembly for the The Faith gained increased recognition in Republic of Ireland it became known as the many spheres, through proclamation nation- National Spiritual Assembly of the United ally and locally; through teaching in schools, Kingdom. colleges and universities; through a growing At Ridvan, 1968, with almost half the Nine amount of newspaper, radio and television Year Plan behind it, the British community publicity; and by the growing prestige of some faced a serious situation, having registered a net British believers in the fields of music, art and gain on the homefront in five and a half years of literature, including the award of a Companion only six Local Spiritual Assemblies, achieved of Honour to Bernard Leach. not through teaching but by the division of the For a report of the Palermo Conference, seep. 73 4. E X P A N S I O N AND C O N S O L I D A T I O N O F T HE B A H A ~F A ~ I TH I N T HE N I N E Y E A R PL A N INFORMATION STATISTICAL AND COMPARATIVE
Ridvrin 1964 Ridvdn 1973 Countries. significant territories and islands where the Baha'i Faith is established . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 335 National Spiritual Assemblies1 . . . . . . . . . . 56 113 Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . 38 90 National Haziratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national BahB'i administrative activity) . . . . . . . . . . 56 112 National Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 104 BahB'i Temples (Maariqu'l-AdJkar) . . . . . . . 4 5 Sites for future Bahi'i Temples . . . . . . . . . . 46 98 BahB'i Publishing Trusts2 . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 15 Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translatedS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321 587* Indigenous tribes. races and ethnic groups represented in the Baha'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518 (estimated) 1. 607 Countries recognizing BahB'i Holy Days . . . . . . 20 64 Countries recognizing BahB'i marriage . . . . . . 26 40 Localities where Baha'is reside . . . . . . . . . . 15.186 69.541 Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.620 52.133 Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. 566 17.037 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . 413 1 .556
A . AFRICA Ridvrin 1964 Ridvrin 1973 Countries. significant territories and islands where the Baha'i Faith is established . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . 4 Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . 3 National Haziratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national Baha'i administrative activity) . . . . . . . . . . 4 National Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Baha'i Temples (Ma&riquYl-Aakar) . . . . . . 1t Sites for future Baha'i Temples . . . . . . . . . . 5 Baha'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . 1: Languages into which Bahi'i literature has been translated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Indigenous tribes. races and ethnic groups represented in the Bah8'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 348 Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days . . . . . . 7 A list of the 113 National Spiritual Assemblies established at RiQvin. 1973. appears in the Bahi'i Directory. p. 702. and on p. 294. See Bahi'i D~rectory.p. 701. See Bibliography. p. 705. * Excluding Esperanto and Interlingua. not reflected in the breakdown by continents in the following pages. TKampala. Uganda; cledicat.ei1, 1961. S Kampala. LIganda. 292 T H E B A H P ; ' ~W O R L D
Ridvdn 1964 Ridvan 1973 Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage . . . . . . 5 7 Localities where Baha'is reside . . . . . . . . . . 3. 277 15. 245 Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.916 10.047 Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 361 4.990 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . 34 142
B . THE AMERICAS Ridvan 1964 Ridvdn 1973 Countries. significant territories and islands where the Bahi'i Faith is established . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . 19 National Haziratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national Baha'i administrative activity) . . . . . . . . . . 24 National Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Bahi'i Temples (Maariqu'l-Aakar) . . . . . . . 1 Sites for future Baha'i Temples . . . . . . . . . . 22 Bahi'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Indigenous tribes. races and ethnic groups represented in the Baha'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Countries recognizing Bahi'i Holy Days . . . . . . 5 Countries recognizing BahB'i marriage . . . . . . 8 Localities where Baha'is reside . . . . . . . . . . 3. 483 Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. 776 Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . 707 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . 223
c. ASIA Ridvan 1964 Ridvan I973 Countries. significant territories and islands where the Baha'i Faith is established . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . 10 Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . 3 National Haziratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national Baha'i administrative activity) . . . . . . . . . . 9 National Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Baha'i Temples (Maariqu'l-Aakar) . . . . . . . It Sites for future Baha'i Temples . . . . . . . . . . 8 BahB'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Languages into which BahB'i literature has been translated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
* Wilmette. Illinois. U.S.A.; dedicated. 1953; Panama City. Panama. dedicated. 1972. t Buenos Aires. Argentina; Rio de Janeiro. Brazil; Wilmette. Illinois. U.S.A. t 'Ishqabad. Turkistiin; demolished in 1963 following earthquake damage. See "The Razing of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkir of 'Ishqabad". The Bahd'i World. vol. xrv. p. 479. 8 NewDelhi. I d i a ; Beirut, Lebanon; Karachi. Pakistan; Tihrin. Iran; Taipei. Taiwan . I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 293 Ridvdn 1964 Indigenous tribes. races and ethnic groups represented in the BahB'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days . . . . . . 4 Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage . . . . . . 7 Localities where BahB'is reside . . . . . . . . . . 7;262 Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.028 Local Spiritual Assenlblies . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.234 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . 61
D . AUSTRALASIA Ridvdn 1964 Ridvdn 1973 Countries. significant territories and islands where the Baha'i Faith is established . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . 3 Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . 3 National Haziratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national Baha'i administrative activity) . . . . . . . . . . 3 National Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Baha'i Temples (Mashriqu'l-Aakar) . . . . . . . 1* Sites for future Bah8'i Temples . . . . . . . . . . 3 Baha'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups represented in the Baha'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Countries recognizing Baha'i Holy Days . . . . . . 3 Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage . . . . . . 3 Localities where Baha'is reside . . . . . . . . . . 411 Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 IncorporatedLocal Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . 33
E . EUROPE Ridvan 1964 Ridvbn 1973 Countries. significant territories and islands where the Baha'i Faith is established . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . 15 Incorporated National Spiritual Assemblies . . . . 10 National Haziratu'l-Quds (headquarters of national Baha'i administrative activity) . . . . . . . . . . 15 National Endowments . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Baha'i Temples (Maariqu'l-A&kar) . . . . . . . 1t Sites for future BahB'i Temples . . . . . . . . . . 8 Baha'i Publishing Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 *Sydney. Australia: dedicated. 1961. t Frankfurt. G e r m a n y ; dedicated. 1964. :Brussels. Belgium: Frankfurt. Germany: Rome. Italy; Madrid. Spain; Stockholm. Sweden; L . o ~ ~ d oUnited n, Kingdom . T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Ridvcin 1964 Ridvcin 1973 Indigenous tribes, races and ethnic groups represented in the Bah8'i Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Countries recognizing BahB'i Holy Days . . . . . . 1 Countries recognizing Baha'i marriage . . . . . . 2 Localities where Baha'is reside . . . . . . . . . . 753 Isolated centres or groups . . . . . . . . . . . . 571 Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies . . . . . . 62 * Information not available.
F. BAHA'IN A T I O N A L S P I R I T U A L A S S E M B L I E S Ridvcin 1973 When the Nine Year Plan was launched at Ridvan, 1964, there were sixty-nine BahB'i National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world. At the end of the Nine Year Plan at Ridvan, 1973, the following one hundred and thirteen were elected. The list names the seat of each National Spiritual Assembly, and shows, in brackets, the year in which it was first elected:
1. AF -ANISTAN, Kabul (1972) 28. ECUADOR, Quito (1961) 2. ALASKA, Anchorage (1957) 29. EL SALVADOR, San Salvador (1961) 3. ARABIAN PENINSULA, Bahrayn (1957)l 30. FIJI ISLANDS, Suva (1970) 4. ARGENTINA, Buenos Aires (1957) 31. FINLAND, Helsinki (1962) 5. AUSTRALIA, Sydney (1934) 32. FRANCE, Paris (1958) 6. AUSTRIA, Vienna (1959) 33. GERMANY, Frankfurt (1923) 7. BANGLADESH, Dacca (1972) 34. GHANA, Accra (1970) 8. BELGIUM, Brussels (1962) 35. GILBERT AND ELLICE ISLANDS, Tarawa 9. BELIZE, Belize (1967) (1967) 10. BOLIVIA, La Paz (1961) 36. GUATEMALA, Guatemala City (1961) 11. BOTSWANA, Gaborone (1970)2 37. GUYANA, SURINAM AND FRENCH GUIANA, 12. BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro (1957) Georgetown (Guyana) (1970) 13. BURMA, Rangoon (1959) 38. HAITI, Port-au-Prince (1961) 14. CAMEROON REPUBLIC, Victoria (1967) 39. HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, Honolulu (1964) 15. CANADA, Toronto (1948) 40. HONDURAS, Tegucigalpa (1961) 16. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, Bangui 41, ICELAND, Reykjavik (1972) (1971j3 42. INDIA, New Delhi (1923) 17. CHAD, Fort Lamy (1971)4 43. INDONESIA, Djakarta (1964) 18. CHILE, Santiago (1961) 44. IRAN,Tihran (1934) 19. COLOMBIA, Bogota (1961) 45. IRELAND, REPUBLIC OF, Dublin (1972) 20. CONGO REPUBLIC, Brazzaville (1972) 46. ITALY, Rome (1953) 21. COSTA RICA, San Jost (1961) 47. IVORY COAST, MALI AND UPPER VOLTA, 22. CUBA, Havana (1961) Abidjan (Ivory Coast) (1971) 23. DAHOMEY, TOGO A N D NIGER, Cotonou 48. JAMAICA, Kingston (1961) (Dahomey) (1970) 49. KENYA, Nairobi (1964) 24. D ENMARK, Copenhagen (1962) 50. KOREA, Seoul (1964) 25. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Santo Donlingo 51. KUWAIT, Kuwait (1972) (1961) 52. LAOS, Vientiane (1967) 26. EASTERN ARABIA, Manama (Bahrayn) 53. LEEWARD AND VIRGIN ISLANDS, Charlotte (1972) Amalie, St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) (1967) 27. EASTERN MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI, Sarawak 54. LESOTHO, Maseru (1971)6 (Malaysia) (I 972) 55. LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg (1962) I N T E R N A T I O N A L S U R V E Y O F B A H A ' ~A C T I V I T I E S 295 56. MALAGASY REPUBLIC, Tananarive (1972)6 87. SOLOMON ISLANDS, Honiara (1971) 57. MALAWI, Limbe (1970)' 88. SOUTH A N D WEST AFRICA, Johannesburg 58. MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur (1972)8 (South Africa) (1956) 59. MAURITIUS, Port Louis (1972) 89. SOUTH WEST PACIFIC OCEAN, Noumea 60. MEXICO, Mexico City (1961) (New Caledonia) (1964) 61. NEAR EAST, Beirut (Lebanon) (1970) 90. SPAIN, Madrid (1962) 62. NEPAL, Katmandu (1972) 91. SRI LANKA, Colombo (1962) 63. NETHERLANDS, The Hague (1962) 92. SUDAN, Khartoum (1971) 64. NEW ZEALAND, Auckland (1957) 93. SWAZILAND AND MOZAMBIQUE, Mbabane 65. NICARAGUA, Managua (1961) (Swaziland) (1971) 66. NIGERIA, Lagos (1970) 94. SWEDEN, Stockholm (1962) 67. NORTH EAST AFRICA, Addis Ababa, 95. SWITZERLAND, Bern (1962) (Ethiopia) (1956) 96. TAIWAN, Taipei (1967) 68. NORTH EAST ASIA, Tokyo (Japan) (1957) 97. TANZANIA, Dar-es-Salaam (1964) 69. NORTH WEST AFRICA, Rabat (Morocco) 98. THAILAND, Bangkok (1964) (1956) 99. TONGA AND THE COOK ISLANDS, Nuku'a- 70. NORTH WEST PACIFIC OCEAN, Ponape lofa (Tonga) (1970) (Caroline Islands) (1972) 100. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, Port-of-Spain 71. NORWAY, Oslo (1962) (Trinidad) (1971) 72. PAKISTAN, Karachi (1957) 101. TUNISIA, Tunis (1972) 73. PANAMA, Panama City (1961) 102. TURKEY, Istanbul (1959) 74. PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA, Lac (New 103. UGANDA, Kampala (1971) Guinea) (1969) 104. UNITED KINGDOM, London (1923)11 75. PARAGUAY, Asuncion (1961) 105. UNITED STATES, Wilmette (1925) 76. PERU, Lima (1961) 106. UPPER WEST AFRICA, Bathurst (The 77. PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Manila (1964) Gambia) (1970) 78. PORTUGAL, Lisbon (1962) 107. URUGUAY, Montevideo (1961) 79. PUERTO RICO, Santurce (1972)@ 108. VENEZUELA, Caracas (1961) 80. RBUNION, Saint Pierre (1972) 109. VIETNAM, Saigon (1964) 81. RHODESIA, Salisbury (1970) 110. WEST AFRICA, Monrovia (Liberia) (1964) 82. RWANDA, Kigali (1972)1° 111. WINDWARD ISLANDS, Bridgetown (Barba- 83. SAMOA, Apia (Western Samoa) (1970) dos) (1972) 84. SEYCHELLES, Victoria (Mahe Island) (1972) 112. ZAPRE,Kinshasa (1970)12 85. SIKKIM, Gangtok (1967) 113. ZAMBIA, Lusaka (1967)13 86. SINGAPORE, Singapore (1972)
Notes Area altered in 1972 with the formation of two Area altered in 1972; formerly Malaya. National Spiritual Assemblies, Eastern Arabia and Seat: Rio Piedras, 1972-1974; then Santurce. Kuwait. l oFormerly a part of Ruanda-Urundi; name changed Formerly Bechuanaland, until 1966. t o Rwanda in 1962. The National Spiritual Assembly Formerly Central Africa, 1970-1971; then Central of Burundi and Rwanda existed, 1969-1972, at African Republic. which time Rwanda formed its own National Spiri- In 1973 Fort Lamy became known as N'DjamBna. tual Assembly. Formerly Basutoland, until 1966. Part of the area l1 Formerly the British Isles, until 1972. under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual l2Formerly Belgian Congo until 1960; then Republic Assembly of Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique, of Congo (Kinshasa) until namechanged to Zairein 1967-1971. 1971. Kinshasa was formerly called Leopoldville. Formerly Madagascar, until 1958. rVorrnerly Northern Rhodesia, until 1964. 'Formerly Nyasaland, until 1964. I1 E I G H T O C E A N I C AND CONTINENTAL CONFERENCES I . U N I T Y I N D I V E R S I T Y - A P I C T O R I A L REPORT
The people whose pictures you are about to see come from all over the world, from diverse backgrounds.
The colour of their skins variesfrom the pale, almost white, o f the Nordic countries . . .
. . . to the rich browns and blacks of the African continent.
The manner of dress also differs, from the casual colozlrful loose-Jitting clothing of the Pacijic Islanders . . .
Adapted from aprogrammefor slides andfilmstripdesigned by the Audio-Visual Department of the Bahb'i World Centre, released through the International Bahb'i Audio-Visual Centre and distributed by the Bahb'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois. OCEANIC A N D CONTINENTAL CONFERENCES
. . . to the heavy, but no less colourful garments of the Indians living in the cold climate of the Bolivian Andes.
The racial and ethnic backgrounds are many-a full-blooded Australian Aboriginal with his bride,
Latin Americans from the Caribbean area,
I
I
Meo tribesmen from Laos and Thailand, 298 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Ainu of Japan, and many, many others.
But all have things in common. Most important, they are all foIIowers of the Most Great Name-Bahci'is committed to the Teachings of Bahci'u'lldh, which emphasize the oneness of mankind. Bahci'is think of themselves as leaves o f one tree and,flowers of one garden.
These friends have another inzportant common denominator. They were participants in one or more of the eight Oceanic and Continental Conferences called by the Universal House of Justice -in Japan, Iceland, Jamaica, Bolivia, Fiji, Singapore, Mauritius and Liberia.
They canie to renew bonds of piendship, to meet new friends, to reach the Cause of Bahci'u'llih . . . O C E A N I C A N D C O N T I N E N T A L CONFERENCES
. . . to sing His praise, and to discuss ways and means of winning the goals o f the Nine Year Plan.
They came by ship, and they came by plane, happy and joyful at the prospect of being with their Bahci'i brothers and sisters from dzflerent lands.
' p i ' I .I
It was in August, 1970, that the vangzlard of the hosts attending these eight Conferences landed in Mauritius to participate in four wonderful days of consultation and inspiration. Three Hands of the Cause attended- Jaldl a d z e h , William Sears and Rahmatu'lkdh Mzlhajir.
The Hand of' the Cause Williani Seurs represented the Universul Holtse ?/' Justice. Reuding its message, he noted tliat Mauritius ir "an island itvliosename was enshrined in Balici'i histor)?during the Ileroic Age of our Faith as the source, two years before 'Ahdu'l- Balia's arriiiul in America, oj'a contribution tonvards the purchase oj'tlie site of'tlie Morher Ten~pleoj'tlie West. 300 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
" . . . the spirit of the New Day," he continued, "brilliant even at this early dawn with the light of Bahri'u'lldh's gifts to man, is apparent in the diversity of the attendants, in the brotherhood of erstwhile strangers . . . and above all in the noble purposes for which (you have) gathered." Over 1,000 Bahd'is from the Indian Ocean, Africa, Asia and other lands attended the sessions
Mr. Sears signed the oficial visitors book of the Prime Minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, who headed the list of notables attending the public reception.
There was excellent pr aess coverage for the C0njkrence and four television interviews -three in Engh;sh and one in Hindi. O C EANI C AN D CONTINENTAL CONFERENCES 301 On thejnal day the friends visited the Temple site, which nestles beneath the island's beautiful mountains on a sixteenacre plateau overlooking the vast emerald Indian Ocean and the city of Port Louis. On Sunday, Mr. Sears closed the session, addressing an audience ablaze with the j r e of love; eyes were glittering with tears of joy and sadness. The Conference had reached its apex, yielded its fruit, and now the harvest was to be gathered.
Meanwhile, 8,000 miles to the west, high in the Andes at La Puz, Bolivia, the companion Continental Conference had been under way. The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahd R@ziyyih&inurn was the oficial representative of the Universal House of Justice . . . she read its message reminding the friends that their ". . . aim is the redemption of mankind from its godlessness, its ignorance, its confusion and conflict."
That same message referred to the Master'sprediction in the Tablets of the Divine Plan that . . . should these Indians be educated and properly guided, there can be no doubt that through the divine teachings they will become so enlightened that the whole earth will be illumined.
Six hundred and forty-one believers representing nineteen countries had journeyed to this mountain capital. Their number included six members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors, twelve Auxiliary Board members, and thirty-one members of National Spiritual Assemblies. Here was a living example of the truth of Bahci'u'lldh's statement, The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens. 302 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
The Conference was a great factor,for proclamation of the Faith throughout Bolivia. The friends made effective use of radio, the press and television.
Four months later, in Singapore, the South China Seas Conference was convened. The Hands of the Cause Collis Featherstone (left) and Enoch Olinga (right) were present. Mr. Olinga, who represented the Universal House of Justice, announced that in recognition of current achievements, Singapore would have its own National Spiritual Assembly at Ridvdn, 1972. OCEANIC A N D CONTINENTAL CONFERENCES
Bahd'is from twenty-Jive countries were present at the Conference, including Joseph Domingo and Augustine Elizan, tribal believers from the north and south of the Philippines.
Ten countries are represented by the Bahd'is in this photograph. Arabia sent two delegates to the Conference.
Workshops on special interests were held throughout the Conference between sessions. Subjects included child education, teaching among the Chinese, and youth and student acth
One of the outstanding attractions was a unique and colourful exhibit, designed by Dr. Chellie Sundram, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in South-east Asia. 304 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
An intercontinental telephone hookup was established with the companion Conference in Monrovia, Liberia.
The entire body of believers in Singapore shared in the excitement as the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga . . .
. . . spoke to Amatu'l-Bahd Rzihiyyih a d n u m at the Monrovia Conference where 500 delegates from thirty-seven countries, some as far away as Hawaii and Persia, had assembled.
The Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'lldh Muhdjir (left), shown here with Rlihlyyih @dnum, was the oficial representative of the Universal House of Justice and read its message to the assembled, friends summoning the " . . . African believers, so beloved by the Guardian," to "rise to the challenge facing them" and to "earn the gratitude and goodwill of all mankind by their deeds of dedication andself-sacrijice."The Conference responded by discussing their goals, their achievements, their plans, and their needs. O C EA N I C A N D CON TIN EN TAL CONFERENCES 305
An~atu'l-Bahdspoke to the friends about the beloved Guardian and the Central Figures of the Faith. Follocc*ingher talk the Honourable William Tolbert-then Vice-President of Liberia -made a special visit to the Conjerence, appearing on behalf of President Tubmati who was ill. Mr. Tolberr later became President of Liberia on the death of Mr. Tubman.
After the Conference, Ruhiyyih B d n u m and her travelling companion, Mrs. Violette Nagjavdni, resumed their teaching tour of Africa.
In May, 1971, the Caribbean Conference was convened in Kingston, Jamaica. The friends are seen waiting for . . .
. . . the arrival of the New Bahama Star, bearing 550 believers from the United States who had been holding an institute on board during the cruise from Miami. They had also been teaching. Many members of the crew of the New Bahama Star, called by the friends,"The New BahBi Star", became Bahci'is.
. . . to the Mayor of Kingston. This was the largest of the eight Conferences. More than 1,200 believers from twenty-nine countries attended and more than 500 new believers embraced the Faith during the three days.
Two Hands of the Cause, aikru'llcih a d d e m , representing the Universal House of Justice, and John Robarts, plus six members of Continental Boar& of Counsellors in North, Central and South America, were present. O C E A N I C A N D C O N T I N E N T A L CONFERENCES
A Bahd'i concert was the main event at the public meeting and featured such well-known artistes as Linda Marshall. . .
. . . Geraldine Jones . . .
. . . John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie . . . 308 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
There were inspirational and informative sessions as well.
Telephone contact was made with the South Pacijic Oceanic Conference being held simultaneously in Suva, Fiji. The Hands of the Cause @ikru'llih a i d e m (extreme left) and John Robarts (extreme right) exchanged greetings . . .
. . . with their fellow Hands, F. Collis Featherstone (shown here) and Rahmatu'llih Muhijir on the other side of the globe where more than 400 believers, mostly from the islands of the Pacific, were assembled.
The message of the Universal House of Justice, read by the Hand of the Cause F. Collis Featherstone, reminded the friends of the promise of Bahb'u'lldh about the future of His Revelation: Should they attempt to conceal its light on the continent, it will assuredly rear its head in the midmost heart of the ocean, and, raising its voice, proclaim: 'I am the life-giver of the world!' O C E A N I C A N D C O N T I N E N T A L CONFERENCES
Representatives of every island group -men and women, youth and adultsspoke on a wide variety of subjects. They related their teaching experiences, some with tears, some with laughter, but throughout the Conference the keynote was victory. There was complete confidence that the Faith of Bahb'u'lldh would sweep the islands and discussion centered on how to keep pace with this widespread growth of the Cause.
It was a happy Conference. There was music and singing and traditional dances of the islands were performed. The friends from New Caledonia composed a song about pioneering. When the Conference ended and the friends were saying farewell, one Fijian believer commented, "This Conference has been the greatest proclamation in Fiji. M y country will never be the same again."
From tropical Fiji, to Reykjavik, Iceland, on the fringes of the Arctic, is a long plane ride. But the joyful smiles of the friends in the North Atlantic are just as warm as those of the believers in the South Pacijic. On September 1, 1971, the last two Conferences of the Nine Year Plan were convened-one in Sapporo and one in Reykjavik, the latter attended by more than 750 believers from thirty-jive countries. 310 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Moved by the Master's mention of Greenland in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, a delegation which included three believers from Canada-Florence Springgay, an Eskimo; Hugette James, a French Canadian; Mary Ann Crow, a Blackfoot Indian-few to Greenland during the Conference to proclaim the Cause, and returned to report the results of their eforts.
There were many participants in the Conference sessions: the Hands of the Cause Paul Haney (seen here) and John Robarts, the oficial representative of the Universal House of Justice . . . O C E A N I C A N D C O N T I N E N T A L CONFERENCES
. . . members of Continental Boards of Counsellors, including Miss Edna True . . .
. . . Knights of Bahri'u'lkih, including Eskil Ljungberg, who opened the Faroe Islands to the Faith in 1953 . . .
. . . young new believers . . .
. . . and seasoned international teachers such as Mrs. Lea Nys. At the close of the Conference the Hand of the Cause John Robarts presented the Conference guest book to Jdna Bjiirg Saetran for the Bahd'i Archives of Iceland.
Across the polar ice cap on the opposite side of the earth, 625 Bahd'i brothers and sisters representing thirty-one countries were meeting in Sapporo, on the island of Hokkaido, in Japan.
Another early Ainu Bahd'i is Mr. Kazutomo Umagae, now a member of the Auxiliary Board. O C E A N I C A N D C O N T I N E N T A L C O N F ER E N C E S 313
At the registration desk there were still more beautifulJZowers in Bahri'u'lldh's garden of humanity. Though we may never have met them, tears of joy come to our eyes as we feel the bonds of unity and friendship binding our hearts together in a common Cause.
Mr. Furzitan represented the Universal House of Justice. He reminded the friends that the "sweet perfume of victory is in the air, and we must hasten to achieve it . . ."
h~addition to the Hands qf the Cause, six members of Continentul Boards of CounseNors were present; they came ,from North America, Western Asia, Australasia, South-east Asia and North-east Asia. Alany Auxiliary Board members and National Spiritual Assembly members also participated. 314 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
There was excellent publicity. Two thousand posters announcing the public meeting were put up; jifty thousand pamphlets with reply cards were distributed.
There were two television appearances and three radio programmes, as well as numerous articles in both English and Japanese language newspapers. Approximately 600 attended the public meeting, including 150 enquirers, twenty-three of whom became Bahd'is following the meeting.
All eight Conferences are now concluded. Nearly 6,000 Bahd'is of all ages and backgrounds were brought together in unity and concord. Never have there been so many diflerent races and ethnic backgrounds represented -coming from the Far North. . . O C E A N I C A N D C O N T I N E N T A L CONFERENCES
. . .from Africa . . .
I 'I W O R L D
. . . and young new friends to sing the praise of Bahci'u'lkih.
Never has there been such emphasis on taking the Faith to the masses and never have there been so many enrolled in the Faith as a result of a series of Conferences. The Faith has been widely proclaimed and many public oficials have been contacted. Surely the Cause of BahLi'uYllahis moving rapidly out of obscurity in almost every land.
The redeemers of mankind have raised high the banner of Bahd'u'lldlz's Cause.
The victorious conclusion of the Nine Year Plan is now in sight. (Song: Alliih-u-AbhL) O C E A N IC A N D C ON TIN EN T AL C O N F EREN C ES 317
2. MESSAGES O F T H E U N I V E R S A L H O U S E O F
J U S T I C E T O T H E E I G H T O C E A N I C AND C O N T I N E N T A L CONFERENCES
A.T O T H E CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE IN LA PAZ, BOLIVIA, AND T H E OCEANIC CONFERENCE IN ROSE HILL, MAURITIUS August, 1970
OUR hearts turn with eager expectancy to May Maxwell, one of the great heroines of the the twin Conferences now in session in the Faith, attained her longed-for crown of marsouthern hemisphere. Their convocation so tyrdom in Buenos Aires; Panama became the shortly after the world-wide commemoration site of the sixth Mahriqu'l-Aakar of the of the Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Baha'i world, and La Paz, Bolivia, is now the Purest Branch, calls to mind that the promotion scene of this Continental Conference. and establishment of the Faith of God have The Indian Ocean, whose furthermost waves always been through sacrifice and dedicated lap the shores of the Cradle of our Faith, upon service. Indeed, these very Conferences testify whose waters the Divine Bab travelled in the to the creative power, the fruitfulness, the invo- course of His pilgrimage to Mecca, the heart cation of Divine confirmations which result of Islam, where He openly announced His from sacrificial service to the Cause of God. Mission; whose mighty sub-continent from Although both Bolivia and Mauritius are men- which it derives its name was the home and tioned specifically in the Tablets of the Divine assigned province of the ninth Letter of the Plan, the Cause, even thirty-five years ago, was Living; whose major islands were severally virtually unknown in those areas; today we wit- mentioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha in the second of ness the holding of these historic Conferences. His Tablets of the Divine Plan, lay, for most of a Little wonder that South America, whose century, fallow to the Word of God, a challenge rulers and presidents were addressed by to the promotion of His Faith. This challenge Baha'u'llah in His Kitcib-i-Aqdas, of whose in- was answered by half a hundred Knights of digenous believers the Master, in those Tablets BahB'u'llah, who, in response to the beloved already referred to, wrote . . . Should these Guardian's call left their homes and whole- Indians be educated and properly guided, there heartedly gave themselves to the establishment can be no doubt that through the divine teachings of the Cause in those parts. They implanted the they will become so enlightened that the whole banner of BahB'u'llah upon its atolls, its great earth will be illumined, should have exerted a islands and bordering territories. Now, in the magnetic attraction upon a number of ardent midmost heart of that huge expanse of sea, souls in the northern continent, eager to serve Mauritius, an island whose name was enin so promising a field. A band of heroic shrined in BahB'i history during the Heroic Age pioneers, bearing the Message of BahB'u'llah, of our Faith as the source, two years before gradually penetrated its wide territories, its 'Abdu'l-BahB's arrival in America, of a conjungles and mountains. They were followed by tribution to the purchase of the site of the others under systematic crusades of two Seven- Mother Temple of the West, has been chosen Year Plans and the beloved Guardian's Ten- as the venue of this Oceanic Conference. Year Plan and together they became the spiri- Not only have the institutions of the Faith tual conquerors of that continent. The Latin been established in this ocean and this con- American communities which arose as a re- tinent, but the spirit of the New Day, brilliant sult of their pioneer efforts were described by even at this early dawn with the light of the beloved Guardian as "associates in the BahB'u'llihih's gifts to man, is apparent in the execution" of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan. diversity of the attendants, in the brotherhood 318 T H E B A H P ; ' ~W O R L D
of erstwhile strangers--even enemies-and and ardent prayers that your deliberations above all in the noble purposes for which you upon the objectives of the Cause in your areas have gathered. and the spiritual fellowship which you will Your aim is the redemption of mankind enjoy will result in immediate and deternlined from its godlessness, its ignorance, its con- plans to complete the tasks assigned to you ere fusion and conflict. You will succeed, as those the rapidly approaching end of the Nine Year before you succeeded, by sacrifice to the Cause Plan. This Plan is the current stage of the Masof God. The deeds and services required of you ter's Divine Plan and its success must precede now, will shine in the future, even as those of those greater triumphs when, as the result of your spiritual predecessors shine today and your labours, the divine outpourings will raise will shine for ever in the annals of the Cause. up a vast concourse of radiant and devoted We share with you the spiritual delight of servants of BahB'u'llah who will establish His these occasions and assure you of our constant Kingdom in this world.
B. TO T H E CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE, MONROVIA, LIBERIA January, 1971
The emergence on the African continent of tion from politics, their constant study and a widely spread, numerous, diversified and proclamation of the Great Message, they will united BahB'i community, so swiftly after the hasten the advent of that glorious day when all initiation of organized teaching plans there, is mankind will know its true brotherhood and of the utmost significance and a signal evidence will bask in the sunshine of God's love and of the bounties which God has destined for its blessing. peoples in this day. That the African believers are fully capable of The great victories in Africa, which brought taking their full share in building the Kingdom suchjoy to the Guardian's heart in the last years of God on earth, their natural abilities and of his life, resulted from the self-sacrificing de- present deeds have fully demonstrated. An votion of a handful of pioneers, gradually African Hand of the Cause of God,' even now assisted by the first few native believers, all in the course of a brilliant, triumphal teaching labouring under the loving shadow of the Hand tour of the planet, African Counsellors, of the Cause Musa Banini. From their efforts Board members, national and local administhere has been raised up an increasing army of trators and an ever-increasing army of be- African teachers, administrators, pioneers and lievers testify to the vigour and immense capavaliant promoters of the Divine Cause, whose city of this highly-blessed continent to serve its main task is to bring to all Africa the bounties Lord in the great day of His appearance. That conferred by the Word of God, bounties of en- the African believers, so beloved by the Guarlightenment, zeal, devotion and eventually dian of the Faith, will rise to the challenge the true civilization of Baha'u'llah's World facing them and earn the gratitude and good- Order. will of all mankind by their deeds of dedica- Many of the gravest ills now afflicting the tion and self-sacrifice is the longing of our human race appear in acute form on the Afri- hearts. can continent. Racial, tribal and religious pre- May this Conference become a sun from judice, disunity of nations, the scourge of poli- which will stream forth to all parts of the vast tical factionalism, poverty and lack of educa- continent rays of spiritual energy and inspiration are obvious examples. BahB'is have a great tion, galvanizing the friends to action in the part to play-greater than they may realize- fields of teaching and pioneering in such in the healing of these sicknesses and the abate- manner that they will rapidly achieve all the ment of their worst effects. By their radiant tasks assigned to them under the Nine Year unity, by their "bright and shining" faces, Plan. their self-discipline in zealously following all the requirements of BahB'i law, their absten- The Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga. OC EAN I C A N D C ONT IN ENT AL CONFERENCES 319
c. T O T H E OCEANIC CONFERENCE O F T H E SOUTH CHINA SEAS, SINGAPORE January, 1971 The wonderful progress made by the Baha'i promising area, flushed with the tide of apcommunities of South-east Asia towards proaching victory, to launch a three-pronged achievement of the tasks assigned to them campaign, the main feature of which is to under the Nine Year Plan, fills our hearts with achieve an immediate expansion of the Faith, thankfulness to God and arouses our keenest exceeding the aims of the Nine Year Plan. In admiration for the capacities and dedicated addition you are called upon to raise a corps of services of the friends in all those vast and travelling teachers, whose main objective will varied territories. Indeed, so bountiful have be to visit all the communities and groups in been the divine confirmations rewarding their the area for the purpose of deepening and conefforts that we are confident of their ability to solidating their Baha'i life, thus preserving the far exceed the stated objectives and to initiate victories won and reinforcing the base for the opening phase of the next stage of their future development. Simultaneously, a number development, a massive increase in the estab- of Chinese-speaking believers must arise who, lishment of the Cause of God among the as pioneers and travelling teachers in all the teeming millions of the islands and ocean- countries of South-east Asia, will attract bordering countries of so huge an area of the large numbers of the talented Chinese race to earth. embrace and serve the Faith of BahB'u'llah. South-east Asia, whose gifted and indus- Recognizing your current achievements and trious peoples have embraced four of the fully confident in your determination and world's major religions, have produced in all ability to continue to attract the divine conages civilizations and cultures representative firmations of Baha'u'llah, we are happy to of the highest accomplishments of the human announce as a supplementary goal of the Nine race, now experiencing with the rest of the Year Plan, the establishment, at Ridvan, 1972, world the disruptive, revolutionizing, vibrating of the National Spiritual Assembly of the influence of this Most Great, this New World BahB'is of Singapore, an additional supporting Order, the like of which mortal eyes have never pillar of the Universal House of Justice and a witnessed, lies open and receptive to the Word new bastion of the Faith in so vital a crossroads of God, ready once more to nourish in its fer- of human activity. tile soil that potent seed and to bring forth, in We pray that your deliberations will engender its own characteristic manner and as an in- a new wave of enthusiasm, cement ever more tegral part of the world civilization, the in- firmly the bonds of love between the many stitutions, the fabric, the brilliant edifice of and various national communities of your Baha'u'llih's World Order. area and result in practical plans for the im- We now summon the believers of this highly- plementation of the above tasks.
D. T O T H E CARIBBEAN CONFERENCE, KINGSTON, JAMAICA May, 1971
How propitious that on its mountaintop Plan for the Americas has sprung into such between the two greatest oceans and the two vibrant life in this Caribbean basin, in country American continents the Mother Temple of after country upon its verdant shores, in island Latin America is rising now in Panama, a land after island across its expanse, all named by the blessed by 'Abdu'l-BahB's prophecy that in the Master in His Tablets. What shall we not witfuture it will gain great importance. How ness ere long in these places so charged with splendid that the vision projected in the Divine destiny through the Master's utterances! The Nine Year Plan, the current stage in the mises of the realization of the oneness of manunfoldment of the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l- kind. Particularly do the Master and the Guar- Baha, is approaching its triumphant end. This dian point to the Afro-Americans and the Conference is an occasion to sum up what has Amerindians, two great ethnic groups whose been won, to determine to achieve the re- spiritual powers will be released through their maining goals for expansion in these blessed response to the Creative Word. But our Teachlands, and to consolidate the old and new ings must touch all, must include all peoples. communities of the Most Great Name. Indeed, And, in this hour of your tireless activity, what the winning of our grand Baha'i objectives special rewards shall come to those who will began just yesterday when, in the early years arise, summoned by 'Abdu'l-BahB's Words: of the Formative Age, a few travellers crossed Now is the time to divest yourselves of the garthe Caribbean. Yet it was not until the suc- ment of attachnzent to this phenonlenal realm, cessive Plans of the beloved Guardian, cul- be wholly severed from the physical world, minating in the Ten Year Crusade, when become angels of heaven, and travel and teach twenty-seven Knights of Baha'u'llah settled through all these regions. throughout this vast area, that the Cause took The time is short, the needs many. No effort firm root. By 1963 the countries and islands of can be foregone, no opportunity wasted. the Caribbean claimed less than 400 localities Praised be God that you have gathered in this and only 147 Local Spiritual Assemblies. Now Conference to consult upon the vital require- BahB'is are to be found in over 2,500 localities, ments of this highly significant moment. Our more than 500 Local Assemblies and sixteen prayers ascend at the Holy Threshold that National Spiritual Assemblies have been every session of this historic meeting will formed, and there have been hundreds of con- attract Divine Blessings, and that each soul, crete achievements which have brought about armed with the love of God and imbued with our recognition as an independent Faith. His purpose for a struggling mankind, will The Americas have been a melting pot and arise to activate, beyond all present hopes, the a meeting place for the races of men, and the vast spiritual potentialities of the Americas. need is acute for the fulfilment of God's pro-
E. T O T H E SOUTH PACIFIC OCEANIC CONFERENCE, SUVA, FIJI May, 1971
We send our warmest greetings and deepest recently arrived in Australia. Later the name love on the occasion of the first Conference in of Martha Root was to be emblazoned across the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Praise be to the Pacific. Still later, at the beginning of the God that you have gathered to consult on the Ten Year Crusade, a vanguard of twenty-one vital needs of the hour ! Knights of BahB'u'llah raised His call as they Recalling the promise of Baha'u'llah Should settled in the islands of this great Ocean. The they attempt to conceal His light on the conti- names of these valiant souls, together with the nerrt, He will assuredly rear His head in the names of the army of pioneers and teachers midmost heart of the ocean and, raising His who followed, will be forever enshrined in the voice, proclaim: ' I am the life-giver of the annals of the Faith. world!' we now witness its fulfilment in the vast Their mighty endeavours brought about the area of the Pacific Ocean, in island after island enrolment of thousands of the peoples of mentioned by the Master in the Tablets of the Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia under Divine Plan. How great is the potential for the the banner of the Most Great Name, the Faith in localities blessed by these references! opening in Australasia of more than 800 centres At the inception of the Formative Age, the and the establishment of ten pillars of the Uni- Cause was little known here. Agnes Alexander versal House of Justice. We can but marvel at had brought the Teachings to the Hawaiian such triumphs attained despite great diffi- Islands. Father and Mother Dunn had only culties imposed by the vast expanses of ocean OCEANIC AND CONTINENTAL CONFERENCES 321 separating the island communities, especially The Nine Year Plan, the current phase of the when it is recalled that in many of these islands unfoldment of the Divine Plan, is now apeven the Christian Gospel was unknown as late proaching its final stages. It is incumbent on as the 1830s. the friends to assess what has been accom- How great is the responsibility to continue plished and to anticipate and plan for such rapid spreading the word of God throughout the acceleration of the teaching and consolidation Pacific. It was in the Tablets ofthe Divine Plan work as is necessary to win all goals by 1973. that 'Abdu'l-Baha called for teachers speaking Time is short; the needs critical. No effort must the languages, severed, holy, sanctified andfilled be spared; no opportunity overlooked. with the love of God, to turn their faces to and Our prayers ascend at the Holy Threshold travel through the three great island groups of that every session of this historic meeting will the Pacific Ocean-Polynesia, Micronesia and attract Divine blessings, and that the friends Melanesia . . . with hearts overflowing with the will go forth, armed with the love of God and love of God, with tongues commemorating the enthusiasm born of the Spirit, fully prepared to mention of God to deliver the Glad Tidings of the scale the heights of victory! manifestation of theLordofHosts to allthepeople.
F. T O T H E NORTH PACIFIC OCEANIC CONFERENCE, SAPPORO, JAPAN September, 1971
On the eve of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the of His Faith in the North Pacific area. Such a opening of the Formative Age of our Faith we ' consummation cannot fail to lend a tremencall to mind the high hopes often expressed by dous impetus to its onward march in the I the beloved Master for the spread of the Cause entire Pacific Ocean. . ." in this region, His mention in the Tablets of the Since that time National Spiritual Assem- Divine Plan of many of the territories repreblies have also been firmly established in Korea sented in this Conference, and the faithful and and Taiwan. devoted services of that maid-servant of Hokkaido, the site of this Conference, first Baha'u'llah, the Hand of the Cause Agnes heard of the Teachings less than fifteen years Alexander, who brought the Teachings to these ago, and the first aboriginal peoples of this shores in the early years of this century. land accepted Baha'u'llah just over a decade In these days we are witnessing an unpreceago. Now you are the witnesses to the begindented acceleration of the teaching work in nings of a rapid increase in the number of bealmost every part of the globe. In the North lievers. Peoples in other islands and lands of Pacific Ocean area great strides have been the North Pacific, including the Ryukyus, made in the advancement of the Cause since Guam, the Trust Territories, the western that historic Asia Regional Teaching Conshores of Canada and Alaska and the Aleuference in Nikko just sixteen years ago. Thenext tians are also enrolling under the banner of the two years witnessed the formation of the Na- Most Great Name, and next Ridvin yet tional Spiritual Assembly of Alaska and of the another pillar of the Universal House of Jus- Regional National Spiritual Assembly of tice is to be raised in Micronesia. We are North-east Asia. To the Convention in Tokyo heartened at the prospect that from the inat Ridvan, 1957, the Guardian addressed these digenous peoples of this vast oceanic area, the prophetic words : Ainu, the Japanese, the Chinese, the Koreans, "This auspicious event, which posterity the Okinawans, the Micronesians, the Ameriwill regard as the culmination of a process can Indians, the Eskimos, and the Aleuts vast initiated half a century ago, in the capital numbers will soon enter the Faith. city of Japan . . . marks the opening of the The final hours of the Nine Year Plan are second chapter in the history of the evolution fast fleeting. Praise be to God that you have 322 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
gathered to consult on ways and means of and trials as yet unforeseen shake or uproot the assuring complete victory so that from these tender plants so lovingly raised in the islands of outposts the Teachings may spread to those this great ocean and the lands surrounding it. nearby lands where teeming millions have not As you and the friends in the sister Conas yet heard of the advent of this Most Great ference in Reykjavik bring this series of eight Dispensation. Oceanic and Continental Conferences to a The sweet perfume of victory is in the air, triumphant close, our prayers for the success and we must hasten to achieve it while there of your deliberations ascend at the Holy is yet time. Vital goals, particularly on the Threshold. May God grant you the resources, homefronts of Taiwan and Japan, remain to be the strength, and the determination to attain won, and everywhere the roots of the faith of your highest hopes, and enable you to open a the believers must sink deeper and deeper into new and glorious chapter in the evolution of the firm earth of the Teachings lest tempests His Faith in the North Pacific area.
G. T O THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEANIC CONFERENCE, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND September, 1971
To each and every one of you in this his- tury 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself sailed across it and toric Conference we send our most cordial and back, a voyage unique in the religious history loving greetings. The famous island in which of mankind and creating a remarkable parallel you are now gathered, so strategically placed with the Light of the Cause itself, beaming between the two great continents flanking the from the East, across the great Ocean to the vast oceanic area which surrounds it, to which heart of the North American Continent, being the Teachings of Christ were brought a mil- reflected back again, firing new beacon lights lennium ago, and which, in this Dispensation, in Europe and in later years diffusing its was mentioned by the Centre of the Covenant radiance throughout the world. The great Rein His Tablets of the Divine Plan, first heard the public whose eastern shore forms part of the Name of BahB'u'llah in 1924 when the Hand of boundary of this Ocean has become the Cradle the Cause Amelia Collins stopped briefly in of the Administrative Order and at this present Reykjavik and made the acquaintance of time the banner of the Most Great Name is H6lmfridur Arnadottir who subsequently be- being raised in island after island of this came the first BahB'i of Iceland. Eleven years Ocean, two of which-Iceland and Irelandlater the beloved Martha Root spent a month will raise, next Ridvin, new pillars of the Uniin this land which she loved so well. On that versal House of Justice. occasion, with the help of Holmfridur, the The Faith of God is flourishing in the lands Cause of Baha'u'llah was widely proclaimed in around the North Atlantic; a new wind is the press, on the radio and from the lecture blowing, promoting an upsurge of proclamaplatform. tion and teaching. In Europe the youth are The great Ocean extending from the equator afire with enthusiasm and vigour. In Canada to the Pole and from Europe to North America, and the United States a ground swell of unwhich has been both the barrier and the link known proportions is carrying BahB'i combetween the Old and the New Worlds, has munities to heights of unprecedented achieveplayed a highly significant part in the later his- ment. tory of mankind. Long before Columbus You are gathered in this Conference to conarrived in the West Indies the Vikings, fore- sult on ways and means of winning, in the few bears of Icelanders of today, were plying its fleeting months ahead, the remaining goals of northern waters. In later centuries wave upon the Nine Year Plan. In Europe particularly wave of Europeans sailed from east to west, en- there is much to be done, but we have full faith gaging in one of the most significant migra- that the friends, galvanized by their love for tions in human history. In the twentieth cen- BahB'u'llAh and fortified by His promises of OCEAN IC AND CON TIN EN TAL C ON FEREN CES 323 Divine assistance, will, with the enthusiasm divine rose garden and a heavenly paradise, and which they already display, commit their re- the souls, even as fruitful trees, will acquire the sources to the tasks ahead and will surely utmost freshness and beauty. Efort, the utmost attain the victory. effortis required. The beloved Master prayed that holy souls As the friends gathered in Reykjavik and would arise from the Northern Territories of Sapporo bring this world-wide series of Oceathe West and become signs of God's guidance nic and Continental Conferences to a triumand standards of the Supreme Concourse. phant close our thoughts are with you and our In one of the Tablets of the Divine Plan He refers prayers on your behalf rise from the Sacred to an inhospitable island of that area saying: Threshold. May untold blessings and con- Should the fire of the love of God be kindled in firmations be showered upon you as you go Greenland all the ice of that country will be forth to labour for the advancement of the melted, and its cold weather become temperate- Cause of God and may your brows be crowned that is, ifthe hearts be touched with the heat of with victory. the love of God, that territory will become a
The Hands of the Cause (left of centre) andsome of the friends who attended the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference, Reykjavik; September, 1971. YOUTH ACTIVITY
I . I N T E R N A T I O N A L SURVEY O F Y O U T H A C T I V I T Y
"IN country after country the achievements under the banner of BahB'u'llah of a growing of Baha'i youth are increasingly advancing the army of young men and women eager to serve work of the Nine Year Plan and arousing the His Cause. The zeal, the enthusiasm, the steadadmiration of their fellow believers," wrote the fastness and the devotion of the youth in every Universal House of Justice on June 10, 1966, land has brought great joy and assurance to in a letter addressed "To the BahB'i Youth in our hearts. Every Land". "Those who now are in their "During the last days of August and the first teens and twenties are faced with a special days of September, when nearly two thousand challenge and can seize an opportunity that is believers from all over the world gathered in unique in human history. . . Now, firmly the Holy Land to commemorate the Centenary established in the world, the Cause . . . is per- of Baha'u'llah's arrival on these sacred shores,= ceptibly emerging from the obscurity that has, we had an opportunity to observe at first hand for the most part, shrouded it since its inception those qualities of good character, selfless serand is arising to challenge the outworn con- vice and determined effort exemplified in the cepts of a corrupt society and proclaim the youth who served as volunteer helpers, and we solution for the agonizing problems of a dis- wish to express our gratitude for their loving ordered humanity. During the lifetime of those assistance and for their example. who are now young the condition of the world, "Many of them offered to pioneer, but one and the place of the BahB'i Cause in it, will perplexing question recurred: Shall I continue change immeasurably, for we are entering a my education, or should I pioneer now? highly critical phase in this era of transition. . . Undoubtedly this same question is in the mind The Nine Year Plan has just entered its third of every young BahA'i wishing to dedicate his year. The youth have already played a vital life to the advancement of the Faith. There is no part in winning its goals. We now call upon stock answer which applies to all situations; them, with great love and highest hopes and the the beloved Guardian gave different answers assurance of our fervent prayers, to consider, to different individuals on this question. Obindividually and in consultation, wherever they viously circumstances vary with each individual live and whatever their circumstances, those case. Each individual must decide how he can steps which they should now take to deepen best serve the Cause. In making this decision, themselves in their knowledge of the Divine it will be helpful to weigh the following factors: Message, to develop their characters after becoming a one,s whole life is, the pattern of the Master, to acquire those or should become, devoted to the progress of skills, trades, and professions in which they the Cause of God, and every talent or faculty can best serve God and man, to intensify their he possesses is ultimately committed to this service to the Cause of BahB'u'llah, and to overriding life objective. Within this frameradiate its Message to the seekers among their work he must consider, among other things, contemporaries." ctober whether by continuing his education now he On O 9' 1968' the House Of can be a more effective pioneer later, or alter- Justice again addressed a general letter to the natively whether the urgent need for pion- Baha'i youth: eers, while possibilities for teaching are still "In the two years since we last addressed the open, outweighs an anticipated increase in youth of the BahB'i world many remarkable advances have been made in the fortunes of the See P. 81 for a report on the commemoration at the World Centre of the centenary of the arrival of Faith. Not the least of these is the enrollment BahL'u'llLh in the ~~l~ Land. YOUTH ACTIVITY 325
First National Youth Conference of the Baha'is of the United States; Wilmette, Illinois, June, 1968.
effectiveness. This is not an easy decision, "Finally, bearing in mind the principle of since oftentimes the spirit which prompts the sacrificial service and the unfailing promises pioneering offer is more important than one's Baha'u'llah ordained for those who arise academic attainments. to serve His Cause, one should pray and "One's liability for military service may be a meditate on what his course of action will be. factor in timing the offer of pioneer service. Indeed, it often happens that the answer will "One may have outstanding obligations to be found in no other way. others, including those who may be depen- "We assure the youth that we are mindful of dent on him for support. the many important decisions they must make "It may be possible to combine a pioneer as they tread the path of service to Baha'u'llah. project with a continuing educational pro- We will offer our ardent supplications at the gram. Consideration may also be given to Holy Threshold that all will be divinely guided the possibility that a pioneering experience, and that they will attract the blessings of the even though it interrupts the formal educa- All-Merciful." tional program, may prove beneficial in the The magnificent response of the Baha'i long run in that studies would later be re- youth to the challenges set before them in these sumed with a more mature outlook. communications enabled the Universal House "The urgency of a particular goal which one of Justice, in its message at Ridvan, 1973, to is especially qualified to fill and for which describe as one of the three "highly portentous there are no other offers. developments" to have taken place during the "The fact that the need for pioneers will un- Nine Year Plan "the advance of youth to the doubtedly be with us for many generations forefront of the teaching work." That same to come, and that therefore there will be message contained this shining tribute to the many calls in future for pioneering service. prodigious accomplishment of the youth: "The principle of consultation also applies. ". . . the heartwarming upsurge of Baha'i One may have the obligation to consult youth, has changed the face of the teaching others, such as one's parents, one's Local work; impenetrable barriers have been broken and National Assemblies, and the pioneering or overpassed by eager teams of young Baha'is, committees. dedicated and prayerful, presenting the Divine 326 T H E B A H A ' ~WORLD
Message in ways acceptable to their own gener- early as 1938 when he wrote: "No greater ation from which it has spread and is spreading demonstration can be given . . . of the youthful throughout the social structure. The entire vitality and, the vibrant power animating the BahB'i world has been thrilled by this develop- life, and the institutions of the-nascent Faith of ment. Having rejected the values and standards Bahi'u'llah than an intelligent, persistent, and of the old world, BahB'i youth are eager to effective participation of the Baha'i youth, of learn and adapt themselves to the standards of every race, nationality, and class, in both the BahB'u'llih and so to offer the Divine Pro- teaching and administrative spheres of BahB'i gram to fill the gap left by the abandonment activity. Through such a participation the of the old order." critics and enemies of the Faith, watching with So interwoven were the activities of BahB'is varying degrees of skepticism and resentment, of every age that it becomes an impossible task the evolutionary processes of the Cause of God to separate the accomplishments of youth and and its institutions, can best be convinced of adults. It perhaps suffices to state that the the indubitable truth that such a Cause is youth contributed in every area of service, intensely alive, is sound to its very core, and its both in the teaching and administrative destinies in safe keeping. I hope, and indeed fields. The greater percentage of them were pray, that such a participation may not only themselves "children" of the Nine Year Plan. redound to the glory, the power, and the pres- Large numbers of them settled in pioneer posts tige of the Faith, but may also react so poweron the homefront or abroad. Indeed, the fully on the spiritual lives, and galvanize to greater percentage of the 3,553 BahB'is who such an extent the energies of the youthful served as international pioneers during the members of the BahB'i community, as to em- Nine Year Plan were youth. Many became power them to display, in a fuller measure, international travelling teachers, individually their inherent capacities, and to unfold a furor as part of teams. Some lost their lives in the ther stage in their spiritual evolution under the course of their service. All participated to a shadow of the Faith of BahB'uYllah."l degree that resulted in the plenteous fulfillment Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, Bahd'i of the hopes expressed by Shoghi Effendi as Publishing Trust, Wilmette, 1963 ed., p. 58.
Regional Bahd'i Youth Conference, Seoul, Korea; December, 1968. The Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'lkih Muhdjir is seen on the far left. Mr. R. Mumtazi of the Continental Board of Counsellors for North-eastern Asia appears near the centre of the second row. YOUTH ACTIVITY 327 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS AT THE scious of the great bounty of being able to WORLD CENTRE serve, even for a brief time, at the World The first Oceanic Conference was held in Centre of their Faith. It was a particular delight Palermo, Sicily, in August, 1968, marking the for them to receive from the Hand of the Cause centenary of BahB'u'llah's crossing the Medi- Amatu'l-Baha R6hiyyih KJQnum an invitation terranean sea proceeding to His incarceration to spend an evening with her in the Master's in the Most Great Prison of 'Akka. Approxi- house. mately two thousand believers from the conference gathered in Haifa to commemorate the centenary of the arrival of Baha'u'llah in the TEACHING CONFERENCES Holy Land.l Almost a week before the influx of The rapid growth of the Faith aniong young believers from Palermo a group of sixty youth people, a process which commenced early in volunteers arrived at the World Centre at the the Nine Year Plan and was sustained and invitation of the Universal House of Justice to gained momentum throughout the period act as guides and helpers. Most of them came under review, led inevitably to a demand for from European and African countries- teaching conferences designed as a forum in Ethiopia, Angola, Italy, France, Luxembourg, which the youth could discuss their role in Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Eng- furthering the interests of the Cause of land, Eire and Turkey-but there were also BahB'u'llah. Excerpts from published reports contingents from Persia and the United States. of a few of the more significant youth gather- Shoftly after their arrival the youth were ings that were convened in this period, and taken n a brief visit to the Holy Places, ending reports of some of the activities spearheaded 1" with q visit to Bahji where they met the Univer- by young Baha'is, are set out below: sal House of Justice. They then joined the Universal House of Justice at the Most Holy 1968 Shrine for prayers for the success of the Medi- Unitedstates: "On June 22-23, 1968, in overterranean Conference. Simultaneously, youth whelming response to the call of the National at the Green Acre Summer School, Eliot, Spiritual Assembly, more than 500 BahB'i Maine spontaneously planned a commemora- youth from thirty-four States, the District of tive memorial, a two-day prayer vigil in the Columbia and Canada streamed into Wilmette, room occupied by 'Abdu'l-Baha on His visit to Illinois, for the first National BahB'i Youth Green Acre. For forty-eight hours, fiom Friday Conference ever held in the United States. evening to Sunday evening, voices were conti- They were there for joy and service and to be nuously raised in grateful prayer. Day and night directed to such participation in the expansion during this period the believers supplicated the and consolidation of our beloved Faith as aid of the Blessed Beauty from the very room would, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, 'emin which the Centre of His Covenant had once power them to display, in a fuller measure, slept. their inherent capacities, and to unfold a The youth helpers at the World Centre were further stage in their spiritual evolutio~iunder divided into teams having responsibility for the shadow of the Faith of BahB'u'llah.' activities such as registration and guiding on "The National Spiritual Assembly itself was pilgrimage buses and at the Holy Shrines. Each present at the opening of the conference as a team was divided into shifts so that the various demonstration to the entire American BahB'i posts would be covered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. community of the importance it places on the The loving spirit, the energetic enthusiasm role of the BahB'i youth. and the poise of these young people were "Spurred on by the many challenges facing apparent and made a favourable impression on them, the youth led and participated in semiall with whom they came in contact. The help- nars on topics including: Teaching the Minoriers themselves were greatly impressed by their ties, Service by Baha'is in the Armed Forces, visits to the Holy Places, and were deeply con- Bahk'i Standards of Behaviour, Responsibilities of Youth to the Baha'i Community, and See pp. 73-86 for a report of the Oceanic Conference Deepening our Knowledge of the Cause of in Palermo and the commemoration at the World Centre. God. "The youth offered their recommendations Double the number of BahB'i College Clubs to the National Spiritual Assembly, recalling from sixty-one to 122, with at least one in the summons of Shoghi Effendi: '. . . the every state; condition of the world is steadily growing Establish twenty High School clubs; worse, and your generation must provide the Inaugurate a traveling-teacher program, to saints, heroes, martyrs and administrators of include circuit teaching by teams and musical future years. With dedication and will power groups ; you can rise to great heights.' Increase their contributions to the National "The National Spiritual Assembly was so BahB'i Fund by sustained regular giving, and impressed with one recommendation that, un- assume responsibility for producing $100,000 willing to wait, they reconvened on the lawn of of the 1968-69 national budget; the Haziratu'l-Quds under the mid-day sun and Establish special service projects directed voted to accept the suggestion of a five-year toward minority teaching; program for youth to aid in the achievement Engage in a systematic deepening program of the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Enthusiastic based on the instructions for deepening and sustained applause greeted this welcome enunciated in the Ridvan, 1967, message of announcement ." the Universal House of Justice; and In August, 1968, "on the joyous occasion of Improve their personal conduct through the centenary of the arrival of the Lord of self-examination, daily prayer and constant Hosts in the Holy Land", the National Spiritual study of the life-giving Word. Assembly announced the goals of the five-year youth program. The American BahB'i youth Honduras: In the summer of 1968 two BahB'i were called upon to : youth from Persia and three from America Deploy 500 from their ranks to fill home- settled at their pioneering post in Honduras as front and foreign goals; a result of which steps were taken to convene Settle 350 of these in teams throughout the the first National Youth Conference of Honsouthern states of America; duras. On July 27-28, fifty persons-fifteen of Send at least five pioneers to Africa and whom were not BahB'is-attended this gathertwenty to Latin America; ing which was held in Santa Rosa de Copan
First National Youth Conference of the Baha'is of Australia; April, 1969. YOUTH A
situated in Indian country near the Mayan eastern Asia, Dr. Toshio Suzuki and Mrs. ruins. Barbara Sims representing the National Spiritual Assembly, and Mr. Charles Duncan, a 1969 member of the Auxiliary Board. "There was a Spain: The first European Youth Conference stimulating panel discussion and many sugwas held in Madrid, April 3-6, 1969. Over gestions for the future," it was reported. "The thirty enthusiastic young Baha'is attended, first evening, about thirty youth staying at the representing Austria, England, France, Italy, hostel joined with the Baha'is in a social pro- Morocco, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain. g a m e which broke up into small groups to Written reports on youth activities were re- discuss the Faith. The decision was taken to ceived from Denmark, Finland and the Nether- hold conferences in other areas of Japan to give lands. "Eve1 y day was full of constructive con- impetus to the teaching work among youth." sultation," one observer reported. "The morn- 1970 ings were devoted to reading and discussion Botswana: "Some of the Baha'i youth travelled of the written reports. A need was expressed for on foot for long distances to attend the first more coordination of exchange students, with National Youth -School in Botswana," states lists of universities and goal cities in each couna report from one of the many African country available to youth in Europe, and possibly tries where youth gatherings were held in the the United States and Iran, who are planning to period under review. "Over thirty youth, study abroad. It was determined to hold conadults and teachers attended. Following the ferences annually in the future, as well as an classes, the youth visited three villages to teach international youth summer school." the Faith. Arrangements had previously been Australia: Almost simultaneously, from April made by the National Assembly and in each 4 through April 6, 1969, the Australian youth of the villages the friends had been invited by held their first National Youth Conference at the Chief who had announced their coming to Bolton Place BahB'i Summer School. The the inhabitants. A message especially prepared youth not only recommended to the National by the Spiritual Assembly was delivered by the Spiritual Assembly the formation of a National youth who answered the questions of interested Youth Committee, but drew up a plan calling enquirers and distributed Baha'i literature. for youth pioneers, travel teachers especially More than 300 people were told of the Message to minority groups, regular and sustained con- of Baha'u'llah in one morning. At Gabane tributions to the Fund and an intensive pro- there were 140 people present and the Chief gramme to introduce the Faith into educational altered scheduled court proceedings so that establishments. The plan was wholeheartedly the Message could be given. Within a ten day accepted by the National Assembly. period following the Youth Institute, further The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Feather- meetings were held in six villages. A total of stone, the honoured guest of the conference, nine villages gathered for mass meetings and a reported: "The first youth convention in Aus- total of almost 700 people heard of BahB'u7llBh. tralia was attended by eighty youth represent- In approximately the same period the enrolling all Australian states except Northern ments of the first Shua Bushwoman Baha'i, and Territory. It was opened with all nine members the first believers of the Kgalagadi people of of the National Spiritual Assembly present and the desert area of Akin Tswana, were anright from the beginning there was a tremen- nounced. In addition, the Botswana radio dous spirit such as I have not seen in Australia broadcast news of the Faith." before except perhaps at Intercontinental Samoa: The first International Baha'i Youth Conferences ." Conference of the South Pacific Islands was Japan: The first Baha'i Youth Conference of held at Apia, Western Samoa, from December Japan was held on May 24-25,1969, at a youth 29,1969, to January 2,1970. Youth from'many hostel on Jogashima Island, near Tokyo, with parts of the South Pacific were attracted to the twenty-two young people attending. In atten- week-long gathering. Considering the disdance were Mr. Ru$u'llBh Mumtazi of the tances involved there was a remarkable atten- Continental Board of Counsellors for North- dance. The ninety registrants came from 330 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
I First Pacific Area Bahri'i Youth Conference, Apia, Western Samoa; December 29, 1969- January 2, 1970.
American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, New National Spiritual Assembly in Central Ameri- Caledonia, New Zealand, Tonga, Western ca was invited to send representatives and to Samoa and the United States. Nearly a third encourage the attendance of youth. of the Baha'i youth in New Zealand attended "The conference was successful far beyond and many of the islanders spent a week travel- our fondest hopes," the National Assembly of ling by boat each way. Some of the youth Guatemala reported. "More than one hundred arrived in advance of the conference or re- attended, the majority coming from outside mained afterwards and participated in the Guatemala. The United States and Puerto Rico teaching work. One group spent a day in a were also represented. Pre-conference activivillage on the neighbouring island of Savai'i ties included an interview between the members where the local chiefs honoured them with a of the Board of Counsellors and the Minister ceremonial banquet and entertainment. of Education and a public lecture attended by The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi thirty people. Both events were arranged by the was the guest of honour at the conference Guatemalan youth as was most of the extensive where, in addition to the splendid classes he publicity achieved. Six youth participated in a taught, he addressed a public meeting in Apia televised interview about the Faith. One major attended by more than 150 enquirers. Also pre- decision arising from the conference was that sent were representatives of the Continental each National Spiritual Assembly resolved to Board of Counsellors and of several National appoint a National Youth Committee which Spiritual Assemblies, and members of the will be urged to maintain contact with other Auxiliary Board. youth committees of the area and to promote exchanges of youth teachers between the various Guatemala: In Guatemala the loving co- countries. It was noted that since plans for the operation of the National Spiritual Assembly conference were first conceived there had been and the Continental Board of Counsellors re- a mysterious and sudden wave of youth enrollsulted in a significant conference held on July ments and activities in many countries in the 18-19, devoted to the interests of youth. Each Central American zone." YOUTH A CTIVITY
United States: On June 19-21,1970, more than tation she shared tender memories of Shoghi 2,000 Baha'i youth from every state, and from Effendi. some twenty foreign nations, attended the The conference was further enriched by the three-day National Youth Conference held at participation of the Hands of the Cause Evanston, Illinois, in one of the largest High mikru'llah &&adem and John Robarts. Also Schools in the country. present were members of the Continental The conference was opened by the National Board of Counsellors, the entire body of the Spiritual Assembly and the following cable- National Spiritual Assembly, and members of gram of welcome from the Universal House of the Auxiliary Board. Justice was read : The central focus of the conference was the five-year youth programme under which signi- GREET REPRESENTATIVES VIBRANT ARMY BAHAI cant victories had been won. Of the twenty- YOUTH UNITED STATES GATHERED NATIONAL five foreign pioneer goals assigned to youth, CONFERENCE BLESSED INSPIRING PRESENCE all had been filled by March, 1970. Instead of PARTICIPATION BELOVED AMATULBAHA STOP 122 college clubs, 134 had been formed and GROWING EFFECTIVENESS BAHAI YOUTH EVI- only seven states were without a Baha'i club. DENCED RISING TIDE ENROLLMENTS AND Already the youth had participated in fifteen EAGERNESS STUDY EXEMPLIFY TEACHINGS projects among minority groups in the south, FAITH EVERY ASPECT LIVES SHOULDER RESPON- south-west and north-west, in addition to SIBILITIES PLAN HOME ABROAD SOURCE JOY numerous projects of a similar type executed on HOUSE JUSTICE AND INSPIRATION FOLLOWERS the local level. The youth were challenged by BAHAULLAH THROUGHOUT WORLD STOP FER- theNational Assembly to attain yet higherlevels VENTLY PRAYING LORD HOSTS WILL BOUNTI- of service, including sending an additional FULLY REINFORCE EVERY EFFORT AMERICAN twenty-five youth to foreign goals. BAHAI YOUTH ACHIEVE GLORIOUS VICTORIES The Baha'is of Wilmette sponsored a music FIVE YEAR PLAN SO AUDACIOUSLY ADOPTED festival which provided a joyous culmination 1968 SETTING SHINING EXAMPLE MAKING for the conference. Many talented BahB'i per- OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION COMPLETION formers including Seals and Crofts, and WORLDWIDE NINE YEAR PLAN PROCLAIM CAUSE "Wednesday's Childrenw-recording artists GOD DEEPLY SUFFERING MANKIND. from California-participated in a program attended by an estimated 1,100 guests and en- The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha quirers which precipitated a wave of enthusias- Ruhiyyih a a n u m spoke on "The Role of tic interest. Baha'i Youth in Today's World" and "The The conference was also filmed by Kiva Call to Pioneer". The youth were deeply im- Films of New York city, as part of a youth pressed by her keen insight into the problems proclamation film entitled "It's Just the Bebesetting the world and encouraged by her ginning", commissioned by the National Spirisincere sympathy for the youth as they struggle tual Assembly. with the terrible pressures of a crumbling world At the conclusion of the conference, the order. Amatu'l-Baha opened her remarks by National Assembly cabled: extending to the youth the love of the Universal House of Justice and of the many people she ANNALS CAUSE AMERICA ESPECIALLY ILLU- had met in her world-wide travels for the Faith. MINED EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS SECOND NA- She spoke of the qualities that should distin- TIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCEINDELIBLY ETCHED guish a BahB'i-among them, thrift, courtesy MEMORIES TWO THOUSAND ATTENDANTS and reverence-and defined a "pioneer" as one UNIQUELY BLESSED RADIANT GALVANIC PAR- who regards every foreign land as a homeland, TICIPATION AMATULBAHA STOP SALUTARY one whose commitment to the people of the EFFECTS CHICAGO AREA LOVING UNIFYING land is complete; one who enters his new sur- UPLIFTING BEHAVIOUR PARTICIPANTS ALREADY roundings desiring to know the language and OBVIOUS AS ATTESTED SIGNIFICANT NUMBER customs, equipped with a useful occupation, NEW ENROLLMENTS ENTHUSIASTIC EXPRES- and eager to create a spirit of love, unity and SIONS ADMIRATION ONLOOKING PUBLIC STOP harmony. At the conclusion of her presen- SUPPLEMENTARY GOALS FIVE YEAR PROGRAM 332 T H E B A H P ; ' ~W O R L D
European Baha'i Youth Conference, Salzburg, Austria; December 25, 1971-January 3, 1972. Seen seated on the right are Hands of the Cause and members of the European Board of Counsellors.
WHOLEHEARTEDLY ADOPTED INCLUDE DE- Board in Europe. "A wonderful spirit prevailed PLOYING TWENTYFIVE FOREIGN PIONEERS at the school," one account stated, "and nine- OPENING ONE HUNDRED LOCALITIES IN STATES teen enquirers accepted the Faith." In addition SMALLEST BAHAI POPULATION INCREASING to symposiums and discussions on youth- NUMBER COLLEGE CLUBS TO TWO HUNDRED oriented themes, representatives of various UNDERTAKING INDIVIDUAL STUDY EPISTLE National Youth Committees reported on the SON WOLF THIS YEAR ... part that the youth are playing in the achieve- Following the conference, Amatu'l-Baha ment of the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Out of Ruhiyyih a a n u m proceeded to Vancouver, the consultations within the conference arose Canada, where she participated in a conference a call to all the participants which was met with attended by 800 believers, the majority of them the following responses: three pioneers, thirtyyouth, who travelled from such far points as two travelling teachers, and the establishment Alaska and the Northwest Territories in the of twenty-four new fireside programmes. A north, and Hawaii and Samoa in the south, in highlight of the conference was the public order to be present. The ramifications of this appearance of the European "Dawn-Breakers" conference would have effect in points as far group-whose activities are reported elsewhere distant as Iceland. in this survey-at the Salzburg Kongresshaus, visited by an estimated 1,000 people. Excellent Austria: Six hundred people from twenty-five newspaper and radio publicity resulted from countries of the five continents attended the the activities of the school. first International Baha'i Youth Winter School, held between December 25, 1970, and January 1971 3, 1971, at Salzburg. The attendants were Burma: The youth of Burma arose to achieve stimulated by the presence of the Hands of the goals following a conference attended by the Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel and John forty youth and ten adults at which a nine- Robarts. Also in attendance was Mr. Erik month teaching plan was formulated and adop- Blumenthal, a member of the European Board ted. The plan, to end at Ridvan, 1972, called of Counsellors, as well as Mrs. Miihlschlegel for youth volunteers to take the Message to 113 and Mr. Goltenboth, members of the Auxiliary localities and to form seventy-nine additional YOUTH ACTIVITY 333 Local Spiritual Assemblies. All the major great encouragement and have raised high our localities were marked on the map and the hopes for the progress of the Cause of God on names of volunteers were assigned to their that continent. The two year youth teaching respective locations. The plan was submitted campaign on which you are now embarking to the National Assembly and it was immediate- has within it such potential for the winning of ly adopted. The next day the volunteers began the goals of the Nine Year Plan that we attach to execute the plan. to it the greatest importance. Discussion at the conference was spear- "You who are now gathered in Namur in headed by Auxiliary Board member F i r a y d h response to the call sent out by the Continental Mithaqiyan who, before the conference began, Board of Counsellors have been made responvisited Rangoon as well as Daidanaw (Kun- sible for working out the next stages of this jangun)-traditionally known as 'Abdu'l- audacious campaign, within the framework al- Bahi's village-accompanied by members of ready agreed between the Counsellors and the the National Assembly. They also visited two National Spiritual Assemblies, and you may other locations, holding meetings and teaching be sure that our prayers will surround you as the Cause. we supplicate the Blessed Beauty to inspire your deliberations, unite your hearts and fire Belgium: A conference which was to have faryour enthusiasm, so that there may go out from reaching results destined to affect the progress this conference a ringing call, carefully conof the Faith throughout Europe was held at ceived plans and clearly stated objectives, that Oteppe-Namur in April, 1971. In response to will not only galvanize the youth of the conthe message of the Universal House of Justice, tinent but, through them, impart amighty surge set out below, a two year youth campaign for forwatd to the teaching work of the entire Europe was launched : European Baha'i Community. cc Therapidly growingrange andeffectiveness of "It is our earnest hope that the outriders of the services of the Baha'i youth in Europe over this youthful army of BahB'u'llAh will win such the course of the past few years have given us victories by the time of the Conference in Fiesch
International Baha'i Youth Conference, Oteppe-Nanzur, Belgium; April, 1971. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bahb'i Youth Conference, Da-nang, Vietnam; August, 1971.
as will so inspire the far larger band of young consisted of study groups, round-table dis- Baha'is who will be gathered there that a wave cussion and a day spent in teaching. "The of achievement, which will already have started Dawn-Breakers" performed in the square to roll, will at that Conference gain speed and facing the Leaning Tower, having first obtained magnitude and revolutionize the progress of official permission. Eight people accepted the the Cause in Europe. Faith as a result of a public meeting which was "Let those who set their hand to this vital advertised by posters placed in various parts of enterprise press confidently forward, unde- the city. Three pioneer offers were extended by terred by any obstacles which may stand in their believers during the sessions of the school. The way, joyously assured of the unfailing assis- singing group, "The Dawn-Breakers" spent tance of the conquering power of BahB'u'llah, the weekend of May 1-2 in a goal area of the Whom we will supplicate to guide and rein- Nine Year Plan, Ischia Island, where the Faith force every step you take for the promotion of was publicly proclaimed for the first time and His Cause." some local young people enrolled. "A new spiritual consciousness is stirring in Italy," the Arising jubilantly from their deliberations, National Assembly reported. the youth cabled the Universal House of Jus- In June, BahB'i youth held a National Youth tice : Symposium in San Marino to discuss plans OVER ONE HUNDRED FIFTY YOUTH ALL EURO- for the European School to be held in Switzer- PEAN COUNTRIES GATHERED NAMUR STOP land in August. A public meeting was attended GREATLY INSPIRED MESSAGE STOP AWARE IM- by leading personalities of the Republic. The MINENCE MASS CONVERSION STOP PLEDGE SUP- spirit of the symposium attracted four new be- PORT TWO YEAR YOUTH CAMPAIGN STOP lievers to the Faith. . . . YOUTH GALVANIZED WIN VICTORIES PRE- Vietnam: A most successful Youth Conference PARATION FIESCH STOP CONFIDENT ACHIEVING was held in Da-Nang on August 9-10, 1971, GOALS ... attended by more than one hundred youth of that province. Their programme attracted five Italy : The National BahB'i Youth School was hundred people, spread great enthusiasm and held in Pisa from April 9-11. The programme brought more people into the Faith. YOUTH A CTIVITY 335 Germany: The Hand of the Cause William clusion of the Nine Year Plan. The time and Sears, members of theEuropean Board of Coun- circumstances cry out for the Message you have sellors, the National Spiritual Assembly and to offer. Praise God that the Baha'i youth are members of the Auxiliary Board gathered with arising to the challenge of the hour. more than one hundred Baha'i youth at the "As you deliberate on the needs and the Youth Symposium in the vicinity of the Mother opportunities in your areas you will be in our Temple of Europe at Langenhain. "A new thoughts and in our prayers at the Holy Shrines. spirit was born at this gathering," one reporter May the Almighty shower His blessings and related. "Nine new believersaccepted the Cause confirmations on the youth of Western Asia and twenty-six teaching teams arose. Out of it and give them the resources, the enthusiasm came the birth of the German 'Dawn-Breakers' and the guidance to attain their hearts' desire chorus-radiant youth determined to spread in service to the Cause." the Faith of Baha'u'llah through songs of the Dr. Chellie Sundram of the Continental heart. During one discussion session a group Board of Counsellors in South-eastern Asia of about seventy-five hikers came to the House was also present and participated actively. of Worship. We went to greet them and give When the call for pioneers was made, fortythem the Message of the New Day-we never three youth responded and others pledged to returned to the discussion!" go at a later period. Groups of Baha'is visited various colleges India: New Delhi was the venue for the first where they were warmly received. Many prin- Baha'i Youth Conference for Western Asia, cipals of the colleges expressed delight that held on August 27-30,1971, to which had been Baha'i youth would come to the campus to invited youth from Iran, Pakistan, Ceylon, spread the message of love and unity. In most Malaysia, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Arabia, instances, the youth were invited to address the Turkey, Burma, Afbanistan and India. A total students in their classrooms. of nearly 350 youth gathered to consult on their A number of youth stayed on for a week after role in furthering the work of the Cause. The the conference ended. "At last count, 2,000 Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhajir people embraced the Cause in the conference keynoted the theme of the conference: "Pion- period and the days following it," one report eering-Challtnge to Baha'i Youth". He as- stated. sisted the youth in formulating a nineteenmonth teaching plan the chief goals of which Iceland: Creative decisions taken by the Nawere the proclamation of the Faith in univer- tional Assembly of Canada which was responsities and colleges, the opening of new districts, sible for preparing its "daughter" community, the enrolment of new tribes, a campaign for Iceland, to achieve Assembly status at Ridvan, the distribution of Baha'i literature, increased 1972, resulted in extraordinary developments in use of newspaper advertisements and the in- that country. "The opening phase of proclamavolvement of youth in preparing translations tion was launched at a Victory Conference in of literature into additional languages. December, 1970," the Canadian Assembly re- Mr. S. Vasudevan of the Board of Coun- ported. "The youth themselves took a leading sellors in Western Asia presented the message role in the planning and teaching that resulted of the Universal House of Justice: in the declaration of thirty new Icelandic be- "We send our heartfelt greetings to all the lievers in January, 1971, thus doubling the young champions of Baha'u'llah who have number of Baha'is in Iceland." As a result, the assembled in New Delhi on this auspicious Canadian Assembly reorganized the memberoccasion. You have met to consider what you ship of all Baha'i committees in Iceland so that can d o to give further impetus to the great youth were fully represented at the decisionyouth movement presently flourishing through- making level, provided a subsidy so that at out the Baha'i world. least five Icelandic believers, three of them "You and your contemporaries in other lands youth, could attend the Canadian Convention have seized the banner of Baha'u'llah and are at Ridvan and invited the Icelandic comraising it high in the vanguard of the Army of munity to organize a team to undertake a sum- Light now advancing toward a victorious con- mer teaching project in the Faroes Islands, in cooperation with the National Spiritual Assem- "The course of history has brought to your bly of the United Kingdom. generation an unprecedented opportunity and challenge. The rejection of the old world by Switzerland: Approximately 1,200 youth from youth, in all countries, is shared by Baha'is and fifty countries gathered from July 31 to August non-BahB'is alike. Unlike your non-BahB'i 11, 1971, for the European Youth Conference contemporaries, however, you have something at Fiesch, in the mountain valley of the River to put in its place-the World Order of Rh6ne in the heart of Europe. The location, Bahi'u'llah. near the source of rivers which flow down in all "That BahB'i youth are fully capable of directions to the seas, seemed to symbolize the meeting the challenge which evolution has work of the conference, the objective of which placed before them has already been demonwas to channel the teaching effort towards all strated. Now, in this conference at Fiesch, as countries of the Continent and bring about the you gird yourselves to launch a campaign in entry by troops into the Faith of BahB'u'llah. Europe-a continent which has 'entered upon In January, 1971, the Universal House of what may well be regarded as the opening Justice requested the Hand of the Cause phase of a great spiritual revival that bids fair Rahmatu'llah Muhajir to visit Europe and es- to eclipse any period in its spiritual history' tablish a two-year youth teaching plan to be -we urge you to consider that the more you coordinated by the Continental Board of Coun- understand the purpose of Baha'u'llah and the sellors under whose aegis the Fiesch Confer- method by which He will achieve that purpose, ence was held, organized by the Baha'i youth the greater will be your success. of Switzerland and Italy. An immediate goal "Our hopes for your two-year campaign are of the two-year teaching plan was the launching boundless, and visualize nothing less than a treof a vigorous campaign by the youth and the mendous forward surge in the spiritual reconvocation of the Fiesch Conference, with vival referred to by our beloved Guardian. Our semi-annual meetings scheduled in other Euro- confidence in your ability to perform the task pean countries. is unshakeable, and we assure you of our firm The Swiss Conference was preceded during conviction that your efforts will be assisted by June and July of 1971 by the visit of a team of God to the degree to which your supplications thirty youth from the United States. An inter- and sacrifices are poured forth in His path. national team of young believers contributed "Dear friends, we delight in your enthusiasm, know-how, enthusiasm and momentum, no- admire your accomplishments, give thanks for tably Linda Marshall, Shanta Murday, Robert your dedication and pray that an ever-increas- Phillips, Jeremy Phillips and others. Successes ing outpouring of divine bounties and conregistered in this preliminary period gave proof firmations may reward your efforts in the that a new receptivity existed in Europe. service of the Blessed Beauty." Special guests at the conference included the Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih A moment of excitement was provided when Khanurn-who attended at the request of the Amatu'l-Bahi Rilhiyyih Khanum joined the Universal House of Justice-and Adelbert youth in the launching of 1,200 balloons, to Miihlschlegel. Other speakers were Betty Reed, each of which was attached a message from the Erik Blumenthal and Anneliese Bopp of the conference with a reply card. The "Glad European Board of Counsellors, Donald Witzel Tidings" floated across several ranges of the of the South American Board, and Dr. B. Alps and replies were returned from countries Himmati who represented the National Spiri- as far away as Austria, Italy and Yugoslavia. tual Assembly of Germany. A particularly Literature was sent to 400 enquirers who recherished visitor was Mr. Saichiro Fujita who plied, andvisits were made to those nearby who embraced the Cause as a youth in 1905 and requested further information. who has spent long years in the Holy Land in The climax of the conference was a public the service of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi meeting in the village of Fiesch attended by Effendi. 1,500 enquirers of various backgrounds. An A beautiful letter of greeting from the Uni- estimated 200 accepted the Cause during the versal House of Justice was read : conference. YOUTH ACTIVITY 337 338 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Excellent publicity was obtained. Inter- "It is now almost nine months since the national news agencies sent releases and photo- representatives of European Baha'i Youth graphs abroad. Prepared news items and edited gathered in Belgium to consult on the launchinterviews were broadcast in five languages to ing of the Two Year Youth Campaign. What several continents. Amatu'l-Baha was inter- were then ideals and hopes you now see as conviewed by radio reporters and journalists. crete accon~plishments.You have with your One press correspondent, after meeting own eyes seen what can be achieved when the Ruhiyyihuanum andseveral youth wrote: "It believers enthusiastically and confidently set is a Youth without barrier we met in Fiesch, out to obey the divine summons to teach the a Youth illumined with an inner joy, a com- Cause and are reinforced by the hosts of the municative joy, in love with truth, seeking Supreme Concourse-indeed many of you mutual comprehension and peace." As a fur- gathered in Salzburg are no doubt Baha'is ther testimonial, he left his young daughter now as aresult of these stirring achievements. to attend the conference. "The great task has been well begun, but After the conference the youth travelled in what has happened so far is but a foretaste of teams teaching throughout Europe. what is yet to come. Our thoughts are centred upon you and our prayers are with you. May 1972 BahB'u'llah inspire your deliberations, aid you Swaziland: During the first week of January, to exemplify His Teachings in your lives and the first Baha'i Youth Summer School in unloose your tongues to proclaim His Cause Southern Africa, was called by the Continental and teach His healing Message to all who have Board of Counsellors for that region, all ears to hear." members of the Board participating. Approxi- The youth divided into teaching teams whose mately seventy youth attended from Botswana, activities resulted in more than one hundred Malawi, Rhodesia, Zambia, Swaziland, Le- people embracing the Cause. sotho, South West Africa and the Republic of The related conferences held at Padova, South Africa. Workshops and study classes Italy, from August 1-7 and at Plon, Germany, were held and teams of youth engaged in from August 12-17, were the last of the series teaching in nearby areas, welcoming thirty- of follow-up conferences which stemmed from seven new believers. Having sent greetings to the Namur conference held the previous year. the Holy Land, the youth were thrilled to re- TheHands of the Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel, ceive a cabled reply from the Universal House Enoch Olinga and Abu'l-Qasim Faizi were the of Justice. The youth also exchanged cables inspiring forces of these final conferences, with the Salzburg conference where the Hand which were attended by more than 1,600 youth of the Cause Enoch Olinga was present linking from more than forty countries who primarily the hearts of the youth of both continents in devoted their discussion to the need for contheir common purpose of spreading the Mes- solidating the exciting victories that had been sage of Baha'u'llah. recorded during the two year youth campaign. Austria: The Hand of the Cause Adelbert India: The second Western Asia Youth Con- Miihlschlegel, as well as Mr. Enoch Olinga, ference attracted 400 youth to Bangalore in were with the 634 youth from various Euro- July, 1972, where the Hand of the Cause pean countries who met in Salzburg during the Jalal U K b h was an ilispirational force. An first week of January to review the goals of the important guest was the Governor of Mysore two year youth campaign and to discuss priori- who spoke appreciatively of the BaM'i Teachties and goals for the following summer when ings and, expressing his good wishes for the 150 youth from the United States would join success of the gathering, urged the participants with the youth of Europe in operation "Hand- to "carry this noble Message to the hearts of in-Hand". The Hand of the Cause Enoch your countrymen." The growing popularity Olinga, known as "The Father of Victories" of the successful youth magazine Glory, pub- (Abu'l-Futuh), delighted the youth by singing lished by the BahB'i youth of India, was noted, songs composed by Baha'is of Africa, and read and the first Asian youth musical "road-show" the message of the Universal House of Justice: which had completed its first triumphant travel YOUTH ACTIVITY 339
European Bahri'i Youth Conference, Padova, Italy; August, 1972. In the left foreground are seen Hands of the Cause and members of the European Continental Board of Counsellors.
"The Dawn-Breakers" singing group of Italjr perfornzing at tlze Baha'i Youth Conference, Dortmund, Germany; November, 1971. 340 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
- - - , -d" -
Baha'i Youth Conference, La Vega, Dominican Republic; November, 1971.
First Bahri'i Youth Summer School of Southern AfLica; Swaziland, January, 1972. YOUTH ACTIVITY 34 1 circuit aided in winning more hearts to the earlier from the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l- Faith during the course of the conference. Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m . The Governor was Teams of youth, after leaving the conference, reported as saying that it was always a pleasure visited high schools, colleges and universities, for him to meet Baha'is and that he hoped the one group alone receiving invitations to address Faith would make progress in Surinam the twelve institutions of learning and having the varied population of which, he said, matched opportunity to present BahB'i literature to BahB'u'llah's description of the human race as officials at an additional eight schools. resembling the fruits of one tree and the leaves Having surpassed all the goals they had set of one branch. Later the youth paid a courtesy for themselves in their previous conference, the call on the Minister of Justice, Mr. Jan H. youth pledged to open to the Faith 260 colleges Adhin. and 560 localities, construct seven local Sessions during the three-day conference Haziratu'l-Quds, consolidate the work in 238 were tri-lingual (Taki-Taki, Dutch and English) villages which have BahB'i residents, help de- and keynote speakers included youth from velop model all-Baha'i villages, send represen- various areas, members of the Board of Countatives to neighbouring countries to travel sellors, and Auxiliary Board members. Those teach, and enrol 17,000 new believers during assembled at the school also journied to Cole the final months of the Nine Year Plan. Kreek where they taught the Faith among the Bush Negroes. Surinam: The first International Youth Conference held in Paramaribo, Surinam in De- Ecuador: The National Teaching Committee cember, 1972, was a joyous gathering for conceived the ambitious plan of holding a BahB'i youthfromTrinidad andTobago,Aruba, national school for children and invitations Bonaire, Cura~ao, Guyana, Surinam and were sent to communities throughout the coun- French Guiana. The first activity was a courtesy try. On March 19, approximately one thousand call on His Excellency Johan Ferrier, Governor children between the ages of 8 and 12 gathered of Surinam, who was presented with a copy of in Esmeraldas, up to that time perhaps one of The Proclamation of Bahh'u'llcih, and who re- the largest gatherings of BahB'i children in the membered the visit he received three years history of the Faith. This was accomplished in
First National Youth Conference ofthe Baha'is of Pakistan; 1972. 342 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
International Baha'i Youth Conference, Cali, Colombia; January, 1973.
an area with extremes of climate and altitude six daily announcements in prime time and change, primitive transportation, unpaved BahB'i slides were shown for a month in two roads and for many of the participants in- of the town's most popular movie houses. volved a difficult journey across the snow- Thirty-two government leaders, including the covered Andes. A joyful programme held the mayor, were visited and presented with BahB'i young ones in rapt attention. The children wore books, and 20,000 flowers, each with a BahB'i colourful native dress and each had pinned to quotation attached, were distributed to the his chest a large circular badge depicting the public. unity of the human race. One observer commented, "Each child wore his pin with undis- Argentina: The trio of conferences sponsored guised pride, as if he had just received the by the Continental Board of Counsellors in highest honour as the most distinguished citi- South America in Surinam, Colombia and zen of the world." It was felt that the con- Argentina was climaxed in February, 1973, by ference and the follow-up material designed the gathering of approximately one hundred for the participants would prepare the children youth who met at Rosario del Tala, following admirably for their future role as BahB'i youth. the Summer School, to hold an international music festival designed to encourage the crea- 1973 tion of original compositions by Baha'i musi- Colombia: An International Youth Conference cians. The outstanding entries were recorded in Cali in January was combined with pro- and a cassette tape recording was distributed clamation activities as a result of which thou- by the Board of Counsellors to youth comsands heard the BahYi Message. A BahB'i mittees in all the countries of South America. exhibit in a park attracted approximately 800 Public programmes held during the conferpeople daily to receive information and litera- ence attracted other youth a number of whom ture. The second largest radio station presented embraced the Cause. Workshop sessions were YOUTH ACTIVITY 343 held on topics of particular interest to young which were well attended by youth, stimulated people. Two members of the Auxiliary Board, and reinforced the youth as they advanced "to both of whom are youth, from Brazil and the forefront" and "changed the face" of the Bolivia respectively, taught classes and parti- teaching work. cipated in the activities of the conference. An American youth who attended stayed on as a pioneer. A number of the youth in attendance PROCLAMATION THROUGH MUSIC had played a leading role as travelling teachers, Interwoven with the conferences and the some of them internationally. activities generating therefrom were the unnumbered teams of "musical ambassadors" Mexico: The first International Youth Con- of the Faith who served as travelling teachers ference of Mexico brought together youth and attracted thousands to investigate the from El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Message of Baha'u'llah. Sometimes a youth Mexico and the United States-two hundred in would travel singly, equipped only with a total. Mrs. Carmen de Burafato of the Con- guitar, a repertoire of songs with BahB'i tinental Board of Counsellors and Mr. Paul themes, and a desire to share the Baha'i Teach- Lucas of the Auxiliary Board lent stimulus ings, financing his own national or interthrough their keynoting of the role of youth in national travels during vacation periods. building the New World Order. The conference Notable journeys were made by Phil Lucas which was held in Puebla City and in the in- extending from Alaska to Mexico, by Fiona stitute at Acatepec-an institute named after Dunn of England who spent many months the Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins- in Europe performing and training youth aroused widespread interest among visiting singers, and by May Hofman also of England, students who were attracted to the meetings who spent eight months visiting seven African by the Baha'is they met. countries. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Dreyer of El The conferences typified by those described Salvador visited twelve countries throughout above-numbers of which on a smaller scale Latin America and the Caribbean. were held in countries throughout the five con- Oftentimes musicians would form groups tinents-and the Oceanic and Intercontinental and make extended trips to distant points. Conferences described elsewhere in this volume, Some groups whose activities were reported
International Bahh'i Youth Conference, Argentina; February, 1973. 344 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
"Great Day", the first Bahh'i Youth singing group of the Netherlands, 1972.
are "The Dawn-Breakers" of Australia and tion of vast radio and concert audiences, who their European counterpart; the "New-Era composed music inspired by the BahB'i Trio" who travelled throughout Central Teachings and spoke of the Faith during inter- America and the Caribbean; the "Hand-in- views and performances. "Seals and Crofts" Hand" music teams called "New Garden, brought the Faith to the attention of a whole South" and "New Garden, North" and others generation of those interested in contemporary who participated in the work in Europe includ- music. On one engagement alone, in Japan, ing "Talisman", "The Reli-Pops" and "Wind- "England Dan and John Ford Coley", through flower", a multi-racial chorus from Alaska. In their references to the Faith, brought it to the the United States, "The Jin-ai Singers" who notice of an estimated three million people, formed in 1964, and the "Victory Chorus" of the National Assembly reported. In his world California, trained by Russ Garcia in 1966, travels, the distinguished "giant of jazz", John made valuable contributions wherever they Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie-a youthful spiritappeared. "The Crimson Ark" group were publicly proclaimed his affiliation with the active in Uruguay and typical of the many Cause of BahB'u'llah, as did the American groups formed in South America. "Jalal", singer, Vic Damone, and the Italian pianist, one of the earliest groups in Canada, were Alfredo Speranza. acclaimed for their performance with the Saskatoon Symphony when they premiered their original composition "Love is the Mystery of THE DAWN-BREiAKERS O F EUROPE Divine Revelation". "Collage" and "Geyser" The European Dawn-Breakers' roadshow, were later Canadian groups. Before the con- "A Plea for One World", was conceived over clusion of the Nine Year Plan, counterparts of a cup of coffee at the Swiss winter school at these music groups had been formed in almost Fiesch in December, 1968, by a group of every country. Bahi'i youth from four countries: Charles Great impetus was given the teaching work Hamburger (Holland), Reza Reyhani (Gerthrough established Baha'i recording artists many), Dolores Eichenberger Woodtli (Switwho brought the name of the Faith to the atten- zerland) and May Hofman (England). In the YOUTH ACTIVITY 345
"The Dawrt-Breakers of Europe" whose road show A Plea for One World widely proclaimed the Baha'i Faith thro~rghoutEurope commencing in 1969.
spring of 1969 the team met for three days at pean nations. Some financial aid was provided the Frankfurt Temple with the distinguished and the team was preceded on its tour by an adarranger and composer, Russ Garcia, who lent vance publicity group led by Linda Marshall. encouragement and gave permission for use of In a letter received by the troupe the Univerthe name "Dawn-Breakers", the name of his sal House of Justice commended them, noting sailing craft which carried him on his teaching that their initial tour in 1969 was "entirely spontour of the South Pacific islands and one al- taneous and organized by the youth themselves ready adopted by the youth chorus of Australia. who paid their own expenses." Stating that it With Reza managing, a script was designed by was fully aware "of the difficulties and even May, Barney Leith and Eddie Kollaart, staff privations" experienced by the members of the was recruited and the show, produced by Mark cast, the Universal House of Justice encouraged Hofrnan, was launched at the Dutch summer the creation of national "Dawn-Breakers" school that year, by a troupe consisting of groups in 1971 to be financially assisted by twenty-nine youth from Germany, France, National Assemblies. Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Great Britain, By the end of the Nine Year Plan a large the United States and Canada. The success of number of European countries had achieved this medium for presenting the Faith became this, and through these teams the Faith was immediately obvious at the first public perfor- brought to the attention of countless thousands mance in Arnhem and as resistance to this in- on the Continent. novative teaching format melted, a tour of A published report of the "mother" group fifteen cities in Holland, Germany and Bel- who pioneered the roadshow reads: gium was launched, the troubadours trans- "The purpose of the group was to present porting themselves at their own expense in a the Faith in a manner which would be easy to 40-seater coach bearing the legend: "Baha'i understand, calling attention to the fact that Singing Group-Dawn-Breakers of Europe". the BahB'i Faith offers the solution to the prob- A second Dawn-Breakers group formed in lems with which the world is now faced. The 1970 participated in by youth from thirteen language problem was solved by the use of a countries, spent five weeks touring nine Euro- narrator, with action done in mime. In that 346 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
"Windflower", a nzulti-racial Bahri'i Youth vocal group formed in Alaska, photographed following a performance in Germany; February, 1973.
way, the narrator's script could be translated Widespread newspaper publicity was oband adapted to the situation without unduly tained wherever the teams performed-in parks, involving the cast. public squares and, when available, in more "The theme of the show was one of search, formal settings. "Glowing reports" received centred on an 'Everyman' character who wit- of their activities led the Universal House of nessed famine, greed, hatred, prejudice, despair Justice to write expressing "keen admiration and futility in a materialistic society in which for the wonderful service which the youth have he had gained success. The object of his search rendered in Europe through this medium" and became apparent when, at last, he turned his stating that the result has been "a turning point attention to 'The Nightingale of Paradise' in the work of the BahB'i youth" on the Con- Whose divine call had been summoning him tinent. all along." YOUTH ACTIVITY 347
American Bahri'i Youth team in Norway, 1972. This is one of n7any similar groups which participated in the "Hand-in-hand" teaching project throughout Europe. 348 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
2. T H E LAWS GOVERNING THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
(The following excerpts from a letter written to an individual Bahri'i by the Universal House of Justice on February 6,1973, were later sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies)
'JUST as there are laws governing our phy- for the sake of his own apparent happiness is sical lives, requiring that we must supply our seen to have been following a chimera; he does bodies with certain foods, maintain them with- not attain the happiness he sought, he retards in a certain range of temperatures, and so his spiritual advance and often brings new forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, problems upon himself. so also there are laws governing our spiritual "To give one very obvious example: the lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in Baha'i law requiring consent of parents to each age by the Manifestation of God, and marriage. All too often nowadays such conobedience to them is of vital importance if each sent is withheld by non-Baha'i parents for human being, and mankind in general, is to reasons of bigotry or racial prejudice; yet we develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, have seen again and again the profound effect these various aspects are interdependent. If an on those very parents of the firmness of the individual violates the spiritual laws for his own children in the Baha'i law, to the extent that development he will cause injury not only to not only is the consent ultimately given in many himself but to the society in which he lives. cases, but the character of the parents can be Similarly, the condition of society has a direct affected and their relationship with their child effect on the individuals who must live within it. greatly strengthened. "As you point out, it is particularly difficult "Thus, by upholding BahB'i law in the face to follow the laws of Bahi'u'llih in present-day of all difficulties we not only strengthen our society whose accepted practice is so at variance own characters but influence those around us. with the standards of the Faith. However, there "The BahB'i teaching on sexual intercourse are certain laws that are so fundamental to the is very clear. It is permissible only between a healthy functioning of human society that they man and the woman who is his wife. In this must be upheld whatever the circumstances. connection we share with you extracts from Realizing the degree of human frailty, BahB'u'- four letters written on behalf of the Guardian 11ah has provided that other laws are to be which throw light on various aspects of the applied only gradually, but these too, once they matter. One of them contains the paragraph are applied, must be followed, or else society that you quote in your letter. will not be reformed but will sink into an everworsening condition. It is the challenging task 'With reference to the question you have of the Baha'is to obey the law of God in their asked concerning the BahB'i attitude toown lives, and gradually to win the rest of man- wards the problem of sex and its relation to kind to its acceptance marriage. "In considering the effect of obedience to the 'The BahB'i Teachings on this matter, laws on individual lives, one must remember which is of such vital concern and about that the purpose of this life is to prepare the which there is such a wide divergency of soul for the next. Here one must learn to con- views, are very clear and emphatic. Briefly trol and direct one's animal impulses, not to stated the Baha'i conception of sex is based be a slave to them. Life in this world is a suc- on the belief that chastity should be strictly cession of tests and achievements, of falling practised by both sexes, not only because it short and of making new spiritual advances. is in itself highly commendable ethically, but Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but also due to its being the only way to a happy one can witness, again and again, that the soul and successful marital life. Sex relationwho steadfastly obeys the law of BahB'u'llah, ships of any form, outside marriage, are not however hard it may seem, grows spiritually, permissible therefore, and whoso violates while the one who compromises with the law this rule will not only be responsible to God, YOUTH ACTIVITY 349 but will incur the necessary punishment from sex instinct outside of marriage; according to society. the Baha'i Teachings no sexual act can be 'The Baha'i Faith recognizes the value of considered lawful unless performed bethe sex impulse, but condemns its illegitimate tween lawfully married persons. Outside of and improper expressions such as free love, marital life there can be no lawful or healthy companionate marriage and others, all of use of the sex impulse. The Baha'i youth which it considers positively harmful to man should, on the one hand, be taught the and to the society in which he lives. The lesson of self-control which, when exercised, proper use of the sex instinct is the natural undoubtedly has a salutary effect on the right of every individual, and it is precisely development of character and of personality for this very purpose that the institution of in general, and on the other should be admarriage has been established. The Baha'is vised, nay even encouraged, to contract d o not believe in the suppression of the sex marriage while still young and in full posimpulse but in its regulation and control.' session of their physical vigour. Economic (From a letter dated September 5, 1938, factors, no doubt, are often a serious hinto an individual believer) drance to early marriage but in most cases are only an excuse, and as such should not 'The question you raise as to the place in be over stressed.' one's life that a deep bond of love with (From a letter dated December 13, 1940, someone we meet other than our husband to an individual believer) or wife can have is easily defined in view of the teachings. Chastity implies both before 'As regards your question whether it would and after marriage an unsullied, chaste sex be advisable and useful for you to marry life. Before marriage absolutely chaste, after again; he feels unable to give you any demarriage absolutely faithful to one's chosen finite answer on that point, as this is essencompanion. Faithful in all sexual acts, tially a private affair about which you, and faithful in word and in deed. the friends around you or your local assem- 'The world today is submerged, amongst bly are in a much better position to judge. other things, in an over-exaggeration of the Of course, under normal circumstances, importance of physical love, and a dearth of every person should consider it his moral spiritual values. In as far as possible the duty to marry. And this is what Baha'u'llah believers should try to realize this and rise has encouraged the believers to do. But above the level of their fellow-men who are, marriage is by no means an obligation. In typical of all decadent periods in history, the last resort it is for the individual to deplacing so much over-emphasis on the purely cide whether he wishes to lead a family life physical side of mating. Outside of their or live in a state of celibacy.' normal, legitimate married life they should (From a letter dated May 3,1936, to an seek to establish bonds of comradeship and irldividual believer) love which are eternal and founded on the spiritual life of man, not on his physical life. "You express surprise at the Guardian's This is one of the many fields in which it is reference to 'the necessary punishment from incumbent on the BahB'is to set the example society'. In the Kitbb-i-Aqdas BahB'u'llih proand lead the way to a true human standard of hibits sexual immorality and in the Annexe to life, when the soul of man is exalted and his that Book states that the various degrees of body but the tool for his enlightened spirit. sexual offences and the punishments for them Needless to say this does not preclude the are to be decided by the Universal House of living of a perfectly normal sex life in its Justice. In this connection it should be realized legitimate channel of marriage.' that there is a distinction drawn in the Faith (From a letter dated September 28, 1941, between the attitudes which should characto an individual believer) terize individuals in their relationships to other people, namely loving forgiveness, forbearance, 'Concerning your question whether there and concern with one's own sins, not the are any legitimate forms of expression of the sins of others, and those attitudes which should Bah2i youth who participated in the Inter-Faith Youth Devotional Service sponsored by the UnitedNations Association of Australia at Sydney Town Hall; October, 1972. YOUTH A
be shown by the Spiritual Assemblies, whose the basis of what you have learned from study duty is to administer the law of God with jus- and experience-a whole fabric of concepts tice. about the human mind, its growth, develop- "A number of sexual problems, such as ment and proper functioning, which you have homosexuality and trans-sexuality can well learned and evolved without reference to the have medical aspects, and in such cases re- teachings of Baha'u'llah. Now, as a Baha'i, course should certainly be had to the best you know that what BahB'u'llih teaches about medical assistance. But it is clear from the the purpose of human life, the nature of the teaching of BahB'u'llih that homosexuality is human being and the proper conduct of human not a condition to which a person should be lives, is divinely revealed and therefore true. reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her However, it will inevitably take time for you nature which should be controlled and over- not only to study the BahB'i teachings so that come. This may require a hard struggle, but so you clearly understand them, but also to work also can be the struggle of a heterosexual per- out how they modify your professional conson to control his or her desires. The exercise cepts. This is, of course, not an unusual preof self-control in this, as in so very many other dicament for a scientist. How often in thecourse aspects of life, has a beneficial effect on the of research is a factor discovered which reprogress of the soul. It should, moreover, be quires a revolution in thinking over a wide borne in mind that although to be married is field of human endeavour. You must be guided highly desirable, and BahB'u'llah has strongly in each case by your own professional knowrecommended it, it is not the central purpose of ledge and judgement as illuminated by your life. If a person has to wait a considerable growing knowledge of the Baha'i teachings; period before finding a spouse, or if ultimately, undoubtedly you will find that your own he or she must remain single, it does not mean understanding of the human problems dealt that he or she is thereby unable to fulfil his or with in your work will change and develop and her life's purpose. you will see new and improved ways of helping "In all this we have been speaking about the the people who come to you. Psychology is still attitude that BahB'is should have towards the a very young and inexact science, and as the law of Baha'u'llah. You, however, as a doctor years go by Baha'i psychologists, who know working mainly as a counsellor in family and from the teachings of Bahk'u'llah the true sexual problems, will mostly be concerned pattern of human life, will be able to make with advising non-Baha'is who do not accept, great strides in the development of this science, and seeno reason to follow, thelaws of BahB'u'- and will help profoundly in the alleviation of 11ah. You are already a qualified practitioner human suffering." in your field, and no doubt you give advice on T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
3. IMPRESSIONS OF A B A H A ' I Y O U T H F R O M A J O U R N E Y R O U N D THE WORLD
MANY experiences of life defy verbal ex- have a way of establishing themselves in one's pression, reaching as they do beyond the heart and soul after only a few minutes or hours limits of thought and conception to deeper of friendship. And after all, many of the BahB'is worlds of meaning and feeling. Perhaps the that a travelling BahB'i meets, stays with and spiritual world will always be just beyond the gets to know, will be remembered by history as full grasp of man. Certainly in this imperfect the great souls of the age-far more distintime, when our understanding of spiritual guished than the statesmen, industrial leaders forces is so limited, if a BahB'i is granted a and famous personalities of a dying order! The close view of the power and enthralling beauty experiences of pioneering and sacrifice in the of his Faith-albeit only a momentary view path of God have purified and spiritualized as on pilgrimage or during some especially many a BahB'i hero in the field, bringing forth significant BahB'i event-the experience is such some of the jewels of our time. How often was as to strike wonder and amazement into the I reminded of Baha'u'llah's words: " . . . jelloivheart. It is as though we were riding with ease ship with the righteous cleanseth the rustfrom off upon the sea, and only occasionally were im- the heart" ! mersed to feel the power of the deep currents Several general impressions remain with me and witness the beauty of the fish and coral from that trip, which I would like to try to exwhich all the while exist beneath us. A journey press here. One is the tremendous growth and round the world visiting BahB'is is this type of maturity of the Faith in recent years. We are experience-a momentary glimpse of tremen- all familiar with the statistics of the rapid exdous forces at work, an enthralling romance pansion of our Faith; but what these statistics with the true significance of the age in which we really mean is generally beyond our range of live, and an influence on one's own soul which experience. Thus, to see the Faith functioning cannot be compared to other experiences of life. and growing in country after country, in It was my great privilege to be able to ex- islands and continents, in regions at war and perience this type of service to the Faith in those in peace, in democracies and kingdoms- 1972 and 1973. Taking advantage of the in- literally every place that airplanes fly (and of ternational air travel rule allowing unlimited course many others besides!)-was indeed stops on a given ticket between distant cities breathtaking. It used to be that when interwithout additional charge, and having saved national travellers set out to spread the Word my funds and planned my trip assiduously dur- of God for this age, they felt like lonely lights ing two years in the military service, I was able in dark regions, breaking new paths where no to travel for a year and visit Bahh'is in over fellow-believershad trod before.For Americans fifty countries in the Pacific, Asia, Africa and and Persians this experience has become es- Europe. It was a rapid journey, with too little pecially deep-rooted in our attitudes and expectime in each place to do much more than meet tations, since we sent out so many pioneers the friends, encourage them, bring news and during the years of geographical expansion of pictures of BahB'is in other places, share some our Faith. Now, however, one can travel to songs, and take pictures. In fact for me it was what seem the remotest parts of the earth, rather like an audio-visual show, with scenes of and find oneself welcomed at the airport or tremendous drama and significance appearing station by a representative of the national or briefly before me, only to be flashed away and local Assembly, and put immediately under to be replaced by others. But how can one ex- their care and supervision. No longer is there press the preciousness of those brief moments, an area of the world accessible to Westerners those vanishing experiences ? Somehow BahB'is that is not under the jurisdiction of properly YOUTH ACTIVITY 353
Suhs, a Ponapean Bahri'i youth (left) with visiting Bahb'i teacher, Greg Dahl (right) on their return from a teaching trip to villages in Ponape, Micronesia.
A Baha'i teacher training institute held in apublic school building in a village in southern Korea. 3 54 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bahri'i youth at the National Hap'ratu'l-Quds, Singapore. Govindan, a Malaysian youth pioneer, is seen second from the left.
constituted Baha'i administrative bodies, and Oftentimes, as I observed this phenomenon the BahB'i traveler is no longer an agent acting in operation, I thought that BahB'u'llah's alone, but rather a part of a vast system Teachings and especially His administrative of administration and teaching that girdles order were like a vast sketch of a magnificent the globe. Indeed, these relatively new develop- scene which He had left us-but without the ments pose an interesting and vital challenge colors filled in. Slowly, as various nationalities to the Baha'i traveler, since he must continu- entered the Faith in force, we acquired new ally find the balance between seeking the advice colors to fill in parts of the painting. For a long and guidance of local administrative bodies, time only two or three colors were available, which often requires considerable patience and so the painting was necessarily spotty and from hurried Westerners, and independently incomplete. Now, however, most of mankind offering suggestions and examples of successes is substantially represented in BahL'i adminisin other places, which sometimes are timely and tration, and the richness and fullness of the of great value, and at other times are ill-con- painting in full color are beginning to be apceived and poorly suited to the local circum- parent. In time the splendor and completeness stances in a new place. Naturally a visitor has of this painting of BahB'u'llah's will astonish much to offer in perspective, diverse experi- mankind. ence and enthusiasm which is of great value to Indeed, the achievement of the Faith in BahL'i comnlunities he visits; but since these reaching all the various races and peoples of communities are now maturing in their own the earth is no accident; and watching this proright, he must adjust his approach to har- cess has been for me a vivid and instructive monize with local efforts, and his plans must contrast to the processes of division and polaribe screened and modified by administrative zation so evident in the world. The general law institutions more familiar than he is with local of human behaviour has always been that those needs and problems. BahL'i administration is who once get ahead have the power and rebeginning to come of age around the globe. sources to get farther ahead, so that enormous YOUTH ACTIVITY 355
Huma Subfzdni of Persia (left)and Parvin Bihi of India (right) with homefront teacher Samuel Akale, in Yaoundk, Cameroon, preparing to depart on a teaching journey of several weeks to northern Cameroon and Chad.
disparities of opportunity and well-being are a year's world tour? It seems impossible to created between men. For an American accus- them! Indeed, it seems impossible that such tomed to affluence and easy living, to see the differences can continue in the world. And yet, world and the incredible lack of opportunity the Baha'i system works on opposite prinfacing most of mankind is a tremendous lesson ciples. The BahB'i community or individual in the absurd inequities of our time. This is who gets ahead is immediately expected to especially so for the Baha'i traveler, who fre- share its success with others through the sendquently stays (if he wishes) with his Baha'i ing of pioneers, circulation of travel teachers, or hosts, sharing the living conditions of the people contribution of funds. For example, Malaysia of the place he is visiting. How does one explain was still stunned, at the time of my visit, by the to one's BahB'i brother and close friend in India fact that they had achieved such a sudden'and or Fiji that an American youth can save from unexpected expansion during the Nine Year his military pay in two years enough to finance Plan that they had been quickly asked to pro- 356 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
vide pioneers and assistance to nearby Asian very first experience on the trip will illustrate countries and to Africa. 'They were still accus- the marvelous workings of this system. Shortly tomed to thinking in terms of receiving assis- before I was due to depart from California for tance rather than giving it! It is in this way that the South Pacific, word was received from the the natural tendency toward inequalities that is Continental Pioneer Committee in Australia, inherent in the human condition has been whose area extended over the Pacific, that a moderated among BahB'is with a process of routing through Tahiti rather than through sharing, producing a sense of harmony, co- Hawaii would cost me no more and would be operation and family feeling that is in stark con- of greater value for the Faith. Unfortunately, trast to the animosities and distrust of nations however, an address for Baha'is in Tahiti was and peoples. I was repeatedly astounded at not available in the U.S. So an air letter was how well and naturally my BahB'i hosts in sent back to the Committee in Australia, with foreign lands, including villagers and struggling only a few days notice. This committee cabled but impoverished families, accepted and wel- the appropriate National Assembly, in New comed me as their brother and BahB'i comrade, Caledonia (3,000 miles distant from Tahiti), despite my cameras, tape recorder, pictures, who in turn cabled BahB'is in Tahiti, and these guitar, self-ironing shirts and other Western BahB'is met me at the airport! Meanwhile the paraphernalia. Theirs was the much greater World Centre was informed and a cable reached "culture shock", I'm sure! me in California with an address in case other Another aspect of the international develop- efforts should fail. Thus the cable had circled ment of the Faith which impressed me deeply the globe and the visitor was able to connect was the interconnectedness and global scope with Baha'is in a small island in the South of the BahB'i administrative institutions I Pacific. Indeed, we BahB'is often think of ourworked with so closely during my travels. My selves as inefficient because our standards are
Partial view of the audience at the Bahri'i Youth Conjerence, Padova, Italy; summer, 1972. YOUTH ACTIVITY 357 so high, but my experience has been that the guidance and advice to the BahB'i travelling international operation of the Faith is such as teacher. Well I remember the problems of comto rival the largest and best organized organiza- munication and planning that had to be surtions on the face of the globe. Indeed, what mounted when I visited Bolivia in 1967, before other organization could summon the resources there were Counsellors. Today those difficulties and personnel to arrange to have a visitor met are no longer, and indeed there is no obscure or and welcomed by a native in virtually any air- forgotten region of the world for Baha'is! port of the world (as I was welcomed in the Naturally Baha'is still struggle in many parts first fourteen countries I visited), including, for of the world for basic freedom of worship, for example, Funafuti Atoll in the middle of the recognition of the Faith as an independent Pacific which has a population of perhaps 500. religion, for property rights, or for acceptance And our Baha'i administrative personnel are among a particular people or group not yet not highly paid, well-trained employees, like represented. But discouraging and insurthose of governments and corporations. Their mountable as these difficulties may seem to the only reward is the privilege of service. Baha'is immediately involved, it is clear to I cannot leave this subject without paying a the Baha'i fortunate enough to travel that the tribute to the Institution of the Continental world community of Baha'is is immensely Boards of Counsellors, with whom I had the strong and resourceful, with firm bonds of privilege of working closely. This Institution is unity and communication linking the tens of yet another sign of the maturation and growing thousands of Baha'i centers that cover the strength of the Cause. Travelling widely, each globe, and that increasingly the local comintimately familiar, from years of experience munities will benefit and draw strength and with the peoples, cultures, and Baha'i history support from this diverse world-wide comof their areas, the Counsellors are in perfect munity that Baha'u'llah, with His unerring touch with the needs and problems of the vision, knew would be the necessary instrument Faith, and offer unparalleled and invaluable for the redemption of the world. AND THE U N I T E D N A T I O N S
WITH U N I T E D N A T I O N S
IN the spring of 1947 the National Spiritual Community". These eight Assemblies were Assembly of the BahB'is of the United States those of North America; the British Isles; and Canada was accredited to the United Germany and Austria; Egypt and Sudan; Nations Office of Public Information as a 'Iraq; f a n (Persia); India, Pakistan and nationalnon-governmental organization quali- Burma; and Australia and New Zealand. Each fied to be represented through an observer. National Spiritual Assembly in its application A year later the eight National Spiritual Assem- established the National Assembly of the blies then existing were recognized collectively United States as its representative in relation as an international non-governmental organ- to the United Nations. ization under the title "Baha'i International A significant action was taken in July, 1947,
Partial view of skyline of New York. In the left foregroundis seen the United Nations complex. OjJices of the Bahh'i International Community are located in the adjacent Carnegie Foundation Building at 345 East 46th Sheet. THE B A H A ' ~F A I T H A N D THE U N I T E D NATIONS 359
Annual Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations held at United Nations headquarters, New York; May 31,1972. In the centre are seen (left to right) Dr. Kurt Waldheim, Secretary- General ofthe United Nations, and Dr. Victor de Araujo, who servedas Chairman of the United Nations Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations during 1971 and 1972.
when the United Nations Special Palestine (enjoying the same privilege in this respect as Committee addressed a letter to Shoghi Jews, Muslims and Christians do in regard to Effendi Rabbani, Head of the Baha'i Faith, visiting Jerusalem) be acknowledged and perresident at the BahB'i World Centre in Haifa, manently safeguarded." requesting an expression of the BahB'i attitude With this communication the Guardian ento the future of Palestine. In his reply, Shoghi closed a summary of the history and teachings Effendi made it clear that "Our aim is the estab- of the Baha'i Faith which the Baha'is of the lishment of universal peace in the world and United States reprinted and distributed widely. our desire to see justice prevail in every do- In addition to ,participation in a number of main of human society, including the domain international and United States regional conof politics." The Guardian also pointed out his ferences, four BahB'i documents were formally concern that "the fact be recognized by who- submitted: "A BahB'i Declaration of Human ever exercises sovereignty over Haifa and Obligations and Rights", 1947; "A Baha'i 'Akka, that within this area exists the spiritual Statement on the Rights of Women", 1947; and administrative centre of a world Faith, and and "The Work of BahB'is in Promotion of that the independence of that Faith, its right Human Rights", 1948. On November 9, 1949, to manage its international affairs from this a letter was addressed to United Nations to forsource, the rights of BahB'is from any and mulate a method of worship acceptable for use every country of the globe to visit it as pilgrims in its future prayer building. AND T H E U N I T E D N A T I O N S
Adapted from the report of M I LD R ED R. M O TT A HED E H , Bahd'i International Observer at the United Nations
THE period 1954 to 1963 was a highly event- written by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Horace ful one, marking an increase of strength Holley, was sent to each of the delegates at the through the participation of the newly elected Conference. In addition, copies were presented National and Regional Assemblies. These years to officials of many universities, to librarians, witnessed as well, the desperate appeal to the and newspaper men. The distribution of this United Nations to save the lives of the Persian pamphlet is specially to be noted as a point of BahB'is. As in previous years, the BahB'i Inter- future reference. national Community sent delegates to many Preceding the opening of the Charter Reviinternational, regional and state conferences. sion Conference, a "Festival of Faith" was held In 1956 Shoghi Effendi appointed a special in the San Francisco Cow Palace. The seven committee to be called into action for matters Faiths represented were: Buddhist, Christianof international importance. Permanent mem- Eastern Orthodox, Orthodox, Christian-Probers of the committee were Dr. Ugo R. testant, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Baha'i. Mr. Giachery, John Ferraby, 'Aziz Navidi, Dr. Arthur L. Dahl, Jr., representing the BahB'i Amin Banani and Mildred R. Mottahedeh. Faith, read a prayer taken from the words of During the period of the Ten Year Crusade 'Abdu'l-Baha. Fifteen thousand people were the Bahi'i observers accredited to the United present at the Festival and the programme was Nations were the Hand of the Cause Ugo R. both televised and broadcast by several nations, Giachery, Europe; Mrs. 0 . H. Blackwell, as well as being widely covered by the press. United States; and Mrs. Mildred R. Mottahedeh, International. UNITED NATIONS NON-GOVERNMENTAL CHARTER REVISION CONFERENCE ORGANIZATIONS CONFERENCES When the United Nations wrote its Charter The BahB'i International Community was in 1945 in San Francisco, the member nations represented in many international, regional and realized that changing world conditions might local conferences of United Nations Nonnecessitate changes in its Charter. It therefore Governmental Organizations. Baha'i delegaarranged for a Charter Revision Conference to tions chosen from many racial backgrounds be convened in 1955. In anticipation of this sig- attended international conferences held in the nificant event each Baha'i National Spiritual New York and the Geneva headquarters of the Assembly was solicited for suggestions which United Nations. Their contributions to the dismight be incorporated in BahB'i proposals for cussions on various subjects were highly con- Charter revision. Bearing these suggestions in structive and received serious attention. mind, a carefully conceived pamphlet represent- On May 20-21,1959, at the New York heading the first united effort of all the National quarters, a United Nations Conference for Spiritual Assemblies in a non-Bahi'i field was Non-Governmental Organizations was held on prepared. Entitled "Proposals for Charter the problems of technical aid given by the Revision Submitted to the United Nations by United Nations and its specialized agencies in the BahB'i International Community", a copy the social and economic fields. In connection of this pamphlet, together with a covering letter with those in the social field, a delegation repre- T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H A N D T H E U N I T E D N A T I O N S 361 senting the Baha'i International Community 'Aziz Navidi and Mildred R. Mottahedeh, each and the National Spiritual Assembly of the coming from a.different country and meeting Baha'is of the United States presented a resolu- within thirty-six hours of the time that the detion recommending that Non-Governmental cision had been taken to convene. Organizations endeavour to obtain endorse- First, the Committee tried to get one of the ments of the Genocide Convention from their delegates sitting on the Economic and Social respective organizations. Typical of local con- Council to present their case from the floor of ferences, in the United States two delegates the Council. All delegates, except those from were sent each year to the Kansas Conference Communist or Arab countries, were interorganized for the Non-Governmental Organi- viewed and to each a strong appeal was made. zations in that state. At the same time, the Committee pressed for an interview with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Despite days of ceaseless THE BAHA'I APPEAL TO THE efforts, only the personal sympathy of many of UNITED NATIONS the delegates was won. Each passing day In May, 1955, a sudden, violent storm of per- brought news of still more violent attacks on secutions against the Persian Baha'is broke the Persian BahB'is and the date for the proloose-wanton murder, rape, imprisonment, mised massacre drew steadily closer. The Comdesecration of Baha'i graves, dismissal of mittee redoubled its efforts but without effect. BahB'is from the civil service, destruction of the The head of the Human Rights Commission dome of the Baha'i National Headquarters in could offer little hope. Though many were Tihran by government officials, and destruction friendly and sympathetic, no delegate or organiof the House of the Bab in Siraz. In short, zation wished to speak up for the Baha'is. The these acts, all denying human rights, threatened day of the adjournment of the Economic and the existence of the entire community of Per- Social Council was drawing near. It was desian Baha'is. Cables to the &ah and the Prime cided to seek the assistance of a competent Minister from Baha'is all over the world lawyer to frame the appeal. Mr. Max Habicht brought no cessation of the persecutions. The was chosen, though at the time, the Committee frenzy of the mobs, who were not only un- did not know that it was this same lawyer who restrained but actually encouraged, reached had represented the Baha'is before the League such heights that the possibility of a wide- of Nations. spread massacre of the Persian Baha'is became The appeal, together with the evidence of the very real. This massacre was, in fact, openly persecutions, was presented to the Secretarypromised in the press and in public meetings. General, to all members of the Economic and In July, 1955, Shoghi Effendi cabled the Social Council who had been interviewed, to BahB'i International Community to lodge an the Human Rights Commission, to the Specialappeal for immediate assistance with the United ized Agencies, and to the International Non- Nations. At that moment, the Economic and Governmental organizations. A press confer- Social Council of the United Nations was ence was held and the news of the appeal circumeeting in Geneva, Switzerland, and it was to lated. The Committee could do no more in this Council, or to some division of it, that the Geneva. With hearts made heavy by a sense of petition would have to be addressed. The their failure to save their Persian brothers from chances that the BahB'is could present their extermination, they left Geneva to return to case in time to save their co-religionists was their native lands to launch a publicity camslim. It was well known that the files of the paign to arouse the publicconscience. Human Rights Commission contained thou- A few days before the scheduled massacre, sands of appeals for relief from religious perse- the Committee received the startling news that cution and that the United Nations was able to the Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjold, do very little to alleviate the distress of the vic- yielding to the pleas of the American delegates tims. It was decided to send a committee to and of the High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva to make a desperate appeal for help. Dr. G. J. van Heuven Goedhart, decided to The Committee consisted of Dr. Ugo R. Gia- send Dr. Goedhart to meet with Mr. Nasru'- chery, Dr. Hermann Grossmann, JohnFerraby, llah Intizgm, chief Iranian delegate to the United Nations, and his brother, Mr. 'AbduY- receive equal attention with other instances of llah Intizam, Minister of Foreign Affairs in religious discrimination. This new religion Iran. The meeting took place in Bonn, West should be respected like all other religions in Germany, where the two brothers were visiting the world."l at the time. Their government had been certain that the United Nations would not intervene to save the Baha'is since the provisions of the ENDORSEMENT OF THE GENOCIDE Charter for upholding human rights and funda- CONVENTION mental freedoms were only morally, not legally, On April 10, 1959, representatives of the binding. The intervention of the Secretary- BahB'i International Community presented to General astounded the Iranian Government. the President of the Human Rights Commis- This intervention, the efforts of prominent sion, Ambassador Gunewardene of Ceylon, a Baha'is in fran, the appeals of the National statement endo~singthe Genocide Convention. Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United For the second time, the National Spiritual States to the American State Department, and Assemblies, representing Baha'i communities the publicity campdign, brought an immediate located in North and South America, Europe, end to the physical persecution and lifted the Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, made danger of massacre. a joint effort in regard to the United Nations. Economic reprisals against the BahB'is con- Mr. H. Borrah Kavelin, Chairman of the tinued. BahB'is who had been summarily dis- National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of missed from civil service or from teaching posts the United States, made the following statewere not restored to their posts. They were still ment: "Mr. President, I have the honor and denied the fundamental religious right of the privilege to present to you, as the keeper of assembly for worship, and their centres were the conscience of the United Nations and therestill being held by the government. After fore of the world at large, documents which months of attempts by individual BahB'is in represent an act of conscience of my fellow co- TihrAn and many appeals by the Americans to religionists of more than eighty countries and their State Department, Shoghi Effendi in- territories. structed the BahB'is to launch another appeal "The resolution they have adopted reads: to the United Nations. 'Since the teaching and practice of the oneness In July 1956, Dr. Amin Banani and Mildred of mankind is the cornerstone of the religion Mottahedeh again went to Geneva. They spoke revealed by BahB'u'llah, His followers throughindividually with the delegates of the Economic out our jurisdiction recognize the vital imporand Social Council, but were unable to get them tance of the Genocide Convention for assuring to present the BahB'i case. Finally, Dr. Jose the protection of small and helpless races and Vincente Trujillo, the delegate from Ecuador peoples. and Chairman of the Social Commission, "The BahB'is of the world have endorsed the opened the session of that Commission with the Genocide Convention as an expression of their following words : firmly held conviction of the oneness of man- " . . . In regard to prevention of discrimi- kind and of the human race. nation against religious minorities, we have re- "Nations, races and religious groups are ceived many complaints. One of these, which, called upon to enrich, through their own inin my estimate, is of great importance, regards herent gifts, the common treasury of civilizathe curtailment of rights of a religious group in tion. Therefore, the destruction of any one of a country which is an honored member of the them impoverishes the whole of the human United Nations and which has a good record in race. human rights matters-I am referring to the "Upon the preservation of this basic noble complaints of a new religious group called the principle depend all the other efforts of the BahB'is which have been distributed to the United Nations. By endorsing the Genocide Secretary-Generaland other delegates. I believe Convention, the Baha'is express, through us, this matter should receive the close attention of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Discrimi- Further details of these appeals and the successful outcome appear in The Bahri'i World, vol. xIIr, pp. nation and Protection of Minorities and should 292-296. T H E B A H , & ' ~F A I T H A N D T H E U N I T E D N A T I O N S 363 the hope that all the nations of the world will as delegates and Harriett Wolcott as observer. rally around this great Convention." Charles Wolcott participated as secretary of Ambassador Ratnakirti Gunewardene re- the BahB'i International Community. replied in part as follows: During the final plenary session the non- "Mr. Kavelin and Members of the BahB'i governmental organizations were invited to International Community: I am greatly im- submit statements regarding their work in the pressed by the endorsement of the Genocide "new nations". The BahB'i International Com- Convention by eighty National and Regional munity submitted the following which became Assemblies of the BahB'is, coming as they do part of the record of the Conference: a
from countries and territories all over the "The BahB'i International Community, reglobe. This is a most powerful expression of presenting the Baha'is of over eighty countries world opinion. It makes us feel that our work in all five continents of the globe, wishes to prehere in the United Nations is supported indeed sent a few of its achievements in the new not only by the Governments, but by the people nations. themselves. . ." "Community centres have been established The Second Indian National Conference of both in rural and urban areas. In the urban Non-Governmental Organizations on United areas, vigorous assistance has been provided Nations Information was held at Vigyan the primitive peoples enabling them to integrate Bhavan, New Delhi, from April 3 to 5, 1959. successfully into these more highly developed This Conference was opened by the Prime societies. Minister, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, with an "Since a fundamental principle of the address advocating the idea of the oneness of BahB'i Faith is education for all, schools at nations of the whole world, thus attaining the various scholastic levels form an important federation of all nations. part of a continuously expanding educational About one hundred non-governmental or- programme for adults as well as children. ganizations of India were represented at this "Each Baha'i community endeavors to Conference, including political, semi-political, develop in its members a world point of view non-political, social welfare, trade unionist and leading to a broader understanding of the some religious organizations. The BahL'i Com- fundamental oneness of the human race. This munity was represented by Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, serves to eliminate the traditional prejudices Dr. K. K. Bhargava, R. R. Williams and P. C. between nations, races and religions. Auplish. "Since so many of our aims and those of the Among the most important resolutions United Nations are identical, Baha'i compassed by the Conference were those on peace, munities all over the world support a vigorous universality, universal education for peace, programme explaining the structure and purand a world language. Several resolutions poses of the United Nations, an important part sponsored by the Baha'i delegates were also of which is the annual observance of United passed. Nations and Human Rights Days. On May 17 and 18, 1960, the United "In the field of Human Rights, the equality Nations Office of Public Information, in co- of men and women has been firmly,established operation with the Executive Committee of the in every Baha'i community. In many of these Non-Governmental Organizations, called a communities situated in primitive areas where meeting at United Nations Headquarters to the status of women has been very low, women discuss problems of co-operation "with the are now increasingly being elected to serve on United Nations family in so far as its pro- governing bodies. Baha'is are active in the program affects the new nations." Each organ- motion of all fundamental Human Rights, even ization was invited to nominate two delegates to the extent of the sacrifice of their own lives to and not more than three observers. In addition, preserve and uphold these principles on which each organization was asked to invite a member the ultimate peace and security of all peoples of its own executive governing board. Some 400 depend." delegates and observers attended. During the conference our observers and The Baha'i International Community nomi- delegates had many opportunities to meet nated Eugene Moye and Mildred Mottahedeh members of the United Nations Secretariat and 364 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
members of other non-governmental organ- finally held in the Criminal Court of Nador. izations. Those attending on behalf of the Death sentences were imposed upon three, five BahB'i International Community felt that the were sentenced to life imprisonment, and one 1960 Conference was yet another step in the was sentenced to imprisonment for fifteen process of "strengthening our ties with the years. United Nations," one of the ten goals which As the session of the General Assembly of the the beloved Guardian had set for the World United Nations was to close on the evening of Centre of the Faith during the Ten-Year Cru- December 21, telegrams were sent to thirtysade. five delegations appealing for help under In 1962, for the second time in the nine-year the Genocide Convention, which is a part of period covered by this report, persecution of International Law. The Baha'i International Baha'is made it necessary to appeal to the Community wrote to U Thant, Secretary- United Nations for redress. This time the events General of the United Nations, and the British took place in Morocco in the form of arrests United Nations Association, quite indepenand imprisonment of a number of believers on dently, cabled U Thant requesting his inter- April 12 of that year. It was not until venti0n.l October 31, however, that they were finally arraigned before the Regional Court of Nador, Further details concerning the Moroccan affair are reported in The Bah6'i World, vol. XIII, pp. 288- and not until December 10 that trial was 289.
3. D E V E L O P M E N T O F T H E R E L A T I O N S H I P B ET W E E N T HE B A H A ~I N ~ T ER N A T I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y AND T H E U N I T E D N A T I O N S
In pursuance of this objective a number of that office for nearly twenty years, asked to be measures were taken, the most significant of relieved of the heavy responsibility, and Dr. which was the decision that the status of the Victor de Araujo was appointed Accredited Faith in the world had reached a level justifying Representative. Mrs. Mottahedeh accepted application for recognition by the United appointment as Alternate Representative of the Nations of the BahB'i International Commu- BahB'i International Community. nity as a non-governmental organization with A number of valuable and constructive acticonsultative status. To this end the Universal vities were carried out during the 1963-1968 House of Justice decided to assume the function period. In continuing its observer status as a of representing the BahB'i International Com- Non-Governmental Organization, the BahB'i munity in its relations with the United 'Nations, International Community sent representatives a responsibility which had been shouldered for to meetings open to it as well as maintaining many years: with great distinction, by the current contact with the activities of the United National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Nations in New York and elsewhere. BahB'i the United States. delegations attended the annual conferences of The Universal House of Justice decided in Non-Governmental Organizations associated 1967 that the volume and scope of the work of with the United Nations and a delegation also the Baha'i International Community justified attended the observances of the Twentieth the appointment of a full-time observer. Mrs. Anniversary of United Nations held in San Mildred Mottahedeh, who had performed Francisco in June, 1965. At this gathering, as a devoted and distinguished part-time service in token of appreciation and support of United THE B A H A ' ~FAITH A N D THE U N I T E D NATIONS 365
Dr. Victor de Araujo, appointed in 1967 by the Universal House oJ'Justice us accredited representative ofthe BahZi International Communitj~to the United Nations seen in his ofice.
Nations, the Baha'i International Community active role in promoting interest in United presented to each delegation and to some of the Nations activities. officials a small, beautifully finished wooden One of the important assignments given by box bearing on its cover the celestial and ter- the Universal House of Justice to its representarestrial globes of the world. The following tive was the presentation on behalf of the message was attached : Universal House of Justice of The Proclamation Presented in appreciation by the Baha'i of Bahri'u'llrih to fifty-six Heads of State via International Community on the occasion of their ambassadors to the United Nations. This the Twentieth Anniversary Commemorative delicate mission was carried out with great Meetings of the United Nations, San success and with but few exceptions, for reasons Francisco, June, 1965. beyond control, all the fifty-six ambassadors received this historic document. "The earth is but one country and mankind its In late 1965 the Baha'i International Comcitizens." Baha'u'llah munity established its own offices in New York, Observances of United Nations Day and renting space in a new building facing the Human Rights Day were also held in many United Nations complex to the south. The local communities throughout the Baha'i Baha'i United Nations Committee met for the world each year. The Baha'i International first time in the United Nations Plaza Building Community continued to play an increasingly in December, 1965. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
q. T H E B A H A ' ~I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O M M U N I T Y AND T H E U N I T E D NATIONS
THE most important development in the than a dozen organizations in this classiflcarelationship of the Baha'i world to the United tion-is granted to "organizations which are Nations during the period 1968-1973 was the concerned with most of the activities of the granting of consultative status to the Baha'i Council . . . and whose membership, which International Community by theBconomic and should be considerable, is broadly representa- Social Council (ECOSOC) on May 27, 1970. tive of major segments of population in a large The Universal House of Justice shared the number of countries." Finally, a third category news with the BahB'i world in a cable reading of "Roster" applies to "organizations which in part : do not have general or special consultative status but which the Council, or the Secretary- JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE BAHAI WORLD ATTAIN- General of the United Nations, considers can MENT CONSULTATIVE STATUS UNITED NATIONS make occasional and useful contribution to the ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL THEREBY work of the Council, or its subsidiary bodies or FULFILLING LONG CHERISHED HOPE BELOVED other United Nations bodies within their GUARDIAN AND WORLD CENTRE GOAL NINE competence." YEAR PLAN . . . SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT Accreditation with the Economic and Social ADDS PRESTIGE INFLUENCE RECOGNITION Council, arelationship established by Article 17 EVER ADVANCING FAITH BAHAULLAH . .. of the Charter of the United Nations, which Earlier that year, at its meeting of February provides that "the Economic and Social Coun- 12, 1970, the Committee on Non-Govern- cil may make suitable arrangements for conmental Organizations, the thirteen-member sultation with non-governmental organizations functional committee of the Economic and which are concerned with matters within its Social Council responsible for the relationship competence," marked a new stage in the of the ECOSOC with non-governmental relationship of the BahB'i International Comorganizations, had unanimously recommended munity with the United Nations. The Bahi'i to its parent body approval of the consultative International Community could now particistatus application submitted by the BahB'i pate in all sessions of the Econoinic and Social International Community in 1967. It remained Council and its subsidiary bodies, and could for the Economic and Social Council, a few attend United Nations global and regional months later, during its resumed 48th session conferences and seminars organized under the (officially at its 1691st meeting), to accept the jurisdiction of ECOSOC. Here, BahB'i reprerecommendation of the NGO Committee, sentatives-no longer purely observers-would granting to the Baha'i International Commun- be able to present pertinent written statements ity consultative status, category 11. (and make oral statements as well) which Consultative status, Category I1 is given to would be widely circulated either by the BahB'i "organizations which have a special compe- International Community directly, or by the tence in, and are concerned specifically with, United Nations itself as one of its official only a few of the fields of activity covered by documents, in English, French, and Spanish. the Council, and which are known inter- The BahB'i International Community would nationally within the fields for which they have also now be "consulted" on studies being or seek consultative status." Consultative undertaken by the United Nations within the status, Category I-and there are hardly more BahB'i areas of competence for the time being THE U N I T E D NATIONS 367 (such as human rights and the status of women), national, or international level, it does not or on the substance of different United Nations carry on any direct activities "to assist in the resolutions which asked for the views of non- achievement of the objectives of the Declaragovernmental organizations in consultative tion on the Granting of Independence to status. Colonial Countries and Peoples and other The first such "consultations" came during relevant resolutions of the General Assem- 1972. The Baha'i International Community bly", as requested in Economic and Social was asked to reply to questionnaires on Deve- Council Resolution 1651 (LI). lopment and on Decolonization, areas of much concern to the United Nations and in which The statement went on to add that, the UN was seeking the close cooperation of however, in a very positive way, the Bahi'i non-governmental organizations. International Community . . . is deeply con- In its reply to the questionnaire on the con- cerned with the spiritual, moral, social and tribution of non-governmental ~rganizations physical well-being of all peoples. The comto the implementation of the International mitment of the BahB'i International Com- Development Strategy governing the U N goals munity to the organic oneness of mankind, for world development during the decade of the to the concept of social justice as reflected 1970s, as requested in the Economic and in the principle of equal rights and privileges Social Council resolution 1580 (L), the Baha'i for all peoples and the responsibility of each International Community was able to explain individual for the well-being of his fellow its all-encompassing view on development. man, shows clearly that in the non-political The passage below, representing part of its areas BahB'i communities are working for answer, was included in an official UN docu- the kind of world where full human rights ment (Conference Room Report #I, November will be established and upheld, and in 30, 1972), and circulated in English, French, which men will see each other as brothers and Spanish : working constructively for the good of the The Baha'i International Community, com- whole mitted to development in an unlimited and concluded by explaining: sense, views the moral and spiritual regeneration of man as the foundation for economic In an overall way, the BahB'i International and social progress. This dedication to a Community is contributing towards resoluchange in attitude and the acceptance of tion 1651 (LI), as well as to the basic goals certain principles such as universal compul- of the United Nations Charter in that it is a sory education, the equality of men and cross-section of humanity, representing the women, the abolition of all forms of preju- most varied religious and ethnic origins, dice, the agreement of science and religion, almost all nationalities, classes, trades, proresulting in the gradual end to superstition fessions, rich and poor, literate and illiterate, and meaningless dogma, the fundamental committed to the fundamental goal of a belief in the worth of the individual and the lasting world peace and an eventual world importance of his unique talents, the engage- civilization. ment in an occupation, such as arts or trade, The replies above suggest the possibilities made identical with the worship of God, and available for presenting the Baha'i point of the realization of the organic wholeness of view when the BahB'i International Commulife, result in varying degrees, in different nity is consulted on the degree of its involveparts of the world, is an important contri- ment in United Nations programs, even in bution to the International Strategy for the cases where the issues are of a political nature, Second Development Decade. in which no BahB'i action is possible, such as in In its reply to the questionnaire on Decoloniza- the area of Decolonization. tion, the first point made was that since The first official participation of the Baha'i International Community in attending sessions the BahB'i International Community is of the ECOSOC or its functional Commissions totally non-political, whether at the local, or Committees came about in the late summer of 1970 at the 23rd session of the Sub-corn- governments to take the first steps toward , mission on the Prevention of Discrimination global cooperation in caring for the human and Protection of Minorities. Since then, the environment, the BahB'i International Com- Baha'i International Community has attended, munity, working closely with the National either in New York or in Geneva, the annual Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sweden, sessions of the Economic and Social Council sent as its representatives Dr. A thur Lyon (the spring session in New York and the Dahl, a marine ecologist, and Mr. Torleif summer one in Geneva), of the Commission Ingelog, a forest ecologist. A Baha'i statement on Human Rights and its Sub-Commission on presented before one Conference session rethe Prevention of Discrimination and Protec- sulted in the improvement of some Conference tion of Minorities, of the Committee on Non- recommendations. The Baha'i delegation also Governmental Organizations, and the biennial contributed to a joint statement submitted to sessions of the Commission for Social Develop- the Conference by the representatives of many ment and the Commission on the Status of non-governmental organizations. Women. A special pamphlet, The Environment and As a result of its consultative status and its Human Values-A BahLi'i View, was prepared known concern for human rights, the Baha'i for the occasion and distributed to the 1,500 International Community was invited to send government delegates and 600 observers in representatives to special United Nations attendance. Explaining "that the social strucseminars for member-states in observance of tures of the world and the systems of values on International Year for Action to Combat which they are built cannot meet the new Racism and Racial Discrimination, 1971. The human needs," the brochure pointed out that first seminar was held in YaoundB, Cameroon, the source of human values was to be found in June 16-29. At this important meeting to religion-today, in the teachings of Baha'u'llah discuss answers to problems of racial discrimi- -and presented briefly the BahB'i principles nation, Dr. 'Aziz Navidi, representing the concerning the human environment. It con- Baha'i International Community, presented cluded by mentioning the worldwide contributwo statements explaining the BahB'i point of tions already being made by BahB'i communiview towards race and emphasizing the ties in "creating both a world unified in its general principles concerning the oneness of diversity and an eilvironment promising justice mankind. In addition, both Dr. Navidi and and fulfillment for the whole of mankind." Counsellor Dr. Mihdi Samandari, who assisted The Bahb'i International Community was him at this seminar, had many opportunities also actively represented at the Environmental to discuss with governmental representatives Forum held in conjunction with that United the pertinent teachings of Bahb'u'llah. Nations Conference, where many non-govern- The second special U N governmental semi- mental groups came together to present their nar was held in Nice, France, on August 24- views and discuss environmental issues. It September 6, 1971. The Hand of the Cause of sponsored a large exhibit illustrating some of God Dr. Ugo Giachery, assisted by Mr. Albert the BahB'i principles mentioned in the BahB'i Lincoln and Miss Guilda Navidi, represented environment pamphlet, and made available the BahB'i International Community. Twice large quantities of BahB'i literature. BahB'i the BahB'i participants were given the oppor- representatives also organized and took part in tunity to present the BahB'i viewpoint on a number of seminars and workshops where specific subjects being discussed, drawing a there were many opportunities to explain the great deal of attention and favorable comments BahB'i answer to the world's problems. Dr. from many government delegates. Dahl observed in his report that the BahB'i Again, as an outcome of its consultative approach at the Conference "stood out as a status, the BahB'i International Community positive program of action, laying the foundawas invited to participate in the United Nations tion for a new world society in harmony with Conference on the Hunian Environment, held its environment." in Stockholm, Sweden, during the first two Since the sessions of the Economic and weeks of June, 1972. To this conference, which Social Council and its Commissions and Combrought together representatives from over 100 rnittees take place both at U N headquarters in THE B A H A ' ~FAITH A N D THE U N I T E D N A T l O N S 369
Mrs. Marj~Sawicki, Administrative Assistant to Dr. Victor de Araujo, in the ofices of the Bahci'i International Community.
New York and at the Palais des Nations in Street. This headquarters provides separate Geneva, the BahB'i International Community, offices for the representative, his executive after consultation with the Universal House of assistant, and for the United Nations Repre- Justice, appointed, in August, 1971, Mrs. Janet sentative of the National Spiritual Assembly Lindstrom as its representative in Geneva; and of the BahB'is of the United States, as well as a later, in February, 1973, in response to the conference room, and space for secretarial, expanded needs of its consultative work, it reception and mailing activities. appointed Dr. Marco G. Kappenberger as Soon after obtaining consultative status, alternate representative, to assist Mrs. Lind- the BahB'i International Community became a strom. In addition, to help with Baha'i Inter- member of the Conference of Non-Governnational Community activities in Africa, in mental Organizations in Consultative Status 1971 Dr. 'Aziz Navidi was appointed BahB'i with the Economic and Social Council, and has International Community representative for participated actively, both in New York and the Continent of Africa. Alternate represen- in Geneva, in the work of committees organtatives appointed in New York, to assist the ized by that Conference in the areas of human representative, Dr. Victor de Araujo, were rights, status of women, and development. Mr. John Miller, who replaced Mrs. Mildred Such close connection with other non-govern- Mottahedeh when she resigned in 1968, and mental organizations in consultative status has later, when Mr. Miller left New York, Mrs. permitted the Baha'i International Community Annamarie Honnold. to co-sponsor statements, such as one presented Further, because of the gradually expanding to the Commission on the Status of Women at operations of the United Nations office of the its 24th session, in 1972, in Geneva, supporting BahB'i International Community, Mrs. Mary the proclamation of 1975 as International Sawicki was appointed Executive Assistant to Women's Year, and a statement presented that Dr. de Araujo in July, 1972. A larger head- same year to the President of the General quarters was also sought and found, still across Assembly at the General Assembly's 27th from the United Nations, at 345 East 46th session, urging that a Draft Declaration on the 370 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Elimination of Religious Intolerance be given Since the work of the United Nations in priority in the work of that UN organ. seeking solutions for the economic and social One new area of BahB'i-United Nations co- problems of humanity has now expanded to operation concerned youth. In 1970, the encompass the whole complex of human ills, Baha'i International Community participated the consultative status of the Baha'i Internain the World Youth Assembly, a conference tional Community will allow progressively convened under United Nations auspices, at greater opportunities for offering the BahB'i UN headquarters, as part of the observance of answers needed to achieve the ultimate and the 25th Anniversary of the United Nations, lasting resolution of these problems. to explore issues of common concern to youth The relationship of the BahB'i world to the and the UN. BahB'i representatives attended United Nations Office of Public Infornlation the plenary meetings of the World Youth (OPI), begun in 1948, continued to expand Assembly and the sessions of its four com- during the period 1968-1973. The BahB'i missions. Later, the Bahi'i International Com- International Community and many of its munity worked closely with the U N Head- member-affiliates-National BahB'i communiquarters Youth Caucus, a group of representa- ties-participated in two important Regional tives and observers designated by a number of Conferences of Non-Governmental Organizainternational non-governmental youth and tions sponsored by OPI in 1970 and 1972, the youth-related organizations, which met with first, for the Continent of Africa, in Addis United Nations Secretariat officials to ex- Ababa, Ethiopia, February 17-21, 1970; and change information on matters of mutual inter- the second, for South and Central America, est, and co-sponsored a statement submitted to and the Caribbean, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Economic and Social Council (Document August 21-25,1972. ElC.21752, 7 September 1972) recommending In Addis Ababa, one representative from the establishment of an International Univer- each of seven National Spiritual Assemblies in sity. Africa-Uganda and Central Africa; Kenya;
The conference room in the ofices of the BahLi'i International Community, New York. Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations held in Addis Ababa, February, 1971, attended by representatives of the BahLi'i International Community including (foreground, left to right) Mr. Ben Dlamini of Swaziland and Dr. Victor de Araujo.
Tanzania; Swaziland, Lesotho, and Mozam- Hospitality Committee and at UN headbique; Cameroon Republic; Indian Ocean; quarters by the Advisory Committee of Interand North East Africa-and from the Baha'i national NGO's with African affiliates." International Community in New York, BahB'is had played a prominent role in both formed the largest delegation at the first committees, through participation of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organiza- BahB'i International Community and the tions ever to be held in Africa. In this meeting, National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of organized for the purpose of exploring ways in Worth East Africa. which national and international non-govern- The same basic pattern of involvement of the mental organizations could support the work Baha'i International Community and National of the UN in Africa, the BahB'i delegates parti- Spiritual Assemblies occurred in Buenos Aires. cipated fully both in plenary sessions and in There, the representative of the Baha'i Interthe workshops. The BahB'i delegation made national community helped to coordinate the many friends anlong participants and members contribution of the six Baha'i participants, one of the UN Secretariat and the Economic each representing the National Spiritual Commission for Africa, and more than once Assemblies of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Baha'is were praised for their efforts and Paraguay and Uruguay. Again, the BahB'is dependability by the NGO Liaison Represen- participated extensively in plenary and worktative of the Ethiopian government, by the shop sessions, and although here also no official Chief of the Non-Governmental Section of statements could be presented, the BahB'i dele- OPI and by other UN personnel. In addition, gation had many opportunities to meet the in its official report of this Regional Confer- United Nations speakers and the representaence, the United Nations Office of Public Infor- tives of the other international and national mation expressed its appreciation for the non-governmental organizations to discuss "valuable contributions of non-governmental matters of global social and economic developorganizations . . . in Addis Ababa by the NGO ment and the role of international law in world peace, and to introduce, whenever appropriate, munities and United Nations Informatior. the most pertinent BahB'i principles and teach- Centres (UN1C)-overseas branches of the ings on these world problems. Office of Public Information. Many National The participation of the Baha'i world in Spiritual Assemblies became listed with the United Nations Day and Human Rights Day appropriatb UNIC, an informal kind of acprograms continued to expand in this period, creditation comparable to the more formal assisted each year by new National Spiritual relationship of the National Spiritual Assem- Assemblies and their communities. The BahB'i bly of the United States with the United Nations International Community constantly encour- Office of Public Information in New York. This aged National Spiritual Asseniblies, through relationship was especially of benefit in orsuggestions in circular letters, and mailings of ganizing locally more effective United Nations United Nations information and materials, to and Human Rights Day programs. In this conmake use of these two occasions to show close nection, to further assist National Spiritual cooperation with the aims and activities of the Assemblies to strengthen the ties of their United Nations, thereby helping to fulfill the communities with local UN offices and officials, goal of the Nine Year Plan of strengthening the in 1972, on his way to the Non-Governmental ties of the BahB'i world with the UN. Accord- Conference in Buenos Aires and on his return, ingly, Baha'i communities throughout the the representative of the Baha'i International world supported the UN in its observances of Community visited all South American coun- International Year for Human Rights (1968), tries (except the Guyanas) and Panama, where International Education Year (1970), and he not only met with National Spiritual As- International Year for Action to Combat semblies and their communities to explain and Racism and Racial Discrimination (1971), and discuss the Baha'i relationship to the United the UN Office of Public Information continued Nations, but, accompanied by members of to warmly recognize and welcome the close those Assemblies, called on U N officials to discooperation of the Baha'i world in educating cuss close cooperation between the national the public regarding the UW aims and activities and local Baha'i communities and the UN. toward global peace and unity. BahB'i International Community coopera- The BahB'i International Community con- tion with the Office of Public Information was tinued to participate fully in the Annual Con- further recognized through the election of Dr. ferences organized for non-governmental or- Victor de Araujo to membership on the exeganizations at U N headquarters by the United cutive Committee of Non-Governmental Or- Nations Office of Public Information. The dele- ganizations with OPI throughout this period. gations of the BahB'i International Community He also served as Officer-as Vice-Chairman and of the National Spiritual Assembly of the during 1969 and 1970, and as Chairman dur- Baha'is of the United States were invariably ing 1971 and 1972. This Baha'i participation composed of Baha'is of different racial and further increased the prestige of the Baha'i national backgrounds, of both sexes and of .International Community at the United Nadifferent age groups. The Baha'i International tions. Community representative and alternate also As in the past, the Baha'i International Comattended regularly the weekly September- munity oEce in New York assisted with matthrough-May briefings organized by the Office ters of protection and recognition of the Baha'i of Public Information on current developments world community. Under the direction and in the full range of United Nations programs. guidance of the Universal House of Justice, This information enabled the Baha'i Inter- contacts were made on many occasions with national community to keep abreast of the the United Nations Missions and Secretariat. current programs of the United Nations and Here again a growing understanding of the to disseminate this information to its member- non-political and constructive nature of the affiliates throughout the world. activities of the BahB'i community, created This period of development of the Baha'i through a more intensive involvement of the International Community's relationship with BahB'i International Community in the work the United Nations also saw the establishment of the UN, as a result of its consultative status, of closer ties between national Baha'i com- made access to key United Nations officials The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery, observerfor the Bahci'i International Comnzunity at the United Nations Seminar on "The Danger of Recrudescence of Intolerance"; Nice, 1971. Miss Guilda Navidi, sitting at his right, acted as public relations representative.
easier when a clear presentation of the BahB'i and South America gave to the BahB'i Interposition was called for to foster the official national community and the United Nations recognition of the Faith or to prevent discrimi- in sending representatives to the Addis Ababa nation against a Baha'i community. and Buenos Aires Conferences, through the Throughout this period, BahB'i National valuable assistance given by National Assem- Spiritual Assemblies, those a.dministrative blies to Baha'i delegations attending conferbodies whose communities comprise the ences, seminars and meetings outside New BahB'i International Community and are its York, and through the efforts exerted by member-affiliates throughout the world, res- BahB'i communities in participating at grass ponded with an awareness of their participation root levels in an ever greater number and as National Non-Governmental Organizations, variety of UN Day and Human Rights Day both in the consultative accreditation of the programs. This close cooperation was a most BahB'i International Community with the important factor in forging closer ties between Economic and Social Council and in its rela- the BahB'i world and the U N and contributed tionship with the U N Office of Public Inforrna- to the prestige and recognition of the Bahs'i tion. The expanding cooperation that deve- Faith, in United Nations and international loped may be seen by themost willing assistance circles, as a dynamic force committed to world that the BahB'i National Assemblies of Africa unity. Proposals for Charter Revision Submitted to Tlie United Nations by the '0 I
BAHA' I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahri'is of T H E B A H ~ F' A~I T H A N D T H E U N I T E D N A T I O N S
May 23,1955 Mr. Dag Hamn~arskjold Secretary-General United Nations New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Secretary-General: The Bahii'i International Community, in its of a world order representative of the peoples as capacity of an international nongovernmental well as the nations of mankind. organization, submits recommendations for The Bahb'i concept of world order is defined in revision ofthe Charter of United Nations and the these terms: A world Super-state in whose favor Statute of the International Court of Justice. all the nations ofthe world will have ceded every These recommendations constitute the con- claim to make war, certain rights to impose sidered views of the twelve1 National Baha'i taxation and all rights to maintain armaments, Assemblies representing the Bahii'is of ircin, except for purposes oj'maintaining internal order India, Pakistan and Burma, Australia and New within their respective dominions. This State will Zealand, 'Iraq, Egypt and Sudan, Germany and have to include an International Executive Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the British Isles, adequate to en force supreme and unchallengeable Canada, Central America, South America and authority on every recalcitrant member of the the United States. Their participation unites a Commonwealth; a World Parliament whose wide diversity of national, racial and religious members are elected by the peoples in their backgrounds in one common concept of the respective countries and whose elecdion is constructure needed to establish justice and peace. firmed by their respective governments; a In submitting its recommendations the Bahii'i Supreme Tribunal wltose judgment has a binding International Community is concerned with the effect even in cases where the parties concerned desperate condition into which the nations and have not voluntarily agreed to submit their case peoples of the world have fallen. The seeds of to its consideration. destruction are sown within as well as without Since action by peoples as well as governments the present membership of United Nations. No is essential, the Baha'i recommendations include minor and legalistic adjustment of the Charter, the proposal that consideration of revision by the Baha'is are convinced, can restore the United Nations be accompanied by wide dissupremacy of moral law in the conduct of human semination of the principles of international affairsnor seize control of events from the chaos relations and the calling of peoples' conventions which enguEfs mankind. The Bahri'is appeal to to register the general will. every enlightened and responsible statesman Impossible as the achievement of world order associated with United Nations to grasp, before may appear to traditionalist or partisan, mankind it is too late, this providential opportunity to is passing through a crucial stage likened to that create a political organism commensurate with of an individual entering maturity and using new the new and unprecedented character of the powers and faculties beyond the grasp of irreworld in our time. sponsible youth. Unassailable is the position that The Bahii'i recommendations are based upon any lesser international body represents a comthree apparent truths: that real sovereignty is no promise with the forces of disaster and destruclonger vested in the institutions of the national tion. state because the nations have become inter- In support of its thesis the Bahb'i International dependent; that the existing crisis is moral and Community presents with this letter an annex spiritual as well aspolitical; and that the existing citing references to the subject in Bahii'i writings, crisis can only be surmounted by the achievement and an annex proposing specific revisions. Sincerely, BAHA'~INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY Since the submission of these Proposals for Charter Revision the number of National Spifitual Assemblies compris~ngthe Baha'i International Commun~tyhas (1973) increased to one hundred and th~rteen.See Bah6'i Directory, p. 702. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
5. BAHA'I PROPOSALS T O THE UNITED NATIONS FOR CHARTER REVISION THE experiences of the last decade have 111. It is suggested that membership in the demonstrated the need for certain fundamental General Assembly be apportioned according to changes in the charter of the United Nations if some form of proportionate representation and that organization is "to save succeeding genera- Paragraph 1, of Article 18 of the Charter, be tions from the scourge of war . . ., reaffirm fa.ith amended accordingly. in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and IV. The Principle of the equality of nations worth of the human person, in the equal rights large and small, proclaimed in the Preamble, of men and women and of nations large and must not be disregarded or contradicted in any small; to promote social progress and better article of the Charter. Therefore, it is suggested standards of living in larger freedom." that Article 23 be changed to read: In order to insure the realization of the principles proclaimed in the Preamble of the 1. The Security Council shall consist of eleven Charter of the United Nations, that organiza- Members of the United Nations elected by the tion must be given real authority and military General Assembly for a term of two years, no power to maintain Peace and uphold interna- retiring member being eligible for immediate tional Justice; it must operate in accordance re-election. with the principle of equality of nations large 2. Each member of the Security Council shall and small; it must become the guarantor of have one representative. human rights, faith in which was so eloquently All reference to permanent members of the proclaimed in the Prea.mble. Security Council found in any of the articles of The authors of the Charter foresaw a time the Charter to be eliminated. when its terms would need revision and provided, in articles 108 and 109, for changes and V. In conformity with Article 23 (as revised), revisions. In this connection, the BahB'i Inter- Paragraph 2 of Article 27 shall read: national community submits, in addition to its Decisions of the Security Council shall be statement of principle, a number of specific and made by an afirmative vote of seven members; general suggestions listed below. provided that in decisions made under Chapter VI, and ~lnderParagraph 3 of Article I. Membership in the United Nations being an 52, a party to the dispute shall abstain from indispensable condition for the preservation of voting. international peace, no nation should be allowed to leave the organization. It is therefore Paragraph 3 of Article 27 to be eliminated. proposed that Article 6 of the Charter be VI. The maintenance of peace being a task amended to read : incumbent upon all members of the United Nations, it is proposed that the first sentence of A member of the United Nations which has Paragraph 2, Article 47, be amended to read : uersistentlv violated the Princioles contained in thepresent Charter may be subjected by the The Military Staff Conzmittee shall consist Gerteral Assembly, upon recommendation of of the Chiefs o f ' s t a f fofthe r17.971bersof the the Security Council, to economic and Security Council or their r~presentatives. sanctions, and, in atrenle cases, may be conz- VII. In the interests of justice, it is proposed pelled by force to abide by theprinciples of the that ~ ~ t50 bei amended ~ l ~ to read: Charter. Ifpreventive or enforcenlent measures against IS. In order to give the General Assembly more any state are taken by the Security Council, freedom of discussion, it is suggested that any other state, whether a member of the Article 12 of the Charte~and all references to it United Nations or not, which finds itself conwhich occur in any other Article (such as ,fronted with special economic problems Articles 10, 11, 35, etc.) be eliminated. arising from the carrying out of those mea- T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H A N D T H E UNITED N A T I O N S 377
United Nations Seminar on "The Evils of Racial Discrinzination", Yaounde', Federal Republic of Cameroon, June, 1971. The Bahh'i International Conirnunity was represented by Dr. 'Aziz Navidi(centre). To the left is seen Dr. MihdiS'aranzandariofthe Continental Boardof Counsellors in Central andEast Africa. In the back row, centre, is Mr. Mbeng Jacob Ayukotang, Auxiliary Board member, and in front of him, Mrs. Zora Banks. Next to her is Mr. Carl Jones Enonchuo, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly.
sures, shall have the right to ask the Security facto and without special agreement, the Counci1,fora solution of its problenzs. jurisdiction of the Court in all legal disputes VIII. Having been written and adopted during concerning: the course of the Second World War, the a. the interpretation of a treaty; United Nations Charter at times reflects the b. any question of international law; feelings and conditions which prevailed then c. the existence of any fact which, if estaband which do not exist any longer. It is inappro- lished, would constitute a breach of an priate to perpetuate the use of the term enemy international obligation; in relation to certain states which must inevit- d. the nature or extent ofthe reparation to be ably cooperate in the establishment and the nzade for the breach of an international maintenance of world peace. It is suggested obligation. that Paragraph 2 of Article 53, as well as refer- 3. In the event of a dispute as to whether the ences to "enemy states" in any other article of Court has jurisdiction, the matter shall be the Charter, be eliminated. settled by the decision ofthe Court. IX. In the interests of Justice, which is the only X. It is recommended that the United Nations principle upon which the edifice of durable adopt a Bill of Rights, which guarantees to peace can be raised it is proposed that the Inter- every individual freedom of speech, of the national Court of Justice be given compulsory press, of religion, and of thought, as well as jurisdiction in all legal disputes between states freedom from racial and religious discriminaand Article 35 of the "Statute of the Inter- tion, freedom from arbitrary arrest and imnational Court of Justice" be amended to read: prisonment, equality of sexes, equality before 1. The jurisdiction of the Court comprises all law, equality of opportunity, and other basic cases and all matters especially provided for in human rights. The individual human being is a the Charter of the UnitedNations or in treaties spiritual as well as a physical creation and the and conventions in force. purpose of society is to provide for the evolu- 2. The states parties to the present Statute tion of spiritual qualities in a framework of declare that they recognize as compulsory lpso unity sustained by law. RECOGNITION OF THE B A H A ' ~FAITH DOCUMENTATION THE BahB'i Faith has been officially recognized by governments-national, state, provincial and municipal-in more than three hundred countries, significant territories and islands of the world. Previous volumes of The Bahci'i World have included hundreds of facsimiles of certificates, proclamations, statutes and other documents attesting recognition of the Faith in a variety of aspects such as the incorporation of its administrative institutions, legalization of BahB'i marriage certificates and recognition of BahB'i Holy Days. As the Faith grows the volume of documentation increases to the point where it is no longer feasible to publish an exhaustive compilation of these documents. In this volume, therefore, is included only a sampling of the certificates of incorporation or other documents attesting recognition of the BahB'i Faith obtained by National Spiritual Assemblies between Ridvan, 1968, and Ridvan, 1973, a few certificates of incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies and a few examples of documents recording other forms of civil recognition.
I . I N C O R P O R A T I O N O F NATIONAL S P I R I T U A L
ASSEMBLIES In previous volumes, certificates of incorporation or other documents attesting recognition of forty-six National Spiritual Assemblies have been reproduced. The following ten are representative of the forms of recognition obtained by National Spiritual Assemblies during the period covered by this volume.
1. Certificate issued by the Minister of Justice granting recognition to the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Spain; June 20,1968. 2. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Papua and New Guinea; April 28, 1970. 3. Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Jamaica; April 29, 1970. 4. Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Taiwan; December 8, 1970. 5. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Nigeria; December 22, 1970. 6. Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bangladesh; June 2, 1972. 7. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Puerto Rico; September 13, 1972. 8. Certificate of the Department of Justice granting recognition to the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Rwanda; March 24, 1973. 9. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Seychelles, Ordinance No. 14 of 1973 of the Legislative Assembly of Seychelles, assented to March 29, 1973. 10. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Uruguay; April 12, 1973. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
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I . Certificate issued by the Minister of Justice granting recognition to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Spain; June 20,1968. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
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5. Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly oftlze Bahii'is of Nigeria; December 22, 1970. 384 ' T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
6. Certificate ofRegistration of the National Spiritual Assenzbly of the Bahd'is of Bangladesh; June 2,1972. R E C O G N I T I O N OF T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
3; A. suk*ztxssisiont Secretary of S t a t e of the Cornmonwea/tk of @u)uerto B i c o , Bn $ ~ r ~ bQ~rfifg: y 3hot rjlp pallowing is a true a n d correct copg a! the c e r t i f i c a t e
of ~ n c o r p o r a t i o nof "ASAMBLEA ESPLRITUAL DE LOS & W A t I S DZ PUERTO RICO, INC.", a n o n - p r o f i t c o r p o r a t i o n o r g a n i z e d under t h e laws o f
Puerto o n J u l y 10, 1972, a t 5 : 0 0 A.M., F i l e No. 6465. --------
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7. Certificate of'Zncorporationof the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bdza'is of Puerto Rico; September 13, 1972. 386 T H E B A H P ; ' ~W O R L D
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8. Certificate of the Department of Justice granting recognition to the National Spiritual Asseinbly of the Baha'is of Rwanda; March 24,1973. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
SEYCHELLES Ordinance No. 14 of 1973.
Z Assent,
B. GfZ;;fZ;;r:iTB,41CCli Governor.
i"7/ March, 1973.
An Ordinance to Incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Seychelles and to empower it with the approval of the Governor to Permit the Establishment of local Spiritual Assemb1ies.a~corporate bodies.
ENACTED by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly. X. This Ordinance may be cited as the National Spiritual Short title. Assembly of the Baha'is of Seychelles (Incorporation) Ordinance, 1973.
9 . Certificate ofIncorporation o f the National Spiritual Assenlbly of the BahLi'is of St:ychelles, Ordinance No. 14 of 1973 o f the Legislative Assembly of Seychelles,assentedto March 29,1973. -- MINISTBHIO DIP RDUCACION ouLT u R A TCST~IINIO.-D[INISTEKIU ioi: EDI.P.I~-I>s Y ~LTUIL!.- vonte- - vldco, 10 de a b r i l de 1973.- Vl>TD: 10s esratucos de - .1 ~ s o c i n e 1 6 nc i v i l denominada ",\-iA:ol.i;i ESI'IKITUIIL *&
.isociariones Civiles a 10s TliirS {let L l c w n t . S , -:.o 'L B r
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por l a r\sesorie L e t n u 8 dr? ~ t x:inisterlo e y @ o f el - EL SECREThTiO GENERAL senor F i s c a l de Go:>~ci.r,i. .r ZJo.Tur.,o, j u lo dispurs-
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nado 'I: ibiHi.::i L S P T ~ ~ I I I : .\.,CIrSll L 38 LUS R A I i % ' I S Dtl.
UKUGU.iY", con scde en " s t 3 C u [ , i r d l , a 1.1 l{lrr ae le r r -
el irrr+2! d e l C6iiIgo Civil, ha30 c o n ~ l ~ c i 6de o qucd=-r
10. Certificate oj'fncorporation ofthe National Spiritual Assembly ofthe Bahh'is of Uruguay; April 12,1973. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H 389
2. I N C O R P O R A T I O N O F LOCAL S P I R I T U A L
ASSEMBLIES In previolts volumes, certifiates of incorporation of one hundred and ninety Local Spiritual Assemblies have been reproduced. The jollowing are selected from the more than nine hundred that were obtained during theperiod covered by this volume. 1. Act of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago for the incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Port-of-Spain. Assented to March 24, 1970. 2. Certificate of Incorporation of Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Stavanger, Norway; December 22, 1970. 3. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Uma, Fiji; May 13, 1971. 4. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Port-Vila, New Hebrides; February 4, 1972. 5. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Bwitengi, Tanzania ; November 15,1972. 6. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of Conception, Belize; December 28, 1972. 7. Act of the Parliament of the Republic of Liberia for the incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Gbota. Bong County, Liberia. Assented to March 29, 1973. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
4th Session Second Parliament Trinidad and Tobago 19 Elizabeth I1
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Act No. 10 of 1970
f
[L.S.]
AN ACT for the incorporation of a body to be known as "The Local Spiritual Assembly of .the Baha'is of Port-of-Spain." [Asse??,tedt o 24th M ~ ~ r c h19701 , WHEREAS a representative body of the Baha'is of Port-of- ~ m m l - : I Spain named the Local Spiritual Assembly (hereinafter called the "Assembly") has been constituted consisting of a Chairman, Vice-chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and five other members.
I . Act of the Parliament of Trinidadand Tobago for the incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahb'is of Port-of-Spain. Assented to March 24, 1970. i c ) ' c r ~ ] . t :;n;ih?'j :; !1?,1 f o r I3dln'j.s i St;;i~rrunrper, ............................................................................................................................... U............................................... "UUUU ....... (I'<,>,',,!,A,,\L,~ ,,~VI,)
,,, :,;(:ill soril ir:+t./..iiiPorsrandcr !nii~\itii~;llct:ifullivil oppfylie tlc plilcrcr som cr pllagc stillinacn i cllcr .,;,:.:11jc.,,imcli lov.
I'YLKESMANNEN Oslo ~7 Akershlls nttesterer l~crvcdar ~. ........................ k a........ ."L.."... o-.,.." ? ~ .................. l t,*-.-..,. ;I101 for n'ha'is j, ~ t s ~ . .a , ..n..rp ; l o l i Qt .v................................................................................................. ~r .............................. "..--.--.., .........-...- ( T r o ~ ~ a n ~ l u n itlrvn) ~cn 8 '
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8' ' ................. ( ~ c n ........................... , , 2 2 ........... DEC,:................................... 1970 er rcgistrece vcd dcttc cmbetc. Regl~trcringenIiu~ingjorcsiNorak iysingcblad og nicdfarcr d~ rettigllctcr 06 pliktcr som er fastsatt i lov a i 13. juni 1969 (nrr 25) om trtrr{ornssarnfunn og ymist anna, og i forsitriftcr sorn er fastsatt i henhold tit r.iillrire luu.
1............ ....."+....................".... 2................... 2. D C........- . ~ .1970 ..-.-....-... !. . .
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2. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahii'is of Stavanger, Norway; December 22,1970. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
3. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the BahZis of Uma, Fiji; May 13,1971. I ~: . I. :, , -. < .$. I r r ! c ., ,. , , i ' I :
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THIS IS T O CERTIFY that THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF BWITENGI
is a 1,0114. inc.nrjrur;itcbd under the provisiorls of !hi, 'r'ru~tecs' Incorpmtiorl
1')5(i; SITTI,IE(:T to tche following conditio~~.q. O~,cii~zanc>c, that is to say---Fixxt, f l i : ~ t suc.11 l~jtlgcorporate shall not, without, first obtaining lug consent in w-riiirlg
. i * t ~ s t t n ~ tor. ; ~ c . c j ~ ~ i r;illy ? int.c~restin Jarrd; and Secondly, that siicb body corporate sliall not, \vitl~outliicc ccin~ont,nae or permi-c or s11ff't.r to bi, nsed any land vested
ill it ~tlivr\vis!:t,han in tlirect fulfilrnc!nt of tho trusts iiw a.hir,ii rueh body r:orporate is ~ ! s t . ~ ~ ~ ~ l i s l ~ ~ ~ l .
- (; 1 V E N :it [Jar cs Sal~ti~txl rlrlcler rny hand this ( 4 t h y of NOWMER 19 7 2
5. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bwitengi, Tanzania; November 15,1972. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H P ; ' ~F A I T H 395 ~~283g352p2p3p@~g2p3ga2g3gg@2~&3g*2$2g2~3$2~gg$3~4;g$ g+ gv *= %k Y% THE GGNERAI, REr'lISTRY &$ #,%
&Ii?! City, x;y FA British Honduras. %$$z XX
ry: RX UV THE MhTTER OF CIIIAPTEI? 206 OF T H E L A W S OF BRrTiSH HONDURAS %A y;s RE'/tSED EDITION, IBSB. q: , -d X95 *& AND
SPBTTOAL $,SS23,lF,Ltf. @' WE mh.'a(Z;" C('l'CpCT'7f: Xxr j;tk M a t t e r c$ .-._.,,_ - ~, .,.." . -." ... ~ p~ $3x YSC' 9k 1 6creby crvtify that $g gg $$s $pm.TiJAL ASSmLT CF ?HE RbBA' IS 'F C O l ~ ~ ? C I ~ ' ? ~ Y5'Y -- . -.-.. , .-.-- - .. . -. . . . -. -: , , , - - $g &V %&x ir #his dny inrorporotcd un,iri rhaptrr 206 of 166 Laws o f Bnlrsil @ !gy: H o d ~ r a sRevird Edition iprB on& $60, thr Campony is Limittd. @$ '"ic X'IC II xx Xrg2 . y band md ILS r d o f ibr General Rlgritry ~g --day af- . . " nnCFGL"E'F41 . .. -. onc dox~andnine Fzut~drtd gr:j $5 smm -rs. %< XE 3% R 9% , -g$Z - gg %-?4 gqj x;.t XT% xrh: gu.ylc~r,yr.x:.xyx~8."i,yye"c~;rr.*.trx~%y~yr,yr,ur,,Ir;";lc~y ~ ~ & ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ X ~ ~ ~ ; . ; % ~ C X ' % , , % , .&&AXXXXXXXX,,.i; A ~ ; , ~ S . C ~ ~ 6. Certificate of Incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bah6'is of Concepcidn, Belize; December 28,1972. AX ACT T O I?iCORPOKATL THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF ( c ) T o 111akcb)-laws. no: inconsistent with any existing laws, for THE BAHA'IS OF' GBOTA, UONCi COUNTY, LIBERIA the governmen[ of its aflairs and the management of its prope*. Ir 13 eriucre~! 1,s itii. Senutr urid fiouse of Represenrurivcs of rhe Section 4. The principiil o!lice of said rclig~ousorganization shall Reptiblir. o,! I,ihtviu, it] L ~ , ? i i l u i r ~ r..li.~~r~~hled: c he located in C;botn To\v11, Bong Cvrlniy, and it may establish as many other suliorc!i~~;ilcficld oficcs c,itliin thc Connty as arc necessary to Section I. I'li.it from :ind immcd~atelyafter the passage of this carry out eiTcctively its purpose. ;Act. the Spirilu:.tl i\isi.nibl?. of IIIG B;lhn'is of Gbota, Libcria, consisting d Borhor Kp.~nst):li Chaiminri: Johnny Reeves. Vice Chairman; Seetioil 5. Said religiou oganization is hereby vcstcd with full Pt~tricX liollie. Secretary: Tokpah Reeves, Treasurer; George Jawec, power arid al~tl?r~rityto I I I : I ~ ~ C. a d est:iblish by-laws and regulations for Johtl Rcltclr. Finchoy. I:i:rrnine Joukixc lo!ii~ E. Frccman. members. its governance ;inif to do :1l1 olhcr acts :~ndt h i r ~ donc ~ s hy similar bodies aml a11 others w h o !1iiw are 2nd may I~crcafterbecome oficers and citrparstc as arc not rcpufn::nt to the Constit~~tion and Laws of the Re- ~ricmbrrs.is hcrcSy cor~stiiuicda bod) politic and corporate under the public. nnine and style of "THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS O F GROTA. BONG COUNTY. IiEPUBLIC OF LIBERIA." Section 6. The Spiritual Asscinbly of [he Baha'is of Gbota as a religious and cducationi~lorganization shall he exempt from the pay- Section 2. Thc Spriti~:~l ,A$>eniblpof the Baha'is of Ghota shall mcilt of sucli taxes as providcd by specific provisions of the Statute have pcrpctu:~! cnibtcilcc and shall have authority to contract, sue and Laws of the Republic of Libcria wirh respect to such organizations, I>e sued. plead and bc irnplcadcd in any courl of this Republic having but its accounts ?hnn.inp receipts znd exn-nditures sllall always be open cornpctcnt juri>dicrion: to purchase or otherwise acquire and hold p r o to inspection hy anv official dcdnnated hy the Minister of Rnance. perty. rcal, perron.11and mined, up to the value ofFIFTY THOUSAFE2 Sectio~i7. This Act shall bccome effective immediately upan DOLLARS 1550,000.00). publication. S a t i o n 3. The uinia and purposes of the Spiritual Assembly of the Any la\+ to the cont~zrynotwithstanding. 13sha'is of Gbota, Bong County, shall be as follows: Approved Marc11 29. 1973. ( a ) 'To iillmlmster the diairs of tiie Baha'is Religion for the benefit of the Batla'ia of t11c Town of Gbota in accordance with religious tcacliingr nntl administrative principles of said r e ligion: and i n i-onfonnity with the functions of a Local Spiritual Asmtibly as defined in the by-laws adopted by the National Spiritual A.jscrnbl) [if the Baha'is of West Nrica and PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY published by t t ~ a lbody for the infomiation and guidance of GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICB Baha'is rliruogl~outLiberia, Sicrra Lconc and Guinea or any MINISTRY O F FOREIGN AFFAIRS other region ibhcrein Baha'is slrall desire to avail thrmsclvcs MONROVIA, 1,IBERIA of such gaidancc and rvliere such published by-laws arc not MAY 22. 1973 founJ r o be ilr confllci w ~ t hthe existing laws of the state or rcrritory. Thesc pr!rpii$cs are to he rczlizcd hy means of devolional. huni:~nitarii-n :iiiri c"tit~!al character; Ih ) 'l'o purcti:iic. rccelve, iioli:. posaess. convey and dispose of 5uch real and perwrrzl p~opcrlya. may bc necessary or convenicnc tri c;~rryout the ci.iects of said corporation; and to u c .,nil h,* iticd .I!) to xn :iii:n!~nt of Fifty Thousand Dollars 1550.000.00): and
7. Act ofthe Parliament of the Republic of Liberia for the incorporation ofthe Local Spiritual Asset?zbly of the Bahci'is of Gbota, Bong County, Liberia. Assented to March 29, I973. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H ~ F' A~I T H 397
3. A S E L E C T I O N O F O T H E R D O C U M E N T S RECORDING OFFICIAL RECOGNITION O F T H E
1. Certificate of Registration of a BahB'i symbol granted to the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of France; November 27,1968. Other Baha'i symbols were registered at the same nz time and separate Certificates of Registration obtained. 2. Certificate of BahB'i marriage, Malaysia (Malaya); April 16, 1970. 3. Circular No. 1,1970, of The United Republic of Ta ania, granting leave of absence on Baha'i Holy Days to BahB'is in government service. 4. Amendment enacted by the Legislature of the State of Hawaii recording recognition of BahB'i New Year (Naw-Rdz) as a BahB'i Holy Day, approved and signed by the Governor, May.6, 1971. 5. Licence authorizing BahB'i marriages under The Law of Marriage Act, 1971, Section 30. The United Republic of Tanzania; May 7, 1971. 6. Senate Bill No. 39 of the L,egislature of the State of West Virginia, U.S.A., recognizing the legality of BahB'i marriage. Assented to February 4, 1971. 7. Extract from the Government Gazette of the Republic of Singapore giving recognition to BahB'i Holy Days; December 15, 1972. 8. Circular of the Department of Education, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, permitting children of Baha'i parents to absent themselves from school on BahB'i Holy Days; October 5, 1972. 9. Licence authorizirig BahB'i marriages, Western Samoa; December 12, 1972. 10. Letter dated March 14, 1973, from the Commissioner of the Public Service of Australia granting leave of absence on Baha'i I-Ioly Days to Baha'is in government service. 11. English translation of a letter dated April 13,1973, from the Ministry for Educational Affairs, Iceland, permitting Baha'i students to absent themselves from school on Baha'i Holy Days. 12. House Concurrent Resolution No. 128 of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, U.S.A., "commending the Detroit Baha'i Spiritual Assembly and the Wayne State University Baha'i Club for the month-long proclamation of the BahB'i Faith, April 21-May 23, 1973" . . . in celebration "of the successful conclusion of the Nine Year Plan which marked the unprecedented growth of the world-wide BahB'i community." nt~s;;:i:g D ~ E N R E c,'I I ~ T ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ (A rz-=- =-- - - .. . . - .. - . . . -. ~.. .- . . . . . -.. - -. ... ...-...--.. - .. . -. w
I?.'UiE M A R Q U E , .- - .- re,?!,l,r a! % ~ o np>h r~ lc lnar ,.,arll ------- ii ) UJ
.- (!*I du 31 d6cembrs 1964) ......... . . . 1/' 1 P I ~ E SREMISES P A R LE i)kPoF/.N1
D m r & d 3 d ' ~ ~ ~ c c ,>I ~ ~d,, ~ la. ~tA~rc~,.c, r ~ ~ ~t rt? 3 e#cn>,d~lrcm .. ....... Medal* du l a nvurquv ~n N 4. 3 exemplaiici iN *'an$ Ir i i n ~ b xo l e , . : , :rr dn;in>.C=s l u rcrlaj!. !
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. "I?, ,I.,,. "t '.L,2,/,>,. . I . Certificate of Registration of a Bahd'i symbolgranted to the National Spiritual ~ s s e m b of l ~the Bahh'is of France; November 27,1968. Lea\.; ofr;bszi,co 111i1y hc gmnlc,l io c;il[lioycc:, oil 111- ! b I l o i ~ i l I~If ~ ~ oS~iic ~ cRcligims I l~~stiv;i!s during 1970, All cirip!o)crs. i~ij:h!tlin? t l ~ o s e\vho (!ii not 11iiin1:llI~~ s c c i i - cji::? for d:%ys011 Ilich ! thcy d o iiot work, ; ~ r ccnri~icdto I~:..;ivco~';ilis?ncccilt~z l y on 7 11'0 o; 1112 cinles Zistcd b?lo~:. But it is r,aplin~ir~:dt!l.ii in tlic pu;)!ic intcjcir, \vl~iii.i!:iii;iduni cl~iilccv.iii b i icspccted as Ibi as pcssiblc, tho qi!cs:ion l~i'\i.hichrzltgiou:. fi2slivnls ( u p to u :oral o r t n 01. arc 1:rken as fill1 1:aiid:tys b y each ;i~.rsonn?:i3r i~ii~iiarily Lii: a i;;::ttci. To$.c!c!)igrl~::cnttil ~.i-i-nli~ti~i?iil accord in^ ro thc ex~oencicsof 'hc u r t i t c and witlrir~the absolute iliscreiion of I'rint:ipi! Szcrctarics, I-leads of ~i;isioiis and Adininidlr-L'-. L. rve Secrci:irics.
Fe$li~ais ARYA ShhldJ: MakarSakranii ...... 141h .T;tntrarjr Basant I'aricIl~:li ...... li)i!i 1;cbruary Sita Ashtini ......... 1st March Dayanand Bod11 Uslav ... 61h i\.I;irch Lekhram Utiy ......... i 1th hfiarch Holi ............ 2211d March Arya Sanxij Fouatlatioi~13oy... 7th April R a ~ oXivxi . . . . . . . . . lSlh April Elari Tritya ......... 5rh A a g ~ ~ s t Shzavani Ulrkram Balidail: Day 17th August Krishna J'anm.1 Ashtnli ... 24;il A itjiust Vijaya Dashmi . . . . . . .:. !Otli October Deepawali ......... 3OLh Ociobcr Shi.ad,?il;md Baiimn Dnj, ... 23rd Dccclnber BANAI'S: Fclst of ii':i\i. Kuz ...... 21..&r 'i.i d n r l ~ First r3;q of Ridvnn . . . . . . 21st April Ninth Day of Kidv:!~~ ...... 29ti1 April Twenty-iifilr I l s y of F!itLv;ui ... 2nd May Declnration of the 13:ib ... 23rd XI:iv Ascension of' li:lha 'u'lhli ... 29ih h l a i Iviartyrdom of t!iz B a t ........ 9th July Birthday of lhz Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th October Birthday of Bnha 'u'ilah ......... IIUDDIIIST---.NAhfCIBUlOiSITAiiA: C'eylonesc Ncrv Year . . . . . . . . . . . . 13th and 14th April Thrice Saxrid of'L,ord Gmliomo Buddha ... 25th, 26th May CHRISTIAN: A s ~ n s i ; m Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15ili hlay Assimplion Day ............ 15th i?ugiist A1I Saints Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Novernbcc HlhWU: BirLhday Sliri C;utu (>abi~ldSing11 J i ... IvIakar StinArarr ............ Vasant I'anchanli ............ Sila Ashlami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dayanand Jlodiiustav . . . . . . . . . . . . Maha---Shi:.r.iiri ............ Lekhmm 0:iy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arya Snnxiji i;ound;irio~iD:iy ...... Baisakhi ...............
3. Circular No, d , 1970,uf77rt. UrfPledXepublii: of ' T ~ i ~ i z a gvem5fitg ~ ~ i a , leCive of s5ser~ce orz Bulra'i B-oiy Days to B.*kri'is in governmerit service. % !d
r) 5 rt r 7.
' , : >:[, g ::. i:: ..., R E C O G N I T I O N OF T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
ENROLLED
Senate Bill No. 39 (By IMR,BROTHERTON)
[PAssed February 4. 1971: in effect ninetg days from passage.]
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections twelve, twelve-a and
twelve-c, article one, chapter forty-eight of the code of
West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, relating to persons authorized to perform mar-
riages, the qualifications and bonding of those so author-
ized, the performance of marriage ceremonies and records
with respect thereto.
Be it enacted b y the Legislature of West Virginia:
That sections twelve, twelve-a and twelve-c, article one,
chapter forty-eight of the code of West Virginia, one thou-
sand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended and
reenacted to read as follows:
6. Senate Bill No. 39 of the Legislature of the State of West Virginia, U.S.A., recognizing the legality of Bahci'i marriage. Assented to February 4,1971. THE B A W ~W 'O~ RLD
- - - - - -
LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF SINGAPORE In the Baha'i Calendar nine days have been set aside to commemorate Holy Days. They are as fonows: -- First day of Ridvan (Declaration of Baha'u'llah) April 21 Ninth day of Ridvan .. . April 29 Twelfth day of Ridvan May 2 Anniversary of the declaration of the R5b ... May 23 Anniversary of the birth of BahA'u'llBh ... November 12 Anniversary of the birth of the Bkb ... October 20 Anniversary of the ascension of Bahk'u'llBh ... May 29 Anniversary of the martyrdom of the BSrb .. July 9 Feast of Naw-Rfiz (BahB'i New Year) ~.. March 2 1 The Bahk'i day starts and ends at sunset, and consequently the date of the celebration of RahB'i feasts should be adjusted to conform to the Bahk'i calendar time. ... ... ..-. . - -. .-, "... ..--... .."
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7. E.xtractfi0n.r t,he Government Gazette of the Republic of Singapore giving recognitior~ to Bahb'i Holy Da.ys; December 65,1972. RECOGNITION OF THE B A ~ T L F A' I~T H
EDucATLOrT mL'ART:alIT, P.O. Box 263, BIiKEPTIRFII. TARATfA.
5 t h October, 1978
To : Principal, 'larapla ..,eaclzers "ollage, I - Headmaster, King George ?r E l a i n e Bernacchi School, Ifcad.teachnrs, Govern~n-entand. I s l a n d Council ' F r i m ~ r yschooZ$.
The Nati.oml S@ r i t u a l Assembly o f t h e Ba.tla9is.oboormk! n i n e Holy Days during the year. These d.ays a r e : TWch Zlst, .8pri.l 2 1 s t , A p r i l 23t1.1, IqTay 2nd, Thy 23rd, k l a y 29tl1, JuLy 9th, October 20t-h, and November f 2 t h -
2. Work i s suspended on t h e s e Holy Days ~ ~ pna r4e n t s o f t h o %?haa3.F a i t h have t h e o b l i g a t i o n of lceoping tIte5.r c h i l d r e n splay fma! s c h o o l on these dngs i n acc?ord.ance wit11 t h i s i.mportant t e n e t o f t h e i r rsbi.gi,on. 2'. Heads o f schoo1,s n.re requested t o a c c e p t l e t t e r s f r o m Baha'i p a r e n t s e x p l a f n i n g t h e i r chi. l,drensl abscnco from sc,hool on Holy Days as r c a ~ o a a b l eand va1i.d. I k e n s c h o o l cxaninnti.ona o r o t h e r important f ~ m ~ t i o nare s b e i n g hc1.d on B ~ h a ' iHoly Days, i t is hoped t h a t parerts will s e e t h e i . r way c l e a r t o sending t h e i r chil,&en t o school.
f o r Direcltns o f Education
8. Circular of the Departnient of Ed~~cation,Gilbert and Ellice Zslmds, pernlitting children of B~lzci'ipnrentsto absent thenzselvesfrom school on BaIG'i Hob, Days; October 5, 1972. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
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9. Licence authorizing Baha'i marriages, Western Samoa; December 12, 1972. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H
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I 0 Letter dated March 14, 1973, from the Comnzissioner of the Public Service of Australia granting leave of absence on Baha'i Holy Days to Baha'is in government service. R E C O G N I T I O N O F T H E B A I ~ LF'A~I T H 409
12. House Concurrent ResoFution No. 128 of tlze Legislature ofthe State of Michigan, U.S.A., "conzn7mding the Detroit Bahd'i Spirituul Assen7bLv and the Wayne State University Bahd'i Club for the niontlz-bng prorlaniatto?~oj the Bahci'i Faith, April 21-May 23, 1973" . . . irz celebration"of the successful conclusion of the Nine Year Plan wlzirh n~arkedthe unprecedented growth of the world-$videBahh'i co~nn?rmity." I N MEMORIAM The exceptional number of years of Tarazu- '11ah Samandari's active service commenced in early youth and ceased only with his passing Tarazu'llah (Ornament of God) was the name in his ninety-fourth year. His service spanned given by BahB'u'llah to the son of Samandar,l the last years of the ministry of BahB'u'llah, one of the nineteen Apostles of BahB'uYllih, the whole of the ministries of 'Abdu'l-Bahk and and Ma'sumih m a n u m Farhkdi, both from Shoghi Effendi, and extended through the families of early Babis. 'Abdu'l-BahB called period of stewardship of the Hands of the him Mirza Taraz and bestowed upon him Cause. He lived to witness the election of the many honorifics including Taraz-i-Ilahi (The Universal House of Justice in 1963 and 1968. Divine Adornment). The beloved Guardian Because educational facilities were limited in addressed him as Jinab-i-Samandari and ap- the Persia of his childhood, and often denied pointed him a Hand of the Cause, one of the to the children of BahB'is, Tarazu'llah was twelve in the first contingent, on December 24, taught at home by Mulla 'Ali who was praised 1951. by BahB'u'llah as the first teacher to put into Tarazu'llah Samandari was born in 1874, in practice the BahB'i principles of education. The Qazvin, Persia, and was brought up by his child learned Persian and Arabic grammar, the parents and his grandmother, who was one simple bookkeeping of that period and calliof the companions of that immortal early graphy. At the age of thirteen he entered the heroine of the Faith, Tahirih. His upbringing office of his father who was a merchant. is described by 'Abdu'l-Baha, in a prayer TarAzu'llAh became one of the most disrevealed for him : tinguished calligraphers of Persia. He records . . . I supplicate before the Throne of Thy that as soon as he could write well he started to mercifulness and the threshold of Thy one- copy Tablets and prayers, and this he conness that Thou mayest rain down Thy mani- tinued to do his whole life. Many volumes of fold confirmations and favours upon this Scriptures have been copied in his beautiful servant of Thine who was born in the cradle handwriting. By this means he became well of Thy love, nourished from the breast of versed in the Baha'i Writings and could refer Thy knowledge, reared in the lap of Thy to relevant texts on any matter discussed or servitude, nurtured in the bosonz of Thy life- problem presented to him. The Divine Teagiving Faith, until such time as he was fully chings absorbed and sustained him; he felt developed through the outpourings of Thy no need to refer to other writings. Throughout bounty, attained maturity through Thy his long life and wide travels he was always loving kindness and turned his jace witlz accepted as a highly educated man; not even devotion toward Thy countenance, witlz his the learned imagined that he was without heart wholly centredon Thee and his reliance formal training. This was perhaps the fulfilment cornpletelyplacedin Thee. . . of a prayer revealed for him by 'Abdu'l-Baha: The life of Tarazu'llAh Samandari, his 0 Lord my God! Graciously aid him to character and the quality of his service to the attain this glorious bounty and to partake of Faith, are best described by the pens of this rare privilege. Gladden his bosom with 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. 'Abdu'l- the light of Thy knowledge and loose his Baha designated him in Tablets as " a lun7inous tongue through the vitalizing breaths of Thy candle", " a cause of happiness of souls", " a celestial might. Enable him to intone the mine of joy", and " a cause of happiness of verses of divine unity in the assemblies of hearts". the detached and to chant with sanctified Shaykh Kizim, surnamed "Samandar". See The n~elodyin the rose gardens of Thy singleness. Baha'i World, vol. 111, p. 80. Grant him the joy of gazing upon the resplen- I N MEMORIAM 411 dent light of Thy nzercy in the mystic Paradise Taraz Effendi and other friends accompanied and enable him to reveal the evidences of Thy the Blessed Beauty on His return to Bahji. grace amongst Thy servants by the manifes- An account of the celebration of the First tation in his luminous temple of the signs oj' Day of Ridvan is given in the words of Tarazu- Thy bounty. . . '11ah Samandari: "On the First Day of Ridvan, I and three As a youth the desire of Tarazu'llah's heart other pilgrims were present, sitting on the floor, was to gain admittance to the presence of facing Baha'u'llkh, Who was sitting on a chair. BahB'u'llah who was then an exile in the He started to chant the Tablet of Sultan with Turkish penal colony of 'Akka. The pilgrim- great majesty and grandeur, for about half an age of his brother and cousin increased his hour. He occasionally made a gesture with ardour for meeting his Beloved. This bounty His hand or moved His foot and the power felt was confer~edupon him in 1891 when he made while He was proclaiming '0 Sultan !' was overthe arduous journey of several weeks from powering. The spiritual experience, the ecstasy, Persia to the Holy Land, accompanied by his is beyond description. sister and his maternal aunt, Hajar a a n u m . "At the end, He said, 'Tarkz Effendi, arise For six months he was in the entourage of and vresent a rose each to the friends.' The roses BahB'u'llah in 'Akka and he remained about were spread on a sheet of dazzling whiteness four weeks after the passing of the Blessed on His bed. I obeyed His command and Hesaid, Beauty in 1892. Bahk'u'llah received him, three 'Give Us Our share also.' I offered Him a rose days after his arrival, in the House of 'Abbud, and He bade me take one for myself. Then and on other occasions in Bahji, the garden blessing us, He dismissed us from His presence. of RiQvan and elsewhere. BahB'u'llah has "Another Day of Ridvan. He received us in declared that the bounty of gazing once upon the Garden of Ridvan-all friends, residents the countenance of one's Lord is equal to the and pilgrims gathered together with utmost sum total of the charitable deeds of past and bliss in that Paradise, the envy of all the gardens future generations. Such a blessing was be- of the world. The great poet, 'Andalib, recited stowed upon Taraz Effendi, and on many an ode he had composed for the occasion. occasions he shared his memories of this price- Bahh'u'llah showered bounties on all present, less experience, the most memorable time being who were standing before Him in rows, giving at the World Congress in London, seventy- them with His own hands rosewater, sweettwo years later (in 1963) when he spoke to meats and oranges-and to 'Andalib, a bottle nearly 7,000 Baha'is from all parts of the of rosewater and two oranges!" world. One day Tarazu'llah accompanied the During his pilgrimage, he had the supreme beloved Master, 'Abdu'l-Baha, to Bahji and honour on two occasions to be in the presence witnessed His deep reverence in paying of Baha'u'llah at the time of revelation. homage to His exalted Father. As soon as the Although he acknowledged that this experience windows of the Mansion were visible, He was impossible to describe, he said the Words prostrated Himself, bowing His forehead to poured forth like a mighty torrent, while the the ground, although there was a drizzle of rain. greatest majesty was evident in His person. Taraz Effendi followed His example. On other occasions, Baha'u'llah manifested From Baha'u'llah, Tarazu'llah received a His own title "Mazlumiyyih" (Wronged One). clear indication of the station of 'Abdu'l-Baha On the morning of Naw-Ruz, Bahh'u'llah as shown by the following incident. After two sent Taraz Effendi a gift of clothes, a robe, a weeks indisposition, during which time he had shirt, a cummerbund and socks. The same day not been able to be in the presence of Bahk- He received the friends in a small garden. The 'u'llah, Taraz Effendi went to Bahji and meeting famous poets, Nabil and 'Andalib, had com- one of the children of the Holy Family begged posed poems for the occasion. The garden was her to ask for permission for him to enter the adorned with citrus trees; rain was drizzling. presence of BahB'u'llkh. This was granted. On this day the friends gathered at the Feast Baha'u'llah remarked that Tarazu'llah had had the supreme bounty of hearing Baha'u'llah complained that he had not been in His prerevealing verses. A banquet was served and sence for two weeks, and asked if he had not BahB, gairiirrg in spirituality and knowledge. Several times he begged 'Abdu'l-Baha for martyrdom, bent the Master told him he must live to serve the Faith with the spjrit of inartyrdorn. saying: Be sure, whatever I have d e f i r e d j o MyselJI; ~ I have desiredfur One day, "Abdu'l-Bahk with about eighty i* friends, proceeded from the Garden of Ridvan f' & to the Shrine of BahB'u'Llah in processlori, each i one carrying a pot of flowers and chanting odes arid poems in praise of the Blessed Beauty. 'Abdu'l-BahB told thein this would be cornmemorated in the future by kings coming with bared heads and b a ~ efeet, carrying jewelled pots of Bowers In 1908, Taraz Effendi made a third pilgrimage in a period when cor~clitionsin the Holy Land were vel y unsettled; 'Abdu'l-Baha's life was 111 danger and rhe enemies of the Faith were enlboldened by events which seemed mornentar~iy to assule their ascendancy. 7nrkz Effenrh was given a Bal~a'iring by the Mastel and shown a long scroll on which were irisc~ibedthe names of faur hundred belrevers of America, with their declaration of loyalty to seen the master^ 'Wireii he aranswered, "'Yes, my 'Abdu'i-Bah& and the Covenant. On the last Lord, every evening and every morning," day of his pilgrimage 'Abdu'l-Baha gave him BahB'uYl1Bhasked him, "'rheri why did you an envelope containing a Tablet for the friends complain that you did not have the reward of in Persia, and the scroll from America, with the pilgrimage?" irnplying that meeting the instructior~that he and his coinpanion should Master was as meeting Himself. visit ihe communities and call the believers He was amorrgst the pilgrims and friends wlio together in groups of nine, and ask them to were si~irm-ionedto the presence of BahB'uqil&h make a covenailt of unity in the Covenant of while He was lying in bed ill arid being attended BahB't1'11ah~explaining to them that the loss of by His fanlily. His voice was clear, but softer, each soul is the loss of all, the gain of onej the because of the fever He had contracted; He gain of ail; each sfio~rldbe ready to sacrifice for spoke about the iinportance of unity. tkie others. Each of the nine should, in turn, The irrtensity of the shock of losing his make a covenant with another group of nine. Beloved was so great that TarBzu'iIkh had no The original scroll from America is now in desire to live, bwt 'Abdu91-Baha protected safekeeping at the World Centre. him. EIe was present with a large nrvrnber c~f During many of his visits to 'Abdu'l-Baha at other pilgrimis and resident believers when the this tirne, fie would hear of the inlportance of Book of tlie Covenant ?as read. 'Abdu'l-BahB detachment and service to the Cause. This ii~struztedthe lrilgrirris to relate all they had was in preparation for the annoamcement by witnessed on their return to Persia. Taraz 'Abdu'l-BahA that when Tar&z Effendi re- Effendi departed about f o ~ rweeks later, turned to Persia it should not be to work any travelling through 'l'urkey to avoid an area of longer in his father's ofice, but to spend his cholera. The journey was on mules and the time travelling througl~out that country, homebound pilgrims riket the believers eri roilre. teaching and increasing the knowledge of the Taraz Effendi received permission to make friends. 'Abdu'l-BahB told hiin that he should another pilgriirrage in 1898. With a group of go ~ lHis ~ behalf, l like Himself, with detachment friends from Persia he stayed in 'Alcka for four and enkindlemerit-as u globe offire. months and ten days, in the society of 'Abdu'l- After a pilgrimage of forty days Tarkz I N MEMORIAM 413 Effendi returned to Persia where he met his blishing a firm and dignified relationship appointed partner for his journeys, Mr. 'Ali between BahB'is arid others and attracted the Akbar Kafsanjani. They spent some months daughters of even the most fanatical elements of in Tihrari learning from a BahB'i doctor rudi- the town. Taraziyyih received another Tablet ments of medicine sufficient to enable them to from 'Abdu'l-Baha in which He bestowed deal with sin~pleailments. This was done to words of praise and encouragement and profacilitate their journeys throughout Persia. mised that she would be showered with endless Only two years previously a severe outbreak of bounties from every direction. persecutions had afflicted the Persian BahB'i While TarAzu'llah Sarnandari was in a i r a z comrriunity and the enemies of the Cause were in 1909, the enemies of the Faith attacked the still ready to create trouble for the beli-~vers. BahB'is of Nayriz and despoiled their pro- The utmost wisdom had to be exercised. perty. Eighteen BahB'is suffered rnartyrtloni. Against this background the pair embarked Through the activity of Tarliz Effendi and on a journey which was to last for five years and 'Ali Akbar RafsanjBni, and with the help of take them to many places in Turkistan and influential friends, the refugees were returned Persia, includingremotevillages. They travelled to their horrres and the community resettled. by mule, donkey, horse-drawn carriage arnd It was at this very time that, on Mt. Carmel, often on foot, always at the risk of attack by 'Abdu'l-Bahk laid to rest the earthly remains highwaymen. They were confirmed in carrying of the Bab ill the n~ausuleurnHe had conout 'Abdu'l-BahB's instructions. A new life of structed, that sacred dust having been in activity carne into existence. In many of IIis concealment and rnoved from place to place Tablets, 'Abdu'l-Baha expressed His satis- for a period of sixty years. In a Tablet written faction at these journeys and encouraged other shortly thereafter to one of the friends in friends to follow in their footsteps in spreading Persia 'Abdu'l-Baha said that although the the Teachings. martyrdom of the friends was the cause of His Around 1895, Taraz Effendi married his shedding tears and was a heart-burning grief, second cousin whose name, Taraziyyih, was the spiritual significance of the death of those the feminine form of his own. She had been innocent friends was a great bounty of God and born a few months after hinr and had been a source ofjoy in the Abha Kingdom. 'Abdu'1,- given the name chosen by Baha'u'llah. She was Baha consoled the hearts of the Persian a Farhadi, being related to his mother. During friends by saying that on the day the remains of the lengthy journey of her husband 'Taraziyyih the Bab were interred on Mt. Carmel a cablereceived a beautiful Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Baha gram had been received from the believers in offering consolation in their separation and America announcing that a site had been praying that this temporary separation would selected for the construction of the first BahB'i be the cause of eternal reunion; whereas other Temple of the 'West.l unions end in separation, unity of spiritual At the end of 1909 arnd beginning of 1910, aspiration and service elevated a marriage to Lheir five-year teaching journey behi~ldthern, the station of a real union, a meeting that has 'Ali Akbar liafsanjani and 'rarftz EfTendi no end. travelled to the Holy Land through Bombay Tarazu'11611 Samandari writes about one of and spent t w o months in the presence of his happiest experiences when his wife was 'Abdu'l-Baha who showered them with love instrumental in opening a BahB'i school for and expressed the utmost appreciation of their girls in Qazviri (Tavakkul), at a time when he devoted services which, He said, would inever was teaching in a i r a z . It is recorded in his be effaced from the hearts and ~nerrioriesof notes that the news flooded him with "a rrew the friends who had met tliern. Because of his life and immeasurable joy; I raised my hands to poor health, Tarazu'llah Samandari was thank 'Abdu'l-Baha, and tears of happiness advised to return to Qazvin where he remained streamed from my eyes, that my life-partner for approximately seventeen years during had received this confirmation." Taraziyyih which he taught aclively, carried on a wide acted as principal of the school which was the correspondence with many Baha'i centres, result. of the combined efforts of the friends in served as secretary of the Spiritual Assembly, Qazvin. 'The school became a means of esia- Godpasses By,Shoghi Effendi, p. 276. produced a Baha'i newsletter which was circu- most distinguished of friends" (December 22, lated wherever Persian was read, and, at the 1939); and "the shining lamp among Baha'i instruction of the Guardian, he engaged in teachers" (December 25, 1940). copying and verifying the authenticity of the For a few months in 1933, at the request of countless Tablets revealed to the friends in the Central Spiritual Assembly of TihrLn,l Persia during the Heroic Age of the Faith, a Taraz Effendi managed the national office, task which required his close supervision for dealing with correspondence and receiving two years and resulted in the compilation of visitors, but the beloved Guardian requested eighteen volumes of these priceless documents, him to resume his journeys. In the autumn of One copy was sent to the Holy Land and one to 1940 he and his wife were granted permission the Spiritual Assembly of Tihran. to make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land. About six years after the passing of 'Abdu'l- During the fifty days spent there Shoghi BahB, at the suggestion of the Spiritual Assem- Effendi surrounded them with kindness and bly of Tihran and with the full approval of made use of Tarazu'llah Samandari's ability Shoghi Effendi, who, in a letter written in by giving him a number of original Tablets to November, 1927, addressed him as a "strong identify. When Tarazu'llah referred to his age pillar" and an outstanding example of "obedi- and weakened health preventing him from ence and dedication", Tarazu'llah Samandari serving as he had before, the Guardian replied resumed travel teaching. In that same month that the "first" period of his service had terhe journeyed with his wife and youngest son minated and gave him the responsibility of to ~ a i r b a y j a n after , which he never had a encouraging the friends of Persia to pioneer to settled home anywhere. The remaining forty- nearby countries. On their return journey they one years of his life were spent in travelling were asked to visit various communities. On his and teaching. arrival in Tihran, he immediately met the Space does not permit giving, even in outline, National Spiritual Assembly. A pioneer coman account of his activities during these years; mittee was formed and through his encouragehis own diary records them and reflects his ment a number of believers arose to establish dedication, self-sacrifice, detachment and the the Faith in other areas. enthusiasm and joy he derived from service In 1944 he was asked to go to &iraz to proto the Cause of God. The nature and value tect the Faith from mischief-makers and he of his contribution in this period is best illus- remained there a number of years. During this trated by a few brief extracts from the many time his wife died at her pioneer post in letters he received from the beloved Guardian: Zanjan, Persia, not having seen her husband for three years. At her death on November 7, "April 24,1928 1947, the Guardian wrote a moving letter of . . . Verily, thou art a faithful custodian of the consolation praising the services of "that dear fortified citadel and a dedicated servant and handmaiden of the Ancient Beauty", who had promoter of the religion of the Lord. Thou engaged in "spreading the Word of God . . . art in the foremost rank of teachers . . . with absolute detachment and steadfastness." November 1,1928 She resides now, he wrote, "in the loftiest . . . The brilliant, the continuous and mansions of heaven". sincere services of that chosen one of the An outstanding service which he rendered Lord of all beings are engraved on my heart in this period was the securing of the original and inscribed in permanent characters in the manuscript of the ~itab-i-fqanwhich he sent records of the Abha Kingdom; the passage to the Holy Land. His intercontinental travels of ages and centuries cannot efface them. . ." commenced shortly after his appointment as a In subsequent communications Shoghi Hand of the Cause in 1951 and took him to the Effendi addressed him as "an Apostle of the Far East and the West. He attended all four Crimson Ark", a "strong pillar of the luminous Intercontinental Conferences2 at the opening Faith of God", and a "Knight of the arena of l The National Soiritual Assembly of Persia was detachment" (June 19, 1933); a "foremost formed in 1934. exemplar for the righteous" and "a true herald $Kampala, Uganda, February, 1953; Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A., April-May, 1953; Stockholm, of the Greatest Name" (October, 1934); "the Sweden, July, 1953; New Delhi, India, October, 1953. IN MEMORIAM 41 5 of the Guardian's Ten Year Crusade in 1953 walked so swiftly that few could keep pace with and visited a number of centres in the United him. His eyes were penetrating and dark, his States and Europe. hair neat and black (it never became quite After attending the funeral of the beloved white), his hands strong and sensitive and his Guardian in London in 1957 he journeyed to voice clear and resonant. His rapidity of movethe Holy Land to attend the conclave of the ment and mental agility remained with him to Hands of the Cause and was present at all the end of his life. He personified courtesy, subsequent conclaves. During these visits he dignity and kindliness. was able to identify a large number of Tablets. He was a very early riser and neat and metho- In subsequent years he travelled extensively dical in his ways. Coming from a background in Africa, the Middle East, the Far East and where women were veiled and transport was Asia, traversing theglobe as in an earlier period primitive, he was able to adapt himself to life he had traversed his homeland from hamlet to in modern America, while retaining his innate hamlet. A new generation of BahL'is felt dignity. He had some attractive, old-fashioned themselves blessed to be in his presence at the habits, such as keeping his prayer books and World Congress in London in 1963. Scriptures wrapped in silk squares or in little The celebration of the centenary of Bahi- cotton bags; and he kept his clothes, which 'u'llah's proclamation of His Message in were neat and simple and limited in number September/October, 1867, to the kings and ru- because of the long years of continuous travel, lers of the world opened with a visit in Septem- neatly folded and wrapped in cotton squares. ber, 1967, by a few appointed representatives of' He rested only to gain strength to work and theBaha'i world to the siteof the housein Adria- was always ready to serve others. Children and nople where the historic Suriy-i-Mulhk was youth were drawn to him. Generations of revealed; Tarazu'llah Samandari was one of youth inspired by his encouragement and the Hands of the Cause who participated in example have matured as ardent, active "this joyful and pious actW.l Immediately Baha'is acknowledging that it was he who set thereafter he travelled to the United States to them on the path of service. represent the Universal House of Justice at the As age drew on him he would say with a Intercontinental Conference in Wilmette. He smile, "Different organs of my body are trying was now ninety-two years old. His presence to resign, one by one. I tell them: 'I won't in the conference was deeply appreciated and accept this! As you came together, you must inspired the 3,000 or more friends gathered to leave together!' " His wish was fulfilled; his hear the only surviving Hand of the Cause mind was lucid, his sight clear, his voice whose eyes had been blessed by beholding ringing, his hearing sharp, his step firm and Baha'u'llah, and his ears by hearkening to swift, his hand steady and his spirit radiant His Words. In spite of the cold he welcomed until the end. the programme for his tour of Alaska, Canada, Although barely recovered from a serious the United States, England and Germany. In illness which had stricken him but a short time America he was able to meet thousands of before, Mr. Samandari came to the Holy Land friends in special conferences held in key towns in late August, 1968, to attend the centenary where friends from outlying areas would commemoration of BahL'u'llah's arrival on gather. The Faith was proclaimed by means of those shores. Here Taraz Effendi's health press and radio interviews, public meetings and deteriorated and he was taken to hospital where addresses in universities. A remarkable degree many friends visited him and found his radiance of respect was shown him by members of the undimmed. He survived to see the day compress, all of whom extended the length of the memorating the arrival of Baha'u'llah and interviews; in reality, it was the Hand of the peacefully passed away on September 2, 1968. Cause himself who conducted these gatherings An account of his passing appeared in U.S. and the atmosphere was always sympathetic. Baha'i News, No. 452, November, 1968 : Taraz Effendi was an arresting figure-small, trim, upright, with quick movements-and he ". . . Jinab-i-Samandari attained his wish -todieintheHoly L a n d . . . Hisfuneral, by The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan Message, 1965. God's intervention, was an unforgettable 'i W O R L D part of the historic arid eventful week of HERMANN GROSSMANN activities associated with the pilgrimage of a n 1899-1968 unprecedented nurnber of friends from bath East and West, DEEPLY REGRET ANNOUNCE PASSING HAND Nearly one thousand souls atteuded, most CAUSE HERMANN GROSSMANN GREATLY AD- of them joining the fiine,ral cortege pro- MIRED BELOVED GUARDIAN STOP HIS GRIEVOUS ceeding from -the Master's House, where LOSS DEPRIVES COMPANY HANDS CAUSE OUT- the service was held, to the BahB'i cemetery STANDING COLLABORATOR AND BAHAI WORLD at the faot of Mt. Carrnel . . . The funeral COMMUNITY STAUNCH DEFENDER PROMOTER was one of the largest and most impressive FAITH STOP HIS COURAGEOUS LOYALTY DURING since the time of the Master." CHALLENGING YEARS TESTS PERSECUTIONS GERMANY OUTSTANDING SERVICES SOUTH He rests beside the heroic arid inlmsrfal AMERICA IMMORTALIZED ANNALS FAITH STOP Haji Mirza Haydar 'Ali,l in fulfilment of a INVITE ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES wish he had often expressed. HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS BEFITTING HIS On September 3, 1968, the Universal House EXALTED RANK EXEMPLARY SERVICES. of Justice notified the Baha'i world of the Universal House of Justice passing of the one Bahi'u'llah had nanled "The Ornament of God" : To relate the story of Herrnann Grossmann WITH SORROWFUL HEARTS ANFIOUNCE PAS- is to describe a life spent entirely in the service SING HAND CAUSE GOD SHIELD HJS FAITH of the New Revelation. It is perhaps of subtle DEARLY LOVED TAKAZULLAH SAMANDARI significance that he was born to German NINETY-THIRD YEAR HIS LIFE ON MORROW parents in Rosario, Argentina on February 16, COMMEMORATION CENTENARY BAHAULLAHS 1899 and was raised by a family who radiated ARRIVAL HOLY LAND STOP FAITHF'UL TO LAST love and tolerance. In Rosario people of BREATH INSTRUCTIONS HIS LORD HIS MASTER different races and religions lived together in HIS GUARDIAN HE CONTINUED SELFLESS friendship and freedom, an atmosphere rein- DEVOTED SERVICE UNABATED UNTIL FALLING forcing the liberal influence of his home. He ILL DURING RECENT TEACHING MISSION STOP was born on the eve of the birth of the twentieth UNMINDFUL ILLNESS HE PROCEEDED HOLY century when the established order was begin- LAND PARTICIPATE CENTENARY STOP EVER ning to crumble. The sun of a new epoch in the REMEMBERED HEARTS BELIEVERS EAST WEST history of mankind was rising, the era of the TO WHOSE LANDS HE TRAVELLED BEARING unity of rriankind on this planet, becoming MESSAGE HIS LORD WHOSE COMMUNITIES HE continually smaller by rapidly escalating tech- FAITHFULLY SERVED THIS PRECIOUS REMNANT nological progress. HEROlC AGE WHO ATTAINED PRESENCE BLESSED When Hermann was ten years old the family BEAUTY YEAR HIS ASCENSION NOW LAID REST returned to Germany. The young boy looked FOOT MOUNTAIN GOD AMIDST THRONG BE- upon the country of his ancestors with eyes LIEVERS ASSEMBLED VIClNlTY VERY SPOT different from those of his peers. U'here others BAHAULLA.H FIRST 'TROD THESE SACRED were encouraged to follow blindly prejudices SHORES STOP REQUEST ALL T-TATIONAL ASSEM- acquired in infancy, Hermann had doubts BLIES HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICES INCLUDING which stimulated him to search for truth. FOUR MOT ' HER TEMPLES BAHAI WORLD BE- Towards the end of World War I he had to FITTING LONG LIFE DEDICATED EXEMPLARY serve in the German army in France. He re- SERVICE LORD HOSTS BY ONE ASSURED CENTRE turned to Germany saddened and weary, his COVENANT LOVING WEI,COME PRESENCE BA- questing mind and sensitive nature plagued by HAULLAH ABHA KINGDOM STOP EXTEND LOV- questions: Is it the fate of human society to be ING SYMPATHY ASSURANCE PRAYERS MEMBERS forever burdened with misery, hatred and DISTINGUISHED FAMILY. destruction? How long must it continue like M I H DSAMANDAR~ ~ this? If a wise Creator created mankind for love and sent great effulgent Beings again and again to illumine the earth and to cause His Star of the West, vol. XI,p. 343; 'Abdu'i-Bahd by H. M. Balyuzi, p. 525. creatures to progress spiritually, is it perhaps IN MEMORIAM 417 'Abdu'l-Baha that Mr. and M-rs.Ober were in Leipzig where they accepted an invitation from the Theosophical Society to speak about the Baha'i Faith. Here it was that Hermann first encountered the Baha'i Teachings which were to have such an important bearing on his future life. In later years he would frequently recount the circumstances of that fateful encounter. Arriving late at the gathering, Hermann entered the softly lighted room and saw a woman of radiant countenance standing at the speaker's table. Mrs. Ober at that moment was voicing the Utterance of Haha'u'llah that all men are tlie leaves of one tree and the flowers of one garden. The truth of these words struck a responsive chord in the young Inan. Later, Mrs. Ober approached lierrnann and said, "I think I was speaking your thought." "Yes, indeed," he replied, "but tell me what it is." His recognition of the truth of the Message was instantaneous; his acceptance, wholehearted. The same night- Mrs. Lina Benke also wontaneously embraced the Cause. Shortly afterwards her husband, George Adam Benke2, also time for a new Messenger to come ? The distress accepted. The services rendered by Mr. Benke of the world, the universal ferment, the radical in Bulgaria before his death in 1932 demonchanges which were becoming increasingly strated "such an exeinplary spirit of devotion apparent caused the young man to wonder that the Guardian felt impelled to call him the whether such a great T'eaclierwas still living or first European martyr for the Faith".3 had recently lived. Only the Manifestation of Soon the three-Hermann and the Benkes- God, he reasoned, could bring 'Teachings that were eagerly visiting each day with Miss Alma would restate the purpose of life for the indi- Knobloch4 who was residing in Leipzig at that vidual and society and forge a new pattern of time. Through these meetings their knowledge society to rise in visible triumph frorn the grew, their faith deepened. Miss Kriobloch had ashes of a moribund order. accepted the Cause in 1903 and at the request of These and many other questions troubled 'Abdu'l-Baha had settled in Germany in 1907 Iiermann Gi.ossrnann during his years as a to assist in the firm establishment of the Faith student of arts and political science, his in that country. thoughts and his longing being reflected in the In answer to his grateful and enthusiastic poems and essays he wrote and the pictures he letter to 'Abduyl-Baha in Haifa, Hermann painted during this period. In 1924 he graduated received the following Tablet from the Master as a doctor of Political Science at Hamburg. dated December 9, 1920: Hermann's earnest search for meaning and 0 tlzo~rwho hust been guided by the ligJzt of purpose eventually led him to the Teachings of divine guidance : Baha'u'llah; he met Harlan and Grace Oberl in Thy letter hnth been received. It indicated Leipzig, Germany in the summer of 1920. This tJzat thou ha,st turned thy face toward the well-known American BahB'i couple were .4bhri Ki~zg~loorn. Yield thee thanks unto God returning tq the United States after being on pilgrimage in the Holy Land where they had ibid.,vol.v, p.416. Letter dated Jul-le 21, 1956, written on behalf of visited 'Abdu'l-Baha. It was at the behest of Shoghi Effendi to the Nalional Spiritual Assembly of Germany. See "In Memoriam", Tile Bt7h7hri'i World, vol. VIII, p. See "In Mernoriam", The Baha'i World vol. rx, p. 656; vol. xrrI, p. 566. 641. that thou hast been enabled to rend the veils sitions-gave to the Baha'is an ever increasing asunder, to gaze on the beauty of the Sun of insight into the significance of the BahB'i Reality, and to walk in the path of the King- Revelation. Frsm the abundance of the BahB'i dom. Thou shouldst be eternally obliged and Teachings the topics which most interested thankful to those who were the cause of thy Hermann Grossmann were BahB'u'llah's reconguidance, inasmuch as they conferred heaven- ciliation of the unifying purpose of science and ly life upon thee and enabled thee to be adnzit-religion, and His challenge to mankind to ted into this resplendent Kingdom. Upon realize unity in diversity, and Hermann thee rest the Glory of the Most Glorious. emphasized these two themes in his teaching of Baha'i youth. Over the years he carefully com- When Hermann returned to, Hamburg, it piled texts on these and related subjects with a was to his great joy that both his mother and view to their use in a future Baha'i university. his sister, Elsa Maria, accepted his beloved new His Institute for Religion and Science, compiled Faith. It was at this time that he found his life during the German Five Year Plan (1948-1953) partner, Anna, who espoused the same ideals won the approval of Shoghi Effendi. Hermann as he did. Their harmonious marriage brought used these compilations consistently as a basis them deep happiness. for his own publications. His major writings With dedication and devotion, Hermann about the Faith include: The Economic Ques- Grossmann began at once to serve the Baha'i tion and Its Solution According to the Bahci'i Cause, first in Hamburg, then in Weinheim and Teachings; The Dawn of a New Age; A Changelater in Neckargemiind. The house he built in over to Unity; What is the Bahri'i Religion ? the last-mentioned location increasingly be- He also translated into German The Seven came a focal point for BahB'i activity. People Valleys (Baha'u'llah) and Paris Talks ('Abdu'lof every background and rank entered its Bahi).l doors and were made welcome. In this hos- In the 'twenties a promising worldwide copitable home where his dearest ones-his wife, operation developed between the BahB'is and his parents, his sister and his children-lived Esperantists. Outstanding early Baha'i teachers by his side, one could experience from the such as Dr. J. E. Esslemont, Martha Root and beginning and with increasing intensity the others learned Esperanto. Lydia Z a m e n h ~ f , ~ warm, all-encompassing wholeness which dis- the youngest daughter of Dr. Ludwig L. tinguishes the Faith of Baha'u'llah throughout Zamenhof, the inventor of Esperanto, joined the world from all other spiritual impulses, the Baha'i Faith and translated many Baha'i ideologies or socio-religious organizations of books into this new language. Hermann ancient or modern origin: God-the Mani- Grossmann also took up this idea and for a festation-the revealed Teachings-the trans- period of time during the 'twenties, and often formation of the individual through prayer and at great sacrifice, published in Esperanto a service-the social order created by the Divine monthly magazine for BahB'is, La Nova Tago, Pen. The spirit of these Teachings permeated (The New Day) which enjoyed a worldwide the Grossmann household and was reflected in circulation. In 1928 Hermann and Anna the lives of its members. became the parents of a daughter, Susanne In the interval between the two world wars Bahiyyih, and five years later a son, Hartmut much was crystallized that is now universally Harlan, was born. recognized by the growing Baha'i world com- About this time the Baha'is of Europe began munity including a clear understanding of the to hold their first summer schools, an activity nature of Baha'u'llah's covenant with mankind, which had met with much success in the United seen both historically and theologically. Re- States and which was strongly encouraged by vealed texts comprising the Words of Baha'uY- IIah, the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha were trans- See The Baha'i World, vol. XIII, p. 384. lated into inspiring English by Shoghi Effendi See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. x,,p. 533. In August, 1944, eighteen years after accepting and widely distributed throughout the world. the Baha'i Faith, Lydia Zamenhof was cremated in the Jew;:! death-camp in Treblinka, near Warsaw, These authentic translations were published in Poland. . . . dpntless Lydia Zamenhof," cabled many tongues. The writings of the Guardian- Shoghi Effendi, . . . her notable services, tenacity, modesty and unwavering devotion fully merit high his essays, letters, commentaries, and expo- tribute. . ." the Guardian. A few dozen Baha'is met, felt for Shoghi Effendi had become even more sometimes for a few days, sometimes for a week deeply rooted. Hermann Grossmann placed or more, to deepen their knowledge of the his love for the Guardian at the very centre of fundamental verities of the Baha'i Faith his being and a desire to bring happiness to through lectures and discussion. Evening social his beloved became the animating purpose of gatherings reflected a happy holiday mood and his life. Shoghi Effendi's unexpectedly early warmhearted friendship. The "Hausle" (Little death in 1957 was thus to be a most painful House) near Esslingen, Germany was then a and cruel loss in his life. place known and loved far and wide for such Although Hermann returned to Germany in meetings. Hermann Grossmann often taught April, 1937 with a renewed determination to there. In 1932 he wrote his book The Dawn of serve the Cause, ominous clouds were gathering a New Age. and in June of that year Hitler imposed a ban A peak experience in the life of Hermann on the Baha'i Faith in Germany. Baha'i books Grossmann was the pilgrimage he made with were confiscated and destroyed, the homes of his wife and sister in March and April, 1937 BahB'is were searched and the friends were when they visited the Baha'i Holy places in interrogated or imprisoned. The internal and Haifa. For nine days he had the benefit of being external political situation became more in the presence of Shoghi Effendi who, in his critical and plunged the world into a devasconversations with the pilgrims, returned tating war. In his professional life Hermann again and again to the subject of the embryonic suffered concealed hostility, sometimes open administrative order of the BahB'i Faith. brusqueness and contempt, from his colleagues Hermann was particularly concerned with who were Nazi sympathizers. finding ways and means of increasing the After long and strenuous negotiations with awareness of the Baha'is of this important the Gestapo, he succeeded in effecting the aspect of theevolving World Order of Bahalu'- elease of his imprisoned sister. Later he spoke Ilih, the full implications of which were yet as a witness in the defence of nine believers who but dimly envisioned by the friends in Europe were tried by a Nazi court. In September, 1944 and elsewhere. he himself was brought to trial and subjected Hermann brought with him to Haifa, as a to punishment. gift for Shoghi Effendi, the original Tablet he Most of the early compilations of Baha'i had received from 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1920. The texts were seized and destroyed or irretrievably Guardian warmly accepted the document and lost by the Gestapo. In that dark hour Hermann returning with it the next day asked Hermann said, "If I did not think that it was a sacrifice if he were aware that it was a highly significant for Baha'u'llah, I could not bear the loss." Tablet. After a moment's hesitation, Hermann Nevertheless, he immediately turned to the replied that indeed one sentence had always task of making new compilations. The little been of special importance to him: Thou literature which had been saved formed the shouldst be eternally obliged and thankful to basis of the national Baha'i archives. The short those who were the cause of thy guidance . . . compilations, teaching aids and study outlines But Shoghi Effendi while affirming the value which Hermann prepared from the BahB'i of that response, said that he considered literature he had managed to preserve were 'Abdu'l-Bahi's words . . . thou lzast been mimeographed and bound in hard cover thus enabled to rend the veils asunder . . . and to meeting the immediate need of supplying walk in the Path of the Kingdonz to be most Baha'i literature to the German Baha'i comsignificant for Hermann. munity as it struggled to arise withnew strength The breadth of vision of the Guardian, his amid the ruins of the country. The Grossmann clever answers and penetrating insights, his home in Neckargemiind was spared destrucencouragement and suggestions, served to tion and many found there warmth, light and heighten the zeal of the enthusiastic pilgrims consolation. In 1945 the Baha'i community and were a source of inspiration in all their of Germany, strengthened by the tests it had future years of service to the Cause. By the undergone, prepared itself to welcome within time they left Haifa the heartfelt devotion, its fold those Germans who, shattered by the respect and tender affection they had always catastrophe, found their way to the Faith of 420 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Baha'u'llah; later, of course, as prosperity commented that perhaps one day Hermann returned to the nation, a general attitude of would be happy to go back to Latin America. materialism prevailed. In this interval Her- IIermann was to remember those words of the mann produced various small but extremely Guardian when, in 1959, the Hands of the useful books such as A Change-over to Unity, Cause asked him to return to South America to and a new edition of his pre-war work The assist the friends there in completing their Dawn of a New Age flowed from his pen. goals of the Ten Year Crusade. At that time Although Shoghi Effendi had alluded to there were only two National Spiritual Asserncertain individuals posthumously as Hands of blies in that vast continent, each responsible for the Cause it was in 1951 that he announced the five counirie~.~ The Ten Year Crusade of appointment of the first contingent of living Shoghi Effendi called for the establishment of Hands of the Cause of God. Hermann Gross- ten National Spiritual Assemblies. mann was among the first twelve raised to this Hermann's first return visit to South America station by Shoghi Effendi. In subsequent years in 1959 took him around the entire continent the number of Hands of the Cause was in- and into the countries of the interior. An attack creased to twenty-seven. Among their duties of typhoid and the strain on his system imwas the teaching of the Faith and the protec- posed by the high altitudes of the altiplano tion of the Baha'i community from those who adversely affected his health and forced him to would seek to violate Baha'u'llih's covenant. temporarily postpone further travels. As a In this period Hermann Grossmann mainly, result of the enthusiastic and optimistic reports devoted himself to a study of the nature of he carried back to Haifa the Hands of the Cause Divine Covenants throughout religious history. decided to establish Ridvin, 1961 for the for- The result of his researches was the publica- mation of the ten new national bodies. tion, in 1956, of the small but fundamentally In January, 1960 Hermann once again reimportant book God's Covenant in Revealed turned to South America, this time accom- Religions. panied by his wife. This was to be his longest Hermann and Anna Grossmann returned to visit to the area. Indefatigably he travelled Haifa in the spring of 1957 for their second throughout the whole continent for more than pilgrimage. From the treasury of his wisdom seven months helping the friends create the the Guardian traced for them the dazzling conditions necessary for the election of their unfoldment of the World Order of Baha'u'- National Spiritual Assemblies. Again at 11ah. In particular, Shoghi Effendi discussed RidvBn, 1961 he traversed the continent to with them the design for the Mother Temple of witness the birth of these new national insti- Europe1 to be constructed in the Taunus, near tutions, inspiring them to pursue their activities Frankfurt, the plans for which they had brought with vigour, and successfully protecting them with them on behalf of the National Spiritual from the intrigues of the opponents of the Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany. Faith. Again and again he called upon the In the tragic period following the deatli of friends to take the Teachings of Bahk'u'llah Shoghi Effendi in the autumn of 1957, Her- to the indigenous people, so dearly loved by mann Grossmann brought the whole ardour of Shoghi Effendi, and found extreme happiness his being to bear on the discussions in the Holy in visiting the Indian believers himself and in Land when the Hands of the Cause gathered visiting Punta Arenas, in the straits of Magelthere; his breadth of vision and capacity to find lan, the southernmost BahB'i community in the a judicious balance were a valued factor in world. those vital consultations. Hermann started on his last journey through During his first pilgrimage to the Holy South America in 1962. Distinct signs of Land in 1937, Shoghi Effendi had unexpectedly exhaustion had begun to show. Qnce more it asked Hermann if he would care to return to was his galvanizing enthusiasm and iron will South America. Hermann replied that it had that took him from place to place and allowed taken him a long time to accustom himself to him to bring "to a good end", as he later Germany but that he was now happy in that "he Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Argencountry. With an enigmatic smile the Guardian tina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia; and the Regional National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil, Peru, Dedicated July 4,1964. Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. XN M E M O R I A M 42 1 described it, one of his most difficult task.s in one of the countries in South America. Many seeds were sown at that time which subsequently blossomed and were reflected in the PROFOUWDLY MOURN PASSING DEARLY LOVED growth of the Faith in South America. The HANDCAUSE MUSA BANAWI RECALL WITH spiritual ties with the friends, the progress of DEEP AFFECTION HIS SELFLESS UNASSIJMING the Cause in the countries of South America, PROLONGED SERVICES CRADLE FAITH HIS EX- the recollections of his visits there, were all a EMPLARY PIONEERING UGANDA CULMINATING source of happiness to him until his last days. HIS APPOINTMENT AS HAND CAUSE AFRICA AND Nor was his love for Germany in any way PRAISE BELOVED GUARDIAN AS SPIRITUAL diminished, for it was in that country that he CONQUEROR THAT CONTINENT STOP INTER- had found the Faith of Baha'u'llah, and where. MENT HIS REh4AINS AFRICAI'J SOIL UNDER he had served the longest, and in the German SHADOW MOTHER TEMPLE EPHANCES SPIRITUAL language he had developed superlative skill. LUSTRE THAT BLESSED SPOT STOP FERVENTLY Hermann's affections emanated from a deep PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS NOBLE SOXJL love for humanity which radiated out to and STOP MAY AFRICA NOW ROBBED STAUNCH was sensed by those who came close to him; VENERABLE PROMOTER DEFENDER FAITH FOL- this love made every country of the world a LOW HIS EXAMPLE CHEER HIS HEART ABHA homeland to him. KINGDOM STOP CONVEY FAMILY MOST TENDER The health of this courageous servant of the SYMPATHIES ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS Almighty had weakened through hardship, ALL COMMUNITIES BAHAI WORLD BEFITTING self-denial, and the rigours of his travels, and GATHERINGS MOTHER TEMPLES. although he had the bounty of witnessing, in Universnl House of Ju.rtice April, 1963 the election of the first Universal House of Justice, the crowning of the Ten Nusa Banani was born into a Jewish family Year Crusade, and of participating in the in Baghdad in 1886. He was four years old when World Congress in London, his travels be- his father died. The years of extreme hardship came shorter and less frequent after these and physical and emotional privation that events. Increasingly he retired to his home and followed were only partially relieved by the care study. In 1965 he wrote What is the Bahci'i and compassion of an elder brother. He left Religion ? following in 1966 with The Bahci'i home and migrated to Persia when he was Reliever and the Baha'i Community. barely twelve. The grim struggle for existence Hermann Grossmann's separation from this left him no opportunity for schooling. To the perishable world was harmonious, though not end of his life he could only read and write without physical discomfort. On July 7,1968 hls Persian and Arabic in the Hebrew alphabet that soul was removed from the world's bustle and he was taught as a small child. lifted to the invisible realm of peace and joy. In Persia his elder brother came into contact The life span of a human being has been with the BahB'is and accepted the Faith, but described by Baha'u'llah as shorter than a Musa Banririi had no interest in his brother's breath; it is little more than a deep breath taken spiritual concerns. In 1911 he was living as a before advancing to the eternal life beyond. merchant in the Persian city of Kirmanaah, The breath is the symbol of life, the centre of when an event occurred that was to transform our earthly corppreal existence, the symbol of his life. A prominent Baha'i teacher, Fadil the receipt and bestowal of gifts. The life of Mazandarani, accompanied by Siyyid "bdu'l- Hermann Grossmann was rich in fulfilment; Husayn Ardistani, passed through the town he received and gave generously of the gifts of on a mission by 'Abdu'l-Baha. At a BahB'i the spirit. gathering they were photographed with mem- We have all been richly endowed, we who are bers of the Kirni&ns_h_ah conirnunity, including permitted to live in this New Day whose advent Musa Banani's older brother. Shortly afterthe Great Ones of the past longed to witness. wards the two BahB'i teachers were arrested Let us be found worthy in passing on to others and maltreated. The photograph was used by the Message of Baha'u'llah, the greatest gift. the authorities to round up the BahB'is and ADLEBERT M~~HLSCHLEGEL force then1 to recant their faith. M6sa Banani T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Guardian, an experience which created an intense flame of love and loyalty that melted and fused the essence of M6sa Banani's being. His devotion to Shoghi Effendi remained the hallmark of his character to the end of his life. The Guardian, in turn, perceived the simplicity, directness, unbounded energy, and spiritual potential of Musi Banani and nurtured these qualities by showering a joyful love upon him. Even at that stage the Guardian told a group of pilgrims that Musa Banani "is one equal to a thousand". Some could not understand why the Guardian spoke so glowingly of an unlettered man. In Persia he was able to channel his active and decisive temperament in service to the Faith. His work as a member of the national committee charged with the responsibility of identifying and acquiring historic sites associated with the Cause culminated in the purchase and subsequent restoration of the House where BahB'u'llah was born in Tihran. In 1950, soon after Shoghi Effendi raised the Musa Banani call for the opening of Africa to the Faith, Musk Banani made the most decisive move of was mistakenly arrested for his brother due to his life. Although his enterprise and activity had their physical resemblance. In the prison he made him a man of considerable means, he put witnessed the radiant and heroic refusal of his an abrupt end to all his business concerns and cell-mate, Mr. Abrir, a frail old man, to recant left Persia. Together with his wife, Samihih, his his Faith despite cruel torture. But Musa daughter, Violette, his son-in-law, 'Ali N a u - Banini was glad to obtain his own release by javani, and his grand-daughter, Bahiyyih, he telling the authorities that he was not a believer pioneered to Africa in 1951 and settled in and reviling the faith of Baha'is. From that Kampala, Uganda, a country hitherto unmoment, Musa Banani was seized by a pro- opened to the Bah2iFaith.l found spiritual convulsion, a tumult of the soul. If the nature of Musa Banani's services in He reproached himself bitterly for having Africa could be summed up it would be best glibly denounced a Faith of which he knew so expressed as "instant, exact and complete little. His efforts to dispel his ignorance of the obedience" to the wishes of Shoghi Effendi. Cause led to his becoming a BahB'i. It was his confident, exuberant, unhesitating The transformation of his life and values and instantaneous fulfilment of the Guardian's was so complete as to amaze many of his instructions that brought great joy to Shoghi associates. One of his earliest resolves after Effendi and caused him to speak so lovingly of accepting the Faith was to marry only a M6sa Banani to those around him. In 1952, BahB'i girl so that his children would be brought when he made his second pilgrimage, the up firmly in the Faith. Ironically, several years teaching effort in Africa was already bearing later when he married, he recognized his father- fruit. It was an exciting period in the developin-law to be Siyyid 'Abdu'l-Husayn Ardistkni, ment of the Cause and a joyous reunion the same Baha'i teacher whose visit to Kirman- occurred. Daily the beloved Guardian would &ah in 191 1 had set off the chain of events that give him specific and detailed instructions for led to his acceptance of the BahB'i Teachings. the successive stages of expansion and consoli- In 1934 M6sa Banani made his first pil- dation of the Faith in Africa. But not until the grimage to the Holy Land. Twenty-six days Messages to the Bahd'i World, 1950-1957, Shoghi were spent in the presence of the beloved Effendi; p. 26. I N MEMORIAM 423 Bananis took leave of the Guardian on the inspiring example of the triumph of the spirit final day of their pilgrimage did he tell them over every earthly limitation. He had made a that he had already announced to the Bahfi'i fortune and raised a BahB'i family earlier; now world the appointment of Mush Banani as a he had spent most of his material substance in Hand of the Cause of G0d.l True to his un- the crowning nineteen years of his life opening assuming nature and with characteristic a continent to the Faith and adding thousands directness, Musa Banani protested: "I am not to the Baha'i family of the world. He was able worthy. I cannot read or write. My tongue is to look back upon his life with aprofound sense not eloquent. Give this mantle to 'Ali Na&- of humility and gratitude. He felt that God had javani who is doing the lion's share of teaching been extremely generous to him. Baha'u'llah in Africa." But the Guardian replied: "It had given him everything in this life that he had is your arising that has conquered the con- ever wished for, and he was given the opportinent. 'Ali's turn will come." tunity to give it back to Him. His death in The years of intense activity that followed Kampala on September 4, 1971, and his inwitnessed the true spiritual conquest of Africa, terment in his favourite spot in the soil of Africa, the building of the Mother Temple of that con- within the shadow of the Mother Temple of tinent and the establishment of an expanding that continent, was the generous fulfilment of number of Regional and National Spiritual his last wish. Assemblies. At all times Musa Banani was able A M ~BAN N AN^ to communicate to others his sense of urgency and totality of effort. In the spring of 1954 the Guardian instructed him by cable to purchase a site for the Mother Temple of A f r i ~ a . ~ AGNES BALDWIN ALEXANDER Although he had just undergone eye surgery of a serious nature requiring intensive post- 1875-1971 operative care and rest, Musa Banani inter- At this time, in the island of Hawaii, rupted his period of recuperation, launched through the efforts of Miss Alexander, a and personally led a search, and within the number of souls have reached the shore of the week was able to cable Shoghi Effendi that the sea of faith! Consider ye, what happiness, site had been selected and purchased, news what joy is this! I declare by the Lord of which the Guardian was able to share with the Hosts that had this respected daughter BahB'i world in his message of May 4, 1954.3 founded an empire, that empire would not The passing of the Guardian in 1957 was an have been so great! For this sovereignty is irremediable personal blow for him, but it made eternal sovereignty and thisglory is everlasting himdoublyresolutein fulfillingshoghi Effendi's glory. plans. Baha'is who came into contact with him 'Abdu'l-Baha, were deeply impressed with his simple and Tablets of the Divine Plan, pp. 13-14 elemental spiritual strength. During the last ten years of his life when he was increasingly In the ~ithb-i-jqcin,Bahfi'u'llah makes the cut down by physical suffering-sustaining statement that were anyone to reach the staparalysis of one side of his body, amputation tion of the True Seeker, he would inhale at a of a leg and the loss of sight in one eye-the distance of a thousand leagues the ,fragrance of radiant quality of his faith overwhelmed and God, and would perceive the resplendent morn conquered all. When he could no longer move of a divine Guidance rising above the dayspring about, his daily prayers were offered for those of all things. Many more than a thousand Baha'i communities which were experiencing leagues away from 'Akka, the abode of the distress. Blessed Perfection, a little girl in far-off He was, at the end of his earthly life, a truly Hawaii dreamed of serving Christ, but in her own words: "His life seemed far away from Messages to tl~eBahd'i World, 1950-1957, Shoghi me, and I always felt that something was Effendi; p. 21. Kampala, Uganda; dedicated to public worship lacking, that I had never been reborn." If ever Januarv 15.1961. a child was blessed with a brilliant and noble ~ e s s a i e sio the Bahd'i World, 1950-1957, Shoghi Effendi;p. 67. heritage it was this little girl, Agnes Baldwin 424 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Alexander, destined herself to become a star even more illustrious than any of her famous forebears. Agnes's grandparents on her mother's side were the Rev. and Mrs. Dwight Baldwin who sailed from New Bedford, Massachusetts, with the fourth company or"missionariessent by the Anierican Board of Missions in 1831. "My dear mother," Agnes would say, "was born in a a grass house." On her father's side, her grandparents were the Rev. and Mrs. William Patterson Alexander, who arrived in the Hawaiian Islands in 1832 after a voyage of 186 days. One need only read James Michener's Hawaii to realize what hardships these newlywedded servants of Christ were forced to endure on the decrep~t,overloaded whaling ship of that era. Though of delicate physique and gentle and timid by nature, Agnes was nevertheless to fall full heir to the courage of her ancestors. From childhood there was a special quality about her which her father recognized as unique; and possibly this insight led to his sending her Agnes Baldwin Alexander abroad on a trip which was to change her whole life and bring to the Hawaiian lsla~ldsthe light listening with rapt attention as she recounted of a new Faith. the tale of her strange fascination for an un- Agnes was born in Honolulu, on July 21, known woman and her daughters. Shy as she 1875. But her real life, as she saw it, did not was, she nevertheless stared at them until she begin until she was reborn as a follower of was ashamed, for they exuded a radiant Bahk'u'llah. "Until one has been awakened by happiness. At l st, unable any longer to bear the Breath of the Holy Spirit, one is asleep," the suspense she actuaiiy accosted Mrs. Dixon she said, "for the only reality is that of the and asked to know the secret of their joy. spirit. For twenty-five years I was asleep." Mrs. Dixon had just returned to Europe In 1900 it was most unusual for a young lady after a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but that of Agnes's gentle birth, and of her then timid evening as she talked to Agnes she made no nature, to travel alone across oceans and con- allusion to the a.dvent of a Promised One, tinents, and indeed her father had not intended What exactly she did say, we do not now know, it that way when he suggested that she accom- but her words touched Agnes's heart and caused pany some friends who were going to Europe. the tears to flow. In those early days the But as Agnes said later, her father unwittingly Message was seldom given directly; however, guided her to the light of a New Day, and God Mrs. Dixon gave Agnes a handwritten copy of prepared her for her future role in His service a Baha'i prayer. In Agnes's words it 'knswered when she was unexpectedly forced to cross the all the longings" of her heart. Atlantic alone. She was PI^ route to Rome when Three days elapsed before Agnes discovered suddenly she felt that she was nearing her goal. the truth. On the evening of the third day after Indeed she was, though as yet she could not meeting Mrs. Dixon, she setired to her room, analyse such an intuition. but was unable to sleep; and then, in what she The story of her meeting with Mrs. Charlotte described as neither a dream nor a vision, Dixon and her two daughters in a pension in she became overwhelmingly aware that Christ Rome is one which Agnes never tired of telling, had returned to earth. In the morning upon nor anyone ever tire of hearing: one can see encountering Mrs. Dixon she joyously ex- Agnes surrounded by friends with awed faces claimed 'Thrist is on this earth!" Mrs. Dixon I N MEMO R I A M 425 replied, "Yes, I can see by your face that you erudite Persian scholar who was sent by know it." "bdu'l-BahB to Europe and to America to Agnes was to say later, when mass teaching deepen the knowledge of the friends. became widespread, that immediate acceptance One of the most memorable rrioments in her of the Baha'i Message was not a mystery to her; entire life was the meeting with May Ellis that her own instantaneous recognition was a Bolles, author of that irresistibly beautiful "gift" to her from God. Without books, letter which had drawn her to Paris. Though without being taught, she had recognized her May herself was but a young girl at the time, Lord. Just. three shining faces in a Romarn she was to Agnes, as to many others, a "spiripension, a little handwritten prayer, an,d the tual mother". The love she showered upon her true seeker had found her spiritual home. "little girl", her "tender little bird", was, as As with many other Bahk'is, Agnes's first described by 'Abdu'l-Bahk, "divine". As Agnes test came as a result of over-enthusiasm. One sailed away from Europe, May wrote that her Sunday morning a.fter attending church with tender little bird had flown the nest of its some relatives she approached the pastor, cer- mother and was now to become a divine bird tain that he would be astounded and grateful to seeking "her eternal nest in His Bosom". know of Christ's return. He, however, drew One of the most striiing things about Agnes her into his study and proceeded to enlighten was her complete submission to the Will of her from the Bible as to her "folly". The timid God. Anyone who knew her would soon beyoung lady, slim and deliate with golden hair come aware of her complete reliance on what and blue eyes, appeared to be thoroughly she called her "'guidance" and her unqualified worsted, for she could not answer. Though obedience to it once she had prayed for and from childhood she and her family had prayed received it. She was so fully confident in the and read the Bible together, she had never outpouring of guidance that would come as a really understood the Holy Book. But here tha.t result of earnest prayer, that she never worried extraordinary steadfastness, that absolute and about the consequences of foilowing it, never unwavering certitude which was to characterize wavered in the face of opposition to it, never her forevermore, came into play. Agnes knew questioned or doubted or rebelled against it. in her innermost being that BahB'u'llah was the Many who tried beforehand to get a decisive Promised One. Accordingly, she bought her- answer from Agnes would be frustrated by her self a Bible and for the next three months reply ,'"If it is God's plan." But the moment she immersed herself in its contents, beconling received what she felt was guidance in answer delighted and exhilarated as proof after proof to her prayer, the action was decisive. All of the New Revelation unfolded themselves through her life Agnes's sensitivity to the to her eyes. She still had the one prayer that Divine Will was to be confirmed by messages Mrs. Dixon had given her and the later gift of or cables from both the Master and the beloved a copy of Hidden Words. Now she yearned to Guardian; it may have seemed uncanny to meet and talk with others who shared her others, but to Agnes it was routine. beliefs and her joy. Mrs. Uixon had also given Agnes had made her declaration of belief on her some addresses of other Babii'is. One of November 26, 1908, and had written her letter these, the nearest, was rue de Bac in Paris. of acceptance to 'Abdu'l-Baha. Now, seven Agnes wrote, asking for more information months later in Paris she fell that the time had about. her wonderful.new-found.Fait1.1.She was come to return to her homeland and proclaim in Milan when she received a loving letter of the Faith to the people of the E1awaiia.n welcome from May Ellis Bolles, later to be- Islands. Her belongings were already packed come May Maxwell, wife of the Wand of the and she was to leave for London the next Cause WilliamSutherland Maxwell,andmother morning when a messenger arrived with a Tabof Amatu'l-Baha R6hiyyih manurn. Agnes let for her from the Master in which He adreadied herself and set out alone for that monished her to be like a divine bird, return to enchanted spot where so many of the early IIa.waii, spread the wings of sanctity over the French, English and American believers were island, warble melodies in praise of God, wont to gather in Paris. There, too, she met gla.dden thereby the Supreme Concourse, MirzA Abu'l-FaQ1, that gentle, humble and cause seeking souls to be attracted as moths to a lighted lamp, and be the means of making decided that it was time to teach the Faith in Hawaii illumined by the Light of God. other parts of the world, but first she would Agnes arrived in Honolulu on December 26, visit her "spiritual mother" in Montreal. May 1901, the first BahB'f to set foot on Hawaiian Bolles was now May Maxwell, and Agnes spent soil. Two generations after the Baldwins and a blissful month at the Maxwell home before Alexanders arose to establish Christianity in going on to spend the winter in New York. In what were then known as the Sandwich Isles, that period she received a Tablet from 'Abdu'ltheir descendant carried to those shores and Bahk encouraging her to travel to Japan and firmly planted the banner of Baha'u'llLh. What promising an outpouring of divine confirmapoignant thoughts must have stirred within tions. The Tablet was dated October 13, 1913, her ! and had been written just as Agnes was leaving There was such a great difference in Agnes's the Hawaiian Islands. Now she knew why she general demeanour that her father said the trip had been studying the culture of Japan. had been her "salvation", and though word had She planned to journey to Japan by way of gone round that she had taken up some "weird Italy where she had relatives, and hoped to cult," her sister said that if it made Agnes happy visit the Holy Land en route to the orient, but it must have some value. In Paris, when some- she was delayed in Switzerland by the outbreak one had asked whether Agnes was a Baha'i, of World War I. In August, 1914, another another had simply said, "Look at her face!" Tablet from the Master reached her urging her But the change in her did not impel any of her to proceed directly to Japan, thence to India, immediate family to investigate the source of and to the Holy Land, but making clear that her happiness. Agnes realized that she would the choice must be hers. It is not difficult to have to demonstrate in her life the power of imagine how much Agnes longed to meet the the Faith to bring happiness and certitude to Object of her devotion. Ever since those first seeking souls. wonderful days when the pilgrims from For twelve years Agnes remained in Hawaii. 'Akka returned to Paris filled with an over- In her published memoirs, Personal Recollec- flowing love for the Master she had realized tions of a Baha'i Life in the Hawaiian Islands, that no spot on earth was so like heaven. But she describes in detail the progress made in totally in keeping with her characteristic those early years, relating the story of Clarence unquestioning obedience to His slightest wish, Hobron Smith, another scion of missionary Agnes went directly to Japan. As though profamilies of Hawaii who was the second from tected by guardian angels she sailed safely the Islands to accept Baha'u'llLh; of Elizabeth through the perilous waters where so many Muther, the famous "Uttie" of Loulie Mat- other vessels had been bombed and sunk, hew's Not Every Sea Hath Pearls; of Dr. arriving in Japan in 1914. For the next twenty- George Augur, one of 'Abdu'l-BahB's nineteen three years, although she made many trips home di~ciples,~ and Mrs. Augur, both of whom were to Hawaii and to other parts of the Far East, among the first believers in Hawaii and also Agnes made her base in Japan. 'Abdu'l-Baha's among the first to take the Faith to Japan; and appreciation of Agnes's exemplary service is of Kanichi Yamamoto, the first Japanese in contained in His Tablets of the Divine Plan, the world to accept the Faith. written about two years after her arrival in During this period, obeying as usual the Japan. He wrote in the Tablet dated April 11, voice of inspiration, Agnes had started to make 1916: a study of Japan and its culture. With many Consider ye, that Miss Agnes Alexander, Japanese living in the Islands it was perhaps the daughter of the Kingdom, the beloved not unusual that one with an active inquiring maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection, tramind should begin such a study, but Agnes felt velled alone to Hawaii . . . and now she is it was another step preparing her for her role gaining spiritual victories in Japan! Reflect in life. In the spring of 1913 both her beloved ye how this daughter was confirn~edin the parents passed away, her sister sailed for Hawaiian Islands. She became the cause of California, and the loving, close-knit family theguidance oj'agathering ofpeople. (p. 13) unity was at an end. Agnes was alone. Now she See The Bahci'i World, vol. IV,pp. 118-1 19. The Tablet contains a further reference to I N MEMORIAM 427 Agnes-the words cited at the opening of this and activities for the promotion of the Cause of memoir. God. I feel that your destiny lies in that far-off In 1921, Agnes spent one month in Korea; and promising country where your noble and she was the first Baha'i to teach the Faith in that pioneer services future generations will becountry. She wrote of that period: "During fittingly glorify and thankfully remember. the month spent in Seoul, God's power had M,ay the Beloved remove every obstacle from been triumphant. All doors had been opened. your path and enable you to resume your active Japanese and Koreans, both Buddhist and work in that land." Christians, had heard the Baha'i Message and In 1937, Agnes again left Japan, this time to were now free to search themselves. It could attain her heart's desire. She was permitted to not be said they had been forgotten in God's make her pilgrimage to the Holy Land, at long great plan for the New Day." Through Agnes, last to meet her beloved Shoghi Effendi. To many of the young Koreans were inspired to him she tendered that same love and devotion write to 'Abdu'l-Baha brief but very sincere she had previously lavished upon his Grandexpressions of appreciation for the Faith. father; and he, on his part, appreciated her These she sent to the Master on September 19, unceasing labours in the path of God no less 1921, on her return to Tokyo. The answer than had 'Abdu'l-Baha. which He penned to those "heavenly sons" The active role of Japan in World War I1 came in February of 1922, more than two prevented her return to that country until 1950. months after His passing. Agnes was never to Chronologically, Agnes was now growing old. see her Lord on this plane of existence. She had already served the Faith for fifty years, In 1924, Agnes accompanied Martha Root yet she was as enthusiastic as ever, possessing to China where they spoke of the Baha'i Faith a childlike quality of innocence and delight that to Sun Yat Sen, the "George Washington of seemedat timesas though it should beatvariance China", and presented him with two books. with those other qualities which enabled her While they were in China these two remarkable to be the "founder" of a spiritual "empire". ladies contacted many people of prominence At fifty-four years of age she had climbed and spoke at a boys school near Peking. Mount Fuji with a band of Buddhist pilgrims; In the course of her travels, Agnes visited at eighty-five, on one of her jaunts to the Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the Philippines, she accompanied Jack Davis to United States, Canada and Europe. She pro- the mountains of Luzon where she had to ride claimed the Faith widely on these trips among for two hours in a jeep bumping along corrupeople of capacity and prestige, and she often gated roads and then ford a stream. Three used her knowledge of Esperanto to make times over the years she went from cell to cell contacts. She attended conferences on religion, in the National Prison of Manila, teaching and meetings of such organizations as the Institute giving solace to hundreds of prisoners, even of Pacific Relations, gave talks at schools, those in murderers' row. Her reason? Because universities, branches of the Young Men's Baha'u'llah had been a prisoner. Christian Association, and was a genius at I first heard from Agnes shortly after we obtaining publicity for the Faith in the media were both appointed to the Auxiliary Board for of mass communication. Asia in 1954. To me, as to other pioneers in the While on one of her excursions out of Japan area, she sent loving little notes on flowered in 1927 she received a letter from Dr. Shiroshi, paper and often enclosed excerpts from the Dean of Tokyo Imperial University, which letters of famous long-gone Baha'is, or quoreflects the attitude of the Japanese toward this tations from the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha and great lady: "As our steamer nears Yokohama, letters of the Guardian. Her notes expressed Fuji San is in sight. This is the symbol of our her perfectly, for she was forever saying that welcome to you! Come to Japan." one must never worry, but must always trust On January 10, 1928, in obedience to an in God and then everything would turn out appeal from Shoghi Effendi, she again set sail right. In one of her letters she commented on for Japan. The Guardian wrote: "I long to the joy she found in serving the beloved hear of your determination to return to Japan Guardian under the loving guidance of the and pick up the thread of your unsparing efforts Hands of the Cause in Asia, not realizing that 428 TIHE B A H A ' ' I W O R L D
she would Ilcrself be elevated to the rank of Not very long after Agnes's return to Tokjiij Hand of the Cause on March 27, 1957. With in 1950 she rnoved from Tokyo to K.yoto. typical modesty, she wrote, in a letter to the Always modest and unassuming, she lived at BahB'is of the Pacific: "As you probably first in a tiny room, then moved to an ainlost know, the beloved Guardian in one of his equally tiny apartment, She cooked and served cables, gave me the assignment, after the meals to her guests in a kitchen no larger than a passing of George Townshend : closet, and ofien on trips to Tokyo would astonish visitors to her room by opening up a AGNES ALEXANDER DISTINGUISHED PIONEER large suitcase filled with pots, paas, dishes and FAITH ELEVATED RANK HAND CAUSE CON- a hotplate and proceeding to cook them a FIDEN'T APPOINTMENT WIL.1, SPIKITlJALLY meal. She had no financial worries, but she REINFORCE TEACHING CAMPAIGN IWRTH expended her resources on the Faith and others; SOUTH HEART PACIFIC OCEAN, on herself, she expended as little as possible. 1 have only quoted this that you might know No matter how far afield she travelled, the responsibility that our beloved Guardian Hawaii was always "home". She loved the has given me and that I may have your prayers Islands and the people and was thrilled when that as one soul in many bodies we inay all told by the beloved Guardian, at the height of work for the one great purpose in life." the mass teaching successes in Africa: that now Agnes received approximately one hundred was the time for the brown race to outstrip the letters from Shoghi Effendi. In one of them, black. written during the early years of the Cuardian- When the National Spiritual Assembly of ship, he asked her to deepen the understanding the Hawaiian Islands was formed in 1964, of the friends in America in relation to the Agnes attended that first convention as the Covenant. She went from centre to centre, and representative of the Universal House of also to Geysrrville Summer School, stressing Justice. Exciting as the event was to all those the Covenant and The Frill and Testament of present, there was none more proud and happy, 'Abdu'l'Baha. Thus she was responsible for none who could appreciate the miracle of that helping many to bridge the period of trarrsition moment more fully than that devoted servant frorrn the Heroic Age to the Formative Age. who, sixty-two years before, had brought back Her total dedication was given successively to to her horneland the precious gift of a new 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Univer- Light; arid who had, letter by letter, kept her sal House of Justice. beloved Master advised that now there were Like the waves of the sea, Agnes was always two BahB'is, now three, now four and five, and in motion. Typical of many of her letters to finally enough believers for a Spiritual Assernthe friends is the following: "'In January I had bly. How rewarding it must have been for her the great bounty to accompany our beloved to look out at the sea of faces, all her children. BahB'is, Mr. and blrs. Torii, to the Island How much progress had been made since those of Shikoku where as yet no BahB'i had been. first days when she, Clarence Smith, and Mr. Torii is visiting the schools for the blind Elizabeth Muther, having no place to meet, arid also blind associations of Japan . . . Every- would go on Saturday afternoons by trolley where I was permitted to speak. of o m glorious car up to Pacific Heights, there to read praj Faith. It was a wonderful week spent on that and to share their Tablets froin the Master. island! Returning, I came to Hiroshima where Following the first National Conventioi~in last year I was twice. Here 1 will have been a Hawaii, Agnes returned to her post in Japan. month when I return to Kyoto in a few days. Once someone asked her when she would leave It has all been glorious and nowhere has there Japan. Opening her eyes very wide she replied: been prejudice shown . . . I feel an especial "Why, dearie, 'Abdu'l-Baha told Ine to go to love for these people. . . Our beloved Guardian Japan. He never told me to leave it !" wrote that the people of this city who had Altogether, she spent thirty-two years in suffered so cruelly had a right to hear of the Japan. She was well aware of its great destiny. teachings of Bah2uyllahfor peace and brother- Again arid again, Shoghi Effendi had enhood, so you can imagine 1 feel a deep interest couraged her in her efforts and assured her and love here." that her own destiny was irrevocably bound AORIAM 429 up with that land. She remembered 'Abdu'l- only a positive assurance that God had a pur- Baha's prophecies concer~iirrg Japan and pose in corifining her to a Tokyo hospital for cherished that first letter written by the young two years. To Mrs. Barbara Sirns, one of those Guardian to the Japanese Bahi'is, dated who kept a close and loving vigil over her January 26, 1922: "Despondent and sorrowful during those years, she said, "Dearie, nothing though I be in these darksome days?yet when- happens by chance." To another friend she ever I call to mind the hopes oerr departed commented: "It is my great hope and prayer Master so confidently reposed in the friends that through this accident the hearts of all the in that Far-Eastern land, hope revives within Bahi'is in all Japan shall be so united and love nre and drives away the gloom of His bereave-' each other with such a deep love, it will be felt rnent . . . 1 recall so vividly the radiant joy that by all those around us. Then will the words of transfigrrred His Face whenever 1 opened be- the Master be fulfilled, that Japan will turn fore Him your supplications as well as those of ablaze." How deeply she understood the Miss Agnes Alexander. What promises he gave mystery of sacrifice! us all regarding the future of the Cause in that Agnes had said that 'Abd~r'l-Bahahad never land at the close of almost every supplication told her to leave Japarr. But in 1967, after two I read to Him! L.et me state . . . the most years in hospital, still unable to walk arid, now emphatic, the most illspiring of them all. unable to write, she looked homeward toward These are His very words, that still keep ringing IHawaii. She who, with never a thougilt for her in my ears: 'Japan will turn ablaze! Japan is own will had always operated on the guidance endowed with a most remarkable capacity for she sought in prayer, now knew that she could the spread of the Cause of God! . . .' On come back to the Islands. A place had been another occasion-'low vividly I recall it!- prepared for her, almost across the street from as He reclined on His chair, with eyes closed where her childhood home had once stood. with bodily fatigue, He waved His hand and She was now ninety-two years old and very uttered vigorously and cheerfully these words fragile. Her memory was failing and she was in the presence of His friends: 'Here we are aware of it. Her mission and her life were both seated calm, quiet and inactive, but the Hand drawing to an end. Despite the urging of of the Unseen is ever active and triumphant friends who felt she could not withstand the in lands, even as distant as Japan !' " journey, Agnes was adamant. With a helper 'The busy years passed. Just how full they she returned to Kyoto, disposed of her books were is best realized through reading her own and trunks full of writings and relics, rnernenhistory of the Catae in Japan, written at the tos of a Baha'i life truly lived to its fullest and, request of the Guardian. Agnes witnessed the to the delight of the Hawaiian believers, canie formation of the National Spiritual Assen~bly honle. of the Bal~A'isof North East Asia, in 1957, It is not possible to convey to anyone who with its seat in Tokyo, and was a member of did not know her the strength of character that body from 1957 to 1963. During those possessed by Agnes-her extraordinary coursame years she travelled back and forth from age, her complete selflessness, the supreme the Holy Idand attending the meetings of the degree of renunciation apparent in all her Hands of the Cause, sharing with thern the actions, and her unshakeable faith. Slre was a grief occasior~edby the unexpected passing of willii~gand loving thrall of the Cause, and in the beloved Guardian and the equally unexpec- her bondage she was as free as that "divine ted responsibility of carrying forward the work bird" 'Abdu'l-Baha had asked her to be. She of the Ten Year Crusade without his living was, through the years, so often alone, yet she presence. She witnessed the glorious culmina- was never lonely; she exernplified that phrase tion of those five years in the formation of the from one of the prayers, . . . lave for Thee is Universal House of Justice in 1963, and m y con7panion. A thread of joy runs through attended the World Congress in London. In her nrany letters to pioneers and friends, arid 1965, when slhe was about to attend the World she would often look up and say, "but, my dear, Congress of Esperantists in Tokyo, she fell I arn so happy !" and broke her hip. She was never again to walk Agnes slipped away quietly to the Abha alone. Still, there was no word of complaint, Kingdom on January 1, 1971. She is buried 430 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
only a few miles distant from the illustrious Masih heard about the illustrious Tahirihl Martha Root, her fellow Hand- of the Cause. and hastened to meet her. After listening to her On January 4, 1971, the following cable was discourse he was overwhelmed with admirasent to the Baha'is of the world by the Universal tion and wonder and openly exclaimed: "Not House of Justice: amongst women nor even amongst men have I ever seen such an erudite person; she is PROFOUNDLY GRIEVE PASSING lLLUMINED unique in knowledge, wisdom and eloquence." SOUL HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER LONG- He could not ignore the interest she had STANDING PILLAR CAUSE FAR EAST FIRST awakened and day and night he searched and BRING FAITH HAWAIIAN ISLANDS STOP HER investigated, desiring to discover and under- LONG DEDICATED EXEMPLARY LIFE SERVICE stand the source of power and inspiration on DEVOTION CAUSE GOD ANTICIPATED BY which this unusual and noble woman drew. CENTRE COVENANT SELECTING HER SHARE The opportunity to further his understanding MAY MAXWELL IMPERISHABLE HONOUR MEN- arose when he was summoned to a prison in TION TABLETS DIVINE PLAN STOP HER UNRES- Tihran to attend the sick child of one of the TRAINED UNCEASING PURSUIT TEACHING believers who had been imprisoned for his OBEDIENCE COMMAND BAHAULLAH EXHOR- faith. Even after the child's complete recovery TATIONS MASTER GUIDANCE BELOVED GUAR- he would visit the prison to meet the father and DIAN SHINING EXAMPLE ALL FOLLOWERS son, chained and living under the most cruel FAITH STOP HER PASSING SEVERS ONE MORE conditions. Often he preferred to spend hours LINK HEROIC AGE STOP ASSURE FAMILY in the presence of Ismu'llah, the imprisoned FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS HOLIEST SHRINE believer, and neglected his clinic. The explana- PROGRESS RADIANT SOUL REQUEST ALL NAT- tions that were given in answer to his sincere IONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES HOLD MEMORIAL questions were accepted with the utmost love MEETINGS AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE HOLD and reverence, and he became the first Jew in SERVICES MOTHER TEMPLES. the world to embrace the Cause. When news of It seems fitting to close this account of Agnes his acceptance reached BahB'u'llah a Tablet Alexander's life with a paragraph from the was revealed by the Exalted Pen in honour of chapter called "The Awakening" in her Hakim Masih. This was followed by other memoirs of the Faith in Hawaii: Tablets which are unfortunately now lost to us, "As I take my pen to write, my thoughts are the paper having deteriorated through being of you, the yet unborn workers in His Cause, hidden underground by the wife of Hakim you who in future times will inherit whatever Masih to avoid the persecution that would we of the Apostolic and Formative Ages have have resulted from their being found in the accomplished, you who will usher in the family's possession. Golden Age, the Kingdom of God, the New Hakim Masih had only one son, Hakim World Order." Sulayman, whose youngest child was Lutfu- ELENAMARIA MARSELLA'11ah Hakim. When his father and mother passed away, his elder brother, Dr. Arastu -Khan, took him under his care and protection. Lutfu'llah grew to be a very sincere and staunch DR . LUTFU'LLAH H A K ~ M BahB'i. In 1910 he went to England to study physio- 1888-1968 therapy. During his studies he wrote frequently Lutfu'llah Hakim was born into a family of to 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land constantly distinguished Jewish medical doctors, his expressing his deep longing to consecrate his great-grandfather and his grandfather having life to His service. When 'Abdu'l-Baha reached served as physicians at the court of the Shahs of London on September 4, 1911, at the outset of Persia. His historic journey to the West, He found Hakim Masih, the grandfather of Lutfu- "The Pure One", noblest of her sex and outstanding 'Ilah Hakim, accompanied Muhammad &ah heroine ofthe Babi Dispensation; only woman among as court physician on his pilgrimage to Karbila, the Letters of the Living, and the first woman suffrage martyr. Born Qazvin, 1817-1818; put to death 'Iraq. While stopping in Ba&dad, Hakim Tihran, August, 1852. IN MEMORIAM 43 1 relay messages through Lutfu'llih Hakim. In one moving Tablet 'Abdu'l-Baha assured Lutfu'llah that he was never forgotten and prayed that he would receive fresh confirmation every moment of his life. At a time when 'Abdu'l-Baha was saddened by the publication in Europe of some books attacking the Faith, Lutfu'llih gladdened His heart by writing Him about an ardent new adherent of the Cause in England, Dr. John E. Esslemont,l and said that "this noble soul is studying the Faith with love and enthusiasm and desires to write a book about it to help the ready souls to reach the fountainhead of love and faith." Soon after that the promise given him by his beloved 'Abdu'l-Baha was fulfilled and he was called to Haifa to serve the Cause at its World Centre. In The Priceless Pearl, pages 31-32, Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m relates that "Shoghi Effendi was still little more than a boy in 1920 when 'Abdu'l-BahA sent him abroad for his studies, in the company of Lutfu'llah Dr. Luiju'lkih Hakini Hakim who was returning to England . . ." and at the Master's insistence Shoghi Effendi, Lutfu'llah Hakin1 amongst the friends who had who had exhausted himself in the service of gathered to greet Him. Thereafter, Lutfu'llah 'Abdu'l-Baha and needed rest and recuperawas constantly in attendance on his beloved tion, "took the rest that had been enjoined upon Master. Before 'Abdu'l-Bahk left London, He him in a sanatorium in Neuilly, a suburb of told him, "Mirza Lutfu'llah, I will call you to Paris", and after a stay of about two months Haifa." At the request of 'Abdu'l-Baha he "then proceeded to England in July". visited Germany to serve as assistant and Lutfu'llah was in Haifa when 'Abdu'l-Baha translator for an outstanding Persian Baha'i passed away on November 28, 1921, and his teacher who was serving the Cause in that services during that poignant period of sorrow country. From Germany Lutfu'llah wrote to were so loyal, painstaking and steadfast that in 'Abdu'l-Baha saying: "In this trip I discovered later years Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the three things: first, the love which BahB'u'llah Baha'i Faith, expressed his admiration of the has created in many hearts; second, now I vigilance and devotion of Lutfu'llah Hakim. understand what it means to be a BahB'i and After the passing of the Master, Lutfu'llah I believe in this Faith more than ever; third, remained in Haifa and was one of those who after meeting the beloved Master, this trip gave with shattered hearts greeted the grief-stricken me the greatest joy. I was not worthy of so young grandson of 'Abdu'l-Baha upon whose many bounties. It is all due to the Master's shoulders had fallen such a heavy burden. He abundant kindness and love showered upon writes: "When we received the news of the me. I supplicate the Lord that whatever I do arrival of Shoghi Effendi from London, we all in my life will meet with Your pleasure." hastened to the station. When the Guardian The remainder of Dr. Hakim's life was spent saw the friends who were there to receive him, in the service of the Cause, his sole aim being he greeted them with such a sorrow-stricken to follow the path of servitude with determina- voice that all trembled with sadness." Lutfution and detachment. He protected the friends '11ah assuaged his own grief through seeking to like a brother from many tests and was often a link between the Master and the friends in Appointed posthumously a Hand of the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi, November 22, 1925; author of England to whom 'Abdu'l-Bahi would often Baha'u'llah and the New Era. 432 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
serve and bring happiness to the tender youth- he reposed in him and the happiness he brought ful Guardian. In 1924 he returned to Persia the pilgrims. and Shoghi Effendi encouraged him to write to Lutfu'llah was in the hospital recovering him regular and informative letters. In his from serious surgery when he received the replies the beloved Guardian assured him news of the passing of Shoghi Effendi, a heartthat he would be remembered in prayers at rending blow which undoubtedly aggravated the Holy Shrines and wished him an ever- his condition and possibly contributed to the growingmeasure of success in his services to the partial paralysis with which he was thereafter Faith. afflicted. Though feeble and sorrow-stricken, In Tihran he married Bahiyyih a i n u m , the he hastened to be among those who received daughter of a well-known physician, who bore Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m when she him a son and a daughter and shared with him returned to the Holy Land crushed by the the responsibilities he carried. In this period fateful events that transpired in London in that he served as translator for, and assistant in dark November of 1957. Thereafter Lutfu'llah the clinic of, Dr. Susan I. Moody, a devoted would often ask the pilgrims to pray that his BahB'i physician who in 1910 at the request of departure from this world would be hastened. 'Abdu'l-Baha had left her home in America He lived through those remaining years of to serve the Cause in Persia.l It may be from separation from his beloved Guardian with this association that he was always called great patience and endurance. "Doctor" Hakim. One of the last acts of Shoghi Effendi's life With the Guardian's approval, he trans- had been to call for the holding of five interferred his residence in 1950 to England where continental conferences at the midway point he served the Faith and the friends with exem- of the Ten Year U70rld Crusade which triumplary loyalty. He was in England when, in phantly concluded in April, 1963. The first of 1951, the Guardian summoned him to serve these was scheduled to be held in Kampala, at the World Centre and he was later appointed Uganda in January, 1958 and he had designated to the first International Baha'i Council, Amatu'l-Baha Rdhiyyih a a n u m as his represerving as Eastern Assistant Secretary. In sentative, to be accompanied by Dr. Lutfu'llah addition he rendered valuable services to the Hakim, member of the International BahB'i eastern and western pilgrims, conducting them Council. Despite her personal grief and lack of through the Archives and escorting them to heart to attend any function of any kind, and the Shrines and Holy Places in Haifa, 'Akki despite Dr. Hakim's sorrow and the necessity of and Bahji. This was an arduous occupation using a cane when walking, they were united requiring that he cover large distances on foot in their view that they must carry out the wish several times a day, from the Shrine of the Bib of their beloved Guardian. Their appearance at to the home of the Master or to the lower area the Kampala conference was a source of joy of town, climbing the long flights of stairs, and inspiration to themany believers assembled hundreds of steps, over and over again, there. carrying messages, bringing the pilgrims to see An endearing gift of Lutfu'llah Hakim was the Guardian, assisting them to make their his capacity for relating stories of the days of travel arrangements. Indeed, perhaps it was 'Abdu'l-Bahi and the Guardian with a deep this ceaseless activity, so exhausting in itself concern for accuracy. Whenever he told a story, and rendered with such devotion, that streng- it was exactly the same as he had recounted it thened Lutfu'llah's physical constitution en- many times before; even the words would be abling him to successfully recover from a almost identical and his tone of voice would serious illness in 1957 and thus prolonging his change at special points in the narration. life until it was crowned by his being elected to Nothing would ever be altered to please his the first Universal House of Justice in 1963. listeners nor was there any personal interpre- To a nephew of Dr. Hakim who came on tation of his stories; it was sufficient for the pilgrimage Shoghi Effendi spoke of his appre- individuals to listen and learn the wisdom ciation of the sincerity of Lutfu'llah Hakim's which they conveyed. service, the effort he expended, the confidence He had a very acute sense of the history of Bahd'iNews, vol. I, pp. 3-4. the cause. He did not write history, but he DRIAM 433 collected and preserved many importailt docu- No one remembers having heard from his ments and photographs. The letters he had lips the words, "I am tired", not even in the received throughout his life were carefully years when he was bowed with age and arranged and bound together every year. The afflicted with paralysis and other ailments. numerous photographs he either took or Never did he complain. He was an eager and collected were all carefully documented, each tireless guide to those visiting the Shrines on bearing an inscription on the back-the names Mt. Carmel. Exhausted, ailing, bent with the of the people, the occasion and date. He would burden of sorrows, under winter rain or ask the pilgrims to give him a photograph of summer sun, he would always reach the doors themselves with the date, their name and pro- of the Shrines exactly at nine in the morning fession, and if applicable a note stating in which when the gardens were opened to guests. branch of the administrative or teaching work Dr. Hakim also had a charming sense of they had been active. If a pilgrim did not have a humour. One day the beloved Guardian photograph, he would request him to send it by ordered tea for pilgrims. Lutfu'llah always had mail. everything ready for the occasion. He brought He himself was a good photographer and the tea and the Guardian asked him his age. said that he had often taken pictures of He immediately replied, "Not yet twenty-one, 'Abdu'l-Baha. He enjoyed relating that one beloved Guardian." Shoghi Effendi's affecday 'Abdu'l-Baha approached him and said tionate and sweet smile was his reward. playfully: "Do not put me in this black box of Illness took its toll and his health continued yours any more; if you do, I shall slap you." to fail. In October, 1967, the Universal House of Dr. Hakim replied: "I do my work and the Justice wrote to the Baha'i world: Master will do whatever He likes." He con- "After a lifetime of devoted and selftinued to take photographs of 'Abdu'l-Baha, sacrificing service to the Cause of God Dr. but never was he slapped! Lutfu'llah Hakim has asked the Universal Amongst his valuable papers were the House of Justice to accept his resignation from memoirs of the Hand of the Cause Dr. John that Institution because his health and advan- E. Esslemont, the illustrious author of 15ahd'u'- cing age make it increasingly difficult for him to llrih and the New Era, a book written in part participate as effectively as he would wish in its through the encouragement offered by Dr. work. Hakim and the first chapters of which Lutfu- "The Universal House of Justice has regret- 'Ilah brought with him to the Holy Land for fully accepted Dr. Hakim9sresignation, but in the perusal of 'Abdu'l-Baha. view of the imminence of the next election, has Another outstanding personal quality of Dr. asked him to continue to serve as a member Hakim was his intense love for the Guardian. until that time, and Dr. Hakirn has kindly con- This mysterious power kept him alive, energetic sented to do so. and always happy. It was equalled by his loyalty "Having served the Master Himself in the which never wavered in the face of the repeated Holy Land, as well as accompanying Him attacks of the Covenant-breakers, both in the during His historic visits in England and Scotdays of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi ERendi. At land, and been intimately associated with the slightest attack or malevolent threat from Shoghi Effendi in his youth, Dr. Hakiln was the avowed enemies of the Cause, Lutfu'llah called again to the World Centre by the beloved would bristle with indignation. Undoubtedly Guardian in 1951 for important service at the this great loyalty was one of the characteristics World Centre and was later appointed to the that endeared him to both 'Abdu'l-Baha and first International Baha'i Council, of which he Shoghi Effendi and attracted to him such was the Eastern Assistant Secretary. He conunique opportunities to serve the Faith and tinued to serve on that body and then on the receive such high honours in doing so. Universal House of Justice with undiminished He would accompany the pilgrims to the devotion but with increasing difficulty during Holy Shrines, urging them to pray also for the the subsequent sixteen years, earning the love friends who were not there. His constant re- and admiration of his co-workers. . ." mark to every pilgrim was: "Appreciate every Towards the end of his life, his illness grew moment you spend here in the Holy Land." worse and he was confined to hospital. All the 434 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
nurses who tended him praised him as a saintly BahB'i Faith, in October, 1966, from a pioneer man. The day came when he asked for the to the island, Ionita embraced the Cause photograph of his grandson. He looked at it despite mounting pressure and opposition from intently, prayed for the child, kissed the por- relatives and friends who rebuked her for trait several times and peacefully took his following a "false prophet". She deeply loved flight to the Abha Kingdom. the beauty of the teachings and the prayers Amatu'l-Baha Rhhiyyih a a n u m who had and her fondest hope was to be a successful been ill in bed for more than three months Baha'i teacher; she would spend hours studying during which time she was unable to leave her and memorizing the BahB'i Writings, as she room hastened to the funeral of Dr. Hakim. was barely able to read and write. Known to Coming into the hall she placed a flower on the her, but unknown to the friends, she was bier and placed her forehead on that flower, as suffering from incipient cancer and she freif she were sending a message in care of the quently said that the first Baha'i funeral in faithful servant of the beloved Guardian. San AndrQ would be hers. Her tall body was The Universal House of Justice announced always frail and thin; she worked hard and for the passing of this valued member of the su- long hours caring for an aged, helpless father, preme administrative Institution of the Baha'i a thirteen year old daughter and other relatives world in these affectionate sentiments: who were at least partially dependent from time to time on her generosity and labour. She GRIEVE ANNOUNCE PASSING LUTFULLAH HAKIM was elected to the Spiritual Assembly in 1967 DEDICATED SERVANT CAUSE GOD STOP SPE- and was one of the most faithful in her atten- CIAL MISSIONS ENTRUSTED HIM FULL CON- dance and participation. At times she would FIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM BY MASTER AND arrive at the gate of the meeting place of the GUARDIAN HIS CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH Assembly and would have to wait to gather EARLY DISTINGUISHED BELIEVERS EAST WEST strength and steel herself against the pain INCLUDING HIS COLLABORATION ESSLEMONT before mounting the six steps to the house. HIS SERVICES PERSIA BRITISH ISLES HOLY LAND As death approached she elicited a promise HIS MEMBERSHIP APPOINTED AND ELECTED from her brother and son that she would be INTERNATIONAL BAHAI COUNCIL HIS ELECTION given a BahB'i funeral, a promise which was UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE WILL ALWAYS BE kept despite the pressure exerted against such REMEMBERED IMMORTAL ANNALS FAITH BAHA- a departure from island tradition. During her ULLAH STOP INFORM BELIEVERS HOLD BEFIT- last hours she seemed to live increasingly in TING MEMORIAL MEETINGS ALL CENTRES STOP the world of the spirit. Her countenance grew CONVEY ALL MEMBERS HIS FAMILY EXPRESSIONS luminous and saintly. She passed away peace- LOVING SYMPATHY ASSURANCE PRAYERS PRO- fully repeating, "BahB'u'llah! BahB'u'llah!" GRESS HIS RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. To those who visited her at the hospital to The author is greatly indebted to Amatu'l- insist that she summon a minister and be Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m who graciously baptized, Ionita declared: "I am a BahB'i and accepted to review this sketch and without I shall die a Baha'i, for I know it is right. If whose suggestions and additional material this everyone forsakes BahB'u'llah, I shall not. If would have been incomplete. there be no other BahB'is left on this island, A. Q. F A I Z ~ I will remain a Baha'i until I die." Ionita's steadfastness unexpectedly led to the proclamation of the Cause on her native island-her prayers to become a teacher of the IONITA WRIGHT Faith were answered. Her funeral service was announced on the radio and was attended by 1915-1968 nearly five hundred people from every stratum Ionita Wright, one of the first inhabitants of of society. The visitors pored over the mimeo- San AndrCs Island to embrace the Faith of graphed copies of the Baha'i readings and took BahB'u'llah, was born on June 20, 1915, and them home to show friends and relatives; ascended to the Abha Kingdom on May 5, requests for copies were received long after- 1968. Within a few days of first hearing of the wards. The Baha'is of the island found new I N MEMORIAM 435 of loneliness for in the course of his business her husband travelled throughout Australia and New Zealand. A woman of great courage, perseverance, determination and faith in her ability to succeed in making a good life for her husband and family, she remained undaunted even with the closure of her husband's business, in late 1929, due to import restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. In Sydney, Mariette and her husband met Clara and Henry Hyde Dunn, John Brogan and Dr. and Mrs. Coxon, From the Dunns they heard of the Baha'i Faith; the son of John Brogan was to become the architect for the Mother Temple of the Pacific built in an outlying suburb (Ingleside); and Dr. and Mrs. Coxon's profession of chiropractic was to become the profession of both Mariette and Stanley. After three years of intensive study at the Palmer School of Chiropractic in the United States they returned to Australia in 1932 to again attempt to establish themselves in their Ionita Wright chosen home. They devoted themselves to helping the sick regain their health and, in strength and capacities in themselves and their private time, to spreading the Baha'i inspired by Ionita's courageous example were Faith and assisting to lay the foundation of its loosed from fear of ridicule for being known as administrative order. followers of Bahi'u'llah. In the years that followed, Mariette's reso- HELEN HORNBY lute personality and capacity for organization enabled her to achieve many goals for the Faith in Australia including the acquisition of a property at Yerrinbool where, in 1936, Henry MARIETTE GERMAINE BOLTON Hyde Dunn laid the foundation stone for the first Australian summer school, "Bolton 1900-1968 Place". She was a foundation member of the The memory of the warm, generous and Local Spiritual Assemblies of Sydney, Yerringracious nature that Mariette Germaine Bolton boo1 and Kuring-gai, and a pioneer teacher to possessed will ever remain in the hearts of those Caringbah, Yerrinbool, Wollongong and who met and loved her. Orange where she saw her efforts contribute Daughter of a French Canadian farming to the formation of assemblies. She was also couple, with the background of a traditionally a member of the National Spiritual Assembly large Roman Catholic family, early in her life of Australia and New Zealand, serving as Mariette grew dissatisfied with the teachings secretary from April, 1948 to April, 1951. of that church and commenced her search for Throughout this period she also served as spiritual beliefs which would fill her life with hostess at the national centre and cared for her purpose. In 1924, with her husband, Stanley family, a very full programme for anyone to William Bolton, Mariette settled in Sydney, undertake and more especially so for one not Australia. They quickly made many friends and using her mother tongue. were occupied with building a prosperous Mariette wrote frequently to Shoghi Effendi business and raising a family-Antoinette, from 1932 until his death, turning to him for Mariette and Stanley. From her earliest days guidance in whatever she undertook for the in Australia, Mariette experienced long periods Faith. In an early letter he expressed the hope Teaching in the United States and Canada on her own followed in 1957, and in 1959 she again visited New Zealand teaching in both the north and south islands. Seven months in 1963 were spent in visiting BahB'i centres in Canada and the United States, teaching where opportunities were available; and, for Mariette, this meant anyone she spoke to, for she was a tireless teacher of the BahB'i Faith. She attended the Most Great Jubilee in London in that year. Her last teaching trip abroad was in 1968 when she visited Noumea, New Caledonia a few months prior to her death on July 10. She must surely be recognized as one of the most successful BahB'i teachers in Australia. Mariette Germaine Bolton had a very profound knowledge of the Baha'i Faith and her conversation, always polite and gracious, was highlighted with many quotations from the Writings of Baha'u'llah and with explanations given by 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi to elucidate the teachings which guided and sustained her in life. She had times of very severe Mariette Gerniaine Bolton setbacks but despite her personal sorrows and losses she always presented a happy, warm that "Mr. and Mrs. Bolton after deep study countenance to everyone she met. Having met will become active teachers for the Faith." Mariette only once, it seemed impossible for Although they set out in 1939 to make the pil- anyone to forget her. To remember Mariette grimage to Israel, the outbreak of war pre- was to remember what she believed in so sinvented their going to Haifa, but the encourage- cerely, the Teachings of Bahk'u'llah. To be a ment given in letters from the Guardian sus- pioneer for forty years and to remain a firm, tained them in their teaching efforts. radiant believer after suffering the personal In 1952, travelling alone, Mariette Germaine sorrows, tests, rebuffs and insults which she Bolton went to New Caledonia as a BahB'i knew, one must surely have an unshakeable teacher, one of the first Baha'i teachers from faith. Those who knew her well will remember Australia to the Pacific Islands. Mariette as one who was, in effect, martyred The year 1953 saw Mariette and Stanley for her beliefs. She worked ceaselessly for the Bolton undertake an extensive world tour, Cause and for the underprivileged and was crowned by their pilgrimage to the World rewarded with a civil honour by the Council Centre and meeting Shoghi Effendi. They of Orange, New South Wales where she lived attended the formal dedication of the Mother for many years. Temple of the West in Wilmette, represented Shoghi Effendi's appreciation of her efforts the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and his encouragement to undertake further at the formation of -the first Local Spiritual goals for the Faith were her sustenance and Assembly of Suva, Fiji, and participated in the inspiration. Intercontinental Conference in New Delhi, In his last letter to her on October 30, 1956, India. the Guardian wrote: "May the Beloved, Whose In 1956 Mariette travelled to New Plymouth, Faith you have served and are serving with such New Zealand, to aid in establishing the Local splendid perseverance, exemplary devotion and Spiritual Assembly, a necessary requirement love, abundantly reward you for your manifold at that time as a preliminary to the establish- and historic accomplishments, and enable you ment of the National Spiritual Assembly of to win still greater victories in the days to New Zealand as an independent entity. come . . ." IN MEMORIAM 437 The death of the beloved Guardian was a unleashed. In a way, the story of the life of loss she never forgot, but her love for God was Marie Ciocca Holmlund begins with this the companionship which sustained her as she historic event. Seventeen years later she was taught, indefa.tigably, to her last breath. For born in that same city, the first-born of Italian many in the world today Mariette Germaine emigrant parents who had come to the new Bolton is not dead, but just teaching in world in search of a new life and new hope. another place, while they are left to continue When Marie was only six her mother, spreading the Faith of Baha'u'llah without her weakened by a hard life, died of tuberculosis. loving nearness. Her grief-stricken father, Michele Ciocca, de- In reviewing the development of the Faith in cided on a wise course of action. Though a New Caledonia, New Hebrides and the Loyalty Catholic, he placed his three small children in a Islands in the period 1968-1973, the National non-denominational home run by Protestant Spiritual Assembly of the South West Pacific sisters. Here they could be raised and given the Ocean, in a report prepared for the Universal care that he alone was now unable to provide House of Justice, stated that the visit of for them. This experience was of prime impor- Mariette Germaine Bolton to New Caledonia tance in the formation of Marie's character. In in 1952, "which resulted in one person be- this home she studied the Bible and through coming a BahB'i" was "the beginning of an association with children of all backgrounds evolutionary process" that eventually moved learned that all men are equal, that diversity from "efforts by individuals to organized among men serves to embellish the human race. efforts by local institutions and area teaching A seed slowly began to germinate. M committees -a process which culminated in When they were old enough, Marie and her the formation of the National Spiritual Assem- eldest sister returned to create a home with bly of the South West Pacific Ocean, with its their father. In the meantime the youngest child seat in Noumea, at Ridvan, 1971. had been struck down by an incurable illness. On July 11, 1968, the Universal House of As she worked to complete her studies, Marie, Justice cabled : then a girl in her very early teens, was required SADDENED NEWS PASSING DEVOTED EARLY to assume the responsibility of managing the AUSTRALIAN BELIEVER MARIETTE BOLTON household. As she grew into womanhood and STOP HER OUTSTANDING SERVICES TEACHER saw more of the world around her, her sensi- FAITH MEMBER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CO- tive nature rebelled at the prejudices, false DONOR YERRINBOOL SUMMER SCHOOL IN- standards and hatred of man for man which DELIBLY RECORDED HISTORY FAITH ANTIPODES stood in direct contrast to the essential truths PACIFIC AREA STOP ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING she had come to understand as a child. Those MEMORIAL SERVICE TEMPLE PRAYING HOLY who knew and loved Marie can well imagine SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL EXTEND LOVING what must have taken place in her innermost SYMPATHY FAMILY. self. Although short of stature, slight of build, DORIS L. WHITING her whole being was alive, alert and everseeking new heights until at times she seemed a giant. Her hazel eyes which danced as she brought joy to others could blaze with fire at MARIE CIOCCA HOLMLUND the sight of injustice. She possessed an innate sense of proportion and an extraordinary vision 1929-1968 of a new world that was to be, and these quali- Knight of Baha'u'llah ties carried her onward in her search. She found In the course of 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels in new hope in the nineteenth century writers, Europe and America when, as our beloved especially Tennyson. Guardian has written, "seeds of undreamt-of In the evening of her life she recalled, writing potentialities had . . . been sown in some of the in the third person, that "as a child she pored fertile fields of the Western world,"l the city over the legends of King Arthur and the of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was blessed by Knights of the Round Table. In her daydreams His footsteps, and mysterious forces were she became a knight in white armour, saying her GodPasses By, p. 294. vows, pledging allegiance to her king." She T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
out into the world and raise the cry of Yri Bahb'u'l-Abhri! In 1953 the opportunity came. Marie searched prayerfully for her place of service in the Guardian's World Crusade. In October of that year she settled in Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. Her childhood dream had come true; the beloved Guardian named her a Knight of Baha'u'llAh. But it was just a beginning. She had returned to the nation of her ancestors and settled in an almost forgotten region of that country. She was twenty-four years of age and knew but few words of the language and nothing of the customs of the country. Her only purpose was to raise aloft the banner of the Faith of Bahi'u'llah among the Sardinians, a people steeped in age-old traditions and made passive and sceptical through the conquests of the ages but possessed of great dignity and a capacity to act and to love. It is recorded that Sardinia was the last territory in Europe to accept the message of Christ, some eight hundred years after His Marie Ciocca Holrnlund teachings were given to the world. With her open nature Marie immediately records that she wrote an editorial for a school attracted people to her and began speaking publication based on Tennyson's Idylls of the about the Faith. Some listened with interest, King in which she quoted: "The old order others ignored her efforts, yet others laughed changeth, yielding place to new." and ridiculed, but Marie refused to be shaken The stage was now set, that germinating seed in her determination. She met great hardships about to reveal itself. After graduating from in trying to earn a living. Many received their high school Marie took a secretarial course and first English lessons from her. She developed was sent out for on-the-job training to the a new method for teaching English to children office of Mr. Elwood Revell. Here she first and through her great love and patience heard of the Bahi'i Faith and discovered that endeared herself to hundreds of children and during His stay in Philadelphia in 1912, their parents. "Miss Mary" they called her and 'Abdu'l-BahL had been in the Revell home. this name spread throughout the island. She Mr. Revell's sisters, Jessie and Ethel, whose travelled alone and with visiting travelling exemplary services are known throughout the teachers to many parts of the island and spread Bahi'i world, immediately sensed Marie's the divine fragrances. The sincere were inreceptivity and took her under their wing. creasingly attracted, but the harvest period Within a few months Marie had embraced the had not yet come. Faith, pledged allegiance to her "King" and She persevered alone for nine years except begun her life of service and steadfastness in for two very brief intervals when other Baha'i the Cause of Baha'u'llah. The year was 1949 settlers came to the island. Her sustenance, and Marie was nineteen. she often said, was the prayers of the friends, She set about immediately to bring tlie the visits of the believers and, above all, the Message to others. She studied the Divine praise and encouragement of Shoghi Effendi exhortations, immersed herself in the Writings, and his injunction to the pioneers to remain at familiarized herself with the Tablets of the their posts. Foremost among the many friends Divine Plan and followed closely the progress whose visits sustained her were the Hand of of the second Seven Year Plan then in course. the Cause Ugo Giachery and his wife. They Her heart became aglow with the desire to go often came to see her and were like a father and I N MEMORIAM 439 mother to Marie. She deeply loved them and orthodox Jewish family he was disillusioned by appreciated their assistance and advice. what he observed and was bordering on agnos- Not until 1966 was the first harvest gathered ticism when, in his twenty-fifth year, he encounwhen Mrs. Livia Pargentino became the first. tered the Baha'i Faith. A sensitive Baha'i Sardinian to accept the Faith. At long last thefriend, knowing that Alvin Blum would reject reward for fourteen years of devoted, diligent,direct exposure to religion, invited him to a steadfast service! Other declarations soon meeting which he described as a gathering of followed and a group was established in "free-thinking people". Thus Alvin attended Cagliari. Further blessed in the meantime his first BahB'i meeting at Evergreen Cabin in through the bounty of her pilgrimage to the Teaneck, New Jersey. The impact of the Faith World Centre, her marriage and the birth of on his mind and heart was immediate and her dear Dorothy Angeline and Michael Ugo, dynamic and, during that first week, he atten- Marie's happiness was complete. The seed had ded five fireside meetings. Outstanding teachers become a firmly-rooted tree. such as Roy Wilhelm, Billy DeForge, Curtis But unknown to those who loved her, Marie Kelsey and Philip Marangella were eager to was already preparing to wing her flight to theteach him. The thin surface of agnosticism had Abha Kingdom. In December, 1967, the doc- concealed an almost insatiable hunger for tors gave her a month to live, but her task wasspiritual truth. "You'd better digest what not quite completed. It was as if her tranquillity you've learned, Alvin, or you'll develop and serenity in those last months were meant tospiritual indigestion," warned a friend, but teach us something. Her passing came in he was eager to absorb as much as he could so August on the eve of the Mediterranean Con- that he might immediately begin to teach and ference in Palermo, on that sea where she had serve the Faith. During that first week after served so faithfully. She had answered the callencountering the Faith, Alvin met a young of her beloved Master. His words, " . . . as yewoman named Gertrude at a youth meeting in have faith so shnll your powers and blessings New York; she was later to become his wife be . . ." had entered her heart and her life and companion in service to the Cause. reflected their truth. Within a few months, in 1937-38, as though These words came from the Universal House anticipating the announcement of the first of Justice at the time of her passing: Seven Year Plan of Shoghi Effendi, Alvin arose to serve the Cause in the Southern GRIEVED PASSING EVE MEDITERRANEAN CON- United States, first in Kentucky and then in FERENCE MARIA CIOCCA HOLMLUND . . . MAY Tennessee."I felt therewas a need in the south," EXAMPLE HER STEADFASTNESS FURTHER IN- he later explained. He obtained employment as SPIRE THOSE LABOURING HIGHLY PROMISING a travelling salesman which enabled him to MEDITERRANEAN AREA. meet the scattered BahB'is throughout the JAMES P. HOLMLUND southern states. Here he met Howard and Mabel Ives, itinerant teachers, whose dedication, sacrifice and example had a marked influence on his life. ALVIN J. BLUM In 1941, as America entered World War 11, 1912-1968 Alvin entered the United States Army Medical Knight of Bahi'u'llah Corps and providentially was sent to New GRIEVED LEARN PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH Zealand where he spent two and a half years, ALVIN BLUM STEADFAST DEVOTED SERVANT an experience he movingly related in an article FAITH HIS TIRELESS LABOIJRS PIONEER SOLO- published in Worldorder magazine, July, 1946: MONS UNFORGETTABLE ANNALS BAHAI HIS- "I was the first American Baha'i to come to TORY PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS SOUL ABHA New Zealand since Martha Root's visit in KINGDOM. 1939," he wrote. "The friends promptly put Universal House of Justice. me to work and engagements were made to speak before many organizations."Many doors Alvin J. Blum was born in Elizabeth, New were opened for him and never before had the Jersey on May 15,1912. Although born into an Faith been so widely proclaimed in New a Baha'i meeting through a misunderstanding about the availability of his time, he set out the order books so the customers could write down their orders after viewing the merchandise, and hurried off to the BahB'i gathering. When he returned to his hotel he found the largest order he had ever received, and a note from a vuzzled merchant: 'Who is she'?' " Soon his growing restlessness caused Alvin to seek the advice of Shoghi Effendi about returning to New Zealand, and receiving the assurance of the Guardian that this course would be "highly meritorious" he made preparations. Rejecting two splendid employment opportunities he returned to New Zealand in July, 1947, with his wife and ten month old baby. "An outstanding characteristic of Alvin was his sense of timing," a friend records. "When his course was set he immediately acted upon it, not allowing obstacles to dull the brightness of his beckoning goal. A stray remark, a chance statement, an innocent mistake-he seized upon everything and placed it Alvin J. Blum at the disposal of the Cause." He entered business in New Zealand and Zealand. The beloved Guardian wrote a letter was able to assist the friends in acquiring a expressing warm appreciation of his work there. beautiful summer school site of twenty-two Alvin left New Zealand in 1945 on a medical acres outside Auckland. He also served on the troop ship bound for the Philippine Islands National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of where active fighting was still going on. En route, Australia and New Zealand throughout the the ship stopped at the Solomon Islands, later period of his residence there. In 1951 he travelto become the arena of his crowning service. In led to Fiji and assisted in welding together the the Philippines, Alvin contacted the Baha'i young and struggling Baha'i community. group established as a result of the visit there While preparing to settle in Wellington to aid of Loulie Mathewsl in 1938, a group fostered in the formation of a Spiritual Assembly in and nurtured by the Guardian through letters the south island, the Ten Year Plan was and gifts of books. As the first believer to visit announced by Shoghi Effendi. Alvin responded the group he was lovingly received and he with alacrity, cabling the Guardian for advice assisted them in forming a Spiritual Assembly. as to whether priority should be given to When the war ended Alvin settled in Little opening a virgin area or remaining in New Rock, Arkansas and resumed his career as a Zealand. Shoghi Effendi cabled "Advise salesman. The choice of residence was made virgin areas Pacific", and so Alvin's course was in the light of the needs of the Cause and in set before he left to attend the 1953 Interconsultation with the National Teaching Com- continental Conference in India where he mittee. "An amusing incident illustrates Alvin's played an outstanding part as chairman of the steadfast adherence to the principle of placing steering committee. During the conference, the needs of the Faith before all else," writes a learning that the challenging goal of the Solofriend. "He always combined business trips mon Islands posed an entry difficulty for the with Baha'i speaking engagements. When he pioneer who had hoped to settle there, Alvin entered a city he would engage a suite of rooms volunteered to go, thus realizing a long-held and display his merchandise to prospective dream to return to the islands he had visited buyers. Once when summoned unexpectedly to briefly before. As the Blum family boarded the ' See Not Every Sea Hath Pearls, pp. 149-1 52. small cargo vessel that would carry them to IN MEMORIAM 44 1 the Solomons a cherished cable was received: the appointment by the High Commissioner to "Loving prayers surrounding you. Shoghi." serve as a charter member of the Honiara Before dawn on March 1, 1954, the shores of Town Council, by serving as chairman of the the Solomons were sighted. A small dinghy Medical Board, by assisting the Civil Aviation brought the Blum family ashore. Alvin's first Committee, by helping to found the Chamber words on setting foot on the soil of the islands of Commerce and the Scout Movement, and were: "Ya BahB'u'l-Abha! The spiritual banner by acting as financial adviser to the Young of BahB'u'llah is now planted in the Solomon Farmers Club. He was known everywhere for Islands." The names of the Blums were in- his constant activity and lively presence. He scribed on the Guardian's Scroll of Honour as was deeply happy to have seen the first Regional Knights of Baha'u'llah for the Solomon Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean Islands. Alvin had brought to fruition the wish come into being and he served as its chairman of Shoghi Effendi expressed in a letter to him until the National Spiritual Assembly of the on March 6, 1946: "May the Almighty South West Pacific Ocean was established. His abundantly reward you for your manifold other great joy was that he lived to participate services, bless your efforts in the days to come, in the World Congress and to witness the birth and enable you to win, in distant fields, of the Universal House of Justice." memorable victories for our glorious Faith." This ceaseless activity with its strain and The peak experience of Alvin's life was his stress took its toll. Alvin's health broke down pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the oppor- and in his fifty-sixth year, on September 23, tunity it brought to meet Shoghi Effendi whose 1968, his spirit took flight to its eternal home. advice and approval he sought at every turn. A prominent Melanesian speaking to the Alvin drew strength from the words of the people of many races who were drawn to the Guardian written to him while he was in New funeral unwittingly echoed the words the Zealand in 1948 : "Your splendid services, Guardian had addressed to Alvin Blum in so far afield, under such difficult circum- 1948: "Before Mr. Blum came there was a stances, and with so few helpers, are indeed sickness in the land-white man and black man highly praiseworthy in the estimation of our did not come together-but this is changed Beloved, and will be regarded as an example now and I feel it is Mr. Blum's example." worthy to emulate by the pioneers in the days His gravestone bears the eloquent legend: "He to come. . ." died where he chose to serve." At the behest of Shoghi Effendi, Alvin engaged in business in the Solomons and quietly sought out those souls who were spiritually prepared for the Faith. After a slow SARA M. KENNY and difficult beginning the path was opened. 1900-1968 A highly respected chief and government Knight of Baha'u'llah employee, Hamuel Hoahania, having learned that an American couple had arrived and were Sara Kenny was born on March 20, 1900. She teaching a religion of unity, sought out the died in London during the latter part of Sep- Blums, accepted the Cause, and carried it to tember, 1968 while on a trip to Europe with many hundreds of his island people. her husband, Judge Robert W. Kenny. "Looking back on the period of Alvin's Mrs. Kenny graduated from Stanford life in the Solomons," reflected Mrs. Blum, University where she was a member of Phi "one can say he played a double role, one in the Beta Phi and Phi Gamma Delta sororities. In community of BahB'is and one in the non- the early 1930s she was an invalid for a number BahB'i community. He worked ceaselessly for of months during which time she searched for the establishment and expansion of the Faith a faith to which she could fully subscribe. here and poured his strength and resources Shortly after her recovery she became acquaininto the accomplishment of the goals of the ted with the Teachings of Baha'u'llah through Ten Year Plan. He also made a significant talks given by Beulah M. Lewis of Los Angeles contribution to the public welfare by putting and before long she declared her acceptance of in badly needed service industries, by accepting the Baha'i Faith. Mr. Kenny served as Senator from Los Angeles County, as Attorney General for the State of California, and as a Superior Court Judge. The fact that her husband had a worldwide circle of acquaintances presented Mrs. Kenny with the opportunity to give the Message of BahB'u'llBh to many of the leaders of the United States as well as to those of foreign governments. Especially did these opportunities come to her during the time of the formation of the United Nations in San Francisco when she was socially active among statesmen of the world. During and subsequent to this time Mrs. Kenny found it difficult to serve the Faith administratively and at the same time fulfil her obligations as wife of the Attorney General. In a letter written on his behalf by his secretary, the Guardian wrote to her on March 13, 1944: "He feels that as Mr. Kenny is evidently a man of marked capacity . . . you are fully justified in devoting more of your time to him, and letting other believers carry on the committee work you may not be able to do." And in his own Sara M. Kenny handwriting, Shoghi Effendi referred to Sara's "distinguished husband." Although he never in 1953, Mrs. Kenny with her mother, Ella became a declared BahB'i, Mr. Kenny ren- Duffield, departed as soon as possible for the dered outstanding service to the Faith on many Madeira Islands andwas named bythe Guardian occasions. a Knight of Baha'u'llih. In June, 1954, with the In frequent demand as a speaker, Mrs. permission of Shoghi Effendi she moved to Kenny served also on the National Teaching Nice, France. When the National Spiritual Committee, on the Spiritual Assemblies of San Assembly of France was formed in 1958 she Francisco and Los Angeles, and on the Area was elected one of its members and served as Teaching Committee for the Western States, vice-chairman until the end of the Ten Year Hawaii and Alaska. For many years she was Crusade when she returned home after not one of California's delegates to the National having seen her husband for seven years. Her Baha'i Conventions. greatest suffering came when, after the death Sara Kenny's love for and appreciation of of the Guardian, a number of her highly adthe Guardian were excelled by few BahB'is. mired and beloved friends turned away from She regarded the compilation Bahh'i Adminis- The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahh and tration not merely as a guide and definitive became Covenant-breakers. She wrote: "I exposition of BahB'i principles but as a book of didn't think I could go on living." beauty and as a key to the character and per- Sara's death occurred in London. She is sonality of Shoghi Effendi. She introduced buried only steps away from the resting place that book to many, many believers. of Shoghi Effendi whose funeral she had The pilgrimage she made in May, 1957, was attended there ten years earlier. On September the culmination of Mrs. Kenny's BahB'i life. 24 the Universal House of Justice cabled: She wrote, "No one, in any way, was able to describe the Guardian to me. One is not in his GRIEVED LEARN PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH presence very long before one senses that he is SARA KENNY DEDICATED SERVANT CAUSE another order of being . . . his forthrightness is NATIVE LAND STALWART PIONEER MADEIRA unbelievable." WHOSE DEVOTED LABOURS FRANCE MEM- When Shoghi Effendi called for dispersal BERSHIP FIRST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND IN M E M O R I A M 443 STAUNCH DEFENCE COVENANT CONTRIBUTED years of study and many inner battles before FIRM ESTABLISHMENT FOUNDATION THAT she was prepared to embrace the Faith of NATIONAL COMMUNITY STOP ASSURE FAMILY Baha'u'llah. PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL Becoming a BahB'i had a profound effect on ABHA KINGDOM STOP REQUESTING NATIONAL every aspect of her life. To many of her friends ASSEMBLY FRANCE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL in the stodgy, Catholic society of Florence, her SERVICE. behavior seemed scandalous. She was promptly ROBERT B. POWERS deserted by them. Since there was virtually no Baha'i community in Florence as yet, Maud was now almost as isolated as she had been in the war years. MAUD BOSIO Tests and difficulties served to temper her spirit. Two of her daughters and her eighty- 1899-1968 seven year old mother embraced the Faith, Emily Maud Waterworth Bosio was born on providing her with spiritual companionship July 4, 1899, in Staten Island, New York. Her and moral support. She developed close father was an Englishman recently settled in friendships with BahB'i pioneers and teachers, America. Her mother's family had deep roots among them Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh and in New England and went back to the Rev. Mrs. Tabandeh Payman, and immersed her- John Davenport, founder of the New Haven self in Baha'i activities. She served as librarian colony in Connecticut. and member of the Teaching Committee in Maud graduated from St. Mary's Hall Florence and was elected to the Spiritual School in Burlington, New Jersey, in June, Assembly. She served as a correspondent for 1917, as America was thrust into the first Baha'i News, took part in the organization of World War. She joined the Red Cross, working the first Italo-Swiss Summer School, and, on for it until the war's end. A few years later she moving to Switzerland, entered into the life of went to Italy accompanied by her widowed the Swiss community and was elected to the mother. In Florence she met and married a National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and young Italian architect, Gherardo Bosio. Switzerland. During the next dozen years she dedicated her- After a few years residence in Lausanne, self to the upbringing of her four daughters, Mrs. Bosio returned to Italy where a separate lived the life typical of her time and her circle, National Spiritual Assembly was formed in and watched as her husband won honor and 1962. Two years later she was elected to that recognition as one of the most promising body, serving on it to the day she died. Her young architects in Italy. various Baha'i activities in the 1960s were too World War I1 drastically changed Maud's numerous even to list. Among them was the life. In April, 1941, her husband died, leaving opening of new cities to the Faith, service on her to care for four young daughters. The the Italian Summer School Committee, and situation was further complicated when participation in teacher training institutes. America entered the war and Mrs. Bosio Somehow she found time and energy to pour found herself cut off from her native country. her love on her many grandchildren, to travel, The experience of death, destruction and lone- to read and keep in touch with an ever-growing liness made her search for answers to the circle of friends. In 1966 she organized and led ultimate questions of life. She prayed, read one of the committees to aid the victims of the the mystics of various religions, but did not great Florentine flood, providing food, medifind tranquillity and peace. cine and clothing as well as advice and moral In 1949, she met Marion Little,l an out- support to hundreds of families. standing BahB'i teacher pioneering in Italy. In 1967, Mrs. Bosio was elected chairman of The two became close friends. Maud could not the Italian National Spiritual Assembly and, fail to be impressed with Marion's joyful in 1968, went to Haifa to participate in the spirit, and her total dedication to the Baha'i second International Convention and the elec- Faith. However, it took Maud almost five tion of the Universal House of Justice. That 'See "In Memoriam", p. 547. same year she was appointed to the committee 444 T H E B A H P ; ' ~W O R L D RANEAN CONFERENCE LOVINGLY REMEMBERED PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERING ... FIRUZ KAZEMZADEH
ADDIE NORDSTROM
Addie Nordstrom was born on April 10, 1885 in the mid-western part of the United States. She grew up in Milwaukee and then moved to the west coast, married and established a home. Her only child, Ruth, was born late in her marriage. Tragically, this daughter was diabetic, eventually went blind, and passed away in her twenties. After giving up membership in the church, Mrs. Nordstrom persisted in her lifelong search for spiritual fulfilment. She was about fifty-five years of age when she heard the Message of Maud Bosio BahB'u'llih and she immediately accepted it. Through her prayers and steadfastness the that made arrangements for the first oceanic attitude of her family slowly changed from conference, held in Palermo August 23-25, ridicule to acceptance. Her daughter, who was 1968.l It was an arduous task beyond the at this time blind, accepted the Teachings, and physical capacity of a sixty-nine year old later her husband entered the Faith. Mrs. woman with a weak heart, yet she carried it out Nordstrom had a special interest in the work disregarding her health and jeopardizing her of the BahB'i Committee for the blind. The very life. The success of the first international family home became a focal point of hospi- BahB'i conference ever held on Italian soil was tality in the Kirkland-Seattle area. also her triumph. Following the death of her child and hus- The demands of the conference exhausted band Addie lived alone for a time and as she Mrs. Bosio. She was physically spent, yet her aged and her powers dimmed her youthful spirit soared. Those who knew her could not spirit longed to explore new areas of service help noticing the joy and the serenity she to the Cause of BahB'u'llah. In her seventyachieved in the last months of her life. It seemed eighth year, while living with Ruth and Gordon as though she had fulfilled her mission in life Craig and their children who had offered her and was ready to leave the world. She died on a home, Addie resolved to enter the pioneer October 2, 1968, after three weeks of suffering field. In consultation with the Craig family the brought about by several successive heart Aleutian Islands were selected as the goal. attacks. Disposing of her burial plot next to the The Universal House of Justice paid tribute resting place of her husband and daughter, to Mrs. Bosio's memory when it cabled on Mrs. Nordstrom travelled north to those October 3,1968: islands notorious for their severe weather. DEEPLY GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED Accompanied and assisted by the Craigs she MAIDSERVANT BAHAULLAH MAUD BOSIO EARLY made the trip to her new home, a small iso- BELIEVER ITALIAN COMMUNITY HER SACRI- lated village on the island of Unalaska and FICIAL SERVICES SUCCESS FIRST MEDITER- instantly recognized the village as one she had dreamed of a number of times before departing Seep. 73 for a report of this conference. from Seattle. IN M E M O R I A M 445 that they should not fail to gain the laurels of pioneering even if they must bury their bones in foreign soil". R. L. HUDSON
K A Y W U S R A W MUQBIL 1909-1968 It is difficult to write about this bosom friend of my childhood, my valued companion in pioneering posts, and surely nothing I could say would be adequate tribute to his outstanding qualities and signal services. Muqbil was a member of a prominent Zoroastrian family of Persia. He, his brothers and his sisters, owed their BahB'i education to their illustrious and devout mother. As a small child, Kayausraw displayed exceptional qualities and a remarkably powerful memory. After hearing a Tablet recited or a page of the Writings read aloud he could repeat the passage Addie Nordstrom accurately; his gift of total recall made it appear that he had a tape recorder in his head. Prayer was Addie's main support in her Even as a young man, and for years therepioneering post. Rarely well enough to leave after, he took a particular interest in conductthe Baha'i Centre, shemaintained a programme ing classes for Baha'i children. These were of prayer and reading that surely drew untold sometimes held in quarters of Tihrin where blessings to the island. During her eightieth fanatical opponents of the Faith were free to year she kept the nineteen-day Fast. The break into BahB'i homes and disrupt the small Aleut people came to love her deeply and bands of children gathered to study their relishaking off their customary shyness they would gious lessons. Always scrupulously punctual, come to visit. If she were up they would accept he was known to be late on only one occasion. her hospitality and if she were confined to bed He expressed apologies for his delay to the they would sit near her and talk quietly. She eager students but did not explain the cause of was loved by so many, from the matriarchal his lateness. Only later was it learned that his head of the village to the housewives and their sister had died that day and he had undertaken children and the rustic fishermen. She gave the the arrangements for her burial, traversing the Teachings to those who were seeking, telling city from the extreme east to west, and haseveryone, "This is God's Day." Everyone tening on to the class in order not to disappoint marvelled at her strength and the power on the students. which she drew to renew her spent energy. Her When the call was raised for pioneering he greatest joy in this interval was to visit her was one of the first to settle in a very small Aleut neighbours and to occasionally travel town in southern Persia. The stories of his short distances out of the village to see the sacrifices and teaching exploits there are many, surrounding country. In 1966 she attended the but one is particularly noteworthy and has Baha'i Summer School in Juneau, Alaska. been circulated far and wide by his friends. A After a brief illness, Mrs. Nordstrom passed nocturnal burglar entered his home one night away in her eighty-third year. In a letter dated and when Kayuusraw awakened he assisted February 23, 1969, the Universal House of the thief to carry out the goods he was intent Justice stated that she had "admirably fulfilled on stealing, saying to the thief words to the the Guardian's admonition to aged believers effect that his dire need must have led to his LOYCE DRUGAN LAWRENCL 1905-1968 Knight of BahB'u'llah Loyce Drugan Lawrence, born in 1905 in Winchester, Massachusetts, was the eldest of three children whose mother died when they were young. Loyce lived with her grandparents and an aunt in Beverly, Massachusetts, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1926. She did private nursing and later was appointed night supervisor of Addison Gilbert Hospital, Gloucester. For two years she worked in the southern United States. To satisfy her inquiring mind and adventurous spirit which created in her a desire to know more about people, religion and places she travelled in her free time. In the course of her search for a pattern on which to base her spiritual- growth Loyce learned of the Baha'i Faith. Her early teachers were Lorna Tasker and Mr. and Mrs. Harlan F. Ober. In 1942 Loyce married Gustavus G. Law- KaykJzusraw Muqbil rence and thereafter spent her time between Gloucester and California. When in Glouburgling. Startled by this reaction and his cester her home was open to the BahB'is for heart softened, the thief accepted Kaykhus- meetings and gatherings of the friends of the raw's invitation to remain in his home as a Faith. She actively engaged in BahB'i activities guest and spent some days in this loving atmos- and attended Green Acre BahB'i School to phere. His host provided him with a little deepen her knowledge of the Faith. In the capital. The former thief found an honourable period 1948-1950 she served on the staff of occupation, began life anew and remained editors of The Bahh'i World. forever grateful to his benefactor. Mr. Lawrence never became a BahB'i but he In a later period, Kayfiusraw distinguished was always cordial to the friends whenever they himself in B a a d a d , rendering assistance to the were in his home. "The marriage was one of many pioneers who passed through on their unity and love," writes Elizabeth Kidder way to various parts of the world. He streng- Ober whose Baha'i life is closely interwoven thened their courage, helped them to arrange with that of Loyce Lawrence. "Her bereavetheir visas, provided warm hospitality, aided ment was great when her husband died in 1951 them to pack their goods and was always the because their hearts were so firmly knit. My last to eat and find rest. Once, when he was ill, husband and I spent rnuch time with Loyce in he would pace about on the roof each night, this period and her heart was lightened by the lest his sufferings disturb the sleeping believers. plans she formulated to .attend the European He married a girl from a distinguished BahB'i Intercontinental Teaching Conference to be family of Baadad. held in Stockholni in July, 1953, and the Asian Undoubtedly the hardships endured at his Intercontinental Teaching Conference to folvarious pioneering posts shortened the life of low it in New Delhi in October, 1953. She was Kayhusraw Muqbil. He passed away while able to attend both gatherings and to complete reading aloud to his family some verses from a trip around the world but her commitment to the ~ithb-i-fq&. serve the Cause, to make it the central interest ABU'L-QASIM F A I Z ~ in her life, came into full focus in Sweden. At the Conference in Stockholm she was captivated by the vision of the global crusade destion to L,oyce. He spoke to her about her meritorious services in pioneering so far afield. In 1968 she returned to Haifa to participate in the election of the Universal House of Justice. In 1961 I had the happy experience of travelling in Scandinavia with Loyce. Meticulous arid thoughtful, she had made every possible detail of the journey crystal clear in letters and had provided me with a typewritten itinerary. We met in Svolvaer. It was early February and the weather was stormy. The Norwegian BahB'is showered us with hospitality. I was the only other American Bahi'i they had seen. We talked about the Cause and their reactions to Loyce as a stranger who had come to make her home among then1 and work for the BahB'i Faith. She blended with the Norwegians in physical appearance and felt great empathy and love for their culture. We visited and spoke in various centres throughout Sweden, Finland and Denmark. In Turku, Finland we were reunited with Mildred Clark, Loyce's fellow Loyce Drugan Lawrence Knight of BahB'u'llah for the Lofoten Islands. Twice I was with Loyce in London where we cribed by Shoghi Effendi in his message and visited the friends and spent an afternoon at the stirred by his call for pioneers to arise and resting place of the beloved Guardian. carry the Faith of Baha'u'llbh to the most A year or two later, on the advice of her remote corners of the earth. Her response was physician to seek rest and treatment in a warm immediate. She offered to settle in the Lofoten climate, Loyce was the guest of Harlan Ober Islands within the Arctic circle and left and his wife, Elizabeth, at their home in Preimmediately for Svolvaer, an act which brought toria, South Africa. At their invitation I joy to the heart of the Guardian and won for joined Loyce there. We observed the Fast her the title Knight of Baha'u'llah. Remem- together and enjoyed a rnarvellous Naw-Rtiz bering how much she enjoyed a warm climate, celebration. Through the kindness of Harlan I knew she had been led by her heart in selecting and Elizabeth we were able to visit BahB'i a northern goal." centres in South Africa and Swaziland. Loyce established herself in Svolvaer, made Later Loyce came to the United States and friends, won their confidence, and taught the for nearly a year nursed her aunt, Miss Berthe Faith of Baha'u'llah. It was her joy to partici- Drugan, who was suffering from terminal pate in the establishment of the Local Spiritual cancer. After the death of Miss Drugan, Loyce Assembly of Svolvaer and then to serve on the returned to her pioneer post. Her last visit to National Spiritual Assembly of Norway. She the United States was in 1966. She visited the travelled throughout Scandinavia teaching, Baha'i House of Worship in Wilrriette and serving in an administrative capacity, trans- met with Baha'is who were acquainted with porting youth to Summer Schools and entering the Scandinavian languages and who might into any and all Baha'i activities. Her auto- find it possible to serve in Scandinavia even for mobile, a beach wagon, became a veritable bus a brief time to aid in the teaching work. She for the Baha'is and she generously placed it at visited isolated pioneers and friends who the disposal of the friends. She made a pil- worked with the American Indians. Every grimage to the Holy Land and met Shoghi consideration was given to strengthening old Effendi whose dinner talks about the future of Baha'i ties. Then Loyce returned to Svolvaer the Cause in the North were a source of inspira- and it was a little while before I heard from her. 448 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
In 1968 the Oceanic Conference was sche- NI'MAT 'ALA'~ duled to be held in Sicily but Loyce did not 1890 -1968 plan to be there. I thought this strange. My phone call from the airport in Rome to an Ni'mat 'Ali'i was born in Tihrin, fran, of a address she had given me in Trondheim, distinguished and dedicated Baha'i family. Norway, brought no response. When I re- His father, Nazim'u'l-Attibi, Siyyid Muhamturned to the United States after the Conference mad, became physician to the Court of the I called again and learned that Loyce had had &ah. surgery. Although she assured me that she Mr. 'AIB'i was educated at the Baha'i school was feeling well the sound of her breathing told in Tihran. He completed his studies at the age me that something was very wrong. In October, of sixteen, when he entered government serlearning that Loyce's condition was rapidly vice. From his early youth he was a staunch and deteriorating, her sister Ruth and I hastened to knowledgeable believer and put into practice Trondheim for a three week period. The Nor- the BahB'i teachings and principles in his wegian friends from far and near called and work and private life. He brought to bear upon came to Trondheim to ask whether there was all he did his strong sense of justice and alsomething they might do to serve Loyce. There though he provided generously for his family was nothing; the end was approaching. One of he possessed to a significant degree the quality the most difficult things I have ever done was to of detachment. His aim throughout his life was leave her. We talked freely about death and the to serve the Cause of BahB'u'llah which he Faith. We read prayers and studied the succeeded in doing both in his professional Writings. Her Lofoten friends longed to take career and in his personal life as a pioneer and her home to Svolvaer, but it was far too late to teacher. He was honoured many times by move her. They came and sat with her daily receiving Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Baha and while in Trondheim. Seven days after Ruth and letters from the Guardian. I left, Loyce was released from the suffering of While in Tihran Mr. 'AlB'i served the Baha'i terminal cancer. community actively, placing his administra- A letter from Helene Drechsler, the first to tive skills at the disposal of the Local Spiritual accept the Cause in Svolvaer, describes Loyce's Assembly and various committees of the last hours: "It really was a bounty to me to be Nationalspiritual Assembly.He was frequently able to be with Loyce, to serve her, and help a delegate to the National Convention. He alher slip away from this life, although it bothered ways maintained that the youth and adult memme to witness all her pain and suffering . . . bers of the community should mingle as much She was firm in her belief, patient and coura- as possible to the advantage of both. He set an geous, and always had strength to inspire and example of this from an early age and was uplift others. She said that if her pain could greatly loved by the older Baha'is. open the hearts and minds of people then she Mr. 'AIB'i's honesty, integrity and love for could only thank God for giving it to her . . . humanity, as well as his efforts on behalf of the About a week before her passing Loyce insisted underprivileged, won for him the trust and that her wedding ring be engraved with words respect of his fellow Baha'is and fellow workers, from the Writings of Baha'u'llah . . . She is high government officials, the peoplewho workmissed so very much." ed under him, the rich and the poor. His lack On December 19, 1968, the day after her of concern about his status or position and his passing, the Universal House of Justice cabled: fearless presentation of the true nature of the Revelation of BahB'u'llah aroused opposition GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED KNIGHT OF among the Muslim clergy and fanatical ele- BAHAULLAH LOYCE LAWRENCE HER SERVICES ments of the population. On twelve occasions ESTABLISHMENT CAUSE GOD LOFOTEN ISLANDS an order of death was secured against him and UNFORGETTABLE STOP SUPPLICATING HOLY a number of demonstrations were carried out SHRINES PROGRESS HER RADIANT SPIRIT ABHA protesting his Baha'i activities, but surely KINGDOM. through the protection of God he remained LEONORA P. NORMAN unharmed. Mr. 'Ala'i was instrumental, through his professional influence, in obtaining I N MEMORIAM 449 I ' including Maoris and government officials. Following a serious heart attack, the family settled in England, at Oxford, where Mr. 'Ala'i was able to obtain needed medical treatment and his youngest daughters could continue their education. Here Mr. 'Ala'imade contact with leading literary men and intellectuals to whom hegaveBahB'u'llah's Message. In December, 1968, as the family was preparing to pioneer to assist the friends in American Samoa, Mr. 'Ala'i fell ill and passed away. During the last few weeks of his life he was very joyful and appeared to be waiting to join his Beloved. His funeral was held very much according to his own wishes; it was simple and full of Baha'i spirit. The service in Attleborough, Norfolk was reported in the Norwich newspaper and this, together with memorial services held there, created an interest in the Baha'i Faith and led to regular meetings being arranged. Memorial services were held also in Tihran and in Samoa. Learning of his passing the daughter and son-in-law of the first Samoan Ni'mat 'Alh'i believer cabled : PLEASE ACCEPT SINCERE CONDOLENCES PAS- valuable historical documents relating to the SlNG BELOVED TEACHER STOP GREAT LOSS TO early rise and development of the Baha'i Faith. FAITH AND SELVES STOP CHERISH MEMORY About 1945 Mr. 'AlB'i sought an early SERVICE TO BAHAULLAH. retirement from his position and with his family of seven pioneered to Af&anistAn. After Expressing its sorrow to his brother, the a period of nine months they were exiled from Hand of the Cause &u'a'u'llah 'Ala'i, the Unithe country escorted 6y armed guards, and versal House of Justice cabled : dispossessed of their belongings. Returning to GRIEVED LOSS BELOVED BROTHER NIMAT iran, Mr. 'Ala'i was invited to return to govern- STAUNCH SUPPORTER VALIANT PROMOTER ment service, special provision being made by FAITH HIS STEADFASTNESS DEVOTED SERVICES parliament allowing him to do so. CRADLE FAITH PIONEERlNG FIELD UNFOR- Although he suffered from acute arthritis, GETTABLE WORTHY EMULATION STOP PRAYING Mr. 'Ala'i was eager to participate in the Ten SHRINES SPIRITUAL PROGRESS HIS RADIANT Year Crusade. With his wife and two youngest SOUL STOP CONVEY MEMBERS FAMILY LOVING children he pioneered to Samoa, joining one of SYMPATHY. his sons who had already settled there. Here they served for four years and despite language difficulties Mr. 'Ala'i was much loved and respected as a teacher. After the firm establishment of the Spiritual HAROLD THOMAS FITZNER Assembly of Apia in Western Samoa, Mr. 1893-1969 'AlB'i and his family, acting on the advice of Knight of Baha'u'llah Shoghi Effendi who encouraged them to settle in an area where there were no BahB'is, In 1927, at a meeting addressed by Mr. Henry pioneered to Hastings, New Zealand and by Hyde Dunn, Harold Fitzner and his companion 1963 had established a group there. Mr. Miss Florence Parry, who later became his 'Ala'i's winning nature enabled him to establish wife, first heard the Message of BahB'u'llah. friendships with a wide variety of people Its beauty struck an answering chord in their 450 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
souls and from that night they became dedicated servants of the Cause of BahB'u'llah. The life of Harold Fitzner became the embodiment of the prayer which requests assistance in rendering "instant, exact and complete obedience". Harold and Florence married in 1931 and their home became a magnetic centre drawing large numbers of people to hear of the return of the Spirit of Truth. In that home many of the BahB'is of Australia had their first contact with the Teachings. Mr. Fitzner worked tirelessly, serving on the Spiritual Assembly of Adelaide, on various committees and as a visiting teacher to outlying centres. For some years he was chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand. He was an avid student of the Writings, knew many prayers and Tablets by heart, and once copied out in longhand the entire text of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahh'u'llhh in order to know it better. In 1953, at the Intercontinental Conference held in New Delhi, the impassioned plea of Harold Thomas Fitzner Shoghi Effendi for pioneers to arise to serve in territories as yet not opened to the Faith in- communities, bestowing love indiscriminately spired Harold, with characteristic directness, to upon all. immediately offer to go to Portuguese Timor. Mrs. Fitzner was by profession a school Before returning to Australia he had already teacher. Upon her arrival in Dili they opened a taken steps to obtain the necessary visas. In school to teach English and in this way met Australia he arranged for early retirement, many young people and, through them, their underwent surgery, secured the required docu- parents. Through the holding of English ments to enter Portuguese Timor and was classes many heard of the Faith and accepted it. already on his way to his post before the letter By the example of his life, Harold Fitzner won from the Guardian, written through his sec- the hearts of the people many of whom would retary on June 6, 1954, reached him: "He respectfully bow in the traditional manner (Shoghi Effendi) is deeply moved by the spirit when they passed him on the street. A few years of devotion which animates you both in your later Mr. Fitmer built an eleven-room house to longing to arise and serve at this time. We know provide classrooms for a larger school and to that the state of the heart of the believer attracts accommodate visitors. the Divine outpourings and the granting of the After more than ten years of labouring to visa to Mr. Fitzner to enter Portuguese Timor, establish the Cause on this island, Mr Fitzner's after so much effort, is clearly an evidence of health began to fail and by 1966 he was very the working of this great spiritual law." ill. Mrs. Fitzner's responsibilities grew heavier. Mr. Fitzner arrived in Dili, the capital of Many islanders of various races had accepted Portuguese Timor, on June 30, 1954, and was the Faith, one Spiritual Assembly was formed named by the Guardian a Knight of Baha'- and the English school was well established. u'llih. He was sixty years of age and had lived Each month saw a deterioration in Mr. all his life surrounded by the security of family, Fitzner's health as his body became ravaged home and friends. For the next four months, with cancer. Watching over him day and night, until his wife could join him in Dili, he was his wife prayed for his recovery. But on his alone. He immediately began making friends part, Harold's one plea was that he be allowed among the Portuguese, Timorese and Chinese to be a sacrifice for the establishment of the I N MEMORIAM 45 1 Faith in Timor, and that he might die at his New York. At this time no University Baha'i post. OnFebruary 3,1969, after softly repeating Clubs had beenestablished. the Greatest Name and beseeching the assis- Mr. Ward married Janet Nundy in 1926. tance of BahB'u'llah, Mr. Fitzner drifted into Three children were born of the marriage: a deep sleep from which he did not awaken. He Nairne Forsyth, Jr. ; Alicia N. ;and Roderic C. is buried in the Chinese cemetery on a high With his wife who embraced the Faith shortly plateau commanding a glorious view over the before their marriage, Mr. Ward transferred town and the people whom he loved so dearly to Berkeley, California where he was Assistant and among whom he was the first to raise the Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the banner of the Baha'i Faith. University of California. During the fourteen On April 27, 1957, Shoghi Effendi paid tri- years they lived there the Wards were active bute to Mr. Fitzner, writing: "May the Al- members of the community and served in mighty, Whose Cause you serve with such many capacities. Mr. Ward gave generously splendid devotion, perseverance and love, re- of his time speaking on the Faith at meetings ward you abundantly for your historic labours, in neighbouring communities. When vacaand enable you to enrich continually the record tioning or on a business trip he would always of your unforgettable and highly meritorious place himself at the disposal of the Baha'i services to His Faith." friends in the areas he visited to serve as a The cable of the Universal House of Justice public speaker. Frequently he gave radio advising the Baha'i world of the passing of Mr. addresses on Baha'i topics and served on Fitzner read : national committees including the Geyserville DEEPLY GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEARLY (California) BahB'i Summer School Committee. LOVED KNIGHT BAHAULLAH HAROLD FITZNER He had attended the formal Opening of the AT HIS PIONEER POST PORT DILI DEVOTED school in 1927 and grew to love it dearly, de- SERVICES REMEMBERED ANNALS FAITH STOP voting as much time as he possibly could to the CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY FAMILY FRIENDS institution and its activities. From 1927 to 1941 ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS the Ward the summer months at SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. Geyserville where Mr. Ward directed activities, ERIC S. G. BOWES lectured during the sessions and dealt with any emergencies that arose. He was ever ready to extend a willing hand in any capacity. The summer home built by Mr. Ward for his FORSYTH WARD family's use on the school land at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. John Bosch, donors of the 1897-1 969 Geyserville property, was foreseen as a retire- In d921, the year that 'Abdu'l-Baha ascended, ment site. Years later, while serving in the Nairne Forsyth Ward, usually known as Holy Land. Mr. Ward donated the house to the Forsyth Ward, first heard of the BahB'i Faith. National Spiritual Assembly of the United He was then a senior at Cornell University in States. A similar home was built on the prothe College of Mechanical Engineering. At perty by Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Ioasl and the that time he had contracted scarlet fever and two families became lifelong friends. Mr. had been placed in the University infirmary, Ward assisted in overseeing the construction at his textbooks forbidden. He was restless to read the Geyserville School of the Amelia Collins so Miss Hetty Belle Townley, his nurse and a Hall and Dormitory. BahB'i brought him Baha'i literature. His Mr. Ward's employment in the aircraft interest was awakened and he embraced the industry took the family to Seattle, Washing- Faith. ton, in 1941. A year later he was transferred After receiving his degree he continued his to Kansas where he was obliged to remain studies and became an instructor on the staff until the end of the war. During these years he of Cornell University, remaining until 1927 remained an active BahB'i, always helping in when he received his M.M.E. degree. During the community where he was living, as well as these years he continued his BahB'i study and ' Leroy Ioas was appointed a Hand of the Cause of was active in the Baha'i community of Ithaca, G ~ ~ December24, o , 1951. The pilgrimage was a beautiful and heavenly experience; it culminated in an invitation being extended to the Wards by the Hands of the Cause of God Residing in the Holy Land to remain at the World Centre as custodians of the Shrine of BahB'u'llah at Bahji. What a privilege! What an honour! Of course he said "Yes !" Mr. Ward brought his skill and knowledge to bear on the many technical problems involved in the repair and maintenance of the extensive gardens and properties at Bahji, projects which could be executed only during the brief summer period when the flow of pilgrims ceases. Throughout the pilgrimage season, from November to June, all effort was directed to the comfort and aid of the pilgrims. Mr. Ward served as a guide and chauffeur to the friends visiting the Holy Land. He guarded the Shrine, opening it for pilgrims whenever they wished to enter. He derived great joy from the opportunity of serving the Hands of the Cause when they gathered at Bahji for their autumn con- Forsyth Ward clave. With cheerful determination Mr. Ward met in neighbouring areas. Despite the prohibitions the difficulties of adjusting to a new climate, and restrictions which confined his activities language barriers and an unfamiliar lack of during the war years he never lost an oppor- amenities. But the reward of having served was tunity to offer encouragement or to speak of all that he desired; he was happy. the Faith. After the war the Ward family Mr. Ward remained in the Holy Land for returned to California where Mr. Ward con- over ten years, from 1959 to 1969, during which tinued to work for the government. Only a few period he served as custodian of the Shrine of years later he and his family were transferred BahB'u'llAh under the direction of the Hands to Tempe, Arizona where they became home- of the Cause of God, the International Council, front pioneers and aided thelone resident Baha'i and the Universal House of Justice. He passed in the establishment of a Spiritual Assembly. away while walking in the gardens at Bahji- However, Mr. Ward's real goal-to pioneer that sweetest of settings--early in the morning in a foreign land-had not yet been fulfilled. of June 8, 1969, and was laid to rest in the The opportunity arose upon his retirement in Baha'i cemetery at the foot of Mt. Carmel. 1959. Rex and Mary Collison, two American The news of his death was cabled by the Unibelievers who had left their home to settle in versal House of Justice: Kampala, Uganda had visited the Wards in 1957 and encouraged Mr. and Mrs. Ward to GRIEVED ANNOUNCE SUDDEN PASSING NAIRNE join them in Uganda. Two days after Mr. FORSYTH WARD DEVOTED BELIEVER WHO Ward's sixty-second birthday he and his wife WHILE ENROUTE PIONEER POST AFRICA DURING left Tempe for Uganda to fulfil his dream. CRUSADE RESPONDED REQUEST HANDS CAUSE All personal property had been given away or REMAIN BAHJI AS CUSTODIAN SACRED SHRINE sold; the five trunks holding their possessions BLESSED BEAUTY SERVING WITH WIFE JANET had been sent on to East Africa; all was in IN THAT EXALTED POST UNTIL HIS PASSING readiness. Another dream, cherished since 1921 STOP HIS DEVOTED SERVICES AMERICAN HOME- was about to be realized. Permission had been FRONT SINCE EARLY TWENTIES LONG REMEM- received to make the pilgrimage to the Holy BERED STOP VIEW HIS INTIMATE ASSOCIATION Land en route to Africa. GEYSERVILLE ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING MEMO- RIAL SERVICE DURING SUMMER SCHOOL The account of the passing of Etty Graeffe SESSIONS THERE STOP PRAYING SHRINES PRO- appearing in the September, 1969 issue of the GRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. United States Bahd'i News describes the JANET WARD beginning of her service abroad : "Mrs. Graeffe was one of the first contingent of pioneers from the United States to set forth for Europe on September 7, 1946, under the aegis of the ETTY GRAEFFE European Teaching Committee in the first 1897-1969 year of the Second Seven Year Plan (April, 1946-April, 1953). Her particular assignment GRIEVED LEARN PASSING ETTY GRAEFFE HER was to carry out the request of the beloved DEVOTED SELFSACRIFICING SERVICES DEVELOP- Guardian to the European Teaching Com- MENT CAUSE BAHAULLAH SWITZERLAND IM- mittee to set up an office in Geneva, Switzer- PERISHABLE ANNALS FAITH EUROPEAN CON- land as an adjunct to the BahB'i International TINENT STOP ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES Bureau which functioned directly under the PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. Guardian for many years. This office was to Universal House of Justice make a survey of the goal countries in Europe and to carry on certain services for the Euro- Etty Graeffe was born in 1897 in Brussels of a pean Teaching Committee." Accompanied by German father and an English mother, and Miss Edna True, chairman of the committee, attended school in Brussels. Among her Mrs. Graeffe proceeded to Geneva where, after schoolmates was Doris Lohse. Their families much searching, a suitable office was found were good friends. Little did the girls know and the opening of the ten goal countries of that in future years they would meet again as Europe commenced. BahB'i pioneers and work together throughout After two years of intensive teaching activity Europe for the establishment of the Faith of at the BahB'i Centre in Geneva during which BahA'u'llkh. interval Mrs. Graeffe visited the ten goal Later Etty studied at the University of countries and performed other duties she Tiibingen, Germany. She married at the age of suddenly suffered a severe heart attack and twenty-one, in 1918. Two years later her hus- was obliged to return to the United States for a band died as the result of an accident. Then, brief period to be with her family. When she forced to earn her living, and with an infant son was able to return to Europe she again entered to care for, she established and operated a home the pioneer field and served in many countries. for children. At this time she adopted an orphan At this time she suffered the tragic loss of her child whom she reared together with her own son who died of a heart attack while on a son. business trip to Finland. Again she demon- Disturbed by the growing political unrest in strated her exceptional fortitude, her grateful Germany, Etty left for the United States in resignation to the Will of God, increasing all 1936, taking her two children with her. It was the more her services. in the early 'forties that Etty, who up to this She then went to pioneer in Luxembourg, a time had always declared herself an atheist, country which much attracted her and whose encountered the BahB'i Faith and immediately destiny in the Cause absorbed her interest, accepted it. She became an outstanding and because her mother had lived there for many remarkable Baha'i and an able and compelling years. She was of great assistance to the teacher of the Cause. She was generous, hos- friends in Luxembourg and attracted and conpitable, steadfast and devoted and was pos- firmed many seekers through her firesides and sessed of the power of the spirit that is the gift public meetings. of the truly humble. Etty Graeffe was more than From Luxembourg she travelled to Belgium, an arresting personality; one felt that she was serving actively in Brussels and Antwerp. An an example of true servitude to BahB'u'llah. ardent Esperantist, she was a frequent speaker Although afflicted by a serious heart ailment at their meetings and participated in the delishe grasped every opportunity to serve the berations of the International Esperanto Faith. Association at their World Congresses. She also ,'i W O R L D humility of Etty Graeffe. A lady was visiting Locarno and was deeply impressed with Etty whom she met in hospital several times. Etty had spoken to her ~f the work in Locarno and of her hopes for the establishment of an Assembly. A highly successful public lecture given at that time by a young new believer from Italy brought Etty the greatest happiness. She told her listener that she had worked for many years to make this public meeting possible. Then she remarked to her visitor that she had only just then become entirely a Bahi'i, for only now could she truly supplicate, in the words of the Tablet of Visitation of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Make me as dust in the pathway of Thy loved ones, and grant that I may offer up my soul for the earth ennobled by the footsteps of Thy chosen ones . . . Many who visited Etty in her last days on earth spoke of the sublimity of her happiness. It was with this joy in her heart that she slipped away to the Abha Kingdom on July 26,1969. The outstanding contribution made by Etty Graeffe Etty Graeffe to the advancement of the Cause of the Blessed Beauty in Europe cannot be spoke regularly before the English Debating measured. We only know that she loved her Society. In her addresses before the various Lord and served Him faithfully. groups who called upon her to speak she would HONOR KEMPTON vividly describe her experiences in both world wars and the conflict between nations and religions, and capably present the solution she had found in the Bahi'i Teachings. She showed CHARLEY ROBERTS great interest in the work of the United Nations 1-1969 Organization and UNESCO. With rare intelligence she outlined the spiritual reality under- Little is known of the early life of Charley lying the concepts of human rights and of Roberts, the first Athabascan Indian north of progress. the Arctic Circle to embrace the Cause of From Belgium, Etty left for Switzerland Bahi'u'llah. We first met on the ice of the where again she rendered valuable services. Yukon River in Fort Yukon, Alaska, in April, She served on the National Spiritual Assembly 1962, the last year of the Guardian's Ten Year of Switzerland for several years. Because of Crusade. It was really more of an experience her knowledge of German, French and English than a meeting; he looked into my eyes as if he she was of particular assistance to the Swiss were seeing clear through me and reading my Translating Committee. soul. Etty Graeffe's last pioneer post was the goal My wife Beverly and I had pioneered to the city of Locarno, where she toiled to establish village of Fort Yukon and found employment the first Spiritual Assembly. Confined to bed as school teachers. Having been cautioned by for many months because of her defective the officials about teaching our Faith, we were heart, she carried on her teaching work from circumspect. I wished to cement a friendship her bedside, her failing health sustained by her with the elderly man with the penetrating gaze longing to see the coming into being of the but planned to avoid any talk about religion. I Spiritual Assembly of Locarno. walked the two miles through the snow to Perhaps this vignette will illustrate the Charley's cabin. Charley i~nmediatelybrushed I N M E M (D R I A M 455 I aside my attempt at caution. I had no more than entered his cabin when he said, "What church do you belong to, John?" That day Charley learned about BahB'u'llah. At our fourth meeting, on May 22, Charley and I went hunting. The day coincided with the first day of pilgrimage for Beverly and our eight year old daughter. Charley said, "Tell me about it again, John." While he sat calmly on a river bank whittling the end of a shell so it would better fit his gun, I told him again about BahB'u'llah. After confirming that he believed what I had told him, I simply said, "Then you are a BahB'i, Charley." Without looking up from his whittling, he softly answered, "I hope so, John." This simple statement of faith signalled the beginning of a dynamic phase in Indian teaching in Alaska. Within ten weeks a Spiritual Assembly was formed in Fort Yukon, largely due to Charley's efforts. Shortly afterwards he moved to Fairbanks. There his teaching resulted in the Faith reaching both Nenana and .J,
Beaver, two other villages which formed Charley Roberts Spiritual Assemblies during that final year of the Ten Year Crusade. Charley moved to Ten years before direct teaching on an organ- Nenana to assure the formation of that ized basis got underway in Alaska, Charley Assembly. He gave generously of his time, had a vision of the potential response in the his energy and whatever money he could earn. north and grieved at the inability of his fellow Charley, though illiterate, spoke five lan- BahB'is to meet the pace he set. The pain of guages and dialects, and he taught the Faith in having the insight but not full and organized all of them. His presentation was simple and support for direct mass teaching drove him to direct: "There is only one God; all men are seek solitude; at times he would go off for brothers; if you believe that, you are a Baha'i." months by himself into the woods, returning Once he expressed impatience at the lack of with renewed strength. Charley was a man to response in a woman he had told about the fear; he had a flash temper and the strength Faith: "She can't see it, and she even knows of two men. When Baha'u'llah touched his how to read and write!" Then he softened, "But heart, an overwhelming love conquered his some people are slow; it took me a long time." rage and he developed remarkable patience. That "long time" consisted of three conver- With that sense of urgency and intensity of sations during a six-week period. When faith which must have burned in the breasts of Charley was unable to reach someone he would the martyrs, Charley foreshadowed the fulinsist that another Baha'i attempt to unlock the filment of 'Abdu'l-Baha's prophecy: . . . gates of their understanding. should these Indians be educated and properly Charley was fiercely independent and had a guided, there can be no doubt that through the strength and depth of conviction that was rare. Divine teachings they will become so enlight- A day or so after his acceptance of Bahi'u'llah a ened that the whole earth will be illumined. local missionary attempted to dissuade him. Though unlettered, though he had difficulty When asked "What did you tell him?" Char- mastering the pronunciation of the name of ley's hand sprang up as in oath. With snapping his Lord, the fire of his faith and his love for eyes and stern countenance he thundered his Baha'u'llah burned with a brilliance that has conviction: "No man can make me change my continued to shed illumination in the north mind about my religion." long after his passing. His magnanimous spirit was matched by his hearty laughter, his love of children, the songs he would sing and the stories he would tell of the old days, of the crow, the bear, the fly or the salmon. He loved to tease and had a knack for giving his loved ones, especially children, endearing though whimsical Indian names that captured their personalities. I last saw Charley the winter before he died. He was over seventy then but his spirit and enthusiasm were boundless still. As we sat in the dim yellow kerosene light of his small cabin where we had fist talked of BahB'u'llah I think we both sensed that it was our last meeting. He was planning to travel to the village of Chalkyitsik because there was someone there "who will join us". He had an enrolment card and asked me to fill in the address; he would take care of the rest. Charley died on August 6, 1969. His Bahi'i burial, the first in the area, was conducted with quiet dignity that contrasted sharply with the prevailing atmosphere of fear, opposition and prejudice. The funeral was a momentous teaching occasion; it took a spirit withCharleyls Evelyn Baxter strength to achieve it. His grave marker is a wooden cross bearing a plaque with the A graduate from Sheffield University, Miss BahB'i ringstone symbol carved in it symbolic Baxter was a natural scholar and through the of how, through Charley, these two great reading of BahL'i books she became, early in religions are shown to be one in reality. 1923, before meeting any BahB'is, a convinced Though illiterate, Charley was never with- believer in the Teachings of Baha'u'llah. She out his well-worn prayer book. In it was found served the Faith with utter devotion as a the unsigned enrolment card for his friend in teacher, administrator and pioneer. She served Chalkyitsik; Charley did not complete his on the Local Spiritual Assembly of London and trip. Curiously, the man for whom it was on the National Spiritual Assembly of the intended died a short time before Charley British Isles for many years before arising as did. It was almost as though Charley would go a pioneer in the Six Year Plan (1944-1950), anywhere to tell someone about the Baha'i first to Birmingham and then to Nottingham, Faith. Hove, Oxford and Cardiff. Whenever a need JOHN E. KOLSTOE arose in the Cause, Miss Baxter would respond with wholehearted enthusiasm. Required by her health to retire early from EVELYN BAXTER her profession of teaching, Miss Baxter lived modestly on a small pension. She disliked 1883 ?-I969 waste of any kind. Many friends remember Knight of BahB'u'llah with affection and sympathy her practice of Evelyn Baxter, born about 1883, was at the age reusing envelopes for her wide correspondence. of nine left by her missionary parents in the Through prolonged self-denial she gradually care of relatives. Although little is known of saved enough money to achieve her heartfelt, her early years no doubt this enforced separa- long-held desire to make her pilgrimage to the tion played a part in shaping the character of World Centre. Miss Baxter who possessed a sensitive nature, The finest hour for Evelyn Baxter came in an independent and inquisitive mind and a deep 1953 when she responded immediately to the spiritual thirst. call of Shoghi Effendi at the outset of the Ten IN MEMORIAM
Year Crusade and arose in September, 1953, to open the Channel Islands to the BahB'i Faith. One of the immortal Knights of Baha?uY- Ilah, her name is thus inscribed in the circlet of beautifully painted flowers on the Scroll of Honour at the World Centre as the one who first raised the Standard of BahB'uYll&h in the island of Jersey. With characteristic determination she remained steadfastly at her post until her death on August 21, 1969. The fruits of her sacrifice and her devoted service were realized with the triumphant formation, at Ridvan 1972, of the first Spiritual Assembly of Jersey. At the memorial meeting held to mark her passing the following cable from the Universal House of Justice was read : DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH EVELYN BAXTER STOP AMONG FIRST PIONEERS SIX YEAR PLAN HER LONG FAITHFUL SERVICE BRITISH BAHAI COMMUNITY PROVIDES EX- AMPLE DEVOTION FORTITUDE STOP ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINE PROGRESS HER SOUL. Gladys Irene Parke
humanity, she came to understand, were GLADYS IRENE PARRE merely a preparation for the part she must play in carrying to mankind the healing, re- ?-I969 deeming spiritual truths taught by Baha'u'llah. Knight of Baha'u'llah She learned about the Faith in Launceston Gladys Irene Parke was born in Ballart, through Miss Gretta Lampril1,l the first believer Victoria, Australia, in the latter half of the last in Tasmania, who was also a retired nurse, and century. When she was a small child her family quickly accepted it, thus becoming the first moved to Launceston, Tasmania, and settled in Baha'i in Northern Tasmania. A closz spiritual that city. In her early years she manifested a relationship sprang up between the two women deep sympathy for the sick and infirm and it who became affectionately known throughout was a natural step when she enrolled as a the Tasmanian BahB'i community as "The student nurse at the Launceston General Two G's". Hospital. She dedicated her working life to In 1953 Gladys accepted the appointment as tending to the needs of the sick and her experi- hostess at the Haziratu'l-Quds in Sydney, ence of life as a nurse heightened her sympa- Australia, a role she carried out with characthetic understanding of her fellowmen. Miss teristic graciousness, dignity and efficiency. Parke's abilities were soon recognized and after Later in that year, inspired by the Guardian's graduation there followed a steady rise in her call for pioneers to arise and fill the goals of the chosen career resulting in appointments to a Ten Year Crusade, Miss Parke and Miss number of hospitals. These included St. Lamprill volunteered to go to Tahiti, the major Thomas's Hospital, London, the matronship island of the French Polynesian group called of a New Zealand Hospital; and Launceston the Society Islands. In recognition of their General Hospital where her career terminated. sacrificial effort the Guardian named them Miss Parke's retirement from her profession, Knights of Baha'u'llah. she later realized, marked only the be,ginning Four times they journeyed to Tahiti. As of her true life's work and the years she had Australian citizens their stay was limited by the devoted to alleviating the physical sufferings of See "In Memoriam", p. 534. French authorities to three months. However, The souls who have been enlightened with the because of the goodwill shown by the two light of the Kingdom . . . shine, like unto the friends the authorities extended their fourth stars, upon the horizon qf' everlasting glory. visa to six months. In the intervening periods 'Abdu'l-Baha. they continued to teach the Faith, on one ALBERT BENSON occasion assisting with the work in the Cook Islands. Eventually their efforts were rewarded and they witnessed the establishment of the first Spiritual Assembly on the island of JEANNE GWENDOLIN ALLEN Tahiti. 1911-1969 On her return to Tasmania Miss Parke Knight of BahB'uylIah settled in Launceston and her beautiful home "Waiho" became a magnet of attraction, the Jeanne Gwendolin Allen, Knight of BahB'u'llah setting for regular firesides, study classes and for Cape Breton Island, Canada, passed to the conferences. Her presentation of the Faith Abha Kingdom on September 30, 1969. Born lingers in the memory of all those who heard on February 3, 1911, she became a BahB'i her speak: the Faith was a perfect, unblemished through the Collin family in 1940 in Armstrong, jewel offered with tremendous dignity in an British Columbia. She married Fredrick Allen exquisite setting, and always the Message was in April, 1941, and took up residence in Vernon. given with warmth and sympathy in its purest Theirs was one of the earliest BahB'i marriages form, from the words of Baha'u'llah or in British Columbia. 'Abdu'l-Baha. The Allens were instrur~lentalin establishing In 1962 Gladys pioneered again, with her the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Vernon friend Miss Lamprill, to Devonport where they and remained in the area until they moved to assisted with the establishment of the first Edmonton, Alberta in 1950. While attending Spiritual Assembly, remaining until the com- the Intercontinental Conference in Wilrnette munity reached full strength and maturity and in 1953 they offered their services as pioneers later, despite advancing age, they embarked in the Ten Year Crusade and in that same year on an active teaching campaign in Launceston. they settled in Sydney, Cape Breton Island. In 1967, with great reluctance, the women Employment opportunities were limited in bowed to the demands of their years and took their adopted goal and therefore the Allens adjoining flats in a complex of retirement operated a small grocery store a few miles cottages for retired nurses. But retirement was from Sydney. This required their working long not a word in Glad's vocabulary and soon her hours and remaining open during the evenings, flat was again a focal point of teaching activity. but it provided an opportunity to meet many When questioned about this she instantly re- people and Jeanne was never too weary to ferred to the journeys of the Master to Europe invite them to her home to talk about the and America towards the end of His life. Baha'i Faith. She had great tact and patience In August, 1969, after a brief illness, the in explaining the principles of the Faith and in earthly life. of Gladys Irene Parke ended. A answering the questions of seekers. They refriend writes: "A few weeks ago I paid a visit mained at their post until 1962 when economic with dear Gretta to Glad's resting place in the conditions rendered a longer stay unfeasible. Launceston General Cemetery. We stood be- While in Cape Breton, the Allens drew comfore a double grave and said some prayers. A fort from the companionship of their fellow black marble headstone marks her resting pioneers, Grace and Irving Geary, who lived place. A similar headstone to the right remains about fifty miles away at Baddeck. In addition, unengraved. I shall always remember the love the loneliness of their stay in the Maritime in Gretta's eyes as she said on leaving, 'I yearn region was broken by the visits of travelling for the day when I can lie beside my beloved teachers, members of the National Spiritual Glad.' Surely there is no greater testimony to Assembly of Canada and other BahB'is going the power of Baha'u'llah than the spiritual to and from Labrador, Newfoundland, and the love that binds together His enthralled ser- islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon. The highvants in the companionship of the faithful." lights of their stay in Cape Breton Island, as has penetrated only in the form of a mission station with its hospital and one or two schools, and also an oil company. My husband and I had been in Papua for one year before we met Tommy. He was a middle-aged man who, because of his dignity and thoughtful air, appeared much older. He was looked upon as a leader amongst his people and possessed the befitting traits of wisdom and kindliness. He taught himself to read and write, served in the police force, visited Australia, and was a champion of his people. He sought to improve their economic position by establishing a trading business for them. He was often misunderstood, lost money because of it, and nothing actually succeeded. But he was respected and went forward doggedly, forsaking many private concerns in his efforts to assist his people. When he first came to us with some others who had expressed an interest in the BahB'i Teachings, he sat and listened in a kindly way and said little. He borrowed The Good Message, Jeanne Gwendolin Allen returning the book a week later. He had carefully read the first page. "This is just what I recorded by Jeanne, were the visits of the Hands think," he said. "It is true." And as we listened of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m carefully to his indistinct English, he added: to Halifax, and John Robarts to Sydney and "If you had found me when you first came here, Moncton. you would not have waited a year in vain." On their return to British Columbia the Soon other Papuans, all from Tommy's Allens served in various communities in the area, also embraced the Cause and in April, Okanagan Valley area. Jeanne confided to a 1966, the first Spiritual Assembly of Port friend who visited her during her illness that Moresby was formed. Tommy returned to his she was peacefully resigned to leave this world home village and with our help endeavoured if it were the will of God. Burial was in Lake- to start a sacsac (native housing material) view cemetery overlooking the calm turquoise weaving industry among his village friends. of Okanagan Lake, the heart and centre of the The government assisted for a time but evenarea in which Jeanne had embraced the Faith tually the venture failed. that she served with a quiet and steadfast dis- Tommy contracted tuberculosis but despite tinction. this handicap and that of geographic isolation from other Baha'i teachers, he continued to spread the Glad Tidings. We went ourselves and sent visitors to see him and the BahB'is of TOMMY KABU the area. On one occasion Tommy accompanied a Chimbu BahB'i from the highlands on his 1922-1969 teaching trip to villages further along the river Tommy Kabu, the first Papuan believer, came and many new believers were enrolled. from an area of large rivers and steaming tro- The spread of the Faith alarmed the mispical country, in the Gulf District of Papua. sionaries who urged Tommy to discontinue There people live in houses on stilts, and the teaching. Tommy informed them that no one is bush is so dense that all travel is by river. For forced to become a Baha'i and that if one feels the most part they are poor with few occupa- an attraction of the heart for the Cause he has tions and poor soil for gardens. Civilization the right to identify with it. 460 THE BAHA'I WORLD ~ . -- - - well-known anthropologist, Nigel Oram, in a newspaper article, described Tommy as he had known him in the days before he was a BahB'i: "Perhaps most impressive was his quality of self-,control. When dealing with meetings, he spoke his views clearly and forcibly, but he was never put out when the feeling of the meeting went against him on a particular point. He gave an impression of inner calmness and strength." SUE PODGER
MARY HOTCHKISS BODE 1896-1969 Mary Hotchkiss Bade, whose services as a pioneer spanned a quarter of a century and took her to three continents, was the daughter of one of the very early and active BahB'is of Washington, District of Columbia. She was privileged, as a child, to meet 'Abdu'l-Baha during his visit to America. To Mary, He gave Tornn~yKabu the Persian name Ruqiyyih ("lofty" or "exalted"), and to her sister, Helen Hotchkiss Tommy's physical condition worsened and Lielnors, the name Latifih ("pure" or "radihe was confined for a long time in the anta- ant"). Her mother, Mrs. John Burton Hotchgonistic atmosphere of the mission hospital. kiss, received from the Master His signed When we visited him in April, 1969 hewas living photograph, and a Tablet in which He suppliin a house and seemed better. He was thrilled cated that "thy two blessed daughters may be to be with Baha'i friends again, but unhappy encompassed with the grace of tlze Kingdom." that his condition made it impossible to teach Mary and Helen also received Tablets from and travel as much as he would like. When 'Abdu'l-Baha and, in 1919, at the Annual Contranslations of the Writings into Motu reached vention held in New York City, the two sisters him, he wrote saying how delighted he was to formally presented that portion of the Master's have material he could fully understand and to Tablets of the Divine Plan known as the 'first' again be travelling about and teaching. and 'second' Tablets to the Southern States.' Although elected a delegate to the first Miss Mary Maxwell (now the Hand of the National BahB'i Convention to be held at Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m ) also Lae, Tommy was unable to attend because of participated in that programme, presenting the transportation difficulties. Inspired by the con- 'first' and 'second' Tablets to Canada. vention, however, another Chimbu teacher Mary gave the BahB'i Message to many, left for the Gulf District and met Tommy on including Edward Bode whom she married in his arrival. Other believers from upriver 1936. Together they assisted in establishing the arrived the same day. Tommy said he could first Spiritual Assembly of Beverly Hills, see that the Baha'i Faith brought a true love and California and, between 1941 and 1942, served unity. In a letter written in this period he men- on the Inter-America Committee, arranging tioned that he was still trying to sell sacsac by for and assisting prospective pioneers to Cenanother means to benefit his needy people. tral and South America. Early in October, 1969, at the age of forty- Frorn 1937 until the time of his passing, Mary seven, he passed away. His remains were in- engaged in frequent correspondence with terred in a pleasant burial ground near his Shoghi Effendi, seeking his guidance in selecting home village, Mapaio. Following his death the 1 starofthe wesf, vol. x,N ~4,. p. 57. I N MEMORIAM 46 1 resting- -place in the British Cemetery in Lisbon is surrounded by a beautiful garden. An appreciation of her rich record of service is contained in the cable sent by the Universal House of Justice on October 16 : DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING STEADFAST DEVOTED PIONEER MARY HOTCHKISS BODE STOP CHILD- HOOD ILLUMNED MEETING ABDULBAHA STOP ASSISTED FORMAL PRESENTATION TABLETS DIVINE PLAN LATER RENDERED WITH BELOVED HUSBAND EXEMPLARY SERVICES QUARTER CENTURY PIONEER FIELDS NORTH SOUTH AMERICA EUROPE FINALLY YIELDING LIFE OUTPOST EUROPEAN CONTINENT STOP ASSURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL.
DORIS FOYE CORBIN 1904-1969 "This is the cornerstone laid by 'Abdu'l-Baha Mary Hotchkiss Bode in 1912. Baha'is often come here to pray." Carl Scheffler spoke these words to two young the areas of greatest need in the Baha'i Cause ladies from Seattle, Washington, who were to which she could direct her efforts. In 1946 she visiting the Baha'i House of Worship in Wiland her husband embarked on their first mette in 1927. One was a BahB'i, the other, pioneering assignment abroad, choosing Brazil Doris Foye Corbin, had just heard about the as their goal, and assisted in establishing the Faith that evening for the first time. Doris had first BahB'i Assembly in that country. On never been taught religion at home, much less January 28,1948, Shoghi Effendi wrote to Mrs. to pray. Their guide turned, walked away, and Bode: "I deeply appreciate your high and con- left them alone. stant endeavour for the establishment of the Doris felt incapable of prayer and indeed Faith in Brazil, and feel truly proud of your did not know how. An informal but totally historic achievements. I urge you and your dear sincere supplication formed on her lips: If this husband to persevere in your task, however is the truth, I want to believe. She felt attracted great the sacrifice involved, and to rest assured to the principles of the Faith and a sense of that the Beloved is well pleased with you both, regret that she had not encountered it earlier. that He will watch over you, and aid you to On leaving that evening Mr. Scheffler gave each render still greater service to His Cause." one a gift. To Doris he gave the last of the ring Later that year Mary and Edward settled in stones 'Abdu'l-Baha had given to him which Chile to assist with the work there, and then later she had set into a ring as a gift for her pioneered to Panama, Mexico, Portugal and husband on their first wedding anniversary. Holland, serving for nine years in the latter When she returned to Seattle, Doris became country. a convinced believer and began a productive In March, 1969, at the suggestion of the life of Baha'i service in the fields of teaching, Universal House of Justice whose guidance pioneering and administration extending over they sought, the devoted couple settled in forty-two years during which she never failed Funchal, Madeira Islands. While attending a to regard Baha'i activities as the first obligation teaching conference in Lisbon, Portugal in in her life. October of that year, Mary became seriously After her marriage to Donald Corbin in ill and passed away within a few days. Her 1940 the couple pioneered to Texas and assisted T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
A pioneer to the very end, Doris passed away on November 1, 1969, in Florida where she assisted in the formation of the first Spiritual Assemblies of Fort Myers and Lee County. At the time of her death she was working in the business departments of Edison Junior College where her husband was an instructor. An accomplished musician, she had assisted in creating thecollege's first Fine Arts programme. In appreciation of her services to the college and the community, the auditorium of the newly constructed Learning Resource Centre of the college was named the Doris Corbin Auditorium, and a music scholarship in her memory was established. The cabled tribute received from the Universal House of Justice read: GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED SERVANT CAUSE DORIS CORBIN HER PIONEER SERVICE EUROPE AND ISLANDS CARIBBEAN MERI- TORIOUS CONTRIBUTION TEN YEAR CRUSADE STOP ASSURE HUSBAND PRAYERS PROGRESS Doris Foye Corbin HER SOUL.
in the formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in that State, in Houston, and later MUSTAPHA BOUCHOUCHA served at posts in Palacios, Corpus Christi and 1900--1969 San Antonio. During the war years they assisted in the formation of the first Spiritual Assem- It was with deep sorrow that the BahB'is of blies of Roseville and Grosse Point Farms in Tunisia and many others abroad learned of the Michigan. A skilled verbatim stenographer and passing of Mustapha Bouchoucha in his highspeed typist, Doris made a valuable con- sixty-ninth year during the early morning hours tribution to any committee on which she served of November 2,1969. He had not been seriously and made available to the friends her complete ill and his death occurred while he was sleeping. notes taken of conferences and addresses of Mr. Bouchoucha was one of the earliest visiting BahB'is. In periods of difficulty she believers in Tunisia and for almost half a cenwould type BahB'i manuscripts to share with tury he devotedly served the BahB'i Faith and the believers so that even her darkest hours was identified with it by all who knew him. He were translated into service. was loving and kind to all and a source of Doris fulfilled her two greatest wishes, to encouragement and confidence to those who make a pilgrimage to the World Centre and to sorrowed. His lightheartedness, the warmth live always in a pioneer post. In 1966 she of his nature and his sparkling wit made him a attained the Thresholds of the Sacred Shrines delightful companion and a source of comfort in Haifa. As a pioneer she served the Faith in and happiness to all who came into contact Sweden for several years beginning in 1949 with him. He indefatigably proclaimed the under the Second Seven Year Plan, and in Faith to his friends and to public figures, con- Grenada, West Indies, under the Ten Year stantly drawing attention to its status as an Crusade. She possessed insights which par- independent world religion and to its spiritual ticularly qualified her as a successful pioneer: verities and humanitarian principles. a desire to remain in the background, and to A photographer by profession, Mr. Bouconcentrate on confirming and training the choucha toward the end of his life achieved wide newly-enrolled believers to teach. recognition for his work in television. His par- Following her education and marriage, when a very young woman, to William Henry ("Harry") Randall1, a Boston businessman, two events had an extraordinary influence upon the remainder of her life-a sudden illness which seemed fatal, and the mysterious response to a meeting with 'Abdu71-Baha. At the time of 'Abdu'l-BahB's visit to Boston in 1912, Ruth was lying ill with what was considered an incurable illness. She has often related that her husband, who was a deeply religious man in search of spiritual knowledge and understanding, was moved to appeal to 'Abdu'l-Baha to meet his wife and heal her. During the brief interview in which 'Abdu'l- Baha leaned over her couch on the open verandah of her home in Medford, Massachusetts, Ruth, in recalling the important moment has said: " 'Abdu'l-Bahl took my hand, looked with His beautiful, searching eyes into mine, and I knew in that instant my life was an open book. ' You are not sick,' He said, 'you are the healthiest person here,' and Mustapha Bouchoucha repeated the words three times." From that moment healing began and an inscrutable ticipation in television programmes brought recovery, which baffled her doctors, took place. him into every home and heart in the area and This event set a new direction to the lives of won him the sincere love of young and old. Ruth and Harry Randall. Through study and The funeral of Mr. Bouchoucha was atten- prayer they became followers of 'Abdu'lded by representatives from all strata of BahB's teaching that BahB'u'llah, His Father, Tunisian society, including the poor he had was the Manifestation of God for the new befriended and the youth whose ideals he had spiritual era which He inaugurated. helped form. Despite the opposition of un- In the ensuing years both Ruth and her sympathetic relatives, through the efforts of husband gave time and money to creating new his staunch wife and daughters permission was Bahh'i centres, to many meetings and conobtained from the government for a BahB'i ferences, to the development of the Green burial. Acre property at Eliot, Maine, as a Baha'i The message cabled by the Universal House Summer School, and wholeheartedly supof Ju~ticeat the time of Mr. Bouchoucha's ported many activities for the introduction and gassing read : advancement of the BahB'i Faith. GRIEVED LEARN PASSING MUSTAPHA BOU- In response to an invitation from 'Abdu'l- Baha, at the close of World War I, the Randalls, CHOUCHA EXTEND SYMPATHY RELATIVES AS- their daughter, Margaret, and a few friends, SURE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Novem- SOUL. ber, 1919. The significance of those wonderful days was recorded in pilgrim's notes which were published upon their return under the title The Light of the World. Borrowing from its pages a glimpse of 'Abdu'l-Baha, He "sat there before us, at times silent, but when He spoke Ruth Randall Brown was born in Boston, every word vibrated with power. As He talked Massachusetts, on September 5,1887, and died of world conditions, His irresistible logic, the in Durban, South Africa, on November 3,1964. See "In Memoriam", Star of the West, vol, xx, p. 22. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
to the conditions, suggesting some changes in its arrangement . . . Then the Master told me to send the drawings to Mr. Randall, which instruction I carried out . . . The Pilgrim House is to be built. . . on the opposite side of the street from the house of the Master" (Star of the West, vol. XII, p. 184). Shoghi Effendi, in , - 5 God Passes By, has written: "The site for a
-4% $5. Western Pilgrim House was acquired in the neighbourhood of 'Abdu'l-Baha's residence, and the building was erected soon- after His passing by American believers" (p. 307). Ruth returned to Haifa in 1921 just after the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha and had the privilege of sharing the grief of the Holy Family and of comforting Shoghi Effendi upon whom had suddenly fallen the responsibility of Guardianship of the Faith of Baha'u'llah. After the death of her husband in 1929, Ruth married Mr. Bishop Brown, a BahB'i who had been appointed to a professorship at the University of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In the years 1929 to 1953, Ruth and Bishop Brown Ruth Randall Brown actively served the Faith at the University, at home, in local centres, summer schools and on splendour of His universal mind, were a con- national committees. While attending protinual astonishment. As He paused, told a fessional meetings abroad, following World humorous story, laughed about Fugita, heaped War 11, Ruth and her husband visited BahB'i mire food on Margaret Randall's plate, His centres in Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, great love set all our hearts in uproar. It is not France and England. In 1953 they arose to the Master's human personality, attractive participate in the Guardian's Ten Year Cruas it may be, but thelight, the truth of God shin- sade. In response to his suggestion they became ing through His selfless spirit that makes Him pioneers in South Africa, and made their home so wonderful and His words like the Water of in Durban. A letter dated September 5, 1953, Life" (p. 27). written by the Guardian's secretary on his The architect of the Western Pilgrim House behalf, bears a postscript in Shoghi Effendi's on Mount Carmel has recorded one result of handwriting: "May the Almighty abundantly the pilgrimage of the Randalls: "Before I left reward you for your prompt, exemplary and America for Europe and the Holy Land in spontaneous response, bless richly your high July, 1920, Mr. Randall spoke with me of the endeavours, guide and sustain you always, plan for building a Pilgrim House at the foot remove all obstacles from your path, and enable of Mount Carmel, which he had talked over you to win brilliant victories in the service of with the Master, 'Abdu'l-Baha, on his recent HisgloriousFaith." pilgrimage to the Holy Land . . . In the early At her death in 1969, Ruth Randall Brown days of my visit with our Master last winter, was survived by her husband, Bishop Brown, He broached the subject of the Pilgrim House and two children by her first marriage, Mrs. which Mr. Randall was to build, asking me to Margaret ("Bahiyyih") Randall Ford and Mr. prepare designs for a building suitable for the William ("Baha'i") Randall, both of whom purpose, to be built upon the site chosen. The live in Johannesburg, South Africa. preliminary drawings for this design were made After gaining her health and becoming a under the Master's direction. Sketches for Baha'i, Ruth devoted her many and varied several possible solutions were presented to talents to the service of the Faith. She was a Him, and He chose one as being the best suited musician with an exquisite singing voice; she IN MEMORIAM 465 wrote and lectured; and she was always a Clarence served on the Maintenance Compractical housewife, creating with her family mittee of the House of Worship in Wilmette homes that welcomed countless people through from the earliest days of his association with the years. Her beauty of spirit will linger in the the Faith and later was a member of the Landhearts of many for years to come. scaping Committee that developed the gardens The Universal House of Justice cabled : surrounding the completed House of Worship. GRIEVED LEARN PASSING RUTH RANDALL He was a member of the Spiritual Assembly of BROWN STOP HER LONG LIFE DEVOTED DIS- Oak Park, Illinois, until moving to Mansfield, TINGUISHED SERVICE CAUSE BAHAULLAH SHIN- Ohio, in 1941. Here Mr. and Mrs. Ullrich be- ING EXAMPLE ALL PIONEERS STOP PLEASE fore their departure in 1945, assisted the isola- ARRANGE BEFITTING MEMORIAL HER BEHALF ted believer there to form a strong and active STOP CONVEY HER FAMILY OUR LOVING SYM- Baha'i group. Back in Oak Park, Mr. Ullrich PATHY ASSURANCE ARDENT PRAYERS DIVINE was once again a member of the Spiritual THRESHOLD PROGRESS HER SOUL. Assembly. In 1954, Mr. and Mrs. Ullrich made their BISHOP BROWN and pilgrimage to the World Centre of the BahB'i MARGARET BAH~YYIH RANDALL FORD Faith, accompanied by a niece and Mrs. Viola M. Tuttle, sister of Mrs. Ullrich. In addition to the bounties of visiting the Shrines and meeting CLARENCE ULLRICH Shoghi Effendi, the group enjoyed a happy reunion with the Hand of the Cause Leroy 1894-1969 Ioas, who was the brother of Mrs. Ullrich and GRIEVED PASSING DEVOTED SERVANT CAUSE Mrs. Tuttle, and who, with his wife Sylvia, was CLARENCE ULLRICH HIS LONGTIME RECORD assisting in the work at the World Centre. ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED MOTHER TEMPLE WEST Making an early retirement, Clarence Ullrich CROWNED BY PIONEER SERVICE CUBA JAMAICA and his wife, Marguerite, accompanied again WORLD CRUSADE STOP CONVEY DEAR WIFE by Mrs. Tuttle, pioneered to Camaguey, Cuba, FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS PROGRESS HIS during the Ten Year Crusade, arriving at their SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. post on January 1, 1960. A Spiritual Assembly Universal House of Justice was required in Camaguey by Ridvan, 1960, preparatory to the establishment of the Clarence Ullrich was born in Chicago, Illinois, National Spiritual Assembly of Cuba in April, on October 10,1894, and lived in the suburb of 1961. In February, 1960, the group was joined Oak Park for many years. After graduating by two Cuban believers one of whom was from the Illinois Institute of Technology, he bilingual and served as interpreter. A young passed the Illinois State Board examination for Cuban man who volunteered to assist in transarchitects, and later qualified as an engineer. porting their luggage from the hotel to an As a young boy, Clarence acquired the apartment became the first local believer in attitudes and beliefs that would one day make Camaguey. The hotel desk clerk and another him a dedicated Baha'i. He established young man who spoke English rather fluently friendships with people of various religious became the seventh and eighth members of the backgrounds and believed that the faithful group. Another man who had befriended Mr. follower of any religion could find favour with Ullrich and assisted him in locating an apart- God if he lived a good life. As a young man, he ment overcame the opposition of his family left the Catholic church and became a mason. and enrolled as the ninth member, thus assuring Later, when he encountered the Baha'i Faith, the formation of the Spiritual Assembly. he could readily accept its Teachings because he The birth of this Assembly took place against already believed in most of them, but he did not a background of great political unrest. The see why it was necessary to accept Baha'u'llah. three Americans were under surveillance. On Thus, although he had a BahB'i wedding in one occasion a police search party armed with 1922, it was not until the late 'thirties that he machine guns interrupted a fireside with about came to a fuller understanding of the station of nineteen people present, interrogating each Baha'u'llah and became a registered Baha'i. person, conducting a thorough search of the 466 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D Clarence gave great assistance in the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Yallahs. Simultaneously, once or twice a week he travelled about eighty miles through the mountains to assist with the teaching work in May Pen where a large and active Baha'i community became established. As members of the Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica, Mr. and Mrs. Ullrich enjoyed the bounty of participating in the election of the first Universal House of Justice in 1963, and also attended the World Congress in London. Although they loved Jamaica, their friends and the work there, they settled in Florida in 1963 because of Mrs. Ullrich's health. Back in the United States, they travelled extensively on teaching trips throughout the mid-West. At the time of his passing on December 16, 1969, Clarence Ullrich was serving as chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of Manatee County, Florida. Clarence Ullrich enjoyed life fully and had a n enthusiastic appreciation of and interest Clarence Ullrich in many things. He always had a friendly smile and a kind word for all he met. He told everyapartment and inquiring about the nature of one that he was a Baha'i and his life truly the meeting. When the police left, the meeting exemplified the Teachings. He showered love continued. The calmness of the BahB'is in the on all those who crossed his path and, in return face of trying circumstances deeply impressed won their affection. ". . .dearly-loved Clarence one of the inquirers who returned the next day Ullrich," wrote the Hand of the Causemikruto declare her acceptance. Shortly thereafter a 'Ilah ,hadem, " . . .is always alive in the Abha number of her relatives also became BahB'is. Kingdom and in our hearts." The Faith had taken root in Camaguey. MARGUERITE ULLRICH During the absence of Mr. and Mrs. Ullrich from Cuba in December, 1960, conditions worsened. Because of the severing of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba PACORA BLUE MOUNTAIN permission for their return was not obtained 1889-1969 from the American government. They assisted with the teaching work in curaGao, ~ ~ The ~ .fuuh measure~ of your ~ success - is as yet lands ill^^, for three months and then in unrevealed, its sign8cance still unappre- ~ ~1961, ~they pioneered ~ h to Jamaica. , Here hended.' Ere long ye will, with your own eyes, they served on the first National spiritual witness how brilliantly every one of you, even Assembly formed at Ridvin, 1961, and on the , as a~hiningstar, willradiate, in thefirmament Spiritual Assembly of Kingston. of your country, the light of Divine Guidance, Clarence Ullrich had a particular love for the and bestow up01zits people the glory of an people living in the mountainous region of everlasting life. 'Abdu'l-Baha, Jamaica and displayed a marked gift for Tablets of the Divine Plan teaching them. Although many of them were poor and illiterate they had a purity of spirit Salomon Pacora Estrada, known as Pacora that rendered them responsive to the BahB'i Blue Mountain, was one of the first of Inca Teachings and those who accepted the Faith descent to embrace the Faith of BahB'u'llBh. He were eager to spread the Teachings to others. was born in Sullana, Peru, in 1899, and became IN MEMORIAM
an accomplished pianist and performer, and composed folk music with an Indian or Latin American motif. Around 1938, he went to the United States with an Inca musical group from Peru and there came into contact with Mrs. Irma Martin of New York who introduced him to Mr. and Mrs. Edward B. Kinney,' at whose home he attended BahB'i meetings. This was during the opening phase of the first Seven Year Plan (1937-1944) under which the Guardian called upon the American believers to, among other things, establish a permanent centre of the Faith in each of the republics of Central and South America and intensify teaching among the indigenous peoples of the Americas in fulfilment of the mission entrusted to them by 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Through the Kinneys, Pacora accepted the Cause and immediately arose to serve it, having imbibed from these early believers who had been in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha a great love for the Master and the Guardian. Although the exact date of his acceptance is uncertain it is clear from a letter Pacora Blue Mountain written to Shoghi Effendi by Mr. Kinney on August 9, 1941, that Pacora was by that date 1942, "He was very happy to hear of the successconfirmed in the Faith and engaged in spreading ful teaching work which Mr. Blue Mountain is the Teachings. Mr. Kinney wrote: "Pacora carrying on. The conversion of the original Blue Mountain, an . . . Inca Indian, has been inhabitants of North and South America to the most important in the spread of the Cause in Faith is a cause for great rejoicing, and will no both Mexico and South America. He is a doubt bring rich blessings in its wake." faithful attendant to my meetings and absorbs On March 16, 1961, Pacora pioneered to deeply all I have had to say . . . I have been Ecuador where he served the Faith both as a giving out the strongest kind of spiritual food, teacher and through his music. At Ridvan, dealing with actualities and truth-indeed, 1961, he was elected to the Spiritual Assembly he says it was just that which made him a of Guayaquil and for a brief time commencing Baha'i." On October 11, 1941, the Guardian's in October of that year, at the request of the secretary wrote on his behalf to Mr. Kinney: National Assembly of Ecuador, he assisted the "The Guardian was most happy to learn that Indian village of Alausi achieve its goals, you have been able to confirm souls from South dividing his time between that community American countries, such as Mr. Blue Moun- where he had established temporary quarters tain and Mr. Torres. He will pray for their and his lodgings in Guayaquil. He persevered in dedication to the wonderful work of spreading this task despite the difficulties imposed by their new-found belief in Baha'u'llah amidst restrictions for holding meetings. His efforts their countrymen who so greatly need these were finally rewarded, as he himself expressed glorious Teachings. He was particularly happy in a letter dated April 7, 1964, saying that now that Mr. Blue Mountain, an Inca descendant, the seeds he had planted in that area had should have embraced the Cause, thus bringing started to give fruit. With the aid of Mr. and nearer the realization of the Master's command Mrs. Miguel Solis of Alausi a BahB'i group of to confirm the Indians." And on March 28, eight believers was established in the village of ' Edward B. "Safg' Kinney, see "In Memoriam", Naranjapata within a period of two days, and The Bahd'i World, vol. xrr, p. 677; Carrie "Vafa" other interested inquirers were given literature Kinney, see "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. xrrr, p. 864. to study. Pacora continued to make periodic visits to the friends in Naranjapata and, for a borated in these programmes, usually pretime, maintained a room for BahB'i meetings. senting selections from the BahB'i Writings A letter written by Pacora from his teaching with musical accompaniment by Mr. Blue post, in April, 1964, describes his love for Mountain. Shoghi Effendi and his efforts to bring the Before his death, Pacora made a gift to the BahB'i Teachings to the native people, an National Spiritual Assembly of Peru of proactivity in which he had been encouraged in perty he owned in his birthplace, Sullana, conletters he had received from the Guardian: "I sisting of a small house set in an orchard. am still alive and happy . . . I cannot wait for On January 3, 1969, the National Spiritual people to knock on my door to get the Baha'i Assembly of Ecuador wrote: "It is our sad Message! I feel that if I am not teaching I de- task to inform you of the death of our beloved prive myself of the bounties and protection of BahB'i friend Pacora Blue Mountain (Salombn Baha'u'llah-I do not yet know how to take a Estrada) in Guayaquil, on December 25,1969. siesta! . . . Every day is a new chapter of He was buried that same day in a cemetery in experience in pioneering work. I feel very, very Guayaquil with a Baha'i funeral service by the happy trying to do this for my beloved Guar- friends in the Guayaquil community. Pacora dian . . . I have given the Message in every has served the Ecuadorian BahB'i community town, city and village I passed through, in as a pioneer since the establishment of our stations, parks, churches, on trains and buses." first National Spiritual Assembly in 1961, and Describing a short but typical teaching trip was constantly occupied in giving the Message in the Indian areas, he stated: "The faithful of BahB'u'llih wherever he travelled. His loss pioneers in Otavalo, Mr. and Mrs. Fred is deeply felt by all the Baha'is in the country Kappus, with their children and I walked each and we are offering devout prayers for his rapid morning about four miles up the mountain to progress in all the worlds of God. We are sure visit and teach the Indians . . . When I talk to that Baha'u'llah will richly reward him for his the indigenous people, my heart feels their long years of dedicated service to His Cause." pain . . . but there is the spiritual power of Informed of his passing, the Universal House 'Abdu'l-Baha and the love of the Guardian to of Justice wrote of Pacora Blue Mountain : "His give comfort and happiness . . ." long and devoted services to the Faith in Latin Pacora's attendance at the first major Indian America and in Ecuador will be long remem- Teaching Congress in Ecuador, held at the bered. Be assured of our loving prayers at the famous Indian centre of San Pablo del Lago, in Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul in the 1961, was significant for the following reason. Abha Kingdom." In a moment of bounty the author had the G AYLE WOOLSON opportunity of mentioning this memoir to the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m who stated-and I quote her words CURTIS DeMUDE KELSEY with permission-"the beloved Guardian considered Mr. Pacora Blue Mountain to be the 1894-1970 first known Baha'i of Inca descent, and for HARRIET MORGAN KELSEY this reason had a photograph of Mr. Pacora 1894-1971 Blue Mountain placed in the Mansion at Bahji where it may still be seen." On June 9, 1922, Dr. Diya Bahdadi (Zia In his ardour to convey the Message of Bagdadi)l, an Eastern believer living in Chicago BahB'u'llah and open new doors for the Faith, wrote to the members of the Spiritual Assembly Pacora gave many piano recitals interspersed of the Baha'is of New York City: with readings from the Baha'i Writings, and "I beg to inform you of the joyful report this sometimes gave radio talks in various localities servant received from Haifa in regards to the in Ecuador. The most outstanding of these was illumined and sincere youth, Mr. Curtis Kelsey, a series of musical programmes known as "The who has been wonderfully blessed and con- Voice of Certitude" which extended over a firmed in rendering one of the great services to period of several months on "Ondus del the Cause of God. He has successfully illu- Pucifico" in Guayaquil. Mr. Medina colla- See"In Memoriam", The Balid'i Wor/d,vol. vrr, p. 535. IN MEMO RIAM 469 mined the Holy Shrines of Baha'u'llah, he subscribed to his father's dictum: "Just live 'Abdu'l-Baha and the Bab, and above all the a good life and always keep your word. Your blessed Master was very pleased with him . . . word is your bond. There's not much value to This is, I am sure, because of the purity of his formal religions because they cannot agree heart, sincerity of his aim and obedience to the among themselves." Perhaps for this reason blessed Commands. Verily, God confirms Curtis was not receptive when his mother whomsoever He wishes in whatsoever He brought the Baha'i Faith to his attention in wishes. 1909, in Portland, Oregon. Although she " . . . I never forgot how the Master acted accepted the Faith at that time and became an and what he said regarding the illumination of ardent and enthusiastic believer, it was some the Blessed Shrine (of the Bab). It was on the time before it captured Curtis's attention. anniversary of the martyrdom of His Holiness Several years later when the family was living the Bab, while all pilgrims were at the Sacred in Van Courtland Park, New York, Curtis, Shrine. The beloved Master remained silent for who was working for his father on a wood (a) few minutes . . . standing at the Holy pipeline, became very ill with typhoid fever. Threshold. His silence broke with gushing He wrote the following account of a strange tears and (He) cried loudly, saying: In all the and wonderful experience which occurred years of imprisonment (in Mah-Kul), the Bdb while being nursed in his parents' home: "The spent all the nights in utter darkness. Yea, not ache and pounding in my head became so even a candle was allowed(Him). . . Therefore, acute I turned over in bed and was pushing my God willing, I shall illumine His Sublime head into the pillow, when the pain suddenly Shrine with one hundred electric lamps. . . . Now stopped and I heard a very beautiful orchestra the news has come that on the last day of the playing in my room. I had never had an Feast of Ridvan the three Blessed Shrines were experience like this and I turned around illumined with electricity and the light is quickly to see what was there. However, there flooding the Bay of 'Akka. Indeed, Mr. Kelsey were no actual instruments in the room and as deserves a thousand praises and commen- I sat up the music faded away. I called to my dations." mother and she came running into the room to Curtis DeMude Kelsey will be remembered see what had happened. I told her about the most for having fulfilled that cherished desire experience and she at once brought some of 'Abdu'l-Bahh. Baha'i books and said, 'Perhaps we can find He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the answer in these Writings.' We both began March 6, 1894, to Frank Clay and Valeria to read and as I was reading my attention was DeMude Kelsey. His father was a civil and focused on the Writings and I was impressed hydraulic engineer and at various times was with what I read. All of a sudden I said, 'Mother City Engineer for Portland and Seattle. His why have you not told me more about these mother was a gifted poetess and author, active Writings before?.' "Although they did not find in civic affairs, and at one time president of the the answer to the "music" at that time, the Robert Browning Society. Curtis was one of next day a procession of Baha'is started to visit four sons. His parents were industrious, Curtis and together they continued to search idealistic people, and the atmosphere in their the Writings. Among these early Baha'i friends home encouraged independent thinking. Curtis were Hooper Harris, Mary Hanford Ford, spoke often during his life, with gratitude and Howard Colby Ives, Mrs. Florian Krug and appreciation, of the examples his parents had others. It was in this way that Curtis was set for their children. As a child he attended awakened to the reality of the Message of several different churches. His hero was Baha'u'llah and began his life-long study of His Abraham Lincoln; he used to carry copies of Writings. This ardour for the Faith never dimihis sayings in his pockets. As a youth, however, nished for the next fifty-two years of his life. Aprison-fortress in n o r t h - w e s t e r n ~ f i i r b a ~ j awhere n Soon after becoming a Baha'i in 1917, the Bkb was confined for three years. He attests in the Curtis was elected to the Spiritual Assembly of Persian Bayan "that at night-time He d ~ dnot even have a lighted lamp" and in a Tablet stated "that the New York City. In the words of the Hand of inmates of the fortress were confined to two guards the Cause Ugo Giachery, ". . . he was a trail and four dogs." See God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi, pp. 16-19. blazer in the difficult years of the establishment 470 T H E B A H , ~W ' ~O R L D
of the administrative order in America. . ." Also serving on the New York Assembly at that time was Roy Wilhelm,l who became a close friend. Roy one day asked him, "How would you like to go to Haifa?" Roy had sent three lighting plants to the Holy Land and had written to 'Abdu'l-Baha asking that Curtis, whose hobby was electricity, be permitted to install them.2 The Master replied by cable: CURTIS KELSEY PERMITTED. Curtis felt very strongly that he must go at once, sold his possessions and with some financial help from his father and Roy Wilhelm left almost immediately. He arrived in the Holy Land in September, 1921, and stayed until April of the next year, during which time he illumined the Shrine of the Bab, the Mansion at Bahji and the home of 'Abdu'l-Baha, No. 7 Haparsim Street, Haifa. The Master passed away on November 28, 1921, before the completion of the work, but His wish, that the lights be turned on, the first time, simultaneously, was fulfilled. Curtis often said he did not fully appreciate at the time the Curtis DeMude Kelsey priceless privilege bestowed upon him, but as the years passed and his awareness deepened, years passed the face of 'Abdu'l-Baha would the full realization impressed itself upon him. always appear to him in moments of difficulty He was able to repair the car that had been a and his problems would seem smaller. gift to 'Abdu'l-Bahi and in which he took the On another occasion, Curtis asked the Master for rides; he walked with Him by meaning of the "music" he had heard in his moonlight along the shore of the Mediter- room when he had had typhoid fever and was ranean; he stood behind Him in the Shrine of told by 'Abdu'l-Baha that it had been a real BahB'u'llah while the Master chanted the experience; that he had heard the music of the Tablet of Visitation; he ate his meals with Kingdom and it had caused his spiritual 'Abdu'l-Bahi; even his diet was selected for awakening. him by the Master. After he returned to the United States, his On one occasion 'Abdu'l-Baha summoned mother received a letter from the Greatest Curtis into His room, had him sit opposite Holy Leaf, sister of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in which Him, and just looked into his eyes for several she said, "We earnestly hope that this will be minutes, not saying anything. Curtis could not the first of the services by which Mr. Kelsey is stop returning the Master's gaze. Then the to prove his devotion to our dear Lord, and we Master smiled His wonderful smile and dis- are sure that His grace shall ever help him in missed him. It was some time before Curtis his lifetime." realized the meaning of that incident, but as the Curtis served on the Teaneck (originally West Englewood) Assembly in New Jersey for Roy Wilhelm was appointed a Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi on December 24, 1951. See "In about thirty years; helped to rebuild and en- Memoriam", The Baha'i World, vol. XII, p. 662. large Evergreen Cabin, built on the spot where a . . . the instalment of an electric plant, the first ofits " kind established in the city of Halfa, flooding wlth 'Abdu'l-Baha was host at the first Unity Feast illumination the Grave of One Who, in His own in America; served on the National Teaching words, had been denied even ' a lighted lamp' in HIS fortress-prison in A&irbayjann is mentioned by Committee for the North-eastern States; was Shoghi Effendi as one of the developments which "may be regarded as the initial evidences of the mar- Chairman of the Maintenance Committee for vellous expansion of the international institutions the Wilhelm Trustees and the Green Acre and endowments of the Faith at its world centre". GodPasses By, p. 346. Development Committee; and served on IN MEMORIAM 47 1 the first Audio-Visual Education Committee. He travelled extensively over the years throughout the United States, Canada, parts of Europe and the Near East. He conducted classes at Summer Schools in America, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. Many times he was elected as delegate to the National BahB'i Convention. For twenty-five years he held weekly firesides at the Kelsey home in Teaneck, conducted study classes at Evergreen Cabin, and served as a member of the Auxiliary Board in North America, working in close collaboration with the Hand of the Cause mikru'llah =adem, whom he dearly loved. Always there were stories of 'Abdu'l-Baha to tell wherever he went. Curtis was privileged to serve Shoghi Effendi, acting as purchasing agent for some materials sent to the Holy Land for use in the Baha'i Shrines and gardens. At one time, at the request of the Guardian, he designed and had specially built in Hackensack, New Jersey, a ladder intended for use in cleaning and maintaining the Shrine of the Bib. In 1953, at the invitation of the Guardian, Curtis and his Harriet Morgan Kelsey wife, Harriet, visited Haifa where, in addition to their pilgrimage, they enjoyed an extended with an audience in a direct and unassuming stay of twenty-six days during which time way. His experiences with 'Abdu'l-BahB were Curtis installed a pump and water system for undoubtedly the central focus of his life and the gardens surrounding the Shrine of Baha'u'- whenever he spoke of the Faith, and especially llah at Bahji. about 'Abdu'l-Bahi, he would be transformed, During all these years of service to the Cause, conveying the ineffable spirit of the Master to Curtis did not neglect the business inherited his listeners, awakening them until they, too, from his father, and for over forty years served became transformed. He was absolutely dedifirst as secretary-treasurer and finally as owner cated to the Faith from the moment of his and president of the Continental Pipe Manu- acceptance and through his unchallengeable facturing Company in New York City, winning certitude and assurance was able to help many for himself a reputation as the foremost expert people to better understand the Cause. in the field of furnishing and installing large On August 6, 1928, Curtis married Harriet wooden stave pipe lines for the hydroelectric Morgan Kelsey who had become a BahB'i plants of leading utilities .companies. When through her friendship with Mrs. Valeria Curtis "retired" to Bradenton, Florida, in Kelsey. Although unalike in personality and 1959, his son, Allyn, look over the business appearance Curtis and Harriet complemented until his untimely death at the age of thirty- each other in their variety of i,nterests and five. Retirement was an impossibility for Curtis, many who knew them thought of them as an and in 1961 he became Resident Manager of example of BahB'i marriage and family life. the largest brokerage firm in Florida. Although Indeed, it is difficult to think of Curtis without he had little formal education and joked about Harriet, or Harriet without Curtis. One could his rather unsuccessful school experiences, not remain unaffected by this small, loving and Curtis was truly educated through his ardent radiant woman whose devotion to the Faith, and continual study of the Baha'i Teachings to her husband, to her family and to all who and was their knowledgeable exponent. He was received her attention, helped them along the characterized by wit and genuineness and pos- path of life. Harriet constantly effaced herself sessed an ability to communicate profoundly in service to those entrusted to her care, but she was a remarkable person in her own right everything she could to prolong her life. Her and was a gifted musician and teacher. She heroic struggle ended on March 18, 1971, a studied piano with Walter Damrosch, Ernest full year and one month after the passing of her Hutchison, Dean of the Juilliard School of husband. Her life had been further enriched by Music, and Frederick G. Bristol, who coached the fact that her four children, their spouses her in organ and voice. She taught piano and and fourteen grandchildren were all BahB'is, singing, accompanied and coached various a "special blessing", Shoghi Effendi had told musicians and performers including Helen her, for which she should be very grateful. Jepson of the Metropolitan Opera Company, Informed of her passing, the Universal House taught at the Pierre-Royston Academy of of Justice cabled : Music in New York City, played in chamber GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED MAID- groups and gave concerts, many at Green Acre SERVANT HARRIET KELSEY HER DEDICATED Summer School. She had a long association EFFORTS COMPANY LATE HUSBAND BEHALF with Edward B. "SafA" Kinneyl and Maud CAUSE AMERICA FROM TIME OF MASTER WELL Gaudreaux, a prima donna of the Chicago REMEMBERED CONVEY FAMILY ASSURANCE Opera Company trained by Mr. Kinney. PRAYERS PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. Harriet taught what was known as the Kinney method of singing, a method that 'Abdu'l- Curtis, in the last two years of his life, in poor Baha praised while in America. health, but still anxious to serve, travelled to Curtis was often away, attempting to earn a Alaska to teach at the BahB'i Summer School. living in difficult economic times, and the brunt Then, in December, 1969, although facing the of raising their four children fell on Harriet. prospect of dangerous surgery, he travelled When there was difficulty of any kind she alone to Hawaii, speaking afternoons and would turn to prayer. Her children recall seeing evenings about his favorite subjects: 'Abdu'lher strolling on the grass around their home, Baha, immortality and BahB'i education. He barefooted, the moonlight falling on her slight delightedly reported upon his return that he figure, praying for the resolution of difficulties, had been free of sickness during all his strensometimes far into the night. At any mishap, uous island-hopping and teaching. He relarge or small, the Greatest Name was on her sumed working out last minute arrangements lips. The many sacrifices she made for her for a state-wide proclamation conference to family were made with joy; she remained be held in Bradenton-the homefront pioneer uncomplaining and full of indomitable faith goal to which he had retired-but he was and hope. One of her outstanding qualities was stricken by a series of heart attacks and was the ability to make people feel specially loved. unable to carry on. He awaited visitors and Her love contained elements of warmth, hu- news of the conference with joyful anticipation, mour, genuine concern and a full recognition met with various participants at his bedside, and acceptance of human foibles. When her and rejoiced with them in the success of what family grew older, she travelled with Curtis to proved to his last endeavor. Four days later, summer schools, often teaching courses and on February 20, 1970, following emergency sharing her music wherever she went. The surgery, he passed to the next world. At the climax of their years of service together came time of his death a BahB'i conference on edujust before Curtis's death when he fell ill during cation was being held in Wilmette, Illinois; the the planning stage of a large public proclama- believers present voted to dedicate the contion programme to be held in Bradenton, ference to him. Florida, in February, 1970. It was Harriet who Mrs. Florence Mayberry who served at that carried out the last strenuous arrangements for time as a member of the Continental Board of the state-wide event. She was even then not Counsellors in North America wrote the day well. Although ill with cancer and wanting after his passing: "Curtis had the resilience of nothing more than to join her husband she a youth, even though he was honoured by prayed ardently about it and informed her many years. His spontaneity, his enthusiasm, children that it seemed unfair to go on so soon and above all the spirit of 'Abdu'l-Baha which after the loss of their father, so she would do he reflected so constantly in his talks made SeeG'InMemoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. XII, p. 677. him one of the most sought after speakers by I N MEMORIAM 473 youth. Indeed, he was so popular with the REZSI SUNSHINE youth that sometimes we called him the 'youth' member of the Auxiliary Board. It was beautiful to see the touching affection between SADDENED NEWS PASSING REZSI SUNSHINE Curtis and the young people. The Indian DEVOTED CONSECRATED SERVANT BLESSED people, so sensitive to the spirit, loved him. BEAUTY STOP PRAYING DIVINE THRESHOLD In fact, all of us loved him. And we knew PROGRESS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. clearly that he was an historic figure . . . The Counsellors are deeply honored to have had Thus read the cable from the Universal House the treasure of his friendship." of Justice about Miss Rezsi Sunshine who Guest of honor at the Bradenton conference ascended to the Abha Kingdom on March 6, was the Hand of the Cause William Sears who 1970, at the age of eighty-two, after having wrote: "For many years, dearest Curtis has served tirelessly as a pioneer in the first and carefully planned, prayed for and energetically second Seven Year Plans, and the Ten Year worked toward this end, the holding of this Crusade of the beloved Guardian, and later in conference. All his fondest dreams came true. the Nine Year Plan given to the BahB'i world Although he could not participate, his presence by the Universal House of Justice. was felt every minute throughout the weekend Little is known of her early years save that gathering. The conference created a feeling of she emigrated to the United States from Hunprecious closeness to our beloved Master, gary when she was sixteen years old. She began 'Abdu'l-Baha. Throughout his long years of her new life as a seamstress in New York City service to our cherished Cause, Curtis has and later became an established modiste, always brought us especially close to 'Abdu'l- creating expensive and elegant gowns for Baha. It seemed as though the Master were wealthy society women of the area. Many years there at each session to fulfil every hope that later she laughingly recalled that when she Curtis had, and to see the glorious fruition of pioneered in the Middle West she was offered all his plans." only a dollar or two to make simple cotton Curtis often told his family and friends that summer dresses. his most profound impression of 'Abdu'l- In New York she met Miss Jean Silver, her Baha was of His humility and service and even spiritual mother. There was an immediate as a young man Curtis determined to follow in attraction and affinity between them. Both were His footsteps. He was also greatly affected by a the daughters of rabbis and they had like statement made to him by 'Abdu'l-Baha. In characteristics of enthusiasm, devotion, indethe words of Curtis, " 'Abdu'l-Baha said the pendence and radiance of spirit. only difference between Him and us was that In 1938, responding to the call for pioneers He was dependent on Baha'u'llah every instant, in the virgin States in the first American Seven and we sometimes forget." Year Plan, Rezsi went to Arkansas and taught One had the feeling that Curtis's pace never in Hot Springs and Little Rock. She continued slackened, his ardor and courage never pioneering in that area throughout the second diminished, that his death was just a momen- Seven Year Plan. tary, fleeting transition from one field of service During the Ten Year Crusade, in 1955, she to another. An extract from 'Abdu'l-BahB's pioneered to Bolivia and largely through her Tablet to Roy Wilhelm dated October 12,1921, constant teaching efforts, the Spiritual Assemconveys the spirit and essence of Curtis Kelsey : bly of Cochabamba was formed at Ridvan 1956, the fourth Assembly in the country. . . . Mr. Kelsey, the electrical technician, From 1959 until 1963 she spent three and a has arrived. He is a true gentleman. Indeed, half years in Paraguay, teaching in Villarica, this loving friend is engaged in the service of Pedro Juan, Encarnacion and Concepcion. the Cause of God with the utnzost endeavour Her most notable contribution in this period and this is but a token ofheavenly grace. was the establishment of a Spiritual Assembly CAROL RUTSTEIN in Concepcion in 1962. She also served as a JUNE REMIGNANTI member of the first National Spiritual Assembly MARY LOUISE SUHM of Paraguay. Everyone's sad story affected her heart; she wanted to feed and clothe all the poor, tend and heal all the sick. She took no thought of the morrow as she freely used her small resources for the Faith, for the needs of others and for purchasing great quantities of BahB'i literature which she presented as gifts to anyone who would accept. The dynamic qualities of this dedicated pioneer can best be glimpsed through a few incidents told about her. A North American pioneer who accompanied her on a journey to Encarnacion, Paraguay, recounts: "We registered in a small hotel in the late afternoon. Rezsi would not rest for a moment. She wanted to start out immediately to look for a local BahB'i centre. It was almost sunset as we walked down a long hill to a little plaza near the river. There, seated on a bench, we recited the Tablet of Ahmad. When we finished, Rezsi asked whether I had stood before her during the prayer; when I replied that I hadn't she explained that she had felt some Presence Rezsi Sunshine in front of us. Then she rose and said decisively, 'Now we will walk to the corner.' At the corner, Returning to her beloved Bolivia, she settled 'Turn left'. In the middle of the next block we in the little city of Tarija near the Argentinian were led to a perfect little modern house, ideal frontier. In 1967 the first Spiritual Assembly of for a centre. Rezsi paid the rent, purchased a Tarija was elected. She wrote to the Bolivian mattress, and moved in immediately. No one National Assembly before leaving for that had more faith in Divine Guidance than Rezsi post: "Indeed, I am all poised for Tarija. What Sunshine. That little house served as the local a great privilege to start out again on another Baha'i centre for the next several years." Divine adventure for BahB'u'llah! Can we ever A Bolivian believer relates that she unexpecbe grateful enough?" tedly found herself in Tarija without any idea Finally, in 1970, Rezsi, so capable in opening as to where she could locate Rezsi. Attracted up virgin places, offered to pioneer in San Luis, by the music of a street fiesta she paused and Argentina. She left Bolivia in January of that discovered Rezsi, whirling and dancing like a year, but her pioneer mission had now ended young seiiorita, an eternally youthful spirit and she passed away in Cordoba, Argentina, in spite of having already passed her eightieth on March 6. birthday! This account of Rezsi's service would be Sr. Athos Costas, a member of the Conincomplete without a reference to her unique tinental Boardof Counsellors in South America, personality. She embodied the teaching "Be has written: "Rezsi Sunshine lived only for the unrestrained as the wind, while carrying the Faith and freely gave the Teachings to all who Message . . . " and "Let God be all-suficient for crossed her path. We still meet people who thee. Commune intinlately with His Spirit and remember her with love and who received the be thou of the thankfill. . ." Rezsi lost no oppor- first words about BahB'u'llah from her. A tunity to give the Glad Tidings. She would month before her passing, I visited Tarija. I meet people at all hours, considering no one found it very difficult to follow her in every as a stranger. She taught in the parks, in the direction as she took me to meet her numerous shops, in the markets, and in any byway in friends. In that one week, we had seven BahB'i which she happened to find herself. Her hos- meetings. She spoke with enthusiasm about her pitality and generosity are well remembered. transfer to San Luis, Argentina. As she spoke, IN MEMORIAM 475 she told me that she saw the face of 'Abdu'l- Baha before her." Only a special event could take Rezsi away from her pioneer post even for a few days. One of the brightest moments of her last years was the visit of the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m to Bolivia in 1967. As Rezsi entered the National BahB'i Institute in Cochabamba she was overwhelmed at the large gathering of Bolivian friends and pioneers and recalled her early efforts to teach some of the first Bolivian believers. With tearfilled eyes she repeated the Greatest Name over and over again and expressed praise and gratitude to BahB'u'llah. She returned to Tarija and never left again to attend any other Baha'i event in Bolivia. Such precious pioneers as Rezsi Sunshine cannot be described. They are like quicksilver which children try to touch and cannot catch or hold. We can only be grateful that we have known briefly some of these indefatigable servants. As the Guardian said frequently of such dedicated ones after their passing: "Their Elsa Steinmetz services are unforgettable." ELLEN SIMS Faith. Her presentations of the Cause were marked by a beauty of language which she strove hard to achieve. A spiritual atmosphere ELSA STEINMETZ and great personal warmth and charm always surrounded her when she spoke. ?-I970 Berne very soon became a true home for GRIEVED NEWS PASSING VALIANT STEADFAST Elsa and Fritzi and in 1949 they saw established PIONEER ELSA STEINMETZ HER DEVOTED SER- there the first Local Spiritual Assembly in VICES CAUSE OVER LONG YEARS ETERNALLY Switzerland. In spite of their love for our beau- WOVEN ANNALS FAITH SWITZERLAND EURO- tiful, old city they responded to the call of the PEAN CONTINENT PRAYING SACRED THRES- European Teaching Committee and arose as HOLD PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. pioneers to the city of Basel where they wit- Universal House of Justice nessed the establishment of a second Spiritual On March 13,1970, our dear Elsa Steinmetzwas Assembly. Unfortunately Elsa's sister became called to her Eternal Home. None of us who very ill and passed away in Basel. A moving knew her will ever forget this faithful American account of the services of Fritzi Shaver, written pioneer who, with her sister, Mrs. Fritzi Shaver, by Elsa, appears in The Bahri'i World, vol. came to Switzerland in 1947 to assist in the XIII,p. 918. building of Baha'i communities. Although she felt deeply the loss of her sister, The first Baha'i community was established Elsa proceeded to a new post in Lucerne, in Berne largely through the devoted efforts of responsive once again to a request for help. Elsa Steinmetz. She quickly mastered the Where there was need, Elsa always stood ready German language and was able to conduct to assist. Baha'i meetings with little or no assistance. As The Baha'i Faith made of Elsa Steinmetz a she became fluent in the language she prepared true world citizen who won the love and respect a series of carefully planned lectures which of her fellow pioneers of that period and of the attracted the hearts of her listeners and were new Baha'is. She was a valuable member of the a rich testimony to her deep knowledge of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of 476 THE B A H P ; ' ~W ORLD
Italy and Switzerland and later was elected to the new all-Swiss National Assembly. She served both bodies most conscientiously as recording secretary over a period of many years. One of the high points of Elsa's life was her pilgrimage to the BahB'i World Centre where, for nine days, she was the guest of Shoghi Effendi. She returned to her post spiritually refreshed and took up her task with, if possible, even greater dedication. As a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland, Elsa returned to Haifa in April, 1963, to participate in the election of the first Universal House of Justice. In the spring of 1968 Elsa accepted the invitation to live indefinitely in the BahB'i Home for the Aged in Wilmette, Illinois. Thus she returned to the United States. But she soon found that she could no longer adjust to American life. Her heart was in Switzerland where she had served for more than twenty years. In June, 1969, she returned happily to Berne. Elsa Steinmetz loved life. She exemplified Hilda Yank Sing Yen and taught her religion faithfully to the end in her own special way. We Baha'is of Switzer- sition in the new China which emerged after land owe her deep - gratitude. - the revolution of Sun Yat Sen. Hilda grew up in a milieu composed of the leading figures of her 0 Thou who art the Lord of all men! Grant country. Like many of them, her family then, 0 nzy God, that thy servant may conadopted the Christian Faith and Hilda was sort with Thy chosen ones, Thy saints and Thy confirmed. in the Episcopal Church. When Messengers in heavenly places that the pen Hilda was eight years old, her father brought cannot tellnor the tongue recount. his entire family to New Haven, Connecticut, 'Abdu'l-Bahh. where he entered the Yale Medical School. Hilda was enrolled in an American school where she studied until she was twelve when the family returned to China. The budding HlLDA YANK SING YEN young woman during her teenage years became a famous beauty and there is no leading 1905-1970 Chinese figure of her period who did not admire Hilda Yen will be remembered by future her. But admiration was never Hilda's goal and generations of Chinese because she strode into her independent mind and spirit grew restless the twentieth century with a boldness of vision under the yoke of traditional Chinese family and an independence of mind rare in a woman life. At sixteen, without informing her family, of any country, but spectacular in a woman of she took the examination as a university culthe China of that time. Although China has tural exchange student and won an entry into produced many prominent women in this cen- Smith College, the youngest Chinese to have tury, few have had the universal outlook which won this award. There she majored in history, characterized Hilda Yen. a subject that remained a lifelong interest. She Hilda was born on November 29, 1905, to graduated from Smith and returned to Shang- F. C. Yen and Siu Ying Chow. Her family hai where her beauty, intelligence and daring were both wealthy and prominent in public mind became the talk of the city. affairs. They held an undisputedly high po- Hilda's marriage to P. T. Chen, Deputy IN M E M O R I A M 477 Minister of Finance and Directdr of the than any to which she had yet directed her Central Bank of China, was arranged by her attention. She returned to war-torn China in family; from this union a son and a daughter 1942 and remained for two years during the were born. But Hilda Yen found it impossible bombing and havoc. She lived at Chungking to settle down to the traditional role prescribed with her father who was serving as Minister of for a Chinese wife and mother and she obtained Health in the Cabinet of Chiang Kai-shek. In a divorce, leaving her children with her 1944, while China was locked in the grip of a husband. bitter civil war, she returned to the United In 1923 the uncle of Hilda Yen, Dr. Y. S. States. Tsao, President of Tsing Hua University, She came to Wilmette, Illinois, to observe Peking, heard of the BahB'i Faith through the BahB'i Annual Convention. When she Martha Root1 and both he and his Swedish arrived at the BahB'i House of Worship she wife became devoted Baha'is. His translation saw the writer of this memorial embrace one of of Esslemont's Bahd'u'lfdh and the New Era the black Baha'is. It was a spontaneous gesture into beautiful classical Mandarin continues to between two loving friends who had not seen be a valuable book for Chinese studying the each other for a long time and not at all an BahB'i Faith today. Knowing her ardent search unusual experience for BahB'is, yet this simple for truth, Hilda's uncle told her at length about incident evoked in Hilda Yen a moving rehis belief. Although Hilda realized that the sponse; she recognized in it the reality of the BahB'i Faith might be the answer to the new BahB'i teaching about the oneness of the human world she sought, she was not ready to accept race and she immediately enrolled as a Baha'i. it yet. When the end of World War I1 was in sight, She accepted the invitation of her uncle, Hilda Yen was part of the Chinese delegation W. W. Yen, Ambassador to the U.S.S.R., to at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference. In 1945 become his hostess in Moscow. When he was she joined the Department of Public Informatransferred to Berlin she went with him. tion when the United Nations was formed and Ambassador Yen was asked to represent China was sent all over the United States to lecture at the League of Nations and Hilda accom- and win support for this new world organizapanied him to Switzerland. These three years tion. with her uncle developed her into an inter- During her years at the United Nations, national person and she never again was able Hilda Yen spoke for the Baha'is at many large to adapt herself to the traditions of Chinese public meetings in the United States and family life. Canada. Her keen understanding caused her When the Manchurian war broke out, Hilda to realize that the unity of the human race, as realized that it was the beginning of a world envisaged by Baha'u'llah, went further than conflict. She came to the United States, learned the limited political union afforded by the to fly a plane and bought her own aircraft United Nations. In addressing audiences on which she named The Spirit of China. In her behalf of the United Nations she often spoke plane she flew from city to city in the United of these limitations and of the need for evolving States giving lectures in which she warned the a greater plan for the unification of mankind. American people that the Manchurian con- In her lectures to Baha'i and non-Baha'i flict would spread, leading to a conflagration audiences she frequently quoted Shoghi involving the whole world. During this period Effendi's words depicting the World Order of she made contact with the Baha'is several BahB'u'llah "whose supreme mission", as the times but she did not achieve the conviction that Guardian in one place defines it, "is none other it could be her Faith. When her aircraft crashed but the achievement of (the) organic and in 1937 she suffered multiple fractures and was spiritual unity of the whole body of nations. . . in hospital for many weeks. During her con- signalizing through its advent the coming of valescence the insight dawned that she had been age of'the entire human race".2 allowed to escape death for a purpose greater At a later period her active mind sought a new outlet and she entered Columbia Univer- See "Appreciations of the Bahi'i Movement" by Martha L. Root, The Baha'i World, vol. IV, 193LL32, The World Order of Baha'u'llcih, Shoghi Effendi, p. p. 429. 163. 'I W O R L D sity to train as a science librarian. She obtained her degree and began to work in this new field. A series of illnesses dimmed the final years of Hilda Yen who died on March 18, 1970. A legend in her lifetime, she will always be remembered for her courage, her intelligence and the breadth of her vision. She performed a great service for the BahB'is of the world by bringing an early recognition in the international field. The future history of the BahB'i Faith in China will make an enduring place for Hilda Yank Sing Yen. Today there is no greater glory for man than that of service in the cause of the 'Most GreatPeace'. 'Abdu'l-Baha.
BENJAMIN DUNHAM WEEDEN 1892-1970 Knight of BahB'u'llah Benjamin Dunhanz Weeden Benjamin Weeden was first attracted to the Baha'i Faith in 1942 as a result of pioneer the previous year. The marriage of Ben Weeden activity in Brattleboro, Vermont where he then and Gladys Anderson was the first BahA'i lived. He had been a student of religious and marriage performed in the newly-born State philosophical thought for many years prior to of Israel. his learning of the Revelation of BahB'u'llah. In April, 1948, at the request of Shoghi The first BahB'i book he chose to study was Effendi, he accompanied Mr. Sutherland Bahd'i Administration. Later, as he probed Maxwell, architect of the Shrine of the Bab, on deeper into the Teachings, he purchased a new his journey to Rome, to meet with marble- Bible and dictionary because he realized that cutting firms and to study suitable materials the Guardian's beautiful translations into for the construction of the superstructure to be English of the Writings of the Faith required a erected over the Sepulchres of the Bab and full understanding of the exact meanings. 'Abdu'l-Baha on Mt. Carmel. With the good Having the time and the inclination, he studied offices of Dr. Ugo Giachery, a BahB'i residing the BahP'i Teachings for hours on end and in Rome, the next few weeks were filled with declared his belief in BahP'u'llah in 1943. meetings and discussions. All the information Although a quiet, modest person, Ben obtained was presented to Shoghi Effendi for accepted the challenge of serving the Faith, his approval. When this was forthcoming, the one of his first activities being to broadcast a initial contracts were placed and Mr. Maxwell series of BahB'i talks over station WKNE, and Ben returned to Haifa, in May, 1948. Then Keene, New Hampshire. From the time of his the real activity started with the preparation of declaration of faith, until 1948, he served on the the building site for the new structure. Ben Spiritual Assembly of Brattleboro, on the New became the liaison between Shoghi Effendi, Mr. England Regional Teaching Committee and Maxwell, the chief engineers and the master was a delegate to the National Convention. stonemason. In addition, he supervised the Early in 1948 he was invited to serve the Faith transportation of the shipments of stone arrivat the World Centre in Haifa, Israel, where his ing from Italy from the port of Haifa to the fiande, Gladys Anderson, had been assisting building site. The story of these exciting, in the work of the beloved Guardian during difficult and dangerous days is recorded, in I N MEMORIAM 479 part, in The Priceless Pearl by the Hand of the Circa 1914 Mamie married Anthony Cause Amatu'l-BahB ~ d h i y y i hKhanum. Ben ("Tony") Yuen Seto,l whom she met when was asked to photograph the work as it pro- visiting one of her neighbours whose son had gressed and to prepare written reports. These brought Tony home for a weekend visit from appeared in the United States Baha'i News and Detroit College of Law. They moved to in The Baha'i World, vol. XI. 1946-50. He also Honolulu in 1916 when Tony was admitted discharged many assignments in connection to practise law in that territory. They both were with the daily life of the World Centre. earnest teachers of the Faith. Mamie had a gift In February, 1951, due to ill health, Ben with children who, sensing her love for them, returned to the United States, where he was responded well to her approach. For several '
joined by his wife in January, 1952. At the years in Hawaii, Mamie taught Baha'i childrequest of Shoghi Effendi they were asked to ren's classes. visit as many Baha'i centres as possible to tell The young Seto couple bore with exemplary of their experiences at the heart of the BahB'i spiritual resignation the loss of their stillborn world. Their tour covered a distance of thirty- son, their only child. From a Tablet of 'Abdu'lfour thousand miles and took them to all the Baha written to them on September 22, 1920, then forty-eight States where they visited they selected as an epitaph for inscription on seventy-five major Bahi'i communities. They the infant's headstone: I implore a heavenly also attended the United States National Con- blessing for the child, Thomas O'Connor Seto, vention. so that he may in the Divine Fortress, under The Guardian named the Weedens Knights Divine Protection, be bestowed with a spiritual of Baha'u'llah when they pioneered to Antigua, power. On the anniversary of the birth of the British West Indies, in October, 1953. Here they baby, Tony always arranged for flowers to be remained until Ben's declining health forced placed on his grave. them, reluctantly, to return to the United Mamie was well versed in all phases of the States. After a period of rest and building up, Baha'i Faith and versatile in her capacity to he again picked up the reins of Baha'i service serve it. She was particularly concerned about in New .Hampshire, until illness took its toll the support of the BahB'i Fund as an expression on April 14, 1970. The following cable was of one's devotion to the Faith and often, at the received from the Universal House of Justice: request of the National Spiritual Assembly, she EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY PASSING DEAR travelled extensively to discuss this subject with HUSBAND BEN HIS DEVOTED LABOURS WORLD the believers. She was a popular teacher in CENTRE SERVICE BELOVED GUARDIAN AND Baha'i summer schools, appealing to young PIONEER ACTIVITIES CRUSADE WINNING AC- and old alike. In teaching individuals she COLADE KNIGHT BAHAULLAH WELL REMEM- followed the advice that one should listen to the BERED SUPPLICATING HOLY THRESHOLD PRO- seeker, let him empty his cup, learn what he GRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM ASSURANCE wants and needs and then give him first that LOVING PRAYERS YOUR BEHALF. part of the Teachings that would satisfy his primary need. The Setos were part of that small army of loyal, devoted, self-sacrificing teachers and pioneers whose names are indelibly associated MAMIE LORETTA SET0 with the history of the first century of the Faith in the West. They all knew each other and 1885-1970 worked together. Among the papers left by Mamie Loretta O'Connor was born in the Mamie are many letters that went between vicinity of Port Huron, Michigan, on April them, and notes or writings of those earlier 10, 1885. She had the Irish disposition and a ones before them, kept and referred to faithpride in her heritage; she loved a good joke fully. Some of these were from such early and a hearty laugh, was a fighter for what she teachers as Martha Root, Lua Getsinger, May thought was right, and was a hard worker. Maxwell, Juliet Thompson, Ella Cooper, Her childhood with her brothers and sisters See "In Memoriam", The Baha'i World, vol. XIII, pp was a happy one. 886-889. Helen Goodall, Amelia Collins, Agnes Alexander, Leroy Ioas, Horace Holley, and Dorothy Baker, all of whom were working diligently to promote the Cause. In 1932 Mamie and Tony left Hawaii to settle in San Francisco where they continued teaching and lecturing on the Faith. In January, 1944, as part of the first Seven Year Plan, they set out to pioneer in Canada, going first to Prince Edward Island, and spending six months touring in the Maritime Provinces. Wellmeaning friends in the United States attempted to dissuade them, warning them that Canadians were conservative and somewhat peculiar, that their response would be apathetic and no publicity would result from their tour. This was enough to trigger Mamie's Irish indignation. She replied that her mother was Canadian and not "peculiar" and that Divine assistance was vouchsafed to those who arose to serve. Mamie's huge scrapbook of press clippings attests the warmth of their reception in Canada and the degree of publicity their visit inspired. The Setos were living in San Francisco in Mamie Loretta Seto 1945 when the United Nations organization was formed and they actively participated in the first Convention of the BahB'is of Northl presenting the BahB'i Faith and its principles East Asia for the election of the National to representatives from the many countries who Spiritual Assembly of that area. At the very attended that historic gathering. From then hour of leaving Tokyo, Tony passed away on, Mamie was active in the United Nations suddenly and was laid to rest in the Inter- Association in the United States, and also in national Cemetery in Yokohama. Hong Kong where she served as social secre- In spite of poor health, aggravated by the tary for the organization. extreme heat and humidity in the summer In September, 1954, Mamie and Tony left months, Mamie remained at her post in Hong San Francisco for their Ten Year Plan pioneer Kong although she was offered the alternative post in the British Crown Colony of Hong of finishing her Ten Year Plan commitment in Kong. Their decision to pioneer had been com- New Zealand where the climate was much municated to the Guardian who wrote to better and where the believers would greatly Mamie Seto through his secretary on Septem- benefit from her teaching and administrative ber 6, 1953 : "The Guardian greatly values your experiences. devoted services to the Faith, both in the She finally returned to the United State5 in teaching and in the administrative fields. Your 1963 and settled in Burlingame, California. determination to pioneer in one of the virgin She attended the World Congress in London areas of the globe will serve as a glorious crown and travelled in Europe for some time with a to the highly meritorious services which you friend. Her pilgrimage to the BahB'i World have rendered." Centre was made after Tony had passed on. No crown of victory is easily won. In 1956 She missed him deeply. Although she conthe Setos were obliged to return to the United tinued to serve with undiminished zeal, her States to seek specialized treatment for Tony grief at the passsing of Shoghi Effendi was that whose heart condition, suffered since 1950, was of one who had served him faithfully and with adversely affected by the heat and humidity profound love throughout his entire ministry. of Hong Kong. They returned to their post in Mamie's failing health began to deteriorate February, 1957, and made plans to attend the rapidly in 1969, culminating in her death on I N MEMI O R I A M 48 1 April 15, 1970. From the Universal House of longings. They heard of the BahB'i Faith Justice the cabled message came: through Albert Vail who had met 'Abdu'l-Baha GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED MAID- and was on fire with love for Him. SERVANT BAHAULLAH MAMIE SET0 HER EX- Mr. Snider was very much attracted to this EMPLARY SERVICES CAUSE GOD SPANNING new Faith. In 1915 he married Lucille Fischer MORE THAN HALFCENTURY MARKED BY who was studying at the University of Illinois EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS NATIONAL LOCAL to become a missionary. It was he who brought ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS DISTINGUISHED the message home to her and it was she who BY HIGHLY FRUITFUL TEACHING AMERICA AND delved into her Bible to sort and check each PIONEERING WITH HUSBAND ASIA STOP PRAY- bit of news. He recognized Bahi'u'llah with his I N G RICH REWARD ABHA KINGDOM. heart and she convinced his intellect, for to her joy, never in her long hours of study into the Because of her active participation in the early hours of the mornings, did she find one programmes of the United Nations Associa- discrepancy between what she had read in her tion and the Hong Kong Council of Women, Bible and this wonderful new Baha'i Faith. Mrs. Seto and Tony while he was alive, met They both became firm and devoted followers many prominent persons among the Chinese, of Baha'u'llah. For many years both served on Indian and English residents and visitors in the the Spiritual Assembly of Urbana, Illinois. The Crown Colony who often offered their plat- Snider home was open always to Baha'i forms to Baha'i speakers, particularly on the meetings and to BahB'i guests from then on subject of peace. Representatives from the until Lucille passed away in 1960 and Howard press often attended these meetings' and gave up his home to go, at the age of seventygatherings in the Seto home, and through their six, pioneering to Switzerland. reports the Faith received a great deal of Howard Snider's early struggles to obtain an publicity. Acting on the advice of 'Abdu'l- education caused him to appreciate it deeply. Baha that the believers should speak to the He gave encouragement to many young people Chinese about the "Supreme Peace" of Con- to get as much education as possible. Until his fucius and his description of the New Day, mind began to fail, in his eighties, as a result of these two stalwart pioneers paved the way a series of minor strokes, he studied something. for the future direct teaching campaign which As a result, he knew quite a lot about a wide was to be launched at a later time under the range of subjects and could talk intelligently guidance of \he Universal House of Justice. on topics ranging from agriculture, to history, G RACE A. STEVENSON to nutrition, astronomy, and of course, many aspects of his beloved Faith. After his retirement, at sixty-seven, he studied writing and sold HOWARD J. SNIDER numerous articles, mostly to farm-oriented magazines, since agriculture was his life work, 1884-1970 but he sold some articles on other subjects too. Knight of Baha'u'llah While he was pioneering in Switzerland, he Howard J. Snider was born in 1884 in Jeffer- studied German and used this as one means to sonville, Indiana, the only son of parents who tell about the Faith. He did the same thing with farmed and who thought their son would follow Spanish, when he pioneered in Mexico near in their footsteps, but he had a burning desire the end of his life. for higher education and left the farm. He al- Mr. Snider could never turn his back on any ways thought that he was divinely guided to set one who was in trouble. He helped quietly and out for the University of Illinois, instead of selflessly more people than any one ever knew. going to the nearer Ohio State University. It He believed in not letting his left hand know was while a student at the University that he met what his right hand was doing, so most of his two young men who were very much interested deeds of kindness were known only to him and in religion stripped of all the superstition and to the recipients of his generosity. After his emotional oratory of that time. These three passing, a number of people we hadn't known .visited all the churches in Urbana-Champaign of before, wrote or called to say how much he looking for a religion that satisfied their inner had helped them with money, food, encouragehealth failed rapidly in that climate and her doctor ordered her to return to the north. The Sniders went to Decatur, Illinois where their daughter, Virginia Eilers, was working to establish a BahB'i group. Howard and Lucille were able to devote their full time to promoting the Faith and they rendered heroic service. Lucille's health was not good and Howard cared for her himself until her death in 1960. He would accept only as much help from his daughter as was absolutely necessary. He preferred to keep house for himself. After Lucille's death, Howard Snider was asked by the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee to go to Switzerland. He served there for four years, helping to organize the Swiss Archives and teaching the Faith. He came to be loved and respected by many of the Swiss people he met. He returned to the United States in the Fall of 1964. In March, 1965, he went to pioneer in Barbados. After that, he went again to Switzerland for a short tour of duty. He then settled in Smyrna, Georgia for a year to help Howard J . Snidev form an Assembly there. He pioneered in Bermuda for a time and then in Oaxaca, Mexico. ment, or soundadvice. He tried to "live the life" While there, he began to suffer minor strokes and his deeds far exceeded his words. It was and had to return to the United States. He went amazing and touching for us, his daughters, to to live with his daughter, Elaine Eilers, in find how much he had done so quietly. Smyrna, Georgia. She cared for him, with some In our home there was always enough good assistance from Virginia, who still lived in food, clothes, books and what was needed for Illinois, until his passing to the Abha Kingdom. our education and health, but Howard Snider Even when he was weak and ill, his burning didn't believe in having a lot of luxuries and desire was to go pioneering and to teach the frills. When plain and simple things would Faith of Baha'u'llah. As long as he could speak, serve, he decided against the fancier things. An it was beautiful to hear the sound of prayers inexpensive car would get us and other Baha'is coming softly from his room in the early morto and from the meetings as well as an expensive ning and at night. A hush would fall over the car would, and would leave more money for the house as energetic youngsters-his devoted important things-giving to the Baha'i Funds. grandchildren-quieted in the prayerful atmos- To his daughters, growing up, this was often phere. Howard Snider served tirelessly in whatdismaying, but to his daughters, grown up, this ever capacity, however small and humble, for attitude has been a source of strength. We fifty-five years until he died in 1970 at the age of honour him for his dedication to Baha'u'llah. eighty-six. He gave regularly and unstintingly all his life At the time of his passing the Universal to the Cause of BahB'u'llah. He gave his money, House of Justice cabled: his time, and his life to the Baha'i Faith. GRIEVED LEARN PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH In 1953, after he was retired from his position HOWARD SNIDER DEVOTED STEADFAST DEDI- on the Faculty of the University of Illinois, Mr. CATED BELIEVER DISTINGUISHED SERVICES Snider responded to the call for pioneers and PIONEER FIELD STOP CONVEY FAMILY ASSUR- was sent to Key West, Florida. For this service ANCE PRAYERS PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA he was made a Knight of BahB'u'llah. Lucille KINGDOM. stayed behind to sell their house and settle their VIRGINIA S. EILERS affairs and then joined him in Key West. Her ELAINE S. EILERS I N MEMORIAM 483 An American friend who was the guest of the Rutfjall family on a teaching trip among the Lapps recalls: "Nils Rutfjall was a proud man of impressive dignity and almost regal bearing. His distinguished appearance, his quick wit and friendliness, attracted one at once. I shall never forget the warmth of his hospitality. His was a true Baha'i home and in its loving atmosphere Nils sought to introduce his people to the Teachings of Baha'u'llah and to bring together in unity people of all races and backgrounds. I think of his contribution to the Faith in the light of the promise of 'Abdu'l- Baha: If you desire with all your heart jriendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will spread; it will become the desire of others, growing stronger until it reaches the minds of all men."
HAIK KEVORKIAN Nils Rutfjall 1916-1970 Knight of Baha'u'llah
NILS RUTFJWLL Haik Kevorkian was born on October 1, 1916, in Aleppo, Syria, and learned of the Baha'i 1895-1970 Faith from his father who had embraced the Nils Rutfjall was not a young man when he Cause in 1911 in his birthplace, Gaziantep first heard of the Faith of Baha'u'llah through Aintab), Turkey. his wife, Sigrid, who accompanied a believer In 1937 the Kevorkian family were ento some Baha'i activities which were held in couraged by a relative in Argentina to settle in Tanndalen early in 1961, yet although ham- that country. They embarked at Beirut on the pered by failing health he served steadfastly until s.s. Jerusalemon February 22,1937, and reached his passing on August 2, 1970, at the age of their first port of call, Haifa, the next day. seventy-five years. Haik and his father were already active mem- Both Mr. and Mrs. Rutfjall were retired bers of the BahB'i community of Aleppo. school teachers and were attracted by the prin- In his conversations with them the beloved ciple of the oneness of mankind. They inde- Guardian spoke of pioneering, presented them pendently investigated the truth of the Baha'i with material about the Faith including literacause, studied the literature which was made ture and photographs, and wished them success available to them and extended hospitality to in their new home. visiting Baha'i friends. After a period of four The Kevorkians arrived in Argentina on years both Nils and Sigrid declared their accep- March 29, 1937. At that time there was very tance, thus achieving the distinction of being little organized Baha'i activity and only isothe first Samer (Lapps) to embrace the Faith. lated individuals knew about the Faith. On In tribute to Nils Rutfjall, the National May 8, 1937, Shoghi Effendi's secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Sweden has recorded: writing on his behalf, stated: "The Guardian "Nils was well known among his people and has just received your most welcome letter had been one of their official representatives. dated April 9 and is indeed delighted to hear He was a kind, good soul and he strove to of your safe arrival in Buenos Aires. He is better the conditions of, and to enlighten, his also pleased to know that you stopped on your people." way in Bahia and called on our distinguished 484 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
pioneer friend, Miss Leonora Holsapple, for although short, your visit must have meant so much to her. She herself has written about her meeting with you and your family, and expressed the great joy and inspiration which this contact with Eastern believers had brought to her heart." The real activity within the Faith in Argentina began in 1940. On February 29 of that year Mrs. May Maxwell, accompanied by her niece, Miss Jeanne Bolles, arrived in Buenos Aires. It was from Haik that she received "by telephone the first Baha'i welcome to Buenos Aires; her mood was radiant,"l and although he wanted to see her at once, she wished to rest that night, and so they said goodbye. The following day when the Kevorkians called at the City Hotel, it was too late; Mrs. Maxwell had passed on during the night. Haik felt privileged to be able to assist Miss Bolles and Mr. Wilfrid Barton in their search for a "befitting spot" for the interment of one whom, Shoghi Effendi had cabled, attained the "priceless honour" of a "martyr's death".z Haik Kevorkian Mrs. Maxwell's arrival and sudden passing had the effect of congregating in one nucleus those Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, persons who knew of the Faith in Buenos Brazil and Ecuador. He assisted in the form- Aires and a Spiritual Assembly was formed ation of the Spiritual Assembly of Guayaquil, shortly thereafter3 on which Haik and hiss Ecuador, in October, 1945. father served. In 1953 he responded to the call of the Haik devoted himself to caring for the grave Guardian for pioneers in the Ten Year Crusade of Mrs. Maxwell and it was his charming and settled in the Galapagos Islands in May, custom always to visit her resting place on the 1954. This service merited him the title Knight anniversary of her death. The cemetery care- of BahB'~'llah.~ He returned to Argentina in takers befriended Haik and permitted him to 1956. visit even after closing hours. Struck by his Mrs. Gayle Woolson, also named a Knight devotion, the present caretaker once asked of BahB'u'llah for her service in the Galapagos Haik's fiancee, Miss Aurora de Eyto, "Was Islands, has written: "Haik was very devoted she his mother, or a relative?" It was Haik's and possessed a friendly and outgoing perpleasure to accompany any BahB'i visitor to sonality. His warmth and sincerity won him Buenos Aires who wanted to visit the grave. many friends. Although he generally dis- On the eve of his departure for Galapagos played a jolly attitude his nature was deeply Islands-although Miss de Eyto was not yet serious. He had great spiritual depth and was a BahB'i-he asked her to visit Mrs. Max- well grounded in the BahB'i Teachings. He was well's resting place during his absence and at ease in conversation and had a ready supply ensure that it was properly cared for. of charming anecdotes and analogies with Haik often used his vacation to teach the which to illustrate his points. He was casual in Faith and to visit the friends in the interior of his manner and had a delightful sense of hu- Argentina-Rosario, La Plata, C6rdoba- mour. He worked diligently on the island of and made some international teaching trips to Santa Cruz and won friends and sympathizers See "In Memoriam", May Ellis Maxwell, The Bahd'i for the Cause there and established some con- World,vol. VIII, p. 642. ibid.,p. 642. See "Knights of Bahi'u'llih", The Baha'i World, vol. See "Directory", The Bahd'i World, vol. IX, p. 652. XIII, p. 452. I N MEM
tacts on the island of San Cristobal and the STANLEY WROUT penal colony island of Santa Isabela which he also visited." Haik left a diary of his experiences at his DEEPLY GRIEVED TRAGIC PASSING STAN post. The entries speak eloquently of his WROUT STOP HIS PIONEER EFFORTS HIGHLY efforts to be patient in awaiting opportunities to PRAISEWORTHY ASSURE RELATIVES PRAYERS speak of the Faith, of his loneliness, of his PROGRESS SOUL. prayers for his fiancte and "all my dear ones Universal House of Justice who have passed away, including Dorothy Baker, Philip Sprague, May Maxwell . . ." At a time when a small band of Baha'is of the He lived in a small hut without sweet water or Republic of Ireland were struggling to build lights, unaccustomed to the limited diet of the up the two new Spiritual Assemblies of Cork island which offered no vegetables and only and Limerick, essential to the establishment of rarely meat. The solitude of the island, the the ~ a t i o n aSpiritual l Assembly of the Repubenvironment, and the peace he found there lic of Ireland at Ridvan 1972, the Hand of helped him to meditate. Throughout the years Providence suddenly robbed them of one of he corresponded with the Guardian and drew their most dedicated and self-sacrificing much strength from Shoghi Effendi's replies pioneers, Stanley Wrout. which were full of encouragement. The quality When the call for pioneers was raised at the of Haik's faith was profound and exceptional Teaching Conference in Birmingham, England and it withstood even the painful test created early in 1970, Stan, a relatively new Baha'i, was by the estrangement from the Cause of some of the first to respond. Filled with a spirit of the members of his family. faith, trusting in BahL'u'llBh, he gave up his A friend who knew him well and served job in London and in May pioneered to the with him has provided this tribute: "I was small city of Limerick where the prospects of always deeply impressed by Haik's upright- employment were not good. With great conness; he did and said what he felt to be right, fidence he persevered day after day in search an admirable quality in a world so lacking in of work. rectitude. He was most generous, especially On August 9, 1970, the police found his with the poor and disadvantaged. I heard of motor-bike and clothes and some personal his giving away his clothes on more than one belongings, among them his prayer book, The occasion when he came in contact with the Hidden Words of Baha'u'llah and some underprivileged." teaching brochures, beside a deserted beach on On October 19, 1957, Haik married Miss the south side of the Shannon estuary where Aurora de Eyto, who was by then a BahL'i. he had been spending a brief holiday touring Their son, Daniel Claudio, was born in 1960; the countryside. Being a poor swimmer at a a second son, born in 1963, died in 1964. place where the currents are known to be In theearly morning hours of August 3,1970, strong, he was drowned. His body was washed Haik passed away in Lomas de Zamora, ashore a week later on the north side of the Buenos Aires province. His remains are laid to estuary at a place near Kilbaha. rest beside those of his parents and infant son Grieved by this tragic loss, almost the entire in the British Cemetery. Irish BahL'i community attended his funeral The Universal House of Justice cabled the at the Kilbaha cemetery situated in an open National Spiritual Assembly of Argentina at field beside the ocean. Those who attended can the time of his passing: never forget the spiritual atmosphere which was created in that beautiful spot. No doubt SADDENED LEARN PASSING KNIGHT HAIK those who, centuries ago, called this place KEVORKIAN STOP SUGGEST HOLD MEMORIAL Kilbaha (many towns in Ireland begin with MEETING HIS NAME STOP PRAYING DIVINE the word "Kil", meaning church) were in- THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL. spired to do so. And now this small village has been eternally linked with the history of the Faith in Ireland. Stan was a believer of outstanding qualities. BRILLIANT RECORD DEDICATED SELFLESS SER- VICES UNITED STATES AFRICA IN COLLABORA- TION DEAR HUSBAND IMPERISHABLE STOP PRAYING FERVENTLY HOLY SHRINES PRO- GRESS HER RADIANT SOUL. Universal House o f Justice
The death of Mary Collison on August 11, 1970, brought to an end an enviable record of forty-six years of uninterrupted, indefatigable service, fifteen rich years of which were spent in the continent of Africa. The record of her accomplishments parallels the rise and development of the administrative order on the homefront in the United States, and matches the culminating international role the believers of the maturing North American community were increasingly called upon to play on foreign soil in fulfilment of the Master's cherished hope for them, echoed in the poignant entreaties of the Guardian. Mary Collison was born at Adelaide, Ontario, Canada on November 13, 1892 and Stanley Wrout was but nine years old when her family settled in New York State. Mary entered William His devotion and love for Bahfu'llah, his Smith College at Geneva and graduated with steadfastness in the Faith, the love and sin- the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1914. For the cerity he radiated and his courteous manner next six years she taught in several high schools derived from a high degree of humility and self- in the State of New York. In 1920 she married effacement which so well characterized him- Reginald (Rex) Collison who served on the all these attributes endeared him greatly to his staff of the New York Agricultural Experiment Irish friends. Station at Geneva, affiliated with Cornell In a letter to the Goals Committee of the University. Republic of Ireland,written on August 31,1970, In 1924 the young couple first heard of the the Universal House of Justice commented : Baha'i Faith from Howard and Mabel Ives "His passing was indeed sad for all his Baha'i and, with seven others, declared acceptance friends but, of course, we cannot know the and a Spiritual Assembly was formed. Group workings of individual destiny. What we are acceptance being an unusual development in sure of is that he was a devoted B a h f i and that that period, a flow of outstanding itinerant the promises of Baha'u'llah are sure and teachers visited the community bringing the bountiful . . . Stan will have his place in the benefit of their wisdom-Martha Root, Roy history of the Cause in Ireland and will, no Wilhelm, Louis Gregory, Dorothy and Frank doubt, rejoice when you achieve your National Baker, Horace Holley, May Maxwell, to name Spiritual Assembly, a goal to which he was so but a few. It was an auspicious beginning. devoted. . ." "Mother" Beecher aided the group to achieve Assembly status and the Collisons felt a deep spiritual kinship with her. MARY GALE COLLISON The role of Mary Collison was to pioneer in one way or another. She served on the first 1892-1970 Outline Committee appointed by the National Knight of Bahk'u'llah Assembly to prepare deepening study outlines DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH on various subjects, relating them to the BELOVED MARY COLLISON STOP HER LONG literature of the Faith. The first of these was IN MEMORIAM 487 National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles. Here they served on the committee charged with the responsibility of supervising construction of the Mother Temple of Africa, prepared plans and supervised construction of the custodian's cottage on the Temple grounds, established a small nursery from which to draw shrubs and trees to landscape the Temple grounds and were members of the first Intercontinental Conference Committee in 1953, and the later committee in 1958 when the cornerstone of the Mahriqu'l-Aakir was laid by the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m . In addition to assisting in the formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Kikaya Hill, where the Temple is built, Mary served as a member of the Publishing Trust established in Central and East Africa and helped mimeograph BahL'i literature in a number of African languages. But a fairer laurel was yet to be won. When the Ten Year Crusade was launched in 1953 the Collisons were the first American believers Mary Gale Collison to arise. Accompanied by Mr. Dunduzu Chisiza, a young Nyasaland African who "Science and the BahB'i Faith" prepared by served as their interpreter and shared their Mr. Collison, and later many others followed. home for over a year, they settled in Ruanda- In 1928 the Collisons made a 17,000 mile Urundi. The trio were named Knights of teaching trip by automobile from coast to BahA'u'llah by Shoghi Effendi. They served coast, across the Old Spanish Trail and back here for a year and a half until government through the northern United States, visiting policy required them to leave the country. the widely scattered BahB'i communities and Behind them in their adopted goal they left isolated believers. Perhaps it was this experience approximately twenty well-grounded Baha'is that inspired Mary to inaugurate a correspon- who became the foundation bedrock upon dence course designed to weld together and which the Faith developed throughout Ruanda deepen the knowledge of far-flung believers, a Urundi and the eastern Congo. project which she vigorously pursued during The Collisons returned to Kampala in 1955 the 1930s. She served on the National Teach- and were again custodians of the Baha'i ing Committee and was a valued participant Centre and later of the Mother Temple of and teacher at Green Acre and Davison Africa until 1966 when, for various reasons, it Baha'i Schools. When Mr. Collison retired in was deemed advisable to return to the United 1945 the family moved to the site of the BahL'i States. At home in Geyserville Mary served on Summer School at Geyserville, California and the International Goals Committee for normade an important contribution to the pro- thern California and was a member of the grammes there. Between 1945 and 1952 Mary Spiritual Assembly until her final illness. made a number of extensive trips through the "Mary's passing just twenty days short of our western States, concentrating her attention fiftieth wedding anniversary ended her fortyupon the teaching work in Utah, Idaho and six years of dedicated BahB'i activity," writes Montana. Mr. Collison, "and terminated our plans to Then began another form of pioneering. In pioneer in Jamaica." 1952, a year before the announcement of the The passing of Mary Collison was marked Ten Year Crusade, the Collisons pioneered to by a memorial gathering in the Mother Temple Kampala, Uganda under the aegis of the of Africa and, learning of the passing of the 488 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
mother of their community, the BahB'is of One account2 describes a visit to India, Burma, Ruanda-Urundi (now Burundi-Rwanda) cabl- Iran, Africa and Europe. "Mrs. Schopflocher ed : has proven herself an intrepid traveller," the PLEASE REX COLLISON OUR DEEPEST introduction states, "venturing into regions GRIEF SYMPATHY LOSS DEAR MARY VALIANT difficult of access, dangerous even for travel. KNIGHT BAHAULLAH BURUNDI RWANDA STOP With brave heart and with a blazing.enthusiasm THIS REGION WILL ALWAYS RE- for the BahB'i Cause she has been enabled to MEMBER COLLISONS SERVICES PROMOTION reach many prominent men and women of the FAITH. East and present her message to them." A further editor's note characterizes Mrs. Schopflocher as an "intrepid, alert and gifted Baha'i teacher." FLORENCE EVALINE (LOROL) In her review of "Teaching in Europe, SCHOPFLOCHER Asia and Africa", published in The Baha"i 1886-1970 Centenary (1844-1944), the brilliant Keith The hope +,,hich. 'Abdu31-Bahb cherishes for Ransom-Kehler, later to be appointed a Hand YOU is that . . . through you the fame o f t h e of the Cause and designated by Shoghi Cause ofGodmay be diffusedthroughout the Effendi the first American martyr to die on East and West, and the advent of the King- Persian soil, speaks Of her own journeys in 1933 don? of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in and Pays tribute to the early teaching work peralltheJive continents of theglobe. formed by Lorol Schopflocher in Hawaii, G~bduy-~ah& Japan , and China, in company with Miss ~ ~of theb~i~~~~l plan~ Agnes ~ Alexander, ~ also appointed a Hand of the Cause; describes meeting Mrs. Schopflocher isited a n ~ m b e rof Little is known about the early life of Florence in Burma where she had v ~ ~~ ~ ~h ~ l~often f called li ~ -~~ ~h i ~~ communities or~~ ~, ~ = includingDaidanaw, traditionally a ~ o r o l =A . canadian ~ ~ hwho h ~knewi her in known as "'Abdu'l-Baha's village"; and menthe early years recollects that she had been tions the teaching trips of Mrs. Schopflocher interested in Theosophy and -in the early to India, Iran and 'Iriq. Of Mrs. Schopflocher's 1920~or soonerv met May ~ ~whose ~ sojourn~ in the latter ~ country l shel states: "Mrs. home in ~ ~was a centre ~ of attraction t ~ Schopflocher's ~ visit ~ left a l deep impression and for those of an inquiring mind. she was in- wrought good results. She had several audiences vited by Mrs. Maxwell to Green Acre, Eliot, with His Majesty, the late King ~ e i s a l .1n- ~~i~~ (later the ~ ~ h summer g i school) and cidentally, 1 know of no better place to mention there became a Bahgi. She developed a deep Mrs. Schopflocher's memorable visit to Russia; affection for the tranquillity of Green Acre and the only American BahB'i, so far as I am informed t o its environs and invited her husband, Siegfried , teach in the Union." Schopflocher,l who "leaned towards an agnos- Elsewhere in the same volume, ~ rand . Mrs. ticism which included a search for a more Schopflocher are listed among those who first universal expression of religionw, to visit and undertook travel teaching in Central and South share her attraction both to Green Acre and to America and, in the case Loro1, Africa. the Cause of ~ ~ h a ~ ~ shortly ~ l l i hthereafter, . A Canadian friend relates: "Her travels M ~ ~. ~ h ~accepted ~ f thel ~ ~ ~and ~ i ren- included h ~ ~ h~ trips on the first international air dered outstanding and distinguished services. routes in the 1930s . . . These trips by air pro- Mrs. Schopflocher's travels on behalf of the vided her with an opportunity for ~ u b l i c ifor t~ cause took her a total of nine times around the Faith which was not readily obtainable in the world, where she visited no less than that period. AS an unusual world traveller, she eighty-six countries, some of them, several Was newsworthy, and where possible she made times. Accounts of some of these travels excellent use of the media for the Faith. appear in the early volumes of Star of the West. "When I last saw her in Green Acre where she spent the last vears of her life. she told me Siegfried Schopflocher, appointed a Hand of the Cause July 27,1953. See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i Star of the West, vol. XVIII, Nos. 3, 5 and 6, 1927, World, vol. XII, p. 664. pp. 90,150,186. charmed that the meeting lasted until midnight. It was a new experience to them: roses, perfume, a lovely setting, and a charming, dynamic, vivacious speaker presenting a wonderful Truth." Of her visits to Iran it has been written by one of her interpreters: "That Mrs. Schopflocher's first visit to the cities of northern Persia left a remarkable and ineffaceable impression upon the hearts of those who crossed her path, was most evident when, upon hearing of her return visit to that country last spring (1927), there was great rejoicing and all anxiously looked forward to a reunion with this gifted and beloved sister and teacher. No greater tribute to her glowing influence and work could be given than the inspiring welcome accorded her every place. On this second visit some of the cities in central and southern Persia were visited for the first time by any Western Baha'i." Another of her interpreters on this journey states: ". . . she was really inspired every time Florence Evaline (Lorol) Schopflocher she spoke. She addressed audiences of several hundred to a thousand or more at many that she had visited the beloved Guardian some meetings, and the ovation given her was uneleven times and had always been greatly precedented . . . always she especially emencouraged and inspired by these visits. In the phasized the position of women in this age and course of her travels she often spoke on the the great part they are to have in bringing about subject of the World Order letters of Shoghi a better social order. How she did plead for the Effendi.l at a time when this subject was less emancipation and education of women! How often treated than other more Christian- courageous she was! How inspired! What a oriented religious subjects, and she churned profound impression shemadeon her audiences, out and distributed mimeographed compila- and what a powerful influence the messages tions on this theme. She was undoubtedly cap- she brought had upon them!" At one large tivated by the letters of the Guardian de- gathering ". . . a distinguished poet of Persia scribing the unfolding World Order of BahaYu'- arose and chanted a poem he had composed llah which to the Baha'is in that period seemed eulogizing the work Mrs. Schopflocher had then a very long way off." accomplished as a Baha'i teacher." The poem A tribute to Mrs. Schopflocher's ability to refers "to the seeds of love, kilowledge and captivate an audience who had gathered to truth which she has scattered throughout learn about the Baha'i Faith is found in the India, Persia and elsewhere", but perhaps in words of Josephine Kruka, an American the opening sentence of the verse is found the pioneer to Finland, whose first visits to that epitaph of Lorol Schopflocher : "A radiant star country to establish the Cause were made in went from the West to the East." 1938 and 1939: "Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher of Canada spent some time in Finland between my first and second trips, and went also to Viipuri (Vyborg, U.S.S.R.) and, I believe, to PERCY MEADE ALMOND the Arctic. She had a fireside in a first-class 1890-1970 , hotel in Helsinki. Those attending were so Slowly the scaffold is being dismantled from Subsequently published (1938) under the title The World Order of Bahci'u'Ndh. the edifice of the Baha'i Cause in South friends and Father Dunn would supply typewritten copies of extracts from the Sacred Writings. It was not until approximately 1931 that the first BahB'i book reached the friends in Adelaide when Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler visited the area and presented them with a copy of Bahb'i Administration. From those early days of the infancy of the Faith in Australia, when Mr. Almond was elected in 1934 to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand and served as its national treasurer, he lived to see the completion of the first House of Worship on this continent, and took great joy in participating in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Faith in Australia. Later, he attended the Intercontinental Conference held in Sydney in 1958 and the World Congress in England in 1963. Subsequently, at the request of the National Assembly, he visited the believers in New Guinea to assist them in establishing their administration. Of a quiet, retiring disposition, Mr. Almond Percy Meade Almond nonetheless enjoyed humour and possessed a sense of fun, as well as having a deep awareness Australia. One by one the early supports of of spiritual values. Never forceful, nor a pro- "Father" and "Mother" Dunn in rearing the minent speaker, his Baha'i service was illu- Faith of BahB'u'llBh in this State are being mined by his sincerity and distinguished by his reclaimed by the Master Builder and taken great love of his fellow BahB'is. To Percy back into His eternal keeping. Meade Almond might well be applied the words With the passing of Percy Meade Almond on of BahB'u'llah: November 11, 1970, a few days before his Great is the blessedness awaiting thee, eightieth birthday, another support of the inas~nuchas thou hast adorned thy heart with early structure has been removed, leaving those the ornatnent of thy Lord. who remain to prove the strength of that which ERIC S. G. BOWES they built. Mr. Almond and his wife, Maisie, were the two first believers in South Australia. As the result of attending a meeting in 1923 at which ELIZABETH STAMP Mr. Hyde Dunn (Father Dunn) was speaking, 1887-1970 they immediately responded: "This is it!" Knight of BahB'u'llah Letters from Father Dunn to Mr. Almond in those early years 1923-1926 show clearly what ASSURE STAMP LOVING PRAYERS. SHOGHI love and devotion existed between the two May 11, 1954 men. An accountant by profession, Mr. Almond became treasurer of the first Spiritual Thus did Shoghi Effendi lovingly acknowledge Assembly of Adelaide, South Australia. the arrival of Mrs. Elizabeth Stamp, Knight of Firesides were being held regularly at the Baha'u'llah, on St. Helena Island, one of the home of Mrs. Silver Jackman in North virgin territory goals of the Ten Year Crusade. Adelaide, and Percy Almond would arrive in Mrs. Stamp was to remain steadfastly at her his little Renault motor car overloaded with post for over ten years, leaving only when cirinquirers to hear the Message from Father cumstances on the island forced her to do so. Dunn. No Baha'i books were available to the Elizabeth Stamp was born on March 25, I N MEMORIAM 49 1 mentioned as a goal of the Crusade by Shoghi Effendi. She arrived at her post on May 4, 1954, thus becoming a Knight of BahA'u'llah. St. Helena, site of the famous exile of Napoleon I, is a tiny mound of volcanic ash and rock located 1,150 miles west of Angola, lying between Africa and Brazil in the South Atlantic Ocean. The island has an area of but fortyseven square miles, and very little of that expanse is inhabited. Life is generally hard and the indigenous peoples poor, but Elizabeth managed to remain entirely self-supporting throughout her long pioneering assignment. The tests which had accompanied Elizabeth's formal entrance onto the island were small compared with those she faced when she arrived. Because she was listed with the British government on her visa papers as a Baha'i (the island being a British colonial territory), she was known to the bishop of the Church of England on the island even before her arrival. One of the two vicars serving that bishop was particularly unhappy at the prospect of this Elizabeth Stamp new resident and took every opportunity to warn his parishioners against becoming in- 1887, in Bagenalstown, Carlow, Ireland, and volved with this new religion from the East. received her education in Dublin. After emi- In spite of his hostility, one of the first visits grating to the United States, she made her Elizabeth made was to this vicar, and through home in New York City, becoming a United patience and diplomacy she was able to win his States citizen and a member of the New York grudging respect and even present him with BahA'i Community in 1939, where she remained several Baha'i books. one of its active supporters until she left for Virtually all the native population are memher pioneering post in 1954. Mrs. Stamp was bers of the Church of England, with small noted in the community for her warm hospita- minorities belonging to the Salvation Army and lity and her frequent teaching trips to the South the Baptist and Seventh Day Adventist denoand Midwest. She spoke at numerous firesides minations. Because the economic and social and public meetings in such scattered cities as ties of the native population to the Church of Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Danville, England were so strong, Elizabeth could do Connecticut; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. little direct teaching. However, throughout her Less than three months after the Ten Year years on this tiny island, she consistently de- Crusade had begun and the call for pioneers vised ways to inform the inhabitants of the had been raised by the beloved Guardian, truths of the Cause. The patience, steadfast- Elizabeth, now a widow, volunteered her ser- ness, and dedication which she displayed during vices to the National Spiritual Assembly. In these lonely years in this isolated spot will perher written offer, dated July 21, 1953, she men- haps be remembered as her most glowing tioned her desire to go to South Africa, where a attributes. non-Baha'i sister resided. After further prayer For over ten years Mrs. Stamp faithfully andmeditation, she wrote again to theNationa1 remained at her post, with only the bi-monthly Spiritual Assembly, asking that she be per- mailboat to bring her news of the BahB'is, and mitted to settle on the island of St. Helena in infrequent brief visits to her family to ease the the South Atlantic Ocean. Her offer was isolation. In April, 1963, Elizabeth fell in the immediately and enthusiastically accepted, as hotel in Jarnestown where she lived and broke St. Helena was one of the virgin territories her ankle in several places. After a lengthy 492 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
recuperation in South Africa, she returned to her post on December 5, 1963. Circumstances on the island, however, continued to worsen and she was forced to leave her post permanently at the end of 1964. That she left behind a nucleus of four enrolled native believers to carry on the work of the Cause is evidence of her unquenchable spirit. In spite of failing health and advanced age, Mrs. Stamp worked actively for the Faith in South Africa until 1966, serving on the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Durban. On June 21,1966, she returned to the United States, where she spent her remaining years in Waterbury, Connecticut, near her son and his family. Elizabeth Stamp passed away as the result of a heart attack on November 11, 1970, at the age of eighty-three and is buried next to her husband in Washington, Connecticut. Her spirit of shining faith and of unyielding determination are worthy examples for all who, in the present or future, aspire to serve this Cause in the pioneering field. Isjandiycir Yaganagi
They were of the Zoroastrian persuasion and although vaguely aware of the divine origin of the Arabian Prophet from Scriptural references Over the past century, economic reasons com- to Him, they still awaited the advent of the pelled farmers from Yazd, in the central Per- world Saviour, %ah-Bahrkm, promised in their sian desert, to abandon their homes in that sacred books. What they had been told about waterless region and emigrate to India. Settling the Baha'i Faith was not calculated to enon its western coast, they gravitated into the courage further investigation on their part so catering business and through hard work it was fortunate for them that a chance acquain- (which still was infinitely less onerous than tance struck up with one of their regular what they had been accustomed to) and taking customers which ripened into friendship led a low profit (which still yielded them an in- to a study of the Maanavi of Jalalu'd-Din finitely better living than they had ever hoped Rumi, the renowned mystic poet of Persia. to secure from their sterile farms), they and This study did exactly what their teacher(wh0, their descendants and successors secured, at unknown to them, was a Baha'i) designed it to the end of several decades, the virtual mono- do: it led them to a recognition and acceptance poly of catering to the middle classes in Bombay of the Faith. and in the few other towns where they settled. Isfandiykr's wife was averse to and bitterly The Yaganagi brothers from the village of resented his forsaking the Faith of his fore- ~ i s i m - A b a d ,Yazd, were among those who, fathers and although this did not dissolve their following this trend eventually owned a res- marriage, it was not conducive to a more taurant in Poona, just over a hundred miles pleasant life either. Things stood this way until from Bombay. Isfandiyar was married and the time when on pilgrimage in the Holy Land, senior to Surush by a few years, but though of Isfandiyir besought the Guardian's prayers different temperaments each had qualities for her belief. When he returned home he which offset and complemented the other's and found to his joy that his wife had accepted the so their business partnership was a happy and Faith while he was away. prosperous one. Isfandiyar embraced the Faith in a com- I N MEMORIAM 493 munity that was geared for progressive action. Local Spiritual Assembly all his BahB'i life; He had the spiritual capacity to imbibe the of the National Spiritual Assembly for one blessings generated by such an atmosphere and year. of contributing his share, in turn, to its further He pioneered with his family to Panchgani development: just like the fertile seed planted where, in conjunction with the labour of other in genial soil, which draws its sustenance from friends, he formed a Local Spiritual Assembly it and then bears goodly fruit for others. and helped in the firm establishment of the Through whole-hearted participation in all Baha'i school. Later, he pioneered once again local activities, Isfandiyb Yaganagi deve- with his family, on this occasion to Baroda. loped into a firm Baha'i, a staunch supporter of The joy at the sight of a rose in full bloom, its institutions and a stalwart pillar of the the pleasure the fragrance of its perfume im- Faith. Without much formal education, he yet parts, live on long after the rose is no more. had the happy knack of making the right So also, now that dear Isfandiyar is gone, his decision in most courses of action by listening devotion and attachment to the Faith, the to the promptings of his sincere heart. His moral and material support he extended to its decision to go on pilgrimage was one such institutions, his affection for his fellow-men instance. It was a snap decision, executed with and the generous way in which he expressed promptitude. On return, he confided the reason that love, the simplicity and sincerity of his of the hasty action. In addition to the bounty of life, will continue to inspire future generations pilgrimage to the Holy Shrines and the bles- to emulate his example to serve the Cause and sing of attaining to the Guardian's sacred our fellow-beings. presence, he had desired the privilege and the Informed of his passing, the Universal House honour of meeting the Greatest Holy Leaf. It ofJusticecabled: was not long thereafter that she passed away. GRIEVED NEWS PASSING SELFLESS BELOVED On his second visit to the Holy Land, in HOLY THRESHOLD ISFAmIYAR YAGA- 1955, Isfandiyar Yaganagi had the joy of the NAGI STOP HIS DEVOTION DETACHMENT company of his wife as a Baha'i pilgrim, too. GENEROSITY SERVICE FAITH DURING LONG Another of his impulsive actions was his DECADES UNFORGETTABLE STOP ASSURE purchase of the National Hotel at Poona from RELATIVES FRIENDS ARDENT PRAYERS BE- its Baha'i owners who were emigrating. It was SEECHING MERCY BLESSINGS ABHA BEAUTY his aim to maintain the tradition of hospitality HIS SOUL STOP ADVISE HOLD BEFITTING which that place had acquired over several GATHERINGS. Universal decades and he secured what to him was a ofJustice. substantial loan to conclude this deal. When he RUSTOM SABIT got possession, a flourishing business suddenly seemed to dry up. Agitated, he disclosed his predicament to Miss Martha Root, who was at the hotel at that time, on a teaching trip. AMINDA JOSEPHINE KRUKA She prayed with him. She asked for Baha'u'- 1892-1971 11ah's grace on Isfandiyir's head. The flow of customers was resumed. The situation was Aminda Josephine Kruka was given the title saved. "Mother of Finland" by the beloved Guardian Isfandiyar Yaganagi turned this blessing into because of her devoted service in establishing a channel for further service to the Cause. the Cause of BahB'u'llah in that country where His hotel was always open to friends and tea- her name will be eternally honoured. She will chers. Many illustrious visitors stayed there. also be lovingly remembered for her dedication Conventions and Conferences were held in it. as a pioneer in laying the foundation of the He assigned one room for use as a National Baha'i Faith in Habana and Cienfuegos, Cuba. Office for two years. He was lavish in his Shoghi Effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf hospitality. He carried on faithfully the tra- in a letter to Josephine Kruka on May 3,1956: dition of the hotel as a home to Baha'i visitors "You must thank God that, in His mercy, He and teachers and a centre for Baha'i activities. has enabled you to do so much in two different Isfandiyar Yaginagi was a member of a hemispheres; a rare privilege indeed!" came her "spiritual mother". Josephine worked with the early believers in Washington to develop one of the leading BahA'i communities in the United States. Her life in Washington was devoted to the care of her mother and to the BahB'i community. Because of her frail health, Josephine and her mother spent many winters in Miami, Florida, where she also served the Faith. Following the death of her mother in 1935, Josephine, fired with the zeal born of her discovery of BahB'u'llah as the fulfilment of biblical prophecy about the return of Christ, responded to the Guardian's call for pioneers to Latin America during the first United States Seven Year Plan (1937-1944). Her early pioneer work in Cuba was shared with Jean Si1ver.l Together, these two established the Cause of God in Habana, teaching English to children and adults and bringing them the Message of BahP'u'llAh. During the winters of 1950 to 1956 Josephine continued to return to Cuba, consolidating the work in Habana Aniinda Josephine Kruka and opening the community of Cienfuegos, with Jean Silver. Josephine had a great love for Born on September 3, 1892, in Wolverine, a the Cuban people who will long remember her small mining community in Michigan, Aminda warm and generous nature. Josephine was one of seven children born to Josephine's extensive correspondence with immigrant parents. Her mother came from the Guardian between the years 1936 and 1957 Finland, her father from Sweden, in the latter reveals how frequently her untiring efforts part of the nineteenth century when so many brought him happiness and inspired his ad- Europeans flocked to America seeking a new miration for her. On November 23, 1941, world. Josephine caught the spirit of this search Shoghi Effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf: for a new way of life. Her father died when she "It is quite impossible for the pioneers and was ten years old and Josephine was pro- pioneer teachers to realize fully how great the foundly influenced by her mother's study of the services are which they are rendering the Faith Bible, her search for prophecy concerning the of God, and their fellow-men, at this time. But return of the Christ Spirit, and her service to future generations will know how to value their humanity. Gustava Kruka did not speak self-sacrifice, and the fact that, when the need English and Josephine became her mother's was greatest, they did not fail their beloved constant companion, reading the Finnish news- Cause but gave up home and comforts to serve papers to her daily and absorbing the wisdom it unstintingly." In response to a report about Gustava Kruka imparted. the progress of the work in Cuba, Shoghi Josephine went to France in 1918, serving as Effendi wrote to her in his own hand on May a Red Cross nurse. She returned to the United 25, 1944: "I was delighted to receive your most States at the end of World War I and attended welcome message. I feel truly proud of your Columbia University. Her education was inter- achievements. I am deeply grateful for your rupted by failing health. incessant and noble exertions. I will continue to After spending several years in a sanitarium, pray from the depths of my heart for the exten- Josephine settled in Washington, D.C., during sion of your valued activities. Persevere, nay the mid-'twenties. Here she met Selma Gus- redouble in your efforts, and rest assured the tafson, a fellow Red Cross nurse, who intro- See "In Memoriam", The Baha'i World, vol. x111,p. duced her to the BahB'i Teachings and be- 942. Beloved will richly bless your noble exertions." and day to repay the debt demanded by Russia. In addition to her facility with the Spanish Teaching the Baha'i Faith in Finland was slow, language, Josephine spoke Finnish fluently. In and the bitterly cold winters were difficult for July, 1938, at the beloved Guardian's request, one whose health was frail and who tradishe made her first trip to Finland. Martha Root tionally spent the winter months in warmer had previously made two brief visits there and climes. Yet Josephine persisted- at her post. through her efforts a number of Esperantists She had tenacity and an unfailing devotion to and Theosophists had heard of the Faith. the Cause of Bahi'u'llah and to the beloved However, it was a young Finnish minister who Guardian who had asked her to pioneer in Finbecame the first believer in Finland after land. a service to which he said he attached "the quiet prayer and study with Josephine Kruka. greatest importance". He wrote to her on De- InDecember, 1938, she returned again to Cuba. cember 30, 1946: "Your past services to our During her first visit to Finland, Josephine beloved Faith have been crowned with great toured several larger cities. She found the most success, and I truly admire, and feel deeply receptivity in Viipuri, a city that is now part of grateful for, your splendid pioneer services. I Russia. On her second visit to Viipuri in 1939, will pray that, in the European continent, your Germany marched into Poland thus inter- high endeavours for the promotion of the rupting her -work in northern Europe. Second Seven Year Plan2 will also be crowned During her second journey to Finland in with signal success. Persevere, be happy and May, 1939, Josephine met considerable re- rest assured." sistance to the Baha'i Faith. The Foreign Josephine used her own meagre funds in her Ministry refused to extend her visa and forbade teaching efforts. Describing conditions in teaching of the Faith. Finland at this time was Finland during her six year stay she wrote: experiencing political difficulties with Russia; "There was now much more tolerance. Comwar was imminent and Josephine was forced munism had made inroads. Belief in God had to return to the United States. She was able to weakened. Editors no longer rushed you to the arrange passage on a ship with many other re- door. You were not scoffed at nor considered turning American citizens. "We were packed queer. No irritability was evinced even in like cattle in the hold of the ship," she wrote to official circles. but still no one invited a Baha'i her sister. A month later, Russia invaded Fin- to speak at his club or group. The principles land and the world was enveloped in another were generally accepted, but not the Station of war. Baha'u'llah. Meetings were tried in different During this time Josephine was arranging sections of the city. There were still some protesfor the translation of Baha'i literature into tations, at times rather violent. Fortunately, Finnish with the assistance of Ida Hiltanen, a the Finns are great readers and by now Baha'u'- Baha'i of Chicago, and Elsa Ventol of Toronto, llbh and the New Era, Gleanings from the Canada. Earlier, Josephine had found a Fin- Writings of Baha'u'llrih, Baha'i Prayers and nish newspaper printed in Duluth, Minnesota, several pamphlets were available in the Fiawhich contained an account of the Baha'i nish language." Faith with an elaboration of its principles. She The Guardian's secretary wrote on his behad one thousand copies printed for distri- half on December 11, 1952: "The Guardian bution. This was the only Baha'i literature in wishes me to assure you of his very deep appre- Finnish which she took to Finland to begin her ciation of your outstanding services in Finland. pioneer work in 1938. Single-handed, you have been able to establish After World War 11, Josephine did not re- a Spiritual Assembly there,3which will stand to turn to Finland to pioneer until 1950. She con- your eternal glory." tinued to spend the summer months in Finland In 1962 the National Spiritual Assembly of and winters in Cuba through 1956. But in 1957 Finland was formed with its seat in Helsinki. she went to Finland to remain for six full years. Josephine had the joyous bounty to represent The years following the Russo-Finnish war Finland at the first election of the Universal were difficult. The Finns were working night House of Justice in Haifa, Israel, in 1963. She attended the World Congress in London before See "In Memoriam", The Bahri'i World, vol. xrrr, p. 900. 1946-1953. Helsinki. returning to the United States for the first time in six years. For the next four years Josephine made her home with her niece, Rhea Akemann (Wendt), a Baha'i in Kokomo, Indiana. She continued to serve Baha'u'llah and while she was in Kokomo, a firm Local Spiritual Assembly was formed. In 1967, with failing health, Josephine chose to join her original teacher, Selma Gustafson, in Dayton, Ohio, where she passed away on January 7, 1971, leaving an unforgettable record of service to the Cause of BahB'u'llah. All who knew Josephine Kruka loved her warmth, her generous and loving spirit. In her seventy-first year, reflecting on her services, she wrote to a friend: "I enjoyed the work both in Finland and Cuba-they were my happiest years !" RHEA AKEMANN WENDT
Hhji Ahn~adHamdi Mulli Husayn HAJ~ AHMAD H A M D ~MULLA HUSAYN Following the 1920 revolution in 'Iraq, 1882-1971 Ahmad Hamdi was appointed along with other The death of Haji Ahmad I;lamdi Mulla 'Iraqi notables to go to Bahdad on a depu- Husayn on the eve of May 20, 1971, deprived tation to welcome King Feisal I, the popular the 'Iraqi BahB'i community of a staunch King of 'Iraq, whose installation as sovereign friend, a zealous teacher, a prolific writer and a inaugurated a reign of independence and selfdoughty champion of the Faith. government for theland. Born in Basrih in 1882, in a Muslirn family Ahmad Hamdi's acquisition of learning, of the Sunni sect, Ahmad Hamdi received his vast as it was, had left him unsatisfied. He felt primary education at home, followed up by a a void in his heart and so he undertook a secondary course under the clergy, particularly journey to India, ostensibly to further his busiunder his own father, who was the imam ness interests but in reality to see if he could fill (prayer leader) of a local mosque. Thence he this gap by his association with Muslim scholars went on to Mecca to complete his study of in that country and the spiritual knowledge he religious subjects and such others as history, might imbibe from them. philosophy and astronomy. Among his wide circle of friends in B a ~ r i h When his father died, a royal edict, under the was a Mr. Ra'6f 'Abdu'llah Attar, the Director seal of Sultan 'Abdu'l-Hamid himself, in- of Education, and they met regularly to discuss stalled Ahmad Hamdi as the imam of one of abstruse subjects. the larger mosques of Basrih. He taught in the Once during the course of such a visit, Mr. secondary school, lectured in private classes Attar asked about the Baha'i Faith. His and contributed articles on various topics to ignorance of the subject started Ahmad the press. I-Ie was elected as president of several Hamdi on a search which led him to embrace social reform societies, wrote books on diverse the Faith. He secured a copy of the Kifabsubjects and was wont to read his poems at i-jqhn with some difficulty, engaged the serpublic gatherings. Withal, he was a successful vices of a Persian to translate it into Arabic for business man and his commercial operations him orally, was stirred by its contents, pursued were on an extensive scale. his search further till he met some BahB'is IN MEMORIAM I 497 further afield, association with whom finally Roberta Kaley Christian was born March 19, convinced him s f the truth of the Cause. 1913, in central New York state and at the He joyfully announced this fact to his friend, time of her death had been a Baha'i for about Mr. Attar and to all and sundry. His kith and thirty-five years. She married William Kenneth kin, his colleagues and friends tpok alarm Christian and together they served the Faith, when the news of his conversion spread and each complementing the other, but functioning started a campaign of vilification and perse- independently in their fields of specific interest. cution of him. He had been a popular idol; Kenneth was a college professor, lecturer their aim now was to destroy him. No oppo- and writer, and he served for five years as a sition, however, could daunt Ahmad Harndi; member of the National Spiritual Assembly of no afflictionssilence him; no adversity dampen the United States. Roberta was editor of U.S. his zeal. Bahri'i News for three years. She is the author of He continued teaching the Faith until a com- A Bahri'i Child's A.B.C. and wrote the verses munity of some thirty Baha'is from various for A BahiiyEChild's Song Book, two popular backgrounds came into being there. and widely translated books which filled a vital These Baha'is wrote to the beloved Guardian need for children's literature in the Faith. and received loving replies encouraging them When the beloved Guardian issued the call to carry on their teachjng work and turn lo for pioneers in the Ten Year Crusade in 1953, their National Spiritual Assen~blyfor guidance Kenneth and Roberta set sail in December for and help in forming a Local Spiritual Assembly. Southern Rhodesia and were named Knights After the Second World War, Ahmad of Bahh'u'llah by Shoghi Effendi. Frustrated Hamdi moved to Baddad with his family and in their efforts to secnre employment and was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly. unable to teach the Faith openly in the circum- In this new role he enriched the record of his stances that then obtained there, they received services by lending fresh stimulus to the permission from the Guardian to settle in teaching work by his unstinted support of the Greece where they assisted in forming the first funds, and by widening the sphere of teaching Bahh'i group of Athens. On September 1,1956, through his writings. the secretary of ShoghiEffendi wrote to Roberta He wrote many volumes, citing chapter and on the Guardian's behalf expressing his pleasure verse from Islarnic sources to support the at receiving a photograph of the group and Baha'i claim and challenged his former co- extending a warm welcome to the first believer religionists to disprove or accept it. He literally of Greece who, he prayed, would "become a distributed thousands of copies of his books spiritual guide to his people". Shortly therethroughout the Arab world and these stand after, Kenneth and Roberta made their piltoday as a monumerit to his long and useful grimage to the Holy Land and were showered record of service and invite those who follow with words of encouragement and appreciation him in those fields to emulate his noble ex- by Shoghi Effendi. ample. Soon they were again bound for another pioneer post, and were err route to Djakarta, Indonesia when Shoghi Effendi died in Novem- ROBERTA K. CHRISTIAN ber, 1957. 'This was a crushing blow to them but they had received his assurance that their 1913-1971 efforts ill the World Crusade were pleasing to Knight of Baha'u'llah him. GRIEVED TRAGIC PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH Kenneth was always frail and he died sud- ROBERTA CHRISTIAN HER DEVOTED SERVICES denly on May 4, 1959, in Djakarta. A rnoving ALASKA NINE YEAR PLAN WORTHY ADDITION account of his service to the Cause, written by LAURELS GARNERED PIONEER EFFORTS RHO- Roberta, appeared in The Bahii'i Wo~,ld, vol. DESIA AND GREECE COMPANY LATE HUSBAND XIII, p. 907. Roberta never fully recovered WILLIAM KENNETH CHRISTIAN DURING WORLD from the emotional shock of her husband's CRUSADE CONVEY FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS passing in his forty-sixth year, but her work for PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. the Faith continued unabated. She was not Universal House ofJustice only a writer but a very capable secretary, 'f W O R L D world of humanity: Some are asleep; they need to be awakened. Some are ailing; t h y need to be healed Some are immature as children; they need to be trained. But all are recipients of the bounty and bestowals of G0d.l He lowered the book and looked at me with his gentle brown eyes. After what seemed an endless silence he spoke. Softly, in a voice at once solemn and dignified, he said, "I feel like I'm waking up for the first time in my life." Thus began the Bahb'i life of Peter Simple of Fort Yukon, Alaska, the second Athabascan Indian north of the Arctic Circle to become a Bahb'i and one of the true "treasures" promised by Baha'u'llah, ". . . men who will aid Thee . . ."2 Called "Pete" by those who knew and loved him, he was born just before the turn of the century near Fort McPherson in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Pete was left an orphan at an early age and was raised mainly by his grandparents. His grandfather told him that the day would come when the Indian people would fall into confusion, that many different Roberta K. Christian religions would come, that the white man would say "do this" and "do that" and the dressmaker and fashion consultant and made Indians would not know what path to take; but her living at various times in these fields. At the then One would come Who would unite all. time of her death she was employed by the Pete clung to that belief. Geophysical Institute of the University of Although he never went to school Pete* Alaska, situated at College, Alaska, in a project learned the names of the letters of the alphabet. described as "pioneering a new field of edu- When he was seventeen, hauling freight by do& cation for Alaska's bush country". sled along the MacKenzie River, he experienced. Roberta first came to Alaska from California the thrill of discovery. Night after night he would in January, 1967, to assist in completing the lay in his bedroll looking at the letters T-E-N-T. goals of the Nine Year Plan in that country. Over and over he would say the letters, knowing She was frequently invited to address Bahb'i they spelled something. Then one night he conferences and summer schools on the subject leaped from his bedroll and shouted for joy: of pioneering. Subsequently she went back to "Tent! It spells tent !" He had no one to tell but California but returned to Alaska in February, his dogs. 1971, to join her son and his wife who had In everything he did there was a special mark recently settled in the Fairbanks area. A tragic of quality, of excellence. He was not just a good fire took her life on July 30, 1971. Now, at last, river man and pilot; he was one of the best. Nor she has gone to rejoin Kenneth in the AbhL was he just a competent trapper; again, he was Kingdom. one of the finest. It was his quest for excellence JANET W. STOUT and his desire to know more that led him to approach me, a school teacher, and ask to help him learn to read better. Soon after hearing PETER SIMPLE about the Baha'i Faith he expressed the desire to learn more about it in order to qualify himself 1899 (?)-I971 to translate the Teachings into Athabascan. Peter Simple had just finished reading aloud During his first year as a Baha'i, Pete these words of 'Abdu'l-Baha in explanation of Baha'i WorldFaitlz, p. 246. Baha'u'llah's teaching about the oneness of the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf,p. 21. IN MEMORIAM 499 At a BahB'i Summer Institute in 1970, Pete and I agreed that I would read a prayer in Athabascan, and he in English. Always one to see the humour in a situation, Pete commented, "This is an amazing religion! Where else can you turn a white man into an Indian, and an Indian into a white man?" On August 17, 1971, Pete Simple was struck by an automobile in Fairbanks, fell unconscious and did not survive the night. Pete was among the first to reflect a glimmer of that Divine illumination which 'Abdu'l-Bahi in Tablets of the Divine Plan said could enable the Indian people to be a source of illumination to the whole earth.' Through his life and service many of us, Indians and non-Indians alike, caught a first glimpse of the tremendous potential enshrined in that weighty prophecy of 'Abdu'l-Baha. We are so much richer because of this "treasure" of Baha'u'llah. The vision of what lies ahead, both in potential and challenge, is made more clear because of Pete. In summarizing- the meaning- of one of the Peter Simple verses, from The Hidden Words of Bahci'u'llrih, Pete used to say "God made us perfect, and attended the Indian Council Fire in Arizona, that's how He wants us back." Pete has re- U.S.A., representing the Baha'is of Alaska; he turned to Him now, and we are thankful for taught a course on The Hidden Words of having met him along the way. Baha'u'llah; he helped form the first Spiritual JOHN E. KOLSTOE Assembly of Fort Yukon; and made a teaching trip to Beaver, Alaska, which enabled the believers there to form their first Assembly. Over the years he served in many ways the MURASSA' (YAZDL) R A W H A N ~ Faith he loved so well. We worked together in 1887-1971 writing Baha'i Teachings, a simplified outline CONVEY ABDUL VAHHAB RAWHANI AND of the Faith in pamphlet form which has been FAMILY DEEP SORROW PASSING MURASSA translated and distributed on four continents. KHANUM STOP RECALL HER ASSOCIATION Pete was frequently a delegate to the National HEROIC AGE DEDICATED SERVICES PIONEERING Convention, served on the Teaching Com- FIELD STOP PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HER mittee and ,realized his hope of assisting with SOUL. the translation of Baha'i prayers into the Universal House of Justice Athabascan tongue. His wit endeared him to everyone. A course With the passing of Murassa' Rawhani on he gave in 1962 at the Winter Workshop in October 6, 1971, the BahB'i Faith lost another Fairbanks, Alask?, followed a very scholarly of that dwindling band who in their own lifepresentation by another believer who had used times came into the physical presence of many books and reference cards drawn from Baha'u'llah and feasted their eyes on that a large briefcase. Pete opened his course with Blessed Countenance. She was born in the the words, "I'm not like the previous speaker fortress of 'Akka in 1887 and grew up in the who has to have a suitcase to carry his brains Sacred Household under the shelter of the around." He then pulled out a single sheet of Greatest Holy Leaf, the daughter of Baha'u'- notes and added, "I keep everything I know in Ilah. The name Murassa' (one who is bemy back pocket." ' Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 10. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
andria, Egypt where for a few months she was in charge of cleaning the private room of 'Abdu'l-Baha by Whom she was given the name 'Akkaviyyih (one who belongs to 'Akka) and was asked by Him several times to sew some of His clothes. She was also asked by the Master to chant for Him prayers at dawn. From the period of her life associated with the Ministry of 'Abd~l'l-Baha two favoured recollections are drawn. One day the Master asked the people in His presence if anyone had a piece of fabric suitable for a garment. Upon hearing this question, Murassa' slipped silently from the room, hired a carriage, hastened home and returned with a length of cloth which won the approval of 'Abdu'l-Baha and from which, acting on His instructions, she fashioned a garment for Him. On another occasion Shoghi Effendi, who was then a young boy, asked her to accompany him in singing " 0 my God, Thou art nzy soul and my life . . ." Overhearing their voices the Master called to them, "Well done! Well done!" and asked them to repeat the song. M u r a ~ ~ (Yazdi) ~a' Rawhani The bitterness the family suffered in their separation from 'Abdu'l-Baha was eased by jewelled) was given her by Baha'u'llah from the balm of His loving assurance: "I always Whom she received two Tablets. She was a remember you. . . I always think of you. . . You member of a pious family who were privileged are always with Me and you will never be forto render services to BahB'u'llih and His gotten," household, and was the granddaughter of The marriage of Murassa' Yazdi to 'Abdu'l- Uaji 'Abdu'r-Rahim-i-Yazdi, one of the first Vahhab RawhAni1 in 1921 reinforced her dedibearers of the Sacred Standard, whose story cated services, their home becoming a centre of is told in Memorials of the Faithful. attraction, hospitality and confirmations of the In her later years, from a rich store of spirit. precious memories, Murassa' was able to Mrs. Rawhani was the first woman to become vividly recall for the friends treasured reminis- a member of the Spiritual Assembly of Alexcences of this early period of her long and andria and dedicated her time to deepening the fruitful life. She recalled, as a young child, women in her locality, an activity in which she being ushered into the presence of BahB'u'llih was strongly encouraged by the Guardian of Who caressed her and then, holding her hand, the BahB'i Faith who in one of his comnuniled her to His own room and showed her a shelf cations written through his secretary expressed where some sweets of two kinds had been the hope that she would be "aided to render an placed. BahB'u'llah asked her which she pre- outstanding service to the women". ferred. She chose the sweetened almonds with In February, 1957, when in her seventieth which BahB'u'llah filled her cupped hands to year, Mrs. Rawhani arrived as a pioneer in overflowing, smiling and touching her cheeks. Rabat, Morocco, with the approval of the When she related events of this kind she was beloved Guardian. She actively participated in flushed with a luminous tenderness. Invariably the formation of the Spiritual Assemblies of she would say: "I remember this as if it were Rabat and of Sale, and despite her advanced happening now. I remember Him and His age she regularly engaged in deepening the overwhelming majesty, awe and glory! I friends and teaching the children in these two remember it in detail." localities. She had a particular gift for teaching With her family, Murassa' moved to Alex- See "In Memoriam", p. 539. IN MEMORIAM
children and would often repeat the injunction of the Master that children must be educated with love, not coerced by force. Until her passing at the age of eighty-four she conducted a voluminous correspondence with Baha'i teachers and pioneers, never failing to respond to their letters by offering encouragement and comfort. Mrs. Rawhani remained conscious to the last moment of her life, her thoughts fixed firmly on service to the Cause. Her burial in the BahB'i cemetery at Rabat was attended by a large number of believers and many others whose respect and admiration she had won. Also in attendance was a representative of the Iranian Embassy in Rabat. S. R. ROUHANI
LAURAWALSH 1893-1971 Laura Walsh, soon after the death of her Laura Walsh husband in Michigan, sold or gave away all of the material possessions which could not be tery in Mexico City, which will be marked by a packed into her car, and drove alone to Mexico befitting plaque. where she had never been before, arriving in Laura was in her seventy-eighth year at the Puebla in April, 1958. time of her death. After more than thirteen With determined resolution to dedicate the years of complete dedication to her Beloved, in remaining years of her life to the Cause of a foreign land, she further assisted His Cause BahB'u'llah, she immediately became a part of by leaving to it all her earthly possessions. BahB'i activities in Mexico and especially de- Her courage and devotion will never be forvoted a large part of her time to the teaching of gotten by all who knew and loved her. children, preparing for their classes study EDNA FORD material which made use of her own drawings. She was a retired school teacher who had worked with retarded children. She seemed to understand the needs and ways of children, and H A B ~ BMU'AYYAD was much loved by them. (HAB~BU'LLAN~ U D A B A K H S H ) In the last year of her life when her health 1888-1971 began to fail, she moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco, for a few months, then to Tuxtla The name "Mu'ayyad", meaning "confirmed", Gutierrez, Chiapas, for a brief period, always was given to Habibu'llah u u d a b a k h h by with the hope of regaining her strength and 'Abdu'l-Baha. Habib, as he was generally continuing with the teaching of children. She known, was born in 1888 in Kirmin&&h, Perwas in the process of moving again to Puebla sia. He received his elementary education in when she lost consciousness while walking 011 Kirman and continued his education at the a street in Mexico City. She passed from this American school in Hamadan. His father, world, apparently without regaining con- a u d a b a a s h , was an intoxicated lover of the sciousness, in October, 1971. The National Cause who, when his eldest son, Murkd, was Spiritual Assembly conducted a beautiful last martyred, went to the man who had put an end service and arranged for her burial in a ceme- to his son's life and kissed his hand. 502 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
In October, 1907, Habib came to the Holy Land where he spent a month imbibing wisdom from 'Abdu'l-Baha. Although he was planning to proceed to the United States for further study, at the suggestion of Hakim Harhn and with the approval of the Master, Habib directed his steps to Beirut where he enrolled as a medical student at the American University of that city. During this period he had the bounty of serving Shoghi Effendi and sought spiritual knowledge from such outstanding scholars as Mirza Haydar-'Ali and Mirza Abu'l-Fadl. He was engaged in the service of the Baha'i friends in corresponding with various communities, in extending hospitality to visitors and pilgrims and in receiving and despatching Tablets to their ultimate destination. During the summers he had the privilege of visiting 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Holy Land and in catching glimpses of His infinite wisdom and knowledge. In one of His Tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha has written, in effect re-, ferring to that period of Dr. Mu'ayyad's life, that Habib's presence among the students of Beirut caused them to become like fresh blos- Habib Mu'ayyad soms adorned with the love of God; that with the utmost detachment and sanctity he arose to room set aside for Habib's clinic also served as unite the hearts of the friends to such an extent a school room for the classes taught by Badi' that "the fragrances of Beirut" perfumed the Bushr~Yi.~ Although the world during this Master's nostrils, He said. period was greatly convulsed and troubles When 'Abdu'l-Baha departed for Europe and raged about him, Dr. Mu'ayyad was often America, Dr. Mu'ayyad was intermediary for heard to say in later years that this time spent the despatch of the Master's Tablets and tele- in nearness to 'Abdu'l-Baha and the Greatest grams. He also had the honour of renderingper- Holy Leaf was among the sweetest, most presonal services to Mirza Abu'l-Fad1 and he parti- cious and memorable segments of his life. cipated in the activities of the Baha'is of Beirut. Dr. Mu'ayyad later returned to Haifa upon Habib graduated from the American Univer- the instructions of 'Abdu'l-Bahi and soon after sity of Beirut in 1914. In July of that year he and he was instructed to proceed to Persia. During 'Azizu'llBh Bahidur were requested by 'Abdu'l- the last days of his stay in the Holy Land the Baha to visit a number of countries in Europe Master gave him daily lessons in devotion to to counter the activities of Aminu'llah Farid the Cause, fortifying his spiritual powers, who had defected and was travelling in Europe feeding his heart and soul with the living waters in defiance of 'Abdu'l-Baha seeking to under- of illumination and guidance and directing him mine the C0venant.l in his future endeavours and services to the After completing this mission, Habib re- Faith. Upon his departure for Persia, 'Abdu'lturned to the Holy Land. World War I had Baha addressed a Tablet to Habib's father begun. For a period of time he operated a dis- stating, in effect, that he should thank God for pensary which was open to Baha'is and non- such a "worthy son" and describing Habib as a BahB'is in the Druze village of Abu-Sinan, "lamp enkindled with the love of God" and as north-east of 'Akka, where the Master had one "engaged in the service of humanity". The settled the Baha'is temp~rarily.~ The modest father would, the Master wrote, "infinitely rejoice in beholding his countenance and in in- See 'Abdu'l-Baha', by H. M. Balyuzi; George Ronald, haling the fragrances of his presence." Oxford; pp. 407-408. a ibid. p. 41 1. See "In Memoriam", p. 545. I N MEMORIAM 503 Upon returning to his native land in 1915, verygreat andfar-reaching . . . 'Abdu'l-Baha, Habib settled in Kirmanshah and, following the Tablets o f the Divine Plan advice of 'Abdu'l-Baha, he forged personal ties with the local government officials and with the Napoleon Bergamaschi, called "Nip" or local population of every class and creed. Al- "Bergie" by his friends, was part Eskimo. He though engaged in his medical profession, he was born in Nome, but lived in south-eastern spent his time, as circumstances permitted, in Alaska from the time he was twelve years of spreading the Baha'i Teachings among those age. He was orphaned as a young child and he found responsive. He was always firm in the attended the Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools face of difficulties and was a shield protecting at Wrangell and Sitka. He adapted well to life the Bahi'i friends against attacks by enemies of in the south-east, married a girl from Metlathe Faith. He was a member of the Local Spiri- katla, settled in Ketchikan, and became part of tual Assembly of Kirmankah for nearly forty the sophisticated life and cash economy there. years and for a long period he served, with de- Successfully acculturated, his Eskimo heritage votion and distinction, on the National Spiri- seemed remote indeed. tual Assembly. When he returned to Persia he In July, 1961, Napoleon became a Bahi'i. He married and had seven children most of whom was a quiet, though vital, member of the are under the shadow of the Cause following in Ketchikan community. Five years later he arose their father's footsteps and striving to emulate to plant the banner of the Faith of Bahi'u'llah his noble example. in the one remaining unopened territory During his lifetime Dr. Mu'ayyad wrote and assigned to Alaska in the Nine Year Plan, St. published two volumes of reminiscences which Lawrence Island-a lonely spot in the middle are replete with exhortations and admonitions of the Bering Sea, closer to Siberia than to the based on the principles of the Covenant, and Alaskan mainland, difficult to reach, offering illuminating accounts of the history of the only a subsistence living from hunting and Cause. He also wrote several articles published fishing, blighted by severe weather and long, in various Baha'i periodicals. It may be that his cruel winters. The only settlements on the island best-known work is the poem known as "Hold are Eskimo villages, Savoonga and Gambell, Thou My Hand, 0 'Abdu'l-Baha!" This verse with a language, culture and customs different has been set to music and is much loved by the from other Eskimo communities. Napoleon Baha'is of Persia who sing it frequently at their had never been a part of primitive life nor had gatherings. he followed the old ways of the Eskimo people, Informed of the passing of Habib Mu'ayyad, but with his three children aged ten, eight and the Universal House of Justice cabled on Octo- four, he settled in Savoonga where he found he ber 29,1971: had ahalf-brotherwhoextended hospitality. Because there was no other housing available-a GRIEVED NEWS PASSING FAITHFUL DEVOTED common problem in northern communities- STEADFAST PROMOTER FAITH HABIB MUAYYAD the families lived in crowded conditions in a WHOSE LIFE ENRICHED THROUGH SERVICES small, two-room cabin for nearly a year during RENDERED MINISTRIES MASTER GUARDIAN which time Napoleon became a worthy boat- CONVEY LOVING SYMPATHY FAMILY ADVISE man, learned to speak the language and won the HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS PRAYING SHRINES love and respect of the island people who, in PROGRESS HIS SOUL. turn, won his heart. Lack of accommodation caused Napoleon and his family to leave their post untilarrangements could be made to house them. A prefabricated house was designed in NAPOLEON BERGAMASCHI Juneau, financed from Kodiak, organized from Anchorage, and constructed in Savoonga by 1935.-1971 Napoleon from materials gathered in Seattle Magnanimity is necessary, heavenly exer- and shipped on the boat that makes one visit tion is called for. Should you display an to the island annually. En route to Savoonga effort, so that the fragrances of God be dif- Napoleon learned that Keith Koontz who had fused amongst the Eskimos, its eflect will be expressed an interest in the Cause during ELTON MASON SMITH
Born on March 4,1909, in a rural area of upper New York State, Elton Smith spent his boyhood on his family's farm where his love of nature-the soil, animals, trees and bkdsand warm farnily ties left a lasting inlpression. Farm life was pleasant in spite of much hard work, and he credited his gentle mother with giving him the encouragement to go to college where he hoped to learn things that would enable him to help people. After graduation from Cornell he worked for the United States Agricultural Extension Service and Farm Credit Administration. Meanwhile he maintained his earlier goal of wanting to help people. It was while he was working for a canning co-operative in 1948 that he learned about BahB'u'llBh. He readily accepted His Teachings and was soon conducting classes for children attended, among others, by his sons, Peter and Paul. He also served on an Area Napoleon Bergamaschi Teaching Committee in western New York State. Napoleon's first sojourn there had embraced Early in 1953, with the hope of being able to the Faith. "Yahoo!" was Napoleon's enthusi- pioneer in India, he applied for a position with astic response as he threw his hat in the air; the the State Department (Institute of Interfirst fruit of his pioneering in Savoonga had American Affairs). But he qualified for a been garnered. position open in Colombia, South America, After two years a group of dedicated BahB'is and was happy to go there with his family to existed in Savoonga and Napoleon faced the assist the country people with the development difficult decision of having to return to the of an irrigation system and, at the same time, mainland where his eldest child could enter serve the Faith. While living in Guamo, high school. The family then pioneered to Tolimo, Colombia, a third son, Stephen, was Wrangell where Napoleon assisted to form the born to the Smiths. BahB'i example was the first Spiritual Assembly at Ridvan, 1971. best means of teaching under the restrictions On November 7, 1971, while driving down surrounding the activities of the friends in that an icy street to meet a friend who had called period-permission for meetings was required for assistance, a sudden crash quickly crushed and then only a few could meet-and Mr. out his life. Napoleon Bonaparte was turned Smith's co-workers appreciated his wisdom, back by the icy blasts of a Russian winter. helpfulness and patience. Despite insistent Napoleon I11 contemptuously cast aside the efforts to require Christian baptism, Stephen Tablet addressed to him by BahB'u'llah and was exempted. sank from glory into oblivion. Napoleon In 1955, Mr. Smith became Chief Agri- Bergamaschi restores honour to the name he culturist of the American foreign aid mission bears as he rises from obscurity. He recognized in Bolivia, where BahB'i teaching trips took his Lord, joyously received His Word, and him to all parts of the country. One of the planted His banner in the frozen heart of the greatest joys of his life in the service of Baha7u'- Bering Sea. llah was helping to give His Teachings to the JOHN E. KOLSTOE first two Bolivian Indian believers, AndrCs Jachakollo and his cousin. Elton's next "tour of duty" in 1958 took the I N MEMORIAM 505 his loving attitude toward us. All BahB'is in Kenya, particularly the Africans, really love Elton because he was working hard to lay the foundation of the Baha'i administration in Kenya. We are sure he is at the right place in the spiritual world, and now he is with us in spirit." Another message read: ". . . To us he was like ou father, and his services to the Cause in Kenya will never be forgotten. We are sure he is in the presence of BahB'u'llih, the Bab, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, and all the dear and spiritual souls who left this world." From Uganda, the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and his wife, Elizabeth, wrote: "Our hearts are consoled and our spirits cheered by the knowledge that dear Elton is not dead. He is living and radiant with the lights of spirituality and oneness, and in our hearts he lives forever. Elton was dearly loved in East Africa. . . . they still remember him and merition his name with respect and admiration." In its letter dated December 27, 1971, the Elton Mason Sinith Universal House of Justice stated: "His record of devoted service . . . will always be remem- Smith family to Ankara, Turkey, where his bered." work continued to involve him with country MEREDI.TH SMITH people and where he contributed to the work of the Cause despite the circumstances obtaining there which restrict the Baha'is in their teaching activities. ESMIE BURTON A four-year rotation assignment in Washing- 1907-1971 ton, D.C., saw Mr. Smith active in the Spiritual Assembly of Montgomery County, Maryland, The mention of Mrs. Esmie Burton's name where he again taught a youth class. He also inevitably brings a smile and cheerfulness of served on the Area Teaching Committee for the heart to those who knew her, as thought brings Middle Atlantic States. to memory the many fine qualities of one whose Finally, there was Kenya where Elton again exemplary life was characterized by an unserved the people-both professionally and dying love for Baha'u'llah. spiritually-for six and a half years until Mrs. Burton was born, surnamed Forrest, failing health forced him to return to the in the parish of St. Ann, Jamaica, in 1907. United States. His humility and understanding She was a well-known primary school teacher. of African people endeared him to their hearts. respected by all and dearly loved by her family. He was a member of the National Spiritual Eventually she had to give up the school room Assembly of the BahB'is of Kenya for five years due to ill health. during which time he came to know and love She accepted the BahB'i Faith in 1951 in the many of the believers throughout the country. parish of Portland, birthplace of that beloved Teaching trips and conferences took him not soul, Dr. Malcolm King; who first brought the only to the cities but also to small villages and Faith to Jamaica. She served on the Spiritual remote rural communities. Assemblies of Port Antonio and Kingston and At his passing to the Abha Kingdom on was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly November 9, 1971, messages from Kenya See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. xrv, included the following: "We shall never forget p. 316. for a number of years until her death. At one her to give thanks to her teacher, Mrs. Brittime she was national treasurer. Fervency, zeal, tingham. and radiant acquiescence to the problems of A third Tablet, translated on July 20, 1919, life were some of the many beautiful qualities stated: As thou wert endowed with the power she possessed. Her faith was unshakable and of insight, thou lzast in this manner discovered praise of Bahi'u'llih was often on her lips. the truth. Whoever is firm in the Covenant and Dedication and dynamic hope radiated from Testament is today endowed with a seeing eye her, often communicated by an emphatic and a responsive ear and daily advances in the gesticulation of head and arm that spoke of Divine Realm until he becomes a heavenly angel. spiritual youthfulness and alertness which Additional messages for Ella Quant were belied her years. In her dying moments she contained in the Tablets of 'Abdu'l-BahB comforted her stricken family with the joyful addressed to other early believers. These mesassurance that she was being released to a fuller sages from her beloved Master, and the meeting life. Her final words were Words of BahB'u'llhh. with 'Abdu'l-Bahi in New York in 1912; were At her Bahi'i funeral service on December Ella's inspiration. Later correspondence with 19, 1971, a Christian minister who knew Mrs. the Guardian, extending from 1925 to the year Burton and her family well, movingly eulo- of his passing, 1957, sustained her in her tireless gized Mrs. Burton as a Bahi'i extolling her effortsfortheFaith. Her servicecovered aperiod outstanding character, exemplary life and of nearly sixty-eight years, years that were to devoted service to the Cause of Bahi'u'llah. fulfil the prophetic dream that Ella would see She will long be remembered for her glorious the Bahi'i Faith as vast as the seas covering the spirit, her wholehearted devotion to Bahi'u'llkh earth. In all this she had a part. She was one of and His Faith which she loved so much, and that excited group of American friends who for her fervency and constancy to the hour of gathered at the pier to welcome 'Abdu'l-Baha her death. on his arrival in New York in 1912; there were the years of association with those outstanding early Western believers who carried the Faith ELLA C. QUANT across the North American continent and laid the foundation of the administrative order; she ?-I971 witnessed the rise and completion of the Mother On November 15, 1971, nineteen BahB'is Temple of the West; she served devotedly gathered at her graveside to lay to rest the throughout the ministry of Shoghi Effendi and human temple that had borne the soul of Ella lived to rejoice with the BahB'i world at the C. Quant. first and second elections of the Universal Ella's association with the Cause of Baha'u'- House of Justice. All who met her carried away IlAh began in the spring of 1903, and by the a glimpse of the spirit of 'Abdu'l-Baha and a autumn of that year she had received the first fuller understanding of the Covenant. of the three Tablets addressed to her by When she was in her eighties, Ella undertook 'Abdu'l-Baha. The first, dated August 1, 1903, what was described in the January, 1964, issue was delivered through Mrs. Isabella D. of Canadian Baha'i News, as her first inter- Brittingham and read, in part: He is God. national teaching trip, visiting a number of I ask God to make thee fivm in His religion, to small, struggling communities in western confirm thee through the Breath ofthe Holy Spirit, Ontario. Reporting on her journey to the so that thou mayest speak forth the teachings oj' Canadian National Teaching Committee she God and guide the people into the Kingdom. . . stated: " . . .I feel I must assure you, as I have Verily, the bounty of God upon thee is great, been assured, of the many wonderfully dedigreat! Zj-thou rernainest firm in the path of the cated BahB'is it has been my privilege to love of the Lord, thou shalt behold the doors of meet. I am not a trained speaker, neither do I success andprogress open before thy face jrom think of myself as a BahB'i teacher, the disall sides. . . tinguishing feature of my life being the five Another Tablet, translated in November, days spent 'In the Presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahi in 1909, contained praise, advice and encourage- See "In the Presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha", by Ella C. ment to teach the Cause of God, and exhorted Quant, The Baha'i World, vol. XII, pp. 917-921. MARTHA ROSS DEAN 1951-1971 DEEPLY DISTRESSED DEATH YOUTHFUL PIO- 'NEER MARTHA DEAN . . . PLEASE CONVEY FAMILY FRIENDS OUR LOVING SYMPATHY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. Universal House of Justice
Martha Ross Dean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Rhoades Dean, was born on July 18, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois. The fifth of seven children, she spent most of her childhood and early youth in the town of Edwardsville, Illinois. Martha, known to h e r friends as "Marty", was raised in a warm and loving household by deeply religious Christian parents whose example inspired in their children an abiding reverence for God and love for His creation. Marty's childhood and adolescence were characterized by a sunny disposition, a keen Ella C. Quant sense of humour and an ability to win friends easily. She had a lovely singing voice and parti- New York City, at His arrival in 1912, and the cipated in church and school choirs. As a young ensuing story of that experience under that child she often expressed the desire to be a title which our beloved Guardian, Shoghi missionary when she grew up. Effendi, placed in permanent form in The Marty learned of BahB'u'llah while she was Baha'i World, vol. XII." Then saying that she in high school. She studied the Faith for more wished to add some personal thoughts to her than a year, attended informal discussion report, she continued: "I believe the birth of meetings, study classes and BahB'i conferences. the first Universal House of Justice (1963) has On August 28, 1967, she declared her belief in propelled the Baha'i world into a new era, in BahB'u'llah as the Manifestation of God for which we can no longer fail to recognize the this age. She was then sixteen years old. Marty great responsibility placed upon the Local saw her acceptance of the Baha'i Faith as the Spiritual Assemblies. We must indeed, I feel, turning point in her life. In service to Bahalu'- work towards a unity of understanding effort, llah and His Cause, she found her raison no longer seeing ourselves as nine individuals d'dtre, the focal point to which all her life plans (when in session) and working more and more and goals must needs refer. fully towards a oneness of decision, becoming After graduating from high school in 1969, truly as a strong pillar supporting this marvel- Marty was undecided as to what course to lous institution of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, the take. She worked during the summer following Universal House of Justice. With every blessing graduation at the Green Acre Baha'i Summer to you all, in the Greatest Name, your sister, School, Eliot, Maine, and then went to Little Ella C. Quant." Rock, Arkansas, where she worked first in a It was in memory of that spirit that a year Catholic orphanage and later in the Arkansas after the interment of the human temple that Medical Centre as a nurse's aide. Throughout bore the soul of the Maidservant of God sixteen this period she experienced the dilemma confriends gathered again to place on her gravesite fronting so many Baha'i youth, an indecision as a rose-tinted granite headstone, inscribed, to how best to serve the Faith. More than "Dearly Loved Baha'i-Ella C. Quant". anything else, she wanted to pioneer abroad, FRED H. REIS and yet she understood the need to prepare 508 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD Marty's life ended in tragic circumstances on December 24, 1971. She died of strangulation at the hands of an intruder who entered the , sleeping compartment of the train that was carrying her to Bulawayo after she had paid a visit to BahB'i friends in Wankie, Rhodesia, some 200 miles north-west. Her motiveless killing was the act of a deranged assailant who was subsequently apprehended, tried, convicted and sentenced by the Rhodesian courts. The grief occasioned by the sudden loss of any loved one is always terrible; how much more so when the beloved is taken when in possession of health, beauty, vibrancy and . F youth. Her untimely death was a numbing shock to her family, friends and the BahB'i community who took solace in the knowledge that while still at the threshold of life Marty had recognized her Lord and with joy and courage arisen to do His bidding. Baha'u'llah has written: They that have forsaken their country for the Martha Ross Dean purpose of teaching Our Cause-these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through its power . . . By M y life! No act, however great, herself through further education to better can compare with it, except such deeds as serve the Cause she so loved. After much prayer have been ordained by God, the All-Powerful, and consultation, the answer came. She was the Most Mighty. Such a service is indeed the offered the opportunity to join her sister who prince of all goodly deeds, and the ornament was pioneering for the Faith in Rhodesia. of every goodly act. In October, 1970, Marty left the United MARGO DEAN States for her adopted goal. She stopped in London to visit the grave of the beloved Guardian, and was granted permission to visit Haifa to imbibe the fragrances of the Shrines. SIDNEY I. DEAN In Bulawayo, Rhodesia, Marty quickly be- 1920-1971 came a dearly loved and highly valued member of the BahB'i community. She enrolled in the Sidney I. Dean earned his doctorate in psy- Bulawayo School of Nursing and was well chology from the University of Portland, liked by classmates and patients alike. She Oregon, in 1956. In 1960, he and his wife, Isaparticipated in a wide range of BahB'i activities belle, settled in Honolulu, Hawaii where Dr. and strove to fulfil her personal goal of com- Dean secured a position as a clinical psychopleting her training as a nurse so that she would logist with the Department of Health. As he be qualified to serve in African hospitals far placed his books on a shelf a BahB'i leaflet from the large cities of Rhodesia. Although she fluttered to the floor. He picked it up, saying: was happy in Rhodesia and loved the BahB'is "I have carried this about for fifteen years. If and the activities of the Faith there she often I ever become interested in religion, I'll look expressed a sense of frustration that her hos- into the Baha'i Faith!" pita1 duties limited the amount of time she His investigation of the Baha'i Cause comcould devote to proclaiming the healing mes- rnenced in 1962 and both he and his wife sage of Bahi'u'llah. Her constant prayer was accepted it with scarcely a moment's hesithat she might be used as a more effective tation. From the start, Dr. Dean desired to instrument in the Cause of God. pioneer for the Faith, and in 1963, after I N MEMORIAM 509 China Seas held from January 1 to 3, 1971. On April 21, 1971, they shipped their belongings to Mombasa, Kenya, and set out for Africa via Burma, Nepal, India and fran. It was while they were in Tihran that a cable from Haifa reached them granting their request to visit the Holy Land on pilgrimage. After leaving Haifa, they stopped in Addis Ababa, where Dr. Dean was kept busy with public meetings, and then visited Nairobi, where he was interviewed on television. After lengthy negotiations with the Zambian government, Dr. Dean was invited to fill a position as head of psychological services for the Ministry of Education in Lusaka. However, in order to be engaged it was necessary for him to leave the country temporarily. Therefore, he and his wife travelled to the United States to visit family and friends while awaiting receipt of travel documents and visas which arrived after a lapse of three months. Their departure was fixed for December 26, 1971; but on December 25, while addressing a BahB'i Sidney I. Dean fireside meeting, Dr. Dean was striken with a heart attack and passed away at 1.30 a.m. on attending the World Congress in London, the the following day. Deans left for a pioneer post in Hong Kong. Wherever he travelled, Dr. Dean sought They remained there for fourteen months after every means possible to proclaim the Teachings which tirne, in response to a need described to of BahB'u'llAh. He had a perseveringnatureand them by the Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'llah an indefatigable desire to ensure that everyone Muhajir, they settled in Panchgani, India, he met learned about the BahB'i Faith. where Dr. Dean served as the principal of the On December 27, 1971, the Universal House New Era School. They stayed there for a period of Justice cabled: of two years. GRIEVED LEARN PASSING SIDNEY DEAN HIS The Deans then spent a few months in the SERVICES MANY PIONEER POSTS MEASURE HIS Philippines as travelling teachers. While there, DEVOTION CAlJSE BAHAULLAH CONVEY DEAR they were asked to go to Taiwan to help form WIFE FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS HOLY the National Spiritual Assembly. They re- THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KING- mained in Taiwan for one year and then re- DOM. turned to Hawaii for reasons of health and io consolidate their financial circumstances. In 1968, Dr. Dean secured a position with the Department of Health in Hilo, Hawaii, and stayed there until the end of June, 1970. Their desire to pioneer was always foremost in their minds, and Dr. Dean, especially, was intent on GRIEVED PASSING STEADFAST DEVOTED going to Africa. TEACHER SHAYDANSHIDI ASSURE RELATIVES After stops in Guam and the Philippines, the FRIENDS OUR SUPPLICATION HOLY SHRINES Deans visited Malaysia where they stayed PROGRESS HIS SOUL. long enough to publish Dr. Dean's book Universal House of Justice Bahri'i Talks for All Occasions. They were then called to Singapore to assist with the organiza- Abu'l-Qasim Saydan-&idi was born in Yazd, tion of the Oceanic Conference of the South Iran, in 1882. His father, Mirzi 'Abbas, was 510 T H E B A H P ; ' ~W O R L D
held in great esteem by the people in his locality the balance of his days teaching the Faith to because of his learning and piety. His son, the people until he passed away in 1972 at the likewise, became well known and respected age of ninety. in Yazd because of his devotion to the Imams of the Muslim Faith, his eulogy of those holy souls and also his spirituality, which trait was discernible in his character from a very early CARL A. HANNEN age. As a result of contact and discussions with 1895-1972 BahB'i teachers like Haji Muhammad TBhir THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL Malmh-i and Haji V2iz Qazvini, he accepted ASSEMBLY ARE GRIEVED TO LEARN OF THE the Baha'i Faith. PASSING OF CARL STOP HIS LONG AND MANY Aflame with zeal, he determined to devote SERVICES TO BAHAULLAH WILL LONG BE the rest of his life t o service to God's Cause and REMEMBERED BY HIS NUMEROUS GRATEFUL under the guidance of the National Spiritual FELLO'W BAHAIS AROUND THE WORLD STOP Assembly of the BahB'is of Iran he immediately WE ASSURE YOU OF OUR PRAYERS FOR PRO- set out on teaching trips which took him GRESS OF HIS SOUL IN ABHA KINGDOM AND FOR throughout Yazd and Kirman and Mashhad COMFORT OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY M YOUR and a i r a z and Rafsinjan. He endured much GREAT SORROW STOP HAVE CABLED WORLD hostility and persecution by the enemies of the CENTRE FOR PRAYERS AT HOLY SHFUNES. Faith, culminating in a violent assault on his National Spiritual Assembly of the person in a bath one day where, at the insti- Bahb'is of the United States gation of a Muslim priest, one Husayn by name, he sustained broken ribs and bones and damage Carl Anthony Hannen was the son of Pauline to his eyes, which eventually blinded him. A. Knobloch Hannenl and Joseph H. Hannen2 The Guardian referred to his services in of Washington, D.C. He was born in that various epistles and in one of them advised city on May 4,1895. His parents were dedicated him to teach in the Rafsinjan area. Here and BahB'is who had been told about the Faith by in and around Kirman, aaydkn-&idi spent Mirza Abu'l-Fad1 in 1902. Carl and his brother Paul were reared as BahB'is from that early date. In 1908, Carl's parents made a pilgrimage to 'Akka. While there, they asked 'Abdu'l-Baha whether Carl could be sent to Germany where his aunt, Miss Alma K n ~ b l o c hwas , ~ teaching the BahB'i Faith. Permission was granted and in 1909 Carl was sent to Stuttgart, Germany, for two years of schooling. Mr. and Mrs. Hannen received many Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Baha in which Carl and Paul were remembered with love and prayers. 'Abdu'l-Baha gave Carl the name "Natiq" (Eloquent). Both Carl's grandmothers embraced the Cause, in the early 1900's. Carl and other members of the family met 'Abdu'l- Baha in Washington, D.C., and in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1912. In 1918 Carl married Mineola Barnitz, also an early Bahi'i, in Washington, D.C. In a Tablet dated February 18, 1916, sent to the See "In Memoriam", The Bahri'i World, vol. VIII, p. 660. See "In Memoriam", Star of the West, vol. x, p. 345. See "In Memoriam", The Bahii'i World, vol. IX, p. Hhji Abu'l-Qrisin? SJaydbn-sic7 641. IN MEMORIAM 511 community and after several years, at the time of Carl's retirement, they moved to a warmer climate where, in Orlando, Florida, they served to build a strong local and state community. Wherever they were they served on Local Spiritual Assemblies. Carl Hannen's entire life was characterized by boundless love and devoted service which he lavished upon all. No piece of work was too small or too big; it was attacked with selfless consideration and accomplished with complete dedication. His many friends deemed it a bounty to know him and were inspired to emulate him. We loved him very much. Informed of his passing on February 4, 1972, the Universal House of Justice cabled : GRIEVED LEARN PASSING CARL HANNEN HIS STEADFAST DEVOTION CAUSE SINCE DAYS MASTER LONG PERIOD DEDICATED SERVICE HOUSE WORSHIP WARMLY REMEMBERED CON- VEY FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
Carl A. Hanne~z GERTRUDE K. HENNING
young couple at the time of their engagement, 'Abdu'l-Baha described them as two heavenly doves who desired to alight on one branch of ANNA KOESTLIN the rose bush to warble in unison melodies in 1884-1972 praise of God, and He supplicated that their On May 27, 1972, Anna Koestlin, one of the union would endure throughout eternity. earliest followers of Baha'u'llah in Germany, For nine years Carl served at the House of ascended to the Abha Kingdom in her eighty- Worship in Wilmette assisting Edward Struven eighth year. in overseeing the construction of the Temple. Anna was born in 1884 in Stuttgart. In 1907 "This was, I believe, the happiest period of our she heard of the advent of Baha'u'llah from lives," wrote Mineola Hannen. "Being near her school friend, Annemarie Schweizer,l who the Temple, living on the grounds, helping with had received the Message from Dr. Edwin guiding the many visitors to the structure, Fisher,=an American dentist in Stuttgart, who seeing the finishing touches of outer ornamen- was one of the first Baha'i pioneers in Germany. tation and steps go into place was wonderful. Together the friends searched for the truth and Our home was open to Baha'i visitors, and for soon they recognized the universal importance any Baha'i occasion." of the glad tidings of BahB'~i'1lahand became Barbara Griffen, one of Carl's daughters, Baha'is in their hearts. recorded her recollection of her father's great Anna Koestlin's parents owned a shop at happiness in deepening the knowledge of the Esslingen where they sold sewing machines. believers: "This was Dad's life. He was always Anna brought the message to Esslingen, spoke so proud when those to whom he had spoken of it to friends and relatives, customers and and helped with understanding the Teachings neighbours, and soon a circle of many young would then become active pioneers in other people regularly gathered in Koestlin's home communities." to hear more of the New Day of God. Anna Carl served on the Maintenance Committee of the House of Worship while he lived in 'See "In Memoriam", Tlte Bnlrri'i World, vol. xrrr, p. 890. Glenview. The Hannens helped strengthen this Stor ofthe West, vol. xvrr, p. 358. 512 T H E ~ ~ f l kW' Oi R L D
children, how they welcomed the Master and offered Him flowers. She quotes the speech of 'Abdu'l-Baha, describes the taking of a photograph and the Master's departure from Esslingen: "The Master sent . . . for me, and in a hurry I made my way through the happy crowd of children, and then I was standing at the car with my beloved Lord . . . words in Persian language reached my ears like heavenly music. 0 how happy I was, how indescribably happy !" An account of that gathering, written by Miss Alma S, K n o b l o ~ happeared ,~ in Star of the West, vol. IV, p. 155: "We have had some wonderful meetings; the one in Esslingen surpassed them all . . . About fifty children and eighty adults were present . . . the children had been assembled holding flowers in their hands, forming two lines for 'Abdu'l-Baha to pass through . . . He looked so pleased and delighted to see the dear children." The Master distributed sweets to the children and said of them, These children are of the Kingdom, they Anna Koe.stlin are illumined with the Light of God. . . I love them very much. They are mine. I hope they knew that the children of today are the adults will receive Divine education, that they may of tomorrow and therefore she taught not receive heavenly training; become fragrant only adults, but children too. Every Sunday plants in the Garden of Abhii. They are very dear morning a crowd of children came to -"Aunt to me. May God guide andprotect them, make Anna's" to hear about the Master, 'Abdu'l- of them useful men and women for the advance- Baha, and the significance of His Father's ment of the Kingdom on earth. teachings for the whole of mankind. When 'Abdu'l-Bahk departed the children In 1911, Anna was invited to visit 'Abdu'l- surrounded His car, each handing Him their Baha in Paris, and once more in February, fragrant token. "I cannot describe it, so won- 1913. Who is able to describe her joy when derfully sweet!" another eyewitness reported. 'Abdu'l-Baha accepted her invitation to visit "The children waving their dear little hands, Esslingen! In honour of His visit on April 4, and 'Abdu'l-Baha in the auto, covered with 1913, "Aunt Anna" arranged a children's flowers, waving His blessed hands to them. celebration and recepti0n.l This event wasreally 'Abdu'l-Baha said that this event would go the summit of her long life of service to the downinhistory." Cause. In her diary we read: " 0 Esslingen, you Addressing an audience the following day, happy town! Do you know why the hearts are 'Abdu'l-Baha was recorded as saying: That throbbing with happiness and joy? No, you was a spiritual meeting, a heavenly meeting; the do not know! Otherwise you would hurry to Light of the Kingdom was shining upon it; the receive in deepest humility this Lord Who is confirmation of the Spirit surrounded that honouring you today with His holy visit; meeting. (Star of the West, vol. IV, p. 162) you would adorn yourself for the wedding and Until 1930, "Aunt Anna" held her Sunday offer Him praise and gratitude for the high classes with the children; she called her classes favour of His Holy Presence-'Abdu'l-Baha "the little Rose Garden". 'Abbas, Centre of the Covenant of God, will After the difficult years of the first World stay today within your walls!" War, when the Esslingen friends sometimes After this introduction she tells of her happy walked to Stuttgart to join'the BahB'i friends, Godpasses By, b y Shoghi Effendi, p. 287. See "In Memoriam", The BahZi World, vul. IX,p. 641. IN MEMORIAM 513 the Esslingen group began anew. Nine young health during her last year. She missed only one friends formed the "Baha'i Working Associa- Feast, shortly before her death. tion" of Esslingen, a forerunner of the Local In addition, Anna conducted an extensive Spiritual Assembly. This group did pioneer correspondence with Baha'is and other friends work and published the first German Baha'i around the world. She spent her last years in a magazine Sonr~eder Wahrheit (Sun of Truth). home for the aged where she won many In 1921 all the BahB'is of Germany were in- friends because of her friendly nature and vited to attend a Baha'i Congress in Esslingen. joyful spirit. She helped in the kitchen with the Always Anna Koestlin was busy, not always dishes, and in the sewing room with the initiating, but guiding, arranging and some- mending. She cared for the sick and if there times wisely and lovingly cautioning restraint were disputes or conflicts she was often able to when young BahB'is waxed too eager in reconcile the differences and establish harmony. enthusiasm. All the friends in Esslingen were Later, in the hospital, although she suffered active but the Koestlin shop was the centre and severe pain, she continued to be friendly and focus to which many turned for advice and patient. One day, before leaving this world, she assistance. In this period Anna served on the told the nurse: "Sister, it is beautiful to die!" National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Informed of her passing, the Universal House Austria as it was known in the years 1923- of Justice cabled: 1959. In 1959 the National Spiritual Assembly GRIEVED PASSING ANNA KOESTLIN STEAD- of Austria was established as a separate entity. FAST FAITHFUL BELIEVER SINCE TIME BELOVED A new upsurge of activity resulted from tlhe MASTER STOP PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PRO- purchase by the Esslingen believers of a garden GRESS HER RADIANT SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. property on which they constructed a Baha'i Centre,' mostly through their own labour and in the face of enormous obstacles. On its completion in 1931, the Esslingen BahB'is invited a group of young friends there to study BUZURGMIHR HIMMATI the Writings of BahB'u'llah and deepen their 1931-1972 knowledge of the Faith; thus the first Gerrnan Baha'i Summer School came into being, which Buzurgrnihr Himmati, known to his many spread many blessings over Germany and the friends as "Bozorg" (Great), was born in surrounding districts. Throughout the period Iran on August 5, 1931. His early childhood of construction, as the BahB'i volunteers toiled was spent in Kirman, in the south central part to dig the foundations, mix the concrete, and lay of the country. During these years his grandthe bricks and tiles, Anna would visit the site father had a profound influence upon his almost daily bringing both material food and development. Often he would speak to the boy spiritual nourishment to the workers. Although about medical subjects and he instilled a thirst many bombs fell in the surrounding area for knowledge and a desire to serve humanity. during World War 11, the building and garden The grandfather laid a strong foundation of remained unharmed. faith in Buzurgmihr, and consolidated it with After the war when the Baha'is were able to love. "The Word of God must be your standard resume their work, once more Anna Koestlin's in whatever you undertake and your study must shop was the heart of the activity of the Ess- be a preparation for service to the Cause of lingen community. In her humility she sought God," he told the child, who was guided by this to rernain in the background but she was the advice throughout his life. "mother" of the Esslingen group until the last I first met Buzurgmihr approximately fifteen years of her life, and she did everything she years ago when he was a young medical student could to encourage full participation by younger in Bonn where he had pioneered from Tiibir~gen members of the community. She was a model of to help form the Local Spiritual Assembly, thus a true Baha'i and to the end of her life con- combining his studies with service to the Baha'i tinued to attend the Nineteen Day Feasts and Faith. He had a stately bearing, a handsome to hold weekly fireside meetings, despite failing and expressive face dominated by warm and The Baha'i World, vol. IV, p. 67. penetrating eyes, and an affectionate nature. and his night-long struggle against pain; he was a cheerful and radiant pilgrim. When I last saw him he was in hospital. He spoke constantly about the progress of the Cause in Europe. On June 30, 1972, with Yri Bahci'u'l-Abhh on his lips, he ascended to the immortal realm. In this perishable world he lived only forty-one springs. He left for a world of everlasting spring where there is no sorrow or pain. The Universal House of Justice cabled : DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING VALIANT SERVANT BAHAULLAH BOZORG HIMMATI REQUEST HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICE MASHRIQULADHKAR BE- FITTING HIS OUTSTANDING SERVICES PRO- MOTION FAITH GERMANY URGE BELIEVERS THROUGHOUT THAT LAND EMULATE HIS DE- VOTED SPIRIT PIONEERING PRAYING HOLY SHRINES COMFORT STRENGTH BEREAVED FA- MILY PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM FUL- FILMENT HIS HIGHEST HOPES VICTORY CAUSE HIS ADOPTED HOMELAND.
(Adapted from an English translation of an article by the Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qasim I carried away alasting impression of the beauty Faizi published in Baha'i News of Germany, of his spirit and the sincerity of his desire to Baha'i Nachrichten, August 1, 1972.) serve BahB'u'llah. Eventually he completed his studies and became well known in his field of specialization but he remained modest, humble and tireless in his efforts for the Faith. Despite his academic and professional achievements he retained a childlike sin~plicityand purity of spirit; it was as though each time I encountered him in subsequent years I were again meeting the youthful student I had known in Bonn. He was a popular and effective speaker and much loved by the Baha'i youth. "Glory does not consist in acquiring material position and In a message addressed "To the BahB'is of the possessions," he would counsel them. "The World" and dated September 19, 1972, the purpose of this earthly life is to develop spiritual Universal House of Justice said: perfections." On one occasion he declined an "With feelings of deep sorrow we relate to opportunity to lecture at a university in order the Baha'i world the distressing circumstances -to address a BahB'i meeting. When the chair- surrounding the murder of three Iranian BahB'i man of the BahB'i gathering thanked him he students, pioneers to the Philippine Islands. replied that opportunities to serve the Cause of "Parviz Sadiqi, Fararnarz Vujdani and Parviz God are precious and should not be abandoned F u r 6 ~ were i among a number of Iranian for lesser pursuits. Baha'i youth whoansweredthecallfor pioneers. Although already stricken with the fatal With eleven others they registered at the Uniillness that claimed his life, Buzurgmihr made versities in Mindanao with the intention of the pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his de- completing their studies and proclaiming the voted wife. Only she knew of his discomfort Faith of BahB'u'llah. These three had conceived IN M E M O R ~ A M 515
Parviz Scidiqi Fnrcimarz Vujdcini
Parviz F u r ~ i d i the plan of making teaching trips to a rural area path of God, the Help in Peril, the Selfinhabited by Muslims. When on July 31, the Subsistent." authorities of Mindanao State University were On August 3, 1972, the Universal House of notified that they had left the campus the Justice cabled to the National Spiritual previous day and had not yet returned, search Assembly of Iran: parties were immediately formed and the assistance of the police and local authorities ob- . . . PLEASE CONVEY FAMILIES OUR DEEPEST tained. After enquiries and search, led entirely SYMPATHY ASSURE THEM OUR FERVENT by President Tamano of Mindanao State PRAYERS PROGRESS SOULS THEIR BRAVE DE- University, the bodies of the three young men VOTED SONS WHO SACRJFICED THEIR LIVES were found in a shallow grave. They had been SERVICE BELOVED FAITH. shot, grievously mutilated and two had been decapitated. The bodies were removed and given BahB'i burial in a beautiful plot donated for the purpose. BARERE OTINIERA "Immediately upon receipt of the tragic 1924-1972 news, Vicente Samaniego, Counsellor in Northeast Asia, in close cooperation with the Barere Otiniera of Buakonikai village, Rabi National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines, Island, Fiji, who died on August 2, 1972, beacted vigorously on behalf of the Baha'is and came a BahB'i in 1967. He was one of the was given the utmost cooperation and sym- Baban people from Ocean Island who settled pathy by the authorities, police, military and on Rabi in 1945. civil. A convocation was called, attended by Barere was a strong supporter of his local more than 900 students, faculty members and Baha'i community. He was one of the earliest University officials. Prayers were said in believers in Buakonikai where he served on English, Arabic and Persian. The President of the first Local Spiritual Assembly. He also the University gave a talk in which he said that made trips to Tonga and to the Gilbert and the murdered Iranian students are not ordinary Ellice Islands to advance the Baha'i Cause. students, for with them is the Message of BahB'u'llah which is the way to unity. The Council of the Student Body asked that their new Social Hall be renamed Iranian Student Memorial Hall. Three thousand people marched in the funeral procession and six hundred went to the burial site to attend the interment. "A dignified burial was conducted by the BahB'is in the presence of University authorities and friends. "The relatives and friends of these three young men, who gave their lives in the service of the Blessed Beauty, are assured of the loving sympathy and prayers of their fellow believers. The sacrifice made by these youth adds a crown of glory to the wonderful services now being performed by Bahi'i youth throughout the world. Baha'u'llih Himself testifies:
They that hath .forsaken their country in the path of God and subsequently ascended unto His presence, such souls shall be blessed by the Concourse on High and their names recorded by the Pen of Glory anlong such as have laid down their lives as lnartyrs in the Barere Otiniera He was a continuously active teacher on Rabi. He did not hesitate to point out to his Christian neighbours the need for a new Divine Revelation capable of uniting the divers sects and creeds. Because he had a warm, friendly personality and could be both comical and disarming, he was able to present cogent proofs of the validity of the Baha'i Message without causing offence. He was well known as a teller of humorous stories. In 1969, Barere served as translator to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Garcia, professional musicians from the United States, who travelled through the islands of the Pacific aboard their trimaran delivering the Message through word and song. Mrs. Garcia recalls: "Barere Otiniera was a kind, happy and friendly fellow. He sailed with us aboard Dawn-Breaker for about a month. He not only helped with sailing, which meant taking a three-hour watch at the wheel twice a day, but his humorous ways seemed to make the long days at sea pass quickly." Barere's example of steadfast faith in a Williarn Paul Coppock village where there were but few Baha'is was followed by the Buakonikai Assembly who was gentle, sensitive, dependable, honourable ensured that his funeral, although attended by and he was responsive to the needs of others. many of his friends of every persuasion, was a Bill was an Eskimo and proud of his heritage. Baha'i one. His love for his people was a deep and beautiful D R . PETER J. WOODROW emotion which was reflected in his actions. When word was received that a teaching team was being formed in Juneau to engage in a project called "Massive Encounter" which WILLIAM PAUL COPPOCK was designed to spread the Message of Baha'u'- llah throughout Alaska, Bill spoke at great 1933-1972. length about his longing to be part of the Perchance, God willing, the call of the King- travelling team; yet he recognized the need for dom may reach the ears o f t h e Eskimos . . . the ~ a h i ' Teachings i to be brought to his own The continent and the islands o f the Eskimos home village, Kotzebue. He weighed all the are also parts of this earth. They must considerations; on one side was his longing, and similarly receive a portion of the bestowals on the other a need which he could most of the niost great guidance. effectively fulfil. His decision to return to 'Abdu'l-Baha, Kotzebue took great courage and a heart full Tablets o f the Divine Plan of love. He knew there would be some rejection of the Message he was to give; how much more William Paul Coppock, known as "Bill" or difficult it is to bear rejection from those who "Willy" to those close to him, learned of the are close and dear to us! Baha'i Faith through Maynard Eakan and Bill was a man of few words and countless accepted it on July 27, 1969, in the Matanuska deeds. He was like a fountain, constantly giving Valley. He became a dearly loved member of of himself, forever doing something for somethat community and was deeply missed after one. He taught many of the children's Baha'i he left. classes; it was a heartfelt, sincere teaching Bill's manner was quiet and thoughtful. He effort, with results that will long be felt here in Kotzebue. Bill's greatest happiness was felt when he was teaching. His lifeline was the Faith; he counted the days between the newsletters and issues of Bahci'i News. And he was truly thrilled when a letter would arrive proving he was remembered and thought of by a friend. In his home, Bill taught by action. His love for his family was shown by silent teaching; he taught by his efforts to live the life. The whole village learned by his deeds which far outweighed any words that could be spoken. On August 5, 1972, Bill was drowned in a boating accident at sea. A small measure of what this village felt for him was perhaps reflected in the large numbers who attended his funeral to pay their respects to a very dear and much loved friend. William Paul Coppock loved children, his family, his friends and his people. He loved fishing, boating and the sea. Most of all he loved God, and to give the Message of the Cause. If you needed help he was always close at hand. He was a wonderful friend. In lonely hours he was a companion, and when needed he was a chauffeur, baby-'sitter, one to shovel 'Akariyyih sect of &iCah Islam. He comsnow, deliver groceries, a janitor-and always menced his education under the tutelage of his he was a servant of God. father and grandfather and pursued it in the LORI EAKAN religious schools which abounded in Persia in that age. He also studied logic, literature and philosophy and being talented and blessed with a good memory was enabled to learn by heart numerous passages from the Muslim scriptures. Having come across the writings of S h a y a Ahmad-i-AhsB'i and Siyyid Kgzim-i- - GRIEVED LOSS PREEMINENT SCHOLAR VALUED Rashti, the twin luminous stars who heralded PROMOTER FAITH ISHRAQ KHAVARI STOP HIS the coming of the Bab, he left home and wan- PRECIOUS INDEFATIGABLE SERVICES OVER dered from place to place in search of the SEVERAL DECADES WON HIM APPRECIATION truth, ever adding to his store of knowledge, BELOVED GUARDIAN STOP HIS SCHOLARLY but ever missing the object of his quest. CONTRIBUTIONSIMMORTALIZED THROUGH NU- So far, his total knowledge of the Bahi'i MEROUS USEFUL COMPILATIONS TREATISES Faith had been derived from literature hostile BEARING ELOQUENT TRIBUTE HIS DEVOTION to it. Nor was his first contact with Baha'is DEDICATION CAUSE GOD STOP URGE HOLD themselves any more helpful because the two APPROPRIATE MEMORIAL GATHERINGS ASSURE zealous friends who tried to attract him to the RELATIVES FRIENDS FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY Cause were unable to give logical answers to SHRINES. his line of arguing and this antagonised him, Universal House of Justice and caused him to veer from the BahB'i course of search for two whole years. Then, one day, 'Abdu'l-Hamid I b r a q U a v a r i was born in the in a public park he heard melodious chanting city of Maahad, in the province of Khuraskn, of some verses which captured his attention and Persia, on October 12, 1902, in a family whose stirred his soul. Surely, he reflected, these members had ranked high among the I&na- Words are not man's composition, they are I N MEMORIAM 519 God-inspired. He approached the reciter of nary) he discussed the Faith openly with the those verses. It was Mirza Yusuf m a n - i - 'ulamas and was able, single-handed, to dis- Vujdani, a well-known Bahi'i teacher, who comfit them all. The local divines signed a had been chanting Bahi'u'llah's Tablet to warrant for his death and lodged a complaint Nbiri'd-Din &kh, the king of Persia. He talked with the central government at Ba&dad. The and I b r a q a a v a r i listened. It set his heart on matter was even raised in the National Parliafire, it captivated his soul. He accepted the ment and commented upon in the national Faith of Bahi'u'llah and resolved to dedicate press. the rest of his days to its service. His four-months' stay at Sulaymaniyyih When this reached the ears of the 'ulamas, ended when a government order required his it angered and enraged them. They roused the return to B a ~ d a dThe . object of his visit had rabble against him and threatened hip life. been achieved, however. Through the grace of To ensure his safety, the friends had to smuggle BahB'u'llah, the Cause had been publicly prohim under cover of darkness to sleep in a claimed and reported, many people had heard different BahB'i home every night. Ultimately, of it, literature had been distributed among he had to move to another town, Hamadan, high and low, and before his departure he had where he taught in the Baha'i school. But not had the satisfaction of seeing a Baha'i pioneer for long, for the enemies caught up with him arrive to keep alight the torch that had been lit. there and he was forced to move again. Over Back at Bahdad, I&raq U a v a r i was under a period of several years this went on and he the constant surveillance of the authorities. He was subject to severe tests and trials. The even paid a short visit to the Mosul Baha'is at the tenor of his life was shattered for no matter advice of the 'Iraqi National Spiritual Assemwhere he went or what job he took, he was bly and on his return to Ba&dad received an forced to leave it through the machinations of order from the government expelling him from his foes or the uncongenial nature of his occu- the country. At the same time a letter from the pation or environment. The day came when he Guardian to the National Assembly suggested felt he had had enough; could just take no more. he return to fran. Distressed and distraught, he unburdened Back home, his time was devoted to teaching his soul to the beloved Guardian and received and although based for a period in Tihran to from him a loving reply bidding him take heart, conduct study classes, he was constantly on the reminding him that gold was purged of its move, travelling to different centres to teach dross only by fire, advising him to arise and the Faith and stimulate the friends to greater carry the Message to the people and good cheer levels of service. He visited numerous towns in to the friends. This communication breathed Persia; in fact, he visited most of the BahB'i new life into Ihraq Khavari and marked the centres in Iran and a full list would look like an turning point in his career. Not long thereafter, index page of an atlas. One incident at Qazvin the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia is worth noting. He lost his sight completely assigned him a teaching job in Sulaymaniyyih, and all efforts by the best doctors in Tihran to the capital city of Kurdistan, in 'Iraq. This, restore it were of no avail. After nine months they explained, was in response to a directive of treatment, they gave up his case as hopeless. from the Guardian who had desired them to A friend then reported the matter to the Guardelegate a competent teacher to go to that dian who wired back an assurance of his town for a period and teach under the jurisdic- prayers. The day after the receipt of this message tion of the 'Iraqi National Spiritual Assembly. I h r a q u a v a r i could see again, to the astonish- Securing a passport was no easy matter at ment of everyone, specially his doctors. that time, but this problem and others of a like During 1957-58, I&raq Khavari visited the nature were overcome and on the fourth of Baha'is in Pakistan. Djakarta, Singapore and February, 1936, IarAq U a v a r i was on his India and participated in the Conferences held way to Sulaymaniyyih. Without any BahB'i there. At the suggestion of the Hands of the resident there to help him, he succeeded in Cause, he also met the friends at Dubai, Qatar, arranging several meetings with the Sunni Kuwait, Bahrayn and on a subsequent trip leaders. At one in particular, held in the re-visited these places as well as Jeddah, Beirut, Takyiy-i-Mawlana U a l i d (theological semi- London and some towns in Germany. He 520 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
attended the Palermo Conference and made a Born in 1884, Ethel Murray was the younger pilgrimage to the Holy Shrines. and weaker of twins, with such delicate health In the middle of the night of August 5, 1972, that her activities in childhood were restricted. I&raq m i v a r i got up with a pain in the chest From the time of becoming a Baha'i in the but before any help codld be rendered he early 1920s, until her passing in 1972, her passed away. health improved markedly and she seldom saw I&raq m a v a r i translated into Persian The a doctor. Dawn-Breakers; Tibyan va Burhan (two vol- After she became a Baha'i in Springfield, umes); Dalil va Irdrid. His original works Massachusetts, Mrs. Murray, a photographer include a calendar, recording important data by profession, ardently devoted her abilities to during the first Baha'i century; a study outline the service of the Cause. When her marriage for the ~itcib-i-fqhn(in four volumes); study ended, she moved to Montclair, New Jersey, outlines for two epistles from the Guardian, and for some time was in charge of "Fellowdated 100 and 105 B.E.; a refutation of an ship House", a centre of Baha'i activities and attack on the Cause; Muhazarcit (talks on hospitality. In a letter to Shoghi Effendi, she various subjects at BahL'i Conferences); a described her hope for the expansion of this short account of the life of the Purest Branch; house and upon receiving his reply to the effect a brief biography of Muhammad 'Ali Salmini. that this was not the day for the friends to In addition, he authored books on non-Bah8'i gather themselves together away from the subjects and made many compilations from world but rather this was the time for the be- Bahi'i Holy Writings. One of the most useful lievers to scatter and teach the Cause, she of these is Ganjinih-i-Huddd va AhkLinz which immediately relinquished the idea of the centre gives the laws and ordinances of the Kitcib-i- and pioneered lo the nearby community of Aqdas and texts from other Holy Writings Bloomfield. bearing upon them. Constantly seeking opportunities to teach These books, essays and compilations will more actively, in 1936 she pioneered under the remain as a lasting tribute to I h r a q a a v a r i ' s first American Seven Year Plan (1937-1944) to services to the Cause of God in the early stages Richmond, Virginia. Here her economic cirof its Formative Age. cumstances were rendered more difficult RUSTOM SABIT because of lower rates of pay for her photographic work, but she remained at her post for several years. ETHEL MURRAY The call for pioneers in the Ten Year Crusade 1884-1972 (1953-1963) inspired Mrs. Murray to extend her service in a new field. The United States The exhortation of the Centre of the Covenant, Baha'i News of September, 1958, records: 'Abdu71-Bahi, to carry the Faith of BahB'u'- "Ethel Murray was among the first Baha'is in Ilah to the Indians of North America evoked this country to arise to pioneer among the wholehearted response from Ethel Murray. American Indians in the beginning months of If obedience to the Centre of the Covenant in the Ten Year Crusade. Leaving her home in this world is the source of joy to BahB'is in the Providence, Rhode Island, in November, 1953, Abha Kingdom, she is now reaping that eter- Mrs. Murray settled first in Asheville, North nal harvest; for Mrs. Murray, in her many Carolina, then in Bryson City, and finally in years as a believer, enthusiastically supported Cherokee, which she had chosen as her ultimate the teaching plans of the beloved Guardian, destination. This Reservation was of special built on the foundation of the Tablets of the importance to the Crusade, for the Cherokee Divine Plan, and in the advanced years of her language was the one chosen by the Guardian life found strength and purpose in teaching for the first American Indian translation of the the Faith in the heart of the Cherokee Reser- Baha'i Writings." vation in North Carolina where she lived under Since residence on the Reservation was difficult circumstances as a lone pioneer from restricted to Indians or those to whom the June, 1954, to November, 1970.l Indians would rent, Mrs. Murray felt her l Letter dated August 10, 1972, from the National Spiritual Assembly of theBahB'is of the United States. prayers were answered when she finally man- I N MEM[ O R I A M 52 1 to her door and always had shelter and food for anyone who came. She answered the letters which reached her in increasing numbers as her service in the teaching field became known, always expressing her great happiness at the privilege of serving in Cherokee. "It is difficult to summarize the varied experiences of the last five years, years when I have been wholly dependent on BahB'u'llkh," Mrs. Murray wrote in 1958. "I felt that the first thing that should be done was to find someone to translate some of the BahL'i Teachings into the Cherokee language. This took some time and effort, but finally two were selected who could work together . . . As distances to most of the Indian homes are so great that it was difficult to reach many of these people, and some other doors were closed, I decided to follow 'Abdu'l-Baha's example and try to get some people to come to me . . . My home was open to all, and I soon became known as 'the Baha'i lady'. I made it a point to follow Baha'u'llah's teaching in Tlze Ifidden Words, Etliel Murray No. 30, from the Arabic: Deny not M y servant sho~lldhe ask anything fronz thee,jor Izis face is aged to establish herself in Cherokee, first in a Myface; be then abashed before Me." house and later in a dilapidated shack which For some time Mrs. Murray published a had not been habited for some time. She felt column of religious news and ideas in the local that this move, to a building without heat or newspaper until the opposition of resident plumbing, helped very much to draw her closer clergymen brought it to a halt. But by then to the Cherokee people, many of whom lived some of the newspaper personnel were her in similar circumstances. Although a slightly staunch friends and she had proclaimed better home became available later, it was widely the Message of Baha'u'llah. without running water until the very end of her She wrote again in 1958 : "There have been stay. Throughout those years she had to gather many happy experiences, some humorous and drinking water in a rainbarrel. She walked four some discouraging, but Baha'u'llah has gradumiles to a small general store to obtain food ally opened doors of service, and made it and provisions and felt that BahL'u'llah had possible to establish a suitable place for a showered His blessings on her when a new Baha'i Centre, with a display in front, where bridge was constructed, shortening the distance many of the thousands of tourists from all over to the store by a mile and a half. the country can stop if they wish and learn Visiting Ethel Murray was like a continuous something of the Faith; or they will, at least, deepening class. To observe her actions was to see the name 'Baha'i Faith.' A few come into witness the movements of one totally centred in the Centre for literature . . . almost every day the propagation of the Faith. She gathered I have callers and am able to say a few words clothing to sell for a few pennies and with the for the Faith." proceeds purchased mattresses for Indian One who had the privilege of visiting Mrs. friends who were without. Over the years, Murray a number of times at Cherokee has through prodigious effort and spartan econo- written: "On each visit there were fresh signs mies, she saved enough money to purchase of sacrifice and selflessness on the part of Mrs. twenty-three mattresses for the needy, though Murray. I remember marvelling at the amouilt she herself slept on a thin quilt laid over a chest. of space in her small home which she had set She prayed ardently for waiting souls to come aside as the Baha'i meeting room. Then, when I came on a later visit, I noted that she had had a carpenter move the partition, thus reducing her small share of the space and increasing that of the meeting. room. It was always neatly arranged, with BahB'i books, pictures and posters, and in front of the small home was a large sign, 'BahB'i Centre.' " The physical hardships she experienced were considerable, but she did not speak of them. At the end of her life she recalled: "I was satisfied, for I had as much and more than most of -the Indians; I did not come to make them envious, and they knew I was not paid as a missionary." Only the future can make clear the result of Ethel Murray's dedication; and each step taken on that Reservation must one day yield its fruit, for 'Abdu'l-Bahk has promised: One pearl is better than a thousand wildernesses of sand, especially thispearlofgreatprice, which is endowed with divine blessing. Ere long thousands ofother pearls will be born from it.l Mrs. Murray passed away on August 5,1972, in Asheville, where she moved following a Pard Fred Tlziele serious accident which she suffered one night when she fell into a ditch running alongside served on many committees, including the the unlighted road on which she was returning Maintenance Committee, to which he made to her cabin from shopping in the general an invaluable contribution. store. In February, 1967, he was engaged as super- BETH MCKENTY vising engineer for the construction of the Mother Temple of Latin America at Panama and worked assiduously for its completion. He became seriously ill three months before the PAUL FRED THIELE formal dedication of the House of Worship which took place on April 29, 1972-a date 1911-1972 corresponding to his tenth BahB'i birthday- Paul Fred Thiele was born in Hamburg, Ger- and was unable to attend the event. At his passmany, on October 28, 1911. He was one of six ing on August 9, 1972, the Universal House of children. The family came to America in 1923 Justice cabled : and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS RECEIVED FROM Paul graduated from Milwaukee State Teach- HAWAII PASSING DEVOTED SERVANT BAHAU- er's College, now the University of Wiscon- LLAH PAUL THIELE ADVISE HOLDING BE- sin. Paul had a versatile career in teaching, FITTING MEMORIAL SERVICE MOTHER TEMPLE selling, building, and he served for a time in the LATIN AMERICA TRIBUTE HIS OUTSTANDING Merchant Marine. He married Helen Phillips CONTRIBUTION ITS CONSTRUCTION. of Kenilworth, Illinois, in 1937, and they have one daughter. It was typical of Paul that his arrival in Paul became a BahB'i in April, 1962, in Panama on April 5, 1967, was quiet and un- Carmel, California, and in 1964 he moved to obtrusive; there was a courteous letter to the Honolulu where he was a member of the Local National Spiritual Assembly announcing his Spiritual Assembly for several years. He was arrival, followed by a telegram confirming the very active in Baha'i community life and he time and date. He came and immediately set to Tablets of the Divine Plan, p. 52. work; within days of his arrival his first reports I N MEMORIAM 523 on the building of the road giving access to the of the House of Worship, answering their Temple were flowing to the Universal House of eager questions with the utmost courtesy. He Justice. From the time of his arrival until ill- told us later, with a wide smile, that they beness terminated his activities, he was an out- haved beautifully and gave him their earnest standing example of devotion and unsparing attention; finally, they thanked him and asked dedication. His tall, strong figure and the if they might visit again. quality of his faith became a symbol for us of When illness first struck him, he returned to dependability, of security for our growing Hawaii for surgery, and within five weeks was Temple. Those who knew him the best cannot back in Panama. He seemed annoyed by his speak of him without tears in their eyes; even illness, impatient with it. When it struck again those who knew him only through casual and he felt his strength failing, he appeared to contact or by sight remark, "He was a wonder- be driven, as though he must finish the work in ful man." Those who knew him intimately a race against time. He drove himself and those speak of his many kindnesses, his unpublicized working with him. He left Panama as silently charity and his spontaneous generosity. He as he came, attempting to conceal from his had a deep understanding of the Faith and his friends the seriousness of his condition. We explanations of its teachings were so clear and felt deep grief that he was not able to see the simple that the faces of his listeners lighted consummation of his efforts. Mrs. Thiele and with comprehension and joy. her daughter attended the dedication of the It is difficult to write about his personal life; Temple in his stead; friends from around the he lived so quietly. Many times he slept at the world expressed their loving appreciation of Temple site; he worked day and night; he was Paul's efforts. always the first one there in the morning and A moving moment occurred during the the last one to leave. An occasional dinner at memorial service held for him in his beloved the home of his friends was his only recreation. Temple. While a young Persian BahB'i chanted During the oppressive heat of the dry season, the prayer for the departed all the lights in the Paul never forgot the workmen labouring on House of Worship went out. Those sitting in the treeless hill in blazing sunlight; twice daily the darkness, with that beautiful tenor voice he carried to them plastic containers of ice soaring up into the dome, felt in the cool cold drinking water. A friend has written: breeze blowing through the unlighted building "His vitality and total absorption in the work a sudden peace and joy. We felt that Paul enabled him to succeed in bringing into reality knew, and was happy, and with us. the architect's design, and his talent was united MARION GOLDSTEIN with the highest sense ofresponsibility ." Paul was always happy to conduct visitors around the site and to offer lucid explanations as to the significance of the structure that was ETHEL MAY BOWMAN HOLMES rising on Cerro Sonsonate. Not all the visitors 1904-1972 were dignitaries, officials or Monseignors. On Knight of Baha'u'llah one occasion a group of small boys from a nearby summer camp for underprivileged Ethel Holn~es,who was born on May 18, 1904, children emerged from the pampas grass at the was a Roman Catholic when she married Temple site; uncertain of their welcome and Maurice Holmes. Professor Holmes was a perhaps made timid by Paul's booming voice, Baha'i. He would relate to her the Teachings, they came waving a white flag on a stick. They and point out the beauty of the Writings of explained that from their camp site, at a slightly Baha'u'llah. Once, during their discussions, he lower level than the Temple land, they had presented her with a copy of Gleanings from the watched the work for days and wondered what Writings of Baha'u'llbh and invited her to read this strange new building was; they had it and then give him her opinion of the Faith. finally gathered their courage to come and ask. When he came home for lunch and later when Paul escorted them about the site and then sat he returned for dinner, she was reading the with them on the wide steps and told them about book, and was still engrossed when bedtime the Faith of Baha'u'llah and the significance came. Her intense absorption continued for 'f W O R L D about a week. Finally she completed her study thee with agenerous, an incorruptibleand everof the volume and announced her acceptance lasting reward, inasmuch as thou hast sought of the truth of the BahB'i Revelation. She never Him on the Day when eyes were blinded. doubted BahB'u'llah or His Teachings again. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes left their home in Miami, Florida, to pioneer in the outer islands of the Bahamas, arriving at their goal in EUGENIE MEYER October, 1953,' for which service they were 1884-1972 accorded the title, Knights of BaWu'llah, by Shoghi Effendi. Sometime in the early days of the Bahi'i Faith They settled in Hopetown, a village on a in the United States, Eugenie Meyer, while small island off the east coast of Great Abaco living in Miami, Florida, visited the public Island. There were less than one hundred library in that city. While browsing among the inhabitants at that time, Professor Holmes books on religion she came upon a copy of recalls, but there was a church, a library and a ~ i t a b - i - ~ q(The ~ n Book of Certitude) by small elementary school with classes to the Baha'u'llah, a book described by Shoghi eighth grade. It was primarily a fishing village Effendi in God Passes By 2 as " . . . foremost and boat buiiding was the chief industry. The among the priceless treasures cast forth from diet available on the island consisted, in the the billowing ocean of BahB'uYllah'sRevelamain, of conch meat, fish, turtles and lobster; tion." Eugenie took the booktoher homeand in there was no agriculture. Occasionally a ship a quiet moment opened its pages. Years later would put in at the harbour, bringing supplies. she told a friend that the contents of the volume As therewasno electricity or refrigeration, meat went right to her heart; tears coursed down her was available only when a villager would kill cheeks as the Words of BahB'u'llah came alive a pig and divide it among the people. for her. Thus she became one of the early For three years, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes re- believers of the Faith. mained at their post, holding many meetings, About 1945 Eugenie began pioneering in observing the Baha'i Feasts and Holy Days, South Carolina, particularly in Columbia and but finding little response in the tradition- Greenville. She remained in the south teaching bound atmosphere of the island. Rapidly the Faith until the death of her husband about deteriorating health required Mrs. Holmes to 1960. At this time she was 76 years of age. Again return to Miami for surgery. Unable to return she became a pioneer, this time in the Ten Year to the island because of Mrs. Holmes' health, Crusade, and took up a post in Biel, Switzerthe couple visited various centres and then land. Biel is a city of two languages, German settled in St. Augustine, Florida. While there, (Biel) and French (Bienne). Eugenie had spoken they were notified that their home in the German as a child but had long since forgotten Bahamas had burned but their BahB'i library the language; however, immediately after was saved. The Holmes donated their BahB'i arriving at her post she started taking German books to the public library on the island. lessons so that she could more effectively fill After a long illness Mrs. Holmes ascended to her role as a pioneer in the German-speaking the Abha Kingdom on August 24, 1972. section of the city. Later, in consultation with Maurice, her constant companion, recited the the National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerprayer for the departed as she passed on. She is land, she settled in Thun to assist with the buried in Evergreen Cemetery in St. Augustine. teaching work there. In Gleanings from the Writings of Bahh'uY- Eugenie became ill about 1970 but would not Ikah, xv, p. 36, we find: give up her feeling that there was pioneer work for her to do. She made a good recovery and 0 M y servant, who hast sought the goodwas able to resume the teaching work again. pleasure of' God and clung to His love on the When a member of the Swiss National Teaching Day when all except a few who were endued Committee asked her whether she could conwith insight have broken away from Him! sider settling in Lugano in the southern part of May God, through His grace, recompense Switzerland to be the ninth member of the The Bahci'i World, vol. XIII, p. 449. p. 138. IN MEMORIAM 525 of a distinguished colonial administrator, and spent his early years on the Isle of Wight. An Exhibitioner from Charterhouse School, he entered King's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in Classics. He declined the invitation to pursue an academic career and t went to Sarawak as a District Officer in 1938. He left there in 1942 to return to England where he joined the Royal Air Force. During his stay in England he renewed his friendship with John Ferrabyl in London, a friendship dating from school and university days. Mr. Ferraby told him about the Baha'i Faith and he attended a few meetings before being posted to I Ceylon as an Intelligence Officer. To Dick's surprise and delight, he found in the library of the liner-turned-troopship on which he travelled, a copy of the translation of ~itbb-i-fqan which he had been unable to obtain in England, and which he was allowed to keep as no one else had apparently manifested interest in it. After his arrival in Ceylon, Dick was put in touch with the National Spiritual Assembly of Eugenie hleyer the Baha'is of India, then responsible for Ceylon. After concentrated study of the Assembly in that goal area, Eugenie responded Teachings it was to that body he made his with gleaming eyes. With a look of sheer joy declaration of faith in 1944, this being, possibly, she explaimed, "I knew Baha'u'llah spared me the first enrolment in Ceylon. Although he for this." She moved to her new pioneer post corresponded with Baha'is during this time, before Ridvan, 1972, and was very happy there. he did not again meet any for a period of Soon after this, she suffered a brief illness and eighteen rrionths until he visited India on his passed away at the age of 88. way back to Britain after the war. The Swiss friends remember Eugenie es.. From 1946 to 1950 Dick devoted himself alpecially for her deep understanding of the most exclusively to serving the Faith, pioneering Teachings and because, when she read a prayer successively to Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasor a passage from the Holy Writings, every gow and Edinburgh. While in Nottingham, word carried forth a power that was felt by where he was a member of the Local Assembly, every heart. he took a diploma in Adult Education and had the degree of M.A. conferred upon him by his old college. As well as serving on the National Spiritual Assembly from 1947 to 1955 and RICHARD BACKWELL filling, for a time, the office of treasurer, he served on Local Assemblies, was an invaluable 1914-1972 member of the Assembly Development Com- "A stirring quest grows as it feeds anew . . . mittee and other national as well as local Possession of a pure, kindly, radiant heart committees, and became part-time manager of wins for him the promised sovereign state: the British Publishing Trust during which Ancient! Eternal! Everlasting! True!" time he compiled Principles of Baha'i Adminis- From Odyssey of a Baha'i, by tration, The Covenant of Bahh'u'llih, Pattern Richard Backwell of Baha'i life and Bahi'i Prayers. During two separate periods he also served as editor of the Richard (Dick) Backwell was born at Southsea, British Bahci'i Journal. Apart from this he On October 20, l914, the first son Appointed a Hand o f the Cause In October. 1957. manager of a sugar company and assisted greatly in improving conditions for the sugar workers. The Spiritual Assembly of Georgetown was formed and incorporated and extension teaching was undertaken elsewhere in British Guiana as well as in French Guiana and Surinam. This work, in which the Backwells played a significant part, laid the foundation for the formation in 1970 of the National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana, Surinam, and French Guiana. Dick, Vida and their three children returned to England in 1961-62 where Dick helped in consolidating the teaching work in Liverpool before pioneering with his family, in 1963, to Northern Ireland, first to Bangor and later to Larne Rural District where they helped to found the first Spiritual Assembly. In 1963 he was again elected to the British National Assembly on which he served until 1968 when he was appointed a member of the Auxiliary Board for the propagation of the Faith in Europe-being responsible for the Richard Backwell work in Ireland and Scotland-which task he executed with dedication and success until 1969 contributed splendid articles, poems and com- when he became seriously ill. After surgery his pilations to the Bahri'i Journal, the Assembly health improved for a time but the condition Develop~nent Review, and the Bahb'i Youth recurred and the last year of his life was spent Bulletin. in much pain and increasing weakness which During the British Six Year Plan (1944-1950) he bore bravely and patiently, uncomplaining he introduced and taught the Faith to his and cheerful, remaining in constant contact parents, both of whom accepted it and became with the Baha'i friends and retaining his deep active and valued members of the British com- interest in the activities and progress of the munity. In this period he travelled tirelessly Faith until his death on October 4, 1972. from goal town to goal town and to already Relatives, BahB'is and many other friends from established communities serving as a public all parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom speaker "of compelling logic who never bored", attended the deeply moving funeral service and as one friend expressed it; at fireside and infor- burial in a beautiful hillside cemetery at mal meetings, "he spoke simply and was Ballycarry. acutely sensitive to an enquirer's needs . . . at Perhaps one of Dick's most outstanding summer schools, an evocative and brilliant qualities was his ability to listen patiently and teacher." It should be mentioned that his attentively to one's difficulties, problems or participation in the programme of the first doubts and then to assist in finding an answer BahB'i Summer School of Scotland, held at in the BahB'i Writings. As has been written of St. Andrews in 1971, is a memory dear to the him, "he exemplified . . . nobility of character attendants from the mainland and the islands. and disinterestedness of service to all human It could be seen even then that he was far from beings without any exception whatsoever; well, though he was as radiant, gentle, brilliant admirably versed in the Teachings, he was unin discourse and in humour as ever. compromising and immediate when anything In 1951 he married a fellow BahB'i, Vida wobbly or unsure was propounded, courteously Johnston, in Leeds, Yorkshire, where they giving chapter and verse from the Writings to lived until they pioneered to British Guiana support his point." (now Guyana) where Dick worked as personnel The British Bahb'i Journal of February, I N MEMORIAM
1973, carries "An A~preciation" -- of Richard ~ackwelland a review of his last book, published posthumously. Surely the final paragraph of that review is an echo from the hearts of all who had known him, worked with him and learned to love him: "Dick's permanent services to the Cause of God attain their zenith in his final book The Christianity of Jesus (Volturna Press, Portlaw, Co. Waterford, Ireland, 1972) . . . To read this book of one so recently passed on to the Abha Kingdom is an enriching and lovely experience and for those who have known this charming, devoted and scholarly man, it is to recall his illuminating and refreshing conversations. His gift to us is the fruit of many years of loving thought and is very precious." On October 5, 1972, the Universal House of Justice cabled : GRIEF PASSING EARLY AGE RICHARD BACK- WELL GREATLY ASSUAGED TERMINATION HIS SUFFERING CONTEMPLATION DISTINGUISHED RECORD SERVICE SOUTH AMERICA BRITISH Leong Tat Chee ISLES SPIRITUAL RADIANCE EVENlNG EARTHLY LIFE STOP EXTEND FAMILY FRIENDS LOVING SYMPATHY ASSURANCE ARDENT PRAYERS his very orthodox wife and antagonistic family SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS SOUL ABHA of seven grown children, each of whom KINGDOM THIS OUTSTANDING BELIEVER. accepted the Faith separately over a period of many years and became strong, active BahB'is in their separate home centres. Mr. Leong was elected chairman of the first LEONG TAT CHEE Spiritual Assembly of Malacca which was formed in 1955 and he filled the vacuum left 1910-1972 by the departure that year of the resident In 1955, in a quiet little town of Malacca, pioneers. The progress of the Faith in Malacca Malaysia, an event took place that was des- was exciting and dramatic at a time when there tined to affect the progress of the BahB'i Faith was very little activity in any other part of the throughout that country. L,eong Tat Chee, a country. As the community developed, how- Chinese, learned of the Faith through the ever, opposition grew in many quarters and efforts of Dr. and Mrs. K. M. Fozdar, early there was much confusion among the believers. pioneers to the area. As an official of a society In this period of growing pains, Uncle Leong, which was a federation of five religions- as he was lovingly called by everyone, stood Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Christian,. out as a beacon light around whom the steadity, and Islam-Mr. Leong was intrigued by fast believers could rally and his wisdom steered the new Teachings, but suspicious and defiant the friends through the crisis. This was an imabout Baha'u'llah's claims. He finally accepted portant period in the history of the Cause in a challenge to read the Writings for himself, Malaysia, for from this group of believers took two full weeks leave from work and arose many of the pioneers and travelling locked himself in his room with every avail- teachers who later influenced the growth of the able BahB'i book. When he finally emerged, Faith not only in Malaysia but in many other he was a Baha'i, and fro111 that day onward lle parts of the world. never looked back for a single moment. His Uncle Leong was himself beset with many sincerity and steadfastness gradually won over personal problems which he overcame with 'f WORLD exemplary courage. He donated his house, called upon Malaysia to prepare Singapore for which was the Bahi'i Centre of Malacca, to the the establishment of its National Spiritual National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia. Assembly. Prior to this, his frequent visits to Like many other conservative Chinese homes, Singapore had resulted in the establishment of there hung outside this house, a large tradi- a second Local Spiritual Assembly; for approxtional name-board, handed down through the imately fifteen years only one Assembly existed generations; and when Uncle Leong replaced on the island, and five were required to fill the this with a sign board on which "Baha'i Centre" goal. A report written by Mr. Yan Kee Leong was boldly printed, his friends and relatives in December, 1969, illustrates how indefatigwere convinced that he had definitely parted ably Uncle Leong worked: "All goals will be with his sanity. accomplished . . . Leong Tat Chee, in spite of Uncle Leong served as treasurer to the his suffering, wakes up early in the morning, Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East supplicates to the Almighty, and then we plan Asia which functioned from 1957 until 1964; the day's work. . . We get into Leong's car and he had the priceless privilege of being the only return to the Centre only when the day's work Malaysian to attend the International Conven- is done . . . " tion held in Haifa in 1963 to elect the first In 1971, five Assemblies were elected in Universal House of Justice; and at the World Singapore largely through the assistance and Congress in London that year he was singu- inspiration of Uncle Leong who regretfully larly honoured to represent the seven hundred had to leave because of ill health before the million members of the Chinese race. election of the National Spiritual Assembly of In 1964, Uncle Leong was elected to the Singapore at Ridvan, 1972. A lingering illness National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, and slowed down his physical activity, but he conin that same year was appointed to the tinued faithfully to discharge his duties as an Auxiliary Board, the first Malaysian to Auxiliary Board member through extensive, serve in this capacity. In his new role Uncle loving and regular correspondence with Leong's services to the Malaysian community pioneers, Assemblies, committees, editors of were intensified and his little car was always Baha'i bulletins, youth groups and isolated bursting with Baha'is being taken on regular believers. Many despondent friends were teaching trips to near and distant places cheered by the warm encouragement flowing throughout the country. He was a valued em- through his letters which often contained ployee of the government of Malaysia which generous contributions to assist in their work. bestowed upon him the Pingat Jasa Kastria Not a murmur of complaint was ever heard by award for outstanding services rendered to the anyone through all his long months of physical country. As the demands of the teaching work agony; rather, his radiant spirit was a shining grew he made an early retirement in order to example to all who came in contact with him. devote more time to the Faith. Uncle Leong passed away while saying his Although he was deeply involved in local prayers a few minutes after midnight on teaching, Uncle Leong's vision was always October 9, 1972. Beside him was a cherished world embracing. In 1965, accompanied by Mr. photograph of 'Abdu'l-BahB and in his prayer- Yan Kee Leong, he embarked on a teaching book was found a long list of names of those tour of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, inten- he remembered in his supplications. Uncle sified his study of Mandarin, assisted in the Leong was, himself, one of Bahii'u'llah's translation and publication of BahB'i literature greatest gifts to the BahB'is of Malaysia-one into Chinese and, awakened the Malaysian be- whose deeds exceeded his words. At the time lievers to their great responsibility towards of his passing the Universal House of Justice China. Although he could not fulfil his great cabled these words : desire to pioneer to that region, he inspired others to do so. DEEPLY GRIEVED NEWS PASSING SINCERE PRO- Singapore was Uncle Leong's other great MOTER CAUSE LEONG TAT CFIEE HIS DEVOTED love. Despite his failing health he and Mrs. LABOURS INCLUDING SERVICES AS MEMBER Leong left their comfortable home in Malacca AUXILIARY BOARD WILL LONG BE REMEM- in 1969 when the Universal House of Justice BERED STOP HANDS JOIN HOUSE IN CONVEYING IN MEMO RIAM 529 RELATlVES FRIENDS LOVING SYMPATHY AS- SURANCE FERVENT PRAYERS SHRINES PRO- GRESS HIS SOUL. SHANTHA SUWDRAM
MARY TILTON FANTOM 1897-1972 "Mrs. Mary Fantom is the first one of Hawaiian blood to accept the Cause. Her great heart of love and pure spirit have enabled her to keep the friends together when Kathrine Baldwin was away. Her home in Spreckelsville has been the centre where the meetings were held in love and unity." Thus wrote the Hand of the Cause Agnes Alexander in Personal Recollections oj' a Bahci'i Life in the Hawaiian lslands. Mrs. Fantom served faithfully for many years as the recording secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Maui which was established in 1928 and contributed generously of her efforts and resources. She was among the first to hold children's classes on Maui. Each Mary Tilton Fantotn year, in June, BahB'is and their friends gathered in her spacious gardens for a special Unity children of their own, she may truly be regarded Feast. Long confined to a wheelchair, but as an "international mother", for her love and undeterred by this physical handicap, she was generosity extended to many now scattered a devoted servant of the Faith to the end of her across the face of the globe. life. LILLIAN CHOU Born in Lahaina on July 7, 1897, Mrs. Fantom lived in Spreckelsville until March, 1968, when she gave up her home and moved to I-Ionolulu to spend her remaining years at a ANDREW F. MATTHISEN retirement centre. She ascended on October 24, 1885-1961 1972. A letter she wrote to Miss Alexander in 1941, NINA B. MATTHISEN describing the observance of the birthday of 1895-1972 Baha'u'llah, held at her home, captures some- Knights of BahB'u'llah thing of the spirit of this radiant friend: "It was a wonderful gathering. I greeted everyone Andrew and Nina Matthisen .had the honour with Allah-u-Abha. Oh, everyone seemed so of being named Knights of Baha'u'llah by the happy! Even before the meeting someone said, beloved Guardian as a result of their pioneering 'I am so happy that I came.' I said, 'Yes, this is to the Bahalna Islands in January, 1954.l a special happy day for all of us because it is Andrew F. Matthisen was born on May Baha'u'llah's birthday. Let us sing Tell tlie 31, 1885. His mother, Hannah Matthisen, was Wo~zdrousStory, and as we sing, think that we one of the early American believers. Andrew are singing to the whole world!' " To each accepted the Faith as a young man and was friend who attended she gave the gift of a plant, associated with Albert Windust in carrying out a symbol of the Faith, as one guest remarked, various projects in the early years of the "for they bear seeds and will keep growing." establishment of the Faith in the United States, To all who knew her, she was "Aunty May". At the time of his marriage to Nina Z. Benedict. Although she and her husband, James, had no Tlie Bnlid'i IVorId, vol. xrrr, p. 449. 530 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Andrew F. Matthisen Nina B. Matthisen
in 1922, Andrew was already a confirmed and be applied to the matter. A few days later I active Baha'i. received from him fifteen typewritten pages and "Matty", as he was known to everyone, was in them, my answer. He had searched the a tall, well-built man with sandy hair and blue BahB'i Writings and made a wonderful comeyes which would glow with enthusiasm or pilation, logically assembled and embracing twinkle with amusement. Although retiring in many facets, so that everything became clear. social conversation, he was dynamic when He had a great concern for all people and his speaking of the BahB'i Teachings. An excellent private charities were many. teacher, he had a thorough knowledge of BahB'i In the Matthisen home there was a warm literature and a broad understanding of the welcoming hospitality and an atmosphere of religions of the world, resulting from his study harmony and spirituality; one was caught up in of them and of ancient and modern philosophy. an aura of wide vistas of spiritual and intellec- He seemed to know instinctively what an indi- tual vision, which was so much a part of both vidual was seeking or needed, and was always of them. I once mentioned to the Hand of the able to approach one's spiritual, emotional or Cause Amelia Collins how much I missed this intellectual needs in a manner uniquely suited atmosphere in other places. She replied, "My to the individual. He seemed never at a loss to dear, of course you will find it in this home; you provide the well selected and applicable word, will have to try to create it elsewhere." simile or analogy; a story drawn from the life When the Guardian called for pioneers in of 'Abdu'l-Baha illustrative of a point; a purely the Ten Year Crusade, Andrew and Nina logical analysis of a problem; or even a bit of volunteered and with their daughter, Mary poetry to stimulate one's interest and lead the Jane, they settled in Nassau, Bahama Islands. discussion to a spiritual level. They immediately established fireside meetings Once, as a very new BahB'i, I was confused once or twice a week, with an average attenabout a problem and eager to find a response dance of sixteen or seventeen people, many of appropriate to a follower of Baha'u'llah. I whom had to be transported by automobile to wrote to Matty asking his guidance and clarifi- their home. The first one to accept the Cause cation of certain of the Teachings which might was a young man from Barbados, a member of I N MEMORIAM 53 1 the police force; after listening to a talk on sooner; doctors don't understand BahB'is." prayer, he asked: "Teach me to pray." By On 0ctoberl4, 1961, Andrew died, as radi- April 20, 1955, there were enough believers so antly acquiescent to that transition as he had that the first Spiritual Assembly of Nassau was always been to whatever life had brought him, formed. this beloved servant and Knight of Bahi'u'llah. In March, 1955, Sunday afternoon meetings Nina Benedict Matthisen was born on July were started in Adelaide, a small community 31, 1895 and became a BahB'i six years after about fifteen miles from Nassau, but although her marriage. Long after that she was to say to the attendance averaged about sixteen, the me in a tone of chagrin, "Can you imagine! I Faith did not take root. In May of that year walked around that house for six years with a the Matthisens spent a week in a thatch- BahB'i book on every table, and refused to even covered hut at Bluff, on the island of Eleuthera; open them!" Her later service made up for and the name of BahB'u'llah was planted in the what she considered were those wasted years. hearts of this completely native community. Nina composed a number of musical selec- They also spoke at Current, another small tions with Baha'i themes and, with Matty, community on Eleuthera island, going there served in various capacities at the House of without advance notice. They rang the school Worship in Wilmette. At various times, before bell and within minutes a large audience leaving for her pioneering post, she was a memassembled, people even standing outside with ber of the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago. She their heads in the windows. Although invited had a lovely speaking voice, but had never had to return there, the way did not open before the occasion to use it on a public platform. With Matthisens had to return to the United States. a view to increasing her service to the Cause In Nassau, the Matthisens enjoyed conduct- she took public speaking lessons and thereafter ing a class attended by about twenty-five native gave many talks at schools, clubs, the Bahi'i children. Nina frequently commented on the Centre in Chicago, the House of Worship in ease with which the children memorized prayers Wilmette, and over the radio. Perhaps the and quotations from the Sacred Writings. largest audience to hear her speak was the Using the pen name "A. Channel", Nina National Convention of Federated Women's contributed a weekly column titled "The Clubs. Her friends were many and she con- Treasure Chest" to the Nassau Guardian. As its ducted a wide correspondence; toward the popularity grew the editor asked permission to end of her life her mail came from all over the use her real name; from then on it was headed world. After many years of heart trouble, her with her photograph. The column was a com- final illness was a short one. She passed away pilation of quotations on various subjects and on November 9,1972. the names of the Central Figures of the Faith, My final tribute to this devoted handmaiden and of Shoghi Effendi, often appeared under and Knight of Baha'u'llah is this: I always felt the quotations. nearer to the Kingdom when I was with her. During their stay in Nassau, the Matthisens H AZEL MEESE were privileged to serve as members of the American Teaching Committee of the Greater Antilles from 1955 until 1959, when Nina's JOY HILL EARL health made it necessary to return to the 1912-1972 United States. They left behind, for use by the community, a well-stocked library of BahB'i GRIEVE PASSING FAITHFUL HANDMAID BAHA- books and study outlines. They settled in Fort ULLAH JOY EARL HER EXEMPLARY SERVICE Myers, Florida, and assisted in establishing the PIONEER FIELD FAR EAST OVER LONG PERIOD first Spiritual Assembly there. AND TEACHING HOMEFRONT GREATLY VALUED Nina was advised by the family physician not ASSURE DEVOTED HUSBAND PRAYERS HOLY to let Matty know that he was succumbing to a THRESHOLD PROGRESS HER SOUL. terminal illness and for a time she lived in Universal House of Justice private distress with that knowledge. When she finally shared the knowledge with Matty, he By one of those mysterious coincidences which said with a smile, "You should have told me we can never explain, the one whose memory 532 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
was honoured by this cablegram was born exactly ninety-five years after BahB'u'llah, even to the hour of the day, at dawn on November 12, 1912. She was named by her grandfather, a Christian minister, quoting Psalms 3 0 5 , " . . .Weeping may endure,for a night, but joy corneth in the morning." And this verse seems to have been the keynote of her life, for although plagued with ill health from childhood, undergoing physical pain and successive operations during most of her adult life, for the more than thirty years that she served the Faith, Joy was a constant source of inspiration and illumination to all who knew her. Of Negro background, with an admixture of American Indian and Scottish-Irish blood, she transcended the barriers which racial prejudice would attempt to place in her path by the deceptively simple expedient of ignoring them and proceeding on her way. Her college training was in the field of music, at which she was so successful that in 1932 she was awarded the Nadja Boulanger scholarship for study at the Fontainebleau Conservatory Joy Hill Earl in France. Although the Depression made it impossible for her to take advantage of this this area, helping Juliet Thompson2 with her opportunity, she retained her musical interest fireside, serving on the Spiritual Assembly of and artistry at the piano to the end of her New York, and spending much time at Green life. Acre. Thus it was that she was at Eliot, Maine, Attracted to the Faith in the late 1930s, when Louis Gregory passed away in 1951, and Joy eagerly sought out older believers and because of the close tie between them, most of engaged them in long conversations, drinking the arrangements for his funeral devolved on in everything they could offer. The one who her. How thrilled and delighted she was when had the greatest influence on her spiritual the cable from the beloved Guardian named development was Louis Greg0ry.l He took a her "Uncle Louis" a Hand of the Cause ! special interest in her, and she reciprocated According to long-cherished plans, Joy and with such love and admiration that soon she her husband were to be in Japan by Nawwas calling him "Uncle Louis". Ruz of 1952. Joy's hospitalization during the In the 1940s, Joy began public speaking, and winter of 1951-52madeno difference. Her passwent on many circuits under the auspices of the port photograph had to be taken in the hospital, national Race Unity Committee and College but she left on schedule. After a storm-battered Speakers Bureau. She was also called on to 17-day trip across the Pacific, the two new teach at Louhelen (now Davison) and Green pioneers set foot on Japanese soil on March 14, Acre BahB'i Summer Schools, and in both 1952, and the Naw-R6z feast was celebrated Cleveland and Detroit she served on the as planned with the BahB'is of Tokyo (at that Spiritual Assemblies and held unusually suc- time the only BahB'i community in the entire cessful firesides. Far East). In 1950, Joy and her husband moved to New Joy's radiant spirit and deep knowledge of York so that he could pursue studies at Colum- the Teachings soon began to bear fruit; there bia University preparatory to pioneering in are still some active believers who were con- Japan. Joy threw herself into the activities of firmed in her fireside during that first year in Posthumously appointed a Hand of the Cause in See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. XIII, p. 1951. 862. IN MEMORIAM 533 Japan, and the present Spiritual Assembly of the Universal House of Justice. Her pilgrim- Kbfu grew from extension teaching in which age, coinciding with the commemoration of she participated at that time. Then, in the 'Abdu'l-BahB's Ascension, was not only a spring of 1954, the Earls moved on a two-year glorious spiritual experience but one which assignment to Yamaguchi in western Japan, sent her back to Korea with a feeling of awe where they were completely isolated. A fireside and reverence for the newly-established Divine was soon started among largely agnostic college Institution. Despite deteriorating health, Joy students, and from the efforts of one precious made a significant contribution to the work of soul confirmed during that period has deve- the Cause in Korea in the two years she spent loped the present Spiritual Assembly of Ube. there. In addition to serving on the Spiritual Assembly In the summer of 1965, the Earls returned to of Tokyo at a later period, Joy found time for the homefront after thirteen years spent almost extensive teaching trips in Japan, Korea, continuously in the pioneer field. Some years Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao and Malaysia, later, following an operation, Joy's health had and was a frequent teacher at summer and improved remarkably. Accordingly, the Earls winter schools in various communities. arranged a trip for the latter half of 1972, on In 1959, the Spiritual Assembly of North which they would start with a visit to the grave East Asiaasked theEarls to live at theHaziratu- of the beloved Guardian. continue with a 'I-Quds (which also served as the Tokyo pilgrimage to frkn, and carry out teaching BahB'i Centre) and arrange all activities there. assignments in Malaysia, Japan and Korea, In fact, the responsibility fell on Joy, since her with briefer stop-overs in the Philippines and husband's work kept him away from Tokyo for Taiwan. However, even in London, Joy was four to six months of each year. At Joy's hands, again experiencing difficulty in walking. the Centre took on new life with a constant Naturally, nothing deterred her from visiting round of activities including firesides and the House of the Bab in a i r a z , the House of the deepening classes, musical programmes, par- Martyrs in Isfahin, and the House of Bahaties, and eventually, even Bahi'i weddings. 'u'llah and the site of theSiyAh-mi1 in Tihran. Many were the souls attracted and confirmed But by August 6, when she reached Malaysia, during that period, lasting until the end of the Joy was feeling serious weakness and pain, and Ten Year Crusade, in 1963. walking any distance was impossible. Never- Although Joy never completely mastered the theless, she carried out the itinerary set up for intricacies of Japanese grammar, she developed her, with firesides, deepening classes and puban almost flawless accent in speaking the lan- lic meetings for two weeks in Penang, Butterguage. One wonders how she could possibly worth, Alor Star and Kuala Lumpur. Her last have found energy for anything outside the public talk, a triumph over pain and illness, activities of the Faith, and yet in those six was given on August 18, at Kuala Lumpur. years Joy achieved considerable recognition in Although unable to carry out her plans for Tokyo women's affairs, filling such posts as the Philippines and Taiwan, Joy was surprised Chairman of the Music Workshop, member of and cheered by a massive welcoming party at the Board of Directors of the Tokyo Women's the Tokyo Baha'i Centre on September 3, Club, President of the Imperial Ball, and Pre- attended by over fifty friends, including some sident of the College Women's Association of she had known for as long as twenty years. Japan. Her associates in these organizations all Throughout her life, Joy had drawn her knew that Joy was a Baha'i and respected the strength from invisible sources and poured her Faith because of her. entire resources into the teaching work; but After attending the World Congress in Lon- now her body could be pushed no further. In don in 1963, the Earls gladly accepted an November, her husband brought her back to opportunity to move to Korea, where mass Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she passed to her teaching was just beginning to create urgent reward on November 27, 1972, exactly nine need for consolidation. Then, near the end of years after her first pilgrimage to Haifa. Her that year, Joy had the inestimable bounty of beautiful and inspiring funeral was attended by being included among the first group of pil- about 200 friends, BahB'i and non-Bahk'i. She grims to Haifa scheduled after the election of was laid to rest under a hawthorn tree at 534 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Washtenong Memorial Park in the outskirts of Ann Arbor. DAVID M. EARL
GRETTA STEVENS LAMPRILL 1890-1972 Knight of BahB'u'llAh SADDENED NEWS PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH GRETTA LAMPRILL FIRST BELIEVER TASMANIA FORMER MEMBER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL AS- SEMBLY AUSTRALIA STOP HER DEVOTED SER- VICES AUSTRALIA SOCIETY ISLANDS LOVINGLY REMEMBERED ... Universal house of Justice
The ascension of the Knight of BahB'u'llah Miss Gretta Lamprill on December 11, 1972, was an irrevarable loss to the BahB'i community in Tasmania. Her gentle nature, compassion and deep spiritual love for mankind attracted the hearts of all who came in contact with her. Gretta Stevens Larnprill Known as "The Mother of Tasmania", she never failed to inspire the BahA'B of this island tion a paragraph in a local newspaper stating state to exemplify the Words of BahB'u'llah: that in the British Museum there were letters Be unrestrained as the wind, while carrying the (Tablets) from a man in the East who claimed the Message of Hinz Who hath caused the Dawn t o be the Prophet for this age: this was the first of Divine Guidance to break.l These words known mention of the Cause in Tasmania. were engraved on her heart from the time she In thelatter part of 1924 MarthaRoot visited accepted the Faith in 1924 and became the the lone BahA'i in Tasmania and addressed a first believer in Tasmania. She was born in the meeting in Hobart. A second visit was made by capital, Hobart, on September 26,1890. Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn in 1925. They fre- "This is what I've been waiting for!" Gretta quently wrote letters of encouragement to was heard to remark when she first learned of Gretta. By 1939, when Martha Root again the BahB'i Teachings at a meeting attended by came to Tasmania, she met the Hobart Bahi'i Mr. and Mrs. HydeDunn 2 and Miss Effie Baker community which had then three members. who made a teaching trip to Hobart in 1924. With untiring effort, Gretta continued to A few days later, in order to learn more about teach the Faith throughout the state and the Faith, Gretta attended an informal gather- planted seeds wheverever she went. Although ing sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn. possessed of a beautiful soprano voice, the Recalling that event in 1971, in her eighty- economic circumstances of her family dicfirst year, Gretta recorded: "Mr. Hyde Dunn tated that she choose another career. She spoke passionately about the Faith. Then and entered the Public Health Department as a there, with the whole of my inner and outer nurse, served with distinction, and eventually being, I dedicated my life to Baha'u'llkh and was appointed Supervisory Sister of School the Baha'i Faith. . ." Unknowingly, Gretta had Medical Services in Tasmania, a position she initially heard of the Baha'i Faith indirectly held until she retired. Her profession gave her through her mother who, sometime between the opportunity to travel to all parts of Tas- 1908 and 1912, drew to her daughter's atten- mania and was a vital factor in the growth of Gleaningsfrornthe WritingsofBahd'u'lla'h,c~x~,p. 339. the Faith there. By 1942, the Hobart com- Clara and John Henry Hyde Dunn werc appointed munity had six members; two years later, in Hands of the Cause ln 1952. 1944, the Hobart Baha'i Centre was opened Plan in Australia. At the time Gretta and and dedicated by "Mother" Dunn, with Gretta Gladys were settled in Launceston in Northern as first secretary of the newly formed Local Tasmania. Without hesitation they left their Spiritual Assembly. On October 20, 1949, home and settled in Devonport where they Shoghi Effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf: helped form the first Spiritual Assembly. They "He appreciates your . . . ceaseless service to were then over seventy years of age. When the the Cause of God very much, and feels that, in community had grown to twelve members the spite of the temporary set-backs in the work "Baha'i Twins", as they were affectionately there in Hobart, the friends will succeed in known by all the friends, returned toLaunceston holding the advantages they have gained after where they continued to teach unceasingly. so many years of patient labour. The work In September, 1969, Gretta was heartbroken throughout Australia and New Zealand is now when her dearest friend and co-worker, "Glad" progressing at a much faster rate, and the foun- Parke, ascended to the Abha Kingdom. Her dations laid so faithfully and permanently by dearest wish was then to join her BahL'i sister the dear Dunns are proving their strength and in that world. capacity to uphold the administrative edifice During the last two years of her life her now erected upon them." Penned in the hand- memory began to fail and she had difficulty writing of the Guardian were the words: "The remembering people she knew well. On one services you have rendered, and are rendering, occasion she scarcely recognized well-known our beloved Faith, deserve indeed the highest friends who visited her hospital bedside; yet, praise, and I feel deeply grateful to you . . . when she glanced through the window and Persevere in your noble endeavours, and rest noticed the word "BahB'i" on a placard, her assured that our beloved Master, whose Cause attention was arrested and she gave a most you serve with such devotion, will watch over lucid and compelling talk on the Faith. you and reward you for your labours." I can think of no better tribute to Gretta's When the Guardian called for pioneers at the memory than the words she spoke during a beginning of the Ten Year Crusade in 1953, tape-recorded interview at Ravenswood in Gretta was one of the five members of the 1971 when she was eighty-one years of age. National Spiritual Assembly to answer the call. Asked if she had a message for the Bahi'is of She was, at that time, secretary of the National the future, she replied: "In the words of Assembly and her dearest friend, Knight of Bahi'u'llih, Go tliou straight on! And that is BahB'u'llah Miss Gladys Parke1, was hostess at what the Baha'is are surely doing everywhere the former Haziratu'l-Quds in Paddington, and every day." Sydney. They sent a cable to the Guardian ALBERT BENSON which read : SHALL LAMPRILL PARKE VOLUNTEER TEACH TAHITI. The answer came back : HEARTI- LY APPROVE. LOVE, SHOGHI. MATTHEW W. BULLOCK It is now Baha'i history what was achieved 1881-1972 by these two dedicated women in Tahiti, the Knight of Baha'u'llah major island of the Society Islands group; yet it is little known that, although young in spirit, On December 17, 1972,.Matthew W. Bullock, both were over sixty years of age when they set a BahB'i whose talents had won him distinction forth to serve as pioneers. They arrived at their in many areas, died at the age of ninety-one goal in December, 1953, and were named years. From the beginning of his life until his Knights of Baha'u'llah by Shoghi Effendi. death, Matthew Bullock forged new trails, Three times they had to leave Tahiti when their broke through old barriers, and fought for visas expired. Each time this happened they recognition of human worth and human digcontinued to teach in New Zealand and Raro- nity. "A pioneer-all the way" might be a betonga, Cook Islands, while waiting to return fitting epitaph for Matthew Bullock, for the to their post, period in which his life unfolded offered no Again the call went out in 1963 for a deter- substitutes for self-effort, self-discipline, and mined effort to fill the goals of the Ten Year courageous faith in a future for mankind. The See "In Memoriam", p. 457. achievement and recognition he won had an ance and self-effacement which could enable him to survive the hostilities and prejudices so ingrained in the customs and sanctions of an old South dealing with its blacks. So it was that with hardships known only to God, Jesse Bullock took his family to Boston in 1889, arriving, as he later described it, "with seven children and a ten dollar bill". Life in Massachusetts had its hardships, but it gave young Matt his first access to the kind of education which developed his talents. In 1900 he graduated from Everett high school with scholastic honours and with the historic distinction of being a black who was captain of four of his school's five athletic teams. School afforded him his first pioneer experiences, and it must be remembered that his victories were not easily won in the climate of that period. High school had given Matt confidence and ambition, and he yearned to go on. His goal was that symbol of excellence, Dartmouth College. Jesse Bullock, seeing the promise in his son, yearned to afford Matt that oppor- Matthew W. Bullock tunity. However, he had to face the reality that his menial wages could never finance a college impact on the Baha'i and non-Baha'i com- education. They barely covered the necessities munities where he lived. He will be remembered of his large family. Yet, with a love he could as one who blended material and spiritual not express in words, Jesse gave Matt the painprogress, and kept his life on the course of high fully saved sum of fifty dollars and set his son and constant commitment to the oneness of free to try his wings and pursue his objective. God and the unity of mankind. One has only to realize how much Jesse needed It was on September 11, 1881, that Jesse the help of a working son to understand the and Amanda Bullock of Dabney, North love and sacrifice he made in giving Matt the Carolina, first looked upon the face of the new freedom to choose and to strive on his own. son they named Matthew. They were humble Matthew met the challenge of self-effort and parents, not too long out of the searing discipline. He enrolled in Dartmouth and raised experiences of human slavery, struggling to funds for his expenses with his fine baritone raise their family against the backdrop of voice. Accompanied by a classmate he gave poverty, hostility and fear which had accom- concerts at churches and hotels and was billed panied the drama of emancipation in the South. as "the famous baritone singer of Dartmouth". We have been left no record of what his parents Despite the pressure of working to get the funds experienced as they saw the life of Matthew he needed, he was a diligent student and further unfold, but to them he must have been a hope developed his athletic ability. He was a memand a promise, for even in the early years young ber of the track team, distinguished himself in Matt gave evidence of having distinctive gifts: the broad jump and high jump, and brought a strong and well coordinated body, an in- fame to Dartmouth as a star football player. quiring militant intellect, the resonance of good One sports historian, Edwin Henderson, in and gifted vocal chords, and a sensitive, radiant, evaluating his performances during the critical outgoing spirit. Perhaps it was the atmosphere games faced by Dartmouth from 1901 to 1903, of promise in this son that impelled Jesse observed that "Bullock was one of the brainiest Bullock to move his family from Dabney when men of football ability the game has ever had." Matt was eight years old. He could not doom After completing his B.A. Degree at Dartthis child to the prevailing life-style of ignor- mouth in 1904. with scholastic honour dis- I N MEM ORIAM 537 tinctions and with fame for his athletic achieve- tary service because of a heart condition, he ments, Mr. Bullock entered Harvard; college went to Camp Meade as an educational secreand high school coaching earned his tuition tary of the Young Men's Christian Association fees. He was engaged by Massachusetts organization which served the military forces. Agricultural College and achieved a double He was sent to France with the 369th Infantry, "first" as the first salaried coach and the first becoming a part of the American Expeditionary black to serve as a head coach at a predomi- Forces. His vigorous opposition to certain nantly white institution. Malden high school racist policies he encountered in his overseas also obtained his coaching services. He gradu- experience incurred the hostility of certain ated from Harvard Law School in 1907, again commanding officers; he served fifteen months with a distinguished record. in the front lines without being granted a leave The struggle for opportunity, achievement and was reassigned when he applied for accomand respect during these school years brought modations to return to the United States. He Matt Bullock into many bruising encounters was recommended for the Croix de Guerre with prejudice and hostility. Opposing athletic medal for his leadership and bravery during teams had developed special strategies to "get his front line service but the colonel of the the coloured player". Out of college he found regiment refused to approve it for reasons of that the doors usually open to well-qualified bias, an incident described in the autobioprofessional graduates were closed to him as a graphy of the black educator, Dr. John Hope. black American. And even among his col- Mr. Bullock also received a letter from Army leagues, he met grudging acceptance as a chaplain Robeson, brother of Paul Robeson, person. In his memoirs, Matt recounted that who referred to Matt as an "unsung hero of the one colleague, after forty years of class re- battle of the Argonne". unions, finally condescended to introduce After the war, Mr. Bullock settled in Boston Matt to his family. Thus Matt, early in his where he soon became recognized as an outlife's experiences, learned to pioneer against standing citizen and leader and was encouraged bitterness and rage in himself and in others. to run for public office, and where he served in Finding no suitable opportunity in Boston, a career of law and public services spanning Matt accepted an offer from Morehouse College more than twenty years, constantly pioneering (formerly Atlanta Baptist College) to serve as for social justice and human dignity. As a an athletic director and teacher. This took him distinguished leader and citizen his influence back into the South in 1908. His work there was never based upon the exploitation or mani.. enabled him to develop some of the "cleanest pulation of hostilities and tensions. He was and finest football teams in the South". In 1912 above hatred and bigotry, impelled by a love he opened his law office in Atlanta, Georgia, for justice in behalf of all mankind. and although time has regrettably yielded no Mr. Bullock's first encounter with the Baha'i evidences of his pioneer experiences as a black Faith came during this busy period of prolawyer in the deep South-which was the fessional and civic responsibilities. As president "old South"-they would probably make a of the Community Church of Boston he poignant and interesting story. During this attended a dinner for a Baha'i travelling challenging period in his professional career, teacher, Mrs. Ludmilla Bechtold Van Sombeek. romance somehow entered his life. His marriage There he asked many searching and chalto Katherine Wright was a long and stable lenging questions about the Faith. He was one. They were eventually blessed with two especially interested in the racia.1 attitudes of children, who in their lives and in their way have white members. He was answered in such a expressed the standards of achievement their way that he was stimulated to read. He obparents afforded them. The son, Matthew W. tained a copy of Some Answered Questions Bullock, Jr., is a judge in the Common Pleas and studied it; thereafter, he and Mrs. Bullock Court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The visited Green Acre BahB'i School. Mr. Bullock's daughter, Mrs. Julia Gaddy, is a librarian in contact with the Baha'is and his investigation Detroit, Michigan. of the Faith lasted many years during which Mr. Bullock's professional career was inter- the friends who knew him treated with great rupted by World War I. Refused active mili- patience and kindness his reservations and 538 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
the issues that troubled .him. Outstanding special radiance of spirit, he left the conference in influence among these friends was Mrs. and travelled to the Belgian Congo. Returning Van Sombeek, his first teacher, who became a through West Africa he visited Liberia where warm and understanding friend who stimu- he met the Liberian President and the American lated him to study the Teachings and afforded Ambassador and was able to broaden their him opportunities to broaden his experiences understanding of the BahB'i Faith, his presenwith the BahB'i way of life. To her he paid the tation so affecting the President that he invited tribute of recognition as "spiritual mother" Mr. Bullock to a special dinner and presented when he accepted the Faith in 1940 and him to twenty-five distinguished personages throughout his life he expressed profound from Liberia and other countries. Mr. Bullock appreciation for her friendship and association. spoke of the BahB'i Faith and its programme As a BahB'i he gaveunstintingly of his leader- for humanity, and stated that he was in Africa ship skills and his devotion. He served as as a representative of the American National chairman of the Boston Spiritual Assembly, Assembly. was appointed to many national committees, When he returned to the United States he and in 1952 was elected to serve on the National found that the American community had re- Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of the United ceived increasingly stirring messages from the States. A deep student of the Teachings, and Guardian urging BahB'is to pioneer in the an effective speaker, he travelled extensively World Crusade. Matthew was then seventyand frequently at his own expense to promote two years old, an established and prominent the Faith. He visited Haiti, Costa Rica and citizen of his community, enjoying the fruits of Mexico. Wherever he went his deep com- a life of hard work and sacrifice. There was no mitment to the BahB'i Faith stimulated interest doubt in his mind about the priority of spiritual in it. Mrs. Bullock's death in 1945 left a great service in pioneering. Overcoming the resergap in the personal life of Matt Bullock; vations of his age and those near to him, however, in that year of grief and loneliness, wrenching himself free from the home comyet another honour came to him when the munity and land, Matthew Bullock was one of Secretary of the United States Navy invited him those who rose to his feet at the 1953 American to join a special commission of distinguished BahB'i Convention and offered his life in citizens and participate in an inspection tour of pioneer service. He was one of the five National naval installations in the Pacific areas. Spiritual Assembly members who resigned in In 1953 while Mr. Bullock was a member of that memorable year and went pioneering. the National Assembly he was asked to join a Matthew settled in Curaqao, Dutch West representation from that body and attend the Indies, and helped to establish the first BahB'i first Intercontinental BahBYiConference in Assembly there. He was one of the believers on Uganda, East Africa, and received permission whom the beloved Guardian conferred the to visit the Holy Land on pilgrimage prior to distinction of being known as a Knight of attending the Conference. The visit to the BahB'u'1lah.l As a pioneer he taught and Holy Shrines and the cordial reception given travelled and extended his services to other him by the beloved Guardian were profound areas of the West Indies in the formation and experiences which had a great spiritual impact. strengthening of other BahL'i Assemblies. He expressed it in these words : "The Guardian In 1960, feeling the onset of extreme age and has cleared up many things for me. My visit to the disabilities it brings, Mr. Bullock returned him and to the Holy Shrines are experiences to the United States. In the city of his former beyond words. I don't think I will ever be able home, Boston, he remained for a while to to express what it meant to me; nor do I think teach and serve as best he could. Age and illness that any BahA'i is the same after being with the however, continued to trouble him. The Boston Guardian. I wish every Bah6'i could have the friends who had known him so long treated bounty which has been mine." him with much love and sympathy. Among What words could not express, Matt Bul- them must be mentioned a long time BahB'i lock's life expressed thereafter. He was a friend, Miss Bernice Ball, who with a special careful observer at the African conference and BahB'i love and compassion helped him a deeply inspired participant. Filled with a See The BahLi'i World, vol. XIII, p. 451. I N MEMORIAM 539 through the dark days of pain and incapacity. GRIEVED PASSING KNIGHT BAHAULLAH MAT- How grateful and humble with loving apprecia- THEW BULLOCK DISTINGUISHED PROMOTER tion Mr. Bullock's tired heart must have been. FAITH CONVEY FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS By 1967, illness had so weakened him that he HOLY THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ADVISE moved to Detroit where his daughter lived and HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING MASHRIQUL- later entered a nursing home where he main- ADHKAR. tained his contacts with the Baha'is, and with On February 17,1973, the National Spiritual Dartmouth and Harvard which contributed so Assembly held that memorial gathering in the richly to his early life. The colleges, equally beautiful Baha'i Temple in Wilmette. Thus the committed to him, did not forget him in his music of a life so devoted to serving the prindeclining years nor his outstanding accomciples of a great Faith was caught up and amplishments as a student and as an alumnus. In plified in the chords of eternity. 1970 Harvard University conferred upon him H. ELSIE AUSTIN an honorary degree. In 1971, Dartmouth College called him back for their commencement programme and conferred upon him the honorary degree Doctor of Laws, including 'ABDU'L-VAHHAB RAWHAN~ him in a distinguished group of honourees, 1892 (?)-I972 among them Gunnar Myrdal. Matthew Bullock was then ninety years old. 'Abdu'l-Vahhab Rawhani was the son of As he stood forthe presentation and the reading BahB'i parents and in 1910 had the bounty of of his citation he received a standing ovation attaining the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahi in from the five thousand persons present. What Alexandria, Egypt. This experience became a poignant memories must have been his on that determining factor in the course of his life and memorable day! How he must have rejoiced did much to dispel the sadness caused by the to hear the mention of his beloved Faith in that premature death of his father a few years earlier. citation from Dartmouth. It read, in part: Accompanied by his mother and sister, "Concern for your fellow man continued to 'Abdu'l-Vahhab left Cairo and found a new occupy your energies after retirement. You are life in Alexandria where he never failed to a recognized leader of the BahB'i Faith, and attend the meetings at which 'Abdu'l-Baha you have travelled all over the world at your spoke to the friends. The house of the Master own expense in the interest of that religion. was a magnetic centre to which were drawn You believe very deeply that the establishment many outstanding scholars and teachers of the of universal justice and freedom requires the Baha'i Cause whose influence on the intelligent spiritual and moral awakening of all people . . ." young Rawhani served to refine his agile mind. Mr. Bullock returned to Detroit strengthened He had an extraordinary memory and an by so many memories of the great moments of idealistic, poetic nature. his life and with a tranquillity of soul to wait 'Abdu'l-Vahhib felt irresistibly drawn to a upon the opening of that door to other exis- young boy in the entourage of the Master. tence. Death, that "Messenger of Joy", came This child, he learned, was the grandson of for him on December 17, 1972. 'Abdu'l-Baha, named Shoghi Effendi. He re- With his customary orderliness in living, he lated his first meeting with the youth to whom left a will in which he provided for a Baha'i he felt so attracted in these words: funeral and he had even selected the passages " 'Abdu'l-Bahi one day summoned me to
from the Writings he wished to have read. In His house. I hastened there and when I knocked death, as in life, spiritual dignity, love and unity at the door, a small boy with a heavenly coundistinguished the atmosphere. tenance opened the door and greeted me with A very great honour and tribute came to him words so compelling and profound that they from the BahB'i Faith he had so loved and were engraved on my heart forever. I sat on the served. The Universal House of Justice, the upper seats of the room and he placed himself supreme institution of the Faith, cabled the on the other side. He then asked me most following message to the National Spiritual gently as to the purpose of my meeting. When I Assembly of the BahB'is of the United States: explained to him, he hurried to the Master's 540 THE BAHA'I WORLD
room. Upon returning he had the majesty of a king, sat on a higher seat and told me that the Master was ill-disposed and had delegated him to meet me on His behalf. He then showered me with such kindness that the roots of a lifelong love were deeply planted in my heart. This bond grew stronger with every passing day. What a dignity that child possessed! What a stream of beautiful words he uttered! What a heavenly presence this small boy had!" In 1919 'Abdu'l-Vahhab received permission to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Added to the joy of visiting the Holy Shrines was the bounty of again being in the presence of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi who even at that tender age, 'Abdu'l-Vahhab often related later, was like a moth constantly circling round the light of his Grandfather; and even in his boyhood he attempted to alleviate the burdens carried by 'Abdu'l-Baha for the sake of the Cause. One particularly cherished memory of his pilgrimage was an afternoon spent with the young Shoghi Effendi on the seashore at 'Akka where the young man recounted the sufferings 'Abdu'l- VahhuO Rawhbni of his Grandfather and the flood of difficulties which surrounded Him. tories of North Africa where his knowledge of 'Abdu'l-Vahhab's grief at the passing of the Arabic and his profound grasp of the Teachings Master was softened by his love for Shoghi gredtly assisted particularly in the education of Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, to the newly-enrolled BahB'is. whom he turned in absolute obedience and Although he lost his sight after an operation whose happiness he sought by striving to be in 1962, he continued to serve devotedly and of increasing service to the Cause. without relaxing his teaching activity until his One day soon after the Master's passing death on December 31, 1972. In accordance 'Abdu'l-Vahhab's heart impelled him to board with his wish, he was buried in the BahB'i a train for Port Said. Not kliowing the reason, cemetery of Rabat close to his wife.l he followed the call of his soul. On his arrival GRIEVED ABDUL VAHHAB RAWHANI he met one of the friends who was astonished HIS INDEFATIGABLE SERVICES HEROIC FOR- to see him there> without purpose' MATIVE AGES IN TEACHING ADMINISTRATIVE The next day brought the joyful to FIELDS TERRITORIES NORTH AFRICA LOVINGLY the friends that the beloved Guardian would REMEMBERED . .. be aboard a ship that would dock briefly at Universal House of Justice Port Said en route to Haifa. 'Abdu'l-Vahhab rejoiced, feeling that he understood the mys- S. R. ROUHANI terious impulse that liad prompted him to visit Port Said. This was his first and only meeting with Shoghi Effendi, as Guardian of the Faith, and the cordiality shown him by the Guardian WINSTON EVANS was a sustaining memory that brightened his 1903-1973 last years. Mr. Rawhani served devotedly throughout Winston Gill Evans, Jr., was born in Shelbythe Heroic and into the Formative Age of the ville, Tennessee, on March 11, 1903. Evans Faith, providing invaluable services in the Senior died in 1914, but Winston's mother, teaching and administrative fields in the terri- I seeclI, ~,,,,i,,~~, p , 499. Carrie Frierson Evans Sandusky, lived on till 1963, aged ninety-one. Winston grew up in Shelbyville, and attended Sewanee Military Academy from 1917 till his graduation in 1919. That September he entered the University of the South at Sewanee, where he won three medals for scholarship, receiving his B.A. in 1923. After some months in a Shelbyville bank he obtained a position with the National City Bank in New York City and was then transferred to the 'National City Company. Sent to Nashville, he was one of the company's top executives from 1926 to 1929, when he suffered severe losses in the stock market crash. During World War I1 he was drafted into the army but was later released as over age. Winston has written that following 1929 he was bankrupt not only financially but spiritually. He visited every denomination, "everything that came to Nashville". In December, 1936, as he was leaving a Unity centre, he overheard a lady asking her way to the Hermitage -- --. Hotel: offering her a lift, he first learned, from Marion Little, "the BahB'i story". He was soon Winston Evans helping her arrange a racially integrated meeting in Nashville, attended by members of the Study of Democratic Institutions (as the guest National Spiritual Assembly. He became a of Bishop Pike); the University of Chicago; BahB'i in 1937. Notre Dame; Wellesley; Rutgers; Temple; Only the future can properly assess Win- Mt. Wolyoke; Vanderbilt. ston's record-breaking accomplishment. He His teaching projects, first devised by himtaught the BahB'i Faith to university audiences, self, then coordinated with BahB'i administo leading theologians, to authors who would trative institutions, were basically of two kinds: then include the Faith in their writings, to they focused on communities, including areas celebrities of whom he chanced to read. He or even countries; or they focused on outobtained remarkable press coverage for the standing individuals. He attended many Faith, and he sparked proclamation activities Christian retreats, like those of E. Stanley in Canada and throughout the United States. Jones who, although he did not personally He pioneered "thirty-three months out of embrace the Faith, wrote that he would never fifty", in the period 1960-1964, on Grenada, oppose it; and who, indeed, in The Way tells of British West Indies, leaving behind some forty- a black porter, reading a BahB'i book on a five new believers. He represented the Faith at train "because it teaches me brotherhood." such distinguished gatherings as the World Asked, "Doesn't Christianity ?" the man re- Council of Churches which met in Evanston plied, "T/~iskind transcends race." in 1954, at which time he conducted some Winston introduced the BahB'i Faith to seventy-five delegates and visitors to the House many Christian leaders. After leaving Grenada, of Worship at Wilmette; and again when that he contacted some forty of them. One who rebody met at Uppsala in 1968. Institutions of mained his friend for nineteen years, till death, learning where he addressed classes on the and who more than once wrote well of the BahB'iTeachings and/orvisitedleading scholars BahB'i Faith was the noted professor of include the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- philosophical theology, Nels Ferre, who used nology (at the invitation of Huston Smith); the BahB'i book The Divine Art ofLiving in his Harvard; Yale; Princeton; Union Theological morning devotions. Meeting and admiring Seminary; the Santa Barbara Center for the Gabriel Vahanian, Winston was aware of the 'f W O R L D "death of God" movement long before it be- Faith." "Your coming is a blessing," Pike came popular. He was often surprised to find wrote him. In the Bishop's letters they were that Christian scholars not only "knew nothing "Win" and "Jim". The Bishop addressed a about BahB'i" but did not believe in such basic historic BahB'i gathering in Chicago in 19673 Christian tenets as Bible prophecy or the and more than once visited the BahB'i Shrines Advent, and he compared them to the virtuous in Israel. but foolish virgins in Saint Matthew 25. When Winston's crowning dream, pre-planned for fundamentalists, to audiences in the millions, years, was a North American tour by the Hand began hammering on the Advent again, Win- of the Cause Tarazu'llah S ~ m a n d a r iThis . ~ came ston felt they were opening doors to our Faith. to fruition late in 1967 when Mr. Samandari, Addressing Mormon friends he would say: with his son as translator, addressed audiences "What was Joseph Smith's primary mission? from coast to coast in the United States, in- To prepare the world for the coming of the cluding Alaska, and across Canada and into Lord. His timing was perfect." the Yukon. Catching Winston's enthusiasm, Encouraged by Dorothy Baker1, Winston writers including top religion reporters George developed his first lay interview with Henry W. Cornell, David Meede, and Dan Thrapp C. Link, religious writer. Other well-known brought to millions of readers their accounts of writers whose attention he directed to the BahB'i the nonagenarian Hand of the BahB'i Faith Faith include Hendrik Van Loon, who had who had seen BahB'u'llah. seen 'Abdu'l-Baha in Dublin, New Hampshire; Winston, who electrified his audiences, was and Aldous Huxley who received Winston at a born teacher, and his pamphlets, Lord of Palmdale, California, and passed him on to the New Age and Power to Renew the World, are minister Allan Hunter (who averred Huxley was attracting thousands. "The BahB'i story is "a tough nut to crack.") Lloyd C. Douglas, very simple," he would say. "Give them the author of The Robe, remarked of the BahB'i big picture. Tell them the Manifestation has Founders: "I cannot explain them-they must come to do two things: to regenerate the indihave been men of God . . . But what would my vidual soul, and to establish a new world nice neighbours think if I got mixed up in this ?" civilization." He was partial to aphorisms, Frank Laubach, worldwide literacy promoter, time-capsules of handed-down wisdom. "I told Winston: "If I made any change, it would always try to find God's first choice," he would be to Baha'i." At a California institute in 1944, quote from Martha Root.5"You can't call your William E. Hocking of Harvard showed little shots" meant you must seize an opportunity interest in the Faith, but Blanche Fields, when it offers. "Never change a winning comimpressed by Winston, invited him to meet bination" was his counsel when things were Dimitri Marianoff, the former son-in-law of going right. "All are His servants" (words from Albert Einstein. "When you've been through a Baha'i prayer) suggested to Winston that two revolutions, you're not afraid of a Reve- non-BahB'is are also helpers. And "God doeth lation," Marianoff responded. "Dima" and whatsoever He willeth" was his daily guide. As his wife both became Baha'is and he began age drew in, he often urged that this was "the work on one of Winston's cherished projects, last, irretrievable chance", and that time was a life of T&hirih.z Paul Hutchinson of the "running out". His stories remained with the Christian Century addressed a BahB'i cen- hearer, like that tale about geese flying south. tenary gathering in 1953. The famed Marcus They saw a comfortable farm and stopped to Bach continues to write memorably of our rest. When they took off, one stayed behind, Faith. saying he would join them later. They win- Bishop James Pike was, Winston believed, tered down south, but he never showed up. "the only Christian church leader to publicly When they honked to him on their way home urge his audiences to investigate the BahB'i in the spring, he tried to join them, but failedtoo fat now to get off the ground. Appointed a Hand of, the Cause on December 24, 1951. See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. The Bnhd'i World, vol. XIV, p. 233. XII, p. 670. See "In Memoriam", p. 410. See "Thralls of Yearning Love", by Dimitri Marian- Appointed posthumously a Hand of the Cause on off and Marzieh Gail, World Order Magazine, vol. 6 , September 28,1939; See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i no. 4, Summer, 1972. World, vol. VIII, p. 643. I N MEMORIAM
Supporting himself haphazardly as a salesman of what were then avant-garde products (slant boards, yoghurt), Winston did not concern himself much with the practical side of life, but constantly taught, planned and travelled. His car, crammed with BahB'i books to give away (he favoured those of the Hand of the Cause George Townshend), texts by Christian leaders and the latest news magazines, was a sort of bachelor's ambulating pied-a-terre. Always an attraction, he was welcome everywhere. Crowds would gather, the local megia came alive, new BahB'is appeared. His slight southern accent was often affectionately referred to, as were such individualisms as his offbeat diets, and the fact that, having studied eye training with W. H. Bates, he never wore glasses. Tall, elegant, in the old phrase "to the manner born", he is best seen as he issued from the WilmetteHouse of Worship in theColumbia Broadcasting System documentary film His Name Shall Be One. Following a period of ill health, Winston died in Sewanee on January 13, 1973. His Greta Jankko survivors include a sister, Mrs. Harry G. Goelitz of Oak Park, Illinois, two brothers, 1930s. She returned to Finland for a visit, only Robert F. and N. Peyton Evans of Tennessee, to be prevented from leaving again by the outand five nieces. He is buried in Shelbyville. break of war. After the war she settled in the The Universal House of Justice cabled its United States where she married. Within a acclaim for his untiring devotion and out- few months of her marriage her husband died. standing service. And the Guardian had Greta has recorded that she became a Baha'i written him, in a letter dated May 31, 1957, in San Francisco in 1951 through her friendship "This is the kind of work the BahB'is should with Gertrude Eisenberg. As has been the case concentrate on, because one soul of great capa- with many outstanding Baha'is, Greta accepcity can set a continent ablaze." ted the Teachings in all their depth very MARZIEH G AI L quickly and immediately set about teaching others. She was living in West Vancouver, Canada, GRETA JANKKO in 1953 when the Guardian's call was raised for pioneers in the Ten Year Crusade. Greta 1902-1973 writes of this: "I did not feel thatit concerned Knight of Baha'u'llah me at all. The beloved Guardian had earlier From the very beginning, Greta Jankko was accepted that I translate Baha'i literature into destined to lead a wanderer's life. Born in Finnish, and I had arranged my working con- Suonenjoki, Finland, on August 18, 1902, she ditions so that I was free a part of the day for lost her mother at an early age. Greta's father this most important work." But after prayer was a railway station master and moving from and meditation on the subject, and at the place to place became a familiar pattern of life moment of reading BahL'u'llah's description for the family. Greta was always a noncon- of the nature of true liberty, "the greatest joy formist, not possessing the nationalistic feel- and peace filled my soul, and I knew that I had ings of her contemporaries. Her disgust with to answer the call and go out. What a fool I nationalism combined with her innate rest- was to have hesitated; naturally, the translessness led her to emigrate to Canada in the lation work could be done anywhere." 544 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Mary Tuataga, then secretary of the Cana- seaman, who knew some English, was the interdian pioneer committee, describes Greta's preter, but how much he understood of what I service in the Marquesas Islands; for opening was saying, I never knew. We would talk about this territory to the Faith, Shoghi Effendi the great happenings of this Day of God. They named her a Knight of Baha'u'llah: "Armed had their Bibles, and I tried to show them with complete confidence in BahB'u'llah and important prophecies which were fulfilled. The the most meagre of material possessions, she older generation could not read or write; they set out for her goal, the least known virgin goal would nod their heads and were eager to listen. assigned to the Canadian community. Arriving They felt something, I am sure, but how much in Tahiti she encountered many obstacles they grasped I cannot say. They used to stand which she resolutely set about clearing away in awe before the Greatest Name, and the until finally the French Consul, amid war- small children almost every morning brought nings and exhortations, granted her an eight fresh flowers 'for the Prophet', placing them months visitor's visa for the Marquesas. Per- before the picture of 'Abdu'l-Bahi. I told them sistent inquiry was rewarded when a berth was every time that it was the great Son of the obtained on a small supply ship calling at these Prophet, the Master; but each morning they remote Pacific islands, and in March, 1954, would repeat, 'for the Prophet !' " Greta raised the Call ' Y a Bahri'u'l-Abhri!' in Mr. Jean S h i n has provided this tribute: the Marquesas. The only accommodation "I had the privilege of meeting Greta in available to her was a small room, primitively Papete, Tahiti . . . What struck me first was her furnished. Her diet consisted mainly of bread- very great spirituality; she was a soul who liked fruit and bananas; rarely were the luxuries of to pray and meditate, and thus to keep in conmeat, butter, eggs or milk available. Letters stant touch with the divine source. She had took months to reach her and not being fluent told me that she was teaching the small childin French she was unable to converse freely ren of her island to say, ' Yb Bahri'u'l-Abhd' with the local people. Despite this great and 'Allah-u-Abhci', and that they would place obstacle, she discreetly mentioned the Faith flowers before the Master's portrait in her whenever an opportunity arose. The tropical room. She knew that sooner or later this seed heat adversely affected her health and she of love would germinate, that the power of lost weight rapidly, but these discomforts did the divine Word would make known in future not deter her from working daily on the project the results of that period of her life. I think that had won the approval of Shoghi Effendi, that she bore in herself the patience and wisthe translation into her native Finnish of dom of a saint." Gleanings from the Writings of Bahci'u'llhh. Greta wrote: "I felt so sad to have to leave After a few months she was forced to make the my post . . . but our beloved Guardian had difficult journey back to Tahiti to plead once accepted that I go to Finland; all that happened again for a visa to remain in her goal. Mira- must have been for the best. I arrived in Finland culously permission was granted and again she in the beginning of February, 1955. Here I returned to the Marquesas. This time she was pioneered first in Helsinki, Hyvinkaa, Lahti required to leave before the expiry of her visa. and Tampere. In spite of our feebleness, our One night a prowler broke into her rude hut; Beloved has graciously been with us all the she was attacked and almost strangled to death. time blessing this small con~munityby leading An immediate inquiry was held and she was some souls in, by and by, in spite of so many advised by the Chief of Police that she must difficulties. In 1957, I had the great privilege to leave as quickly as possible, as he could not pioneer for one year in Oslo, Norway; then, be responsible for her safety." in the period 1961-1963, in both the Swedish Writing from her goal, Greta said: "All the and the Finnish areas of Lapland, in Swedish time on those islands I was very happy. I loved Karesuando, and Finnish Karesuvanto, Rothe people and we were very close to each other; vaniemi and Utsjoki, after which I again they asked me many times never to go away pioneered in Helsinki and Lahti. In all these from the islands. My typewriter was a miracle years I have been tremendously happy; noto them; they would sit on the floor silently for where have I ever been lonely, only happy and long hours as I typed the translation. An old grateful all the time. There is no greater joy I N MEMORIAM 545 for a pioneer than to find a truly receptive soul then moved to Salo where she hoped to serve . . . after having spoken to numerous souls as a member of yet one more Local Spiritual without any seeming results, what a great joy Assembly; however, only a few weeks before it is to find one who really listens and feels the its formation she was released from her frail truth. I can never be grateful enough for this body. She longed with all her heart for ascengreat bounty, having been privileged, in spite sion to the Abha Kingdom and it appeared that of my nothingness, to work on a little corner only the overwhelming needs of the Nine Year in His Divine Plan. I would not change my Plan enabled her body to keep functioning. share with anyone in the world!" When Greta came to Finland, in 1955, there Within a ten year period, Greta served on all was only a handful of Baha'is, mostly elderly the Spiritual Assemblies which existed in ladies in the Helsinki area. When she was laid Finland during the greater portion of the to rest at her last pioneer post, there were Nine Year Plan, a record which is thus far nearly a hundred friends, mostly youth, by her unmatched. These periods of living in different graveside. Truly, Greta Jankko's name will be cities were punctuated by periods of residence for ever linked with the early annals of the hisin Lapland during which she spread the Faith tory of the Faith in Finland. among the Lapps. She usually did not leave a On learning of her passing, the Universal place before she had found at least one soul House of Justice cabled : who accepted the call of BahB'u'llah. She was GRIEVED NEWS PASSING VALIANT KNIGHT artistic and although she had few possessions BAHAULLAH GRETA JANKKO HER INDEFATIG- she was always able to set up housekeeping ABLE SERVICES CAUSE GOD RANGING FROM wherever she was. She had wooden boxes for REMOTE ISLANDS PACIFIC OCEAN TO NORTHERN her books and clothes, which were designed to REGIONS EUROPEAN CONTINENT PERSISTING serve, when empty, as a desk, chair or stool. TO LAST MOMENTS LONG EARTHLY LIFE ILLU- Artfully wrapped in decorative paper or some MINE ANNALS FINNISH BAHAI COMMUNITY inexpensive covering, her "furniture" looked PROVIDE EXAMPLE FUTURE GENERATIONS very modern; needless to say, her home was BELIEVERS STOP SUPPLICATING SACRED THRES- always a true BahB'i centre. Indispensable to HOLD BOUNTIFUL REWARD ABHA KINGDOM. Greta was her typewriter, which was usually the first "household" item to be taken out LISA OJA when she arrived at a new place, for one of her DONALD OJA most outstanding achievements was her translation work. In addition to editing and retranslating sections for the second Finnish edition of Baha'u'llcih and the New Era, she translated the first Finnish language editions of the following works: Gleanings from the Mirza Badi' Bushru'i, later given the honorific Writings of Bahd'u'llih, Baha'i Prayers, Some title "Badi' Effendi" by 'Abdu'l-Baha, was Answered Questions, The Will and Testament born on December 15,1892 at Bu&ruyih in the of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, and The Dispensation of Province of KJurasan, Iran. He entered his Baha'u'lldh, to which must be added numerous first school in 'Iaqabad, while still very young. pamphlets, booklets, prayers and essays. Her Even then his bright eye and sweetly modulated translations of The Seven Valleys, Kitdb-i- voice indicated a startling and lively intellifqdn, Epistle to the Son of the Wolfand Release gence. the Sun exist in manuscript form but have not His father died tragically early. Providence yet been printed. then ordained that his well of filial love and Although in very poor health during the last devotion should flow to a new "fathermfour years of her life, nearly blind despite an 'Abdu'l-Baha. When Badi' arrived in Palestine operation for the removal of cataracts, and at the age of ten, in trembling anticipation of weakened by several serious ailments, she meeting Him Whom he had long adored from nevertheless toiled for the fulfilment of the afar, he was lovingly received. Thereafter his goals of the Nine Year Plan to the very day of course of life was determined by a pious subher death on February 26, 1973. She had by mission to Him Who was the Father of All. 546 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
was to run a school for the Baha'i children, while his companion, Dr. Habib Mu'ayyad,' was to take charge of the dispensary. The two young men laboured under the supervision of the Greatest Holy Leaf, 'Abdu'l-BahB's sister and faithful companion. Accounts of the success of Badi' Effendi's school have been set down in Dr. Mu'ayyad's well-known diaries of that period in the life of the beloved Master. By May, 1915, it was possible for the two friends to return to Haifa. They were then entrusted with the delicate task of returning the portraits of the Bab and Bahi'u'llah from the refuge of the Druze village to Haifa. In 1916, 'Abdu'l-Baha arranged for Badi' Effendi to continue his studies in Beirut. He was appointed teacher in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University, while continuing his own studies in English and Philosophy. In June, 1917, he obtained his Degree of Master of Arts with distinction. After the war, between 1918 and 1919, the British Mandate Government in Palestine was Mirzci Badi' Budr~i'i seeking qualified young men to help establish an efficient administrative system. 'Abdu'l- After three years of living in blessed proxi- Baha put forward the name Badi' Effendi who mity to 'Abdu'l-Baha, Badi' Effendi returned to thus, in 1918, entered the service of the Civil Tihran in 1905 to visit his mother. From then Administration of theGovernment of Palestine. on every stage of Badi' Effendi's life was shaped Few Arabs can have served the native people of and ennobled by the guidance of the beloved Palestine with such love and devotion. But Master. Accordingly he embarked almost thesevirtues, offeredso freely andungrudgingly, immediately on a course of Persian and English were manifestations of the will of 'Abdu'lstudies in fran. Less than a year later, however, Baha. Thus inspired, Badi' Effendi, first apintent on preparing this youth for "a great pointed Private Secretary to the Phoenicia cause in the future", 'Abdu'l-Baha sent him District Governor at Haifa, was repeatedly to the American University of Beirut (then the promoted until finally appointed Acting Dis- Syrian Protestant College). trict Commissioner of Nablus, the highest Badi'Effendi entered the preparatory Depart- rank a non-British subject could achieve under ment in October, 1906. graduating on June 27, the Mandate Government, which he served for 1910, with first class honours. 'Abdu'l-Baha a period of thirty years in Haifa, Tiberias, was well pleased with this success and wished Nazareth, Nablus and Jenin. him to continue his studies. He accordingly He helped to build roads, medical clinics studied for a further four years at the Syrian and schools. But, above all, he acted as a kind Protestant College, eventually graduating as and loving father to the thousands of villagers B.A. with high distinction. and fellahin under his jurisdiction. His name World War I brought 'Abdu'l-Baha acute became a byword for justice and benevolence, anxiety. He was greatly concerned for the safety and, when the history of that time is written, of the believers resident in Haifa, then in he will assuredly retain an honoured place danger of attack. These friends were all in- among the great but silent reformers of society, structed by 'Abdu'l-BahB to leave Haifa for a a man of both courage and compassion. safer place far inland from the coast. Badi' In 1947, Badi' Effendi was among those Effendi was sent to the Druze village of Abu selected few who were still living in the Holy Sinan, situated to the east of 'Akka. Here he See "In Memoriam", p. 501. I IN MEMORIAM 547 Land and had remained faithful and steadfast "Thy Name is my healing. Allah-u-Abha!" and had won Shoghi Effendi's confidence and ascended to the Abha Kingdom on March 10, blessings, but the beloved Guardian advised 1973, in Paris. While pioneering in Metz, him to select one of three countries to move to France, she had recently undergone three after May, 1948. It was in Alexandria, 'Abdu'l- serious heart attacks, but only a month before BahB's city in Egypt, that Badi' Effendi and his her passing she had written a dear friend in family found their new home. Badi' Effendi Haifa that her health was much better and found everywhere reminders of the beloved added, "All the prayers from the Hands, the Master; he took long walks to the scenes Universal House of Justice and all my friends visited by the Master, deriving comfort and everywhere have brought me back-there is strength from all that was remotely connected something yet I must do!" Teaching the Meswith Him. sage of Baha'u'llah was the central purpose of 'Abdu'l-Baha had once told him: "Badi' Marion's life to her last breath. Effendi, I need you for a great cause in the To her many devoted friends the following future." These words, uttered forty years beautiful cable of March 12 from the Universal before, came true when in the path of service House of Justice brought comfort and happito the beloved Master and in strict obedience to ness, expressing as it did, awareness and apprethe wishes of the beloved Guardian, Badi' ciation of the unique qualities and achievements Effendi led the BahB'is of Egypt during the which had endeared Marion to all : darkest hours in the history of the Cause in that ASCENSION ABHA KINGDOM MARION LITTLE land, serving several times as chairman of the STEADFAST DEVOTED SERVANT BAHAULLAH National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt and the MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS TEACHING PUBLISHING Sudan during this last phase of his life. PIONEERING UNITED STATES SOUTH AMERICA On February 1, 1973, Badi' Effendi died in EUROPE DEPRIVES AMERICAN BAHAI COMMUN- his sleep, mourned by all the friends in Egypt. ITY ONE ITS BRIGHTEST ORNAMENTS EUROPE From 1948 to 1973 he had been their faithful ONE MOST RADIANT PIONEERS STOP HER servant, their loving friend and father. Even LOYALTY CHEERFULNESS COURAGE UPLIFTED during the last six years of his earthly life, when SPIRITS FRIENDS ASSURES BOUNTEOUS REWARD paralysed and speechless, he was for the STOP OFFERING PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD Baha'is of Egypt a symbol of that love and PROGRESS HER SOUL RECOMMEND GERMAN devotion which 'Abdu'l-Baha had so deeply NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HOLD BEFITTING instilled in him. Both in his earthly life and in MEMORIAL SERVICE MOTHER TEMPLE EUROPE. his illness he was what 'Abdu'l-Baha wanted him to be-the humble servant of all. Marion's heritage and upbringing seemed On February 6,1973, the Universal House of to be preparing her for the historic tasks she was Justice cabled: to perform for the Baha.3Faith. Her birthplace, DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING BAD1 BUSHRUI HIS New Orleans, was in an area of the United INDEFATIGABLE DEVOTED SERVITUDE PRE- States particularly known for its predomi- SENCE ABDULBAHA HIS VALUED SERVICES nantly French influence and tradition. She was DIFFICULT PERIOD WORLD CENTRE IMMEDIATE- born on October 2, 1891, to Delos Carpenter LY AFTER MASTERS PASSING HIS DEDICATED Mellen, an attorney-at-law, and Corinne CONTRIBUTIONS WORK FAITH IN EGYPT LAT- Castellanos Mellen, whose respective parents TER YEARS HIS RICHLY BLESSED LIFE LOVINGLY had been born in Paris and Northern Spain. REMEMBERED STOP CONVEY DEEP SYMPATHY Marion and her two brothers, Grenville and YOUR MOTHER MEMBERS FAMILY PRAYING William Francis, were brought up as Roman SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL. Catholics, and she was educated in the Sacred Heart Convent of New Orleans. Marion's fluency in French, the household language of MARION LITTLE her grandmother, and her naturally sympathetic understanding of the culture and re- 1891-1973 ligion of the Latin people proved of inestimable Marion Little, with her characteristic radiance value years later, especially in her teaching work of spirit, and while reciting in a strong voice, in the Catholic areas of Europe. 'I W O R L D It was in New York City, when in her twenties, that Marion met Mrs. Loulie Mathewsl and first heard of the BahB'i Faith. Her acceptance of Baha'u'llah was instantaneous. From that time until Loulie's death, these two beautiful souls, very much alike in their complete dedication to the Cause, their zeal and initiative, planned and carried out several unique and rewarding undertakings. One of these was the highly successful Summer School at Mrs. Mathews' "Temerity Ranch" in Pine Valley, Colorado, established especially for the encouragement and deepening of pioneers for Latin America. By 1928 Marion had entered actively into the national and administrative work of the Faith, serving as secretary of the Publishing Committee located in New York, and becoming, in effect, its business and production manager. She also served as a member of the National Teaching and the Inter-America Committees. In the publishing field, one of Mrs. Little's first achievements was the production of The Marion Little Baha'i World, Volume In, winning "the unqualified gratitude" of Shoghi Effendi, "in pro- Dawn-Breakers, Shoghi Effendi cabled to ducing such a noteworthy publication". Marion-on April 12,1932 : EXCELLENT PRODUC- Her most outstanding contribution to the TION EMINENTLY SATISFACTORY EVERY RESPECT publishing efforts of this time was the highly ABIDING GRATITUDE. This message was followed important and successful publication of The by his handwritten note of May 5: "It is a Dawn-Breakers, a most challenging task striking and abiding evidence of the efficiency, carried out under the close guidance and direc- competence and exemplary devotion which tion of Shoghi Effendi. characterize your work for the Cause. . . May For more than a year this undertaking de- success crown your inspiring efforts for the manded Marion's undivided attention, with propagation of His Faith." Again on May 15 the many exacting requirements and difficult he wrote in his own hand: "The appreciations problems being worked out in closest colla- I have received from men of authority and boration with Shoghi Effendi. Often he gra- eminence in both Europe and Asia regarding ciously accepted suggestions advanced by her. The Dawn-Breakers are highly encouraging and For instance, the use of an artists's rendition, I an1 sure the reception it has been accorded is rather than a photographic reproduction of in no small measure attributable to your dethe Inner Shrine of the Bab, was recom- voted and painstaking efforts." mended by Marion and resulted in the delicate The Guardian also praised the "really beautiand lovely frontispiece to this book. The Guar- ful and exquisite workmanship" of the addian sent to New York for reproduction the vanced limited edition bound in Moroccan priceless autographed Tablets.of the Bab to the leather which, he said, won the highest praise Letters of the Living, including the one to from the many distinguished men to whom he Baha'u'llah Himself. These were satisfactorily sent a copy. reproduced photographically and the Tablets Marion's husband, Raymond D. Little, a safely carried back to Haifa by Mrs. Little. prominent publisher in New York, died sud- On completion of the general edition of The denly in 1931. About two years later Marion returned to the South, establishing her resi- See "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. XIV, p. 360. dence at first in Covington and later in New I N MEMORIAM 549 Orleans, Louisiana, and devoting herself to work there, centering most of her efforts in travel teaching. Her charm and extraordinary Vevey where she greatly strengthened that abilities in carrying the Message of Baha'u'llah weakened community, and in Lausanne where to others attractkd many people to the Faith a new community was brought into being. throughout the southern United States, and ' It was a cherished experience and bounty for she was affectionately designated by many the members of the European Teaching Com- Baha'is "a one-man teaching committee". mittee, in their close association with this pre- When the Guardian announced the Second cious co-worker, to have a continuing oppor- Seven Year Plan (1946-1953) with one of its tunity of witnessing her unique qualities and principal objectives the opening to the Faith of achievements. They came to know and value western Europe, Marion's activities became her marked abilities and gifts of organizing, and centred in this new field of service. In r~sponse deeply appreciated her invaluable assistance so to the Guardian's call for itinerant teachers to generously given in the preparation and carryassist the pioneers serving in those war-torn ing out of the yearly International Conferences countries, Marion departed in 1947 on a mis- for which the Committee was responsible. In sion of travel teaching, but remained in Europe later years she was to use these skills in planthe rest of her life as a pioneer. ning and organizing the very excellent Summer It is regrettable that the services which Schools and conferences in Europe. Marion Little performed for the Faith on that France, which Marion had visited many, continent are too numerous to describe in any many times, was to receive the last of her piodetail in an article of this length, for much en- neer services. It was characteristic of her usual couragement and inspiration would surely be courage and zeal that she consented to settle gained from them. Such noted pioneers as in Metz, an exceptionally difficult teaching goal. Honor Kempton and Virginia Orbison recall With much sacrifice at a time in life when her with loving and abiding gratitude her invalu- health and strength were ebbing, this staunch able assistance to their work in Luxembourg pioneer was made happy by another victory for and Spain respectively. Her joy of service, her the Faith in the formation of a Local Spiritual love and unusual abilities to accomplish vic- Assembly in this, her last pioneer post. tories for the Faith were equally praised in all To one of her spiritual children from Flothe goal countries she visited. rence, on pilgrimage in Haifa in January, 1957, After a teaching trip to Spain, during which the beloved Guardian spoke of Marion Little she initiated activities leading to the formation, as a very spiritual person, exceptionally dediin face of the difficult circumstances obtaining cated to the service of the Cause. He stated that in that country, of a second Local Spiritual her sociable nature attracted people to hear Assembly, Marion went to Italy. She began her about the Faith and her qualities as a teacher first service as a resident pioneer in Florence. helped to confirm these souls. "The combina- In 1949, through her devoted and concentrated tion of these qualities," the Guardian added, efforts, the Local Spiritual Assembly was estab- "is very rare." lished and an outstanding community deve- So, too, were Marion's other lovely characloped. It was there in 1953, with the Conven- teristics; her warm, friendly and compassionate tion sessions held in her apartment, that the nature, often finding expression in encouragehistoric Italo-Swiss Regional National Spiri- ment and assistance generously given to other tual Assembly came into being, with Marion pioneers; her wonderful sense of humour, joy one of its original members. This was a very and cheerfulness, a source of comfort and uphappy and productive time for Marion during lift to those around her; and her irresistible which period she worked closely with Maude charm of personality. All combined to dis- Bosio,l the first believer in Florence who tinguish Marion Little as a "bright ornament" accepted the Faith through Marion, and who and "radiant pioneer" of the Faith of BahB'ulbecame an outstanding servant of the Cause. Ilah. Later, when a special need for pioneer assis- EDNA TRUE tance arose in Switzerland, Marion devoted several years in the administrative and teaching See "In Memoriam", p. 443. LUIS MONTENEGRO 1932-1973 0 Son of Being! Seek a martyr's death in M y path, content with M y pleasure and thankful for that which I ordain, that thou mayest repose with M e beneath the canopy of majesty behind the tabernacle of glory. The Hidden Words, No. 45 (Arabic)
Luis Montenegro was born in Choconta, Colombia on April 23,1932. From the moment he accepted the BahL'i Faith, in 1951, he was a constant, sincere, firm and active worker. He was a man of marked capacity and conscientiousness and had a high sense of responsibility. Mr. Montenegro participated energetically in the activities of the Spiritual Assembly of Bogota and later he was elected a delegate to the sixth annual convention of the National Spiritual Assembly of South America as it was known in the period from 1951 to 1957. In 1958, the company for which he worked moved Luis Montenegro to Cartagena and there he formed a BahB'i group, and later assisted in the formation of hearts were pure and receptive. As Ridvtin, the Spiritual Assembly. The marriage of Mr. 1973, approached, he again offered his ser- Montenegro to Miss In& Romero, in 1959, vices to go among the Motilon Indian believers was the first BahL'i marriage to take place in to help them form Spiritual Assemblies. While Colombia. he was climbing the mountains of Casacara on He was elected to the National Spiritual Friday, April 20, to assist in the formation of Assembly of Colombia each year from the Assemblies in the district of the Motilones, time of its establishment in 1961 until the time he experienced severe pain in the region of his of his death, holding the office of secretary on heart. He told his companions, CBsar Vargas that body for six consecutive years. He also and Orlando Dangbn, to continue on to their served on various national and local com- destination, that he would rest for a while and mittees including the maintenance committee then join them. After a short time his comof the National Haziratu'l-Quds, a function panions noticed that his condition was worsenwhich consumed much of his time in the super- ing; they laid him on a hammock and after a vision of repair work and related activities. few minutes he passed away. His friends, He devoted himself wholeheartedly to laying assisted by others they met on the way and who the foundation of the BahL'i administrative voluntarily offered to help, carried him in the order and was very helpful in the establishment hammock walking almost the whole night. of Spiritual Assemblies. In addition to lending At the hospital in Codazzi the doctor declared his support to the administrative work of the that his death had been instantaneous. His Cause he was a splendid teacher and he partici- passing was glorious for he ascended to the pated in institutes, summer schools, con- Abha Kingdom as a firm and faithful soldier ferences, conventions and firesides. His greatest of the Cause of Baha'u'llih, culminating his pleasure was to dedicate his vacations, week- service by sacrificing his life. He is buried at ends and holidays to teaching the Faith in the Codazzi. cities and more particularly in the rural areas. In his private life, Mr. Montenegro was dis- What he enjoyed most was teaching the Indians tinguished for his sincerity, loyalty, humility, and the peasants, as he perceived that their frankness, simplicity and for his spirit of ser- I N MEMORIAM 551 vice as a son, a father, a husband, a friend and PATHY FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS SACRED a servant of the Faith of BahB'u'llah. THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHA KING- Expressions of sympathy were received from DOM. the members of the National Spiritual Assem- At a teaching conference held in Cali, on bly whose hearts were saddened by the loss of April 12-14, 1974, to launch the Five Year their co-worker, and from the members of the Plan of the Universal House of Justice, the Continental Board of Counsellors who wrote assembled believers held a memorial service for of their sorrow in losing a devoted collaborator Mr. Montenegro. The most moving event of the the circumstances of whose death were a conference occurred when Mr. Montenegro's testimony to his spirit of service. The cabled ten year old son, Sergio offered to travel every message of the Universal House of Justice read: weekend to teach the Faith and specifically GRIEVED PASSING LUIS MONTENEGRO DE- pledged to visit Villavicencio, a town where he VOTED SERVANT BAHAULLAH EFFECTIVE and his father had travelled and taught TEACHER ADMINISTRATOR STOP EXTEND SYM- together. PART F O U R
T H E WORLD O RDER OF B A H A ~ U ~ L L A H T H E UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE
I. T H E CONSTITUTION O F T H E UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE
ON November 26, 1972, the Universal House of Justice addressed the following cable to all National Spiritual Assemblies: WITH GRATEFUL JOYOUS HEARTS ANNOUNCE ENTIRE BAIEAI WORLD ADOPTION PROFOUNDLY SIGNIFICANT STEP I N UNFOLDMENT MISSION SUPREME ORGAN BAHAI WORLD COMMON- WEALTH THROUGH FORMULATION CONSTITUTION UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE STOP AFTER OF- FERING HUMBLE PRAYERS GRATITUDE ON DAY COVENANT AT THREE SACRED THRESHOLDS BAHJI HAIFA MEMBERS GATHERED COUNCIL CHAMBER PRECINCTS HOUSE BLESSED MASTER APPENDED THEIR SIGNATURES FIXED SEAL ON INSTRUMENT ENVISAGED WRITINGS BELOVED GUARDIAN HAILED BY HIM AS MOST GREAT LAW FAITH BAHAULLAH STOP FULLY ASSURED MEA- SURE JUST TAKEN WILL FURTHER REINFORCE TIES BINDING WORLD CENTRE TO NATIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT WORLD RELEASE FRESH ENERGIES INCREASE ENTHU- SIASM CONFIDENCE VALIANT WORKERS HIS DIVINE VINEYARD LABOURING ASSIDUOUSLY BRING MANKIND UNDER SHELTER HIS ALL GLORIOUS COVENANT.
The text of the Constitution is set out below.
Declaration of Trust INTHE NAME OF GOD, THE ONE, THE INCOMPARABLE, THE ALL-POWERFUL, THE ALL- KNOWING, THE ALL-WISE. The light that is shed from the heaven of bounty, and the benediction that shineth from the dawning-place of the will of'God, the Lord of the Kingdonz of Names, rest upon Him Who is the Supreme Mediator, the Most Exalted Pen, Him Whom God hath made the dawrzingplace of His most excellent names and theDayspring of His most exaltedattributes. Through Hinz the light of unity hath shone forth above the horizon of the world, and the law of oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiant faces, have turned towards the Supreme Horizon, and acknowledged that which the Tongue of Utterance hath spoken in the kingdom of His knowledge: "Earth and heaven, glory and dominion, are God's, the Omnipotent, the Abnighty, the Lord ofgrace abounding!"
WITH joyous and thankful hearts we testify Unifier and Redeemer of all mankind, has proto the abundance of God's Mercy, to the per- claimed the advent of God's Kingdom on fection of His Justice and to the fulfilment of earth, has formulated its laws and ordinances, His Ancient Promise. enunciated its principles, and ordained its Baha'u'llah, the Revealer of God's Word in institutions. To direct and canalize the forces this Day, the Source of Authority, the Foun- released by His Revelation He instituted His tainhead of Justice, the Creator of a new Covenant, whose power has preserved the in- World Order, the Establisher of the Most tegrity of His Faith, maintained its unity and Great Peace, the Inspirer and Founder of a stimulated its world-wide expansion throughworld civilization, the Judge, the Lawgiver, the out the successive ministries of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi. It continues to fulfil its life- stitution, and of providing for the receipt and giving purpose through the agency of the Uni- disbursement of the Huq6qu'llah. versal House of Justice whose fundamental Among the powers and duties with which the object, as one of the twin successors of Bah2u'- Universal House of Justice has been invested llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, is to ensure the con- are : tinuity of that divinely appointed authority To ensure the preservation of the Sacred which flows from the Source of the Faith, to Texts and to safeguard their inviolability; to safeguard the unity of its followers, and to analyse, classify, and co-ordinate the Writmaintain the integrity and flexibility of its ings; and to defend and protect the Cause of teachings. God and emancipate it from the fetters of The f undamental purpose animating the Faith repression and persecution; of God and His Religion, declares BahB'u'llah, is to sajeguard the interests and promote the To advance the interests of the Faith of unity of the huinan race, and to foster the spirit God; to proclaim, propagate and teach its of love andfellowship amongst men. SufSer it not Message; to expand and consolidate the to become a source ofdissaision and discord, of institutions of its Administrative Order; to hate and enmitj>.This is the straight Path, the usher in the World Order of BahB'u'llah; to fixed and imn~ovable,foundation. Whatsoever is promote the attainment of those spiritual raised on this foundation, the changes and qualities which should characterize Baha'i chances of' the world can never impair its life individually and collectively; to do its strength, nor will the revolution of countless utmost for the realization of greater corcenturies undermine its structure. diality and comity amongst the nations and Unto the Most Holy Book, 'Abdu'l-Baha de- for the attainment of universal peace; and to clares in His Will and Testament, every one foster that which is conducive to the ennus st turn, and all that is not expressly recorded lightenment and illumination of the souls of therein must be referred to the Universal House men and the advancement and betterment of ofJlcstice. the world; The provenance, the authority, the duties, To enact laws and ordinances not expressthe sphere of action of the Universal House of ly recorded in the Sacred Texts; to abrogate, Justice all derive froni the revealed Word of according to the changes and requirements BahB'u'llah which, together with the inter- of the time, its own enactments; to delipretations and expositions of the Centre of the berate and decide upon all problems which Covenant and of the Guardian of the Cause- have caused difference; to elucidate queswho, after 'Abdu'l-Baha, is the sole authority tions that are obscure; to safeguard the in the interpretation of Baha'i Scripture-con- personal rights, freedom and initiative of stitute the binding terms of reference of the individuals; and to give attention to the Universal House of Justice and are its bedrock preservation of human honour, to the defoundation. The authority of these Texts is velopment of countries and the stability of absolute and immutable until such time as states; Almighty God shall reveal His new Manifes- To promulgate and apply the laws and tation to Whom will belong all authority and principles of the Faith; .to safeguard and power. enforce that rectitude of conduct which the There being no successor to Shoghi Effendi Law of God enjoins; to preserve and develop as Guardian of the Cause of God, the Univer- the Spiritual and Administrative Centre of sal House of Justice is the Head of the Faith the BahB'i Faith, permanently fixed in the and its supreme institution, to which all must twin cities of 'Akki and Haifa; to administer turn, and on it rests the ultimate responsibility the affairs of the BahB'i community throughfor ensuring the unity and progress of the out the world; to guide, organize, co-ordi- Cause of God. Further, there devolve upon it nate and unify its activities; to found inthe duties of directing and co-ordinating the stitutions; to be responsible for ensuring that work of the Hands of the Cause, of ensuring the no body or institution within the Cause abuse continuing discharge of the functions of pro- its privileges or decline in the exercise of its tection and propagation vested in that in- rights and prerogatives; and to provide for THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 557
', ,.,,,,,
The members ofthe Universal House of Justice, elected at Ridvcin, 1968. Left to right: Mr. H. Borrah Kavelin, Mr. Hu&n~andFatlzeazam, Dr. David S. Ruhe, Mr. David Hofman, Mr. Ian Semple, Mr. Charles Wolcott, Mr. Hugh Chance, Mr. Amoz Gibson, Mr. 'Ali Na~javrini.
the receipt, disposition, administration and Justice, designated by Baha'u'llah "the Men of safeguarding of the funds, endowments and Justice", "the people of Baha who have been other properties that are entrusted to its mentioned in the Book of Names", "the Truscare; tees of God amongst His servants and the day- To adjudicate disputes falling within its springs of authority in His countries", shall in purview; to give judgement in cases of vio- the discharge of their responsibilities ever bear lation of the laws of the Faith and to pro- in mind the followirig standards set forth by nounce sanctions for such violations; to pro- Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause of vide for the enforcement of its decisions; to God : provide for the arbitration and settlement of "In the conduct of the administrative disputes arising between peoples; and to be affairs of the Faith, in the enactment of the the exponent and guardian of that Divine legislation necessary to supplement the laws Justice which can alone ensure the security of, of the Kitrib-i-Aqdas, the members of the and establish the reign of law and order in, Universal House of Justice, it should be the world. borne in mind, are not, as BahB'u'llBh's utter- The members of the Universal House of ances clear1y imply, responsible to those 558 T H E B A H A ' ~WORLD
Site of the future seat of tlze Universal House of Justice (centre foreground) which will be erected directly above the central axis of the arc. To the right is seen the Shrine of the Bdb; to the left, tlze Bahri'i International Archives building.
whom they represent, nor are they allowed dance which is at once the life-blood and to be governed by the feelings, the general ultimate safeguard of this Revelation." opinion, and even the convictions of the mass The Universal House of Justice was first of the faithful, or of those who directly elect elected on the first day of the Festival of Ridvan them. They are t o follow, in a prayerful in the one hundred and twentieth year of the attitude, the dictates and promptings of their BahB'i Era,l when the members of the Naconscience. They may, indeed they must, tional Spiritual Assemblies, in accordance with acquaint themselves with the conditions prethe provisions of the Will and Testament of vailing among the community, must weigh 'Abdu'l-Bahk, and in response to the sumdispassionately in their minds the merits of mons of the Hands of the Cause of God, the any case presented for their consideration, Chief Stewards of BahB'u'llah's embryonic but must reserve for themselves the right of World Commonwealth, brought into being this an unfettered decision. 'God will verily in- "crowning glory" of the administrative inspire them with whatsoever He willeth', is stitutions of BahB'u'llah, the very "nucleus and Baha'u'llAhYs incontrovertible assurance. foreru~iner"of His World Order. Now, there- They, and not the body of those who either fore, in obedience to the Command of God and directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine gui- 121 April 1963 A.D. T H E UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 559 with entire reliance upon Him, we, the mem- which, together with the By-Laws hereto apbers of the Universal House of Justice, set our pended, form the Constitution of the Universal hands and its seal to this Declaration of Trust House of Justice.
Hugh E. Chance
Hushmand Fatheazam
Amoz E. Gibson
David Hofman
H. Borrah Kavelin
Ali Nakhjavani
David S. Ruhe
Ian C. Semple
Charles Wolcott
Signed in the City of Haifa on the fourth day of the month of Qawl in the one hundred and twenty-ninth year of the Baha'i Era, corresponding to the twenty-sixth day of the month of November in the year 1972 u1 according to the Gregorian calendar.
By-Laws PREAMBLE The Universal House of Justice is the su- dary and local, in which are vested legislative, premeZinstitutionof an Administrative Order executive and judicial powers over the BahL'i whose salient features, whose authority and community and, on the other, of eminent and whose principles of operation are clearly enun- devoted believers appointed for the specificpurciated in the Sacred Writings of the BahL'i poses of protecting and propagating the Faith Faith and their authorized interpretations. This of BahB'u'llah under the guidance of the Head Administrative Order consists, on the one hand, of that Faith. of a series of elected councils, universal, secon- This Administrative Order is the nucleus and pattern of the World Order adumbrated by affairs within its locality, subject to the pro- BahB'u'llah. In the course of its divinely pro- visions of the Local BahB'i C~nstitution.~ pelled organic growth its institutions will ex- 3. The area of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual pand, putting forth auxiliary branches and de- Assembly shall be decided by the National veloping subordinate agencies, multiplying Spiritual Assembly in accordance with the their activities and diversifying their functions, principle laid down for each country by the in consonance with the principles and purposes Universal House of Justice. revealed by BahB'u'llkh for the progress of the human race. 111. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES I. MEMBERSHIP IN THE Whenever it is decided by the Universal BAHA'ICOMMUNITY House of Justice to form in any country or The BahB'i Community shall consist of all region a National Spiritual Assembly, the votpersons recognized by the Universal House of ing members of the Baha'i community of that Justice as possessing the qualifications of country or region shall, in a manner and at a Baha'i faith and practice. time to be decided by the Universal House of 1. In order to be eligible to vote and hold elec- Justice, elect their delegates to their National tive office, a BahB'i must have attained the Convention. These delegates shall, in turn, elect age of twenty-one years. in the manner provided in the National Baha'i Constitutionz a body of niqe members to be 2. The rights, privileges and duties of individual known as the National Spiritual Assembly of Bahs'is are as set forth in the Writings of the BahB'is of that country or region. The mem- Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-BahB and Shoghi Ef- bers shall continue in office for a period of one fendi and as laid down by the Universal year or until their successors shall be elected. House of Justice. 1. The general powers and duties of a National Spiritual Assenlbly are as set forth in the 11. LOCAL SPIRITUAL Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahk and Shoghi Ef- ASSEMBLIES fendi and as laid down by the Universal Whenever in any locality the number of Hmse of Justice. BahB'is resident therein who have attained the 2. The National Spiritual Assenlbly shall have age of twenty-one exceeds nine, these shall on exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the First Day of Ridvan convene and elect a the activities and affairs of the BahB'i Faith local administrative body of nine members to throughout its area. It shall endeavour to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the stimulate, unify and co-ordinate themanifold BakB'is of that locality. Every such Spiritual activities of the Local Spiritual Assemblies Assembly shall be elected a~lnuallythereafter and of individual Baha'is in its area and by upon each successive First Day of Ridvan. The all possible means assist them to promote members shall hold office for the term of one the oneness of mankind. It shall furtheryear or until their successors are elected. When, more represent its national BahB'i commuhowever, the number of BahB'is as aforesaid in nity in relation to other national BahB'i any locality is exactly nine, these shall on the communities and to the Universal Rouse of First Day of Ridvan constitute themselves the Justice. Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration. 3. The area of jurisdiction of a National Spiritual Assembly shall be as defined by the 1. The general powers and duties of a Local Universal House of Justice. Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of BahB'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and 4. The principal business of the National Con- Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the vention shall be consultation on Baha'i Universal House of Justice. activities, plans and policies and the election 2. A Local Spiritual Assembly shall exercise By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly. Seep. 675. Declaration of Trust and By-Laws for a Nat~onal full jurisdiction over all Baha'i activities and Spiritual Assembly. Seep. 653. T H E U N I V E R S A L H O U S E OF' J U S T I C E 561 of the mernbers of the 'National Spiritual I. ELECTION Asseinbly, as set forth in the National Baha'i The members of the Universal House of Constitution. Justice shall be elected by secret ballot by the (a) If ill any year the National Spiritual As- rr~embersof all National Spiritual Assemsembly shall consider that it is impracti- blies at a meeting to be known as the Intercable or unwise to hold the National Con- national Baha'i Convention. vention, the said Assembly shall provide (a) An election of the Universal liouse of ways and means by which the annual elec- Justice shall be held once every five years tion and the other essential business of u11lessotherwise decided by the tlniversal the Convention may he conducted. House of Justice, and those elected shall (b) Vacancies in the membership of tire Na- continue in office until such time as their tional Spiritual Asserilbly shall be filled successors shall be elected and the first by a vote of the delegates composing the meeting of these successors is duly held. Convention which elected the Assembly, (b) Upon receiving the call to Convention the ballot to be taken by correspondence each National Spiritual Assembly shall or in any other nianlier decided by the submit to the Universal House of Justice National Spiritual Assembly. a list of the names of its members. The recognition and seating of the delegates to the International Convention shall be IV. OBLICAPT"IONSOF MEMBERS vested in the Universal House of Justice. OF SPIRITUAI, ASSEMRL.IES (c) The principal business of the Interna- Ariiong the most outstanding and sacred tional Conventioii shall be to elect the duties incumbent upon those who have beell members of the Universal House of Juscalled upon to initiate, direct and co-ordinate tice, to deliberate on the affairs of the the affairs of the Cause of God as members of Baha'i Cause throughout the world, and its Spiritual Assemblies are: to win by every to make recommendations and suggesmeans in their power the confidence and affec- tions for the consideration of the Univertion of those whom it is their privilege to serve; sal House of Justice. to investigate and acquaint themselves with the (6)The sessions of the International Convenconsidered views, the prevailing sentiments and tion shall be conducted in such manner as the personal convictions of those whose wel- the Ilniversal House of Justice shall from fare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to time to time decide. purge their deliberations and the general con- (e) The Universal House of Justice shall product of their affairs of self-contained aloofness, vide a procedure whereby those delegates the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere who are unable to be present in person at of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word the International Convention shall cast and deed that may savour of partiality, selftheir ballots for the election of the memcentredl~essand prejudice; and while retaining bers of the Universal House of Justice. the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, wel- (f) If ai the tirne of an election the Universal come advice and foster the sense of in-ter- House of Justice shall consider that it is dependence and co-partnership, of uvnder- iriipracticable or unwise to hold the standing and mutual confidence between them- Internationial Convention it shall deterselves and all other Bahii'is. mine how the election shall take place. (g) On the day of the election the ballots of all voters shall be scrutinized and counted V. 'THE UblPVE,RSRL HOPJSE and the result certified by tellers appointed OF JUSTICE in accordance with the i~~structions of the ' f i e Universal House of Justice shall consist Universal House of Justice. of nine illerl who have been elected froin the jh) If a member of a 'National Spiritual As- Baha'i community in the manner hereinafter sembly who has voted by mail ceases to be provided, a member of that National Spiritual Assembly between the time of casting his 4. MEETINGS ballot and the date of the counting of the (a) After the election of the Universal House ballots, his ballot shall nevertheless re- of Justice the first meeting shall be called main valid unless in the interval his suc- by the member elected by the highest cessor shall have been elected and the number of votes or, in his absence or other ballot of such successor shall have been incapacity, by the member elected by the received by the tellers. next highest number of votes or, in case (i) In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the two or more members have received the full membership of the Universal House same highest number of votes, then by of Justice is not determined on the first the member selected by lot from among ballot, then one or more additional ballots those members. Subsequent meetings shall be held on the persons tied until all shall be called in the manner decided by members are elected. The electors in the the Universal House of Justice. case of additional ballots shall be the (b) The Universal House of Justice has no members of National Spiritual Assem- officers. It shall provide for the conduct of blies in office at the time each subsequent its meetings and shall organize its activote is taken vities in such manner as it shall from time to time decide. 2. VACANCIES IN MEMBERSHIP (c) The business of the Universal House of A vacaocy in the nlenibership of the Uni- Justice shall be conducted by the full versal House of Justice will occur upon the membership in coi~sultation,except that death of a member or in the following cases: the Universal House of Justice may from (a) Should any member of the Universal time to time provide for quorums of less House of Justice commit a sin injurious than the full membership for specified to the common weal, he may be dis- classes of business. missed from membership by the Univer- 5 . SIGNATURE sal House of Justice. The signature of the Universal House of (b) The Universal House of Justice may at its Justice shall be the words "The Universal discretion declare a vacancy with respect House of Justice" or in Persian "Baytu'lto any member who in its judgement is 'Adl-i-A'zam" written by hand by any one of unable to fulfil the functions of memberits members upon authority of the Universal ship. House of Justice, to which shall be affixed in (c) A member may relinquish his member- each case the Seal of the Universal House of ship on the Universal House of Justice Justice. only with the approval of the Universal House of Justice. 6. RECORDS The Universal House of Justice shall pro- 3. BY-ELECTION vide for the recording and verification of its If a vacancy in the membership of the decisions in such manner as it shall, from Universal House of Justice occurs, the Uni- time to time, judge necessary. versal House of Justice shall call a by-election at the earliest possible date unless such date, in the judgement of the Universal House VI. B A H A ' ~ELECTIONS of Justice, falls too close to the date of a In order to preserve the spiritual character regular election of the entire membership, and purpose of BahB'i elections the practices of in which case the Universal House of Jus- nomination or electioneering, or any other protice may, at its discretion, defer the filling of cedure or activity detrimental to that character the vacancy to the time of the regular elec- and purpose shall be eschewed. A silent and tion. If a by-election is held, the voters shall prayerful atmosphere shall prevail during the be the members of the National Spiritual election so that each elector may vote for none Assemblies in office at the time of the by- but those whom prayer and reflection inspire election. him to uphold. T H E U N I V E R S A L H (3 U S E O F J U S T I C E 563 1. All Bahi'i elections, except elections of final jurisdiction of the National Spiriofficers of Local and National Spiritual tual Assembly. Assemblies and committees, shall be by (c) If any differences arise between two or plurality vote taken by secret ballot. more Local Spiritual Assemblies and if 2. Election of the officers of a Spiritual As- these Assemblies are unable to resolve sembly or committee shall be by majority them, any one such Assembly may bring vote of the Assembly or committee taken by the matter to the National Spiritual secret ballot. Assembly which shall thereupon take 3. In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full jurisdiction of the case. If the decision of membership of an elected body is not deter- the National Spiritual Assembly thereon mined on the first ballot, then one or more is unsatisfactory to any of the Assemadditional ballots shall be taken on the per- blies concerned, or if a Local Spiritual sons tied until all members are elected. Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of its National Spiritual 4. The duties and rights of a Baha'i elector may Assembly are affecting adversely the welnot be assigned nor may they be exercised by fare and unity of that Local Assembly's proxy. community, it shall, in either case, after seeking to compose its difference of VII. THE RIGHT OF REVIEW opinion with the National Spiritual As- The Universal House of Justice has the right sembly, have the right to appeal to the to review any decision or action of any Spiritual Universal House of Justice, which shall Assembly, National or Local, and to approve, determine whether it shall take jurismodify or reverse such decision or action. The diction of the matter or leave it within Universal House of Justice also has the right the final jurisdiction of the National to intervene in any matter in which a Spiritual Spiritual Assembly. Assembly is failing to take action or to reach a 2. An appellant, whether institution or indidecision and, at its discretion, to require that vidual, shall in the first instance make appeal action be taken, or itself to take action directly to the Assembly whose decision is questioned, in the matter. either for reconsideration of the case by that Assembly or for submission to a higher body. In the latter case the Assembly is in duty VIII. APPEALS bound to submit the appeal together with full The right of appeal exists in the circum- particulars of the matter. If an Assembly restances, and shall be exercised according to the fuses to submit the appeal, or Pdils to do so procedures, outlined below: within a reasonable time, the appellant may 1. (a) Any member of a local Baha'i com- take the case directly to the higher authority. munity may appeal from a decision of his Local Spiritual Assembly to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall deter- TX. THE BOARDS O F mine whether it shall take jurisdiction of COUNSELLORS the matter or refer it back to the Local The institution of the Boards of Counsellors Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. was brought into being by the Universal House If such an appeal concerns the member- of Justice to extend into the future the specific ship of a person in the BahB'i community, functions of protection and propagation conthe National Spiritual Assembly is ob- ferred upon the Hands of the Cause of God. liged to take jurisdiction of and decide The members of these boards are appointed by the case. the Universal House of Justice. (b) Any Baha'i may appeal from a decision 1. The term of office of a Counsellor, the numof his National Spiritual Assembly to the ber of Counsellors on each Board, and the Universal House of Justice which shall boundaries of the zone in which each Board determine whether it shall take juris- of Counsellors shall operate, shall be decided diction of the matter or leave it within the by the Universal House of Justice. 564 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Interior view of Beit Harofe Auditorium, Haifa, where the general sessions of the second International Convention were held. The Hand of' the Cause H. Colljs Featherstone (left) presided at r11is.ressio~z.
2. A Counsellor functions as such only within that zone by the Continental Board of Counhis zone and should he move his residence out se!lors. of the zone for which he is appointed he 2. Each Auxilia.ry Board member shall be alautomatically relinquishes his appointment. lotted a specific area in which to serve and, 3. The rank and specific duties of a Counsellor unless specifically deputized by the Counrender him ineligible for service on local or sellors, shall not function as a member of the national administrative bodies. If elected to Auxiliary Board outside that area. the Universal House of Justice he ceases to 3. An Auxiliary Board member is eligible for be a Counsellor. any elective ofice but if elected to an administrative post on a natio~lalor local level must X. THE AUXILIARY BOARDS decide whether to retain inembership on the Roard or accept the administrative post, In each zone there shall be two Auxiliary since he may not serve in both capacities at Boards, one for the protection a.nd one for the the same time. I f elected to the Universal propagation of the Faith, tlie numbers of whose House of Justice he ceases to be a rnernber of members shall be set by the Universal House of the Auxiliary Board. Justice. 'The members of these Auxiliary Boards shall serve under the direction of the Continental Board of Counseliors and shall act XI. AMENDMENT as their deputies, assistants and advisers. This Constitution may be amended by de- 1. The members of the Auxiliary Boards shall cision of the Universal House of ailstice when be appointed from among the believers of the full membership is present. THE U N IVE R S AL H O USE OF JU STIC E 565
2 . 'THE S E C O N D I N T E R N A T I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N FOR. THE E L E C T I O N OF T H E UNIVER.SAL H O U S E O F J U S T I C E 1 T HE second International Convention of the Assembly members by countries and deposit- Baha'i Faith was held at the World Centre in ing of their ballots occupied the remainder Haifa, Israel, April 21 to 24, 1968. A total of of the first morning. In the afternoon all dele- 729 delegates from the eighty-one National gates were transported to Bahji to participate Spiritual Assemblies then in existence were in the celebration of the Feast of Ridvan in the eligible to attend in person or to vote by mailed beautiful Haram-i-Aqdas facing the Shrine of ballots. BahB'u'llah which they again visited for private Although the Convention was scheduled for prayers before returning to Haifa. four days, all delegates were invited to arrive During the remaining three days the delethree days early so that they might have oppor- gates discussed topics selected by the Universal tunity to visit the Holy places, to pray at the House of Justice vital to the progress of the Shrines, to become acquainted with the mem- Faith and particularly the Nine Year Plan. It bers of other National Spiritual Assemblies and was explained that this Convention, not patto exchange ideas for the progress of the Cause terned after nor a model for National Conventhroughout the world. tions, could make recommendations to the Besides electing the members of the Universa.1 Universal House of Justice but no inotions were House of Justice, the basic purposes of the Con- made or voted upon, all recommendations vention, as explained at the opening session, being recorded for consideration by the Univerwere to bring to the 'IJniversal House of Justice sal House of Justice following the Convention. and the believers in theworld through their Na- The topics for the second and third days tional Spiritual Assembly representatives infor- were "Emerging from Obscurity" and "Buildmation on the scope of the Faith, and to create ing the BahB'i Society", and included disnew dedication and inspiration from visits to cussion of such subjects as "The Forces of the Holy Shrines and closeness to that Supreme Light and Darkness", "Community Life", Institution, the Universal House of Justice. "The Rising Generation" and "The Entry by To generate the spirit which was to per- Troops". There were evening sessions for remeate the sessions, the delegates were given presentatives of countries having special interopportunity to visit and pray at the Shrines of ests in common. It was clearly evident that each the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha on Mt. Carmel as national Baha'i community has its particular frequently as they desired from early morning problems and need for the assistance and countil late at night. Group visits were scheduled operation of its sister communities throughout to the Holy places in 'Akka associated with the the world. Strong appeals were made by relife of Baha'u'llah and to pray at His Shrine. presentatives of the newly established National A visit to the International Baha'i Archives to Assemblies for pioneers, settlers, teachers, view the sacred relics of the Central Figures of literature and visual aids. Both new and long the Faith was arranged for each group fol- established Assemblies voiced the urgent need lowing its visit to Bahji. for deepening the believers in the Faith, in- The Convention was opened on the first creased teaching activity and universal support Day of Ridvan, April 21, by the Hand of the of their national funds without which many of Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Rubiyyih U a - the home front goals of the Nine Year Plan num. Thereafter each half-day session was cannot be achieved. chaired by a different Hand of the Cause who The Convention closed with a presentation introduced the subject for consultation and by the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery on summarized the discussion at the end of the the Baha'i World Centre and a beautiful slide session. The roll call of National Spiritual .programme showing the tremendous amount -
of work accomplished by the Universal House Adapted from a report by Charlotte M. Linfoot, U.S. Bclhd'iNews, June, 1968. of Justice in its first five years in the develop- THE BAHA'I WORLD
Delegates casting ballots for the election of the Universal House oJ'Justice; April, 1968. The Hand of the Cause Ainatu'l-Baha Rwhiyjjih BLinum is seen seated in the centre. To the left are seen the three chief tellers; to the right, about to cast their ballots, some nienzbersof the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany.
Partial view of interior of Beit Haroje during a session of the International Convention; April, 1968. In the foreground are seen sonie of the Hands of the Cause and n~enibersof the Universal House of Justice. THE U N IV E R S A L HOUSE O F JUSTICE 567
The Handof the Cause Enoch OIinga (centre) n~itlidelegates representing the National Spiritual Assenfblies of the United States, Kenya and Nicaragua.
ment and beautification of the Baha'i proper- tion to usher in with all possible haste the ties, especially at Bahji surrounding the Man- Golden Age of BahB'u'llah. sion and Shrine of Baha'u'llah. Already the Upon the completion of the election on delegates had seen with their own eyes the April 22, 1968, the Universal House of Justice indescribable beauty of the gardens and re- sent the following cable to all National Spirijoiced that the hopes and plans of the beloved tual Assemblies: Guardian were being so dutifully and lovingly ANNOUNCE BAHAI WORLD NEWLY ELECTED carried out by the Universal House of Justice. MEMBERS UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AMOZ It is unlikely that any delegate will ever forget, GIBSON ALI NAKHJAVANI HUSHMAND FATH- or be able to adequately describe to his fellow EAZAM IAN SEMPLE CHARLES WOLCOTT DAVID Baha'is, the magnificence of the Shrines and HOFMAN H BORRAH KAVELIN HUGH CHANCE the gardens by day, or the ethereal beauty of the DAVID RUHE. lighted Shrine of the Bab and the International Archives Building at night shilling across the The membership of the Universal House of Bay of Haifa to the Holy places associated with Justice was unchanged from the first election Baha'u'llih in 'Akka. When all joined in in 1963 save for the replacement by Dr. David singing "Allah-u-AbhA" at the close, one had S. Ruhe, who was formerly secretary to the the feeling that through their representatives National Spiritual Assembly of the United the whole BahB'i world was rejoicing in its States, of Dr. Lutfu'llah Ijakim.l blessings and was arising with new determina- See "In Memoriam", p. 430.
Delegates representing the National Spiritual Assemblies of' (left to right) Peru, Brunei, Botswana and Alaska. 568 THE BAHA'I WORLD
Exterior view of No. 10 ha par sir?^ Street, Haifa. This building which had formerly uccon~inodated western pilgrims was converted to temporary ofices for the Universal Hozrse of Justice in 1963. THE U N IVERSAL HOUSE OF JU STICE 569
3. T H E RELATIONSHIP O F T H E INSTITUTIONS O F T H E GUARDIANSHIP AND THE UNIVERSAL H O U S E O F J U S T I C E
(Text of a letter from the Universal Hoi~seof Justice to an individual believer, dated December 7,1969).
Y OUR recent letter, in which you share with Justice have certain duties and functions in us the questions that have occurred to some of common; each alsg operates within a separate the youth in studying The Dispensation of and distinct sphere. As Shoghi Effendi ex- Baha'u'llbh, has been carefully considered, and plained, ". . . it is made indubitably clear and we feel that we should comment both on the evident tha.t the Guardian of the Faith has been particular passage you mention and on a made the Interpreter of the Word and that the related passage in the same work, because Universal House of Justice has been invested both bear on the relationship between the with the function of legislating on matters not Guardianship and the Universal House of Jus- expressly revealed in the teachings. The intertice. pretation of the Guardian, functioning within The first passage concerns the Guardian's his own sphere, is as authoritative and bindduty to insist upon a reconsideration by his ingas theenactments of theInternational House fellow-members in the Universal House of of' Justice, whose exclusive right and prero- Justice of any enactment which he believes con- gative is to pronounce upon and deliver the flicts with the meaning and departs from the final judgement on such laws and ordinances a s spirit of the Sacred Writings. The second pas- BahB'u'llah ha.s not expressly revealed." H e sage concerns the infallibility of the Universal goes on to affirm, "Neither can, nor will ever, House of Justice without the Guardian, infringe upon the sacred and prescribed donamely Shoghi Effendi's statement that "With- main of the other. Neither will seek to curtail out such an institution (the Guardianship) . . . the specific and undoubted authority with the necessary guidance to define the sphere of which both have been divinely invested." It is the legislative action of its elected represen- impossible to conceive that two centres of tatives would be totally withdrawn." authority, which the Master has stated are both Some of the youth, you indicate, were under the care and protection of the AbhLi puzzled as to how to reconcile the former of Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance these two passages with such statements as that of His Holiness tlze Exalted One, could conin the Will of 'Abdu'l-Baha which affirms tha.t flict with one another, because both are vethe Universal House of Justice is freed from all hicles of the same Divine Guidance. error. The Universal House of Justice, beyond its Just as the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l- function as the enactor of legislation, has been Baha does not in any way contradict the invested with the more general functions of pro- Kitab-i-Aqdas but, in the Guardian's words, tecting and administering the Cause, solving "confirnls, supplements, and correlates the pro- obscure questions and deciding upon matters visions of the Aqdas", so the writings of the that have caused difference. Nowhere is it Guardian contradict neither the revealed Word stated that the infallibility of the Universal nor the interpretations of the Master. In at- House of Justice is by virtue of the Guardian's tempting to understand the Writings, therefore, membership or presence on that body. Indeed, one must first realize that there is and can be no 'Abdu'l-BahB in His Will and Shoghi Effendi real contradiction in them, and in the light of in his Dispensation of Bahci'u'llrih have both this we can confidently seek the unity of explicitly stated that the elected members of the meaning which they contain. Universal House of Justice in consultatioil are The Guardian and the Universal House of recipients of unfailing Divine Guidance. 570 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Furthermore the Guardian himself in The ferred upon the Universal House of Justice and World Order of Baha'u'llcih asserted that "It the above passage from The Dispensation of must be also clearly understood by every be- Bahci'u'llrih. liever that the institution of Guardianship does It may help the friends to understand this not under any circumstances abrogate, or even relationship if they are aware of some of the in the slightest degree detract from, the powers processes that the Universal House of Justice granted to the Universal House of Justice by follows when legislating. First, of course, it Baha'u'llah in the Kitcib-i-Aqdas, and repeat- observes the greatest care in studying the edly and solemnly confirmed by 'Abdu'l- Sacred Texts and the interpretations of the BahL in His Will. It does not constitute in any Guardian as well as considering the views of all manner a contradiction to the Will and Wri- the members. After long consultation the protings of BahB'u'llah, nor does it nullify any of cess of drafting a pronouncement is put into His revealed instructions." effect. During this process the whole matter While the specific responsibility of the Guar- may well be reconsidered. As a result of such dian is the interpretation of the Word, he is reconsideration the final judgement may be sigalso invested with all the powers and prerog- nificantly different from the conclusion earlier atives necessary to discharge his function as favoured, or possibly it may be decided not to Guardian of the Cause, its Head and supreme legislate at all on that subject at that time. One protector. He is, furthermore, made the irre- can understand how great would be the attenmovable head and member for life of the tion paid to the views of the Guardian during supreme legislative body of the Faith. It is as the above process were he alive. the head of the Universal House of Justice, and In considering the second passage we must as a member of that body, that the Guardian once more hold fast to the principle that the takes part in the process of legislation. If the teachings do not contradict themselves. following passage, which gave rise to your Future Guardians are clearly envisaged and query, is considered as referring to this last referred to in the Writings, but there is norelationship, you will see that there is no con- where any promise or guarantee that the line of tradiction between it and the other texts: Guardians would endure for ever; on the con- "Though the Guardian of the Faith has been trary there are clear indications that the line made the permanent head of so august a body could be broken. Yet, in spite of this, there is a he can never, even temporarily, assume the repeated insistence in the Writings on the indesright of exclusive legislation. He cannot over- tructibility of the Covenant and the immutride the decision of the majority of his fellow- ability of God's Purpose for this Day. members, but is bound to insist upon a re- One of the most striking passages which enconsideration by them of any enactment he visage the possibility of such a break in the line conscientiously believes to conflict with the of Guardians is in the Kitdb-i-Aqdas itself: meaning and to depart from the spirit of BahB'u'llah's revealed utterances." The endo11:mentsdedicated to charity revert Although the Guardian, in relation to his to God, the Revealer of Signs. No one has the fellow-members within the Universal House of right to lay hold on them without leave from Justice, cannot override the decision of the tlze Dawning-Place of Revelation. AJier Hinz majority, it is inconceivable that the other the decision rests with the A d s d n (Branches), members would ignore any objection he raised and after. them with the House of Justicein the course of consultation or pass legislation should it be established in the world by thencontrary to what he expressed as being in har- so that they niay use these endo~vmentsfor the nlony with the spirit of the Cause. It is, after benefit of the Sites exalted in this Cuuse, and all, the final act of judgement delivered by the for that which tlzey huve been con7nzanded by Universal House of Justice that is vouchsafed God, theAlmighty, the All-Powerful. Otherwise infallibility, not any views expressed in the the endowments shouldbe rejerredto thepeople course of the process of enactment. of Bahci, who speak not without His leave and It can be seen, therefore, that there is no con- whopass no judgement but in accordance with flict between the Master's statements con- that which God has ordained in this Tablet, cerning the unfailing divine guidance con- they who are tlze chan~pionsof victory be- THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 57 1 twixt heaven and earth, so that they n7ay spend revealed in the Book. This pattern of centres and them on that which has been decreed in the their relationships is apparent at every stage in Holy Book by God, tlze Mighty, the Bountgul. the unfoldment of the Cause. In the Kitrib-i- Aqdas Baha'u'llah tells the believers to refer The passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957 pre- after His passing to the Book, and to Hinz cipitated the very situation provided for in this Whorn God hath purposed, Who hath branched passage, in that the line of A&sBn ended before from this Ancient Root. In the Kithb-i-'Ahdi (the theHouseof Justice had been elected. Although, Book of Bahk'u'llah's Covenant), He makes it as is seen, the ending of the line of A d s a n at clear that this reference is to 'Abdu'l-Baha. some stage was provided for, we must never In the Aqdas Bahi'u'llah also ordains the inunderestimate the grievous loss that the Faith stitution of the Universal House of Justice, and has suffered. God's purpose for mankind re- confers upon it the powers necessary for it to mains unchanged, however, and the mighty discharge its ordained functions. The Master Covenant of Baha'u'llah remains impregnable. in His Will and Testament explicitly institutes Has not Bahi'u'llah stated categorically, The the Guardianship, which Shoghi Effendi states Hand of On~~iipotence hath established His was clearly anticipated in the verses of the Revelation upon an unassailable, an enduring Kitab-i-Aqdas, reaffirms and elucidates the foundation. While 'Abdu'l-Baha confirms : authority of the Universal House of Justice, and Verily, God effecteth that which He pleaseth; refers the believers once again to the Book: naught can annul His Covenant; naught can ob- Unto tlze Most Holy Book every one must turn struct His favour nor oppose His Cause! Every- and all that is not expressly recorded therein thing is subject to corruption; but the Covenant must be referred to the Universal House of Jlwof thy Lord shall continue to pervade all regions. tice, and at the very end of the Will He says: The tests of every dispensation are in direct All ]nust seek guidance and turn unto the Centre proportion to the greatness of the Cause and as of the Cause rmd the House of Justice. And he heretofore such a nlanifeSt Covenant, written by that turneth unto wliatsoei~erelse is indeed in the Supreme Pen, has not been entered zpon, grievous error. the tests are proportionately severe. . . Tlzese As the sphere of jurisdiction of the Universal agitations of the violcrtor,~are no more than the House of Justice in matters of legislation exfoam of the ocean . . . this froth of the ocean shall tends to whatever is not explicitly revealed in not endure and shall soon disappear and vanish, the Sacred Text, it is clear that the Book itself while on the other hand the ocean of the Covenant is the highest authority and delimits the shall eternally surge and roar. And Shoghi sphere of action of the House of Justice. Like- Effendi has clearly stated: "The bedrock on wise, the Interpreter of the Book must also have which this Administrative Order is founded is the authority to define the sphere of the legis- God's immutable Purpose for mankind in this lative action of the elected representatives of day." ". . . this priceless gem of Divine Reve- the Cause. The writings of the Guardian and lation, now still in its embryonic state, shall the advice given by him over the thirty-six years evolve within the shell of His Law, and shall of his Guardianship show the way in which he forge ahead, undivided and unimpaired, till it exercised this function in relation to the Uniembraces the whole of mankind." versal House of Justice as well as to National In the Baha'i Faith there are two authori- and Local Spiritual Assemblies. tative centres appointed to which the believers The fact that the Guardian has the authority must turn, for in reality the Interpreter of the to define the sphere of the legislative action of Word is an extension of that centre which is the the Universal House of Justice does not carry Word itself. The Book is the record of the with it the corollary that without such guidance utterance of Baha'u'llah, while the divinely the Universal House of Justice might stray inspired Interpreter is the living Mouth of that beyond thelimits of its proper authority; such a Book-it is he and he alone who can authori- deduction would conflict with all the other tatively state what the Book means. Thus one texts referring to its infallibility, and specicentre is the Book with its Interpreter, and the fically with the Guardian's ow11 clear assertion other is the Universal House of Justice guided that the Universal House of Justice never can by God to decide on whatever is not explicitly or will infringe on the sacred and prescribed domain of the Guardianship. It should be re- We hope that these elucidations will assist membered, however, that although National the friends in understanding these relationships and Local Spiritual Assemblies can receive more clearly, but we must all remember that divine guidance if they consult in the manner we stand too close to the beginnings of the and spirit described by 'Abdu'l-Bahh, they do System ordained by BahB'u'llah to be able fully not share in the explicit guarantees of infal- to understand its potentialities or the interlibility conferred upon the Universal House of relationships of its component parts. As Justice. Any careful student of the Cause can Shoghi Effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf see with what care the Guardian, after the to an individual believer on March 25, 1930, passing of 'Abdu'l-Baka, guided these elected "The contents of the Will of the Master are far representatives of the believers in the pains- too much for the present generation to comtaking erection of the Administrative Order prehend. It needs at least a century of actual and in the formulation of Local and National working before the treasures of wisdom hidden BahB'i Constitutions. in it can be revealed. . ."
The Hancls oj'the Cause and rnembers ofthe Universal House oj'Justice gathering in the BahLi'i gardens surrounding the Shrine of the Biib where they met far prayers before proceeding to the Shrine of BahLi'u'llLil~at Bahji. THE, HANDS O F T H E CAUSE O F G O D
I. T H E HANDS OF T H E CAUSE OF GOD The standard bearers of this Nine Year Plan are those same divinely appointed, tried, and victorious souls who bore the standard of the World Crtrsade, the Hands of the Cause of God. . . Supported by their 'deputies, assistanls, and advisers', the members of the Auxiliary Boards, they will inspire and protect the army of God, lead through every breach to the limit of available resources, andsustain those communities struggling over infractable or stony ground, so that by 1973 the celebrations befitting the centenary of the revelation of the Most Holy Book may be undertaken by a victorious, jirnzly established, organically united world community, dedicated to the seri1ice of God and the$nal triumph of His Cause. The Universal House of Justice, Ridvin, 1964l
Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih manurn
Ugo Giachery Tarkzu'llkh Samandari z 'Ali-Akbar Furlitan The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan, 1964. Wellspriiig of G~ridance,pp. 26-27. Deceasedin the period Ridvan 1968-1973. 574 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
Hermann Grossmannl Bikru'llah U a d e m Shu'a'u'llah - 'Ala'i
Musa Bananil Adelbert Miihlschlegel Jalal U a z e h
Paul E. Haney 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa Agnes B. Alexander1 Deceased in the period Ridvan 1968-1973. T H E H A N D S O F T H E CAUSE O F G O D 575
Enoch Olinga William Sears John Robarts
Hasan M. Baly6zi John Ferraby H. Collis Featherstone
Rahrnatu'llah Muhajir Abu'l-Qasirn Faizi 576 T H E B A Y I ~W ' O ~ RLD
First Icelandic Bahsi Suirirner School held near Reykjavik; August, 1972. The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery is seen in the centre of the photograph with Mrs. Giachery.
The Handof the Cause Tariizu'llah Samandariis seen in the centre oj'agroup offiiends attending the Bahci'i Sunzn~erSchool of Turkej),a few weeks before his passing in Septernber, 1968. T H E H A N D S O F T H E CAUSE O F G O D 577
T H E W O R K AND TRAVELS O F T H E HANDS O F T H E CAUSE
WITH the establishment of the Continental nessed such a rapid expansion of the Faith, to Boards of Counsellors by the Universal House chronicle in detail the richness, variety and diof Justice, following consultations held with versity of the manifold activities of the indithe Hands of the Cause at Ridvan, 1968, and vidual Hands of the Cause in the latter half of announced by cablegram on June 21 of that the Nine Year Plan, activities so eloquently year,l and with the assumption by those Boards attested by the reports and photographs apof Counsellors of the "administration of the pearing tl~roughoutthis volume and exten- Auxiliary board^",^ the Hands of the, Cause of sively reported in Baha'i jorirnals and news- God, "one of the most precious assets the letters around the world; nor is it equitable, Baha'i world posse~ses",~were increasingly by contrasting their individual contributions, free to become ambassadors-at-large of the to lead the Baha'i, whether veteran or novice, Faith of BahA'u'llah and "to concentrate their as well as the student of the Faith, into the error energies on the more primary responsibilities of drawing the unwarranted and mistaken conof general protection and propagation, 'pre- clusions about the relative scope and merit of servation of the spiritual health of the Baha'i those undertakings that such a catalogue might communities' and 'the vitality of the faith' of prompt. Indeed, little more can be done than to the Baha'is throughout the world . . . to under- hint at the range and value of the impetus given take special missions on its (the Universal the work of the Plan by the Hands of the Cause House of Justice) behalf, to represent it on both in the discharge of their primary duties of pro- Baha'i and other occasions, and to keep it in- pagating and protecting the Faith through: formed of the welfare of the Cause . . ." and their consultations when meeting in Conwhile retaining a "special concern for the claves of the Hands of the Cause, or with the affairs of the Cause in the areas in which they Universal I-Iouse of Justice, the Continental reside" they were enabled to "operate increa- Boards of Counsellors, National Spiritual singly on an intercontinental level . . ." thus Assemblies and their committees concerned lending "tremendous impetus to the diffusion with the expansion and consolidation of the throughout the Baha'i world of the spiritual Faith; inspiration channeled through them-the Chief Stewards of Baha'u'llah's embryonic World the essential work of those Hands of the Co~nmonwealth",'~ Cause serving in the Holy Land whose No greater gift could have been given to the function it was, as the body of "The Hands of Baha'is of the world by the Universal House of the Cause of God Residing in the Holy H
Justice. Now freed to travel to parts of the Land -and is now through their service as world outside their former spheres of respon- members of the International Teaching sibility, the Hands of the Cause, assisted by Centre-to "act as liaison between the Unitheir deputies and advisers, joined the general versal House of Justice and the Continental body of believers in shouldering the respon- Boards of Counsellors";" sibility of completing the goals assigned in the their example of self-sacrifice and devotion Nine Year Plan and brilliantly led the way to and through their travels to every corner of the resounding victory recorded at Ridvan, the globe-some of the Hands being under 1973. the handicap of impaired health or in ad- It is beyond the capacity of these few pages of vanced years-their increased mobility rethe international record, in a period that wit- inforcing the efforts of the believers to secure the unequalled expansion of the Faith; ' Seep. 61 1 for full text. the vision and inspiration they imparted to The Universal House of Justice, letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, June 24, 1968. Wellspring of individual believers through articles pub- Guidance, pp. 140-143. ibid.,p. 142. ibid., pp. 142-143. s ibid., p. 142. 578 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Bahcii Conference sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors in North America, Anchorage, Alaska; September, 1969. The Hand of the Cause 'Ali-Akbar Furatan is seen seated second from the left with representatives of the Board of Counsellors, the Auxiliary Board and the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska.
lished in Baha'i journals, letters of encourage- appearances and addresses achieved; the ment to national communities, and through standard of dignity and reverence they exemmeeting them as pilgrims in the Holy Land, plified and upheld among the BahB'is and or serving side by side with them in every the public; aspect of the teaching work-in whatever their inestimably valuable contribution in climate or terrain, on the homefront or in meeting the growing need to enrich, diverforeign fields, in the granite hearts of cities sify and broaden the range of expository or in rural communities and villages, in areas Baha'i literature which now stands fully of stony indifference to the Faith or those of capable of arresting the attention of the eruenthusiastic mass acceptance, the Hands dite and the serious scholar, awakening the were there to lead and inspire, encourage and interest of the masses and introducing the counsel; Faith to the semi-literate; their participation, on occasion as represen- the assistance rendered the World Centre in tatives of the Universal House of Justice, in making translations into English of passages the Annual Conventions of National Spiri- from the Sacred Writings, and in identifying tual Assemblies, new and old; in conferences original Tablets from the Pens of BahB'u'- and institutes dedicated to expansion and Ilah, the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Bahi and those consolidation or the training of children and Tablets written from Their dictation by youth; in summer schools and special teach- Their amanuenses and, in the Cradle of the ing projects; Faith, in collecting and classifying inforthe presentation of The Proclan~ation of mation related to sites associated with its Bnha'u'llbh to Heads of State and other early history; and officials, and through the recognition and through the vigilance they maintained and respect they won for the Faith, often in areas the wisdom they exercised in safeguarding where the BahB'is were struggling to bring it the Cause from thosewho sought to strike at from obscurity; the enhanced prestige their its Covenant, undermine its unity or pervert activities secured for it; the publicity their the pristine purity of its Teachings. THE H A N D S OF THE CAUSE O F G O D 579 The thinning of the ranks of the Hands of tenary of the arrival of BahA'u'llBh in the Holy the Cause in the last half of the Nine Year Land. Plan through the loss of four outstanding and Hermann Grossmann was one of the early distinguished veterans was a source of profound believers of Germany and a bulwark of the grief to Baha'is everywhere. Cause in the dark hours of World War 11. He Towards the end of his life Tarazu'llah made compilations of the Writings in German Samandari, a nonagenarian, in a heroic last and increased the literature available in that outpouring of physical energy, embarked on a language by writing books. He was a "staunch magnificent and meteoric journey, visiting defender promoter Faith", the Universal Baha'i communities in Europe and throughout House of Justice cabled at the time of his pas- Alaska, Canada and the United States, thus sing, whose "courageous loyalty during chalproviding a new generation of Baha'is an oppor- lenging years tests persecutions Germany" and tunity to meet one whose eyes were blessed by "outstanding services South America" are gazing upon the Blessed Beauty. His service to "immortalized annals Faithn.l the Faith spanned the last years of the ministry It was Agnes Alexander, mentioned by name of Baha'u'llah, the whole of the ministries of in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, who as a young 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi and he lived woman planted the tree of the Cause in the to witness the election of the Universal House Hawaiian Islands, tended and nurtured it, and of Justice in 1963 and 1968, and passed on in lived to see the shadow of its branches spread Haifa during the commemoration of the cen- Wellspring of Guidarzce,"In Memoriam", p. 157.
The Hand of the Cause a i k r u ' l l i h a a d e n z is seen surrounded by Janlaican Baliri'is during the Caribbean Conference, Kingston; May, 1971. The Hand of' the Cause Jalal arizeh, centre, participating in the Indian Ocean Conference, Rose Hill, ikinuritius; August, 1970. To the right is Miss Guilda Navidi; to the left, Mr. Willianz Masehla, Auxiliary Board member.
to many parts of the Pacific. "Witnessing be- sion in a variety of ways, not least among them ginning harvest seeds devotion planted by the sponta~leouslyadopted practice of perpetu- Hand Cause Alexander", cabled the National ating their memories through the naming, in Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia, shortly their honour, of schools and institutes where after her passing in 1971, referring to the enrol- the BahB'i Teachings are expounded-thelatter ment of an unprecedented number of believers an enterprise in which the Hands have been so in Japan. wholeheartedly engaged. In recent years, on Musa Banani, accorded by Shoghi Effendi almost every continent, such institutes have the accolades "Father of Africa" and "Lion of been established commemorating the memory Africa", whose very presence there the Guar- of distinguished Hands of the Cause such as dian said was vital to the progress of the work Dorothy Baker, Musa BanBni, Amelia Collins, throughout that continent, lay paralyzed and Leroy Ioas, Martha Root and Louis Gregory, bedridden as the end drew near, his prayers, to name but some. like a great beating heart, supporting and sus- How befitting a gesture that, following the taining the teaching work. His passing occurred dramatic entry by troops which commenced in during the time when his daughter, Violette 1969 among rural-dwelling Negroes through- Nabjavani was accompanying Amatu'l-Baha out the southern states, but primarily in South Rithiyyihaanum on a tour of Africa that took Carolina, the first permanent teaching inthem to more than thirty countries and exten- stitute in the United States should have been ded over a three year period. established at Hemingway, South Carolina, not How dearly loved are the Chief Stewards of far from the birthplace (Charleston, S.C.) of the Cause of BahB'u'llah! The love of the be- "noble-minded, golden-hearted" Louis Grelievers for the Hands of the Cause finds expres- gory, "pride (and) example (to the) Negro T H E H A N D S O F T H E C A U S E OPGOD 58 1 adherents (of the) Faith",] aad should bear his National Spiritual Assembly at Kidvan, 1972, name. gathering for prayers at the graveside of Equally befitting is the impulse which led the "dearly loved, much admired, greatly gifted, National Spiritual Assembly of Australia to outstanding Hand Cause George T~wnshend",~ publish, in April, 1970, To Follow a Dream- during their summer school in 1970, in "pretime, a brochure commemorating the fiftieth paration responsibilities fulfil goa.1~"as they anniversary of the establishment of the Faith in cabled on that o c ~ a s i o n . ~ that country, and "dedicated to 'Father' and No less affecting was the moment during the 'Mother' Dunn, the Spiritual Conquerors of a North Atlantic Oceanic Conference held in Continent". With tender appreciation the book- Reykjavik, Iceland, during September, 1971, let, subtitled "An account of the early days of when it fell to the lot of the Hand of the Cause the Baha'i Faith in Australia", accords recog- John Robarts to read to the 700 assembled nition to John Henry Hyde Dunn and Clara friends the cable of the Universa,l House of Jus- Dunn who brought the light of Baha'u'llah to tice announcing the passing of M6sa Banani. the continent of Australia in 1919 in direct re- Mr. Robarts has written: "I told of the love sponse to the Tablets of tlae Divine Plan, whose our beloved Guardian and all of us who knew Author they met during His sojourn in the Mr. Banani had for him, and I related an inci- United States, and from Whom they received a dent from Mr. Banhni's life. When I spoke to cabled mandate to their proposal to carry the Mr. Banani on one occasion of the Guardian's Faith to Australia: '" . . highlyadvi~able".~ love and high praise for him, Mr. Banani said How striking the spectacle of the youilg com- that he now understood what the Guardian had ,munity of the Republic of Ireland, whose task meant when he had said, many years before, it was to broaden the base of the Cause there that God could raise up and activate a stone so in preparation for the establishment of their that it could serve His Faith. Mr. Banani told Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahd'i World (1950- Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 163. See Louis 1957), p. 174; Citadel of Faith, p. 170. See George Gregory, "In Memoriam", The Bnhri'i World, vol. Townshend, "In Memoriam", The Bahd'i World, vol. XII, p. 666. XIII, p. 841. Natlonal Spiritual Assembly of Australia, To Follow Bahd'i International News Service, Billletin No. 29, a Dreamtime, pub. April, 1970, p. 3. August, 1970.
The .Hand of the Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel and Mrs. Miihlschlegel accepting floralgarlands from the Baha'is upon their arrival in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India; 1969. 582 TI-1E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
me, 'I am that stone. God has activated me so ments drawn at random from reports and that I have been able to perform some small cables received from Bahi'i communities in service in His Name.'"l every hemisphere : Vivid in memory is the teaching conference held in Seoul, Korea, in September, 1971, with Africa. " I t is impossible to describe our joy at approximately 500 Bahi'is from thirteen coun- having the Hand of the Cause here. . . He has tries attending, a confereilce called to com- infused all of us with a greater desire to teach memorate the introduction of the Faith in and make firm the foundations of the Faith in Korea fifty years earlier by Agnes Alexander this country. He has given us all a lesson in who received from 'Abdu'l-Baha a Tablet in generosity, selflessness and devotion, and our which He welcomed the first fifteen men who work must surely progress after his wonderful accepted the Cause in Koreaz stay here." "Overjoyed presence Hand Cause Perhaps nowhere more clearly than in the National Convention . . . wonderful spirit loving interaction of the Hands with the admin- reflected." "The visit of the Hand of the Cause istrative institutions of the Faith and the general played a special role in the achievement of body of believers is there glimpsed an under- raising the number of Spiritual Assemblies and standing of the significance of their achieve- localities. . ." "Teaching in the villages was ment in advancing theinterests of the Cause and greatly accelerated by the visits of the Hands of propelling it towards victory. Let the believers, the Cause. . ." "The visits of the Hands of the over whose destinies the Hands of the Cause Cause and their consultation with the National exerted such a profound influence in the be- Spiritual Assembly, the National Teaching fitting discharge of the goals assigned them, Committee and with the community were the and with whom they so intimately associated in cause of great inspiration and a source of pracevery phase of the tasks confronting them, tical assistance in fulfilling our goals. . ." "As speak for thenlselves, in representative con1- a result of a recommendation of the Hand of Baha'i Itzternatiorzal News Service, Bulletin No. 42, the Cause, we were able to formulate a teaching October, 1971. ibid., BulletinNo. 43,Novernber, 1971. plan under which we opened six new areas. . ."
The Hand of the Cause Paul Haizey is seen seated third froin the left witlzJour n~en~bers ofthe Central and East Ajkican Continental Board of Couizsellors (seated) and men~bersof the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda (standing). Kan~pala,1970. THE H A N D S O F THE C A U S B O F G O D 583
First National Convention of the Bahri'is of the Central African Republic, Bangui; Ridvan, 1971. The Handof the Cause'Ali-Muhammad Varqb, who represented the Universal House ofJustice, is seen standing in the centre.
"We feel that the visit of the Hand of the Cause feats of dedication . . . 155 new believers . . . contributed greatly to our success and parti- friends jubilant. . ." "All hearts were cularly to the increase in the number of touched. . ." "Momentum of teaching genera- Baha'is. . ." "Only two weeks separated us from ted recent visits Hands Cause . . . more and Ridvan and we expected to raise up one new more believers are rushing into the field of Spiritual Assembly; however, stimulated by service . . . hearts are very grateful for the instithe visit of the Hand of the Cause, we decided tution of the Hands of the Cause of God. . ." to take up the challenge he presented . . . we "As a result of a conference called at the sugwere pleased to cable him at Ridvan that eight gestion of the Hand of the Cause, a programme new Spiritual Assemblies were formed. . ." was successfully launched which resulted in thousands of members among the minorities The Americas. "As a result of the visit of the becoming part of the Baha'i world family. . ." Hand of the Cause, nearly one million people "Contributing greatly to the deepening of the have heard the name of BahB'u'llah. . ." "The new believers were the vistis of the Hands of the presence of the Hand of the Cause ignited the Cause. . ." "The prayers and closely-felt enlove of God in some hearts and blew on the couragement of the Universal House of Jusflame of others. . ." "Total believers now tice made our successes easier and more joyous, 13,000 under inspiration visit Hand Cause. . ." as did the visits of the Hands of the Cause . . . "Message Hand Cause spiritual racial inter- the role of these visits is incalculable. The national unity revived spirits degree unex- Hands of the Cause charged the community perienced recent years. . ." "Announce vic- with spiritual energy, inspired direction, and tories already sufficient achieve ten Assembly facilitated such achievements as the presengoals . . . community doubled within month tation of The Proclamation of Baha'u'llah to the momentum continuing visit Hand Cause. . ." President as well as special projects such as the "The Hand of the Cause, though ailing and in one under which thirty-six believers went to a poor health, inspired the friends to such heights mountain village, remained four days, and enof devotion that many were moved to far greater rolled ninety per cent of the population. . ." THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
TEe Hand ofthe Cause Enoch Olinga (seen towards the left) and Mrs. Olinga with some ofthe Bahd'is, Stavanger, Norway; 1972.
The .Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with some Bahri'is of Fiji; 1971. T H E H A N D S O F T H E C A U S E OFGOD 585 ' V o r d s could never express our profound gra- press coverage was received including one of titude for the never-failing help of the beloved the best articles ever to appear about the Faith Hands of the Cause. . ." "It would be vain and in a newspaper in this country. . ." "The visits unjust to list our victories without expressing of the Hands of the Cause were of immense help appreciation to the Hands of the Cause through in promoting the knowledge of the Faith, . ." whose determination the Faith became estab- "Our deep appreciation goes to the Hand of lished in new areas. . ." "In the history of a the Cause who offered helpful advice, inspired community there are periods of tests and the friends to make more effective teaching trials . . . at such a critical time we had visits plans and rise to higher levels of service. . ." from the Hands of the Cause whose inspiration "The progress of the Cause in this area reand guidance created a wonderful new spring- ceived g e a t impetus from the visits of the time and visible progress which they were able Hands of the Ca.use which inspired initiative, to return to witness. . ." "We owe much to the enterprise and activity. . ." "The visits of the visit of the Hand of the Cause which resulted in I-lands of the Cause were the means of galtelevision and newspaper coverage and the vanizing the believers into action and faciliincreasingly cordial relations with these news tated tl~eproclamationof the Faith to hundreds media have been of untold benefit." "Consul- of thousands of people, a process in which they tations with the Hand of the Cause resulted in a participated through their press conferences, plan which carried the Faith to the masses in radio and television appearances, public six chosen areas and saw the enrolment of meetings and addresses before students of 1,700 new Baha'is. . ." many universities. . ." Asia. "During the visit of the Hand of the Cause Australasia. ". . . the immediate prospect he spoke so eloquently of the Faith that many seemed bleak; then, dramatically, the tide of the friends stated that they had never before turned as a result of a conference attended by known what it meant to be a Baha'i. . . Good the Hand of the Cause (a conference which
The Hand of the Cause William Sears is seen seated (left foregrourui) with some of the friends attending the Baha'i S~lmmerSchool of Persia, Tikran; July, 1970. The Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qrisi111Faizi (second from left, back row) with some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Central Afiica; Ridvrin, 1970. Mr. Faizi represented the Universal House of Justice at the inaugural convention.
must go down in the annals of the Faith in this hearts stirred. . ." "Learning of his forthcountry as the most memorable hitherto in its coming visit, a letter of welcome, signed by each history). Guided and inspired by the Hand of of the delegates, was sent to the Hand of the the Cause to a deeper realization of our pur- Cause by the National Convention. . ." "Repose for being alive in this day, the friends who sult consultation Hand Cause conference joycould arose and proclaimed their intention to fully announce many specific steps taken to move and win the victory. It was a moment of initiate co-operation view complete fulfillment destiny. . ." "Overwhelming spirit love genera- Nine Year Plan. . ." "Grateful presence Hand ted due presence Hand Cause . . . joyously Cause . . . renewed spirit evidenced . . . signimoving forward to completion goals. . ." "We ficant increase new believers . . . all present rewere very privileged to have had visits by the solved meet challenge. . ." "Heartfelt greetings dearly loved Hands of the Cause who inspired from 120 believers present teaching conference the believers to greater efforts and showered . . . rejoice presence Hand Cause . . . twenty-six love and affection upon them.. ." ". . . The radio pioneer settlers all ages arose to spread light broadcast of the Hand of the Cause was heard BahB'u'llah throughout country. . ." ". . . a by many of the residents here, and no doubt tremendous new spirit developed in the year reached listeners in other farflung Pacific which followed. Contributing factors were a islands. . ." "The participation of the Hand of series of challenging messages from the Univerthe Cause generated a very high spirit among sal House of Justice and the refreshing and enthe friends, making it one of the most suc- couraging visits of theHands of the Cause. . ." cessful conferences ever held. . ." "The visits of the Hands of the Cause have provided a constantly flowing fountain of in- Europe. "Hearts grateful presence Hand Cause spiration. . ." "We cannot express our thanks winter rjch001. . . greater consciousness goals. . . for the visit of the Hand of the Cause . . . his T H E H A N D S O F T H E C A U S E OFGOD 587 enthusiasm, dedication, experience and great whom the Universal House of Justice paid trisense of excitement never failed and everywhere bute in April, 1963, at the World Congress in he renewed the energy and determination of the London in its first statement to the Baha'is of friends. The response was tremendous, especi- the world: ally from the youth. . ." "The outstanding event of the year was the extended visit of the "The paeans ofjoy and gratitude, of love and Hand of the Cause. . ." "During the visit of the adoration which we now raise to the throne of Hand of the Cause a formal promise was spon- Baha'u'llah would be inadequate, and the celetaneously extended by some of the new be- brations of this Most Great Jubilee in which, as lievers to translate vitally needed literature into promised by our beloved Guardian, we are now languages where enrichment of Baha'i litera- engaged would be marred, were no tribute paid ture is necessary. . ." at this time to the Hands of the Cause of God. "These few gallant and dedicated believers," For they share the victory with their beloved the Universal House of Justice has stated in commander, he who raised them up and apreference to the Hands of the Cause, "whose pointed them. They kept the ship on its course place in history is forever assured by virtue of and brought it safe to port. The Universal their appointment to their high office, are in- House of Justice, with pride and love, recalls on deed a precious legacy left to us by the beloved this supreme occasion its profound admiration Guardian, and as the years go by there is in- for the heroic work which they have accomcreasingly added to the honour and respect plished. We do not wish to dwell on the apwhich is their due by reason of their exalted palling dangers which faced the infant Cause rank, the love and admiration of the friends when it was suddenly deprived of our beloved evoked by their constant services."l Shoghi Effendi, but rather to acknowledge with "The loved and revered Hands of the Cause all the love and gratitude of our hearts the have rendered sacrificial and distinguished ser- reality of the sacrifice, the labour, the selfvice throughout the Nine Year Plan. They have, discipline, the superb stewardship of the Hands in all parts of the world, inspired the friends, of the Cause of God. We can think of n o more assisted National Spiritual Assemblies, pro- fitting words to express our tribute to these moted the teaching work and played a vital dearly loved and valiant souls than to recall the part in the success of the Plan. The lagging for- words of Bah8'uYllahHimself: tunes of more than one national community have been revolutionized by a visit of a Hand of . . . Light and glory, greeting and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through the Cause; swift and energetic action, inspired ~lhonztlze light of long-suffering hath shone by the Hand, has been followed by astonishing forth, and the declaration of authority is results, completely reversing that community's proven of God, the powerful, the mighty, the prospects. They have added distinguished independent; and through whom the sea of works to the literature of the Faith."= bestowal hath moved, and the breeze of the Only the perspective of time will bring a full favour of God, the Lord of mankind, hath understanding of the signal services of those to ~vaf.cd."~
l T h e Universal House of Justice, Ridvan, 1967. 3Baha'u'lla11, Tablet of the World, Baha'i World Wellspring of Guidance, p. 106. Faith, p. 172. The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan, 1973. 588 THE B A H . ~ 'W~O R L D
Amatu'l-Bahii Rihiyyih Bcinum, in African dress, was photographed in Nairobi, Kenya in August, 1969, with the landrover which she drove 36,000 miles during "The Great Safuri". Below is the text of the cablegram she receivedfiom the Universal House of Justice at the conclusion of her tour of Africa in February, 1973. T H E H A N D S OF T H E C A U S E O F G O D 589
3 . T H E TRAVELS OF A M A T U ' L - B A H A R U H ~ Y Y I H K H A N U M D U R I N G T H E N I N E YE A R P L A N - "After Shoghi Efendipassed away, Idid not know any way that I could say to the Baha'is, 'Please go out and do his work andftllJi1his hopes and obey his commands.' So Isaid the best thing is I willgo nzyself. Maybe this is the loudest voice with which one can speak."l Ri~hiyyih
AMATU'L-BAH 'A VISITS INDIA IN the opening hours of the Nine Year Plan, During this period she attended the Annual with the admiring eyes of all the Baha'i world Convention of the BahB'is of Ceylon, later reupon her, and supported by the love and turning there for a three-week teaching trip prayers of her fellow Hands of the Cause, the and was the official representative of the Uni- Universal House of Justice, and the entire versal House of Justice at the first National body of believers, Amatu'l-Baha Rhhiyyih Conventions of both Thailand and Malaysia, a a n u m embarked on the first of her three meeting, in the last named country, Malaysian, major and historic journeys undertaken during Chinese, Tamil, Iban, Senoi and Dyak BahB'is. the Plan which contributed in an inestimable She visited Nepal as well as Sikkirn, in the latter measure to its triumphant conclusion at of which she was received by the Maharajah, Ridvan, 1973. His Highness Palden Thonup Namgyal and the The first of these, detailed with tenderness Maharani. This strenuous tour was interand poignancy by her travelling companion, rupted when she flew to Germany to dedicate Mrs. Violette Naajavhni in her book Arnatu'l- the Mother Temple of Europe near Frankfurt Bahci Visits India, coinmenced on February 3, on July 4, afterwards remaining there for a 1964, lasted nine months, covered a distance of month's recuperation before returning to conalmost 55,000 miles and took her to all but tinue her tour of Asia. three states in India. She was officially received Subsequently, in a six-week period in 1967, by the President, Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan she rindertook a related journey when she reat the presidential palace, and by Prime Mini- presented the Universal House of Justice at the ster La1 Bahadur Shastri at his office, and was first National Convention of Sikkim and was entertained by Mrs. Vijaya L,akshmi Pandit, again received by the constitutional monarch, Governor of Maharashtra, arid sister of Pandit the Chogyal, as well as by the Principal Admini- Nehru. strative Officer, R. N. Haldipur, whose func- The visit to India afforded RuhiyyihKhAnum tion is that of prime. minister; re-visited India the opportunity to meet thousands of BahB'is; where she had cordial meetings with Prime to present the teachings to large audiences of Minister Indira Gandhi to whom she presented distinguished officials and leaders of thought; The Proclamation ofBaha'~~'lldh, as well as with to penetrate remote corners of the subcontinent the new President, Dr. Zakir Hussain, and was where she met believers from many tribal back- received in Bombay by Dr. P. V. Cherian, grounds including the Naths and Bhil; to open Governor of Maharasl~tra,following which to the Faith a kadagrahara or "jungle village" she toured the Indian Ocean islands of RB- of about twenty families near Bangalore where union, Madagascar and Mauritius. In the latter twenty-two people including the village head- she was received by Prime Minister Sir Seeman and two women listened to the message woosagur Ramgoolam. In November, 1972, she brought and accepted BahB'u'llah; and to she visited Seychelles where she was received by teach and enrol the first BahB'i among the Governor-General Sir Bruce Great-Batch. Toda tribe, an ancient and almost extinct group Of her visit to India, Ruhiyyill Q a n u m has living in the Nilgiri hills in Ootacarnund. written: "It is my firm conviction that whatever good such a visit may have done, whatever Anratu'l-Bahh Visits India, Violette Na&javani, p. 168. effect it may have produced on the community 590 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
of BahB'u711ih in that part of the world, the teach this glorious Faith of Bahi'u'llah, the one who derived the greatest instruction from teacher is taught. Perhaps this is part of the it was myself. I am the one who received most, mystery of why He has enjoined upon each and who was most changed by it, the one most every one of His followers, as their primary blessed by the privilege of meeting so many duty, the teaching of His Cause-so that they wonderful fellow believers. Truly in seeking to themselves might learn."
V I S I T T O T H E INDIGENOUS BAHA'IS O F T H E WESTERN HEMISPHERE Ever since her first visit, some years ago, to Mother Temple of Latin America in Panama the Navajos and Hopis in the United States, and City, she again embarked on a lengthy journey the Blackfoot in Canada, who gave her the of seven months duration which enabled her to beautiful Indian name Natu-Okcist, it was the meet the Choco, Guaymi and Kuna in Panacherished desire of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih ma; the Aymara and Quechua in Bolivia, Peru Khanum to meet many more Indian believers -- and Ecuador; the Mapuche in Chile; the in the western hemisphere. As the mid-point Mataco in Argentina; the Maca in Paraguay; in the Nine Year Plan approached, she was the Motil6ne and Guajira in Venezuela and finally able to realize that long held hope. After Colombia; and the campesino in Brazil. During attending the Intercontinental Conference in her stay in the latter country contact was first Panama in October, 1967, as the represen- made with the Guarani tribe. An adequate tative of the Universal House of Justice, on account of this significant and arduous trip which occasion she laid the cornerstone of the remains to be written but from letters and re-
Amatu'l-Buhh Rulziyyilz &anunlpaying an officialcall on The Hon. Sir A. H. McShine, C.B.E., Acting Governor-General of Trinidad, at Government House, Port-of-Spain; May 9, 1970. Left to right: Lady McShine, Ru?zihiyyilz~zhninurn,Sir Arthur McShine, Mrs. Violitte Nu& javcini'. THE H A N D S O F THE C A U S E O F G O D 59 1 ports published in the bulletin of the Baha'i ladies, or drinking water from the same murky International News Service, a periodic infor- lagoon that she had to bathe in, or 'shooing' mation letter produced at the World Centre and stray dogs and pigs from her bedside through distributed throughout the Bahi'i world, and the long tropical nights, or hauling water with from accounts appearing in the Baha'i jour- a bucket from the well to help clean the nenals of various National Spiritual Assemblies, glected dispensary floor in gratitude for local there emerges apicture of a journey fraught with kindness, or recounting touching moments physical discomfort and hazard, undertaken by from the life of the beloved Guardian while almost every means of transportation includ- avoiding overhanging branches as the luring truck and jeep, sometimes on foot, occasion- ching, springless tractor-wagon lumbered ally riding on horseback for long hours along along-who could forget such moments with tortuous mountain trails at dizzying altitudes. the first lady of the Bahi'i world!" Sometimes Ruhiyyih Khanurn travelled in rain In February, 1968, shevisited Surinam where and mud, and once was lost in the snow- she was received by the Governor, H. de Vries, covered Andes in biting wind and cold. Often to whom she presented The Proclamation of she slept in primitive houses in a hammock or Baha'u'llah, and also visited Guyana where she on the ground. was received by Sir David Rose, the Governor- Perhaps it suffices to quote from a report of General. At Ridvan, 1970, she returned to this Auxiliary Board member Hooper Dunbar who area to represent the Universal House of Jusaccompanied Rilhiyyih m a n u m and her cou- tice at the first National Convention of the sin, Mrs. Challoner Chute, on a segment of the National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana, South American travels: "Scenes like these- Surinam and French Guiana. Rubiyyih a a n u m embracing the Indian In a moving letter addressed "To the In-
The Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahci Rli!ziyyilz Biinun? and Enoclz Olinga, centre, with friends who attended a devotional service at the Mother Temple of Africa, Kampala, Uganda; December, 1969. 592 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
dian and Eskimo Baha'is of the American Con- "God willing," her letter concluded, "I will tinent" at Naw-Ruz, 1969-which was later soon be setting out on a long journey to visit. . . published in pamphlet form and widely distri- the brothers and sisters of the black race in buted-Rfihiyyih Khanurn reiterated the mes- Africa. Please pray for my visit to be of help to sage she had carried to the friends she had them, and that I may be strong enough to go visited throughout Latin America: the assur- to the far places and see them as I visited you ance given in the BahB'i Writings in the Words when I travelled in your part of the world." of 'Abdu'l-Baha that the future of the Indian Inspired and dazzled as her colleagues and and Eskimo people is very great, that through the BahB'is of the world had been by the illusthe BahB'i Teachings they could become so trious record of travel teaching she had alenlightened as to cause the illumination of the ready achieved, an even more profound degree peoples of the whole earth; the importance of admiration was evoked by that simple attached to this matter by Shoghi Effendi and announcement quoted above, which heralded the Universal House of Justice; and an exhor- a third and even more impressive undertaking tation to hasten the fulfilment of this great which quickly became known as "The Great promise by taking the Faith of Bahi'u'llah to Safari". their own people.
Bahb'i meeting in Kibisi Settlen~entScheme, Kenya; November 30, 1969. Amatu'l-Bahb Ruhiyyih &inurn is seen seated at the far left of the photograph. THE H A N D S O F T H E CAUSE O F G O D 593
FOUR JOURNEYS 1 -'- August 1969 to March 1970
2 mzmmaabmza November 1970 t o May 1971
3 s - m m ~ r r m August 1971 t o March 1972
4 o e n May 1972 to February 1973 2" '00 " 8"" irhTUTB Mllii
e -- ,"O "00
KILOMETERS
-- - 594 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
T H E GREAT SAFARI After a visit to the resting-place of Shoghi It was fitting that she was able to gather with Effendi in London, Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih the Hands of the Cause Musa Banani and Khknum turned her eyes with longing to the - Enoch Olinga for prayers at the House of continent of Africa where the response to the Worship in Kampala before embarking on this Message of Baha'u'llAh, in the last years of the tour which enabled her to proclaim the Faith Guardian's life, had so rejoiced his heart that in almost every country of this vast continent RuhiyyihKhanum placed the globe surmount- to heads of state, leading officials and digniing the marble column over his resting-place taries, to university students and sophisticated with the continent of Africa facing forward, in audiences in the capital cities as well as to tribal the place of hoilour above the inscription. chieftains and illiterate and isolated villagers Mrs. Nafijavani, who accompanied Ruhiy- or nomads of such diverse tribal groups as the yih Khanurn throughout Africa and whose de- Masai, Pygmy and Bushmen, addressing her tailed report of the sojourn appeared in a num- audiences of Christian, Muslim or pagan backber of instalments in U.S. Bahci'i News,l has ground in English or in French and, where recorded: "On August 5, 1969, the wheels of necessary, through an interpreter fluent in the our plane touched down at Entebbe airport, regional dialect. The journey provided oppor- Kampala, Uganda-at last the long-promised tunities for consultation with the Hands of the visit of Amatu'l-Baha to the believers of Africa Cause, Continental Boards of Counsellors and was commencing. In 1961, at the time when National Spiritual Assemblies of various she dedicated the Mother Temple of Africa, regions of Africa, and brought her into inti- Ruhiyyih a a n u m promised the friends to mate contact, on a continent-wide scale, with come back and really visit them, touring as the rank and file of the believers, with women, many centres as possible. After nine years, this youth, children, travelling teachers, pioneers will now be fulfilled." and isolated Baha'is. U.S. Baha'i News, No. 468, March, 1970-No. 513, December, 1973.
Aniatu'l-Bahh Rdhiyyih acinum with His Highness the Asantehene, Otu117fuoOpoku Ware II, ofthe Asante, Kumasi, Ghana; Noven~ber,1970. T H E H A N D S O F THE C A U S E O F G O D 595
Above: Amatu'l-Baha Rulziyyih Khrjnum with five ofthe Ethiopian Baha'is who were in7prisoned and beaten .for their belief
Right: Atnatu'l-Bahli Rulziyyih Qbnun~turning the earth for the foundation stone at the site of the future Bahci'i Centre of Gemeto, Ethiopia, October 20, 1969. 596 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
In this brief kaleidoscopic review, no attempt was the legend "Rabbkni African Safari", It is made to describe in full the events nor enu- was this car that Rdhiyyih m a n u m herself merate chronologically the places visited during drove for well over half the 36,000 miles of her a travel teaching episode of a magnitude un- safari. paralleled in the annals of the present period of In the first phase of the journey Ruhiyyih the Faith, an enterprise which extended over a a a n u m visited the countries of East Africa period in excess of three years and which was including Ethiopia where she was received by interrupted on occasion by the necessity of His Imperial Highness Haile Selassie who pre- RuhiyyihKhanum's attending other important sented her with the gift of a gold medal comfunctions of historic importance to the Baha'i memorating his coronation. At the conclusion world, details of which are set out elsewhere in of this first leg of the journey it was reported, this volume of the international record. Refer- "In a little over four months we have visited ence may be had to the map and list of coun- more than sixty-three localities, driven 5,000 tries accompanying this article. miles and flown all over Ethiopia." To fulfil the purpose of visiting Baha'i The appreciation of theBaha'is is reflected in friends in villages inaccessible to ordinary the words of an elderly man who arose after a means of transportation, R6hiyyih a a n u m meeting add.ressed by Ruljiyyih Khanurn and had purchased a large landrover weighing over said, "Our hearts are so full with all the blessthree tons when loaded, and which was ings that you have brought us. Last night you awaiting her in Nairobi. Its undercarriage wa.s lightened our meetings with electrical light and fitted with protective metal plates which were showed us beautiful films; and today you have to serve a good purpose on some sections of the lightened our hearts and souls with the spiritual road described as "muddy rutted trails some- light of the love of BahB'u'llah." times pocked with potholes so wide and deep "Her visit was indeed a turning point in the we had to fill them in with large stones and progress of the Faith throughout the country," branches, literally 'building' the road as we wrote the National Spiritual Assembly of went along". Painted on the sides of the vehicle North East Africa, while a report from the
Anlatu'l-Bahh Rli(liyyilz Bhnurn with His Excellency President Felix Ho~pl~o~ret-Boigny, Ivory Coast; December, 1970. THE H A N D S OF THE CAUSE OF G O D 597
An~atu'l-BalzLiRdhiyyih Khiinunz visiting the Mayor of Timbuktu, Mali; January, 1971. Left to right: Mrs. Violette NakAjavaizi; the Mayor's secretary; Amatu'l-Baha RLilziyyih W n u n i ; Captain Suleynian Marico, Mayor of Timbuktu; Head of Department of Tourisn?.
Anzatn'l-Bahci Rul7iyyih ahnu171 with His Excellency President Dr. Williani V . S. Tubman and Mrs. Tubinan; Liberia, 1971. Amatu'l-Bahri R*iyyih a a n u m helping the friends clean vegetables while waiting for the meeting to begin, Gbendebou, Sierra Leone, March 20, 1971.
National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania con- Africa", often driving ten or more hours a day tained this tribute, "During these meetings, the over roads which were humorously described as beloved Hand of the Cause of God delivered being "a case of potholes and prayers". In some the Message gently and kindly, and at the same circumstances, it was reported, "after three or time, firmly and confidently. Indeed, to listen four days on the road in the choking dust, to her speeches is to be taught how to teach the everything has to be beaten, brushed and Faith." washed; it takes days to clear our lungs of dust." Then began the trek by landrover from East Often the travellers averaged "only ten miles to West Africa in which R u h i y y i h a i n u m and an hour because of the impossible roads" and her companion "traversed thousands of miles at the end of a day driving in such conditions of jungle, burning savannas, parched bush found the only accommodation available to be country and the steaming tropical coast of West "a rest house offering a one-wick kerosene
A casual Bahb'i meeting in Malekei Village, Sierra Leone; March 21, 1971. An.~atu'l-Bahri Ruhiyyih &inurn is seen in the centre o f the back row. THE H A N D S OF THE CAUSE OF G O D 599
Anzatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyilt &inurn with Bahci'is in cerenzonial dancing costumes, Akpabys, Nigeria; September, 1971.
lamp at night and cold water". But safe at their kilometres on foot to be present, so that we destination the report came; "We were told saw believers from a great many communities." there were rebels in the Congo ; bandits in Chad; And again, speaking of a representative village that there was fighting along the frontiers; that meeting, "The arrangements they made were the great danger was theft of the car by rebels touching. They had built toilet facilities, erected or regular army; that we might be attacked or arches decorated with flowers, provided a feast murdered; that the insects were going to be as well as breakfast, and yet so poor that many terrible-we already knew about the diseases! owned only the barkcloth loincloth they wore." -but we suffered none of these things." In Liberia, Ruhiyyih Khanurn was most It was on the first lap of this journey west- graciously received by President William V. S. wards that Amatu'l-Baha requested her "adop- Tubman in an interview during which His ted" brother, Mr. Oloro Epyeru, to accompany Excellency recalled with pleasure his visit to the them as they were nervous about traversing the Shrine of the Bab. Here she also met other topthen unknown quantity of the northwest part ranking officials and at the request of the Uniof the Congo without a man. From Kampala versal House of Justice attended the Interto Fort Lamy, Chad, he was with them and it continental Conference held in Monrovia, was a sad parting when he was obliged to return January 1-3, 1971, at which the Hand of the to his family affairs in Uganda. Cause Rahmatu'llah Muhajir was the repre- But whateve1 the difficulties of the journey, sentative of the Universal House of Justice. At the rewards were abundant and the response of the termination of the conference she cabled the BahB'is deeply touching. A typical report the World Centre that the first African interfrom the period describes a one-week journey continental conference held in West Africa was by riverboat and states, "We visited twenty-six a "memorable landmark annals Faith concentres but we met at least thirty-eight times tinent so dear heart beloved Guardian and all with the friends as there were often two or believers". three village meetings a day and in many She had the privilege of introducing the Faith places the friends had come from as far as fifty in the villages of Lakka and Malekei, Sierra 600 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Leone, on Naw-Ruz day, 1971. A teacher at a companions leave the car and seating herself Sierra Leone High School where a lone Baha'i in the village square she spoke of the Bahb'i youth had been ridiculed for belonging to an Faith until it was so dark no face could be seen. unknown religion became interested in the The old man, brother of the Chief, listened Faith through a television interview of carefully, asked questions, and stated that he Ruhiyyih a a n u m and requested the boy to wished to be accepted as a Bahb'i. Pulling at his invite her to address the school. The vice- short grey beard, he said: "I am not foolish. principal acted as chairman in a gathering of I am an old man, as you can see by my beard. more than one hundred students. I do not say this lightly without being sure. I In Gambia, as Ridvan, 1971, approached, have asked in the other village what you told Ruhiyyih a a n u m actively assisted in the elec- them. I believe this is the Truth and accept it, tion of village Spiritual Assemblies and was and I would like to see all my children and present, to her great joy, at the formation of kindred accept it, too." He came to the Baha'i three of them; just to perform the service of Convention held a few days later and after being able to address the friends and hold the about a year passed away, a devoted and ballot papers in her hands until the tellers came staunch believer. to collect and count them was an infinite In Mali, Ruhiyyih a a n u m realized a lifebounty, she said. long dream by visiting Timbuktu, undoubtedly Returning at dusk exhausted and hungry the first Baha'i to stop over in this ancient centre from one of these excursions and with an of Islamic learning south of the Sahara. Here eighty mile return journey before her, Ruhiyyih she paid a formal visit to the mayor and prea a n u m ' s vehicle was halted on the dirt track sented him with Baha'i literature. by an elderly African who demanded to know: In December, 1970, she had opened to the "Why is it that you go through our village to Faith of Baha'u'llah the village of Affery, the next village and never stop here to speak to Ivory Coast. When she attended the first us?" whereupon she insisted that her weary National Convention of the Spiritual Assembly
Amatu'l-Bahri Rdlziyyih ahnun?,Mr. Moses Akunlbi, and in the foreground, right, Mr. Edward Tube (Knight of Baha'u'llcih for that part of Ghana forn~erlyknown as British Togoland) at boundary of Upper Banyang, West Cameroon; October, 1971. THE H AN D S OF T H E C AU S E O F GOD 601
A7natu11-BahhRuhiyyih Brinunz with the Forz of Mankon, Bamenda District, United Republic of Can~eroon;October 9, 1971.
of the Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta, at people, she relieved his fears and brought a Ridvan, 1971, as the representative of the smile to his lips with the words: "My friends, Universal House of Justice, it was reported I am going away and I will not be able to return. that the membership of the Affery community I have brought you this wonderful news, benow numbered more than seventy, seventeen of cause it is true and because of my love for you. whom including a number of women, attended Whether you accept it or not is not my concern the Convention and delighted all with songs of at all. If you go to a man's house and he puts their own composition with Baha'i themes. At food in front of you, you will eat if you are the same Convention it was announced that hungry, but he cannot force you to eat if you Timbuktu was opened to the Faith. In that are not." Ridvan period she also attended the Annual In Upper Volta she was received by the Convention of the Baha'is of Upper West President, General Sangoulk Lamizana and by Africa in Gambia. the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Joseph Oue- In June, 1971, the travellers wrote: "We have draogo. It was reported: "Ouagadougou, the already flown at least 5,000 miles and motored capital of Upper Volta, is in the heart of the over 18,000 since arriving in July, 1969 !" Mossi area, the home of a famous and powerful Rilbiyyih a a n u m , while in Abidjan, Ivory people who live under the tribal system and are Coast, was invited by a new believer, a young still ruled by their own king who is always school teacher, to visit his village where the addressed as 'Emperor'; we were received by traditional religion of Africa, commonly re- him and his wife in their palace in the city and ferred to as "pagan" or "animism" is followed, had an interesting half-hour discussion on in order to explain the Teachings of Baha'u'- various topics." llah to his father, the Chief, and his relatives and And later, from Zalre: "In some of our other villagers, so they would understand what meetings we have 2,000 men, women and childhe had accepted in becoming a Baha'i. At the ren some of whom, we were told, walked a disconclusion of her talk, sensing the Chief's mis- tance of one hundred kilometres to be present." trust born of years of constant pressure by Having crossed the continent from east to religious groups to thrust their beliefs upon his west and then from west to east, the caravan 602 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
then launched on another lap of the journey to In these countries, as elsewhere in the conthe countries of southern Africa where the tinent, Ruhiyyih Khanum in her addresses in landrover negotiated the Sani Pass in Lesotho, both cosmopolitan centres and villages stressed the "roof" of Africa, which drops 5,000 feet the importance of preserving the African idenwithin five miles mostly comprised of notorious tity and culture, the role of youth in the modern hairpin turns. Ruhiyyihuanum told her com- world, and the great spiritual destiny of Africa, panion : "I'll drive, and you pray and count the emphasized that one of the purposes of the bends !" Baha'i Faith is the abolition of prejudice, "As I had always wanted to see the Bush- sounded a warning against the evil of the new men," Ruhiyyih a a n u m wrote, "I set aside emerging prejudicial contempt of the educated a special four days to make the trip into the for the illiterate, and underlined the Baha'i Kalahari desert. They are a singularly lovely teaching of obedience and loyalty to governpeople, clothed in skins, sitting by a campfire in ment. the dust, in some cases with no shelter at all, "The African is fundamentally an unprejjust under a thorn tree with their bows and udiced man and a spiritual man," she said on arrows and a few clothes hanging in its branches one occasion. "The great. challenge facing . . . They are quite a different race from all Africans today is not so much how to procure others and may be the most ancient in the Afri- the benefits of modern economy at home, but can continent in modern man's history. There how to do this without introducing the irreliis a sweetness and friendliness in the Bushmen gion and the intense materialism of the West that goes right to one's heart." and its attendant evils and ills." And again: In Swaziland, she was received by King Sob- "The black race in Africa, old in itself, yet huza 11, was placed in the royal box to witness young and vital at this point in world history, the Independence Day celebrations and was is now showing immense vitality, while at the invited to attend the famous Umhlanga (Reed same time it has not yet lost its spiritual a n d Dance), the traditional "dance of the maidens". moral values; it seems to hold promise of that
Amatu'l-Bahb Rdhiyyih arinum with sonze of the Chiefs and sub-chiefs who entertained her in Ishamba Village, Occidental Kasai, Zafre; Janaary 3, 1972. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OFGOD 603
An African friend, Carlos, translati~zgAmatu'l-Bahci Ruhiyyih aanunz's address to the Baha'i children's class of the school of Mr. Lawrence A. Hautz, pioneer to Salisbury, Rhodesia; March 19, 1972.
leadership so desperately needed today. This appeal. They left their families, their possescan be Africa's glorious destiny if she arises sions, their jobs in order to propagate the to fulfil it . . . and refuses to forfeit her spiritual Faith, and the House of Justice is following the , and moral values." same road laid by our Guardian. . ." Let these words, from the formal address of welcome read aloud to their honoured guest by How moving were the scenes witnessed the chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of during the long months spent in Africa: the Bukavu, ZaIre, depict the depth of under- courtesy, dignity and joy with which Ruhiyyih standing and quality of faith of the African a a n u m was received in villages where inbelievers and challenge the misgivings of the variably the Chief was attired in ceremonial sceptical : costume as a mark of respect, she often being greeted and escorted to the heart of the village "Very dear Mother, Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih under arches of flowers and greens, and on one Khanum, Hand of the Cause. In the name of occasion being met by a chorus of male dancers the Local Spiritual Assembly and the groups clad in colourful skirts and feather headdresses, about Bukavu I express our intense joy at wel- accompanied by drummers, and followed for coming you. You are now in the Kivu area a mile in the noonday jungle heat by a joyful which has embraced with no reservations the throng of one hundred believers, young and Baha'i Faith as a result of the organization so old, a welcome reserved only for visitors of the firmly laid down by our much loved Guardian, highest rank; the gifts bestowed upon Ruhiyyih Shoghi Effendi, whose passing is so deeply re- a a n u m of fine examples of African handgretted, who called upon pioneers to volun- crafts; the sweetness of spirit which inspired the tarily leave their own countries and go sow the welcoming addresses which were read and the seeds of the teachings of this Holy Cause in the songs composed for the event, one with words hearts of the human race. The community once such as these, "Amatu'l-Baha means the one more thanks the pioneers for responding to this who carries the Faith of God all over the world, 604 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Amatu'l-Bahci Rdhiyyih Banurn beingpresented with the gift of a clay pot by the Baha'i who made it; Rzihiyyih a a n u m ' s name is baked into the clay. Givogi, Kenya.
one who comes from Haifa. . ."; the young waiting with a welcoming speech composed for father in the Cameroon Republic who had the occasion; the solace her visit brought to the courageously violated tradition by naming his widow of the first African known to have sacrichildren after Baha'i heroes proudly presenting ficed his life rather than recant his faith;l the to Ruhiyyih a a n u m his infant daughter, her compassion with which Rlihiyyih Khanurn namesake, explaining that "The names used in heard a stalwart believer recount his experience this country are biblical, but I have moved a of being imprisoned twice for his belief; the step forward and I want my children to be thrill of meeting an efficient village Spiritual blessed and inspired by the names of the great Assembly in Lesotho, its membership com- Baha'i heroes and heroines" ;the simplicity and prised of nine women; the radiance of a young beauty of the funeral in Rhodesia of a three Baha'i in Zaire as he sang a verse and melody of month old child to which one hundred children his own composition, "0 Baha'u'llah, we were of a Baha'i school marched half a mile carrying blind, You opened our eyes; we were deaf, You blossoms and singing the Greatest Name and gave us hearing; hold our hands to the end of where the Baha'i funeral prayers read in Shona our lives. . ."; the tenderness with which so affected the child's elderly grandmother that Ri~hiyyihm a n u m gathered flowers and fern, she spontaneously embraced the Cause; the fashioning a wreath to place on the twin graves address of Ruhiyyih a a n u m in the darkened of George and Bessy Washington, elderly chapel of Njala College, Sierra Leone, during a American Negro pioneers who came to Liberia power failure, by the light of three candles in the early years of the Ten Year Crusade and placed on the floor, in the flickering light of died at their post in 1959, their Nigerian farm which she tirelessly explained the Message of now being a national endowment. Stirring Bahi'u'llah to an audience of fifty students; the scenes such as these are cherished in the memoenthusiasm and devotion of the young Nigerian ries of those privileged to witness them. believer who greeted her at one village, then Who would surmise the thoughts that must bicycled ahead at great speed to carry news of Eduardo Durante Viera, see "In Memoriam", The her arrival to the next community where he Was Bahd'i World, vol. xrv, p. 389. THE HANDS OF TH E CAUSE OF GOD 605 have flooded the mind of Rulliyyih a a n u m qualify for description as roads, flown unwho as a young girl at the eleventh National numbered miles by air and voyaged vast dis- Convention of the BahL'is of the United States tances by watercraft. Mrs. Naajavani wrote: in 1919 had participated in the formal "un- "Looking back on this period of three years, veiling" of two of the Tablets of the Divine eight months and eleven days, during which Plan,l the mandate which has been the source Amatu'l-Baha was absent from Haifa, almost of all BahB'i teaching plans, as she gazed into three years of which were spent on the conthe faces of the Baha'is of a continent in which tinent of Africa, I cannot help but feel gratithe response to the Ten Year Crusade of Shoghi tude at being witness to one of the greatest acts Effendi had been so promising, or venture to of devotion and servitude in the history of this describe the emotions which overtook her as period of our Faith. . . Amatu'l-Baha crossed she recognized the Knights of BahB'u'llLh and the continent of Africa twice and with her deep other pioneers who arose in responseto his call love breathed a new life and a new hope into and still remained at their posts. None could be all its inhabitants. I firmly believe that future so insensitive as to attempt to rend the veil that generations will study her life, her services and must shield her inmost feelings from even her her travels in those lands honoured by her closest loving admirers and well-wishers as she visits, and pattern their conduct on her exviewed again landscapes she had seen when she ample, inspired to follow in her footsteps. To traversed Africa, approximately thirty years be- my fanciful imagination, her visit to the restingfore, in the company of the beloved Guardian. place of Shoghi Effendi in London was sym- At the conclusion of the great safari, the in- bolic. It was in July, 1969, from that blessed trepid travellers, accompanied by various spot, that she took her leave and started on her friends during different segments of their trek, long African safari; and now, in February of had driven 36,000 miles by landrover, the 1973, she came back, laying her services and majority over expanses which could scarcely her victories at his feet." Star of the West, vol. x, No. 4, p. 59.
Anzatu'l-Baha Rdhiyyilz adnun1 with a group of Masai wonieiz, Geferi market, Kisii, Kenya. 606 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD Listed below in chronological order are the countries, islands and territories of Africa visited by the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-BahB Rhhiyyih Khknum and her travelling companion, Mrs. Violette NakhjavBni, in the period August, 1969, t o February, 1973. The dates of the visits are given, together with the names of some of the Heads of State and other dignitaries who received her, t o a number of whom she presented The Proclamation of Bahb'u'lkah or other BahB'i literature.
UGANDA CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC A u ~4-14,1969 . Jan. 13-24,1970 Dec. 3,1969-Jan. 2,1970 CHAD His Excellency Vice-President Daniel Arap Jan. 25-Feb. 7,1970 Moi NIGERIA KENYA Feb. 8-10,1970 Aug. 15-Sept. 1,1969 Sept. 7-Oct. 4,1971 Sept. 28-Oct. 14,1969 Nov. 17-Dec. 2,1969 NIGER Oct. 2-10,1972 Feb. 11-18,1970 NOV.3-8,1972 His Excellency Hamani Diori Nov. 25-Dec. 12,1972 Feb. 2-24,1973 DAHOMEY Feb. 19-26,1970 ETHIOPIA Aug. 11-Sept. 6,1971 Oct. 15-NOV.17,1969 His Excellency Sourou Migan Apithy, Presi- His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I dential Council (Porto Novo) Her Imperial Majesty Princess Tenagne His Excellency Justin Tometin Ahomadegbe, Worke Haile Selassie Presidential Council (Cotonou) His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Merid Asmatch Asfaw Wossen TOGO His Highness Prince Asrate Kassa, Gover- .Feb.27-Mar. 1,1970 nor-General of Eritrea GHANA Her Highness Princess Seble Desta Mar. 2-11,1970 Girazmatch KebbCdC Wolde-Medhin, Nov. 20-28,1970 Chief Secretary, Province of Sidamu Feb. 12-21,1971 The Governor-General of Dire Dawa May 11-28,1971 The Governor-General of Assab Aug. 6-10,1971 Dejazmatch Haregot Abbai, Mayor of Asmara His Highness the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware I1 TANZANIA (and MAFIA ISLAND) His Excellency Acting Prime Minister J. Kwesi Lamptey Sept. 2-26,1969 The Hon. T. D. Brodie-Mends, Minister of Dec. 13-14,1972 Information Jan. 25-Feb. 2,1973 The Hon. William Ofori-Atta, Minister of The Regional Commissioner., Mafia Island Education
ZAIRE IVORY COAST Jan. 3-12,1970 Nov. 29-Dec. 21,1970 Dec. 11,1971-Jan.31,1972 Jan. 13-14,1971 Dec. 19,1972-Jan. 13,1973 Feb. 22-Mar. 2,1971 The Mayor of Luluabourg Apr. 27-May 10,1971 The Mayor of Bukavu His Excellency President Felix Houphouet- Governor N'Debo A Kanda Di Ne Nkeza Boigny T E E H A N D S O F THE C A U S E O F G O D
LIBERIA RHODESIA Dec. 23,1970-Jan. 14,1971 Mar. 10-31,1972 Mar. 3-15,1971 May 11-Junes, 1972 His Excellency President Dr. William V. S. Tubman BOTSWANA June 9-28,1972 MALI Jan. 15-Feb.1,1971 REPUBLIC O F SOUTH AFRICA His Excellency Vice-President Captain Yoro June 29-July 6,1972 Diakite July 12-19,1972 Captain Suleyman Marico, Mayor of Tim- Aug. 4-14,1972 buktu Sept. 24-27,1972 UPPER VOLTA SOUTH WEST AFRICA (NAMIBIA) Feb. 2-11,1971 July 7-11,1972 His Excellency President General Sangoule Lamizana LESOTHO Emperor Mogho Naba, Mossi Tribe July 19-Aug. 4,1972 The Hon. Joseph Ouedraogo, Speaker of His Majesty King Motlotlehi Moshoeshoe I1 Parliament SWAZILAND SIERRA LEONE Aug. 15-Sept. 19,1972 Mar. 16-25,1971 Sept. 22-23,1972 His Excellency Prime Minister Dr. Siaka His Majesty King Sobhuza 11, K.B.E. Stevens His Highness Prince Masitsela His Excellency Governor-General Sir Banja Her Highness Princess Gcinaphi Tejan-Sie SENEGAL MOZAMBIQUE Mar. 26-Apr. 8,1971 Sept. 20-21,1972 Apr. 26,1971 MALAWI His Excellency President Leopold-SCdar Oct. 1 1-NOV.2,1972 . Senghor His Excellency President Dr. Hastings GAMBIA Kamuzu Banda Apr. 9-26,1971 The Hon. A. A. Muwalo Nqumayo, Minister His Excellency President Sir Dawda Kairaba of State Jawara SEYCHELLES Nov. 9-24,1972 CAMEROON REPUBLIC His Excellency Governor-General Sir Bruce Oct. 5-NOV.2,1971 Great-Batch His Excellency Vice-President Soloinon The Hon. D. L. Davies, Attorney-General Tandeng Muna The Fon of Mankon RWANDA The Fon of Makebe Dec. 15-18,1972 Jan. 14-22,1973 ZAMBIA His Excellency President GrCgoire Kayi- Feb. 1-Mar. 9,1972 banda June 4,1972 His Excellency President Dr. Kenneth David BURUNDI Kaunda Jan. 23-24,1973 4. HANDS O F THE CAUSE WHO REPRESENTED THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE AT CONFERENCES AND DEDICATIONS
Oceanic and Intercontinental Cor$erences Ugo Giachery Palermo, Sicily August 23-25,1968 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyihmanum La Paz, Bolivia August 14-16,1970 William Sears Rose Hill, Mauritius August 14-16,1970 Rahmatu'llah Muhitjir Monrovia, Liberia January 1-3,1971 Enoch Olinga Singapore, Singapore January 1-3,1971 mikru'llah B a d e m Kingston, Jamaica May 21-23,1971 Collis Featherstone Suva, Fiji May 21-23,1971 'Ali-Akbar Furdtan Sapporo, Japan September 3-5,1971 John Robarts Reykjavik, Iceland September 3-5,1971
Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America Panama City, Panama April 29, 1972 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m T H E H A N D S O F T H E C A U S E OFGOD 609
The Hand of the Cause John Robarts as he appeared at the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland; September, 1971. Mr. Robarts was the representative of the Universal House of Justice on this occasion.
Dr. Chellie J. Sundram (right), a member of the Continental Board oj Counsellors in Southeastern Asia, conducting the Hands o f the Ca~lseandguests around the Bahci'i Exhibition at the Oceanic Conference of the South China Seas held in Singapore; January, 1971. On the left are seen the Hands of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone and Enoch Olinga. 1 610 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
5. HANDS O F THE CAUSE WHO REPRESENTED THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE AT CONVENTIONS FOR THE ELECTION O F NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES Ridudn 1969 Enoch Olinga Burundi and Rwanda (Bujumbura, Burundi) Collis Featherstone Papua and New Guinea (Lae, New Guinea)
Rivddn 1970 Amatu'l-BahB Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana (Georgetown, Rithiyyihainum Guyana) Ugo Giachery Near East (Beirut, Lebanon) Jalil a a z e h Dahomey, Togo and Niger (Cotonou, Dahomey) Ghana (Accra) Paul Haney Botswana (Gaborone) Malawi (Limbe) Enoch Olinga Upper West Africa (Bathurst, The Gambia) I Collis Featherstone Samoa (Apia, Western Samoa) Tonga and the Cook I Islands (Nukualofa, Tonga) Rahmatu'llAh Muhajir Fiji (Suva) Abu'l-Qasim Faizi Central Africa (Bangui, Central African Republic) Zalre (Kinshasa)
Ridudn 197I Amatu'l-Baha Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta (Abidjan, Ivory Rul>iyyihTQanum Coast) mikru'llah a i d e m Trinidad and Tobago (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad) Adelbert Muhlschlegel Lesotho (Maseru) Swaziland and Mozambique (Mbabane, Swaziland) 'Ali-Muhammad Varqi Central African Republic (Bangui) Congo (Brazzaville) and Gabon (Brazzaville) Enoch Olinga Chad (Fort Lamy) Collis Featherstone Solomon Islands (Honiara) South West Pacific Ocean (Noumea)
Riduci~z1972 Amatu'l-Baha Windward Islands (Bridgetown, Barbados) RilhiyyihTQanum Ugo Giachery Puerto Rico (Santurce) 'Ali-Akbar Furdtan Nepal (Katmandu) Adelbert Muhlschlegel Rwanda (Kigali) Seychelles (Victoria, MahCIsland) Jalal m a z e h Singapore (Singapore) Eastern Malaysia and Brunei (Kuching) Enoch Olinga Iceland (Reykjavik) William Sears Republic of Ireland (Dublin) Collis Featherstone North West Pacific Ocean (Ponape, Caroline Islands) Rahmatu'llah Muhajir RCunion Island (St. Pierre) Malagasy Republic (Tananarive) THE H A N D S O F T H E CAUSE O F C O D 61 1
6. T H E ESTABLISHMENT O F T H E C O N T I N E N T A L BOARDS O F C O U N S E L L O R S Cablegram.from the Universal House of Justice " T o All National Spiritual Assemblies" June 21, 1968 REJOICE ANNOUNCE MOMENTOUS DECISION ESTABLISH ELEVEN CONTINENTAL BOARDS COUN- SELLORS PROTECTION PROPAGATION FAITH THREE EACH FOR AFRICA AMERICAS ASIA ONE EACH FOR AUSTRALASIA EUROPE STOP ADOPTION THIS SIGNIFICANT STEP FOLLOWING CONSULTA- TION WITH HANDS CAUSE GOD ENSURES EXTENSION FUTURE APPOINTED FUNCTIONS THEIR INSTITUTION STOP CONTINENTAL BOARDS ENTRUSTED IN CLOSE COLLABORATION HANDS CAUSE WITH RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTION AUXILIARY BOARDS AND CONSULTATION NATIONAL SPIRI- TUAL ASSEMBLIES STOP HANDS CAUSE GOD WILL HENCEFORTH INCREASE INTERCONTINENTAL SERVICES ASSUMING WORLD-WIDE ROLE PROTECTION PROPAGATION FAITH STOP MEMBERS AUXILIARY BOARDS WILL REPORT BE RESPONSIBLE TO CONTINENTAL BOARDS COUNSELLORS STOP HANDS CAUSE RESIDING HOLY LAND IN ADDITION SERVING LIAISON BETWEEN UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE AND CONTINENTAL BOARDS COUNSELLORS WILL ASSIST FUTURE ESTABLISH- MENT INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE HOLY LAND FORESHADOWED WRITINGS BELOVED GUARDIAN STOP DETAILS NEW DEVELOPMENTS BEING CONVEYED BY LETTER STOP FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING HOLY THRESHOLD DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS FURTHER STEP IRRESISTIBLE UN- FOLDMENT MIGHTY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER BAHAULLAH.
Below in chronological order are excerpts from the principal commu~~icatioas of the Universal House of Justice delineating and elucidating the functions of the Continental Boards of Counsellors:
LETTER "TO THE BAHA'IS O F THE WORLD" The majestic unfoldment of BahB'u'llah's and the texts have been collected and reviewed. world-redeeming administrative system has During the last two months, this goal, as anbeen marked by the successive establishment of nounced in our cable to the National Conventhe various institutions and agencies which con- tions, has been the object of prolonged and stitute the framework of that divinely-created prayerful consultation between the Universal Order. Thus, more than a quarter-of-a-century House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause of after the emergence of the first National Spiri- God. All this made evident the framework withtual Assemblies of the Baha'i world the Insti- in which this goal was to be achieved, namely: tution of the Hands of the Cause of God was The Universal House of Justice sees no way formally established, with the appointment by in which additional Hands of the Cause of the beloved Guardian, in conformity with the God can be appointed. provisions of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Will and Testament, of the first contingent of these high- The absence of the Guardian of the Faith ranking officers of the Faith. Following the brought about an entirely new relationship passing of the Guardian of the Cause of God, between the Universal House of Justice and it fell to the House of Justice to devise a way, the Hands of the Cause and called for the within the Administrative Order, of developing progressive unfoldment by the Universal "the Institution of the Hands of the Cause with House of Justice of the manner in which the a view to extension into the future of its ap- Hands of the Cause would carry out their pointed functions of protection and propaga- divinely-conferred functions of protection tion", and this was made a goal of the Nine and propagation. Year Plan. Much thought and study has been Whatever new development or institution is given to the question over the past four years, initiated should come into operation as soon 612 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
I I Membership of First Continental Boards of Counsellors (1968) Northwestern Africa Hands of the Cause who convened inaugural meeting
Husayn Ardikanil 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa Muhammad Kebdani William Maxwell Central and East Africa Oloro Epyeru M6sa Banini Kolollario Oule Isobel Sabri Mihdi Samandari 'Aziz Yazdil Southern Africa Seewoosumbur-Jeehoba Appa Enoch Olinga &idan Fath-i-A'zaml Bahiyyih Ford North A~nerica Lloyd Gardner aikru'llah a a d e m Florence Mayberry Edna True1 Central America Carmen de Burafato Ugo Giachery Artemus Lamb Alfred Osbornel South America Athos Costas Jalal a k z e h Hooper Dunbarl Donald Witzel Western Asia Masih Farhangi &u'B'u'llih 'Ala'i Mas'itd a a m s i Hadi Rahmanil Manudihr Salminpur Sankaran-Nair Vasudevan Southeast Asia Yan Kee Leong Rabmatu'llah Muhajir a u d a r a h m Paymanl Chellie Sundram Northeast Asia Ruhu'llah Mumtazil John Robarts Vicente Samaniego Australasia Suhayl 'Ala'i H. Collis Featherstone Howard Harwood Thelma Perks1 Europe Erik Blumenthal Adelbert Miihlschlegel Dorothy Ferrabyl Louis Henuzet
I Trustee, Continental Fund. T H E H A N D S O F TH[ E C A U S E O F G O D 613 as possible in order to reinforce and supple- after consultation with the Hand or Hands prement the work of the Hands of the Cause viously assigned to the continent or zone. while at the same time taking full advantage The Hands of the Cause of God have the of the opportunity of having the Hands prerogative and obligation to consult with the themselves assist in launching and guiding Continental Boards of Counsellors and Nathe new procedures. tional Spiritual Assemblies on any subject which, in their view, affects the interests of the Any such institution must grow and operate Cause. The Hands residing in the Holy Land in harmony with the principles governing the will act as liaison between the Universal House functioning of the Institution of the Hands of Justice and the Continental Boards of Counof the Cause of God. sellors, and will also assist the Universal House In the light of these considerations the Uni- of Justice in setting up, at a propitious time, versal House of Justice decided, as announced an international teaching centre in the Holy in its recent cable, to establish Continental Land, as anticipated in the Guardian's writ- Boards of Counsellors for the protection and ings. propagation of the Faith. Their duties will in- The Hands of the Cause of God are one of clude directing the Auxiliary Boards in their the most precious assets the BahB'i world respective areas, consulting and collaborating possesses. Released from administration of the with National Spiritual Assemblies, and Auxiliary Boards, they will be able to concenkeeping the I-Iands of the Cause and the Uni- trate their energies on the more primary responversal House of Justice informed concerning sibilities of general protection and propagation, the conditions of the Cause in their areas. "preservation of the spiritual health of the Initially eleven Boards of Counsellors have BahB'i communities" and "the vitality of the been appointed, one for each of the following faith" of the Baha'is throughout the world. areas: Northwestern Africa, Central and East The House of Justice will call upon them to Africa, Southern Africa, North America, Cen- undertake special missions on its behalf, to tral America, South America, Western Asia, represent it on both Baha'i and other occa- Southeastern Asia, Northeastern Asia, Aus- sions and to keep it informed of the welfare of tralasia and Europe. the Cause. While the Hands of the Cause will, The members of these Boards of Counsellors naturally, have special concern for the affairs will serve for a term, or terms, the length of of the Cause in the areas in which they reside, which will be determined and announced at a they will operate increasingly on an interlater date, and while serving in this capacity, continental level, a factor which will lend trewill not be eligible for membership on national mendous impetus to the diffusion throughout or local administrative bodies. One member of the Baha'i world of the spiritual inspiration each Continental Board of Counsellors has channelled through them-the Chief Stewards been designated as Trustee of the Continental of Baha'u'llih's embryonic World Common- Fund for its area. wealth. The Auxiliary Boards for Protection and With joyful hearts we proclaim this further Propagation will henceforth report to the unfoldment of the Administrative Order of Continental Boards of Counsellors who will Baha'u'llah and join our prayers to those of the appoint or replace members of the Auxiliary friends throughout the East and the West that Boards as circumstances may require. Such Baha'u'llah may continue to shower His conappointments and replacements as may be firmations upon the efforts of His servants in necessary in the initial stages will take place the safeguarding and promotion of His Faith. (June 24,1968) 614 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
LETTER "TO ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES" We are enclosing a message addressed to the indeed vital to the future progress of the Cause. Baha'is of the world outlining the decisions of Although henceforth the Hands of the Cause the Universal House of Justice arrived at in will be operating increasingly on an interconsultation with the Hands of the Cause of continental level and in direct relationship with God in implementation of the goal of the Nine the Universal House of Justice, they will, in Year Plan concerning the development of the addition to carrying out special missions on its Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, behalf, continue to exercise their prerogative with a view to the extension into the future of and obligation of consulting with National its appointed functions of protection and pro- Spiritual Assemblies on any subject which, in pagation. their view, affects the interests of the Cause. The relationship of Continental Boards of National Spiritual Assemblies should at all Counsellors to National Spiritual Assemblies times take advantage of the presence of Hands will follow the pattern of the relationship be- of the Cause in their areas to seek their views on tween the Hands of the Cause and National all fundamental matters, particularly in the Spiritual Assemblies, outlined by the beloved areas of protection and propagation. Guardian in various comn~unications.Within It is our hope and prayer that all National the framework of these, and of general instruc- Spiritual Assemblies may lend full support to tions given to them by the Universal House of the labours and services of these newly- Justice, the Boards of Counsellors will decide appointed workers in the Divine Vineyard, and the manner in which they will collaborate and derive additional strength and fresh inspiration consult with National Spiritual Assemblies in from the efforts they will exert in the discharge their areas. You will readily recognize the iin- of their highly-challenging and sacred responportance of this close collaboration, which is sibilities. (J~ine24, 1968)
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Northwestern Africa. Left to right: Mr. Muhanzniad Kebdani (Kibddni), Dr. William Maxwell, Mr. Husayn Ardikdni; 1968. THE'HAN DS O F T H E C A U S E O F G OD 615
The Continental Board oj' Counsellors in Central and East Africa. Front row, left to right: Mr. Oloro Epyeru, Mrs. Isobel Sabri. Back row, left to right: Mr. 'Aziz Yazdi, Mr. Kolonario Oule, Dr. Mihdi Samandari; 1968.
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Southern Africa. Lejt to right: Mr. Seewoosumbur- Jeehoba Appa, Mrs. Bahiyyih Ford Winckler, Mr. irki in Fath-i-A'zam; 1968. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
EXCERPTS FROM LETTER "TO ALL CONTINENTAL BOARDS O F COUNSELLORS" It is with feelings of deep satisfaction and cordial invitation to members of the Conappreciation that we have noted during these tinental Board of Counsellors of an area to first months since the establishment of your attend each National Convention. All Counnew institution, the rapid and effective manner sellors present at a Convention in their area will in which you have inaugurated and developed be accorded the same freedom of the Convenyour work. We feel that additional clarification tion as is given to the Hands of the Cause. If of certain points will be helpful to the Con- no Counsellors can attend a Convention, they tinental Boards of Counsellors in discharging may appoint for that Convention one or two their vital responsibilities. . . Auxiliary Board members to act as their spe- The high station of the Hands of the Cause cial deputies, who will be warmly welcomed and and the intercontinental scope of their diverse given the courtesy of taking part in the Convenactivities call for the fullest co-operation from tion as representatives of the Board of Counthe Continental Boards of Counsellors with sellors. . . each Hand, whether resic%iit or travelling, and The two Auxiliary Boards for Protection and provision of complete i::.Formation which the Propagation have distinctive functions, as pre- Hand may require f,cj;i.the discharge of his scribed by the beloved Guardian. Members of sacred duties. T3:: Continental Boards of the Auxiliary Board for Protection certainly Counsellors should freely offer their own or may assist in propagating the Faith, but their Auxiliary Board members' services. primary duty is that of protection. In excep- Emergencies may occasionally arise which tional cases, Continental Boards of Counselrequire a Hand to direct an Auxiliary Board lors may find it necessary to assign a member member, in which case the Continental Board of the Propagation Board to a matter of proof Counsellors will be advised by the Hand as tection. . . quickly as possible of the action taken. . . Auxiliary Board members present at a Na- The Continental Boards of Counsellors are tional Convention do not have the privilege of authorized to determine the ways by which the floor unless deputized by the Continental individual Counsellors can, in the fulfilment of Board of Counsellors or given the privilege of their duties, best contact national and local the floor by the Convention. . . Assemblies, groups and individuals. . . (Marclz 25, 1969) National Spiritual Assemblies will extend a
LETTER "TO ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES" With great joy we announce that we have Board of Counsellors of Western Asia to fill decided to increase the total number of mem- a vacancy on that Board. bers of the Continental Boards of Counsellors The devoted efforts of all eleven Continenfor the Protection and Propagation of the Faith tal Boards of Counsellors during the first year to thirty-eight by adding John McHenry I11 to of their services to the Faith of BahB'u'llah have the Continental Board of Counsellors in North been most exemplary and praiseworthy. We are East Asia and Mas'hd a a m s i to the Conti- deeply grateful for the loyalty, steadfastness and nental Board of Counsellors in South America, devotion which have characterized the actiraising the number of Counsellors on each vities of all members in reinforcing the vitally Board to three and four, respectively. important work of the Hands of the Cause of We also rejoice to announce the appoint- God. (July 10,1969) ment of Mrs. Shirin Boman to the Continental THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD
EXCERPT FROM CABLEGRAM "TO ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES" . . . MOVED PAY LOVING TRIBUTE HANDS CAUSE ANNOUNCE AUGMENTATION VITAL INSTITU- GOD THEIR BRILLIANT SERVICES BLAZING TION THROUGH APPOINTMENT THREE ADDI- TEACHING TRAILS SURFACE PL.ANET UPLIFTING TIONAL COUNSELLORS IRAJ AYMAN WESTERN ADVISING ASSEMBLIESFRIENDS ALL CONTINENTS ASIA ANNELIESE BOPP BETTY REED EUROPE STOP IN VIEW EFFECTIVE REINFORCEMENT AND AUTHORIZATION APPOINTMENT FORTY- THIS NOBLE WORK BY ABLE DEDICATED CON- FIVE ADDITIONAL AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBERS TINENTAL BOARDS COUNSELLORS THEIR AUX- NINE AFRICA SIXTEEN ASIA TWO AUSTRALASIA ILIARY BOARDS TOGETHER WITH GROWING EIGHTEEN WESTERN HEMISPHERE. .. NEED AND EXPANSION WORLD COMMUNITY (Ridvan 1970)
LETTER "TO ALL CONTINENTAL BOARDS O F COUNSELLORS AND NATIONAL SPIRlTUAL ASSEMBLIES" Recently we have received queries from se- all intimately interrelated and it is not incorrect veral sources about the nature of the Institution to refer to the three ranks collectively as one of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and institution. its relationship to the Institution of the Hands However, each is also a separate institution of the Cause, and we feel it is timely for us to in itself. The Institution of the Hands of the give further elucidation. Cause of God was brought into existence in the As with so many aspects of the Adminis- time of BahB'u'llah and when the Administratrative Order, understanding of this subject tive Order was proclaimed and formally estawill develop and clarify with the passage of time blished by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Will, it beas that Order grows organically in response to came an auxiliary institution of the Guardianthe power and guidance of Almighty God and ship. The Auxiliary Boards, in their turn, were in accordance with the needs of a rapidly deve- brought into being by Shoghi Effendi as an loping world-wide community. However, cer- auxiliary institution of the Hands of the Cause. tain aspects are already so clear as to require a When, following the passing of Shoghi proper understanding by the friends. Effendi, the Universal House of Justice decided In the Kitbb-i-'Ahdi (the Book of His Cove- that it could not legislate to make possible the nant) Baha'u'llah wrote, "Blessed are the rulers appointment of further Hands of the Cause, it and the learned in Al-Baha", and referring to became necessary for it to create a new instithis very passage the beloved Guardian wrote tution, appointed by itself, to extend into the on November 4,1931 : future the functions of protection and propagation vested in the Hands of the Cause and, with "In this holy cycle the 'learned' are, on the that in view, so to develop the Institution of the one hand, the Hands of the Cause of God, Hands that it could nurture the new institution and, on the other, the teachers and diffusers and function in close collaboration with it as of His teachings who do not rank as Hands, long as possible. It was also vital so to arrange but who have attained an eminent position in matters as to make the most effective use of the the teaching work. As to the 'rulers' they refer unique services of the Hands themselves. to the members of the Local, National and The first step in this development was taken International Houses of Justice. The duties in November, 1964, when the Universal House of each of these souls will be determined in of Justice formally related the Institution of the future." (Translated froni the Persian.) the Hands to itself by stating that "Respon- The Hands of the Cause of God, the Coun- sibility for decisions on matters of general sellors and the members of the Auxiliary policy affecting the institution of the Hands of Boards fall within the definition of thealearned" the Cause, which was formerly exercised by the given by the beloved Guardian. Thus they are beloved Guardian, now devolves upon the The Continental Boardof Counsellors in North America. Left to right: Mrs. Florence Mayberry, Mr. Lloyd Gardrter, Miss Edna True; 1968.
Universal House of Justice as the supreme and the Universal House of Justice and the Boards central institution of the Faith to which all of Counsellors; and the working interrelationmust turn." At that time the number of mem- ships between the Hands and the Boards of bers of the Auxiliary Boards was increased from Counsellors were established. Reference was seventy-two to one hundred and thirty five, and also made to the future establishment by the the Hands of the Cause in each continent were Universal House of Justice, with the assistance called upon to appoint one or more members of of the Hands residing in the Holy Land, of an their Auxiliary Boards to act in an executive international teaching centre in the Holy Land.l capacity on behalf of and in the name of each In July, 1969, and at Ridvin, 1970, further Hand, thereby assisting him in carrying out his increases in the numbers of Counsellors and work. Auxiliary Board members were made. In June, 1968, the Institution of the Conti- Other developments in the Institution of the nental Boards of Counsellors was brought into Hands of the Cause and the Institution of the being, fulfilling the goal of extending the afore- Continental Boards of Counsellors will no mentioned functions of the Hands into the doubt take place in future as the international future, and this momentous decision was teaching centre comes into being and as the accompanied by the next step in the develop- work of the Counsellors expands. ment of the Institution of the Hands of the We have noted that the Hands, the Coun- Cause; the continental Hands were to serve sellors and the Auxiliary Boards are sometimes henceforth on a world-wide basis and operate referred to by the friends as the "appointive individually in direct relationship to the Uni- arm" of the Administrative Order in contraversal House of Justice; the Hands ceased to be distinction to the Universal House of Justice responsible for the direction of the Auxiliary and the National and Local Assemblies which Boards, which became an auxiliary institution The Universal House of Justice announced the estaof the Continental Boards of Courlsellors~the blishment of the International Teaching Centre on Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land June 8, 1973, in a letter addressed "To the BahB'is of the World". Its establishment falls beyond the period were given the task of acting as liaison between under review in this volume. THE HANDS OF THE CAU SE OF GOD 619
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Central America. Left to right: Mr. Artenzus Lamb, Mrs. Carmen de Burafato, Mr. Alfved Osborne; 1968.
The Continental Board of Counsellors in South America. Left to right: Mr. Donald Witzel, Mr. Athos Costas, Mr. Mas'dd a a m s i , Mr. Hooper Dunbar; 1970. 620 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
constitute the "elective arm". While there is rather, He has brought all the assemblies totruth in this description as it applies to the gether under the shadow of one House of Jusmethodused in thecreation of these institutions, tice, one divinely appointed Centre, so that the friends should understand that it is not only there would be only one Centre and all the the fact of appointment that particularly dis- rest integrated into a single body, revolving tinguishes the institutions of the Hands, Coun- around one expressly-designated Pivot, thus sellors and Auxiliary Boards. There are, for making them all proof against schism and instance, many more believers appointed to division." (Translatedfromthe Persian.) committees in the "elective arm" than are serv- Raving permanently excluded the evils ading in the so-called "appointive arm". A more mittedly inherent in the institutions of the striking distinction is that whereas the "rulers" "learned" in past dispensations, Bahi'u'llah has in the Cause function as corporate bodies, the nevertheless embodied in His Administrative "learned" operate primarily as individuals. Order the beneficent elements which exist in In a letter written on March 14, 1927 to the such institutions, elements which are of funda- Spiritual Assembly of theBahi'is of Istanbu1,the mental value for the progress of the Cause, Guardian's secretary explained, on his behalf, as can be gauged from even a cursory reading the principle in the Cause of action by majority of the Guardian's message of June 4,1957. vote. He pointed out how, in the past, it was The existence of institutions of such exalted certain individuals who "accounted themselves rank, comprising individuals who play such a as superior in knowledge and elevated in po- vital role, who yet have no legislative, adminisition" who caused division, and that it was strative or judicial authority, and are entirely those "who pretended to be the most distin- devoid of priestly functions or the right to make guished of all" who "always proved themselves authoritative interpretations, is a feature of to be thesource of contention"."But praise be to Baha'i administration unparallelled in the God" he continued, "that the Pen of Glory has religions of the past. The newness and uniyuedone away with the unyielding and dictatorial ness of this concept make it difficult to grasp; views of the learned and the wise, dismissed the only as the Baha'i Community grows and the assertions of individuals as an authoritative believers are increasingly able to conteniplate criterion, even though they were recognized as its administrative structure uninfluenced by the most accomplished and learned among men concepts from past ages, will the vital interand ordained that all matters be referred to dependence of the "rulers" and "learned" in authorized centres and specified assemblies. the Faith be properly understood, and the in- Even so, no assembly has been invested with the estimable value of their interaction be fully absolute authority to deal with such general recognized. (April 24,1972) matters as affect the interests of nations. Nay
In a letter to the Hands of the Cause dated already been requested to submit their written October 24, 1971, the Universal House of Jus- views. The members of the Continental Boards tice invited them all to attend the International of Counsellors were also invited to attend the Convention during Ridvan, 130 (April 29, 30, International Convention and were given an May 1,1973) and to stay on for the purpose of opportunity to make a brief pilgrimage. Proviconsulting on a number of important subjects sion was also made for consultations among the including the establishment of the International Counsellors themselves, and with the Hands of Teaching Centre, about which the Hands had the Cause, and the Universal House of Justice. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE O F G O D
7. T H E R E L A T I O N S H I P O F C O N T I N E N T A L BOARDS O F C O U N S E L L O R S T O NATIONAL S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLIES
IN his cablegram of June 4, 1957, one of his hearts, even more than our intellects, to a wholly very last messages to the BahB'i world, Shoghi new theory, completely unique and different Effendi called, with marked emphasis, for the from any hitherto practised, either in former closest collaboration of the Hands of the Cause religious dispensations or governments. As the and National Spiritual Assemblies, referring to Guardian has told us: them as the "two institutions, occupying, with "A word should now be said regarding the the Universal House of Justice, next to the theory on which this Administrative Order is Institution of the Guardianship, foremost rank based and the principle that must govern the in the divinely ordained administrative hier- operation of its chief institutions. It would be archy of the World Order of BahB'u'llah".l utterly misleading to attempt a comparison Continuing, in this same message, the Guar- between this unique, this divinely-conceived dian asserts that "The security of our precious Order and any of the diverse systems which the Faith, the preservation of the spiritual health minds of men, at various periods of their hisof the BahB'i communities, the vitality of the tory, have contrived for the government of faith of its individual members, the proper human institution^."^ functioning of its laboriously erected insti- "The Administrative Order . . . it should be tutions, the fruition of its worldwide enter- noted, is, by virtue of its origin and character, prises, the fulfilment of its ultimate destiny, all unique in the annals of the world's religious are directly dependent upon the befitting dis- system^."^ charge of the weighty responsibilities now resting upon the members of these two institu- It is the Guardian who. in his "World Order" tion~.~ letters addressed to the early believers-at the Both the content and the tone of this vital very beginning of his ministry-has, with such message emphasize profoundly the great im- painstaking care, loving patience and underportance of our understanding, as clearly as standing, clarified for us the vital necessity, possible, the subjects we are now considering, the unique characteristics, the unimaginable namely, the functions and relationships of these dynamic power, and assured accomplishment two institutions, as a necessary first step to- of BahB'u'llah's Administrative Order. It is wards realizing the nature and scope of the through this inexhaustible source of infallible constant and close collaboration called for by knowledge that we have been enabled to at the Guardian in this stirring message-a col- least glimpse the character and manner of the laboration which is so essential to the health operation of this unique instrument bestowed and progress of our beloved Faith. by God for the fulfilment of His ultimate pur- The most fruitful approach to our task, I feel, pose for mankind. is to reflect together on the true nature and What, then, are the basic features of this theory of operation of Baha'u'llah's Admini- supreme Administrative Order of Bahi'u'ljah? strative Order, of which all the institutions, in- That the "bedrock" on which it is founded cluding the two with which we are presently is "God's immutable Purpose for mankind in concerned, are inseparable, component parts. this day"." To do this, we must clear our minds of all for- St:ghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahri'~i'lldh, p. mer concepts of organization which we have J JL. Shoghi Effendi, Godpasses By, p. 326. heretofore experienced or known, and open our Shoghi Effendi, letters written between 1929 and 1936 compiled and published under the title The World Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahri'i World, p. 123. Ordir of Baha'u'llah. ibid.,p. 123. "bid., p. 156. 622 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The Continental Boardof Counsellors in Western Asia. Front row, left to right: Dr. Iraj Ayman, Mrs. Shirin Boman, Mr. Hddi Rahmani, Dr. Masih Farhangi. Back row, left to right: Dr. Mamidihr Salmanpbr, Mr. Sankaran-Nair Vasudevan; 1970.
That it is divine in origin and authority. "It That it is unique and different from any other should be remembered by every follower of the organization of the present or the past: Cause," Shoghi Effendi wrote, "that the sys- That it operates solely on the spiritual printem of BahB'i administration is not an inno- ciples and the laws embodied in the Teachings vation imposed arbitrarily upon the Baha'is of of BahB'u'llah. the world since the Master's passing, but de- That it provides all the essentials for the esrives its authority from the WiNand Testament tablishment of the Faith and for the fulfilment of 'Abdu'l-Bahh, is specifically prescribed in of its ultimate purpose. ". . . the apostles of unnumbered Tablets, and rests in some of its BahB'u'llAh in every land. . . have before them essential features upon the explicit provisions in clear, in unequivocal and emphatic language, of the Kitrib-i-Aqdas. It thus unifies and corre- all the laws, the regulations, the principles, the lates the principles separately laid down by institutions, the guidance, they require for the BahB'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, and is indis- prosecution and consummation of their task."3 solubly bound with the essential verities of the In the World Order of BahB'u'llah per- Faith."l sonality and prestige, wealth, intellectual pro- That it is vitally necessary. ". . . the Spirit wess and material power are not needed for its breathed by BahB'u'llah upon the world . . . can progress and success. In the words of Shoghi never permeate and exercise an abiding in- Effendi: ". . . the Cause associated with the fluence upon mankind unless and until it in- name of Baha'u'llah feeds itself upon those carnates itself in a visible order, which would hidden springs of celestial strength which no bear His name, wholly identify itself with His force of human personality, whatever its glaprinciples, and function in conformity with His mour, can replace; . . . its reliance is solely law^."^ upon that mystic Source with which no worldly advantage, be it wealth, fame, or learning can Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llih, p. compare; . . . it propagates itself by ways 5. ibid.,p. 19. ibid.,p.21. T H E H A N D S OF T H E C AU S E O F G OD 623
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Southeast Asia. k f t to right: Dr. Chellie Sundram, Mr. Budhrahm Paymcin, Mr. Yan Kee Leong; 1968.
The Continental Boardof'Counsellors in Northeast Asia. Left to right: Mr. Vicente Samaniego, Mr. Rcihu'llah Mumtrjzi, Mr. John McHenry 111; 1971. 624 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
mysterious and utterly at variance with the to serve! In delineating the spiritual qualities standards accepted by the generality of man- we should practise, 'Abdu'l-Baha referred to kind. .."' them as "conditions". Shoghi Effendi de- In contrast to the organizations of the world, scribed them as "obligations incumbent upon the success and progress of the Baha'i admini- the members of consulting councils"4-thus strative system is through the spiritual growth implying that the desired results could not and development of those who are responsible otherwise be obtained. Let us briefly review for the actual functioning of its institutions. some of these conditions set out by 'Abdu'l- Such development by the individuals is at- Bahk: tained by following the spiritual laws and "The first condition is absolute love and harprinciples upon which it is based. mony amongst the members of the Assembly . . . It is vitally important for us to know and Should harmony of thought and absolute unity fully understand that the inexhaustible and be non-existent, that gathering shall be disdynamic spiritual power inherently existing in persed and that Assembly be brought to naught. this New World Order can be released only "The second condition: They nzust when through the attainment and practice of spiritual coming together turn their faces to the Kingdonz qualities. The regenerating spirit of the Reveon High and ask aid from the Realm of Glory. lation of Baha'u'llhh, flowing freely through- They must then proceed with the utmost devoout this system, will continue to strengthen and tion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to renew those operating within it, enabling the express their views. They must in every matter Cause to progress to its ultimate purpose and search out the truth and not insist upon their mission. own opinion. . . The honoured members must Shoghi Effendi has written: "This Adminiwith all freedom express their own thoughts, and strative Order, as it expands and consolidates it is in no wise permissible for one to belittle the itself, will. . . demonstrate its capacity to be thought of another, nay, he must with moderaregarded not only as the nucleus but the very tion set forth the truth, and shoulddiferences of pattern of the New World Order destined to opinion arise a majority of voices must prevail, embrace in the fullness of time the whole of and all must obey andsubmit to the majority. . . mankind."2 In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in har- The Hand of the Cause Horace Holley, mony and with love and purity o f motive, its whom the Guardian called an indefatigable and result is light, and should the least trace of distinguished champion of the Administrative estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness Order, has said: "The administrative aspect of upon darkness. . the Baha'i Cause is in reality no mere set of external regulations but the very fruit of its Let us remember that at the time of 'Abdu'luniversal spirit. BahB'i administration is no- BahB's ascension the organization of the thing less than a worldwide ethic, the special World Order, although fully defined, was not characteristic of which is to transform sub- yet established. It became theresponsibility and jective faith into positive co-operative action- life work of the Guardian to erect the instituunifying the whole being of each believer tions of this Administrative Order according to through his unity with his spiritual brothers. the laws and principles embedded in BahB'u'- Its unbreakable foundation is the principle of 11ah's Revelation and the Writings of 'Abdu'lconsultation, which 'Abdu'l-Baha declared to Baha. be the fulfilment of individual conscience in Speaking of the Will and Testament of this new age."3 'Abdu'l-Baha-the Charter of this New World How few are the specific administrative direc- Order-the Guardian's secretary in March, tives given by BahB'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and 1930, wrote on his behalf in a letter to an indithen the beloved Guardian; and, in contrast, vidual: "The contents of the Will of the Master how detailed are the guidelines of how we are are far too much for the present generation to comprehend. It needs at least a century of Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahci'u'llih, pp. 51-52. Shoghi Effendi. lrtter dated Mav . 5.. 1922. cited ibid., p. 144. ~ a h a '~dministration, i p. 22. Horace Holley, introduction, Baha'i Administration, 'Abdu'l-Baha, cited by Shoghi Effendi, letter dated p. Vlll. March 5,1922, Baha'i Administration, p. 22. THE H A N D S O F THE CAUSE O F G O D
The Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia. Left to right: Mr. Howard Harwood, Mr. Suhayl 'Alii'i, Miss Thelma Perks; 1968.
actual working before the treasures of wisdom ministration, and of translating them into prachidden in it can be revealed. . ."I tical action, that presents the greatest challenge A review of the activities of the Faith during facing the body of believers and particularly the fifty years since the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahb those who serve on theinstitutions of this Cause. confirms these statements, for we cannot help I also feel it is this aspect of Bahb'i Adminisbut be aware of two clear facts-that the func- tration that is the least understood and most tioning of this mighty Order is in its very begin- urgently requires our prayerful study and conning stages, and that we stand too close to the centrated efforts to comprehend and demonbeginning of this unique system ordained by strate. Baha'u'llah to be able to fully understand its As we consider the functions of the instipotentialities or the interrelationships of its tutions of the Continental Boards of Councomponent parts. Far from discouraging those sellors and National Spiritual Assemblies let who are presently serving in the Cause, these us bear in mind, with particular emphasis, that statements should spur them on to greater en- they are severally component parts of the same deavour and deeper faith. For throughout the living organism, and not separate institutions Writings we are promised that through our each with its own exclusive, clearly defined reincreased efforts to function more and more sponsibilities. While certain responsibilities according to the spiritual laws which govern have been assigned to each of these instituthe operation of this divine system, our under- tions, others are shared in common, even standing of its greatness and power will deepen, though these may be more in the special proand our accomplishments will grow in quality vince of one or the other. and extent. In the cable dated June21, 196S,2announcing It is the process of applying these spiritual the establishment of the Continental Boards of laws and ideas to every aspect of Baha'i ad- Counsellors, and in the letters which followed, the Universal House of Justice has charged the Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, cited by Counsellors "with specific functions relating the Universal House of Justice in letter dated December 7,1969. For text of cable seep. 61 1. to the protection and propagation of the Faith zing and administering the teaching work and in the areas under their juri~diction."~In its other similar undertakings that stand distinct letter dated June 24, 1968, to all Continental from strictly local affairs. It is the members of Boards of Counsellors, the Universal House of the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout Justice stated that the Counsellors "will aper- the world who elect the Universal House of ate in a manner similiar to that set forth by the Justice. beloved Guardian for the Hands of the Cause In addition, as revealed by BahB'u'llah in His in his communications outlining the respon- Most Holy Book, Kitrib-i-Aqdas: It behooveth sibilities they are called upon to discharge in them to be the trustedones of the Merciful among collaboration with National Spiritual Assem- men and to regard themselves as the guardians blies". The same letter made it clear that "The appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It authority of expulsion and reinstatement will is incumbent upon them to take counsel together be exercised by the Hands of the Cause of God, and to have regard for the interests ofthe servants subject in each instance to the approval of the of God, for His sake, even L.S they regard their Universal House of Justice." own interests, and to choose that which is meet In general, therefore, the functions of the andseemly. . .3 Continental Boards of Counsellors include Shoghi Effendi emphasized: "Theirs is the propagation of the Faith; protection of the duty to purge once for all their deliberations Faith; appointment and direction of Auxiliary and the general conduct of their affairs from Board members; trusteeship of the Continental that air of self-contained aloofness, from the BahB'i Fund; and consultation with the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of National Spiritual Assemblies. Because the dictatorial assertiveness, in short, from every establishment of the Continental Boards of word and deed that might savour of partiality, Counsellors insures the extension into the self-centredness and prejudice. Theirs is the future of the appointed functions of the Insti- duty, while retaining the sacred and exclusive tution of the Hands, it is assumed that the right of final decision in their hands, to invite following obligations of the Hands of the Cause discussion, provide information, ventilate as set forth in 'Abdu'l-BahB's Will and Testa- grievances, welcome advice from even the most ment apply to them: To "diffuse the Divine humble and insignificant members of the BahB'i Fragrances"; to "edify the souls of men"; family, expose their motives, set forth their to "promote learning"; to "improve the charac- plans, justify their actions, revise if necessary ter of all n~en";and to be"at all tir?zesand under their verdict, foster the sense of interdependence all conditions, sanctified and detached from and co-partnership, of understanding and earthly things. They must manijest the ,fear of mutual confidence between them on one hand God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and all local Assemblies and individual beand their ~ o r d s . " ~ lievers on the ~ t h e r . " ~ In delineating the functions of the National In considering the relationships of these two Spiritual Assemblies, the Guardian has stated, important institutions-the Continental Boards in effect, that their immediate purpose is to of Counsellors and the National Spiritual stimulate, unify and co-ordinate the manifold Assemblies-it should be borne in mind that activities of the believers and the Local Spiri- BahB'i Administration is founded on institual Assemblies. They exercise full authority tutions, laws and principles enshrined in over the Local Spiritual Assemblies in their BahB'u'llah's Revelation; that all of its instiprovince and are to initiate measures and direct tutions are divinely ordained-are integral, in general the affairs of the Cause in the whole inseparable components of a living organism, country or nation. It is the duty of National interdependent and inclusive, not independent Spiritual Assemblies to direct vital matters and exclusive; and that the health, strength and affecting the interests of the Cause in their success of each is closely affected by the concountry, such as the matter of translations, dition of the whole. As the Universal House of publication, the Mashriqu'l-Aakar, organi- Justice wrote: "The BahB'i world community, Bahi'u'llah, Kitdb-i-Aqdas, cited Bahd'i Adminis- The Universal House of Justice, letter to all Conti- tration, p. 21. nental Boards of Counsellors, June 24,1968. Shoghi Effendi, letter dated October 18, 1927, cited The Willand Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 13. Bahd'i Administration, pp. 143-144. THE HANDS O F T H E CAU SE OF GOD 627
The Continental Board of Co~msellorsin Europe. Left to right: Mr. Louis Hknuzet, Mrs. Dorothy Ferraby, Miss Anneliese Bopp, Mrs. Betty Reed, Mr. Erik Blumenthal; 1971.
growing like a healthy new body, develops new national Teaching Centre comes into being and cells, new organs, new functions and powers as as the work of the Counsellors expands." it presses on to its maturity, when every soul, As important and necessary as is the underliving for the Cause of God, will receive from standing of the functions and specified relathat Cause, health, assurance, and the over- tionships of the Boards of Counsellors and the flowing bounties of BahB7u'llah which are dif- National Assemblies, the Writings of our fused through His divinely ordained Order."l Faith clearly show that of still greater import Since the establishment of the Continental and significance is the spirit in which their Boards of Counsellors in June, 1968, the Uni- members serve. When the relationship beversal House of Justice has explained and tween them is one of mutual understanding, of clarified many important aspects of the rela- confidence and trust, of sincere love and cotionships of the Continental Boards of Coun- operation; when in their deliberations and sellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies actions they are following the precepts and in communications some of which have been guidelines which have their source in divine addressed to the two institutions jointly, and wisdom and which have been so clearly and so others specifically addressed to one or the fully delineated for them, any matters or quesother.2 tions which arise in regard to their respective In a letter dated April 24, 1972, addressed to functions can be frankly and openly discussed both the National Assemblies and the Boards of and all issues easily and amicably resolved. Counsellors, the Universal House of Justice Such a relationship, we must recognize, is stated: "Other developments in the Institution unique to this divinely-ordained Adminisof the Hands of the Cause and the Institution trative Order. The secular world is increasingly of the Continental Boards of Counsellors will characterized by destructive competition beno doubt take place in future as the Inter- tween institutions-when there are two legislal The Universal House of Justice, Wellsprir~g of tive bodies, they manoeuvre against each other Guidance, p. 38. for power; legislative bodies compete with the For text of the principal communications, see pp. 61 1-620. judiciary and with the executive branch. 628 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
In contrast, the relationship between Baha'i of co-operation-ven loving co-operation. It institutions is one of warm co-operation and is a matter of spiritual growth, and for this we collaboration, based upon genuine love and need divine wisdom. How greatly blessed we dedication to a common goal. It resembles are to have for our assistance all the guidance a marriage, in that there is space for each part- needed. Ours is the clear task of striving to ner to grow and develop; there is mutual re- understand and obey that guidance. spect and encouragement, and differences are To all of the other qualities and virtues settled by taking counsel together in an atmo- needed to achieve the standard we are called sphere of loving understanding. upon to exemplify must be added faith-un- So close are we all to the ways and standards shakable faith in Baha'u'llah's divinely orof the world, it is difficult to wholly believe dained Administrative Order and in its inherent, in the efficiency of spiritual means for practical dynamic spiritual power to fulfil every aspect of accomplishments. Our human intellect can so His worldwide Mission. easily guide us to other ways which, in its light, As Shoghi Effendi so wisely counselled the seem more desirable and effective. The Uni- early believers, soon after he became the versal House of Justice, in a letter dated May Guardian of the Faith: "Is not faith but another 27,1966, gives us much understanding and wise word for implicit obedience, wholehearted counsel in this respect: "Service to the Cause of allegiance, uncompromising adherence to that God requires absolute fidelity and integrity which we believe is the revealed and express will and unwavering faith in Him. No good but of God, however perplexing it might first only evil can come from taking the respon- appear, however at variance with the shadowy sibility for the future of God's Cause into our views, the impotent doctrines, the crude theoown hands and trying to force it into ways that ries, the idle imaginings, the fashionable conwe wish it to go regardless of the clear texts and ceptions of a transient and troublous age? If we our own limitations. It is His Cause. He has are to falter or hesitate, if our love for Him promised that its light will not fail. Our part is should fail to direct us and keep us within His tocling tenaciously to the revealed Word and path, if we desert divine and emphatic printo the institutions that He has created to pre- ciples, what hope can we any more cherish for serve His Covenant."l healing the ills and sicknesses of this world?"" The standard of collaboration between Baha'i institutions set before us in the messages (Adapted from an address by Edna M. True of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of delivered at the North Atlantic Oceanic Con- Justice calls for far more than our human idea ference, Reykjavik,Iceland ; September 5,1971.) The Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guid- Shoghi Effendi, letter dated February 23, 1924, cited ance, p. 87. Baha'i Administration, pp. 62-63. T H E I N S T I T U T I O N OF THE
I . FOREWORD "Blessed is he who directeth his steps towards the MasJriqu'l-A&kdr at the hour of dawn, communing with Him, attuned to His remembrance, imploring His forgiveness. And having entered therein, let him sit in silence to hearken unto the verses of God, the Sovereign, the Almighty, the All-Praised. Say, the Mashriqu'l-A&kdr is in truth any House raised in towns or villages, for mention of MY.Thus hath it been named before His Throne; would that ye know it." BahA'u'llAh, Kitrib-i-Aqdas
MANY discerning minds have testified to the institution, we must lay aside all customary profoundly significant change which has taken ideas of the churches and cathedrals of the past. place during recent years in the character of The Mashriqu'l-Aakar fulfills the original popular religious thinking. Religion has deve- intention of religion in each dispensation, beloped an entirely new emphasis, more especially fore that intention had become altered and for the layman, quite independent of the older veiled by human invention and belief. sectarian divisions. The Maariqu'l-Aakar is a channel releas- Instead of considering that religion is a ing spiritual powers for social regeneration matter of turning toward an abstract creed, the because it fills a different function than that average religionist today is concerned with assumed by the sectarian church. Its essential the practical applications of religion to the purpose is to provide a community meetingproblems of human life. Religion, in brief, place for all who are seeking to worship God, after having apparently lost its influence in and achieves this purpose by interposing no terms of theology, has been restored more man-made veils between (heworshipper and the powerfully than ever as a spirit of brotherhood, Supreme. Thus, the M a k i q u ' l - A a k i r is freean impulse toward unity, and an ideal making ly open to people of all Faiths on equal terms, for a more enlightened civilization throughout who now realize the universality of Baha'u'llih the world. in revealing the oneness of all the Prophets. Against this background, the institution of Moreover, since the Bahii'i Faith has no prothe Maariqu'l-Aakar stands revealed as the fessional clergy, the worshipper entering the supreme expression of all those modern religi- Temple hears no sermon and takes part in no ous tendencies animated by social ideals which ritual the emotional effect of which is to estabdo not repudiate the reality of spiritual experi- lish a separate group consciousness. ence but seek to transform it into a dynamic Integral with the Temple are its accessory striving for unity. The Mahriqu'l-Aakar, buildings, without which the Mahriqu'lwhen clearly understood, gives the world its A a k a r would not be a complete social institumost potent agency for applyingmysticalvision tion. These buildings are to be devoted to such or idealistic aspiration to the service of human- activities as a school for science, a hospice, a ity. It makes visible and concrete those deeper hospital, an asylum for orphans. Here the circle meanings and wider possibilities of religion of spiritual experience at last joins, as prayer which could not be realized until the dawn of and worship are allied directly to creative this universal age. service, eliminating the static subjective ele- The term "Maariqu'l-Aakar" means liter- ments fromreligion and laying a foundation for ally, "Dawning-place of the praise of God." a new and higher type of human association. To appreciate the significance of this Baha'i HORACE HOLLEY THE B A H ~ W ' ~O R L D
2. T H E SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE O F T H E MA~RIQU~L-ADKAR
A LETTER F R O M SHOGHI E F F E N D I
It should be borne in mind that the central an all-loving and ever-watchful Father Who, Edifice of the Mahriqu'l-Aakar, round which in the past, and at various stages in the evoluin the fullness of time shall cluster such insti- tion of mankind, has sent forth His Prophets tutions of social service as shall afford relief as the Bearers of His Message and the Manito the suffering, sustenance to the poor, shelter festations of His Light to mankind, cannot at to the wayfarer, solace to the bereaved, and this critical period of their civilization witheducation to the ignorant, should be regarded hold from His children the Guidance which apart from these Dependencies, as a House they sorely need amid the darkness which has solely designed and entirely dedicated to the beset them, and which neither the light of worship of God in accordance with the few yet science nor that of human intellect and wisdom definitely prescribed principles established by can succeed in dissipating. And thus having Baha'u'llah in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. It should not recognized in Baha'u'llah the source whence be inferred, however, from this general state- this celestial light proceeds, they will irresistibly ment that the interior of the central Edifice feel attracted to seek the shelter of His House, itself will be converted into a conglomeration and congregate therein, unhampered by cereof religious services conducted along lines asso- monials and unfettered by creed, to render ciated with the traditional procedure obtaining homage to the one true God, the Essence and in churches, mosques, synagogues, and other Orb of eternal Truth, and to exalt and magnify temples of worship. Its various avenues of the name of His Messengers and Prophets Who, approach, all converging towards the central from time immemorial even unto our day, have, Hall beneath its dome, will not serve as admit- under divers circumstances and in varying tance to those sectarian adherents of rigid measure, mirrored forth to a dark and wayward formulae and man-made creeds, each bent, world the light of heavenly Guidance. according to his way, to observe his rites, recite But however inspiring the conception of his prayers, perform his ablutions, and display BahB'i worship, as witnessed in the central the particular symbols of his faith within separ- Edifice of this exalted Temple, it cannot be ately defined sections of Bahi'u'llah's Universal regarded as the sole, nor even the essential, House of Worship. Far from the Maariqu'l- factor in the part which the Mahriqu'l- A a k i r offering such a spectacle of incoherent A a k a r , as designed by Bahi'u'llah, is destined and confused sectarian observances and rites, a to play in the organic life of the Baha'i comcondition wholly incompatible with the provi- munity. Divorced from the social, humanitarsions of the Aqdas and irreconcilable with the ian, educational and scientific pursuits centerspirit it inculcates, the central House of Baha'i ing around the Dependencies of the Maariqu'lworship, enshrined within the Maariqu'l- A k k a r , BahB'i worship, however exalted in its AGkar, will gather within its chastened walls, conception, however passionate in fervor, can in a serenely spiritual atmosphere, only those never hope to achieve beyond the meagre and who, discarding forever the trappings of elabor- often transitory results produced by the conate and ostentatious ceremony, are willing templations of the ascetic or the communion worshippers of the one true God, as manifested of the passive worshipper. It cannot afford lastin this age in the Person of Bahi'u'llah. To ing satisfaction and benefit to the worshipper them will the Maariqu'l-A&kAr symbolize himself, much less to humanity in general, the fundamental verity underlying the Baha'i unless and until translated and transfused into Faith, that religious truth is not absolute but that dynamic and disinterested service to the relative, that Divine Revelation is not final but cause of humanity which it is the supreme priviprogressive. Theirs will be the conviction that lege of the Dependencies of the Maariqu'l- A a k a r to facilitate and promote. Nor will the humanity. For it is assuredly upon the conexertions, no matter how disinterested and sciousness of the efficacy of the Revelation of strenuous, of those who within the precincts of Baha'u'llah, reinforced on one hand by spiritual the Mabriqu'l-Aakar will be engaged in ad- communion with His Spirit, and on the other ministering the affairs of the future BahB'i by the intelligent application and the faithful Commonwealth, fructify and prosper unless execution of the principles and laws He rethey are brought into close and daily commun- vealed, that the salvation of a world in travail ion with those spiritual agencies centering in must ultimately depend. And of all the instituand radiating from the central Shrine of the tions that stand associated with His Holy Mahriqu'l-Aakar. Nothing short of direct Name, surely none save the institution of the and constant interaction between the spiritual Ma&riqu71-A&kBr can most adequately proforces emanating from this House of Worship vide the essentials of BahB'i worship and centering in the heart of the Mabriqu'l- service, both so vital to the regeneration of the A&kkr, and the energies consciously displayed world. Therein lies the secret of the loftiness, by those who administer its affairs in their of the potency, of the unique position of the service to humanity can possibly provide the Mahriqu'l-Aakar as one of the outstanding necessary agency capable of removing the ills institutions conceived by Bahh'u'llah. that have so long and so grievously afflicted October 25, 1929.
Aerial view of the Mother Temple of North A~nerica,Wilmetfe,Illinois. 632 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Aerial view of the Mother Temple of Latin America, Cerro Sonsonate, near Panan~aCity, Panama.
Bahri'is gathering for the dedication of the Temple in Panama; April 29, 1972. The public dedication was held the following day. INSTITUTION OF THE MABRIQU'L-A-K~R 633
3. D E D I C A T I O N O F T H E M O T H E R T E M P L E O F LATIN AMERICA AND T H E INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CONFERENCE1 Panama City,Panama APRIL 28-MAY 2,1972
". . . ye must give great attention to the Republic of Panama, for in that point the Occident and the Orient find each other united through the Panama Canal, and it is also situated between the two great oceans. That place will become very important in the future. The teachings, once established there, will unite the East and the West, the North and the South." 'Abdu'l-Bahi, Tablets of the Divine Plan
SINCE 1967 when the cornerstone was laid, friends at registration desks to ask for literature. the whole Baha'i world had been anxiously The newspapers carried banner headlines, full awaiting the formal dedication of the Mother page spreads of text and photographs. One Temple of Latin America, which took place on headline was an abridged quotation from a April 29-30, 1972. press conference attended by the Hand of the The queen of the day, of course, was the Cause Ugo Giachery: "BahB'i Faith to Give House of Worship itself, a structure of great Spiritual Breath to Panama's Progress, Bebeauty, glistening like mother-of-pearl by day, lievers Pledge". The chartered buses labelled and glowing by night like an ethereal globe of "BahB'i" attracted interest and questions. The light from another planet, resting delicately constant going and coming by taxi and bus to upon the hilltop of Sonsonate, a few miles north the site of the conference, the Kuna, Choc6 and of Panama City. 'Abdu'l-Baha's prophecy that Guaymi believers in their colourful costumes, Panama would witness the unification of the the overpoweringly interracial flavour of the East, West, North and South found initial groups conversing in the patios, dining in the fulfilment during the days of the dedication restaurants, the banquet in the Bella Vista room ceremony and the international conference of the Hotel El Panama-all this made the which followed on May 1-2, 1972. More than BahB'i Faith the big story of the week. four thousand BahB'is from every part of the The Ridvan Feast was held on Friday world were attracted to Panama for this occa- evening, April 28. We entered the huge, circular sion. Early in the week there was a trickle, then auditorium to find the entire lower floor commore and more each day, until on Friday the pletely filled. From our seats in the balcony we heavens opened. The chartered planes were gazed down on the speakers' table decorated met not only by a Baha'i welcoming com- with colourful floral arrangements. Seated there mittee but also by a group of Panamanian were the three Hands of the Cause, Amatu'ldancers in native costume, sent by the Institute Baha Ruhiyyih a a n u m , Ugo Giachery and of Tourism. This gesture of welcome by the mikru'llah U a d e m , as well as the chairman Republic of Panama was multiplied all through and secretary of the National Spiritual Assemthe five days of the conference during which the bly of Panama, Raquel de Constante and Leota Baha'is were showered with courtesy and kind- Lockman. ness by the government and people of Panama. After the opening devotions, Sra. de Con- In the lobbies of hotels large posters reading stante, in her musical Spanish, welcomed the "Conferencia Bahd'i" were prominently dis- friends to Panama and the conference. Her replayed; hundreds of inquirers approached the marks were translated into English and Persian. Following the introduction of the three Hands ., l Adapted from a report by Kit Goldstein and Amine DeMille. of the Cause, Amatu'l-Baha Rithiyyih manurn' 'f W O R L D addressed the gathering. "As I stood here," with attar of rose by Amatu'l-Bahi Rlihiyyih she began, "my eyes fell on this flower before - Khanum. All during these hours the friends me. It is so like our gathering tonight-so experienced an atmosphere of radiant peace. many hundreds of petals, each petal entirely Outside, the believers lingered in the fresh unique, yet united. These petals make this mountain breeze enjoying the newly-planted beautiful flower. This flower bloomed because gardens. Most of the plants were the gifts of of the sun. Because of the Sun of BahB'u'llAh, individual believers, carefully nursed in pots we grew these 'flowers' in this room. I remem- before being transplanted to their permanent ber when there were no Baha'is in Latin beds. A gift of cannas from Changuinola in America. Shoghi Effendi longed for Bahi'is on Bocas del Toro had unexpectedly burst into this continent. Now, see the BahB'is we have flower that very day, although characteristically in Central and South America!" Later she they bloom only three months after transadded, "We have no time to waste. The recep- planting. The actual labour was provided by tivity of the world today is greater than ever volunteers among the friends, one group crossbefore. We must never let a day go by without ing the Isthmus from Colon and working all doing something for the future." day in the blistering sun, patiently mixing and The architect of the Temple, Mr. Peter pulverizing soil and peat moss. Tillotson, of England, was called to the plat- On Sunday, April 30, the public dedication form and spoke of his joy in the beauty of the was held in two sessions, one at 10 a.m. and the completed structure. He was accorded a other at 3 p.m. The programme again opened standing ovation by the BahB'i audience. with choral selections following which Rubiy- The Feast was closed by the performance of yih U i n u m gave a brief dedication address, a Charles Peterson of Panama who played his Spanish translation of which follows this lovely organ setting of the Tablet of Ahmad. article. Those attending the ceremony were pre- His composition was sung in a full, rich so- sented with attractive printed programmes conprano by Constancia Bell, a talented Pana- taining these words of 'Abdu'l-Bahi: The manian artist. world of existence may be likened to this Temple The first session of the dedication cere- andplace of worship;,forjust as the eternal world monies began on Saturday, April 29, at 8 a.m. is the place where people of all races and colours, Additional ceremonies were held throughout varying faiths, denominations and conditions the day. As the seating capacity in the Temple come together, just as they are submerged in the was only 550, many stood during each cere- same sea of divine favours, so likewise all may mony. meet under the dome of the Madriqu'l-A&kbr As we mounted the steps and entered the and adore One God in the same spirit of truth, auditorium through the open gate, we found for the ages of darkness have passed away, and this fifth House of Worship in bridal array. Our the century of light has come. eyes were drawn irresistibly toward the east The public meeting on Saturday evening was where six lovely sprays of tropical flowers made addressed in English and Spanish by Mr. a bower against the white grille panels. Pine Hooper Dunbar of the Continental Board of garlands made by the Guajiro Indians of Counsellors in South America. His subject Colombia and flown in for this occasion en- was "The New Race of Men". A musical procircled the red ginger and anthuria, the white gramme followed, featuring a number of and pink chrysanthemums and carnations. Baha'i musicians. The effect was exquisite in the dazzling white A banquet for dignitaries was held on Sunpurity of the interior of the Temple, and day evening with 337 BahB'is and guests attenvisible through the many openings in the edi- ding. Fresh flowers were on every table. Photofice was a breath-takingview of the surrounding graphs of the BahB'i Shrines and gardens in the wooded mountains and the deep blue Pacific. Holy Land, of the 'existing Temples, and a The programme opened with a choral selec- painting of the Panama House of Worship, tion followed by the reading of Bahi'i prayers provided a warm and appealing background in various languages. At the conclusion of the for the head table. devotions the friends viewed the portraits of Sra. Raquel de Constante welcomed the Baha'u'llah and the Bib and were anointed guests on behalf of the National Spiritual Mr. Athos Costas of the South American Board of Counsellors reading a Spanish translation of the dedicatory address of the Hand o f the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Rtibiyyih J@hnurn at thepublic dedication of the Latin American House of Worship; Sunday, April 30, 1972.
Assembly of Panama and expressed apprecia- Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, the Falkland tion to the Government of Panama and mem- Islands, Germany, the Ivory Coast, France, bers of the press for their many courtesies in Ghana, Puerto Rico, theNetherlands, Rwanda, relation to the dedication and conference. She Samoa, El Salvador, Iran, West Africa, South then introduced Mr. Peter Tillotson who spoke Africa and many other communities. Incluof his happiness in seeing how beautifully his ded among the beautiful gifts received were a design had been constructed. lock of 'Abdu'l-Baha's hair, some precious In her address, the Hand of the Cause dust from the prison of Mah-Ku where the Amatu'l-Bahh Ruhiyyih u a n u m pointed out Bab had been incarcerated, and a Navajo rug that Mr. Tillotson was fortunate to have or wall-hanging with the Greatest Name in achieved his eminent position so young in life; the centre, presented by Mr. Franklin Kahn, a that people from all over the world would come member of the Spiritual Assembly of the United to see his design, the Temple, and that few States, whose wife had woven it. "Navajo rugs architects have ever had such an experience. represent the inner thoughts of the weaver," On Monday, May 1, the international he said. teaching conference officially opened. The The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly R*iyyih m a n u m read the message from the of Panama introduced the three Hands of the Universal House of Justice: Cause, the seven members of the Continental To the Beloved of God gathered in the Confer- Board of Counsellors, the twenty-two memence called on the occasion of the Dedication bers of the Auxiliary Boards and the twenty-six of the Mother Temple of Latin America. representatives of National Spiritual Assemblies. Dear Baha'i Friends, The National Spiritual Assembly secretary With praise and gratitude to God the whole read messages which had been received and Baha'i world acclaims the dedication of the presented some of the many gifts which had Mother Temple of Latin America, an edifice been sent. Cablegrams had been received from which glorifies the Cause of BahB'u'llah at that 636 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD Some ofthe Indian Bahci'is whose colourful diversity enriched the declication service and whose presence illustrated the fulfilment of 'Abdu'l-Bahci's statement that the Mashriqu'l-A&kcir symbolizes the Word of God which is . . . the collective centre, the cause of accord and conimunion of hearts, the sign of the solidarity of the human race . . .
point where, the beloved Master asserted, the The three-fold task to which your attention Occident and the Orient find each other united is now directed comprises the proclamation, through the Panama Canal, where the teachings, expansion and consolidation of the Faith. We once established. . ., will unite the East and the urge you to concentrate your deliberations not West, the North and the South. only on the exchange of ideas for the prosecu- This historic project, in a hemisphere of tion of this task, but on ways and means for infinite spiritual potentiality, fulfils one of the fostering collaboration among the Baha'i Commost important goals of the Nine Year Plan, munities of Central and South America so that and brings untold joy to the hearts of the friends the most fruitful harvest may be gathered in in every land. Privileged are they who shared in all three aspects of the teaching work and the raising of this glorious Silent Teacher with enable you to achieve your remaining goals of deeds of loving generosity and sacrifice. A the Nine Year Plan. crown to the labours of all those who have Our loving, ardent prayers will be offered at striven to establish the Faith of Baha'u'llah in the Sacred Threshold, that the Almighty may Latin America, this Mashriqu'l-Aakar, the inspire your discussions in this historic Conrallying point for the Baha'is of those lands, ference and crown all your efforts with victory. whether they are of the blessed Indian peoples The chairman of the afternoon session was or represent the other races whose diversity en- Mr. Alfred Osborne, a member of the Conriches the nations of that hemisphere, will be a tinental Board of Counsellors in central Amefountainhead of spiritual confirmations, and rica. Mr. Osborne was one of the first Bahi'is in this mighty achievement will endow the Baha'i Panama and served as chairman of the first Community with new and greater capacities, National Spiritual Assembly of Panama, enabling the friends in Latin America, and formed in 1961. He introduced Mr. Robert particularly in this privileged land of Panama, McLaughlin-architectural consultant to the to win victories that will eclipse all their past Universal House of Justice for the Panama achievements. Temple-who gave a rBsumB of the construc- 'i W O R L D tion of the House of Worship. He spoke of the the heart of the teacher, develops his soul and Temple as a building where function and form enriches his nature. unite in complete clarity and simplicity. He At the closing of the session, the two first explained that nine concrete arches support the pioneers to Panama who settled there in 1939, "thinshell" dome, and that these arches rest were given a standing ovation. Louise Caswell upon eighteen massive reinforced concrete and Cora Oliver were thanked for their inbuttresses which form a nine-pointed star. estimable services as first resident BahB'is, This is the first "thinshell" dome of this mag- from whom all the others have been born. nitude to be erected in Central America by the Then the "mother" of Latin America, Leo- "gunitingnl process, he explained. nora Holsapple Armstrong, was called to the The one sad note of the dedication was the platform. She spoke briefly, "All our hearts absence of engineer Paul Thiele,2 who lay must rejoice today and overflow with joy and seriously ill in Hawaii. The secretary of the gratitude." National Spiritual Assembly, who had worked The evening session was conducted by the closely with Mr. Thiele during the period when- youth, with Rodrigo Tomas as chairman. The he served as engineer in charge of construction, three speakers were Mr. Paul Lucas, Auxiliary rose to speak of his service and sacrifice. Mr. Board member from Mexico, Felicia Fennel1 of Thiele had endured pain and gradual loss of Panama, and Mr. H. Fitz-Henley of Jamaica speech until he was forced to resign and re- who discussed the role of youth in laying the turn home for an operation. He had insisted foundations of the Kingdom of God on earth. that his wife, Helen, represent him at the con- The second day of the conference, Tuesday, ference. Mrs. Thiele was brought forward to May 2, began with the taking of the official the podium and presented to the conference. photograph. It was a typical BahB'i group that The friends extended to her the warm welcome smiled at the photographer-a mixture of ages and expression of appreciation they longed to and races, the vivid colours of the traditional extend to her husband. Mrs. Lockman called native costumes sharply contrasting with the him a great example and said, "He served to contemporary fashions of the friends from his very last ounce of strength. He truly gave North America and Europe. his all for the Temple, and our anxious and The morning programme was led by Mr. loving prayers are offered for his healing." Wallace Baldwin, chairman of the National The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery Teaching Committee of Panama who introaddressed the conference on the subject, "A duced Mrs. Javidukht Khadem of Wilmette, Call to the Believers to Proclaim the Faith to Illinois, a member of the Auxiliary Board. In Mankind". "We are a new race of men," he her talk on "A Call for Pioneers" she paid trisaid, and reminded us of 'Abdu'l-BahB's ex- bute to early pioneers of the Cause and said, pectations for us-to be an example of love, "We must sever ourselves from everything purity and compassion, and to spiritualize except God; our human personality must remankind. "The Administrative Order," he cede." When she voiced the call for pioneers said, "had to be built before we could proclaim to arise one hundred and three persons proto the masses. A shelter had to be erected in ceeded to the platform, each to be greeted by order that mankind could enter for protection, her husband, the Hand of the Cause Dhikru'- deepening and training. We must always work l l a h a a d e m , and presented with aflower. Then within the framework of this divinely con- the Guaymi teacher, Mr. Don Alberto Perez, ceived Administrative Order." of Panama, spoke eloquently on "Teaching the Dr. Peter Khan spoke on "Individual Masses", followed by Dr. Farzam Arbab. Deepening of the Spiritual Life". He said that The afternoon meeting was chaired by Mr. the world is losing respect for authority, and Richard Mirkovich of Costa Rica. Mr. Donald that we must remove the barriers to obedience Witzel, a Counsellor in the South American within ourselves. The spiritual self, he reminded zone, elaborated on the theme of training local us, is nourished by prayer and meditation, then teachers to carry on the work after a travel action. Action leads to growth. Teaching opens teacher has left an area. Sr. Ra61 Pavbn of the A brief description of this process appears under National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador con- "Temple Data" on p. 648. See "In Memoriam", p. 522. tinued this discussion, citing examples from "The Jin-ai Singers" of Washington performing at thepzrblic galhering held in conjunction with the International Baha'i Teaching Conference. Many other Baha'i artists participated in the musical programme.
his vast experience as a pioneer among the luminous eyes; love flowed from them. His Indian tribes of that country. Mr. Artemus manner was noble, regal. He devoted his life Lamb of the Continental Board of Counsellors to the redemption of humanity; he was the in Central America added: "Perhaps the first man of the century." Dr. Giachery reminded step is to understand and accept that consoli- us that it was the Guardian who had called the dation is a long, arduous and inevitable pro- first international conferences which mingle all cess, requiring patience, love, wisdom and a the races and peoples together, creating this dogged perseverance. The second step is to new race of men. "Let us maintain a high stanmake systematic plans including activities dard of dignity in presenting the Message of whose purpose is to constantly encourage and Baha'u'llah to mankind," he said. train the new believers and communities to In her closing remarks, Amatu'l-Baha function actively." R6hiyyih u a n u m spoke on "The Joy of The final messages were delivered by the be- Serving the Faith", and emphasized that the loved Hands of the Cause. "The greatest gift of most important matter in the pioneering field God has been the spirit of sacrifice," the Hand is to establish unity and harmony among the of the Cause mikru'llah m a d e m told the friends. When the people of the world see love nearly four thousand believers filling the great and unity they will hasten to the shelter of the auditorium. "The Messengers give the ex- Cause of God, she commented. ample. Each of Them suffered for humanity." Toward the end of the conference, in response Sacrifice, it was explained, is an essential ele- to a jubilant cable sent to the Universal House ment in the establishment of the Cause through- of Justice, the following reply was received: out the world. The Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery in his THRILLED BEAUTIFUL INSPIRED MESSAGE PA- farewell address recalled the life and wonderful NAMA CONFERENCE ATTESTING OUTPOURMG work of Shoghi Effendi. "I cannot describe the BAHAULLAHS GRACE BOUNTY VAST ATTEN- Guardian to you," he said. "He was so gentle DANCE PRESENCE OF HANDS AMATULBAHA in appearance. His handsome face was lit by GIACHERY KHADEM REPRESENTATIVES MANY COUNTRIES EXEMPLIFYING CROSS SECTION The last moments of the conference were HUMANKIND STOP DELIGHTED PIONEER OFFERS given to an ovation for the friends of Panama GRATIFYING ENROLMENTS STOP PRAYING who had arisen as one man to give their time SHRINES MOTHER TEMPLE LATIN AMERICA MAY and talents to the success of the dedication and BECOME BEACON LIGHTING SPIRITUAL PATH- conference. Many performed outstanding ser- WAY ALL PEOPLES THAT PROMISING VAST vices and worked long hours, in some cases AREA. .. sacrificing their own desire to enjoy the meetings in order that the visiting friends might Nowhere was the spirit of the conference have the full benefit of the historic occasion. more evident than at the Lions Club camp Tender farewells were said with embraces where approximately four hundred believers and an exchange of gifts, both Indian and stayed-Indian and campesino BahB'is as well visiting women taking off pieces of jewellery as the overflow of guests from the crowded to offer to friends, old or new. Hearts were hotels. It seemed most fitting that some of the touched as the Guaymi rode off in the buses friends should have gathered at this spot within singing the Greatest Name, and as the exsight of the queen of Sonsonate. The facility tremely shy Choco approached, smiling and is a summer camp standing on a hilltop close offering their hands in a gesture of farewell. One to but slightly lower than the Temple. At night Guaymi friend asked a Choco believer, "How the glowing Temple shone above them like a are you going home?" Chuckling and gessecond moon; and, by day, facing the white turing toward his feet, the Choco BahB'i redome and 'Akka, many of the friends said plied, "I'm going home in my car with two their morning prayers. The spirit in the camp wheels !" prompted one friend to remark, "Here is the Looking back on those five days which were answer to those who say that this Faith is a filled with activity from dawn until midnight beautiful dream, but it will never work." and' often long after, we recall not so much "Yes," replied another, "in these conferences what was said, but the faces of the four thouwe are living for a time in the world's future!" sand subjects of the Kingdom of BahL'u'llah, There was no age barrier among the friends. submerged in the sea of grace, rayed through The youth rushed forward to aid older or and through by that mysterious quickening handicapped friends, reserving them seats on power of God through which His Kingdom on buses and volunteering to carry packages or earth shall be established. bundles too heavy for them. At the camp, BahB'i guests assisted in preparing box lunches Note: The Universal House of Justice commissioned a 16mm for the Indian friends to carry with them on sound colour film of the dedication of the Panama their return journey, as many of them would Temple which was made available in Spanish and English through the International Baha'i Audiotravel on foot for one or two days after their Visual Centre. In addition, "The Dawning Place of the Mention of God", an 80-frame slide or filmstrip proreturn bus ride was completed, passing through gramme in English covering the dedication and conmountains where there are no roads as yet, ference was made available, as well as various other visual aids including postcards, posters and slide sets and no stores where food could be obtained. relating to the Panama Temple.
A view of the Panama Tenzple during construction. (Translation of the Dedicatory Words Spoken by the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyihmanum at the Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latill America)
(Las palabras de dedicacidn pronunciadas por la representante de la Casa Universal de Justicia, la Mano de la Causa de Dios, Amatu'l-Bahd Rdhiyyih &i?tum)
"Me cabe el gran honor y privilegio de ockano de las palabras se ha levantado, y que dedicar este, el segundo Ma&riquYl-Aakar las dispensaciones de Tu providencia han sido del Hemisferio Occidental para el uso del promulgadas a 10s seguidores de todas las publico. La concepcion de este Templo religiones. . . Baha'i se remonta a mas de cincuenta aiios iEnsalzado y glorificado eres Tu, oh SeEor mi cuando 'Abdu'l-BahB, el Hijo de Baha'u'llah, Dios! Tu eres El que desde la eternidad ha sido el Fundador de la Fe, ensalzo el destino de investido con majestad, con autoridad y poder, Panama y anticipo que por la difusion de las y que siempre continuarci siendo adornado con Enseiianzas BahB'is en esta republics el Este y honor, con fuerza y gloria. Los instruidos, cada el Oeste, el Norte y el Sur serian reunidos. uno y todos, permanecen atdnitos ante los signos "Hoy, cuatro aiios y medio despdes de la y muestras de Tu obra, mientras 10s sabios se colocaci6n de la piedra fundamental de este encuentran, sin excepcidn, impotentes para edificio historico, atestiguamos el cumpli- descifvar el misterio de Aquellos quienes son las miento de Sus palabras a travks de esta in- Manifestaciones de Tu poder y fuerza. mensa reunion de Baha'is de todos 10s conti- Todo hombre perspicaz ha confesado su imnentes del globo quienes en esta encrucijada del potencia para escular las alturas de Tu conomundo, han elevado sus voces en alabanza y cimiento, y cada hombre ilustrado reconoce su gracia. fracaso alsondear la nat~lralezade Tu esencia. "Esta Casa de Adoracibn levantada por la Habiendo cortado el paso que conduce hacia contribucion amorosa y libremente ofrecida de Ti, por virtud de Tu autoridad ypor rnedio de la 10s seguidores de Baha'u'llkh en todos 10s potencia de Tu volurztad, Tu llamaste a existir paises, que abre ahora sus puertas de par en a Aquellos que son las Manifestaciones de Tu Fe, par a personas de todos 10s credos, todas las y les confiaste TLLMensaje para Tu pueblo, razas, naciones y clases, esta dedicada a las haciendo que sean las Auroras de TLLinspiracidri, tres verdades fundamentales que animan la 10s Exponentes de Tu Revelacidn, 10s Tesoros de Fe Baha'i : la Unidad de Dios, la Unidad de Sus Tu conocimiento y 10s Depositaries de Tu Fe, Profetas, y la Unidad de la Humanidad. para que a travb de ellos todos 10s hoi~zbres "Invito a ustedes a compartir junto con puedan volver sus rostros hucia Ti, y acercarse nosotros las palabras registradas en las a1 Reino de Tu Revelacidn y a1 cielo de Tu Sagradas Escrituras, las cuales creemos son gracia. depositarias de las verdades basicas y eternas, Te ruego, entonces, por Ti Misnzo ypor Ellos, reveladas por Dios en distintas Bpocas, para que envies desde la diestra del trono de Tu gracia, la guia y salvation de toda la humanidad. sobre todos 10s que moran en la tierra, aquello, "Tengan a bien ponerse de pie mientras doy que les lavara de la mancha de sus transgresiones lectura a esta oraci6n escrita por el Autor de contra Ti, y que hagas que ellos se tornen enterula Revelacibn Baha'i : mente devotos a Tu Ser, oh Tci en Cuya mano /Oh Dios, quien eres el Autor de todas las estci la fuente de todos 10s dones, para que ellos , manifestaciones, la Fuente de todas las fuentes, puedan levantarse a servir Tu Causa, y se el Manantialde todas las Revelaciones,el Origen desprendun completamente de todo except0 de de todas las Luces! Atestiguo quepor Tu nombre Ti. T~ eves el Todopoderoso, el Todo Glorioso, el el cielo del entendi~nientoha sido adornado, el Irreshingido. BahB'u'llah. 642 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Workr~~en are seen placing reinforcing steel in tlze excavation in preparation for pouring the footing oj'the Temple; March, 1970.
Mr. Robert W . McLaughlin, appointed by the Universal House of'Justiceas its architectural corzsultant for the building of the Panama Temple, visiting the site in March, 1970. Left to right: Mr. McLaughlin; Leota Lockman, Secretary o f tlze National Spiritual Assembly ofPanama; Mr. E. Stevenson, Engineer; Raquel de Constante, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; Mr. Alfred Osborne, member of the Central American Board of Counsellors; Mr. Paul Thiele, Supervising Engineer.
Workmen spraying concrete on the Temple dome by the "Gunite"process. This method of applying nzoist concrete hadnot been employed in Panamaprior to the construction of the Temple. 5. THE HISTORY OF THE PANAMA TEMPLE Address by R OBERT W . MCLAUGHLIN* WHETHER our first glimpse of the Temple Manifestation, envisaged by the Master, made was from the air, the airport, the ocean, the possible by the Guardian, and consummated highway, or the Canal, each of us here has by the Universal House of Justice. ascended the road and arrived at the summit The specific undertaking began with the where theTemple stands.Theexperience is ours, collection by the National Assembly of Panama universal as is the Temple, personal as is each of of data on local building and environmental us. conditions. A programme for the design of the After the event, words are a poor second- Temple was then prepared and architects were best. When a famous artist was asked to ex- invited to submit proposals. More than fifty plain the meaning of one of his paintings, he submissions were forwarded to Haifa for dereplied that if he could have expressed it in cision by the Universal House of Justice. words, he would not have painted it. But per- Following intensive study, technical explorahaps you will accept some comments about the tions, and consultation with the Hands of the process of arriving at the Temple as it stands Cause in the Holy Land, the appointment of today. Mr. Peter Tillotson, A.R.I.B.A., as architect The Mother Temple of Latin America, lo- for the Panama Temple was announced in 1966 cated in Panama, is a direct expression of the by the Universal House of Justice. great forces of Baha'i history. It was Baha'u'llah When the site, which had been acquired Himself Who conceived the institution of the twelve years earlier, was looked at objectively Ma&riqu'l-A&kar,l ordaining it, in the as a piece of land onwhich to build, it was found Kitdb-i-Aqdas, as a House of W o r ~ h i pIt . ~was to be inaccessible for construction purposes. 'Abdu'l-Baha who envisaged it in closer detail, The situation was so critical that a member of as He guided the development of the Wilmette the Universal House of Justice, Mr. H. Borrah Temple, and Who gave to America the Tablets Kavelin, came to Panama, and measures were of the Divine Plan, wherein He pointed out the taken to exchange that site for a far better one special importance of the Republic of Panama.3 in the same vicinity, consisting of 25,570 square It was the Guardian who, in 1937, called for metres (about 6.3 acres). In consideration of the establishment of a Baha'i group in Panama our advancing the cost of a road, we acquired City,4and as a goal of the World Crusade, on an additional 92,160 square metres (about April 21, 1954, a Temple site in Panama was 22.7 acres) of land adjacent to the Temple site purcha~ed.~ proper. With the establishment of the divinely or- Mr. Tillotson proceeded to develop the dedained Universal House of Justice in 1963, and sign, retaining the services of Messrs. Flint and the launching of the Nine Year Plan in 1964, Neil1 of London as structural engineers. The Panama was named a city in which a BahB'i Universal House of Justice had directed that Temple was to be c o n s t r u ~ t e dWe . ~ have just the Panama Temple should recall the prewitnessed the dedication of that Temple, bless- Columbian architecture of America, and so ed by the presence of the representative of the have a character that would be within the Universal House of Justice, the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih m a n u m . Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith. Wilmette, 1965, p. 118. Thus the Panama Temple stands in a great ~ h & h iEffendi, GodPrrsses By. Wilmette, 1944. p. 340. historical progression, as conceived by the 'Abdu'l-BahB, Tablets of the Divine Plan. Wilmette, 1959 ed., p. 10. *Mr. Robert W. McLaughlin, sometime member of Shoghi Effendi, The Advent o f Divine Justice. Wilthe National Spiritual Assembly of the United States metie, 1969 ed., p. 59. and Dean Emeritus of the School of Architecture of The Baha'i World, vol. xrrr. Haifa, 1970, p. 257. Princeton University, served as a member of the The Universal House of Justice, Analysis of the Nine technical advisory board for the construction of the Year International Teachittx Plan 1964-73. Wilmette, interior of the Mother Temple of the west in Wil- April, 1964, p. 4. mette, Illinois. Mr. McLaughlin was appointed by the ' The Universal House of Justice, The Bahd'i Faifh Universal House of Justice as its architectural con- (Statistical Information) 1844-1968. Haifa, Apr~l, sultant for the building ofthe PanamaTemple. 1968, pp. 20-21. 644 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Seen at a reception held at the time ofthe dedication of the Panama Temple are (lefi to right) Mr. Robert W . McLaughlin, architectural consrnltant to the Universal House of'Justice for the Panama House of Worship; Mrs. Wendy Tillotson; Mr. Peter Tillotson, British architect who designed the Ternple; Mrs. Leota Lockman, Secretary ofthe National Spiritual Asse~nblyof the Bahri'is of Panama.
tradition of and sympathetic to the indigenous tion. At the request of the Universal House of peoples of the continent. Accordingly, Mr. Justice, Mr. Ed Stevenson of the U.S. Corps of Tillotson visited and studied Maya sites in Engineers and now of the Panama Canal Com- Yucatan and national collections in Mexico. pany, hascontinued to stay inPanama through- Following completion of contract drawings out the project, and has been constantly availand the receipt of competitive bids, a general able for advice and service. contract was awarded to Messrs. Diaz and These are the briefest notes of a history in Guardia of Panama, with construction start- which Baha'is the world over have, through ing in December of 1969. The veneer facings and services, contributions and prayers, been interrazzo floors have been executed by Com- struments for the consummation of this landpaiiia de Noriega, also of Panama. The marble mark in the Divine Plan. chips for that work came from Italy, the tile on Perhaps you will be interested in a few comthe dome from Japan, and the lighting equip- ments about the architecture of the Temple. At ment from the United States. The structure is this time, when the old order is dying and the of Panamanian cement, sand and steel, and the World Order of Bahi'u'llah is coming into mahogany for the benches was cut in the forests being, a Bahi'i architecture does not exist, any of Darien. more than do other Baha'i arts.l We use those Mr. Paul Thiele represented the National technical resources and art forms of our time Assembly ofPanamaasproject-engineerduring which seem suitable and useful. While techthe early phase of road building and site pre- niques for building have been developing at a paration and most of the construction. When revolutionary pace, and while there are noillness forced his departure, Mr. Francis table examples of fine buildings, the modern Czerniejewski, who had been assisting Mr. Thiele during the past year, assumed fullduties From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, during the critical final months of construc- dated ~~l~20, 1946. movement as a whole has been extremely un- were that the Temple should be nine-sided and even and chaotic in its divergent aims. surmounted by a dome, should seat between As BahB'is we know where we are going. We five and six-hundred people, and have a characwelcome these vast new resources of material ter sympathetic to the indigenous peoples of and technique, aware as we are of the source of America. The majestic dome is there for us to the bounties that have come to the world over see. Its clear, uncomplicated form carries the past century and more. visually for miles, as does its off-white tone Much has been learned in the practice of that relates so well to every change of sunlight architecture during this period of scientific and or clouds. The parabolic shape rests easily and technological explosion. In 1844, the architec- gracefully on the nine abutting walls that deture of the western world was entering the last fine the nine entrances. The form of the Temple phases of an eclecticism that had dominated is universal in its reasonableness and distinsince the close of the Middle Ages and the dawn guished in its subtleties. of the Renaissance. A century later, the period Another principle involves the relation of of slavish copying was over and the modern technical means to art form. The dome of the movement was looking with a fresh eye at the Temple is an exceedingly sophisticated piece of possibilities of architecture. Principles on which structural design, involving a type of mathethe finest buildings of the past were based are matical calculation that is practicable only with now beginning to find new and wondrous ex- the resources of computer technology. It pressions through the vastly increased re- stands with a simplicity and with a grace that sources of the contemporary world. What are comes with the accomplishment of "the most some of these premises and how do we find with the least". The dome is only about four them expressed in our Temple? inches thick, engineered by Mr. Flint on the One principle involves the unity of the func- principle of a shell. A few decades ago such a tion and form of a building. How well this is dome would have been impossible. Instead we achieved in the Panama Temple is indicated by would have had a far heavier and less efficient the clarity of its visual expression. The three construction and probably would have had to stipulations of the Universal House of Justice follow the precedent of St. Peter's in Rome and
Sixteen Indian tribes from the Americas, some of whose members .are pictured here, were among the Bahci'is fron? twenty-six countries who attended the Temple dedication and International Teaching Conference. 646 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
St. Paul's in London by building both an inner volume. Thus the spirit of pre-Columbian and an outer dome. Here there is a single dome America is logically executed within the conwith both surfaces exposed to the eye; a splen- temporary idiom. did example of integrity of design. The in- The Indians of America, after centuries of terior ribs rise and interlace in a fine bit of suffering the destruction of their own highly mathematical expression. developed architecture and the imposition of Still another principle involves the relation- foreign styles, at long last have a House of ship of a building to its environment. Varia- Worship that expresses the great love in which tions of climates and natural resources over the the Universal House of Justice holds them and world can evoke a variety of building solutions its admiration for their history. that not only enhance human comfort, but en- Anyone who has been privileged to serve the rich architecture through a reasoned diversity. Universal House of Justice on this project With its generous openings through which longs to convey something of the utterly unique breezes can pass, and with its wide overhangs nature of that experience. It cannot be dethat shelter from beating sun and torrential scribed, because it is beyond us, but perhaps a rain, the Temple is superbly suited to the warm, few notes would be indicative. humid climate of Panama. It takes full advan- So often, when dealing with technical probtage of its dramatic site, as its simple form reads lems in human, professional terms, we found, clearly from great distances and presents a on turning to the Universal House of Justice, medley of varying angles as we approach. an already encompassing awareness of the From within, the space beneath the dome direction the solution must take. We learned reaches out to become one with the world of that if we tried to meet each situation as we felt nature. The nine panels of landscape framed the Universal House of Justice would wish, by the nine series of openings could not be simply trying to do what it wanted done, we rivalled by stained glass or mural paintings. I stayed on the beam. We also learned that if we know of only one other use of site suggesting a followed our own lights, assuming that the similar spatial concept, at Monte Alban in Universal House of Justice would set us straight Mexico. Here in Pananla, the sea, as well as if we got off the beam, we often did get off the sky and mountains, are united into a oneness beam, and the Universal House of Justice did with architecture. set us straight, but the Plan was delayed and Materials that are indigenous to a region precious time was consumed at the World have a special appropriateness. Those basic to Centre. Panama are largely plastic in nature, and the We learned that the clarity and disarming Temple is of a form that could be executed only simplicity of the communications from the with plastic materials: reinforced concrete for Universal House of Justice are evidence that the structure, pre-cast panels for surface treat- the truth is not complicated, and if we would ment, terrazzo for the floors. The seating is know the truth we had better not just read, but made of fine native mahogany and suggests in study and meditate on those communications. its construction and in the beauty of the wood And we came to know, as each BahB'i can the furniture in Maya houses whose hospitality know, the love of the Universal House of Juswe have experienced. tice. Its words are never matters of fact alone. An obvious but superficial response to the How happy it must have been when it could challenge of expressing the character of pre- write to the BahB'i world this Ridvan: Columbian architecture in the Temple, would "The imaginative and inspiring concept of have been to reproduce the detail of a Maya or the architect, Peter Tillotson, has been won- Inca building. What Mr. Tillotson did, in the derfully realized and we extend to the National facings of the wing walls and interior balcony, Spiritual Assembly of Panama on behalf of the was to capture the spirit of the indigenous ar- entire BahB'i world, loving congratulations on chitecture, without literal imitation. Moreover, their achievement. "l this was accomplished with full awareness of The Universal Houseof Justice, Message to the BahB'i modern means of producing cast elements in World, Ridvan, 1972. 6. PANAMA T E M P L E DATA AND STATISTICS 1. Location: Seven miles north of centre of of 92,160 square metres, adjacent to the Temple Panama City off the Transisthmian Highway site, was acquired, at a cost based on the oriin the area known as Ojo de Agua (Eye of ginal price of the Temple site. This gave the Water), or more specifically atop Cerro Panama community a total area of 117,964 Sonsonate (Singing Mountain). Its elevation is square metres (28.73 acres). 225 metres (738 feet) above Panama City. 3. Access Road: A road 1,800 metres (1 .11 miles) long from the Transisthmian Highway to 2. Site Infornlation: The site of 25,804 square the site was constructed in 1967. It was exmetres (6.37 acres) was purchased in 1954 untremely difficult to build as the sides of the der an assignment in the Guardian's Ten Year basalt rock hill had to be excavated and this World Spiritual Crusade given to the Bahi'i material had to be used to fill in the intercommunity of the United States. In 1966, it locking deep ravines. It took almost three was determined that this site, because of its months to construct this road. The contractor high elevation and inaccessibility, was unwas Rolando Arango U. of Panama. suitable for the construction of the Panama Temple, and following extensive negotiations, 4. Site Preparation: The top of Cerro Sonan exchange was effected for the present site, sonate originally came to a sharp peak. In order without any increase in the original cost, for an to create a flat area large enough for the Temple equal area of land. At the same time, in con- and surrounding garden area, the hilltop had to sideration of the National Spiritual Assembly be lowered 11 metres (36 feet). Dynamite and of Panama advancing the funds to cover the heavy earth moving equipment was used as cost of the access road from the Transisth- this hill is composed of basalt rock. A total of mian Highway to the site, an additional plot 75,000 cubic yards of material was moved and
Anotlzer view of the Ma&riqu'l-A&kar (Dawning-place of the Praise of God) atop Cerro Sonsonate near Panama City, Panama. deposited along one of the slopes to create a level shelf-like area. This area will be used for TEMPLE STATISTICS parking and locating of the Temple Lodge, pub- Normal seating capacity lic rest rooms and meeting-room. The work was 550 people done by Rolando Arango U and was completed in five months. Diameter at base 61 metres (200 feet) 5. Design and Engineering: In 1965, the Overall height National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of 28 metres (92 feet) the Republic of Panama, at the request of the Diameter of Auditorium Universal House of Justice, solicited archi- 26 metres (85 feet) tects from all over the world to submit their designs for the Temple. Fifty-four architects Diameter of Dome Base responded. After careful deliberation, the 28 metres (92 feet) design of a young British architect, Peter Tillot- Height of Dome son, was selected and a contractual agreement 20 metres (65 feet) was executed. At the architect's recommen- Height of Balcony dation the firm of Flint & Neill, London, was 5 metres (16 feet) engaged to do the structural engineering work. Opening each of 9 entrances Architect Guillermo Palma and Engineer Height 4 . 8 metres (15 feet) Rolando Arango were selected as their Pana- Width 5 metres (16 feet) manian representatives. Engineer J. 0.Noriega Panama, was engaged to do the Spanish translations of the drawings, specifications and caltorium and on the other side, enjoy the panoculations. All of this work was completed in ramic view of the surrounding area for con- August 1969. siderable distances in every direction. Five of the outstanding contractors in Pa- The second unit is the parabolic dome which nama were asked to submit bids for the conbegins at the balcony level and covers both the struction of the Temple. On October 20, 1969, auditorium and balcony areas. before TV cameras, a contract was signed with The whole Temple, except for the decora- Diaz y Guardia, S.A. Construction began on tions, is constructed of reinforced concrete. December 1, 1969, with a completion date of The concrete for the dome was applied by December, 1971. the "Gunite" process; that is, dry sand and Mr. Robert W. McLaughlin, who had served cement are forced through a rubber hose to the as a member of the technical advisory board for nozzle where just enough water is added to get the construction of the interior of the Mother a barely moist concrete mixture. This is the Temple of the West in Wilmette, Illinois, was first time that this method has been used in appointed by the Universal House of Justice Panama. The advantages over normal conas its architectural consultant for the building crete casting are that there is no shrinkage, it is of the Panama Temple. extremely strong and compact and minimizes Mr. Paul Thiele was engaged by the Panama the danger of cracks and leaks. National Spiritual Assembly as the supervising The beauty of the Temple is achieved by two engineer for the Temple construction. methods-one, through the use of goemetric 6. Temple Data: The building is composed patterns in the design and second, by the appliof two distinct units. One is the base which is an cation of fabricated materials. elongated nine-pointed star in the centre of The geometric beauty and harmony is which is located the auditorium area. Con- achieved through the curves of the perimeter necting the nine-pointed star at its inner dia- arches, the curves of the outer balcony balumeter are nine ornamental iron gates which pro- strades, the angles of the star points, inner balvide nine entrances to the Temple auditorium. cony balustrades, entrance stairs and gates, A balcony covers the nine-pointed star and also and outer boundaries of the auditorium. The connects the areas in between so that visitors geometric harmony is again used in the eighteen can on the one side, look down on the audi- inter-connecting ribs which rise from the balcony level to a nine-pointed star suspended will be used. There will be no windows as all from the interior dome apex. open areas will remain without restrictions of The use of a harmonious decorative motif any kind, thereby making the indoor and outis used in the outer facing of the star points by door one unified complex. using exposed Verona red marble chips to create Because of the uniqueness and extremely a relief pattern based on pre-Columbian design. complicated geometric pattern of the struc- The nine gates again are unique in that a three- ture, construction was very difficult and it dimensional geometric design is used. The taxed the engineering and construction capacity underside of the dome will be covered with of the contractor to the utmost. However, they acoustical plaster while the surface of the have constructed a building of the highest outer dome will be covered with mosaic tile. quality. Mr. Flint of the London engineering The floor area, both auditorium and balcony, firm, after a recent visit, had this to say: "the will use a unique cast in-place terrazzo design contractors have produced work of high quaexcept for the seating area where terrazzo tiles lity by any standard."
The friends gathering for the dedication oj'the Mother Temple ofLatin America. The Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahci Rlihiyyih a c i n ~ mis ~seated in front at the centre. 650 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Savolinna, Finland, the easternmost Local Assembly in Europe; Ridvrin, 1972; one member absent. Mr. Valde Nyman, a Gypsy, is seen standing first on the left.
The first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Falkland Islands; October, 1972. T H E I N S T I T U T I O N O F T H E NATIONAL S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLY I . INTRODUCTION
THE sacred Writings of the Baha'i Faith special Committee, to be elected by the memcreate organic institutions having a member- bers of the National Spiritual Assembly, from ship elected by the Baha'i community. Bahk'u'- among all the friends in that country. . . llah called these institutions into being; "With it, too, rests the decision whether a their establishment, definition, training and certain point at issue is strictly local in its development came later, in the ministry of nature . . . or whether it should fall under its 'Abdu'l-Baha and in that of the Guardian ap- own province and be regarded as a matter pointed in 'Abdu'l-Bahi's Testament. which ought to receive its special attention."' Since the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1921, "The need for the centralization of authority the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies has in the National Spiritual Assembly, and the multiplied in East and West, and the institution concentration of power in the various Local of the National Spiritual Assembly has become Assemblies, is . . . manife~t."~ firmly established. Concerning this national ad- "The authority of the National Spiritual ministrative body Shoghi Effendi has provided Assembly is undivided and unchallengeable in clear information and direction. Its purpose, all matters pertaining to the administration of its power, its responsibility and its functions the Faith [throughout its ~ o u n t r y ] . " ~ and duties are definitely prescribed. The individual Baha'i has spiritual citizen- "Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify ship in a world community of believers acting and co-ordinate by frequent personal consulta- through local, national and international tions the manifold activities of the friends [be- bodies. There is no division of interest or conlievers] as well as the Local Assemblies; and by flict of authority among these institutions, for keeping in close and constant touch with the ever since the ascension of Bahi'u'llah in 1892 Holy Land [Baha'i World Centre], initiate His Faith has possessed infallible guidance by measures, and direct in general the affairs of the virtue of His Covenant, which specifically pro- Cause in that country. vides it. The action of a Baha'i administrative "It serves also another purpose, no less essen- body, therefore, while rationally determined by tial than the first.. .in conjunction with the other constitutional principles, operates in a spiritual National Assemblies throughout the Baha'i realm revealed by the Manifestation of God world, to elect directly the members of the and maintained free from political pressure and International House of Justice, that Supreme the influence of materialism. Apart from the Council that will guide, organize and unify the appointed Interpreter, no Bahi'i has individual affairs of the [Faith] throughout the world. authority. Decisions are confined to the sphere " . . . it has to exercise full authority over all of action and are made by a body of nine the Local Assemblies in its province, and will persons. have to direct the activities of the friends, guard The advice and direction clarifying the nature vigilantly the Cause of God, and control and and operation of a National Spiritual Assembly supervise the affairs of the [Faith] in general. have been compiled by the American Baha'is "Vital issues, affecting the interests of the from letters written them by Shoghi EffendL4 Cause in that country . . . that stand distinct Baha'i Adrnirzistration (1960 edition) pp. 39-40. from strictly local affairs, must be under the z ibid., p. 42. 3 Bahci'iProcedure (19491, p. 63. full jurisdiction of the National Assembly. It Baha'i Arlministration: Declarat~onof Trust and By- LawsoftheNational Spiritual Assembly oftheBa11B'is will have to refer each of these questions. . . to a the United States. 652 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
During the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Baha, after from the legalisms and devices acting within He had approved the petition submitted to every human institution. Him by the American BahB'is expressing their While the transition from Baha'i Temple desire to construct a House of Worship, these Unity to National Spiritual Assembly in North Baha'is formed a national body known as America emphasizes certain principles inherent Baha'i Temple Unity, incorporated for the pur- in BahB'i institutions, the formation of a Napose of gathering funds and co-ordinating plans tional Spiritual Assembly in a new area repreto erect the Temple in Wilmette. That body, sents more profoundly the creation of a new though national in scope and elected by dele- type of society. Every national Baha'i comgates representing the various local BahB'i com- munity has gone through some evolution remunities, was not a National Spiritual Assem- flecting its historical background before its bly. It is interesting to note that in BahB'i National Assembly was established. Temple Unity the American BahB'is established The functions of a National Spiritual Assema body reflecting their own national historical bly are manifold: the publication of BahB'i experience. The local communities preceded literature; national teaching plans; supervision the national body in time and each exercised of local communities; encouragement and an independent authority in the conduct of its direction of all the Baha'is in their service to the own affairs. When their representatives agreed Faith; and representation of the ~ a h B ' i inrelas to form a national BahB'i body with full juris- tion to the civil authorities. Each national body diction over Temple matters, they transferred prepares and adopts its own constitution, formto it powers which vested final decision not in ulated on the basis of the model approved by its directors but in the Annual Convention. the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. All the The vital distinction between Temple Unity and National Spiritual Assemblies collectively, the National Spiritual Assembly when later under the title of The Bahi'i International established lay in this field of ultimate author- Community, constitute an international nonity. The National Spiritual Assembly possessed governmental organization whose delegates are original authority, powers and functions of its accredited by United Nations for attendance own. It came into existence through election and participation in its regional conferences1 of its nine members at a National Convention Through the institution of the National but constituted a continuing authority derived Spiritual Assembly, Baha'is are enabled to from the BahB'i Teachings and not conferred carry out plans of considerable magnitude, colby any action of the believers, whether as local laborate with BahB'is of all other lands in communities or as delegates. This authority matters of international interest, maintain comemerged supreme in relation to Baha'i matters mon standards of administrative principle, and within the national community but subject to take advantage, in the appointment of comthe higher authority of the Guardian and also mittees, of particular talents and aptitudes of the future International House of Justice. possessed by individual believers. The National Within its own realm the National Spiritual Spiritual Assembly stands as one of the pillars Assembly is an institution created by the Teach- supporting the Baha'i world community. Partiings of the Faith independent of the Baha'is cipation in national Baha'i activities serves to who elect its members and of the Baha'is com- insulate the individual BahB'i from infection by posing its membership. In no way does this the psychic ills which afflict modern society as institution reflect either the political or the result of its lack of faith and spiritual direction. ecclesiastical influences of its environment, Within the shelter of this emerging order the whether in America, Europe or the East. This storms of partisanship cannot engulf the soul. fact has paramount importance. On the one HORACE HOLLEY hand it reveals the existence of an organic 1 Consultative status with the United Nations E ~ ~ ~ ~ - religious society; on the other hand it demon- mic andsocial Councilwasobtained on May27,1970. See "The BahB'i International C o m m ~ ~ n iand t y the strates the freedom of this new community ,. United Nations- 1968-1973", 366. THE N A T I O N A L S P I R I T U A L A S S E M B L Y
2 . A MODEL DECLARATION O F T R U S T AND BY-LAWS for a N A T I O N A L S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLY
FOREWORD T HE 1926-27 National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada completed a task which, while pertaining to the outer and more material aspects of the Cause, nevertheless has a special significance for its spirit and inward sacred purpose. This task consisted in creating a legal form which gives proper substance and substantial character to the National Spiritual Assemblies and the administrative processes embodied in the Baha'i Teachings by a form of incorporation recognized under common law. This Declaration of Trust, with its attendant By-Laws, became the model to be followed, with adaptations as local laws and circumstances required, by other National Spiritual Assemblies. The years following the election of the Universal House of Justice witnessed a great increase in the number of National Spiritual Assemblies (from fifty-seven in 1963 to 113 by Ridvan 1973)l and the House of Justice itself provided a model document, largely based on the one devised by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, to be followed as closely as possible by all new National Spiritual Assemblies as they became incorporated, which they were required to do under the Nine Year Plan. Careful examination of the Declaration and its By-Laws will reveal the fact that this document contains no arbitrary elements nor features new to the Baha'i Cause. On the contrary, it represents a most conscientious effort to reflect those very administrative principles and elements already set forth in the letters of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, and already determining the methods and relationships of Baha'i collective association. The provision both in the Declaration and in the By-Laws for amendments in the future will permit the National Spiritual Assemblies to adapt this document to such new administrative elements or principles as may at any time be given forth. The Declaration, in fact, is nothing more nor less than a legal parallel of those moral and spiritual laws of unity inherent in the fullness of the Baha'i Revelation and making it the fulfilment of the ideal of Religion in the social as well as spiritual realm. Because, in the Baha'i Faith, this perfect correspondence exists between spiritual and social laws, the Baha'is believe that administrative success is identical with moral success, and that nothing less than the true BahB'i spirit of devotion and sacrifice can inspire with effective power the world-wide body of unity revealed by Baha'u'llih.
DECLARATION OF TRUST By the NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'~s OF.. . . .
WE, duly chosen by the representatives of the BahB'is of . . . at the Annual Meeting held at . . . , on . . . , to be the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is o f . . . , with full power to establish a Trust as hereinafter set forth, hereby declare that from this date the powers, responsibilities, rights, privileges and obligations reposed in said National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of . . . by Bahi'u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith, by 'Abdu'l-Baha, its Interpreter and Exemplar, See Directory, p. 702. 654 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
by Shoghi Effendi, its Guardian, and by the Universal House of Justice, ordained by BahB'u'llah in His Sacred Writings as the supreme body of the BahB'i religion, shall be exercised, administered and carried on by the above-named National Spiritual Assembly and their duly qualified successors under this Declaration of Trust. The National Spiritual Assembly in adopting this form of association, union and fellowship, and in selecting for itself the designation of Trustees of the BahB'is o f . . . , does so as the administrative body of a religious community which has had continuous existence and responsibility for . . . . In consequence of these activities the National Spiritual Assembly is called upon to administer such ever-increasing diversity and volume of affairs and properties for the BahB'is of . . . , that we, its members, now feel it both desirable and necessary to give our collective functions more definite legal form. This action is taken in complete unanimity and with full recognition of the sacred relationship thereby created. We acknowledge in behalf of ourselves and our successors in this Trust the exalted religious standard established by BahB'u'llah for BahB'i administrative bodies in the Utterance: "Be ye Trustees of the Merciful One among men"; and seek the help of God and His guidance in order to fulfil that exhortation. (Signatures of the nine members) Date
ARTICLE I The name of said Trust shall be the "National Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is o f . . . ."
ARTICLE I1 Sharing the ideals and assisting the efforts of our fellow BahB'is to establish, uphold and promote the spiritual, educational and humanitarian teachings of human brotherhood, radiant faith, exalted character and selfless love revealed in the lives and utterances of all the Prophets and Messengers of God, Founders of the world's revealed religions-and given renewed creative energy and universal application to the conditions of this age in the life and utterances of BahB'u'llah-we declare the purposes and objects of this Trust to be to administer the affairs of the Cause of BahB'u'llih for the benefit of the BahB'is o f . . . according to the principles of Baha'i affiliation and administration created and established by BahB'u'llah, defined and explained by 'Abdu'l-Baha, interpreted and amplified by Shoghi Effendi, and supplemented and applied by the Universal House of Justice. These purposes are to be realized by means of devotional meetings; by public meetings and conferences of an educational, humanitarian and spiritual character; by the publication of books, magazines and newspapers; by the construction of temples of universal worship and of other institutions and edifices for humanitarian service; by supelvising, unifying, promoting and generally administering the activities of the Baha'is of . . . in the fulfilment of their religious offices, duties and ideals; and by any other means appropriate to these ends, or any of them. Other purposes and objects of this Trust are: a. The right to enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every sort and kind for the furtherance of the objects of this Trust with any person, firm, association, corporation, private, public or municipal or body politic, or any state, territory or colony thereof, or any foreign government; and in this connection, and in all transactions under the terms of this Trust, to do any and all things which a co-partnership or natural person could do or exercise, and which now or hereafter may be authorized by law. b. To hold and be named as beneficiary under any trust established by law or otherwise or under any will or other testamentary instrument in connection with any gift, devise, or bequest in which a trust or trusts is or are established in any part of the world as well as in . . . ; to receive gifts, devises or bequests of money or other property. c. All and whatsoever the several purposes and objects set forth in the written utterances of BahB'u'llkh, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, and enactments of the Universal House of T H E NATION AL S P IR IT U A L A S S E MB L Y 655 Justice, under which certain jurisdiction, powers and rights are granted to National Spiritual Assemblies. d. Generally to do all things and acts which in the judgment of said Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of. . . , are necessary, proper and advantageous to promote the complete and successful administration of this Trust.
SECTION 1. All persons, firms, corporations and associations extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, and the members thereof, of any character whatsoever, whether legal or equitable and whether arising out of contract or tort, shall look solely to the funds of the Trust and to the property of the Trust estate for payment or indemnity, or for payment of any debt, damage, judgment or decree or any money that may otherwise become due or payable from the Trustees, so that neither the Trustees nor any of them, nor any of their officers or agents appointed by them hereunder, nor any beneficiary or beneficiaries herein named shall be personally liable therefor. SECTION 2. Every note, bond, proposal, obligation or contract in writing or other agreement or instrument made or given under this Trust shall be explicitly executed by the National Spiritual Assembly, as Trustees, by their duly authorized officers or agents.
The Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, shall adopt for the conduct of the affairs entrusted to them under this Declaration of Trust, such by-laws, rules of procedure or regulations as are required to define and carry on its own administrative functions and those of the several local and other elements composing the body of the Baha'is o f . . . , not inconsistent with the terms of this instrument and all in accordance with the instructions and enactments of the Universal House of Justice. ARTICLE V The central office of this Trust shall be located in . . . .
The seal of this Trust shall be circular in form, bearing the following inscription: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of . . . .
ARTICLE VII This Declaration of Trust may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is o f . . . at any special meeting duly called for that purpose, provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.
BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY ARTICLE I THE National Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its sacred duties under this Trust, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs of the BahB'i Cause throughout . . . , including paramount authority in the administration of 'this Trust. It shall endeavour to stimulate, unify and coordinate the manifold activities of theLocal Spiritual Assemblies (hereinafter defined) and of individual Baha'is in . . . and by all possible means assist them to 656 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
promote the oneness of mankind. It shall be charged with therecognition of such Local Assemblies, the scrutiny of all membership rolls, the calling of the Annual Meeting or special meetings and the seating of delegates to the Annual Meeting and their apportionment among the various electoral districts. It shall appoint all national BahB'i committees and shall supervise the publication and distribution of BahB'i literature, the reviewing of all writings pertaining to the BahB'i Cause, the construction and administration of the Mashriqu'l-Aakir and its accessory activities, and the collection and disbursement of all funds for the carrying on of this Trust. It shall decide whether any matter lies within its own jurisdiction or within the jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly. It shall, in such cases as it considers suitable and necessary, entertain appeals from the decisions of Local Spiritual Assemblies and shall have the right of final decision in all cases where the qualification of an individual or group for continued voting rights and membership in the BahB'i body is in question. It shall furthermore represent the Baha'is o f . . . in all their cooperative and spiritual activities with the BahB'is of other lands, and shall constitute the sole electoral body o f . . . in the election of the Universal House of Justice provided for in the Sacred Writings of the Baha'i Cause. Above all, the National Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek to attain that station of unity in devotion to the Revelation of BahB'u'llah which will attract the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and enable the Assembly to serve the founding of the Most Great Peace. In all its deliberation and action theNationa1 Assembly shall have constantly before it as Divine guide and standard the utterance of BahB'u'llBh: "It behooveth them (i.e., members of Spiritual Assemblies) to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly." ARTICLE I1 The BahB'is of . . . for whose benefit this Trust is established shall consist of all persons of the age of 15 years or over resident in . . . who are accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly as possessing the qualifications of BahB'i faith and practice required under the following standard set forth by the Guardian of the Faith: Full recognition of the station of the Bab, the Forerunner, of BahB'u'llah, the Author and of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the True Exemplar of the BahB'i religion; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of 'Abdu'l-Baha's sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of BahB'i Administration throughout the world. Those residing in the area of jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly recognized by the National Assembly may declare their faith to, and be enrolled by, the Local Spiritual Assembly; those living outside any such area of local Baha'i jurisdiction shall be enrolled in such manner as shall be prescribed by the National Assembly. Upon attaining the age of 21 years, a Baha'i is eligible to vote and to hold elective office.
The National Assembly shall consist of nine members chosen from among the BahB'is o f . . . , who shall be elected by the said Baha'is in manner hereinafter provided, and who shall continue for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.
ARTICLE IV The officers of the National Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Assembly taken by secret ballot. THE NATIONAL S P IR IT U A L ASSEMBLY 657
ARTICLEV The fist meeting of a newly-elected National Assembly shall be called by the member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any three members of the Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by a majority vote of the Assembly, as hereinafter provided.
Five members of the National Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient~forthe conduct of business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the National Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall supply copies of the minutes to the Assembly members after each meeting, and preserve the minutes in the official records of the Assembly.
ARTICLE VII Whenever in any locality o f . . . , the number of Baha'is resident therein recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these shall on April 21st of any year convene and elect by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of that community. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive 21st day of April. The members shall hold office for the term of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified. When, however, the number of BahB'is in any authorized civil area is exactly nine, these shall on April 21st of any year, or in successive years, constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration. Upon the recording of such declaration by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, said body of nine shall become established with the rights, privileges and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly as set forth in this instrument. SECTION 1. Each newly-elected Local Spiritual Assembly shall at once proceed in the manner indicated in Articles IV and V of these By-Laws to the election of its officers, who shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as the Assembly finds necessary for theconduct of its business and the fulfilment of its spiritual duties. Immediately thereafter the Secretary chosen shall transmit to the Secretary of the National Assembly the names of the members of the newly-elected Assembly and a list of its officers. SECTION 2. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be as set forth in the writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice. SECTION 3. Among its more specific duties, a Local Spiritual Assembly shall have full jurisdiction of all Baha'i activities and affairs within the local community, subject, however, to the exclusive and paramount authority of the National Spiritual Assembly as defined herein. SECTION 4. Vacancies in the membership of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local Baha'i community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Local Assembly impossible, the election shall be held under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly. SECTION 5. The business of the Local Assembly shall be conducted in like manner as provided for the deliberations of the National Assembly in Article VI above. SECTION 6. The Local Assembly shall pass upon and approve the qualifications of each member of the BahB'i community before such members shall be admitted to voting membership; but where 658 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
an individual is dissatisfied with the ruling of the Local Spiritual Assembly upon his BahB'i qualifications, such individual may appeal from the ruling to the National Assembly, which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of and finally decide the case. SECTION 7. On or before the 1st day of November of each year the Secretary of each Local Assembly shall send to the Secretary of the National Assembly a duly certified list of the voting members of the local Baha'i community for the information and approval of the National Assembly. SECTION 8. All matters arising within a local BahB'i community which are of purely local interest and do not affect the national interests of the Cause shall be under the primary jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of that locality; but decision whether a particular matter involves the interest and welfare of the national BahB'i body shall rest with the National Spiritual Assembly. SECTION 9. Any member of a local BahB'i community may appeal from a decision of his Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly, which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it to the Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. In the event that the National Assembly assumes jurisdiction of the matter, its findings shall be final. SECTION 10. Where any dissension exists within a local BahB'i community of such character that it cannot be remedied by the efforts of the Local Spiritual Assembly, this condition shall be referred by the Spiritual Assembly for consideration to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose action in the matter shall be final. SECTION 11. All questions arising between two or more Local Spiritual Assemblies, or between members of different BahB'i communities, shall be submitted in the first instance to the National Assembly, which shall have original and final jurisdiction in all such matters. SECTION 12. The sphere of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential qualification of membership, and voting rights of a believer in any BahB'i community, shall be the locality included within the recognized civil limits. All differences of opinion concerning the sphere of jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly or concerning the affiliation of any Baha'i or group of BahB'is in. . . shall be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose decision in the matter shall be final.
ARTICLE VIII The members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be elected at an annual meeting to be known as the National Convention of the BahB'is o f . . . . This Convention shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by the National Assembly. The National Convention shall be composed jointly of representatives chosen by the Baha'is of each . . . under the principle of proportionate representation, and the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by the National Assembly sixty days in advance in the Convention Call which sets forth the number of delegates assigned to the various electoral units in proportion to the number of Baha'is resident in each such unit, to a total number o f . . . delegates for the BahB'is of. . . . SECTION 1. All delegates to the Convention shall be elected by plurality vote. Baha'is who for illness or other unavoidable reasons are unable to be present at the election in person shall have the right to transmit their ballots to the meeting by mail. The meeting held in each . . . for the election of delegates shall be called by the National Spiritual Assembly and conducted by the Baha'is present under whatever procedure may be uniformly laid down by said body. Immediately after the meeting a certified report of the election containing the name and address of each delegate shall be transmitted to the National Spiritual Assembly. SECTION 2. All delegates to be seated at the Convention must be recognized BahB'is and residents of the . . . represented by them. SECTION 3. The rights and privileges of a delegate may not be assigned nor may they be exercised by proxy. SECTION 4. The recognition and seating of delegates to the National Convention shall be vested in the National Spiritual Assembly. THE NATIONAL SP IRIT U AL ASSEMBLY 659 SECTION 5. Delegates unable to be present in person at the Convention shall have the right to transmit their ballots for election of the members of the National Assembly under whatever procedure is adopted by the National Assembly. SECTION 6. If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to assemble together the delegates to the National Convention, the said Assembly shall provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the Convention may be conducted by mail. SECTION 7. The presiding officer of the National Spiritual Assembly present at the Convention shall call together the delegates, who after roll call shall proceed to the permanent organization of the meeting, electing by ballot a chairman, a secretary and such other officers as are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Convention. SECTION 8. The principal business of the annual meeting shall be consultation on Baha'i activities, plans and policies, and the election of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Members of the National Assembly, whether or not elected delegates, may take a full part in the consultation and discussion but only delegates may participate in the election of Convention officers or in the annual election of the members of the National Assembly. All action by the delegates, other than the organization of the Convention, the transmission of messages to the World Centre of the BahB'i Faith, and the election of the National Assembly, shall constitute advice. and recommendation for consideration by the said Assembly, final decision in all matters concerning the affairs of the Baha'i Faith in. . . being vested solely in that body. SECTION 9. The general order of business to be taken up at the Annual Convention shall be prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly in the form of an agenda, but any matter pertaining to the Baha'i Faith introduced by any of the delegates may upon motion and vote be taken up as part of the Convention deliberations. SECTION 10. The election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote of the delegates recognized by the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, i.e., the members elected shall be the nine persons receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot cast by delegates present at the Convention and delegates whose ballot has been transmitted to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly by mail. In case, by reason of a tie vote or votes, the full membership is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all nine members are elected. SECTION 11. All official business transacted at the National Convention shall be recorded and preserved in the records of the National Assembly. SECTION 12. Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a plurality vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by correspondence or in any other manner decided upon by the National Spiritual Assembly. ARTICLE IX Where the National Spiritual Assembly has been given in these By-Laws exclusive and final jurisdiction, and paramount executive authority, in all matters pertaining to the activities and affairs of the BahB'i Cause in . . . , it is understood that any decision made or action taken upon such matters shall be subject in every instance to ultimate review and approval by the Universal House of Justice. ARTICLE X Whatever functions and powers are not specifically attributable to Local Spiritual Assemblies in these By-Laws shall be considered vested in the National Spiritual Assembly, which body is authorized to delegate such discretionary functions and powers as it deems necessary and advisable to the Local Spiritual Assemblies within its jurisdiction.
ARTICLE XI In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of BahB'i elections, the practice of nominations or any other electoral method detrimental to a silent and prayerful election shall not 660 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
prevail, so that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold. Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate, direct and coordinate the affairs of the Cause as members of Local or National Spiritual Assemblies are: To win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their privilege to serve; to investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self-contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word and deed that may savor of partiality, self-centredness and prejudice; and while retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice, and foster the sense of inter-dependence and co-partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Baha'is.
Alternative "A" ARTICLE XI1 These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.
Alternative "B" These By-Laws may be amended only by majority action of the National Spiritual Assembly, which, in making amendments, does so for the By-Laws of all Local Spiritual Assemblies through- Out . . .l Name of country or region.
The first Local Spiritual Assembly of a a f t , frdn; Ridvdn, 1972. T H E N ATION AL SP IRITU AL ASSEMBLY 661
3. A PROCEDURE F O R T H E CONDUCT O F T H E A N N U A L BAHA'I C O N V E N T I O N
I. CONVENTION CALL ceived from delegates, and also suggested by THE National Spiritual Assembly determines its own knowledge and experience, is to prepare the date, duration and place of the Annual an agenda or order of business as its recom- Convention and provides for such meetings in mendation to the Convention. connection with the Convention as it may feel This agenda may include, as part of the are desirable. National Assembly's Annual Report, the presentation of special subjects by well qualified 11. CONVENTION PROCEDURE members, committee representatives or non- The Twenty-sixth Annual Convention [of BahB'i experts whose exposition is necessary the BahB'is of the United States and Canada], or desirable for the information of the deleheld in 1934, voted a recommendation calling gates. upon the National Spiritual.Assembly to supply On motion duly made, seconded and voted, a parliamentary procedure for the conduct of any such subject may be omitted, and also on the Annual Convention, and the present mater- motion duly made, seconded and voted, any ial has been prepared to meet the need indicated other subject may be proposed for special conby that recommendation. sultation. Annual Election : The election of members of Order of Business the National Spiritual Assembly is to take place Prayer and devotional readings, provided by approximately midway during the Convention the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly. sessions, so as to enable the delegates to consult Opening of the Convention by Presiding with both the outgoing and incoming Assem- Officer of the National Spiritual Assembly. blies, in accordance with the Guardian's ex- Roll call of delegates by the Secretary of the pressed desire. National Spiritual Assembly. Election by secret ballot of Convention Conduct of Business Chairman and Secretary. The Convention Every deliberative body, to fulfil its func- Officers are to be elected by the assembled tions, must conduct its deliberations in accorddelegates from among the entire number of ance with some established rules of order. The delegates who are present at the Convention. parliamentary procedure here set forth for the Annual Report of National Spiritual Assem- Convention is based upon the procedure albly. ready adopted for meetings of Local Assemb- Annual Financial Report of National Spirit- lies and communities. It accordingly extends to ual Assembly. sessions of the Annual Convention, the same Convention message to the Guardian of the procedure under which the delegates, in their Faith. other Baha'i activities, are accustomed to con- Annual Committee Reports: These are to be duct discussions and consultation. considered as part of the Report of the National The purpose of consultation at the Annual Spiritual Assembly. They are whenever possible Convention is threefold: to arrive at full and published in Bahd'i News in advance of the complete knowledge of the current conditions, Convention date, for the information of the problems and possibilities of the Faith in delegates. America; to give the incoming National Subjects for Consultation: Any delegate Assembly the benefit of the collective wisdom, may, before the Convention convenes, recom- guidance and constructive suggestions of the mend to the National Assembly such topics as assembled delegates, and to contribute to the he deems of sufficient importance to be included unity, in spirit and in action, of the entire in the Convention agenda; and the National American Baha'i community. Spiritual Assembly, from the list of topics re- The freedom of each and every delegate to 662 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
take part in discussion and to initiate motions Annual Election is untrammeled save as the undue activity of The electors in the Annual Election shall one delegate might hamper the rights of the consist of those delegates included in the Roll other delegates. Any necessary limitation to be Call prepared by the National Spiritual Assemplaced upon individual discussion shall be bly. determined by the Chairman in the absence of Ballots and tellers' report forms shall be proany specific motion duly voted by the delegates vided by the National Assembly. themselves. The election shall be conducted by the Con- It shall be the duty of the Chairman to en- vention, but delegates unable to attend the Concourage general consultation and make possible vention shall have the right to vote by mail. the active participation of the greatest possible The Chairman shall appoint three tellers, number of delegates. chosen from among the assembled delegates. The Chairman has the same power and The electoral method shall be as follows : responsibility for discussion and voting upon 1. The Convention Secretary shall call the motions as other delegates. Members of the roll of delegates, whereupon each delegate, in outgoing and incoming National Assembly turn, shall place his or her ballot in a ballot box; who are not delegates may participate in the and as the names are called ballots received by consultation but not vote. mail shall be placed in the ballot box by the A resolution, or motion, is not subject to dis- Secretary of the National Assembly. cussion or vote until duly made and seconded. 2. The ballot box shall then be handed to the It is preferable to have each resolution clear and tellers, who shall retire from the Convention complete in itself, but when an amendment Hall to determine the result of theelection. is duly made and seconded, the Chairman shall 3. The result of the election is to be reported call for a vote on the amendment first and then by the tellers, and the tellers' report is to be on the motion. An amendment must be relevant approved by the Convention. to, and not contravene, the subject matter of 4. The ballots, together with the tellers' the motion. report, certified by all the tellers, are to be given The Chairman shall call for votes by oral to the National Spiritual Assembly for preserexpression of ayes and nays, but where the vation. result of the vote is doubtful then by a show of hands or a rising vote. A majority vote deter- 111. THE CONVENTION RECORD mines. The permanent record of each successive Discussion of any matter may be terminated Annual Convention shall consist of the followby motion duly made, seconded and voted, ing:-(1) Convention Call as issued by the calling upon the Chairman to bring the matter National Spiritual Assembly; (2) list of acto an immediate vote or proceed to other credited delegates; (3) Annual Reports of the business. National Spiritual Assembly and of its Com- The transactions of the Convention shall be mittees; (4) Messages sent to and received from recorded by the Secretary, and when certified the World Centre; (5) Resolutions and other by the Convention officers shall be given to the transactions of the assembled delegates; (6) the National Spiritual Assembly. result of the Annual Election. THE LOCAL S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLY'
I . T H E I N S T I T U T I O N AND I T S S I G N I F I C A N C E
THE .lnst~tut~on . . of the Spiritual Assembly was Formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly created by Baha'u'llah and is an integral part of When the requisite conditions exist, the local His Revelation, together with the teachings, group of BahL'is is obligated to establish an principles, supplications, truth, and laws writ- Assembly. It is not an optional matter. ten in the Books and Tablets. It is the founda- The requisite conditions are simple. They tion stone of the new World Order, the estab- include the following: lishment of which is the essential aim of the 1. There must be nine or more adult Baha'is Baha'i Faith. Through the loyalty of the be- in good standing resident in the community. lievers who assist in the unfoldment of its latent 2. These Baha'is are to be declared and attributes and powers, divine guidance and recognized believers, all meeting qualifications reinforcement is promised, and the forces of of faith laid down by the Guardian. If one or unity, justice, affection and fellowship are made more members of the group are such newlyto prevail over the negative elements which prey confirmed Baha'is that they are not yet recorded upon and destroy the civilization of an un- as believers by the National Spiritual Assembly, believing age. these new believers are to take a full part in the " . . . To it (Local Assembly) all local matters formation of the Assembly, subject to later pertaining to the Cause must be directly and determination of their Baha'i status. immediately referred for full consultation and 3. Each Local Assembly has a definite area decision. The importance, nay the absolute of jurisdiction. In most cases the area is that of necessity of these Local Assen~bliesis manifest the civil boundaries of an incorporated village, when we realize that in the days to come they town or city. An Assembly may also be formed will evolve into the local House of Justice, and by nine or more Baha'is who reside in the same at present provide the firm foundation on which township or county or unincorporated village. the structure of the Master's Will is to be reared Where the area of jurisdiction is a township, in future." B.A., p. 37. there must be nine or more adult BahB'is resi- "In order to avoid division and disruption, dent therein outside the limits of any incorporthat the Cause may not fall a prey to conflicting ated town or city in the township, aseach Baha'i interpretations, and lose thereby its purity and civil area must be separate and distinct from pristinevigour, that its affairs may beconducted other areas where an Assembly might later be with efficiency and promptness, it is necessary formed. that every one should conscientiously take an Where the area ofjurisdiction is a county, the active part in the election of these Assemblies, county itself must be small enough to permit all abide by their decisions, enforce their decree, the believers to meet regularly. The county unit and co-operate with them wholeheartedly in constitutes a Baha'i area of jurisdiction only their task of stimulating the growth of the when in it there are nine or more Baha'is who Movement throughout all regions. The mem- have access to no smaller civil area such as bers of these Assemblies, on their part, must township or permanent electoral district. disregard utterly their own likes and dislikes, Postal areas and school districts d o not repretheir personal interests and inclinations, and sent areas of jurisdiction for Baha'i Assemblies. concentrate their minds upon those measures 4. At the present time there is only one date that will conduce to the welfare and happiness when Local Assemblies can be formed-April of the BahB'i Community and promote the 21 of any year. As the Baha'i calendar consists common weal." B.A., p. 41. of days which begin and end at sunset rather From Tlie Bahd'iCommunity, B.P.T., Wilmette 1963. than midnight, the time to form an Assembly 6'63 664 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
is after sunset on April 20 and before sunset on vote. The believers receiving the nine highest April 21. votes on the first ballot are elected, unless two 5. Where there are more than nine adult or more are tied for ninth place. In case of a tie, BahB'is, they form an Assembly by electing a second ballot is cast by those present, and on the nine members of the Spiritual Assembly. this ballot the voter is to write the name of one Where there are exactly nine adult Baha'is, they of those who are tied in the first ballot. establish an Assembly by joint declaration, and Contrary to the ways of the world, BahB'i all nine members must participate. The Nation- elections are approached in a spirit of prayer al Spiritual Assembly provides different types without preliminary electioneering or nomiof report forms for these two methods and the nating of candidates. Before the ballots are group should apply for the proper form in ad- cast, prayers should be read and all participavance. ting ask for guidance in selecting those best (For further information refer to the follow- fitted to serve. In this regard the Guardian ing section on "The Annual Election and wrote : Organization. ") " . . . Let us recall His explicit and often-
repeated assurances that every Assembly The Annual Election and Organization elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selfless- "These Local Spiritual Assemblies will have ness and detachment is, in truth, appointed of to be elected directly by the friends, and every God, that its verdict is truly inspired, that one declared believer of 21 years and above, far and all should submit to its decision unreservfrom standing aloof and assuming an indiffer- edly and with cheerfulness." B.A., p. 65. ent or independent attitude, should regard it his " . . . the elector. . . is called upon to vote for sacred duty to take part conscientiously and none but those whom prayer and reflection diligently, in the election, the consolidation have inspired him to uphold. Moreover, the and the efficient working of his own Local practice of nomination, so detrimental to the Assembly."B.A.,p. 39. atmosphere of a silent and prayerful election, is "Pending its (the Universal House of viewed with mistrust . . . Should this simple Justice) establishment, and to ensure uniformity system (based on plurality) be provisionally throughout the East and throughout the West, adopted, it would safeguard the spiritual prinall Local Assemblies will have to be re-elected ciple of the unfettered freedom of the voter, who once a year, during the first day of Ridvan, and will thus preserve intact the sanctity of the the result of polling, if possible, be declared on choice he first made. . ." B.A., p. 136. that day." B.A., p. 41. "The newly elected Assembly is called to- The annual meeting on April 21, called for gether by the believer who received the highest the election of the Spiritual Assembly, provides number of votes, or in case two or more memthe occasion for the presentation of annual bers have received the same said highest numreports by the Assembly and by all its commit- ber of votes, then by the member selected by lot tees. from among those members; and this member The chairman of the outgoing Assembly pre- shall preside until the permanent chairman is sides at this meeting. chosen." By-Laws of a L.S.A., Art. VIII. It is preferable to have the election of the The order of business includes: officers of the Assembly immediately following Reading of the call of the meeting the annual election or formation by joint Reading of appropriate BahB'i passages beardeclaration; however, all nine members of the ing upon the subject of the election Assembly must be given an opportunity to vote Appointment of tellers for the officers. In rare instances a meeting for Distribution of ballots the election of officers cannot be called because Prayers for the spiritual guidance of the voters of inability on the part of one or more members The election by secret ballot to attend. In such cases, the best procedure is to Presentation of annual reports elect or appoint immediately a temporary chair- Tellers' report of the election man and secretary to serve until such time as all Approval of the tellers' report members of the Assembly can be present to vote Assembly members are elected by plurality in person. THE LOCAL SP IRITUAL ASSEMBLY 665 Permanent officers are elected by secret ballot Assembly, and its nature as a constitutional and by majority rather than by plurality vote. body, are duly set forth in Article VII of the (Plurality is the largest number; majority is the By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly, number greater than half, which, in this case, andmore definitely defined in the By-Laws of a is at least five out of thenine.) Local Spiritual Assembly approved by the Na- When an Assembly is organized, it is to tional Spiritual Assembly as recommended by report its formation and election of officers to the Guardian. Each Local Spiritual Assembly the National Spiritual Assembly, together with of the United States, whether or not legally inwhatever relevant facts may be necessary for corporated, is to function according to those recognition of the Assembly. By-Laws, and all members of the local Baha'i community shall be guided and controlled by Dissolution of aLocalSpiritua1 Assembly their provisions. Once elected or formed by joint declaration, An essential function of Local Spiritual an Assembly continues to exist until the next Assemblies is to act as intermediaries between annual election or until the National Spiritual the local communities and the National Spiri- Assembly acts to declare the Assembly dis- tual Assembly. The Local Assembly is, theresolved. This decision is not to be made by the fore, the proper medium through which local members of the Local Assembly itself nor by Baha'i communities can communicate with the any regional or national committee. body of their national representatives. If the number of adult Baha'is in the community becomes less than nine, or other con- Appointment of Committees ditions arise which make it impossible for the In the appointment of committees, only those Local Assembly to function, the facts should be committees needed to carry out the activities reported to the National Assembly for final of the community are necessary. Such commitdetermination of the status of the Assembly. tees are appointed by the Assembly from among the entire membership of the community, have Authority and Functions specific functions to perform, and are respons- The Local Spiritual Assemblies are "invested ible to the Assembly who will exercise constant with an authority rendering them unanswerable and general supervision over their work. for their acts and decisions to those who elect Before making appointments, it is usually benethem; solemnly pledged to follow, under all ficial to discuss the special abilities, aptitudes conditions, the dictates of the 'Most Great and personal wishes of the members under Justice' that can alone usher in the reign of the consideration in relation to the tasks which are 'Most Great Peace' which BahB'u'llah has pro- to be performed by the committees. claimed and must ultimately establish; charged with the responsibility of promoting at all times Meetings the best interests of the communities within A meeting of the Spiritual Assembly is valid their jurisdiction, of familiarizing them with only when it has been duly called, that is, when their plans and activities and of inviting them each and every member has been informed of to offer any recommendations they might wish the time and place. The general practice is for to make; cognizant of their no less vital task the Assembly to decide upon some regular time of demonstrating, through association with all and place for its meeting throughout the Baha"i liberal and humanitarian movements, the uni- year, and this decision when recorded in the versality and comprehensiveness of their Faith ; minutes is sufficient notice to the members. dissociated entirely from all sectarian organiza- When the regular schedule cannot be followed, tions, whether religious or secular; assisted by or the need arises for a special meeting, the committees annually appointed by, and directly secretary, on request of the chairman, or, in his responsible to them, to each of which a parti- absence or incapacity, of the vice-chairman, or cular branch of Baha'i activity is assigned for of any three members of the Assembly, should study and actions; supported by local funds to send due notice to all the members. which all believers voluntarily contribute. . ." The procedure for the calling of the Annual G.P.B.,p. 331. Meeting is outlined in Article XI of the By- The various functions of the Local Spiritual Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly. 666 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Mathibatsela, Botswana; Ridvkn, 1973; one member absent. This is one of several Local Assemblies in Botsn>anawhose membership is composed entirely of Bushmen. Enrolments arnong the Bushmen were first reported in May, 1971.
The fist Local Spiritual Assembly of Cayenne, French Guiana; Ridvrin, 1968. T H E LOCAL SP IRIT U A L ASSEMBLY 667 Prime Requisites that assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it "The prime requisites for them that take shall lead to coolness and alienation that procounsel together are purity of motive, radiance ceed from the Evil One . . . Should they enof spirit, detachment from all else save God, deavour to fulfil these conditions the Grace of attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them, and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and that assembly shall become the centre of and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmato His exalted Threshold. Should they be tion shall come to their aid, and they shall day graciously aided to acquire these attributes, by day receive a new effusion of spirit." B.A., victory from the unseen Kingdom of Baha shall pp. 22-23. be vouchsafed to them. In this day, assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance RecommendedAgenda andproced~~re and a vital necessity. Obedience unto them is Since order is an important characteristic of essential and obligatory." B.A., p. 21. the BahB'i Faith, BahB'is should conduct their "The first condition is absolute love and business in an orderly manner. harmony amongst the members of the Assem- The following agenda is suggested for meetbly. They must be wholly free from estrange- ings of the Local Spiritual Assembly: ment and must manifest in themselves the Prayer Unity of God, for they are the waves of one sea, Reading and approval of minutes of previous the drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, meeting the rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, the Report of Secretary (or Corresponding flowers of one garden. Should harmony of Secretary) including correspondence of thought and absolute unity be non-existent, interest and concern to the body of the that gathering shall be dispersed and that believers, and any and all recommenda- Assembly be brought to naught. tions duly adopted by the community at "The second condition:-They must when the last Nineteen Day Feast. coming together turn their faces to the King- Report of Treasurer dom on High and ask aid from the Realm of Report of Committees Glory. They must then proceed with the utmost Unfinished business devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and modera- New business, including conferences with tion to express their views. They must in every members of the community and with applimatter search out the truth and not insist upon cants for enrolment as members of the their own opinion, for stubbornness and percommunity sistence inone's views will lead ultimately to Closing prayer discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The honoured members must with all A Spiritual Assembly in maintaining its freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in three-fold function of a body given (within the no wise permissible for one to belittle the limits of its jurisdiction) an executive, a legisthought of another, nay, he must with modera- lative and a judicial capacity, is charged with tion set forth the truth, and should differences responsibilities for initiating action and making of opinion arise a majority of voices must pre- decisions. Its meetings, therefore, revolve vail, and all must obey and submit to the around various definite matters which require majority. It is again not permitted that any deliberation and collective decision, and it is one of the honoured members object to or cen- incumbent upon the members, one and all, to sure, whether in or out of the meeting, any address themselves to the chairman on the subdecision arrived at previously, though that ject under discussion and not introduce matters decision be not right, for such criticism would irrelevant to the subject. prevent any decision from being enforced. Baha'i principles of consultation and major- "In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in ity rule are requisite characteristics in Baha'i harmony and with love and purity of motive, Administration, and represent radical deparits result is light, and should the least trace of tures from the generally accepted rules of parestrangement prevail the result shall be dark- liamentary procedure. In Baha'i Assembly ness upon darkness. . . If this be so regarded, action, the chairman takes part in the discus- 668 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
sion, and a majority decision becomes una- has been given all members to express their nimous and binding upon all. There is no views. minority opinion in BahB'i Administration; the A motion to adjourn is always in order and decision of the majority is the decision of all. has priority over all other motions except the Every subject or problem before an Assembly motion to fix the time of the next meeting. The is most efficiently handled when the following motion to adjourn is not debatable and cannot process is observed : be amended. It requires a majority vote. Before First, ascertainment and agreement upon the voting, however, the presiding officer should facts; point out items of unfinished business on the Second, agreement upon the spiritual or agenda, so that the members will know whether administrative principle which is involved; to vote for or against adjournment at that Third, full and frank discussion of the matrer, moment. leading up to the offering of a resolution; and A motion may be withdrawn by the mover, Fo~rrth,voting upon the resolution. provided no one objects, and before a vote has A resolution, or motion, is not subject to been taken. discussion or vote until duly made and second- When the Assembly has taken action upon ed. It is preferable to have each resolution any matter, the action is binding upon all clear and complete in itself, but when an amend- members, whether present or absent from the ment is duly made and seconded, the chairman meeting at which the action was taken. Indivishall call for a vote on the amendment first and dual views and opinions must be subordinated then on the original motion. An amendment to the will of the Assembly when a decision has must be relevant to, and not contravene, the been made. A Spiritual Assembly is an adminissubject matter of the motion. Only one motion trative unit, as it is a spiritual unit, and therefore should be considered at a time. The procedure no distinction between "majority" and "minor for handling motions is : ity" groups or factions can be recognized. Each 1. Statement of motion member must give undivided loyalty to the 2. Second institution to which he or she has been elected. 3. Discussion of the motion Any action taken by the Assembly can be 4. Voting reconsidered at a later meeting, on motion duly 5. Announcement of the result of the voting. made, seconded and carried. This reconsidera- Amendments are to be voted on before the tion, according to the result of the consultation, main motion. Motions can be amended only may lead to a revision or the annulment of the once, by one of the following actions; adding, prior action. If a majority is unwilling to restriking out, inserting, striking out and insert- consider the prior action, further discussion of ing, substituting, dividing. the matter by any member is improper. An action may be agreed upon by the Assembly without going through the formality of Vacancies on Assembly making a motion and voting upon it; however The Assembly has a responsibility in filling if the agreement is not unanimous the question a vacancy caused by the inability of any memmust be put to a vote. ber to attend the meetings. "It is only too ob- The chairman, or other presiding officer, has vious that unless a member can attend regularly the same right and responsibility as other mem- the meetings of his Local Assembly, it would be bers of the Assembly for discussing and voting impossible for him to discharge the duties inupon all matters being considered by the cumbent upon him, and to fulfil his responsi- Assembly. bilities as a representative of the community. Discussion of any subject before the Assem- Membership in a Local Spiritual Assembly bly may be terminated by a motion duly made, carries with it, indeed, the obligation and capaseconded and voted, calling upon the chairman city to remain in close touch with local Bahfi'i to put the matter to a vote or to proceed to the activities, and ability to attend regularly the next matter on the agenda. The purpose of this sessions of the Assembly." Letter from Shoghi procedure is to prevent any member or mem- Effendi, Feb. 16,1935. bers from unnecessarily prolonging the discus- When a vacancy on an Assembly involves sion beyond the point at which full opportunity also one of its officers, the Assembly vacancy THE LOCAL S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLY 669 is filled in the usual manner by election at a cussion. Names are of importance, however, special meeting of the local Baha'i community, when the minutes record reports given on after which the entire Assembly elects the new special assignments or situations, or when officer. assignments are given to particular individuals. If a decision is adopted by common consent Minutes without the formality of a motion, even this The Spiritual Assembly, as a permanent decision should be clearly stated by the chairbody, is responsible for maintaining all minutes man and recorded in the minutes so that there of its meetings, important records and corres- is no question as to what action was agreed pondence, and financial records throughout its upon by the group. existence as a Baha'i institution. Each officer, Correspondence should be listed in the therefore, on completing his or her term of minutes. Copies of important outgoing corresoffice, shall turn over to the Assembly all pondence, in addition to the incoming letters, records and files pertaining to the business of should be kept for the files. the Assembly. A permanent record of minutes Record should be made in the minutes .of is of special importance and necessity when an consultation with individuals meeting with the Assembly is incorporated, because situations Assembly, whether requested by the individual could arise which would make it necessary to or the Assembly. produce the minutes for inspection by state Minutes should be written or typed legibly. authorities. They should be corrected and approved by the Other items which would be of historical Assembly before they become a matter of interest in the future should be kept in the local permanent record. archives. Records of Nineteen-Day Feasts need in- It is vitally important that each Local Spiri- clude only the recommendations made by tual Assembly maintain a complete file of Bahh'i the community to be presented to the Local News and the U.S. Supplement for reference on Spiritual Assembly, with the background necesvarious directives regarding laws and proce- sary for understanding them. dures, teaching suggestions, and other perti- Minutes of Assembly meetings are not read nent information. It should also maintain and at the Nineteen-Day Feasts; only the actions keep up to date a file of all special instructions taken by the Assembly which concern the and statements from the National Spiritual community affairs are reported at Feasts. The Assembly dealing with matters of permanent judgement of what should be shared at the value. Feasts belongs to the Local Spiritual Assembly. Minutes are the permanent official record of the meeting taken by a secretary. If the com- Legal Incorporation munity is large and the Assembly handles a Local Assemblies having fifteen or more great amount of business, a recording secretary active adult believers in the community are may be elected to record the minutes. The authorized to effect legal incorporation. minutes should include all essential details, To do so the matter should be presented at a such as the election of the Assembly and its Nineteen-Day Feast and a recommendation officers at the beginning of each year, by-elec- adopted which expresses the desire of the tions for filing vacancies on the Assembly community that the Spiritual Assembly be occurring during the year, attendance of all legally incorporated. members at its meetings, new enrolments and The Bahd'i World volumes reproduce many transfers, marriages and deaths. local Certificates of Incorporation which supply All carried motions are recorded in the models for consideration by the Assembly's minutes. The minutes should be written in such attorney. What is incorporated is the Spiritual a way as to provide sufficient background to Assembly, not the entire community. The comunderstand the reason for the motions and munity is associated with the instrument decision, but the entire discussion does not through the annual election of the Local Assemneed to be recorded. It is not necessary to record bly and the Spiritual Assembly's authority to names of individuals making and seconding enrol new believers and determine the membermotions or making comments during the dis- ship list. 'f W O R L D The Articles of Incorporation are to make part of the Feast the friends may be guided proper reference to the Central Figures of the by the instructions printed in Bah6'i News Faith and to the National Spiritual Assembly. quoting the following excerpt from a letter to a If necessary, the National Assembly on request believer from the Guardian through his assistwill provide an example of how this is to be ant secretary dated April 27, 1956, "The Writdone. ings of the Bab and BahB'u'llah can certainly be Before the Incorporation papers are record- read at any time at any place; likewise the ed, a copy is to be sent to the National Spiritual Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha are read freely during Assembly for final approval. After recording, the spiritual part of the Feast. The Guardian three photostatic copies of the recorded Articles has instructed that during the spiritual part of are to be sent to the National Spiritual Assem- the Feast, his own writings should not be read. bly, together with a photograph of the nine In other words, during the spiritual part of the Assembly members. Feast, readings should be confined to the Incorporation must be preserved in accord- Writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and to a lesser ance with the manner prescribed by state law. extent, of the Master; but during that part of the Feast the Guardian's writings should not be THE NINETEEN-DAY FEAST read. During the period of administrative dis- The institution of the Nineteen-Day Feast cussion of the Feast, then the Guardian's writprovides the recognized and regular occasion ings may be read. Of course, during the adminifor general consultation on the part of the com- strative part of the Feast there can be no objecmunity, and for consultation between the tion to the reading of the Writings of the Bib, Spiritual Assembly and the members of the Baha'u'llah or 'Abdu'l-Baha." BahLi'i News, community. The conduct of the period of con- Jan. 1959. sultation at Nineteen-Day Feasts is a vital func- BahB'is should regard this Feast as the very tion of each Spiritual Assembly. heart of their spiritual activity, their participa- From words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, "The Nine- tion in the mystery of the Holy Utterance, their teen-Day Feast was inaugurated by the Bab and steadfast unity one with another in a universalratified by Baha'u'llah, in His Holy Book, the ity raised high above the limitations of race, Aqdas, so that people may gather together and class, nationality, sect, and personality, and outwardly show fellowship and love, that the their privilege of contributing to the power of Divine mysteries may be disclosed. The object the Cause in the realm of collective action. is concord, that through this fellowship hearts may become perfectly united, and reciprocity Attendance and mutual helpfulness be established. Because Only members of the BahL'i community and the members of the world of humanity are visiting Baha'is from other localities may attend unable to exist without being banded together, these meetings. Young people between fifteen co-operation and helpfulness is the basis of and twenty-one years of age, who have declared human society. Without the realization of these their acceptance of the qualifications of memtwo great principles no great movement is bership in the Faith are considered as members pressed forward." B.W., Vol. XII, p. 298. although they are referred to as BahB'i youth. The Nineteen-Day Feast has been described Children up to age fifteen, of BahB'i parents, by the Guardian as the foundation of the may also attend the Nineteen-Day Feasts. World Order of BahB'u'llah. It is to be con- Regular attendance at the Nineteen-Day ducted according to the following programme: Feast is incumbent upon every BahB'i, illness the first part, entirely spiritual in character, is or absence from the city being the only justifidevoted to the reading of BahB'i Prayers and cation for absence. Believers are expected to selections from the Baha'i Sacred Writings; the arrange their personal affairs so as to enable second part consists of general consultation them to observe the BahB'i calendar. on the affairs of the Cause; the third part is the material feast and social meeting of all the Order ofBusiness for the ConsuItationPeriod believers, and should maintain the spiritual The chairman or other appointed representanature of the Feast. tive of the Spiritual Assembly presides during In selecting the readings for the devotional the period of consultation. THE LOCAL SPIRlTUAL ASSEMBLY 67 1 The Spiritual Assembly reports to the com- The secretary of the Assembly records each munity whatever communications have been resolution adopted by the community, as well received from the World Centre and the as the various suggestions advanced during the National Spiritual Assembly, as well as other meeting, in order to report these to the Spiritual correspondence of concern to all believers of Assembly for its consideration. Whatever the community. This does not necessarily mean action the Assembly takes is to be reported at that all communications must be read in full at a later Nineteen-Day Feast. the Feast. It should be borne in mind that the consulta- A matter of vital importance at this meeting tion period of the Nineteen-Day Feast is not is consideration of national and international the time for the Local Spiritual Assembly to Baha'i affairs, to strengthen the capacity of the consult and make decisions. community to co-operate in promotion of the Matters of a personal nature should be larger BahB'i interests and to deepen the under- brought to the Spiritual Assembly and not to standing of all believers concerning the relation the community at the Nineteen-Day Feast. of the local community to the Baha'i World Concerning the attitude with which believers Community. should come to these Feasts, the Master has The Assembly likewise reports its own activi- said, "You must free yourselves from everyties and plans, including committee appoint- thing that is in your hearts, before you enter." ments that may have been made since the last Feast, the financial report, arrangements made CONSULTATION for public meetings, and in general shares with "In this Cause, consultation is of vital imthe community all matters that concern the portance; but spiritual conference and not the Faith. These reports are to be followed by mere voicing of personal views is intended. . . general consultation. Antagonism and contradiction are unfortunate Provision is to be made for reports from and always destructive of truth. . . The purpose committees, with discussion of each report. is to emphasize the statement that consultation The meeting is to be open for suggestions and must have for its object the investigation of recommendations from individual believers to truth. He who expresses an opinion should not the Local Spiritual Assembly on any matter voice it as correct and right but set it forth as a affecting the Cause. Such recommendations contribution to the consensus of opinion; for must be adopted by majority vote of the com- the light of reality becomes apparent when two munity members present before constituting a opinions coincide. . ." P.U.P., pp. 68-69. resolution to be considered by the Local Spiri- "The principle of consultation, which contual Assembly. stitutes one of the basic laws of the Administra- Through this means individual Baha'is find tion, shpuld be applied to all BahB'i activities in the Nineteen-Day Feast the channel through which affect the collective interests of the Faith which to make suggestions and recommenda- for it is through co-operation and continued tions to the National Spiritual Assembly. These exchange of thoughts and views that the Cause recommendations are offered first to the local can best safeguard and foster its interests. Indicommunity, and when adopted by the com- vidual initiative, personal ability and resourcemunity come before the Local Assembly, which fulness, though indispensable, are, unless supthen may in its discretion forward the recom- ported and enriched by'the collective experience mendations to the National Spiritual Assembly and wisdom of the group, utterly incapable of accompanied by its own considered view. achieving such a tremendous task." Shoghi Upon each member of the community lies Effendi, Baha'i News, Nov. 1933. the obligation to make his or her utmost con- "Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that consultribution to the consultation, the ideal being a tation must be maintained between the NSA gathering of Baha'is inspired with one spirit and the entire body of the believers, and that and concentrating upon the one aim to further such consultation, while the Convention is not the interests of the Faith. in session, can best be maintained through the Baha'i visitors attending a Feast do not take agency of the Local Assemblies, one of whose part in the consultation of the community un- essential functions is to act as intermediaries less invited to do so. between the local communities and their 672 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
national representatives. The main purpose of will be communicated to both the Local Assemthe Nineteen-Day Feast is to enable individual bly and to the person or persons who made the believers to offer any suggestion to the Local appeal. Assembly which in its turn will pass it to the This procedure is in accordance with both NSA. The Local Assembly is, therefore, the the national and local By-Laws. proper medium through which local BahB'i Any complaint received by the National communities can communicate with the body Assembly from a member or members of a local of the national representatives." Letter on be- community who have not first submitted their half of Shoghi Effendi, Nov. 18,1933. complaint to the Local Assembly will be re- "Let us also remember that at the very root turned to those making the protest, with a copy of the Cause lies the principle of the undoubted of the letter being sent to the Local Assembly right of the individual to self-expression, his for its information. In such a case the Local freedom to declare his conscience and set forth Assembly is to call the person or persons in for his views. . . consultation and act upon the complaint. "Let us also bear in mind that the keynote An essential function of the Local Spiritual of the Cause of God is not dictatorial authority Assembly is the maintenance of unity and debut humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but votion among the believers. As "Trustees of the the spirit of frank and loving consultation. Merciful" the Spiritual Assembly must be self- Nothing short of the spirit of a true BahB'i can less and impartial, considerate of the rights of hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and the individual, but firm and steadfast in upjustice, of freedom and submission, of the holding the vital truths of the Revelation and sanctity of the right of the individual and of obedience to its institutions. Therefore, they self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and must discriminate between situations which are prudence on the one hand, and fellowship, transient and trivial and those which threaten candor, and courage on the other." B.A., to disrupt the community. A distinction is to be pp. 63-64. made between personalities who cause disturbances because they lack grounding in the basic DECISIONS AND APPEALS Teachings and attitudes of the BahB'i life, and At this crucial stage in the history of our those who deliberately cause trouble because Faith it seems advisable to emphasize to each in their hearts they do not accept the principle Local Assembly an important principle of ad- of authority as vested in the Manifestation, or ministration which has been too frequently in the institutions of the Baha'i World Comoverlooked. This principle establishes the munity. National Assembly as the court of appeal from The Local Assembly is responsible for dealdecisions of Local Assemblies when protested ing with all local problems, but can call upon by one or more members of the community as the National Spiritual Assembly for advice if unjust or as not conforming to the actual facts. necessary. A court of appeal is not responsible for deter- The National Assembly, in any case involvmining the facts but only for reviewing the local ing two or more local communities, however, decision based upon the facts assembled by the acts directly and deals with the problems as the Local Assembly itself. On receiving an appeal court of original jurisdiction, since no Local the National Spiritual Assembly will send a Assembly has authority outside its own civil copy of it to the Local Assembly and request its area. opinion. When this is received the case will be "The authority of the NSA is undivided and studied in the light of the facts presented to the unchallengeable in all matters pertaining to the National Assembly and a final decision made. administration of the Faith throughout the The National Assembly can decide only upon United States, . . . therefore, the obedience of the facts presented to it; therefore, when a individual BahB'is, delegates, groups and matter is submitted to it, all obtainable facts, Assemblies to that authority is imperative and together with supporting documentary evi- should be wholehearted and unqualified. He dence should be included. The National Assem- is convinced that the unreserved acceptance bly's decision, whether approving or disapprov- and complete application of this vital provision ing the original decision of the Local Assembly, of the Administration is essential to the main- T H ~ EL O C A L S P I R I T U A L A S S E M B L Y 673 tenance of the highest degree of unity among the secret of right living." Shoghi Effendi, the believers, and is indispensable to the effec- Bahci'iNews,Sept. 1926. tive working of the administrative machinery "As the activities of the American BahB'i of the Faith in every country." Letter from community expand, and its worldwide prestige Shoghi Effendi through his secretary. Bahri'i correspondingly increases, the institution of News, July, 1934. the National Fund, the bedrock on which all other institutions must necessarily rest and be THE B A H FUND ~ ~ established, acquires added importance, and "As the progress and extension of spiritual should be increasingly supported by the entire activities is dependent and conditioned upon body of the believers, both in their individual material means, it is of absolute necessity that capacities, and through their collective efforts, immediately after the establishment of Local as whether organized as groups or as Local well as National Spiritual Assemblies, a BahB'i Assemblies. The supply of funds, in support of Fund be established, to be placed under the the National Treasury, constitutes, at the presexclusive control of the Spiritual Assembly. ent time, the lifeblood of these nascent institu- All donations and contributions should be tions you arelabouring to erect. Its importance offered to the treasurer of the Assembly, for the cannot, surely, be overestimated. Untold express purpose of promoting the interests of blessings shall no doubt crown every effort the Cause, throughout that locality or country. directed to that end." M.A., p. 5. It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious "In connection with the institution of the and faithful servant of Baha'u'llah who desires National Fund . . . I feel urged to remind you of to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardiand generously for the increase of that Fund. nal principle that all contributions to the Fund The members of the Spiritual Assembly will at are to be purely and strictly voluntary in their own discretion expend it to promote the character . . ." B.A., p. 101. Teaching Campaign, to help the needy, to "Moreover, we should, I feel, regard it as an establish educational BahB'i institutions, to axiom and guiding principle of BahB'i adminisextend in every way possible their sphere of tration that in the conduct of every specific service. I cherish the hope that all the friends, Baha'i activity, as different from undertakings realizing the necessity of this measure will bestir of a humanitarian, philanthropic, or charitable, themselves and contribute, however modestly character, which may in future be conducted at first, towards the speedy establishment and under Baha'i auspices, only those who have the increase of that Fund . . ." B.A., pp. 41- already identified themselves with the Faith and 42. are regarded as its avowed and unreserved "We must be like the fountain or spring that supporters, should be invited to join and collais continually emptying itself of all that it has borate." B.A., p. 182. and is continually being refilled from an invis- A statement from the National Treasurer is ible source. To be continually giving out for the included in an issue of the Bahri'i News each good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of year, setting out the various funds-interpoverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of national, national, and local-with instructhe Source of all wealth and all good-this is tions for making contributions to each of them.
ABBREVIATIONS USED I N THIS SECTION B. A. Bahri'i Administration Bahri'i News U.S. Bahri'i News B.W. The Bahri'i World G.P.B. Godpasses By M.A. Messages to America P.U.P. The Promulgation of Universal Peace The first Local Spiritual Assemblj~of Sun Pablo Jocopilas, Guatemala; Ridvbn, 1971.
Tile first Local Spiritual Assembly of Bhutan, Eastern Hirnalayas; Ridvcin, 1972. Mr. K. S. Sisoclia, centre front, is the pioneer to Bhutan. THE LOCAL SP I RI T U AL ASSEMBLY 675
2 . BY-LAWS O F A LOCAL S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLY
We, the undersigned members of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahi'is of . . . , desiring to incorporate this body do hereby adopt the following By-Laws:
THE Trustees, i.e., the members of the Spiritual Assembly, recognize that this action has been taken in full unanimity and agreement. They acknowledge for themselves and on behalf of their successors the sacred meaning and universal purpose of the BahB'i Faith, the teachings and principles of which fulfil the divine promise of all former revealed religions.
ARTICLE I1 In administering the affairs of the Baha'i religion under this Corporation for the benefit of the BahB'is o f . . . in accordance with the religious teachings and administrative principles of this Faith, the Spiritual Assembly shall act in conformity with the functions of a Local Spiritual Assembly as defined in the By-Laws adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly and published by that body for the information and guidance of Baha'is throughout . . .'
The Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its obligations and responsibilities under this Corporation, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the local activities and affairs of the Baha'i community o f . . . , including paramount authority in the administration of this Corporation. It shall be responsible for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all BahB'i teaching, whether written or oral, undertaken throughout the local community. It shall make available the published literature of the Faith. It shall represent the community in relationship to the National Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice, other local Baha'i conlmunities and the general public in . . . It shall be charged with the recognition of all applicants requesting membership in the local Baha'i community. It shall pass upon the right of any and all members of the community whose membership is in question to retain their status as voting members of the community. It shall call the meetings of the community, including the Baha'i Anniversaries and Feasts, the Meetings of consultation, and the Annual Meeting at which the members of the Assembly are elected. It shall appoint and supervise all committees of the Baha'i community. It shall collect and disburse all funds intended for the maintenance of this Corporation. It shall have full and complete custody of the headquarters or meeting place of the Baha'i community. It shall have exclusive authority to conduct BahB'i marriage ceremonies and issue BahB'i marriage certificates within the area of its jurisdiction. It shall report to the National Spiritual Assembly annually, or when requested, the membership roll of the Baha'i community, for the information and approval of the National Assembly. The Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize the authority and right of the National Spiritual Assembly to declare at any time what activities and affairs of the Baha'i community o f . . . are national in scope and hence subject to the jurisdiction of the National Assembly. It shall likewise recognize the right of any member of the community to appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly for review and decision of any matter in which the previous decision of the Local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the member to be contrary to the explicit teachings of the Baha'i Faith or opposed to its best interests. It shall, on the other hand, have the authority and right to appeal from the decision of the National Assembly to the Universal House of Justice for review and final decision of any matter related to the Faith in . . .
The Spiritual Assembly, in administering this Corporation, shall ever bear in mind the ideals upheld in the Sacred Writings of the Baha'i Faith respecting the relationships of a Spiritual Name of country or region. Assembly to its BahB'i community, respecting the relations of BahB'is to one another in the community, and the relationships of Baha'is to all non-BahB'is, without prejudice of race, creed or nationality. The Assembly shall therefore above all recognize its sacred duty to maintain full and complete unity throughout the BahB'i community, to relieve and comfort the sick and distressed, to assist the poor and destitute, to protect the orphans, the crippled and the aged, to educate the children of Baha'is according to the highest religious and intellectual standards, to compose differences and disagreements among members of the community, to promulgate the principles of Divine Civilization revealed by Baha'u'llah, and to promote in every way possible the BahB'i aim of the oneness of mankind. It shall faithfully and devotedly uphold the general BahB'i activities and affairs initiated and sustained by the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall cooperate wholeheartedly with other Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout . . .l in all matters declared by the National Spiritual Assembly to be of general Baha'i importance and concern. It shall rigorously abstain from any action or influence direct or indirect, that savours of intervention on the part of a BahB'i body in matters of public politics and civil jurisdiction. It shall encourage intercourse between the Baha'i community of . . . and other recognized BahB'i communities, issuing letters of introduction to Baha'is travelling from . . . and passing upon letters of introduction issued by other BahB'i Assemblies. It shall regard its authority as a means of rendering service to BahB'is and non-Baha'is and not as a source of arbitrary power. While retaining the sacred right of final decision in all matters pertaining to the Baha'i community, the Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek the advice and consultation of all members of the community, keep the community informed of all its affairs, and invite full and free discussion on the part of the community of all matters affecting the Faith. ARTICLE V The Baha'is o f . . . for whose benefit this Corporation has been established shall consist of all persons of the age of 15 years or over resident in . . . who are accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly as possessing the qualifications of Baha'i faith and practice required under the following standard set forth by the Guardian of the Faith: Full recognition of the station of the Bab, the Forerunner, of BahB'u'llah, the Author and of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the True Exemplar of the Baha'i religion; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of 'Abdu'l-BahB's sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Baha'i Administration throughout the world. Upon attaining the age of 21 years, a Baha'i is eligible to vote and to hold elective office.
ARTICLE VI The Spiritual Assembly shall consist of nine Trustees chosen from among the BahB'is o f . . . , who shall be elected by these Baha'is in a manner hereinafter provided and who shall continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.
ARTICLE VII The officers of the Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Assembly taken by secret ballot. ARTICLE VIII The first meeting of a newly-elected Assembly shall be called by the member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in Name of country or region. THE LOCAL SP IRIT U AL ASSEMBLY 677 his absence or incapacity, of the Vice-Chairman, or of any three members of the Assembly; provided however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held on April 21, in accordance with the administrative principles recognized by all BahB'i.Assemblies. SECTION 1. Five members of the Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall have the minutes adopted and approved by the Assembly, and preserve them in the official records of the Assembly. SECTION 2. Vacancies in the membership of the Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local Baha'i community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Spiritual Assembly impossible, the election shall be under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly.
ARTICLE IX The sphere of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential qualification of membership, and votingrights of a believer in the Baha'i community, shall be the locality included within the civil limits of . . . ARTICLE X SECTION 1. In the event that any decision of the Assembly is unacceptable to any member or members of the community, the Assembly shall after endeavouring to compose the difference of opinion invite the said member or members to make appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly and notify that body of the condition of the matter and the readiness of the Assembly to become party to that appeal. SECTION 2. In the same manner, if any difference arises between the Assembly and another Local Assembly, or Assemblies, in . . .I, the Assembly shall report the matter to the National Assembly and inform that body of its readiness to make joint appeal together with the other Assembly or Assemblies. SECTION 3. If, however, the result of such appeal is unsatisfactory to the Spiritual Assembly, or the Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of the National Spiritual Assembly are affecting adversely the welfare and unity of the Baha'i community o f . . . , it shall, after seeking to compose its difference of opinion with the National Assembly in direct consultation, have the right to make appeal to the Universal House of Justice. SECTION 4. The Assembly shall likewise have the right to make complaint to the National Spiritual Assembly in the event that matters of local BahB'i concern and influence are referred to the national body by a member or members of the local community without previous opportunity for action by the Local Assembly. ARTICLE XI The Annual Meeting of the Corporation at which its Trustees shall be elected shall be held on April 21, at an hour and place to be fixed by the Assembly, which shall give not less than fifteen days' notice of the meeting to all members of the local Baha'i community. SECTION 1. The Assembly shall accept those votes transmitted to the Assembly before the election by members who by reason of sickness or other unavoidable reason are unable to be present at the election in person. SECTION 2. The election of members to the Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote. SECTION 3. All voting members of the local BahB'i community are eligible for election as members of the Spiritual Assembly. SECTION 4. The Assembly shall prepare an agenda for the Annual Meeting in which shall be included reports of the activities of the Assembly since its election, a financial statement showing Name of country or region. 678 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
all income and expenditure of its fund, reports of its committees and presentation of any other matters pertaining to the affairs of the Bahfi community. The Assembly, both preceding and following the annual election, shall invite discussion and welcome suggestions from the community, in order that its plans may reflect the community mind and heart. SECTION 5. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly. ARTICLE XI1 In addition to the Annual Meeting, the Assembly shall arrange for regular meetings of the BahB'i community throughout the year at intervals of nineteen days, in accordance with the calendar incorporated in the teachings of the Baha'i Faith.
The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form, bearing the following inscription: The Spiritual Assembly of the BahB'is of. . . .
ARTICLE XIV Alternative "A" These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.
Alternative "B" These By-Laws may be amended only by majority action of the National Spiritual Assembly, which, in making amendments, does so for the By-Laws of all Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout . . . .l Name of country or region.
The firartLocal Spiritual Assembly of Kimo, New Guinea, Ridvcin, 1968. This is one of many LocaI Asseniblies in the Highlands District of North-eastern New Guinea. T H E N O N - P O L I T I C A L CHARACTER
T HE Baha'i principles clearly define and Through them the brightness of your light can explain the non-political character of the Faith, be shed upon the whole earth . . ."2 and serve as a guide for conduct in the relations The aim of the Faith is to produce the reality of BahB'is with one another, with their fellow of virtue in souls and evolve institutions capable men, and in their relations with different de- of dealing with social matters justly, in the light partments of the civil government. A brief suni- of the revealed truths. This is entirely distinct mary of excerpts from the BahB'i Writings will from the province filled by partisan civil institushow that non-participation in political affairs tions. is one of the basic axioms of Baha'i action. 'Abdu'l-BahA counselled the Baha'is from The keynote to this theme may be found in the early beginnings of the American Baha'i the Writings of Baha'u'llah. He has stated : community not to discuss political affairs. "That one is indeed a man who, today, dedi- ". . . All conferences (i.e., all consultation and cateth himself to the service of the entire human discussion) must be regarding the matters of race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy benefit, both as a whole and individually, such is he that ariseth to promote the best interests as the guarding of all in all cases, their protecof the peoples and kindreds of the earth. In tion and preservation, the improvement of another passage He hath proclaimed: It is not character, the training of children, etc. for him to pride himself who loveth his own "If any person wishes to speak of governcountry, but rather for him who loveth the ment affairs, or to interfere with the order of whole world. The earth is but one country, and government, the others must not combine with mankind its citizens."l him because the Cause of God is withdrawn "Sow not the seeds of discord among men, entirely from political affairs; the political and refrain from contending with your neigh- realm pertains only to the Rulers of those bour . . . Open, 0 people, the city of the human matters; it has nothing to do with the souls who heart with the key of your utterance. . . are exerting their utmost energy to harmonizing "That which beseemeth you is the love of affairs, helping character and inciting (the God, and the love of Him Who is the Mani- people) to strive for perfections. Therefore no festation of His Essence, and the observance of soul is allowed to interefere with (political) matwhatsoever He chooseth to prescribe unto you, ters, but only in that which is ~ommanded."~ did ye but know it. With the development of a world-wide ad- "Say: Let truthfulness and courtesy be your ministrative structure within the Baha'i Faith, adorning. Suffer not yourselves to be deprived institutions have been set up in national and of the robe of forbearance and justice, that the local areas which assure the unity and integrity sweet savours of holiness may be wafted from of the Faith. In unfolding these administrative your hearts upon all created things. Say: Be- institutions Shoghi Effendi has reiterated the ware, 0 people of Baha, lest ye walk in the ways importance of the non-political character of the of them whose words differ from their deeds. Baha'i teachings in a letter written March 21, Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the 1932, to the Baha'is of the United States and peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to Canada: mirror forth His commandments. Let your "I feel it, therefore, incumbent upon me to acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the pro- stress, now that the time is ripe, the importance fessions of most men, be they high or low, differ of an instruction which, at the present stage of from their conduct. It is through your deeds the evolution of our Faith, should be increasthat ye can distinguish yourselves from others. ingly emphasized, irrespective of its application Gleaningsfrom the Writings of Bahri'u'llrih, p. 250. ibid.. pp. 303-305. Bahd'i WorldFaith, p. 407. to the East or to the West. And this principle in every land, must necessarily involve. Let is no other than that which involves the non- them affirm their unyielding determination to participation by the adherents of the Faith of stand, firmly and unreservedly, for the way of BahB'u'llih, whether in their individual capaci- BahB'u'llih, to avoid the entanglements and ties or collectively as Local or National Assem- bickerings inseparable from the pursuits of the blies, in any form of activity that might be inter- politician, and to become worthy agencies of preted, either directly or indirectly, as an inter- that Divine Polity which incarnates God's imference in the political affairs of any particular mutable Purpose for all men. government. Whether it be in the publications "It should be made unmistakably clear that which they initiate and supervise; or in their such an attitude implies neither the slightest official and public deliberations; or in the posts indifference to the cause and interests of their they occupy and the services they render; or in own country, nor involves any insubordination the communications they address to their on their part to the authority of recognized and fellow-disciples; or in their dealings with men established governments. Nor does it constitute of eminence and authority; or in their affilia- a repudiation of their sacred obligation to protions with kindred societies and organizations, mote, in the most effective manner, the best it is, I am firmly convinced, their first and sacred interests of their government and people. It obligation to abstain from any word or deed indicates the desire cherished by every true and that might be construed as a violation of this loyal follower of BahB'u'llah to serve, in an vital principle. Theirs is the duty to demon- unselfish, unostentatious and patriotic fashion, strate, on one hand, their unqualified loyalty the highest interests of the country to which he and obedience to whatever is the considered belongs, and in a way that would entail no judgment of their respective governments. departure from the high standards of integrity "Let them refrain from associating them- and truthfulness associated with the teachings selves, whether by word or by deed, with the of his Faith. political pursuits of their respective nations, "As the number of the Baha'i communities with the policies of their governments and the in various parts of the world multiplies and their schemes and programmes of parties and fac- power, as a social force, becomes increasingly tions. In such controversies they should assign apparent, they will no doubt find themselves inno blame, take no side, further no design, and creasingly subjected to the pressure which men identify themselves with no system prejudicial of authority and influence, in the political doto the best interests of that worldwide Fellow- main, will exercise in the hope of obtaining the ship which it is their aim to guard and foster. support they require for the advancement of Let them beware lest they allow themselves to their aims. These communities will, moreover, become the tools of unscrupulous politicians, feel a growing need of the good-will and the or to be entrapped by the treacherous devices assistance of their respective governments in of the plotters and the perfidious among their their efforts to widen the scope, and to consolicountrymen. Let them so shape their lives and date the foundations, of the institutions comregulate their conduct that no charge of secrecy, mitted to their charge. Let them beware lest, in of fraud, of bribery, or of intimidation may, their eagerness to further the aims of their however ill-founded, be brought against them. beloved Cause, they should be led unwittingly Let them rise above all particularism and parti- to bargain with their Faith, to compromise with sanship, above the vain disputes, the petty cal- their essential principles, or to sacrifice, in reculations, the transient passions that agitate turn for any material advantage which their the face, and engage the attention, of a changing institutions may derive, the integrity of their world. It is their duty to strive to distinguish, as spiritual ideals. Let them proclaim that in whatclearly as they possibly can, and if needed with ever country they reside, and however advanced the aid of their elected representatives, such their institutions, or profound their desire to posts and functions as are either diplomatic or enforce the laws, and apply the principles, political from those that are purely administra- enunciated by Baha'u'llah, they will, unhesitattive in character, and which undel no circum- ingly, subordinate the operation of such laws stances are affected by the changes and chances and the application of such principles to the that political activities and party government, requirements and legal enactments of their N O N - P O L I T I C A L C H A R A C lTER O F THE B A H A ' ~F A I T H 68 1 respective governments. Theirs is not the pur- And again: "The BahB'i Faith as it forges pose, while endeavouring to conduct and per- ahead throughout the western world and fect the administrative affairs of their Faith, to particularly in lands where the political machinviolate, under any circumstances, the pro- ery is corrupt and political passions and previsions of their country's constitution, much judices are dominant among the masses, should less to allow the machinery of their adminis- increasingly assert and demonstrate the fact tration to supersede the government of their that it is non-political in character, that it respective countries. stands above the party, that it is neither apa- "It should also be borne in mind that the thetic to national interests nor opposed to any very extension of the activities in which we are party or faction, and that it seeks through engaged, and the variety of the communities administrative channels, rather than through which labour under divers forms of government diplomatic and political posts to establish, so essentially different in their standards, poli- beyond the shadow of a doubt, the capacity, cies, and methods, make it absolutely essential the sane patriotism, the integrity and highfor all those who are the declared members of mindedness of its avowed adherents. This is any one of these communities to avoid any the general and vital principle; it is for the Naaction that might, by arousing the suspicion or tional representatives to apply it with fidelity exciting the antagonism of any one govern- and v i g o ~ r . " ~ ment, involve their brethren in fresh persecu- These instructions raised the question tions or complicate the nature of their task. whether Baha'is should vote in any public How else, might I ask, could such a far-flung election. A Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha to Faith, which transcends political and social Mr. Thornton Chase was sent to the Guardian, boundaries, which includes within its pale so and the following reply was received, dated great a variety of races and nations, which will January 26,1933 : have to rely increasingly, as it forges ahead, on "The Guardian fully recognizes the authenthe good-will and support of the diversified and ticity and controlling influence of this instruccontending governments of the earth-how tion from 'Abdu'l-Bahi upon the question. He, else could such a Faith succeed in preserving however, feels under the responsibility of statits unity, in safeguarding its interests, and in ing that the attitude taken by the Master (that ensuring the steady and peaceful development is, that American citizens are in duty bound to of its institutions? vote in public elections) implies certain reserva- "Such an attitude, however, is not dictated tions. He, therefore, lays it upon the individual by considerations of selfish expediency, but is conscience to see that in following the Master's actuated, first and foremost, by the broad instructions no BahB'i vote for an officer nor principle that the followers of Baha'u'llah will, BahB'i participation in the affairs of the Repubunder no circumstances, suffer themselves to be lic shall involve acceptance by that individual involved, whether as individuals or in their of a programme or policy that contravenes any collective capacities, in matters that would en- vital principle, spiritual or social, of the Faith." tail the slightest departure from the fundamen- The Guardian added to this letter the following tal verities and ideals of their Faith. Neither the postscript: "I feel it incumbent upon me to charges which the uninformed and the malici- clarify the above statement, written in my ous may be led to bring against them, nor the behalf, by stating that no vote cast, or office allurements of honours and rewards, will ever undertaken, by a Baha'i should necessarily induce them to surrender their trust or to constitute acceptance, by the voter or office deviate from their path. Let their words pro- holder, of the entire programme of any political claim, and their conduct testify, that they who party. No Baha'i can be regarded as either a follow Baha'u'llah, in whatever land they re- Republican or Democrat, as such. He is, above side, are actuated by no selfish ambition, that all else, the supporter of the principles enuncithey neither thirst for power, nor mind any ated by Baha'u'llah, with which, I am firmly wave of unpopularity, of distrust or criticism, convinced, the programme of no political party which a strict adherence to their standards is completely harmonio~s."~ might provoke."l U.S. Baha'iNews, December, 1932. The Worldorder of Bahd'u'll~ih,pp. 64-67. 3ibid.,April, 1933. In a letter dated March 16, 1933, the Guard- acknowledge the bond that vitally links them ian sent these further details: to itself. This universal, this transcending love "As regards the non-political character of which the followers of the BahB'i Faith feel for the BahB'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi feels that there their fellow-men, of whatever race, creed, class is no contradiction whatsoever between the or nation, is neither mysterious nor can it be Tablet (to Thornton Chase, referred to above) said to have been artificially stimulated. It is and the reservations to which he has referred. both spontaneous and genuine. They whose The Master surely never desired the friends to hearts are warmed by the energizing influence use their influence towards the realization and of God's creative love cherish His creatures promotion of policies contrary to any of the for His sake, and recognize in every human face principles of the Faith. The friends may vote, if a sign of His reflected glory. they can do it, without identifying themselves "Of such men and women it may be truly with one party or another. To enter the arena said that to them 'every foreign land is a fatherof party politics is surely detrimental to the best land, and every fatherland a foreign land.' For interests of the Faith and will harm the Cause. their citizenship, it must be remembered, is in It remains for the individuals to so use their the Kingdom of BahB'u'llBh. Though willing right to vote as to keep aloof from party poli- to share to the utmost the temporal benefits and tics, and always bear in mind that they are the fleeting joys which this earthly life can convoting on the merits of the individual, rather fer, though eager to participate in whatever than because he belongs to one party or an- activity that conduces to the richness, the hapother. The matter must be made perfectly clear piness and peace of that life, they can, at no to the individuals, who will be left free to exer- time, forget that it constitutes no more than a cise their discretion and judgment. But if a cer- transient, a very brief stage of their existence, tain person does enter into party politics and that they who live it are but pilgrims and waylabours for the ascendancy of one party over farers whose goal is the Celestial City, and another, and continues to do it against the ex- whose home the Country of never-failing joy pressed appeals and warnings of the Assembly, and brightness. then the Assembly has the right to refuse him "Though loyal to their respective governthe right to vote in BahB'i elections."l ments, though profoundly interested in any- That this principle, as do all Baha'i prin- thing that affects their security and welfare, ciples, has world-wide application is made clear though anxious to share in whatever promotes by Shoghi Effendi in a letter dated March 11, their best interests, the Faith with which the 1936. followers of BahB'u'llah stand identified is one "The Faith of BahB'u'llah has assimilated, by which they firmly believe God has raised high virtue of its creative, its regulative and ennob- above the storms, the divisions, and controling energies, the varied races, nationalities, versies of the political arena. Their Faith they creeds and classes that have sought its shadow, conceive to be essentially non-political, supraand have pledged unswerving fealty to its cause. national in character, rigidly non-partisan, and It has changed the hearts of its adherents, entirely dissociated from nationalistic ambiburned away their prejudices, stilled their pas- tions, pursuits, and purposes. Such a Faith sions, exalted their conceptions, ennobled their knows no division of class or of party. It submotives, co-ordinated their efforts, and trans- ordinates, without hesitation or equivocation, formed their outlook. While preserving their every particularistic interest, be it personal, patriotism and safeguarding their lesser loyal- regional, or national to the paramount interests ties, it has made them lovers of mankind, and of humanity, firmly convinced that in a world of the determined upholders of its best and truest interdependent peoples and nations the advaninterests. While maintaining intact their belief tage of the part is best to be reached by the in the Divine origin of their respective religions, advantage of the whole, and that no abiding it has enabled them to visualize the underlying benefit can be conferred upon the component purpose of these religions, to discover their parts if the general interests of the entity itself merits, to recognize their sequence, their inter- are ignored or negle~ted."~ dependence, their wholeness and unity and to The unity of Baha'i action throughout the 'U.S. Bahd'iNews, January, 1934. The WorldOrderofBahd'u'lldh, pp. 197-198. N O N - P O L I T I C A L C H A R A C TER O F T H E B A H A ' ~F A I T H 683 world is further emphasized in a letter from BahB'i system, and leave the faulty systems of Shoghi Effendi to the Baha'is of Vienna, writ- the world to go their way. We cannot change ten in 1947 through his secretary, in which he them through becoming involved in them; on said in part : the contrary, they will destroy "We Baha'is are one the world over; we are Another application of this principle conseeking to build up a new world order, divine cerns the right, propriety or usefulness of exertin origin. How can we do this if every Baha'i is a ing BahB'i influence for the enactment of legismember of a different political party-some of lative measures reflecting more or less the purthem diametrically opposite to each other? pose of some BahB'i principle or teaching. For Where is our unity then? We would be divided example, should a Baha'i community, local or because of politics, against ourselves and this national, lend the name of the BahB'i Faith to is the opposite of our purpose. Obviously if support legislation which seeks to abolish race one BahB'i in Austria is given freedom to and religious discrimination in matters of inchoose a political party and join it, however dustrial employment, or intervene when measgood its aims may be, another Baha'i in Japan ures concerning military training of youth are or America, or India, has the right to do the before a legislature? same thing and he might belong to a party the The National Spiritual Assembly of the very opposite in principle to that which the BahB'is of the United States has stated that, Austrian Baha'i belongs to. Where would be "as a general policy subject to the Guardian's the unity of the Faith then? These two spiritual specific direction in special cases, Baha'is and brothers would be working against each other their administrative institutions should not feel because of their political affiliations (as the obligated to adopt a 'Baha'i' attitude or course Christians of Europe have been doing in so of action on matters of civil legislation. Our many fratricidal wars). The best way for a teachings and basic principles speak for them- Baha'i to serve his country and the world is to selves. These we can always declare and set work for the establishment of Baha'u'llah's forth with all possible energy whenever occa- World Order, which will gradually unite all sions arise. But a truth which is sundered from men and do away with divisive political sys- its sustaining spiritual Source, lifted out of its tems and religious creeds. . ."I organic relationship to the Baha'i community, In the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha broken off from the other truths, and made subthe BahB'is are instructed to "obey and be the ject to the storm and stress of secular controwell-wishers of the governments of the land, versy, is no longer a truth with which we can regard disloyalty unto a just king as disloyalty usefully have concern. It has become an enactto God Himself and wishing evil to the govern- ment to be carried o u t by institutions and ment a transgression of the Cause of God."2 groups committed to other enactments, other In explanation of this statement the Guardian aims and purposes and methods not in conwrote, in a letter dated July 3, 1948: formity with the 'Divine Polity' entrusted to "Regarding your question about politics and those alone who give full loyalty to BahB'u'llah. the Master's Will: the attitude of the Baha'is Far better for us to strive to mirror forth radimust be twofold, complete obedience to the antly the individual and qommunity virtues of government of the country they reside in, and a new era than to hope others than believers will no interference whatsoever in political matters achieve the holy mission of the Faith. We or questions. What the Master's statement Baha'is have in reality accepted a world order really means is obedience to a duly constituted and not merely a new decalogue of truths or government, whatever that government may be commands. On the other hand, obedience to in form. We are not the ones, as individual civil government is an obligation laid by Baha'is, to judge our government as just or BahB'u'llah upon every BahB'i."4 unjust-for each believer would be sure to hold Shoghi Effendi points out, as a guiding a different viewpoint,and within our ownBaha'i principle of BahB'i conduct, that "in connecfold a hotbed of dissension would spring tion with their administrative activities, no up and destroy our unity. Wemust build up our matter how grievously interference with them U.S. Bahd'iNews April, 1949. U.S. Bnhci'iNews, January,1949. (1960 ed.) p. 4. ~ahd'i~drnini~tra)tion The Bahd'i World, vol. x, p. 278-279. 684 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
might affect the course of the extension of the of their conscience or tarnish the purity of their Movement, and the suspension of which does faith."l not constitute in itself a departure from the "Small wonder if by the Pen of BahB'u111ah principle of loyalty to their Faith, the consider- these pregnant words, written in anticipation ed judgment and authoritative decrees issued of the present state of mankind, should have by their responsible rulers must, if they be been revealed: 'It is not for Rim to pride himself faithful to BahB'u'llah's and 'Abdu'l-BahB's who loveth his own country, but rather for him express injunctions, be thoroughly respected who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one and loyally obeyed. In matters, however, that country, and mankind its citizens.' And again, vitally affect the integrity and honour of the 'That one indeed is a man who today deriicateth Faith of BahB'u'llah and are tantamount to a himself to the service of the entire human race.' recantation of their faith and repudiation of 'Through the power released by these exalted their innermost belief, they [the Baha'is] are words,' He explains, 'He hath lent a fresh imconvinced, and are unhesitatingly prepared pulse, and set a new direction, to the birds of to vindicate by their life-blood the sincerity of men's hearts, and hath obliterated every trace their conviction, that no power on earth, neither of' restriction and limitation from Cod's Holy the arts of the most insidious adversary nor the Book.' "2 bloody weapons of the most tyrannical oppressor, can ever succeed in extorting from them a Bahd'i Administration (1945 ed.), p. 162. word or deed that might tend to stifle the voice World Order of BaRd'rr'Ndh, p. 198.
The$rst Local Spiritual Assembly of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands; Ridvan, 1969. VII B A H A ' ~ SAND M I L I T A R Y S E R V I C E
IN a letter published in U.S. Bahci'i News, Jan- nor does it exalt him to the point of making him uary, 1938, Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the an anti-social creature, a menace to society. Bahb'i Faith wrote through his secretary: As in everything, it follows the 'golden mean.' "With reference to the absolute pacifists or The only way society can function is for the conscientious objectors to war: their attitude, minority to follow the will of the majority. judged from the Baha'i standpoint, is quite "The other main objection to the conscienanti-social and due to its exaltation of the indi- tious objectors is that their method of estabvidual conscience leads inevitably to disorder lishing peace is too negative. Non-co-operation and chaos in society. Extreme pacifists are thus is too passive a philosophy to become an effecvery close to anarchists, in the sense that both tive way for social reconstruction. Their refusal of these groups lay an undue emphasis on the to bear arms can never establish peace. There rights and merits of the individual. The BahB'i should first be a spiritual revitalization which conception of social life is essentially based on nothing, except the Cause of God, can effecthe subordination of the individual will to that tively bring to every man's heart." of society. It neither suppresses the individual
( A Public Statement issued by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahri'is of the United States)
IN view of the increasing importance of a they definitely are not pacifists in the sense of clear understanding of the details of the Baha'i refusal to co-operate with and obey the laws of position on military service, the National an established government. Thus BahB'is do Baha'i Assembly presents the following state- not, on the grounds of religious conviction, seek ment of general principles for the information to abandon their obligation as citizens in time and guidance of the members of the Baha'i of war or national emergency. Neither do they Community in the United States and others attempt to avoid the dangers and hardships who may have an interest in the Baha'i view- which are inevitable in time of war, and to point. which all citizens of military age are liable. The Baha'i teachings require that followers Thus Baha'is who are citizens of the United of the Faith obey the laws of the government States are able to reconcile their fundamental under which they live, and this requirement spiritual convictions and their civil obligations includes the obligation for military service as citizens by applying for noncombatant serwhich rests upon all citizens. However, Baha'is vice under the existing Selective Service law and are also required to apply for noncombatant regulations. service whenever the opportunity to do so is The members of the Bahb'i Faith make no legally provided by their government on the reservations in claiming that they are fully basis of religious training and belief. obedient to all provisions of the laws of their While the religious convictions of Baha'is country, including the constitutional right of require them to seek whatever exemption from the Federal government to raise armies and combatant duty may be granted by their conscript citizens for military service. government on the grounds of religious belief, THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
3. L O Y A L T Y T O G O V E R N M E N T Statement Prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States of America
W HEN a great social crisis sweeps through a This allegiance is part of the strong emphasis civilization, moral values become impaired. In on integrity of character found in the BahB'i the crisis of our own time, members of the teaching. "Let integrity and uprightness distin- BahB'i Faith go on record as firmly upholding guish all thine acts." "Beautify your tongues, the principle of loyalty to government. 0 people, with truthfulness, and adorn your BahB'u'llih Himself set forth this cardinal souls with the ornament of honesty. Beware, principle: "In every country or government 0 people, that ye deal not treacherously with where any of this community reside, they must any one. Be ye the trustees of God amongst behave toward that government with faithful- His creatures, and the emblems of His generosness, trustfulness, and truthfulness." ity amidst His people." Loyalty to government, in the Bahi'i view, Without integrity of character in its citizens is an essential spiritual and social principle. and without loyalty to government, a nation "We must obey and be the well-wishers of the will find itself torn asunder and unable to government of the land. . ." "The essence of function as an organic society. Not only do the Baha'i spirit is that in order to establish a the Baha'i teachings obligate members to be better social order and economic condition, loyal to their government-they also specifithere must be allegiance to the laws and prin- cally forbid them from taking any part in subciples of government." versive political and social movements.
The first Local Spiritual Assembly oJ'Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, Canada; Ridvan, 1968. The Local Spiritual Asselvbly of Bohicon, Dalzonzey, Ridvrin, 1970.
4. SUMMARY OF T H E GUARDIAN'S I N S T R U C T I O N S O N T H E OBLIGATION OF BAHA'Is I N CONNECTION W I T H M I L I T A R Y SERVICE D U RI N G World War I1 the Baha'i position apply, under all circumstances, for exemption on military training and service, and the obli- from any military duties that necessitate the gation of individual Baha'is to apply for and taking of life. There is no justification for any maintain a noncombatant status when this is change of attitude on our part at the present possible under the laws of their country, were time. " outlined specifically in a series of instructions These words indicate that the Guardian still and bulletins issued by the National Spiritual felt that a Baha'i cannot voluntarily enter any Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. form of combatant military duty, and must seek Since 1945, two items on this subject have exemption from such service if this is possible been published in Bahd'i News; one in the under the laws of his country. October, 1946 issue (pp. 9-10), and the other The instruction given in the July 20, 1946 in the September, 1948 issue (p. 6). Both of these letter was confirmed once again in a cable rearticles quoted the Guardian's instruction con- ceived from the Guardian by the National tained in a letter to the National Assembly Assembly on January 17, 1951. dated July 20, 1946, written in reply to a The Guardian, in these and earlier communiquestion as to whether the existence of the cations, has made it clear that it is obligatory United Nations in its present form should and not an optional matter, for all BahB'is to change the attitude of Baha'is toward military apply for and maintain a noncombatant status duties which might require the taking of human if this is possible under the law. When such a life. The Guardian's answer to this question is law exists, as is the case in the United States, again quoted below: Baha'is cannot voluntarily enlist in any branch "As theie is neither an International Police of the armed forces where they would be sub- Force nor any immediate prospect of one com- ject to orders to engage in the taking of human ing into being, the BahB'is should continue to life. VIII B A H CALENDAR, ~ ~ FESTIVALS AND DATES O F H I S T O R I C A L S I G N I F I C A N C E I. FOREWORD
By D R. J. E. ESSLEMONT From Baha'u'llah and the New Era
AMONG different peoples and at different calendar to the solar year. The Bab named the times many different methods have been adopt- months after the attributes of God. The BahB'i ed for the measurement of time and fixing of New Year, like the ancient Persian New Year, dates, and several different calendars are still in is astronomically fixed, commencing at the daily use, e.g., the Gregorian in Western March equinox (March 21), and the Baha'i era Europe, the Julian in many countries of Eastern commences with the year of the Bab's declara- Europe, the Hebrew among the Jews and the tion (i.e., 1 8 4 4 ~ . ~1 .2,6 0 ~ . ~ . ) . Muhammadan in Muslim countries. In the not far distant future it will be neces- The Bab signalized the importance of the sary that all peoples in the world agree on a dispensation which He came to herald, by in- common calendar. augurating a new calendar. In this, as in the It seems, therefore, fitting that the new age of Gregorian Calendar, the lunar month is aban- unity should have a new calendar free from the doned and the solar year is adopted. objections and associations which make each The Baha'i year consists of 19 months of of the older calendars unacceptable to large 19 days each (i.e. 361 days), with the addition sections of the world's population, and it is of certain "intercalary days" (four in ordinary difficult to see how any other arrangement and five in leap years) between the eighteenth could exceed in simplicity and convenience that and nineteenth months in order to adjust the proposed by the Bab.
2. B A H A ? ~FEASTS, ANNIVERSARIES AND DAYS OF FASTING Feast of Ridvan (Declaration of BahA'u'llah), April 21-May 2, 1863. Feast of Naw-Rcz (New Year), March 21. Declaration of the Bab, May 23, 1844. The Day of the Covenant, November 26. Birth of Baha'u'llah, November 12, 1817. Birth of the Bab, October 20, 1819. Birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha, May 23, 1844. Ascension of Baha'u'llah, May 29, 1892. Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9,1850. Ascension of 'Abdu'l-BahA, November 28, 1921. Fasting season lasts 19 days beginning with the first day of the month of 'Ala', March 2-the Feast of Naw-Ruz follows immediately after. 3. B A H A ' I HOLY DAYS O N W H I C H W O R K S H O U L D BE SUSPENDED The first day of Ridvan, The ninth day of Ridvan, The twelfth day of Ridvan, The anniversary of the declaration of the BBb, The anniversary of the birth of BahB'u'llah, The anniversary of the birth of the Bab, The anniversary of the ascension of Baha'u'llah, The anniversary of the martyrdom of the Bab, The feast of Naw-Ruz.
NOTE:'Abdu'l-Baha, in one of His Tablets addressed to a believer of Nayriz, Persia, has written the following: "Nine days in the year have been appointed on which work is forbidden. Some of these days have been specifically mentioned in the Book. The rest follow as corollaries to the Text. . . Work on the Day of the Covenant (FCte Day of 'Abdu'l-Baha), however, is not prohibited. Celebration of that day is left to the discretion of the friends. Its observation is not obligatory. The days pertaining to the Abha Beauty (BahB'u'llih) and the Primal Point (the Bab), that is to say these nine days, are the only ones on which work connected with trade, commerce, industry and agriculture is not allowed. In like manner, work connected with any form of employment, whether governmental or otherwise, should be suspended."
As a corollary of this Tablet it follows that the anniversaries of the birth and ascension of 'Abdu'l-Raha are not to be regarded as days on which work is prohibited. The celebration of these two days, however, is obligatory.
Baha'is in East and West, holding administrative positions, whether public or private, should exert the utmost effort to obtain special leave from their superiors to enable them to observe these nine holy days.
4. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL GLEANED F R O M NABIL'SNARRATIVE (VOL. 11), REGARDING T H E B A H A 'I CALENDAR The Badi' Calendar (Baha'i Calendar) has must be regarded as the beginning of the Badi' been taken by me from the Kitab-i-Asma', Calendar." The Declaration of the Bab took one of the works written by the Bib. As I have place on the evening preceding the fifth day of observed in these days that certain believers are Jamadiyu'l-Avval, of the year 1260 A.H. It has inclined to regard the year in which Baha'u'llah been ordained that the solar calendar be foldeparted from Baddkd to Constantinople as lowed and that the vernal Equinox, the day of marking the beginning of the Radi' Calendar, Naw-Ruz, be regarded as the New Year's Day I have requested Mirza Aqa Jan, the amanu- of the Badi' Calendar. The year sixty, in which ensis of Baha'u'llah, to ascertain His will and the fifth day of Jamadiyu'l-Avval coincided with desire concerning this matter. Baha'u'llih the sixty-fifth day after Naw-Rilz, has accordanswered and said: "The year sixty A.H. (1844 ingly been regarded as the first year of the Badi' A.D.), the year of the Declaration of the Bab, Calendar. As in that year, the day of Naw-Ruz, 690 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
the vernal Equinox, preceded by sixty-six days 'Akka and was dwelling in the house of Malik, the date of the Declaration of the Bib, I have in that city, He commanded me to transcribe therefore, throughout my history, regarded the the text of the Badi' Calendar and to instruct Naw-R6z of the year sixty-one A.H. (the Naw- the believers in its.details. On the very day in Ruz immediately following the Declaration of which I received His command, I composed, in the Bab) as the first Naw-Ruz of the Badi' verse and prose, an exposition of the main Calendar. I have accordingly considered the features of that Calendar and presented it to Naw-R6z of this present year, the year 1306 Him. The versified copy, being now unavail- A.H., which is the 47th solar year after the able, I am herein transcribing the version in Declaration of the Bab, as the 46th Naw-R6z of prose. The days of the week are named as the Badi' Calendar. follows : Soon after Baha'u'llah had left the fortress of
Days Arabic Name English Narne Translation 1st Jalal Saturday Glory 2nd Jamal Sunday Beauty 3rd Kamal Monday Perfection 4th Fidal Tuesday Grace 5th 'Ida1 Wednesday Justice 6th Istijlal Thursday Majesty 7th Istiqlal Friday lndependence
The names of the months, which are the same as the days of each month, are as follows:
Arabic Name Translation First Days Baha Splendour March 21 Jalal Glory April 9 Jamal Beauty April 28 'Azamat Grandeur May 17 Nur Light June 5 Rahmat Mercy June 24 Kalimat Words July 13 Kamal Perfection August 1 Asma' Names August 20 'Izzat Might September 8 Ma&iyyat Will September 27 'Ilm Knowledge October 16 Qudrat Power November 4 Qawl Speech November 23 Masa'il Questions December 12 aaraf Honour December 31 Sultan Sovereignty January 19 Mulk Dominion February 7 'Ala' Loftiness March 2
AyyBm-i-Ha (Intercalary Days) February 26 to March 1 inclusivefour in ordinary and five in leap years.
The first day of each month is thus the day of sisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the Baha and the last day of each month the day addition of certain intercalary days. He has of 'AlB'. named the New Year's Day, which is the day The Bab has regarded the solar year, of 365 of Naw-Ruz, the day of BahB, of the month of days, 5 hours, and fifty odd minutes, as con- Baha. He has ordained the month of 'A12 to be B A H A ' ~C A L E N D A R A N D F E S T I V A L S the month of fasting, and has decreed that the 1. Alif A. day of Naw-Ruz should mark the termination 2. Ba' B. of that period. As the Bab did not specifically 3. Ab Father. define the place for the four days and the frac- 4. Dal D. tion of a day in the Badi' Calendar, the people 5. Bab Gate. of the Bayrin were at a loss as to how they should 6. Vav V. regard them. The revelation of the Kithb-i- 7. Abad Eternity. Agdasin the city of 'Akka resolved this problem 8. Jad Generosity. and settled the issue. BahB'u'llkh designated 9. Baha Splendour. those days as the "Ayyam-i-Hi" and ordained 10. Hubb Love. that they should immediately precede the 11. Bahhaj Delightful. month of 'Ala', which is the month of fasting. 12. Javab Answer. He enjoined upon His followers to devote these 13. Ahad Single. days to feasting, rejoicing, and charity. Immedi- 14. Vahhab Bountiful. ately upon the termination of these intercalary 15. Vidad Affection. days, Baha'u'llih ordained themonth of fasting 16. Badi' Beginning. to begin. I have heard it stated that some of the 17. Bahi Lun~inous. people of the Baydn, the followers of Mirza 18. Abha Most Luminous. Yal~ya,have regarded these intercalary days as 19. Vkhid Unity. coming immediately after the month of 'Ala', thus terminating their fast five days before the Each cycle of nineteen years is called Vahid. day of Naw-Ruz. This, notwithstanding the Nineteen cycles constitute a period called Kullexplicit text of the Baycin which states that the i-hay'. The numerical value of the word day of Naw-Ruz must needs be the first day of "Vahid" is nineteen, that of "Kull-i-say"' is the month of Baha, and must follow immedi- 351. "Vahid" signifies unity, and is symbolic of ately after the last day of the month of 'Ala'. theunityofGod. Others, aware of this contradiction, have start- The Bab has, moreover, stated that this ed their fasting on the fifth day of the month of system of His is dependent upon the acceptance 'Ala', and included the intercalary days within and good-pleasure of "Him Whom God shall the period of fasting. make manifest". One word from Him would Every fourth year the number of the inter- suffice either to establish it for all time, or to calary days is raised from four to five. The day annul it forever. of Naw-Ruz falls on the 21st of March only if For instance, the date of the 21st of April, the vernal Equinox precedes the setting of the 1930, which is the first day of Ridvan, and which sun on that day. Should the vernal Equinox according to the Kitdb-i-Aqclas must coincide take place after sunset, Naw-Rirz will have to with the "thirteenth day of the second Baha'i be celebrated on the following day. month," and which fell this year (1930) on The Bab has, moreover, in His writings, Monday, would, according to the system of revealed in the Arabic tongue, divided the years the Badi' Calendar, be described as follows: following the date of His Revelation, into "The day of Kamkl, the day of Qudrat, of cycles of nineteen years each. The names of the the month of Jalal, of the year Bahhiij, of the years in each cycle are as follows: fifth Vahid, of the first Kull-i-say'." 692 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
5. H I S T O R I C A L DATA GLEANED F R O M N A B ~ L ' S N A R R A T I V E ( V O L . 11), R E G A R D I N G B A H A ' U ~ L L A H Works Revealed Houses Occupied During This Period During this Period
Arrival latter part Jamidiyu'th-Thani, Kullu't-Ta'am House of Haji 'Ali- 1269A.H. Madad March 12-April 10,1853 A.D. (in old Baddad) Departure for Sulaymaniyyih on Wed- House of Sulayminnesday, April 10,1854 A.D.-Rajab i-Bannkm 12,1270A.H.
B. SULAYMAN~YYIH Prayers Before reaching Sulaymaniyyih, He Qasidiy-i-VarqB'iyyih lived for a time on the Sar-Gal6 mountain. During His absence from Baddad Skqi-Az-Bayb-i- His family transferred their residence Baqa from House of Haji 'Ali-Madad to that of Sulayman-i-mannam. Nabil arrived at Bahdad 6 months after Baha'u'llah's departure for Sulaymaniyyih.
Tafsir-i-Hurlifit-i- Muqatta'ih Arrived from Sulaymaniyyih on Wed- Sahifiy-i-aattiyyih nesday, March 19, 1856 A.D.- Haft-Vadi Rajab 12,1272A.H. (Seven Valleys) Departure from B a ~ d h for d Constan- Tafsir-i-Hu tinople, Wednesday afternoon (first Lawh-i-lJuriyyi11 day of Ridvan), April 22,1863 A.D. ~itab-i-fqan -mi'l-Qa'dih 3,1279 A.H. Kalimat-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words) Subllana-Rabbiya'l- 'A16 Shikkar-aikan- - Shavand - H6r-i-'Ujab Halih-Halih-Y a BihLrat - Ghulamu'l-auld Az-Bagh-i-Ilahi Baz-AV-u-~idih-Jami Short stay in Mazra'iy-i-Vashshasl~ Mallahu'l-Quds during above period to celebrate (Holy Mariner) Naw-Ruz ended with departure on Thursday, March 26, 1863 A.D.- aavval 5, 1279 A.H. B A H A ' ~C A L E N D A R A N D F E S T I V A L S 693
Works Revealed Houses Occupied During This Period During This Period
Arrival at Garden of Najibiyyih Shriy-i-Sabr revealed (Garden of Ridvan), April 22, 1863 on first day of A.D.-ai'l-Qa'dih 3,1279 A.H. Ridvan
Arrival of Baha'u'llah's Family at Garden of Ridvan on eighth day after first of Ridvan
Departure from Garden of Ridvan for Constantinople last day of Ridvan at noon on Sunday, May 3, 1863 AD-ai'l-Qa'dih 14, 1279 A.H.
Length of overland journey from Garden of Ridvan to Samsiln on Blacksea: 110days.
Firayjat (arrived early afternoon- asa an-Aqa, stayed seven days) arrived on Sun- Mardin, day, May 3, 1863 A.D.-Bi'l- Diyar-Bakr, Qa'dih 14, 1279 A.H. (Firayjat is Ma'dan-Mis, about 3 miles distant from Baadad) m a r p u t (stayed 2 or 3 days), Judaydih, Ma'dan-Nuqrih, Dili-'Abbks, Dilik-Tash, Qarih-Tapih, Sivas, Salahiyyih (stayed 2 nights), Tsqat, Dust-KJurmath, Amasia (stayed 2 days), Tawuq, Ilahiyyih (while approaching Samshn, Karkhk (stayed 2 days), "Lawh-i-Hawadj" was revealed), (last Irbil, day of overland journey), Zab River, Samsirn (stayed 7 days), Black Sea port. Bartallih, Sailed in a Turkish steamer about Mosul (stayed 3 days), sunset for Constantinople, zakqu, Sinope (arrived next day about noon), Jazirih, Black Sea port : stayed few hours, Nisibin, Anyabuli(arrived next day).
D. CONSTANTINOPLE Works Revealed Dur- Houses Occupied During This Period ing This Period Duration
Arrival at noon on Subhanika-Ya-Hu House of a a m s i Big 1 month Sunday, August 16, Lawh-i-'Abdu'l-'Aziz (near the mosque of 1863 A D - Va-Vukala Khirqiy-i-aarif) - Rabi'u'l-Avval 1, 694 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
D. CONSTANTINOPLE- Works Revealed Dur- Houses Occupied Durcontinued ing This Period ing This Period Duration
Length of sea voyage House of Visi Pa$i 3 months from Samsun to (3-story, near Sultan Constantinople: 3 Muhammad days. Mosque)
Length of Journey from Constantinople to Adrianople: 12 days.
1. Kuhik-Qakmahih (3 hours from Constantinople-spent one night) 2. B6yuk-Qakmahih (arrived about noon) 3. Salvari 4. Birkas 5. Baba-Iski
Works Revealed Dur- Houses Occupied During This Period ing This Period Duration
Arrival on Saturday, Suriy-i-Ashab 1. Khan-&'Arab 3 nights December 12, 1863 (caravanserai, A.D.-Rajab 1, two-story, near 1280A.H. house of '1zzat-~qa)
Length of stay: 4 years, 8 months, 22 days.
Length of overland Kitab-i-Badi' 2. House in Muradiy- 1 week journey from Con- Suriy-i-Muluk yih quarter, near stantinople to Ad- (Tablet of the Takyiy-i-Mawlavi rianople : 12 days. Kings)
Departure from Adri- Shriy-i-Amr 3. House in Muradiy- 6 months anople on Wednes- Sfiriy-i-Damm yih quarter, near day, August 12, Alvah-i-Laylatu'l- house 2 1868 A.D.-Rabi- Quds 4. Uaniy-i-Amru'llah 'uYt&nani22, Munijithay-i-Siyam (several stories, 1285A.H. (Prayers for Fasting) near Sultan-Salim Mosque) I Lawh-i-Sayyah 5. House of Rida Big 1 year Lawh-i-Napuly~inI 6. House of Amru'llih 3 months ? (First Tablet to (3-story, north Napoleon 111) of Sultan-Salim Mosque) Lawh-i-Sultan 7. House of '1zzat-~qa 11 months (Tablet to the &ah of Persia) Lawh-i-Nuqtih B A H A ' ~C A L E N D A R A N D F E S T I V A L S 695
1. Uzun-Kupri 2. Kashanih (arrived about noon. Lawll-i-Ra'is [Tablet of Ra'is] was revealed in this place) 3. Gallipoli (length ofjourney from Adrianople to Gallipoli about 4 days) (after a few days' stay sailed before noon in Austrian steamer for Alexandria, Egypt) 4. Madelli (arrived about sunset-left at night) 5 . Smyrna (stayed 2 days, left at night) 6. Alexaildria (arrived in the morning, trans-shipped and left at night for Haifa) 7. Port Said (arrived morning, left the same day at night) 8. Jaffa(1eft at midnight) 9. Haifa (arrived in the morning, landed and after a few hours left on a sailing vessel for 'Akka) ~-
Works Revealed Dur- Houses Occupied During This Period ing This Period Duration
Arrival on Monday, Kitab-i-Aqdas 1. Barracks 2 years, 2 August 31, 1868 Lawh-i-Napulyun'lI months, A.D.- Jamadiyu'l- (Second Tablet to 5 days Avval12,1285 A.H. Napoleon 111)
Lawh-i-Malikih 2. House of Malik 3 months (Tablet to Queen 3. House of Rabi'ih Victoria) Lawll-i-Malik-i-R~is 4. House of Mansir 2or3 Purest Branch died on (Tablet to the months Thursday, June 23, Czar) 1870 A.D.-Rabi- Si~riy-i-Haykal 5. House of 'Abblid 'u'l-Avval 23, 1287 Lawll-i-Burhan (where Kitab-i- A.H. Lawh-i-Ru'ya Aqdas was re- Lawll-i-Ibn-i-mi'b vealed) (Epistle to Son of 6. Mazra'ih the Wolf) Lawll-i-Pap 7. Qasr Passed away May 29, (Tablet to the (Mansion, where 1892A.D. Pope) He passed away) 696 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
6. D A T E S O F H I S T O R I C A L S I G N I F I C A N C E I N T H E R I S E O F T H E BAHA'I F A I T H
Birth of Baha'u'llah . . . . . .November 12,1817 Commencement of the constructioil of the Birth of the BBb . . . . . . . . . .October 20, 1819 Mashriqu'l-A&kar of 'Ishqibid . . . . . . . . . . Declaration of the Mission of the Bab in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .November 28, 1902 a i r i z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 23, 1844 Release of 'Abdu'l-Bahi from His incarcera- Birth of 'Abdu'l-Baha . . . . . . . . . May 23,1844 tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .September, 1908 Departure of the Bab on His pilgrimage to Interment of the Bab's remains on Mt. Carmel Mecca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September, 1844 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 21, 1909 Arrival of the Bab in Mah-Ku, A&irbayjan Opening of the first American Baha'i Conven- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summer, 1847 tion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 21, 1909 Incarceration of the Bab in Qihriq, A a i r - 'Abdu'l-Baha's departure from Egypt . . . . . . . . bayjhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April, 1848 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .September, 1910 Conference of B a d a a t . . . . . . . . . .June, 1848 'Abdu'l-Baha's arrival in London . . . . . . . . . . . Interrogation of the Bab in Tabriz, A a i r - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September4,1911 bayjan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July, 1848 'Abdu'l-Baha's arrival in America . . . . . . . . . . . . Martyrdom of the Bab in Tabriz, ~ & i r - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 11, 1912 bayjan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 9, 1850 Laying of the corner-stone of the Mahriqu'l- Attempt on the life of Nisiri'd-Din &ah. . . . . . A&kar in Wilmette, Ill., by 'Abdu'l-BahB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August15,1852 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 1,1912 Imprisonment of Baha'u'llah in the Siyah-ma1 Second visit of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Europe and of Tihran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August, 1852 tour through the United Kingdom, France, Banishment of Baha'u'llah to Ba&dad. . . . . . . Germany, Hungary and Austria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .January 12, 1853 . . . . . . . . . . . .December, 191 2 to June, 1913 Withdrawal of Baha'u'llah to Kurdistail . . . . . 'Abdu'l-Baha's return to the Holy Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 10,1854 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .December 5, 1913 Return of Bahri'u'llah from Kurdistan . . . . . . . Unveiling of the Tablets of the Divine Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 19, 1856 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1919 Declaration of the Mission of Baha'u'llah Passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha . .November 28, 1921 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 22,1863 Verdict of the Islamic Court in Egypt pro- Arrival of Baha'u'llah in Constantinople . . . . . nouncing the Faith to be an independent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August 16, 1863 religion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .May 10, 1925 Arrival of Baha'u'llah in Adrianople . . . . . . . . . . Martha Root's first interview with Queen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .December 12, 1863 Marie of Rumania . . . . . . .January 30, 1926 Departure of Bahi'u'llah from Adrianople. . . Resolution of the Council of the League of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August 12, 1868 Nations upholding the claim of the Baha'i Arrival of Baha'u'llah in 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . community to the House of Baha'u'llah in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August 31, 1868 Ba&dad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .March 4, 1929 Death of the Purest Branch . . . . .June 23, 1870 Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. .July, 1932 Ascension of Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . May 29,1892 Inception of the First American Seven-Year First public reference to the Faith in America Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1937 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .September 23, 1893 Celebration of the Centenary of the Declaration Establishment of the first Baha'i centre in the of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .May 23, 1944 West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February, 1894 Inception of the Second American Seven-Year Arrival of the first group of Western pilgrims in Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1946 'Akka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .December 10, 1898 Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Bab . . . . . . Arrival of the Bab's remains in the Holy Land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July9,1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 31, 1899 Completion of Arcade and Parapet of the Reincarceration of 'Abdu'l-Baha in 'Akka Shrine of the Bab on Mt. Carmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August 20, 1901 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .July 9,1950 B A H A ' ~C A L E N D A, R A N D F E S T I V A L S 697 Inauguration of the Centenary Celebrations of Celebration of the Centenary of the Revelation the birth of Baha'u'llah's Prophetic Mission of the Suriy-i-Mul~ik. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .October, I952 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September/October, 1967 First Baha'i Intercontinental Teaching Confer- Opening of period of proclamation of the ence, Kampala, Uganda, Africa . . . . . . . . . . Cause, inaugurated by the presentation by . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 12-18, 1953 the Universal House of Justice to 140 Heads Inauguration of the Ten-Year International of State of a special edition of The Proclama- Baha'i Teaching and Consolidation Plan . . . tion o f Bah6'u'll~ik. . . . . . . . . .October, 1967 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ridvan, 1953 The holding of six Intercontinental Conferences Baha'i dedication of the Mahriqu'l-Aakar in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October, 1967 Wilmette, Illinois. . . . . . . . . . . .May 1, 1953 Laying of the foundation stone of the Mother Public dedication. . . . . . . . . . . .May 2; 1953 Temple of Latin America, Panama City . . . . All-American Baha'i Intercontinental Teach- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .October 8, 1967 ing Conference, Chicago. . . .May 3-6, 1953 Second International Baha'i Convention . . . . . Third Baha'i Intercontinental Teaching Con- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ridvhn, 1968 ference, Stockholm, Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extension and development of the gardens at . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 21-26, 1953 Bahji surrounding the Most Holy Shrine . . . Fourth Baha'i Intercontinental Teaching Con- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1963-1968 ference, New Delhi, India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Establishment by the Universal House of Jus- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .October 7-15, 1953 tice of the Continental Boards of Counsellors Completion of the construction of the Shrine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June21,1968 of the Bab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .October, 1953 First Oceanic Conference, Palermo, Sicily Expansion of the Faith to 100 additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .August 23-25, 1968 countries and islands by settlement of the Conlmeinoration of 100th anniversary of Knights of Baha'u'llah . . . . . . . . .1953-1954 arrival of Baha'u'llah in the Holy Land. . . . . Completion of exterior of International Arch- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August31,1968 ives Building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1957 The Baha'i International Community accre- Passing of Shoghi Effendi. .November 4, 1957 a dited with consultative status to the United The holding of five Intercontinental Teaching Nations Economic and Social Council. . . . . Conferences successively in Kampala, Syd- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 27,1970 ney, Wilmette, Frankfurt, Djakarta,'Singa- Commemoration of 100th anniversary of the pore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1958 death of Mirza Mihdi, "The Purest Branch" First dependency of a Mashriqu'l-Adl-~kar, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .June23,1970 the Baha'i Home for the Aged, opened The holding of eight Oceanic and Continental in Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conferences. . . . . . . . . . . .August 14, 1970- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January, 1959 September 5, 1971 Dedication of the Mother Temple of Africa, Commemoration of 50th anniversary of the Kampala, Uganda . . . . . . . . . January, 1961 passing of 'Abdu'l-BahA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dedication of the Mother Temple of the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .November 26-28, 1971 Antipodes, Sydney, Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . Completion of erection of Obelisk, Mt. Carmel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September, 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 19,1971 Completion of the Ten Year Crusade . . . . . . . . Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ridvan, 1963 America, Panama. . . . . . . . April 29-30,1972 Election of the Universal House of Justice. . . . . Adoption by the Universal House of Justice of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 21, 1963 its Constitution. . . . . . . .November 26, 1972 Celebration of the Most Great Jubilee, in Publication by the Universal House of Justice London . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1963 of " A Synopsis and Codification of the Laws Launching of the Nine Year Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . and Orclinances of the Kitcib-i-Aqclus". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .April, 1964 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ridvan, 1973 Dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe, Third International Baha'i Convention. . . . . . . near Frankfurt, Germany . . . . . .July 4,1964 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ridvan, 1973 PART FIVE
DIRECTORY, BIBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY B A H A ' ~D I R E C T O R Y 1968-1973 125-129 OF T H E BAHA'I ERA
I . T H E UNIVERSAL H O U S E OF JUSTICE
Address: 10 Haparsim Street, Haifa 35 055, Israel (P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 000)
2. T H E HANDS OF T H E CAUSE Address: 7 Haparsim Street, Haifa 35 055, Israel (P.O. Box 155, Haifa 31 000)
THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE RESIDING IN THE HOLY LAND
Amatu'l-Baha Rul>iyyihKhanum Abu'l-Qasim Faizi 'Ali Akbar Furutan Paul E. Haney
CONTINENTAL HANDS OF THE CAUSE
Shu'a'u'llah - 'Ala'i Jalal a a z e h Hasan M. Balyuzi Rahmatu'llah Muhajir H. Collis Featherstone Adelbert Miihlschlegel John Ferraby Enoch Olinga Ugo Giachery John A. Robarts Dhikru'llahKhadem William B. Sears 'Ali Muhammad Varq6
3. CONTINENTAL BOARDS OF COUNSELLORS* Africa Asia North-western Africa Western Asia Central and East Africa South-eastern Asia Southern Africa North-eastern Asia
Austvalasia America Australasia North America Central America Europe South America Europe
*Current post office addresses of the offices of the Continental Boards of Counsellors are available from Bahi'i World Centre, P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel 31400. THE B A H ~ . W ' ~O R L D
4. B A H A ' I INTERNATIONAL C O M M U N I T Y Dr. Victor de Araujo, 345 East 46th Street, Room 809: New York, New York 10017, U.S.A.
5. N A T I O N A L S P I R I T U A L ASSEMBLIES* The following list shows those one hundred and thirteen countries and areas in which National Spiritual Assemblies were established by Ridvan 1973, gives the year of incorporation and names the city in which the seat of each National Spiritual Assembly is located:
1. AFGHANISTAN, Kabul 34. G HANA , Accra (1969) 2. ALASKA, ~ n c h o r a (1 ~ 957) e 35. GILBERT AND ELLICEISLANDS, Tarawa 3. ARABIAN PENINSULA, Bahrayn (1969) 4. ARGENTINA, Buenos Aires (1964) 36. GUATEMALA, Guatemala (1961) 5. AUSTRALIA, Sydney (1938) 37. GUYANA, SURINAM AND FRENCH GUIANA, 6. AUSTRIA, Vienna Georgetown (Guyana) (1973) 7. BANGLADESH, Dacca (1972) 38. HAITI, Port-au-Prince (1962) 8. BELGIUM, Brussels (1962) 39. HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, Honolulu (1964) 9. BELIZE, Belize (1968) 40. HONDURAS, Tegucigalpa (1961) 10. BOLIVIA, La Paz (1963) 41. ICELAND, Reykjavik (1973) 11. BOTSWANA, Gaborone (1973) 42. INDIA, New Delhi (1933) 12. BRAZIL, Rio de Janeiro (1962) 43. INDONESIA, Djakarta 13. BURMA, Rangoon (1967) 44. I RAN, Tihran 14. CAMEROON REPUBLIC, Victoria (1967) 45. IRELAND, REPUBLIC OF, Dublin (1973) 15. CANADA, Toronto (1949) 46. ITALY, Rome (1966) 16. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, Bangui 47. IVORY COAST, MALI A N D UPPER VOLTA, 17. CHAD, N'Djamena (1971) Abidjan (Ivory Coast) (1962) 18. CHILE, Santiago (1964) 48. JAMAICA, Kingston (1971) 19. COLOMBIA, Bogota (1962) 49. KENYA, Nairobi (1966) 20. CONGO REPUBLIC, Brazzaville (1972) 50. KOREA, Seoul (1966) 21. COSTARICA, San JosC (1963) 51. KUWAIT, Kuwait 22. CUBA, Havana (1962) 52. LAOS, Vientiane (1971) 23. DAHOMEY, TOGO AND NIGER, Cotonou 53. LEEWARD AND VIRGIN ISLANDS, Charlotte (Dahomey) (1973) Amalie, St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) (1973) 24. DENMARK, Copenhagen (1963) 54. LESOTHO, Maseru (1973) 25. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Santo Domingo 55. LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg (1963) (1962) 56. MALAGASY REPUBLIC, Tananarive 26. EASTERN ARABIA, Manama (Bahrayn) 57. MALAWI, Limbe (1973) 27. EASTERN MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI, Sarawak 58. MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur (1967) (Malaysia) 59. MAURITIUS, Port-Louis (1966) 28. ECUADOR, Quito (1963) 60. MEXICO, Mexico (1959) 29. E L SALVADOR, San Salvador (1962) 61. NEAR EAST, Beirut (Lebanon) 30. FIJI ISLANDS, Suva (1971) 62. NEPAL, Katmandu 31. FINLAND, Helsinki (1963) 63. NETHERLANDS, The Hague (1963) 32. F RANCE, Paris (1959) 64. NEW ZEALAND, Auckland (1958) 33. GERMANY, Frankfurt (1935) 65. NICARAGUA, Managua
*Current post office addresses are available from Baha'i World Centre, P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel 31-000. 66. NIGERIA, Lagos (1970) 90. SPAIN, Madrid (1968) 67. NORTH EAST AFRICA, Addis Ababa (Ethio- 91. SRI LANKA, Colombo (1972) pia) 92. SUDAN, Khartoum 68. NORTH EAST ASIA, Tokyo (Japan) (1957) 93. SWAZILAND AND MOZAMBIQUE, Mbabane 69. NORTH WEST AFRICA, Rabat (Morocco) (Swaziland) (1969) 70. NORTH WEST PACIFIC OCEAN, Ponape 94. SWEDEN, Stockholm (1964) (Caroline Islands) 95. SWITZERLAND, Bern (1962) 71. NORWAY, Oslo (1963) 96. TAIWAN, Taipei (1970) 72. PAKISTAN, Karachi (1958) 97. TANZANIA, Dar-es-Salaam (1966) 73. PANAMA, Panama (1962) 98. THAILAND, Bangkok 74. PAPUA AND N EW GUINEA, Lae (New 99. TONGA AND THE COOKISLANDS, Nuku'alofa Guinea) (1970) (Tonga) 75. PARAGUAY, Asuncion (1 963) 100. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, Port-of-Spain 76. PERU, Lima (1 962) (Trinidad) (1972) 77. PHILIPPINES, Manila (1967) 101. TUNISIA, Tunis 78. PORTUGAL, Lisbon 102. TURKEY, Istanbul 79. PUERTO Rico, Santurce (1972) 103. UGANDA, Kampala (1964) 80. KEUNION, Saint Pierre 104. UNITED KINGDOM, Londoll(1939) 81. RHODESIA, Salisbury (1963) 105. UNITED STATES, Wiimette (1929) 82. R WANDA, Kigali (1973) 106. UPPER WEST AFRICA, Bathurst (The 83. SAMOA, Apia (Western Samoa) (1971) Gambia) 84. SEYCHELLES, Victoria (MahCIsland) (1973) 107. U RUGUAY, Montevideo (1973) 85. SIKKIM, Gangtok(1968) 108. VENEZUELA, Caracas (1961) 86. SINGAPORE, Singapore 109. VIETNAM, Saigon (1964) 87. SOLOMON ISLANDS, Honiara (1971) 110. WEST AFRICA, Monrovia (Liberia) (1966) 88. SOUTH AND WEST AFRICA, Johannesburg 11 1. WINDWARD ISLANDS, Bridgetown (Bar- (South Africa) bados) (1972) 89. SOUTH WEST PACIFIC OCEAN, N o ~ i n e a(New 112. ZAERE,Kinshasa (1972) Caledonia) (1 971) 113. ZAMBIA, Lusaka (1968)
6. B A H A ~PUBLISHING ~ TRUSTS ARGENTINA GERMANY E.B.I.L.A., Baha'i-Verlag, Manuel Ugarte 31 88, Eppsteiner Str. 89, Buenos Aires, 6238 Hofheim-Langenhain, Argentina. Germany.
BELGIUM INDIA Maisoil d'Editions Baha'ies, Baha'i Publishing Trust, 26, rue Saint-Quentin, 6, Canning Road, 1040 Brussels, Post Box 19, Belgium. New Delhi 1, India. BRAZIL Editora Baha'i-Brasil, iR A N Rua Engenheiro Gama Lobo, 267 Dr. 'Ali-Murad Davi~di, Vila Isabel, Shirkat-i-Nawnahalan, 20000 Rio de Janeiro, Manuclxhri Avenue, Brasil. Tihran, fran. 704 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
ITALY TAIWAN Casa Editrice Baha'i, Ta Tung Chiao Publishing Trust, Circonvallazione Nomentana, 484-All, 26, Lane 18, Ta Shueh Lu, 00162 Rome, Tainan, Taiwan. Italy. UGANDA NEAR EAST BahB'iPublishing Trust, Mr. Labib Shaheed, P.O. Box 266', P.O. Box8ll5, Kampala, Uganda. Beirut, Lebanon. UNITED KINGDOM PAKISTAN BahB'i Publishing Trust, BahB'i Publishing Trust, 2 South Street, P.O. Box7420, Oakham, Rutland LEI5 6HY, Karachi 3, Pakistan. England.
SPAIN UNITED STATES BahB'iPublishing Trust, BahB'i Publishing Trust, Luis Cabrera, 56, 415 Linden Avenue, Madrid 2, Spain. Wilmette, Illinois 60091, U.S.A. SWEDEN Baha'iPublishing Trust, Matilda Ljungstedts vag 27, 122 35 Enskede, Sweden. I . BAHA'U' L L A H ' S BEST-KNOWN WORKS Alvah-i-Laylatu'l-Quds. Lawh-i-Huriyyih. A$-i-Qullu'l-aayr. Lawh-i-Husayn. Az-Bab-i-Ilahi. Lawh-i-Ibn-i-mi'b (Epistle to the Son of the ~az-AV-u-~idih-~imt Wolf). Biharat (Glad Tidings). Lawh-i-Ittihad. Qihar-Vadi (Four Valleys). Lawh-i-Jamal. Haft-Vadi (Seven Valleys). Lawh-i-Karim. Halih-Halih-Ya-Bihirit. Lawh-i-Karmil. H6r-i-'Ujib. Lawh-i-Kullu't-Ta'am. Hurufkt-i-'Allin. Lawh-i-Malikih (Tablet to Queen Victoria). I h r a q i t (Splendours). Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus (Tablet to the Czar of Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise). Russia). Kalimkt-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words). Lawh-i-Mallahu'l-Quds (Tablet of the Holy Kitab-i-'Ahd (Book of Covenant). Mariner). Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book). Lawh-i-Manikji-Sahib. Kitab-i-Badi'. Lawh-i-Maqsud. Kitab-i-fqan (Book of Certitude). Lawh-i-Maryam. Lawh-i-'Abdu'l-'Aziz-Va-Vukalg. Lawh-i-Mawlud. Lawh-i-'Abdu'l-Vahhab. Lawh-i-Mubahilih. Lawh-i-'Abdu'r-Razzkq. Lawh-i-Napulyun I (First Tablet to Napoleon Lawh-i-Al~bkb. 111). Lawh-i-Ahmad (Tablet of Ahmad). Lawh-i-Napulyi~nIS (Second Tablet to Lawh-i-Amvaj. Napoleon 111). Lawh-i- Anta'l-Kafi. Lawh-i-Nasir. Lawh-i-Aqdas. Lawh-i-Nuqtih. Lawh-i-A$raf. Lawh-i-Pap (Tablet to the Pope). Lawh-i-'Ahiq-va-MaL&uq. Lawh-i-Pisar-'Amm. Lawh-i-Ayiy-i-Nur. Lawh-i-Qina'. Lawll-i-Baha. Lawh-i-Quds. Lawh-i-Baqa. Lawll-i-Rafi'. Lawh-i-Basitatu'l-Haqiqih. Lawll-i-Ra'is (Tablet to Ra'is). Lawh-i-Bismilih. Lawh-i-RaqshB'. Lawh-i-Bulbulu'l-Firaq. Lawh-i-Rasul. Lawh-i-Burhan. Lawh-i-Ruh. Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World). Lawh-i-Ru'ya. Lawh-i-Fitnih. Lawh-i-Sahab. Lawh-i-Ghulamu'l-auld. Lawh-i-Salman I. Lawh-i-Habib. Lawll-i-Salman 11. Lawh-i-Haft-Pursih. Lawh-i-Samsun. Lawh-i-Hajj. Lawh-i-Sayyah. Lawh-i-Hawdaj. Lawh-i-&ayl&-Fani. Lawh-i-Hikmat (Tablet of Widsom). Lawh-i-Sultan. Lawh-i-Hirtik. Lawh-i-Tawhid. 706 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Lawh-i-Tibb. Suriy-i-Hajj I. Lawh-i-Tuqa. Suriy-i-Hajj 11. Lawh-i-Yusuf. Suriy-i-Haykal. Lawh-i-Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin. Suriy-i-Hifz. Lawh-i-Ziykrih. Suriy-i-Hijr. Madinatu'r-Rid&. Suriy-i-'Ibad. Madinatu't-Tawhid. Suriy-i-Ism. Maanavi. Suriy-i-Ismuna'l-Mursil. Munajathay-i-Siyam. Suriy-i-Javad. Qad-Ihtaraqa'l-Mul&lifin. Suriy-i-aitab. Qasidiy-i-VarqB'iyyih. Suriy-i-Ma'ani. Ra&h-i-'Ama. Suriy-i-Man'. Ridvanu'l-'Adl. Suriy-i-Muluk. Ridvanu'l-Iqrar. Suriy-i-Nida. Sahifiy-i-aattiyyih. Suriy-i-Nush. Salat-i-Mayyit (Prayer for the Dead). Suriy-i-Qadir. Siiqi-Az-mayb-i-Baqa. Suriy-i-Qahir. aikkar-aikan-aavand. Suriy-i-Qalam. Subhana-Rabbiya'l-'Ala. S6riy-i-Qamis. Subhanika-Ya-H6. Suriy-i-Sabr. Suratu'llah. Suriy-i-Sultan. Si~riy-i-Ahzin. Suriy-i-Vafa. Si~riy-i-Amin. Suriy-i-Ziyarih. Silriy-i-Amr. Suriy-i-Zubur. Suriy-i-A'rib. Suriy-i-Zuhur. Suriy-i-Ashib. Tafsir-i-Hu. Suriy-i-Asma'. Tafsir-i-Hur6fAt-i-Muqawih. Suriy-i-Bayan. Tafsir-i-Shriy-i-Va'&-hams. Suriy-i-Damm. Tajalliyit (Effulgences). Sdriy-i-mabih. Tarazgt (Ornaments). Shriy-i-mibh. Ziyarat-Namih (The Visiting Tablet). Suriy-i-mikr. Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Awliya. S6riy-i-Fadl. Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Bibu'I-Bab va Quddus. Suriy-i-Fath. Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Bayt. Suriy-i-Fu'ad. Ziyarat-Nkmiy-i-Maryam. Sdriy-i-Busn (Tablet of the Branch). Ziyarat-Namiy-i-Siyyidu'&-auhada. (Note: The works of Baha'u'llah, translated into English by Shoghi Effendi, are listed on p. 708 under the subheading, "Translations".)
The Arabic Bayan. Kitabu'r-Rdh. Commentary on the S6rih of Kawthar. Lawh-i-Hurhfat. Commentary on the Surih of Va'l-'Asr. The Persian Bayan. DalB'il-i-Sab'ih. Qayyumu'l-Asma'. Epistles to Muhammad Shah and HAji Mirza Risaliy-i-'Adliyyih. Aqasi. Risaliy-i-mahabiyyih. Khasa'il-i-Sab'ih. - Risaliy-i-Fiqhiyyih. Kitab-i-Asma'. Risaliy-i-Furs-i-'Adliyyih. Kitab-i-Panj-Sa'n. Sahifatu'l-Haramayn. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y
'(Note: The Bab Himself states in one passage of the Persian Bayan that His writings conzprise no less than 500,000 verses.)
I N P E R S I A N A N D ARABIC Ad'iyyih va Munajat. Lawh-i-Muhabbat. Alvah-i-Tablighi-i-Imrika. Lawh-i-Tanzih va Taqdis. Alvah-i-Vasayi. Lawh-i-Tarbiyat. - Khitabat dar Ur6pa va Imrika. Madaniyyih. Lawh-i-Aflakiyyih. Makatib-i-'Abdu'l-Bahi. Lawlj-i-'Ahd va Mihaq (Imrika). Maqaliy-i-Sayyah. Lawh-i-'Ammih. Mufavidat. ~awh-i-Ayat. &arh-i-Fass-i-Nigin-i-Ism-i-Akam. Lawh-i-Do-Niday-i-Fa1& va Najah. - Sharh-i-auhaday-i-Yazd va Isfahan. Lawh-i-Dr. Forel. Siyasiyyih. Lawh-i-Haft &am'. Taakiratu'l-Vafa. Lawh-i-Hizir Bayti. Tafsir-i-Bismi'llahi'r-Rawni'r-Ral$m. Lawh-i-Khurasin. Tafsir-i-Kuntu Kanzan Makhfiyyan. Lawh-i-Lahih. Ziyarat Namih. Lawll-i-Mahfil-i-&awr.
I N ENGLISH The Secret of Divine Civilization. Baha'i Pub- Tablets of the Divine Plan. Baha'i Publishing lishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1957. Origi- Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1959. nally published by Cope & Fenwick, London A Traveller's Narrative. Translated into 1910, under the title The MysteriousForces of English by Edward Granville Browne under Civilization. Subsequently published by the title A Traveller's Narrative written to Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1918. illustrate The Episode o f the Bcib. Cambridge Sonre Answered Questions. First printed by University Press, 1891. Baha'i Publishing Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trubner and Co. Ltd., Committee, New York, 1930. London, 1908. Subsequently published by Will and Testament. Baha'i Publishing Com- Baha'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1918, mittee, New York, 1925, 1935. BahB'i and other Bahri'iPublishingTrusts. Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1944, Tablet to the Central Organisation for a Durable 1968, and other Bahi'i Publishing Trusts. Peace, The Hague. Bahi'i Publishing Com- Menlorials of the Faithful. Translated from the mittee, New York, 1930. original Persian and annotated by Marzieh Tablet to Dr. Forel. Baha'i Publishing Com- Gail. Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, mittee, New York, 1930. Illinois, 1971.
COMPILATIONS I N ENGLISH Foundations of World Unity; a selection of Subsequently published by Bahi'iPublishing letters and public addresses. Baha'i Publish- Trust, London, 10th edition 1961 ; and in the ing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1945. United States under the title The Wisdonz of Paris Talks; a compilation of His addresses in 'Abdu'l-Bahci; Brentano's, New York, 1924. Paris. G. Bell and Son Ltd., London, 1923. 708 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
The Pronzulgation of Universal Peace, vols. I, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahh, vols. I, 11, III; a com- 11; a compilation of His addresses in pilation of His letters to individual believers Canada and the United States in 1912. in America. BahB'i Publishing Society BahB'i Publishing Society, Chicago, 1922 Chicago, 1909,1915,1916. and 1925.
4. SOME COMPILATIONS F R O M T H E W R I T I N G S O F BAHA'U'LLAH A N D ~ A B D U ' L - B A H A The Baha'i Revelation. BahB'i Publishing Baha'i Publishing Committee. Wilmette, Trust, London, 1955. Illinois, 1939, 1952, and other BahB'i Baha'i World Faith. Baha'i Publishing Com- PublishingTrusts. mittee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1943,1956. Prayers and Meditations by Bahh'u'llih. BahB'i The Covenant of Bahh'u'llah. Bahi'i Publishing Publishing Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, Trust, London, 1950; revised, 1963. 1938, 1954, and other Baha'i Publishing The Divine Art of Living. Baha'i Publishing Trusts. Committee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1944; re- The Reality of Man. BahB'i Publishing Comvised, 1960. mittee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1931; revised, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah. 1962. (Note: A large number of Prayer Books compiled of prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah, the Bab and 'Abdu'l-Baha has been published by Baha'i Publishing Trusts and National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world).
5. S H O G H I EFFENDI'S BEST-KNOWN W O R K S The World Order of Baha'u'llah. February, The Golden Age of the Cause of Bahci'u'llah. 1929. March, 1932. The World Order of Bahri'u'llah, Further Con- America and the Most Great Peace. April, 1933. siderations. March, 1930. The DispensationofBaha'u'llbh. February, 1934, The Goal of a New Worlcl Ordeu. November, The Unfoldment of World Civilization. March, 1931. 1936. (Note: The above seven essays have been published in one volume entitled The World Orcler of Baha"u'1lah. Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1938. Revised edition, 1955; second printing, 1965). The Advent of Divine Justice. Baha'i Publishing God Passes By. BahB'i Publishing Trust, Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1939. Wilmette, Illinois, 1944. The Promised Day is Come. Bahi'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1941.
T R A N S L A T I O N S (see note p. 706) The Dawn-Breakers, by Nabil-i-Zarandi. Baha'i Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, by Baha'u'llah. Publishing Committee, New York, 1932, BahB'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, and other Baha'i Publishing Trusts. 1941, 1953, and other BahB'i Publishing Trusts. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 709 Gleanings fronz the Writings of Bahci'u'llah. Peace, The Hague, by 'Abdu'l-Baha, dated Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, December 17, 1919. Published as a leaflet by 1939, 1952, and other Baha'i Publishing Baha'i Publishing Trust, London. Trusts. Tablet to Dr. Forel, by 'Abdu'l-Baha. Published Tlze Hidden Words of Bahd'u'llah (Arabic and in Star of the West, vol. XIV, no. 4, July 1923, Persian). Baha'i Publishing Committee, New p. 101. Subsequently published as a leaflet by York, 1924. BahB'i Publishing Committee, various BahB'i Publishing Trusts. London, 1932, and other Bahi'i Publishing Tablet of the Holy Mariner, by Baha7u'llah. Trusts. Published in Star of the West, vol. XIII, no. 4, itr rib-i-iq6n, by BahB'u'llah. Baha'i Publishing May 1922, p. 75. Subsequently published in Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1931, 1950, and Prayer Books and other compilations. other Baha'i Publishing Trusts. The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahi. Prayers and Meditations by Bahb'u'llah. Baha'i Baha'i Publishing Committee, New York, Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1938, 1925, 1935. Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wil- 1962, and other Bahi'i Publishing Trusts. mette, Illinois, 1944, 1968, and other Baha'i Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Publishing Trusts.
C O M P I L A T I O N S FROM HIS W R I T I N G S Baha'i Administration. BahB'i Publishing Com- 1957). Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, mittee, Wilmette, Illinois, 1928,1960. Illinois, 1965. Messages to America (1932-1946). Baha'i Messages to Canada. National Spiritual As- Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, 1947. sembly of the BahB'is of Canada, 1965. Messages to the Baha'i World (1950-1957). Letters from the Guardian to Australia and Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, Illinois, New Zealaizd (1923-1957). National Spiri- 1958. tual Assembly of Australia, 1970. Principles of Baha'i Administration. Baha'i Dawn of a New Day-Messages to India Publishing Trust, England, 1950. (1923-1957). Baha'i Publishing Trust, New Guidance for Today and Tomorrow. Baha'i Delhi, 1970. Publishing Trust, London, 1953. Directives,from the Guardian. BahB'i Publishing Citadel o f Faith (Messages to America 1947- Trust, New Delhi, 1970.
6. L A N G U A G E S I N T O W H I C H B A H A ' ~L I T E R A T U R E H A S BEEN T R A N S L A T E D *
A . AFRICA
1. Accra (Ga) : Ghana 12. Bassa/Cameroon : Cameroon Republic 2. Acholi : Uganda 13. BatBkC (TCkB): Congo Republic 3. Adanwe : Can~eroonRepublic 14. Baya (Gbaya) : Central African Republic 4. Adja: Dahomey 15. Bemba (Cibemba) : Zambia 5. Afrikaans : South Africa 16. Bongomo/Bungom: Central Africa, Ga- 6. Alur: Uganda,Zaii.e bon 7. Amharic (Abyssinian): Ethiopia 17. Bravanese: Somalia 8. Ana : Togo 18. Bunyore (Nyoro): Uganda 9. Ateso: Uganda 19. ChagaIMachame : Tanzania 10. Balari : Congo Republic 20. Chokwe (Chi-Okwe): Angola, Zai're 11. BamiltkC: Cameroon Republic 21. Cicewa (Chichewa): Malawi, Zambia * Some variant names and spellings appear in brackets. 710 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
22. Dagbane (Dagomba) : Ghana 74. Konde (Nyakyusa-Ngonde) :Malawi,Tan- 23. Dinka (Jieng) : Egypt, Sudan zania 24. Djerma : Togo 75. Kongo (KikongoIKituba) : Angola, Congo 25. Douala: Cameroon Republic Republic, Zaire 26. Efik: Nigeria 76. Kpelle (Kpelie) : Guinea, Liberia 27. Embu: Canzeroorz Republic 77. Kuanjama (Kuanyama) : Southwest Africa 28. Embun (Kibunda): Zaire 78. Kuman : Uganda 29. Ewe (Efe) : Ghana, Togo 79. Kunama: Ethiopia 30. Ewondo : Cameroon Republic 80. !Kwi: Botswana 31. FantC : Ghana 81. Lango : Uganda 32. Fon: Cameroon Republic, Dahorney 82. Laounde : Africa 33. Fula (Fula/Torodo) : Nigeria 83. Lari : Congo Republic, Gabon 34. Galinga: Ethiopia 84. Leb Muno: East Africa 35. Giriama: Kenya 85. Lendu: Zai're 36. Gishu : Uganda 86. Lingala : Congo Republic, ZaQe 37. Gombaye: Clzad 87. Lingombe (Ngombe) : Zai're 38. Goun : Dahomey 88. Liumbi (Lwimbi) : Angola, Zambia 39. Grebo : Liberia 89. Logo : Za&e 40. Guan : Ghana 90. Lokele: Zaiie 41. Gwere : Uganda 91. Lomongo: Zaiie 42. Gwi: South Ajkica 92. Lozi (Silozi, Chilozi) : Zarnbia 43. Hausa : Chad, Niger, Nigeria 93. Luba/Kasai (Kiluba) : Z a k e 44. Haya: Tanzania 94. LubaIKatanga (LubaIShaba) : Zai're 45. Henga (Luhanga) : Zan~bia 95. Lubukusu (Luhyia) : Kenya 46. f HbB : Botswana 96. Luganda: Uganda 47. Igbo (Ibo) : Canleroon Republic, Niger, 97. Lugbara: Uganda,Zaiie Nigeria 98. Lugwere: Uganda 48. Ijebu: Nigeria 99. Lukasaba : Central Ajrica 49. Jola: Upper West Africa 100. Lukonjo : Uganda, Zaiie 50. Jolof (Wolof): Gambia, SPnPgal 101. Lumasaba: Uganda 51. Kabras : Kenya 102. Lunda (LundaINdembo) : Zai're, Zarnbia 52. Kabwa: Zaiie 103. Lunyolo: Uganda 53. Kabyle: Algeria 104. Lunyore : Uganda 54. Kalanga/Botswana: Botsivana 105. Luo : Kenya, Uganda 55. Kamba: Kenya 106. Luragoli: Kenya 56. Kanuri : Chad, Niger, Nigeria 107. Lusamia: Uganda 57. Karirnojong: Uganda 108. Lusukumba (Sukumba) : Tanzania 58. Kenga : Clzad 109. Madi : Sudan, Uganda 59. Kenyang: Cameroon Republic 110. Makhuwa: Swaziland 60. Keponnon : Congo Republic 111. Malagasy : Malagasy Republic 61. Kiga: Uganda 112. Mandinka (Mandingo) : Gambia, Guinea, 62. Kikuyu: Kenya SknPgal. 63. Kiluwa: Zai're 113. Marachi : Swaziland 64. Kim: Chad 114. Maragoli: Kenya 65. Kimanianga: Zai're 115. Masai : Kenya 66. Kimpin Kipindi : Zaike 116. Mashi:Zaiie 67. Kinande : Zai're 117. Mashingoli : Somalia 68. Kintandu : Zaiie 118. Massa: Chad 69. Kinyarwanda: Rivanda, Z a k e 119. Mauritian Creole: Mauritius I. 70. Kipsigis : Kenya 120. M'Baka: Central African Republic 71. Kisii (Ekikisii) : Kenya 121. Mboshi: Congo Republic 72. Kisonge : Zai're 122. Mbundu (ChiMbunda): Angola, Zarnbia 73. Kizombo: Angoka,Zai're 123. Mende : Liberia, Sierru Leone B A H ~B'I B~L I O G R A P H Y 71 1 124. Meru : Kenya 155. Shona: Mozambique, Rhodesia 125. Mina (Popo/Ge) : Daholizey, Niger, Togo 156. Shua: Botswana 126. More: Ghana, Togo, Upper Volta 157. Sidamigna (Sidamo) : Ethiopia 127. Nandi : Kenya 158. Siswati : Swaziland 128. Ndebele (Sindebele): Rhodesia 159. Somali: Somalia 129. 'Ndonga (OchiNdonga) : Southwest AJLica 160. Sudanese : Mauritania, Sknkgal 130. Ngala: Z a k e 161. Sukuma : Tanzania 131. Ngonde (Chikhonde) : Malawi 162. Susu : Guinea 132. Nuba/Moro: Sudan 163. Sutho (Sesotho) : Lesotho 133. Nubian : Nile Basin 164. Swahili : East and Central Africa 134. Nyamwezi: Tanzania 165. Swazi : Swaziland 135. Nyanja (Chinyanja) : Malawi, Zanibia 166. Taita : Kenya 136. Pedi: Northern Transvaal 167. Tchadian Arabic: Chad 137. Phikahni : Mozambique 168. Themne (Temne): Sierra Leone 138. Pokot (Suk): Kenya 169. TigrB: Eritrea 139. Pongwe: Gabon 170. Tigrinya: Eritrea 140. Puhl : Niger 171. Tiriki : Kenya 141. Puyia-hu : Liberia, Sierra Leone 172. Tmue: West Ajrica 142. Ronga (Shironga) : Mozanzbique, Swazi- 173. Tonga (Chitonga) : Zunzbia land 174. Toucouleur: Upper West Africa 143. Rundi : Burundi 175. Tshiluba: Zai're 144. Runyankole/Rukiga: Uganda 176. Tswana (ChuanaISetswana) : Bots~vana 145. Runyarwanda : Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda 177. Tumbuka (Chitumbuka) : Malawi 146. Runyoro/Rutoro: Uganda 178. Twi/Ashanti: Ghana, Togo 147. Sango (Sangho) : Central A.frican Republic 179. Urhobo : Nigeria 148. Sara (Sar) : Central African Republic, Chad 180. !X6:Botswana 149. Sebei: Uganda 181. Xosa (!Xhosa) : Botswana 150. Serere: Upper West Atpica 182. Yao: Tanzania, Malawi, Mozanzbique 151. Shangaan: Southwest Africa 183. Yoruba: Dahonzey, Nigeria 152. Shilha (Shalhah) : Morocco 184. Zande : Sudan, Zai're 153. Shilluk (Shuluk) : Sudan 185. Zaramo : Tanzania 154. Shimakonde (Makonde) : Mozanibique 186. Zulu: Republic of South Africa
B. T H E A M E R I C A S
1. Aguacateco : Guatamela 17. Cherokee: UnitedStates 2. Aguaruna : Peru 18. Chipaya: Bolivia 3. Aleut : Alaska, Aleutian Is. 19. Chippewa : ~ a n a d aUnitedStates , 4. Apache : United States 20. Choco (Chocoe) : Bolivia, Panama 5. Araucan : Panama 21. Chorti: Guatemala 6. Arhuaco : Panama 22. Chuj : Guateniala 7. Athabascan ( F t . Yukon) : Alaska, Canada 23. Chulpas: Bolivia 8. Athabascan (Kutchin) : Alaska 24. Cree : Canada, Unitedstates 9. Aymara: Bolivia, Peru 25. Creole (Dutch) : Leeward Is., Surinal~z 10. BaurB: Bolivia 26. Creole (Haitian) : Haiti 11. Blackfoot : Canada, Unitedstates 27. Cuna (Kuna) : Colonibia, Panunza 12. Bribri : Costa Rica 28. Diegueno (Kum-Yiy) : UnitedStates 13. Cakchiquel : Guatemala 29. Eskimo : (Barren Lands) Canada 14. Carib (Moreno/Garifuna) : Belize, Nica- 30. Eskimo (Eastern Arctic) : Canada ragua, Honduras, Venezuela 31. Eskimo : (Keewatin) Canada 15. Cayapa: Ecuador 32. Eskimo (Kobuk) : Alaska 16. Chahuanco (Chiriguano) : Bolivia 33. Eskimo (Kotzebue) : Alaska 712 TI - IE BAHA' i W O R L D
34. Eskimo (Kuskokwim) : Alaska 67. Papiamento (Spanish Creole): Aruba, 35. Eskimo (Southern Baffin) : Canada Bonaire, Curapzo 36. Flathead (Cheyenne): UnitedStates 68. Pascuense: Chile 37. Guajibo: Colombia, Venezuela 69. Piapoco : Colombia 38. Guajira: Colombia, Venezuela 70. Pocomchi : Guatemala 39. Guarani (Classical): Argentina, Brazil, 71. Pukina : Bolivia Paraguay 72. Quechua (Bblivian): Bolivia 40. Guarani (Modern): Argentina, Brazil, 73. Quechua (Ecuadorian) : Ecuador Paraguay 74. Quechua (Peruvian) : Peru 41. Guaymi: Panama 75. Rama : Nicaragua 42. Haida: Alaska, Canada 76. Salish (Puget Sound) : UnitedStates 43. Iroquois : Canada, UnitedStates 77. Saulteaux: Canada, UnitedStates 44. Jicaque : Honduras 78. Sepultec : Mexico 45. Kanjobel : Guatenzala 79. Shoshone : UnitedStates 46. Ketchi (Ketchi) : Guatemala 80. Shuara (Jivaro) : Ecuador 47. Loucheux: Alaska, Canada 81. Sioux: UnitedStates 48. Machiguenga : Peru 82. Sirion6: Bolivia 49. Mam : Guatemala, Mexico 83. Slavey : Canada 50. Mapuche: Argentina, Chile 84. Sranan (Negro English): Surinanz 51. Matacho : Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay 85. Sumo : Honduras, Nicaragua 52. Maya: CentralAnzerica 86. Tacana : Bolivia 53. Maya (Lowlands) : Mexico 87. Tarasco (Tarascan) : Mexico 54. Maya/QuichB: Guatemala 88. Tewa: UnitedStates 55. Micmac: Canada 89. Tlingit : Alaska, Canada 56. Mohawk: Canada, UnitedStates 90. Toba : Argentina 57. Mono (Monachi): UnitedStates 91. Trinitario : (Moxos) Bolivia 58. Moskito (Miskito) : Honduras, Nicaragua 92. Tupi-Xavante : Brazil 59. Motilon-Yukpa: Colombia, Venezuela 93. Twakha-Sumo : Nicaragua 60. Nuhatl (Nuhuatl, Aztec): Mexico 94. Urus : Bolivia 61. Navajo : UnitedStates 95. Uspanteca: Guatemala 62. Ojibway: Canada, United States 96. Ute: UnitedStates 63. Oneida : United States 97. Yanaigua (Tapiete) : Bolivia 64. Otomi : Mexico 98. Yaqui: Mexico 65. Paiute : UnitedStates 99. Yaruro : Venezuela 66. Papago: Mexico, UnitedStates 100. Zapoteca : Mexico
c. ASIA 1. Abor Miri (Padam Abor) : India, Tibet 15. Bagobo-Guiangan : Philippine Islands 2. Aeta (Sambal) : Philippine Islands 16. Bahasa Badjao : Philippine Islands 3. Agusanon (Agusan) :Philippine Islands 17. Bahasa Malaysia: Eastern Malaysia and 4. Aklan : Philippine Islands Brunei 5. Amanus : Asia 18. Balinese : Bali, Java 6. Antiquefio: Philippine Islands 19. Balochi: (Balu&i) : WestPrikistcin 7. Arabic 20. Balti : Northwest Kashmir 8. Armenian 21. Bandung : Indonesia 9. Assamese: Northwest India 22. Barahou'i : Bali&istbn 10. Assyrian: 'Irbq, Syria 23. Batak: Sumatra 11. Atjeh : Indonesia 24. Bengali: Bangladesh 12. Atta : Philippine Isla7zds 25. Benguet: Philippine Islands 13. Badaga : India 26. Bhojpuri: India 14. Bagheli (Baghelkhandi): India 27. Bhutia: Sikkinz B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 713 28. Bicol : (Bikolano) Philiypine Islands 80. Karen : Burn~a,Thailand 29. Bidayuh : Sarawak 81. Kashmiri 30. Bilaan : Philippine Islands 82. Kayan : Sarawak 31. Black Thai : Thailand 83. Kenyah (Kenya): Brunei, Malaysia, Sara- 32. Bonyoc (Bontoc) : Philippine Islaads wak 33. Brahui :Pakistan 84. Khalka (Mongolian) (Chinese Script): 34. Bugis: Indonesia China, Mongolia 35. Bukidnon :Philippine Islands 85. Khalka (Mongolian) (Russian Script): 36. Burmese Mongolia 37. Buru : Indonesia 86. Khasi: India 38. Cagayan Aeta: Philippine Islands 87. Kherwai: India 39. Cambodian (Khmer) 88. Kinaraya : Philippine Islands 40. Cebuano (Cebuano/Visayan) : Philippine 89. Konkani: India Islands 90. Korean 41. Cham (Chambiali) : India 91. Koumani : India 42. Chhattisgarhi : India 92. Kui (Khondi) India 43. Chin (in two dialects): Burma, India 93. Kuki-Chin : Burnza 44. Chinese (Hokkien dialect) 94. Kumaoni (Kumayoni) : India, Nepal 45. Chinese (Old) 95. Kurdish 46. Chinese (Mandarin) 96. Ladakhi : India, Tibet 47. Cuyunin : Philippine Islands 97. Lambadi : India 48. Djawi : Malaysia 98. Laos Thaidam : Laos, Vietnanz 49. Dusun : Brunei, Malaysia 99. Laotian : Laos 50. Fangir : Indonesia 100. Lepcha : India, Sikkinz 51. Gaddung (Gaddang) : Philippine Islands 101. Madurese : Madura Islands,Javu 52. Gamili: Asia 102. Maithili (Maharatti) : India 53. Garhwali: India 103. Malay 54. Georgian : Caucasus 104. Malayalam: India, Laccadive Islands 55. Ghaibi Awaz: Prikisthn 105. Malwi: India 56. Gondi: India 106. Manchu (Manchurian) 57. Gujarati: India 107. Mangyan Hanunoo :Philippine Islands 58. Gurmukhi : India 108. Mangyan Pula: Philippine Islands 59. HalabilGondi : India 109. Manipuri (Meithei): India 60. Hebrew 110. Mauobo : Phillippine Islands 61. Hiligaynon :Philippine Islands 111. Marwari : India, Pakistkn 62. Hindi : India 112. Melanan (Melanau): Sarawak 63. Ibaloy : Philippine Islands 1 13. Melayu Asli (Temian): Malaysia 64. Iban (Land Dayak) : Indonesia 114. Mentawei: Mentawei Islands 65. Iban (Sea Dayak) : Indonesia, Malaysia 115. Meo (Indian) 66. lbanag : Philippine Islands 116. Meo (Laotian) 67. Ifugao :Philippine Islands 117. Meo (Vietnamese) 68. Ilocano : (Ilokano) :Philippine Islands 118. Merandanis : Asia 69. Indonesian 119. Mohal (Arabic Script): Laccadive Islands 70. Jahai : Malaysia 120. Mundari (Horo) : India 71. Jakun: Malaysia 121. Murut: Brunei, Sarawak 72. Japanese 122. Nepali (Nepalese) : Nepal, Sikkinz 73. Jaunsari: India 123. Newari: India, Nepal, Sikkinz 74. Javanese 124. Nhung: Vietnam 75. Kachin : Northeast Burma 125. Nias : Nias Islarzds, Indonesia 76. Kaili : Celebeslslands 126. Nicobarese : Nicobar Islands 77. Kalingga: Philippine Islands 127. Oriya: India 78. Kankanai : Philippine Islands 128. Ossete: Caucasus 79. Kannada (Kanarese) : India 129. Pahari: India, Nepal 714 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
130. Pali: Bur~na,SriLanka 155. Taloda: Indonesia 131. Pampango : Philippine Islands 156. Tamil : India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka 132. Pangasinan : Philippine Islands 157. Tapanuly : Northwest Sumatra 133. Perm (Ziryen): Burma, India, Russia 158. Tartar: Caucasus 134. Persian 159. Tau Sug (Moro Joloano): Philippine 135. Prasad : India Islands 136. Punjabi (Persian Script) : India, Pakistbn 160. Telugu : India 137. Punjabi (Urdu Script) : India, Pakistbn 161. Temiar : Malaysia 1 38. Pushtu (Pashto) : Af&brzistrin, Pakisthn, 162. Temuan : Malaysia Balr.i&istrin 163. Tetum : Portuguese Timor 139. Rajasthani : India 164. Thai (Siamese): Thailand 140. Rhade (Radti): Cambodia, Vietnam 165. Thaidam: Laos 141. Samal : Philippine Islands 166. Tharu: Nepal 142. Samal Bahasa: Philippine Islands 167. Th6: Burma, Vietnam 143. Samal Bangingi : Philippine Islands 168. Tibetan : Burnla, India, Sikkirn, Tibet 144. Samarefio (Samar-Leyte/Waray-Waray): 169. Timorese : Timor Islands Philippine Islands 170. Tiruray : Philippine Islands 145. Santali (Santhali) : India 171. Toradja: Indonesicr 146. Sema (Naga): Burma, India 172. Tripuri: India 147. Senoi (Semai): Malaysia 173. Tulu : India 148. Senoi (Semang) : Malaysia 174. Turkish 149. Shan: Burma 175. Turkoman : Turkmenistdn,'Iraq 150. Sindhi: India, Phkistcin 176. Urdu: India, Pdkistcin 151. Sinhalese (Sinhala) : SriLanka 177. Vietnam Banar : Vietnam 152. Sundanese (Sunda) : Indonesia 178. Vietnamese 153. Tagalog (Filipino) : Philippine Islands 179. Zambal-Botolan: Philippine Islands 1 54. Tagbanwa (Aborlan) :Philippine Islands
D. AUSTRALASIA
1. Aneityum: Aneityunz Islands, New He- 21. Langa Langa : Solonion Islands brides 22. Lifou (Lifu) :Loyalty Islands 2. Areare: Solomon Islands 23. 1Maenge: New Ireland 3. Baining (Kuanua) : New Britain Islands, 24. Makura: Tongoa Island, New Hebrides Bismarck Archipelago 25. MalaitalLau: Solomon Islands 4. Bambatana: Solomon Islands 26. Malekula: Malekula Island, New Hebrides 5. Binandere : Papua and New Guinea 27. Mandar : Tabar Islands, Bismarck Archi- 6. Bingjabim: New Guinea pelago 7. Bugotu: Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands 28. Manus: Admiralty Islands 8. Chamorro : Mariana Islands 29. Maori (New Zealand) : New Zealand 9. Ellice: Ellice Islands 30. Maori (Rarotongan) : Cook Islands 10. Erakor (Nguna) : New Hebides 31. Mar6: Loyalty Islands 11. Fataleka: Solon?on Islands 32. Marquesas : Marquesas Islands 12. Fijian 33. Marshallese (Ebon) : Marshall Islands 13. Ghari (Vaturanga) : Guadalcanal 34. Motu : Papua andNew Guinea 14. Gilbertese : Gilbert Islands 35. Mussau : New Ireland 15. Guadalcanal : Solonion Islands 36. Nalik: NewIreland 16. Hawaiian 37. Niue (Niuean).: Niue' Island, Cook Islands 17. Houailou (Wailu) : New Caledonia 38. OuvCan: Ouvia Island Loyalty Islands 18. Kusaien (Kusaie) : Caroline Islands 39. Palauan (Palau): Palau Islands, Caroline 19. Kwara'ae (Mwala) : Solomon Islands Islands 20. Kwat (Panaras) : New Ireland 40. Petats : Petats Island, Solonion Islands 41. Pidgin (New Hebrides) : New Hebrides 52. Samoan 42. Pidgin (Papuan) : Papua and New Guinea 53. Sepik: Papua and New Guinea 43. Pidgin (Samoan) : Samoa 54. Tahitian : Society Islands 44. Pidgin (Solomon Islands) : Solornon Is- 55. Tanglamet : New Ireland lands 56. Tallria : Tanna Island, New Hebrides 45. Police/Motu: Papua and New Guinea 57. Tasiboko (Lengo): Guudalcanal 46. Ponapean (Ponape): Ponape Island, Caro- 58. Tigak (Omo) : Neiv Ireland line Islands 59. Tikopian : Tikopia Island, Solon~onIslands 47. Ponkrihouen: New Caledonia 60. Tokelauan : Tokelau Islands 48. Reef Island : Reej'lsland, Solonzon Islands 61. Tongan : Tonga Islands 49. Rennelese (Rennel, Mungava, Mo-Ava): 62. Tongoan : New Hebrides Rennellsland, Solomon Islands 63. To'obaita : Solomon Islands 50. Rotuman (Rotuma): Rotuma Island, Gil- 64. Torau : Solonlon Islands bert and Ellice Islands 65. Trukese: Truk Islalzds, Caroline Islands 51. Roviana: New Georgian Archipelago, 66. Yabem (Jabim) : Papuaand New Guinea Solonlon Islands 67. Yapese: Yap Islands, Caroline Islands
E . EUROPE
1. Albanian 29. Luxembourgish 2. Alsatian 30. Maltese 3. Basque (French) :Pyrenees 31. Mordva (Mordvin, Mordoff) : Central 4. Basque (Spanish/Vasco): Spain Russia 5. Bulgarian 32. Nordsamiska (Northern Lapp) 6. Catalan: Andorra, Balearic Islands, Spain 33. ~orwe~ian/Landsm51 (Nynorsk) 7. Corsican 34. Norwegian/RiksmBl 8. Croatian : Yugoslavia 35. Piedmontese : Piednuont, Northwestern 9. Czech Italy 10. Danish 36. Polish 11. Dutch 37. Portuguese 12. Dutch Frisian (Friesisch) : Friesland 38. Romansch (Sursilvan): Switzerland 1 3. English 39. Romany: (by Gipsies) 14. Erse (Irish Gaelic) 40. Rumanian 1 5. Estonian 41. Russian 16. Faroese (Faroe) : Faroe Islands 42. Scots (Scottish Gaelic) 17. Finnish 43. Serbian 18. Flemish : Belgiunz 44. Serbo-Croat : Yugoslavia 19. French 45. Slovak : Czeclzoslovakia 20. German 46. Slovene (Slovenian): Yugoslavia 21. Greek 47. Spanish 22. Greenlandic 48. Swedish 23. Hungarian 49. Sydsamiska (Southern Lapp) 24. Icelandic 50. Syrjaani (Ziryen): Russia 25. Italian (Roman) 51. Ukrainian 26. Latvian (Lettish) 52. Welsh (Cymraeg) 27. Lithuanian 53. White Russian (Byelorussian) 28. Lulesamiska (Lule Lapp) 54. Yiddish T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
F. INVENTED LANGUAGES
1. Esperanto 2. Interlingua
BahB'i literature for the blind and partially-sighted is available in various languages and scripts.
G . T O T A L BY CONTINENTS
Africa The Americas Asia Australasia Europe Invented languages B A H ~ . B' I~B L I O G R A P H Y 717
7. T H E S H O R T OBLIGATORY PRAYER I N TWO -HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIVE LANGUAGES
ABOVE is the original Arabic and its translation into English of one of the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llih and prescribed for fulfilment of the daily obligatory prayer. It is known as the Short Obligatory Prayer, and when used is recited once in twenty-four hours, at noon. Following are translations of this prayer in 293 additional languages, dialects or scripts listed according to the continents to which those languages are indigenous. Included are some recent translations which are not reflected in the preceding statistical listing. Africa 87; The Americas 63 ;Asia 76; Australasia 24; Europe 42; Invented 2; Braille 1 ; Total 295. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 719 DOUALA (Can~eroonRepublic) Nou dB bou so dB bo hou houkgna houi mC Ne mbon, A Loba lam, na o weki mba o bia dC C non houin lin gbC gan b6 ka non sous sous oa na o numea oa mabongo. N'embi nin ngedi, hoy6nou m6 houin d6 sous non. onola wolea lam na onola ngina ngo, onola tue am na oriola mbwari mongo. Loba dipepe di FULA (Nigeria) titi buka oa, musungedi o ndutu, nu dongamen Mohal berde di labbinta ha dir berde an na momens. Allah an, a kesuna kala ku mi wadata dir herde an, wala wadowo bo sai an mo hisin- EJAGHAM (Cameroon Republic, Nigeria) tammi. Der berde ma di labbinde a usatan ko NjimC ntiesC Atta Obasi, br6 WCh oturtme dume ha berde am, ya an mo yidiyam hedi sCndingWah nanyub6Wah. labbinde mango1 ma, a holliyam gidol ma, de MCh nwoh otti kah njgimC nyih, kah ogong ni an on timitorde ku'a yidi. Defte war01 ma ohomCna kah ikonm Effah, kah okpagk ohomC di vonnatako waddi beldum ha dir berde an, nah kah effonome Obah. anmo timminta be bo yokkowo do yukkol. Kpeh Obasi ettat chang brCh WCh, nyoh anyanganC Kpekpe nah NfonCh arringeh FULA TORODO (Nigeria) Bejih EbCh. Mi sedi, Ala, a'tagi lang mi andu mi julane. Mijabi heh wasude dole ang de heh mountinare EMBUN (KIBUNDA) (Zaire) ma, heh wasude am heh kebal ma ang. Mwenzem, me lengyuy : Nze oweng me ongir Wode Ala godo sina mada, walo wo fowu eyu, ongir eboyi, La16 owu kapah, me ngy eyu darani do hore mung. (O'do julde foti halade obets onze, ngol anze, ompur ome, obwel onze. nyarol ma wo nyarolma.) Nze mur kabC fan, kadzC Nzem asa nC Nze, Nze okolume bar engots, Nze oye kabewang. GOUN (Dahomey) EWE (EFE) (Ghana, Togo) Yin we yi kpajlk, oklu non ton, dB da na do yon in bo na do sin. Yin wl6 to wenin nou db ma Medi dase, 0 nye Mawu, be Ew3m be manya db gan tchC kpo houhlon to we kpo wa mon Wb eye masub3 wo. Medi dase le yeyiyi sia me non gni gni tche po add koun to we kpo. le nye gusEman3~ukple Wo ganyenye guti, le Y&d6 kpo non w6 gni ji w6 y6 wC, y&mC non nye hia kple wb kesinmuwo guti. de m6 son ahou fikssa me, y&dC kg gni nou da Mawua deke megali wu Wo o, Kpeddegut3 h~ na dB wC. le Xaxame. Amesi li daa !
F A N T (Ghana) ~ HAUSA (Ghanian dialect) (Ghana) 0 , m'Ewuradze, midzi dase de 3wo ab3 me de Ya ubangiji Allah, na shaiax, Bai ne ka munhu Wo na monsom Wo. Midzi dase sesei halicceni, don in san ka, in kuma bautata maka. de mennyi aho3dzen biara na 3wodze Eye Yanzu, na ta66ata 6ahi da wani iko sai kai ne Otumfo, midzi hia neminemi na 3wo Eye me iko, kuma ni bawanka ne, gare ka, nike /
~dzefo. rokon arziki. Ewuradze, obiara nnyi h3 kg wo ho, shaw Ba6u wani a6in bauta, sai Kai Allah, me mu 3boafo,3wo a 3woara Etse W'ase. ceton rayuka, kuma kai ne wadataccen Sarki.
FON (Cameroon Republic, Dahomey) HAUSA (Nigerian dialect) (Chad, Niger, Ijeri no Mahu ch6, dp y8wi: dami do gbkmk Nigeria) bo wa tu. Na shaida, Ya Allah na cewa ka halicce ne Mahu ch6 unt d6 tC nou houC d8 houi w6 domin in yi maka sujada. Ina furci a wannan sC mi d6 b6 m6 b6 ni na d6 tun hou6 b6 na non lokacin cewa ni mara iko ne ta wajen ikon ka sin hou6. Unt dB gbC gni nou trouC w6 d6 hon domin patara ta ta wurin yalwarka. Babu wani lonhon lon che s6 nou dB a gna ch6 kpo do Allah sai kai domin ka yi taimako cikin wahala. dokou mi ton kpo. Kai da kake mai riko. 720 T H E B A H . & ' ~W O R L D
ZHOA(Botswana) Wo, Mpeme ndu esongeri ane atei chi ndu MS ce, *iIm g; 1 ~ f-ea3-5 m~~ ~ be, "1 m~e t ~ i . n Ine mii ct '5 'u' kE n Ine St E6.G-Sli "1. Md qhiiic;, ki Ihe'e h5 ki, ki 'Am Si kt- Igb'oa k'i KIKUYU(Kenya) 'Au-'Sf k t "I S i kt- 11'6, ki 'Am 3 ki- Igb'oa ki Ndi muira Ngai ati niwanyumbire niguo Ilki'a q&kO'0 S? kt-jtia ngumenye na ngugocage wee Mwathani Ngai. yi lgbqoa O k h i hB y:l lhhB k; Ninjui kahinda-ini gaka ni wa unini wakwa hari Wee na uthini wakwa ni undu wa utonga 8 "1, Ki- Inhi OX'bE, 1l.A ki lbi&. waku. Gutiri Ngai ungi thengia Niwe hari uteithio JOLA (Upper West Africa) waku mathina-ini na Uhoti Waku. Fetan fet, aw Atty Jamet, mate aw tepan min emanji de pop ne kobe. Kabajati oum sembe KILUBA (Zafre) ku fetanfet nyemi momay, de sambaye yourley yamakaye, kabajatiyoum waff de fu bajafoley Nakwabija, 6 Leza wami, wampangile famakafu. mwanda wa kukuyuka ne kukutota. Pa kifuko Bajut Atty Jamet ake a wujumi aw, aranbay kino, nssama kyakanwa kyami, kukulombola nawu de bu gall aw akum fange. bunkomo-nkomo bobe, kulandapala kwami, ne buipeta bobe. I Kutupu Leza mukwabo enka abe, wita- JOLOF (WOLOF) (Gambia, Sknkgal) banga mu bya malwa, kudi yewa ukulupie Sedenane, Yow Suma Yalla, neh dangama mudi aye mwine. sos ngirr hamla teh jamu la. sedena chi jamano ji chi suma nyaka katan ak chi sa magai, chi KILUWA (Zaire) suma mbadola ak suma am-am. Benen Yalla amut ku moye you, ndimbal gi Nakumbula ha mesu matshu akhima eni ayi chi musiba ki dul danu. Nzambi wonguhangidi mu sambu die kukwizika ni kukufukimina. Kikitsudi eki. nezika eni ami nidiku ni ngolu, Ayi Nzambi Pungu, ami KALANGA BOTSWANA (Botswana) nidi musuyi, Ayi mvwama. Ndo pa malebeswa, mu Ndizmu, kuti Nzambi Pungu mweka kadiku, Ayi wokutmakandi eta kuti ndi mu zibe ne ku Mu susadisanga mu yigonsa, Ayi Fumu wodifuka. shingila. Ndo tendeka mu tjibaka i tjetji, kuti shaya masimba kwangu ne simba Lenyu, KIMANIANGA (Zake) Bushayi gwangu ne fumwa Yenyu. A kunamwe Ndzimu kuzhe Kwenyu. Ntjidzi mu magwadzi, Ntele kimbangi, 6 Nzambi ami, i Ngeye wa ntjili muli Moga. mvangampasi vo yakuzaya ye kuzitisanga mpe. Ye buabu, ngieti zaya vo lebakana kuami i lulendo luaku, bumputu buami i kimvuama KANURI (Chad, Niger, Nigeria) kiaku. Wuye shadangqna, Ya Ala, nyiga notqga Kakuena Nzambi ya nkaka ko, ye mu abattega gar0 wuga alakkarnro. Wuye sa allan ntangu a mpasi Ngeye wusadisanga, kadi Ngeye tabatkqskqna nem duno banyiga duno nqmgaro wena mu Ngeye kibeni. nqm denyiganqm qwowanqm garo. Nyilan nguron Ala gade ba, banama yim KIMBUNDU (Angola) banna'be, kqndqga kqla nqmbelan kargam. Ngabana umbangi uami u Nzambi iami, mukonda ei&ua ngi bange pala ku kuijia ni KENYANG (Cameroon Republic) kukubeza. Ntei ntisC o ta Mandem, be me kewoke Wb, Ngadifisala mu kitangana kiki o kubuila ndu berings Wo ne besepti Wo, ntei ntise tete kuami ne kutena kug, uadiama uami ni unne, ndu bepab ebah ne betang Ebe, ndu nchep vuama us. Kanaku Nzambi iengi kikale Eie eya ne kefor Eke, Mandem achek apu ane acha ngo, u Mubuludi bu i bidi, u Lenda-dig lenda. KIMPIN/KIPINDI (Zaire) KONDE (NYAKYUSA-NGONDE) (Malawi, Kierek, 2 NzEm ami, Nze le mandoen umuin Tanzania) mukukuyebanga ti mukukufukiminanga. Tan Nilikumanya, wako Nungu wangu, doni alik, ekis bum01 ba mi ti bungol ba Nze, busui undingumba nikumanye nikupambedye Wako. ba mi ti bunvam ba Nze. Kukitene, lo kufuyini Niku-kumanyia kwa wakati hau, kudidimanga ti Nzkm ambEn, kaka Nze mbwes Nzkm, u kwangu na chakulula Chako, na umasikini useresa band mu bigonz, u uzing a mumpil e wangu na uhumu Wako. nziBn mbwes. Apali Nungu junji ni Wako, Wakupwazela Mu-mauvilo Muwikala Umwene wa uti. KINANDE (Zaiie) Indi kyimisho, 0 Nyamuhanga waghe KONGO (KIKONGO KITUBA) (Angola, Ngoko wanyihangika okwikuminya n'okwik- Congo Republic, Zaiie) wanza n'olwanzo lunene Ngaminya okon- Ngienina mbangi, o Nzambi ame, vo wandambi'eno ovolo vwaghe n'ovutoki vwaghu vanga mu kuzaya ye mu kufukamena. Yisun- Ovusama vwaghe n'ovungi vwaghu. garnena mu ntangu yayi kiwayi kiame ye Sihali wundi Nyamuhanga oyuti'iwe Oyuk- kimfumu kiaku, ki sukami kiame ye kimvuama asavula omonavi, oyuliho okwiye musa. kiaku. Ngeye mosi kaka i Nzambi, Ngeye wusa- KINTANDU (Zafre) disanga muna sumbula, Ngeye wuzinganga 0 Nzambi ame, ngina mbangi bonso muna Ngeye masi. unganga mu kuzaya ye mu kuzitisa. Yi kuzeyi bungangi mu ngolo zaku ye bumolo bumunu, KUANJAMA (KUANYAMA) (Southwest mu kimvuama kiaku ye kimputu kiamu. Ga Africa) nkatu Mfumu nkaka bonso Ngeye, Yu ukunkatula mu kigonsa, Mfumu yani mosi ukiganga. Ondi sisi, Kalunga kange, no ku tia ove ua sitange ndi ku sive, ndi ku linjongamene. Oha KINYARWANDA (Rwanda,ZaiZe) ndi, hokolola, pe fimbo eli, mo ku hena enono kuange ndelene mo lu enono Doje, moluhepo Ndemera Mungu wanjye, ko wandemeye lange no mo luo upuna Uoje. kukumenya no kugusenga. Muli aka kanya, Kapena nande Okalunga va mue ndelene nemeye amagara make yanjye n'ubushobozi Ove, Omukuafi, uopoupatekedi, Ou mu Ove Bwawe, ubukene bwanjye n'ubukungu Bwawe. Muene. Ntayind'Imana ibaho itali wowe, Umufasha mu byago, Ubaho kubwe wenyine. !KWI (Botswana) KISONGE (Zaire) Tse xo sa khe khoa Ilha, 1IKama kha khi di Nankumina shi, Obe Yaya Efile Mukulu ngi be, kha tsae qxo khe a ts'ao ta tsa a kha, ta tsa bampangile bua kukuiuka na kukuuma. Kano tsaoama kha. Khe khoa dtkum n lngi Ikam, kapindji nambuela bobofule buande na bu- khi kha tsaa sa tsa kha khedi se he, khi kha 1x0 kome buobe, bulanda buande na bulolo buobe. m xa tsa kha khobe se he. Takui mungi Efile bu Obe ni nya, anka Obe IIKama hka lku be ha be tsa Ikwi 'e, xwe apasana ku masaku, Obe namene shi mukit- kxam tsa se 'ua, qx'oe kha tsa lkwidi s kha. shibue na mungi. LINGALA (Congo Republic, Zaii.e) KIZOMBO (Angola, Zaiie) Nazali nzeneneke, o Nzambe wa ngai, 'ta E Nzambi 'ama, nsidi 'e kimbangi vo Ngeye okeli ngai mpo nayeba Yo mpe natondo Yo; wa mpanga mukuzaya ye kukunda. Ewau nakondima bebe na bolembo bwa ngai mpe ntambuluidi 'e nbovok 'ama ye ngolo zaku, bokasi bwa Yo, na bobola bwa ngai mpe kimputu kiama ye kimvuama kiaku. bokumi bwa Yo. Kavena Nzambi 'e nkaka ko vo ka Ngeye ko, Nzambe mosusu lokola Yo azali te, ozali Ona unanga usadisi muna sumbula, Ona oyo akosalisa otango ya mpasi, oyo akotikala unanga muna Yani kibeni. seYemoko. 722 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
LOGO (Zaiie) Kosi Nzambi mukwau china yeyi hohu, ona 0 Djuka, miba ta ma ami nizo mpe amia- wakulaiia mu malwa, ona wahaya nyaka kudi kumbamelizo. Andro konidi, mali mivo eyi aweni. amitada ma ngufwa yo, ami ngufu lavu lavu ama tiza mpe ami mosoro. LUO (Kenya, Uganda) Djuka azia yo paka mi, api mondia alunguli Ai Lubanga, aye ni In icweya me ngeno I11 ki ta mabi a, api adrile ise. me woro In. Anyutu kombedi ni tekona pe ento diti tye, ni an lacan In lalonyo. LOKELE (Zaiie) Pe tye dok Lubanga mukene kono In, Lakony ican, dok Ikwo giri keni. 0 Mungu wami, isosns mbo okelimi eoka iluweke la iinelek'As. Iswimela nda eye mbileye bowandu wami la bofoka w'AE; iuw'ami la MAKHUWA (Mozambique, Swaziland) lifoka lias. Kinniwerelani namona, Kho Mulukwaka, A n g o ~ n sMungu wasi sakoloko AE, OYO wera wi Nyuwo Mokipatusha wi miyo Nyuwo atosungaka nda mbile ya tale, oyo ayali laya Kosuweleni ni wokokhorani. Kinnilapa mwa laya. chuhu yela ethu yohiwereya mene ikuru sanyu, muthonyero aka ni muhakhwanya. LUBUKUSU (LUHYIA) (Kenya) Khavovo Muluku Mukina opwaha Nyuwo, okikhunela mu sawopiha yowo onikhala Mwa Esendi ne bung'ali, 0 , Wele wase, sikila Ewe yowo Mekhaiye. wanonga khumanye ne khu khusikamila Ewe. Nga ndola luno luri, khu mani kase kamakekhe khu bunyali Bwowo, khu butambi bwase, MALAGASY (Malagasy Republic) khu buhinda Bwowo. Toviko, Andriamanitro 6 , fa Ianao no Saliho Wele okundi nokhali Ewe, Omuyeti namorona ahy, mba hahalala Anao sy ho tia mubutinyu, Oliyo yeng'ene. Anao. Tsaroako amin' izao fotoana izao ny fahalemeko miolotra amin'ny herinao, sy ny LUGANDA (Uganda) fahantrako mailoloana ny harenao. Tsy misy Andriamanitra afa-tsy Ianao, dia Ilay miaro Nina obujjulizi, Ai Katonda wange, nti amin'ny loza, Ilay misy tokoa amin'ny mahawantonda okukumanya n'okukusinza. Nkak- Andriamanitra Azy. kasa mu kiseera kin0 obutesobola bwange, n'olwobuyinza bwo, mu bwaavu bwange, ne MANDINKA (MANDINGO) (Gambia, Sene'- mu bugagga bwo. gal, Guinea) Tewali Katonda mulala okugyako, Ggwe, Omuyambi mu kabi, Eyemalirira. N'sedeya, n'mari ko I'ye n'da le ke I'long aning ka I'batu. N'sonta n'na sembeng tang ya la aning I'te LUNDA (CILUNDA) (Zambia) la bungba ya, N'fua re ya anina I'la bana ya. Eyi Nzambi yami, eyi inkeni wankefieli kulonda nikiwluki kulonda nikulombeleli. AIa kotenp. - - mang soto fo I'te. 13dembari la, I'rneng ye 13fangtarandi. Nacheseki, hampinji yinu, ha kubula inovu jami, mukulema kweyi muwuzweni wami MASHI(Zaii.e) muku heta kweyi. Kosi Nzambi ji kwawu ji cheiiiku china eyi Neci Yagirwa Nnamahanga, manyirire oku hau. Eyi inkwashi inhembi wayuma yejima. wandemire mpu nkumanye na nkuharamye. Bunola nyemire obuzamba bwani n'obuhashe bwawe, obukenyi bwani n'obugale bwawe. LUNDAINDEMBO (Zai2e) W&neNnamahanga nta wundi, we burhabale Nidi kambaji keyi 0 Nzambi yami, netu yeyi omu mbaka, we Nnamubaho. wanlefieli mulofia wakukwiluka n,i kuku hameka. Nashimuni chalala lelu dinu kuzeya MASHINGOLI(S~~~~~~) kwami ni iiovu jeyi, uzweiii wami ni kuheta NA SHAHIDHI MNUNGU YUANGU KAMA kweyi. WEYE KUNUMBA NI KUMAGNE NA IBADHA B A H ~ BIBLIOGRAPHY ' ~ 723 Y A K 0 N A SH AHIDHI KAMA JERO KUA NGAMBAI(NGAMBA~E)(C~~~) UZIVU N A NGUVUZAKO N A BILLA NGUVU NA GUDURA YAKO NA UFAGHIRI UANGU Ei Allah lem, mam'too jee naige tarke, I ya N A UTAGIRI UAKO HAKUNA MNUNGU ram kam geri lem mba kam mosso kul noin'g MTUHU ILIA NI UEYE N A HUKUMU Y A K 0 lem. UEYE. Mayan missi noin'g basine, ma m'to nje rem I too jC singa mon'g, ma m'to nj6 ndoo I too MASSA (Chad) nj6 nC kinga. Allah I ya ge kari ba, I ya too jB la ge dojC lo Nan wi touanou nan sama souloukna Launa I ya too deou doroi. vanou nang la nou, Bnan wangou grivangou. Wili ni nan wala toutga vanou ti denota vangou, haouta vanou nan tia tangou. NGONDE (CHIKHONDE) (Malawi) Lau mara meidi kouta kan nangou samara Nguyagha nketi wako, E! Kyala wangu, ma soua meidi. ukuti walimbelile une ukuti ngumanye, nukukwiputa yuyuwe. Ngwitikisya akabalilo aka, MAURITIAN CREOLE (Mauritius Island) nensita maka, kangi Mmaka ghako amaku- M~ tkmoigne, Ban Die, qui to fine rnoi lumba, mbutolwe bwangu na mbukabi Bwako. pour conne toi et adore toi. Mo confess6 Akayako Kyala uyungi loli yuyuwe popapo, maintenant mo impuissance divan to puissance We ntuli mbutolwe, Uliko kubumi wi Mwene. et mo pauvretB divan to richesse. Na pena Bne late Bon DiB qui toi, celui qui aide dans danger et exist6 par li meme. NYAMWEZI (Tanzania) Ndisanizya, Guku Mulungu wane ati wambumba kigele nkumanye na kukwisenga B'eb'e. MENDE (Liberia, Sierra Leone) Ndizumilizya, henaha ku vugayiwa nguzu Selimc~la a nge. 0 nya Yewai kc Bia mia Bi kwane na kuvusondo wako, kubapina wane na nya gbat~nika3 ngi Bi g33 ngi yaa a hss Bi ma. kuvusavi wake, Nyaa gayema kiahuna, ks kpaya gbi ii nYa WE, Mulungu ungi sumbwa B'eb'e leke Bia kpaya Maha Wai a Bie; nya wakisa mumaluduko na wa kuhola kuhanya. vsdingcIe, ks leke Bia Kpatsi gbi i Bi yeya. Ngewt, weka gbi ii na aa wie kia Bi na. Bia mia Ba gbc~mu ma kpunds gbi hu. Bia NYANJA (CHINYANJA) (Malawi, Zambia) yakpe mia Ndsvui i Bi hu kunafa va. Ndicitila umboni, 0 Ambuye, Mulungu wanga, kuti munandilenga kuziwa Inu ndi MINA (POPO/GE) (Dahomey, Niger, Togo) kukondani Inu. Ndibvomela panthawi ino Mougni dassC, o gnC Mawu, odom be kulefuka kwanga ndi kukula kwa rnphamvu madjessigne eye massomony6. Mougnan OuB- zanu, kusauka kwanga ndi kulemela kwanu. 1ebB kea apC hounsin mado, Coudo apo Kulibenso Mulungu wina koma Inu nokha hounsin dodo apB aya coudo opo tchikpokpo. Muchinjilizi, Mwini zonse. Noud6kp6 mougbadk ouwo, am6 kB hona na ameo be afocoumC am6kel6 tdokesia. 'NDONGA (OCHINDONGA) (Southwest Africa) NDEBELE (SINDEBELE) (Rhodesia) Gena okutumbulwa lumwe mootundi Omi- Ngiyafakasa, 0 Nkulunkuly wami, ukuthi longo mbali na ne, Omutenya. wangidala ukuthingikwazi, njalo ngikukhonze. Ongame otandi hempulula Kalunga Kandje, Ngiyafakaza kathesinje, ngingelamandla kuwe kutya ongoye wa shiti ndje ndi ku tseye ngame OMkhulu, ebumpofini bami lekunotheni ndi ku longele nokukugalikana. Otandi hemkwakho. pulula mpaka uunjengwi wandje moonkondo Akakho omunye UNkulunkulu ngaphandle dhoye noluhepo lwandje mUuyamba woye. kwakho. UnguMgcini eziNgozini UNgo- Kakuna Kalunga gulwe ponto yoye, Ongoy Ncedayo. Omukwathi muudhigu, Ongoye Omuyapuki. 724 T H E BAHA' PEDI (Northern Transvaal) SARA NGAMA (SAR) (Chad) Xore e rapelwe xa tee ka moraxo za masome Me guer go Allah yam, Kad yi rsm Kad a mabedi le mentso e mene ya di Iri, Xoba m'gukrio m'doi o. M'guer go rotam, tam ri wa mosexare o moxolo. togoum goto ngang Yai o, nd6 yam o i yan Ke nea bohlatse, 0 Modimo waka, xobane kingu6 Yai. 0 mpopile xore ke xo tsebe, Ke xo o khunamele. Allah krang ki toi goto, Yi nguC korjiko kem Ke ineela mo nakong e, bofokodi byaka yah ki madjal guetio, Yi kba tel roi yi Allah. maatleng a Xaxo, bohumanexing byaka Khumong ya Xaxo. Xaxo Modimo e mong xa SHONA (Mozambique, Rhodesia, Transvaal) e se Wena. Mothusi melekong, Wena E o tiileng. Ndinopupura, 0 Mwari wangu, kuti makandisika kuti ndimuzivei nokukunamatai. Ndine PHIKAHNI (Mozambique) umboo panguva ino, mukushaya simba kwan- Ndzi maha a fakazi, oh Xikuembu xa n~ina. gu nesimba Renyu, kuurombo hwangu nekuup- LeSuaku hambi leSui u ndzi Wumbeke aku ku fumi Hwenyu. tiva ni kuku khizamela. Ndzi maha fakazi hi Hakuna mumwe Mwari kunze Kwenyu xikhati xai Suobui. Agomeni la mina, mintan- Muhatsiri mumatambudziko, Uyo asingade wini yaWena.Aussiwaninila mina awumpfund- rubatsiro. zini la wena. Akuna Xikuembu xinwana handlhe ka wena SHUA (~otswana) mumpfuni wa tinkarhato ni nwinhi Wamintamu. Tse hu sere o k6 ta kd, ti TBra to, tsa ta 'a se nya aha, ti tsa 'a '5 na tsa 'a hyaii ma tia. Ta ke E (kama n //'au,ta ci o /hoatsa kari lhoa ta ye o RONGA (SHIRONGA) (Mozambique, Swazi- (hoatsa I/'ai Ihoa. land) TGra ka ny:e h:5 tsam se, Th6 ke hu 'a Ni hamba bumboni Oh! Sikwembu i'anga. kwhra kwe, /kdise hk'oE kwe. Legaku nambi leli uni bumbiki akuku tiba niku ku nkhinsamela, ni yents'a bumboni hi nkama SOMALI (Somalia) wa 50% agomeni danga ami ntanwini yaku, Waxaan marag ka ahay, Eebbow, inaad ii abusiwanini bya nga abu pfundini byaku. abuurtay aqoonsigaaga iyo caabudidaada. Akuna Sikwembu iimbe handle kwaku, Waxaan hadderba marag ka ahay tabarmupfuni wa ntikarato nwinyi wamintamu. darridayda iyo karitaankaaga, cayrnimadayda iyo hodanimadaada. RUNYORO RUTORO (Uganda) Eebbow, Ilaah kale majiro adiga mooyee, dhibkabixiye, weligijire. Nimpayo obukaiso, Ai Ruhanga wange, ngu niwe wampangire nkuramye kandi nkumanye, nindanga omukasumi kanu, mu bugara bwange SUKUMA (Tanzania) kandi mu buguuda bwawe. Nalinzunya, Bebe Mulugu wane, giki Busaho Ruhanga ondi, Kwihaho iwe wenka, ukanisumba nakumane Bebe na kukulemilija. Omukonyezi omukabi, Anyakwomeera. Dmzunya ung'wi ikanza ili, ubusunduhazu bone na kunzu jako, mubihabi bone na usabi boko Bebe. SANG0 (SANGHO) (Central African Re- Hatiho Mulugu ugi hambunu Bebe Nduhu public) Ng'wambilija wa Mayaga, Uyokikalaga Mu- Mbi y6kk tkmoin, 0 Nzapa ti mbi, biani Mo weyi Ng'wenikili. sala mbi, si mbi lingbi ti hinga Mo, ti vuro Mo, mbi fa sioni ti mbi na ngoi so na gbkli: Mo, passi timbinandoy6 ti Mo. SUTHO (SESOTHO) (Lesotho) Mbkni Nzapa nd6 ay6kk pCpC, gui Mo oko Ke paki, U Molimo oa ka, Uena U mpopet- Mo Jo ti bata ajo na ya ti ngangou, Mo yCkk seng hore ke be le tseho ea Hau, 'me ke U lakouk lakouk. khumamele. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 725 Kea itlhatlhoba, motsotsong ona, ho hlokeng KakuenaMuidi-Mukulumukuabo bu Wewe, matla hoaka ho Ea matla 'ohle, bofumeng M-Muambuluishi wa mu Dikenga, Nyeye udi ba ka ho earuileng tsohle. wikalaku anu Yeye-Nkayende. Ha ho Molimo o mong hape haese Uena, Mothusi litlokotsing, Ea iphelisang-ka- Boeena. TSWANA (CHUANAISETSWANA) ( ~ o t - swana) SWAHILI (East and Central Africa) Ke supa bopaki, 0 MOdimo wa me, gore ke Wena yo 0 ntlhodileng go Go itse le go G O Nashuhudia, Ewe Mungu Wangu, kwamba direla. Ke paka, mo motsotsong o', bokowa Wewe Umeniumba mimi kukujua Wewe na ba me go matleng a Gago, khumanego ya me kukuabudu Wewe. Nahakikisha, katika wakati go khumong ya Gago. huu, juu ya unyonge wangu na uwezo Wako, Ga gona ope o mongwe Modimo ga ese juu ya umasikini wangu na utajiri Wako. Wena, Mothusi mo Botlhokong, Motshidi ka Hakuna Mungu mwingine ila Wewe,Msaada Esi ba Gagwe. katika Mashaka, Aliyepo-Mwenyewe.
THEMNE (TEMNE) (Sierra Leone) TUMBUKA (CHITUMBUKA) (Malawi) I s3g maseri OKuru kami, mun3r~po b ~ m p a Nkucita wukaboni, A! Ciuta wane, kuti muli mi tak tara mu; yi kabatho mu rama lompi. I kundilenga ine kuti ndimumanyani imwe, na lans ka al3k3 aae. I teba aysths mi kA mun31) kumusopani imwe. Nkupanikizga panyengo kaba a f m : ka a m 3 n ~mami yi m u n ~ qka rayola iyi, kwambula nkongono kwane na kwa ramu. Ukuru ul3m 3yi yss3 thambe mun31).Ka nkongono zinu zikuru, ku wukavu wane na mar mi ka masibo, mun3g I yi gbora takbatho. kuwusambazi Winu. Kulive Ciuta munyakhe kweni ndinwe pera, TIGRINYA (Eritrea) Muvwiri muvisuzgo, Mul'io bamoyo Mwekha. 9 h ~ h f i e ! h d h r n 0 l hiPhfiOlr h ~ n d m C 0'l WAhC hMi: :: TwIIASHANTI (Ghana, Togo) W3b3saa mpaes yi daa awia nnsndu mmienu hfld h 9 1 ' ~ h h h : h l 5 T e l fie& ne dmko ntam. PSI: A h l f e l Yfltlil h L j t f t :: "0me Nyame, medi adansee ss Woab3 me ss menhu Wo na mensom Wo. Medi adanses f l u fin0 L4h: fl7dh CkhR )I? seesei ss menni aho3den biara na Wo des Woys )flC: OAh h$4fi 4hl :: Otumfo3, medi hia buroburo na Ways cdefo3. Onyame fofor:, biara nni h3 ka Wo ho, 3haw TONGA (CHITONGA) (Zambia) mu Boafo3, Wo na wote Wo ho ne Was?." Ndime kamboni mwami Leza wangu, kuti wakandilengelakuti nkuzibealimwinkukombe. !xO (Botswana) Ndazumina cino ciindi kuti ndimuteteete web0 N I e Ku-Je, ma Il'ha ka g Ilkqon li te: jnga ndiwe singuzu, mebo ndimucete pele web0 ndi lnga i- Iga. Ma Il'ha cen kona /I'a: t e : (nga ulimuvubi. ih Il'ha ka kona li te: Inga, m ll'hf~ cen la Kunyina umbi \Leza zunze kwako ndiwe t'hani lui te: /ngaih ]/'haka la t'hani (I'alite: mugwasyi mumapenzi esu, ulapona muku- Inga. yanda kwako. Ku-$e te'e nll'a ka le ! 'an ti, ah'a: kan lgttbi uhi :, ah'a: !ngoa ka tam. TSHILUBA (Zai're) Ndi njadika, Wewe Mvidi-Mukulu wanyi, ne wakamfuta bua kukumania ne bua kuku- XOSA (!XHOSA) (Botswana) tendelela. Ndi njadika mu tshitupa tshihi emu, Ndiyangqina 0 Thixo warn ukuba unbufuba buanyi ne bukole Buebe, bupele didalele ukuba ndikwazi ndikunqule. Ngako buanyi ne bubanji Buebe. oko ndiyangqinisisa ngalo eli thuba ngokunga- 726 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D binamandla kwam, nobungangamsha Bakho, hundo a bolo lo lungo yo, Kuko nala na a gala ngobuglwempu bam, nangobutyebi Bakho. nitiko. Akukho Thixo ngaphandle kwakho Oluncedo emngciphekweni Ozimele ngokukokwakhe. ZULU ( ~ ~ ~ofsouth ~ b ~l fi ~ i ~ ~ ) Ngi yafakaza, Nkulunkulu wami ukuthi ungidalele ukuba ngi kwazi nokuba ngi Ku ZANDE (Sudan, ZaiZe) konze. Ngi ya qinisa, kulo mzuzu, ukuthi angi Mi ni gamu bolo, ai Mboli, wa ma vungule namandla wena u namandla onke, nokuthi tipa hinolo, tipa hilisolo. Mi idi, ti ku logbo le ngimpofu mina u cebile Wena. gimi nangala na gamu ngulu, gimi lungo na Amukho omnye u Nkulunkulu ngaphandle gamu hiliso. Kwakho, U wu Msizi e ngozini, U zimele ngo Meinongo kula Mboli balo 'te, Kuko na Kwakho.
T H E AMERICAS AGUARUNA (Peru) ARAWAK (N. Gciyana, Surinam) WIRJAf ETSEGNUNUK, MlNA APUJU, EME- A baa bekotoi gia ka de Wathinathie hie wa MATJITI W A IT U KT U SA M N AJA T UAWA IT AN maritana da de dei thien bia be nang da DUWI. sika da-ka-ke-wa gowe babong. Tataa-go da- WfTJAI CHICHAGKAGTINUK YA BAISH- mOng ka sjoko dja r o w , bee wa abo-na, KAM, AME SENCHIJUM SUGUSBAWA DUWI YABAIK A GKAN PUJAJAI. matho damoeneka dja ko mahto baboewa TIKICHIKAMEAIBAUKATSAWAI,ISHAMA- djako. Abathie go sabona, Adajaali bie rong INUMVAIJATMAINUK, AMEKETNIE PUJUT kie, bie rong kie boeroewata na ma da de SUKAGTINMEX. damoeneka loko de bie rong kie.
ALEUT (Cyrillic script) (Alaska, Aleutian Is.) ARHUACO (Panama) ', Matuni gukui naji Ghalaghwasha ma HMHHA a w a a p w y a ~ K naghwamalC L ma natunanamighzeja(y adorarte) NZ. A r h E I 2 THMZ matuni gukwa ghaika gwasu nituku, ma THI-la ARAThAklXZ KAt-OXL HMMNA ghamamekwa ya daznada nashi dazna ghawia, K a M r n ~ n ~ aAnt , racbMa M- ayzc nadaki ya Ghalaghwasha yonagholija +&Hi5 C 4 N q Z T W ~ H & ~ ~ C ~ H ~niashi H - yonghwapa. ~ A ~ XAKATAK~KHHZ E K~MXZ K A MMtIWA A W ~ N ~ X Z aHhH7r ATHABASCAN (Ft. Yukon dialect) (Alaska, N HA KWW~FHCT~C~K~KHH B Canada) KAtOXz S ~ K ~ C ~ H A H Z I * Osi vittekueichanchyo, netitinihsha, Nit tsut. Kititihchya tenitenitutula Kenjit, kuikit sidhatsei choog. Tzut-nilcueinidhut. Sut tei, Kkuea ei tzut. Sinersitkwichachyo, nitsi, nichile Kitinichi. Nekhe, vittekwichanchyo Koolikkua, nunrzi, kookontrhi. Tei, kwutsut thitihndul. Kokwadhun. APACHE (United States) Bik'eguindan ne na sha; Bilieguindan nibika' ATHABASCAN (Kutchin dialect) (Alaska) nshin2ti, negusli, ashi ni clii itedishdlii binka. Set kekwadhut nitsut kthutkikhechya kenjit Dakugu adishdi, shi shin dzileyaedi. Ndi ni sidhantsei kkashudei. Ako nun nuttie kooli. dzileguli, shi te'nsijne, aku ndi yat'a diyj diKe She suttei kkwa Ako nitkwikhele kooli. Ako niZ shi jash. Na'shi duhan kat'd biliegu dahin- she kettun tesichya ako nekhe kekwadhut dada, dandina nikegu dahinda, naicliudanne. kooli kkwa. Nunrsi kukootri tei. Kwutsut Ha'a duguzhuda a agut'egu dandi nik'eguinda. trikhendul kindhun. BAHA'I BIBLIOGRAPHY 727 AYMARA (Bolivia,Peru) CHAHUANCO (CHIRIGUANO) (Bolivia) Nayaj unjtua, Dios tatay, Jumau lurista Che aicua ma che Tumpa, de che apoaba nayaru jumar uiithaiiataqui yupaychaiia- rocua baera jare romboete baera. Che aicua ma taquimpi. Nayaj unjtua anchichaj chamama, aiia ve che chepuer6a coba jar6 depuere, che nayanja unjasiractua jan chamanit uca, Nayaj cheparabete jare. De denbaeyecou. Baetij imru unjtua anchichaj juman utjatama nayanstijan Tumpama Degiii ba, Poromborij icabibaepeba, utjataja. jare iyeu guiiio oicoba. Janiu yaka Diosanacasti ujquiti juma sapaquitahua, jumahua yanaptirita taque jan hualinacana, jumahua utjta juma pachpata. CHEROKEE (Unitedstates)
BAURE (Bolivia) Di reshitou, to vekiyir, piti kem shokovi DB EhEI2 hEJl I&? h DPPIZT. DB 8:1:fhEE0HIT, h a CfhEE BhEb. DS DYBiT. h A V 0 T G I.11 BhEb. kesko vichipti ash vekiyichip. Di reshirou t 6 S p,lJpg.AY hSf CltAC;: nerekike, doka nas6 rejen ash piti aserokon, di DS oSyEbSm hSiT DS hAAyT. pohour (o povor o pubor) ash piti k6tiron. h.4 Cttr DfSSfd;c: Do kat kap6np6u ponshohue piti. Piti as inkorobi ash chapchovi doka kansBrpou tikuer ti. CHIPPEWA (Woodlands dialect) (Canada, United States) BRIBRI (Costa Rica) Neen dibaindaun kikaindamowin 0 neend YERUR BEBIKETSU BERO YE SIBU ECUEKY Gitche Manitou, tchi keen ge gezhetod neend BETUYEYU EDIRIRSU EBIKETSU YE WAS- tchiway kikaindjigay keen gahyay tchiway CHEN Y YERURETA YE QUE DIRIRCHETA, aunamiaytahwah keen, Neen megiway debaud- BERCHE TAIE YE SIORARA BE BURU TAIE ER jimowin, tchigayi m ~ h n d a n ningopassang- KIO QUE SIBU SCATU BE IMEKE YISCATU waubiwin, tchiway neen kawween gashkiyay- YE1 SKIMENE ISURUETA IERBI IBUBRABA wisiwin gahyay tchiway ke mashkauwisiwin, IEBUSCO IBUBRABA. tchiway neend kitimaugisiwin gahyay tchiway ke dauniwin. Eemahgay kauwsen bahkaun CARIB (MORENO/GARIFUNA) (Belize, Gitche Manitou, anishaydask keen, wido- Nicaragua, Honduras, Venezuela) kaugaywin pindje bapinisiwaugan, tebinahway Au pu'uneauwa. 0 Lloso kttrtt, amoro aupidanisiwin yegibimadis. puascanenpo amoro mana adupu'ustoome erome oseguachoome. Au pu'uneauwa co'ollene Bropo, au piorksmaba Brome amoro ttt CHOCO (CHOCOE) (Colombian) (Colombia) paripiin, au poreauwa Brome amoro ttt cabal- Mi marchi, en bera, ma criabua ma criama lero. tachi afuni. mi marchi empera muena, quema Lla'aba Lloso amu batttman abiiioscopore, quinupineabua mu trua, paratani quinu emabapune llapiopttnta adasta, amantoto aseque pera patabarabia. tachi sese audubua, care tu cuguentarttmue. facia pea bodota tachi sese ituba bua.
CARIB (Galibi dialect) (French Guiana) AOU SOUGOUCA TAMOUCHI, TWUE GAS- (CHOCOE) (Panamanian) (Panama) CHOC~ SER 0 OIR OIR A YOU OUCOUTOMER MEN- Miiira testigua tayhi Ancore bedea devena GAR 0 SE OIRTIOMER. biiia odavera injasita biii cavavai carea y biii AOU SOUGOUCA ET LOU MELO, AOU careatriabaya. PALIPEOIR A YOU ABOROT MENGAR QUAD- ~ u testigua i ~ enda fuerza nee ~ nahua AMADOR A YOU OIR BOROT RICHEMINS. A MOEIR OU R TE LA PAS'MENT TAMOUCHI buimina buira necua biiimina, pobre biiimina A OIR LA NO COLAT DANDER DA A YOU y buira nejoma iri biiimina, Dayhi Ancorera ~ANPAMANOLANT, MANCOLOT c O M 0 M I N - ababuiri bui umera neea, Tayhi care bavarira POENT OA ASSEQUERO. porque buiabira pueabiri joma mana biiibera. 728 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
CREOLE ( D U ~ C (SRANANG ~) TONGO) 5r 7nc, 8 d~ L ,JQC d (Surinam) A L f l L A - d ~ J rJ n C b f L c - Mie e kotoigie-o mie Gado-datie Joe C bc<' A b r p i )J ~ > n mekie mie foe sabie en aanbedjie Joe. Mie e QLa b r r b ADc AbcJ - 3 1 kotoigie na tapoe na momenti diesie, mie zwatjie en Joe maktie, mie potiefasie e n Joe ESKIMO (Keewatin) (Canada) goedoe. No wang tra Gado no de lekie Joe, na Helpiemaqg ini notoe, na Wang-Die-De- Na-Hing-Srevie.
CREOLE (Haitian) (Haiti) Moin temoin, 0 mon Dieu, que ou Cree um pou moin reconnait ou, pou moin Adore ou, moin gin conscience ya de impuissance moin avec pouvoir, grandeur ou et richesse ou tou. ESKIMO (Kobuk dialect) (Alaska) Pa gin lot bon Dieu cancou ou, ce ou qui Ookauheieah, aungayootmang, eilvich einiksecouri nan tout mauvais moment ce Ou qui taheima eilichoheilotin sooli.pikhaheitcoplotin. fort passe tout. Ookauheieach ahkoovuk syaktoiliah sungeepnune; nohleiliah oomalholiknune. Autlamik CUNA (KUNA) (Colombia, Panama) aungayotachuke ahvatipcoon, ekahyokti nuvaynami, engmik pityi. Be nuga an nudakedi, Be an Baba, Pe pinsadi anudakkgala. Pe purba anualicigwa, perguinanmala an bendake. Pe purba anse FLATHEAD (CHEYENNE) (Unitedstates) ogiiaegala, neitirpimakar abdaibugua. Pe do Quin Kolinstuten, lu ti1 Anawee U ko di napiraguad tule tumad, percuable per car- kolintwhu lu que ks soohum U que ks putenem. madi. Ku yes konkonstinum yetilwha lu ye ti1 eas s.hopt U jasyoyit, U ye ti1 eas konquint U jas DIEGUENO (KuM-Y~Y)(UnitedStates) s.koyoleewhu. Nei mat-5-k6ndp, 0 Myhi, Ne5-pdw Tat suewet wes olkosheetums oopen es we-dw Whiz kch-pie WhE. ~ e mat-e-ken6p i olkosheetwhu lu es yapastenee. Lu ta epl nei-p&l sph-miuw ~ y h qugw-tie, i ti-pdl chinaks Kolinstuten, e.chimish Anawee. ~ h y nned wu quan-a-wikh quaw-tie. N E mg-eye ~ n t i mkch t5-pa mguw ~ y h i GUAJIRA(Colombia, Venezuela) shyn, M y h i nfi-ik ~ k m b en ~ dwfi M&-lie Tatuja auch, pi8 Maleiwaa, piain ainjin taya me-tdy-ydm, Yike nB ~ i t c h - ~ ~ ~ h S w . zupula terrajuin pi8 ma aijachin tapula pi8 Tatuja auch jolucho, marchin taya ma piainja ESKIMO (Barren Lands) (Canada) katchin, mulieshtaya rjuma piainja washirin. Uvanga qauyititsivunga tapsuma Gutip Nojoish wan6 maleiwa makaika pi& ja makai sanala ursimamanga imminik qauyimaqupluni jumuin ekai mojuin mukuwaipa,' chi ekai tugsiavigiqublunilu. Tukisititsivungalu mana- numuinwa. mit pitguniqanginimnik tapsuma pitguniqaninganut, akslunimnutlu aksluinirnut. GUARANI (Argentina,Brazil, Paraquay) Asingnik Gutitaqangilaq igvit kisiuit, ikayuqta.uyargiaqaniptinit ilingnit ayugaqangitu- She aikua'a she TupB, Nde she jap6 hagiie, mit. roikua'a hagua, haro Tupa'itu hagiia. Aikua'a avei koaga, la she kangy ha, ha Nde, ESKIMO (Eastern Arctic Syllabics) (Canada) Nde mbaretLha, Ha she Mboriahu, ha Nd, Nde riko ha. >+DL, JnLc, 5ccPLAL bD- Ndai pori ambu7Cishagiia,Randejara, Nde PLLibdan DCs- l2 Q ~ D d d l iioite pytyvohara roimC va'i javC, Nde iioite D ~ D - Lac P5c) L b C L f a f ~ , reiko Nde jeheve. B A H A ' ~B I B L GUAY Mf (Panama) tami iilmengen, iiiche weshachegen. Ngelai ka Ti es gade, Oh Niibii tigiie! MaguCs ti miga Nganechen Eimi maten, kellukelu kuiiin men, ni ttiba Madrugai gade ti-e. But8 tigiiC es kishu mogelnieulu. matarkde. Ti-e gade meguare. Ti til brai matii cribida. Ti tabre riqueza mahii6 biita. MATACO (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay) NfibC~mtida iiacarr. Ohap okalethtayajwo, oka Dios, Ta Am ta Mabe itibC ma ara dB migaga ma ara ni noba enekno yamlek otajwueth amej wet ochaame. bidiga. Ohap okelethtayajwo hapet atana ta tek okajiiayaj ihi wet Am akajnayaj, hap opatht- HAIDA (Alaska, Canada) seyaj wet Am aniyatyaj. Hlaa, weiyat suus uu dii dung Tl'aahlaany; Tsi tek iche eth Dios thamet Am, o-eth ta eihl uu saa dungeng dii guudengaan. Uhl lchote ta owitay ihinya, o-eth Tek latunjwuagiisluu wy'aat tlii dii zaagaas k'an uu, is siis ihi. dii k'ungisgdygaas k'ang tlii dung iitlaa gadaas. Dung sq&n nuueitl dung klaaiidunggung. MAYA (Lowlands) (Mexico) - - Dung kil Eihl ging gets sqwaagu saang. Ten ilk, oh, in Jajal-Dios, tech dzaen yolal in kajoltquech yolal kulquech. Ten ilae ti JICAQUE (Honduras) junzutaj, minaan in muk, tech6 yan a muk, i 0 Dios Mand! An timnon ni na maya, otzilen; teche ayiklech yetel yacunail. Minaan si suanda was ten iga. Po qui noi es sun. Dios, u laak Jajal-Dios, chen tech, tech ca antaj can te qua la ti way, na polra monse sa a ti qui Dios anac baa1 kaz, cu cuxtal chen leti. pa ha li cum. Pan u hay Dios, in oy le Dios, un ving baten Dios. MAYA/QUICHE (GuatemaZa) In xin wi16, oh nu Dios, chi ri at xinaq'uisaj LOUCHEUX (Alaska, Canada) rech quin weta'maj awach y quin lok'ok'ej Sit ve tte kwut cha chyoo nya le sen dei ako awach Weta'am quin ri camic ri' na c'o ta ri nit tsut ki le ti chya choog. Kwe tha zit te let ti nu chok'ab y ru, nimal ak'ij ri at, ri nu meba'li nja. Sit tei kkwa, kwit zit nun nit chi tei, sit in ri ak'inomal ri at. ne rsil kwit cha chyoo kwi zit. Ako nit kwit Maj jun chi Dios xew ri at, at ri cat tob pa ri chilee chi zyoo kkwa nun zi. jun c'ax, y ri ca c'aslic chi rilic rib. Vitte kwit cha chyoo kouko nyoo, kwut tsut tri chi ili. MICMAC (Canada) Oeligtjitjito, 0 NISGAM, Gil gisiitepotjit MACHIGUENGA (Peru) gisi nenolin a gepmitelmolin. Oelnimito, enge Naro noncamantaqueteria, Aparioshi, cami- asma, nin mnagbtim ag Gil migignbtim, ctitaqeria Viro pitomidakena narunocama nineolegeagnin ag Gil milsotim. Mo eimog taqueri narotaqui noneaquitbmbira y nunga- piloei Nisgam pasig Gil tan Apognimasoti magitaqukmbira Viro.PineaquCnarioca maicca metoegigtog ag Gil laptjoei. teranagabe pagabeaquena teranonsanmaite Viro pashe. MOHAWK (Canada, Unitedstates) Mameri pashiniacparioshi payoyabisaquiviro irirori ymectacutaqueri notsaroganaque, Wa-geh-ni-wha-gwa-risi, Ook Niyo, Neh Ihse iriori ictimira por irirori. da-ka-dis-son ne a-gon-yen-dC-rih-hok ta-non dk-gon-non-wha-ra-don-sek.wa-geh-ri-wha-nirot, nook-non-wa, ji-niah-teh-geh-suts-teh ta- MAPUCHE (Argentina, Chile) non Ihse, ji-ni-seh-sots-tens-seh-ro-waneh, ji- Ngillatun raiigiii antii men. ni-wa-ki-den ta-non ji-ni-sah-gwe-nya-tsa-ro- Iiiche waldagun, Eimi Nganechen, Eimi wa-nen. Ihya-gonega oya ne niyo nCok Ihse, tremiimen tami kimafiel tafiigillatuael. Iiiche ne-gah-yeh-na-wa-tsCrB neh-yo-da-ri-hok, newalda~unfeula tami newegen, ifiche yafuiigelin; ihse sa-ri-wha-gwa-noh. MOSKITO (MISKITO) (Honduras, Nicara- k'erika eska cha, emagga jarhoajpka erJga gua) kanikua uetarhijka, emarjga jarhajka mentku Won la1 kat praiska : i s i najkiru no nema jarhoataka. Yang witnisna 0 God man yangra paskatma man kaikaia bara man mayunaia. Yang nan PAPIAMENTO (Spanish Creole) (Aruba, witnisna naha pyua sip apia kapri bara man Bonaire, Cura~ao) karnikamra; yang umpira lakasna bara man ailalka. Mi ta doena testimonio, o mi DIOS, coe Bo Bahara God apusa man bamansma. Help a cria mi pa mi concoe Bo y pa mi adora Bo. Patra, ba mita witin Selp rayasa. Mi ta testigo na e momento aki di mi flaqueza y di Bo poder, di mi pobreza y di Bo rikeza. No tin ningun otro DIOS, sino Bo, e auxilio MOTILON (Colombia, Venezuela) den Peliger, Esun coe ta subsisti di su mes. Aue cut& Papachi yupune, amo sanuta tacomena centopo yopone, aue cut& amicha yarsna i muquepe, aue camisique i amo PUKINA (Bolivia) apenyontaca. Wertre Yooz distike amchuaweke pachamke Guaneque conipa Papachi, cumarco Papachi paj zapa, amkin Mayziz zapa, anzchiruktra tee agiieyabo a'n'tace anipape guaneque yontaca. urake, wuer am azizaricha, wer anachullchica, amke thapa chulltakchichmcha, mazek yakha MOTILON/YUKPA (Colombia, Venezuela) Yooz zallzzie, yanapt'icha anawalinakista, amzestra personkistra. Aunene, 01 Ctimoco, ottncat auyttne dope oyenepe, aapera ayampo auya tbcshinco. Aunene, jearketku, yoitpai auvia, amor- QUECHUA (Bolivian) (Bolivia) cotipshin, aumerejera'yi amori mavarejaapera Nocca ricuni Diusniy, Wiraccocha ccan ma. jatarichihuanqui rejsinasuypaj y munacundloco mak ambroco olmak, Cttmoco asuypaj; nocca ricuni cunanpacha, juchuy tocshinco, blok oy6merucan6 cup8tu6coy0, casccaita, jatun cascaikita, huajcha casccaita, toapanoperam. kapaj casccaikita. Mana huaj Dius Wiraccocha canchu ccan NAVAJO (Unitedstates) kikin, sajrapi yanapaj ccan raicu ccansapa. Diyin Shitaa' Niniljni shil beehozin 6i alhinahodiilzjih biniighC ashijnlaa Bad06 Niji' QUECHUA (Ecuadorian) (Ecuador) sodiizin do. T'aa k'ad bee haszii', haala shich'v nahwii'na a$doo Ni t'6iya Nidziil, te'C'i Ruca dius tistigu cani iiucaman viiiachisshidaah ndahkai aadoo Ni t'6iya t'aa altsoni cangui Canman sirvingapa alabaringapa. Tis- Ni holo. tigu cani cay ratuta iiuca, mana ushay cani, T'aa Ni t'eiya Alaadi Diyin nili haala Canmi tucuy ushay Cangui, iiuca pubri cani nihich'i' nahwiilna'igii t'aa' iinilisin, Hoo1'- Quiquin chari cangui Mana Tianpash shug gag66 HonilQ. Dius ashta yali hurmana huraspi yanapangui Canmandallatami causangui.
O T O M ~(Mexico) Teroxukua jurhiatijua: QUECHUA (Peruvian) (Peru) Ji testigueska, oh juchiti tata diosi, eskarini Noqan yachani, D osniy, qampaq kanat'u kueraska parakini mitini ka k'eri arnbe waskayquita recsinaypaq, yupaychanaypac. arhinguini. Ji testigueska ia iasi, juchiti Yachanitaqui kunan pachapi, nana atiyniyoq jukaparhakueri ka chiti uirjapikueri para qqaskayta, qampaq jatun atiyniyoq kaskayta, iamindu arnbe uni, juchiti komu jaqgueri ka no waqcha kaskayt, kcapaq cayniquita. ma jatsikuarhikueri ka chiti kanikua jakapar- Manan joc Diosniy kanchu qanmanta hakueri jimbokari iamindu ambe jatsiska. astawan nana allinkunamanta yanapaqniykun, No jarhasti materu tata diosi erjga sanderu qqanllan Diosniy kausanqui qqanllamanta. B A H A ' ~BIBLIOGRAPHY 73 1 SALISH (Puget Sound dialect) (United States) Yasu tata a. De-aygue de-quiran cuantuchii mbia chii. Tendam fiandeiiti taua de-aygue ch86 w 7astdildxw Ead, Saq -- - dxw?al chaura nyebe eirache6 rache-equia d6jera si7ab, dabad w k i t(u)&shuyuc dxw7al k i gwadsas(h)ay- denin-gue Dios-ra. d u b 2 d . gWal ?askwadicut kwi gWadsiiwit De-aygue che6 dea-catura. dxw7al dagWI7. lacut Ead 7al ti3a7 7al ti x Wi7 gWadsqWiGW 71 t(i) adsgwa? g s q w i h w ,dxw7al SUMO (Honduras, Nicaragua) tiva(7) dsas?u~ababdxwil ?i t(i) adsgwa? Matu nakkat prernias : ?i+qah. xWi7 kwi balali? S a q &b dxw7al Yang witninis yang Papahnki yang yamus dagwi7, dxwskwaxwaxw Val s ~ a k i l , kwi ?a naman yang matilik- man kul makulnini. ckwaqid ?asvista. Akaminit yang witninis yang sip awas sai yangki man paun makaupak sipki, yang minikun yangkat man yankli mankat. SAULTEAUX (Canada, UnitedStates) Papahn ukdiska man waliki, patkaupa ilk Gee Kayne dah mah zon, Ke shay Manito, maiataman, witin silp sanka litki. che ke kayne ne me nan, Shegwah che mah wim we to nan, Che mean e go e ze yan.Che ke kayne ne me nan ke kaye da ma zon ke zong e ze win TACANA (Bolivia) she quah neen aye pee chee nay sou e ze yan, He marda mi que testigo, oh mia dada shegwa ka a pe chee we note e ze yun. She gwah Diushu, mia dada ve peitia Diushu eshenapa neen a p e chee ke tee mak e ze anne. puji. He marda mi que testigo ye orashu mi Keen aye ta go ka Manito win, ka we che que poder mi que impotencia, que ma puri que tas so win, Apee saig e ze an, kah ke kay kah ah ma mi que riqueza. Hay ma ve pia Diush6, mi ya yin. dabai ejejefia, mi dabai Diushu ejejeiia.
SHOSHONE ( UnitedStates) TEWA (Santa Clara Pueblo) (UnitedStates) NEH 0 0 - K O 0 TI SOOM BADUGH UPEH Naa o toh ne (Nave Taa jo sii) (Hay ti) UU SOOK DA-MEH UH NO-MEH NIP-H ~ M E H Ti Te PAA Na wi TAAE UU He-ta wi Jo sii DA-MEH SOOM BA-DO-H KHANDO-H ~ M E H DA-MEH OIYOS NA-NEH SHOON-DI KHAN- a mi tee (naa o TUUNI) (Naa bo) Navi Ka DOH. NEH UGI-I SOOKA DA-GWATS, NEH WI-H bi ni gati He taUUVE(Kaa-in ga ta)NaveCHE GA HEENA MA-BA-NI-WI-H UNEH WI-H DA- Biin in gata He ta uuvi CHE IN GATA wiaa wi MEH GOO-PANDH, WI-HU DA-MEH DIH TIH na aan pi wi Taa jo sii UU TAH; KHA GA HAUNC ~ M E HWI-HU DA-MEH OYOI-DEH- TE Di Khun WO DATE Wi boh gi moi. WHUP. ~ N E HWI-HU DA-MEH UPEH GA- DEAS 0 0 - A H NEESH DA-MEH UPEH BI-H ONEH. WI-DU DA-MEH BOONIH UPEH, DA- TLINGIT (Alaska, Canada) MEH DELI-MA-21-DH DIH TIH DA-MEH N A XAT YEEKAXNEEK AX DIKEE ANKOW Y O 0 KHANC OIYO-GOOS HE-INH GOO-PAS NANA- XATYEEKLEEYETK EE KASAKOOWOO EE YA s o o - w o o GINDH. SCHKAKAWK. XAT YEEKAXNEEK YA YEE- DAT KLETH XAT OOTSEEN KA YEE KLITH- SEENA, KA XAT KANISHKEEDEI, KA YEE SIOUX (UnitedStates) ANKAW. Wakan Tonka mitawa slol ceye na ceyo WE EE CHEEKLEINAK DIKEE ANKAW YEE onihau kta ca maya gage. SITEE KA YEE YEDASHEE. KA CHEEWEAH- Mahon ke sni na neye ni waski, onma si he na SKEEDANEEK. naye nejinca, lel owape hin el epin kte. Okokipe na ni som onyanki yapi, Wakan TOBA (Argentina) Tonka ni some towa wi sin. AQem naq'tananeq, oh Yalamxiit' ~ i o s ye , 'am apem ad'onataq savotaique da 'am savat'- SIR ION^ (Bolivia) ton qataq' shioqden. Saq'taxan vetoigui nagui EBii aba ch66 dau ch6C. Sa dau abatu ch66, da iqaulaxa qataq' da ad'amxaq', Qachoqyic ima-ch% chiian Sande imachCB chian Sande. qataq' da ad'sallxi. 732 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D Qaica ca Iya Dios napacaleq' 'am, Rimaye emporitoorico. Cabe intok Dios, ju Ileaniame, detaunaxan da souqapoigui ca lchic, Rimaye enpo jibapo be chiibo jiapsa. qaica ca iben'a.
YARURO (Venezuela) TRINITARIO (MOXOS) (Bolivia) Dademene kone. Dademene kone kodB uni Nuti nechoyore, oh Viya, piti pepyakno'i optea. Men6 cua ja no re derr6r dabaicreine. tayC'B nimotviraviyre ene njiruchviyre. Necho- Dabaicreine cua jAmene dBrrEr. ~ a i c r udkrcre e v6yre t6 fuiti naripu tahina ntumayvina. Ene uchercre. Guardemercre gua~nerene cherepiti tumevijch'i, nuti p6vrCno 6ne piti ricovi'i. guimerenene, ABme vBi optkdi kanCmedi Nahina ponena Viya' pkevorichu piti, optaedi. Optaedi da jua di chi cua. p'ayudachvokowi tB' to vyatahibono, Bma Optaedi da diu di que juing. makC-vorichu kjowrikowri.
ZAPOTECA (Mexico) Y A Q U (Mexico) ~ NAQUE TESTIGU SHIOSE, YEB LU BAS LA Lutacateco : N A H R E TE GUMBE, C H AN E L AZ SE YEBLU. Inapoone testico in Dios, enpoone yoturiac NAKQUE TESTIGU NAH SHTEN YEL GU, paqukne enchitallane. Paquete enchiwatane. BIH'N, SHTEN YEL NAZAK. Inapone testico en lautipo, caemo beki jume Ruti steh dad loh yeb lu, ni rak ne nu re che in uteim caen utean bequi impovea poovetana ca-yac nadzin, ni nabahn shteb tis.
ASIA AGUSANON (AGUSAN) (Philippine Islands) mananabang sa tanan capiligrohan cag ang Ako motindog nga saksi, oh akong Dios, nga mainantuson. Ikaw nagbuhat kaniko para magkila kanimo hasta magsimba kanimo. Ako mosaksi ini do- ANTIQUERO (Philippine Islands) on, sa ako pagka wa do-oy gahum, sa akong May pag testigo aco, 0 Guino-o co, nga icao pagkapobre, hasta sa ako bahandi. Wa nay lain ang nag himo canacon para mag quilala iban Dios kondiIkaw, ang panabang sa kalisud, canimo, cag mag amp0 sa atubang mo. Nag ang nagkaugalingon nangabuhi. testigo aco sa sining momento, sa acon caluya cag sa imong ca cusog, sa acon ca pobrehon cag sa imong manggad. AKLAN (Philippine Islands) Wara ron it iba nga Dios con indi icao, May pagtestigo aco, 0 Guino-o, nga Icao ro mananabang sa tanan capilogrohan cag ang nag him0 cacon para magquilala kimo cag mag mainantoson. amp0 sa atubang mo. Nagtestigo aco sa sining momento, sa acon buya cag sa imong ng ca cusog, sa acon ca pobrehon cag imong mangad. ARABIC Owa lon it ibang imong Dios con indi Icao, Seep. 717.
ARMENIAN B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y ASSAMESE (Northeast India)
BAGOBO-GUIANGAN (Philippine Islands) BAHASA BADJAO (Philippine Islands) Monna 0 nama ko, ngo poggali no ogo para Aku makasaksi, Ya Tuha ku, dah bay kohaddon asta nikko. Mallo-o kloni mismo hinang aku ni katoo-nan maka ni duwaahan. ngo hago lomilomit nikko keng kollos, ngo Aku nulay ma kadjapan iti ni kalunaan maka ogo keng kaayo-ayo, hikko keng malikoddo ni karniskinan ku maka dayan. anda ottad ngo nama, hikko na eng kotawang Mahananiya saddi Tuhan suga siga nabang neng hirap eng boy-yottow neng naw-wo mo. ma kalaatan Kaulluman.
BENGALI (Bangladesh)
BHOJPURI (India) BIDAYUH (Sarawak) t $mWI M g l Ba m? f~a k r t t+$ Aku jaji saksi ndug tanpa aku, akam mbuh s r r i h e t ~ ~ t ~ ~ q ~ w t d ~ r a supaya ngundah ~ a waku~ empuan akam serta lalu nyembah akam. Aku besaksi ndug iti seh, t~ gs 8if W,FI 7575 n;it f?; rs Bwfa ~ t ; i f minan semoa pengurang kuasa aku ndug semoa wr mat B s7w wv rs flaw a ~ jtr~q i pengagah akam, serta dingan pinyiranta aku ~ T Wwfa B m a 47a ~1912 rs 313 m q dengan pingiraja akam. 8? 819797 W v I Anyap tanpa da bekun masu akam, pinulung masa susah, pinulung adup. nhn h 6ty h t;ut $E s.rsrnr 353 I g$t a m d m B ar7-1-r arr mf3-ii-r BILAAN (Philippine Islands) BICOL (BIKOLANO). (Philippine . -- Islands) Fnanglut go 0 Duwata na ge i ftabo deg na Nagpapatotoo ako, Q Dios ko, na linalang mimo deg agmade ge na mangamfo de ge. Mo ako na mamidbid Ika asin sambahon Ika. Gade go de kagkahon ani de klande gnagan go, Nagpapatotoo ako, sa oras na ini, sa pagka dai dee de akgaganam de kablasok go na dee de ko nin kapangyarihan asin sa Saimong Kusog, kalgadom. Lande dame Duwata ko la,lohge de sa sakuyang kadukhaan asin sa Saimong lande sen kafyem na tabongam di kat sato de kayamanan. gami. Dai nin ibang Dios iundi Ika, an Tabang sa Peligro, an Mismong Nagdadanay. 734 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
BUKIDNON (Philippine Islands) BURMESE (Burma) Testigosan ko, 0 Magbabaya ko, ha iyan ka q c a 9 E a ~ o q ~ q 3S : ~ E CI S C J & . ~ ~ + ~ : nigtul-tul kanak ho pagkilala imo daw pagn ~ $ y hca ~s,&.$? c c 5m sm3,q$ m&$.sm5~3: simba imo. Matun-an ko ha laus taini ha gutloa ha hura ko agkabaloy daw sa gahum no, sa (o 4 ;o E: sm 5 y 3 $$ ~ qb$ dcu $ II LU 3 m 3 m-3 ka pobre ko da sa Bahandi no. 3 0 6 ~ 3 mb&cm5CF %@&: gE.agEaf ahQr Hura un lain ha Magbabaya; kodi Ynaka, magbubulig ho Katalagman; nagkinaugalin- r m 5 q 9 E: I mb$. 5 f a E: 6: d: 6: gun-ho Pagpanginabuhi. 96. s p e d b60 c 9 q 9 : b&: ? q & : I 0 5 3 jJ
CAMBODIAN (KHMER) (Khmer Republic) n i ~ ~ q ~ : ~"Bi ~ ei H~ gi n r q l n~n:rrpmstlt$n8 i~i ricljql ~w I
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CEBUANO (CEBUANO/VISAYAN) (Philip- CHHATTISGARHI (India) pine Islands) t 917 YWTT, af<=q 917 wrg ~ F f~ T q$=s Saksihan ko, 0 Diyos ko, nga Ikaw mao ang naglalang kanako sa pag-ila Kanimo ug 4ar mrit a h r sfear3 a r f a ~a 3 7 a77 qar pagsimba Kanimo. Matud-an ko niining "t "rrfa~1 4 a qm 8 3Ta qTqa zlq f* qfT rn gutloa, sa akong kawalay mahimo ug sa Imong 3~ mzha'f 7;; $ afg- ;aT a i m i s r ~ grnq I 8 whom, sa akong kakabus ug sa Imong 3 ~ ~3a ~ q$q d ~ W 3T gq7 EFT I?iv bahandi. Wala nay laibg Diyos kondili Ikaw, ang &~ 7 VT~ 3vm~445 B I cmq
tabang sa katalagman, ang Nagkinaugalin- 33T 5" rn *T zhT Bzha mT crnq gong-Pagkinabuhi. afci;a mi J ~ Tf q m ~gma I
CHINESE (Hokkien dialect) 736 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
CUYUNIN (Philippine Islands) GONDI (India) Naga testigo aco Dios co nga icao ang may ~ qtdcr ssrc wz fq $. ww;r-szrr ~a i l ;g< buat canaquen, nga kilala ta cao ig ing guegueg- s15ii srril; srsar$T; 3~ Fr dqrqr z;jrt7 vzeiis I man. Naga testigo aco sa mga oras nga dia ?TI 6 r avsrt~mrii ar;r fiiqr q3 ~ n s f w s s;at;r, Dios co nga inde sarang macacomparar ang qq ftq-qr ~ s ; ig ~3)m g;r 771 ~ & qq1-s I aqueng keseg sa-canimoig ang aqueng calised sa imong manggad. Icaco lamang ang Dios, ig f a v anr?s 5 ~ Y 7 ~T f &, ~ fsw8 ?$ icao lamang ang sarang macabawi canamen sa q;r fssrs smsrx .r>s$sr$s ! ~I'I;C?, tanang cacorian.
GUJARATI (India) '$ wa flj q,.$ WPL tl&, P (13 &aursl aru aa oy yon bPsl a' w 3 a a GADDUNG (GADDANG) (Philippine Is- p a Wa wa a8 aq,- lands) Pacuruhuan co, 0 Dios co, se'~inaratunacta 1 , ya r6fia 3 a8 quesi maamuan ta Ca e .idayadayo ta Ca. a4*1'~dad(IOU aun ru(& a,= (UP( Taddanggan cu, sitoya ya quinacafec e ya wwa1wzyi4*la 5' pacapanguam, ya diyariyat co e ya quinamayamannu. Awan a corhuan a Dios nu baccan a Icca, GURMUKHI (India) na Acquisesalacan si Quetaggacan, na Acquitaronan. 3 Ga' B F ~ Iii2 rrln~a! H"kn am 4 azlal i:s ai fa 2 G f ; h xerl ?ma d~ 3 fa? 3; uslzi 2 - 3d yal I H" mR ~ii' R Rm mlqa aaa ~ lfqi i n 6 mq m a w 5, ; i ?fagal w3 wl 3' I $2 faaf p n 24 ~ flma aa?' I $ jlaw133nb ma fhs 2:I GARHWALI (India)
$ stat W ~ TI Tstat p ?a T ~t;s~t q a f~ aysi aysi?a r s d ~Tisflair %I+ WJT ?sFTi T ~ T 57n $6ms a-r sR T rib .ua $if$ f% s h ? & ji f e r h qd Avs, q r J T ?sat & zhaq zw anit ays? Tar qmn. ma, atat $ ;haih a f ~ AwG, ~ J pT s ~ ?m .ra%Ti%cass m$ I ?rl* *T WJT ;i?iii?.VTV;l Zra, ~rl?f 7 ?~ 9118, 291 89-wat-in a a r s ~m I
HEBREW ,9315~ ,13395 377yR B A H A ' ~B I B 1 HILIGAYNON (Philippine Islands) Berak Tuhan peu chan lebah Pai, Tulung Nagasaksi ako, 0 Guino-o ko, nga guina- keleng Bahayak, yang Henjan Belak. him0 Mo ako agud makakilala Icao cag makahalad sa Imo. Naga pamatu-od ako sa subong nga ti-on sang akon kakabus cag sa JAKUN (Malaysia) Imo gahum, ang akon kapobre, cag sa Imo H'ma mBna-ngongkan dirik sabagai saksi, 0 nga mangaranon. Tuhan h'ma, bahawak Ajeh t6lah mgnjadikan Wala iban' nga Guino-o kondi Icao ang h'ma ontok mBngBnoo Ajeh dan sEmayang bulig sa katalagman ang mabinuhaton. Ajeh. H'ma naik saksi, pada masa ka, akan kBMhoman h'ma dan kudrat Ajeh, padah k6papaan h'ma dan k6kayaan Ajeh. HINDI (India) HBmpak Tuhan lain daripada Ajeh, MBnu- $ + s ~! F ~ T R ~f Z" h lung ~ Tg ~% ~ @ ~ ~3 dalam ~ kChElaka, Yang BErdirik SBndirik. 36 3 m~t? f i q q3 9%z r w fm 8 I ? ~ w ; F T J J R % T T T ~ ;?ism$ ~ T ~ ~ ~ ;G l ~ q JAPANESE (in two scripts) $, 3 cfiz $;.ltc q w 3 q 8, ?i ~isrF$asn ~ * ' x ~ T ~ $ ~ I
IBAN (DYAK) (Indonesia, Malaysia) Aku nyadi saksi ka Petara Aku, Nuan udah ngaga awak ka aku nemu Nuan sereta lalu nyembah Nuan. Aku besaksi ka diatu, ngena samoa pengurang kuasa aku, ka samoa pengering Nuan, sereta enggau penyeranta aku enggau pengeraja Nuan. Nadai bisi Petara kalimpah ari Nuan, Penulong leboh Tusah, Penulong Diri.
ILOCANO (ILOKANO) (Philippine Islands) Ipanecnecco, 0 Dios ko, a Sica ti namarsua caniac nga umammo Kenca ken mangidaydayaw Kenca. Panecnecac, iti daytoy a canito, ti kinacapuyco ken awan bilegco ken ti kinabilegmo, ti kinapanglawco ken ti kinabacnangmo. Awan ti sabali a Dios no di Sica laeng, ti Catulong iti tiempo ti peggad, ti puon ken gubbuayan dagiti isu-amin.
JAHAI (Malaysia) Yek tanggongkan ley sa-bagai saksi, Mei Tuhan yek, Pai yei menjadik-kan yek ney gelong yek kenej Pai dan bersembahyang Pai. Yek luek saksi bahawa peryam ta'ah, ok lemeh yek dan ok et et Pai maken basat yek dan Kayak Pai. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
KALINGGA (Philippine Islands) KALINGGA-APAYAO (Philippine Islands) Sacan y testigo 0 Diosco nga Sicaw y Apo Kabunian, inuman ko un Sika din namaravvu ta niacan tape nu ammuattaca anna nangwa kan Sakon tan matagammuak kan dayawattaca. Testguaccu ta sangaw y cawaccu mapadayawak Sika. Testigoak sinsaton, maid tu awa-awayya anna y dacal nga pacawayyam; kabkaboolak kan Sika, kamas dan! Bilongno, ta quinapobre anna ta quinaricum. kinakapus ko kan kina Babalin no. Awatta tanacuan nga Dios nu ari laman Maid udom si apowok no adi Sika, Katu- Sicsicaw; y Cabbag ta tiempo na ziga anna lungan di makasapul, Sika din Mannakabalin. Mangyawa ta ngamin nga mawmawag.
KANNADA (KANARESE) (India) dcaa, daddoJn! w;Sc mg, p%;Js eodaw zb35 etmQk;e~wij5 id$$ a!!$pdeoJa; a& e)~bPiJ,F Q l k woe3b; ak add, PC& %,eaaod. C B ~ $ -pen A ~ O~3~j~q-h $t$. 8% d a d d a damad deadn .a#. &cd~rar(d,gd, dDz&~?aF!
KASHMIRI KAYAN (Sarawak) AKUI NAH ITUNG TAKSI KA', 0 TUHAN,
IKA'. KERAI NIH AKUI BARA LEMA KUI
BEH DENG SENG AK KATALAU LA'AN MEH
NYEKANG AKUI, ALENG TE' MURIP NYE- LIMAN. B A H A ' ~B I B I KHALKA (MONGOLIAN) (Mongolia) T 3 ~ r 3 pTa! T a ~ a ~ a i 61x6 i r 6onrocoa Hb 6m TaHbIr M3A3X 6a X Y H J ( ~ T ~ ~ X H ~ H Tenee KIM r3~rmiir613 r3psn3be. EH o ~ o o n M H H H ~s a ~ a n r u i i r Tam1 , LAOTIAN (Laos) s a a a n ~ a j i r6a y r a i i r ~ y rM H H ~6,a ~ n r b 1 rY H H ~rspsnsbe. "..* u * Y.. u r r
t e ws:;rduc?i erws:;] r ~ u w : o r u im:;cdurar'lna1]er ~ T a ~ a a ce e p T 3 ~ r 3 pGajixrYji, T a 63px ~ O B J I O H ~ H ~BOTOP ~H AaHAaa aBpan ~ y c WSUI;:I rra: Gws:.~7]; s ; J @ s : ~ rra:rC~su;q~us:;] 5a~o1 6aiiHa Baa. Ta e e p e e a m 3yyrs T 3 ~ ~ 3, ~p & " W Y ~ ~ ~ ~ & ~ R S ~ U ~ F I ~ ~ I ~ U ~ ~ Q ~ ; ~ M S : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ : ~ W ~ KIM. " L i - 1 u r u e s ~ ~ s : e ] n~ a : n a a r ~ ? n i u ~ u 2 ~ ] m s : s ] n - * h " * - ; ~ u s : ~ r d u c ? r ~ ] s uusn?ln~s:;rdurlrws:;]o~a, h KOREAN ~ ] l & ~ ~ ~ j a u r r n ~ a ~ ~ r ~ ~ ~~ 1~ l~' l2& '~rl ~ r~&uj Rn Os 1 ~ , 4 ;(-12]6tLZ, 4 7 1 +~>%\%L+L], %L+?j n:; 01 % & E % x ] q kt$+ 92 &t$+ 8~14 -& -r32 = A ~ I , d x I % L + o l ~ j - .~ 1 % 01 fQ o i l i 2 "1 Tq%,il g y o ] 7&qCT\4+. 1 1 ) xjO] ~ MALAY (Malaya) 7\l;L$L3 &t$ O] +%\.AIL x])7t o I z - - Q Saya mgnanggongkan diri sa-bagai saksi, Ya n il tl 0 0). 461 Tuhan saya, bahawa Kamu tglah m6njadikan GI. saya untok m6ng6nal Kamu dan bErs6mbahy- 91 $011 A-1 E Q I F A ~1 Z-'1" 4]2 . 3 81 A ] ang Kamu. Saya naik saksi, pada b6ntar ini, k 0]*14] ~ 1 % 6 t L L d 6 l ~ ~ ~ ~ A + L + O J akan L I . k616mahan saya dan kudrat Kamu, kapada kgmiskinan saya dan kgkayaan Kamu. KOUMANI (India) Tiada Tuhan lain daripada Kamu, PEnolong dalam Bahaya, Yang BErdiri SBndiri. % -1, 8 6 aTff 3TTrSTT-94TTqUT %%, Jr2m1 9 T f8% *?r TSTT fl,9 48 HT* I MALAYALAM (India) 3 Y ~ Re r m ~ah^. 313c 1 S f 7 f z 3, njvr JrT$mw'& $TI %f?B T S4~9 ~ 9 T V799 m I
KUI (KHONDI) (India) UGaq ! QqGQ, QloGa, Q0661 Q? .91 , @lOG 46' 11 $21~ 1 061 51sG a ~ a i saq QQI @1g ae, CQQQ I a136160 MANGYAN PULA (Philippine Islands) QQIQ @ISI s l q dOal QIQ @ldl Q?IQI~, @QI a l q q aOal Kangko patuhuyan gid, 0 kangko Pangi- QlQl QQI Q l g ? I ~ GQQ I I noong Dios, ako gid kanmo binu' at hampay QGQQIQI ass a q l Q 6 8 4 ca3 asslw,I- .e kawo ay kilalanon kag sambahon. Kangko aqlQl R , Q 6 ~ 1 9 aaiatqBIaIQIQ l QIQI PIQ a 8 I ~ patuhuyan inda pag udas sa kanme on man may kapangyarihan kag sa kanmo pakusog sa LAMBADI (India) kangko pagkurian kag sa kanmo pag mangarangon. ~ @ C O F351 ~36851 u.5 AD 5 0 8 ~ 3 s On man may Panginoong Dios no kontay dd 3 3.5 S q 5$- &OS. Q ~ ) o $P K D 5dJ> ~ kawo lamang ti umawat sa tanan nga palad kag sa on man may katabuha. &,5P e P n & st 55OSb &9is5 &H d5: 9Q &&a 31&dmad5 3~ LP 0-6 3- ~ 3 5 9 MANOBO (Philippine Islands) - $ 8 SXd. t~ d5! 8 5 3 P ~ WwO 'bd3b Bannalan ko na kaddin nad Langagan na id P ~ T . o ~ 8%- & 8 63,- 6 ~ 3 6W. B ~ 3 ~ b -&&i baballanedosiak amid killa kikaw owayd simba 740 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
kikaw. Kaddin nad pangintowan kaungkay MARWARI (India, Pbkistdn) edda kaddin wara sadda tat kikawn katussan g $mW! Q 8ru- 2ij ,..... ,fqgTq 3 oway edda kikawn katussan tat kaddin kapobrian oway tat kikawn kayamanan. 5sT38 XqT mTaa l f , ;IT;B~~ fqqi 8:, ri q saa Z~TT ihg $ fq 8 ~ T ~ T Lx T-ih q qd- Warad as-san manama gawas kikaw, eddad tabang ta kahimpan, oway naantay ta salili rin. mkasra 8: Fi T T ? ~% d 7 q ~ $ ETT? 5 8: mr ri 37s 5 V ' T 3 FFTSIY 8: I 8t w ~ ~ q4 ri ;f;i$ ~ ~ ;hi77si ; ~ r ?rsr?;r;i w ri arimi zriq ?B e: ~ T ~ T I ~I MARATHI (MAITHILI) (India)
$ fpBCr ! ?J?T NEPALI (NEPALESE) (Nepal, Sikkim) 9 m ~ m ?a ~ f ~ % f * $ $TT $$BT ! q FTTM?f~~f~ fa* a.* '* 6 ' nr$ g(iit fqa, sra wf;r fa* X ~ T xd;rr ' 6 *qr * R* q@ f+i3 i ~2% jiqa fii m ~ w 8, fa4 d- +i T~"~;FTT m ! rif m ~8 srfiia~r~ a s ~ i gr faa? a i ww g ~?iifi.m ~rir ~TT*
ST, g T F ~ I q~ a~
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ORIYA (India) zllaaq QRQI a16 6 WaaPQ @alas1 a16 6Rl6Q ?$ QQQ9;
PANGASINAN (Philippine Islands) PUNJABI (Persian script) (India, Pakistan) Ipasuutko 0 Diosko, a sikay amalsar siak, ya umapta er sika lan mangiday dayew er sika. Ipasuutko ed sayan lamlamang, su inkakapuyko tan anggapuy nayarian ko, su inkabiskegmo. Su inkapobrek tan inkayaman Mo. Anggapo~arem a Dios no agsika labat. Su katulungay tiempo su pangkamalian. Su singeg tanpanlapuan su saray amin.
PUNJABI (Gurmukhi script) (India, Pbkistan) 3 $2 R F ii2 ~ msea ! w': f e ~ am 4 a r ~ 1 ~ ' i RAJASTHANI (India) ?sl a i fa f- - ~ E T I 4 @NE 43 3 fa? q r x ~qrq-ipr $gm fiji i q f i 2; urloi d $a? 2x1 aai I HZ. ui? us'iqla aaal ~i fz ic' f f i a a ~w3 naq RHaw 3, F %i~$t ?fan1 nki 2 U A % I 32 q d , 9~x2 ~tYT g ~hf ~ R F f i z a ;n'f I 3 jl a m G ,a ~ R 3'1 U 8 3 4; q - 7 ~ft;st 'F I w w % SETV ~ M T i qTfi qmc qrfl. $ SAMAL BAHASA (Philipphe Islands) Adu makasaksi, Ya Tuhan ku, dah bay 918 WIT $ q 7 4 ~ m a% i I q ~ ihinang aku ni katoonan maka ni duwaahan. Aku nulay ma kadjapan iti ni kalunaan maka fqqT wqT.T i*T a I ni kamiskinan ku maka dayah Mahananiya sakki Tuhan Suga Siga nabang ma kalaatan e'uR qv TT* iUT 9'1 q i ~ j l I kaulluman,
SAMARERO (SAMAR-LEYTE~WARAY- WARAY) (Philippine Islands) SEN01 ( S ~ M A I(Malaysia) ) Testigos ako Nimo, Dios namon, nga Ikaw Eng mgnanggonkan bErok ng sabagai saksi, an naghimo ha acon para kilal-on ka ngan Ya Tuhan eng, ajeh-lah Jun tglah pFrjadikan ha tuuron. Natuod ako hini yana nga oras nga eng untok ha pannei ha-Jun ru ha sEmbahyang waray aco gahom ug ha imo gahom, ha acon ha-Jun. Eng pErhut saksi, ku-ma sEadeh, ha kawarayan ug ha imo carjcohan. kElEmahan eng ru ha kgkuasaan Jun, ru ha Waray na iba nga Dios con diri Ikaw, mana- nahajap eng ru ha kEnayak Jun. racop han maka-luluoy, ug mga waray na Walah Tuhan asik ju pad& Jun, Jun PEnolok paglaom. kate Bahaya, yang dEr Chukup Jun SEndiri.
SINDHI (GHAIBI AWAZ) (India, Prikistrin)
35;-;,.t~iQ55LubIk,: J ,s ..(
+I*, ~u b F h . j J ++w?. bfb- GW* <+.I p + 3 c U)., cS?**!. d
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sly -3c r h l s )kr. =++J $hi> 5 @T ,~SJ&. d+ $9 u+ - 8 1 . e T&d ,L. IS'\+ Ci.9 'p434.
SINHALESE (SINHALA) (India, Sri Lanka) a3Gd G C , ~ & I , aa a ~ d ~ o@G&LI d a6 WZ&O~S, I%6~aPodd addm6 %a8 aa am&d aa az%am aa aJ& G&. 3 3 ~d
%dedP& ~ S U I adod (~d&bP, a30d qe366m3 & ~ d~ a m a ~ c ~ d o"zi3e;a, o8 ~&oaoaoa$$ 863 mde338 G&. 742 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
TAGALOG (FILIPINO) (Philippine Islands) 3 ~0-5 2 ,?J 322 p a g $,yj~ & $@--a) Ako ay sumasaksi, 0 Diyos ko, na ako ay d % . v P e d 5 d % $ 6 893 A v%CS Iyong nilikha upang Ikaw ay kilalanin at sambahin. Aking pinatutunayan, sa mga san- 8 ~ ,!I $ 30 3 6 ~9 & &cao& 3 doag daling ito, and aking kawalan ng kapangyarihan at ang Iyonglakas, sa aking karukhaan Sp&&* at and Iyong kayamanan. 8 r ( add $005 v ~ o @3 +~~ ~ Walang ibang Panginoong Diyos maliban sa Iyo, ang Siyang Tumutulong sa lahat ng a d 2Chd63~03 SO X)ag d 2 ~ panganib at ang Walang Kawakasan. a03559 T ~ B .
TAGBANWA (ABORLAN) (Philippine IS- TEMIAR(M~~~~~~~) - , lands) Yeeq menanggongkan diri yeeq-deh re saksi, Taksi ako; 0 Dios ko nga pianak manan mo 0 Tuhan yeeq, naq Haaq-top menteqelkan ako nga sumonod Kanimo baw ikaw e nag yeeq untok neh-neh Haaq wab bekembahyang buat kanaum. Natandaan ko kayte nga yon Haaq, Yeeq naik saksi, ma-mentar-deh, akan kiarotan ko nga sabap, kanimo baw kat teq bersil yeeq wab bersil Haaq, kapada Kakorongan ko daasi kat ka doonan ko baw kemiskinan yeeq wab kekayaan Haaq. yan Kadoonan mo. Hoi Tuhan yang moi num Haaq, Pembeseh Uga nay bakun ng Dios ekaw lamang, nga dallam Bahaya, yang Ehtet tet tenaq. mananabang et Kakorean baw K a gayonan et usa baw usa. TEMUAN (Malaysia) TAMIL (India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka) Akuk menanggongkan dighik sabagai saksi, Yak Tuhan-Kuk, bahawak-lah Ong, telah naiT e ~ q C m , pLtcsh .qpJis a,@ menjadikan akuk untok mengenal dan memuu@svgpj 0ramQa m & & u u a n ~ + p ~jiki Ong. Akuk nait saksi, padak waketu nin, @,Ji m&up&(g mr@m e a i @ . @j akan kelemah akuk dan kekuasak Ong, kemiskinan akuk dan kekayak Ong. fi@rncb, b7& u~\)&m$p~@(i) 6LkpC61 Nyap adak Tuhan melainkan Ong,Pelindong au&a\lancoip,k, SI aio cuanenuripjLi, k i p % dalam Bahaya, yang Bedighik Sendighik. 61~&6~~66@ ~ L 6 *.pP?&&. mrLf@uLb
gqubpi esrui, mu zgtuunsm THAI (Thailand) psr &am&$ p 3 ~ a v gr~ u n ~ d i & . lo 4 i l i r s i w ~ : i ~ J u n i niiwia"lslorJuwu~ui7
w~:DJ~ I ~ w ~ J w ~ J ~ ~ $ w ~ $ I ~ ~ "lltTEI6 ~w~EuJ~' TAU SUG (MORO JOLOANO) (Philippine P 1 5 5 b ~ ? f I J ~ ~I dUl S I ~ : ~ ~ W L $ I ~ L ~ U ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ W ' W U I M Islands) Aku, in saksi, 0 Allah, ikaw in nagpapanjari a~o%nnnIiR~& dilaiuslo~~~wr$~o~nb"~n'~~~o~ C I kaku, umingat kaimu iban magsumba kaimu. ws:uJn ~on~iu~~au.lru~sliwi'ili~~~~~on~~u~";& Sapahan ku ha way kung ku iban ha gaus mu ha kamiskin ku iban ha dayamu. Wayruun dugaing Tuhan hambuuk-buuk da ikaw, tabang ha kasusahan, in way nagpapanjari.
TIRURAY (Philippine Islands) TELUGU (India) Ge-tindego ko Tulus si be-em me'y le-me- L i~ it*. 933 ,!I f i e 0 3 nimbag ge begen inok ge-tuwa ku be-em brab ge-tlatu-o ko be-em. Ge-safa-a ku bene'y enda 3eu5P6.89 3 5 ~Wlod-38 e ke-ataga ku brab ati'y barakat Mu-we, e B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 743 ke-meskina ku-we brab keungangen mu-we. d m ~ q a o ~s3& . mpn' eh)zjdganLda&at, Enda e se-giyo Tulus we-e ~ e - k msa-en, e k Temabang ngo enok u-wen ni kamarasayan, e Turun. , TURKISH TULU (India) IlLhi! Senin, beni, Seni tanimak ve Sana dedd ! &a36 3aO3~3mu'. tapmak iqin yaratmig olduguna gahadet ederim. Su anda kendi aczime ve Senin Kuvvetine; d J ~ 3 rkoLd$3' d'%o" 03n3' 'k kendi zaafima ve Senin iktidarina ve kendi mo'iJao3~ ? "' "!Ddsd~ ' ~ 3 ' wdd' fakirligime ve senin zenginligine taniklik edi- '3,&~01. yorum. Miiheymin ve Kayyum Illh ancak 60'%0&t 3ido'. 60' bhdab' dm& Sen sin.
AUSTRALASIA BAINING (KUANUA) (New Britain Island, Ekau tui maoki ile temi nei, iloku gaegae ki Bismarck Archipelago) lou puleaga, loku mativa ki lou kalasia. Ngo tes nas, aingo gu Kalau. Sa na rong na Tie kau tui fuai kile Atua etasi, kole pule nge ivengo taram inge dilotu. Ai langit ingo taualuga mo mafimafi. koir kunga kurot dap ai nge di di kurot. Aingo Eina saofaki tatou mei le fakasala, mo di ama ralak ka na ngo dap a inge di ama hurong tuutamaki kesekese ole malama. bara ka na nge. Ai re Varivat ki di koir a nga Kalau dokop sokop nge. Katat naramut na mara ma guvengirong, kosaki koir memar GILBERTESE (Gilbert Islands) varung dokop sokop e Lalau. Atuau, I kaotia ma te koaua ba KO a tia ni karikai ba N na ataiko, N na tangiriko ao N CHAMORRO (Mariana Islands) na noboiko. Ao I kaotia n te tai aei ba boni moan te m'aaka Ngkoe ao ngai boni moan te Mandeklara yo', si Us'us-hu, na un fatinos mangori. Moan te korakora Ngkoe ao ngai yo' ya para bai hu tungo' Hao yan para bai hu boni moan te kainnano. Bon akea te Atua adora Hao. Tumestitigu yo' pago' na Momentemanna ba ti Ngkoo ae KOmaiu i bon Iroum to, ni tai nina' sina-hu yan ma acompara gi ao te Tia Buokiira. fuetsa-mu, i pobla-hu yan i Abundasia-mu Taya mas ke guaiya na Yu'us i a'ayuda gi pelegro i todo i tiempo layana na Yu'us. HAWAIIAN K E HI'] NEI A U I KA'U HOIKE, E K U U AKUA, FIJIAN U A HANA MA1 OE, IA'U E IKE IA OE A E HOO- Au sa qai kila, 0 i Kemuni na noqu Kalou, ni MANA IA OE. KE HOIKE NEI A U , 1 KEIA sa i Kemuni ga Koni a vakatuburi au mai me'u MANAWA, I KO'U PALUPALU A I KOU IKAIKA kilai Kemuni ka dau masu vei Kemuni. Au sa I KO'U ILJHUNE A I KOU WAIWAI. AOLE H E A K U A E A'E 0 OE WALE NO, KE KOKUA 1 K A kila tu e na gauna oqo ni'u sa ka malumalumu MANAWA POINNO, KE KOKUA 0 KEIA K I N 0 wale Koni sa kaukauwa KO i Kemuni, ni'u sa N O U N A POMAIKA'I. ligalala Koni sa vutuniyau KO i Kemuni. Sa sega tale ni dua na Kalou au kila sa i Kemuni duadua ga, 0 i Kemuni Koni sa KUSAIE (East Caroline Islands) Dauveivukei e na Gauna ni Leqa, 0 i Kemuni Nga fwakak, 0 God luk Kom oreyula nga na Kalou Bula Vakai Koya ga. in ete kom a in alu nu Sum, Nga fwakak ingena ke munas luk a ke ku Lorn, nu ke FUTUNA (Futuna Island, New Hebrides) sukasrup luk a ke kasrup Lom. Ekau tui maoki loku Atua, Iia ke faka tupu Mangin God Sayom, mwe kasre kut in pal au ke kau iloa ma atolasio ki lou agai. in fosrgna, a ma ku in sifwana. MALAITAILAU (Solomon Islands) OUVEAN (Ouve'a Island, Loyalty Islands) Nau ku fa mamana oe, a God nau, na o, Oge me haihnathuu, Khonglo, uje up nya me haungai nau, uria kua haitamamu, ma kua oge mCh6 ka oganou. Me hai hnathuu og6 mC foa hatamu. Nau ku f i t ~ m uasi kada na, haio monu hnyi tra6m ang hnyi hnyimakan kua alua makeso la nau gi, i fafo na rigita la oe, hnam hna hu, me anyam hnathu me anyik na siofa la nau i fafo na i n i t ~ oe, a e langi lau thedruoc me hnam hna tren. ta God, teeni oe na, na fufa kada ana ta'a la, Ebe ke Khong a6 ucu mou, at a6 hana j6 m a a totofiri. unyi hia, m6 hC ka hum ota hnyi hwetr a6 gan, uthibi at a6 tibentenge.
MALEKULA (Malekula Island, New He- PALAU (West Caroline Islands) brides) Akmui el medengei, 0 Dios erngak, el kmo Inu nurai weritun, o Atua suk, ga nik kuloli kau a milebak el mome dengelkau e mengull inu re borong wosi nik ko re bosrove nik. er Kau. Makuuchais er chelechal time el kirel Inu nurai weritun leligen wolok re inu sete nu a elitechetuk ma klisichem, ma elebulek, ma teter ko teterin som, re jorok ejki ko re jorom chiltetem. elep. Ngdiak a ngodech el Dios ngkmal di kau el Atua san ejki ko nik, ku metmet kem re nanu tang. El mesiou ra chelebuul edingar el mo ga marsej, nik ga kumaur tetajer. cherechar.
PIDGIN (New Hebrides) (New Hebrides) MAORI (New Zealand) (New Zealand) ME KAREM WITNES 0 GOD BLONG ME SE E te Atua, kei te m6hio ra n6u taku whaka- YU MEKEM ME BLONG SAVE YU MO PREI pono me te whakakorbria an6 i a koe. E LONG YU. LONG SMOL TAIM IA MI SAVE whakapuake ana ahau i tEnei wii i taku ngoi- TALEM TRU LONG WIK PAOA BLONG MI koire ki t6u haka, i taku pbharatangi ki tbu LONG STRONG PAOA BLONG YU, MO TI oranga. TALEM SE MI KAT NATING BE YU YU KAT E te Atua kiihori atu hoki te Atua i tua atu i a PLANT1 SAMTING. koe, ko koe an6 te aroha i rot0 i te pburi ora I NO KAT NARA FALA GOD BE YU: YU HELP TRABOL MO YU YU SAVE STAP OLTAIM YU ana hoki te tangata. WAN NO MO.
MAORI (Rarotongan) (Cook Islands) PIDGIN (Papuan) (Papua and New Guinea) KOau te kite E taku Atua e Naau au i anga 0 God bilong mi. Mi tokaut nau long Yu yet mai kia kite ia Koe e kia akamori ia Koe. Te i bin wokim mi beambai mi nap long save long akapapu nei au i teia nei i toku puapingakore Yu na mi nap long preia long Yu. Nau tasol mi e i Toou ririnui, ki toku putaua e ki Toou ki e tokaut, olsem mi no strong na Yu i strong moa. manganui. Kare atu e Atua ke mari ra ko Koe Na mi tokaut tu olsem mi rabis pinis na Yi i anake, te Tauturu i rot0 i te tuatau o te kino, holim olgeta samting. te Tauturu o te oraanga. I no gat narapela God. Yu tasol i stap. Na Yu i halivim 01 long taim bagarap i laik kisim 01 naYu tasol i lukautim Yu yet. MARE (Loyalty Islands) Kolo ca Madrarungo, inu ci asesekoni, ko PONAPE (PONAPEAN) (Caroline Islands) hnei Buango hna puli nu thu bane carajewe I wia kadehdeh, Oh ai Koht, me Komwi me du Buango, ne ahmani Buango, inu ci waamilu ketin kapikiedahr en esei Komwi oh en kaundu Buango ri gula hawa ome, wenore kogo ke dok ohng Komwi. I patohwanehr, ni ansou inu ri tadawaien 'ore nene ni Buango, ka deko kiset, me ngehi me leut oh Komwi memanaman, ace ke inu ri tadawaien 'ore aca ace ni Buango, oh sohte ahi mehkot ah Omwi te mehkaros. ka deko se Makaze, ka Buango so 'ore thu Sohte pi1 emen Koht pwe Komwih te, me thakui nu ri tadan 'ore tango, ne Buango 'ore Sawasepen ansoun apwal, oh Koamoaur ci wien kani Buango ko. Poatpapoat. ROTUMAN (ROTUMA) (Rotuma Island, iakani nuparian u roaiu o rahak napauian, ik Gilbert andEllice Islands) iatam askasik iau iatos takaku. Gou aier'ak 'otou 'Aitu, ne 'Ae ta fup'qkim Iarumanig katimun tika matou ik pusin ama, gou la 'inea 'Ae. Gou aier'ak 'e ao pau hete'is, ik nakasiru ia nian raha narahain, ik pusin ama. ne gou 'af'af ka 'Ae ne'ne', gou keia ka ' ~ 'ese koroa. TONGAN (ToltgaIslands) Kat 'es 'Ait hoi'akit ra, ' ~ 'esea e Gagaja, ne Lotu Ho'ata. KO e fakamo'oni au 'e hoku asoa gou 'e ao noanoft. 'Ait se 'es B'ofige. 'Otua, kuo Ke ngaohi au, ke u 'ilo koe mo u hu kiate koe, 'Oku ou faka-mo'oni'i, 'i he momeniti ni ki hoku vaivai pea ki Ho'o Milohi, SAMOAN ki hoku masiva pea ki Ho'o Koloa 'ia. 'Oku Lo'u Atua e, ou temolimauatu, na faie, e Lau 'ikai ha toe 'Otua kehe ka ko Koe, ko e tokoni Afio a'u ina ia ou iloa Oe ma tapuai atu ia te 'i he tu'utamaki, ko e mo' ui pB fate Koe. Oe. Ou te tautino atu i lenei itula, lo'u augavale ma Lou malosi, d lo'u mativa i le ma Lou TRUKESE (RUK) (East CarolineIslands) tamaoaiga. E leai lava se tasi Atua na o Oe, o le Fesoa- Ua puaratta, 0 ai Kot, pun En ka fori inisi soani i Puapuaga, o le Puna-o-le-Ola. pun upwe sile En o fel ngeni En. Ua puer nganuk non ei atun pun ngang use fakkun tufich nge En ka atufichi ai, ua osupuang nge TAHITIAN (Society Islands) En ka apiseki ai. Ese wor eman Kot pun En chok. Ewe Te ite nei au e ta 'u Atua e ua hamani Oe ia'u Note iteraa ia e te haamuriraa atu hoi ia Tufich Ion feiengau, 0 Ewe-unusan Anuwor. Oe. Te ite nei hoi au na rot0 i teie nei taime i to'u VAHO (New Caledonia) nei paruparu I mua i to Oe na Puai Hope, e, GotchognlhCrBnBmC Gn'hon Yova. Gn'hon to'u nei veve i mua i te rahi 0 ta Oe na Tao'a. ro wBra mB gorow6 atchB wB Gn'hon. Gn'hon Aore roa e Atua d atu maori r&o Oe ana'e, tai go mB nouC ka Gn'hon. ArBgn'h w6hn Oia tei hi'o aroha mai i tae i te mau taime ati, gn'hin gn'hrk gn'hiri, ka, iken, mon w6hn gn'hi Oia tei tupu mai mai tor0 mai ia'Na iho. i go mB oumo wChn: go tchognYhBrBnBm6 Gn'hon venviirii ton ra. Gn'hon bo tonhenran nohu ta vi patou, mon na ta ko7hen mC vin- TANNA (Tanna Island, New Hebrides) nirB. Iau iakani nuparian, o rahak Iarumanig, Gn'hon tai, Gn'hon Yova, aya kon, tdha in namol iau iakarun ik iakafaki kamik. Iau mon ari koa.
EUROPE ALBANIAN Es g6t ken Gott iisser dBr, dem BeschBtzer, Deshmoj o Zot, i em Perendi! qe ti me ke dem ewich seiende. krijue mue per me te njoftun tye dhe per me te adhurue tye. Deshmoj kete qeshtje ne BASQUE (French) (Pyrenees) dobsinen t'ime dhe ne fuqine tate, ne vobeksine Seguratzendut oi n6rB Jainkoa egin na zula t'eme dhe ne pasunine Tate, S'ka tjeter Pe- zu ezagutuzeko Bta adoratuzeko. Seguratrendi per vec se teje, Mbrues, i vet-gjendun! zendut orai nere ahalgabbtasuna Bta zurB podBria nBrB bkhartasuna Bta zurB ontasuna. ALSATIAN Esta bertze Jainkok zu bBsik, bera iraun dena GurC lagintza galbitdetan. Isch bezei, o min Gott, dass dii mish erschafft h b h , disch ze erkenne un anzebette. Isch bezei Cn dem Aiiebleck mini Schwasche BASQUE (~panish/Vasco)(Spain) un dini Macht, mini Armut un din Rischdum. Ene Jainko hori, Zu ezagutzeko eta adorat- 746 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
zeko egin nauzula sinesten dut. Une honetan DUTCH FRISIAN (FRIESISCH) (Frieslmd) banaiz neure botererik ezaren lekuko, zure Ik tsjfigje, o myn God, dat Jo my skepen ahalmenarena, bai eta neure pobrezia eta zure hawwe om Jo te kennen en to aanbidden. Ik aberastasunarena. bitsjiigje op dit pas myn machteleazens en Jou Ez dago Zu baino beste jainkorik, arriskuan macht, myn earmoede en Jou rykdom. laguntzen duena, bere baitan bizi dena. Der is gjin oare God as Jo, de Helper yn need, de Troch-Himsels-Bisteande. CATALAN (Andorra, Balearic Islands, Spain) ENGLISH Soc testimoni, ioh Deu meu! que tu m'has Seep. 717. creat per a conbixer-te i adorar-te. Soc testimoni en aquest moment, de la meva impotencia ERSE (IRISH GAELIC) i del Teu poder, de la meva pobresa i de la Tugaim fianaise, a Dhia, gur chruthaigh tu Teva riquesa. mC chun thu a aithint agus a adhradh. Dearb- No existeix altre DCu, mCs que Tu, el que Ajuda en el Perill, el que substitueix per Si haim san am seo mo neamhkifeacht agus do Neart, mo bhochtaineacht agus do Shaibhreas. Mateix. Nil Dia ar bith eile ann ach tu, an Cuntoir i mBaol, an FCinChothaitheach. CORSICAN So testimone, u me Diu, chi mi hai fattu per ESTONIAN conocedi e per amarti Digu, da stu momentu Tunnistan, oh my Jumal, et Sa oled mind a me debuleza e a to forza, a me poereza e a to loonud Sind tundma ja teenima. Sel hetkel richeza. tunnistan oma jBuetust ja Sinu Vagevust, Un ce altro Diu chi tu, I'auido in u periculu, minu vaesust ja Sinu rikkust. quellu chi 6,per ellu stessu. Pole muud Jumalat kui Sina, Abi hadas, Iseolev. CZECH DosvEdEuji, 6 Pane, mi?j Boie, i e jsi mne FAROESE (FAROE) (Faroe Islands) stvofil, abych t& poznal a tebe zboifioval. Eg asanni, Gud min, at tu skapaBi meg ti1 at PfiznavAm se v tCto chvili ke sv6 slabosti a k kenna teg og tilbidja teg. tvC moci, je sv6 chudobg a k tvCmu bohatstvi. Sanneliga kenni eg, i hesu letu, mitt hjalpar- Neni Boha mimo tebe, ochrance a samotr- loysi og tina megi, mitt fatiekdemi og titt vajiciho ! veldi. Eingin annar Gud er ti1 uttan t6, bert t6 DANISH hialpur i vanda, bert tu ert um alt annai) fer. Jeg bevidner, o min Gud,.at du har skabt mig, for at jeg skal kende og tilbede dig. Jeg vidner i FINNISH denne stund om min afmagt og din styrke, om Todistan, oi Jumalani, etta olet luonut minut min armod og din rigdom. tuntemaan sinut ja palvelemaan sinua. Tuon Der er ingen anden Gud end dig, hjaelpen i julki talla hetkella oman voimattomuuteni ja farens stund, deri eneridende. sinun voimasi, oman koyhyyteni ja sinun rikkautesi. Ei ole mitaan nuuta Jumalaa kuin DUTCH sina, apu hadassa, itsestaan oleva. Ik getuig, o mijn God, dat Gij mij hebt geschapen om U te kennen en te aanbidden. Ik FRENCH betuig op dit ogenblik mijn machteloosheid en Je suis tkmoin, 6 mon Dieu, que Tu m'as Uw macht, mijn armoede en Uw rijkdom. crCC pour Te connaitre et pour T'adorer. Er is geen ander God dan Gij, de Helper J'atteste en cet instant mon impw'ssance et in nood, de Bij-Zich-Bestaande. Ton pouvoir, ma pauvret6 et Ta richesse. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 747 11 n'est pas d'autre Dieu que Toi, Celui qui ITALIAN(R0MAN) secourt dans le pbril, Celui qui subsiste par 1, faccio testimonianza, mio ~ i ~T~ , Lui-mCme. mi hai creato per conoscerTi e adorarTi. l o attest0 in questo momento la mia debo- GERMAN lezza e la Tua potenza, la mia povertk e la Tua ricchezza. Ich bezeuge, o mein Gott : Du hast mich Nonv,baltro all,infuoridi Te, I,Aiutoriel erschaffen, Dich zu erkennen und Dich anzupericolo, Colui Esiste da Sk, beten. Ich bezeuge in diesem Augenblick meine Ohnmacht u n d - ~ e i n eMacht, meine Armut und Deinen Reichtum. LULESAMISKA (LULE LAPP) Es ist kein anderer Gott ausser Dir, dem M5n vattau vihtenastemau, Jupmelam, tan Helfer in Gefahr, dem Selbstbestehenden. pirra, aht T i n Iah sjiunjetam mu, vai rnin tiptiu Tu ja rihkitalau Tunji. M i n tiptistau talle ietjam famotisvuotau ja Tu famov, mu GREEK hadjovuotau ja Tu pintavuotau. Map~upGb , O E MOW, ~ 6 ~ pi: 1 8qplobpyqcr~~ ylh I Iah ietja Jupmel k i Tin, viehkke vata aiken vh Zf btvayvwpi~wx a i v& Zi: ha~pabw.'ETI~E- kuhti lah ietjanat. I Pa~Gvwa i r ~ j Tv ~ UV T I Y ~ ~~V j dr6uvapiav v vow p-rrpb~u-rjv iuxirv Zov, ~ f i v-rr~viavyou y-rrpby LUXEMBOURGISH o ~ b v-rrhoG~ovEou. Atv ir-rrhpxe~tjrhho~ O E ~ S ~ X T ~bt-rrb S &a, ~ b Poq9b v u ~ b vxiv8uvov, Esh bezeien, 0 me? God, dass Dfi mCch -rbv A i r ~ o a u v ~ ~ o q ~ o . erschaffen heust Dech ze erkennen an Dech unzeibeden. Esh bezeien an dessem Ableck meng SchwbchhBt an Deng Macht, meng GREENLANDIC Armut an Dein Reichtom. Upernarsauvunga, Gfitiga 2, Ivdlit pingor- Et gBt ken anere God ausser Dier, dem tikangma ilisariniasagavkit patldorfiginiasa- Hellefer a Gefolir, den darch sech selwer gavkitdlo. beste't. Miinakorpiak navsuerpunga piginaunikiningnut ivdlitdlo pissaunekarnernut, pitsiining- NORDSAMISKA (NORTHERN LAPP) nut ivdlitdlo pissiijunernut. M i n addan duoda';tusa, Ibmilan, dan ala, Avdlamik Gutikingilak Ivdlit kisivit, navia- atte D i n l z t siv'dnidan mu, vai rnin divdan nartune ikiortek, tamanut sapigakangitsok. Du ja gibmirdan Du. M i n duodagtan dB1 ieEEan haeddjovuoda ja Du famo, ieEi:an HUNGARIAN gefudaga ja Du rig'gudaga. Oh Uram, oh Istenem! Tanusiga vagyok Ii l z t ieia Ibmil g i Din, vsek'ki hzdi annak, hogy Te teremtettbl engem, hogy aigis, guttelaet iei-aldad. megismerjelek Cs imadjalak. Beismerem a jelen pillanatban gyengesbgemet 6s a Te Hatalmadat, NORWEGIANILANDSMAL (NYORSK) szegCnysCgemet 6s a Te Gazdagsagodat. ~g vitnar, 0 min Gud, at Du har skapa meg Rajtad kiviil nincs mas Isten csak Te, a sg at eg kan kjenna Deg og tilbe Deg. Eg vitnar ~ d e l m e z oaz , onmagaban ~Ctez6. i denne stund om mi makteslsyse og Din styrke, om min fattingdom og Din rikdom. ICELANDIC Der er ingen annan Gud enn Deg, Hjelparen i fare, den Evig Sj0lvstiande. ~g ber pess vitni, 0 GuB minn, a8 Du hefir skapaa mig ti1 pess a3 Pekkja Dig og tilbiaja Dig. E~ staafesti a 'pessu augnabliki, vanmatt NORWEGIAN/RIKSMAL minn og matt Dinn, fatrekt mina og aualega Jeg bevitner, o rnin Gud, at Du har skapt meg Dina. for at jeg kan kjenne Deg og tilbe Deg. Jeg Enginn er GuB nema Du, Hjalpin i Nauaum, vitner i denne stund om min maktesl0shet og hinn Eilifi. Din styrke, om min fattigdom og Din rikdom. Der er ingen annen Gud enn Deg, Hjelperen i fare, den Selvbestgende.
PIEDMONTESE (Piedmont, Northwestern Italy) Mi faso testimoniansa, b Nosgnor, che Ti SCOTS (SCOTTISH GAELIC) 'T l'has creame per conbssTe e adoreTe. Mi Tha mi toirt fianuis, 0 mo Thighearna, gun diciaro ant cost moment mia debolessa e T6a do chruthaich Thu mi gu eblas a chur ort agus potensa, mia pdverta e T6a richessa. gu aoradh a dheanamh Dhuit. Tha mi ag A j'e gnun autr Signor che Ti, l'agiut ant el aideachadh, aig an Am seo, mo laigse f hin agus pericol, Col ch'a esist dasperchikl. Do chumhachdsa, mo ainnis agus T'ionmhaissa. POLISH Chan' eil Dia eile ann ach Thu, ar Cbm- Swiadczg, 0 Panie, Boze moj, izei mnie hnuidh ri Bm gabhaidh, an Uile-bheb. stworzyl, azebym znal Cig i wielbil. Swiadczg w tej chwili mojej slaboici a Twojej mocy, memu SERBO-CROAT (Yugoslavia) ubbstwu a Twemu bogactwu. Nie ma Boga Ispovedam se, o Gospode, Boie moj ! Ti si pr6cz Ciebie, Obroncy, Samoistnego. stvorio mene da spoznam i oboiavam Tebe. Ispovedam u trenutku ovom slabost moju a PORTUGUESE mod Tvoju, siromagtvo moje a bogatstvo Dou testemunho, 6 meu Deus, de que tu me Tvoje. Nema drugog Boga sem Tebe, Svescriaste para eu te conhecer e adorar. paSavajudi Samopostojedi! Confesso n6ste momento, minha incapacidade e teu poder, minha pobreza e tua SLOVENE (SLOVENIAN) ( Yugoslavia) riqueza. NZo ha outro Deus alCm de ti, o amparo no Priznavam, o moj Bog, da si me ustvaril, da perigo, o que existe por si proprio. Te spoznavam in molim. Priznavam v tem trenutku svojo gibkost in Tvojo moE, svojo revgEino in Tvoje bogastvo. ROMANSCH (SURSILVAN) (Italy, Swit- Ni Boga razen Tebe, ZaiCitnika, VeEnozerland) bivajoEega. Eau fatsch testimoniaunza, o mieu Dieu, (Moli se opoldne!) cha Tii am hest creb per At recugnuoscher e per At adorer. Eau attest in quaist momaint mia deblezza e SPANISH Tia potenza, mia poverted e Tia richezza. Soy testigo, oh mi Dios, de que Tu me has I nu do iingiin Dieu oter co Te, quel chi giida creado para conocerte y adorarte. Atestiguo en nel prievel, quel chi exista in Se stess. este momento mi impotencia y Tu poder, mi pobreza y Tu riqueza. RUMANIAN No hay otro Dios mas que Tu, el Que Stau mgrturie. 0 Stgpbne, pentru a Te Ayuda en el Peligro, el Que Subsiste por Si cunoagte gi a Te slgvi. Mgrturisesc in clipa Mismo. aceasta slgbiciunea mea gi Puterea Ta, s5rBcia mea gi Imbelgugarea Ta. Nu e alt Dumnezeu SWEDISH d e d t Tine, Cel Ocrotitor, Cel de Sine Stgtgtor! Jag bar vittnesbord om, 0 , min Gud, att Du har skapat mig for att l b a kanna Dig och RUSSIAN for att tillbedja Dig. Jag betygar i detta ogon- 2 CBHAeTenbCTByIo, 0 M O E~ o x ~ , YTO blick min svaghet och Din styrka, min fattig- T ~ COTBOPHJI I MeHSI, ~ ~ 0 6 6II 1 II03Han dom och Din rikedom. Te6x M noKnoHxnca Te6e. 5I non-rsep- Det finnes ingen annan Gud utom Du, mnam B 3 ~ yMIIHYTY cBoe 6 e c c ~ n ~IIe Hjalpen i farans stund, den i sig sjalv Varande. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 749 SYDSAMISKA (SOUTHERN LAPP) WELSH (CYMRAEG) Manne vitt'enusteb, 0 muv Jubmbele, dan Tystiaf, 0 fy Nuw, mai Ti a'm creaist i'th bijre, atte Dadne manneb leah Sugniedamme, adnabod ac i'th addoli. Tystiaf, y funud hon, juktie manne dabdeb Dadneb jih rukkedalleb i'm gwendid fy hun ac i'th nerth Dithau, i'm Dadneb. Manne dabdesteb dalie jei'ene tlodi i ac i'th gyfoeth Di. Nid oes Dduw arall vieiiesvuodeb jih Duv famuob, jei'ene giehvies- ond Tydi, y Cynorthwywr mewn Perygl, yr vuodeb jih Duv boidnaavuodeb. Hunanfodolwr. ' Ij leah jeaiah JubmCele guh Dadne, gutt'e leah viekkie viran ajgien, gutt'e leah jei'esisnie irruomienie.
UKRAINIAN WHITE RUSSIAN (BYELORUSSIAN) € CB~~~K 0OMil% M , EoXe, IQO T H MeHe CbBeAYy, 0 E o x a , KIT0 T ~ MIIHe I COTBOPEIB Ha Te, 1 ~ 0 6 R n i s ~ a s ( n a )Te6e cTBapb19, xa6 a n a s ~ a j 4 r a 6 e i 4 a 6 e cnai noxnaaaac~(nack.) To6i. II c ~ i B~gig ~ y Biy. C b ~ b B R p ~ a9Kr3TYK) J xBiJIky Maw X B H ~ H Hnpo ~ MOW c n a 6 i c ~ bi TBOK) c m y , 6 e 3 ~ a I I a ~ o X ~ a c b T iJ b Tsam M O ~Mam , IIpO MOK) B ~ O T ~ Ci TTBOG ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ T C T B O . 960racb1~bi Tsam s e n i ~ . H e ~ ai ~ r u o r oEora, JIMrue TEI,H o ~ i - H a ~ ia~ r u a r aEora, anpaYa QaGe, &a- YHHK B HeWaCTK), C ~ M O ~ Y T H M ~ naMomua jr 6an3e, C a ~ a i c ~ y m s b r .
INVENTED LANGUAGES ESPERANTO INTERLINGUA Mi atestas, ho Sinjoro, mia Dio, ke Vi kreis So testimonia, o mie Deo, que tu me ha min, por ke mi konu jak adoru Vin. Mi atestas create, pro Te cognoscer e adorar. So testiti-momente pri mia senforteco kaj pri Via monia in iste instante a mie debilitate e a Tie Potenco, pri mia malriteco kaj pri Via Riteco. potentia, a mie paupertate e a Tie ricchessa. Ne ekzistas alia Dio krom, Vi, la Defendamo, No existe altere Deo salvo Tu, le adjutor en la Mem-Ekzistanto. periculo, le in se mesmo-existente. BRAILLE
Facsimile of the Short Obligatory Prayer in Braille (English),Grade 11, courtesy of Bahd'i Service for the Blind, a committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd'is of the United States.
A Bahd'i exhibition and literature display was mounted aboard the Santis, seen here moored at Landestag Burkliplatz, Zurich; M a y , 1969. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 751
8. MAJOR W O R K S AND P A R T I A L L I S T OF L A N G U A G E S I N W H I C H T H E Y A R E AVAILABLE RidvSn 1973 1 -Arabic 3-French 5- Persian 7-Spanish 2-English 4- German 6 -Portuguese
A. W O R K S O F BAHA'U'LLAH Epistle to the Son of the Wolf: 2,3,4,5 Prayers and Meditations by Bahd'u'llih (Com- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahd'u'll~ih pilation): 1, 2,4,5 (Compilation) : 2,3,4,7 The Proclamation of Bahci'u'llah (Compilation): The Hidden Words: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 2,3,4,6,7 ~itcib-i-iq6n(The Book of Certitude) : l,2,3,4, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys: 2, 3,4, 5,6,7 5,7
B. W O R K S O F 'ABDU'L-BAHA Foundations of World Unity:2,7 Tablets o f the Divine Plan : 1,2,3,4, Paris Talks: 1, 2, 3,4,5, 7 The Talks of 'Abdu'l-Bahci in America and The Secret of Divine Civilization: 2,3,4,5 Europe, vols. I , 11: 1,5 Some Answered Questions: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 A Traveller's Narrative : 1,2,5 Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable WillandTestament:1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Peace, The Hague : l,2,4,5 Memorials of the Faithful: 2,5
C. W O R K S C O M P I L E D F R O M T H E W R I T I N G S O F BAHA'U'LLAH, T H E B ~ AND B 'ABDU'L-BAHA Baha'iPrayers: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 A New Way of Life (What it means to be a The Bahd'i Revelation : 2,6 Baha'i Youth): 2,6 Baha'i WorldFaith:2,3 ThePatternofBaha'ilife: 2,3,4,6, The Divine ArtofLiving: 2,3,4,7 The Reality of Man : 2,7
D. W O R K S O F S H O G H I E F F E N D I The Advent of Divine Justice: 2,3,4,6,7 Compilations from his Writings The Dispensation of Bahb'u'llah: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ~ ~ h d ' Lt i the ~ World ~ l Centre: ~ ~2,5 l ~ ~ ~ ~ GodPassesBy:2,3,4,5,6,7 Principles ofBaha'iAdministration : (U.K.): 2,3, The Promised Day is Come: 2,3,4,5,6,7 4,6,7 752 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
A selection of Bahd'i literature in some of the 589 languages in which it is available.
Bahri'i exhibition and literature display, Basel, Switzerland; May, 1969. B A H A ' ~B I B L I O G R A P H Y 753
9. A S E L E C T I O N O F I N T R O D U C T O R Y AND E X P O S I T O R Y WORKS
A. GENERAL BALYUZI, H. M. MAXWELL, MAY Baha'u'llih : 2,6 An Early Pilgrimage: 2 The BLib: 2 MEHRABKHANI, R. 'Abdu'l-Baha: 2 Transcerldenciadel ~itdb-i-iqhn: 7 Edward Granville Browne and the Bahh'i La Aurora del Dia Prometido: 7 Faith: 2 Noches Navidenas: 7 BLOMFIELD, LADY NAKHJAVANI, VIOLETTE The Chosen Highway : 2,4 Amatu'l-Bahci Visits India: 2 COBB, STANWOOD PAVON, RAUL Security for a Failing World: 2,3,5,6 La Voz de Dios: 7 ESSLEMONT, J. E. RABBAN~,RUH~YYIH Bahci'u'llah and the New Era: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, The Good Message : 2 7 PrescriptionforLiving: 2,4,6,7 FAI~L,M~RZAABU'L The Priceless Pearl: 2,3,5,7 ~ a h r i ' i ~ r o o f1,2 s: SABET, HUSCHMAND FAIZ~,GLORIA Der Gespaltene Himmel: 4 The Baha'i Faith : 2, 4, 7 SEARS, WILLIAM Fire on the Mountain Top : 2 Release the Sun : 2,6 FATHEAZAM, HUSHMAND Thief in the Night: 2,3,4,6,7 The New Garden: 2,3,6,7 The Wine of Astonishment : 2,3 GAIL, MARZIEH The Flame: 2 The Sheltering Branch : 2 (with Robert Quigley) GIACHERY, UGO The Prisoner and the Kings: 2 Shoghi Effendi-Recollections:2 SHOOK, GLENN GROSSMANN, HERMANN Mysticism, Science and Revelation: 2 Der Baha'i urld die Bahri'i-Gemeinschaft: 4 TOWNSHEND, GEORGE HOFMAN, DAVID Christ andBahd'u'lldh : 2,3,4,6,7 Commentary on the Will and Testament of The Heart of the Gospel: 2,3 'Abdu'l-Bahb: 2 The Mission of Bahri'u'llcih and Other Literary The RenewalofCivilization : 2,3,6,7 Pieces: 2,7 HOLLEY, HORACE The PromiseofAll Ages: 1,2,3 Religionfor Mankind: 2 WOOLSON, GAYLE IVES, HOWARD COLBY Divinia Sin fonia : 2,7 Portals to Freedom: 2,3,4,5,7 Rumbo Hacia el Futuro : 7 MARTINEZ, EMILIO EGEA ZARAND~,NAB~L-I- La Gran Promesa : 7 The Dawn-Breakers (Translated by Shoghi Effendi) : 1,2,3,4,5,7
(Note: Baha'i Publishing Trusts and National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world constantly issue pamphlets and leaflets on various aspects of the Teachings.) THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
B. FOR CHILDREN CHRISTIAN, ROBERTA K. MEYER, ZOE A Bahri'i Child's ABC: 2,3,4 Stories fromGThe Dawn-Breakers": 1,2,3,4,7 HOFMAN, DAVID TRUE, MARGUERITE God and His Messengers: 2,3,4,7 Living Today for Tonzorrow's World: 2,3 LINDSTROM, JANET Bahri'i Prayers for Children (Compilation) : The Kingdoms of God: 2,3,4 2,4,6,7 MEHRABI, JACQUELINE Compilation: 0 God Guide Me (Prayers): 2, 7 Stories for Children: 2,3,
C. PERIODICALS World Order Magazine: 2 Herald of the South : 2 Published by the National Spiritual Assem- Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. bly of the BahB'is of Australia. Editorial Office: 201 1 Yale Station Editorial Office: P.O. Box 285, MonaVale New Haven, Connecticut New South Wales 2103 06520, U.S.A. Australia La Penske Bahd'ie : 3 BahLi'i Briefe : 4 Published by the National Spiritual Assem- Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland. bly of the Baha'is of Germany. Editorial Office: P.O. Box 175 Editorial Office: 7 Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen 1260 Nyon, Switzerland Friesenstrasse 26, Germany (Note: There are, in addition, numbers of domestic organs, issued by National Spiritual Assemblies or their Committees, for use by the Baha'i communities.)
D. INTERNATIONAL RECORD The Baha'i World, vols. I-xv(1925-1973):2 ORIENTAL TERMS
I . T R A N S L I T E R A T I O N O F O R I E N T A L WORDS
FREQUENTLY USED I N B A H A ' I L I T E R A T U R E
'Aba 'Aziz Farrak-Baai 'Iraqi Abadih Fars 'Iraq-i-'Ajam 'Abbas Bab Farsab Isfihan 'Abdu'l-Baha Babi Fath-'Ali 'Iaqabad 'Abdu'l-Hamid Babu'l-Bab Firdaws Ihraqkt 'Abdu'l-Husayn Baglldad Firdawsi Iatihard 'Abdu'llah Bahi Islam Abha Baha'i Ganjih Islamic Abu'l-Fad1 BahB'u'llah Gilin Ismk'iliyyih 'Adasiyyih Bahiyyih Gul Istaribkd Aain Bahji Gulistan 'Izzat ~fiirbayjan Balu&istin Gurgin Afnan Bandar-'Abbas Jalal A&san Baqir Habib Jamidiyu'l-Avval 'Ahd Baqiyyatu'llah Hadith Jamal Ahmad Barfuruh Hadrat Jamal-i-Mubarak Ahsa'i Basrih Hiji Jamal-i-Qidam Ahvaz Batum Haji Mirza Aqasi Jasb Akbar Bayan Hajj Jubbih 'Akka Bayt Hamadan 'Ala' Big Haram Ka'bih 'Ali Birjand Hasan Kad-KJudA 'Ali-Muhammad Biaarkt Haydar-'Ali Kalintar Allah-u-Abha Bismi'llah Haykal Kalimat Alvkh Buaara Haziratu'l-Quds Kamal Alvah-i-Salatin Burlijird Hijaz Karand Amatu'l-Baha Buaihr Hijrat Karbila Amin Buaru'i ~immat-Abad Kahan Amir Bukriiyih Hujjat Kahkul Amir-Nizam Husayn Kawmu's-Sa'ayidih Amru'llah Huvaydar Kawaar Amul KBzim Anzali DalB'il-i-Sab'ih Ibrahim Kazimayn Aqa Diru&ih il Khalkhal Aqdas Dawlat-Ab6d 'Ilm Khan - 'Arabistan aabih Imam maniqayn AsmB' Duzdab Imam-Jum'ih Khayli a d b - 'Ava&iq Imam-ZAdih - Khurasan Ayadi Fara'id iqan Khuy - Azal Faran Iran Kirman 'Azamat Farmin 'Iraq Kirmanhah 756 THE B A H ~W 'O~ RLD
Kitab-i-'Ahd Mujtahid Qurban Sultan Kitib-i-Aqdas Mulk Qurratu'l-'Ayn sultan-~bkd Kitab-i-Asmi' Mulla Sultanu'a-SuhadB' Kitab-i-Badi' Munirih Rafsinjin Sunni ~itab-i-fqan Mustafa Rahim Suratu'l-Haykal Kulah Musta&Aa Rahman Slirih Kurdistin Muzaffari'd-Din Rahmat Suriy-i-Damm Ra'is Siiriy-i-musn LihijQn Nabil Ramadan Suriy-i-Ra'is Lar Nabil-i-A'zam Raat Sliriy-i-Sabr Lawh Najaf RawhQni Luristin ~ajaf- bid Ridvan Tabarsi Naqidin Ruhu'llkh Tabriz Madrisih Nasir Tahirih Mahbubu'h-auhada Nasiri'd-Din Sabzivar Tajalliyat Mahd-i-'Ulya Navvab Sadratu'l-Muntahk Tikur Mkh-Ku Naw-Ruz Sabibu'z-Zaman Taqi Mahmud Nayriz Sahifatu'l-Haramayn Tarazat Malayir Niaapur Sa'id Tarbiyat Man-Yuzhiruhu'llih Nuqtih Salsabil Taakand Maqim N6r Samarqand Tawhid Mari&ih Sangsar aurayya Marhaba Pahlavi SQri Tihr an Marv Paran Saysan Tuman Masa'il - Sha'ban Turkistkn Maahad Qadi &ah Ma&iyyat Qadiyan - Shahid 'Ulamk Ma&riqu'l-Aakar Qahqahih aahmirzad Urumiyyih Masjid Qi'im aahrlid 'UthmBn Maydan Qijar aaraf Mazindaran Qalyin aari'ah Vahid Mihdi Qamsar &ay& Vali Mihrab Qasr-i-airin Says-Tabarsi Vali-'Ahd Milan Qawl aayau'l-Islam Varqa Mi'raj Q ~ Y Y U ~ ai'ih Vazir (also Vizir) Mirza Qayyumu'l-Asma' - Shiraz Miakin-Qalam Qazvin Shushtar Ya-BahB'u'l-Abha Mu'aadhin Qiblih Simnan YahyL Mufti Qli&Bn Sistan Yazd Muhammad Quddus Siyah-ma1 Muhammad-'Ali Qudrat Siyyid Zanjan Muhammarih Qum S6fi Zarand Muharram Qur'an Sulaymkn Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin ORIENTAL TERMS
2 . G U I D E T O T R A N S L I T E R A T I O N AND PRONUNCIATION O F THE PERSIAN ALPHABET
a...asin account 1 i . . . as (e) in best u . . . as (0) in short aw . . . as in mown a...asin arm I i . . . as (ee) in meet B . . . as (00) in moon
The "i" added to the name of a town signifies "belonging to." Thus a i r a z i means native of - Shiraz.
3. NOTES O N T H E PRONUNCIATION O F PERSIAN WORDS The emphasis in Persian words is more or less and the second syllable to rhyme with on. evenly distributed, each syllable being equally Americans are apt to pronounce short "a" plus stressed as in French. For example, do not say "r" like the verb form are; this is a mistake; Tabriz or Tabarsi; stay as long on one syllable "ar" should be pronounced as in the word as on the next; Tabriz; Tabarsi. (While there hurry--cf. Tarbiyat. are many exceptions to this rule, it is the most The same differen tiation should be observed generally correct method of treating the ques- in the case of long and short "i" and long and tion of stress.) short "u". As the guide to the transliteration A frequent mistake is the failure to distin- indicates, short "i" is like "e" in best, and long guish between broad and flat "a's." This differ- "i" like "ee" in meet; for example, IbrAhim is entiation makes the language especially musical pronounced Eb-raheem; Islam is Ess-lahm. and should be observed : in the word AfnBn, for Short "u" being like "ow in short, and long "u" example, pronounce the first "a" as in account, like "00" in moon, the following would be 758 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
pronounced : Quddus-Qod-dooss ; Bdrfuru& In the case of double letters pronounce each -Bar-foroosh. separately: 'Ab-bb. Pronounce "aw" to rhyme with low, or The character transliterated (') represents a mown ; Naw-Ruz is Now-Rooz. pause; it is not unlike the initial sound made in The following consonants may be pro- pronouncing such a word as every. The word nounced like z :&, z, z, d. Baha'i is phonetically as follows: "a" as in The following consonants may be pro- account; ''k" as in hall; ('), pause; "i" as ee nounced like ss: a,s, s. in meet. Zh is pronounced like the "s" in pleasure. - The character transliterated (') may also be a is pronounced like "ch" in Scottish loch or treated as a pause. German nacht. Do not pronounce it as "k". N.B. As Persian often indicates no vowel Westerners often experience difficulty pro- sounds and as its pronunciation differs in nouncing "&' and "q"; a guttural French "r" different localities throughout Persia and the will serve here; otherwise use hard "g" as in Near East as well as among individuals in any good. given locality, a uniform system of translitera- H and h, approximately like the English tion such as the above, which is in use by Baha'i aspirate "h", should never be dropped. Tihran communities all over the world, is indispensable is Teh-ron; madrisih is mad-res-seh; Mihrab to the student. is Meh-rob.
-
Miadkin-Qalam("musk-scented pen"), described by 'Abdu'l-Bahh as "the leading calligrapher ofPersia" who "enjoyed a specialposition among the court ministers of Tihran" and who served both Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha in ' A k k k . ORIENTAL TERMS 759
4. D E F I N I T I O N S O F S O M E O F THE O R I E N T A L
Ab : Father Bab: "Gate". Title assumed by Mirza 'Ali- Aba, Abu, Abi : Father of. Muhammad, after the declaration of His 'Aba: Cloak or mantle. Mission in Biraz in May, 1844 A.D. 'Abdu'l-Baha: Servant of Baha. Babi: Follower of theBab. Abha : Most Glorious. Babu'l-Bab: "The Gate of the Gate". Title of A&Bn : Muslim call to prayer. Mulla Husayn, the first Letter of the Living. Adib : literally "the learned". Badi' : literally "the wonderful". Afnan: literally "twigs". Denotes the relations Baha: "Glory", "splendour", "light". Title by of the Bab. which BahB'u'llah (Mirza Husayn-'Ali) is A d s a n : literally "branches". Denotes sons designated. First monthof the Badi'calendar. and male descendants of Baha'u'llah. Baha'i: Follower of Bahi'u'llah. A.H.: "Anno Hejirae". Year of Muhammad's Baha'u'l-Abha: "The Glory of the Most migration from Mecca to Medina, and the Glorious". beginning of the Muslim era. Baha'u'llah: "The Glory of God". Title of 'Ahd : Covenant. Mirza Husayn-'Ali; born Tihran, Persia, Ahsanu'l-Qisas: One of the commentaries on Nov. 12, 1817; ascended Bahji, Palestine, the Qur'an revealed by the Bab, on the Shrih (now Israel) May 29,1892. of Joseph, translated by Tahirih. Bahji: literally "delight". Denotes that part of Akbar: "Greater", "greatest". (See "Kabir".) the Plain of 'Akka (Israel) where the Shrine A'la :"The Most Exalted One",a title of theBib. and the Mansion of Baha'u'llah are situated. 'AlB': "Loftiness". Nineteenth month of the Bani-Hashim: The family from which Muham- Badi' calendar. mad was descended. 'Ali: The first Imam, the rightful successor of Baqiyyatu'llah: "Remnant of God"; title ap- Muhammad; also the fourth Caliph. plied both to the Bkb and to Baha'u'llih. Allah : "God". Bayin: "Exposition", "explanation". Title Allah-u-Abha: "God is All-Glorious". The given by the Bab to His Revelation, and to Greatest Name, adopted during the period of two of His Writings, one in Persian the other Baha'u'llah's exile in Adrianople as a greet- in Arabic. ing among Baha'1s.l Baytu'l-'Adl-i-A'zam: The Universal House of Allah-u-Akbar: "God is the Most Great". Justice. Superseded by "Allah-u-Abha" during the Big: Honorary title: lower title t h a n a a n . Adrianople period. Biharit : literally "Glad-tidings". Title of one Al-Madinah: The city to which Muhammad of the Tablets of BahB'u'llih. migrated. (See "A.H.") Caravansary (also "caravanserai", "caravan- Amin : literally "the trusted". Trustee. sera") : An inn for caravans. Amir: "Prince", "ruler", "commander", Daruhih : "High constable". "governor". Dawlih: "State", "government". A ~ B :"Master". Title given by BahB'u'llah to Dhi'b: "The Wolf", &ay& Muhammad- 'Abdu'l-Baha. Also "Mister" when preced- Baqir. ing a name. B i k r : "Remembrance", "commemoration", Aqdas : "The Most Holy". "mention"; praise or glorification of God; Asma': "Names". Ninth month of the Badi' recital of His Names; religious exercise or calendar. ceremony; (plural a a k a r ) . Ay yam : (See Ha). El-Abha: "The Most Glorious". A'zam: "The greatest". Farman: "Order", "command", "royal de- 'Azamat: "Grandeur". Fourth month of the cree". Badi' calendar. Farrash: "Footman", "lictor", "attendant". 1GodPassesBy,p.176. 2ibid.,p.18. Farria-Ba&i : The head-farrash. 760 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
F a r s a u : Unit of measurement. Approximately fqbn: literally "certitude". The title of BahB'u'- three miles or five kilometres. 11ah's Epistle to one of the uncles of the Bab Fatva: Sentence or judgement by Muslim mufti. lshriqat: literally "splendours". Title of one of - G h u ~ :n"Branch". Son or male descendant of the Tablets of BahB'u'llah. Baha'u'llah. Israfil: The Angel whose function is to sound Ha, (Days of ): Ayyam-i-Ha. The Intercalary the trumpet on the Day of Judgement. ,- - Days, so named by Baha'u'llih in the Book 'Izzat: "Might". Tenth month of the Badi' of Aqdas, where He also ordained that they calendar. should immediately precede the month of Jahiliyyih: The dark age of ignorance among 'Ali', i.e. the month of fasting which closes the Arabs before the appearance of Muhamthe Baha'i year. Every fourth year the num- mad. ber of the Intercalary Days is raised from four Jalal: "Glory". Second month of the Badi' to five. calendar. Hadith: Tradition. The whole body of the Jamal: "Beauty". Third month of the Badi' sacred tradition of the Muslims is called the calendar. hadia. (Plural ahad&.) Jamal-i-Mubarak: literally "the Blessed Beau- Hadrat: literally "threshold". Courtesy title ty", applied to Baha'u'llah. sometimes translated as "His Holiness". Jamal-i-Qidam: literally "the Ancient Beauty", Hkji: A Muslim who has performed the pil- applied to Baha'u'llih. grimage to Mecca. Jihad : Holy war, as specified in Qur'an. Haram-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Sanctuary, a Jinab: Courtesy title sometimes translated designation given by the Guardian to the "His Honour". north-western quadrant of the garden sur- Jubbih: An outer coat. rounding the Shrine of Baha'u'llah. Ka'bih: Ancient shrine at Mecca. Now recog- Haziratu'l-Quds: "The Sacred Fold", official nized as themost holy shrine of Islam. title designating headquarters of BahB'i ad- Kabir: literally "great". (See "Akbar".) ministrative activity. Kad-&uda: Chief of a ward or parish in a Hijrat (also "Hijra", "Hegira".): literally town ; headman of a village. "migration". The basis of Islamic chrono- Kalintar: "Mayor". logy. The date of Muhammad's migration Kalim : "One who discourses". from Mecca to Medina. Kalimu'llah: "One Who converses with God". Howdah: A litter carried by a camel, mule, Title given to Moses in the Islamic dispensahorse or elephant for travelling purposes. tion. Huququ'llah: "Right of God"; payment by Kalimat: "Words". Seventhmonthof the Badi' believers instituted in the Kitab-i-Aqdas. calendar. Husayniyyih: Place where martyrdom of Kamal: "Perfection". Eighth month of the Husayn is mourned, or where Muslin1 Badf calendar. passion plays may be presented. Designation Karbila'i: A Muslim who has performed the given by a i ' a h s to BahB'u'llah's Most pilgrimage to Karbila. Great House in Ba&did, forcibly occupied Kawaar: A river in Paradise, whence all the by them. other rivers derive their source. Ibn: "Son". Kbadimu'llah: "Servant of God", title of 11: "Clan". ~ i r z ~a q a 'ilm: "Knowledge". Twelfth month of the =an: "Prince", "lord", "nobleman", "chief- Badi' calendar. tain". ImBm: Title of the twelve Shi'ah successors of Khan : similar to a caravansary. Muhammad. Also applied to Muslim reli- - Khidr : literally "The Green One". gious leaders. a u t b i h : Sermon delivered on Fridays at noon Imam-Jum'ih: Chief of the mullas, who recites in Islamic religion. the Friday prayers for the sovereign. Kitab: "Book". Imam-Zadih: Descendant of an Imam or his Kitab-i-Aqdas: literally "The Most Holy shrine. Book". Title of Baha'u'llah's Book of Laws. Insha'allah : "If God wills it". God Passes By, p. 115. O R I E N T A, L T E R M S 761 Kulah: The Persian lambskin hat worn by Muti~arrif : "Governor". government employees and civilians. Nabil:"Learned", "noble". Madrisih: "Seminary", "school", "religious Naw-Ruz: "New Day". Name applied to the college". Bahi'i New Year's Day; according to the Man-Yuzhiruhu'll~h: "He Whom God will Persian calendar the day on which the sun makemanifest". The title given by the Bab to enters Aries, the Promised One. Nuqtih: "Point". Marhaba : "Bravo ! Well done !" Nur: "Light". Fifth month of the Badi' Masa'il: "Questions". Fifteenth month of the calendar. Badi' calendar. Pahlavan: "Athlete", "champion"; term ap- Maahadi: A Muslim who has performed the plied to brave and muscular men. pilgrimage to Mashhad. Pasha: Honorary title formerly given to officers Mashiyyat: "Will". Eleventh month of the of high rank in Turkey. Badi' calendar. P i h k i h : "Present", "tip", "douceur". Mashriqu'l-Aakar: literally "the dawning Qadi: "Judge"; civil, criminal and ecclesiastiplace of the praise of God". Title designating cal. Baha'i Houses of Worship. Qa'im: "He Who shall arise". Title designating Masjid: Mosque; Muslim place of worship. the Promised One of Islam. Maydin : A square or open place. Qalyan : A pipe for smoking through water. Mihdi: Title of the Manifestation expected by Qawl: "Speech". Fourteenth month of the Islam. Bad? calendar. Mihrab : The principal place in a mosque where Qiblih: "Point of Adoration"; prayer-directhe imim prays with his face turned towards tion toward which the faithful turn in prayer. Mecca. The Most Holy Tomb of Baha'u'llah at Mi'raj : "Ascent". Used with reference to Bahji is "the Heart and Qiblih of the Baha'i Muhammad's ascension to heaven. world".l Mirza: A contraction of "Amir-ZBdih", mean- Qurban : "Sacrifice". ing son of Amir. When affixed to a name it Qudrat : "Power". Thirteenth month of the signifies prince; when prefixed,simply mister. Badi' calendar. Mibkin-Qalam: literally "the musk-scented Qur'an: "The Reading"; "that which ought to pen". Title applied to a famed Bahi'i be read". The Book revealed by Muhammad. calligraphist. Rabb-i-A'15: "Exalted Lord". One of the M u ' a a a i n : The one who sounds the A a i n , designations of the Bab. the Muslim call to prayer. Rahmat: "Mercy". Sixth month of the Bad? Mufti: Expounder of Muslim law; gives a calendar. fatva or sentence on a point of religious Ra'is : '"resident", "head". Lawh-i-Ra'is, a jurisprudence. Tablet addressed to the Prime Minister of Muharram: First month of the Muslim year, Turkey by Bahi'u'llih. the first ten days of which are observed by Ridvan: "Paradise"; also the name of the - Shi'ahs as part of their mourning period for custodian of Paradise. The holiest and most the Imams. The tenth day, ' ~ s h u r a ' ,is the significant of all Baha'i festivals commemoday of themartyrdom of Husayn. rating Baha'u'llah's Declaration of His Mulk: "Dominion". Eighteenth month of the Mission to His companions in 1863, a Badi' calendar. twelve-day period beginning on April 21st Mujtahid: Muslim doctor-of-law. Most of the and celebrated annually. mujtahids of Persia have received their Sadratu'l-Muntaha: The Divine Lote Tree; the diplomas from the most eminent jurists of Tree beyond which there is no passing. Karbila and Najaf. Sadr-i-A'zam : "Prime Minister". Mulla : Muslim priest. Skhibu'z-Zaman: "Lord of the Age" ; one of Musta&ath: "He Who is invoked"; the the titles of the promised Qi'im. numerical value of which has been assigned Salam: "Peace", "salutation". Muslim greetby the Bab as the limit of the time fixed for ing. Word used to end a thesis. the advent of the promised Manifestation. l ibid., pp. 110,277 762 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Salsabil: A fountain of Paradise. Surih: Name of the chapters of the Qur'an. Samandar : literally "the phoenix". Suriy-i-Muluk: "Surih of Kings"; Tablet re- ~ a r k a r - ~ qliterally a: "The Honourable Mas- vealed by Baha'u'llfihin Adrianople. ter", applied to 'Abdu'l-Baha. Ta: Letter "T", standing for Tihrin. - "King", especially of Persia. Shah: Taj: literally "crown"; tall felt headdress - Shah-Bahram: World Saviour and Promised adopted by BahB'u'llah in 1863, on the day One of the Zoroastrians. Fulfilled by of His departure from His Most Holy House. BahB'u'llah. Tajalliyat: literally "effulgences". Title of one &ahid: "Martyr". Plural of martyr is of the Tablets of Baha'u'llah. "&uhadii'". Takyih: Religious establishment: usual place - Sharaf: "Honour". Sixteenth month of the of observance of the martyrdom of Imam Badi' calendar. Husayn. Shari'ah, - &ari6at : Muslim canonical law. The Tarazat: literally "ornaments". Title of one of law. the Tablets of BahB'u'llah. Shaykh: Venerable old man; man of authority; Tuman : Unit of Iranian currency. elder, chief, professor, superior of a dervish 'Ulama: Plural of "one who knows"; "learnorder, etc. ed", "a scholar". a a y a i : School founded by Shayu-Ahmad- 'Urvatu'l-Vuaqi: literally "the strongest i-Ahsa'i. Among his doctrines, in addition to handle"; symbolic of the Faith of God. the imminent dual Advent, was that the Vahid: 1. A "unity" or section of the Bayan. Prophet Muhammad's material body did not The Persian Bayan consists of nine Vahids of ascend on the night of the Mi'raj. nineteen chapters each, except the last, which &ayUuyl-Islam: Head of religious court, ap- has only ten chapters. 2. The eighteen Letters pointed to every large city by the Shah. of the Living (constituting the Bab's first - Shi'ah, &i'ih, Shi'ite: Party (of 'Ali). Partisan disciples) and the Bab Himself. 3. Each cycle of 'Ali and of his descendants as the sole of nineteen years in the Badi' calendar. The lawful "Vicars of the Prophet". The a i ' a h s word, signifying unity, symbolizes the unity reject the first three Caliphs, believing that of God. The numerical values of the letters the successorship in Islam belonged right- of this word total nineteen. fully to 'Ali (first Imam and fourth Caliph) Vahid : "Unique". and to his descendants by divine right. Vali: "Governor". Originally, the successorship was the vital Vali: "Guardian". point of difference, and Islam was divided Vali-'Ahd: "Heir to the throne". because Muhammad's (albeit verbal) ap- Varaqiy-i-'Ulyi: literally "the Most Exalted pointment of 'Ali was disregarded. Leaf", applied to Baha'iyyih (Bahiyyih) Sirat: literally "bridge" or "path"; denotes the Khanum, sister of 'Abdu'l-Baha.l religion of God. Varqa: literally "the dove". Siyah-QB1: Black Pit in Tihran where, in Vilayat : "Guardianship". August 1852, Baha'u'llah was chained in the Waqf: Muslim endowments; in Persia, the darkness three flights of stairs underground, landed property of the expected Imam. with son.\e 150 thieves and assassins. Here "White Path" : Symbolizes the religion of God. He receked the first intimations of His world Y i : "0"-.-e.g., Ya Baha'u'l-Abha ( 0 Thou the Mission. Holiest place in Persia's capital. Glory of the Most Glorious!) Siyyid: Descendant of the Prophet Muham- Zadih: "Son". mad. Zawra: "Black mountain"; the land of Rayy. Sufi : Mystics or mystical doctrine in Islam. Zaynu'l-Muqarrabin: literally "the Ornament Sultan: "Sovereignty". Seventeenth month of of the favoured". the Badi' calendar. Zamzam: Sacred well within the precincts of Sunni, Sunnite: From "Sunna" (the Way or the Great Mosque at Mecca. Though salty, Practice of the Prophet, as reported in the its water is much esteemed for pious uses, hadfa.) By far the largest sect of Islam, this such as ablutions, and drinking after a fast. includes the four so-called orthodox sects: The Bahci'i World, vol. v, p. 205 "Genealogy of Bahi'- Hanbalites, Hanafites. Malikites, Shafiites. u'llah". ORIENTAL TERMS 763
The fist and last verses o f Bahd'u'llbh's The Hidden Words (Arabic) arranged and written in three diflerent styles of'calligraphy by Midkin-Qalam. PART SIX
LITERARY AND MUSICAL WORKS ESSAYS A N D R E V I E W S I . T H R E E M O M E N T O U S YEARS O F T H E
H E R O I C A G E - 1868-1870
AT this particular juncture in the history of was now secluded within the walls of a barracks the Formative Age of the Faith, when the fol- designated by Him as the "Most Great Prilowers of Bahi'u'llah in most parts of the world son". have, under the unerring guidance of the Uni- The Cause He revealed, however, had by then versa1 House of Justice, embarked upon exten- been well established in the land of His birth. sive programmes of proclamation designed to His followers after years of misfortune and bring the Faith out of obscurity into the notice uncertainty were reinvigorated, their faith of the generality of mankind, it is most appro- strengthened and their souls galvanized. priate that we turn our hearts and souls to the At the time of Baha'u'llah's arrival in the events of a century ago when the King of prison city of 'Akka, well nigh six years had Kings was issuing the remainder of His majestic elapsed since the Most Great Festival had been summons to the kings and rulers of the world ushered in through Baha'u'llah's declaration in from the prison of 'Akka. the Garden of Ridvan, when the whole crea- In the summer of 1868, through the intrigues tion was "immersed in the sea of purification" of the Persian Ambassador in Turkey and the and the splendours of the light of His counhostility of ' ~ l Pasha, i Grand Vizir of the tenance broke upon theworld. Sultan (of Turkey), BahB'u'llah was impri- The Cause of God had by then witnessed a soned in the barracks of 'Akka and confined to prodigious outpouring of divine Revelation for a small room which looked desolate and de- five years in Adrianople, culminating in the pressing. This room, the interior of which historic proclamation of His Message in that today is kept in good condition and is visited land. The Suriy-i-Mulilk (Surih of the Kings) by innumerable pilgrims from all the world had been revealed in a language of authority over, was, in the days of BahA'u'llah, uninhabi- and power; through it the clarion call of a table and dilapidated. He Himself mentions in mighty King had been sounded and His claims a Tablet that its floor was covered with thick fully asserted. dust, and what plaster remained on the ceiling The Tablet described by Him as "the rumwas often falling down. bling" of His proclamation, addressed to A number of officials, ill disposed, hateful, Nasiri'd-Din &ah of Persia, had been reand unaccommodating, were commissioned vealed though not yet delivered. to guard and isolate Him from the outside His first Tablet to Napoleon 111,in which the world. Thus Baha'u'llah, the Supreme Mani- sincerity of that monarch concerning His statefestation of God-He at Whose advent "the ment in defence of the oppressed among the hearts of the entire company" of God's "Mes- Turks was tested, had been dispatched and sengers and Prophets were proved", "Whose received. The Suriy-i-Ra'is (Arabic), in which presence" Moses "hath longed to attain", for ' ~ l Pasha i had been severely rebuked, and "Whose love" the spirit of Jesus "ascended to about which Baha'u'llah had testified that from heaven", "the beauty of Whose countenance" the moment of its revelation "until the pre- Muhammad "had yearned to behold", and "for sent day, neither hath the world been tran- Whose sake" the Bab had "sacrificed" Him- quilized, nor have the hearts of its people been self-the Bearer of such a mighty Revelation, at rest," had been revealed and the prophecies fallen into the hands of a perverse generation, it contained had been noted with awe and being wronged and afflicted with calamities, wonder. Now in 'Akka, though confined to a cell and years later when passages from this very Tabcut off from the body of the believers, the out- let, depicting the rigours and hardships of the pourings of Bahi'u'llah's Revelation did not Most Great Prison, were chanted in the vicinity cease. The ocean of His utterance continued to of Baha'u'llah's Most Holy Tomb, in the presurge, and the "Tongue of Grandeur" spoke sence of over two thousand of His followers with authority and might. The Pen of the Most gathered from every corner of the world to com- High directed its warnings and exhortations memorate the centenary of the arrival in 'Akka first to His immediate persecutors and then to of the One Whom the world had wronged. some of the more outstanding monarchs of the world at that time. THE TABLET O F FU'AD Another Tablet of great significance, the BAHA'U'LLAH WARNS ' A L ~PASHA Tablet of Fu'ad, was revealed in 1869, soon after Soon after His confinement in the prison the premature death in Nice, France, of barracks in 1868, Bahi'u'llah addressed ano- Fu'ad P a h a , the foreign minister of the ther Tablet of tremendous importance to ' ~ l i Sultan and a faithful accomplice of the Prime Pa&&,who had been an implacable enemy and Minister in bringing about the exile of BahaYu'- the prime instigator of His banishment to the llah to 'Akka. It was revealed in honour of one prison of 'Akka, and who previously had been of BahB'u'llah's most devoted apostles, addressed by Him as Ra'is (i.e. Chief). &ay& Kazim Samandar (father of the late In this second Tablet (Persian), known as the Hand of the Cause of God Tarazu'llah Saman- Lawh-i-Ra'is, Baha'u'llah recounts with much dari). The following passage from it contains tenderness and resignation the hardships and the clear prediction of the downfall of ' ~ l i sufferings to which He and His companions P a h a and the Sultan himself: "Soon will We had been subjected on their arrival in 'Akki; dismiss the one who was like unto him (i.e. describes very movingly the cruelties perpe- 'Ali Paha), and will lay hold on their Chief trated by the guards in the prison; reminds the (i.e. the Sultan) who ruleth the land, and I, Grand Vizir that the Manifestations of God in verily, am the Almighty, the ~ll-compelling." every age had suffered at the hands of the un- Soon after the revelation of the Tablet, 'Ali godly; narrates a story for him of His own P a h a was dismissed from his post, and two childhood, portraying in a dramatic way the years later he died. instability and futility of this earthly life; coun- In those days the believers in Persia often sels him not to rely on his pomp and glory as referred to Baha'u'llah's newly revealed Tabthey would come to an end soon; reveals to him lets to the kings and rulers of the world, and the greatness of this Revelation; points out his many non-BahB'is made their acceptance of impotence to quench the fire of the Cause of the Faith conditional upon the fulfilment of God; admonishes him for the iniquities he had the warnings they contained. perpetrated; emphatically warns him that God's chastisement would assail him from every direction and confusion overtake his M ~ R Z AABU'L-FADL'S SEARCH peoples and government; and affirms that the FOR TRUTH wrath of God had so surrounded him that he A notable example is the case of Mirza would never be able to repent or make amends. Abu'l-Fadl, the greatest of Baha'i scholars. He On this last point Mirza Aqa Jan, Baha'u'- was renowned for his knowledge and learning 11ah's amanuensis, asked Baha'u'llah what among the divines of IslBm, and was the head of would happen if 'Ali Pasha changed his attitude the Theological College in Tihran. His first and truly repented. Baha'u'llah's emphatic re- contact with the Faith was through meeting a sponse was that whatever had been revealed blacksmith who was a Baha'i at his shop in the in the Lawh-i-Ra'is would inevitably be ful- outskirts of Tihran. Never before had Mirza filled, and if the whole world were to join to- Abu'l-Fad1 been so humiliated as on this gether in order to change one word of that occasion, when, with all his knowledge, he was Tablet they would be impotent to do so. utterly confounded by the amazing force of the A majestic contrast took place one hundred argument of this illiterate BahB'i. The black- ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 769 smith immediately reported this whole episode his humility and self-effacement, 'Ali-Kuli to a BahB'i friend, 'Abdu'l-Karim, who, al- m a n , a well-known and learned Baha'i who though he did not belong to the learned class, was commissioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha to serve pursued Mirza Abu'l-Fadl and eventually Mirza Abu'l-Fadl in America and act as his succeeded in bringing him to his house to dis- interpreter, has described him so well in these cuss the Faith. few lines: "If I had never seen 'Abdu'l-Baha At this meeting, and subsequent ones, and Shoghi Effendi, I would consider Mirza Mirza Abu'l-Fadl, confronted with some Abu'l-Fad1 the greatest being I ever laid eyes simple Bahi'is who were not of his calibre, on." found himself over and over again incapable of refuting the clear proofs and arguments put THE DOWNFALL O F A MONARCH forward by his uneducated Baha'i teachers. He AND A POPE marvelled at these men who answered his Let us turn our thoughts again to Baha'u'- difficult and abstruse questions so simply and 11ih. Though captive in the hands of His eneso brilliantly. From there on he visited more mies and cut off from the outside world, the often the house of 'Abdu'l-Karim. He read Supreme Pen wrote many more Tablets in the many of the Writings of Baha'u'llah and met prison of 'Akka. In the year 1869 two impormany learned Bahi'is, but his immense know- tant Tablets were revealed and delivered; one ledge was a barrier and a veil. addressed to Napoleon 111, in which Baha'u'- One day in 1876 he met Haji Muhammad llah explicitly foretells his extinction; the other IsmB'il, surnamed Anis. Mirza Abu'l-Fadl was to Pope Pius IX. Within almost a year's time handed the original copy of this Surih in the Napoleon, the most powerful monarch of his very handwriting of Mirza Aqa Jan, BahB'u'- time in Europe, was driven into exile and 11ah's amanuensis; the Tablet wherein Baha'u'- suffered an ignominious death, while in the llah foretells that Adrianople will pass out of same year the supreme Pontiff's temporal the Sultan's hand and that confusion will over- powers which had existed for many centuries, take his kingdom. He was also given the Tablet were seized frc,,rn him and his vast dominion of Fu'id, in which the downfall of the Sultan is was reduced to the tiny Vatican State. clearly prophesied. Upon seeing these two Parallel with these events and indeed, ever Tablets Mirza Abu'l-Fad1 made his acceptance since Bahi'u'llah had been sent to the prison of the Faith conditional upon the fulfilment of of 'Akka, the believers in Persia were desthese prophecies. perately trying to establish contact with Him. His Baha'i friends pursued him no longer. A Many travelled on foot all the way, but could few months passed and the news of the assassi- not gain admittance to that city. The officials nation of Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz reached Tihran. had taken many precautions in order to pre- On hearing the news Abu'l-.Fadl became very vent the Baha'is from entering. The few Azalis, agitated. His soul was yearning for confir- headed by the notorious Siyyid Muhammad mation of the truth of this Cause, and yet his Isfahani, who is described by the beloved heart was not touched by the light of faith. He Guardian as the "embodiment of wickedness", sat the whole night, read some Tablets of were housed in a certain room overlooking the BahB'u'llah, and prayed with absolute sin- landgate. One of their functions was to watch cerity until his eyes were opened and he knew for any Baha'i who might wish to enter the city the truth of the Cause of God. At the hour of and to inform the guards. This they did with dawn he went to the house of that faithful great zeal and enthusiasm. Many believers, even friend 'Abdu'l-Karim, and when the door was though they had disguised themselves, were opened he kissed the threshold of that house recognized by these men and were not allowed and prostrated himself at the feet of the man to enter. who, through perseverance and love, had given Every day a party consisting of a small numhim the gift of the Faith and led him to the ber of Baha'u'llah's companions, including truth. 'Abdu'l-Bahi, was allowed out of the barracks It is no exaggeration to say that among the in order to purchase food and other necessities apostles of Baha'u'llhli there was no one who in the markets of 'Akki. The first time that the surpassed Mirza Abu'l-Fadl in his knowledge, people of 'Akki took notice of 'Abdu'l-BahL 770 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
was in a butcher's shop. While waiting to be munity of the Most Great Name and its exalted served He noticed that a Christian and a Founder, from Whom they were so cruelly cut Muslim were discussing their faiths, but the off. Letters from the believers began to pour in, Muslim was being defeated. Thereupon, and Tablets were sent out. This process, which 'Abdu'l-Baha simply and eloquently proved called for acts of sacrifice and heroism on the the authenticity and truth of Islam for the part of the many believers who risked their Christian. The news of this spread and warmed lives in order to maintain a two-way comthe hearts of many people of 'Akka towards munication channel, continued throughout the Master; this was the beginning of His im- Baha'u'llih's life. Men like &ay& Salman, mense popularity among the inhabitants of that honoured by the appellation of "the Messenger city. of the Merciful", who in previous years had During these daily visits, the people of 'Akka carried Baha'u'llah's Tablets from 'Iraq and came in touch with the person of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Adrianople, continued in this arduous task, They felt His genuine love and compassion and travelling on foot between 'Akka and Persia, were attracted to His magnetic personality. and, in the utmost poverty, eating mostly Gradually their fear and animosity towards bread and onions for sustenance. This great BahL'u'llah and His followers were removed, hero of the Cause, though illiterate, stands out and many became sympathetic to the Faith and among the disciples of Baha'u'llah as one of the its Founder. Some of these people who were spiritual giants of this Dispensation. attracted to the Faith tried, at times to help the believers, who were refused entry, by lowering ropes and pulling the believers up over the walls BAD1'-THE HANDFUL O F DUST of the city-attempts which however were About a year after BahB'u'llah's arrival in foiled by the guards. 'Akka, a young Persian, aged seventeen, by the The first two believers who managed to get name of Aqa Buzurg, disguised himself as an into the city were Haji &ah Muhammad and Arab and entered the city. Although his father, Haji Abu'l-Hasan, both from the province of a survivor of the upheaval of &ay& Tabarsi, Yazd. The former was the first Trustee of had been a devoted Baha'i, Aqi Buzurg had Bahi'u'llah, and was martyred. The latter, shown no interest in the Faith until he met known also as Haji Amin who succeeded him, Nabil in the city of Nifiapur, in northeast lived to an old age and continued to be the Persia, and was converted. He then decided to Trustee of the Huququ'llih during the ministry go and attain the presence of BahB'u'llah. of 'Abdu'l-Baha and part of that of the Guar- Upon his arrival in the city of 'Akka in dian. The dominatingfactor in the lives of these 1869 he began to roam around until he came two heroes of the Faith was a passionate love to a mosque where he saw a few Persians and for Baha'u'llah. In order to enter the city they recognized the Master among them. He wrote bought some camels and disguised themselves a note, in which he declared his faith, and hanas Arabs. No one recognized them as Baha'is, ded it to 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who greeted himwarmand they were allowed in. ly and took him along with the party straight In the city they met 'Abdu'l-Bahk, and the to the barracks, where he was ushered into the news of their arrival was conveyed to BahB'u'- presence of BahB'u'llkh. 11ah. Arrangements were made for them to In a Tablet Mirza Aqa Jan mentions that meet Baha'u'llah in the public bath, but with Aqa Buzurg was summoned twice to meet the strict instructions that they show no signs Baha'u'llah alone. It was in the course of these of recognition or emotion. However, on be- momentous audiences that the handsofBahB'u7- holding the face of his Beloved, Hiji Amin was Ilah created a new being and bestowed upon so overwhelmed that his body began to tremble. him the title of Badi' (i.e. wonderful). For more He fell to the ground and hit his head on a than two years BahB'u'llah had been waiting stone, was badly injured, and was hurriedly for a devoted soul to'arise and deliver His carried out by his friend. Tablet to Na~iri'd-Din&ah of Persia. While in The arrival in 'Akka of these two souls, and Adrianople He had written some passages on a few others who managed to get in afterwards, the cover of the Tablet, anticipating that the established a vital link between the Com- Almighty would cause one of His servants to ESSAYS A N D REVIEWS 77 1 arise, detach himself from all earthly things, 'Akka, read it, and again knelt with his foreadorn his heart with the ornament of courage head to the ground. The rays of ecstasy and the and strength, take the Tablet, walk all the way signs of gladness and joy appeared on his face. to the capital of Persia, hand it in the manner "I asked him if I could read the Tablet also. described by Him to the King, and in the end be He replied, 'There is no time'. I knew it was a prepared to give his life, if necessary, with confidential matter. But what it was I had no great joy and thankfulness. "We took a hand- idea-I could not imagine such a mission. ful of dust," is Baha'u'llah's own testimony re- "I mentioned that we had better go to Haifa, ferring to Badi', "mixed it with the waters of in order that, as instructed, I might give him might and power and breathed into it the some money. He declined to go with me, but spirit of assurance." suggested that I could go alone and bring it to In a Tablet revealed in honour of the father him. of Badi', who was also martyred a few years "When I returned, in spite of much searching, later, the Pen of the Most High, in great detail, I could not find him. He had gone. . . We had portrays the manner in which this new creation no news of him until we heard of his martyrdom came into being. He describes that when the in Tihran. Then I knew that the case contained appointed time had arrived the Tongue of the Tablet of Bahh'u'llah to the &ah, and the Grandeur uttered "one word" which caused sealed envelope, a holy Tablet containing the his whole being to tremble, and that were it not glad tidings of the future martyrdom of the one for God's protection he would have been who was the essence of steadfastness and dumbfounded. Then the Hand of Omnipo- strength." tence began creating the new creation, and The same chronicler has written the following "breathed into him the spirit of might and account given by a certain believer who met power". So great had been the infusion of this Badi' on his way to Persia and travelled with might, as attested by BahL'u'llah, that, single him for some distance. and alone, Badi' could have conquered all that ". . . he was very happy and smiling, patient, is on earth and in heaven. BahL'u'llah men- thankful, gentle, and humble. All that we knew tions that when this new creation came into was that he had attained the presence of being, Badi' had smiled in His presence and Bahi'u'llah and was now returning to his manifested such steadfastness that the Con- home in a u r a s a n . Many a time he could be course on high was deeply moved and up- seen to have walked about a hundred steps, lifted. leaving the road in either direction, turning his In the same Tablet, referring to the loftiness face towards 'Akka, kneeling with his forehead of the station of Badi', He states that no Tablet to the ground and could be heard saying, '0 can convey its significance nor any pen des- God! Do not take back, through Thy justice, cribe its glory. Badi' left the Most Great Prison what Thou hast vouchsafed unto me through and went to Haifa. Baha'u'llah entrusted Thy bounty, and grant me the strength for its Haji &ah Muhammad Amin (His Trustee) protection.' " with a small case and a Tablet to be delivered Thus Badi' travelled on foot all the way to into the hands of Badi' at Haifa. The following Tihran and did not meet with anyone there. is the story as recounted by this Trustee to an On arrival he discovered that the King was eminent BahL'i historian. staying at his summer residence. He made his "I was given a small case and was instructed way to that area and sat on the top of the hill to hand it to Badi' at Haifa together with some overlooking the &ah's palace at Niyavaran. money. I did not know anything about the The King on successive days, looking through contents of the case. I met him at Haifa and his binoculars, saw the same man dressed in gave him the glad tidings that he had been white, sitting in the same position on the hill. honoured with a trust . . . we left the town and He ordered his men to find out who he was and walked up Mount Carmel where I handed him what he wanted. the case. He took it into his hands, kissed it, and Badi' told them that he had a letter from a knelt with his forehead to the ground; he also very important personage for the &ah and must took the sealed envelope, walked twenty to hand it personally to him. After searching him thirty paces away from me, sat down facing they brought him to the King. Only those who are well versed in the history heroes, whose devotion and self-sacrifice had of Persia in the nineteenth century can appse- lit a. great conflagration throughout that counciate the immense dangers which faced an try. The Message of the BBb, the accounts of His ordinary person like Badi' wishing to meet a martyrdom, and the transforming power of His palace official, let alone the King. For at that Cause had already reached to every corner of time the King enjoyed absolute power and was that land; and from there its reverberations had surrounded by ruthless officials who would put echoed to the Western world. And yet, as to the sword anyone who would dare to utter attested by BaM'u'llBh, not until this momenone word, or raise a finger, against the esta- tous Tablet was delivered to the King had the blished institutions of that oppressive regime. nature of the Cause of God or the claims of its The loud voice of the "herald" who announced Founder, or its principles and teachings, been to the public in the streets the approach of the clearly enunciated to those who held the reins King's carriage, shouting, "Everyone die! of power in their hands. Everyone go blind!" would strike terror into In the annals of the Faith, Badi' stands out the hearts of the citizens who, with eyes cast among the first heroic souls to arise for the to the ground, stood motionless and still as their proclamation of the Cause of Bahi'u'llah. He King and his men passed by. joyously sacrificed himself in His path. Being invested by Baha'u'llah with tremen- This sacrifice was not in vain. The Cause of dous powers, this young man of seventeen, BahB'u'llah-which, from the time of its inassured and confident, stood straight as an ception, had been suppressed; whose adherents arrow, face to face with the King. Calmly and in the land of its birth had been so cruelly courteoukly he handed him the Tablet and in a persecuted and at times mowed down in thouloud voice called out the celebrated Arabic sands; whose very name, as anticipated by phrase: "0 King! I have come to thee from Nasiri'd-Din &ah and the divines of Persia, Sheba with a weighty message." was to have been obliterated from the pages of The King sent the Tablet to the divines of history-has, in spite of much opposition, Tihran and commanded them to write an tremendously expanded during the last hunanswer to Baha'u'llah. Finding themselves in- dred years. Its light has been systematically capable of doing so, they evaded the issue and diffused to all the continents of the world. put forward some excuses which displeased the The army of its pioneers and teachers, re- King immensely. cruited from every race, class and colour, pro- Badi'was arrested, and brutally tortured. His claiming to mankind the advent of the Lord of endurance and fortitude amazed the execu- Hosts, has encircled the globe. The rising intioner and other officials. They took a photo- stitutions of its divinely guided Administragraph of him as he sat in front of a brazier con- tive Order have been established, and within its taining hot bars of iron with which he was World Centre, in the vicinity of its Holy branded. Eventually his head was beaten to a Shrines, the crowning Edifice of that same pulp and his body thrown into a pit. This was Order (The Universal House of Justice)-the July 1870. only refuge for the world's tottering civilization For three years after the martyrdom of -has been majestically erected. Badi'. Bahi'u'llah referred in His Tablets to his This glorious unfoldment of the Cause in the steadfastness and sacrifice, extolled his sta- Formative Age and its future sovereignty in the tion, and bestowed upon him the title "Pride Golden Age are the direct consequences, on the of Martyrs" one hand, of the outpourings of BahB'u'llah's Revelation and, on the other, of the mysterious power generated by the sacrifice of countless THE TABLET TO THE SHAH martyrs, whose precious blood has flowed in For over two decades the people of Persia great profusion during the Heroic Age of the had witnessed memorable acts of heroism per- Faith. formed by a small band of God-intoxicated ESSAYS A N D R E V I E W S
2. THE SPIRITUAL REVOLUT1O.N
G L O B A L revolution is the dominant fact of man and society that will in time transform life in our age. Throughout the world men are human existence: rebelling against the dead weight of the past. testify that no sooner had the First Wordpro- Typically, the challenge to traditional insti- ceeded, through thepotency of Thy willandpuvtutions and insists On the pose, out of His n~outh . . .than the whole creation need for changes which reach the very was revolutionized, andall that are in the heavens of the social order. Typically, too, it manifests and all that are on earth weye stirred lo the an increasing readiness to resort to force to depths. ~ h that ~word the ~ realities ~ of~ all h achieve such changes. created things were shaken, were divided, se- The origin of this vast upheaval has been the pamted, scattered, combined and reunited, djssubject of unending academic and public dis- closing, in both the contingent world and *he cussion. In seeking a phenO- heavenly kingdom, entities of a new creation. . . menon which clearly goes far beyond demands Baha'u'llkh's declaration of His Mission was for specific political, social and economic rejected by the rulers of society to whom He reforms, social scientists have felt compelled addressed it in the latter half of the nineteenth to formulate a new vocabulary. They depict century. Humanity was thereforeleft to struggle the crisis as a "cultural" revolution, a challenge with those forces of which He had spoken, but to the "quality" of modern life, a search for left to do so in a context not of search for glo- "relevancy" and "authenticity". However sugbal unification, but rather of attachment t o gestive such terminology may be, it remains national, racial, cultural, class or political tragically inadequate to grasp the reality of human experience in the second half of the loyalties. The fruit is the world welive in. There twentieth century. It is apparent that we in fact is not on earth today a social system which can are witnessing a massive revulsion on the part of be said to serve man's needs. There is none in which human identity does not seem endanmankind against ways of life that, in their nature and their goal, are seen as anti-life. In so gered. There is none which appears to possess real moral authority. This is as true of socialistic sweeping and profound a reaction violence is incidental. The essential revolution advances societies as it is of capitalistic ones, as true of quietly, often for a time unnoticed, in the hearts cultures based on Christian values as it is of of millions of people who spiritually "drop out" those founded on Islam or Buddhism. of a world they have found meaningless. The In briefly tracing the course of mankind's routine tasks may or may not be done; laws struggle over the past century, Shoghi Effendi, may be obeyed or flouted; but the roots of the Guardian of Baha'u'llah's Message, underfaith-without which no society can long en- lined a further characteristic of the resulting dure-have been severed. crisis : This is the first thing that can with confidence Every System, short of the unification of the be said about the revolution of our times; it is human race, has been tried, repeatedly tried, in essence spiritual. and been found wanting. Wars again and again The first voice to make this statement, a cen- have been fought, and conferences without tury ago, was that of Bahi'u'llah, Founder of number have met and deliberated. Treaties, the Baha'i Faith. In announcing Himself to be pacts and covenants have been paillstakingly the Messenger of God awaited by all the world's negotiated, concluded and revised. Systems of religions, Bahi'u'llih declared the unification government have been patiently tested, have of mankind in one people and one universal been continually recast and superseded. ECO- social order to be the Will of God in this age. nomic plans of reconstruction have been care- He asserted that the revelation of this divine * BahB'u'llAh, Bahci'i World Faith: Selected Writings of Bahci'u'llah and 'Abdri'l-Bahd, 2nd ed. (Wilmette, purpose had set in motion forces within both 111, : Bahgi Publishing T ~ L I1956), ~ ~ , p. 93. fully devised, and meticulously executed. And their action, however unsparing in their zeal yet crisis has succeeded crisis, and the rapidity and devotion to its cause. No scheme which the with which a perilously unstable world is de- calculations of the highest statesmanship may clining has been correspondingly accelerated. yet devise; no doctrine which the most distin- A yawning gulf threatens to involve in one guished exponents of economic theory may common disaster both the satisfied and dis- hope to advance; no principle which the most satisfied nations, democracies and dictator- ardent of moralists may strive to inculcate, can ships, capitalists and wage-earners, Europeans provide, in the last resort, adequate foundations and Asiatics, Jew and Gentile, white and upon which the future of a distracted world can c01oured.l be built.2 The second feature of the revolution is that For Baha'is, recognition that the process of it is universal. social breakdown is irreversible is both a great The elements of society most keenly sensi- burden and a real benefit. An incalculably large tive to the crisis are the underprivileged, the part of the suffering of our times is the result of youth and the minorities. Unlike those who men's struggle somehow to avoid the realization are deeply involved in the existing order, they pressed on them by their own experience. Only do not have the emotional commitment to the with the greatest reluctance do we let go our status quo which past habits or considerable illusions. The greatest of modern illusions is personal investment bring. In their eyes pre- that man can save himself. No one can be said sent-day civilization stands or falls on its own to have dispassionately examined the record of record. In a technological age that. record is the past several decades who still retains this coldly exposed for all to read. The evidence is belief. The process is irreversible because it is now overwhelming that Western civilization a part of nature itself: like its older counterparts in other areas of the All created things' ['Abdu'l-Bahi3 has said] are world has failed the test of such an examina- expressions of the affinity and cohesion of eletion. That is to say, its values have been largely mentary substances, and non-existence is the rejected by the people on whom those values absence of their attraction andagreement.Various must depend for their survival. One may or may elements clnite harmoniozlsly in conlposition but not feel that the examination has been ade- when these elements become discordant, repelquate or fair. What demands attention is the ling eaclz other, decomposition and non-existence almost deafening verdict expressed in the r e ~ u l t . ~ spreading apathy and withdrawal of our times. Shoghi Effendi relates this basic principle of We are being told that present-day civilization, existence to the institutional and social life morally speaking, is not one in which human of mankind : beings can live and grow. If long-cherished ideals and time-honoured This fact throws into sharp relief a third fea- institutions, if certain social assumptions and ture of the modern crisis which is implicit in religious formulae have ceased to promote the what has already been said: the revolution is welfare of the generality of mankind, if they entirely out of man's control. no longer minister to the needs of a con- Nor is there any prospect that it can in some tinually evolving humanity, let them be swept way be brought under human control. The away and relegated to the limbo of obsolescent history of the hundred years since Baha'u'llah and forgotten doctrines. Why should these, in declared His Mission provides whatever evi- a world subject to the immutable law of change dence is needed to support Shoghi Effendi's and decay, be exempt from the deterioration judgement that : that must needs overtake every human insti- Humanity . . . has, alas, strayed too far and t ~ t i o n ? ~ suffered too great a decline to be redeemed The most important thing about the revothrough the unaided efforts of the best among lution is its direction. Humanity has been desits recognized rulers and statesmen-however ibid., pp. 33-34. 'Abdu'l-Baha was the Son and aovointed Successor disinterested their motives, however concerted of Bahb'u'llih. .A
'Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity: Compiled Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahri'u'lkih, rev. from Addresses and Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha (Wilmette, ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahb'i Publishing Trust, 1955), Ill. : Bahb'i Publishing Trust, 1945),p, 20. p. 190. Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahd'u'Nah, p.'42. ESSAYS A N D R E V I E W S 775 cribed as "evolution become conscious of BahB7u'llah's Community has now passed itself". For nearly six thousand years our the first critical century of its evolution. In conworld was the private preserve of a small ruling trast to the deepening disorder of the world class. Now, almost overnight, in the wake of the around it, its original unity remains unbroken, universal Revelation of God promised in all as both its expansion and diversification rapidly the sacred scriptures of the past, people every- accelerate. 'Abdu'l-Baha's vision of world where are awakening to the possibilities of unity emerging from worldwide revolution behuman life. Something that can truly be called gins to take on form and substance: humanity is being born. In the contingent world there are many collec- One thing is lacking. "The tive centres which are conducive to association mankind," Shoghi Effendi states, "is groaning, and unity between the children men. F~~ is dying to be led to unity. . . ."l The achieve- example, patriotism is a collective ment of such a unity involves the building of a nationalism is a collective centre; identity of society fit for human beings to live in. That is interests is a collective centre; political alliwhere the revolution is going. However long ance is a collective centye; the union of ideals is a and the process, mankind is collective centre, and theprosperity ofthe world the a 'Om- of humanity is dependent upon the organization munity. and promotion of the collective centres. Never- BahB'is believe that the "nucleus" and "pattheless, all the above institutions are in reality, tern" that already as the the nlatter and not the substance, accidental and result of a hundred years of work by the spirit not eternal-tenlporary and not everlasting. of ~ a h a ' u ' l l a h .Slowly, ~ over the past century, With the appearance of great revolutions and as the BahL'i teachings have been carried to all upheavals, these collective centres are swept parts of the world, people of every and away. But the Collective Centre ofthe Kingdom, national origin have embraced them. As they the institutions and ~ i path- ~ i ~ ~ have have to give these ings, is the Eternal Collective Centre. It estabteachings effect not only in their personal lives, lishes between the E~~~and the but also in their social relationships. West, organizes the oneness of the world of Bahi'u'llah's conception of organic com- humanity, and destroys the foundation of munity has been summed up in these words: diferenCeS.4 In the h ~ m a nbody, every cell, every organ, From the foregoing it will be apparent why every nerve has its part to play. When all do those who have recognized Bah&'u'llkh regard so the body is healthy, vigorous, radiant, the well-beaten path of political action not ready for made upon it. No merely as pointless, but as wasteful of urgently lives apart the needed resources. That is not to denigrate the whether in serving it or receiving from it. This motivation of others. relates solely to the is . . . supremely true of the body of the BahB'i inescapable priorities inlposed by recognition world community, for this body is already an of God's M~~~~~~~~to our age and of the organism, united in its aspirations, unified in Mission entrusted to ~ i ~ in. words its methods, seeking assistance and confir- written on behalf of shoghi ~ r ~: ~ d i mation from the same Source, and illumined with the conscious knowledge of its unity . . . What we Baha'is must face is the fact that The BahB'i world community, growing like society is disintegrating so rapidly that moral issues which were clear a half century ago are a healthy new body, develops new cells, new now hopelessly confused and. . . mixed up with organs, new functions and powers as it presses on to its maturity, when every soul, living for battling political interests. That is why the BahB'is must turn all their forces into the chanthe Cause of God, will receive from that Cause, health, assurance and the overflowing boun- nel of building up the BahB'i Cause and its administration. They can neither change nor ties of Baha'u'llah which are diffused through help the world in any other way at present. If His divinely ordained order.3 ibid., p. 201. ibid., p. 144, they become involved in the issues the govern- The Universal House of Just~ce,Wellspring of Gui- ments of the world are struggling over, they dance (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahi'i Publishing Trust, 1969), pp. 37-38. 'Abdu'l-Bahi, Bahri'i WorldFaith, p. 419. will be lost. But if they build up the BahB'i 0 Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom else has fai1ed.l i f thou. desirest Me. . . By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of That pattern itself includes service to the others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge material as well as the spiritual needs of manandnot through the knowledge o f thy neighbo~~r.~ kind. From whatever background an individual may enter the Baha'i Cause, recognition of This central moral attribute Baha'u'llah sets in Baha'u'llah must inevitably and intensely shar- the context of community growth: Thepurpose pen his social conscience. So it is that around of justice is the appearance of unity among men.4 the world Baha'is are found working in a wide Intimately related to justice in building range of non-partisan humanitarian pro- healthy social relationships is love. Going begrammes. So it is, too, that Baha'i youth are yond "the golden rule" of past revelations, encouraged to pursue educational goals that BahB'u'llah teaches that the creation of a human will fit them to contribute practically to the re- community that incarnates the principle of lief of human suffering and want. Collectively unity in diversity requires that men learn the BahB'i community itself devotes great literally to prefer others to themselves. We do energy to serving the aims of the United Na- this when we focus on the good qualities of our tions and its subsidiary bodies. What the BahB'i fellowmen, and, as individuals, resolutely overteachings deny is that political action of a na- look those qualities we do not admire.The effect tional or other partisan nature holds answers is to nourish the desirable attributes which are for problems which are in their very essence noticed and praised, just as the effect of cenuniversal. In the spreading public disillu- sure and coldness is to blight individual sense sionment with politically oriented agencies, of self-worth and inhibit spiritual growth. Baha'is see a reflection of this fact of twentieth- Detachment becomes another moral attricentury life. bute of prime importance in such a context. The challenge which Baha'u'llah places be- Freed from the ascetic connotations of the past, fore the individual who recognizes Him, is to detachment serves a vital function in such work for the realization of a new pattern of areas as the process of consultation on which human life. As men of all backgrounds have Baha'i institutional life entirely depends. responded in ever increasing numbers, the Attachment to the self includes attachment to implications of the challenge to the individual ideas which are "mine", to the ego which can have steadily become clearer. Shoghi Effendi, it be bruised, to the desire for one's own wishes to is reported, has explained : be accepted. The central principle of consultation, however, is the struggle of the group to . . . the object of life to a BahB'i is to promote find a collective mind, through which the spirit the oneness of mankind. The whole object of of Baha'u'llah can communicate with them. our lives is bound up with the lives of all human As in all other areas of moral effort; the group beings ; not a personal salvation we are seeking, reacts upon the individual by requiring a conbut a universal one. . . Our aim is to produce a scious effort at detachment, until this becomes world civilization which will in turn react on a habit. the character of the individual. It is, in a way, Moreover, it is only by living in a comthe inverse of Christianity, which started with munity that an individual can discover and the individual unit and through it reached out gradually eradicate the universal disease of preto the conglomerate life of men.= judice. The more one works with people of The pursuit of such an objective requires a varying backgrounds, the more he finds his transformation in the individual's order of prejudices are groundless. This includes not moral priorities that is as revolutionary as any mere racial differences, but the much-discussed other aspect of the modern condition. Bahi'u'llah, The Hidden Words,,trans.Shoghi Effendi The human virtue to which BahB'u'llih as- (Wilmette, Ill.: Eahb'i Publish~ngTrust, 1954), pp. 3-4. signs the highest place is justice. He says: Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, rev. ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahi'i Publishing Trust, 1969), p. 23. U.S. Bahd'iNews, No. 241, March, 1951, p. 14. Cited Eahb'u'llBh, Bahd'i World Faith, p. 1 8 5 , See also in Wellspring of Guidance, p. 135. Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahri'u'llih, U.S. Baha'iNews, No. 231, May, 1950,p. 6. pp. 41-42. ESSAYS A N D R E V I E W S 777 "generation gap" between the ideals of youth has its own integrity and its own processes of and those of the adult, the vast differences be- organic growth, and those who would serve it tween the "haves" and the "have-nots", the can do so only in harmony with this divinely division between the well-educated and the ordained pattern. illiterate, the discrimination against women, 0 friends! Be not careless of the virtues with and the host of other forms which this age-old which ye have been endowed, neither beneglectful enemy of social order assumes. of your high destiny. . . Beware lest the powers Honesty is a moral quality which assumes of the earth alarm you, or the might of the nations new significance in the deliberate attempt to weaken you, or the tumult of the people of disbuild an organically united society. Man today cord deter you, or the exponents of earthly glory lives in a hypocritical society wherein each persadden you. . . This Day a door is open wider than son tends to develop a mask to hide his own both heaven and earth. The eye of the mercy of feelings. We also tend to say those things which Him Who is the Desire of the worlds is turned we think will please our listeners (and sometowards all men. An act, however injnitesimal, thing else when we are away from them). This is, when viewed in the mirror o f the knowledge of has become so much a pattern that we some- Cod, mightier than a mountain. . . One righteous times even learn to hide our true feelings from act is endowed with a potency that can so eleourselves, because we seek acceptance and feel vate the dust as to cause it to pass beyond the that we must conform to the generally accepted heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunpoint of view. The whole basis of BahB'i con- der, and hath the power to restore the force that sultation is quite opposite to this. ". . . at the hath spent itself'and vanished. very root of the Cause lies the principle of the undoubted right of the individual to self- The form of the global society toward which expression. . ." Truthfulness is the joundation of mankind is being impelled must match these all the virtues oj' the world of humanity. With- ideals; must indeed arise from the same divine out truthfulness, progress and success in all the impulse. The age-old issue of authority in the worlds of God are impossible for a sou1.l organization of human affairs must find a solu- Similarly, the Baha'i teachings strongly cen- tion which not only unites the diverse peoples of sure certain moral weaknesses which, in the the world, but protects and nurtures their inpast, have been viewed somewhat complai- dividual capacity. santly by almost all religious systems. Back- The uniqueness of the Revelation of Baha'u'- biting, for example, BahB'u'llah tells us, llah lies in its response to this challenge. "quencheth the light of the heart, and extin- Fundamental to its teachings is the assertion guisheth the life of the soul". that the "age of human maturity" has dawned, Justice, love, detachment, honesty, free- and that mankind is capable of responding to dom from prejudice and backbiting-these are divine order in its social life. The central a few of the spiritual qualities which Baha'ul- thrust of BahB'u'llah's mission, therefore, was llah has redefined and emphasized as the focus the establishment of His "Covenant". Through for the individual's inner battle. In laying par- this Covenant, for the first time in history, a ticular stress on these and other human attri- Manifestation of God has Himself founded the butes which directly serve the development of institutions for the organization of the comcommunity life, therefore, BahB'u'llfih has munity life of those who recognize Him. Accreated a new system of moral priorities. The ting on His assurance, democratically elected ethical standards which man has inherited from Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies have been formed past religions and cultures do not necessarily at both local and national levels. In all their contribute equally, or in some cases at all, to essentials these institutions are faithful rethe emergence of a universal civilization which flections of the Will of God as revealed in the represents the long-awaited establishment of comprehensive written statements of His Mesthe Kingdom of God on earth. That Kingdom senger. Today they form one organically uni- Shoehi Efendi. Bahd'i Administration. rev. ed. (Wil- tedgdministrative system embracing the whole pet&, Ill. : Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1968), p. 63 j and Abdu'l-Baha, Bahd'i WorldFaith, p. 384. earth. Baha'u'llah. Gleariin~sfrom the Writinas o f Bahri'u'- Ildh, trans. 'shoghi gffindi, rev. ed. ( ~ i l m e t t e Ill.: , Bahalu'llah cited by Shoghi Effendi in The Advent of Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1952), p. 265. Divine Justice, p p . 63,69,65,20. In 1963, on the hundredth anniversary of another spiritual revival in the ever-changing Baha'u'llah's declaration of His Mission, the fortunes of mankind, not only as a further crowning unit of His embryonic World Order stage in a chain of progressive Revelations, was successfully raised. In April of that year nor even as the culmination of one of a series elected representatives of BahB'u'llah's fol- of recurrent prophetic cycles, but rather as lowers in every part of the globe gathered at marking the last and highest stage in the stupenthe Baha'i World Centre on the slopes of Mount dous evolution of man's collective life on this Carmel in the Holy Land. There they carried planet. The emergence of a world community, out the first democratic worldwide election in the consciousness of world citizenship, the history.lThe international administrative body founding of a world civilization and culture. . . 2 born that day had been conceived a century earlier by Baha'u'llah. It assumed the name given it by Him: "The Universal House of THROUGH REVOLUTION TO Justice". COMMUNITY With the emergence of this central organ of THE BAB: Say, God suficeth all things above all BahB'u'llah's Cause, the social model He con- things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth ceived a century ago stands essentially com- but God suficeth. Verily, He is in Himself, the plete. Separated entirely from the arena of Knower, the Sustainer, the O m n i p ~ t e n t . ~ political dispute it seeks to demonstrate con- BAHA'U'LLAH: (Jesus) said: 'Come ye after Me, clusively the truth its members have discovered, and I will make you to become fishers of men'. that mankind can learn to live as one human In this day, however, We say: 'Come ye after family. As yet it represents no more than the Me, that W e may make you to heconie quick- "first shaping" of the community that will eners of mankind.' Verily, God loveth those who gradually be built by the growing numbers of are working in His path in groups, jor they are people of every background who are entering it. a solidjoundation. * To His House of Justice BahB'u'llih has assigned a wide range of discretion in adapting 'ABDU'L-BAHA: Consider ye that He says 'in the institutions and ordinances of this com- groups,' united and bound together . . . with sinmunity to the exigencies of an "ever-advancing cere intentions, good designs, useful advices, civilization". The essential pattern however has divine moralities, beautiful actions, spiritual been set, and its viability clearly demonstrated. qualities. . . When the holy souls, through the Far ahead lies the ultimate objective of angelic power, will arise to show forth these Baha'u'llah's coming, the establishment of the celestial characteristics, establishing a band of global society toward which the universal revo- harmony, each of these souls shall be regarded lution of our times is resistlessly impelling all as one thousand persons. . . mankind. The present generation of Baha'u'- 0 ye friends of God! Strive to attain to this 11ah's followers will not see the attainment of high and sublime station and show forth such a this goal. What they know is that it is attainable; brightness in these days that its radiance may that their individual and collective efforts appear from the eternal horizons. This is the real bring it daily nearer; and that in this lies the foundation of the Cause of God; this is the real meaning of life. essence ofthe divine doctrine. . . 5 SHOGHI EFFENDI: "Who else can be the blissful The Revelation of BahB'u'llah, whose supreme if not the community of the Most Great Name, mission is none other but the achievement of whose world-embracing, continually consolithis organic and spiritual unity of the whole dating activities constitute the one integrating body of nations, should, if we be faithful to its process in a world whose institutions, secular as implications, be regarded as signalizing through well as religious, are for the most part, disits advent the coming of age of the entire human solving?. . . race. It should be viewed not merely as yet Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. All National Spiritual Assembly members partici- 167 pated in theelection of the Universal House of Justice, Apiayer of the Bib. whether in person or by mailed ballot. See The Bahd'i * BahB'u'llah, cited by Shoghi Effendi in The Promised World, vol. xrv, pp. 425-439 for a report of the first Day is Come, (Wilmette, Ill. : Bahi'i Publishing Trust, international BahL'i convention for the election of 1961), p. 110; and Bahd'i WorldFaith, p. 401. the Universal House of Justice. 'Abdu'l-Bahi, Bahd'i World Faith, pp. 401-402. ESSAYS A N D R E V I E W S 779 "Conscious of their high calling, confident will of themselves fulfill the glorious mission of in the society-building power which their Faith Bahi'u'llah. Far otherwise. . . Far deeper and possesses, they press forward, undeterred and more fundamental was their [the Bab's, undismayed, in their efforts to fashion and per- Baha'u'llah's, 'Abdu'l-Baha's and Shoghi fect the necessary instruments wherein the Effendi's] vision, penetrating to the very purembryonic World Order of BahB'u'llAh can pose of human life. . . . 'The principle of the onemature and develop. It is this building process, ness of mankind', [the Guardian] writes, slow and unobtrusive, to which the life of the 'implies an organic change in the structure of world-wide Baha'i Community is wholly con- present-day society, a change such as the world secrated, that constitutes the one hope of a has not yet experienced.' . . . stricken society ."l "Dearly loved friends, this is the theme we must pursue in our efforts to deepen in the THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE: "We should Cause. What is Baha'u'llah's purpose for the constantly be on our guard lest the glitter and human race? For what ends did He submit to tinsel of an affluent society should lead us to the appalling cruelties and indignities heaped think that such superficial adjustments . . . as upon Him? What does He mean by a 'new race an extension to all members of the human race of men'? What are the profound changes which of the benefits of a high standard of living, of He will bring about ?"2 education, medical care, technical knowledge- ' Shoghi Effendi, T11e World Order of Bahd'u'llah, pp. The Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Gui- 194-195. dance,pp. 113-114. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
THE Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahk are the fruit has traditiollally posed a dilemma and given of more than half a century of prolific labour rise to baseless dogma in the religions of the from His early twenties to the seventy-eighth past. In their literal-minded zeal to aver the and final year of His life. Their full volume is as authenticity of their Holy Writ, devotees of trayet unknown; and much remains to be done in ditional religions have often insisted on the gathering, analyzing, and collating His literary divine authorship of the very lexical and synlegacy. tactic form of that Writ. This view not only His Writings consist of personal correspon- reduces God to the use of particular and dence, general tablets, tablets on specific different human tongues, but it also attempts themes, books, prayers, poems, public talks, to isolate religious writings from the body of and recorded conversations. Approximately the language in which they were written. It four-fifths of 'Abdu'l-Bahb's Writings are in equates divine origin with absolute linguistic Persian; the rest-with the exception of a very and literary originality. Those who uphold this small number of prayers and letters inTurkish- view tend to be resentful of any comparison and are in Arabic. 'Abdu'l-Baha was both fluent and precedence, and through their unwarranted eloquent in these three languages. Transcrip- notion of originality they completely miss the tions of His extemporaneous speeches are often often striking literary originality of holy books indistinguishable from His Writings. In a cul- that can only be perceived in the light of trature that placed a high premium on rhetoric ditions in their languages. By ignoring the 'Abdu'l-Baha was recognized by friend and literary traditions, conceptual methods, culfoe, Arab and Persian, as a paragon of dis- tural associations-in short by denying the tinctive style and eloquence. life of the language-they reduce rather than It is the intent of this article to touch upon enhance comprehension and true appreciation the character of that style and to present an of holy scriptures. overview of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Writings in various 'Abdu'l-Bahb's two primary languages have genres and categories. Discussion of the lan- vigorous and highly developed literary traguage and style is inherently limited, as it must ditions with more than a thousand years of Iife. be attempted across twin barriers of culture Only the briefest mention of facets of these and tongue; the attempt at categorization is traditions that are germane to the Writings of necessarily arbitrary and is meant to serve only 'Abdu'l-Baha is possible here. Since most of as a catalogue. Obviously any number of cri- 'Abdu'l-Baha's Writings are in Persian, the teria, such as chronological, thematic and lin- main focus here is on Persian literary tradiguistic, can provide different sets of categories. tions. But so many of these are shared with Furthermore, some works cited as examples of Arabic-indeed in many cases they are refleccertain categories could easily be put under tions of Arabic norms in Persian-that the others. observations will generally be true of the 'Abdu'l-Baha was, of course, not a prophet Arabic literary traditions as well. and at no time claimed to have received direct For nearly a thousand years since the forrevelation from God. But the Centre of the mulation and the crystallizatiori of classical Covenant of BahB'u'llah, and the appointed criteria in Arabic and Persian literature there Interpreter of His Revelation, 'Abdu'l-Baha, has existed a preoccupation with and a primacy Baha'is believe, was divinely inspired and of form. Needless to say, tightly metered and guided. His Writings, therefore, constitute for fully rhymed poetry, as the most formal of the Baha'is at once a part and an interpre- literary arts, has been the master art form for tation of their Scriptures. the Arabs and the Persians. Prose writers from The question of divinely inspired language their aesthetically inferior position have at- See "BahB'iBibliography", p. 705. tempted to ennoble their work with qualities ESSAYS A ND REVIEWS 78 1 of poetry, evolving a technique known as saj'. paragraph is made of a series of related cultural It introduces the basic poetic ingredients of images of admittance to court, proffering of rhyme and rhythm into prose without actually the cup of favour, and granting of the ceretransforming it into equal-footed lines. A monial bejewelled robe: all evoke the ceremony symmetry of expression is achieved by use of of a royal audience and the bestowal of high lexical devices such as synonyms, antonyms, rank-traditionally an occasion of pomp, pride and homonyms giving prose an architectural and vanity. By this dramatic inversion of imaplasticity and rendering it memorable. This ges, 'Abdu'l-Baha has underlined the nobility style of writing in Persian reached its apex of servi tude and humility. during the thirteenth century A.D. and de- This use of artistic form for the expression of clined rapidly thereafter. By the end of the meanings and purpose is a hallmark of 'Abdu'leighteenth century it had reached a nadir of Baha's Writings. To cultivate an appreciation artificial verbosity and lost its power to com- of the poetic qualities of His Writings is to municate. enhance one's understanding of His meaning. The style of 'Abdu'l-Baha is the outward It must be admitted that the same qualities mode of His inspiration and expression. The place an enormous burden on the translator; animus is the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. The and much can be lost in inadequate hands. Forclay is the Persian language with its charac- tunately, Shoghi Effendi, particularly in his teristics. The mystery of His person forms it . translations of some of 'Abdu'l-Baha's prayinto a unique style. It is distinctive, unmistak- ers, has left us a true standard. ably personal, and therefore original. Yet it is The foregoing should not lead the reader to in the purest mould of literary tradition. It is infer that the style of 'Abdu'l-Baha. although a new flowering of saj'. 'Abdu'l-Baha has at all times recognizable and personal, is unbreathed new life into a familiar form; but by varying. His subjects, ranging from philosoharmonizing form and content He has ba- phical treatises to meditative poems, are exnished contrived artifice. pressed in language appropriate to them. Be- In the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha form is an fore proceeding to the differentiation of the approach to the content. He makes use of various categories of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Writings poetic imagery and of a vast range of rhetorical it might be helpful to clarify the traditional term and literary devices such as metaphors, similes, Tablet (lawh) which is applied to the majority symbols, allegories, alliterations, assonances, of His Works. It designates all His Writings and dissonances, not in order to draw a veil that are addressed to specific individuals or around the subject, but to expand the reader's groups. As such it is applied to everything from mind by refraction of the same reality through His personal correspondence to such fundadifferent planes of perception, cognition and mental documents as the Tablets of the Divine intuition. This is the difference between sterile Plan and the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'lformality and organic integrity of form in a Buha. truly creative sense. I . For purposes of analysis 'Abdu'l-BahB's Two brief examples may illustrate this har- Writings can be divided into twelve groups of mony of form and content in the Writings of which personal correspondence (Tablets to 'Abdu'l-Baha. First is the phrase "the Sun of' individuals) constitutes by far the largest seg- Reality" which occurs frequently in His Wri- ment, despite the undoubted fact that a portion tings both as a metaphor and a symbol for the of this precious heritage has been irretrievably Revelation of Baha'u'llah. There is mutual lost, and a portion remains in non-Baha'i illumination of the concrete and the abstract hands. 'Abdu'l-Baha's letters are masterpieces here-at once self-evident, life-giving, and per- of Persian epistolary genre. They are marked vasive. But it also can remind us of creatures by directness, intimacy, warmth, love, humour, that avoid the sun. How often 'Abdu'l-Bahi forbearance, and a myriad other qualities that referred to the Sun of Reality dawning over reveal the exemplary perfection of His pergatherings of bats! The other example is the sonality .'Abdu'l-Baha addresses everyone as an imagery evoked in His own Tablet of Visita- equal in the service of Baha'u'llah. His letters tion: ". . . Give me to drink from the chalice of often open with an invocation of the quality of selflessness; with its robe clothe me. . ." The faith of the recipient rather than his name or identity -epithets such as "0 the Firm One in prayers of 'Abdu'l-Baha are nzunbjbt. Approxithe Covenant", "0Lover of the BlessedBeauty". mately one half of these are in Persian and the (Later when the Persians were required by law other in Arabic, with a very few in Turkish. to adopt family names, many Baha'is chose as The term munhjdt has a history in Persian surnames words of address from the Tablets of literature beginning with m w a j i h 'Abdu'llah- 'Abdu'l-Baha to themselves or to their fathers.) i-Ansari, a Sufi mystic of the eleventh century In subject matter, 'Abdu'l-Baha's letters range A.D. The mun4jat of Ansari are highly stylized from responses to the personal and ephemeral epigrammatic forms of communion with God. requests of His correspondents to profound From a literary point of view these brief evoelaborations, elucidations and interpretations cative compositions bear only the slightest of the BahB'i Revelation. But mostly they are generic resemblance to the munbjbt of BahB'u'- concerned with direction and exhortation of llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha, which, although called the friends to spread the Teachings. by the same name, are clearly a literary inno- 11. Tablets of specific topical or thematic sig- vation and original creations in the Persian and nificance addressed to individuals are perhaps Arabic languages. Their chief distinguishing best exemplified by the Tablet to Professor quality is the sustained and expanding expres- Auguste Fore1,l which is in fact a philosophical sion of man's experience of the Holy by means treatise written by 'Abdu'l-Baha in September, of poetic language. 1921, in answer to questions put to Him by the The prayers of 'Abdu'l-Bahk, particularly, noted Swiss psychologist. partake in the fullest measure of poetic qua- III. Tablets addressed to Bahb'i communities lities. Some actually include fragments or lines in various parts of the world chronicle 'Abdu'l- of metrical verse which are indistinguishable Baha's loving and vigorous leadership of the from the texture of the whole prayer. The Cause of Baha'u'llah and its propagation from purity and sanctity of natural imagery reveal a a handful of countries in the Near and the state of cosmic harmony. The musicality of Middle East to some thirty-five countries in some of them transcends limitations of lanevery continent on the globe. The most impor- guage. Poetry is made to serve the ultimate goal tant in this group are undoubtedly the series of of rising above "the murmur of syllables and the Tablets of the Divine Plan, written at the sounds". The emotional intensity of some of close of the first World War. 'Abdu'l-Baha's prayers, especially those that recall the sufferings of and separation from IV. Among the Tablets written to world groups Baha'u'llah is unrivalled. or congresses, the best known is the Tablet sent in 1919 to the Central Organization for a VII. Prayers written for special occasions such Durable Peace at the Hague.' as meetings of Spiritual Assemblies, or emv. The Will and Testament of 'Abdu1'-Baha is a barking on teaching trips, focus upon overunique document, written in three parts, that coming of self and reliance upon confirmations constitutes the charter3 of the BahB'i Admini- from God. strative Order. Although undated, it is clear VIII. Tablets of Visitation, virtually all written from its contents that the first part was written in Arabic, are primarily for commemoration in 190617 during the most perilous and yet of individual heroes and martyrs of the Faith, most prolific period of His life. and are to be chanted when visiting their graves. vr. The next category is that of prayers. The The majority were written in the final years of Arabic and Persian languages distinguish be- 'Abdu'l-Baha's life and are another testimony tween what is translated in English as prayer of His abiding love and faithfulness to the (munhjbt) and obligatory prayer (jalbt). The memory of those who sacrificed themselves for The text of this Tablet appears on page 37. the Cause of God. See D. 29 for text. "The Charter which called into being, outlined the IX. 'Abdu'l-Baha:s poems are few in number, features and set in motion the processes of, this and mostly in 1natJnavi (rhymed couplet) form. Administrative Order is none other than the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, His greatest legacy t o His love for this form-universally associated posterity, the brightest emanation of His mind and the mightiest instrument forged to insure the con- with the great spiritual masterpiece of the tinuity of the three ages which constitute the com- thirteenth century poet Rumi-and His love for ponent parts of His Father's Dispensation." Shoghi Effendi, Godpasses By, p. 325, Wilmette ed. Rumi's poetry are further evinced by frequent ESSAYS A ND REVIEWS 783 quotations of lines from the latter's works in formers and modernists in Persia. But the His Writings. significance of The Secret of Divine Civilizax. Books and treatises, of which 'Abdu'l-Baha tion is not merely that it represents the earliest left three, are The Secret of Divine Civilization, and the only coherent scheme for the moderwritten in 1875 (also known as A Treatise on nization of Persia. We have come to recognize Civilization); A Traveller's Narrative, written as the fatal flaw of nearly all reformist ideas and about 1886; and a short volume entitled A modernizing efforts of the last hundred years Treatise on Politics, written in 1893. The first (not only in Persia but in many parts of the two have been translated into English. The world), a naive inlitation of effects without latter, available only in Persian, may be con- grasping the causes-superficial borrowing of sidered a sequel in subject and purpose to forms unrelated to their underlying values. The Secret of Divine Civilization. The funda- Everything in 'Abdu'l-Baha's proposals is mental theme is the generative force of religion firmly based upon the validity and potency of and the degenerative role of priestly power in divine guidance. It is not westernization of the human affairs. The first book is addressed to East that He advocates. He has as much to say the Persian nation as a whole; the second is to the spiritually impoverished societies of the directed to the Baha'i community in that land. West as to the people of Persia. Through a re- Their import obviously transcends the his- vivification of the spiritual and moral potentorical aims and the immediate occasion of their tialities of man 'Abdu'l-Baha seeks to create writing, but they also constitute significant new institutions and viable political forms-to documents within that context. lay the foundation of a truly divine civilization. The Secret of Divine Civilization, parti- A Traveller's Narrative, which is a history of cularly, occupies a pre-eminent historical po- the episode of the Bab, was written for the sition among the literature of modernization seeker and the curious. It presents a brief and in Persia. Seen in the light of the unfolding dispassionate account of that portentous dis- BahB'i Revelation, it is, of course, 'Abdu'l- pensation in a simple and moving narrative BahB's elaboration of the principles enunciated style. Like The Secret of Divine Civilization, this by Baha'u'llah in His Tablets to the rulers of book was published anonymously. It may be the earth. But read in the light of modern ana- another indication of 'Abdu'l-Baha's humilytical literature on the nature and problems of lity before BahB'u'llah that He did not place modernization, it is a unique document of His name on the two books He wrote for the equally profound implications. In it 'Abdu'l- public beyond the Baha'i community during Baha presents a coherent programme for the the lifetime of His Father. He also wished to regeneration of Persian society.The programme emphasize, as He points out in The Secret of is predicated on universal education and era- Divine Civilization, that He had no expecdication of ignorance and fanaticism. It calls tation of personal gain from His efforts. for responsibility and participation of the XI.'Abdu'l-BahB's discourses are extensive people in government through a represen- transcriptions of His utterances on various tative assembly. It seeks to safeguard their topics. The two major examples of the genre rights and liberties through codification of laws are Some Answered Questions and Memorials and institutionalization of justice. It argues for of the Faithful. The generic affinity of these two the humane benefits of modern science and works is, however, strictly formal; for in subtechnology. It condemns militarism and under- ject matter they are widely different. The final scores the immorality of heavy expenditures written versions of both were examined by for armaments. It promulgates a more equi- 'Abdu'l-Baha and approved for publication. table sharing of the wealth of the nation. Some Answered Questions is a compilation Of the long list of indictments that could be of the table talks of 'Abdu'l-Baha in response brought against the one hundred and twenty- to questions put to Him by Laura Clifford five years of Qajir misrule of Persia, few could Barney on spiritual tenets of the Baha'i Faith be as damaging as their neglect of this blueprint and on the Baha'i understanding of some in 1875. Not until nearly twenty years later do Christian beliefs. The conversations, their some of these ideas appear piecemeal and recording, editing, and authentication occurred unrelated in the writings of other so-called re- in the difficult years immediately preceding 784 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
'Abdu'l-Baha's relative freedom in 1908. The pite the peculiarities of time and place, it should compilation was first published in 1907. not take the reader long to recognize a gallery Memorials of the Faithful, which has only of timeless and universal human types in this lately (1 971) been translated into English, is a book. compendium of 'Abdu'l-BahB's remembrances The spoken language of 'Abdu'l-Baha is of some seventy early believers, spoken to figurative and almost indistinguishable from gatherings of Baha'is in Haifa during the early His written style. He makes use of a rich fund years of World War I. These were compiled, and of literary devices-rhymed phrases, sym- 'Abdu'l-Baha's permission for their publica- metrical forms, alliterations, assonances, metation was granted in 1915 but due to the stric- phors, similes, and allusions-that, far from tures of wartime the book was not published sounding contrived and artificial, are naturally until 1924 when it was again authorized by matched to the subject matter: the essence of Shoghi Effendi. faithfulness. With concrete images He des- The outward form of Memorials of the cribes spiritual states and psychic levels of Faithful is a collection of brief biographical consciousness, as if to assert the primacy and sketches. Its title in the original, Ta&kiratu'l- reality of the realm of spirit. Should the reader Vafri, places it in a Persian literary tradition experience difficulty with the style, let him some nine centuries old. It brings to mind the savour it slowly, allowing the unfamiliar lan- Taakiratu'l-Awliyci (Remembrance of Saints) guage to create its own spirit and breathe life of the twelfth century mystic poet 'Attar. The into its allusions. Let the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha spiritual and cultural impulses that have given trace in his mind the shape of the valley of love rise to the literary form of tadkirib have little and faithfulness. to do with the particular, the personal and the In His usual self-effacing way 'Abdu'l-Baha ephemeral aspects of human life. It is the says almost nothing about Himself in this quality of soul, the attributes of spirit, the book. But occasional events in the lives of these quintessential humanity and the reflection of companions are interwoven with His own. In the divine in man that is the focus here. these passages we have some thrilling glimpses The root word &ikr in the title means of that essence of humanity and humility that prayerful men tion-reverent remembrance. It was 'Abdu'l-Baha. implies that it is not the biographer nor the XII. Next to His personal correspondence, talks reader who memorializes a human life, but comprise the largest segment of 'Abdu'l-Baha's rather the quality of that life which has earned recorded words. One may distinguish between immemorial lustre and sheds light on all who talks given to Baha'is and addresses to the remember that quality. Quite literally this book general public, such as societies, groups, uniis a remembrance of vafri-faithfulness-not versities and congregations. Generally they just memories of individual lives, but remem- have the same literary marks and rhetorical brance of that essential quality which was the patterns that are characteristic of 'Abdu'lanimating force of all those lives. Baha's Writings. The people whose "lives" are depicted here This vast body of Writing, boundless in its all share one thing in common. They are pro- wisdom, consummate in form, generous and pelled by their love for Baha'u'llah. So great is loving in spirit and rich in significance, is this magnetic force in their lives that they 'Abdu'l-Baha's literary legacy, a legacy that, literally travel vast distances and overcome like His own prayer, rises "above words and every barrier to be with Him. Some of them letters" and transcends "the murmur of sylarrive virtually with their dying breath, to ex- lables and sounds". It is the reality of 'Abdu'lpire happily after having seen the face of their Baha so far as we the grateful readers are Beloved; some die on the arduous path. Des- capable of perceiving. II VERSE
Tu nous avais promis de revenir, Ich bin der 'Weg'!' Et moi j 'ai cru en ta promesse, Der 'Freund' binIch.= Et je t'attends et je techerche: Ich bin das 'Tor'!3 Tu nous avaispromis derevenir. Vielstimmig tont das 'Wort' imChor ! Tu avais dit :"Jereviendrai" Comme unvoleur, la nuit tombee; Kennst du den'weg', Ouvre ton cceur et tiens loi pr&t". und leitet dich des 'Freundes' Hand ? Et moi j 'ai cru en ta promesse, Dann furchte nichts; Et je t'attends et je te cherche. Sieleiten dich zum LebensfluB, Tu avais dit: "Ence temps-la, La faim, la guerre et la miskre an einen Steg Seront les h6tes de la terre ; kaum haaresbreit Les hommes trembleront de peur und scharfer als ein Schwert. Et l'angoisse habiteraleur cceur". Ihn uberquert in1 Augenblick Les oiseaux ont quitt6le ciel ; Les fleurs des chamvs se sont fanees.; des Reinen Sinn ; Nos pauvres cceurs nus, assoiffes, erreicht das Tor, Telancent un vibrant appel : gewinnt denBlick I1est grand temps que tu reviennes ins Mittagslicht- Si tu veux quel'on se souvienne. BahB'u'llBh. Helga Ahinedzadeh (Germany) Tu nous avais promis de revenir; Moi,je t'attends, moi, je te cherche, Car moi,j'ai cru en ta promesse.
Toi qui nous avais promis: "Sous ma bannikre vous serez unis Bouclier de l'Humanil6, Et ce sera le paradis ; Abri pour l'exalt6, Unseul berger, un seul troupeau, Joie de Bahk'u'llih! Et leloup ami del'agneau". Citadelle pour l'infortune, Et moi j'ai cru en ta promesse: Lumikre de ma pensee, Je t'appelais et je te cherchais, L'Interprkte de Bahi'u'llah! Et jamais je ne te voyais. Mais maintenant, je sais Centre du Covenant, Que tu es la, Mysthe de Dieu, Depuis cent ans deja Prunelle des Yeux de Bahi'u'llah ! Et c'etait toi qui m'attendais. M. Lajbille (Belgium) Serviteur de Dieu, Honneur pour les yeux, L'Exemple de BahA'u'llah!
Amour et respect indescriptibles, De celui qui englobe mon cceur, Et son nom est 'Abdu'l-Bahi.
Ivre de votre presense, But de mon espkrance, Recours a mes souffrances! M. M. Hielscher (Switzerlaizd) Christus Muhammad Bab 786 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
Les Martyrs El Siglo Divino Aves-vous entendu la douce et bonne . . . Paraque todos digatzque el Siglo Nouvelle de1'humanitC ? X X es el Siglo de las luces,que el Siglo C'ttait en Perse, il y avait longtemps, X X es el Siglo de la Paz U~ziversal. ('Abdu'l-Baha) Deux provhtttes se sont manifestts. Le leBab, et ses vingt millemartyrs, Siglo Veinte deluces! Ont donntleurs vies pour notre bonheur. te llamaranentonces Le second, Baha'u'llah, emprisonnt et banni, 10s hombres de unfuturo Accepta toutes les douleurs pour notre bonheur. lejano en su cantar; Des gens hostiles les traitttrent mal. siglo de ciencias y artes Ces prophtttes, qu'ont-ils dit et proclamt ? en que guerras cesaron Retenez-vous qu'ils sont les promis de tous les Bges ? y se escuch6la dulce Des milliers d'annCes,l'on souhaitait leur venue. melodia de la paz. Quand ils vinrent, ils furent perstcutts et emprisonnes. Siglo Veinte! tu gloria Lui, le Bab, Annonciateur de la venue du sera imperecedera, Sauveur suprkme, Baha'u'llah, s'etait vu fusillt viviras enlas mentes Et du Skjour dela Paix (Bagdad) dans le jardin de toda unaeternidad; RidvBn, bajo una sola, grande Bahit'u'llihs'eleva du milieu des ennemis y Divina bandera, Et proclama sonmessage. I1 disait : marchara hacia adelante Lapaix del'humanitt dtpend de soriunitt. todala humanidad. De saprison d'Akkale Sauveur et l'Educateur Supr&mede I'humanitt, Siglo Veinte grandioso Nous enseignait et ordonnait toutes les regles. en que murieron guerras Avez-vous entendu maintenant la douce et bonne y la gloria Divina Nouvelle ? ilumin6la tierra. Voyezpour notre paix et notre bonheur, Te cantaran de entonces Combien d'hommes se sacrifitrent ! nuestras generaciones, Soyons pour notre gtneration et pour le uniendo con sus voces Royaume d'AbhB, des martyrs et des disciples todos sus corazones. En propageant la nouvelle de la merveilleuse Foi. Kondo Adalnou Zaroumeye (Niger) En tus almas tranquilas ya no habran mas tinieblas, pues las brisas Divinas disiparanlas nieblas. Los cardos seranrosas, las hierbas margaritas, se aspirara un ambiente de fragancia exquisita.
Y ha de cumplirse entonces la antigua profecia, de apartar de 10s pueblos las sombras de la guerra; y viviendo felices Enfants de Dieu, ouvrezvos yeux! aspid, lobo y oveja, Plus de nuages ne couvrent les cieux. "comolo es enelcielo Enfants de Dieu, ecoutez! asi sera enla tierra." Voyez! L'on a proclamelaPaix. Ne I'avez-vous pas lue dans la Thora ? Alberto Carbo Medina (Ecuador) Ce temps n'est-ilpas dit dans laBible qu'ilsera? Quant avous ceux du Coran, Annonct, n'est-ilpas par les Imams?
Enfants de Dieu, l'heure est venue, Die Menschheit Soyez de ceux quil'ont dkjareconnu. Unendlich grol3ist noch das Leid, Enfants deDieu, c'est votre chance das sich die Menschheit selber schafft. Soyez de ceux qui pensent. Durch Kriege, Machtkampf, Hal3 und Streit Dieul'avait promis a Abraham, vernichtet standigsie dieKraft, Cela ne bouleverse-t-ils pas votre Bme ? die ihr zu bess'rem Tun gegeben. Enfants deDieu, faites attention! Sie mul3erwachen von dem Wahn, Bouleverste enest la crtation. daR vonGewalt die Welt kannleben, Y. Olivari (Canada) wieihr die Macht'genangetan. VERSE Der Mensch als gottlich hoher Funken, Si rivelal'arcano : der aus dem Staube angefacht, era un momento. . . und schonso oft zuruckgesunken, esser vissuta nell'infinito, ist doch als Schovfunnsziel - nedacht - ! e nel mio silenzio ~ ieinee schiipf;ng nur kann sein, un uragano im Universumeine Macht, una tempesta di speranze ist auch die Menschheit nur allein un battito d'ala . . . alsEinheit dieser Welt gedacht. Mi giunge il ritmo della morte Aus der Vielfalt, aus dem Leben in una melodia dolcissima. wachse groR der Glaubensgeist, Avevo dedicato daR der Willeund das Streben lamia innocenzaall'amore. nach der Einheit Liebe heist ! Neve grandine gelo Neuer Streit bedeutet Ende, tanto flagello neuer Geist bringt Stuck fiir Stuck tutto dissoltol'esistere, lugubre tutta der welt die grone ~eitenwende, ogni suono un affanno, ihr Gerechtigkeit und Gluck! ogni musica una spada. Bernhard Notz (Germany) Avevo paura della bellezza chiudevo gli occhi per non vedere, non sentire, fuggivol'umanita.
Senza speranza ! Als Er von uns geschieden, Gottes Wort, I1 Vatesublime das neue Menschen schafft und neue Zeiten, dona la certezza weit klaffte da verwaistes Hier zumDort. che apparteniamo all'amore So rief Er Dich, um unseren Weg zu leiten. per sempre. Maria Bertoni (V~rlcania),Italy Dein Wesen ist dem Seinenso vermahlt from Ti ~ n n d e r ;un segno, come la rugindn, als mildes Licht von Seinem ewigen Glanze, pp. 113- 1 15. Reprinted by permission. dass Du, der Meister, vonIhm auserwahlt, ein Weiser warst fur alle, fur das Ganze,
Wie war' die Welt geworden ohneDich? Du lebst in uns, D u bist uns nieentschwunden. As sky to the hawk's wing be DeinVorbild, menschvollendet, koniglich, 0 Life, for me! ist heilig unserem Innersten verbunden. Space yielding space and height compelling height, To poiseand free An Deinem Beispiel ringen wir uns frei . The ardor of my flight. Von Deinen Lippen trinken wir die Lehren. Give me the sky Durch Deine Liebe und durch Dein Verzeih Of the hawk's wing, Life! erahnen wir des Himmels reine Spharen. And does a voice reply: To the hawk's wing. . . to the hawk's wing, Wie danken wir, die wir vonDank beschwert, Sky. erfiillt, erhoben und emporgerissen?- Horace Holley 0 Freunde, lasst uns Seiner Liebe wert das Leben leben, das wir von Ihm wissen! Aclelhert Miilschlegel (Germany) The Nine-pointed Star1 Stablestars, variablestarshydrogen-into-helium Ti mander6 un segno, come la rugiada . . . fusions, radiations, spectral fires. Mentre IeggoBaha'u'llah And the Nine-pointed Star, dalla segreta sunstar in the constellation animadell'invisibile of thenuclear will; arrivano i fluttidell'eterno. El'anima si abbandona fixed star whoseradiance a1suo sogno infinito. filtering down to us lights mind and spirit, signals futurelight. Sento che tocca il mio essere Robert Hayden in un accord0 (Reprinted from World Order magazine. Copyright 01974 come armonie by the National Spiritual Assembly o f the Bahi'is o f the traessi da un sogno. United States.) 788 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
Rebirth Thelover of my soul, My friend, my brother, (The night I became a Bahh'i) Who plucked me, with God's hand ~ r o m o uthe t silvery metal bird It was hard to die, slowly, in Salisbury Cathedral, Flying above the endless cloud My faithpouring out of my soulin tears, That hid theearth But, strangely, much harder in sweet Caesarea, And buried all the errors of my past. Umbilically strangled by torturing fears, To struggle and wrench from my womb of a prison Together, with God's world around, And reach for the Sun of the Glorious years. We stand and stare, Engulfed in dazzling radiance, silver streaked. I died among dozens of wandering people Amist of silver and a sea of mist, Admiring the spire orjust worshipping stone. A silver sun, a bright translucent sea, My life trickled slowly, no watchers stood vigil, Glory around us and within. I died as they left me, unwanted, alone. Alone and yet as one we stand together I cannot return to the glory of living Poised against the wind Unaided, unloved, withno guide of my own. Like sea-gulls gliding as they sail upon the air. (The next day) Our souls, like gulls go sliding on the surface of the As tears, deep Flowing down the deathly cheek of morning, Back to the God they serve, Unchecked, unstaunched, Hisloving gift returned into His care. The sweet pure rain of God's forgiving grace Falls freely, And all the while, the tear-stained earth Cleansing the guilty mind, Soaks up the Holy tears Blessing the struggling, new-born soul, And pretty painted homes, Healing and annealing And gently rocking boats, The scars of terror-strickennight The new-washed walls, The roofs and roads and cars, No more alone. The jewel-ladenleaves Beside me on Fort Regent's heights And daisies at our feet Reflect His glory. Mary Connell (England)
Glimpses of 'Abdu'l-BahA Adaptedfrom the Diary ofJuliet Thompson by Roger White "No word of mine would suffice to express how instantly the revelation of 'Abdu'l-Bahi's hopes, expectations and purpose . . . electrified the minds and hearts of those who were privileged to hear Him, who were made the recipients of His inestimable blessings . . . I can never hope to interpret adequately the feelings that surged within those heroic hearts as they sat at their Master'sfeet . . . I can never pay sufficient tribute to that spirit of unyielding determination which the impact of a magnetic personality and the spell of a mighty utterance kindled in the entire company of those returningpilgrirlis, these consecrated heralds of the Covenant of God. . ."(Shoghi Effendi)
'AKKA': July, 1909 We drive along a wide white beach. Streets so narrow that our wheels Sea waves curlabout our carriage wheels, graze buildings on either side- Camels approach on the sand, streets sometimes bridged by houses cloaked Bedouins attending. meeting in an archat their second stories. Palm trees in a long, long line Pervading us, and in the distance domes and flat roofs, a sense of the divine joy toward which we travel, dazzling white. here in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
Walls. Before us, suddenly, a broad expanse: Walls within walls. a garden, Menacing walls. the seawall, Tal1,prison-like, chalk-white houses, the sea, leaning together, rising toward a rift of sky, and then the Master's door. slits of barred windowsset here and there Too soon we have arrived, in their forbidding fronts. too suddenly, and unprepared. VERSE
He bursts upon us like the sun light glinting in His silver hair. withHisjoyous greeting: The metallicvoices break off. Welconze!Welcome! The shadowed eyeslift and follow, lighted for a moment with wonder. His effulgence strikes me blind! His presenceis an affirmation. Are you well? Are you happy ? stirring them to recalltheir lost vision I cannot speak. of a higher world and their own beauty. Theeloquent assertion of Hissilence! He takes my hand in His- His magneticpower! inHis so mysterious hand- His holy sweetness! delicately-made, steely-strong, currents of life streaming from it: At a country inn1see Him Yourheart, yourspirit, speak to Me. in a half-circle of children, Ihear. Zknow. girdled with children, festooned with them, Do not think yourservicesare waist-deepin children withviolets to sell, unknown to Me. I have seen. the smallones, themselves a bouquet, Ihave been with you. pressing about Him, waving the purple clusters, I know them all. their faces raised with grave astonishment, For these you are accepted His own a benediction as He bends in the Kingdom. to buy their blooms, buy all their blooms, My services!Their pitiful smallness! drawing from His pocket handfuls of francs, Andmy lackoflove! giving to each child bountifully. Pierced by shame I cry : They beg for more. "Forgive my failures !" "Don't let themimpose!" Besure of this. Besure of this. At the edge of the swaying crescent, anewcomer, the smallest, My knees yield; my heart drawsmedown toHisfeet. stares up in awe, timid as a fawn: Later, my eyes upon His white-robed Figure, Ilisten as He dictates Tablets, To thislittle one Ihave notgiven.. . see Him pace about a room grown suddenly tm small. - -.. . -- -- And the Master gave. A force born of the energy of Godrestless, uncontainable-- On the road back, suddenly, spectacularly, spills from Him. a waterfall, Theearthcannot containHim, rolling from a great heigh t. nor yet the universe. scattering diamonds as it froths down a WhenHepauses by the window I sense His spirit, black precipice. free as the Essence Itself, Full of excitement He hurries forward, alone, brooding over regions far distant, tosit insilenceat thevery edge, looking deep into hearts the swirling water far below. at theuttermost ends of theearth, I see Him in profile, consoling their secret sorrows, kingly against thecascade, answering the whispers of far-off minds. intense rapture onHis upturned face, Often in His leonine pacing and my tears flow. He gives me a long, grave glance. After a time, smiling: And once He smiles at me. If 1 come to America, willyou Hesmilesatme! invite Me to see such waterfalls ?
THONON-LES-BAINS, LAKE GENEVA: I promise Niagara ! August, 1911 "But surely, my Lord, Your coming to America does not depend A great white hotel, set amidoleander, upon my invitation!" flanked by mountains overhung withclouds. M y i~vitationto America willbe Beyond the green terrace and marble balustrade, the unity of the believers! thelake. In the halls and through the grounds A heavenly day of charininginformality, the artificial, dull-eyed people taking tea, strolland chatter. He talking gaily or tenderly, Silently, taking little notice of me. majestically, But in spite of this I glimpse something vaster unrecognized but not unfelt, than before, He passes among them, feel a new awar~iess of His unearthly power, thecream robe billowing, His divine sweetmiss. 790 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D Coming upon Him as He stands talking witha Intoeachpalm, as Heclasps it, friend, He presses Hislittlegift of silverthe sweetness of His love, jusia symbol and the price of a bed. that celestial radiance, Noneis shelterless this night again bring tears : and many find a shelter i n k i s heart; If He never gave me so much as a word, I see it in their faces, if He never glanced my way, and in His face bent to theirs. just to see that sweetness shining before me, I would follow Him on my knees, We drive up Broadway, aglitter withelectricsigns. crawling behind Himin the dust forever! He speaks of them, smiling, much amused. "It is marvelous to bedriving through all this light N E W Y O RK: by theside of the Light oflights." April 11,1912 This is only the beginning. W e will April 1 lth! Ohday of days! be together in all the worlds of God. I awaken before daybreak withasinging heart, You cannot realize here what that means. the moon's waning sliver You cannot imagine it. You can form framed low in my windowpane. no conception here in thiselemental I hastento thepier. world of what it is to be with M e in The morning is crystalclear, sparkling. the Eternal Worlds. I have a sense of its being Easter-of lilies, almost seen, bloomingat my feet. A mist settles over the harbour but at last, at last, I see aphantomship, N E W YORK: an epoch-making ship, June 5 coming closer, closer, ever more substantial, tillit swims into thelight, a solid thing. I am to paint His portrait! He sends His love andasks us to disperse- Surprise, dismay, fear, joy, gratitude, flood me. we are all to meet at four. He sits before mein a dark corner, Obedience is overruled by love: three of us His black 'abameltinginto the background. conceal ourselves and wait. I quail. Stepping into thelimousine, the Master turns and smiles at us ! 1 want you topaint M y servitude Three frozen statues dissolvein that bestowal, to God. no love-born child-prank ever so rewarded. Only theHoly Spirit could do so, no human hand. Oh the coming of that Presence! "Pray for me, or Iamlost. Themighty commotion of it! I implore You, inspireme!" The heartsalmost suffocate withjoy and the eyes burn with tears at the stir of that step! I willpray, andas you aredoing Our skyscrapers had delighted Him: this only for the sake of God, The Minarets of the West! you will be inspired. What divineirony! Fear falls away. It is as though another sees throughmy eyes, works through my hand. N E W YORK: Rapture takes possession of me. April 19 My handis directedin a sort of furious precision. Thepoints, the planes in that matchless face Heshines in white and ivory, are so clear His face a lighted lamp my hand cannot keep pace with the clarity illumining theBowery Mission: of my vision. Tonight I a m very happy Freely, in ecstasy, I paint as I never have before. for lhave come here to meet M y friends. In halfan hour thefo~lndationisperfect. Iconsider you M y relatives, M y companions, a n d l a m your Once, bidding Him rest, I find I cannot paintcomrade. . . what I see is too sacred, too formidable. Hesits stillas a statue, eyes closed, A sodden and grimy procession infinite peace on that chiseled face, streams down the aisle, a God-like calm and grandeur in His erect head. perhaps three hundred men in singlefile- Suddenly, witha great flash, likelightning, derelicts, failures, broken forms, blurred faces- He opens His eyes. and here 'The Servant' receiving each outcast The room seems to rock as His beloved child. like a storm-tossed ship Promulgation of UniversalPeact!,vol. I , p. 30. in the power released! WESTENGLEWOOD: as one family . . . Zt is M y hope June 29 that you may become successful irz this high calling, so that like A luminescent summer day- brillia~ztlamps you may cast light green countryside, and He our host. upon this worldoflzunza~zityand TheUnity Feast has ended and the darkness quicken andstir the body ofexistence settles in, gently smudging the outline like unto aspirit oflife. of themighty trees. This is eternalglory. Many of us linger, unable to wrench ourselvesawa This is ei~erlastiizgfelicity. Cricket songs-the scent of grass- This is immortallife. a breathless expectancy in the soft, warmair. This is heavenly attainment. He sits in a chair on the top step of the porch, This is being createdin the image some of us surrounding Him. andlikenessof God. . .l Below, dotting thelawn, oneither side of the path, sit others, thelight summer skirts of the women I sit oppositeHimat alittledistance, spread out on the grass, weeping quietly. lighted tapers in their hands. At eachparting1 wasleft with the hope of In the dark, in their filmy dresses, another meeting, andnow my question must be they become great pale moths, answered or I shall have no peace. and the burningtips of the tapers, "Will1 see You again, my Lord?" flickering fireflies. This is my hope. Knowing our thirst, He speaks to us again, "But still You don'ttellme, my Lord. words of consuming tenderness. Not knowing, I feel hopeless." Rising, He starts down the path, stilltalking, passing between the weightless, dim figures You must not feel hopeless. with their lighted candles, Only that. talking, still talking, tillHe reaches the road. That is allHe said to me. He turns and we no longer see Him. Even then His words float back to us, It is death toleave the ship. theliquid Persian, I remain on the pier, in the grey light, and the beautiful, quivering translation, with the impervious, stolid pigeons the sound and the echo hovering and drifting, and the anguished gulls. an exquisite note almost unbearably held: Tears blur my eyes. Through them1see the Master Peace be with you. Zwillpray for you. in themidst of the throng. Oh that voice that speaks out of Hisinvisibility, wavingapatient hand to us. when He has passed beyond our sight! May I always remember. It waves and waves- May I always remember and hear that voice! that beautiful patient handtill the Figureis lost to sight.
N E W YORK: December 9, 1956 IN MEMORIAM December 5 DEPLORE LOSS MUCH LOVED GREATLY ADMIRED The last morning. JULIET THOMPSON OUTSTANDING EXEMPLARY I stand at His door, my brimming eyes HANDMAID ABDULBAHA. OVER HALF CENTURY fastened upon that divine Figure RECORD MANIFOLD MERITORIOUS SERVICES as He moves about theroom. EMBRACING CONCLUDING YEARS HEROIC Taking my hand, He consoles me: OPENING DECADES FORMATIVE AGE BAHAI Remember, l a m with you always. DISPENSATION WON HER ENVIABLE POSITION Bahd'u'llah willbe with you always GLORIOUS COMPANY TRIUMPHANT DISCIPLES BELOVED MASTER ABHA KINGDOM. ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING MASHRIQULADHKAR PAY And then the ship, and His last spoken message, BEFITTING TRIBUTE IMPERISHABLE MEMORY ONE the Master pacing the crowdedcabin SO WHOLLY CONSECRATED FAITH BAHAULLAH filled with flowers FIRED SUCH CONSUMING DEVOTION CENTRE HIS and broken-hearted friends : COVENANT. SHOGHI . . .your effortsmust be lofty. Exert yourselves with heart andsoul The Bahd'i World, vol. xIrI, p. 862. so thatperchance through your efforts the light of universalpeace may shine. . . that allmen may become Promulgation of UniversalPeace,vol, 11. pp. 465-7. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
A Pilgrim's Song Sweetest tomy earsis theName ofmy Lord when I myself speak it; My Lord has many names, and oneis greatest; But for my heart's complaint I would take singing scissors to it and spellout withmylife Y a Baha'u'l-Abha.
Withinmy foreheadis asilver sliver that addresses the Qiblih; When I press my head on the s t e before ~ my Lord the vainis fierce but the heat of my longing theresoon melts and softens it ; My Lordis merciful: this shaft turns sweet as honey and runs into my eyes.
Then1say, as bidden, "0 Thou Glory of the All-Glorious !" for it is the most this tongue couldattain to. Methinks these holy syllables pain the ether with their presence and weal1whisper them, as bidden, in our hearts where they are hidden.
Hisravenlocks have brushed my cheekina dream; it turnedscarlet and I woke in a fever searching my couch for the silver comb but I found it not, and He left to visit other lovers, and whenIreturned to my dreams, they were full of that which would perish.
Once, in longing, I approached the Sacred Threshold and, without uttering my Lord'sName, thrust my arm through the scentedveil; it came back scorched and shrivelled, and I lost my reason and since that vision1 have not used it except to hold this pen.
If He wills, will1 takeleave of selfto takeup again thesearch; I am athirst, and though fast rivers runclose I would drink only fromBahA's cup. One drop of His nectar would suffice me for aneternity, but one drop of my blood shed in His path would do the same.
. . . thus the Master of the House hath appeared within Hishome. Come out into afield oflight and snow and the sky is the Shrine's dome; and the patterns of the earth make a perfect and wondrously ancient carpet on which weare allkneeling at theThreshold. I want to repeat over and over my Lord's Names and let them have their effect upon my soul ; I want to repeat to all aroundmeHis Most Great Name, and watch the world shatter likeglass before the trumpet blast. Valerie Berteig (Canada)
Lines from a Battlefield Ponder awhile. Hast thou ever heard that friend and foe should abide in one heart ? Cast out then the stranger, that the Friend may enter H i s home . . . BahB'u'llBh, The Hidden Words, No. 26, from thePersian.
"The Hidden Words is a love-song. It has for its background the romance of all the agesthe Love of God and Man, of the Creator and His creatures . . . Alas ! in the proud illusion of his separateness, man has forgotten whence he came, and what he is, and whither he moves. He has turned away from his True Beloved and given his heart to a stranger and an enemy. . . For man, by his constitution, has an ego, a lower self within. . . The quelling of this ego. . .is indeed theessential task that confronts the aspiring soul." George Townshend
(Those named are outstanding Baha'is, now deceased, some designated as martyrs. The accolades, for the most part, are taken from their obituaries.) VERSE Come, let me fete you, beloved foe, for I tire of this old-born war. It would shorten did I not so ruinously adore each endearing stratagem your consummate cunning devises; your enamouring intransigence enchants me, your very implacability, an aphrodisiac. In this moment when fatigue calls truce let me say it: If I loved you less I should not plot your end as we embrace. Clasped to your bosom I gauge it for my blade's dark use. Beware the honey posset and my proferred kiss! Caressing your unloosed hair I plait a noose and with a traitor's hand I stroke your face. May it be said I loved my enemy but sought the Friend.
In these graceless hours when faith strains feebly against the unbelieving night I am alienated from angels and celestial concerns, unmoved by the testimony of flowers. Locked in a grief so ancient as to have no name, in this dimming light, even magnificencemenaces, estranging me from excellence, trivjalizing my pitiable trophies-minor virtues garnered in a sweeter timemy nurtured imperfections not so epically egregious ds to embarass the seraphim ruefully yawning at their mention; nor will my shame, as once I thought, topple the cities, arrest the sun's climb. What assault on heaven guarantees attention? Inured to the banality of pain and the ordinariness of suffering (sanctified or plain!) it is joy that is remembered. Ahwell, not every day can witness anallabasis and I, a sorry soldier, camp inruins, speak from weariness of battle far prolonged. Fromshining names on scattered tombs 1 fashionapaean; to vanquish dread, invoke the victors: Breakwell/Brittingham/Blomfield/Benke/Bolles/Baker/Barney/Bailey/ Backwell/Bourgeois/Bosch/ (Do I presume? I swear aradiant rank appears, assuring as sunlight, familiar as bread!) Dunn/Dole/Dodge/ sterling Esslemont ! rare Wilhelm! unrivalled Townshend of thesilver pen! imbiber of the scarlet cup, Badi' ! shield of the Cause, Samandari! brilliant Keith! immortal Lua! steadfast Thornton! courageous Marion! incomparable Martha! constant Juliet! noble Louis of thegolden heart! selfless Sutherland! DuranteViera, ebony prince! Johanna Schubarth! Conquerors of continents, movers of hearts, they are a legionstretching to horizon'send, champions of the Peerless, thedarlings oftheFriend.
A beachhead beckons. I read auguries of triumph in my campfire's dwindling plumes. Remove the garland, still thelyre, my love. It is dawn: the engagement resumes. Roger White III MUSIC MUSIC
BOTSCHAFT AN DIE WELT Gesprach und Gebet Richtrud Saenger 'Abdu'l- aha
A MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD Conversation and Prayer GERMANY Bernhard Notz Op. 27
Poco adagio - - - A
Sing- I I stimmen r. - r r w - -
I - In ruhiger Deklamation Quietly I I K. Sag,mir Fremd-ling, Ch. Tell me stran -ger I wie nennt sich what do they
Klavier
I - m. I 3iE * I I
dei - ne Re - 6 : i i - on? I - call your r e - li - gion? M. 0 frag mich nicht, Solo. 0 don't ask me wir sind doch for we are 796 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
VS - ter Krieg und Re - l i - gi - on, I- learned of war and Re - l i - gion, stets ~ a m ~ E tdas, ir the fight for that Oras uns die Via - ter whichour fa-thers gave
to us. Solo. Speak not of war, my child, for God gives us o n -l y his-
f marcato - 1 - - -~ i e - - 'be. Bes-ser kei- ne Re-li-gion, als Krie - ge! MUSIC 797
be - ten fu un-serm ein - - - zi - gen Gott:
Gebet Prayer 798 THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
east come t o - g e - ther, that all the be - ings of this world u -
ei - nes 0 - ze-ans, r ei - nes Bau-mes, are found in the sea, - of one tree MUSIC molto esmr.
und wie die Strah - - len ei -ner Son - ne! Wahr-lich, du b z d e r Geand like the rays of one sun.- Tru- l~ Thou art the All- THE B A H ~ W ' O ~ RLD
ITA NGBA NA PEKO PEPE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
en langue Sango musique et parolas de M. Gbaguene Robert
I - ta ngba n a p i - ko p i - pi. Ga na B a - hi'u'- l l i h .
Lo y 6 - k i t a Con-sol-a-teur - Ga na Ba-h2u'-llih. Ba-hPu!llih s o a t e - ne:
I 1 I I , I I I I ,I I I I , 1 I , , I I I I I w I Ir' r 1 f 1 f 1 t 1 u I d Gloire ti Ba-ba Nza-pa. Ba-h2u'-llih so a t & - n6: Gloire ti Ba-ba Nza- pa.
I g a na gbd t i Lo. I ga n a g b i ti Lo. Lo g a ti fa na 8 koui,
f i - n e te-ne t i Nza-pa. Lo ga ti f a na i k o u i , fi -n e t6-n6 ti Nza-pa.
French Translation of English Translation of "Ita Ngba Na Peko Pepe" "Zta Ngba Na Peko Pepe"
Frkre ne reste pas derriere Brother, don't rest behind Viens a BahB'u'llBh. Come to BahB'u'llfih. I1 est le vrai Consolateur He is the True Comforter Viens a Baha'u'lltth. Come to BahB'u'llah. BahB'u'llBh veut dire: BahB'u'llfih means : La Gloire de Dieu. The Glory of God. Bahh'u'llah veut dire: BahB'u'llah means: La Gloire de Dieu. The Glory of God.
Allons sous Son ombre. Let us gather under His Shadow, Allons sous Son ombre. Let us gather under His Shadow. 11 est venu pour nous enseigner tous He has come to teach us all La nouvelle Parole de Dieu. The new Word of God. I1 est venu pour nous enseigner tous He has come to teach us all La Nouvelle Parole de Dieu. The new Word of God. MUSIC
CHE B A H A ' I (I am a Baha'i) Rhythm: Paraguayan Polka PARAGUAY Lyrics in the Indian language, Guarani Music and words written by Youth Group, Instituto Bahi'i
CHORUS
1. Ya gua - ta - ke n i lo mi - t 5 O i - m e . Tu - p i iia-nde r a ' a - r6-
To Chorus
2. Ya - jha pai - t i - ke n i lo mi- ti- Ya giie - ra - j h i ha-nde ra-pi - ch& To Chorus
- Jha chu-pe-kue-ra ya jhe-chu-ki- I - po- r i jha la iia-nde ra-pd.- BRAZIL Jose Carlos Carreiro
Dou tes- te - m u n - ho Oh meu De - u s De q u e Tu m e c r i -
- Con- fes - so, n6s - to mo - men - to Min- h a in - ca - p a - ci - d a - de-e
Teu po - d e r Min - ha in - di - g6n - c i a e tu - a r i - que - za
- N i o h i ou - tro deus a - l6m di ii. 0 a m - p a - r o no p e -
ri - go 0 que sub - sis - te Por Si Pr6p - rio. BAHA'U'LLAII W 3 KS L t BAYAA GHANA by the Baha'is of Amanfro village, in the G a language
1. A1 - l i h - u,Ab - hi WJ ks 1~ Ba - y a a A1 - lkh - u;Ab -
hi w3 k s 1 s Ba - y a a Kc On-yie ess he dz3 1s ko
yss mii, KE O n - yie ess he dz3 1s ko YEE mii.
1 AIlah'u'Abha ws k s 1s Bayaa. 3 'Abdu'l-Baha ws k s 1s Bayaa. Allah'u'Abhi w3 k s 1s Bayaa. 'Abdu'l-Baha ws k~ 1s Bayaa. K E Onyie ess he dzs Is ko y s s mii. K E onyie ess he dz3 1s ko YEE mii. K E Onyie ess he dzs Is ko ~ E mii. E K E onyie ess he dz3 1s ko YEE mii.
2 Bahi'u'llih ws k s Is Bayaa. BahB'u'llah ws k s le Bayaa. K E onyie ess he d z Is ~ ko y s s mii. Chorus: K E onyie ess he dzs 1s ko YEE mii K E onyie ess he dzs 1s ko y s s mii. (Sing 4 times) T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
TIME FOR LAUGHING A Song for Children CANADA Words and music by Karin Ferguson
Andante moderato
Time for laugh - in' not for cry - in' Time for Truth and no more
1y - ing- Time for God, He's got His Eye on you and mew-
- He tells us clear - ly, so Ikt us hear Him, He loves us
V say - ing, He says He's an - swered all our pray - ing, the Prince of
- Name now- is it Mo - ses? Is it A - bra-ham? or
- His New Name is now BA - HA-'U'-LLAH Fol- low Him! BA-
HA-'U'-LLAH Time for God He's got His Eye on you and me.- Two P R A YE R S OF T HE B A B IN GILBERT E S E "Is there any Remover of dficulties" and "Say God sufficeth all things . . ." GILBERT & ELLICE ISLANDS Music by Ienraoi
Fast
Ti te A - kua k e iai ae-e ko - na ni ka - na - koi kan-gaa-
nga T i a - ton - g a ae-e kan - gai E na ne- boa - k i te A - tu -
a Bon te A - t u - a n g a i - a ao a o - m a - t a ni ka-
b a - ne bon A - na to - ro a - ke a b a - ne n-i - ra na-
n o n A - n a tae - ka T i a - ton - g a ae-e k a n -
g a i te A - tu - a bo - ni- mwio - ko - ni baai ni k a - ba - ne
A-ke-a_i k a - r a - w a ke i aon t e a - ba ae-e ko - n a-n
an - ga baai na - ko m a bon ti Ngai - a
Man-gaca ae bo - ni Ngai - a-I - rou - na te T i a A - tai - bai-
t e T i a Buo- k i - ra ao A - na bai t e Maa - ka. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
SUPPLICATION A DIEU HAITI Musique et Paroles: Pierre And Arrangement : Jay Corre
Moderato
- 1. T u nous en-vois, Ba - hi-'u'- l l i h , qui vient pour r e - v i - vi-fier l e
mon - de. Tout ce $1 dit, nous l'ac - cep - ton, REFRAIN E
ckst ton m e s - s a - ger pour cette nou - velle a1 - liance. 0 n o t - r e Dieu,
0 n o t - r e Seig-neur, re - lie les hommes p a r t a chain - e d'a-mour.
T u con-nais tout, tu es 1'In-form-6, aie donc pit-ib pour les hom - mes.
I1 Donne nous la Paix et 1'UnitC I V Le genre humain a trop souffert Reunis nous dans la grande fraternit6 Maintenant c'est l'heure de la vraie d6livrance Les divisions dans les nations Pour tous les hommes en g6ntral Ne peuvent pas donner la vCritable paix. Qui sont les enfants d'un seul et mbme Dieu. (Refrain:) 0 notre Dieu, 0 notre etc. (Refrain:) 0 notre Dieu, 0 notre etc.
I11 La foi BahB'ie c'est ce qui convient V Un seul Berger, un seul Troupeau Pour ce temps si terriblement bouleversC C'est ton grand dCsir 0 Dieu Pere CrCateur Le grande message qu'elle prkconise Baha'u'llah Ton Envoy6 N'est autre que L'Unite du genre humain. C'est lui qui accomplira cette prophCtie. (Refrain:) 0 notre Dieu, 0 notre etc. (Refrain:) 0 notre Dieu, 0 notre etc.
VI Unis nos cceurs, 0 Dieu d'amour Unis nous sous la tente de l'Unit6 Aie donc pitie de nos malheurs Sois donc tris compatissant de nos souffrances. (Retiain:) 0 notre Dieu, 0 notre etc. MUSIC
DEPI DEPI 1844 (CrCole) HAITI Musique et Paroles: Serge Janvier Arrangement: Jay Corre
1. Nous j o i n nan toute d - c r i - ture sainte, - @_u grand- d - po - que
pou . . vi - ni,- 6 - poque v o - l o n - t6 Bon Dieu p r o -p h e t sou l a REFRAIN
t e r r e tan cou nan c i e l . De - p i de-pi dix-huit cent q u a -r a n t -q u a t r e ,
Bib p r d - c u r - s e u r Ba - h i - 'u' - l l i h . Di - - d - poque l a
com - men - c6,- tout moun vin- col - & sous fo oua Qui (Segue)
I1 Qui Baha'u'llkh reli toute moun Nan li pa gain prejug6 ni division Vini oua connin qui moun li y6 Oua re16 citoyens du monde. (Refrain:) Depi depi etc.
111 Toute prophet ta rimin oui: jou ca Toute prophet a p pri6 pou oui: jou ca Jou qui pat jam exist6 Jou p'eternel amen. (Refrain:) Depi depi etc. THE HIDDEN WORDS OF B A H A ' U ' LL A H UNITED STATES No. 34 (Persian) Walter Maurice Wininsky Adagio molto sostenuto
S
With the hands of lov - ing
II 0 Dwell-ers of My Par - a - dise! With the hands of lov - ing
ar - den of-
A
T ar - den of-
B
- 1 - par - a-dise The young tree of Four love- and- friend-ship,
our love and- friend-shi
B MUSIC 809
11 and have wa-tered it with g o o d - l y shares of My ten-der grace;
and have wa- t with good - l y s ten - der grace;
B
m 11 now that the hour of its fruit-inp is come. strive that it mav be oro- tect - ed.
fruit-ing is come, 810 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
11 con-sumed flame of de-sire and pas - sion.-
11 not con-sumed the flame of de-sire and p a s - sion.-
11 be not con-sumed withthe flame of de-sire and o a s - sion.-
' And be not eon-surned withthe flame o f d e - s i r e and p a s - sion.-
* Tenors may sing 8va or divided $ up and $2 down, o r just basses and sopranos sing this passage. t ~ h closedLn' e sound comes on the first beat of the final measure and is held for 2 very slow beats. MUSIC
JANGU ("COME!") (song in Luganda) UGANDA John Tidhomu Kampala, Uganda
1. J L ~ -' gu, e - no-o -wu-li - r e bin-gi eb - y a Ba - h i - 'u' - llih. A]..- 2.A-ma-wu-li-re A - malun-gi a - ga B a - h i - ' u ' - 1 1 P h . e-ya- 3. Fe - na tu - yim-be- n e - s a n -y u ku - ba Ba - hi-'u'-llih-a- ze. A1 -
lah - 'u' Ab - h i , Ba - h i - 'u'- llih! Ya Ba - h&-'u'l Ab - h i ! s u - b i - z i b w a a - ze m u n -s i a - l e - s e ' e m - i - r e m - b e . lah 'u' Ab- h i , Ba - h i - 'uJ- llih! Ya Ba - hi-'u'l Ab - h i !
- lah 'u' Ab - h i , A1 - lah 'u' Ab - h i ! A1 - lah 'u' Ab - h i ! A1 - lah 'u' Ab - hi!
an' - g u , e - no-o - wu-li - r e bin - g i eb - y a Ba - h i - 'u' - l l i h . A - m a - wu - li - r e a - ma lun - g i a - g a Ba - h i - 'u' - l l i h . Fe - na tu - yim - be- ne - san - y u ku - ba Ba - hi-'u'-llih-a - ze.
Translation: Verse 1 : Come, let me tell you of One called "BahB'u'll&h" Verse 2 : Good news about Baha'u'llah! The Promised One has come to the world to bring Peace! Verse 3 : Let us sing with happiness because Baha'u'llah has come! T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
PEACE WILL SHINE IRELAND Paul Hanrahan and John Brown
" 1. Though the wars bring tears to those near and f a r to - night I wish-
- - you would not weep. For as sure a s the sun drowns the
morn-ing star with light Peace- will shun its sleep. S o watch you
from the moun-tain tops of hope Far from the val-leys of des-
those who could not care. P e a c e will shine. Peace-
- - will shine. P e a c e will shine- on us all.
2 If the trials that you face fill your heart and soul with fear, I wish you would not weep. For the winds that toss the sea of life have longer yet to blow, They should help to gather us and grow.
3 If you wonder why we sing with such hopes of great joy, When there is every reason to cry, The signs are very clear, something great is in the air, We know it is the Promise of our time. MU SIC 813
THE HIDDEN WORDS OF BAHA'U'LLAH UNITED STATES No. 20 (Arabic) Piano (for rehearsal only) Music and Choral Arrangement: Jay Corre
Andante
I 0- Son of ~pir-it! M y claim on thee is great, it can-not be for
I got - ien. M~ grace io thee is plent- e - ous, it can - not be
I I I I I 4eil - kd M~ love i a s made in thee its hhrne, it can - not be con - 814 THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
THE HIDDEN WORDS OF BAHA'U'LLAH UNITED STATES No. 12 (Persian) Music: Jay Corre
Largo MUSIC
AMA BAHA'I (These are the Baha'is) MOZAMBIQUE Rudolfo Duna
1.Yi-wo la - w@-ma Ba-hi - ' i yi - wo l a - w a Yi-wo l a .
w c A - m a B a - h i - 'i yi - wo l a -w a , Yi -wo l a - w c A - m a B a - h i - 'i yi -
wo l a - wa, Y i -w o la - wa-A-ma Ba-hi - 'i yi - wo l a - w a .
2 Tnyosile inkwesu, inyosile.
3 Dranandrika abfumemi, dranandrika. 816 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
UNITED REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON Song in Kenyang
Mrne k s ntsii Bib, a - ~ E EBa - too, a - ~ E EBa - too, B E r i e - b s nto
n53 Mme k s ntsii Bib, a - ngE Ba - too, B E ne - be nto nE -
kaa Mme k s -kaa A - n~ b a - to, A - n s ba - to, A - n s . b a -
to,A-ns ba-to,A-nsba- to bg n e - b s n t o n33 Mme k s -
ntsii Bib a - n s Ba - to, B E ne - b~ nto n s - kaa.
- E - E - E B E -yaa Bets3 g3 Be-nong. Be - n o n g Be-nong Be-nong En-
A
cr diabs nto B i b atcny-aga-a-rem - - -
BE I
Ba I -, -1 , dI h i - 'u'- l l i h m
a - tu - I I I 4' En h
diabs nto B i b ato-ny-aga-a-rem BE Ba - h i - 'u' - l l i h a - tu N -
do SE klJ 00 YE S E . B O ~n$s pem ne ssi N - do s s k$ oo y s sE
A
cr- - I I 4 + ' L II I I d - I d I I I I 1 d r - d I
BolJlJ af5 g ak3.3 En - diabs nto B i b ato-ny-agca-rem BE Ba -
hi-'u'-llah a - tu33 r En-diabs nto B i b ato-ny-agcarem BE Ba - hi-'u'-llih a -t u ~ s MUSIC
WILL YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE? UNITED STATES Music: Joan Lincoln Words : Joan Lincoln and John Cook
with reverence
- Will you give your life to Ba - h i - 'u' - 11
- - Will you give your earth-ly- pos-ses - sions your world-ly- de-sires, give your
to Ba- ha - 'u'- llih?- to B a -h i - 'u'- llih-
to Ba- ha - 'u' - llah to Ba - h i - 'u' - llih-
- to Ba - h i - 'u' - l l i h ?
2 Yes I'll give my life to Baha'u'llah 3 Will you give your heart to Baha'u'llah? Yes I'll give my life to Baha'u'llih Will you give your heart to Bahi'u'llah? Yes I'll give my earthly possessions, Will you be a flame of fire, a river of life, my worldly desires, Give your life to Bahi'u'llih? Give my life to BahB'u'll&h.
4 Yes I'll give my heart to Baha'u'llah Yes I'll give my heart to Baha'u'llah Yes I'll be a flame of fire, a river of life, Give my heart to Baha'u'llah. THE B A H A ' ~W O R L D
ABAPROFETI BAICA NICULUNICULU (Listen to the Prophets) SWAZILAND Patrick Masuku
O - k u - ku-
bi- li O k - we s i - tha-thu
- Kwa-lan - d e - l a O - ku- ku-
2 Bass: Kwa shunyayelwa Bass : Kwa shunyayelwa All: Ama Juda nguye Jesu. All: Ama ~heshi'yanguye uBab.
Bass: Kwa shunyayelwa Bass : Namhla All: Ama Ar~tbanguye uMohamede. All: Umhlaba wonke UBaha'u'llAh.
Repeat. 0 DIO MI0 DIO Preghiera di Baha7u'llBhper baritono e pianoforte ITALY Music by Alfredo Speranza
, Moderato rnolto (.) = 56-60)
Piano
I mi- o Di-o, A-dor-na la mi - a tes - ta con la c o - 820 T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
to ad libitum
1- ditut-ti i do-ni e di tut - te le mu- ni - fi - cen - ze.
I- 0 Di-o, 0 mi-o Di-o, MUSIC
SEARCH (SEVEN VALLEYS) (from "Children of Time"-The New World Order) UNITED STATES Music and Lyrics: Warren Kime, B.M.T.
SIo w l y - Gentle Rock
Piano
simile
~ i k ea man with no eyes who dis - child who dis - cov - ers that
I cov - e r s he needs no eves to see is the fath - e r o - ver me
i 822 THE B A H . ~ W ' ~O R L D
Like a man with no eyes who can Like a child who's much old er than
. ' ~ b m a i 7 ~ h 7 s u s 4 simile "ELrnai7 ~ b 7 s u s 4 ELrnai7
I see. Like a me.
1- Stand in s i - lence as the old world dies MUSIC 823 . , Ebmai7 simile
per - fume of glad - ness that each new-born ba - by seems to sun - shine of learn - ing that lights ev - 'ry cor- ner of your
I wear There's a scent of the --- Leav-ing the clouds of il-
new in the air. ~ i k the e lu - sion be - hind,
. , simile
I - far be - hind, far be - hind, far be - hind. T H E B A H A ' ~W O R L D
MASTER TEACHER UGANDA
, ,, CHORUS
- - Mas - ter T'each- kr, you know, Mas- ter Teach-er, you care, - - Mas - ter
~ e a c h - k r ,i o u un - der - stand the things we You are our
Mas - ter,- You a r e our Teach - er, Come, let us learn from
" you.- 1. Be- neath a n a n - g r y s k y that shows no shade but
grey! A thou-sand sha-dows run wild a-cross the day.
Come stand a - mong us and show us your way, Mas-ter Teach-er.-