The Baha'i World: Volume 20 (1986-1992) ======================================= Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-06-20 1 clipping 1. Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Universal House of Justice, The Baha'i World: Volume 20 (1986-1992), Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1998, bahai-library.com. ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── THE BAHA'f WORLD VOLUME XX 142- 148 OF TH E BAHA'i ERA 21 APRIL 1986- 20 APR fL 1992 A.O. Th e Mashriqu 'l-Adhkar in New Delhi, India. THE BAHA'i WORLD AN INTERNATIONAL RECORD Prepared under the supervision of the Universal House ofJustice VOLUME XX 142-148 OF THE BAHA'i ERA 21 APRIL 1986-20 APRIL 1992 A.D. BAHA'i WORLD CENTRE HAIFA 1998 © 1998 The Universal House of Justice All Rights Reserved NOTE: The spelling of the Oriental words and proper names used in this volume of Th e Baha'i World is according to the system of transliteration established at one of the International Oriental Congresses. ISBN 0-85398-994-X A Cataloguing-in-Publication entTy is available from the British Library Set in Times New Roman at the Baha ' i World Cenháe Printed in Italy, Stamperia Va ldonega PREFACE THE successive volumes of The Baha 'i World have come to be anticipated by Baha'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 the Faith during its fo rmative age. For librarians and students The Baha 'i World represents a source of authentic inf01mation about the aims, tenets, history, activities, organization and growth of a world religion that is attracting ever-increasing public interes t. The editors therefore seek to preserve an even balance between the presentation of material of supreme interest to believers and of a fai r and objective picture to enquirers. In this they are guided by the policy of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha'i Fa ith, who directed the compilation of the successive volumes from I to XII covering the years 1925 to 1954. The first volume, known as Baha 'i Year Book, was in fact a one-year survey ; the next seven volumes were biennial, terminating in 1940; vo lume IX recorded the four years from 1940 to 1944; volume X was again biennial and volumes XI and XII presented the periods 1946 to 1950 and 1950 to 1954 respectively. All these volumes were published in the United States under the supervision of the Guardian of the Baha ' i Faith and the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly. Volume XIII, which recorded the passing of the Guardian and the course and completion of his Ten Year Crusade, covered the entire period from 19 54 to 1963 and was produced under the guidance of the U niversal House of Justice, which thenceforth assumed responsibility for publication. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'I FAITH, by David Hofman PART ONE THE BAHA 'i REV ELATION I. EXCERPTS FROM THE BAHA ' i SACRED WRlTINGS 1. Baha'u'llah ... .... ... ........ ................ .... .... ....... ........... .. ... ........... ... .... ........ ...... ... 11 2. The Bab .......... ...... ... .. ......... .. ..... ...... ..... ... ... .. .... ............... ...... .... ... ... ...... ....... . 17 3. 'Abdu'l-Baha .. ..... ........................... ..... ... ...... ... .. ...... ......... .. ..... ..... .... ...... .... .. 23 II. EXCERPTS FROM THE WRlTINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI Excerpts from Call to the Nations 29 PART Two THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES I. THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ' ABDU'L-BAHA'S VISIT TO THE WEST 1. The Visit of 'Abdu'l-Baha to the West .......................... ............................... 53 2. Commemorations of 'Abdu ' l-Baha 's Visit to the West 75 II. THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE F IRST S EVEN YEAR PLAN IN THE AMERICAS 1. The First Seven Year Plan of the Baha ' is of the United States and Canada . . 78 2. Fiftieth Anniversary of the Faith in Latin America Celebrated 90 III. THE TEN Y EA R CRUSADE AND THE KNIGHTS OF BAI-IA 'U'LLAH 93 Vll CONTENTS PART THREE INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA 'f ACTIVITIES I. THE SIX YEAR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING PLAN 1986-1992 1. The Completion of the Six Year International Teaching Plan A. The Baha'i World Centtáe a. Publication of the Kitab-i-Aqdas in English ......... ........... ............ ..... . 115 b. Education of the Baha'i World in the Law of J:Iuq11qu 'llah ..... ......... 116 c. Restoration and Protection of Holy Places ......... .. ..... .. .. .. ... ............... 120 d. Signing of the Status Agreement ...... ............. ............ .................... .... 123 e. The Arc and Tenaces on Mount Carmel ............................ ............... 124 f. Broadening the Basis oflnternational Relations of the Faith 131 g. Turmoil in the Middle East Enveloped the Holy Land .............. ........ 133 B. World-wide Objectives a. Carrying the Healing Message of Baha'u ' llah to the Generality of Mankind .. ... .. ... . . ....... .. .. .. . .. .. .. . .. ... .. ... ... . .. .. .. ... .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... ... ... . ... .. .. . 136 b. Greater Involvement of the Faith in the Life of Human Society 149 c. Increasing the Worldwide Availability and Use of Baha ' i literature 157 d. Further Acceleration in the Process of Maturation of Baha'i Con1ll1unities .... .. .. ... .. .. . .. ... .. .. .. . .. ... .. ... .. .... .. ... .. .. ... ... ... ..... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... ... ... . .. ... .. . 160 e. Promoting Universal Participation and the Spiritual Emichment of Individual Believers ............................................ .... ... ... .............. .... ... 170 f. Baba 'i Education of Children and Youth and Baha ' i Family Life 174 g. Pursuing Social and Economic Development Activities in Well-Established Baha'i Communities ..................... .......................... ...... ..... ...... 179 APPENDIX: "Health, Education and the Role of Women" .. .... ......... .... ... 191 2. Expansion and Consolidation of the Baha'i Faith: Sun1ll1aiy Statistics of the Six Year Plan 1986- 1992.............................. .. .. ... .... .... ...... ...... .......... 192 II. THE Two YEAR SUBSIDIARY PLAN 1990- 1992 196 III. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 1986- 1992 1. The Opening of the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age ................. .. ......... . 225 A . A Letter from the Universal House of Justice .... .... ... ..... .... ..... .. .... ... ...... . 229 B . Statement by the Research Department on the Epochs of the Formative A~ ..... .. ... ................................................................ .... ........ ...... ..... .. ..... .. 23 1 C. International Collaboration Goals .... ......................................................... .. 236 D. Public Recognition of the True Character of the Baha'i Community a. "World Religious Statistics" ........................................ ......................... . 239 b. "What is the Baha ' i Faith?" .. ..... .. ........ .. ... .. ................................ ....... ... . 242 2. Survey by Continents A. Africa ....... .... ... .. .... .... ... ..... ..... ..... .. ... ....... ............ .... ..... ... ..... .. ................. . 247 B. The Americas 269 C. Asia 303 D . Austtáalasia and the Pacific Islands 325 E. Europe 349 Vlll CONTENTS 3. The Persecution and Defense of the Baha'i Community ofiran 1986-1992 A. The Baha'i Question .. .. .... ............ ....... ...... ....... ..... ........ ...... ...... .... .... ...... . 371 B. Baha'is Killed in Iran Between Ri~van 1986 and 1992 ......... ....... .. ...... .. 383 C. Baha 'is Killed in iran (1978-20 April 1992) ....... .. ............. .......... .... .. ... . 390 D. Baha'is Who Disappeared Without Trace in Iran and are Presumed Dead (1979-20 Apri l 1992) ........... ......... ............. .. ....................... .. .. .. ............. . 398 E. Response of the United Nations to the Persecution of the Baha'is (1980- 20 April 1992) .... ....... .. .......... ... ............. ...... .... ..... ..... .................. .. .. ........ . 401 4. Women's Activities 409 5. Youth Activities A. Youth Year of Service 421 B . European Baha'i Youth Council ... .... .......... .. ....... .... ............ ............ ..... . . 432 C. Special Youth Projects .............................. ..... ....... .. ........ .... ................ ... . 443 6. Baha'i Scholarship A. The Establishment of Baha'i Chairs at Universities ....... ..... ..... ..... ..... ... . 45 3 B. Baha'i Courses in Universities .............. ...... ........................... ... ... .. ... .. ... 456 C. Landegg Academy and Institute of International Education and Development 45 7 D. General Systems Research Conference, Budapest 1987 .. ............. .. ..... ... . 459 E. The Associations for Baha'i Sh1dies .............................. .. ...... ................ . 461 7. Baha'i Professional Associations ... ............................. .. ............................... . 471 8. Use of Computers by the Baha'i Community During the Six Year Plan 481 9. Relations Between National Spiritual Assemblies and Governmenta l and Non-Governmental Organizations and with the Public in General ............ .. 485 A. Brazil: Constitutional Reform .............................................. ......... ...... .. . 485 B. South Africa: Views Submitted on Constitutional Reform 493 C. Singapore: Statement on National Ideology ............................ .... .... .... .. . 500 D. United States: Statement on Racia l Unity ........................ .. ...... ............ .. 502 10. Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order ofBaha'u'llah 508 IV.BAl-IA'i INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION 1. The Baha'i Faith and the United Nations: Summary of the Years 1947- 1986 519 2. The United Nations Office of the Baha'i International Conununity 1986-1992 521 Am1ex I ....... ................. .. ..... ... .......... ..... ... ....... ..... ....................................... . 527 A1mex II ... ........ ..... .................................. .. ..... ..... .. ........ ....... .. ... .. ... ....... .... .. . 529 Am1ex III ..... .... ........ ....... .. ..... .. ........ .. ..... .... .. ..... ...... ................. ..... ..... .. ...... . 536 3 . The Office of Public Information 537 4. The Baha'i Office of the Environment 541 V. RECOGN ITI ON OF THE BAHA ' i FAITH I. Incorporation of National Spirihrn l Assemblies ........................................... 544 2. Incorporation of Local Spiritual Assemblies .. .. ... .. .. ....... .. ........................... . 550 3. A Selection of Other Documents Recording Official Recognition of the Faith 4. The German Court's Legal Recognition of Assembly Status ... ................... 554 A. The decision of the Federal Constih1tional Cami, in German....... .... .. .. .... . 571 B . A Translation of this Deci sion into English.............. ......... ............... .......... 572 C. An E lucidation of the Abbreviations Used 600 D . Decision of the German Court: Background and Significance................... 602 IX CONTENTS PART FOUR THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH I. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 1. The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice 609 2. The Sixth International Convention for the Election of the Universal House of Justice .. ... ... . ... .. ..... ....... .. ... .. ... .... .. .. ... .. .. .............. ...... .. ... . .. .. .. . ... ... .. 618 II. THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD 1. The Hands of the Cause of God and the Extension of their Functions into the Future A. The Rulers and the Learned .. .... .. ... .. .. .. ..... .. ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... . .. .. .. .. ... ... . .. .. .. ... 624 B. The Hands of the Cause of God ............. ............. .. .. ........ ........ ..... ..... ...... 625 C. The Continental Boards of Counsellors 626 D. The International Teaching Centre ............ .......... ........................... ....... .. 630 2. The Work and Travels of the Hands of the Cause ............ ........................ ... . 634 3. Hands of the Cause Who Represented the Universal House of Justice at Conventions for the Election of National Spiritual Assemblies ................. . 672 4. The Development of the Institutions of the International Teaching Centre and the Continental Boards of Counsellors ... ........... ... ... .................... ..... .. ......... . 673 III. THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 1. Introduction ........... .......... ........................ ........................................ .......... .... . 694 2. A Model Declaration of Trust and By-Laws for a National Spiritual Assen1bly .................. ... .................................................. .......... ..... ................ . 696 3. A Procedure for the Conduct of the Annual Baha'i Convention ........ ... ...... . 705 4. New National Spiritual Assemblies 708 IV. THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY 1. Introduction ............................................................... ........ .. ... .................... ... 718 2. By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly ........ .......................... .......... .... ....... 720 V . THE INSTITUTION OF THE MASHRJQU'L-ADHKAR 1. Foreword, by Horace Holley ... ..... ........................... ............. .............. .... ...... . 728 2. The Spiritual Significance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar .... ........ ..... ............. ... . 729 3. The Dedication of the first Mashriqu'l -Adhkar of the Indian Sub-Continent and the International Teaching Conference, New Delhi, India, 1986 ........... . 731 4. The Temple ofBahapur as Silent Teacher ......... ....... ........ .... .......... ............. . 743 VI. THE NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE BAHA'i FAITH 1. Excerpts from the Writings of Shoghi Effendi 754 VII. RELATIONSHIP TO GOVERNMENT I. Loyalty to Government ..... ............................ ....... ....... .. ... .......... ... ... ................. . 761 2. The Baha'i View of Pacifism ........................................ ............ ..... ........... ...... .. 762 3. Summary of the Guardian's Instructions on the Obligations of Baha 'is in Connection with Military Service ................. ... .. .................. ......................... 762 x CONTEN TS VlII .BAHA ' i CALENDAR, FESTIVALS AN D DAT ES OF HI STORJCAL SIGN IFICANCE 1. Foreword ............... ... ... .. ... ... ....... .. ....... ............ .... .. .......... ... .. ................ ... .. ... . 2. Baha'i Feasts, Atmiversaries and Days of Fasting ................... .... .. ............. .. 3. Baha ' i Holy Days on Which Work Should be Suspended ..................... ..... . 4. Additional Material Gleaned from Nabil ' s Narrative Regarding the Baha'i Calendar .... ........ ................................................... .. ............. ... ... .... .... .. ...... ... . 5. Historical Data Gleaned from Nabil 's Narrative Regarding Baha'u' llah 6. Dates of Historical Significance in the Rise of the Baha'i Faith ... .... ...... ... . . PART FIVE IN MEMORIAM Ahdieh, Mansour ....... .... ..... .... 873 Hopper Welsh, Eleanore Lorraine Alm1adiyeh, Hedayatoullah 984 (Rene) ... ......... ...... ...... ... ......... . 916 Aidun, Gol ............................. . 860 Iqani Koirala, Masheed 844 Ariki, Pa Tepaern ............. .... .. 953 Jarral $alal:i ............. .. ....... .. .. .. 931 Ashton, Beatrice Owen .. ....... .. 896 Jensen, Knud ................. .. ...... .. 885 Baghdadi, Adib Radhi 912 Kanyerezi, Max .............. ....... .. 1013 Bagley, Florence E. .. ......... .... . 1003 Kavelin, Howard Borrah 821 Bausani, A lessandro .... ... ...... .. 895 Kazemzadeh, Kazem ......... .. .. . 945 Bernal De Sanchez, Aura Maria 838 Khabirpour, 'Aziz .. ....... .. ... .... . 832 Bishop, Helen Pilkington 1005 Khadem, Zikrnllah ............ ... .. . 839 Blakely, Elsa Lilian (Judy) 929 Khan, Fazal Mohamad 784 Camey, Magda lene Margaret 1021 Khazeh, Jalal ........ ............. .. ... . 788 Caswell, Louise ............ ........ .. 867 Khianra, Dipchand L. ..... .. ..... . 829 Dobbins , Bertha .... ... ........ ...... . 848 Laws, Frederick .. .. .............. ... . 892 Duna, Rudolfo ........ ..... ......... .. 846 Leong, Yan Kee .. ... .......... ... .. .. 834 Evans, Esther .. ..... ... ........... .. .. . 942 Lindstrom, Shirley ........ .. ... ... . . 920 Featherstone, H. Collis 809 Lohse, Doris .......................... .. 970 Fitzpatrick, Henry Bertran 877 Lutchmaya, Roddy Dharmah 940 Fozdar, Shirin ........................ . 1027 Macdonald, Charles ............ .. .. 1015 Francis, Dorothy .......... ... ... .... . 990 Malakooti, Ehsanollah 943 Friedland, Eberhard K. 1025 Master, Mahvash .......... .... ...... . 977 Garcia Vazquez, Manuel 955 Mazakmat, Apelis .................. . 853 Giachery, Ugo ............ ..... .... .. . 777 McLaren, Edith ..................... .. 1011 Gualavisi Farinango, Rufino 965 McLaughlin, Robert W . 950 Gulick, Robert, Jr. .. .. .. .. ........ .. 882 Menking, JoAnne L. ............... 907 Habibi, Habib ........... ............. . 947 Mingorance Fernandez, Jose 837 I:Iaddad, Akbar .............. ........ . 991 Munje, Harilal ....................... .. 933 Haenni de Bons, Mona 1010 Nahvi, Saeed ..... ............. .... ... .. 871 Harvey, Winnifred ..... ...... ...... . 988 Navidi, Azizollah .... ...... .... ..... . 886 Hawthorne, Rose ....... .... ... ..... . 914 Newman, Beatrice ............... .. .. 937 Heller, Frances .... ..... ............. . 998 Nielsen, Lotus ............. .......... .. 101 8 Hoahania, Hamuel ...... .......... .. 843 Nounou, Salim ...... ................ .. 975 Hollibaugh, Eleanor ....... .. .... .. 868 Olson, Cynthia and Edgar 899 H0eg, Johanne ........ .. ............. . 923 Ortiz Gutierrez, Aparicia 960 XI CONTEN TS Papai, Ludwig ... ... .. ................ . 997 Suleimani, Suleiman .... .. .. ....... 889 Parsa Mazzoni, Noranieh ....... . 995 Sumah, Mohamed Lamin 875 Perks, Thelma .... ............ ...... ... 903 Tanyi Tambe, Solomon 968 Quigley, Robert Joseph 949 Te Paa, Epluáaim ...................... 971 Rice-Wray, Edris Rawshan 958 Trojankova-Bendova, Juliana 857 Rezvani, Monireh .................. . 1001 True, Edna M. ....... ......... ......... 925 Robarts, Jolm ................... ...... . 801 Umegae, Kazutomo .. .. ......... .. .. 1026 Saavedra Gallardo, Melit6n 921 Val~id-i-Tiluáani , Qudratu' llah 825 Sabet, Habib .......................... . 961 Vajdi, Khodadad H. ........... .. ... 957 Sabet, Ros tam ..... .............. ..... . 963 Villiers-Stuart, Jane .... .. .... ... .... 981 Sala, Emeric ........................... . 993 Walker, Zlmarian Stoakley 935 Sanchez Matiinez, Juan 880 Warde, Shirley A. ............. . . . . . . 1023 Sears, William ....................... . 795 White, Tumanuvao William 851 Shayani, 'Azizu' llah .. ......... ... . 910 Wi1manik and Mubarak ... ....... . 827 Sivapiragasam, Kandiah 891 Wolcott, Charles .................. .. . 818 Stebbins Dodge, Isabelle 858 Wotih Lamb, Dora (Dee) 918 Storch, Juanita Marie ..... .. ... ... . 863 Zucker, Arthur Allen .... .......... . 1009 PART SIX DIRE CTORY, BlBLIOGRAPHY, GLOSSARY I. BAI-IA 'i DIRECTORY 1. The Universal House of Justice ...... ..... ......... ... ..... ........ .. ............ ... ... ............ . 1033 2. The Hands of the Cause of God .. ................ .. .... .. ... .. ............. .... .. .. .... ...... ..... . 1033 3. The International Teaching Centre .. .. .. .... ..... ..... ... .. ... .. .. ..... ......................... .. 1033 4. Continental Boards of Counsellors ... .... ............ ... ....... ... .... .... ... ................ .. .. 1033 5. Baha ' i International Community .................. ... ..... .... .................................. .. . 1034 6. Na tional Spiritual Assemblies ....... ...... ..................... ..... ..... ..... ... ...... ... ....... ... 1034 7. Baha ' i Publishing Trusts .. ............ ..... ... ........ .... .... .... .. ..... ......................... .. ... 1035 II. BAI-IA 'i BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Baha 'u'llah's Best-Known Works 1037 2. The Bab's Best-Known Works 1039 3. 'Abdu ' l-Baha's Best-Known Works in English ......................... .. .............. .. 1040 4. Some Compilations from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, the Bab and ' Abdu'l-Baha ...... ....... ...... .... ... .. .. ......... .. ........ ... ...................... ....... .... .. ... .. ... .. 1041 5. Shoghi Effendi' s Best-Known Works .. .... ...................... .... .. ... ..... ........... ..... . 1042 6. Language and Literature Achievements ........ .. .... ... .. ... ......... .. ........ ......... ...... .. .. 1043 7. A Bibliography of Theses Relating to the Baha ' i Faith ... ...... .... ......... ....... .. . 1044 8. A Patiial Listing of Cunent General Baha'i Periodicals A. Produced Under the Auspices of Baha 'i Institutions ... ....... ......... .... ... ... . 1048 B. Produced Under Non-Institutional Auspices ............... .. ... .. .... .... ..... ..... .. . 1049 9. A Partial Bibliography of Conm1ercially Produced Slide Shows on the Baha' i Faith, 1971- 1992 ............................................ .. ......... ........... ....... ... .... .. ...... .... 1049 XII CONTENTS III. ORIENTAL TERMS I. Transliteration of Oriental Words Frequently Used in Baha'i Literature 1053 2. Guide to Transliteration and Pronunciation of the Persian Alphabet 1055 3. Notes on the Pronunciation of Persian Words ............. ...... .............. .. ........... 1056 4. Definitions of Some of the Oriental Terms used in Baha'i L iterature 1057 PART SEVEN LITERARY AND MUSICAL WORKS I. ESSAYS AND REVIEWS 1. The Suffering, Tribulation, Exile, Captivity, and Confinement ofBaha'u'llah, compiled by Donald R. Witzel ............ ... .......... .... ......... ... ..... ... ... ... .. ..... .. ...... 1069 2. The Concept of Law in the Baha'i Faith and the Law ofI:Iuququ'llah, by Amin Banani . .... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 1086 3. Interdependence of Baha'i Communities-Services of North American Baha'i Women to Iran, by Baharieh Rouhani Ma' ani ... ...... ...... ... ..... .. ......... 1091 4. Jamal Effendi, by Elham Afnan ............. ....................................................... 1115 5. The Fundamental Principle: Agriculture and the Promise of Peace, by Paul Hanley ...... ... .......... .. .. ..... ..... .......... ...... ......... ....... .... ...................................... 1119 6. The Spiritual Role of Art, by Ludwig Tuman .................................. ....... ...... 1136 7. Altruism and Extensivity in the Baha' i Religion, by Wendy M. Heller and Hoda Mahmoudi ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ..... .. . .. .. ... .. ... .. .... ..... .. .. ... .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .... 1159 II. VERSE 1170 III. MUSIC 1188 X Jll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Frontispiece: The Mashriqu' l-Adhkar in New Delhi, India Part One: The Baha'i Revelation Page An ornamental eagle in front of an entrance to the Mansion ofBaha'u 'llah at Bahji 10 The doorway into the courtyard of the Mansion ofBaha'u'll3h at Mazra'ih ........ . 13 The western doorway into the Shrine of the Bab ... ............ ..... .. ...... .... ....... ... ........ . 16 Detail ofone of the columns along the Arcade of the Shrine of the Bab ....... ..... ... . 19 The House of 'Abdu ' l-Baha in 'Akka, known as the House of' Abdu ' llah Pasha ... 22 Detail of the House of'Abdu ' llah Pasha, in 'Akka 25 The Seat of the Universal House ofJustice, on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel ..... 28 Details of the pillars and gardens surrounding the Seat of the Universal House of Justice ....... .. ... ...... .. ..... .. .. ..... ...... ... ... .. ..... ........................... .................... ....... . . 37 Detail of a column and window of the Seat of the Universal House ofJustice ..... . 42 The Resting Place of Shoghi Effendi, in the Great Northern Cemetery, London, England .... .......... .. ............ .... ... ...... ..... ...... ..... ... ....... ..... ...... ...... .... ......... ... .. ... .. . 49 Part Two: The Commemoration of Historic Anniversaries ' Abdu ' l-Baha, the Master, in New York City; June 1912 ..... ... .. ............ ... ..... .... ... . 52 'Abd u'l-Baha in London, Eng land; September 1911 .................... ... .......... ... ....... . 56 ' Abdu'l-Baha with Baha ' i friends in Chicago, Illinois; May 1912 ..... ....... ..... ..... . 60 'Abdu ' l-Baha in Brooklyn, New York, with His secretary, translators, and companions; June 1912 .. ..... .... .... ................... ..... ........... ... ..................................... . 62 'Abdu' l-Baha meeting with friends in Oakland, California; October 191 2 .......... . 63 Banquet for ' Abdu'l-Baha in New York City; November 1912 ................. .. ..... ... . 66 'Abdu ' l-Baha with Baha' i friends in Ess lingen , Germany; April 1913 ... ........ ... ... 71 ' Abdu'l-Baha with friends in the Austro-Hungarian Empire; April 1913 72 Pioneer Vivian Lismore with Baha'i fr iends in Havana, Cuba, in 1943 .......... ... .. . 79 Pioneer Gayle Woolson during formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of San Jose, Costa Rica in April 1941 .................. ...... ...... .. .... ....... .................. ...... . 82 XIV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Pioneer Louise Caswell visiting Baha'i friends in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in October 1941 ... .. .. ... .. ...... ... .. ... .. .. .. ...... .. ... .. ........ ... .. ... .. .. ... ... .. .. .... ... ... ... .. ...... .... . 83 Pioneers Gladys Stua1t and Cora Oliver visiting a group of believers in Belize, British Honduras, during the first Seven Year Plan ........................................... 86 Pioneers Honor Kempton, Helen Robenson, and Dagmar Dole in Anchorage, Alaska, in January 1944 ......... .. .. ....... .. ............................................................... 88 The fiftieth anniversary of the fo1mation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, being celebrated in October 1990 ...... ..... ............................ . 89 Th~ fiftieth anniversary of the Baha'i community in El Salvador being celebrated in November 1989 ......... ....... ............... ............................................................. . 92 Friends gathered in Sydney, Australia, to commemorate the Centenary of the Declaration of the Bab; May 1944 .... .. ............................................................... 98 The Hand of the Cause of God Leroy Joas greeting the friends on behalf of the Guardian during the first Intercontinental Conference, held in Uganda in 1953 . 99 Knights of Baha 'u' llah to the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Charles Dunning and Brigitte Hasselblatt, posing together in the 1950s ...... .. ..................................... 102 Knights of Baha'u'llah to the Solomon Islands, Alvin and Gertiude Blun1, with their daughter Keithie, Mr. John Mills, and the Head of the Bamu Tribe; 1954 . 103 Knight ofBaha'u'llah to Goa, Feroza Yaganegi, with Mrs. Gulnar Aftabi; 1953 .. . 103 Knights of Baha'u'llah to French Togoland, Vivian Wesson and David Tanyi, with new believers in Accra in 1956 ...... ......................... ........ ........................... 104 Knight ofBaha'u ' llah to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Edythe MacArthur; 1953 . 104 Knights ofBaha'u'llah to the Canary Islands, Gertrude Eisenberg, and George and Marguerite True, with Bany Tme; 1953 ................................... .. ...................... 105 The first Baha'i World Congress, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1963 112 Part Three: International Survey of Current Baha'i Activities First page of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, in the handwriting of 'Abdu ' l-Baha 114 Attendees of the I:Iuq11qu'llah Conference held in Haifa in January 1987 ............ . 116 A deepening on the law ofl:luququ'llah in Kenya; November 1990 ..................... 119 A luncheon held as part of the opening ceremonies of the north wing of the House of 'Abdu' llah Pasha; Apri l 1990 ...................... .. ................................ 120 Restoration of the stencilled artwork on the balcony of the Mansion of Baha 'u ' llah atBahji; October 1987 ..... .. ................................ .. .......................... .................... 121 The ceiling of the colonnade of the Sluáine of the Bab, being refinished in 1991 122 A Status Agreement between the Governn1ent of Israel and the Baha'i World Centre being signed; April 1987 .................................................. .. ...... .. ............ 123 Members of the Universal House of Justice with architects Husayn Amanat and Fariburz $ahba on the consháuction site; March 1988 .......... ...... .............. .. ........ 125 Earthwork on the terraces below the Shrine of the Bab; October 1991 .................. 126 The pool on Terrace Nine, built during the Ministry of' Abdu '1-Baha, incorporated into the new te1Tace design .... ........ .. ......................... ....................................... .. 126 Excavation of the site of the Centre for the Study of the Texts; Februa1y 1992 ..... 127 Model of the buildings planned for the east and south side of the Arc .. .. .. ............. 128 xv 1 '.• LIST OF ILL UST RATIONS The Hand of _tJ1e Cause. of God Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:iiyyih Khanum greeting the President of the Marshall Islands, Amata Kabua, during his visit to the Baha'i World Centre in June 1990 .. .... ... .. ... ...... ... ..... ... .. .. ... .... .. .. ... .. .. . .. ... .. .. ... . .. ... .. .. ..... 129 The Hand of the Cause of God 'Ali-Akbar FurUtan greets Dizzy Gillespie during Mr. Gillespie's visit to the Baha'i World Cenháe in July 1991 .. ....... ...... ... .. .... ... 129 Members of the Universal House of Justice with the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Sir Thomc,is Davis, during the Prime Minister 's visit to the Baha'i World Centre in August 1986 .... .. .. .... ..... .... .............. ..... .......... .......................... 130 The Hand of the Cause of God 'Ali-Akbar Furutan accompanying the President of Israel, Chaim Herzog, during his visit to the Baha'i World Cenháe in May 1989 130 The President of Honduras, His Excellency Jose Azcona-Hoyo, visiting the Baha' i World Cenháe in May 1987 .. ......................................... ............ ................ ......... 130 The British Ambassador to Israel, His Excellency Mark Elliot, and Mrs. Elliot, visiting the Baha'i World Cenháe in June 1989 ........... ....... ..... ..... ......... ....... .... .. 130 Participants in the External Affairs Conference held in Langenhain, Germany, in November 1987 ....... .............. .. .... .... ..... .... .. ..... .............................................. 132 Participants in the External Affairs Conference held at the Baha ' i World CentTe from 30 December 1988 to 1Januaty 1989 ......... ........ ...... ...... ....... ... ........... ..... 133 Baha'i World Centre staff helping each other learn how to use gas masks in November 1990 ....... .. .......................................... ..... ..... ... .......... .. .. .... ..... ... ....... 135 Baha ' i youth from Antsirabe, Madagascar, walking to a village to teach the Faith in April 1988 ............... ... .............. ........... .................................. .................... .. ... 136 In India, a bicycle for two was made in 1989 to facilitate teaching work .. ............ 139 In the Solomon Islands, a motorized canoe being used as a Maritime Teaching Institute; 1991 .. .. .. ... ... .... ... ... .. ..... .. ..... ... ... ... .. ... .. .. .... ... .. .. ..... .. ...... .. ..... .. ... ...... .. .. 140 A teaching team emailing a new believer in Macau in May 1989 .... .. .... ........ ... .. .. 142 El Viento Canta performing during the Baha'i International Music Festival held in Gaborone, Botswana , in December 1989 ...... .. .. .......... ...... ..................... ..... ...... 144 Irish Baha'i youth taking part in a Walk for World Peace in October 1987 ........... 147 Counsellor Beatrice Asare presenting the Peace Statement to the Asantahene of the Asante State of Ghana in September 1988 ................................................... 150 Counsellor Viol ette Haake presenting the Peace Statement to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands in October 1990 .. .. ... ...... .. .. . .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. .. ... .. .. . 150 Baha ' i representatives presenting the Peace Statement to NATO Base persom1el in Keflavik, Iceland, in October 1988 .. .. ... ........ ... .... ................ ................... ........... 150 Baha'is in Lesotho receiving the United Nations' "Peace Messenger Award" in September 1987 ............... ..... .................... .... ...... .... ... ........ ............... .. ... ............ 152 Mr. Dexter King, son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the Baha ' i Peace Conference held in Oslo, Norway, in October 1986 .... ... .................. ...... .......... ..... .... ... 153 The President of France, His Excellency Franc;:ois Mitterrand, with a Baha' i pioneer to Reunion at a reception in Paris in March 1990 ... ........ ..... ..... .... ........ ..... 156 The booth staffed by the Baha'i Publishing Tmst of Argentina during the International Book Fair held in Buenos Aires in April 1989 .. ....... .... ...... .. .. .... .... .... ..... 158 Counsellor Edith Senoga visiting Baha ' i communities in western Uganda in Febmary 1990 .... ....... ........................................ ............... .. ....... ..... ... ... .. .................. 161 XV I LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The National Spirihial Assembly of the Baha'is of French Guiana with two Auxiliary Board memb.ers in April 1987 .......... .... .. ........... ......... ........................... ..... 163 Participants in the National Convention of the Baha' is ofCiskei in April 1987 164 Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha' is of Jamaica at the International Convention in Haifa, Israel, in April 1988 .. ..... .. .. ...... ... ... ... ....... .. 165 Counsellor Violette Haake at a meeting with Auxiliary Board members in New Caledonia in November 1991 ............................ .................. ....... .... ... ..... ... .. ...... 165 Participants in a conference for Auxiliary Board members ' assistants held in Swakopmund, Namibia, in July 1988 ........ ..... .. ......... ................ ... .. ......... .... ...... ... .... 166 Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre Magdalene Carney visiting with the National Spirihial Assemblies of Senegal and the Gambia ............ 166 The Hand of the Cause of God Amah1 ' l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum opening the Local Baha'i Centre in Sheun"g Simi, Hong Kong, i1~ November 1990 ............... 168 Counsellor Lucretia Warren with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Mozambique in front of their newly acquired National Centre, March 1989 .... 168 The new offices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kiribati, dedicated in 1989 ... .. .. .... ........ .. ..... .. ... .. ......... .. ... ..... ....... ...... .. ....... .... ...... ... ... ... .. 168 Friends gathered for the inauguration of the Baha'i Centre in Ndava, Burundi, in October 1989 .... ..... ..... ... ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. ....... .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ..... ... .... ... .... .. ...... .. ... .. 168 Children in a Baha'i tutorial school in Ngoakiri, Central African Republic; 1987 .. 174 A Baha'i children's class in Florida, Uruguay, in November 1988 ...................... . 175 A Baha ' i tutoria l school in Chaco, Paraguay, in March 1989 ................................ 176 The wedding of two Baha 'i couples at the Lenakel Baha'i Centre on Taima Island, Vanuatu, in January 1987 ....... .. .......... ....... ...... ....... ... ... .. ..... .. ... .. ... .. .. .. ...... ... .. ... 177 Children from the Inarajan Baha'i School on Guam, in the Mariana Islands, planting acacia seedlings in October 1990 .............. ................................... ........ .. ... ... 179 An experimental pepper farn1 being developed in Sarawak, Malaysia; 1988 181 The Dorothy Baker Centre in Bolivia, used for environmental studies; 1987 ........ 181 In Switzerland, Baha'is participating in the annual clean-up of marshland fo1med where the Rhone Rivers flows into Lake Geneva; March 1992 181 A Baha ' i doctor prescribing medicines to a patient she examined during a free medical camp held on Bhit Island near Karachi, Pakistan; 1989 .. .. .. .... .... .... .... . 184 Inauguration of a public well built by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bata, Equatorial Guinea; November 1988 .. .................... ......... ... ......... .... ...... .... .... ..... 185 Participants in a fence-making course held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a rural development project in November 1988 ........ .. ........... .. .... ........ .. ..... .... ...... .. ...... 186 A geography lesson at the Baha' i School of the Nations in Aracibo, Puerto Rico, in April 1992 ... ..... .. .. .... .. .. ...... ... .... .. .. ... .. .......... .. ..... .. .. .... .. .. ..... .. .. ........ ..... .. .. .. .. . 187 The children of the Mbabane Pre-School in Swaziland singing a song; 1987 187 A Mobile Baha ' i Institute in Cotonou, Benin, in January 1989 ...... ... ... .... ..... ..... .. . 189 The first Nineteen Day Feast possible since the 1930s was celebrated in Moscow inAprill989 ...... ........ .... .. ...... ........ ..... ........... .. .................................................. 197 The first open teaching project in modern Russia; Murn1ansk, July 1989 ..... .. .. .... 200 A music group spontaneously forn1ed during a teaching project in Neptune, Romania, in July 1991 , attracting large crowds to gather around Baha 'is .................. 202 XVll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Travelling teachers from Brazil singing for youth in Poland in 1990 ............... ..... 202 Members of El Viento Canta being interviewed at a radio station in Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 1990 ............ ....................... .............................. .................. ...................... 202 Participants in the first National Baha'i Conference of the Soviet Union, held in February 1990 near Moscow ...... .................. ................................................ ..... 202 A group of Baha'is spent three weeks sailing on a Viking-styled ship down the Volga and Don Rivers teaching the Faith during the summer of 1990 .. ... .... .. .. . 204 The Hand of the Cause of God 'Ali-Akbar Funltan visiting Baha ' is in Samarkand in April 1990 .. .. .... .. ... .. ... .. .. ..... ... .. ... .. ... ...... ....... .. ... .. .... ........ .... .. ... .. .... ........ ... .. .. 206 A Baha'i delegation met with the President of Albania, His Excellency Ramiz Alia, in his offices in Dunes in November 1991 ............... ..... ........................... 206 Baha'is attending the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, held in Ulaan-Baatar, Mongolia, in September 1990 ... .. .... .... ... .. ... .. ... .. ..... ... . .. ..... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. .... .. ........ 209 Knight ofBaha'u'llah 'Abbas Katirai, who arrived, with his wife, Ric;Jvaniyyih, in Sakhalin in March 1990 ................................................................... ... ............... 212 Baha'is in Tallin, Estonia, in June 1987 ............................. .................................... 214 Pioneers in Riga, Latvia, holding their first Nineteen Day Feast in September 1989 214 Baha'is attending the National Teaching Conference held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in October 1991 ...... ... ....... ..................... .. ..................... ....... .............. .... ... ......... .... 216 Participants in the regional conference held in Odessa, Ukraine, in February 1992 216 Baha'i youth from several countries staffing a display in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, in August 1990 .... .. ..... ..... .. ... ..... .. ... .. ....... .... .. ... .. .......... ..... ............ .. .. .. ... .. .. . 218 Five members of New Zealand's Youth for One World, who travelled to teach in eastern Europe during the summer of 1990 ... .. .. .. ... .. ... .. ..... .. ..... .. . .. ............ .. .. .. . 219 Knight ofBaha'u'llah for Mongolia Sean Hinton, seated with the first native Mongolian Baha'i, Oyundelger; 1990 ........... ..... ................... ............ ... ..................... 220 Friends posing with the first issue of the Russian Baha'i newsletter, The Express, publishing in December 1991 ............... ............ ................................................. 224 Members of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Marv, Turkmenistan, Russia. Elected in September 1990 .... ...... ......... .. ... .... ... .. ...... .. ... ..... .. ... .. ... .. ........... .... .. .. 224 Counsellor Donald Rogers meeting with community members in Kingston, St. Vincent, in May 1986, to consult about the Six Year Plan ............................ ... . 226 In Thailand, Baha'is living in refuge camp "Site Two" were married during aceremony held in October 1987 227 American Baha'i ente1iainers Leslie and Kelly holding a press conference during their teaching trip to Taiwan in May 1986 ............................ ... ... .. ..................... 235 Two Baha'i youth pariicipating in a cross-border teaching project held in Zacatecas, Mexico, in July 1987 .... .. ..... ............. .. .............. ....................................... .. 237 In St. Lucia, representatives of National Assemblies from thirteen eastern Caribbean countries gathered for a planning session held in October 1987 ....... ........ 238 Representatives of fiv e National Assemblies and Baha'i International Community offices in New York and Geneva met to discuss external affairs; Febmary 1988 238 Pope John Paul II meeting the Baha'i representative to the World Conference on Religion and Peace held in Italy in July 1991 .. .. .. ... .. .. . .. ..... .. ... .. .. ...... .. ...... ... .. .. . 245 Presentation of the Peace Statement to the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, the Right Honorable Sir Lynden Pindling, in February 1988 ................... ........... .... 245 XVlll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIO NS Liberian Baha'i refugee children in Cote d'Ivoire, March 1991. "Perchance ... the brilliant pearls of the Kingdom ... " .......................................................... ......... . 246 The President of the Seychelles, His Excellency Albert Rene, meeting with a Baha'i delegation in Victoria in December 1991 ........................................ ..... . 248 Baha'is taking part in a parade on the anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Central African Republic, December 1986 .... .............................. . 249 During a teaching conference in Assomada, Cape Verde, in 1987, two youth present a theatrical piece about teaching in Iran .... ................................... ........ . 250 In Burkina Faso, a training and refresher course for primary health workers being held in Koalio in May 1990 ................................ ........... ... ..... ... .... .. ... ... ....... ..... . 252 In Lome, Togo, children in the Rainbow International School and Kindergarten during a Peace Festival held in March 1990 ......... ........ ......... ....... .... .. ..... ... ... .. .. 252 A literacy class being held in Ginkongozo-Rugazi Prefecture, Rwanda, in 1988 252 Staff members at Radio Baha'i Liberia (ELRB) in Monrovia in March 1987 254 The Baha' i booth during the Transkei Agricultural Show held in Umtata in October 1990 ....... ............. ............................ .. .......... ..... ........................................... . 255 Two young musicians playing at the Baha'i International Music Festival held in Gaborone, Botswana, in December 1989 ........ .... .... ....... .................................. . 256 The Baha'is of Manzini, Swaziland, laying the cornerstone of their regional Baha'i Centre during a ceremony held in October 1990 ................................... . 258 Participants in a Family Life Conference held in Limbe, Cameroon; February 1991 áááááá ááááááá ááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá áááááááá áááááááááááááááááááá áá ááá ááá ááááááááááááááááááá 259 Pottery being created during the National Baha'i Women's Conference in Nakuru, Kenya, in February 1989 ............. ..... ................................................................ . 259 A group ofBaha'is who walked 800 kilometres from their village to attend a conference held in the Fizi Zone of Zaire in July 1989 .... .... .... ....... ..... .... ... ...... .. ... . 259 New Baha'is in Lewfen, Senegal, who embraced the Faith during the Viera Teaching Project in 1988 ........... ..... ..... ....... ..... ........... ....... .. ........ ..... .. .......... .. .... .. ...... . 259 Youth participating in the 'Star 88' teaching project in Botswana; June 1988 261 Counsellor Lally Wanen visiting with friends in the village ofKabwafu, Malawi, in August 1990 .. ...... .......................... ..... .......... .................. .............................. . 262 Teaching institute held at the William Masehla Baha'i Institute in Zambia; 1986 264 Participants in a deepening seminar held in Gueckedou, Guinea; December 1990 264 Baha'is helping with construction of their new Teaching Institute at Titye, Kashlu, Kigoma, Tanzania in 1990 ... ................... ....... ............................. .. ............... ..... . 264 On Rodriquez Island, friends in La Ferme pose with Counsellor Gilbert Robert and his wife, Daisy Robert, during their visit in October 1990 ......................... . 266 Friends working together to make mud bricks for the new Baha'i Primary School in Yakandor, Pujehun District, Siena Leone; 1987 .................................... .... ... 266 A Teaching fastitute being held in Bamako, Mali, in December 1987 .............. ... . 266 A Baha'i doctor offering medicine to Liberian Baha'i refugees in Cote d'Ivoire . March 1991 ...... ........ ...... .......... ... ... ... ..... ............. .... ..... ....... .............................. . 267 Friends attending the Baha'i International Peace Conference in San Francisco, California, in August 1986 ...... .................... ............. ....................................... .. 268 Friends with plaque presented to the Brazilian Society of Educators for Peace; 1989 270 XIX LI ST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Members of the Raul Pavon teaching team with women in Puno, Peru. 1990 271 Singers Seals and Croft participating in the Martin Luther King Day Parade in Atlanta, Georgia, in January 1991 .. .. .. .. . .. .. ... .... .. ... .. ... ..... .. ..... ... .. ....... ...... .. ... .. .. 272 Baha'is in Havana, Cuba, welcoming visitors from Mexico in November 1996 273 In the United States, First Lady Barbara Bush welcomes a Baha'i International Community representative to a White House reception held in June 1990 274 In Guadeloupe, a Baha 'i reads "Education for Peace" during a World Religion Day progranm1e held in January 1987 ............... .. .............................. ................ 274 In Trinidad, Baha' is gather to commemorate the United Nations' Human Rights Day in December 1988 .. ............ .. .............. ...... ..... ..... ... .. ..... ........ ..... ...... ..... ... .. . 274 A Radio Baha'i, Bolivia, staff member during a campaign to fight cholera; 1991 278 A Radio Baha'i, Panama, staff member preparing to broadcast music; 1987 278 The staff of WLGI, the Baha'i radio station in Hemingway, South Carolina, in November 1987 ................... ................. .. ..... .... .. ..... ............. .............. .......... .... .. 278 Exterior view of the facilities for Radio Baha' i, Chile; February 1988 .................. 278 Friends teaching the Faith during a radio interview held in Colima, Mexico; 1987 279 A staff member of Radio Baha ' i, Ecuador, interviewing a villager; 1987 ............. 279 Some of the friends who produce the weekly Baha' i radio programme in the Guajiro language in Maracaibo, Venezuela; 1990 ....... .......................... .... .... ....... ... 279 Exterior view of the facilities for Radio Baha' i, Peru; 1988 279 A Garifuna Baha'i teacher in the Carrib Territory of Dominica; 1991 285 Participants in the second Regional Youth Conference for the Caribbean, held in Grenada, August 1988 ........ ..... ....... .... .. .... .......... ...... .. .............................. ......... 288 Participants in a youth conference held in Barbados in August 1990 ....... .. ...... ..... 289 Teaching on the island ofCayemite, off the coast of Haiti, in November 1989 290 Baha ' i participants in an orientation for a teaching proj ect in Belize; June 1990 290 Children performi ng traditional dances in the Guaymi Cultural Centre in Panama. April 1989 ............... ....................... .. .. ....... .......................... ............................... 292 Friends gathered at the Peigan Baha ' i Institute, Alberia, Canada ; December 1989 295 A Toba Baha ' i woman in the Chaco Region of northern Argentina ; 1989 296 Students of violin at the School of the Nations, Brasilia, Brazil; 1988 .................. 297 Exterior of the Maxwell Baha'i School near Vancouver, Canada; 1992 ....... ......... 297 A Baha'i tutori al school in the Guajiro Region of Colombia; 1987 .................. ..... 297 Nicaraguan youth who took training classes in children's education; January 1992 297 Participants in a workshop that was part of the Baha'i winter school in Haiti; March 1987 ................... ......... .... .. ... ... ..... ..... .... ......... ............. ............................ 300 Martinique 's ninth National Convention, held in Fort-de-France; 1992 ...... ....... ... 301 Members of a Baha ' i Regional Native Council in Panama taking a break from their meeting to visit the House of Worship ; June 1991 .. .... ... .. ... .. ... ........ ... ... .. 30 1 In Bermuda, friends gathered for a winter schoo l held in February 1987 ..... ..... .. .. 301 A moilier and daughter at the Local Baha'i Centre in Tai Dong, Taiwan; 1988 302 Baha'is consulting during the Vajdi Memorial Teaching Project held on Great Nicobar Island in February/March 1990 .... ...................... ............... .. ... .......... .. .. 306 Presentation of the Peace Statement to the wife of the Minister of Lands and Land Development of Sri Lanka; June 1988 ..... ........ .................. ........ .... .................. . 307 xx LIST OF ILLUSTRAT IONS T he Crown Prince of Thailand receiving a handmade art object from a young representative of the Sp iritual Assembly; September 1989 ..... .. .......................... ... 308 The Minister of Tourism for Nepal , Ram Hari Joshy, award ing a prize to a w inner of the Baha' i youth song contest held at Naw-Ri'.1z in Kathmandu ... .. .. ... .......... 308 The Prime Min ister of Bang ladesh, Begum Khadela Zia, presenting Counsellor Jab bar Eidelkhani with the "Young Scientist Award 1990"; July 1991 ... . ......... 308 An Auxili ary Board member speaking about individual transformation during an á interfaith seminar held in Coimbatore, India, in January 1991 ....... .......... .. ....... 3 10 T he Hand of the Cause of God Amatu' l-Baha Ri'.1!)iyyih KMnum visiting w ith students from the School of the Nations in Macau in May 1989 ........................ .... 312 The Prime Minister of India, H is Exce llency Raj iv Gandhi , presenting a "Friends of Trees Award- 1986" to a representative of the Rabbani School ... ........... .. .. 312 Students in a class at the Tadong School in Ranipul , Sikkim, in 199 1 312 Participants in a Ba ha'i Children 's Institute held in Larut Matang, Ma laysia; December 1987 ..... ... . .. ... . . ... ... .. .. ... .. ..... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. ..... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ...... .. .... .. .. .. .. .. ... . 312 A Baha' i doctor during a three-day med ica l clinic sponsored by the Nationa l Spiritual Assembly of the Phili pp ines at Naw-Ri'.1z 1987 .. .. ..... .... ... .... 3 15 T he Local Baha ' i Centre at Ban Vieng Kham Ta i, Laos, dedicated in May 1986 . 3 17 T he Local Baha'i Centre at Mandalay, Myanmar, dedicated in January 1991 3 17 Baha'is participating in a World Religious Book Ex hibition held in Tokyo, Japan, inJuly 1990 .. ....................................... ..... ..... ..... ...... .. ..... ................. ................. 318 Baha'is participating in the third International Book Fair held Beijing, China, in September 1990 . .. . .. .. .... ... .. .. ... .. . . ... ..... .. .. ... .. ... .. ... ... ... .. ... .. .. .... . ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ....... 318 A Mangyan Baha'i family on its way to a teaching conference he ld in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, in 1986 ...... .............................................. ......... 322 Baha'i children in Singapore supporting the co untry's Green and C lean Week in November 199 1 by designing and displaying banners about the env ironment .. 323 Two Baha' i friends at a National Teachi ng Conference in Sydney, Australia, "in December 1987 .... .................................................... ..... ..... ........................ .... .... 324 Traditional dancers fro m Kimama vi llage in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea during a teaching project in 1989 .. .... ........... ............. ............. .... .. .... .. ... 326 Baha' is dancing during a National Teaching Conference held in Ap ia, Samoa, in July 199 1 .. .... ........ ... ....... .. ... .. ... .. ... ... .................................. .... .... ...... ......... ........ 327 A New Zea land Baha' i with a long spear-like Maori weapon he turned into a digging tool as a g ift fo r the Baha'i House of Wo rship in India; 1988 ......... ......... .. 328 Four Samoan Baha'i women visiting the Cook Islands in September 199 1 as part of the Ocean of Light proj ect .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. ... .. .. .... . ... .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. . .. ... ... . .. .. .. .. .. . .. . 329 Mr. Peter Kaltoli, the first loca l person to become a Baha'i in Vanuatu (then ca lled the New Hebrides), w ith Counsellors Bruce Saunders and Sirus Naraqi in 1991 330 Counsell or member of the International Teaching Centre Donald Rogers visiting Baha'is in Perth, Western A ustrali a, in 1990 ............... ... ........... ..... ................... 33 1 In the Marshal l Islands, President Amata Kabuajoining Baha ' is during a dinner to commemorate the Internati onal Year of Peace; October 1986 .......... ..... ........... 334 In Western Samoa, Baha'is wa lking with the conmrnnity's fl oat in a parade to ce lebrate the 25th anniversary of the cou ntry's independence; June 1987 ............. 334 XX ! LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS In the Solomon Islands, Baha'i youth with the float they created to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the country's independence; July 1988 ..... ................ .. 334 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Eastern Caroline Islands; 1987 336 Baha'i representatives to the meeting sponsored by the South Pacific Commission and held in Fiji in September 1988 ........ .. .. .. .. .... ...... .. ............ .. .. .. ........ .... .......... 340 Children attending the Baha'i kindergarten KoloJo 'ou, Nuku'alofa in Tonga; 1990 342 Members of the group Youth for One World, which formed in 1990 to use music to proclaim the Faith, posing in Masterton , New Zealand .. .......... .. ........ .......... 343 A special prayer service held at the Baha' i House of Worship in Samoa during the summer school in January 1987 ........................................................................ 346 A day-long gathering for Baha'i families and their friends held at the Baha' i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, in 1988 .............................. .. .......... .... 346 Participants in the European Baha'i Youth Conference held in July 1989 in the Netherlands ............. .... .... .. ..................................... ... ................ ... ...................... 348 A view of the Great Eastern Conference held in Dieburg, Germany; March 1987 350 A mural painted by Baha'i youth of the Canary Is lands in 1988 .. ...................... .. .. 352 The Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giachery celebrating his 90th birthday during the summer school held in Filipstad, Sweden, in July 1986 ..... .. .. .. .... .... 353 Balloons being released in San Marino ' s main square during the European Baha'i Youth Conference held in July 1989 ... .. .... .... .... .. ... .... .......... .. ................ .. ......... 354 Participants in the National Baha' i Youth Conference held in Sete, France, in 1989 356 Romani (Gypsy) Baha ' is ofTorreviej a, Spain, celebrate Naw-Ruz in 1987 .. .. ..... 358 Mrs. Meherangiz M unsiff w ith a family of Gypsies she met during her trip to Lappeeranta, Fi nland, in July 1987 .. .... .... .... .. ...... .... .............................. .. .. .. ...... 358 Participants in a teaching project held in Cyprus in 199 l 358 Counsellor Loui s Henuzet receiving the "Peace Messenger Award" on behalf of the Baha'i community of Belgium during a ceremony held in Brussels; 1987 .. .. ... 360 A group of new Baha' is in Koyuslukow, Sivas, Turkey, gathering to establish their first Local Spiritual Assembl y; January 1992 ..................................... ........ ....... 361 The first International Dialogue on the Transition to a G lobal Society being held at Landegg Academy in Switzerland in September 1990 ...................................... 362 Baha' is receiving a commemorative stamp issued by the Post Office of the United Ki ngdom to honour Bernard Leach, a potter and a Baha'i; November 1987 ..... 364 An exhibition of Baha' i books held as part of a Congress on Religious Studies at the New University in Lisbon, Portugal, in January 1992 ...... .. ......................... 366 An exhibition of Baha'i books displayed during the International Book Fa ir in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in October 1990 .. .. ...... ..... ............. .. ........... .. ................ .. 367 Oneworld Publications' edition of The Hidden Words ofBaha ' u'llah displayed in a Sherratt & Hughes bookstore in the United Kingdo m in July 1989 ...... .. .. .. .... 368 The Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone with other participants in the summer school held in Iceland in August 1987 ......... .. ........ ....... ....................... 369 Participants in the opening of the first Baha' i Schoo l in Vej le, Denmark, in September 1989 ..................................................... ..... .. ..... .. .. .. .... ..... .. ..... ........ .. ...... 369 The House of the Bab in Shiraz, being demolished by Iranian authorities soon after the Islamic revolu tion in 1979 .................. .. .......... .. .................... .... ..... .... .......... 370 xxii LIS T OF ILLUSTRATIONS A photograph taken around 1896, showing a Baha'i father and son in chains after being arrested with fellow Baha'is. Both were subsequently executed ............ 372 A photograph taken in May 1955, showing members of the Shah's army and Muslim leaders joining in the destruction of the National Baha' i Centre; Tihran, Iran 373 The House of the Bab in Shiraz, a place of pilgrimage for Baha'is, was destroyed by Revolutionary Guards in 1979 and later completely razed .. .. .. .. ..... ..... .... ..... 375 Shortly after the Islamic Revolution , the National Baha' i Centre in Tihran was confiscated by authorities ... ... ... .. ... .... ...... ... .. ...... ........ ...... ...... ........ .... ... .... ....... . 377 Destruction of a Baha'i cemetery in Shiraz in 1979 ........ .. ... ... ............... .. ... .... .. .... . 381 Light fixture on the colonnade of the Shrine of the Bab .... ... .... ..... ..... .... ....... ....... .. 382 Individual photographs of some of the martyrs .. ........................ .. ....... ................... 399 In the Gambia, participants in a Baha'i Women 's Institute held in the Regional Baha' i Centre of Latri-Kunda in 1987 .. .. ........ .. .................. ... ......... ..... .. ... ....... 408 In the United States of America, a reception to honour Laura Dreyfu s-Barney held at the UNICEF House in Washington, D.C., in July 1988 ................. ...... ..... .... . 408 In Chad, the "Roses Noires" Baha'i women's group ofSarh learning sewing skills in June 1988 ............ ... ...... ..... ..... ....... .......... ... .. ....... ........ .... .. ................... ......... . 410 In Malaysia, Richard and Mona Grieser meet with participants in the "Traditional Media as a Change Agent" project in Sarawak; 1992 ............. ... ...... .... ..... ...... ... 412 In Luxembourg, the Baha'i Women 's Union organized a conference with concert heldin0ctoberl988 ........ ..... ..... ........... ................. .......... .... ..... .. .. .... .... .. .......... 413 In Mexico, Rosalinda Espinoza de Frazelle talks about "Women and Peace" during a Baha'i women's conference held in 1987 ..... .. ........ .. ...... ....... .... ........ ....... 413 In Bangladesh, Shirin Boman addresses a Baha ' i women 's conference held in Dhaka in 1986 .... .......... ........................... ..... ... ..... .. ... .. ..... .. .. .. ... ....... ................. 413 In Kenya, one of the fri ends makes a point during the National Baha' i Women 's Conference held in the Nakuru Baha'i Centre in February 1989 ... .. ... ...... ......... 413 Uruguay hosted an International Baha ' i Women ' s Conference held in Montevideo in October l 989 .. ..... .... .. .. .. . .... . .. .. ..... ..... ... .. .. .. ... ..... . ... .. .... ... .... .... .. ...... .. .. .. .. ... ... 414 A Pacific Baha'i Women's Conference held in Hilo, Hawaii , in mid-1991 415 Louise Profeit-Leblanc gives a presentation during the Conference for the Association for Baha'i Studies held in Irvine, California, in September 1989 ............. 417 In the Solomon Islands, Baha'i women and children presenting their custom dancing during the Women ' s Week celebrations held in September 1988 ....... ...... .. 418 In Pakistan, a public meeting held in memory of Tahirih was organized by the Local Ladies Committee of Karachi; August 1989 .. ...... .. ...... .... ...... .. ...... ...... ... 419 In the Philippines, President Corazon Aquino and the Vice President of the All Nations Women's Group, a Baha ' i, in May 1990 ..... ..... ........... .............. .. .. ..... .. 420 Participants in the Rubi Institute International Training Course for Tutorial School Teachers and Preparation for Youth Year of Service, Colombia; November 1986 422 Youth volunteers in "The Temple Brigade" helping to clean the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, India, in 1988 .......... .................................... ........ ..... ... 423 Some of the youth serving at the Baha'i World Centre in March 1990 ..... .... .... ..... 424 A Baha' i youth of Vanuatu with students of the literacy class he teaches on Tanna as part of his Year of Service; February 1992 ... ........... ...... ... .... ............... ... .. ... .. 426 XXlll LIST OF I LLUSTRA TIO NS Youth Year of Service volunteers went into the Kalahari Desert in Botswana to hold deepenings for the Baha' is who live there; October 1987 .. ...... ..... ...... 427 In Hawaii , American Baha' i youth cooking during a two-week-long summer camp held on Maui for Russian youth in 1988 ........... ....... ... .. ..................................... 428 In the U.S. Virgin Islands, a Sparks for Peace team of Baha ' i youth reinstalling a fence as a service project in a national park in 1989 . .. ... ... .. ..... .. .. .. .. .. .. ....... .. .. ... 428 In the Dominican Republic, a yo ung graduate of the Olinga Institute courses in service to the Cause teaching a children's class in 1991 .................................... 428 In Luxembourg, Baha'i youth volunteers working to clean and maintain the Garden of Wiltz; 1990 ....... .. .. .... .... .. ... ... .. ....... .. .... ............. ........ ........ ... ... .. .... .. ... .. .. . 429 In Uganda, part of the youth programme during the summer school in Mbale was to help clean up the local hospital ; 1991 ... ..... .................................................... 429 In Tonga, a Baha'i youth group after cleaning downtown Nukualofa in support of World Health Day; 1990 ........... ... .. ...... ...... ... .. ... ..... ..... ........ ........... ........... .... .... 429 In Scotland, youth participants in Operation Mona, after cleaning up a section of the River Clyde in July 1986 .. .... .. .. ..... ..... ....... ..... .. ........ ......... .. .... .... .. ........ ...... 430 In Singapore, yo ung Baha'is after helping to clean up a beach as a community service project in 1990 ... . .. ... ... ........ .. .. .. ..... ... . ..... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... ... .... ... ..... ........ .. .. .... .. . 430 In St. Vincent, children and youth participating in a Baha' i-sponsored activity to clean up Villa Beach; April 1992 ... .... .... .. .... ....... ......................... ...... .... ....... .... 430 In Panama, Baha' i youth performing cultural dances as part of the International Day of Peace activities in Boca de! Monte; 1989 ....... ......................... ........ ...... 431 In Nigeria, members of the Baha ' i youth ' s football club, called The Peace Makers, during the semi -final match in a local soccer competition; 1987 ............... ....... 431 In Taiwan , six youth who enro lled in the Faith during the Muhajir Teaching Project in 1987 are members of three ethnic minorities .. .............. .. ......... ... ..... . 431 The third Peace Moves '89 Regional European Youth Conference, held in July 1989 in Madrid, Spain ..... .............. ........ ....... ....... ....... .......... .... ....... ....... .... 436 The members of the first European Baha' i Youth Council after their first meeting in London , England, in November 1989 ..... ..... ..... ......... ... ........... .... .... ... ...... ... .. 437 Participants in one of the four European Youth Conferences held in the summer of 1991 took place in Neptune, Romania .. ... .. ........ ... .... .... .......... ..... ........ .............. 439 Participants in the George Adam Benke Project in Bulgaria attending the National Teaching Conference held in Plovdiv in October 1991 .... ....... ...... .......... .......... 440 The members of El Viento Canta before beginning their tour of Europe in 1988 .. 443 Members of El Viento Canta with children on the grounds of the Baha ' i House of Worship near Kampala, Uganda, during their tour of Africa in 1989 ... ............. 444 Members of El Viento Canta in U laan-Baatar, Mongolia, with Knight ofBaha'u ' llah, Sean Hinton, and some of the first Mongolian Baha'is; 1990 ............. ....... ....... 445 Members of the Wildfire Youth Theatre Group during a performance in New South Wales, Australia, in February 1989 .. .......... ... ..... ... ...... .......... ..... ..... ........ 449 Light in the Darkness performing during the European Baha'i Youth Conference held in Neptune, Romania, in July 1991 .. ......... ....... ......... .... ... ..... ...... ...... .... ... .. 450 Musical entertainment being presented during a youth conference held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in November/ December 1991 ........... ...... .... .... .... .. .... .......... 451 XX IV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Participants in Austria's National Youth Conference; Spital am Pyhrn; 1992 45 l The Prime Minister of Guyana, His Excellency Hamilton Greene, addressing the Caribbean Baba 'i Youth Conference held in Georgetown in August 1989 451 Friends attending a youth institute in P01t Moresby, Papua New Guinea, in December 1988 .. .. .. .. ... .. .... .. ..... ... . .. .... .... .. .. .. ... ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .... ..... ... .... ....... .. .. .. ... .. 452 Participants in a quiz held during the National Youth Conference in Lahore, Pakistan, in September 1988 ............ ......... .... ............... ......... ........... .......... ..... .... ...... 452 A group photograph taken during the International Youth Conference held near Harare, Zimbabwe, in August 1990 ....... .. .. ...... ... ............ .... ... ............ ... ............. 452 Two guest lecturers and friends associated with the Chair for Baha'i Studies at the University oflndore, India, in January 1992 .. ........... ......... ..... ... ......... .. ... ...... ... 455 The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ru l~iyyih Khanum and Dr. Erwin Laszlo followipg the General Systems Research Conference in Hungary; 1987 460 Participants in the Australian National Baha ' i Studies Conference, held in Adelaide in March 1989 .. .... ... ..... .. .. .. ...... .. ... .. .. .... ..... .. ... .. ... .. .. ....... ... ... ..... .. .. ... .. ... ... 461 The first meeti ng of the Association for Baba ' i Studies in East, Central, and South Africa being held in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 1990 ........ .......................... 463 The Association for Baha'i Studies, French-Speaking Europe, holding its third annual meeting in Luxembourg in November 1986 .......... .... ................. .. ......... 465 The Association for Baha'i Studies, German-Speaking Europe, during its fifth ammal conference, held in Austria in 1989 ... ................... ... ....... .. .... ...... ..... ...... 466 The Association for Baba 'i Studies, Japan, during its first a1mual conference, held in Tokyo in December 1991 .. .... .. ... .. ... .. ............................. ....... ....... ... ..... ......... 467 A speaker during the thirteenth meeting of the Association for Baha'i Studies, N01th America , held in Ottawa, Canada, in October 1988 ........ ..... .............. .. ... 468 A Seminar on Intercultural Issues preceding the Conference of the Association for Baha ' i Studies held in Irvine, California, in 1989 ... ....... .. ..... ...... .. .................... 469 The Association for Baha'i Studies, Papua New Guinea, holding its second conference, in Po1t Moresby in May 1989 .. ........................................ .......... .... ...... 470 A member of the Baha'i International Health Agency visiting the home of a Baha'i Health Education Agent in Sarh, Chad, in June 1988 ... ............ .... .... .. ... 4 72 The European Baha ' i Business Fomm ho lding its second a1mual conference in Paris, France, during the late summer of 1991 ... ............ .... .... .... ... ..... ..... ... .. ... .. 476 Participants in Art Forum '9 1, held at the Baha'i Conference Centre in De Poort, Netherlands .. ... ..... .......................... ...... ... .... ...... .... .. .............. ........ ..... .......... ... ... 479 Art Forum East, held in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, in July 1991 ........................ 480 Students at the Tadong Baha 'i School in Sikkim, India, learning to use computers as part of their regular curriculum; 1991 ...... .. ... ..... ........ .... ... .... .... .. ... .. .. ... ... ... .. 483 Dr. Ethel Martens at the Baha'i Internationa l Community display during at the World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland, in May 1988 . .. .. ... .. ... . .. 524 A representative of the National Assembly of the Baha 'is of Brazil receiving the United Nations' "Peace Messenger Award;" September 1987 ..... .. ................... 526 Baha'i International Conmmnity representatives Mrs. Mary Sawicki Power and Mrs. Tinai Hancock at a South Pacific Committee Conference held in Suva, Fiji, in September 1988 ...... .. .................................. ............ ............................ ... 535 xxv LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Rul:J.iyyih Khanum presenting a copy of the Baha'i Statement on Nature to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in Winchester, England, in October 1987 .... .. ..... ...... .. ... ......................... 541 Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Cook Islands; 2 February 1989 ......... ... ......... .. ........ ....... ..... ......................... 545 Recognition of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Guinea-Bissau in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution; 7 July 1988 .... .... ... ..... .. 546 Receipt of the Declaration of Trust for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Guinea; 29 May 1986 (first page) .................................................... 547 Certificate of change of name from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of South and West Africa to the National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa; 27 March 1987 .. .... .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. .. ... .. .. . .. ... .. ... .... .... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ........ .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. . 548 Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha 'is of the West Leeward Islands; 23 October 1991 ..................................................... 549 Decree by the Government of Quebec, Canada, regarding the Civil Registtáy of Baha'i Local Spiritual Assemblies in Hull, Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, Longueuil, and Montreal; 1990 (first page) ....................................................... 551 Registration of the Baha'is of Ashkhabad of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic by the Council of Religious Affairs at the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; 25 Janua1y 1990 ................................................. 552 Recognition of the Baha 'is of Dushanbe of the Tadzhik Soviet Socialist Republic by the Council of Ministers ofTadzhikistan; 14 November 1990 .......... ........... 553 Appointment by the Attorney General of a Baha'i Marriage Office in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Effective from 10 March 1988 ............................. 556 Approval of a legal representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Burundi by the Minister of Justice, dated 12 October 1988 ............. 557 Letter from the Ministry of Finance of Equatorial Guinea, recognizing the right of the National Spiritual Assembly to be exempt from taxes; 29 April 1986 ........ 558 Certificate of recognition of the Lomaivuna Baha'i Kindergarten by the MinistJ.y of Education of the Government ofFiji; 21August1987 .................................. 559 Circular Letter from the Minister for the AdministJ.áation of the Territories of Gabon stating that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Gabon 560 may carry out all activities; 6 May 1987 .......................................................... .. Ce11ificate registering the offices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha' is of Ireland as a place for the solemnisation of marriage; 8 September 1988 ááá áááááááááááááááá áááááááááááááááááááá ááá ááá áá ááá ááááá ááá ááá áááá áááá áááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá 561 The Malawi Gazette Supplement, dated 7 November 1986, giving notice of the licensing of the Baha'i Centre in Limbe, and the Baha'i Teaching mstitute in Amalika Village, as a place for the celebration of marriages ......... .. ...... ........ ... 562 Rental agreement between the Baha'i Property Incorporate and three individuals for a Baha'i Centre, filed with the clerk of Courts on Santo Island, Kwajalein Atoll, in the Marshall Islands; 14 November 1986 .................. ....... ..... ....... ....... 563 Letter from the Department of Education for the Conunonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands recognizing Baha'i Holy Dates when children may be excused from classes; 10 September 1987 ....... .. .......... .......... ............................... .. ........ 564 xxvi LIST OF IL LUSTRAT IONS Notification by the Government of Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Minority Affairs of the appointment of a Baha' i on the Advisory Council for Minorities Affairs ...................... ............... ............. ..... ...... ..... ... ....... .................. 565 Certificate of Registration of a Permitted School in Papua New Guinea for the Baha' i Study Centre to operate as a high school; 14 November 1986 ...... ..... .... 566 Marriage contract of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Philippines, which was approved by the government in 1987 ... ........... .. .................... 567 Certificate of Registration by the Republic of Zambia of the William Mmuthe Maseltha Baha' i Institute; 5 October 1988 ........... ... ...... ... ............... .... ....... ...... . 568 First Day Cover of a commemorative stamp portraying the House of Worship in Apia, issued by the Government of Western Samoa for Christmas 1988 .. .. .... .. 569 The Postal Department of India depicted the House of Worship in New Delhi on a postage stamp to mark the Diamond Jubilee of that city .................... .... .... ... ... . 570 Part Four: Th e World Order of Baha 'u 'llah Partial view of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice from the south 608 Five Hands of the Cause leading friends attending the International Convention towards the Shrine of the Bab for the observance of the Ninth Day ofRic;lvan ... 619 A delegate casting her ballot during the election of the Universal House of Justice during the International Convention held at Ric;lvan 1988 .. .............. ... ... .. ... ... ... 619 A delegate expressing his views during a consultative session during the International Convention .. .. .... .. ... .. ... .. .. .. ...... ... .. ... ... .. ... .. .. ... .. ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. .... .. . .. . .. ... .. 620 A delegate during one of the special continental sessions held as part of the International Convention . ... . .. ... .. .... .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. . .. ... ..... .. ..... ... ... .. ..... ... .. ... .. .. ... . .. .. . .. 620 The Hands of the Cause of God Amatu ' l-Baha Ri'1l;iyyih Khanum, Dr. 'Ali- Mul;ammad Varqa, and William Sears during International Convention, 1988 .. 622 The members of the Universal House of Justice elected at Ric;lvan 1988 .. .. ... .. ...... 623 The Hand of the Cause Jolm Robarts and his wife planting a tree in Northern Ireland during their visit there in August 1986 .......... .. .... .......... .. .......................... 638 The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone and his wife attending the National Convention in Mauritius in May 1987 ... ... ... .. .. ... .. ... .. .. . .. ... . .. ... .. .. .. ...... .. . ...... .. .. . 642 Amatu ' l-Baha Rul:iiyyih Khanum presenting a copy of the Peace Statement to the Governor of Macau in April 1989 .. ....... ... ...... ....... .... .... .. .. ... ... .... ........ ........... ... 653 The Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giachery with Lilian Alai and Tosi Malietoa during the National Convention held in Apia, Western Samoa; April 1989 653 The Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone and his wife attending the Aboriginal Baha'i Institute held in Forsayth, Australia, in June 1989 ................ ........... 656 The Hand of the Cause H . Coll is Featherstone and his wife visiting Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in August 1989 ...... ... .. ............. ... .......... ........................... .. ........ 658 Amatu ' l-Baha Rul:iiyyih Khanum meeting the President of Argentina, Dr. Carlos Menem, during the "Uniting the Americas" conference; Febrnary 1990 ....... .. . 662 The Hand of the Cause Mr. 'Ali-Akbar Furutan visiting with members of a Baha 'i fa mily in Dushanbe, Tadzhik, in the Soviet Union, in March 1990 ... .. .......... .... 663 xx vii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Hand of the Cause of God Wi ll iam Sears in Worcester, Massachusetts, in October 1.99 1, encouraging the friends to fil l the Six Year Plan goa lsá .. ... L .. ... 668 The Hand of the Cause Dr. 'Ali-Mul?ammad Varqa with Baha'i children in Greenland in Apri l 1992 ........................................................................................ .. .... 67 1 T he members of the Uni versal House of Justice, fi ve Hands of the Cause of God, Counsell or m embers of the International Teach ing Centre, and members of the Continenta l Board of Counse ll ors in Haifa in May 1988 .................................. 682 Counsellor Beatrice Asare be ing greeted by member of the U niversal House of Justice Dr. Peter Khan in the Seat of the International Teaching Centre; 1988 .. 682 The Hands of the Cause of God Dr. 'Al i-MuJ:iammad Varqa, Wil lia m Sears, Amatu' l-Baha Rlil?fyyih Kha nu m, 'Ali-Akbar Furu tan, and H. Coll is Featherstone at the Mansion of Mazra' ih during the Counsell ors' Conference; 1988 .... 683 Coun sell ors Robert Harris and Arturo Serrano consu lti ng w ith Coun sellor member of the International Teaching Centre Dr. Magdalene Carney; May 1988 ......... 683 The members of the Inte rnati onal Teaching Centre; June 1988 ...................... .. ..... 685 The Continental Board of Counse ll ors for Africa in 199 1 .............................. .... ... 688 The Continental Board of Counsell ors fo r the Ameri cas in 199 1 688 T he Continenta l Board of Counse llors for Asia in 199 1 690 T he Continental Board of Counse ll ors for Australasia in 199 1 ... ........ .... .......... .. .. 690 T he Continental Board of Counsell ors for Europe in 199 1 .. .. ....... .. ............ .......... . 69 1 In Suriname, Counsellor Jacq uel ine Delahunt consu lts w ith Mrs. Terry Madison during the National Convention held in Paramaribo in April 1990 .................. . 692 In Czechos lovakia, Counsell or Rul?u' llah Mumtazi visits with frie nds in Prague in December 1986 ................................................ ..... .. ....... ...... ............................. . 692 In Hawaii , Counsellor Gayle Morri son during a meeting w ith the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands and the Local Assembly of Honolulu ; 1987 692 In Ko rea, Counse llor Kim Myung Jung j oins in the celebrati on of the Seventi eth Anniversary of the Introdu ction of the Faith in Korea; Seoul , February 1992 .. 693 In Guatema la, members of the Continental Board of Counsell ors fo r the Americas and some Auxi li ary Board members meeting with members of the Nationa l Sp iritual Assembli es of Central America; 1990 .. .. ...... .. ................... .. ............... 693 In Bophuthatswana, Counsell or member of the International Teaching Centre Dr. Magda lene Carney meets with Counsellors Dani el Ra moroes i and Lall y Warren, and Auxiliary Board members Enos Makhele and Sohail Rowhan i; 1989 693 Counse ll or Ursul a Milhl schl egel participates in the National Convention held in Athens, Greece; April 1987 .................................... ..... .. .............. .. .. .. .... .. .......... 706 New National Spiritual Assemblies Page Page Guin ea-B issa u (1989) ................ .. 708 West Leeward Islands ( 199 1) .. .. 7 11 Macau ( 1989) ....... ....... .. .. .. ........ .. 709 Ango la ( 1992) ......... .. ... .... ...... .. 7 11 Union of Soviet Socialist Rep ubli cs The Baltic States ( 1992) .......... . 7 12 ( 199 1) ááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá áááá 709 Albania ( 1992) ....................... .. 712 Ro mania ( 199 1) .. ............ .. .... .. .. .. . 710 Hungary ( 1992) .. ....... .. .... .. .... .. 7 13 Czechoslovakia ( 1991 ) .. .......... .. .. 7 10 Po land (1 992) .. .... .. .. .. .. ....... .... . 71 3 XXV l ll LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova Greenland (1992) . . 714 (1992) ........ ....... ..... .... ...... ..... 714 Bulgaria (1992) 715 Re-established National Spiritual Assemblies Page Page Zaire (1987) .. .... ........ ... ... ..... ....... . 715 Niger (1992) ......... ....... .. ...... ..... . 717 Azerbaijan ( 1992) .. .... ..... ...... .... ... 716 Central Asia (1992) ..... .... ....... .. . 717 Congo Republic (1992) ....... ....... . 716 Seven members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Loja, Spain, in October 1986 724 The Local Spiritual Assembly of Ashkhabad, Turkmen, S.S.R., re-formed in 1989 after a lapse of fifty years .. ... .. ..... .. ..... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. .. .... ... .. .. ... .... .. .. . ... .. ....... ... ...... 724 The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha' is of District 10 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, elected at Ri~van 1990 .. ..... ..... ........ ................ ...... .......... .... .... ... ........ 724 Members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Johannesburg, South Africa, consulting during a meeting in 1988 ........... ... .. ........... ........ ...... ........ .. .. 725 Chi ldren gathered for Baha'i classes in the local l:{a:.:-:iratu ' l-Quds in Dzitya, Yucatan , Mexico, in 1987 ......... ... .. .. ..... ...... ........ ..... .......... ..... .... .. ............ ... .... .. 725 Members of local youth committees meeting with the National Youth Committee of Germany to consult about the Six Year Plan. Mainz, Germany; March 1987 725 A Nineteen Day Feast being. held áat the Khao-i-Dang Annex Refugee Camp in Thailand in 1987 .............. :. .... .............. ............ ..... ... ...... .... ...... .... ...... ....... .. ..... .. 726 Roslyn Buie reading a prayer during the devotional part of the Naw-Ruz celebrations held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, in March 1992 . .... . ...... ... .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 726 Children of Ambano, Madagascar, singing during the Naw-Ruz celebrations held in their community in March 1991 .. ... .. ... .. .. ... .. .. . .... .. ... .. .. .. .. ... ... ... .. .. .. .. ..... . ... ... 726 Friends enjoying the Ayyam-i-Ha celebrations sponsored by the Local Spiritual Assembly of San Jose, California, USA, in February 1988 .... .. .. ............. .......... 727 A social activity held during a Weekend Baha'i School in Macau in January 1988 727 Young friends providing entertainment during the Naw-Ruz celebration held in Paramaibo, Suriname, in March 1988 ..... ......... ... ..... ...... ........ ....... ......... .. .... ... .. 727 The Mother Temple of the Asian Continent, in New Delhi, India, on the day of its Dedication, in December 1986 .. . ... .. .. .. .. ... ... .. .. . .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 732 The three Hands of the Cause of God who attended the Indian Temple Dedication: Amatu ' l-Baha RuJ:iiyyih Khanum, William Sears, and Col lis Featherstone ...... 735 Three choirs performing during the Indian Temple Dedication service ... ... ...... .. ... 736 Arn atu ' I-Baba Ruf:iiyyih Khanum addressing the opening session of the International Teaching Conference held in New Delhi in December 1986 .......... ........ 739 Exterior and interior views of the "Lotus ofBahapur" ... ..... .. .... .. .... ...... .. .... .... .. .. .. . 741 Aerial view and details of the exterior of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar .. ........ ... ... ......... 742 The British High Commissioner in Delhi during his visit to the Baha ' i House of Worship in January 1989 ... .... ..... ... ......... .. ..... ....... .. ... ....... .. .... ...... ...... .... ........... 747 The Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church being escorted to the Temple for an official vi sit in January 1989 ... ......... .. ... ....... .... .. ......... .. ...... .. .. .... ...... ............ 747 XXIX LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS The Assistant Permanent Representative of Haiti to the United Nations at the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in February 1989 .............. ..... .......... ....................... ..... .. ..... 747 The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka during his visit to the Temple in March 1988 .. .. 748 The Ambassador of the United States to India attending the Dedication ceremo~ nies for the House of Worship in December 1986 ..... ........... .. ......................... .. 748 The Ambassador of Thailand to India at the Lotus Temple in April 1990 ............. 748 The Vice-Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Broadcasting, Film and Television at the Baha'i House of Worship in October 1990 ......... ...... .... .. ...... .......... ......... 749 A delegation of Soviet film artists vis iting the Temple in January 1989 ..... .... .. ..... 750 The Ethiopian Minister of Labour and Social Welfare during his visit to the "Lotus ofBahapur" in January 1990 ........ ....... ......... ................................ ... ........ ... ....... 752 Part Five: In Memoriam Page Page Giachery, Dr. Ugo ...................... . 778 Hollibaugh, Eleanor ..... .. ...... ..... . 870 Khadem, Zikrullah (Dhikru'llah Nahvi, Saeed (Sa'id Na~vi) ....... . 872 Khadim) ...... .... ....... ................ ... 788 Ahdieh, Mansour (Man~t'.ir Khazeh, Jalal (Jalal'u'Ilah Kha<;li') 791 'Ahdiyyih) ............. ........... .. ... .. 874 Sears, William ............................ . 797 Su mah, Mohamed Lamin ... .. .... . 876 Roba1is, John .................. ..... ..... . . 806 Fitzpatrick, Henry Bertron ... ..... . 878 Featherstone, Collis .. ..... ..... .... .... . 815 Sanchez Martinez, Juan ...... .. ... .. 881 Wolcott, Charles ......................... . 819 Gulick, Robert Jr. ................. ... .. . 883 Kavelin , Borrah .......................... . 823 Jensen, Knud .. ... ....... ..... ........ ... . 885 Tihrani, Qudratu ' llah .... . 826 Navidi, Azizollah ('Azizu'llah Winnanik and Mubarak ... .. .. ... ... . 828 Navidi) ...... .... .... .. .......... .. ....... . 888 Khianra, Dipchand ..................... . 831 Suleimani, Suleiman (Sulayman Khabirpour, 'Aziz ('Azizu' llah Sulaymani) ............................. . 890 Khabirpur) .. ... ...... .. .... .. ... ... ...... . 834 Sivapiragasam, Kandiah ............ . 891 Leong, Yan Kee ......... ..... ... ... ...... . 835 Laws, Frederick ...................... .. . 894 Mingorance Fernandez, Jose .. ... . 838 Bausani, Alessandro ...... ........... . 895 Bernal de Sanchez, Aura Maria .. . 839 Ashton, Beatrice Owens ...... ... .. . 898 Khan, Fazal Mohamad ..... ... ....... . 841 Olson, Cynthia and Edgar ......... . 900 Hoahania, Hamuel ...................... . 844 Perks, Thelma ........................... . 906 Koirala, Masheed Iqani (Mashid Menking, Jo Anne .................... . 908 iqani Koirala) .. ..... ...... .. .~...... . 845 Shayani, 'Azizu'llah ...... ........... . 911 Duna, Rudolfo .. ......... .. .. .. ........ ... . 847 Baghdadi, Adib Radhi (Adib Ra<;li Dobbins, Bertha ..................... .. .. . . 849 Baghdadi) ....... ... ... ... ............. ... 914 White, Tumanuvao William ....... . 852 Hawthorne, Rose ........... ...... ..... . 916 Mazakrnat, Apelis ...................... . 855 Hopper Welsh, E leanore (Rene) 917 Trojankova-Bendova, Juliana ... . . 858 Lamb, Dora Worth (Dee) .......... . 920 Dodge, Isabelle Stebbins ............ . 860 Lindstrom, Shirley (Adaz Aidun, Go! .................................. . 862 Ayamdagoot) ......... ........ ........... . 92 1 Storch, Juanita Marie ........... ... .... . 865 Saavedra Gallardo, Melit6n .. .... . 923 Caswell, Louise ...... ........ ............ . 868 H0eg, Johanne ..... .... ......... ....... . 925 xxx LIST O F ILLUSTRATIONS True, Edna ..... .... ..... ......... .. .. ...... . 928 Master, Mahvash ......... ... ...... ... .. 978 Blakely, Elsa Lillian (Judy) .... ... . 930 Villiers-Stuart, Jane ..... ...... ..... .. . 983 Jami~ , $ala~ ... ............ ..... ... ......... 933 Ahmadiyeh, Hedayatoullah Munje, Harilal 934 (Hidayatu'llah A~madiyyih) .. . 986 Walker, Zlmarian 936 Harvey, Winnifred ....... ............. . 989 Newman, Beatrice .. .. .. ............. .... 939 Francis, Dorothy .... ... ... .. ........... . 991 Lutchmaya, Roddy Dharma ...... .. 941 I:f addad, Akbar ....... ...... ...... ....... . 992 Evans, Esther .. .. .. .. .... ...... ........ .. .. . 942 Sala, Emeric ... ........... ... .... ........ .. 995 Malakooti, Ehsanollah (I~sanu 'llah Parsa Mazzoni, Noranieh MalakUti) .................................. . 944 (Nuraniyyih Parsa Mazzoni) .. . 997 Kazemzadeh, Kazem (Ka~im Papai, Ludwig .. ... .... .... .............. . 998 Ka~imzadih) .. .. ........ .... ........... . 947 Heller, Frances Gordon ........... .. 999 Habibi, Habib (I:fabib I:fabibi) .... . 948 Rezvani, Monireh (Munirih Quigley, Robert Joseph ...... .. .... ... 950 Ri<;lvani) .................................. . 1002 McLaughlin, Robert ...... ... ..... ... .. 952 Bagley, Florence .. ................ .. ... . 1004 Pa Tepaeru Ariki (Lady Davis) .. . 955 Bishop, Helen .... ..... ....... ... ... .. .. . 1007 Garcia Vazquez, Manuel ........... .. 956 Zucker, Arthur Allen .... ........ ..... 1009 Vajdi, Khodadad ............ .. ......... . 957 Haenni de Bons, Mona ............ .. 1011 Rice-Wray, Edris .... ... .. .. .. .... ... .... . 959 McLaren, Edith ... .. ... .... ... .. .... ... .. 1013 Ortiz Gutierrez, Aparicia ............ . 960 Kanyerezi, Max .................... .. ... 1014 Sabet, Habib (I:fabib Thabit) ..... .. 962 Macdonald, Charles .................. . 1017 Sabet, Rostam (Rustam Thabit) .. . 964 Nielsen, Lotus ... .... .... .. ..... .... .. ... . 1019 Gualavisi Farinango, Rufino ... .... 967 Camey, Magdalene ... ...... .... .. .... 1022 Tanyi Tambe, Solomon ... ... .. ...... . 969 Warde, Shirley ................. ..... .. ... 1024 Lohse, Doris ....... ........................ . 970 Friedland, Eberhard ....... .. ......... . 1026 Te Paa, Ephraim .... ............... ..... .. 973 Umegae, Kazutomo .... .... .. ....... .. 1027 Nounou, Salim ...... ........ .. ....... ..... . 976 Fozdar, Shirin ....... ......... ... ..... ... . 1029 Part Six: Directory, Bibliography, Glossary Relics ofBaha'u'llah, including His pen and pencase ..... ..... ..... ....... .. ... ..... ....... ... 1032 The International Baha'i Archives Building, on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel .... 1052 Part Seven: Literary and Musical Works The Prison Cell in the Most Great Prison in 'Akka .... ... .. ..... ....... ..... .. ... ... .. ... .. . .. .... 1068 Lua Getsinger, whom 'Abdu' l-Baha surnamed Liva (Banner) .......... .. ...... .. .. ... ... .. 1092 Miss Lillian Kappes, Dr. Sarah Clock, and Dr. Susan Moody with Mu~tafa Khan and Tahirih Khanum in Tihran, iran; circa 1912 .......... ............. .. ..... .. ... ... Dr. Susan Moody with two young children on her lap. Tihran; circa 1912 ....... .. ... =... 1093 1095 Miss Lillian Kappes, Muchul Khanum, Dr. Susan Moody, Dr. Sarah Clock, and Miss Elizabeth Stewart with children and a servant in Tihran; circa 1912 1097 xxxi LIST OF ILLUSTRAT IO NS M iss Lillian Kappes with boys in the Tarbiyat Schoo l in Ti hran; circa 1912 1100 M iss Lillian Kappes, Dr. Sarah Clock, Dr. Susan Moody, and Miss Elizabeth StewartinTiluáan; 19 13 .... .... ......................... ..... ........ ....... ................................ 1102 Dr. Genevieve L. Coy during her visit to Haifa in Apri l 1922, on her way to take up her post at the Girl's Tarbiyat School in Tihran ..... .... ............ ..... ........ ...... ... . 1103 Miss Adelaide Sharp with the Baha'i Youth Group in Tihran; circa 1937 ............. 1104 Keith Ransom-Kehler at the seventh Persian National Baha'i Convention ; 1933 .. 1107 Martha Root with Baha'i women in T ihran; 1930 ................................................. 1110 Jamal Effendi with friends in Egypt ...... ............................................ ..................... 111 7 Students of the New Era Development Institute's Community Development Facilitator Course planting rice w ith fellow Baba ' is in Maharashtra, India; 1991 1123 Members of the Baha ' i communi ty of Caserta, Italy, pl anti ng aco rn seedl ings on a hillside as an environmental project in March 1987 .... .. ...... .............................. 11 23 A papaya farm in Dzitya, Yucatan, Mexico, which Baha ' is are working as a rural development project; 1986 .............. .......... .... .............. .............. .... .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .... 1 130 A piggery project in Liancou1i, Haiti , conducted by the local Baha' i com munity; 1987 ....... .... .. .............................. ........ .. ... .. ........... ......... ........ ............... .............. 1130 T he Tahirih Farm in Moissala, Chad, initiated by the local Baha ' i community as a social and economic development project; 1989 .............................................. . 1130 A gift from the Baha'is of Alaska to the Baha'is of Samoa for the House of Worsh ip in Apia .... .... ..... .. .... ..... ....... ................. .... .. ........ .......................................... 11 37 Roya Aschari playing the violin during Art Forum '9 1, organized by the Baha ' i Association for the Arts and held at De Poort, Netherlands .............................. 1140 Baha'is using street theatre to teach principles of development during an 'awareness camp' held in Jhapua, Madhya Pradesh, India; May 1988 ................ .. ...... I 144 Detail of a tapestry by Vickie Hu Poirier made as a gift for the first Sino-American Women's Confe rence, held in Beijing in 1990 ............ .. ...... .... .......................... 1151 In Vanuatu, Baha'is in Lawital, Tanna, performing a custom dance during a Spirituali zation and Teaching Institute held in January 1992 .................... ....... .. ....... 1154 The Baha ' i puppet theatre group known as El Retablo del Mosqu ito , from the May Maxwe ll Cultural Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, performing in 1988 ...... 1156 A painting by a prisoner in Yazd, f ran , showing nine fel led trees representing the 115 8 nine ma1tyrs of Yazd in the 1980s ..... ................................... ...................... ....... . The Hux tables-a Baha'i fa mily on St. Helena Island, in the South Atl an tic; 1986 1161 In Malawi, friends help to get the ca r of a visitor up the road; August 1990 .......... 1161 Members of the Spirit ofBadi ' teaching project in New Zealand; 1988 ..... ........... 1161 Children in the Baha'i literacy classes in the Upper Corentyne District ofBerbice, Guyana, searching for letters whi ch spell "I Love Guyana"; 1990 .................... 11 64 An American Baha'i Youth Year of Service volunteer in Botswana usi ng a globe to make a point during a deepening session with some friends; 1987 .......... .... . 1164 Women learning to read and write at the Baha'i Vocational Institute for Rural Women in Kalyanpu ra, Madhya Pradesh, India; 1988 ..... .................. ....... ..... ... 11 64 XXXll INTRODUCTION AIMS AND PURPOSES OF THE BAHA'i FAITH DAVID H OFMAN RELIGION has two objectives, the re- which a harassed humanity is striving. generation of men and the advancement of Nation-building has come to an end. The mankind. All men have been. created to anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is cany forward an ever advancing civilization moving towards a climax. A world, growing proclaims Baha 'u ' llah, and Th e purpose of to maturity, must abandon this fetish, recogthe one true God, exalted be His glo1y , in. nize the oneness and whol eness of human revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare relationships, and establish once and for all those gems that lie hidden within the mine of the machinery that can best incarnate this their true and inmost selves. fundamental principle of its life.' 1 These aims of religion, universal and Religion sees the course of history as eternal, nevertheless have been conditioned an organic process, moving towards the full to the capacities of each age or dispensation realization of all the potentialities implanted and the great religions of the past have in man. The vicissitudes, the great advances, developed their social orders within gener- the hiatuses it regards as the natural w1foldally definable times and areas. Judaism, for ment of that process just as the succession of instance, attained its peak under Solomon bud, leaf, flower and frnit is the natural and was confined, before the dispers ion, unfoldment in the life of a háee; or infancy, to the Near East; Zoroastriani sm remained childhood, youth and maturity in that of a Persian until the Arab conquest and the man. Indeed, Baha' i scripture explains, the settlement of a renmant in Western India; process is the same. The sun is the effective Christianity became the religion of Euro- agent in the organic life of the earth; religion pean civilization; the building of the nation in that of humanity. Th e Sun of Truth is the state undertaken by Islam remained a Muslim Word of God upon which depends the eduexperiment until feudal Europe learned the cation of those who are endowed with the lesson and its city states gave way to and power of understanding and of utteran.ce. 2 adopted the more advanced order. It has The creative Word, revealed in each stage of remained for the Baha ' i religion to declare human progress by a Manifestation of God, and promote the cause of world order- the and conditioned to the requirements of the sine quo non of its existence- and to time, is the effective agent in the long, single disc lose the concomitant unities of religion, process of humanity 's development from of mank ind and of historical purpose. 'Unity of fa mily, of lTibe, of city-state, and nation I Shoghi Effendi, Guardi an o f the Ba ha ' i Faith, The have been successively attempted and full y Unfold111e11t of World Civilization . established. World unity is the goal towards 2 Baha'u ' llah , Dniyiry-i-Dlr11i0_. 2 T HE BAHA ' I WORLD infancy to World Order. This truth is embodies that divine energy in an adminisenshrined in all revealed religion although it trative order capable of bringing within its needs the illumination ofBaha'u' llah 's reve- shade all the diversified ethnic groups and lation to enable men to perceive it. myriad types of the human race, who may 'The first picture presented in the Bible find within its wide embrace a full, happy is that of human unity in its simplest form; and purposeful life. Baha'i activity therefore that of a single family. The last picture is that is directed not only, as in the past, to the of a unity manifold and universal in which spreading of the Word, but to the establishall kindreds and tongues and peoples and ment of the fabric of that Order which, nations are gathered into one and unified enshrined within the creative Word itself, in the enjoyment of a common worship, a becomes the chief instrument for the further common happiness, a common glory. diffusion and social application of the 'The great problem which, according to Divine Message. This World Order, which the Bible, confronts the human race in its the Baha'i Faith exists to establish, is none progress is that of advancing from the bar- other than that long-promised Kingdom in est, baldest unity through a long experience which peace, justice and brotherhood shall of multiplying diversities till ultimately a prevail universally and 'the earth shall be balance between the two principles is struck, filled with the knowledge of the glory of the poise is gained and the two forces of variety Lord, as the waters cover the sea '. 3 The and unity are blended in a multiple, highly establishment of this World Order is dependeveloped world fellowship, the perfection dent upon the regeneration of mankind of whose union was hardly suggested in the which must tum again to God and recognize prinlitive simplicity of early man.' 1 His purpose. The two aims of religion are, This spiritual view of evolution is the therefore, interacting and interdependent. constant theme of religion. Each revelation Such a world-shaking transformation refers to the past, looks forward to the future ca1mot be brought about by any movement and concentiáates upon the immediate need ofrefom1, however disinterested, nor by any for spiritual regeneration and enlightenment. unaided human effort. Modem man has The Prophet evokes in human hearts a sacri- turned away from God, and bereft of his fic ial love which transcends self-interest and traditional sanctions, has inevitably wrecked causes the early believers to dedicate them- his old order which, in truth, is lamentably selves entirely to the practice and diffusion inadequate to modern conditions and is not of the new message. As it spreads it works susceptible of repair. Soon, is Baha 'u' llah's like leaven in society, reforming its morals, prophetic view of our day, will the presentuplifting its vision and promoting a greater day order be rolled up, and a new one diffus ion of love in social action. spread out in its stead. Likewise, The signs 'World history at its core and in its of impending convulsions and chaos can essence is the story of the spiritual evolution now be discerned, inasmuch as the prevailof mankind. From this all other activities of ing order appears to be lamentably defective. man proceed and round it all other activities The current aim of religion, embodied in revolve. ' 2 the aims and purposes of the Baha'i Faith, is Unlike the revelations of the past, the the promotion of the next stage in the organic Baha 'i revelation releases not only the process of human evolution- the coming of creative Word necessary to the renewal of age of the human race. The achievement of spiritual vitality in the human spirit, but this maturity will be attested by the unification of mankind and the federation of the I George Townshend , The Heart of the Gospel, 1939. 2 ibi d. 3 Habakkuk 2: 14. INTRODU CT ION 3 world in a single, all-embracing world society 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Centre of the Covenantof human brotherhood. But great objectives its monuments and gardens, and of its 'worldare reached by dedicated pursuit of the shaking, world-embracing, world-directing preliminary and intermediate stages of the administrative institutions' .1 task, without ever losing sight of the The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha ultimate goal, and this has been and is now is the charter for the development of the the occupation of the Baha'i world commu- administrative order of the Faith. In this nity- the completion within specified times majestic document, the child of 'that mystic of specified goals. These teaching plans to intercourse between Him Who communiwhich the Baha 'is eagerly devote their lives cated the generating influence of His divine do far more than simply increase the size Purpose and the One Who was its vehicle and consolidation of that world conununity. and chosen recipient, ' 2 are delineated the They are devised and launched by the head structure of the administrative order, its of the Faith-the Guardian and now the modus operandi, its main institutions, the Universal House of Justice-and are therefore chain of authority, the source of guidance conceived from a global view, directed to and the position of every believer vis-a-vis the immediate needs of the great objective, the Covenant. It has been well called the conservative of the conununity's resources, 'Charter of the New World Order of world-wide in scale permitting the organic Baha'u'llah'. development of each part according to its The Tablets of the Divine Plan , a series stage of growth but with due regard for the of fourteen letters written by 'Abdu'l-Baha needs of the whole, fostering intensively the to the believers of the United States and unity, the international co-operation, the Canada, some addressed to the entire comdiversification of the ethnic, religious and pany of believers in the North American social backgrounds of its increasing mem- continent and others to those in named geobership and developing new resources for graphical areas of the continent, constitute the next step fo1ward. the charter for teaching the Faith throughout It should be noted that none of these plans the world. 'Abdu'l-Baha names the places, is isolated in aim or conception but all are the people to whom teachers must go, the directed towards the implementation of three conditions under which they must travel and great charters, enshrined in Balla' i sacred settle and He reveals several prayers for Writings, which authorize and guide the those who undertake this all-impo1tant task. expansion of the Faith and the development All the international plans of the Faith of its institutions. In past Dispensations the launched so far have set specific goals aimed command to 'spread the Gospel' has been at implementing these three charters and it is general and unspecified. It was the inspired incontrovertibly apparent that never in any guidance of the beloved Guardian of the preceding Dispensation has the command to Baha'i Faith which disclosed to a spiritually spread the Word of God been given, in the delighted and grateful community yet sacred text, such explicit guidance and another of the unique features of this Dis- detailed objectives. pensation in the specific guidance given in As the Faith of Baha'u'llah increases in these three chatters for the implementation size and influence other aims and objectives of this eternal command. become apparent and possible of pursuit. Baha'u'llah's Tablet of Carmel is the The relationship with agencies, institutions charter for the development of the Baba ' i and authorities of the non-Baha ' i world World Centre in the twin cities of 'Akka and Haifa, the site of its most sacred Shrines- I Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America. the tombs of the twin Prophets and of 2 Shoghi Effend i, Th e Dispensation of Bahn 'u 'l/tih. 4 THE BAHA ' i WORLD becomes an important consideration once the of the Baha'i conummity.' 3 'A chaste and community emerges from obscurity, and has holy life must be made the controlling prinled to public relations programmes and the ciple in the behaviour and conduct of all development of closer association with the Baha'is, both in their social relationships United Nations . The Baha'i International with the members of their own conununity, Community is accredited as a non-govern- and in their contacts with the world at mental agency with consultative status to large. ' 4 'It requires total abstinence from all the United Nations Economic and Social alcoholic drinks, from opium, and from Council (ECOSOC) and in various ways to similar habit-forming drugs. It condel1Uls the other agencies of the United Nations. The prostitution of art and of literature, the fostering of this relationship has been the practices of nudism and of companionate goal of all international plans so far, and is marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, visualized as a continuing process. There are and all maimer of promiscuity, of easy other objectives related to the special char- familiarity, and of sexual vices. ' 5 ' As to acteristics of Baha'i life which become more racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for and more important as the Faith grows and well nigh a century, has bitten into the fibre, engages greater and greater public attention. and attacked the whole social structure of They affect Baha'i individuals, conununities American society, it should be regarded as and institutions alike. TI1ese objectives fall into constituting the most vital and challenging two groups-those concerned specifically issue confronting the Balla ' i conununity [of with standards of conduct and those which that country] at the present stage of its relate to special Baha'i practices . evolution. ' 6 The &tandards of conduct enjoined by The regeneration of men- the first objecthe Prophet are invariably different from tive of religion mentioned in this essay- is and sometimes diametTically opposed to the therefore seen as the prime objective of the generally accepted ones of His day. High Baha'i Faith. Membership in the Faith is standards of conduct are, throughout Baha'i drawn from that society which permits and scripture, constantly upheld and urged upon indulges itself in all those conupt, inrn1oral the believers, but the Guardian of the Faith and prejudiced activities which Baha' is are in an essay written in 193 8 addressed to the required to renounce, and since the Faith is believers in the United States and Canada steadily but persistently growing in numbers laid great stress upon the 'spiritual prerequi- there is reason to hope that slowly but surely sites. . . which constitute the bedrock on a regeneration will take place. which ... all teaching plans ... must ultimately Further, these Baha'i standards of conrest ... 1 He writes of ' .. . a high sense of duct are not for individuals alone. They must moral rectitude in their social and administra- be the hallmark of Baha'i institutions and tive activities, absolute chastity in their conununities. 'Such a rectitude of conduct,' individual lives, and complete freedom from wrote the Guardian, ' must manifest itself, prejudice in their dealings with peoples of a with ever-increasing potency, in every different race, class, creed or colourá.2 In verdict which the elected representatives of his expansion of this theme he declared that the Baha'i collIDmnity, in whatever capacity 'This rectitude of conduct, with its implica- they may find themselves, may be called tions of justice, equity, truthfulness , honesty, upon to pronounce. It must be constantly fairn1indedness, reliability, and trustworth i- reflected in the busi ness dealings of all its ness, must distinguish every phase of the life 3 Shoghi EITendi , The Adve111 of Divine Justice . 4 ibid. 1 Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divin e Justice. 5 ibid. 2 ibid. 6 ibid. INTRODUCTION 5 members, in their domestic lives, in all man- Order which 'may well be regarded as the ner of employment, and in any service they brightest emanation ' 3 of His mind and is may, in the future, render their government none other than the long hoped for, Christor people." 'It must be made the hallmark promised Kingdom of God on earth. To of that numerically small , yet intensely prepare men for the gifts of that Kingdomdynamic and highly responsible body of the peace, brotherhood, spirituality- and to raise elected national representatives of every its very fabric in the world, are the immedi- Baha ' i community, which constitutes the ate and long-time objectives of the Baha'i sustaining pillar, and the sole instrument for Faith. the election in every community, of that The energies of the Ba ha ' is therefore, in Universal House whose very name and title, pursuance of these aims, flow in three major as ordained by Baha ' u ' llah, symbolizes the channels: individual spiritual development, rectitude of conduct which is its highest conveying the message of Bah a 'u ' llah to mission to safeguard and enforce. ' 2 others , and developing the pattern of world The attitudes deriving from such stan- society embodied in the Baha ' i administradards, and from all the varied teachings tive order. All these activities derive from of Baha ' u' llah, must pervade all Baha'i the sacred text and it is the unique feature of communities and imbue them with distinc- the Baha ' i revelation that whereas the first tive characteristics which can be recognized, two are common to all revealed religions amid the welter of opposing or mutually it is only Baha ' u'llah Who creates the instiuninterested groups and factions into which tutions and reveals the laws , delineates the modern society is disintegrating, as easily as social order and establishes the principles the features of an individual in a crowd. of the civilization to which His revelation Those special Baha ' i practices which will will give rise. Neither Moses nor Christ, inevitably characterize the Baha'i commu- Mul~ammad, Buddha, Zoroaster or Krishna nity, are the regular observances of its Holy did this, although They all foretold that it Days and Festivals, the abstention from would be done by Him Who would take the work on nine such days during the year, the government upon Hi s shoulders and establish observances by all members of the commu- the Kingdom in peace and righteousness. nity of the annual fast, of the laws governing None of the traditional motives operates marri age and di vorce, of dail y prayer, of the to create the Baha' i community, neither invariable practice of consultation in all former associations, political or economic affairs of life, and particularly by the regular identity of interest, racial or patriotic groupobservance of the Nineteen Day Feast. ing. Only the recognition and love of The habitual practice of such laws and Baha ' u' llah brings into close relatedness ordinances is an objective pursued by all and co-operative action people from every Baha'is and Baha ' i families. human background , of all types of character It is seen that the aims and purposes of and personality, divergent and diversified the Baha ' i Faith may be stated as the raising interest. Through their brotherhood in up of a world-wide community recruited Baha'u ' llah the old crystallized forms of from every race, nation , colour, religious human divisiveness to which they formerl y and social background known on the planet, belonged, whether of class, race, religion , inspired, united and regenerated by the occupation, temperament or degree of civispiritual teachings and love of Baha ' u' llah, lization lose their rigidity and eventually dedicated to the building of that New World disintegrate. The growing Baha ' i community on the other hand is essentially based on I Shoghi Effendi, Th e Adve111 of Divine Juslice. 2 ibid. 3 Shoghi Effendi , God Passes By, p. 2 13. 6 THE BAHA ' I WORLD love, is a brotherhood, a family, each the needs and adjust the relationships of member delighting in the diversity of its all races and peoples. A world executive, membership, welcoming the former pariah backed by an international Force, will carry or outcast as a new flower in the garden, out the decisions atTived at, and apply the each as proud of his humanity as was ever laws enacted by, this world legislature, and the fo1mer chauvinist of his country. will safeguard the organic unity of the whole Within such .a community the sun of commonwealth. A world tribunal will adju- Baha'u'llah's revelation can evoke new dicate and deliver its compulsory and final morals , new attitudes , new conventions, new verdict in all and any disputes that may arise hopes and visions, all enshrined within the between the various elements constituting text of the revelation itself and which pro- this universal system. A mechanism of world vide the spiritual atmosphere and distinctive inter-communication will be devised, embracculture of the new day . Such a community, ing the whole planet, freed from national as it grows, becomes more and more a true hindrances and resháictions, and functioning social order, providing a soil to human life, a with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularclimate for its best development, an arena ity. A world meháopolis will act as the nerve for the practice of its highest aspirations, and centre of a world civilization, the focus a beacon light to attract and guide the disil- towards which the unifying forces of life lusioned, spiritually impoveri shed, frenetic will converge and from which its energizing and frustrated peoples of the earth. influence will radiate . A world language will The energies of this new culture, guided either be invented or chosen from amo ng and conserved to the service of human wel- the existing languages and will be taught in fare by the agencies of Baha'u ' llah's World the schools of all the federated nations as an Order, will result in the proliferation of new auxiliary to their mother tongue. A world arts and sciences, new social and economic script, a world literature, a uniforn1 and relationships, new educational methods and a universal system of currency, of weights and general accession of well-being and felicity. measures, will simplify and facilitate inter- The vision of the Baha ' i Faith, though glori- course and understanding among the nations ous, is a practical one, and the number 'Jf its and races of mankind. In such a world society, dedicated promoters grows with increasing science and religion, the two most potent speed. It is summarized in the fo llowing words forces in human life, will be reconciled, will by the Guardian of the Baha' i Faith, in his co-operate, and will harmoniously develop. essay The Unfoldment of World Civilization : The press will, under such a system, while 'The unity of the hun1an race, as envisaged giving full scope to the expression of the by Baha'u'llah, implies the establishment of divers ified views and convictions of mana world commonwealth in which all nations, kind, cease to be mischievously manipulated races, creeds and classes are closely and per- by vested interests, whether private or public, manently united, and in which the autonomy and will be liberated from the influence of of its state members and the personal contending governments and peoples . The freedom and initiative of the individuals that economic resources of the world will be compose : ..:mare definitely and completely organized, its sources of raw materials will safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as be tapped and fully utilized, its markets cofar as we can visualize it, consist of a world ordinated and developed, and the disháibution legislature, whose members will, as the of its products will be equitably regulated. hustees of the whole of mankind, ultimately 'National riva lries, hatred, and inháigues control the entire resources of all the compo- will cease, and racial animosity and prejunent nations , and will enact such laws as dice will be replaced by racial amity, shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy understanding and co-operation. The causes INTRODUCTION 7 of religious strife will be permanently any other agency that can stimulate the intelremoved, economic baniers and restrictions lectual, the moral, and spiritual life of the will be completely abolished, and the inordi- human race. nate distinction between classes will be 'A world federal system, rnling the whole obliterated. Destitution on the one hand, and earth and exercising unchallengeable authorgross accumulation of ownership on the ity over its unimaginably vast resources, other, will disappear. The enormous energy blending and embodying the ideals of both dissipated and wasted on war, whether eco- the East and the West, liberated from the nomic or political, will be consecrated to curse of war and its miseries, and bent on such ends as will extend the range of human the exploitation of all the available sources inventions and technical development, to the of energy on the surface of the planet, a increase of the productivity of mankind, to system in which Force is made the servant the extennination of disease, to the extension of Justice, whose life is sustained t y its of scientific research, to the raising of the universal recognition of one God and by its standard of physical health, to the sharpening allegiance to one common Revelation-such and refinement of the human brain, to the is the goal towards which humanity, impelled exploitation of the unused and unsuspected by the unifying forces of life, is moving.' resources of the planet, to the prolongation PART ONE THE BAHA'i REVELATION 10 THE BAl-L.\'i WORLD An ornamental eagle infront of an entrance to the courtyard of the Mansion of Bahri 'u 'llrih at Ball}i. I EXCERPTS FROM THE BAHA'i SACRED WRITINGS 1. BAHA'U'LLAH I EXTRACTS FROM THE KrTAB-I-AQDAS 37 Whoso layeth claim to a Revelation you through the power of truth. We are truly direct from God, ere the expiration of a full almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me will thousand years, such a man is assuredly a arise and serve Me with such dete1mination lying impostor. We pray God that He may that the powers of earth and heaven shall be graciously assist him to retract and repudiate unable to defeat his purpose. such claim. Should he repent, God will, no doubt, forgive him. If, however, he per- 53 Should differences arise amongst you sisteth in his error, God will, assuredly, send over any matter, refer it to God while the down one who will deal mercilessly with Sun still shineth above the horizon of this him. Terrible, indeed, is God in punishing! Heaven and, when it hath set, refer ye to Whosoever interpreteth this verse otherwise whatsoever hath been sent down by Him. than its obvious meaning is deprived of the This, verily, is sufficient unto the peoples of Spirit of God and of His mercy which the world. Say: Let not your hearts be perencompasseth all created things . Fear God, turbed, 0 people, when the glory of My and follow not your idle fancies . Nay, rather, Presence is withdrawn, and the ocean of My follow the bidding of your Lord, the Al- utterance is stilled. In My presence amongst mighty, the All-Wise. Erelong shall clamorous you there is a wisdom, and in My absence voices be raised in most lands. Shun them, 0 there is yet another, inscrutable to all but My people, and follow not the iniquitous God, the Incomparable, the All-Knowing. and evil-hearted. This is that of which We Verily, We behold you from Our realm of gave you forewarning when We were dwell- glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for ing in ' Iraq, then later while in the Land of the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of Mystery, and now from this Resplendent the Concourse on high and a company of Spot. Our favoured angels. 38 Be not dismayed, 0 peoples of the world, 58 Beware lest the desires of the flesh and when the day-star of My beauty is set, and of a corrupt inclination provoke divisions the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed among you. Be ye as the fingers of one hand, from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, the members of one body. Thus counselleth and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are you the Pen of Revelation, if ye be of them with you at all times, and shall strengthen that believe. 12 THE BAHA'i WORLD 105 W hoso interpreteth what hath been sent times, been regarded as lawful, to none is down fro m the heaven of Revelation, and given the right to question His authority. altereth its evident meaning, he, verily, is of Whoso will hesitate, though it be for less them that have perverted the Sublime Word than a moment, should be regarded as a of God, and is of the lost ones in the Lucid transgressor. Book. 163 Whoso hath not recognized this sublime 121 When the ocean of My presence hath and fundamental verity, and hath failed to ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is attain this most exalted station, the winds of ended, tum your faces toward Him Whom doubt will agitate him, and the sayings of the God hath purposed, Who hath branched infidels will distract his soul. He that hath from this Ancient Root. acknowl edged this principl e wi ll be endowed with the most perfect constancy. 132 0 peoples of the world! Give ear unto All honour to thi s all-glorious station, the the ca ll of Him Who is the Lord of Names, remembrance of which ado rneth every Who proclaimeth unto you fro m His habita- exalted Tablet. Such is the teaching whi ch tion in the Most Great Prison: " Verily, no God bestoweth on you, a teaching that will God is there but Me, the Powerful, the deliver you from all manner of doubt and Mighty, the All-S ubduing, the Most Exalted, perplexity, and enabl e you to attain unto salthe Omniscient, the All-W ise ." In tn1th, vat ion in both this world and the next. He, there is no God but Him, the Onmipotent verily, is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Ruler of the wo rlds. Were it His Will, He Bountiful. He it is Who hath sent forth the would, tluáough but a single word proceeding Messengers, and sent down the Books to from His presence, lay hold on all mankind. proclaim "There is none other God but Me, Beware lest ye hesitate in your acceptance of the Almighty, the A ll-Wise". this Cause-a Cause before which the Concourse on high and the dwellers of the Cities 174 0 people of the world' When the Mystic of Names have bowed down . Fear God, and Dove will have winged its fli ght from its be not of those who are shut out as by a veil. Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far-off Burn ye away the veils with the fire of My goa l, its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsolove, and dispel ye the mi sts of vain imagin- ever ye understand not in the Book to ings by the power of thi s Name through H im Who hath branched from this mighty which We have subdued the entire creation. Stock. 161 B lessed is the man that hath acknowl- 175 0 Pen of the Most High! Move Thou edged his belief in God and in His signs, and upon the Tablet at the bidding of Thy Lord, recognized that "He shall not be asked of the Creator of the Heavens, and tell of the His doings". Such a recognition hath been time when He Who is the Dayspring of made by God the ornament of every belief Divine U nity purposed to direct His steps and its very foundation. U pon it must towards the School of Transcendent Onedepend the acceptance of every goodl y deed. ness; haply the pure in heart may gain Fasten your eyes upon it, that hapl y the thereby a glimpse, be it as small as a whi sperings of the rebe llious may not cause needle's eye, of the mysteries of Thy Lord, yo u to slip . the A lmighty, the Onmiscient, that lie concealed behind the veils. Say: We, indeed, set 162 Were He to decree as lawful the thing foot within the School of inner meaning and which fro m time immemorial had been for- explanation when all created things were bidd en, and forb id that whi ch had, at all unaware. We saw the word s sent down by THE BAHA'I REVELATIO N 13 The doorway into the courtyard of the Mansion of Baha 'u 'llah at Mazra 'ih. Him Who is the All-Merciful , and We 176 0 people of the Bayan! We, veri ly, accepted the verses of God, the Help in set foot within the School of God when ye Peril, the Self-Subsisting, which He 1 pre- lay slumbering; and We perused the Tablet sented unto Us, and hearkened unto that while ye were fast as leep. By the one true which He had so lemnly affirmed in the Tab- God! We read the Tabl et ere it was revealed, let. This We ass ured ly did beho ld . And We while ye were unaware, and We had perfect assented to His wish through Our behest, for knowledge of the Book when ye were yet truly We are potent to command. unborn. These words are to your meas ure, not to God's. To this testifieth that which is I The Bab. enshrined within His know ledge, if ye be of 14 THE BAHA ' I WORLD them that comprehend; and to this the the Kingdom, We would say: "In tn1th, God tongue of the Almighty doth bear witness, if created that School ere He created heaven ye be of those who understand. I swear by and earth, and We entered it before the God, were We to lift the veil, ye would be letters B and E were joined and knit dumbfounded. together." Such is the language of Our servants in Our Kingdom; consider what the 177 Take heed that ye dispute not idly tongue of the dwellers of Our exalted concerning the Almighty and His Cause, for Dominion would utter, for We have taught lo! He hath appeared amongst you invested them Our knowledge and have revealed to with a Revelation so great as to encompass them whatever had lain hidden in God's all things, whether of the past or of the wisdom. Imagine then what the Tongue of future . Were We to address Our theme by Might and Grandeur would utter in His Allspeaking in the language of the inmates of Glorious Abode! II EXCERPT FROM THE LA WI:I-I-RA ' IS, TRANSLATED FROM THE PERSIAN WHEN I was still a child and had not yet and cummerbunds after the Persian fashion, attained the age of maturity, My father the second wielding battle-axes, and the third decided to make arrangements in Tihran for comprising a number of sergeants-at-am1s the marriage of a grown-up brother of Mine; and executioners bearing clubs and canes. and as is customary in that city, the wedding Finally a splendid figure , arrayed in regal festivities lasted for seven days and nights. majesty, wearing a kingly diadem upon his On the last day it was announced that a spe- head, and bearing himself with the utmost cial entertai1m1ent named after Shah Sul~an haughtiness and grandeur- now advancing, Salim would be presented on that same day . now pausing in his progress- came strutting A large number of princes, dignitaries, and onto the scene and, with unparalleled solemprominent people of the capital were present nity, gravity, and sedateness, proceeded to for the occasion, and I ascended to one of seat himself upon a throne, whereupon a volthe upper rooms of the building where I sat ley of shots was fired, a fanfare of tmmpets down to observe the scene. Presently a tent was sounded, and the king and tent were was pitched in the courtyard, and before enveloped in a pall of smoke. long some small figures in human form, When the smoke had cleared, the king each of which seemed no more than about a was seen to be ensconced upon his throne and handspan in height, came out of the tent, and surrounded by a suite of ministers, princes, raised the call "The Sultan is coming! Set and dignitaries of state who, having taken out the chairs!" Other figures then emerged, their places, were standing at attention in his some of whom were seen to be engaged in presence. At this moment a captured thief sweeping, others in sprinkling water, and was brought before the king, who gave the thereafter another character, who was pro- order that the offender should be beheaded. nounced to be the chief herald, raised up his Without a moment's delay the chief execuvoice and bade the people assemble for an tioner proceeded to execute upon him the audience with the king. Next, three groups royal sentence, whereupon a red-coloured of figures made their appearance and took liquid resembling blood came trickling from their places, the first group attired in hats his headless torso. This done, the king fell THE BAl-IA'i REVELATION 15 into conversation with those in attendance, eyes of this You th akin to that same specand while he was thus engaged, intelligence tacle. They have never been, nor will ever arrived that rebellion had broken out on such be, possessed of any we ight, though it be to and such a frontier. Thereupon the king the extent of a grain of mustard seed. How reviewed his troops and despatched several greatly I used to marvel that men would regiments supported by units of artillery to pride themselves upon such vanities, whilst quell the uprising. A few minutes later can- those possessed of insight, ere they witness nons were heard booming from behind the any evidence of human glory, perceive with tent, and it was announced that the king's certainty the inevitability of its waning. troops were at that moment engaged in battle "Never have I looked upon any thing save with the insurgents. that I have seen extinction before it; and I was greatly perplexed and bewildered to God, verily, is a sufficient witness ." conceive the nature of this spectacle. When It behoveth eve1yone to traverse this brief the show was over, the curtain of the tent was span of life with sincerity and fairness. drawn. Then, after some twenty minutes, a Should one fai l to attain unto the recognition man emerged from behind the tent carrying of Him Who is the Eternal Truth, let him a box under his arm. at least comport himself with reason and jus- "What is this box?" I asked him, "and tice. Erelong these outward trappings, these what was the nature of this display?" heaped-up treasures, these earthly van ities, "All these lavish trappings," he replied, these amassed battalions, this gorgeous "the king, the princes, and the ministers , finery, these proud and overweening soulstheir pomp and glory, their might and power, all shall pass into the confines of the grave, everything you saw, are all now conta ined as though into that box. In the eyes of those within this box." possessed of insight, all this conflict, dissen- I swear by My Lord Who hath brought sion and vainglory hath been, and will ever into being all things through a single word be, like unto the sport of children. Take thou from Him that, ever since that day, all the good heed, and be not of those who see and trappings of the world have seemed in the yet deny. 16 TH E B A H A' i WORLD Th e wes tern doorway into the Shrin e of the Bab. THE BA l-IA' i REVELAT ION 17 2. THE BAB I EXCERPTS FROM TH E QAYYUMU'L-ASMA' (SELECT!ONS FROM Tf-IE WRITINGS OF Tf-IE BAB) 0 PEOPLES of the world ! Whatsoever sanctified above the praise of all men. He is ye have offered up in the way of the One veril y independent of the whole of creation . True God, ye shall indeed find preserved (Chapter XXlll.) by God, the Preserver, intact at God's Holy Gate . 0 peopl es of the earthl Bear ye alle- ISSUE forth fro m your cities, 0 peoples of giance unto this resplendent light wherewith the West and aid God ere the Day when the God hath graciously invested Me tluáough Lord of mercy shall come down unto you in the power of infa llible Truth, and walk not the shadow of the clouds with the angels in the footsteps of the Evil One. 1 inasmuch circl ing around H im,5 exalting His praise as he prompteth you to disbelieve in God, and seeking forgiveness for such as have your Lord, and verily God will not forgive truly believed in Our signs. Veril y His disbelief in Himself, though He will forgive decree hath been issued, and the conm1and other sins to whomsoever He pleaseth. 2 of God, as given in the Mother Book, hath Indeed His knowledge embraceth all things .. . indeed been revealed ... (Chapter XVII.) Become as true brethren in the one and indivisible religion of God, free from dis- 0 PEOPLES of the East and the West! Be tinction, for verily God desireth that your ye fea rfu l of God concerning the Cause of hea1ts should become minors unto your the true Joseph and barter Him not fo r a bretluáen in the Faith, so that ye find yourpaltry price 3 established by yourselves, or selves reflected in them, and the y in you. for a trifle of yo ur ea rthly possess ions, that This is the true Path of God, the Almighty, ye may, in very truth , be praised by Him as and He is indeed watchful over your actions . those who are reckoned among the pious (Chapter X L VI.) who stand nigh unto this Gate. (Chapter XX!.) BE Thou patient, 0 Qurratu '1- 'Ayn, for God 0 QURRATU 'L-'AYN!4 We have, verily, hath indeed pledged to establish Thy soverdilated Th ine heart in thi s Revelation , which eignty throughout all countries and over the stands truly unique from all created things, people that dwell therein. He is God and verily and have exa lted Thy name through the He is powerful over all things. (Chapter Lf!J.) manifestation of the Bab, so that men may become awa re of Our transcendent powe r, THIS divinely- inspired Book hath firmly esand recognize that God is inm1easurably tablished His Proof for all those who are in the East and in the West, hence beware lest cf. Qur'an 2:204. ye utter aught but the truth regarding God, er. ibid . 4:5 1. ct". ib id. 12:20. for I swear by your Lord that this supreme In these passages of the Qayyt'.1mu' l-Asma' the name Proof of Mine beareth witness tmto all things ... Qu1Tatu'l-'Ayn (Solace of the Eyes) refers to the Bab Himself. 5 cf. Q ur'an 2:206. 18 THE BAHA'I WORLD 0 servants of God! Be ye patient, for, do it not, Our secret wi ll never be made God grant, He Who is the sovereign Truth known to the people,6 wh ile the purpose of wi ll suddenly appear amongst you, invested God in creating man is but for him to know with the power of the mighty Word , and ye H im . Indeed God hath knowledge of all sha ll then be confounded by the Truth itself, things and is self-sufficient above the need and ye shall have no power to ward it off, 1 of all mankind . (Chapter LX!!.) and verily I am a witness over all mankind. (Chapter LIX) WHENEVER the faithfu l hear the verses of this Book being recited, their eyes will THE infidels of a truth , seek to separate God overflow with tears and the ir hearts wi ll be from His Remembrance, 2 but God hath deeply touched by Him Who is the Most determined to perfect H is Light3 through His Great Remembrance for the love they cher- Remembrance, and indeed He is potent over ish for God, the A ll-Praised. He is God, the all things .. . (Chapter LX/.) A ll-Knowing, the Eternal. They are indeed the inmates of the all-highest Paradise 0 PEOPLES of the earth! Verily the wherein they will abide for ever. Verily they resplendent Light of God hath appeared will see naught therein save that which hath in your midst, invested with this unerring proceeded from God, nothing that will li e Book, that ye may be guided aright to the beyond the compass of their understanding. ways of peace and, by the leave of God, step There they will meet the believers in Paraout of the darkness into the light and onto dise, who will address them with the words this far-extended Path ofTruth 4 ... ' Peace, Peace ' lingering on their lips ... God hath, out of sheer nothingness and 0 concourse of the faithful! Incline your ears through the potency of His command, created to My Voice, proclaimed by this Remembrance the heavens and the earth and whatever lieth of God. Verily God hath revealed unto Me that between them. He is single and peerless in the Path of the Remembrance which is set fmih His eternal unity with none to join partner by Me is, in very truth , the straight Path of with His holy Essence, nor is there any sou l, God, and that whoever professeth any reliexcept His Own Self, who can befittingly gion other than this upright Faith , will, when comprehend Him ... called to acco unt on the Day of Judgement, 0 peoples of the earth! Verily His discover that as recorded in the Book no bene- Remembrance is come to you from God fit hath he reaped out of God ' s Rel igion ... after an interval during which there were no Fear ye God, 0 concourse of kings, lest ye Messengers,5 that He may purge and purify remain afar from Him Who is His Rememyo u from uncleanliness in anti cipation of the brance [the Bab] , after the Truth hath come Day of the One true God ; therefore seek ye unto yo u w ith a Book and signs from God, whole-heartedly divine blessings from Him, as spoken through the wondrous tongue of inasmuoh as We have, in truth, chosen Him Him Who is His Remembrance. Seek ye to be the W itness and the Source of wisdom grace from God, for God hath ordained for unto all that dwell on earth .. . yo u, after ye have believed in Him, a Garden 0 Qurratu ' l-'Ayn! Proc laim that which the vastness of which is as the vastness of hath been sent down unto Thee as a token of the who le of Paradise. Therein ye shall find the grace of the merciful Lord , for if Thou naught save the gifts and favours which the Alm ighty hath graciously bestowed by vircf. Qur'an 21 :40. tue of thi s momentous Cause, as decreed in 2 cf. ibid. 4: 149. 3 cf. ibid. 9:32. the Mother Book. (Chapter LXJJJ.) 4 cf.ibid.5:15-1 8. 5 6 cf. ibid. 5:22 . cf. ibid . 5:7 1. THE BAl-IA'i REVELAT ION 19 Detail of one of th e columns along th e arcade of the Shrine of the Bab. SAY, 0 peoples of the world! Do ye dispute they shall be re warded with a sure stance in with Me abo ut God by vi1iue of the names the presence of their Lord? He indeed whi ch ye and your fathers have adopted for beareth witness unto all things .. . Him at the promptings of the Evi l One? 1 When the verses of thi s Book are recited to God hath indeed sent down this Book unto the infidels they say: 'G ive us a book like Me with truth that ye may be enab led to rec- the Qur' an and make changes in the verses. ' ognize the true names of God, inasmuch as Say: ' God hath not given Me that I should ye have strayed in error fa r from the Trnth. change them at My pleasure. ' I fo llow only Verily We have taken a covenant from every what is revealed unto Me. Verily, I shall fea r created thing upon its co ming into being My Lord on the Day of Separation, whose concerning th e Remembrance of God, and advent He hath, in very hi.1th, irrevocably there shall be none to avert the binding co m- ordained. 2 (Chapter LX.Xf.) mand of God fo r the purification of mankind , as orda ined in the Book whi ch is writt en by 0 PEOPLES of the ea1th' Verily the hi.1e the hand of the Bab. (Chapter LXVff !) God ca lleth saying: He Who is the Remembrance is indeed the sovereign T ruth fro m DOTH it seem sháange to the people that We God, and naught remaineth beyond háuth but should have revealed the Book to a man error,3 and naught is there beyond en-or save from among themselves in order to purge fire, irrevocably ordained ... them and give them the good tidings that 2 er Qur' an I 0: 16. I e f. Qur 'an 7: 69; 12:40. 3 er ibid. 10: 33 . 20 THE BA HA ' i WOR LD 0 Qurratu ' l- 'Ayn! Point to Thy trnthful 0 YE peoples of the earth! By the righteousbreast through the power of truth and ness of God, the True One, the testimony excla im: I swear by the One true God, herein shown forth by His Remembrance is like lieth the vicegerency of God; I am indeed unto a sun which the hand of the merciful the One Who is regarded as the Best Lord hath raised high in the midmost heart Reward 1 and I am indeed He Who is the of the heaven, wherefrom it shineth in the Most Excellent Abode. (Chapter LXX!f.) plenitude of its meridian splendour ... With each and every Prophet Whom We 0 YE concourse of the believers ! Utter not have sent down in the past, We have estabwords of denial against Me once the Truth is lished a separate Covenant concerning the made manifest, for indeed the mandate of Remembrance of God and His Day. Manithe Bab hath befittingly been proclaimed fest, in the realm of glory and through the unto you in the Qur'an aforetime. I swear by power of truth, are the Remembrance of God your Lord, this Book is verily the same and His Day before the eyes of the angels Qur 'an which was sent down in the past. that circle His mercy-seat. (Chapter XCI) (Chapter LXXXI.) 0 HOUR of the Dawn! Ere the resplendent HAD it been Our wish, We would have glory of the divine Luminary sheddeth its brought all men into one fold round Our radiance from the Dayspring of this Gate, call Remembrance, yet they will not cease to thou to mind that the appointed Day of God differ, 2 unless God accomplish what He wil- will indeed be at hand in less than a twinkling leth through the power of truth. In the of an eye. Thus hath the decree of God been estimation of the Remembrance this command- issued in the Mother Book. (Chapter XC! V.) ment hath, in very truth, been irrevocably ordained ... GOD had, in truth , proposed Our Mission God hath indeed chosen Thee to warn the unto the heavens and the earth and the people, to guide the believers aright and to mountains, but they refused to bear it and elucidate the secrets of the Book. (Chapter were afraid thereof. However, Man, this LXXXV.) 'Ali, Who is none other but the Great Remembrance of God, undertook to bear it. SHOULD it be Our wish, it is in Our power Hence God, the All-Encompass ing, hath to compel, through the agency of but one let- referred to Hirn in His Preserved Book as the ter of Our Revelation, the world and all that ' Wronged One ', and by reason of His being is therein to recognize, in less than the twin- undistinguished before the eyes of men, He kling of an eye, the truth of Our Cause .. .. hath, according to the judgement of the Truly other apostles have been laughed to Book, been entitled 'the Unknown ' ... 5 scorn before Thee, 3 and Thou art none other Erelong We will, in very truth, tonnent but the Servant of God, sustained by the such as waged war against I:Iusayn [Imam power of Truth. Ere long We shall prolong I:Iusayn ], in the Land of the Eupluates, with the days of such as have rejected the Truth the most afflictive torment, and the most dire by reason of that which their hands have and exemplary punishment. ... wrought,4 and verily God will not deal God knoweth well the heart of I~Iu say n , unjustly with anyone, even to the extent of a the heat of His burning thirst and His longspeck on a date-stone. (Chapter LXXXV!f.) suffering for the sake of God, the Incomparable, the Ancient of Days; and unto Him God cf. Q ur' an 18:42. is verily a witness. (Chapter X ff. ) cf. ibid. 11: 120. cf ibid. 6: I 0. 4 5 cf. ibid. 3 172. cf. Qur'an 33 :72. THE BAHA ' i REVELATION 21 THIS Book which We have sent down is INDEED We conversed with Moses by the indeed abounding in blessings 1 and beareth leave of God from the midst of the Burning wih1ess to the Truth, so that the people may Bush in the Sinai and revealed an infinitesirealize that the conclusive Proof of God in mal glimmer of Thy Light upon the Mystic favour of His Remembrance is similar to the Mount and its dwellers, whereupon the one wherewith Mul)ammad, the Seal of the Mount shook to its foundations and was Prophets, was invested, and verily great is crushed into dust. .. the Cause as ordained in the Mother Book. 0 peoples of the earth! I swear by your (Chapter LXVI.) Lord! Ye shall act as fmmer generations have acted . Warn ye, then, yourselves of the WE have in truth sent Thee forth unto all terrible, the most grievous vengeance of men, by the leave of God, invested with Our God. For God is, verily, potent over all signs and reinforced by Our unsurpassed things. (Chapter LIII.) sovereignty. He is indeed the appointed Bearer of the Trust of God ... 0 QURRA TU ' L- 'A YN! I recognize in Thee 0 Qurratu'l-'Ayn! Persevere steadfastly as none other except the ' Great Announce- Thou art bidden and let not the faith less ment'-the Announcement voiced by the amongst men nor their utterances grieve Thee, Concomse on high. By this name, I bear since Thy Lord shall, by the righteousness of witness, they that circle the Throne of Glory God, the Most Great, pass judgement upon have ever known Thee. them on the Day of Resurrection, and surely 0 concourse of the believers! Do ye har- God wih1esseth all things. (Chapter LXXXIV) bour any doubt as to that whereunto the Remembrance of God doth summon you? THIS Religion is indeed, in the sight of God, By the righteousness of the One true God, the essence of the Faith of Mu~ammad; He is none other than the sovereign Truth haste ye then to attain the celestial Paradise Who hath been made manifest tluáough the and the all-highest Garden of His good- power of Truth. Are ye in doubt concerning pleasure in the presence of the One True the Bab? Verily He is the One Who holdeth, God, could ye but be patient and thankful by Our leave, the kingdoms of earth and before the evidences of the signs of God. heaven in His grasp, and the Lord is in h-uth (Chapter XL VIII.) fully aware of what ye are doing ... Indeed I am but a man like unto you . 0 MY servants! This is God's appointed Day However, God bestoweth upon Me whatever which the merciful Lord hath promised you favours He willeth as He pleaseth, and that in His Book; wherefore, in very truth, glorify which your Lord hath decreed in the Mother ye abundantly the name of God while treading Book is unbounded. (Chapter LXXXVIII.) the Path of the Most Great Remembrance .. . Verily God hath granted leave to His 0 QURRATU ' L-' AYN' Say: Verily I am Remembrance to say whatsoever He willeth the One Who is hailed in the Mother Book as in whatever manner He pleaseth. Indeed the ' Great Announcement' . Say: TI1e people whatsoever He chooseth is none other than have grievously differed over Me, whereas what is chosen by Us. TI1e Lord, in truth, in truth there is no difference between Me wih1esseth all things . (Chapter LCCCV!f.) and the Bab; and God, the Eternal Truth, is sufficient wimess . (Chapter LXXVII.) c f. Qur 'an 6:93 . 22 THE BAHA' I WORLD Th e House of 'Abdu 'l-Baha in 'A kka, known as the House of 'A bdu 'llah Pasha. THE BAHA'i RE VELAT IO N 23 3. 'ABDU'L-BAHA DEARLY loved friends of ' Abdu' 1-Baha, their efforts to raise on high the Word of Your letter bearing the happy news of the God, to shed abroad His holy fragrances, to election of the Spiritual Assembly hath educate the soul s of men, and to promulgate an-ived, affording great pleas ure in the the Most Great Peace, they must become knowledge that-praise be to God!-the standard-bearers of guidance, and ensigns of friends in your area have conducted the elec- the Concourse on high. Truly, those who tion in a spirit of the utmost fellowship, have been elected are blessed, holy souls. concord and amity, and have been successf-t.il When I read their names , my heart was in electing consecrated souls and well- immediately filled w ith joy, joy at the favoured servants of His heavenl y Threshold tidings that- praise be unto God!-souls whose firmness in the Covenant is acknowl- have been raised up in that land who are seredged by the genera lity of th e believers. vants of the Kingdom, and who stand ready Now, with all radiance, joy and heartfelt to lay down th eir lives in the way of the devotion, attracted by the fragrances of God Peerless King. and the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, the members of this newly elected Assembly From a Tablet dated 29 May 1907 to the Assemb ly of must devote themselves to service; and, in Chi cago. II SOON will the Western regions become importance to cruelties and injuries, but as radiant as the horizons of the East, and the rather regard them as the wanton acts of Sun of Truth shine forth with a refulgence children. For ultimately the radiance of the that will cause the darkness of error to fade Kingdom w ill overwhelm the darkness of away and vanish. Great is the multitude who the world of being, and the holy, exalted will rise up to oppose you, who will oppress character of yo ur aims will become unmi syo u, heap blame upon you, rejo ice at yo ur takably apparent. Nothing shall remain misfortunes, account yo u people to be concealed: the oli ve oil , though stored shunned, and visit injury upon you; yet shall within the deepest vault, shall one day burn yo ur heavenl y Father confer upon you such in brightness from the lamp atop the beacon . spiritual illumination that ye shall become The small shall be made great, and the poweven as the rays of the sun which, as they erless shall be given strength; they that are chase away the sombre clouds , break forth of tender age shall become the children of to flood the surface of the earth with li ght. It the Kingdom , and those that have gone is incumbent upon you, whensoever these astray shall be guided to their heavenly tests may overtake you, to stand firm , and to home. be patient and enduring. Instead of repaying li ke with li ke, ye should requite oppos ition From a Tab let dated 14 November 1909 to an ind ividal, with the utmost benevolence and lovi ng- publi shed in Crisis and Vic101y (London: Baha' i Pubkindness, and on no account attach li shin g Trust, 1988 ), p. 24. 24 THE BAHA 'i WORLD III ERELONG the wicked-doers in that the hol y Manifestations, the people acted in land will arise to heap denunciations upon just this manner; and now, in these days, the true believers, and vent their spite upon it is inevitable that they will repeat such the company of the faithful. Each day they actions, nay, act with greater perversity than will inflict a galling wound, each hour a before . .. Hence it is certain that thou wilt be stunning blow. Rebuking the friends for afflicted with adversities, tests and injuries the love they bear Baha ' u'llah and 'Abdu ' l- for the sake of the Blessed Beauty; yet these Baha, they will consider justified their afflictions shall be the purest bounties and denunciations, their scorn and malice, and bestowals, and a token of thy acceptance at spare no effort to do the friends whatever the Divine Threshold. injury it lieth within their power to inflict. Such conduct is at one with the modes and practices of the people aforetime: in bygone Fro m an undated Tablet to an indi vidual , published in centuries, in the days of the appearance of Crisis and Victo1y (London: 1988), p. 6. IV 0 THOU Pure and Omnipotent God! 0 the Pacific Ocean, to reach the shores of Thou my kind Lord! Grant us such power as both East and West. to enable us to withstand the peril s of the entire world , and give us such mi ght as to cause the waves of our endeavours, like unto From a Tablet to an indi vidual. v 0 YE denizens of the Kingdom! unto you. It is high time that ye should, in How many are those who devote their recognition of these manifold bounties, set lifetime to pious worship and to asceticism, your hearts firmly upon Him, draw nearer cherishing the ardent desire for admission unto His court and become so captivated and into the Kingdo m. Yet they all failed. How- inflamed that the music of the hymns ye sing ever, ye have achieved this goal and entered in praise of the Desired One may ascend the Kingdom without any toil or hardship unto the Celestial Concourse, that each one even as, in the days of Christ, the Pharisees of you may, even as a nightingale, warble and the priests were denied access to the melodies in glorification of the Lord of Kingdom while Peter, John and Andrew Hosts and be enabled to foster the education attained thereto though they were neither of all mankind . fanatical worshippers nor ascetics. Therefore render ye thanks unto God, Who hath crowned you with this diadem of eternal From a Tablet to the friends in Switze rland and g lory and vouchsafed these endless favours Germany. Tl-IE BAI-IA' i REY E LA TIO N 25 Detail of the Hous e of 'Abdu 'llah Pasha, in 'Akka. VI . .. THOU shouldst initially adopt that demeanour, thy fervour, thy chaste and lucid course of prudence that the Faith enjoins. In utterance, thou shalt have succeeded in winthe early stages, thou shouldst seek out the ning the affection of one and all , then shall company of the eminent members of the the porta ls of heavenly guidance be opened populace and, turning thyself in utter lowli- wide; then shall the bounteous cup be borne ness to the unseen realm of Glory, thou around and all the souls that drink therefrom shouldst pray for succour and protection be inebriated with the wine of holy mysterso that the Holy Spirit may, through the ies and truths. outpourings of its grace, grant thee its assistance. When, by thy godly conduct and From a Tablet to a n indi vidu a l. 26 THE BAl-IA'i WORLD VII YE should strive to widen the circle of are of the finest, yet they do not realize that those with whom ye enjoy friendly relations, all the powers of the earth are impotent and to establish the closest contact with either to establish universal peace or to prothose benevolent souls whose only thought mote the oneness of the human world. is to do good, who are labouring in the cause Nothing short of the power of the Word of of universal peace, and who cherish no God and the breaths of the Holy Spirit can desire but to wih1ess the unification of the ever succeed. world of humanity. Ye should seek out the company of such people as these, that ye may imbue them with an awareness of the From a Tablet dated 13 Jul y 1912 to the Assembly of heavenly Kingdom, for albeit their motives New York. VITT 0 THOU who art turning W1to theKingdom sweet music of their voices is causing the of God! rea l essence of all things to move and Thy Jetter hath been received and perused. quiver. It affo rded us joy and pleasure, gave us good 0 my spiritual friend! Dost thou know news and is a token of the wealth of thy from what airs emanate the notes sung by love. This period of time is the Promised those birds? They are from the melodies of Age, the assembling of the human race to peace and reconciliation, of love and unity, the Resurrection Day and now is the great of justice and security, of concord and har- Day of Judgement. Soon the whole world, as mony. In a short time this heavenly singing in springtime, will change its garb. The turn- will intoxicate all humanity; the foundations ing and falling of the autumn leaves is past; of enmity shall be destroyed; unity and the bleakness of the wintertime is over. The affection shall be wimessed in every assemnew year hath appeared and the spiritual bly; and the splendours of the love of God springtime is at hand. The black earth is will shine forth in these great fest ivals. becoming a verdant garden; the deserts and Therefore, contemplate what a spirit of mountains are teeming with red flowers; life God hath given that the body of the from the borders of the wilderness the tall whole earth may attain life everlasting ! The grasses are standing like advance guards Abha Paradise will soon spread a pavilion in before the cypress and jessamine háees; the midmost heart of the world , under whose while the birds are singing among the rose shelter the beloved shall rejoice and the pure branches like the angels in the hi ghest heav- hearts shall repose in peace. ens, announcing the glad-tidings of the approach of that spiritual spring, and the From a Tablet dated 1903 to an indi vid ual. THE BAHA ' i REVELATION 27 lX Q FRIENDS ofGod! Boundless treasure is in the hand of the Do ye know in what cycle ye are created King of Kings! Lift the hem of thy gam1ent and in what age ye exist? This is the age of to receive it. the Blessed Perfection and this is the time of This is the time for growing; the season the Greatest Name! This is the century of the for joyous gathering! Take the cup of the Manifestation, the age of the Sun of all hori- Testament in thy hand; leap and dance with zons and the beautiful springtime of the ecstasy in the triumphal procession of the Eternal One! Covenant! Place your confidence in the The earth is in motion and growth; the everlasting bounty, turn to the presence of mountains, hills and prairies are green and the generous God; ask assistance from the pleasant; bounty is overflowing; mercy uni- kingdom of Abha ; seek confirmation from versal; rain is descending from the clouds of the Supreme World; tum thy vision to the compassion; the brilliant sun is shining; the horizon of eternal wealth; and pray for help full moon adometh the ethereal horizon; from the Source of Mercy! the great ocean-tide is flooding every little Soon shall ye see the friends attaining stream; gifts and favours follow one upon their longed-for destination and pitching the other and a refreshing breeze is blowing, their tents, while we are but in the first day wafting the fragrant perfume of the of our journey. blossoms. Ifwe are not happy and joyous at this sea- To the Asse mbl y in Samarkand , Russ ia. New translason, for what other season shall we wait and tion of a Tablet published earli er in Tablets of Abdu/- for what other time shall we look? Bnha Abbas, p. 641. x 0 YE beloved friends of God and hand- source of life in both worlds, and of salmaids of the Merciful! vation unto such as have gone astray . Today Call ye to mind the blessed Name of our this hallowed Name serveth as a shield for peerless Beloved, the Abha Beauty, in an all mankind, and as a veritable refuge for the uplifting spirit of unbounded ecstasy and children of men. It is the wondrous accent of delight, then unloose your tongues in His the Lord of Mercy, and His celestial melody. praise in such wise that the realm of the Wherefore, 0 faithful friends, raise ye the heart may be purged from the woes and sor- triumphal cry of Ya-Baha ' u' l-Abha! 0 ye rows of the world of water and clay, that the who yearn after the Beauty of the Almighty! great heights of spiritual perception may be Lift up your faces toward the Supreme Horiunveiled before your eyes, that the glorious zon. Rest not, even for a moment. Breathe signs of His Divine Unity may shine not a single breath save in remembrance of resplendent, a fresh outpouring of His grace His love and in recognition of His grace, in may stream forth, and a liberal effusion of the promulgation of His Utterances and the celestial confirmations may be vouchsafed vindication of His Testimonies. unto you. Verily, this is the Magnet of divine con- His Name is indeed the healing medicine firmations . This is the mighty Force which for every illness, and imparteth warmth unto will surely attrnct heavenly assistance. those starving with cold. It is the sovereign remedy and the supreme talisman. It is the From a Tablet to a group of believers. 28 Tl-IE BAI-L.\'i WORLD Th e Seat of the Universal Hous e of Justice, on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Tsrael. II EXCERPTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI FROM CALL TO THE NATIO NS HUMAN1TY, whether viewed in the the political and economic unification of the light of man's individual conduct or in the world-a principle that has been increasexisting relationships between organized ingly advocated in recent times-provide in communities and nations, has, alas, strayed itself the antidote against the poison that too far and suffered too great a decline to be is steadily undermining the vigour of orgaredeemed through the unaided efforts of the nized peoples and nations. best among its recognized rulers and states- What else, might we not confidently men-however disinterested their motives, affirn1, but the unreserved acceptance of the however concerted their action, however Divine Programme enunciated, with such unsparing in their zeal and devotion to its simplicity and force as far back as sixty cause. No scheme which the calculations years ago, 1 by Baha 'u'llah, embodying in its of the highest statesmanship may yet devise; essentials God's divinely-appointed scheme no docháine which the most distinguished fo r the unification of mankind in this age, exponents of economic theory may hope to coupled with an indomitable conviction in advance; no principle which the most ardent the unfailing efficacy of each and all of its of moralists may strive to inculcate, can pro- provisions, is eventually capable of withvide, in the last resort, adequate foundations standing the forces of internal disintegration upon which the future of a distracted world which, if unchecked, must needs continue to can be built. eat into the vitals of a despairing society. No appeal for mutual tolerance which the It is towards this goal- the goal of a new worldly-wise might raise, however compel- World Order, Divine in origin, all-emling and insistent, can calm its passions or bracing in scope, equitable in principle, help restore its vigour. Nor would any gen- challenging in its fea tures-that a harassed era l scheme of mere organized international humanity must strive. cooperation, in whatever sphere of human To claim to have grasped all the impliactivity, however ingenious in conception, cations of Baha'u'llah's prodigimis scheme or extensive in scope, succeed in removing fo r world-wide human solidarity, or to have the root cause of the evil that has so rudely fathomed its import, would be presumptuous upset the equilibrium of present-day society. on the part of even the declared supporters Not even, I venture to assert, would the very act of dev ising the machinery required for 1 Written in I 93 1. 30 THE BAl-IA' i WORLD of His Faith . To attempt to visualize it in all that are implicit in Baha'u ' llah 's supreme its poss ibilities, to estimate its future bene- declaration of the Oneness of Mankind- the fits , to picture its glory, would be premature chief and distinguishing fea ture of the Faith at even so advanced a stage in the evolution He proclain1ed? For the principle of the of mankind. Oneness of Mankind, the corner-stone of All we can reasonably venture to attempt Baha'u'llah's wo rld-embracing dominion, is to strive to obtain a glimpse of the first implies nothing more or less than the enforcestreaks of the promised Dawn that must, in ment of His scheme for the unification of the the fullness of time, chase away the gloom world- the scheme to which we have already that has encircled humanity. All we can do is refen-ed. "Jn eve1y Dispensation," writes to point out, in their broadest outlines, what 'Abdu ' l-Baba, "the light of Divine Guidance appears to us to be the gu iding principles has been focused upon one central theme ... underlying the World Order ofBaha' u ' llah ... . In this wondrous Revelation, this glorious That the umest and suffe ring afflicting centwy , the foundation of the Faith of God the mass of mankind are in no small measure and the distinguishing f eature of His Law is the direct consequences of the World War 1 the consciousness of the Oneness of and are attributable to the unwisdom and Mankind. " sho rt-sightedness of the fra mers of the Peace How pathetic indeed are the efforts of Treaties only a biased mind can refuse to those lea ders of human institutions who , admit. . .. It would be idle, however, to con- in utter disregard of the spirit of the age, tend that the war, with all the losses it are striving to adjust national processes, involved, the passions it aro used and the suited to the ancient days of self-contained grievances it left behind, has sole ly been nations, to an age which must either achi eve responsible for the unprecedented confusion the unity of the world, as adumbrated by into which almost every section of the Baha' u ' llah, or perish. At so critical an hour civilized world is plunged at present. Is it in the hist01y of civilization it behoves the not a fact- and thi s is the centra l idea I leaders of all the nations of the world, great desire to emphasize- that the fundamental and small, whether in the Eas t or in the cause of this world unrest is attributable, not West, whether victors or vanquished, to give so much to the consequences of what must heed to the clarion call of Baha 'u' ll ah and, sooner or later come to be regarded as a thoroughly imbued with a sense of world transitory dislocation in the affairs of a solidarity, the sine qua non of loyalty to His continually changing world, but rather to the Cause, arise manfully to cany out in its fai lure of those into whose hands the imme- entirety the one remedia l scheme He, the diate destinies of peoples and nations have Divine Physician, has prescribed for an been committed, to adjust their systems of ailing humanity. Let them discard, once for economic and political institutions to the all, every preconce ived idea, every national imperative needs of a rapidly-evolving age? prejudice, and give heed to the sublime Are not these intermittent crises that convulse counsel of 'Abdu' l-B aha, the authorized present-day society due primarily to the Expounder of His teachings. "You can best lamentab le inability of the world's recog- serve your country ", was 'Abdu ' l-Baha's nized leaders to read aright the signs of the rejoinder to a high official in the service of times, to rid themselves once for all of their the federa l government of the United States preconceived ideas and fettering creeds, and of America, who had questioned Him as to to res hape the machinery of their respective the best manner in which he could promote governments according to those standards the interests of hi s government and people, "il you strive, in your capacity as a citizen of the Written in 193 1 and refers to the first Worl d War. world, to assist in the eventual application of THE BAl-IA'i REVELATION 31 the principle of federalism underlying the nay the human race as a whole should government ofyour own countly to the rela- resolve, with eve1y power at its disposal, to tionships now existing between the peoples destroy that govern ment. Should this greatand nations of the world." est of all remedies be applied to the sick In The Secret of Divine Civilization, body of the world, it will assuredly recover 'Abdu'l-Baha's outstanding contribution to fiwn its ills and will remain eternally safe the future reorganization of the world, we and secure." read the following: "A few ," He further adds, "unaware of the "True civilization will unfurl its banner in power latent in human endeavour, consider the midmost heart of the world whenever a this matter as highly impracticable, nay even certain number of its distinguished and beyond the scope of man's utmost efforts. high-minded sovereigns-the shining exem- Such is not the case, however. On the plars of devotion and determination-shall, contrary, thanks to the unfailing grace of for the good and happiness of all mankind, God, the loving-kindness of His favoured arise, with firm resolve and clear vision, ones, the unrivalled endeavours of wise and to establish the Cause of Universal Peace. capable souls, and the thoughts and ideas of They must make the Cause of Peace the the peerless leaders of this age, nothing object of general consultation, and seek by whatsoever can be regarded as unattainable. every means in their power to establish a Endeavour, ceaseless endeavour, is required. Union of the nations of the world. They must Nothing short of an indomitable determinaconclude a binding treaty and establish a tion can possibly achieve it. Many a cause covenant, the provisions of which shall be which past ages have regarded as purely sound, inviolable and definite. They must visionmy, yet in this day has become most proclaim it to all the world and obtain for it easy and practicable. Why should this most the sanction of all the human race. This great and lofty cause-the day-star of the supreme and noble undertaking- the real firmament of true civilization and the cause source of the peace and well-being of all of the glory, the advancement, the wellthe world-should be regarded as sacred by being and th e success of all humanity-be all that dwell on earth. All th e forces of regarded as impossible of achievement? humanity must be mobilized to ensure the Surely the day will come when its beauteous stability and permanence of this Most Great light shall shed illumination upon the Covenant. In this all-embracing Pact the assemblage of man." limits and ji-ontiers of each and every In one of His Tablets 'Abdu ' l-Baha, nation should be clearly fixed, the principles elucidating further His noble theme, reveals underlying the relations of governments the following: towards one another definitely laid down, "In cycles gone by, though harmony was and all international agreements and obli- established, yet, owing to the absence of gations ascertained. In like manner, the size means, the unity of all mankind could not of the armaments of evety government have been achieved. Continents remained should be strictly limited, for if the prepara- widely divided, nay even among the peoples tions for war and the militmy forces of of one and the same continent association any nation should be allowed to increase, and interchange of thought were well-nigh they will arouse the suspicion of others. The impossible. Consequently intercourse, underfundamental principle underly ing this standing and unity amongst all the peoples solemn Pact should be so fixed that if and kindreds of the earth were unattainable. any government later violate any one of In this day, however, means of communicaits provisions, all the governments on earth tion have multiplied, and the jive continents should arise to reduce it to utter submission, of the earth have virtually merged into one .... 32 Tl-IE BAl-IA' i WORLD Jn like manner all the members of the human "the concourse of the rulers of the earth", family, whether peoples or governments, revealed the fo llowing: cities or villages, have become increasing ly " Take ye counsel together, and let your interdependent. For none is self-sufficiency concern be only for that which profiteth any longer possible, inasmuch as political mankind and bettereth the condition ties unite all peoples and nations, and the thereof .. . Regard the world as the human bonds of trade and industry, of agriculture body, which, though created whole and and education, are being strengthened every pe1fect, has been afflicted, through divers day. Hence the unity of all mankind can in causes, with grave ills and maladies. Not for this day be achieved. Verily this is none one day did it rest, nay its sicknesses waxed other but one of the wonders of this won- more severe, as it f ell under the treatment of drous age, this glorious century. Of this past unskilled physicians who have spurred on ages have been deprived, for this century- the steed of their worldly desires and have the centwy of light- has been endowed with erred grievously. And if at one time, through unique and unprecedented glo1y, power and the care of an able physician, a member of illumination. Hence the miraculous unfold- that body was healed, the rest remained ing of a fi'esh marvel eve1y day. Eventually it afflicted as before." . .. will be seen how bright its candles will burn In a further passage Baha'u'llah adds in the assemblage of man. these words: "Behold how its light is now dawning "We see you adding every year unto your upon the world's darkened horizon. The first expenditures and lay ing the burden th ereof candle is unity in the political realm, the on the people whom ye rule; this verily is early glimmerings of which can now be naught but grievous injustice. Fear the sighs discerned. The second candle is unity of and tears of this Wronged One, and burden thought in world undertakings, the consum- not your peoples beyond that which they can mation of which will ere long be witnessed. . endure .... Be reconciled among yourselves, Th e third candle is unity in freedom which that ye may need armaments no more save in will surely come to pass. The fourth candle is a measure to safeguard your territories and unity in religion which is the corner-stone dominions. Be united, 0 concourse of the of the foundation itself, and which, by the sovereigns of the world, for thereby will the power of God, will be revealed in all its tempest of discord be stilled amongst you splendour. Th e fifth candle is the unity of and your peoples find rest .. .. Should any one nations-a unity which in this century will be among you take up arms against another, securely established, causing all the peoples rise ye all against him, for this is naught but of the world to regard themselves as citizens manifestjustice." of one common fatherland. The sixth candle What else could these weighty words is unity of races, making of all that dwell on signify if they did not point to the inevitable earth peoples and kindreds of one race. The curtailment of unfettered national soverseventh candle is unity of language, i.e. the eignty as an indispensable preliminary to the choice of a universal tongue in which all formation of the future Commonwealth of peoples will be instructed and converse. Each all the nations of the world? Some form of a and every one of these will inevitably come to world super-state must needs be evolved, in pass, inasmuch as the power of the Kingdom whose favour all the nations of the world of God will aid and assist in their realization." will have willingly ceded every claim to Over sixty years ago, 1 in His Tablet make war, certain rights to impose taxation to Queen Victori a, Baha'u ' llah , addressing and all rights to maintain armaments, except for purposes of maintaining internal order Now we ll over a cen tury; the Tablet to Q ueen within their respective dominions. Such a Victoria was written about 1870. THE BAHA'i REVELAT ION 33 state wil l have to include within its orb it an institutions in a manner consonant w ith the International Executi ve adequate to enforce needs of an ever-changing world. It can supreme and unchallengeable authority on conflict with no legitimate allegiances, nor every recalcitrant member of the common- can it unde1111ine essentia l loyalties. Its wealth ; a World Parliament whose members purpose is neither to stifl e the flame of a sane shall be elected by the people in thei r and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts, nor respective countries and whose election to abolish the system of national autonomy shall be co nfi rmed by their respective gov- so essential if the evi ls of excess ive centralernments; and a Supreme Tribunal whose ization are to be avoided. It does not ignore, judgement will have a binding effect even nor does it attempt to suppress, the diversity in such cases where the parties concerned of ethnical origins, of climate, of history, of did not vo luntarily agree to submit their case language and tradition, of thought and habit, to its co nsideration . A world communi ty that differentiate the peoples and nations of in which all economi c barriers wi ll have the world. It calls for a w ider loyalty, for a been permanently demolished and the inter- larger aspiration than any that has animated dependence of Capital and Labour definitely the human race. It insists upon the subordinarecogni zed; in which the clamour of tion of national impulses and interests to the religious fa naticism and strife wi ll have been imperative claims of a unified world. It repuforever stilled; in which the fl ame of racial diates excessive centra li zation on one hand, animosity wi ll have been finall y exti nguished; and di sclaims all attempts at uniformity on in wh ich a single code of international law- the other. Its watchword is unity in diversity the product of the considered judgement of such as' Abd u' l-Baha H imself has explained: the world's federated representatives-shal l "Consider the flowers of a garden. have as its sanction the instant and coercive Though differing in kind, colour, form and intervention of the combined fo rces of the shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed federated units; and finally a world commu- by the waters of one spring, revived by the nity in which the fury of a capricious and breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays militant nationalism will have been trans- of one sun, this diversity increaseth their muted in to an abid ing consc iousness of charm. and addeth unto their beauty. How world citizenship-such indeed ap pears, in unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and its broadest outl in e, the Order anticipated plants, the leaves and blossoms, the fruit, the by Baha' u' ll ah, an Order that shall come to branches and the trees of that garden were be regarded as the fairest fruit of a slowly all of the same shape and colour! Diversity maturing age. of hues, form and shape enricheth and ador- "Th e Tabernacle of Unity," Baha ' u' llah neth the garden, and heighteneth the effect proclaims in His message to all mankind, thereof Jn like manner, when divers shades "has been raised; regard ye not one another of thought, temperament and character, are as strangers ... . Of one tree are all ye the fruit brought together under the power and influand of one bough the leaves .... Th e world is ence of one central agency, the beauty and but one count1y and mankind its citizens .... glory of human p e1fection will be revealed Let not a man glory in that he loves his and made manifest. Naught but the celestial country; let him rather glory in this, that potency of the Word of God, which ruleth he loves his kind. " and transcendeth the realities of all things, Let there be no misgi vin gs as to the is capable of harmonizing the divergent animating purpose of the world-wide Law of thoughts, sentiments, ideas and convictions Baha ' u' llah. Far from aiming at the subver- of the children of men. " sion of the ex isting foundat ions of soc iety, T he ca ll of Baha ' u ' ll ah is primarily it seeks to broaden its basis, to remould its d irected against all fo rms of provincialism, 34 THE BAHA'I WORLD all insularities and prejudices. If long-cher- give way to a new gospel, fundamentally ished ideals and time-honoured institutions, different from, and infinitely superior to, if certain social assumptions and religious what the world has already conceived. It formulae have ceased to promote the welfare calls for no less than the reconstruction and of the generality of mankind, if they no the demilitarization of the whole civilized longer minister to the needs of a continually world- a world organically unified in all the evolving humanity, let them be swept away essential aspects of its life, its political and relegated to the limbo of obsolescent machinery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and forgotten doctrines. Why should these, and finance, its script and language, and in a world subject to the immutable law yet infinite in the diversity of the national of change and decay, be exempt from the characteristics of its federated units. deterioration that must needs overtake every It represents the consummation of human human institution? For legal standards, politi- evolution- an evolution that has had its earcal and economic theories are solely designed lies t beginnings in the birth of fa mily life, its to safeguard the interests of humanity as a subsequent development in the achievement whole, and not humanity to be crncified for of tribal solidarity, leading in turn to the the preservation of the integrity of any constitution of the city-state, and expanding particular law or doctrine. later into the institution of independent and Let there be no mistake. The principle of sovereign nations. the Oneness of Mankind- the pivot round The principle of the Oneness of Mankind, which all the teachings of Baha ' u'llah as proclaimed by Balla 'u ' llah, carries with it revolve- is no mere outburst of ignorant no more and no less than a solemn assertion emotionalism or an expression of vague and that attainment to this final stage in this pious hope. Its appeal is not to be merely stupendous evolution is not only necessary identified with a reawakening of the spirit but inevitable, that its realization is fast of brotherhood and good-will among men, approaching, and that nothing short of a nor does it aim solely at the fostering of power that is born of God can succeed in harn1onious co-operation among individual establishing it. ... peoples and nations. Its implications are Who knows that for so exalted a concepdeeper, its claims greater than any which the tion to take shape a suffering more intense Prophets of old were allowed to advance. than any it has yet experienced will have to Its message is applicable not only to the be inflicted upon humanity? Could anything individual, but concerns itself primarily with less than the fire of a civil war with all its the nature of those essential relationships violence and vicissitudes-a war that nearly that must bind all the states and nations as rent the great American Republic- have members of one human family . It does not welded the states, not only into a Union constitute merely the enunciation of an ideal, of independent units, but into a Nation, in but stands inseparably associated with an spite of all the ethnic differences that charinstitution adequate to embody its truth, acterized its component parts? That so demonstrate its validity, and perpetuate its fundamental a revolution, involving such influence. It implies an organic change in the far-reaching changes in the strncture of sostructure of present-day society, a change ciety, can be achieved through the ordinaty such as the world has not yet experienced. processes of diplomacy and education seems It constitutes a challenge, at once bold and highly improbable. We have but to turn our universal, to outworn shibboleths of nationa l gaze to humanity ' s blood-stained hist01y to creeds- creeds that have had their day and realize that nothing short of intense mental which must, in the ordinary course of events as well as physical agony has been able to as shaped and controlled by Providence, precipitate those epoch-making changes that THE BAHA' i REVELATION 35 constitute the greatest landmarks in the hands . It implies at once a warning and a history of human civilization. promise-a warning that in it lies the sole Great and far-reaching as have been those means for the salvation of a greatly suffering changes in the past, they cannot but appear, world, a promise that its realization is at when viewed in their proper perspective, hand. except as subsidiary adjustments prelu ding Uttered at a time when its possibility had that transformation of unparalleled majesty not yet been seriously envisaged in any part and scope which humanity is in this age of the world, it has, by virtue of that celestial bound to undergo. That the forces of a world potency which the Spirit of Baha'u'llah has catastrophe can alone precipitate such a new breathed into it, come at last to be regarded, phase of human thought is, alas, becoming by an increasing number of thoughtful men, increasingly apparent. That nothing shoti of not only as an approaching possibility, but the fire of a severe ordeal, unparalleled in as the necessary outcome of the forces now its intensity, can fuse and weld the discor- operating in the world. dant entities that constitute the elements Surely the world, contracted and transof present-day civilization, into the integral fmmed into a single highly complex organism components of the world commonwealth of by the marvellous progress achieved in the the future, is a truth which future events will realm of physical science, by the world-wide increasingly demonstrate. expansion of commerce and industry, and The prophetic voice ofBaha'u'llah warn- snuggling, under the pressure of world ing, in the concluding passages of Th e economic forces, amidst the pitfalls of a Hidden Words, the peoples of the world that materialistic civilization, stands in dire need an unforeseen calamity is following them of a restatement of the Truth underlying all and that grievous retribution awaiteth them the Revelations of the past in a language tlrrows indeed a lurid light upon the immedi- suited to its essential requirements. And ate fotiunes of sorrowing humanity. Nothing what voice other than that of Baha'u'llahbut a fiery ordeal, out of which humanity the Mouthpiece of God for this age-is capawill emerge, chastened and prepared, can ble of effecting a transformation of society succeed in implanting that sense ofresponsi- as radical as that which He has already bility which the leaders of a new-born age accomplished in the hearts of those men and must arise to shoulder. women, so diversified and seemingly irrec- I would again direct your attention to oncilable, who constitute the body of His those ominous words of Baha'u'llah which declared followers tluáoughout the world? I have already quoted: "And when the That such a mighty conception is fast appointed hour is come, there shall suddenly budding out in the minds of men, that appear that which shall cause the limbs of voices are being raised in its support, that its mankind to quake." . .. salient features must fast crystallize in the One word more in conclusion. The procla- consciousness of those who are in authority, mation of the Oneness of Mankind- the head few indeed can doubt. That its modest corner-stone of Baha'u'llah's all-embracing begimtings have already taken shape in the dominion-can under no circumstances be world-wide Administration with which the compared with such expressions of pious adherents of the Faith of Baha 'u ' llah stand hope as have been uttered in the past. His associated only those whose hearts are is not merely a call which He raised, alone tainted by prejudice can fail to perceive .... and unaided, in the face of the relentless and combined opposition of two of the most Excerpts from Th e Goal of a New World Order, in powerfu l Oriental potentates of His day- Call to the Nations ( Hai fa: Baha'i World Centre, 1977). while Himself an exile and prisoner in their C hapter II. 36 THE BAHA ' I WORLD FEW will fail to recognize that the Spirit dismay the bankruptcy of their ideas, and the breathed by Baha'u'llah upon the world, and disintegration of their handiwork, would do which is manifesting itself with varying well to him their gaze to the Revelation of degrees of intensity through the efforts con- Baha'u'llah, and to meditate upon the World sciously displayed by His avowed supporters Order which, lying enshrined in His teachand indirectly through certain humanitarian ings, is slowly and imperceptibly rising organizations, can never permeate and amid the welter and chaos of present-day exercise an abiding influence upon mankind civilization. They need have no doubt or unless and until it incarnates itself in a visible anxiety regarding the nature, the origin, or Order, which would bear His name, wholly validity of the institutions which the adheridentify itself with His principles, and ents of the Faith are building up tluáoughout function in conforniity with His laws. That the world. For these lie embedded in the Baha'u'llah in His Book of Aqdas, and later teachings themselves , unadulterated and 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Will- a document which unobscured by unwarrantable inferences, or confirms, supplements, and correlates the unauthorized interpretations of His Word . . .. provisions of the Aqdas- have set forth in their entirety those essential elements for the THE omushing forces so miraculously constitution of the world Baha ' i Common- released through the agency of two indepenwealth, no one who has read them will deny. dent and swiftly successive Manifestations are According to these divinely-ordained adniin- now under our very eyes and tluáough the care istrative principles, the Dispensation of of the chosen stewards of a far-flung Faith Baha'u'llah- the Ark of human salvation- being gradually mustered and disciplined. must needs be modelled. From them, all They are slowly crystallizing into institutions future blessings must flow, and upon them that will come to be regarded as the hallmark its inviolable auth01ity must ultimately rest. and glory of the age we are called upon to For Baha'u 'llah, we should readily recog- establish and by our deeds i1m11ortalize .... nize, has not only imbued mankind with It would be utterly misleading to attempt a new and regenerating Spirit. He has not a comparison between this unique, this merely enunciated certain universal princi- divinely-conceived Order and any of the ples, or propounded a particular philosophy, diverse systems which the minds of men, at however potent, sound and universal these various periods of their history, have contrived may be. In addition to these He, as well as for the government of human institutions. ' Abdu ' l-Baha after Him, has, unlike the Such an attempt would in itself betray a lack Dispensations of the past, clearly and specif- of complete appreciation of the excellence ically laid down a set of Laws , established of the handiwork of its great Author. How definite institutions, and provided for the could it be otherwise when we remember essentials of a Divine Economy. These are that this Order constih1tes the very pattern of destined to be a pattern for fuh1re society, that divine civilization which the almighty a supreme instrument for the establishment Law of Baha ' u' llah is designed to establish of the Most Great Peace, and the one agency upon earth? The divers and ever-shifting for the unification of the world, and the systems of human polity, whether past or proclamation of the reign of righteousness present, whether originating in the East or in and justice upon the earth .... the West, offer no adequate criterion where- Leaders of religion, exponents of political with to estimate the potency of its hidden the01ies, governors of human institutions, who virtues or to appraise the solidity of its at present are witnessing with perplexity and foundations. THE BAl-IA'i REVELATION 37 Details of the pillars and gardens surrounding the Seat of the Universal Hous e of Justice. The Baha'i Commonwealth of the future, This new-born Administrative Order of which this vast Administrative Order is incorporates with in its structure certain the so le framework, is, both in theory and elements which are to be found in each of practice, not only unique in the entire history the tluáee recognized forms of secular govof political institutions, but can find no ernment, without being in any sense a mere parallel in the aru1als of any of the world 's replica of any one of them, and without recognized religious systems. No form of introducing within its machinery any of the democratic government; no system of autoc- objectionable features which they inherently racy or of dictatorship, whether monarchical possess. It blends and harmonizes, as no or republican; no intermediary scheme of a govermnent fashioned by mortal hands has purely aristocratic order; nor even any of the as yet accomplished , the salutary h-uths recognized types of theocracy, whether it be which each of these systems undoubtedly the Hebrew Commonwealth, or the various contains without vitiating the integrity of Christian ecclesiastical organizations, or the those God-given verities on which it is Imamate or the Caliphate in Islam- none of ultimately fo unded. these can be identified or be said to conform The Adminisháative Order of the Faith of with the Administrative Order which the Baha 'u ' llah must in no wise be regarded as master-hand of its perfect Architect has purely democratic in character inasmuch as fashioned. the basic assumption wh ich requires all 38 THE BAHA'I WORLD democracies to depend fundamentally upon laws requiring the election by universal sufgetting their mandate from the people is frage of all local, national, and international altogether lacking in this Dispensation. In Houses of Justice, the total absence of episthe conduct of the administrative affairs of copal authority with its attendant privileges, the Faith, in the enactment of the legislation corruptions and bureaucratic tendencies, necessary to supplement the laws of the are further evidences of the non-autocratic Kitab-i-Aqdas, the members of the Univer- character of the Baha'i Administrative Order sal House of Justice, it should be borne in and of its inclination to democratic methods mind, are not, as Baha 'u ' llah's utterances in the administration of its affairs. clearly imply, responsible to those whom Nor is this Order identified with the name they represent, nor are they allowed to ofBaha'u'llah to be confused with any sysbe governed by the feelings, the general tem of purely aristocratic government in view opinion, and even the convictions of the of the fact that it upholds, on the one hand, mass of the faithful, or of those who directly the hereditary principle and entrusts the elect them. They are to follow, in a prayerful Guardian of the Faith with the obligation of attitude, the dictates and promptings of their interpreting its teachings, and provides, on conscience. They may, indeed they must, the other, for the free and direct election from acquaint themse lves with the conditions among the mass of the faithful of the body prevailing among the community, must weigh that constitutes its highest legislative organ . dispassionately in their minds the merits of Whereas this Administrative Order cannot any case presented for their consideration, be said to have been modelled after any of but must reserve for themselves the right these recognized systems of government, it of an unfettered decision. "God will verily nevertheless embodies, reconciles and assiminspire them with whatsoever He willeth," ilates within its framework such wholesome is Baha'u' llah's incontrovetiible assurance. elements as are to be found in each one of They, and not the body of those who either them. The hereditary authority which the directly or indirectly elect them, have thus Guardian is called upon to exercise, the vital been made the recipients of the divine and essential functions which the Universal guidance which is at once the life-blood and House of Justice discharges, the specific ultimate safeguard of this Revelation . ... provisions requiring its democratic election Nor can the Baha'i Administrative Order by the representatives of the fa ithful- these be dismissed as a hard and rigid system of combine to demonstrate the trnth that this unmitigated autocracy or as an idle imitation divinely revealed Order, wh ich can never of any form of absolutistic ecclesiastical be identified with any of the standard types government, whether it be the Papacy, the of government referred to by Aristotl e i.n Imamate or any other similar institution, for his works, embodies and blends with the the obvious reason that upon the international spiritual verities on which it is based the elected representatives of the followers of beneficent elements which are to be found Baha'u ' llah has been conferred the exclusive in each one of them. The admitted evil s right of legislating on matters not expressly inherent in each of these systems being rigrevea led in the Baha'i writings. Neither the idly and permanently excluded, this unique Guardian of the Faith nor any institution Order, however long it may endure and apati from the International House of Justice however extensive its ramifications, cannot can ever usurp this vital and essential power ever degenerate into any form of despotism, or encroach upon that sacred right. The abo- of oligarchy, or of demagogy which must lition of professional priesthood with its sooner or later corrupt the machinery of all accompanying sacraments of baptism, of man-made and essentially defective political communion and of confession of sins, the institutions .... THE BAHA' i RE VELA T!ON 39 Significant as are the origins of this disillusioned and sadly shaken society can mighty administrative strncture, and how- ill afford to ignore. ever unique its features , the happenings that Compare these splendid manifestations of may be said to have heralded its birth and the spirit animating this vibrant body of the signalized the initial stage of its evolution Faith of Baha'u'llah with the cries and seem no less remarkable. How striking, how agony, the follies and vanities, the bitterness edifying the contrast between the process of and prejudices, the wickedness and divisions slow and steady consolidation that charac- of an ailing and chaotic world. Witness the terizes the growth of its infant strength and fear that torn1ents its leaders and paralyses the devastating onrush of the forces of the action of its blind and bewildered statesdisintegration that are assailing the outworn men. How fierce the hatreds, how false the institutions, both religious and secular, of ambitions, how petty the pursuits, how deeppresent-day society! rooted the suspicions of its peoples! How The vitality which the organic institutions disquieting the lawlessness, the conuption, of this great, this ever-expanding Order so the unbelief that are eating into the vitals of strongly exhibit; the obstacles which the a tottering civilization! high courage, the undaunted resolution of Might not this process of steady deterioits administrators have already surmounted; ration which is insidiously invading so many the fire of an unquenchable enthusiasm that departments of human activity and thought glows with undiminished fervour in the be regarded as a n ~cessary accompanin1ent hearts of its itinerant teachers; the heights to the rise of !his almighty Arm of of self-sacrifice which its champion-builders Baha'u'llah? Might we not look upon the are now attaining; the breadth of vision, the momentous happenings which . . . have so confident hope, the creative joy, the inward deeply agitated every continent of the earth peace, the uncompromising integrity, the as ominous signs simultaneously proclaiming exempl ary discipline, the unyielding unity the agonies of a disintegrating civilization and solidarity which its stalwart defenders and the birth-pangs of that World Ordermanifest; the degree to which its moving that Ark of human salvation- that must Spirit hath shown itself capable of assimilat- needs arise upon its rnins? ing the diversified elements within its pale, of cleansing them of all forms of prejudice Excerpts from The World Order of Bahn "u 'I/ah: Furth er and of fusing them with its own shucture- Considerations and 771e Dispensation of Bah a '11 'I/ah, 111 these are evidences of a power which a Call to the Nations. Chapter Ill . 40 THE BA HA'i WORLD III THE contrast between the accumulating equilibrium'', He explains, "hath been upset evidences of steady consolidation that through the vibrating influence of this accompany the rise of the Administrative Most Great, this new World Order. Man- Order of the Faith of God, and the forces of kind 's ordered life hath been revolutionized disintegration which batter at the fabric of through the agency of this unique, this a travailing society, is as clear as it is wondrous System, the like of which mortal arresting. Both within and outside the Baha' i eyes have never witnessed." "The signs world the signs and tokens which, in a of impending convulsions and chaos," He mysterious manner, are heralding the birth warns the peoples of the world, "can now be of that World Order, the establishment of discerned, inasmuch as the prevailing Order which must signalize the Golden Age of the appeareth to be lamentably defective." ... Cause of God, are growing and multiplying No machinery falling short of the standay by day. No fair-minded observer can dard inculcated by the Baha'i Revelation, any longer fail to discern them. He cannot be and at variance with the sublime pattern misled by the painful slowness characteriz- ordained in His teachings, which the collecing the unfoldment of the civilization which tive efforts of mankind may yet devise can the followers of Baha'u'llah are labouring ever hope to achieve anything above or to establish. Nor can he be deluded by beyond that "Lesser Peace" to which the the ephemeral manifestations of returning Author of our Faith has Himself alluded in prosperity which at times appear to be capa- His writings. "Now that ye have refi1sed the ble of checking the disruptive influence of Most Great Peace," He, admonishing the the chronic ills afflicting the institutions of kings and rulers of the earth, has written, a decaying age. The signs of the times are "hold ye fast unto this the Lesser Peace, that too numerous and compelling to allow him haply ye may in some degree better your to mistake their character or to belittle their own condition and that ofyour dependents." significance. He can, if he be fair in his Expatiating on this Lesser Peace, He thus judgement, recognize in the chain of events addresses in that same Tablet the rulers of which proclaim on the one hand the irre- the earth: "Be reconciled among yourselves, sistible march of the institutions directly that ye may need no more armaments save in associated with the Revelation ofBaha ' u' llah a measure to safeguard your territories and and foreshadow on the other the downfall dominions ... Be united, 0 kings of the earth, of those powers and principalities that for thereby will the tempest of discord be have either ignored or opposed it- he can stilled amongst you, and your peoples find recogni ze in them all ev idences of the rest, if ye be of them that comprehend. operation of God's all-pervasive Will, the Should any one among you take up arms shaping of His perfectly ordered and world- against another, rise ye all against him, for embracing Plan. this is naught but manifest justice." "Soon," Baha'u'llah's own words pro- The Most Great Peace, on the other hand , claim it, "will the present-day Order be as conceived by Baha'u'llah-a peace that rolled up, and a new one spread out in its must inevitably follow as the practical constead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth sequence of the spiritualization of the world and is the Knower of things unseen. " "By and the fusion of all its races, creeds, classes Myself," He solemnly asserts, "the day is and nations-can rest on no other basis, and approaching when We will have rolled up can be preserved through no other agency, the world and all that is therein, and spread except the divinely appointed ordinances out a new Order in its stead. He, verily, that are implicit in the World Order that is powerful over all things." "The world's stands associated with His holy name. In His THE BA HA ' i REVELATION 41 Tablet, revea led almost seventy 1 years ago That mystic, all-pervasive, yet indefinable to Queen Victoria, Baha'u'llah, alluding to change, which we associate with the stage this Most Great Peace, has declared: "That of maturity inevitable in the life of the which the Lord hath ordained as the sover- individual and the development of the fruit, eign remedy and mightiest instrument for the must, if we would correctly apprehend the healing of all the world is the union of all its utterances of Baha'u'llah, have its counterpeoples in one universal Cause, one common pari in the evo lution of the organization of Faith. This can in no wise be achieved human society. A similar stage must sooner except through the power of a skilled, an or later be attained in the collective life of all-powe1fu l and inspired Physician. This, mankind, producing an even more striking verily, is the truth, and all else naught but phenomenon in world relations , and enerror" ... "ft beseemeth all men in this dowing the whole human race with such Day", He, in another Tablet, asserts, "to take potentialities of well-being as shall provide, .firm hold on the Most Great Name, and to tluáoughout the succeeding ages, the chief establish the unity of all mankind. There is incentive required for the eventual fulfilno place to fl ee to, no refitge that any one ment of its high destiny .... can seek, except Him. " Only those who are willing to associate The Revelation of Baha 'u ' llah, whose the Reve lation proclaimed by Baha 'u ' llah supreme miss ion is none other but the with the consununation of so stupendous an achievement of this organic and spiritual evolution in the collective life of the whole unity of the whole body of nations, should, human race can grasp the significance of the if we be faithful to its implications, be words which He, while alluding to the glories regarded as signalizing tluáough its advent of this promised Day and to the duration of the coming of age of the entire human race. the Baha'i Era, has deemed fit to utter. "This It should be viewed not merely as yet is the King of Days," He exclaims, "the Day anotl1er spiritual revival in the ever-changing that hath seen the coming of the Bestfortunes of mankind, not only as a further Beloved, Him Who, through all eternity, stage in a chain of progress ive Revelations , hath been acclaimed the Des ire of the nor even as the cu lmination of one of a World." "The Scriptures of past Dispensaseries of recurrent prophetic cyc les, but tions ," He further asserts, "celebrate th e rather as marking the last and highest stage great jubilee that must needs greet this in the stupendous evolution of man 's collec- most great Day of God. Well is it with him ti ve life on this planet. The emergence of a that hath lived to see this Day and hath world conununity, the consciousness of recognized its station ." ... world citizenship, the founding of a world Though the Revelation ofBaha ' u ' llah has civiliza tion and culture-all of which must been delivered, the World Order which such syncluonize with the initial stages in the a Revelation must needs beget is as yet unfoldment of the Golden Age of tl1e Baha ' i unborn. Though the Heroic Age of His Faith Era-should, by their very nature, be is passed, the creative energies which that regarded, as far as this planetary life is Age has released have not as yet crystallized concerned, as the furthermost limits in the into that world society whi ch, in the fullness organization of human soc iety, though man, of time, is to mirror fo rth the brightness of as an individual, wi ll, nay must indeed as His glory. Though the framework of His a result of such a consununation, continue Administrative Order has been erected, and indefinitely to progress and develop. the Formative Period of the Baha' i Era has begun, yet the promised Kingdom into W ritten in 1936. Now more than a hundred. (The which the seed of His institutions must ripen Tabl e t to Queen Victoria was written about 1870.) remains as yet uninaugurated. Though His 42 THE BA HA' I WORLD Detail of a column and window of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. Voice has been raised, and the ensigns of such moral and social gloom as can alone His Faith have been lifted up in no less than prepare an unrepented humanity for the prize fo1ty countries 1 of both the East and the she is destined to inherit. West, yet the wholeness of the human race is Into such a period we are now steadi ly as yet unrecognized, its unity unproclaimed, and irresistibly moving. Amidst the shadows and the standard of its Most Great Peace which are increasi ngly gathering about us unhoisted .... we can faintly discern the glimmerings of For the reve lation of so great a favo ur a Baha' u ' llah's unearthly sovereignty appea rperiod of intense tmmoil and widespread ing fitfully on the horizon of history. To us, suffering would seem to be indispensable. the "generation of the half-light'', living at a Resplendent as has been the Age that has time which may be designated as the period witnessed the inception of the Mission with of the incubation of the World Commonwhich Baha'u' llah has been entrusted, the wealth envisaged by Baha'u ' llah, has been interval which must elapse ere that Age assigned a task whose high privilege we can yields its choicest fruit must, it is becoming never sufficiently appreciate, and the arduincreasingly apparent, be overshadowed by ousness of whi ch we can as yet but dimly recognize. We may well believe, we who are Written in 1936, since when the number has called upon to experience the operation of increased to 235 , compri sin g 190 independent coun - the dark forces destined to unloose a flood tri es and 45 dependent territori es . Tl-IE BAI-IA' j REVELATION 43 of agonizmg afflictions, that the darkest "A new life," Baha' u' llah proclaims, "is, hour that must precede the dawn of the in this age, stirring within all the peoples Golden Age of our Faith has not yet struck. of the earth; and yet none hath discovered Deep as is the gloom that already encircles its cause, or perceived its motive." "O ye the world, the afflictive ordeals which that children of men," He thus addresses His world is to suffer are still in preparation, nor generation, "the fimdamental purpose anican their blackness be as yet imagined. We mating the Faith of God and His Religion is stand on the threshold of an age whose con- to safeguard the interests and promote the vulsions proclaim alike the death-pangs of unity of the human race .. . This is the straight the old order and the birth-pangs of the new. path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Through the generating influence of the Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the Faith announced by Baha'u ' llah this New changes and chances of the world can never World Order may be said to have been impair its strength, nor will the revolution of conceived . We can, at the present moment, countless centuries undermine its structure." experience its stirrings in the womb of a "The well-being of mankind," He declares, travailing age-an age waiting for the "its p eace and security are unattainable appointed hour at which it can cast its unless and until its unity is firmly estabburden and yield its fairest fruit. lished." "So powerful is the light of unity," is "The whole earth," writes Baha'u ' llah, His further testimony, "that it can illuminate "is now in a state of pregnancy . The day is the whole earth. Th e one true God, He Who approaching when it will have yielded its knoweth all things, Hims elf testifieth to the noblest ji-uits, when fi'om it will have sprung truth of these words... This goal excelleth forth the loftiest trees, the most enchanting eve1y other goal, and this aspiration is the blossoms, the most heavenly blessings .. .." monarch of all aspirations." "He Who is "The Call of God," 'Abdu'l-Baha has your Lord, the All-Merciful," He, moreover, written, "when raised, breath ed a new life has written, "cherisheth in His heart the into the body of mankind, and infi1sed a new desire of beholding the entire human race as spirit into the whole creation. ft is for this one soul and one body. Haste ye to win your reason that the world hath been moved to its share of God 's good grace and mercy in this depths, and the hearts and consciences of Day that eclipseth all other created days." men been quickened. Ere long the evidences The unity of the human race, as envisaged of this regeneration will be revealed, and the by Baha'u' llah, implies the establishment of fast asleep will be awakened." ... a world commonwealth in which all nations, Unification of the whole of mankind is races, creeds and classes are closely and the hallmark of the stage which human pe1rnanently united, and in which the autonsociety is now approaching. Unity of family, omy of its state members and the persona l of tráibe, of city-state and nation have been freedom and initiative of the individuals that successively attempted and fully established. compose them are definitely and completely World unity is the goal towards which safeguarded. This commonwealth must, as a harassed humanity is striving. Nation- far as we can visualize it, consist of a world building has come to an end. The anarchy legislature, whose members will, as the inherent in state sovereignty is moving hi.1stees of the whole of mankind, ultimately towards a climax. A world, growing to control the entire resources of all the compomaturity, must abandon this fetish, recog- nent nations, and wi ll enact such laws as nize the oneness and wholeness of human shall be required to regulate the life, satisfy relationships, and establish once for all the the needs and adjust the relationships of all machinery that can best incarnate this funda- races and peoples. A world executive, mental principle of its life. backed by an international Force, will carry 44 THE BAHA' i WORLD out the decisions arrived at, and apply the understanding and co-operation. The causes laws enacted by, this world legislature, and of religious sháife will be pennanently will safeguard the organic unity of the whole removed, economic barri ers and restrictions comm onwea lth. A world háibunal will adju- will be completely abolished, and the inordidicate and deliver its compulsory and final nate distinction between classes will be verdict in all and any disputes that may arise obliterated. Destitution on the one hand, and between the various elements constituting gross accumulation of ownership on the this universa l system. A mechanism of other, will disappear. The enormous energy world intercommunication will be devised, dissipated and wasted on war, whether embraci ng the whole planet, freed from economic or political, will be consecrated to national hindrances and restrictions, and such ends as will extend the range of human functioning with marvellous swiftness and inventions and technical development, to the perfect regularity. A world metropolis will increase of the productivity of mankind, to the act as the nerve centre of a world civiliza- exte1111ination of disease, to the extension of tion, the focus towards which the unifyi ng scientific research, to the raising of the stanforces of life will converge and from which dard of physical health, to the sharpening its energizing influences will radiate. A and refinement of the human brain, to the world lang uage will either be invented or exploitation of the unused and unsuspected chosen from among the existing languages resources of the planet, to the prolongation and will be taught in the school s of all the of human life, and to the furtherance of any federated nations as an auxiliary to their other agency that can stimulate the intellecmother tongues . A world script, a world tual, the moral, and sp iritu al life of the entire li terature, a uniform and universal system human race. of currency, of weights and measures, will A world federal system, ruling the whole simplify and facilitate intercourse and earth and exercising unchallengeable authorunde rstanding among the nations and races ity over its unimaginably vast resources, of mankind. In such a world society, science blending and embodying the ideals of both and religion, the two most potent forces the East and the West, liberated from the in human life, wi ll be reconciled, will co- curse of war and its miseries, and bent on the operate, and w ill harmoniously develop. The exploitation of all the available sources of press will, under such a system, while giving energy on the surface of the planet, a system full scope to the express ion of the diversified in which Force is made the servant of Jusviews and convictions of mank ind, cease tice, whose li fe is sustained by its universal to be mischi evously manipulated by vested recognition of one God and by its allegiance interests , whether private or public, and will to one conm1on Revelation- such is the goal be liberated from the influence of contend- towards which humanity, impelled by the ing governments and peoples. The economic unifying forces of life, is moving . resources of the world will be organized, its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized, its markets will be co-ordinated and developed, and the distribution of Exce1vts from The Unfold111ent of World Civilizntion , in its products will be equitably regu lated. Call to the Nations, Chapter IV. National rivalries , hatreds, and intrigues will cease, and racial animosity and prejudice w ill be replaced by racial amity, THE BAHA'i REVELATION 45 IV As we gaze in retrospect beyond the dwell in one common fatherland, which is immediate past, and survey, in however the planet itself." cursory a manner, the vici ssitudes afflicting What we witness at the present time, an increasingl y tormented soc iety, and recall during "this gravest crisis in the hi story of the strains and stresses to which the fabric civilization," recalling such times in which of a dying Order has been increas ingly " reli gion s have peri shed and are born," is subjected, we cannot but marvel at the sharp the ado lescent stage in the slow and painful contrast presented, on the one han d, by evolution of humanity, preparatory to the the accumulated evidences of the orderly attainment of the stage of manhood, the unfoldment, and the uninterrupted multipli- stage of maturity, the promise of which is cation of the agencies, of an Admini strati ve embedded in the teachings, and enshrined in Order designed to be the harbinger of a the prophecies ofBaha'u ' ll ah. The tumult of world civilization, and, on the other, by the this age of tra nsition is characteristi c of the ominous manifestations of ac ute political impetuos ity and irrational instincts of youth, conflict, of social unrest, of rac ial animosity, its follies, its prodigali ty, its pride, its selfof class antago nism, of immorality and of assura nce, its rebelli ousn ess, and contempt irreligion, proclaiming, in no uncertain terms, of di scipline. the co1Tuption and obso lescence of the insti- The ages of its infancy and childhood are tutions of a bankrupt Order. .. . past, never agai n to return , while the Great Age, the consummation of all ages, which "The winds of despa ir," writes Baha'u ' ll ah, must signalize the coming of age of the entire as He surveys the immed iate destinies of human race, is yet to come. The convulsions mankind, "are, alas, blowing fro m eve1y of this transiti onal and most turbulent period direction, and the strife that divides and in the annals of humanity are the essential afflicts the human race is da ily increas- prerequisites, and herald of the inevitable ing .... " "Such shall be its plight," He, in approach, of that Age of Ages, "the time another corn1ection, has dec lared, "that to of the end," in whi ch the folly and tumult of disclose it now would not be meet and strife that has, since the daw n of history, seemly." "These fruitless strifes," He, on the blackened the ann als of mankind, wi ll have other hand, contemplating the future of man- been finally transmuted into the wisdom and ki nd, has emphatically prophesied, in the the tranquillity of an undisturbed, a universal , course of His memorabl e interview w ith the and lasting peace, in which the di scord and Persian orientalist, Edward G. Browne, separati on of the children of men w ill have "these ruinous wars shall pass away, and given way to the worldwide reconciliation, the 'Most Great Peace' shall come .... These and the complete unification of the di vers strifes and this bloodshed and discord must elements that constitute human society. cease, and all men be as one kindred and This will indeed be the fitting climax of one family. " .. . that process of integration which , startin g "All nations and kindreds," 'Abdu ' l-Bahi with the family , the small est uni t in the scale likewise has written , " ... will become a single of human organization, must, after having nation. Religious and sectarian antagonism, called success ively into being the tribe, the the hostility of races and peoples, and differ- city-state, and the nation, continue to operate ences among nations, will be eliminated. All until it culmin ates in the unification of the men will adhere to one religion, will have whole world, the final object and the crown - one common faith, will be blended into one ing glory of human evol uti on on this planet. race, and become a single people. All will It is this stage whi ch humanity, w illingly or 46 THE BA HA' l WORLD unwillingly, is res istless ly approaching. lt is in th e human kingdom man reaches his for this. stage that this vast, this fiery ordeal maturity when the light of his intelligence which humani ty is experiencing is mysteri- attains its greatest power and development .... ously paving the way . It is with this stage Similarly there are periods and stages in that the fo rtunes and the purpose of the Faith the collective life of humanity. At one time it of Baha'u ' llah are indisso lubl y linked. It is was passing through its stage of childhood, the creative energies which His Revelation at another its period ofyouth, but now it has has released... that have instilled into entered its long-predicted phase of maturity, humanity the capacity to attain this final the evidences of which are eve1y where apparstage in its organic and co llective evolution. ent. . . . That which was applicable to human It is with the Golden Age of His Dispensa- needs during the early history of the race tion that the consummation of this process can neither meet nor satisfy the demands of will be forever associated. It is the structure this day, this period of newness and consumof H is New World Order, now stirring in the mation. Humanity has emerged ji-om its womb of the administrative institutions He form er state of limitation and preliminmy Himself has created, that will serve both as a training. Man must now become imbued pattern and a nucleus of that world common- with new virtues and powers, new moral wealth which is the sme, the inevitable standards, new capacities. New bounties, destiny of the peoples and nations of the pe1f ect bestowals, are awaiting and already earth. descending upon him. Th e gifts and bless- Just as the organic evolution of mankind ings of the period of youth, although timely has been slow and gradual, and invo lved and sufficient during the adolescence of successively the unification of the family, mankind, are now incapable of meeting the the tribe, the city-state, and the nation, so requirements of its maturity." ... has the light vouchsafed by the Revelation This is the stage which the world is now of God, at various stages in the evo lution approaching, the stage of world unity, which, of religion, and reflected in the successive as ' Abdu'l-Baha assures us, will, in this Dispensations of the past, been slow and centmy , be secmely established. " The Tongue progressive. Indeed the measure of Divine of Grandeur," Baha'u'llah Himself affirms, Revelation, in evety age, has been adapted "hath . .. in the Day of His Manifestation proto, and commensurate with, the degree of claimed: 'ft is not his to boast who loveth his soc ial progress achieved in that age by a country, but it is his who loveth the world."' constantly-evolving humanity. " Through the power," He adds , "released by " ft hath been decreed by Us," explains these exalted words He hath lent a fresh Baha ' u ' llah, "that the Word of God, and all impulse, and set a new direction, to the birds the potentialities thereof; shall be manifested of men's hearts, and hath obliterated eve1y unto men in strict conformity with such trace of restriction and limitation from conditions as have been fore-ordained by God's Holy Book." Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise ... A word of warning should, however, be Should the Word be allowed to release uttered in this connection. The love of one's suddenly all the energies latent within it, no country, instilled and sttáessed by the teachman could sustain the weight of so mighty a ing of Islam, as "an element of the Faith of Revelation." "All created things," ' Abdu' l- God," has not, through this declaration, this Baha, elucidating this truth, has affirmed, clarion-call of Ba ha 'u ' llah, been either con- "have their degree or stage of maturity. The demned or disparaged. It should not, indeed period of maturity in the life of a tree is the it cannot, be construed as a repudiation, or time of its ji-uit-bearing .. .. The animal attains regarded in the light of a censure pronounced a stage offu ll growth and completeness, and against a sane and intelligent pattáiotism , nor THE BAl-IA'i REVELATION 47 does it seek to undermine the allegiance and destruction, must needs convulse the nations, loyalty of any individual to his country, nor stir the conscience of the world, disillusion does it conflict with the legitimate aspira- the masses, precipitate a radical change in tions, rights, and duties of any individual the very conception of society, and coalesce state or nation. All it does imply and ultimately the disjointed, the bleeding limbs proclaim is the insufficiency of patriotism, of mankind into one body, single, organiin view of the fundamental changes effected cally united, and indivisible. in the economic life of society and the To the general character, the implications interdependence of the nations, and as the and features of this world commonwealth, consequence of the contraction of the world, destined to emerge, sooner or later, out of through the revolution in the means of the carnage, agony, and havoc of this great transportation and conununication- condi- world convulsion, I have already referred in tions that did not and could not exist either my previous conummications. Suffice it to in the days of Jesus Cluáist or ofMuhanm1ad. say that this consummation will, by its very It calls for a wider loyalty, which should not, nature, be a gradual process, and must, and indeed does not, conflict with lesser loy- as Baha'u'llah has Himself anticipated, lead alties. It instills a love which, in view of its at first to the establishment of that Lesser scope, must include and not exclude the love Peace which the nations of the earth, as yet of one's own counh-y. It lays, tluáough this unconscious of His Revelation and yet loyalty which it inspires, and this love which unwittingly enforcing the general principles it infuses, the only foundation on which the which He has enunciated, will themselves concept of world citizenship can thrive, and establish. This momentous and historic step, the sh-ucture of world unification can rest. It involving the reconstruction of mankind, as does insist, however, on the subordination of the result of the universal recognition of its national considerations and particularistic oneness and wholeness, will bring in its interests to the imperative and paramount wake the spiritualization of the masses, conclaims of humanity as a whole, inasmuch as sequent to the recognition of the character, in a world of interdependent nations and and the acknowledgment of the claims, peoples the advantage of the paii is best to of the Faith of Baha'u'llah- the essential be reached by the advantage of the whole. condition to that ultimate fusion of all races , The world is, in truth, moving on towards creeds, classes, and nations which must its destiny. The interdependence of the signalize the emergence of His New World peoples and nations of the earth, whatever Order. the leaders of the divisive forces of the Then will the coming of age of the entire world may say or do, is already an accom- human race be proclaimed and celebrated by plished fact. Its unity in the economic sphere all the peoples and nations of the earth. Then is now understood and recognized. The will the ba1mer of the Most Great Peace be welfare of the part means the welfare of hoi sted Then wi ll the worldwide soverthe whole, and the distress of the part brings eignty of Baha ' u' ll ah- the Estab lisher of disháess to the whole. The Revelation of the Kingdom of the Father foretold by the Baha'u'llah has, in His own words , "lent a Son, and anticipated by the Prophets of God fi'esh impulse and set a new direction" to before Him and after Him- be recognized, this vast process now operating in the world. acclaimed, and firmly established. Then will The fires lit by this great ordeal are the a world civilization be born, flourish, and consequences of men's failure to recognize perpetuate itself, a civilization with a fullnes s it. They are, moreover, hastening its consum- of life such as the world has never seen nor mation . Adversity, prolonged, world-wide, can as yet conceive. Then will the Everlastafflictive, allied to chaos and universal ing Covenant be fu lfilled in its completeness. 48 THE BA l-IA' i WORLD Then will the promise enshrined in all the moment, and however dark the misery that Books of God be redeemed, and all the enshrouds the world, the ability of prophecies uttered by the Prophets of old Baha ' u' llah to fo rge, with the hanu11er of come to pass, and the v ision of seers and His Will, and tluáough the fire of tTibulation, poets be realized. Then will the planet, upon the anvil of this háavailing age, and galvanized through the universal belief of its in the particular shape His mind has endwellers in one God, and their allegiance to visioned, these scattered and mutually one common Revelation, mirror, within the deshi.1ctive fragments into which a perverse limitations imposed upon it, the effulgent world has fallen, into one single unit, solid glories of the sovereignty of Baha 'u ' llah, and indivisible, able to execute His design shining in the plenitude of its splendor in the for the children of men. Abha Paradise, and be made the footstool of Ours rather the duty, however confused His Tluáone on high, and acclaimed as the the scene, however di smal the present outearthly heaven, capable of fulfilling that look, however circumscribed the resources ineffable destiny fixed for it, from time we dispose of, to labour serenely, confidently, immemorial, by the love and wisdom of its and unremittingly to lend our share of assis- Creator. tance, in whichever way circumstances may Not ours, puny mortals that we are, to enable us, to the operation of the forces which, attempt, at so critical a stage in the long as marshall ed and directed by Baha'u' llah, and checkered hi story of mankind, to arrive are leading humani ty out of the valley of at a precise and satisfactory understanding misery and shame to the loftiest Sutlli11its of of the steps which must successive ly lead a power and glory. bleeding humanity, wretchedly oblivious of its God, and careless ofBaha 'u ' llah, from its ca lvary to its ultimate resurrection. Not ours, Excerpts from Messages to the Bahná; World and the living witnesses of the all-subduing The Promised Day is Come in Call to the Nations, potency of His Faith, to ques tion, for a Chapter V. Tl-IE BAl-IA'i REVELAT ION 49 Th e Resting Place ofShoghi Effendi, in the Great No rth ern Cemete1y, London, England. PART TWO THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 52 THE BAHA'i WORLD 'A bdu 'l-Baha- th e Master- in New York City; June 1912. I THE SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA's VISIT TO THE WEST 1. THE VISIT OF 'ABDU'L -B AHA TO THE WEST SH ERNA D EA MER IN September 1910, 'Abdu ' l-Baha- the and Cairo. On 11 August 1911 He sailed Head of the Baha ' i Faith-left His home in with a party of four to Marseilles, and prothe Holy Land and traveled first to Egypt, ceeded, after brief stays at Thonon-les-Bains and then to the West, visiting England and and Geneva, to London , w here He arrived Scotland, France, Germany, Hungary, Aus- on 4 September. A follower of Baha 'u ' llah tria and Switzerland, and the United States - Sara Louisa, Lady Blomfield, whom of Ameri ca and Canada. His journey lasted 'Abdu ' 1-Baha called Sitarih Khan um-put for three years, and everywhere He went her apartment at 97 Cadogan Gardens at His He proclaimed the Teachings of Baha ' u ' llah disposa l. "He arrived, and who shall picture through word and through deed. Him?" she asks. '"Abdu'l-Baha was at this time broken in A silence as of love and awe overcame health", His grandson, Shoghi Effendi, tells us. us, as we looked at H im; the gracious He suffered from several maladies figure , clothed in a simpl e white garment, brought on by the strains and stresses of a over which was a li ght-co loured Persian tragic life spent almost wholl y in exile ' aba; on His head He wore a lowand impri sonment. He was on the thresh- crowned taj , ro und which was fo lded a old of three-score years and ten. Yet as sma ll , fine-linen turban of purest white ; soon as He was released from His forty-year His hair and short beard were of that long captivity ... He arose with sublime snowy whiteness which had once been courage, confidence and resolution to con- black; His eyes were large, blue-grey with secrate what little strength remained to long, black lashes and well-marked eye- Him, in the evening of His life, to a service brows; His face was a beautiful oval w ith of such heroic proportions that no parallel warm, ivory-coloured skin, a straight, to it is to be found in the anna ls of the finely-modelled nose, and firm, kind first Baha'i century. 1 mouth. These are merely outside details He spent almost a year in Egypt, first in by which an attempt is made to convey Port Said, and then in a residence in Ramleh, an idea of His arresting personality. His a suburb of Alexandria, later visiting Zayrun figure was of such perfect symmetry, and so full of dignity and grace, that the Shoghi Effendi , God Passes By (Wi lm ette : Baha ' i first impression was that of cons iderable Publishing Tru st, 1987), p. 2 79. height. He seemed an incarnation of loving 54 THE BAHA ' I WORLD understanding, of compassion and power, classes. You are loosed from ancient of wisdom and authority, of strength, and superstitions which have kept men igof a buoyant youthfulness, which some- norant, destroying the foundation of true how defied the burden of His years; and humanity. The gift of God to this enlightsuch years! One saw, as in a clear vision, ened age is the knowledge of the oneness that He had so wrought all good and of mankind and of the fundamental mercy that the inner grace of Him had oneness of religion . War shall cease grown greater than all outer sign, and the between nations, and by the will of God radiance of this inner glory shone in the Most Great Peace shall come; the every glance, and word, and movement as world will be seen as a new world, and all He came with hands outstretched. ' I am men will live as brothers. 2 very much pleased with you all. Your This was a powerful call to the West to love has drawn me to London. I waited recognize the new Light from the East and forty years in prison to bring the Message He expanded His theme when addressing to you. Are you pleased to receive such a the congregation of St. John the Divine, at guest?" Westminster, at the request of the Venerable 'Abdu'l-Bah:i gave the Message of the Archdeacon Wilberforce. He spoke to the Baha'i Faith, in eloquent and unequivocal Theosophical Society at their headquarters, terms, in a number of public talks during His at the express request of their president, and stay in England. The first was from the pulpit also to a meeting at the Higher Thought of the City Temple in Holborn on 10 Septem- Centre in London. ber 1911, at the invitation of the Reveiáend R. From the point of view of His hostess, J. Campbell. "Oh Noble friends; seekers afte r however, "The history of 'Abdu'l-Bah:i 's God!", He began: stay in our house lies in the relating of vari- Praise be to God! Today the li ght of ous incidents, connected with individuals, Truth is shining upon the world in its who stand out from amongst the crowd abundance; the breezes of the heavenly of those persons who eagerly sought His garden are blowing throughout all Presence" . regions; the call of the Kingdom is heard Oh , these pilgrims, these guests, these in all lands, and the breath of the Holy visitors! Remembering those days, our Spirit is felt in all hearts that are faithful... ears are filled with the sound of their The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting footsteps-as they came from every up its waves with joy, for there is real country in the world! Every day, all day communication between the hearts and long, a constant stream. An interminable minds of men . The banner of the Holy procession! Ministers and missionaries, Spirit is uplifted, and men see it, and are Oriental scholars and occult students, assured with the knowledge that this is a practical men of affairs and mystics, new day. This is a new cycle of human Anglican-Catholics and Nonconformists, power. All the horizons of the world are Theosophists and Hindus, Christian Sciluminous, and the world will become entists and doctors of medicine, Muslims, indeed as a garden and a paradise. It is the Buddhists, and Zoroastrians. There also hour of unity of the sons of men and of called: politicians, Salvation Army solthe drawing together of all races and all diers, and other workers for human good, women suffragists, journalists, writers, Blomfield, Lady, The Chosen Highway (Wilmette: Baha'i Publi sh in g Trust, 1967) , pp. 149- 150. For 2 'Abdu '/-Baha in London; Addresses and Notes of editorial consistency, the personal pronouns related to 'Abdu '1-Baha in this and other old texts quoted in the Con versations (London: Baha'i Publishing Trust, article have all been capitalized. 1982), pp. 19-20. THE COMMEMORAT IO N OF HISTORlC ANNIVERSARIES 55 poets and healers, dressmakers and great and women discussing Education, Socialladies, artists and artisans, poor workless ism , the first Reform Bill, and the relation people and prosperous merchants, mem- of submarines and wireless telegraphy to bers of the dramatic and musical world, the new era on which man is entering.3 these all came; and none were too lowly, One day after a meeting when, as usual, nor too great, to receive the sympathetic many people had crowded round Him, consideration of this holy Messenger, who ' Abdu ' 1-Baha arrived home very tired . was ever giving His life for others' good. 1 We were sad at heart that He should be so "He rose very early, chanted prayers, took fatigued, and bewailed the many steps to tea, wrote Tablets, and dictated others," be ascended to the flat. Suddenly, to our Lady Blomfield tells us. "He then received amazement, the Master ran up the stairs those who flocked to see Him, some arriving to the top very quickly without stopping. soon after dawn, patiently waiting on the He looked down at us as we walked doorsteps until the door would be opened for up after Him, saying with a bright smile, their entrance." These visitors were received from which all traces of fatigue had indi vidually, or by twos or threes. "Then, vanished: ' You are all very old! I am very about nine o ' clock, He would come into the young!' Seeing me full of wonder, dining room whilst we were at breakfast to 'Abdu ' l-Baha said: 'Through the power greet us. 'Are you well? Did you sleep well?'" of Bah a 'u ' llah all things can be done. I Certain of those who thronged to see have just used that power.' That was the the Master, having travelled from far only time we had ever seen Him use that countries, were naturally anxious to power for Himself, and I feel that He did spend every possible moment with Him .. . so then to cheer and comfort us, as we Therefore it came about that day after were really sad concerning His fatigue. day, whilst the Master was teaching, the Might it not also have been to show us an luncheon gong would sound, and those example of the great Reserve of Divine who remained would be invited to sit at Force always available for those of us food with Him. We grew to expect that who are working in various ways in the there would be nineteen guests at table, so 'Path of the Love of God and of Mankind.' often did this number recur. These were A celestial strength which reinforces us much-prized times; 'Abdu ' l-Baha would when our human strength fails. 4 continue the interrupted di scourse, or tell Another lesson was given to the friends some anecdote, often humorous, mean- as they walked with 'Abdu ' l-Baha in while frequently serving the guests with His Richmond Park "as the evening light was own hands, offering sweets, or choosing wan ing. Rows of shining lamps beneath the various fruits to distribute to the friends. 2 trees, stretching as far as our eyes could see At the invitation of the Lord Mayor of into the distance, made that part of London London, 'Abdu'l-Baha breakfasted with him into a glowing fairyland ." at the Mansion House. On another occasion, ' I am very much pleased with this He sat in the bow window in the after- scene. Light is good, most good. There noon sunshine, His arm round a very was much darkness in the prison at ragged but very happy little boy who had 'Akka,' said the Master. come to ask for sixpence for his money Our hearts were sad as we thought on box and for hi s invalid mother, whilst those sombre years within that dismal forround Him in the room were gathered men tress ... When we said 'We are glad ... that 1 3 Th e Chosen Highway, pp. 150- 15 1. God Passes By, p. 285. 2 4 ibid . p. 161. Th e Chosen Highway, p. 169. 56 THE BAHA'I WORLD 'A bdu 'l-Baha in Passmore Edwards Settlement Hall, London, England; 29 September 1911. you are free ', He said: 'Freedom is not a presence and bearing is occasionally lighted matter of place, but of condition. I was by a delicate and tactful humour, which is as happy in that prison, for those days were unaffected as it is infectious and delightful." passed in the path of service. To me She continued: prison was freedom. Troubles are a rest On His last afternoon in London , a to me. Death is life. To be despised is reporter called to ask Him of His future honour. Therefore was I full of happiness plans ... When, in answer to this query, all through that prison time. When one is 'Abdu ' l-Baha told in perfect English of released from the pri son of self, that is His intention to visit Paris and go from indeed freedom! For self is the greatest there to Alexandria, the press representaprison. When this release takes place, one tive evinced surprise at His faultless can never be imprisoned. Unless one pronunciation. Thereupon 'Abdu'l-Baha accepts dire vicissitudes, not with dull proceeded to march with a free stride up resignation, but with radiant acquies- and down the flower-scented drawing cence, one cannot attain this freedom. ' 1 room, His Oriental garb contrasting Lady Blomfield recorded a number of strangely with His modern surroundings; stories such as these, but, she wrote, "There and, to the amusement of the assembly, is a note in 'Abdu'l-Baha's character that uttered a string of elaborate English words, has not been emphasized, and without [including 'hippopotamus', H.M. Balyuzi which no idea of Him is complete. The tells us on p.155 of his book about' Abdu'limpressive dignity which distinguishes His Baha2] laughingly ending, 'Very difficult English words I speak! ' The Chosen Highway, p. 166. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTOR IC ANNIVERSARIES 57 On 3 October 'Abdu'l-Baha was sched- The visit of one man made a profound uled to leave for Paris. The secretaries and impression upon us: 'O 'Abdu ' l-Baha, I friends were ready to start for the train, but have come from the French Congo, where 'Abdu ' l-Baha sat cal mly writing. W hen I have been engaged in mitigating the rem inded that it was time to leave, He looked hardships of some of the natives. For sixup, saying: "There are things of more impor- teen years I have worked in that country.' tance than trains," and He continued to write. 'It was a great comfort to me in the dark- Suddenly in breathless haste a man ness of my prison to know the work which came in, carrying in his hand a beautiful you were doing. '2 garland of fragrant white flowers. Bow- Horace Holley, who was an eyewitness, ing low before the Master, he said : 'In the was quoted as saying that "As London name of the disciples of Zoroaster, The emphas ized the social and spiritual as pects Pure One, I hail Thee as the "Promised of Bahaism, so Paris reveal ed its intellectual Shah Bahram"! ' Then the man, for a sign, content and unparalleled power of defigarlanded 'Abdu' l-Baha, and proceeded nition ."3 One reality 'Abd u' l-Baha clearly to anoint each and all of the amazed defined is that man- the true man- is soul , friends who were present with precious oil , not body. For example, on 17 November which had the odo ur of fresh roses . This 'Abdu ' l-Baha told the frie nds: brief but impressive ceremony concluded, T here are in the world of humanity 'Abdu ' I-Baba, having carefully divested three degrees; those of the body, the soul , Himself of the garland, departed for the and spirit. The body is the physical or train . We had witnessed a so lemn act in the animal degree of man. From the bodily Mysterious Sacred Drama of the World. point of view man is a sharer of the 'Abdu' l-Baha's sojourn in London was animal kingdom .... unlike the animal, man ended. We stood bereft of His presence. 1 has a rationa l soul , the human intelli- In Paris, an apartment was fo und for gence. This intelligence of man is the 'Abdu ' l-Baha by H ippolyte and Laura intermediary between hi s body and his Dreyfus-Barney at 4 avenue de Camoens, sp irit. . .. Illumined by the spirit through adjacent to the Trocadero Gardens where the the instrumentality of the soul, man ' s radi- Master often took so litary, restful walks. As ant intelligence makes him the crowningin London , every morning, point of Creation. But on the other hand, the Master expounded the principles of when man does not open his mind and the Teaching ofBaha' u' llah to those who heart to the blessing of the spirit, but gathered round Him , the learned and the turns his sou l towards the material side, unlearned, eager and respectfu l. They towards the bodily part of hi s natu re, then were of all nationalities and creeds, fro m he is fa llen from his high place and he the East and from the West, in cluding becomes infer ior to the inhabitants of the Theosophists, agnostics, materialists, spiritu- lower animal kingdom .4 alists, Christian Scientists, social reformers, As events brought closer the outbreak Hindus, Sufis, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoro- of the first World War, 'Abdu' l-Baha also astrians, and many others. Often came described the causes of war in no uncertain workers in various humanitarian societies, terms. For example, on 21 October, 'Abdu'lwho were strivi ng to reduce the miseries of Baha told the friends that "The news of the the poor. These received special sympathy Battle of Benghazi grieves my heart. I wonder and blessing ... Th e Chosen Highway, p. 18 1. 2 3 Ba lyuz i, H.M. , 'Abdu "/-Baha (Oxford: Geo rge 'Abdu"/-Baha, p. 159. Ronald, 1987), p. 155. 4 ' Abdu ' l- Baha, Paris Talks (London: Baha 'i Publ ish- The Chosen Highway, pp. 173- 174. ing Trust, 1972), pp. 96-97. 58 THE BAHA ' I WORLD at the human savagery that stil l exists in the politics are feeble.' Speaking of religion world! " He continued: and science, the two great wings with How is it possible for men to fight from which the bird of humankind is able to morning until evening, killing each other, soar, He said: 'Scientific discoveries have shedding the blood of their fel lowmen: increased material civilization. There is And for what object? To ga in possession in existence a stupendous force, as yet, of a part of the earth!. . . However great happily, undiscovered by man. Let us the conqueror, however many countries supp licate God, the Beloved, that this he may reduce to slavery, he is unable to force be not discovered by science until retain any part of these devastated lands spiritual civilization shall dominate the but one tiny portion-his tomb! .. . But human mind. In the hands of men of war is made for the satisfaction of men's lower material nature, this power would ambition; for the sake of worldly gain be able to destroy the whole earth. ' 2 to the few, terrible misery is brought to This is a very prescient and profound numberless homes, breaking the hearts of statement considering Japan's later experihundreds of men and women! How many ence in the second World War. widows mourn their husbands, how many But 'Abdu'l-Baha did not dwell on the stories of savage cruelty do we hear! ills of the world around Him. Rather, He How many little orphaned children are focussed His audiences on the prescription crying for their dead fathers , how many for remedying those ills. "A ll true healing women are weeping for their slain sons! comes from God!" He told His aud ience on There is nothing so heart-breaking and 19 October. "There are two causes for sickterrible as an outburst of human ness, one is material, the other spiritua l. If savagery! 1 the sickness is of the body, a material The Japanese Ambassador to Madrid, remedy is needed, if of the soul, a spiritual Viscount Arawaka, and hi s wife were in remedy." 3 Baha'u ' ll ah had come to bring Paris at the same time as 'Abdu ' 1-Baha and the spiritual remedy that humanity needs for were told of His presence. They were this Day. anxious to meet Him , but the wife of the During His last public talk in England, to Ambassador had a severe cold and could not the Theosophical Society, on 30 September, go out. Upon hearing this, 'Abdu'l-Baha He had for the first time made a systematic offered to call upon them . Accordingly, they presentation of some of the basic principles met in the Tapestry Room of the Hotel of the Faith of His Father; in Paris He pred 'Jena. sented them again and again . Shoghi Effendi 'Abdu ' l-Baha talked with the Ambas- summarized these as follows : sador and his wife of conditions in Japan, The independent search after truth, of the great international importance of unfettered by superstition or tradition ; the that country, of the vast service to oneness of the entire human race, the pivmankind, of the work for the abolition of otal principle and fundamental doctrine of war, of the need for improving conditions the Faith; the basic unity of all religions; of li fe for the worker, of the necess ity of the condemnation of all forms of prejueducating girls and boys equally. ' The dice, whether religious, racial, class or religious ideal is the soul of all plans national; the harmony which must exist for the good of mankind. Religion must between religion and science; the equality never be used as a tool by party politi- of men and women, the two wings on cians. God ' s politics are mighty, man's 2 Th e Chosen Highway, pp. 183- 184. 3 Paris Talks, p. 19. I ibid. pp. 28- 29. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 59 which the bird of human kind is able to of night is past, the Sun has risen.' 'But, soar; the introduction of compulsory Master, how shall it be with the blinded education; the adoption of a universal eyes that cannot see the Sun's splendour? auxiliary language; the abolition of the And what of the deaf ears that cannot extremes of wealth and poverty; the hear those who praise its beauty?' 'I will institution of a world tribunal for the pray that the blind eyes may be opened, adjud ication of disputes between nations; that the deaf ears may be unstopped, the exaltation of work, performed in the and that the hearts may have grace to spirit of service, to the rank of worship; understand.' As 'Abdu ' l-Baha spoke, the the glorification of justice as the ruling troubled mien of the artist gave place to principle in human society, and of reli- a look of relief, satisfied understanding, gion as a bulwark for the protection of all joyous emotion. 3 peoples and nations ; and the establish- "It was of great interest'', Lady Blomfield ment of a permanent and universa l peace wrote, "to notice the effect the presence of as the supreme goal of all mankind .. . I 'Abdu'l-Baha had upon some children. One "The words of 'Abdu'l-Baha can be put little girl whispered, 'Look, that is Jesus on to paper," Lady Blomfield wrote, "but when He was old.' Perhaps their unstained how to describe the smile, the earnest plead- nature sensed the breath of holiness which ing, the loving-kindness, the radiant vitality, was always with Him, and caused these little and at times the awe-inspiring authority of ones to liken Him to the most Holy One of His spoken words? The vibrations of His Whom they were conscious." 4 voice seemed to enfold the listeners in an This effect was dramatically displayed atmosphere of the Spirit, and to penetrate two days before the close of' Abdu'l-Baha's to the very core of being. We were experi- vis it in Paris, when a woman came hurencing the transforming radiance of the Sun riedly into the gathering at the avenue de of Truth; henceforth, material aims and Camoens: unworthy ambitions shrank away into their Oh, how glad I am to be in time! I must trivial, obscure retreats." 2 tell you the amazing reason of my hurried In fornrnl talks in Paris, 'Abdu'l-Baha journey from America. One day, my little continued to use the " unparalleled power of girl astonished me by saying: 'Mummy, if definition" of the Baha' i Faith to explain the dear Lord Jesus was in the world now, human mind, body, sp irit, and soul, the Holy what would you do?' ... ' I wou ld feel like Spirit, God, and the relationship between all getting on to the first train and going to of these. With individuals He went from the Him as fast as I could.' 'Well , Mummy, general to the specific, such as the evening He is in the world .' ... 'What do you an artist was presented to Him in the home mean, my precious? How do yo u know?' of Monsieur and Madame Dreyfus-Barney: I said. ' He told me Himself, so of course ' Thou art very welcome. I am happy He is in the world.' Full of wonder, I to see thee. All true art is a gift of the thought: Is this a sacred message which is Holy Spirit. ' 'What is the Holy Spirit?' ' It being given to me out of the mouth of my is the Sun of Truth, 0 Artist.' 'Where, babe? And I prayed that it might be made where, is the Sun of Truth?' 'The Sun of clear to me. The next day she said, insis- Truth is everywhere, It is shining on the tently and as though she could not whole world.' ' What of the dark night, understand: 'Mummy, darlin ', why isn 't when the Sun is not shining?' 'The darkness you gone to see Lord Jesus? He's told me God Passes By, pp. 28 1-28 2. 3 ibid. p. 182. 2 4 Th e Chosen Highway, p. 181. ibid. p. 186. 60 THE BAHA ' I WORLD 'Abdu 'l-Baha with Baha 'i friends in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois, on3Ma y /912. two times that He is really here, in the In the course of His several visits to world.' ' Tiny love, Mummy doesn ' t Egypt He had more than one interview know where He is , how could she find with the Khedive, ' Abbas I:Iilmi Pasha II, Him ?' ... I was naturally perturbed. The was introduced to Lord Kitchener, met same afternoon, being out for a walk with the Mufti, Shaykh Mu~ammad Bakhit, as my child, she suddenly stood still and well as the Khedive's Imam, Shaykh cried out, 'There He is! There He is!' She Mu~ammad Rashid, and associated with was trembling with excitement and several 'ulamas, pashas, Persian notables, pointing at the windows of a magazine members of the Turkish Parliament, store where there was a picture of editors of leading newspapers in Cairo 'Abdu'l-Baha. I bought the paper, found and Alexandria, and other leaders and this address, caught a boat that same representatives of well-known institutions, night, and here I am. 1 both religious and secular. 3 "The reader will understand that it is 'Abdu'l-Baha embarked on His second impossible to find fitting words for the journey to the West on the steamship Cedric, thoughts and feelings which were with us setting out on 25 March 1912 and sailing via in those Paris days", Lady Blomfield Naples direct to New York. He arrived in concludes. 2 America on 11 April. From France, ' Abdu ' l-Baha returned to He comes on a mission of international Egypt in December 1911 where He again peace, to attend and address the Peace took up His residence in Ramleh. Conference at Lake Mohonk the latter part of thi s month , and to address various I ibid . pp. 185- 186. 2 3 Cod Passes By, p. 283. ibid. p. 187. THE COMMEMORATIO N OF HI STORIC A NNIV E RSA R IES 61 peace meetings , educational societies, attain to perfection except thro ugh the religious organizations, etc.' , wrote uplift of spiritual civ ili zation .2 Wendell Phillips Dodge, a reporter for the ' Abdu 'l-Baha proclaimed the message of New York City News Association, who universal peace from the Atlantic to the boarded the Cedric at quarantine and Pacific coast of North Ameri ca and back interviewed 'Abdu ' l-Baha coming up the aga in. For eight months He traveled, often bay. The story was given to all of the having as His hostess Grace Robarts, a New York newspapers and, through the teacher of domestic science in a college in Associated Press, was sent to newspapers Canada. He would ask her to go ahead and throughout the world. 1 secure an apartment for Him and prepare it Indeed, 'Abdu ' 1-Baha spoke of world for His arrival. Then she wo uld serve as peace during His first public add ress in housekeeper and hostess. "S he kept the America, given on ly three days after His home imm aculate," we are told, "and always arrival to the congregation of the Church of ready for the constant stream of guests from the Ascension in New York City. morning to ni ght, Baba' is and enquirers and Today . the world of humanity is in soul s in difficulty to whom 'Abdu' l-Baha need of internation al unity and concilia- was always the loving Father." 3 tion. To estab lish these great fund amental Volumes have and wi ll continue to be principles a propelling power is needed . It written about the activities of ' Abdu ' 1-Baha is self-evident that the unity of the human in America, but in God Passes By Shoghi world and the Most Great Peace cannot Effendi selects seven which he states fully be accompli shed through material means. demonstrate the importance of that visit: They cannot be establi shed through The layin g with Hi s own hands, of political power, for the political interests the dedication stone of the Mashriqu '1- of nations are various and the policies of Adhkar, by the shore of Lake Michigan peoples are divergent and conflicting. . .. the dynamic affirmation by H im of the They cannot be fo unded thro ugh racial implications of the Covenant instituted by or patriotic power, for these are human Ba ha ' u ' ll ah, fo ll owi ng the reading of the powers, selfish and weak. The very nature of new ly translated Tablet of the Branch, in racial differences and patriotic prejudices a general assemb ly of His fo llowers in prevents the realization of this unity and New York ... the moving ceremony in agreement. Therefore, it is evidenced that Inglewood, Cali forn ia, marking His spethe promotion of the oneness of the king- cial pilgrimage to the grave of Thornton dom of humanity, which is the essence of Chase, the ' first American believer,' and the teachings of all the Manifestations of indeed the first to emb race the Cause of God, is impossible except through the Baha'u'llah in the Western world; the divine power and breaths of the Holy symbolic Feast He Himself offered to a Spirit. Other powers are too weak and are large gathering of His disciples assemincapable of accomplishing this. bled in the open air .. . at West Englewood, For man two w ings are necessary. One in New Jersey; the blessing He bestowed wing is physical power and material on the Open Forum at Green Acre, in civ ili zation; the other is spiritual power Maine .. . which was to evolve into one of and divine civil ization . With one wing the first Bah a ' [ summer schools of the on ly, flight is impossible. Two wings are Western Hemisphere ... His address to an essential. Therefore, no matter how much material civilizati on advances, it cann ot ' Abdu ' l-Baha, Th e Pro111u/gatio11 of Un iversal Peace (Wilmette: Baha' i Pub li shing Trust, 1982), pp. 11 - 12. T/i e Bafia á; World, vo l. VII I (Wilm ette: Baha ' i Pub- Star of tlie West, vo l. 111 , no. 3, p. I (28 April 19 12). li shin g Committee, 1942), p. 658. 62 THE BAHA ' I WORLD 'Abdu 'l-Baha in Brooklyn, New York, in June I 9 I 2 with His secretary, Mirza Ma~mud-i­ Zarqani, His translators A~mad Sohrab and Amin 'ullah Farid, and His companions 'Ali-Akbar Nal5J!javani, Valiyu 'llah Varqa and Siyyid Asadu 'llah Qumi. audience of several hundred attending the as a loving contribution ... It was truly a last session of the newly-founded Baha'i symbolic seed sowing for countless of thou- Temple Unity held in Chicago; and, last sands of similar loving contributions ... 2 but not least, the exemplary act He per- The second act highlighted by Shoghi formed by uniting in wedlock two of His Effendi- the affirmation by 'Abdu'l-Baha of followers of different nationalities, one of the implications of the Covenant instituted the white, the other of the Negro race. 1 by Baha' u'llah-took place in New York 'Abdu'l-Baha laid the cornerstone of the City. The Tablet of the Branch revealed by first Baha'i House of Worship of the West Baha'u'llah in Adrianople, had recently been on 1May1912, in Wilmette, lllinois. translated, and read, in part: For the doing of the first work a golden There hath branched from the Sadratu 'ltrowel was presented ... 'Abdu'l-Baha next Muntaha this sacred and glorious Being, called for the implements necessitated by this Branch of Holiness; well is it with him the gravelly nature of the soil, and in that hath sought His shelter and abideth response there was brought to Him first an beneath His shadow. Verily the Limb of axe and then a shovel. With these tools of the Law of God hath sprung forth from this the everyday life of the workers of the Root which God hath firmly implanted in world 'Abdu'l-Baha and friends from every the Ground ofHis Will, and Whose Branch race present, excavated a resting place for hath been so uplifted as to encompass the a stone which had been brought to the spot whole of creation... Render thanks unto 1 2 God Passes By, p. 288. Star of the West, vol. III , no. 4, p. 6 ( 17 May 1912). THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 63 'Abdu 'l-Baha in Oakland, California, at a meeting with the friends at the home of Helen S. Goodall, 12 October 1912. God, 0 people, for His appearance; for the Blessed Beauty among its distinctions verily He is the most great Favor unto you, is that He did not leave people in perthe most peifect bounty upon you; and plexity. He entered into a Covenant and through Him every mouldering bone is Testament with the people. He appointed a quickened. Whoso turneth towards Him CENTER OF THE COVENANT. He wrote with hath turned towards God, and whoso tur- His own pen and revealed it in the Kitabneth away from Him hath turned away from i-Aqdas, the Book of Laws, and Kitab-i- My Beauty, hath repudiated My Proof, and 'Ahd, the Book of the Covenant, appointtransgressed against Me. He is the Trust of ing Him ('Abdu ' l-Baha) the Ex- pounder God amongst you, His charge within you, of the Book . .. This is an explicit text of His manifestation unto you and His appear- the Blessed Beauty. So there is no excuse ance among His favored servants ... 1 left for anybody. 2 When this Tablet was read to the assem- 'Abdu'l-Baha had already traveled to the blage on 19 June, 'Abdu ' l-Baha declared His West when He heard that Thornton Chase own station: the Center of the Covenant. had passed away on 30 September. He jour- In fom1er cycles no distinct Covenant neyed from San Francisco to Los Angeles was made in writing by the Supreme Pen; especially to visit the grave of the "first no distinct personage was appointed to American believer'', and on 19 October He, be the Standard differentiating falsehood with about twenty-five of the friends, took from truth ... But in this Dispensation of the streetcar to the cemetery in Inglewood 1 2 Shoghi Effendi , Th e World Orde1' of Ba ha 'u 'I/ah Star of the West , vol. 111 , no. 14, p. 9 (23 November (Wilmette: Baha ' i Publi shing Trust, 1982), p. 135. 1912). 64 THE BAHA 'i WORLD where He scattered flowers over Chase's How many blessed souls have longed for resting place. this radiant century, their utmost hopes Then, still facing the grave, He turned and desires centered upon 'the happiness in the direction of ' Akkci and chanted the and joy of one such day as this ... ' 3 Tablet of Visitation- the Tablet which On 16 August 1912 'Abdu'l-Baha traveled is read in the Shrines of the Bab and to Green Acre, an estate of nearly two hun- Baha'u'llah. Following that, He chanted a dred acres on the banks of the Piscataqua prayer for Thornton Chase and spoke of River in Eliot, Maine. It was owned by the services which that dedicated man Sarah Farmer, who had opened it in 1894 as had rendered to the Faith .... At the con- a conference center for people of advanced clusion of His visit, 'Abdu ' l-Baha knelt and liberal views. Two years later she had on the ground and kissed the grave of embraced the Baha'i Faith, and while on Thornton Chase. 1 pilgrimage to ' Akka she had offered the facil- He asked the friends to visit the site every ities to 'Abdu ' l-Baha, thus making Green year on His behalf. Acre one of the earliest Baha'i endowments 'Abdu'l-Baha gave a unity feast in West in America. Englewood, New Jersey, on Saturday 29 June 'Abdu'l-Baha spent one week at Green for the Baha'is of New York City and the Acre. Some of His efforts, I:Iasan Balylizi vicinity. About three hundred attended. wrote, There in the fragrant pine grove, on a ... were inevitably directed towards counbrightJune day, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Himself the tering the effects of the eccentric ideas host, smiling joyously and radiating the being disseminated by various pseudospirit of good wi ll, welcomed the happy mystics and cranks who were attracted to friends .... He talked to them from the the free platform provided there. On one center of a large circle around which the occasion He was seen distributing sweets tab les were arranged. He said [in paii]: 2 to a group of people, telling them that ' This is a delightful gathering; you have they ought to eat and enjoy their food ... come here with sincere intentions, and the Spirituality, He said, had nothing to do purpose of all present is the attainment with abstaining from food, with the of the virtues of God. The motive is mortification of the flesh. On another attraction to the divine Kingdom. Since occasion He spoke about the rigorous the desire of all is unity and agreement, disciplines of the ascetics, and the harm it is certain that this meeting will be pro- ensuing from them. He cited superstitions ductive of great results ... Such gatherings to be found in India. He also had to face as this have no equal or likeness in the fortune-tellers and palmists whom He world of mankind, where people are treated with great ki ndliness. 4 drawn together by physical motives or in On 20 August Fred Mortensen arrived at furtherance of material interests, for this Green Acre to see 'Abdu'l-Baha. "In my meeting is a prototype of that inner and youth'', he wrote later, "my environment complete spiritual association in the eter- was not of the best and being around boys of nal world of being. True Baha'i meetings hard character I guess I determined to be as are the mirrors of the Kingdom wherein tough as any, which I very easily did ... " He images of the Supreme Concourse are had gotten into trouble with the law, and reflected . In them the lights of the most Albert Hall, a Baha'i, had helped to get him great guidance are visible ... Rejoice ... out of prison and had told him about the 1 3 Promulgatio11, pp. 213-214. 'Abdu á1-Baha, pp . 309-310. 2 4 Star of the West, vo l. Ill , no. 8, p. 16 (I August 19 12). 'Abdu '/-Baha , pp. 240-241. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIV ERSARIES 65 Baha'i Faith. Mr. Mortensen, in Minneapolis, this temple was founded for the unification Minnesota, wanted to meet 'Abdu'l-Baha. of mankind, the law preceding and creat- When he heard a rumor that He might not ing it came forth in the manifest Word .. .. travel to the West he determined to go to see That is why Baha' u'llah has conunanded Him. "As my finances were low I of neces- that a place of worship be built. .. 2 sity [lay on the rods between the wheels of " ... and, last but not least," Shoghi Effendi trains] to Green Acre." There, ' Abdu'l-Baha wrote of'Abdu ' l-Baha's activities in America, greeted him warmly and asked if he had had was "the exemplary act He performed by a pleasant journey. uniting in wedlock two of His followers of I explained to Him how I rode on the different nationalities, one of the white, the trains, after which He kissed both my other of the Negro race ... " The two Baha'is cheeks, gave me much fruit, and kissed were Louisa Mathew and Louis Gregory, the dirty hat I wore, which had become and their union apparently came about in the soiled on my trip to see Him. 1 following way. Shoghi Effendi included ' Abdu ' l-Baha's Miss Mathew and Mr. Gregory had met address to an audience attending the public each other as Baha'i pilgrims visiting session of the Baha' i Temple Unity as having 'Abdu ' l-Baha in Ramleh, and in the Holy special significance. This took place on Land, " . .. and although greatly attracted to 30 April in the Masonic Temple in Chicago. each other not even dimly realized its future The Baha' i Temple Unity was a national bearing." In America, ' Abdu '1-Baha gave organization created in March 1909 at a Miss Mathew a white rose to give to convention called under 'Abdu'l-Baha' s direc- Mr. Gregory, and in other ways conveyed tion to carry out the construction of the first that He wished her to marry Mr. Gregory. Baha'i House of Worship in the West. It was Curiously enough after this love began incorporated in the State of Illinois and to grow in my heart & the desire for invested with full authority to hold title to the marriage whereas before I only liked the Temple property and to provide ways and Mr. Gregory as a friend . Later ' Abdu'lmeans for its construction. The fourth annual Baha said before Dr. Getsinger, Fareed & convention of Baha'i Temple Unity was being others in the train to Chicago to me, 'How held while ' Abdu ' l-Baha was in Chicago. are you & Mr. Gregory getting along?' Among the institutes of the Holy Books Startled I answered, ' What do you mean, is that of the foundation of places of wor- we are good friends? ' To which He replied ship. That is to say, an edifice or temple is emphatically & with His face wreathed to be built in order that humanity might in mischievous smiles, ' You must be very find a place of meeting, and this is to be good friends .. . Later. .. He told Louis it conducive to unity and fellowship among would give Him much pleasure if he & I them. The real temple is the very Word of would marry, which came as an utter God; for to it all humanity must tum, and surprise to Louis who had no thoughts of it is the center of unity for all mankind ... marriage. 'Abdu'l-Baha said, 'What is the Temples are the symbols of the divine matter? Don ' t you love her?' 'Yes as a uniting force so that when the people friend ' Louis said. 'Well think of it' said gather there in the House of God they may 'Abdu'l-Baha, ' &let me know; ... marriage recall the fact that the law has been is not an ordinance & need not be obeyed, . .rev...ealed _for J:b.em _and J:hat-1.h.e Jaw .J.s J:o .but _i.t w..o.uld .gi v_e ..me Jllll.Cb ple.asur.e if unite them. They will realize that just as you & Miss Mathew were to marry.' Star of the West, vol. XIV , no. 12 , p. 367 (March 1924). 2 Promulgation , p. 65. 66 THE BAHA'i WORLD 'Abdu 'l-Baha at a banquet held in His honor at the Great Northern Hotel in New York on 23 November 1912. The wedding took place at noon on no less than eight months, would be beyond 27 September 1912 in the parsonage of the scope of this survey. Suffice it to say that an Episcopal church in New York City. in the city of New York alone He delivered 'Abdu'l-Baha was on a train headed public addresses in, and made formal visits westward from Denver at the time, but to, no less than fifty-five different places .... His encouragement 'contributed to the Secretaries of State, Ambassadors, Baha' i atmosphere of the wedding' . 1 Congressmen, distinguished rabbis and ' Abdu ' l-Baha 's activities with the Ameri- churchmen, and other people of eminence can Bah a' is were designed to " .. .pave the attained His presence, among whom were way for the erection of their central House of such figures as Dr. D.S. Jordan, President Worship, to fortify them against the tests they of Leland Stanford University, Prof. Jackwere soon to endure, to cement their unity, son of Columbia University, Prof. Jack of and to bless the beginnings of that Adminis- Oxford University, Rabbi Stephen Wise trative Order which they were soon to initiate of New York ... Alexander Graham Bell, and champion'', wrote Shoghi Effendi . Rabindra Nath Tagore, Hon. Franklin K. No less remarkable were 'Abdu'l-Baha's Lane, Mrs. William Jennings Bryan, public activities in the course of His associa- Andrew Carnegie, Hon . Franklin Maction with the multitude of people with whom Veagh, Secretary of the United States He came in contact during His tour across a Treasury, Lee McClung, Mr. Roosevelt, continent. A full account of these diversified Admiral Wain Wright, Admiral Peary, activities which crowded His days during the British, Dutch and Swiss Ministers in Washington .. . 2 Morrison. Gay le. To Move the World (Wilmette: Baha ' i Publi shing Trust, 198 2), pp. 66-68. God Passes By , pp. 288-290. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 67 ... pictures from the tragic past ... must There is no other reality of meaning to the have many a time overpowered Him with different religions . Their purpose is one, feelings of mingled gratitude and sorrow, the teaching is one. 2 as He witnessed the many marks of 'Abdu'l-Baha moved on to London on respect, of esteem, and honor now shown 16 December. Lady Blornfield again put Hirn and the Faith which He represented. her residence in Cadogan Gardens at the "O Baha 'u 'llah! What hast Thou done?" disposal of the Master, and it seemed that He, as reported by the chronicler of His His first visit to the British capital was being travels, was heard to exclaim one evening reenacted . There was, as before, a stream of as He was being swiftly driven to fulfil visitors from every walk of life at all hours His third engagement of the day in Wash- of the day and into the night. ington, "O Baha 'u '!!ah! May my life be One day a woman asked to be permitted sacrificed for Thee! 0 Baha 'u '!!ah! May to see the Master. 'Have you an appointmy soul be offered up for Thy sake! Ho w ment? ' ' Alas! No.' ' I am sorry,' answered full were Thy days with trials and tribula- the over-zealous friend who met her in tions! How severe the ordeals Thou didst the hall, 'but He is occupied now with endure! How solid the foundation Thou most important people, and cannot be dishast finally laid, and how glorious the turbed.' The woman turned away, feeling banner Thou didst hoist! " 1 too humble to persist in her appeal, but, ' Abdu ' l-Baha bade farewell to the Ameri- oh! so bitterly disappointed. Before she can Baha'is and sailed for Europe on board had reached the foot of the stairway, she the S.S. Celtic on 5 December, arriving at was overtaken by a breathless messenger Liverpool on 13 December 1912. He stayed from 'Abdu'l-Baha. 'He wishes to see you, in that port city for two days, speaking to the come back! He has told me to bring you Theosophical Society on 14 December, and to Him.' We had heard His voice from the at Pembroke Chapel, a Baptist Church, on door of His audience room speaking with 15 December. "When I was in America, I authority: ' A heart has been hurt. Hasten, had many opportunities of addressing the hasten, bring her to me!' Theosophical Society there'', He began His Another day, whilst several personages first talk. were talking with 'Abdu'l-Baha, a man 's The Theosophists are very dear to me, voice was heard at the hall door. ' Is the for they have abandoned all prejudice .... lady of this house within?' ... After a while All the religions of the world are the poor fellow began his pitiful story: 'I submerged in prejudice. A Jew is a Jew was not always as you see me now, a disbecause his father was before him. A reputable, hopeless object. My father is a Christian is such for the same reason, and country rector, and I had the advantage of it is the same with a Musselman. All being at a public school. Of the various follow the precepts of their fathers, refus- causes which led to my arrival at the ing to go forth and seek for themselves ... Thames embankment as my only home, I All the different religions of God that _need not speak to you. Last evening I had have risen on the face of the earth have decided to put an end to my futile, hateful one purpose: to educate man and to life, useless to God and man! Whilst takinform him of the spiritual, the luminous, ing what I had intended should be my last the divine, so that he may partake of walk, I saw "a Face" in the window of a heavenly spirit and find eternal life, show newspaper shop. I stood looking at the forth the virtues of mankind, and from a face as if rooted to the spot. He seemed to world of darkness enter a world of light. 2 Star of the West, vo l. Ill , no. 17, p. 3 (19 January I ibid . p. 293 . 19 13). 68 THE BAHA'I WORLD speak to me, and call me to Him! 'Let me in the fields. I can earn what I need for my see that paper, please,' I asked. It was the simple wants. When I have saved enough face of 'Abdu'l-Baha. I read that He is I shall take a little bit of land, build a tiny here, in this house. I said to myself, 'If hut upon it in which to live, then I shall there is in existence on earth that person- grow violets for the market. As He says age, I shall take up again the burden of my 'Poverty is unimportant, work is worship .' life. I set off on my quest. I have come I need not say "thank you," need I? Farehere to find Him. Tell me, is He here? well. ' The man had gone. 1 Will He see me? Even me?' Of course He During ' Abdu'l-Baha's first visit to will see you. Come to Him. In answer to Britain the only city He had stayed in the knock, 'Abdu ' l-Baha Himself opened beside London was Bristol. During the the door, extending His hands, as though nearly six weeks of His second visit He to a dear friend , whom He was expecting. not only revisited Bristol, but also trav- ' Welcome! Most welcome! I am very much eled to Edinburgh and Oxford. Every pleased that thou hast come. Be seated.' place He went He was welcomed by dis- The pathetic man trembled and sank tinguished leaders of thought. However, on to a low chair by the Master's feet, as when it was suggested that a meeting though unable to utter a word . The other might be arranged between King George V guests, meanwhile, looked on wonderingly and 'Abdu ' l-Baha, 'Abdu ' l-Baha advised to see the attention transferred to the against it. He had come to the West to strange-looking new arrival, who seemed meet the poor, He said, not monarchs and to be so overburdened with hopeless noblemen. He would meet any seeker misery. 'Be happy! Be happy! ' said with affection, but had no particular wish 'Abdu ' l-Baha, holding one of the poor to meet the rulers. Moreover, He noted, hands, stroking tenderly the dishevelled, such moves could be misunderstood and bowed head. Smiling that wonderful misconstrued, and might create alarm. 2 smile of loving compassion, the Master On 22 December 'Abdu ' l-Baha attended continued: 'Do not be filled with grief a performance of Eager Heart, a play prewhen humiliation overtaketh thee. The sented at Church House, Westminster. bounty and power of God is without limit This was a memorable occasion, as it for each and every soul in the world. Seek was the first time He had ever witnessed a for spiritual joy and knowledge, then , dramatic performance. The Master wept though thou walk upon this earth, thou during the scene in which the Holy Child wilt be dwelling within the divine realm . and His parents, overcome with fatigue, Though thou be poor, thou mayest be rich and suffering from hunger, were met by in the Kingdom of God. ' These and other the hesitation of Eager Heart to admit words of comfort, of strength, and of them to the haven of rest which she had healing were spoken to the man, whose prepared, she, of course, failing to recogcloud of misery seemed to melt away in nize the sacred visitors. The Master the warmth of the Master' s loving pres- afterwards joined the group of players. It ence. As the strange visitor rose to leave was an arresting scene. In the Eastern set- Him Whom he had sought and found, a ting the Messenger, in His Eastern robes, new look was upon his face , a new erect- speaking to them in beautiful Eastern words ness in his carriage, a firm purpose in his of the Divine significance of the events steps. 'Please write down for me His which had been portrayed.3 words. I have attained all I expected, and even more.' 'And now what are you 1 Th e Chosen Highway , pp. 159-161. going to do?' I asked. 'I'm going to work 2 'Abdu "/-Balui, p. 370. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 69 On Christmas night, 'Abdu'l-Baha When He reached Cadogan Gardens that visited the poor of the Salvation Army night, it was apparent that the condition of Shelter, Westminster, where each year a the unfortunate had distressed Him. Christmas dinner is provided for those As always, He did not dwell on the probwho have no homes and no friends, and lem. True help for the poor in this Day could but for the shelter would have no lodg- only be found in His Father's Teachings, and ings. There were about 1,000 present on the most useful immediate action that one this occasion. It was a most impressive could take would be to spread the Message. scene-the dinner for the homeless and During a discussion of Spiritual Assemblies the Master from the East delivering held on 16 January He said: Christ's message to the poor. As a true All the deliberations, all consultation, test of attention, many of the hungry men all the talks and addresses must revolve forgot to eat and listened intently ... around one focal center and that is: 'I feel tonight great joy and happiness TEACH THE CAUSE! TEACH! TEACH! to be in this place, because my meetings Convey the Message! Awaken the souls! and callings have ever been mostly with Now is the time of laying the foundation . the poor, and I call myself one of them . Now must we gather brick, stone, wood, My lot has ever been with those who have iron, and other building materials! Now is not the goods of this world. When we not the time of decoration. We must strive look at the poor of humanity, we behold a day and night and think and work. What world of brothers. All are sheep of God; can I say that may become effective? God is the real shepherd .. . Consider His What can I do that may bring results? Holiness Christ: He appeared in the world What can I write that may bring forth as one of the poor. He was born of a fruits? Nothing else will be useful, today. lowly family; all the apostles of Christ The interests of such a Glorious Cause were of humble birth and His followers will not advance without undivided attenwere of the very poorest of the com- tion. While we are carrying this load we munity. This is what Christ states in the cannot carry any other load! 2 Gospels . "It is easier for a camel to go On 21 January 1913 , ' Abdu'l-Baha left through the eye of a needle than for a rich London for Paris, where He stayed at 30 rue man to enter into the Kingdom of God." ... St. Didier. This second visit to the French Sorrow not, grieve not. Be not unhappy capital, which lasted two months, because you are not wealthy. You are the assumed certain characteristics of its brothers of Jesus Christ. Christ was poor; own ... numbers of Baha' is had arrived Baha'u'llah was poor. For forty years from the East for the specific purpose of He was imprisoned in poverty . .. .Be ever attaining His presence ... Moreover, vicishappy ... Trust in God .. .' I situdes of fortune had brought to Paris a At the close of His talk, ' Abdu'l-Baha multitude of emigres from iran and the made a contribution to the Shelter so that Ottoman Empire. These men were from the poor might have a similar dinner on New the ranks both of reactionaries-supporters Year's night. He was shown all around the of the old regime-and of liberals and hostel, and at the door he said to the attendant constitutionalists. Many of them sought in charge, "May God prosper you . May you ' Abdu'l-Baha and requested to meet Him. all be under the protection of the Almighty!" To them , too, He gave of His time impartially. 3 3 Th e Chosen Highway, pp. I54-I 55. 1 2 Star of the West, vol. III , no. I8, pp. 8-9 (7 February Star of the West, vol.IV, no. I, p. I6 (2 I March I9 I3). I9I3). 3 'Abdu '1-Bahci, p. 372. 70 THE BAHA'I WORLD I:Iaji Amin, who was the trustee of the Miss Edith Sanderson's, were also venues I:Iuquq, had brought seven hundred pounds for these gatherings which 'Abdu ' l-Baha to present to ' Abdu ' l-Baha. In a humorous addressed from time to time. 3 mood, 'Abdu' l-Baha said that the I:Iaji had On 17 February, ' Abdu'l-Baha accepted brought seven hundred pounds, but had an invitation to speak at Pasteur Monnier's already obtained a thousand pounds from Theological Seminary in Paris. The audience Him for this and that. Zarqani comments was composed of professors, clergy, and that one indeed marvelled at the way theological students, and they had prepared 'Abdu'l-Baha administered His finances. a list of questions: "Who was Christ, and He spent freely to uphold the dignity of what was He? What is your belief about the Faith, and gave generously to relieve Him"; "What is the similarity between the distress and poverty, and to aid the sick. Cause of Christ and that of Baha'u'llah? But He Himself did not possess a good And what relation do they hold towards each winter coat. His attendants had to beg other?"; "What is the relation of Christ and again and again to obtain His permission Baha'u'llah with God?"; and, "Is the unificato order a new coat to be made for Him. 1 tion of religion possible? If so, w hen and how Lady Blomfield wrote: and through what channel will it be realized?" One striking fact was that 'Abdu'l- 'Abdu' l-Baha answered each question Baha never asked for donations, and even clearly and reasonably, explaining the Faith's refused to accept money or any costly gifts teachings on progressive revelation as He that were offered to Him. One day in my had to audiences all during His travelspresence a lady said to Him: ' I have here Christi an, Jew, and Muslim. "In short", He a cheque from a friend, who begs its ac- concluded, ceptance to buy a good motor-car for your ... misunderstanding between the religions work in England and Europe.' The Master is conducive to differences . When these replied: 'I accept with grateful thanks the misunderstandings and blind imitations gift of your friend. ' He took the cheque are forgotten then the unification of the into both His hands, as though blessing it, religions will become a reality. and said 'I return it to be used for gifts to ... there have been wars and rumors of the poor. ' 'We have never seen the like war amongst the people of the world for before. Surely such deeds are very rare' , many thousand years; much innocent it was whispered amongst the friends .2 blood has been shed, many kingdoms and A number of Iranian students visited empires have been laid waste. Now it is 'Abdu' l-Baha on January 31st. He spoke enough! Religion must be the means of to them about agriculture and industry and good fellowship and love. It must upraise commerce and told them that Iran needed the standard of harmony and solidarity. iron-smelting plants, because industry If religion is conducive to hatred and and agriculture alike depended on found- enmity, irreligion is better, because such ries. In the evening of that day a meeting pseudo-religion gives no result, nay rather was held at the home of Monsieur and its existence is harmfu l to the welfare of Mme Dreyfus-Barney. These weekly meet- the body-politic. ings of the Baha'is, to which seekers and Pasteur Monnier asked, "Is your aim to enquirers came as well , were a regular found a new religion?" feahire of the life of the Paris community. 'Abdu' l-B aha answered: "Our aim is Other homes, M . and Mme Scott's and to free the foundations of the religion of God from dogmas, for the Sun of Reality 1 'Abdu '/-Bahri , pp. 373-374. 2 The Chosen Highway, p. 157. 3 'Abdu '/-Balza, p. 376. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 71 'Abdu 'l-Bahci with Bahci 'i friends in Esslingen, Germany, on 4 April 1913. is prevented from shining forth by black By the end of March 'Abdu'l-Baha felt impenetrable clouds. We desire to dispel strong enough to make another journey, so these clouds, so that the regions of the took the train from Paris to Stuttgart, arrivworld may be flooded and illumined with ing during the evening of 1 April. He stayed its luminous rays, so that these foul clouds in the Hotel Marquardt and soon established may never return. The rays of the Sun of His routine of meeting with the friends in Reality may encircle all countries, for this His hotel in the mornings, and going out Sun has no beginning and no ending." 1 to meetings at their homes or elsewhere in The strain of His continual travels began the afternoons and evenings. One day He to trouble 'Abdu ' l-Baha in Paris. He did "remarked that the hotelier might leave his not sleep well and occasionally had a fever. hotel and seek refuge elsewhere, because of The food at His hotel did not agree with such numbers pouring in. Indeed the staff of Him, and by 26 February He had succumbed the hotel were shaken and astonished to see to a severe cold. Meanwhile, the Baha'is of so many of their countrymen pay such atten- Germany were pleading with Him to visit tion and respect to an Easterner who, as it their country, and He received a letter from seemed, had come from nowhere." 3 Mr. and Mrs. Stark inviting Him to visit On 2 April He went to the home of Herr Hungary. During the first week of March, a Wilhelm and Frau Marie Herrigel, where a group ofBaha'is from Germany arrived with great number of people had gathered. "How their pioneer teacher, Miss Alma Knobloch. are you all?", He asked, and addressed them They once again begged for the bounty of in Persian which was translated into English receiving Him. 2 by Mirza AJ:.imad Sohrab, and then rendered into German by Herr Herrigel. Star of the West, vol. IV, no. 3, pp. 54-5 (28 April 1913). 2 3 'Abdu 'I-Balza , p. 379. ibid. p. 380. 72 THE BAHA ' i WORLD 'Abdu 'l-Bahti visited Budapest and Vienna after His travels in North America. This photograph was taken in April 191 3, during His one-month stay in the Austro- Hungarian Empire. Praise be to God! because your faces Meetings were held in the homes of other are radiant with the light of the G lory of Baha'is including Herr Eckstein, Consul God; yo ur hearts are attracted to the Albert and Frau Alice Schwarz, and Herr Kingdom of Abha ... .Your hearts are illu- Friedrich and Frau Annemarie Schweizer. minated, your inner vision clear. ... You During the evening of3 April, ' Abdu ' l-Baha must live in accordance with the Teach- addressed a large audience in the upper hall ings of Baha'u'llah. Be loving to all of the City (Burger) Museum, on 5 April mankind. Consort with all religions in spoke to the Esperanto Society, and on amity and fragrance. You must be the 6 Apri l gave a well-attended public talk at cause of the education of the world of the Obere Museum. "We have had some humanity. At present the world is still wonderful meetings", Alma Knoblock wrote very dark. From one side there threatens to her sister Pauline (Mrs . Joseph Hannen), the darkness of ignorance; from another but "the one in Esslingen surpassed them all." side black enmity is visible; from the other It was the children's meeting, last side we hear of war and rumors of war. Friday, April 4th, 1913 , in the afternoon. We must, like a candle, shine with the light They had secured a very pretty hall , which ofBaha ' u'llah, in order that through your was most beautifully decorated with efforts this darkness may be dispelled. 1 greens, plants and flowers, with large and small tables near the walls and round 1 tables in the center. About fifty children Star of the West, vol. IV, no. 4, p. 67 ( 17 May 1913). THE COMM E MORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 73 and eighty adu lts were present. In a smaller to form the first nucleus. Baha' i friends room adjoining the hall the children had all over the world are requested to help been assembled holding flowers in their by sending good advice and propaganda hands, forming two lines for 'Abdu' l-Baha literature. 3 to pass through. It looked most beautiful as From Budapest, 'Abdu ' l-Baha went to 'Abdu' l-Baha came upstairs. He passed Vienna on 19 April, where He took residence through a short hall and looked so pleased in the Grand Hotel. His first courtesy call in and delighted to see the dear children. 1 that city was to the Turkish Ambassador in 'Abdu ' I-Baba intended to leave for Vienna, who was so impressed by this visit Budapest on April 7th, but was persuaded that he insisted on keeping ' Abdu ' l-Baha for by Consu l Schwarz to visit Bad Mergen- luncheon. The Master spoke to the Theosotheim, approximate ly sixty miles distant phists of Vienna on three occasions , was from Stuttgart, where the Consul owned visited by Iranian residents of the Austrian the hotel and the mineral bath. ' Abdu'l- capital, and was the guest of the Persian Baha said at Bad Mergentheim that since Minister. Before 'Abdu ' l-Baha left Vienna He had left Persia He had never until then Frau Tyler called to express her newly-found heard so many nightingales singing in devotion, and He also received among others such beautiful sutToundings. However, He Baroness von Suttner, a well-known worker would not stay for more than one night. 2 for the cause of peace. On 8 Apri l, ' Abdu'l-Baha reh1rned to "As you may know," Wi lhelm Herrige l Stuttgart and then caught the 8:00 p.m. train wrote to the Star of the West at a later date, for Budapest which He visited "at the invita- "I was invited by our dear Master, ' Abdu'ltion of the Hungarian Peace, Esperanto and Baha, to accompany Him from Stuttgart to Feminist societies, and of the Oriental Com- Budapest and Vienna. While in Vienna He mercial Academy... He spoke to a great permitted a sculptor to mode l Him, and this public gathering arranged by these institu- sculptor asked me to spread copies of this tions and besides, on three evenings, to the statuette ia all Baha'i centers of the world. Theosophical Society, to the Star of the East Therefore, I am sending one to yo u for members and the Turanian Society. About reproduction in the Star of the West. This 800 peop le listened to His address .... statuette can be ordered through me ..." 4 During 'Abdu ' l-Baha's sojourn in Bu- 'Abdu'l-Baha left Vienna and traveled back dapest He received many distinguished to Stuttgart, where He arrived on 25 Apri l visitors, among others the celebrated and took rooms again in the Hote l Mar- Hungarian Orientalists, Prof. Vambery quardt. During this second visit to Stuttgart, and Prof. Goldzieher. Prof. Robert Nadler, which also lasted a week, He was not well. a Hungarian painter of great renown, A co ld contracted in Budapest had persisted made a portrait sketch of 'Abdu ' l-Baha. and was now affecting His chest. More important than the outward hon- The Baha 'is of Stuttgart had arranged ors given to Him is that His words and and advertised a meeting for the evening personality gave a new start to the Baha' i of the 25th at the Burger Museum. In the Cause in Hungary, which is on the border afternoon the condition of His chest worsof the East and the West... 'Abdu'l-Baha ened, causing great concern. Physicians honored Mr. Leopold Stark, whose ad- to ld Him that He should not go out... His dress is II Nyulucta 5, by charging him to health was for the purpose of serving the unite all those in Budapest who are likely Faith ['Abdu'l-Baha said]. While Wilhelm 1 S1ar o/1he Wes!, vol. IV, no. 9, p. 155 (20 A ugust 3 Siar of !he Wes!, vol. IV, no. 5, p. 86 (5 June 19 13). 1913). 4 Siar of the West, vol. IV , no. 9, p. 158 (20 August 'A bdu '1-Bahci , p. 383. 19 13). 74 THE BAHA ' I WORLD Herrigel was giving a talk in His stead, it was the anniversary of the birth of He walked into the hall, to the utmost ' Abdu'l-Baha, but He told them that the delight and surprise of the audience, and day should be considered and celebrated using His full voice delivered a discourse only as the anniversary of the Declaration on the need of world peace and the power of the Bab. That was why it was a blessed that guarantees it. 1 Day. It was incidental that He had been On the morning of May 1st 'Abdu ' l- born on the same date. The Feast was Baha met the Baha'is of Stuttgart in groups . celebrated in the evening at the home of He spoke very tenderly to them. To one Laura and Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney ... group He said that He wished to converse May 30th witnessed a noteworthy gathwith them, but His chest was not helpful ; ering at the home of the Dreyfus-Barneys, He would always anticipate their good when diverse nationalities were represented . news. To another, He spoke of the two Consul Schwarz had come from Germany ways in which people say farewell ; for and spoke at the meeting. In His talk, some, memories gradually fade away, but ' Abdu ' l-Baha underlined the true import others keep their memories ever fresh .. . of that harmonious and loving association To a third group He said that, although of people of so many origins, brought about His time in Stuttgart was limited, He by the power ofBaha' u ' llah .. .. hoped that the harvest would prove limit- On June 12th at 8 a.m. 'Abdu' l-Baha left less. Then He left for Paris. His hotel for the station. There He spoke On this third visit to Paris, 'Abdu'l- with the Baha'is who had come to say Baha resided at Hotel Baltimore, in ave- farewell, urging them to be united at all nue Kleber... His physical strength had times. At noon His train left for Marseilles, suffered greatly and He was unable, on which it reached twelve hours later. He several occasions, to go to the meetings stayed the night at a hotel next to the held in the homes of the Baha' is. But He station, and boarded the P. & 0. steamer, was always receiving visitors at the hotel , Himalaya, at 9 a.m. the next morning. giving a talk whenever they gathered in 'Abdu' l-Baha's historic tour of the West numbers. He also kept, as far as possible, was over. 3 His daily habit of a walk out of doors . Shoghi Effendi puts the journey into this [On I 0 May] He spoke of the Cove- perspective: nant, that its purpose was to safeguard the A most significant scene in a centurystrength and the power of the Cause; old drama had been enacted. A glorious without it the circle of Baha'is would chapter in the history of the first Baha' i have broken up completely. ' Some peo- century had been written. Seeds of ple have imagined,' He said, 'that the undreamt-of potentialities had, with the Blessed Perfection had taken relations hand of the Center of the Covenant Himbetween father and son into account. self, been sown in some of the fertile They do not know that He has instituted fie lds of the Western world. Never in the the power of the Covenant for the propa- entire range of religious history had any gation of the Cause of God and for the Figure of comparab le stature arisen to victory of His Word.' 2 perform a labor of such magnitude and On May 23rd, Baha'is came with bou- imperishable worth.4 quets of flowers throughout the day, as 1 3 'Abdu '1-Bahii, p. 389. ibid., pp. 394-395. 2 ibid ., pp. 390-392. 4 God Passes By, p. 294. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 2. COMMEMORATIONS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA's VISIT TO THE WEST FROM August 1911 to December 1913 , During the weekend of 26 and 27 June 'Abdu' l-Baha traveled through North America 1987, approximately 1,500 picnics were held and Europe writing, what Shoghi Effendi across the United States to celebrate the calls in God Passes By, a "glorious chapter Unity Feast 'Abdu ' l-Baha had hosted in in the history of the first Baha' i century." West Englewood, New Jersey, on 29 June "Never in the entire range of religious 1912. The Hand of the Cause of God history had any Figure of comparable stature William Sears, Counsellors Wilma Brady arisen to perform a labor of such magnitude and Robert Harris, and members of the and imperishable worth," he continued. National Spiritual Assembly attended the Celebrations of the seventy-fifth anniversary special picnic held on the site in New Jersey of those travels were held by Baha'is in hallowed by the presence of the Master. those countries which 'Abdu ' l-Baha visited. In New York City, on 8 July 1987, a copy of The Promise of World Peace was pre- THE UNITED STATES sented to William F. Gibson, the chaimrnn A moving event was held in the Baha'i of the National Association for the Advance- Temple in Wilmette, Illinois, on 1 May 1987, ment of Colored People. The presentation where friends gathered to commemorate the was made by the Secretary of the National laying of its foundation stone by 'Abdu'l- Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Baha. Twelve believers who had met the United States, whose remarks included Center of the Covenant shared some of their statements made by 'Abdu'l-Baha when He recollections of Him. On the following day, addressed the fourth annual convention of a formal commemorative program in the the NAACP in Chicago on 30 April 1912. House of Worship was attended by a number The presentation was made during the of civic leaders. annual convention of the NAACP, and was Meetings held in Chicago between 1 and given an enthusiastic reception by the 5 May included commemorations of the audience. Master's talk in All Souls Church, and His address to the National Association for the CANADA Advancement of Colored People. The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears Near Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Firuz visited all ten provinces of Canada and two Kazemzadeh spoke about 'Abdu'l-Baha's territories from 30 August to 9 September life, and the significance of His visit to 1987-the period corresponding to 'Abdu'l- America, during a meeting held on 5 June at Baha's sojourn in that country. Baha'is all the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in over the country held special teaching Cambridge. The following day, Boston's projects during the same period, both in Baha'i community held a ceremony to honor support of Mr. Sears' efforts and to supplethe couple who founded Freedom House, an ment them. organization dedicated to bettering the lives In Montreal, firesides were held in French of minority youth by enabling many to go to and English, during which Mr. Sears shook college. Following the presentation, Baha'is the hand of each child present and gave each and their friends walked along the path taken one a souvenir. Nightly firesides were held by the Master during His visit to Boston . by the friends for the eleven days in Halifax 76 THE BAHA ' i WORLD and throughout Nova Scotia. In Winnipeg, a At the end of 1987, 210 Baha' is from new Baha'i Center was opened and, in France and Switzerland met for a winter Calgary, a Baha'i meeting was attended by school held at Sevrier. The high point of the more than 1,000 friends . During a meeting schoo l was the evening commemorating the in Vancouver, the friends were urged to seventy-fifth anniversary of ' Abdu'l-Baha's become more heroic, more saintly, and to visit to the West through lectures and audioappreciate their station as Baha'is. In White- visual aides. horse, Baha'i children presented the Hand of the Cause with their impressions of ' Abdu' 1- UNITED KINGDOM Baha in prose and poetry. In the Northwest In late February or early March 1988, Territori es, a two-day conference was held members of the Bristol Baha'i community for the fr iends. In Toronto, two people celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of embraced the Faith during Mr. Sears' visit. the visit of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Bristol in 1913 . A Peace Train paralleling 'Abdu ' l-Bah a's The event was held in the Holiday Inn with journey from Montreal to Niagara Falls v ia about 260 people attending, including 50 Toronto carried 127 Baha'is on 6 and 7 Sep- guests of Baha'is. One special guest was the tember 1987. Five hundred other friends resident at 17 Royal York Crescent, where greeted the travellers at stops along the ' Abdu'l-Baha had stayed while in Bristol. route. Hundreds of copies of Th e Prom.ise of The program included music, a slide show World Peace were de li vered by the train of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to England pretravellers, and the Baha ' i message was given sented by Counsellor Adam Thorne, and a to scores of people, including the Mayor of reading of"The Seven Cand les of Unity" by Niagara who expressed interest in learning some of the Baha'i children. about the Faith. GERMANY FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu ' l-Baha The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu' l- Rul?iyyih Khanu m joined approximate ly Baha Ru!;iiyyih Khanum, accompanied by 1,200 friends gathered in Stuttgart on 9 April Mrs. Violette Na~avani, traveled to Europe 1988 for a conference held during the festivto participate in some of the activities held to ities related to the seventy-fifth anniversary commemorate the Master's visits on that of the Master's visit to that country. A lso continent. present at the conference were member of In France, the Hand of the Cause took the International Teaching Center Anneliese part in a National Teaching Conference held Bopp, Counsellor Ursula Milhlschlegel, and in Paris on 28 and 29 November 1987 which members of the National Spiritual Assemb ly. was attended by about 500 friends. In adc Amatu'l-Baha Ru!;iiyyih Khanum addressed dition to talks given by Amatu ' l-Baha, the conference in the German language. Counsellor Agnes Ghaznavi and members of On 10 April, the Hand of the Cause was the French National Spiritual Assembly the specia l guest at a festive event held addressed the gathering, stressing the needs in the historic Kurhaus in Bad Cannstatt, of the Six Year Plan. Stuttgart, to commemorate the seventy-fifth Following the Conference, the Local anniversary of the visit of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Spiritual Assembly of Pari s entertained Germany. The Mayor of Stuttgart, Dr. Man- Ru!;iiyyih Khanum at lunch, then conm1emo- fred Rommel, gave the welcoming address rated her visit by going to the Eiffel Tower to the nearly 900 friends and guests who to have a photograph taken in the same place had gathered for the event. fn her ceremonial where the beloved Master had been photo- address, Amatu' l-Baha Ru!;iiyyih Khanum graphed seventy-five years earl ier. fondly recalled her time in Germany in 1936 THE COMMEMORAT ION OF HI STOR IC AN NIV ERSAR IES 77 and 193 7, and spoke of the early followers UNITED KINGDOM of Baha'u'llah in that land. Counsellor On 30 June 1988, the first Human Rights Anneliese Bopp, Dr. Massoud Berdjis and Award presentations in the United Kingdom Werner Gollmer spoke of the li fe, teachings were made at St. John 's Church, Westminster, and travels of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and selections London, commemorating the Master's visit fro m His Writings were read. Press confer- to London in 1911. The six recipients were: ences were attended by representatives of Dr. Edward Carpenter, awarded for his work major newspapers and broadcast services. in the field ofreligious unity; the Right Reverend Bishop Trevor Hudd leston, honored HUNGARY for hi s work to promote racial uni ty; the late On 9, 10 and 17 April 1988 the Baha ' is of Richard St. Barbe Baker, whose award was Budapest held celebrations to mark the an ni- received on his behalf by the Chairman of versary of 'Abdu' l-Baha's visit to that city, the Men of the Trees; the late Bernard Leach, w ith the Austrian musical group The Dawn- whose awa rd was received on his behalf by Breakers participating. The main event took his wife, Janet Leach; Bob Geldof, for his place in the home of Barbara Maennig, work to aid the famine victims in Ethiop ia, with about twenty friends from Hungary and the awa rd being received on his behalf by Austria attending. The program consisted of Dr. Gessess, Director of Band Aid; and a spiritual portion w ith music, and a social Bertha Bradby, for her work for women's potiion with refreshments. rights. An article about the ceremony was published in the Church Times, the official AUSTRIA newspaper of the Church of England. On 16 April 1988, the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha RuJ:iiyyih Khanum FRANCE joined the Baha ' [ communi ty in celebrating Acti vities celebrating 'Abdu' l-Baha's jow11ey the anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to through Marseilles led to extens ive procla- Vienna. The event was held in the Ingeni eur mation of the Fa ith in March 1989. After an und Architektenverein, and people of capac- official ceremony held in the Pala is du Faro, ity in Austrian society had been sent special a public meeting was held in the Odeon letters of invitation. Counsellors Ursula Theatre. Announcements of the event were Milhlschlegel and Leo Niederreiter also broadcast on radio and television, printed in attended the ceremony, as did friends from newspapers, and distributed throughout the many parts of Europe. In honor of the occa- city on 11 ,000 posters of different sizes. The sion, the Local Spiritual Assembly produced theme of the program was peace, and about a German publication entitled, 'A bdu 'l-Baha 160 people attended. A variety of music and im Wien, and a committee of the National a slide sho w were presented, foll owed by a Spiritual Assembly published a booklet, also concert by an American Baha'i piani st, Marc m German, entitled, 'A bdu 'l-Baha im Ochu , who accompanied his performance Budapest. with comments on the Peace Statement. II THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SEVEN YEAR PLAN IN THE AMERICAS 1. THE FIRST SEVEN YEAR PLAN OF THE BAHA'is OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA Sl-IERNA D EA MER "'T' 1 RAVEL ye to the East and to the West unto the ancient inhabitants of the of the world and summon the people to the Arabian Peninsula, who, prior to the Rev- Kingdom of God," 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote to elation of Mu~1ammad, were like savages. the Baha'is in the United States and Canada When the Mu~iammadan Light shone only three-and-a-half years after His historic forth in their midst, they became so enkinvisit to America in 1912. In a series of Tab- dled that they shed illumination upon the lets that have come to be known collectively world. Likewise, should these Indians as the Tablets of the Divine Plan, ' Abdu'l- be educated and properly guided, there Baha exhorted the American Baha'is to can be no doubt that through the Divine spread the Faith. " ... do ye not think it per- teachings they will become so enlightmissible to leave [any] region deprived of ened that the whole earth will be the breezes of the Morn of Guidance. " illumined. In a Tablet revealed on 8 April 1916 in All the above countries have importhe garden outside the Sllfine ofBaha'u'llah, tance, but especially the Republic of 'Abdu ' l-Baha specifically told the North Panama, wherein the Atlantic and Pacific American friends to carry the Faith through- Oceans come together through the Panout the Hemisphere: ama Canal. It is a center for travel and Alaska is a vast counliy ... yet the call passage from America to other continents of the Kingdom of God is not yet raised of the world, and in the fitture it will gain through that spacious territory. most great importance. Likewise the Republic of Mexico is Likewise the islands of the West Indies, ve1y important .. . such as Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Similarly, the six Central American Jamaica, the islands of the Lesser Anti- Republics, situated south of Mexico-- lles, Bahama Islands, even the small Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicara- Watlings Island, have great importance; gua, Costa Rica, Panama and the seventh especially the two black republics, Haiti country Belize or British Honduras ... and Santo Domingo, situated in the clus- You must attach great importance to ter of the Greater Antilles. Likewise the the Indians, the original inhabitants of cluster of the islands of Bermuda in the America. For these souls may be likened Atlantic Ocean have importance. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSAR IES 79 Mrs. Vivian Lismore, seated second from left, pioneered to Havana, Cuba, during the Seven Year Plan. She is shown in her home in 1943, surrounded by Cuban Baha 'is. Jn a similar way, the republics of the that your heads shall be crowned with the continent of South America-Colombia, diadem of everlasting so vereignty, and at Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, British Guiana, the threshold of oneness you will become Dutch Guiana, French Guiana, Bolivia, the favored and accepted servants. 1 Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, A few individuals and local communities Venezuela; also the islands to the north, responded immediately to the Master's call. east and west of South America, such as Martha Root took her first journey around Falkland Islands, the Galapagos, Juan South America in 19 19, and in February Fernandez, Tobago and Trinidad. Like- 1921 Leonora Holsapple became the first wise the city of Bahia, situated on the Baha' i to live in Latin America when she eastern shore of Brazil. Because it is moved from the United States to Bahia, some time that it has become known by Brazil, to teach the Faith. But in the main, this name, its efficacy will be most potent. 'Abdu'l-Baha's mission went unfulfilled .. .send to those parts fluent speakers, because no institutions existed capable of who are detached from aught else save arousing unified action. God, attracted with the fragrances of It was left to Shoghi Effendi, after the God, and sanctified and purified from all passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha, to slowly, painsdesires and temptations. Th eir sustenance takingly, raise up the Administrative Order, and food must consist of the teachings of first in the United States and Canada, and God. First they must themselves live in then elsewhere around the world. Nor was accordance with those principles, then guide the people ... Should you be aided 1 ' Abdu ' l-Baha, Tablets a/the Divine Plan (Wilmette: to render such a service, rest ye assured Baha ' i Publi shing Trust, 1977), pp . 3 1- 34. 80 THE BAHA'i WORLD this undertaking only a matter of estab lishing American believers dated 10 January 1936, Assemblies and committees. The Guardian he directed the friends towards a more active had to help the community to move beyond teaching program. the subjective and personal elements of faith This new stage in the gradual unfoldto a world of action . There needed to be a ment of the Formative Period of our Faith transition from the idea of teaching as an into which we have just entered-the individual achievement to an understanding phase of concentrated teaching activitythat the greatest results for the Faith came synchronizes with a period of deepening when these separate efforts were gu ided and gloom, of universal impotence, of evercoordinated. increasing destitution and widespread dis- In a letter written to the North American illusionment in the fortunes of a declining Baha' is dated 2 1 April 1933, the Guardian age. This is truly providential and its sighelped the friends understand the develop- nificance and the opportunities it offers us ment of the Faith during its first forty years should be fully apprehended and utilized. 2 in America: In his message to the 1936 Convention of The first of these four decades ( 1893- the Baha'is of the U nited States and Canada, 1903), characterized by a process of slow the Guardian moved from the general to the and steady fermentation, may be said to specific in terms of teaching goals: have culminated in the historic pilgrimages WOULD TO GOD EVERY STATE WITHIN AMER I- undertaken by 'Abdu'l-Baha's American CAN REPUBLIC AND EVERY REPUBLIC IN disciples to the shrine ofBaha'u'llah. The AMERICAN CONTINENT MIGHT ERE TERMINA- ten years which followed ( 1903- 1913), TION THIS GLORIOUS [FIRST BAHA'i) CENTURY so full of the tests and trials which EMBRACE LIGHT FA ITH BAHA'U ' LLAH AND agitated, cleansed and energized the body ESTABLISH STRUCTURAL BASIS HIS WORLD of the earli est pioneers of the Faith in that ORDER. 3 land, had as their happy climax 'Abdu'l- "The Convention was electrified", wrote Baha's memorable vis it to America. The Garreta Busey in an article entitled "Unitthird period (1913-1923), a period of quiet ing the Americas". "Tardily aware of the and uninterrupted consolidation, had as its instructions given so long ago by the Master, inevitable result the birth of that divinelyonly half comprehending their implications, appointed Administration, the foundations slow to believe in their own ability to pursue of which the Will of a departed Master a teaching program so much more extensive had unmistakably establ ished. The remainthan that of the present time, the American ing ten years (1923- 1933), distingui shed Baha'is were at first dazed and then galvathroughout by further internal developnized into action by the sweeping demands ment, as well as by a notable expansion of the message." 4 of the international activities of a growing Between Ric;lvan 1936 and 1937 Baha'i community, witnessed the completion of groups or individual believers were estabthe superstructure of the Mashriqu ' llished in five of the twelve unopened States Adhkar-the Administration's mighty bu lor Provinces-Nebraska, Wyoming, Oklawark, the symbol of its strength and the homa, North Dakota, and North Carolinasign of its future glory . 1 and the Faith had been carried to forty-two The first stage of the fonnative period came to end in 1935, Shoghi Effendi announced, and in a letter to the North Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America (Wilmette: Baha'i Publi shing Committee, 1947) , p. 6. 3 ibid. p. 6. 1 4 Shoghi Effend i, The World Order of Bahci '11 '//ah The Bahci á;World, vol. IX (Wi lmette : Baha ' i Pub- (W ilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1974), p. 80. li shing Committee, 1945), p. 187. THE COMMEMORAT ION OF HI STORIC ANNIVERSARIES 81 new cities in North America. But the work aid all the fa ith, the determination and in Latin America was largely untouched. energies of which it is capable, and set Garreta Busey stated: out, single-minded and undaunted, to To most of the people in the United attain still greater heights in its mighty States, the countries in South and Central exertions for the Cause of Baha 'u ' llah. 2 America, thus opened up before us, were In his message to the Convention of 1937, unknown , romantic lands much more Shoghi Effendi first called the teaching inidistant than the continent of Europe soon tiative the Seven Year Plan, adding to the to be closed to us completely. Teaching in goals before the American believers that of the United States and Canada seemed completing the exterior ornamentation on already to tax to the utmost our spiritual the House of Worship in Wilmette: energies. How then could we succeed in DUAL GIFT PROVIDENTIALLY CONFERRE D establishing the Cause in every republic AMERJCAN BAHA'i COMMUNITY INVESTS RE- of the southern continent? The time for CIPI ENTS WITH DUAL RES PONSIB ILITY FULFIL the unfoldment of that particular phase of HISTORJC MISS ION. FIRST PROSECUTE UNrN- the Divine Plan had, however, come, and TERRUPTEDL Y TEACHING CAMPAIGN INAUGU- on May 19 the Guardian cabled his call for RATED LAST CONVENTION rN ACCORDANCE pioneers permanently to reside in Central DIVINE PLAN. SECOND RESUME WITH INFLEX I- and South America, and gave £3 00 as the BLE DETERMrNATION EXTERJOR ORNAMENTA- nucleus of a fund for the new teaching TION ENTIRE STRUCTURE TEMPLE .... ADV ISE work. The action of the National Spiritual PROLONGATION CONVENTION SESS IONS EN- Assembly in response to these messages ABLE DELEGATES CONSU LT NATIONAL AS- was the estab li shment of a special teach- SEMBLY TO FORMULATE .FEASIBLE SEVEN ing fund of $30,000 in the national budget YEAR PLAN TO ASSURE SUCCESS ... NO SACRI- and the appointment of the first Inter- FICE TOO GREAT FOR COMMUNITY SO ABUN- American Committee. 1 DANTLY BLESSED REPEATEDLY HONORED.3 Shoghi Effendi was pleased with the ini- "At the beginning of the Seven Year tial response, but on 30 May 1936 he wrote to Plan," Leroy Joas reported in an article the Baha' is of the United States and Canada: entitl ed "Teaching in North America", "after A systematic, carefully conceived, and the Fa ith had existed in this country for 43 well-established plan should be devised, years, there were 72 Spiritual Assemblies rigorously pursued and continuously in 26 States and Provinces, with 24 Baha'i extended. Initiated by the National repre- Groups and 246 Isolated Believers with sentati ves of the American believers, the the Fa ith established in 303 cities. In the vanguard and standard-bearers of the remaining seven years of the first Baha'i radiant army of Baha' u' llah, this plan century, the American Baha'is were called should receive the whole-hearted, the upon .to establish .the Faith in 34 new States sustained and ever-increasing support, and Provinces, 10 of .which did not have both moral and financial, of the entire even one Baha ' i. Furthermore, these areas body of His followers in that continent. .. were found to be among the most backward, The fi e ld is immense, the task gigantic, not only from the standpoint of religious the privilege immeasurably precious. Time intolerance, but also in the way of educais short, and the obligation sacred, tional development, cultural achievements, paramount and urgent. The American and economic welfare." 4 community must muster all its force , concentrate its reso urces, sum mon to its 2 Messages ta America, p. 7. ibid. p. 9. ibid. p. 187. 4 I Th e Balui 'i World. vol. IX, p. 202. 82 T HE BAHA'i WORLD Th e first Local Spiritual Assembly of San Jose, Costa Rica, organized on 21 April 1941, was also the first Local Assembly in Central America. Pioneer Gay le Woolson stands back center. The challenge of bringing the Faith to its undoubted sovereignty, are receiving Latin America was even more daunting as fresh luster every day and its manifold in that vast area there was only Leonora institutions are driving their roots deeper Holsapple, still at her post in Bahia, Brazil; and deeper into its soil. Blest and honored Isabel Dodge, who had gone with her geolo- as none among its sister communities has gist husband to his job site in Chupaca, Peru; been in recent years, preserved through and one or two other resident Baha' is. The the inscrutable dispensations of Divine task would have been insurmountable Providence for a destiny which no mind without the constant love, encouragement, can as yet imagine, such a community and vision offered by the Guardian. For cannot for a moment afford to be content example, on 25 November 1937 he wrote: with or rest on the laurels it has so deserv- ... As I lift up my gaze beyond the edly won. It must go on, continually go strains and stresses which a struggling on, exploring fresh fi e lds, scaling nobler Faith must necessarily experience, and view heights, laying firmer foundations, shedthe wider scene which the indomitable ding added splendor and achieving added will of the American Baha'i community renown in the service and for the glory is steadily unfolding, I can not but marvel of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. The seven at the range which the driving force of year plan which it has sponsored and with their ceaseless labors has acquired and which its destiny is so closely interwoven, the heights which the sublimity of their must at all costs be prosecuted with faith has attained. The outposts of a Faith, increas ing force and added consecration. already persecuted in both Europe and All should arise and participate. Upon the Asia, are in the American continent measure of such a participation will no steadily advancing, the visible symbols of doubt depend the welfare and progress of THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 83 Pioneer Louise Caswell visits some Baha '£friends in the Parque La Concordia in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in October 1941. those distant communities which are now and nations of the Old World, invest the battling for their emancipation. To such a Seven Year Plan, now operating in both priceless privilege the inheritors of the the northern and southern American conshining grace ofBaha ' u' llah cannot surely tinents, with a significance and urgency be indifferent. The American believers that cannot be overestimated. 2 must gird up the loins of endeavor and The Seven Year Plan can be divided into step into the arena of service with such four periods: (I) from Ricfyan 1937 to 1939; heroism as shall astound the entire Baha'i (2) from Ri<;lvan 1939 to mid-point in the world. Let them be assured that my Plan; (3) from October 1940 to Ri<;lvan prayers will continue to be offered on 1942; and (4) the final two years . their behalf. 1 The first phase was characterized by And on I 0 September 1938: friends traveling to teach. Mr. and Mrs. Louis I feel tru ly exhilarated as I witness the Gregory spent several months in Haiti, and ever-recurrent manifestations of unbroken left a number of serious students of the solidarity and unquenchable enthusiasm teachings. Mrs . Nellie French sailed by ship that distinguish every stage in the pro- around South America and had particular gressive development of the nation-wide success in Bahia, where she met up with enterprise which is being so unflinchingly Leonora Holsapple, and in Lima, where she pursued by the whole American Baha'i worked with Isabel Dodge. Mrs. Frances community. The marked deterioration in Stewart attended the People's Conference at world affairs, the steadily deepening gloom Buenos Aires in November 1937, and found that envelops the storm-tossed peoples interest among the Latin American delegates. Messages to America, pp. I 0-11 . 2 ibid. p. 14. 84 THE BAHA'I WORLD Beatrice Irwin devoted some six months STEP PROGRESSIVE, SYSTEMATIC PENETRA- to teaching in Mexico City and other Mexican TION LA TIN AMERICA. UPSURGE BAHA'U- towns during 1937, lecturing, holding study 'LLAH'S IMP ELLING SP IRIT CAN NOT, WILL groups and supplying literature to people of NOT, BE STEMMED IMPEDED. METHODICAL influence and capacity. Mrs. Stewart also ADVANCE ALONG LINE TRACED PEN 'ABDU ' L- went to Mexico City and found it possible to BAHA IRRESISTIBLE. GUATEMALA, HONDU- instruct a group who, on 21 April 1938, pro- RAS , SALVADOR, NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA, ceeded to establish the first Local Spiritual PANAMA , CUBA, DOMINICA, HAITI IMMEDIATE Assembly in the Americas outside of the OBJECTIVES. THOUGH POLITI CALLY UNSET- United States and Canada. TLED , RELIGIOUSLY INTOLERANT, SOCIALLY The National Spiritual Assembly of the BACKWARD CLIMAT ICALLY INHOSP ITABLE, United States and Canada invited a represen- THESE UNEXPLORED TERRITORIES HOLD tative of the new Local Spiritual Assembly of FORTH INESTIMABLE PRIZES AUDACIOUS the Baha'is of Mexico City to participate in ADVENTURES PATH BAHA'i SERVICE. 2 the National Convention held in April 1939. That same year, the Guardian's inspiring Four Mexican Baha'is accepted the hospital- and challenging message "To the beloved of ity, including Sra. Maria del Refugio Ochoa, God and the handmaids of the Merciful recorded as the first Mexican Baha ' i. "The throughout the United States and Canada'', occasion was one of great rejoicing," we are The Advent ofDivine Justice, was published. told by Garreta Busey, "inspiring both to the "Be unrestrained as the wind, " is older community and to the new believers, Baha'u' llah's counsel to every would-be who on their return to Mexico City, incorpo- teacher of His Cause, "while carrying the rated their assembly, began issuing a News Message of Him Who hath caused the dawn Letter, and plunged into the work of translat- of Divine Guidance to break. Consider how ing the Writings into Spanish." 1 the wind, faithful to that which God hath The Guardian sent a cable to the Conven- ordained, bloweth upon all regions of the tion, praising the American Baha' is on the earth, be they inhabited or desolate. Neither victories they had won, and setting out the the sight of desolation, nor the evidences of new work to be accomplished: prosperity, can either pain or please it. It BRILLIANT CONCLUSION SECOND YEAR SEVEN bloweth in eve1y direction, as bidden by its YEAR PLAN EVOKES UNIVERSAL ADM IRATION Creator." BAHA'i WORLD, DEEPENS SP IRITUAL "And when he determineth to leave his CONSC IO USNESS MITIGATES HARDSHIPS ITS home, for the sake of the Cause of his Lord, " INCREAS INGLY HARASSED COMMUNITIES. Baha' u' llah, in another passage, referring to CLOS ING PHASE TEMPLE ORNAMENTATION such a teacher, has revealed, "let him put his ALREADY ENTERED. INITIAL STAGE INTER- whole trust in God, as the best provision for CONTINENTAL TEACHfNG CAMPA IGN SUC- his journey, and array himself with the robe CESSFULLY TERMINATED. FIRM ANCHORAGE of virtue .... If he be kindled with the fire of IN STITUTIONS ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER His love, if he forgoeth all created things, PERMANENTLY ESTABLISHED EVERY STATE the words he uttereth shall set on fire them PROVfNCE NORTH AMERI CAN CONTINENT. that hear him. "3 MEXICO, LYING FOREFRONT SOUTHWARD The community of the organized MARCHING ARMY , RECENTLY ENLISTED. promoters of the Faith of Baha ' u' llah PEDRO ESP INOSA 'S AUSP ICIOUS ATTENDANCE in the American continent- the spirititual CONVENT ION WELCOME EVIDENCE. SETTLE- MENT CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLICS NEXT 2 Messages to America, p. 20. 3 Shoghi Effendi, Th e Advent of Divine Justice (Wil- Th e Bahri "i World, vol. IX, p. 190. mette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, rev. ed. 1984), p. 50. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 85 descenants of the dawn-breakers of an Another North American Baha'i who heroic Age, who by their death pro- gave his life to spread the Faith was Mathew claimed the birth of that Faith-must, in Kaszab, who had been a student at the turn, usher in, not by their death but Un iversity of New York when he met through living sacrifice, that promised Mrs. Louise Talbot and learned about World Order, the shell ordained to Baha'u' llah. "From that moment, Mathew's enshrine that priceless jewel, the world real life began", wrote Loulie Mathews. civi lization, of which the Faith itself is "The heroic age of the Bab and the martyrs the sole begetter. 1 absorbed his mind and The Dawn-Breakers By now the response was too great to became his constant companion .. . " chronicle with individual's names, specific "When Shoghi Effendi's Advent of Divine locations, and exact dates. But at least two Justice was published in February, 1939 ... North American dawn-breakers did sacrifice [its] dynamic utterances carried Mathew their very lives to spread the Faith during the away, and without delay he set out for Seven Year Plan. Panama." The Inter-America Committee "Departure South America by wish of asked him to go on to Nicaragua, and, "the beloved Guardian!" May Ellis Maxwell good so ldier of Baha'u ' llah that he was, he had cabled before departing from New accepted our suggestion ... " 3 York on 24 January 1940 on the steam- He went to work in the gold mines of ship Brazil. "She was able to teach 'one Blue Fields. He described the deplorable lovely woman on the boat, the wife of a conditions of poverty and vice and was so distinguished arn1y man"', Marion Holley appalled by the ignorance of the miners' wrote about the trip. chi ldren, that he took a night shift and In Rio de Janeiro, with the aid of taught school in the day time. When I Leonora Holsapple who had come from remonstrated with him because he was Bahia, she arranged two teas at her hotel, giving himself no time for sleep, he the Gloria, one for nineteen guests, while replied that his time was so short he could a third meeting was held at the home of not afford to sleep! All his efforts at bet- Mr. and Mrs. Lee Worley. She spoke also terment in Blue Fields having failed, he to the president of the Homeopathic returned to Managua. College. Yet despite these two weeks of Sudden ly, while walking on the street, exhilarating success, she was eager to he was arrested. The reason given was reach Buenos Aires ... that he uttered words in criticism of the They arrived [May Maxwell and her Nicaraguan government. This may have niece, Jeanne Bolles] on February 27th, been the reason or not- the cause is very after one-day stops in Santos and Mon- obscure. He remained in prison from tevideo .. . On the night of February 29th March 1st to 23rd. As sudden ly as he was they dined alone in her room at City interned, he was liberated. Hotel ... her mood was radiant. But the He determined to leave Nicaragua, next morning a terrible pain came high in sensing danger, and began to make prepaher breast, and though the doctor reas- rations for his departure. When they were sured them both, by afternoon 'the Wi ll complete, he came to say goodbye to our of God took her from our midst'. first native believer, who was teaching "Priceless honor (of a) martyr's death!" school nearby. He was loved by the Shoghi Effendi included in his tribute to May Maxwelt. 2 2 Th e Baha'i World. vol. VIII (Wi lmette: Baha'i Publi sh in g Committee, 1942), pp. 631 - 642. ibid. p. 7. 3 I Th e Baha'i World. vol. IX , pp. 614- 615. 86 THE BAHA'I WORLD Pioneers Gladys Stuart and Cora Oliver, sitting on the left side of the stairs, visit a group of believers in Belize, British Honduras, during the Seven Year Plan. children of the school, who gathered around Aires, and groups in Havana, Tegucigalpa, him and sang their songs for him ... Guatemala, Montevideo, and Panama. As When he reached the airport, an officer early as April, Shoghi Effendi cabled to the stepped forward and presented a warrant Convention his joy that the believers had for his arrest. The day was September 28th outstripped the goal set for 1939-1940. By of 1942. It was some time before his friends April 1942 the number of assemblies was .learned the sad news. On November first nine: Mexico City, Puebla, Buenos Aires, Mathew was attacked by an illness the Montevideo, Tegucigalpa, San Salvador, nature of which was never learned, hi s San Jose, Puntarenos, and Havana. condition was so grave that he was moved In his message to the National Convenfrom the dungeon to the guard's hospital.... tion of the Baha' is of the United States and At that time death seemed imminent Canada sent on 26 April 1942, Shoghi but his strength slowly returned and he was Effendi wrote: sent back to the prison. On December 28 ... FIRST BAHA' I CENTURY FAST RUNNING OUT. the authorities announced that he was AGON IES TRAVAILI NG AGE INEXORABLY free, but must leave the country. Silently CULM INATING . BAB ' S STIRRING UN IQUE IN- and alone, he took a plane to Mexico C ity JUNCTION DIRECTING PEOPLES WEST LEA VE and there reembarked for Brownsville, THEIR C ITI ES ENSURE TRIUMPH DIVINE CAUSE Texas, where he di ed January 13th, 1943. 1 RECORDED CENTURY AGO QA YYDMU'L-ASMA'. By mid-point in the Seven Year Plan, in BAHA'U'LLAH ' S S IGNIF ICANT SUMMONS October 1940, assemblies had been estab- CAL LI NG UPON ALL PRESIDENTS REPUBLICS lished in Mexico City, Bahia, and Buenos WESTERN HEM ISPHERE C HAMP IO N CAUSE JUSTI CE ISSUE D SEVENTY YEARS AGO JN 1 HI S MOST HOLY BOOK. BROAD OUTLINES The Baha 'i World, vol. IX, pp. 6 15- 6 16. THE COMM EMOR AT IO N OF HISTORI C ANN IVERSAR I ES 87 'A BDU ' L-BAHA'S MATCHLESS DESIGN CON- evolves. Threads of friendly human con- CE IV ED TWENTYF IV E YEARS AGO BENEFIT tacts weave back and forth, bringing out NORTH AMERICAN BELIEVERS TRANSMITTED in ever elaborated beauty the Divine Plan POSTERITY TABLETS DIVINE PLAN. SEVEN of World Unity.' As individuals became YEAR ENTERPRISE REGARDED INITIAL STAGE more active, the communities as units EXECUTION WORLD MISSION ALREA DY began also to take on more responsibilities, LAUNCHED. GIGANTIC TEMPLE UNDERTAK- demonstrating their growing maturity ING CONSTITUTING MAJOR OBLIGATION THIS under the Administrative Order. One sign ENTERPRIS E, VIRTUALLY CONSU MM ATE D. of their development was the recognition VAST INTERCONTINENTAL TEACHING CA M- of the Costa Rican assemblies and that of PAIGN VISIBLY YIELDING FIRST FRUITS EVERY Montevideo by their respective govern- REPUBLI C LATIN AMERICA. UPON CRUCIAL ments. The Assembly of Buenos Aires now YEAR AHEAD HI NG E FORTUNES HI STOR IC accepted the responsibility of publishing CRUSADE ... MYS ELF DEPRIVED PERSONAL PAR- and disseminating Baha ' i books in Latin TICIPATION TASK ALLOTTE D PROSECUTO RS America. The Mexican assemblies were EPOCH MAKING PLAN IMP ELLED DEPUTI ZE carrying on extension work in various FIVE MEMBERS AMERICAN BAHA'i COM MUN I- parts of their country. San Salvador had TY HELP FULFILL MY BEHALF WHATEVER PIO- begun teaching in Santa Ana, the second NEER FIELD MOST VITAL ITS URGENT largest city of El Salvador. Youth groups REQU IREMENTS . PLEDG ING FIV E THOUSAN D and children's classes were organized ... 2 DOLLARS ACCOM PLISHMENT THIS PURPOSE. 1 Nor was the work in North America In "Uniting the Americas", Garreta Busey neglected. " ... on March 28 , 1944, we find reported: 136 Spiritual Assemblies, 197 Baha'i ... the most noticeable characteristic of Groups, and the Faith vigorously functioning this last period of the Seven Year Plan in over 1,300 cities on the North American was the work undertaken by the local continent;-the Faith of Baha' u'llah shining believers. Many of them were engaged in in resplendent glory from the vast expanses translating Baha' i literature. The Mexican of Alaska to the Keys of Florida; from the believers .. . had begun that great task. It isolation of Prince Edward Island to the was continued by the Baha'is of Buenos sunny shores of California." 3 Aires, and in Uruguay three believers, In addition, the exterior ornamentation of having finished the "Thirty-Six Lessons'', the Baha 'i House of Worship was completed embarked upon the gigantic task of trans- in 1943. lating "The Dawn-Breakers" .. . Shoghi Effendi cab led to the friends Latin American teachers arose. gathered for the All-American Centennial Sr. Tormo went, with Wilfred Barton, to Convention on 13 April 1944: Paraguay. Sr. Ulloa went from Costa Rica The greatest collective enterprise ever to Panama to assist the pioneers there. launched by the Western fo llowers of Study groups in three cities of Argentina Baha' u' llah and indeed ever undertaken were taught by believers from Buenos by any Baha'i community in the course of Aires. The Baha'is of Santiago were car- an entire century, has been gloriously rying the Faith into other parts of Chile. consummated. A victory of undying fame As time went on the visits between has marked the culmination of the fifty communities were more frequent until in year long labors of the American Baha'i 1941 the Inter America Committees community in the service of Baha' u' llah wrote: 'Thus the Divine Plan continually 2. The Baha 'i World, vo l. IX, pp. 197- I98. Messages to America, p. 55. J ibid. p. 202. 88 THE BAHA'I WORLD Pioneers Honor Kempton, Helen Robenson and Dagmar Dole shown in Anchorage, Alaska, in Januaiy 1944. and has shed imperishab le lustre on the To the band of pioneers, whether settlers immortal records of His Faith during the or itinerant teachers, who have forsaken first hundred years of its existence. The their homes, who have scattered far and exploits that have marked the progress of wide, who have willingly sacrificed their this prodigious, this three-fold enterprise, comfort, their hea lth and even their lives covering a field stretching from Alaska for the prosecution of this Plan; to the in the North to the extremity of Chile in several committees and their auxiliary the south, affecting the destinies of so agencies that have been entrusted with great a variety of peoples and nations, special and direct responsibility for its involving such a tremendous expenditure efficient and orderly development and of treasure and effort, calling forth so who have discharged their high responsiremarkable a spirit of heroism and self- bilities with exemplary vigor, courage sacrifice, and undertaken notwithstanding and fidelity ; to the national representatives the vicious assaults and incessant machi- of the community itself, who have viginations of the breakers of ' Abdu ' l-Baha' s lantly and tirelessly supervised, directed Covenant, and despite the perils, the trials and coordinated the unfolding processes and restrictions of a desolating war of of this vast undertaking ever since its unexampled severity, augur well for the inception; to all those who, though not in successful prosecution, and indeed assure the forefront of battle, have through their the ultimate victory, of the remaining financial assistance and through the instrustages of the Plan conceived, a quarter of mentality of their deputies, contributed to a century ago, by 'Abdu ' l-Baha for the the expansion and consolidation of the followers of Baha'u 'llah in the North Plan, I myself, as well as the entire Baha'i American continent. world, owe a debt of gratitude that no one THE COMMEMORATIO N OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 89 can measure or describe. To the sacrifices my own behalf, as well as in the name they have made, to the courage they of all Baha'i communities sharing with have so consistently shown, to the fidelity them, at this great turning-point in the they have so remarkably displayed, to history of our Faith, the joys and triumphs the resourcefulness, the discipline, the of this solemn hour, feel moved to convey constancy and devotion they have so the expression of our loving admiration, abundantly demonstrated, future genera- our joy and our gratitude for the brilliant tions viewing the magnitude of their conc lusion of what posterity wi ll no labors in their proper perspective, will no doubt acclaim as one of the most stirring doubt pay adequate tribute- a tribute no episodes in the history of the Formative less ardent and well-deserved than the Age of the Faith of Baha' u'llah, as well recognition extended by the present-day as one of the most momentous enterprises builders of the World Order ofBaha'u'llah undertaken during the entire course of the to the Dawn-Breakers, whose shining first Century of the Baha'i Era. 1 deeds have signa lized the birth of the Heroic Age of His Faith . . . . to all the privileged attendants of such an epoch-making Convention , I, on Messages In America, pp. 69- 7 1. ' _ _..._á _j_ ' Celebration of the fiftieth anniversaiy of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil- the oldest Assembly in South America. Mrs. Margot Worley, seated center, served on the first Local Assembly. THE BAHA'I WORLD 2. FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAITH IN LATIN AMERICA CELEBRATED FROM Ric;Ivan 1937 to Ric;!van 1944, the While in Argentina, Amatu'l-Baha, ac- Baha'is of the United States and Canada companied by Mr. Monadjem and a member engaged in the first Seven Year Plan in of the National Spiritual Assembly, had an response to the call from the Guardian: interview with the President of Argentina, WOULD TO GOD EVERY STATE WITHIN AM ERI- Carlos Menem , and two Cabinet members. CAN REPUBLIC AND EVERY REPUBLIC IN The Hand of the Cause also called on the AMERI CAN CONTINENT MIGHT ERE TERMI NA- Mayor of Buenos Aires and presented him TION THIS GLORIOUS [IST BAHA'I] CENTURY with a copy of the pamphlet "A Pattern for EMBRACE LIGHT FAITH BAHA'U ' LLAH AND Future Society'', which consists of an extract ESTABLISH STRU CTURAL BASIS HIS WORLD from the writings of Shoghi Effendi on the ORDER. coming world civilization. By the end of the Plan, the Faith had been Media coverage of the conference was established from Alaska to Chile. No state in excellent. There were items on both radio the United States, province in Canada, or and television, and articles in several newscountry in Latin America was without a papers including one with two full pages, group of believers. Celebrations of the 50th one of which was in color. anniversaries of these victories were held throughout Latin America. BOLIVIA About 150 Baha'is and their friends attended ARGENTINA a public meeting held in the salon of the The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha National Library in Bogota on 12 December Ru~iyyih Khanum attended the "Uniting the 1991 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Americas" conference held in Buenos Aires the Faith in Bolivia. Rosario de Moazes from 27 February to 1 March 1990 to cele- presented a short summary of the Baha' i brate the fiftieth anniversary of the Faith in activities during the Faith' s half-century in Argentina. the country, and Roberto Nothaft gave a talk The conference also honored the memory on the Baha ' i Faith and the new World of May Bolles Maxwell, the mother of Order. Rul~fyyih Khanum, whose flame-like love A story about the celebration was broadfor the Cause led her, at the age of seventy cast on the television news that evening. and in ill health, to voyage to Buenos Aires and, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, "lay BRAZIL down her life in such a spirit of consecration The Local Spiritual Assembly of Salvador, and self-sacrifice as to merit the crown of in the state of Bahia, Brazil, is the oldest martyrdom". Assembly on the Continent. Established in About 1,250 attended the conference 1940, it is the "Mother Assembly" of South including Counsellors Eloy Anello, Isabel America. de Calderon, and Shapoor Monadjem. As On 16 October 1990, the Local Spiritual many as 400 of the participants were not Assembly held a reception to celebrate its Baha'is and, during the course of the three fiftieth anniversary. About two hundred days, twelve people enrolled in the Faith. people attended, including Margot Worley, THE COMM EMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 91 one of the first Baha' is of South America enriched by the music performed by a choir and a member of the first Local Spiritual called "Heredia Canta." Assembly. Also attending was Rolf van Czekus, a member of the Continental Board CUBA of Counsellors in the Americas. On 2 December 1989, the Baha'is of Cuba The Assembly received messages of filled the National Center in Havana to congratulations from the Governor-elect, celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Antonio Carlos Magalhaes, the commanding establishment of the Faith in their country. officer of the consular corps of Bahia, and Songs and dances were performed and, folmany other non-Baha ' is. Commendations lowing a lavish luncheon , a commemorative were also received from the National cake was served. Spiritual Assembly of Brazil , the National Perfecto Rerez Toledo, the first Cuban to Spiritual Assembly of the United States, and recognize Baha' u ' llah, spoke to the Baha'is a large number of Local Spiritual Assem- and their guests. Evoking those early days blies in Brazil. of 1939, he paid tribute to the Baha'is who As part of the anniversary events, two helped to found and develop the Cuban special prayer sessions were held at the Baha'i community: Philip and Laily Marangraveside of Leonora Stirling Armstrong, gella, Josephine Kruka, Jean Silver, William "the spiritual mother of the Baha' is of Brazil'', de Forge, Emogene Hoagg, Gayle Woolson, with many local Baha'is attending. and Ruth Moffett. He also mentioned A photographic exhibit of the first fifty the Hands of the Cause of God Zikrullah years of Baha' i activities in Bahia was Khadem [Dhikru'llah Khac:Iim], Dr. Ugo assembled and displayed, and a video docu- Giachery, and "the unforgettable Dorothy mentary of the history of the Cause in Bahia Baker." was launched. An article about the development of the Faith in Bahia was published in EL SALVADOR A Tarde, the widest circulated newspaper in On 12 November 1989, the Baha' i community the state. of El Salvador celebrated the Anniversary of the Birth ofBaha ' u ' llah and the fiftieth anni- COSTA RICA versary of the arrival of the Faith's first The fiftieth anniversary of the election of the pioneer to their country, John Eichenauer. first Local Spiritual Assembly of San Jose, Mr. Eichenauer was able to be present for Costa Rica, was held on 21 April 1991 in the the occasion. auditorium of the Federal College of Engi- The program was held in the Instituto neers and Architects in San Jose. The event Baha' i Jamaliyyih, about 35 kilometres from was attended by the head of the national the capital, with more than 200 people Social Security system, a representative of attending. One of the friends talked about the Governor of the Province of San Jose, the year 1920, when the Hand of the Cause the President of the San Jose City Council, of God Amelia Collins had walked the and the Rector of the University of Costa streets of old San Salvador saying the Great- Rica. est Name, and Mr. Eichenauer told of how, Special guest for the celebration was hearing of this, he was inspired to go to Mrs. Gayle Woolson, one of the first two El Salvador to pioneer. pioneers to Costa Rica and a member of the The Faith enjoyed extensive television first Local Assembly. The other special exposure during the weeks preceding the guest was also a member of the first Assem- celebration. During one interview, the bly, Mrs. Consuelo Miranda Yda . de Araya . Baha' is were able to speak for two hours on The beautiful commemorative program was the Baha'i approach to peace in response to 92 THE BAHA ' I WORLD The first pioneer to El Salvador, Mr. John Eichenauer (seated center with the Greatest Name plaque), returned to celebrate the Baha 'i community 's fiftieth anniversary. The event was held at Jamaliyy ih Baha'i Institute on 12 November 1989. generally helpful and friendly questions from national theater. A local newspaper pubthe moderator and the television audience. lished an article about the commemoration. PARAGUAY URUGUAY A memorial service for the first Baha'i of A series of events called "Days of Peace on Paraguay, Sr. Roque Centurion Miranda, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Baha ' i Faith was held on 30 January 1990 to commemo- in Uruguay", organized by the Maldonado rate the thirtieth anniversary of his passing community and held from 18 to 20 November on that date. A floral offering was carried to 1988, was given extensive media coverage the Baha' i Cemetery in Lambare, and under in the area. the pine trees by his gravesite prayers were Activities began with a slide show of the read and Sr. Centurion Miranda's two daugh- Baha'i Holy Places and a presentation of ters shared anecdotes about their father. statistical information about the Faith in During the evening of 30 January, a pro- Uruguay. On the second day members of gram was held at the National Baha'i Center the Baha' i community visited a home for in Asuncion to celebrate the fiftieth anniver- the aged and the Children's Council, and sary of the Baha'i Faith in Paraguay. The held a youth gathering. On the third day, a Director of the Performing Art School of program for chi ldren was held with clowns the Municipality of Asuncion participated, and acting. The final activity was a presentaas did Mercedes Janet, a noted actress. A tion about women and peace. young student gave a reading of the biogra- A display of books and photographs about phy of Sr. Roque Centurion Miranda as a the Baha'i Faith was exhibited at the Baha' i Paraguayan citizen, and as a lover of the Centre for the three "Days of Peace". III THE TEN YEAR CRUSADE AND THE KNIGHTS OF BAHA'U'LLAH Adapted from a talk gi ven by MR. ' ALf NAKHJAVANi to the Baha' i World Centre staff in April 1992 MANY of us are working here and abroad di ffus ion of that same light over one hunto prepare for the events of the coming Holy dred and thirty-one additional territories Year-the Centenary of the Ascension of and islands in both the Eastern and West- Baha'u' llah. Among the events whi ch will ern Hemi spheres, through the operation be held in the Holy Land will be a reception of a decade-long world spiritual crusade for the Knights of Baha' u'll ah. These pre- whose termination will, God willing, cious souls had a unique part to play in an coincide with the Most Great Jubilee extremely important period of Baha' i his- commemorating the centenary of the dectory, the Ten Year Crusade. As we look back laration ofBaha'u' llah in Ba~dad. 1 over the development of the Faith during the The tenth part is everything we will be one hundred years since the passing of the doing till the end of the Dispensation of Blessed Beauty, it is appropriate to take the Baha'u'llah. Shoghi Effendi continues: time to review a subject which engaged the And finally the tenth part of this mighty entire Baha' i world during the latter years of process must be the penetration of that the ministry of Shoghi Effendi. light, in the course of numerous crusades The signifi cance of the Ten Year Crusade and of successive epochs of both the Forwas described by Shoghi Effend i in a mative and Go lden Ages of the Faith, into message he sent to the Intercontinental Con- all the remain ing territories of the globe ference in America on 4 May 1953. It was through the erection of the enti re machina long message, read to the assemb ly by ery ofBaha'u'llah's Admin istrative Order Amatu' l-Baha Rt'.tl~iyyih Khanum, towards in all terri tories, both East and West, the the end of which he reviewed the entire stage at whi ch the light of God 's triumspiritual evolution of humanity. He sa id that phant Faith shining in all its power and this process-this stupendous vast process- glory will have suffused and enveloped consists of ten parts. Part one consisted of the entire planet. 2 all of the Prophets of God before the Bab. Of the entire range of the Baha' i Dispen- Part two began with the Bab, and then fol - sation , we are in the tenth part. The ninth lowed five parts rep resenting major phases part-only ten years-was the Ten Year of the Faith up to 192 1. The eighth part was hi s own ministry up to 1953. 1 Messages to rhe Baha 'i World, A compi lat ion of Then he wrote: letters from Shogh i Effend i (Wilmette: Baha' i The ninth part of this process-the Publi shing Tru st, 195 8), pp. 154- 155. stage we are no w entering- is the further 2 ibid. p. 155 . 94 THE BAHA'I WORLD Crusade. And in the entire range of the uni- Seven Year Plan there would be a Ten Year versal process of spiritual evo lution of Plan, not only for the United States and Canhumanity this stage stands out. This is an ada, but for the entire Baha' i world. indication of the importance of the topic. Therefore, that third Seven Year Plan was cancelled, and was superseded by the Ten TEACHING PLANS Year Plan. The first Plan with world-wide From 1844 to 193 7 there were no Baha'i international collaboration was the Ten Year Teaching Plans. The friends knew about Crusade. teaching, about traveling to teach, and about At the mid-way point of the Ten Year martyrdom. 'Abdu'l-Baha had encouraged Plan, Shoghi Effendi passed away. The the friends to form local assemblies and to Hands of the Cause of God took over custoset up funds and associations, and He had dianship of the Faith and the Spiritual given the American believers the Tablets of Crusade was completed. The Universal House the Divine Plan but there was no Adminis- of Justice came into existence and it took trative Order to prosecute this vision. one year to review the situation before it During the first years of his ministry, developed, after consultation with the Hands Shoghi Effendi began to create the structures of the Cause, the Nine Year Plan, from 1964 that we know today. He named the United to 1973 . Following Shoghi Effendi's style, States as the crad le of the Administrative the House of Justice gave a year of respite Order as there was one National Spiritual from Ric;lvan 1973 to 1974, then gave the Assembly there as well as for Canada, and friends the Five Year Plan to carry out from they had been the recipients of the Tablets of 1974 to 1979, followed by the Seven Year the Divine Plan. Everything in terms of the Plan, 1979 to 1986, and the Six Year Plan, formal inauguration of the Administrative 1986 to 1992. Now we have the Holy Year, Order began with the North American Baba'i Ric;lvan 1992 to 1993 , then we are to have community. For 16 years, from 1921 to the Three Year Plan, 1993 to 1996. What will 1937, he said he built up the Administrative happen after that, only Baha'u'llah knows. Order in the United States and Canada. Then, at Ric;lvan 193 7, he gave them the first MESSAGES LEADING UP TO THE Seven Year Plan. Although it was a national TEN YEAR CRUSADE plan, the messages were shared with the The Guardian used the word "Crusade" as Baha'i world collectively. far back as 1939. Of course, this word has At the end of the first Seven Year Plan, historical connotations in connection with in 1944, the Guardian gave the American the military expeditions of the European friends a two-year respite. Then he gave them Christians who went to the Holy Land to libthe second Seven Year Plan, from Ric;lvan erate Jerusalem from Muslim rule. In 1939, 1946 to 1953. During the second Seven Year two years after the inauguration of the first Plan of the United States, he urged the other Seven Year Plan of the American believers, ten National Spiritual Assemblies to have he began to use the term "Crusade" instead Plans, too. Consequently, the second Plan was of "Plan." In his Persian writings he used paralleled by other Plans in Asia, Africa, the word "Jihad," which is "Holy War." He Europe and Australasia. subsequently used "Crusade" for the second In letters from the Guardian, there was Seven Year Plan, and then for the Ten Year reference to a third Seven Year Plan to take Plan so that the latter became known as place after three years of respite. However, the Ten Year Crusade, even more than the he changed his mind and decided that imme- Ten Year Plan. He sometimes referred to the diately upon the completion of the second pioneers as "crusaders ." THE C OMMEMORATIO N OF HISTORIC A NN IVERSARI E S 95 Shoghi Effendi did not give the Baha'i National Assembly. In this letter he stated world any indication of this Crusade in the that at the end of the Two Year Plan, earlier years of his Guardianship. However, the Baha'i world was to have undertakings in 1951 , six years before he passed away, which would involve and engage all National when he began to build up the World Centre Assemblies, and there were eleven at that by inviting outstanding believers to come to time. the Holy Land to serve on the International In this letter he also gave the Baha'i world Baha' i Council or to come as Hands of the a foreshadowing of two stages: one period Cause of God, he started referring to some- with undertakings involving all National thing very great that was going to happen. Spiritual Assemblies, that is, the Ten Year For example, on 25 February 1951 , in Crusade; to be followed throughout the a letter to the British National Spiritual Epochs of the Formative Age by enterprises Assembly (and almost on the same date he which would be launched by the Universal sent a cable to the American National Spiri- House of Justice. I remember the discustual Assembly repeating virtually word for sions in Tihran by the scholars of the Faith word what he had told the British Baha ' is), about why Shoghi Effendi had said that he instructed the British Baha'i community those enterprises would be embarked upon to have a Two Year Plan, beginning in 1951 by the Universal House of Justice. Why and ending in 1953, to recruit pioneers to didn ' t he say under the aegis of the Africa. Guardianship? On the success of this enterprise, [the In this one short paragraph, Shoghi Two Year Plan] unprecedented in its Effendi told the friends about the future in scope, unique in its character and immense two ways. First something great was going in its spiritual potentialities, must depend to happen, then major enterprises were to the initiation, at a later period in the For- occur under the aegis of the Universal House mative Age of the Faith, of undertakings of Justice. embracing within their range all National Nine months later, on 30 November Assemblies functioning throughout the 1951, the Guardian sent a message in which Baha' i World, undertakings constituting he said that the Baha'i World would hold in themselves a prelude to the launching intercontinental conferences for the first of world-wide enterprises destined to be time. There had always been local and embarked upon, in future epochs of that national conferences. Now, he said, the same Age [the Formative Age] , by the Faith was entering a new phase. Universal House of Justice , that will Forthcoming celebrations must be symbolise the unity and coordinate and signalized through inauguration long unify the activities of these National anticipated intercontinental stage in Assemb lies. 1 administrative evolution of Faith marking This was the first hint Shoghi Effendi its gradual development through succesgave of the Ten Year Crusade. Under the sive phases of local , regional, national, Two Year Plan, he had instructed only five international Baha' i activity. Initiation National Assemblies to work together to this highly significant measure further open Africa south of the Sahara and he put cementing Baha' i National Assemblies in these National Assemblies under the aus- five continents of globe will be acclaimed pices and coordination of the British by posterity as counterpart to consolidation Faith at its World Centre through Unfo lding Destiny : Th e Messages fro m the Guardian recent formation International Baha'i of the Baha 'i Faith to the Baha 'i Community of the Council in Holy Land. 2 British ls/es (London: Baha ' i Publi s hing Tru st, I 98 I), p. 261. 2 Messages, p. I 7. 96 TH E BAHA ' I WORLD This was another hint that the Baha'is nigh, to resolve never to flinch, never to were to engage in collaboration involving all hesitate, never to relax, until each and National Spiritual Assemblies very soon. every objective in the Plans to be pro- At Naw-Ruz 1952, Shoghi Effendi claimed, at a later date, has been full y announced that the eleven National Spiritual consummated.2 Assemblies of the Baha'i world were to be That shook the Baha'i world. The friends joined by a twelfth, the Halo-Swiss National reali zed that while there was a wonderful Assembly. He praised the work of Dr. Ugo thing happening- there would also be national Giachery in that cable, and said how impor- Plans; each of these twelve National Spiritant it was that at the beginning of this new tual Assemblies was going to have its own international phase we had a new National Plan, just as the Halo-Swiss was to have its Spiritual Assembly. own Plan- and that there would be some Anticipate entrusting to the youngest rough times ahead. among the twelve National Assemblies of Then came the auspicious moment, on the Baha' i World a specific plan enabling 8 October 1952, when Shoghi Effendi it, in conjunction with its sister National announced the summary of the Ten Year Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i World, Crusade. He gave the Baha'i world the Cruto promote in the course of the ten years sades ' s objectives, and the preamble of the separating the second from the Most Great message read as follows: Jubilee the Global Crusade designed to Feel hour propitious to proclaim to the hoist the standard of Baha' u' llah in the entire Baha'i world the projected launching remaining states, dependencies and islands on the occasion of the convocation of the of the whole planet. 1 approaching Intercontinental Conferences Here it was : the first intimation of the Ten on the four continents of the globe the fate- Year Crusade. laden, soul-stirring, decade-long, world- The next message I want to quote was embracing Spiritual Crusade involving the written in June 1952 and was heartrending: simultaneous initiation of twelve national No matter how long the period that Ten Year Plans and the concerted particiseparates them from ultimate victory; pation of all National Spirih1al Assemblies however arduous the task; however formi- of the Baha ' i world aiming at the immedidable the exertions demanded of them; .. . ate extension of Baha'u' llah's spiritual however grievous the ordeal of temporary dominion as well as the eventual establishseparation from the heart and nerve-center ment of the struchire of His administrative of their Faith which future unforeseeable order in all remaining Sovereign States, disturbances may impose upon them, I Principal Dependencies comprising Princiadjure them, by the precious blood that palities, Sultanates, Emirates Shaykhdoms, flowed in such great profusion, by the Protectorates, Trust Territories, and Crown lives of the unnumbered saints and heroes Colonies scattered over the surface of the who were immolated, by the supreme, the entire planet. The entire body of the glorious sacrifice of the Prophet-Herald avowed supporters of Baha' u 'llah's allof our Faith, by the tribulations which its conquering Faith are now summoned to Founder, Himself, willingly underwent, achieve in a single decade feats eclipsing so that His Cause might live, His Order in totality the achievements which in the might redeem a shattered world and its course of the eleven preceding decades glory might suffuse the entire planet- I illuminated the annals ofBaha'i pioneering.3 adjure them, as this solemn hour draws ibid., pp. 38- 39. 1 3 Messages, p. 23. ibid., p. 41. THE COMM E MORATION OF HISTORIC A NN IVERSARIES 97 He went on giving a summary of these the clouds which immediately after its rise goals. This message had an electrifying in those somber surroundings obscured its effect on the friends. splendor. It was destined to mount to its By May 1953, Shoghi Effendi had already zenith in the far-away city of Adrianople, announced not only the summary but the and ultimately to set in the immediate details of the Ten Year Plan. Intercontinen- vicinity of the fortress-town of' Akka. 1 tal conferences were held. To each one he In these three short sentences, Shoghi sent a special message enumerating all the Effendi described the process of the Revelagoals pertaining to that continent. He sent tion of Baha'u'llah. What happened during Hands of the Cause to be present at the the period of the Bab should be considered Conferences, with a designated Hand repre- as the period of the dawn. As the rim of the senting him personally. All of this happened orb of the Sun appeared-sunrise-that moduring that Holy Year. ment was the birth of the Baha' i Revelation in the Siyah-Chal in Tihran. That began the first Holy Year. The Morning Sun was seen HOLY YEARS in Baghdad, the Declaration by Baha'u'llah The Guardian first used the term "Holy Year" of His Mission. The process reached its zenith in a letter written on his behalf by his secre- in Adrianople, when Baha'u' llah wrote His tary to the American Baha'i community in letters to the Kings, the Proclamation of His November 1951. He explained in that letter Faith: That "Sun" proceeded on its predesthat the Holy Year was to mark the Year tined path and then set in the city of' Akka, Nine, a reference to the Bab's prophecy that at Bahji, in 1892. As to the second Holy Year: in the Year Nine-that is nine years after sunrise fixed the time for the first Holy 1844, His own Declaration-the Promised Year, and sunset will fix the time for the One would come and the new Revelation second Holy Year. would be born. The first Holy Year, announced by The Year Nine began from the time when Shogh i Effendi, stretched from 15 October Baha'u'llah received the intimation of His 1952 to 15 October 1953, and during this Revelation in the Siyah-Chal in Tihran. He time the first four Intercontinental Conferentered the Siyah-Chal in August of 1852, ences were held. The second Holy Year, and stayed in that Black Pit for four months . announced by the Universal House of Jus- Shoghi Effendi explained that this intima- tice, is to begin at Ric;lvan 1992 and end at tion- this dream or mystic experience that Ric;!van 1993 with commemorative events to Baha'u'llah wrote about-occurred at the be held in the Holy Land in May 1992, and mid-way point of this period of four months. the second Baha' i World Congress in New Baba ' u 'llah entered the Siyah-Chal approxi- York in November 1992. mately on 15 August, so Shoghi Effendi took 15 October as the beginning of the Holy CENTENARIES Year. To better understand the Holy Years, I Another subject which might be helpful as refer you to this passage from God Passes By: background is the centenaries we have had The first dawnings of that Light of so far during the Formative Age. The first peerless splendor had . .. broken in the city was the Centenary of the Declaration of the of Shiraz. The rim of that Orb had now Bab, the First Jubilee, in May 1944, the appeared above the horizon of the Siyah- Chal of Tihran. Its rays were to burst 1 Shoghi Effendi , God Passes By (Wilmette: Baha'i forth, a decade later, in Baghdad, piercing Publishing Trust, 2nd ed. , 1987), pp. I 02- 103. 98 THE BAHA ' i WORLD Friends from Australia and New Zealand gathered in Sydney for the Dedication of the National Ifazirat 'ul-Quds and the Commemoration of the Centenary of the Declaration of the Bab, 20 May 1944. highlights of which were celebrations held Conferences convened by the Universal all over the Baha'i world. The second was House ofJustice. Hands of the Cause of God the Centenary of the "Martyrdom of the Bab went to all of these Intercontinental Conferin July 1950, for which Shoghi Effendi called ences. Six of the Hands first visited the on the entire Baha'i world to hold commem- House of Baha' u ' llah in Adrianople before orative events. Next was the Birth of the scattering, carrying with them a copy of the Revelation of Baha' u ' llah, the intimation of portrait ofBaM'u'llah taken in Adrianople, His Mission, referred to by the Guardian as which the friends at these conferences were the Second Jubilee, or sometimes the Great privileged to view. The Centenary of the Jubilee. This was the beginning of the first Ascension ofBaha'u'llah is ahead of us, and Holy Year, as described above, and its high- the beginning of the Holy Year, Ric;lvan lights were the first four Intercontinental 1992 to Ric;ivan 1993 . The highlights will be Conferences. the events here and in New York. The fourth centenary was the Centenary of Baha' u' llah's Declaration in April 1963. THE TEN YEAR CRUSADE This was the Third Jubilee, or, as Shoghi Effendi called it in other writings, the Most Shoghi Effendi sent his manuscript of the Great Jubilee. The highlights were worldwide Ten Year Plan to two National Spiritual celebrations, particularly culminating in the Assemblies, the United States ahd the British first Baha'i World Congress held in London . Isles, asking each of them t6 publish it. It Next was the Centenary of the Revelation of is called, The Bahti 'i Faith 1844 to 1952, the Suriy-i-Muluk in Adrianople where, Information Statistical and á Comparative, Shoghi Effendi said, the Sun "had reached and it is in two parts. The first part consists its zenith." This was in September 1967, and of statistics of the Baha' i world as of 1953. the highlights were the six Intercontinental The second part is called, "Supplement: Ten THE COMMEMORATIO N OF HISTORIC ANN IV ERSARIES 99 The Hand of the Cause of God Leroy Joas greeting the friends on behalf of the Guardian during the first Baha'i Intercontinental Conference, held in Kampala, Uganda, from 12 to 18February1953. Year International Baha'i Teaching and Africa, thirty countries in Europe, twenty- Consolidation Plan 1953-1963." The bottom seven countries in the Americas. However, of the cover reads: "Compiled by Shoghi during the evolution of the Plan, one new Effendi, Guardian of the Baha' i Faith." From territory was added raising the total to one pages 50 to 74 are the details of the Ten hundred and thirty-two, as will be explained Year Crusade as laid out by the Guardian in later. full detail and in full splendor. The next goal was the translation and The first goal was, "Adoption of prelimi- publication of Baha'i literature into ninetynary measures for the construction of one additional languages, the names of which Baha'u'llah' s Sepulchre in the Holy Land." Shoghi Effendi specified. There were to be Some of the friends asked if Shoghi Effendi forty in Asia, thirty-one in Africa, ten in was plaiming to build a superstructure for Europe, ten in the Americas, and he assigned the Shrine ofBaha'u'llah. He answered that responsibility for translating and publishing what he had in mind was to cleanse the these books and publications to designated sun-oundings of the Shrine and to create the National Spiritual Assemblies. I:Iaram-i-Aqdas. This was accomplished. The fourth goal concerned the construction The second goal was the opening of one of two Mashriqu ' l-Adhkars, one in Tihran hundred and thirty-one virgin territories, and one in Frankfurt. Circumstances in Iran whose names he specified. At that time did not pennit the construction of the Temple roughly the same number of territories had in Tihran so, at a later date, he announced already been opened, so opening one hun- that the Kampala Temple in Uganda would dred and thirty-one new territories was equal replace the Temple in Tihran as a goal. A to doubling the number of "countries within few months later he added Sydney, Australia, the pale of the Faith." There were forty-one so two Houses of Worship were erected countries in Asia, thirty-three countries in instead of the one in Tihran. 100 THE BAHA'i WORLD Next was the acquisition of a site for the of religious courts, and indeed a reduction of Temple on Mount Carmel. Mrs. Amelia Collins the power and authority of religious courts. provided the funds, and Shoghi Effendi was This was studied very carefully by the able to purchase that very precious and impor- Hands of the Cause, who produced docutant property which had been blessed by the ments expla ining why this goal was not footsteps of Baha 'u' llah Himself at the time feasib le under current circumstances. He revealed the Tablet of Carmel. The next goal was the codification of the Another goal completed was the erection Laws and Ordinances of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. of the first dependency of the Temple in Shoghi Effendi himself worked on this, and Wilmette, the Home for the Aged. a large package of his notes was passed to Next was the purchase of Temple sites in the Universal House of Justice when it was eleven countries, which he named-three on elected. These form the basis of the present the American continent, three in Africa, two in Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i- Asia, two in Europe and one in Australasia. Aqdas that was published, almost ninety-five The eighth goal was, "Development of the per cent of which was the work of Shoghi functions of the institution of the Hands of Effendi. The Universal House of Justice the Cause". That became very important as completed and published the book. the years went by. During the years that he Next was the estab li shment of six Baha' i was alive after launching the Ten Year Plan, courts in chief cities of the Middle East. He Shoghi Effendi added more Hands to the named them: Tihran, Cairo, Baggdad, New number he had already appointed, then called Delhi, Karachi, Kabul. None of these were on them all to appoint Auxiliary Boards of possible, some for the same reason that a nine for each continent. Later he said that court could not be established in Israel, and there should be two Auxiliary Boards instead others because in those countries they were of one-one for protection and one for ultra-orthodox in their attitudes. The friends teaching the Faith. Towards the end of his tried and were able, for example in Pakistan, life he added more Hands of the Cause, and to have the Baha' i marriage certificate described them as the Chief Stewards of the recognised, which is part of the work of a Embryonic World Commonwealth. As can be Baha'i court, so some aspects of the goal seen , the institution of the Hands developed were achieved . Likewise in New Delhi it very rapidly during those four-and-on e-half was possible to obtain official recognition of years. the Baha' i marriage certificate. The ninth goal was the establishment of The twelfth goal was the extension of the a Baha ' i Court in the Holy Land. Shoghi international Baha' i endowments in the Holy Effendi did not intend for there to be a court Land. Shoghi Effendi acquired many parcels which would supervise and oversee the of property both in Bahji and in Haifa during judicial decisions of National Spiritual As- the four years he was ali ve at the beginning semblies, since the Head of the Faith was of the Plan. Had he not acquired these propsupervising and coordinating the work of the erties on Mount Carmel we would not be National Assemb lies. The intention was ab le to work on the Arc and Terraces as we something different. Just as other religions are now. in Israel had certain rights according to the Construction of the International Baha' i civil and religious laws of the land and had Archives Building was a goal which caused the right to have religious courts, so too tremendous problems. Shoghi Effendi had should the Baba' i Faith have a right to a reli- the design made by Mason Remey, under his gious court in Israel. But that court never own supervision, and had it erected but could materialized because there occurred a trend not complete it. During the last few years of in Israe l towards referral to secular instead the Plan, after the passing of Shoghi Effendi, THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 101 the building was completed under the direc- related to the goal above. As was explained, tion of the Hands of the Cause in the Holy some of these National Assemb lies could Land and all the archives that had been kept not be incorporated. in the three rooms to the south of the Shrine The twenty-first goal was the establishof the Bab were transferred to the new ment of six national Publishing Trusts. All of location. these were established-two in the Americas, It was a goal to construct a Tomb for the two in Asia, one in Africa and one in Europe. Wife of the Bab in Shiraz. The National Spiri- Next, "Participation by the women of Pertual Assembly of Iran did its best, but until sia in the membership of National and Local today it has not been possible to achieve this Assembl ies," was accomplished with flying important goal of the Ten Year P lan. colors. The first year that this permission The next goal was the transfer of the was made effective two Baha'i women were remains of the Father ofBaha'u ' llah and the elected to the Nationa l Spiritual Assemb ly Mother and the Cousin of the Bab to the Baha'i off ran. (Incidentally, Shoghi Effendi gave cemetery in Baghdad. The remains of the the same instruction to the National Spiritual Father ofBaha'u'llah were actually transferred Assembly of Egypt and Sudan, one year after and they are now in the Baha'i cemetery. Persia.) But the remains of the Mother and the Cousin The next goal was the establi shment of of the Bab have sti ll not been identified. seven Israeli branches of National Sp iritual These are among the last wishes of Shoghi Assemblies. This was ve1y interesting. Shoghi Effendi that wil l have to be carried out in Effendi established under Israeli law what future years. are today called "friendly societies." Instead The sixteenth goal was the acquisition of of ca lling them, let us say, "Baha'i Holding four Baha'i Holy Places in iran and 'Iraq. Societies," he had each one named after a Circumstances did not permit any progress National Assembly operating at that time: in realizing the goal in 'Iraq. In Iran , how- for example, the National Spiritual Assembly ever, although it was possible to acquire two of the Baha'is of the United States- Israel of the properties, these were subsequently Branch. One of the wonderful things that he confiscated by the authorities after the did was to incorporate one of these "friendly Revo lution. societies" in the name of the National Spiri- The seventeenth goal was the establish- tual Assembly of the Baha' is of Iran- Israel ment of forty-eight new National Spiritual branch. Shoghi Effendi used to say that in Assemblies. All of these were estab lished Iran the authorities did not recognize us but during the Ten Year Crusade. in Israel the National Spiritual Assembly of The next goal was met with the acquisi- Iran had been incorporated. He transferred tion of forty-nine new I:Ia?'.iratu' 1-Quds. property in the names of these various legal The acqui sition of forty-nine national entities. On Panorama Road, above the Shrine endowments and the framing of national of the Bab, there is still a piece of land Baha' i constitutions for each of the new recorded in the land registry in the name of National Spiritual Assembl ies was the next the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha' is goal. Unfortunately in some countries, such of Iran-Israel branch. as Iran , it was not possible to incorporate the The twenty-fourth goal was the establish- National Assembly. However, national con- ment of a national Baha'i Printing Press in stitutions were drawn up and the National Tihran. This was with the understanding that Assemb lies operated within the terms of the National Assembly of iran would be these documents. incorporated and have its own printing press. Next was the incorporation of fifty-one This was not possib le. However, the National National Spiritual Assemb lies, which is Assembly of iran succeeded in estab li shing 102 THE BAHA'i WORLD an informal publishing house which pub- he named them. It was subsequently learned lished Baha'i books without actually owning that there were Baha'is in some of these a printing press. The books were typed, areas, whose presence had not been reported mimeographed, bound and distributed. Many to him . A few territories were opened by books in our Baha ' i library today are those traveling teachers. We will discuss these published during that period of the Ten Year matters later. Crusade. It was not official, but it was on the The last goal, the twenty-seventh goal, path to the fulfilment of this goal fonnulated was the convocation of the Baha' i World by the Guardian . Congress áin 1963 in Bag!:!dad. As events Baha'is had ties with the United Nations, unfolded, it was not possible to have the Conbut Shoghi Effendi made it a goal to rein- gress in Bag!:!dad and it was held in London . force them. Two years before he passed away, In retrospect it seems so appropriate that it the persecutions in Iran allowed the friends was held in London because that was where to develop much closer connections with Shoghi Effendi had passed away. Many various UN agencies such as the Security Baha'is went to that first Congress, on the one Council, the Human Rights Commission and hand to pay their respects to their Guardian other agencies in New York. The Guardian who had passed away while labouring for seemed to have anticipated this development, the Cause at the mid-way point of his Spiriand urged the friends to build on those rela- tual Crusade, and on the other to celebrate tionships. This process has continued, and the one hundredth anniversary of the Declanow we have an efficient office in New York, ration ofBaha'u ' llah. another in Geneva, yet another in the Pacific, After giving the friends the objectives and so on. of the Ten Year Crusade, Shoghi Effendi For the purposes of the Ten Year Crusade explained that it was to have four phases. Shoghi Effendi treated the Soviet Union as The first phase was the opening of the virgin two parts, the European section which he territories, to occur over the first year. Durcounted as part of Europe, and the Asian ing the year he named the Knights as they republics which he regarded as part of Asia. arrived at their pioneer posts. Second was According to his reports, there were thirteen the acquisition of national I:Ia~iratu'l-Qudses unopened republics in the Soviet Union and and endowments, over a period of two years. There was a tremendous effort by the Baha'is all over the world to win these goals. Third, the multiplication of Baha' i localities and the formation of sixteen new National Spiritual Assemblies over a period of two years. This was done. And then, just before his passing, he said the fourth phase was to witness a vast increase in the number of believers and localities and the erection of the Temples of Africa, Australasia and Europe. The Hands of the Cause of God continued working on this fourth phase for the rest of the ten years. Charles Dunning, the Knight of Baha 'u 'llah THE KNIGHTS OF BAHA'U'LLAH for the Orkney Islands, The word translated as "knights" was used by with Brigitte Hasselblatt, the Knight of Baha'u'llah in His Writings. 'Abdu'l-Baha Bahci 'u 'llahfor the Shetland Islands, also used the word, as well as the word c. 1954. "horsemen." By knights they meant heroes: THE C OMME M ORATIO N OF HI ST ORI C ANN IVE RS ARI ES 103 pioneers who would go to these unconquered regions. This caught the imagination ofBaha'is all over the world. About a month later, Shoghi Effendi explained what he had in mind. In letters written on his behalf, he gave many explanations, two of which I will quote from: There are no objections to more than one pioneer settling in these areas [meaning these virgin areas]. If the original one to whom the territory has been assigned [meaning the NSA] cannot proceed at this moment, they will still be reaching their goal even though someone else might reach that point sooner than they. All who proceed to these points at this time will be designated as Knights ofBaha'u'llah and their names be carried on the Roll of Knights ofBaha 'u 'llah Alvin and Gertrude Honor to be deposited permanently in the Blum at their post in the Solomon Islands with Shrine of Baha'u ' llah. their daughter, Keithie (front) , John Mills All pioneers reaching virgin areas at (left) and the Head ofthe Bamu Tribe in 1954. this time are carried on the honor roll as they used the word as translated by Shoghi Knights of Baha'u'llah. In other words, Effendi with a lower case "k." Shoghi Effendi there may be four or five Knights of took this word and used it as an accolade. It Baha' u 'llah for one country. The Guardbecame a title, with a capital "K." After ian has been considering how long this annow1cing the goals of the Ten Year Crusade, period of settlement by the Knights of Shoghi Effendi made this announcement on Baha'u'llah should continue, but has not 28 May 1953: yet set the date. Up until that time, every Planning inscribe, chronological order, individual settling in a virgin area will be names spiritual conquerors illuminated carried on the honor roll. Roll of Honor, to be deposited entrance door inner Sanctuary Tomb ofBaha' u'llah, as permanent memorial contribution champions His Faith victorious conclusion opening campaign Global Crusade . . . 1 This was the first time he had used the words "Roll of Honor." It was a new term for the Baha'is, as were "Holy Year" and "Crusade," and of course, "Knights" as a title. As we just saw, Shoghi Effendi wanted one hundred and thirty-one countries and territories of the world opened to the Faith during one year. To encourage the friends to arise, he said he would open a list upon Feroza Yaganegi (left), one of the Knights of which he would inscribe the names of those Baha 'u 'llah for Goa, with Gulnar Aftabi, wife of the other Knight of BahQ 'u 'llahfor Messages , p. 49. Goa in 1953. 104 THE BAHA'I WORLD Shoghi Effendi had named 131 territories to be opened, including Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. The National Assembly wrote to Shoghi Effendi to state that no pioneer could go to Anticosti as it was owned and entirely controlled by a paper company. Only people employed by that company could go there, and Baba' is had been unsuccessful in obtaining jobs. Two further possibilities were for hunters or for people related to the islanders to go there, but neither of these were opened to Baha'is. Shoghi Effendi wrote back to tell them to choose another island. They consulted and The Knights of Baha 'u 'llah for French chose the Gulflslands, which Shoghi Effendi Togo/and, David Tanyi (second from left) approved. and Vivian Wesson (second from right), In the end, the National Assembly was with new believers in Accra in 1956. able to open Anticosti Island, as originally envisaged. Shoghi Effendi named a Knight Friends started rushing : they longed to for Anticosti and it is on the Roll of Honor. be on the Roll of Honor and among the Because the Gulf Islands had already won Knights of Baha'u'llah. When you examine the honor of being a virgin territory which the Roll of Honor today you will see that produced a Knight, the Baha'i world ended some of the difficult countries only have one with 132 virgin territories instead of the solitary Knight, and some of the easier coun- original 131. tries have five, six, seven Knights. One may note that 122 territories opened Then, in May 1954, came this ominous by Knights of Baha'u ' llah do not equal the announcement: 132 virgin territories named by Shoghi The Roll of Honor, after the lapse of one year since the launching of the World Crusade, is now closed, with the exception of pioneers who have already left for their destination, as well as those first arriving in the few remaining virgin territories ... 1 When Mr. Abbas and Mrs. Rezvanieh Katirai went to the Sakhalin Islands in 1990, they became Knights since it was the last unopened territory left from the Ten Year Crusade. They set the seal on the Knights of Baha' u'llah. The total number of territories opened by Knights was 122, with a footnote which reads, "Including the Gulf Islands, supplementing the Anticosti Islands, both in Canada." The story of this footnote is as follows. Edythe MacArthur, who moved to the Queen Charlotte Islands of Canada in 1953 and Messages, p. 69. was named a Knight of Baha 'u 'llah. THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 105 Effendi. This is because 10 were opened by Shoghi Effendi had planned to deposit it other means. There were some countries where because when he sent a picture of the new there were Baha' is about whom Shoghi door to the Shrine (the present door to the Effendi had never received reports. When he Shrine) to the American National Assembly learned of these he announced in one of his he asked them to pub lish the picture and Ri9van messages that he now considered describe it and to add that immediately these countries a lready opened. As the behind this door the Roll of Honor would be Baha'is there had gone before the opening of deposited. the Ten Year Crusade they could not be A map has also been made. It is in the named Knights. In other cases, countries style of the maps of Shoghi Effendi, and were opened by traveling teachers who shows the 132 territories. From each country could not reside there-Baha ' is who went there is a line on which the name of each back and forth- and through them people Knight is written, and like an arrow the line enrolled in the Faith. Usually it was not just pierces the country. It is in color, and will one person, but a whole group of people also be displayed. A copy will, of course, be who went at different times. Together there made available to the friends . were JO territories in these categories which explains the 122. The total number of Knights was 257: 131 men; 126 women . The total number of Knights still alive is 159. The total number still living at pioneering posts is 14. The number settled during the lifetime of Shoghi Effendi and still at their post is 10- God bless them. The number of Knights intending to be present at the Centenary events in the Holy Land is 108. THE ROLL OF HONOR The Roll of Honor is on a parchment that Shoghi Effendi himself ordered. He also found the artist who would put the names on Th e Knights of Baha 'u 'llah to the Canary the Roll. It has spaces, like cartouches, for Islands, Gertrude Eisenberg (right) and each country, in four columns. If there was George and Marguerite True, with the more than one Knight of Baha' u' llah for a True 's son Barry in 1953. country their names were written in smaller letters, and if there was just one name, that name enjoyed the full space of the cartouche. This Roll of Honor wi II be displayed when the Knights of Baha ' u' llah come to the World Centre. The next day, it will be placed in a [Reprints of the Roll of Honor as well as the special sealed box and then laid by Amatu'l- map showing the 132 territories drawn by Baha Rlil)iyyih Khanum at the entrance to Shoghi Effendi , are enclosed in the cover the Shrine of Baha'u' llah. We know where pockets of this volume of The Baha 'i World.] 106 THE BAHA 'f WORLD THE KNIGHTS OF BAHA'U'LLAH LISTED BY VIRGIN TERRITORIES AND DATES OF SETTLEMENT 1953-1990 ADMIRAL TY ISLANDS BALEARlC ISLANDS Violet Hoehnke VII 1954 Virginia Orbison VIII 1953 Jean Deleuran XII 1953 ALBANIA Tove Deleuran XII 1953 Found to be already open Charles Ioas I 1954 ALEUTIAN ISLANDS BARANOF ISLAND Elaine Caldwell VIII 1953 Grace Bahovec Jenabe Caldwell VIII 1953 Helen Robinson IX 1953 Elinore Putney V 1954 Gai l Avery II 1954 ANDAMAN ISLANDS BASUTOLAND Khodadad M. Fozdar XI 1953 Elizabeth Laws X 1953 Frederick Laws X 1953 ANDORRA William Danjon X 1953 BECHUANALAND Audrey Robarts II 1954 ANTICOSTI ISLAND John Robarts II 1954 Mary Zabolotny IV 1956 Patrick Robarts II 1954 Supplemented by: BHUTAN GULF ISLANDS Ardeshir Faroodi VI 1954 Catherine Huxtable IX 1959 Shapoor Rowhani VI 1954 Clifford Huxtable IX 1959 BRlTISH CAMEROONS ASHANTI PROTECTORATE Enoch Olinga X 1953 Benedict Eballa IV 1954 BRlTISH GUIANA AZORES Malcolm King X 1953 Lois Nolen X 1953 Richard Nolen X 1953 BRlTISH HONDURAS Cora Oliver IX 1953 BAHAMA ISLANDS Shirley Warde X 1953 V. Gail Curwin X 1953 Gerald Curwin X 1953 BRlTISH TOGOLAND Ethel Holmes X 1953 Albert Buapiah IV 1954 Maurice Holmes X 1953 Edward Tabe IV 1954 Andrew Matthisen I 1954 Nina Matthisen I 1954 THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC AN N I VERSARIES 107 BRUNEI CYPRUS Harry Clark II 1954 Abbas Vakil VIII 1953 Charles Duncan II 1954 R. Hugh McKinley IX 1953 John Fozdar IV 1954 Violet McKinley XI 1953 Samira Vakil XI 1953 CANARY ISLANDS Gertrude Eisenberg X 1953 DAMAN George True X 1953 Ghulam Ali Kurlawala VI 1953 Marguerite True X 1953 Shoghi Riaz Ruhany VI 1954 DIU Gulnar Aftabi XII 1953 CAPE BRETON ISLAND Kaykhusraw Dehmobedi XII Frederick Allen X 1953 1953 Jean Allen X 1953 Bahiya Rowhani XII 1953 Grace Geary X 1953 Irving Geary X 1953 DUTCH GUIANA Elinor WolffX 1953 CAPE VERDE ISLANDS Robert WolffX 1953 Howard Menking I 1954 Joanne Menking I 1954 DUTCH NEW GUINEA Elly Becking X 1953 CAROLINE ISLANDS Lex Meerburg IV 1954 Virginia Breaks XI 1953 DUTCH WEST INDIES CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO Matthew Bullock XI 1953 Puva Murday V 1957 John Kellberg IV 1954 Marjorie Kellberg IV 1954 CHANNEL ISLANDS Ziaoullah Asgarzadeh IX 1953 ESTONIA Evelyn Baxter IX 1953 Opened by traveling teachers CHILOE ISLAND FALKLAND lSLANDS Zunilda de Palacios X 1953 John Leonard II 1954 Louise Groger VI 1954 FAROE ISLANDS COCOS ISLANDS Eskil Ljungberg VIII 1953 Frank Wyss VI 1955 FINNO-KARELIA COMORO ISLANDS Opened by traveling teachers Mehraban Sohaili VIII 1954 FRANKLIN COOK ISLANDS K. Gale Bond IX 1953 Edith Danielsen X 1953 J. Jameson Bond IX 1953 Dulcie Dive I 1954 FRENCH CAMEROONS CRETE Meherangiz Munsiff IV 1954 Rolf Haug X 1953 Samuel Njiki IV 1954 108 THE BAHA ' i WORLD FRENCH EQUATORIAL GREECE AFRICA Am in Banani VIII 1953 Max Kanyerezi IX 1953 Sheila Banani VIII 1953 Carole A llen IX 1953 FRENCH GUIANA Dwight A llen IX 1953 Eberhard Friedland X 1953 HADHRAMAUT FRENCH SOMALILAND Adib Baghdadi XII 1953 Fred Schechter VIII 1953 Wahida Baghdadi XII 1953 Fahimah El ias V 1954 Husayn I:Ialabf II 1954 Sabri E li as V 1954 HAIN AN FRENCH TOGOLAND John Z.T. Chang VIII 1959 David Tanyi IV 1954 Mavis Nymon V 1954 HEBRIDES Vivian Wesson V 1954 Gerald ine Craney X 1953 FRENCH WEST AFRICA lT ALIAN SOMALILAND Labib I~fahanf XI 1953 Sohei l Samandari III 195 3 Habib I~fahani IV 1954 Mehd i Samandari XI 1953 Ursu la Samandari XI 1953 FRISIAN ISLANDS Elsa Grossmann IX 1953 JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND Geertrui Ankersmit X 1953 Adela I. de Tormo X 1953 Ursu la Yon Brunn X 1953 Salvador Tormo X 1953 GALAPAGOS ISLANDS KARIKAL Gayle Woolson IV 1954 Salisa Kermani VIII 1953 Haik Kevorkian V 1954 Shirin Noorani VIII 1953 GAMBIA KEEWATIN Feriborze Roozbehyan II 1954 Dick Stanton IX 1953 GILBERT & ELLICE KEY WEST ISLANDS Arthur Crane VII 1953 Elena Fernie III 1954 Ethel Crane VII 1953 Roy Fernie III 1954 Howard J. Snider IX 1953 GOA KAZAKHSTAN Roshan Aftabi VII 1953 Found to be already open Feroza Yaganegi VII 1953 KIRGIZIA GRAND MANAN ISLAND Found to be already open Doris Richardson IX 1953 KODIAK ISLAND Jack Huffman VI 1953 Rose Perkal VII 1953 Bernard Guluáke II 1954 THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC AN NIVERSARIES 109 KURJA-MURJA ISLANDS MAHE Munir Vakil I 1954 Lionel Peraji X 1953 Khodarahm Mojgani III 1954 LABRADOR Qudratollah Rowhani III 1954 Howard Gilliland IV 1954 Bmce Matthew IV 1954 MALTA Una Townshend X 1953 LATVIA Olga Mills XI 1953 Found to be already open John Mitchell VII 1954 LEEWARD ISLANDS MARGARJTA ISLAND Earle Render X 1953 R. Katharine Meyer X 1953 Ben Weeden X 1953 Gladys Weeden X 1953 MARJANA ISLANDS Charles Dayton II 1954 Robert Powers Jr. V 1953 Mary Dayton II 1954 Cynthia Olson V 1954 David Schreiber II 1954 MARQUESAS ISLANDS LIECHTENSTEIN Gretta Jankko III 1954 Amir Huschmand Manutschehri VIII 1953 MARSHALL ISLANDS Marcia Atwater VIII 1954 LITHUANIA Opened by traveling teachers MAURITIUS Ottilie Rhein XI 1953 LOFOTEN ISLANDS Mildred Clark VIII 1953 MENTAW AI ISLANDS Loyce Lawrence VIII 1953 Ral~matu 'llah Muhajir II 1954 Iran Muhajir II 1954 LOY AL TY ISLANDS Daniel Haumont X 1955 ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON MACAO Ola Pawlowska X 1953 Frances Heller X 1953 Carl Scherer XIJ 1953 MOLDAVIA Loretta Scherer XII 1953 Annemarie Kriiger MADEIRA MONACO Ella Duffield IX 1953 Nellie French IX 1953 Elizabeth Hopper IX 1953 Azizullah Navidi II 1954 Sara Kenny IX 1953 Shamsi Navidi II 1954 Adah Schott IX 1953 Olivia Kelsey III 1954 Florence Ullrich III 1954 MAGDALEN ISLANDS Kathleen Weston IX 1953 MONGOLIA Kay Zinky IV 1954 Sean Hinton XII 1988 ll0 THE BAHA'I WORLD MOROCCO PORTUGUESE TIMOR (INTERNATIONAL ZONE) Florence Fitzner VI 1954 Manoutchehr Hezari IX l 953 Haro ld Fitzner VI 1954 Hormoz Zendeh IX l 953 Jose Marques VII 1954 E lsie Austin X 1953 Mohammed Ali Ja lali X 1953 QUEEN CHARLOTTE Hossein Rowhani Ardekani ISLANDS XI 1953 Edythe MacArthur VIII 1953 Nosrat Rowhani Ardekani XI 1953 REUNION Ali Akbar Hassanzadeh Opal Jensen X 1953 Rafii-Rafsandjani XI l 953 Le land Jensen III 1954 Shayesteh Rafii-Rafsandjani XI 1953 RHODES Abbas Rafii Rafsandjani Elizabeth Bevan I 1954 XI 1953 Mary L. Suhm IV l 954 RIO DE ORO Richard Suhm IV 1954 Amin Battah X 1953 Evelyn Walters IV l 954 Richard Walters IV 1954 ROMANIA Fereidun Khazra i XI 1968 NEW HEBRIDES Bertha Dobbins X l 953 RUANDA-URUNDI Dunduzu Chisiza VI 1953 NICOBAR ISLANDS Mary Collison VI 1953 Margaret Bates VII l 957 Rex Collison VI 1953 Jeanne Frankel VII 1957 ST. HELENA NORTHERN TERRITORIES Elizabeth Stamp V 1954 PROTECTORATE Julius Edwards IX 1953 ST. THOMAS ISLAND Martin Manga IV 1954 Elise Schreiber II 1954 ORKNEY ISLANDS SAKHALIN Charl es Dunning X 1953 Abbas Katirai Ill 1990 Rezvanieh Katirai III 1990 PONDICHERRY Saeed Nahvi VII 1953 SAMOA ISLANDS Shyam Behari Lal VIII 1953 Li lian Wyss I 1954 Shokat Nahvi XI 1953 SAN MARINO PORTUGUESE GUINEA Tabandeh Payman IX 1953 Hilda Rodrigues IX 1953 Sohrab Payman IV 1954 Jose Xavier Rodrigues IX 1953 SARDINIA Mari e Ciocca XI 1953 THE COMMEMORATION OF HISTORIC ANNIVERSARIES 11 1 SEYCHELLES ISLANDS SPANISH MOROCCO Kami! Abbas XI 1953 (continued) Abdul Rahman Zarqani I 1954 Luella McKay X 1953 Bahia Zeinol-Abedin X 1953 SHETLAND ISLANDS Fawzi Zeinol-Abedin X 1953 Brigitte Hasselblatt IX 1953 SPANISH SAHARA SICILY MuJ:iammad Mu~tafa X 1953 Carol Bagley X 1953 Florence Bagley X 1953 SPITS BERGEN Gerrald Bagley X 1953 Paul Adams VI 1958 Stanley Bagley X 1953 Susan Bagley X 1953 SWAZILAND Emma Rice X 1953 John Allen IV 1954 Valera Allen IV 1954 SIKKIM Bula Mott Stewart IV 1954 Udai Narain Singh VIII 1953 TADZHIKISTAN SOCIETY ISLANDS Found to be already open Gretta Lamprill X 1953 Gladys Parke X 1953 TIBET Udai Narain Singh IX 1955 SOCOTRA ISLAND Mirza Aqa Khan Kamali- TONGA ISLANDS Sarvistani III 1955 Stanley Bolton Jr. I 1954 Dudley Blakely VII 1954 SOLOMON ISLANDS E lsa Blakely VII 1954 Alvin Blum III 1954 Gertrude Blum III 1954 TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO Jean Sevin I 1954 SOUTH WEST AFRICA Ted Cardell X 1953 UKRAINE Found to be already open SOUTHERN RHODESIA 'Izzatu'llah Zahra'i VI 1953 UZBEKISTAN Claire Gung X 1953 Found to be already open Eyneddin Alai XII 1953 Tahereh Alai XII 1953 WHITE RUSSIA Kenneth Christian I 1954 Helmut Winkelbach XII 1978 Roberta Christian I 1954 WINDWARD ISLANDS SPANISH GUINEA Esther Evans X 1953 Elise Schreiber V 1954 Lillian Middlemast X 1953 SPANISH MOROCCO YUKON Earleta Fleming X 1953 Joan Anderson IX 1953 John Fleming X 1953 R. Ted Anderson IX 1953 Alyce Janssen X 1953 N View of the interior of the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, as it looked when thousands of Saha 'is gathered for the first Saha 'i World Congress, held from 28 April-2 May 1963. PART THREE INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 142-148 OF THE BAHA'i ERA 21 APRIL 1986-20 APRIL 1992 '-"" i First page of the Kitab-i-Aqdas in the handwriting of 'Abdu 'l-Baha. This Tablet belonged to Baha 'u '!!ah Himself. I THE SIX YEAR INTERNATIONAL TEACHING PLAN 1986- 1992 1. THE COMPLETION OF THE SIX YEAR INTERN A TI ON AL TEACHING PLAN A. THE BAHA'f WORLD CENTRE a. Publication of the Kitab-i-Aqdas in considered by the review committee and the English draft was amended as needed. During the In its Ric:Ivan message of 1986, the Universal same period a companion work, Questions House of Justice announced that the time and Answers, was also translated from the had come for the preparation of a copiously Persian for inclusion in the volume; this annotated English háanslation of the complete work consists of questions put to Baha'u'llah text of the Most Holy Book. The accom- regarding certain laws of the Aqdas, and His plislm1ent of this project was specified as a responses. major goal of the Six Year Plan for the Parallel with this process, researchers World Cenháe. Its publication was scheduled began collecting pertinent passages from the during the Holy Year. Baha' i Sacred Writings, the Holy Books of Shoghi Effendi himself had already háans- the past, the interpretations of Shoghi Effendi lated just over one-third of the text of the and other materials needed in the prepara- Aqdas. The basic task, then, was to provide tion of the extensive annotations that were suitable renderings of the remaining passages to accompany the text. A list of the items of the Book. This was initially assigned to a requiring notes was first prepared and conmlittee ofháanslators at the World Cenháe. approved. In composing the notes, the focus Their work was subsequently reviewed and of concentration was on those points about revised a number of times until an accept- which the reader would need elucidation. able version was approved. The standards The notes are not intended to be a compreadopted to guide the translation were accu- hensive commentary on the text, which would racy of meaning, beauty of language, and be a task beyond the capacity of present conformity of style with that employed by resources. Shoghi Effendi. The volume also include_s a preface, an During the course of the work, a well- inháoduction, Shoghi Effendi ' s description of advanced draft was shared with a number of the contents of the Book, supplementary knowledgeable Baha'is around the world who passages, a synopsis and codification of the were asked for their comments and sugges- laws and ordinances of the Aqdas, a glossary tions. The points they submitted were then and an extensive index. 116 THE BAHA'i WORLD Attendees of the Jfuququ 'llah Conference held at the Baha'i World Centre in Janumy I 987 From left to right, fiáont row: Mr. Hugh Chance, Dr. 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa, Mr. Salim Nounou, Mr. Hadi Rahmani. Middle row: Mr. Jan Semple, Mr. 'Ali NaY!Javani, Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Mr. Mas 'iid Khamsi, Mr. Hushmand Fath eazam, Dr. Amin Banani, Mr. Charles Wolcott, Dr. Dmyush Haghighi. Back row: Mr. Parviz Hatami, Mr. Khudarahm Payman, Dr. David Ruhe, Mr. Borrah Kave/in, and Mr. David Hofman. b. Education of the Baha'i World in the The first compi lation was supplemented Law of J.luququ'llah in due course by a study guide comprising The Universal House of Justice decided to a simple codification of the law, a brief initiate a program of education about the law history of the development of the institution of l:J.uququ'llah for Baba ' is throughout the of l:J.uququ 'llah, and the text of an informaworld to explain the details and, above all, tive address given at the International Baha' i the spiritual significance of this law, and had Convention in 1988 by the Trustee of a compilation of texts on l:J.uququ 'llah pre- l:J.uququ'llah, the Hand of the Cause of God pared and sent to all national communities in Dr. 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa. These materials 1985. With these materials in hand, educa- were translated into many languages and tion of the body of beli evers became a goal were further supplemented by the production of the Six Year Plan. of many other educational items in different INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACT IVITIES 117 parts of the world. To prepare for the world- Kitab-i-Aqdas, the progress of the buildwide application of the law, the Universal ing projects on Mount Carmel, the conclu- House of Justice called the first }::Iuququ ' llah sion of the Six Year plan, the inception of Conference in the Holy Land in 1987, the Holy Year-animates the expectations attended by the Trnstee, five of his deputies, of the Baha' i world, sets the stage for representatives of the International Teaching mightier endeavours than have already Centre and the World Centre ' s Department been attempted, and points us all to the of Finance. opening of a new phase of history. It Of the many meetings and conferences seems fitting, then, that the sacred law subsequently held on }::Iuququ'llah during which enables each one to express his or the Plan, the gathering called by Dr. Yarqa her personal sense of devotion to God in in conjunction with the 1988 International a profoundly private act of conscience Convention and attended by over fifty depu- that promotes the common good, which ties and representatives, including seven directly connects the individual believer Continental Counsellors, deserves mention. with the Central Institution of the Faith, This conference promoted increased cooper- and which, above all , ensures to the obeation among the institutions of the Faith in dient and the sincere the ineffable grace the implementation of the goal and gave a and abundant blessings of Providence, renewed impetus to the education of the should, at this favourable juncture, be believers. embraced by all who profess their belief One of the steps taken by the Trnstee in in the Supreme Manifestation of God. preparation for the worldwide application of With humility before our sovereign Lord, the law was to greatly increase the number we now anno1mce that as ofRi9van 1992, of deputy háustees on all continents as well the beginning of the Holy Year, the Law as the number of representatives selected by of I:Iuququ ' llah, the Right of God, will these deputies to assist them in their work. become universally applicable. All are N umerous activities for the education of the loving ly called to observe it. friends were also undertaken by the Conti- In response to this am1ouncement Hand nental Boards of Counsellors and the of the Cause of God Dr. 'Ali-Mul~ammad National Spiritual Assemblies. Yarqa called another Internationa l }::Iuququ- Perhaps the best indicator of the success ' llah Conference to prepare for the universal of these efforts was the increase in the num- application of the law. This was held at ber of believers observing this law. During Landegg Academy in Switzerland in August the Six Year Plan the amount received by 199 1, and was attended by twenty-three the I:Iuququ 'llah fund greatly increased. One deputy trustees from all over the world. of the most gratifying aspects of this increase In November 1991, following consultawas the number of payments received from tion with the Trustee, the Universal House Western believers who, although not then of Justice announced the establishment of obligated to fulfill the law, paid the I:Iuququ- a central office for I:Iuqi'.1qu' llah in the Holy 'llah eagerly because of their love for Land. One of the fruits of this new develop- Baha'u' llah and their increased awareness of ment was the publication in January 1992 of its importance. the first edition of a }::Iuququ'llah newsletter In 1991 the Universal House of Justice designed to link the greatly increased numannounced in its Ri9van message that the ber of deputy trnstees and representatives law of }::Iuququ 'llah would become, as of the around the world by exchanging news of following Ri9van, universally applicab le: their activities and providing them with Such an exceptional confluence of immi- helpful material for their rapidly expanding nent achievements- the publication of the functions. 11 8 THE BAHA ' I WORLD LIST OF COMPILATIONS ANO CODIFICATIONS OF ~IUQUQU'LLAH (BY LANGUAGE) HELO IN Tl-IE BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE LIBRARY The Research Department of the Universal Huququ 'llah (June 1986); and, Development House of Justice prepared: Compilation of of Huqilqu 'llah (March 1987). These have l:fuqilqu 'llah (July 1985); Codification of been translated into the following languages: Language Title Publisher Year Afrikaans Hugt'.1gu'llah, die reg va n God - Abri dged NSA of So uth Africa 1988 Compilati on and Codificati on Amharic Ye Hugt'.19u'llah hig ater ):'.a le trazi - Abridged NSA of Ethiop ia 199 1 Compilation Be):'.e ariestu sir l:'.e takafafelul:'.e Hugugu 'llah hig NSA of Ethiopia 199 1 Codification Ara bic Huqugu'llah - Co mpil at ion Ed itora Baha ' i, Brasil 1986 Hugt'.1gu'llah - Compi latio n NSA of Pakistan 1986? Chinese "Hu ku gu la" gu-gui BPT of Malaysia 1987 Danish Hugt'.1gu ' llah, Guds rel - Compi lation NSA of Denmark 1989 Dutch Hugugu ' llah, het recht van God - Compilation NSA of the Netherlands 1988 English Hugugu ' Jl ah - Compilation NSA of New Zealand 1985 HuqC1gu ' ll ah, the Ri ght of God - Compil at ion BPT of Un ited Kingdom 1986 Hugt'.1qu ' ll ah - Deve lopment and Codification BPT of Malaysia 1987 and Abridged Compilation l-lugt'.1gu ' Jl ah - Compi lation NSA of Malaysia 1985 The Law of Hugt'.19u'Jl ah - Codification and NSA ofTranskei 1987 Deve lopm ent and Abridged Com pil ation l-lu9C1qu'Jl ah - Comp il at ion BPT of Indi a 1986 l-lugC1gu'Jlah, a Stud):'. Guide - Codification and BPT of United Kin gdo m 1989 Development, and The Right of God (by Dr. Varga) l-luqC1qu'Jl ah, the Ri1jht o f God - Comp ilation BPT of United Kingdom 1989 Huqugu'llah - Compilation Baha ' i Canada Publications 1989 Finnish Hugugu ' ll ah, Kokoelma - Abridged NSA of Finla nd 1991 Compilation French Hugt'.1gu ' ll ah ou le droit de Di eu - Compil ation MEB of Belgium 1987 Hugugu ' Jlah , hi storigue et codification MEB of Belgium 1987 German Hu9C1gu'Jlah - Comp il ation NSA ofGennany 1987 Systematische Darstel lung des Hugugu'llah- NSA ofGennany 1987 Gesetzes - Codification I ban Hugt1qu'Jl ah - Comp il ation State Baha ' i Co un cil of 1992 Sarawak, Ma laysia Icelandic Login um Huqugu'llah - Abridged Compilation Icela nd 1992 INTE RNA TIO NA L SURVEY O F CURRE NT BA HA' I ACT IVIT IES 119 Language Title Publisher Year Ita li an Huq(1gu ' ll ah - Co mpilati on Casa Ed itrice Baha' i 1987 Korean Hugugu ' ll ah - Compi lation Seoul 1992 Norwegia n Lovem om Hugugu ' ll ah - Co mpi lation Baha' i Forlag 1990 Persian Hugugu ' llah - Compi lation Dr. Varga, Canada 1984 Spanish El Huqugu'llah ):' los Fondos Baha' is Editorial Baha' i de Espa na 199 1 Swedish Huguqu ' ll ah - Co mpil ati on Baha' i fo rlaget 1988 Tamil Hukukull a - Abridged Comp ilation BPT Committee of Ma laysia 1987 Urd u Hugugu ' llah BPT of Pakistan 1986 A deepening in the law ofHuququ '!!ah at Menu Balui 'i Institute, Western Province of Keny a, November l 990. 120 THE BAHA'I WORLD A luncheon held as part of the opening ceremonies of the north wing of the House of 'Abdu 'llah Pasha, 28 April 1990. c. Restoration and Protection of Holy On 19 June 1990, the Universal House of Places Justice sent the following messages to all The Office of Holy Places mobilized most of National Spiritual Assemblies: its resources and efforts during the Six Year REJOICE ANNOUNCE COMP LETION RESTORA- Plan to accomplish two major tasks: the TION NORT H WING OF HOUSE OF 'ABDU ' LLAH restoration of the north wing of the House of PASHA IN 'AKKA PERMITTING FIRST VISIT 'Abdu'llah Pasha; and completion of the ADDITIONAL AREA THIS HOLY PLACE BY urgently needed architectural, photographic, CURRENT GROUP PILGRIMS ON SEVENTEENTH and inventory documentation of the Holy JUNE. WING CONTA INS HALL JN WHICH Places-sacred and priceless legacies that 'ABDU'L-BA HA HELD FEASTS AND OTHER must be protected from environmental and GATHERINGS AND ALSO ROOM OCCUPIED political perils. In addition, several other BY SHOGHI EFFEND I DURJNG BOYHOOD, BOTH major projects were completed. ROOMS BEFITTINGLY FURNISHED BY AMATU ' L- The restoration of the north wing of the BAHA RU~liYYIH KHANUM. House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha began in 1987 During this time, RuJ:iiyyih Khanum also and took three years to complete. The personally undertook the furnishing of two project-phase two of an overall plan for the additional rooms in the south section which building-followed restoration of the south were then opened to pilgrims, namely the wing, which had been completed in 1983. biruni of 'Abdu'l-Baha and a room that was The restoration was based on the design used for teaching children. work of architect Mr. Saeed Samadi, with Several properties encroaching on the the work supervised and managed by archi- courtyard of the House or bordering the tect Mr. Fariburz $ahba. walls were also acquired, ensuring the future INT ERNAT IONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 121 protection of the perimeter. The vaults and - The ceiling of the colonnade of the underground sections were surveyed. Shrine of the Bab was plastered and refinished In addition to the work on the House of and the specially designed brass ornamental 'Abdu'llah Pasha, architectural, as built, light fixtures were affixed, completing the drawings of most of the Holy Places were design of the Hand of the Cause of God completed, together with photo-documenta- William Sutherland Maxwell for this part of tion of the buildings and their contents. the superstructure. Identification and description of items The superstructure of the Shrine was careaccording to museum standards neared com- fully washed, and the dome was repainted pletion. The following major tasks were also and protected against rain water seeping into accomplished during the Plan: the interior. A new scaffolding system for - The coordinates, both latitude and accessing the interior and exterior of the longitude on the Israeli Grid, of the resting dome was erected. place ofBaha'u'llah were finally established - The Room in which Baha'u'llah passed accurately, enabling the direction of the away in the Mansion of Bahji was com- Qiblih to be ascertained from any point on pletely restored. Particular care was taken the earth's surface. to replicate the beautiful pattern of the stencilled artwork both in this room and in the balcony area. - Detailed research on the Prison Cell of Baha'u'llah was undertaken in preparation for its complete restoration. This was accomplished with the cooperative efforts of the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The plaster layer covering the walls was removed to expose the stones that were there at the time ofBaha'u'llah. - The Ri<;[van Garden fountain was carefully excavated after serious cracks developed in the structure, and it was completely restored. The Pump House erected by the Guardian over the older structure that was in place at the time of 'Abdu'l-Baha and which had collapsed, was also restored. Extensive restoration work also took place on the pebbled paths and the exterior of the building housing the Room ofBaha'u'llah. Using old photographs and photogrammetric measurement techniques, drawings were made of the original bench of Baha'u- 'llah and the other benches used by pilgrims. This was done in preparation for completely rebuilding the benches. A property within the Firdaws Garden that was sometimes used by the Master was Restoration of the stencilled artwork on the re-acquired. balcony of the Mansion of Baha 'u 'llah at - The property of the Junein Garden, Bahji, October 1987. which Baha'u'llah used at one time, was 122 THE BAHA'f WORLD acquired and restoration begun . It is located - All remains of Baha' is still in the Musin Nahariyyih, close to Mazra'ih. lim cemetery in Tiberias were transferred to - Tiles on the roof of the International the Baha'i cemetery in En Gev which houses Archives Building were removed and protec- the remains ofBaha'u'llah's faithful brother tive layers placed. The roof was completely Mirza Mul:iammad Quli and his family. re-tiled. - The land for a Baha ' i cemetery in - The Monuments of the Greatest Holy Jerusalem was acquired, the Qiblih coordi- Leaf, the Purest Branch, Navvab and Munirih nates established, and the perimeters for the Khanum were carefully cleaned and restored. cemetery secured and built. - At the Haifa Cemetery, following the - The property ofKhan-i-'Avamid, which establishment of the Qiblih coordinates and does not belong to the Faith but which is the demolition of old structures that were ille- visited by pilgrims during the pilgrimage gally occupied, work began to align graves program, was surveyed and documented for and paths, erect new retaining walls, and future purposes. complete landscaping. The ceiling of the colonnade of the Shrine ofthe Bab was plastered and refinished, and the specially designed brass ornamental light fixtures were affixed. 1991. INT ERNATIO NA L SU RV EY OF CU RR EN T BAHA' I AC TI VITI ES 123 d. Signing of the Status Agreement is the H ead of the Baha' i Faith and its Supreme Institution in accordance with its Adapted from a letter from the Universal Constitution. House of Justice to the Baha 'is of the world The Government of Israel recognizes dated 30 April 1987. that the holi est places of the Baha' i Faith, On 22 April 1987, in a ceremony at Israel ' s in accordance with the Baha ' i Sacred Foreign Ministry, an Agreement comprising Scriptures, are located in Israel , and conan exchange of letters was signed by firms that the Universal House of Justice Mr. Shimon Peres, Vice-Premier and Forei gn is the Trustee of the Baha' i International Minister, on behalf of the Government of Community over the Holy Places of the Israel and Mr. Donald Barrett, Secretary- Baha ' i Faith in Israel and over the Baha ' i General of the Baha' i International Community, endowments in Israel. on behalf of the Baha' i World Centre. These friendl y relations trace their foun- Among the contents of this Agreement are dation to the inspired initiatives of 'Abdu ' lthe following statements of recognition: Baha Himself, particularly during the period The Government of Israel recognizes following the Revolution of the Young Turks the members of the Baha' i Faith as a rec- in 1908 when a general amnesty was effected ognized religious community in Israel in for religious and political prisoners held accordance with Article 2 of the Palestine under the old regime. The prestige acquired Order in Council, 1922- 1947, and con- by the Faith through the dynamic force of firms that the Baha'i World Centre is the the Master' s unique spirit was demonstrated world spiritual and administrative centre after his release from imprisonment in the of the Baha ' i world community and that actions He took to establish His residence in the Universal House of Justice in Haifa Haifa at the foot of Mount Carmel, to inter A Status Agreement was signed by His Excellency Shimon Peres, Vice-Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs (center) , and by Mr. Donald Barrett, Secretary-General of the Baha 'i International Community (right) , on 22 April 1987. Minister Mosh e Shahal (left) looks on. 124 THE BAHA' i WO RLD the sacred remains of the Bab in the mauso- action of the Government thus signals the leum which had been erected by Him on the ripeness of the time to pursue the obligation spot designated by Baha' u' ll ah Himself, and acutely fe lt by th e entire Baha ' i worl d to to trave l extensively in the West. Subsequent bring to frnition, as soon as possible, the to these travels, it was more conspicuously work begun by Shoghi Effendi in the erecillustrated through the excell ent relations He tion of the Archives Building and carried fo rged with high and low alike, the social forward in the completion fo ur years ago of impact of His liberal min istrations to the the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. needs of the people in the Holy Land, and The plans to be made and the material the conferring of a knighthood upon Him by requirements fo r so extraordinary an underthe Bri tish Crown. taking will , of course, be communicated to This legacy of prestige was evident in the friends in due course. the recognition accorded Shoghi Effendi as Head of the Faith by the authori ties of e. The Arc and Terraces on Mount the Bri tish Mandate. The extent of the Carmel Guardian's energeti c exertions to achi eve In His soul- stirring Tabl et of Carmel, recognition of the independent status of the Baha 'u ' ll ah glorified M ount Carmel and Fa ith, whose permanent spiritual and admin- declared that God had made it " the dawningistrative centres in the Holy Land, is beyond place of His signs and the dayspring of the the scope of this letter and must, in due time evidences of His Revelation. " He also combe afforded fu ll háeatment in the work of municated to 'Abdu ' l-B aha His majestic fu ture historians. Let it suffice to reaffim1 vision fo r the holy mountain. here that what he was able to accomplish ' Abdu ' l-BaM undertook the great work during the years of the Mandate, in securing of erecting a suitable resting place fo r the custody of Baha ' i properties in obtain ing Sacred Remains of the Bab . He Himself official protection of the Holy Pl aces, recog- consháucted the original mausoleum, and nition of the Baha'i marriage certificate and in 1909 interred in it the Blessed Dust of of the Baha' i Holy Days, and relief fro m the Bab. Soon after 'Abdu ' l-Baha 's pass ing, certain taxes, combined to reflect a status for Shoghi Effendi added three additional the Faith whi ch was accepted by the new rooms, and in 1953 compl eted the spl endid Government when the State of Israe l was superstructure of th e Holy Shrine, designed established in 1948. by Mr. Sutherland Maxwell. He also beauti- Dear Friends, the Status Agreement now fied the holy spot with magnificent gardens, achieved makes an indelible mark on the and took the first steps to shape the lower Formative Age of our Fa ith, assuming a spe- nine terraces. cia l place among the swiftly accum ulatin g With the Tablet of Carmel as his gu ide, evidences of the divine confomations which the Guardian initiated consháuction of a series have thus fa r distinguished the opening of buildings upon an arc on Mount Carmel period of the fo urth epoch of that Age. that would constitute the adminisháative One practical and spi ritually confirming center of the Baha' i world. Shortly before effect of the signing of the Status Agreement his death in 1957 he oversaw the completion is that it brings us within reach of the real- of the Archives building, the first of fi ve ization of the beloved Guardian 's vision for buildings to rise in the immediate vicinity of the Arc on God ' s Holy Mountain. For with the sacred resting pl aces of four members of the Agreement in hand formidable obstacles the Holy Family. After the passing of the to the execution of the Arc Proj ect have been beloved Guardian, the challenging task of removed. The conjunction of the completion erecting the remaining four buildings of the of the architect's design and the favo urable Arc and of compl eting the terraces became IN TERNAT IO NAL SU RV EY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 125 Members of the Universal House of Jltstice with architects Husayn Amanat and Farfburz $ahb6 on the construction site, March l 988. From left to right: Dr. Peter Khan, Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Dr. David Ruhe, Mr. David Hofman , Mr. 'Ali Na!E!Javani, Mr. Hugh Chance, Mr. Amanat, Mr. Sahba, and Mr. Borrah Kave/in. the responsibility of the Universal House of extension of the International Archives Justice. Building. A brief description of each of In 1983, the Seat of the Universal House these will convey an impression of their of Justice, designed by Mr. Hossein Amanat, significance for the Fa ith. was completed at the apex of the Arc. Then The Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab. in 1986, as the Six Year Plan opened, the In His plans for the development of House of Justice announced its plan to com- Mount Carmel, 'Abdu ' l-Baha envisaged mence rearing the remaining buildings on nineteen monumental tenaces from the the Arc, employing designs by the same foot of the mountain to its crest, nine architect. It also appointed Mr. Fariburz leading to the tenace on which the Shrine $ahba, the architect of the Indian House of of the Bab itself stands, and nine above it. Worship, to design the terraces above and These plans were often refetTed to by below the Shrine of the Bab, and to function Shoghi Effendi, and he completed in as Project Manager for constrnction of the preliminary form the nine tenaces constiadditional buildings envisaged in the plan. tuting the approach to the Shrine fro m the In a letter to the fo llowers of Baba 'u ' llah central avenue of the fom1er German throughout the world, dated 31 August 1987, Templer Colony. the Universal House of Justice wrote, in part: The International Teaching Centre Five closely related proj ects demand will be the seat of that institution which is our attention: the erection of the three specifically invested with the twin funcremaining buildings on the Arc and, added tions of the protection and propagation of now to these, the conshuction of the the Cause of God. The institution itself, terraces of the Shrine of the Bab and the referred to by the beloved Guardian in his 126 THE BAHA ' I WORLD Earthwork on the terraces below the Shrine of the Bab in October 1991. Some historic features of the terraces, such as the water cistern and pool built during the Ministry of 'Abdu '1-Bahti, have been retained and incorporated into the new terrace design. Ninety percent of work on the main terrace had been completed by 15February1991. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' i ACTIVITIES 127 Excavation of the site of the Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts, between the Seat of the Universal House ofJustice and the International Archives Building, in February 1992. writings, was established in June 1973, decades its functions must grow, it will bringing to fruition the work of the Hands serve as an active centre for knowledge in of the Cause of God residing in the Holy all fie lds, and it will become the kernel of Land and providing for the extension into great institutions of scientific investigation the future of functions with which that and discovery. body has been endowed. In August 1988, the Mount Carmel The Centre for the Study of the Texts. Projects Office was estab lished in Haifa to This bui lding will be the seat of an institu- design the terraces of the Shrine of the Bab, tion of Baha'i scholars, the efflorescence to take charge of the project management of the present Research Department of and construction administration of all the the World Centre, which will assist the projects, and to represent the Baha'i World Un iversal House of Justice in consulting Centre in all matters related to the projects the Sacred Writings, and will prepare and act as liaison between the Universal translations of and commentaries on the House of Justice and consultants, contracauthoritative texts of the Faith. tors, and the different departments and offices The International Archives Building. of the Baha'i World Centre as eventual users We have decided to construct, westwards, of the buildings and faci lities to be conan extension to the basement of the present structed. From its establishment to Ric;!van Archives Bui lding to provide accommo- 1992 the office grew to include structural, dation for the central office of the ever- mechanical , irrigation, and electronic engi - growing Archives at the World Centre. neers, architects, and experts in the area of This institution is charged with responsi- management, design and supervision. bility for the preservation of the Sacred Throughout the Six Year Plan many chal - Texts and Relics and the historic docu- lenges were met in pursuing the vision of ments of the Cause of God. Baha'u ' llah, 'Abdu ' l-Baha, and Shoghi The International Baha'i Library. Effendi. The House of Justice advised the This Library is the central depository of Baha' i world that it must accumulate a fifty all literature published on the Faith, and million dollar reserve before any construction is an essential source of information for could begin, a goal achieved by February the institutions of the World Centre on all 1991. Other challenges included meeting legal subjects relating to the Cause of God and procedural requirements of the national and the conditi ons of mankind. In future and municipal governments and their agencies. 128 THE BAHA 'i WORLD With the problems came unexpected the Bab, the facing of its wall with stone and bounties. The City of Haifa announced its reinforcement of its base, and the extension hopes to renovate the harbor and to begin to of the te1nce gardens eastward over a new restore the nineteenth-century German Tem- building that will house workshop service pler Colony which lines Ben Gurion A venue areas for the gardens, thereby making the ternorthward from the foot of the terraces. race symmetrical on both sides of the Shrine. Plans were made for a promenade at the In June 1991 phase two commenced: crest of the mountain above the projected excavation for the Centre for the Study of the nineteenth terrace. Through the efforts of the Texts and for the extension of the Archives Mount Carmel Projects Office, these exter- building, an unusually massive excavation nal, independent plans are being integrated for the nine levels of the new buildings, six to the extent possible with the grand design of which will be below ground. The excess for the World Centre properties. rock from the construction site was trans- The official approval of the Town Plan- ported down the mountain to raise and shape ning Scheme, essential for the initiation of the lower terraces, while a thirty-meter-high the Projects, was given by the Local Town retaining wall, anchored by deep-seated Planning Committee and Haifa City Council metal bars, stabi li zed the mountain behind on 11 October 1989. District Commission the future buildings. approval to the proposed Scheme was given The Universal House of Justice wrote to on 23 July 1990. In the course of mnnging the followers of Baha 'u ' llah throughout the for the Town Planning Scheme and the world on 31 August 1987: various building permits, much time was The great work of constructing the devoted to identifying and documenting the terraces, landscaping their surroundings, properties making up the Baha' i World and erecting the remaining buildings of the Centre holdings on Mount Carmel. Arc will bring into being a vastly aug- On 24 May 1990, the Universal House of mented World Centre structure which Justice sent the following message to all will be capable of meeting the challenges National Spiritual Assemblies: of corning centuries and of the tremen- With feeling of profound joy announce dous growth of the Baha' i community to followers of Baha'u ' llah in every land which the beloved Guardian has told us to that on morning of twenty-third May, one expect... . Thi s is the time for which we hundred forty-six years after the Declara- must now prepare ourselves; this is the tion of the Bab, work on extension ter- hour whose coming it is our task to hasten. races commenced. This historic occasion marked by visit His Shrine and Shrine of 'Abdu' l-Baha by Hands of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ru~iyyih Khanum and 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, the members of the Universal House of Justice and Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre with Fariburz ~ahba, architect of the Terraces and manager of the Arc Project to pray for Divine confirmations enable uninterrupted prosecution this majestic enterprise. The first phase of the Terraces Project was the lengthening and reinforcement of the Model of buildings on the Arc as seen main terrace on which stands the Shrine of from the northeast. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF C URR ENT BAl-IA' i ACT IVITI ES 129 Th e Hand of th e Cause of God Amatu 'l-Baha Riihiyyih Khanum greets the President oft he Marshall Islands, Amata Kabua, during his visit to the Baha'i World Centre, 23 June l 990. Th e Hand of the Ca use of God 'A li-Akbar Fun/tan greets well-known musician and Baha'i Dizzy Gillespie during Mr. Gillespie's visit to the Baha'i World Centre on 17 July 199 l. 130 THE BAHA'I WORLD M embers of the Universal House of Justice at the Mansion of Bahji with the Honourable Sir Thomas Davis, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands (secondfiáom right, Font), who vis ited the Bahiz 'i World Centre in August 1986. The Hand of the Cause of God 'A Ii-Akbar Funltan accompaning the Presiden t of Isra el, Chaim Herzog (centre) during his visit to the Baha 'i World Centre on. 25 May J989. / Above: The President of Honduras, His Excellency Jose Azcona-Hoya, visiting the Baha'i World Centre on. 30 May J98 7. Right: The British Ambassador to Jsrael, His Excellency Mark Elliot, and Mrs .Elliot (centre), visiting the Baha'i World Centre 28 Jun e J989. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITI ES 131 f. Broadening the Basis of International In 1985, the Universal House of Justice Relations of the Faith addressed all of humanity about the central As Islamic religious leaders increasingly as- issue facing the human race-global peace. sumed control of the Revolutionary Republic In a letter "To the Peoples of the World" of Iran in the years following 1979, the entitled The Promise of World Peace, the country's government began to lend official Statement cha1is the one course that can lead support to a systematic, organized campaign humanity into the next century, and offers to destroy eve1y trace of the Baha'i Faith in countless evidences that global peace is the land of its birth. "It is absolutely certain within our grasp. "If the Baha' i experience that in the Islamic Republic of Iran there is can conháibute in whatever measure to reinno place whatsoever for Baha'is and Baha'ism," forcing hope in the unity of the human race," the President of the Revolutiona1y Court in the House of Justice stated in the concluding Shiraz announced. section, "we are happy to offer it as a model Baha' is of the world tushed to the defence for study." of their co-religionists. Guided by the Univer- As soon as the Statement had received the sal House of Justice, the Baha' i International signature of the Universal House of Justice, Commmlity sought intervention by the United presentation copies were sent by courier Nations Secretary-General and by United to the waiting National Assemblies through- Nations specialists in human rights ; National out the world who had already been asked to Spiritual Assemblies sought swift and clear seek audiences with the Heads of State of condemnation of the persecution from their their respective nations and territories. This governments and from other national lead- fo1mal approach to the leaders of the world ers; and Loca l Spiritual Assemblies sought was the first stage in a program of dishibution support for the Baha' is of iran tluáough the designed eventually to enlist the pa1iicipation media and tluáough their local govermnent of every follower ofBaha 'u 'llah and to reach representatives. millions of human beings with the message These actions coincided with a new stage of peace. in the unfoldment of the World Order of The combined effo1is of the Baha'is on Baha'u' llah- the introduction of social and behalf of their co-religionists in Iran, in supeconomic development projects, an integral port of social and economic development, part of Baha ' i activity. After decades of and pursuant of world peace resulted in the energy concenháated on the establishment of emergence of the Faith from obscurity. All groups at the loca l level across the entire over the world at all levels of society people planet, some critical mass had been reached became aware of Baha 'u'llah and the which gave Baha ' is the human and material followers of His Faith. Awareness brought resources needed to apply the Teachings of curiosity; Baha ' is were asked for more Baha 'u' ll ah to solve the most practical of information, and they strnve to provide it. problems. Health, education, appropriate It became clear that coordination was teclmology, enviro1m1ental studies ... individ- needed to best cha1mel these eff01ts in exterual Baha ' is had always worked to help the nal affairs and public relations. The Universal conmmnity at large, but all Baha'is were House of Justice created an Office of Public enjoined to work toward "the ordering of Information in 1985 as a specialized agency human affairs in such a way as to bring in to of the Baha'i International Conmmnity to being a world unified in all the essential systematize the handling of inf01rnation on the aspects of its life. " (L etter from th e Univer- Cause at the international level. The report sal Hous e of Justice to the Baha 'is of th e of its activities during the Six Year Plan can World, dated 20 October l 983) be found starting on page 537 of thi s volume. 132 Tl-IE BAl-IA ' i WORLD The House of Justice also convened a the United Kingdom, and the United States planning meeting for all senior staff members to send representatives to meet with a memof Baha ' i International Community offices in ber of the Universal House of Justice and Haifa, New York and Geneva who worked with representatives of the United Nations in external affairs and public relations. Held Office and the Office of Public Information in New York City from 31 October to of the Baha ' i International Community. 7 November 1986, the meeting marked "a Presentations were made by National new, potent stage in the development of the Spiritual Assembly representatives on the external affairs of the worldwide Baha' i relationships they had established with their community," the House of Justice wrote to national governments. Next, the possibilities those gathered. "This stage .. . is characterized and dynamics were explored of the crossby the new, inescapable challenges immedi- national sharing of human resources as a ately to be met as a direct result of the means of supporting the diplomatic or public operation of the omushing processes through information work. Reports were presented which are evolving the reconstructive influ- about the activities of the Baha' i Internaences ofBaha 'u ' llah 's World Order." tional Community's United Nations Offices Representatives of the National Spiritual in New York and Geneva, the Office of Public Assemblies of Canada and the United States Inf01mation in Haifa and New York. Then, were also asked to join in the deliberations consultation was held on communication to "pave the way for closer collaboration in and coordination concerning external affairs fields United Nations and public information between the Baha'i World Centre and activities" and "further reinforce divinely National Spiritual Assemblies. ordained ties two leading Baha' i communities It was a "ground-breaking event," the N01ih America." member of the Universal House of Justice One year later, the Universa l House of stated. "Foundations have been laid upon Justice called an International Conference on which we can build more 'stately mansions ' External Affairs, held from 27 to 29 November for the Cause of God." A proposal was 1987 at Langenhain, Ge1many. Specifically, put forward for follow-up meetings: a Panthe Supreme Body invited the National European Conference; and a meeting for Spiritual Assemblies of Austria, Belgium, representatives of five National Assemblies Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Genuany, (Canada, France, Germany, the United King the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, Nor- dom, and the United States). This recomway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, mendation was sent to the House of Justice. Participants in the External Affairs Conference held in l angenhain, Germany, fiwn 27 to 29 November 1987. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' f ACTIVITIES 133 The Universal House of Justice called for WORLD-REDEEM ING MESSAGE VAST REGIONS ... a Pan-European Meeting in 1988. It was SOV IET UN ION AND EASTERN EUROPE. REJOICE held from 25 to 28 December at Langenha in, JN MOUNTING PRESTIGE CAUSE GOD WORLD- Germany, and was attended by thirty-eight WIDE. INVITE ALL FRIENDS JOIN IN OFFERJNG representatives from nineteen countries. Again PRAYERS THANKSGIVING BAHA ' U'LLAH FOR HIS reports were given of relevant activities, SUSTA INED ABUNDANT BLESSINGS." insights were shared from experience gained, and consul tation was held on proposals made. g. Turmoil in the Middle East Enveloped One such proposal was that perhaps a Baha' i the Holy Land International Community office for European On 2 August 1990, the Government of Iraq Affa irs cou ld be estab lished to contribute to invaded Kuwait. The international reaction the ongoing growth and unified actions of which quickly followed suggested the probaexternal affairs work and to help mobilize bility of a concerted military effo1i to reverse the energy of the European commun ities for the invasion. One feature of the mounting the development of the Cause. crisis was a threat by Iraq that if it were A meeting of senior officers of Baha'i attacked by any nation it would attack Israel International Community offices in Haifa, in retaliation. Consequentl y, the Israeli gov- New York, and Geneva, and representatives ernment began a series of civi l defence of five National Sp iritual Assemblies (Can- measures, and the Universal House of Justice ada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, began to review actions that could be taken and the United States) took p lace at the to protect the Baha'i Holy Places and the Baha'i World Centre from 30 December to staff of the Baha'i World Centre. 1 January 1989. "FAR-REACHING DELIBERATIONS On 29 August, the Universal House of CENTRED ON INC REAS ED EXTERNAL ACTIV ITIES Justice appointed an Emergency Prepared- FAITH", the Universal House of Justice wrote ness Task Force to act as li aison w ith the to all National Spiritual Assemb li es on Israel Civi l Defence officials and provide 5 January 1989. "MUCH ENCOURAGED EV I- the World Centre with info rmation as DENCES EVER CLOSER TIES COLLABORATION needed. On 30 September the World Centre WITH UN ITED NATIONS, ITS AGENCIES A D staff was advised that emergency supplies of NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS MANY LANDS, food wo ul d be distributed the fo llowing RESULTING EXPANDED SP HER E INFLUENCE week, and that 20-litre j errycans of water FA ITH FIELD INTERNAT IONAL INITI ATIV ES. should be fil led, battery-operated radios and HEARTENED BY REVIEW INDICATING fNCREAS - flas hli ghts checked, and plastic tape for seal - ING OPPORTUN ITIES SHARE BAHA ' U' LLAH 'S ing w indows should be stored in a readily Participants in the External Affairs Conference held at the Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel 30 December 1988 to 1 January 1989. 134 THE BAl-L.\'i WORLD accessible place. The staff received training has also been cancelled. The House of in use of the protective kits distributed by Justice hopes it will be possible to conthe Israeli Government, and gas masks and vene such a conference at a later date. kits were handed out on 5 November. The friends should not allow their con- In each principal work place at the World cern about the situation in these regions Cenháe, an emergency team was appointed to deter them from their efforts to proand a "safe room" assigned. The rooms mote the vital interests of the infinitely were stocked with supplies of food, water, precious Faith of God. and protective materials, and several air raid On 7 January 1991 , the Universal House drills were held for emergency preparedness. of Justice wrote to all National Assemblies : On 8 October 1990, a letter to National We are conscious that the friends Spiritual Assemblies was written on behalf around the world are concerned by the of the Universal House of Justice which read: unsettled conditions in the Middle East, The Universal House of Justice has so we are writing to assure you that we been following with close attention the have taken all steps that are necessa1y to development of the situation in the Mid- safeguard the essential requirements of dle East, and has decided to postpone all the Cause of God. pilgrimages which have been scheduled In January 1981 we addressed a mesbetween the beginning of the pilgrimage sage to all Continental Boards of Counseason on 29 October and 31 December sellors through the International Teaching 1990. Messages to this effect are being Centre, and a copy of that message was sent to all those who have been invited shared at that time with all National Spirifor that period. tual Assemblies. It confitmed that if at The Baha'i World Centre itself will any time communication with the World continue to function as usual, as it has Centre would be cut off, the Counsellors during all the previous disturbances which would, both collectively and individually, have tluáeatened or shaken the Holy Land. assist National Spiritual Assemblies to Whatever háanspires, we can be confident ensure the unintem1pted continuation of that it will be but one more step in the the normal administration of t11e Faith by mysterious unfoldment of God 's Major these Assemblies until conununications Plan for the unification of the world and could be restored. the establishment of His Kingdom on We rely now, as then, on the Continenearth. tal Boards of Counsellors and the National On 3 December 1990, the following letter Spiritual Assemblies to ensure that the to National Sp iritual Assemblies was sent on all-important work of teaching the Faith behalf of the Universal House of Justice: and consolidating its institutions will con- Further to our letter of 8 October 1990, tinue with unabated zeal in every part of in view of the continued unsettled condi- the world. tions in the Middle East, the Universal On a number of occasions in the his- House of Justice has decided that pilgrim- tmy of the Faith the World Centre has ages to the Holy Land up to the end of been threatened by dangers of various March 1991 should be cancelled. The kinds, and the knowledge of how the individual pilgrims scheduled for this Almighty has preserved the vital interests period are also being informed. of His Faith in the past will reinforce the For the same reason, the conference certainty of all the believers that whatever for the Counsellors which was scheduled occurs will but serve to carry forward the to be held in the Holy Land from 28 realization of His immutable purpose for December 1990 tluáough 3 January 1991 mankind. INTERNATIONA L SU RV EY OF C URRENT BA HA' i ACT I V ITI ES 135 We shall remember you all at the of governments had launched a massive Sacred Threshold and shall pray for the aerial attack against Iraq, and that work was bounties of Baha' u ' llah to guide and sus- suspended for the day. tain you in the execution of your vital At about 0315 on 18 January staff responsibilities in the promotion of His members were awakened by the sounds of Cause. explosions, air raid sirens going off, and Meanwhile, World Cenháe staff had been telephone calls fro m neighbors announcing organized into "Neighborhood Groups," with that Iraq had started its retaliatory raids "telephone trees" so that information could against Israel. Once again work was susbe distributed systematically during non- pended for the day. office hours. Additionally, a number of staff The Baha' i World Cenháe stayed on members had been ttáained in first aid and "emergency footing" for the duration of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation. War-from 17 January to 28 February 1991 . On 15 January 1991 , the Universal House Work was suspended for four days , and of Justice wrote to the friends at the Baha' i hours were shortened for eight days. World Cenháe: During the "100 hours" of the Gulf War, We have noted with waim appreciation a total of thirty-nine missiles were reported the devoted sp irit in which, despite the to have been fired at Israel during 18 sepaincreasingly tense situation in the Middle rate attacks. Of these, six landed in the East, the friends are going about their Haifa/Akka area causing extensive property usual business; and we wish to assure you damage but no injuries. There was no damof our continued prayers that the Blessed age to any of the Baha ' i prope1iies. Beauty will sunound the World Cenháe On 28 February 199 1, the President of the with His protection now as in the past. United States, George Bush, announced that Every practical step is being taken to the multinational fo rce was stopping all attend to the needs of the World Cenháe as offensive action. At noon the Israeli Civi l circumstances require. Defence authoriti es said the emergency was The Emergency Preparedness Task over, and that people could pack their gas Force w ill keep you info1med and advised masks in their original boxes and unseal as necessary. The Task Force has our full their "safe" rooms. The Baha' i World Cenconfidence, and we urge you to fo llow its tre went off "emergency footing". The Gulf instructions in case of a real emergency War was over. arising from the situation in the Gulf. Our hea1is are now huned to the dear, steadfast friends in Iraq, Kuwait and adj acent counháies. We invite you to join us in praying on their behalf at this time when great danger bangs over them. At midnight on 15 January 1991 Eastern Standard Time in the United States (0700 on 16 January in Israel), the United Nations' deadline fo r Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait passed. That day the World Cenháe staff members were adv ised to start carrying their gas masks with them at all times . At approximately 0530 on 17 January, the staff was advised by way of the Ne ighbor- World Centre staff help each other learn hood Group "telephone ttáees" that a coalition how to use gas masks in case of an attack. 136 THE BAHA ' i WORLD Baha 'i youth ofAntsirabe, Madagascar, walking to a village five kilom eters away to teach the Faith on 2 I April I 988. B. WORLD-WIDE OBJECTI VES a. Carrying the Healing Message of communities witness the beginnings of that Baha'u'llah to the Generality of Mankind entry by troops promised by the beloved The Six Year Plan witnessed a further emer- Master and which Shoghi Effendi said would gence of the Faith from obscurity as the lead on to mass conversion." In a summary fo llowers ofBaha 'u ' llah spread His message report of the Plan the National Assembly in new and creative ways to an increas ingly of Brazil made a comment which could be diverse audience throughout the world. The echoed by many sister communities : "The Universal House of Justice, in its message of preoccupation with teaching on a wide scale Ric;lvan 1992, declared that the proclamation was a tonic in this Six Year Plan, and efforts of the Faith "attained an entirely new stage" were made to help the diverse regions to tum during this period. The emollment of at least examples of successful proj ects into founone and a half million new Baha'is was one tains of enthusiasm to stimulate the whole consequence. country." Although some form of large-scale en- L ARGE- SCALE ENROLLMENT rollment occurred on every continent, the In its Ric;lvan 1987 message the Universal most dramatic numbers of new believers House of Justice a1mounced that "the stage entered the Faith in Asia. India launched is set fo r universal, rapid and massive growth approximately 300 teaching projects, more of the Cause of God." One year later it than doubling the number of Baha ' is from shared the news that "more and more national fewer than 1 million to more than 2.2 million. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACT IVITIES 137 The Baha'i population in Bangladesh increased volunteered their serv ices, and fifteen local from 9,000 to nearly 63,000 believers, al- youth spent six months to one year each most a sevenfold gain; during a single three- serving full-time on the teams. month period in 1988 alone, some 5,000 In Brazil entry by troops was also purnew souls embraced the Cause and 108 new sued systematically, with the establislunent Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed. By of a national Department for Teaching on a the end of the Plan the populations of nearly Wide Scale. Special materials were prepared one hundred villages in Bangladesh were and seminars regularly held, leading to such won over to the Faith. Two major projects successes as 1,500 emollments in Pauda Lima in Taiwan resulted in a sevenfold increase and nine hundred in the southern conmmnity in the community from fewer than 2,000 to of Alvarado, where many of the new believmore than 14,000 believers; during the early ers had been made aware of the Faith months of its Muhajir Project the National through a Baha' i school in the town. Assembly of Taiwan reported an average A year of teaching in Ecuador dedicated of ten to fifteen individuals enrolling per to the Hand of the Cause Dr. Rahmatu ' llah day. National communities doubled in Hong Muhajir brought some 2,300 people into the Kong, trebled in Pakistan, and, with at least Faith during its first eight months by targettwelve full-time mass teachers in the field ing five goal areas and offering four weekeach year, the Philippines witnessed an in- long teacher-training institutes. The work of crease of some 37,000 believers. full-time teams from within Ecuador was India's Muhajir Project, which alone was supplemented by visiting teachers from seven responsible for bringing more than 14,000 countries, and forty-si x new Baha ' is joined souls into the Cause, demonstrated how the more experienced teachers to make the systematic efforts could bring about large- campaign a success. sca le enrollment. Spanning a little over one Short-term mass teaching projects also year, the project consisted of three "move- achieved impressive results. A month-long ments": an initial teaching conference and project in Venezuela, spearheaded by an call for volunteers followed immediately by international travelling teacher, welcomed a week-long teaching campaign; the creation 400 believers into the Cause and formed of a local task force to organize permanent twenty-six new Local Assemblies; another teaching and community activities; and ap- series of projects in that country, dedicated pointment of assistants to Auxiliary Board to the Baha ' is of Iran and called We Cannot members to help the task force create strong Fail Them, resulted in more than 1,000 en- Local Spiritual Assemblies. rollments. A total of 548 Bolivians joined The powerful effects of applying orga- the Faith in one week when ten teams of nized and concentrated teaching efforts to Baha'is, inspired by a two-day conference a particularly receptive area were also in Sucre on the theme of entry by troops, witnessed on the other side of the world set out for ten different places to proclaim in Guyana, where a tluáee-year pilot project Baha' u' llah's message. In tota l nearly 2,000 launched in 1989 was instrnmental in new souls embraced the Faith in the most achieving the Plan 's final success of almost receptive areas. 36,000 new believers. The Resident Teacher Although ongoing campaigns spanning Project began with thi11een overseas believ- several years and invo lving numerous teachers and sixteen local believers teaching full- ers contributed significantly to large-scale time; within six months, 12,000 people had enrollment, focus and dedication were more declared their faith in Baha'u ' llah. During important characteristics of teaching teams this pilot project, forty-two local teachers than size . When a team of twelve teachers and eighteen international participants from five different counháies spent nine 138 THE BAHA'l WORLD weeks among the Garifuna people of Belize, REACHING P EO PLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS more than 1,000 embraced the Faith. One When two pioneers settled in Sakhalin in of the most dramatic teaching victories oc- 1990, the last remaining territorial goal ctmed in Pem where 1,764 people became named by Shoghi Effendi in his Ten Year Baha'is during five days of teaching follow- Global Plan was fulfilled. After the miracuing a two-day mass teaching workshop in lous opening to the Faith of the Soviet Union the Lake Titicaca region; at one high school and Eastern Europe and the successfu l in the area, the principal, all teachers and prosecution of the subsidiary Two Year students emailed. Teaching Plan in those areas, the Universal In Trinidad and Tobago teaching projects House of Justice was able to state in its with a few full-time, self-supporting teach- Ri~van 1992 message that "the Faith of ers and one homefront pioneer who arose for Baha'u'llah is represented in every country about nine months increased the number of on earth." Baha'is by more than 5,000. In 1988, the Baha'i conmmnity's success Although Asia and Latin America proved in the wide diffusion of Baha'u'llah's mesthe most receptive to enháy by háoops, sage and settlement of its adherents was focused teaching efforts achieved a fair mea- publicly recognized when the Encyclopaedia sure of success on all continents. In Kenya a Britannica, in its Britannica Book of the variety of short-term projects led to the en- Year, tem1ed the Faith the second most rollment of 17,950 people, and in Nigeria widely spread religion after Christianity. 802 members of the Yoruba háibe were The numerica l enrollment victories of the brought into the Cause by six youth who Six Year Plan were possibly exceeded by spent one week visiting five vi llages. In the achievements in increas ing both the diversity Mariana Is lands a full-time teaching team of the populations with whom the message serving on Saipan for three months in 1990 was shared and, more impmiantly, the diverenro lled more than 1,000 believers. In Fiji sity of the Baha'i conummity itself. Ongoing the Olinga Project, carried out between efforts to spread the Faith to all comers of August 1989 and July 1991, brought into the the globe were expanded by campaigns to Cause some 1,5 00 individuals, with almost share its teachings with a greater number of equal propotiions from each of the islands' etlmic groups and to reach individuals from major ethnic groups. all social sháata. Even in Europe, where growth in numbers Within national borders the dissemination remained relatively slow until the former of Baha'u ' Jlah ' s teachings to all areas Eastern Bloc dramatically opened to the Faith, continued. Thus in South America Baha'is the effects of pointed and consistent efforts established themselves in all the states of were fully demonsháated. "The whole Italian Brazil; in Chile they created a "virtual chain Baha'i community has been galvan ized by a of communities reaching from the far nmih new spiritual atmosphere," reported that and extending to the far south" ; and in cow1try's National Assembly after between Paraguay Local Assemblies were elected in sixty and seventy people began attending almost every pati of the counh-y. Japan 's each fireside in the goal town of Portici. One goal of having Baha'is in all the country ' s of the main features of this project was the prefectures was accomplished during the inunediate involvement of the newly enrolled Plan. In Taiwan 145 new localities, including Baha' is in the consultative process and their three previously lU1opened islands, claimed ass umption of responsibility for specific new adherents. In the Philippines 1,800 new activities. Within a year approximately 100 localities were opened. Nations as diverse as people had embraced the Faith and enro ll- No1way and Malawi were similar in their ments continued at a fairly steady pace. fulfillment of geographic distribution goals: INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CU RRENT BAHA ' i ACTIVITIES 139 Norway reached its aim of opening all coun- music dming gatherings. A substantial ties to the Faith, in the process bringing increase in declarations of faith among the message to seven different islands, while Carolinians and Chuukese on Saipan in the Malawi achieved its objective of 1,500 Mariana Islands occurred when, at the localities. Baha'i Center, Chuukese believers shared In addition numerous minority groups Baha'i songs, along with island da nce and were reached for the first time, from the food , with their relatives. Dhimal and Sherpa of Nepal to the Gypsies The Guaymi Cultural Center in Panama, of Thailand and the Travelling People of inaugurated in 1987, provides an outstanding Ireland. In the Philippines thirty-eight new exa mple of the Baha ' i community's efforts háibal areas were opened to the Faith. Mali to help an indigenous people preserve its culreported that all ethnic groups in the counháy tural heritage and simultaneously strengthen could count at least one Baha ' i. In Taiwan the Faith. The Center became the focus of a tluáee entirely tribal Local Assemblies were Guaymi tutorial school network and cultural, formed. health and agricultural activities, all support- Just as geographic representation was ed by the broadcasts of Radio Baha'i Panama. often widened by foc used teaching in partic- Effo1is were made in many countries to ular areas, so was greater ethnic diversity reach people from all social strata with an attained by concenháated efforts. In Spain emphasis on people of capacity . Courtesy an international conference to analyze the calls on government officials were made, inprocess of teaching and deepening Gypsies, terfaith prayer gatherings sponsored and followed by three national consultative attended, and receptions held to inháoduce meetings and a compilation on the subject Baha'i professionals to their colleagues. issued by the National Assembly, resulted in Many government and religious leaders, a considerable increase in Gypsy enrollments. professionals and academics who were made In Ausháalia formation of the Aboriginal and aware of the Faith's central teachings re- Islander Working Group in 1988 was fol- sponded favorably. lowed by a surge in conversions among those In several countries consistent effo1is to populations. Ausháia experienced group dec- inform government officials about the Faith larations among Turkish workers when it were rewarded when they began attending "concentrated on making their participation and even addressing Ba ha ' I-sponsored events. in our community life possible" tluáough lan- Cabinet ministers and chiefs in Botswana guage courses, specia l unity feasts and folk often attended Baha'i events, and the In India, a bicycle for two was made to facilitate travel teaching in Uttar Pradesh. 1991. Since women cannot travel alone in this area, th e cycle made it possible for two women or husband and wife teams to participate in the teaching work. 140 THE BAHA' I WORLD counháy's Minister of External Affairs ad- of prominence, during the Plan it was cardressed a reception held in honour of the ried to peoples everywhere from all walks of African Board of Counse llors. Five minis- life. Such were the accomplishments in ters in Bangladesh attended functions at the bringing Baha'u'llah's healing message to National Center, and in Hong Kong the people of all national, ethnic, economic and Director of Environmental Protection and educational backgrounds that the Universal the Consuls-G eneral of Israel, Panama and House of Justice affamed at Ridvan 1990 Chile participated in a celebration of the that: "a significant milestone in the fourth Birthday ofBaha ' u' llah. epoch" had been reached, and "the Adminis- Two of the most significant signs of trative Order now embraces a community of growing govenm1ent awareness of the Faith wider diversity than ever before." occurred at the end of the Plan. Brazil 's Federal Chamber of Deputies announced its intention to conu11emorate the Centenary CH INESE TEACHING of the Ascension of Ba ha' u' llah with a spe- The House of Justice has repeated ly emphacial solenm session; and the Prime Minister sized the importance of teaching the Chinese of Guyana, the Honorable Hamilton Green, people around the world. The establishment addressed the United States' National Con- in March 1989 of the Baha'i International vention at Ridvan 1992. Community 's Office of Public Infotmation in One activity which conháibuted very sig- Hong Kong, and the launching of the Chinificantly to the Faith's emergence from nese edition of One Country in mid-1990, obscurity was the continuing disháibution of were two major steps taken to atháact the The Promise of World Peace. By Ri~van interest of the world's Chinese population. 1987 the statement had been presented to Additionally, the appoinh11ent of the Baha'i heads of state, a large number of the mem- Conmuttee for China by the House of Justice bers of national governments, diplomats, in June 1989 signalled the importance of teachers, háade unionists, leaders of religion, careful planning and coordination of various eminent members of the judiciary, the efforts in this area. police, legal, medical and other professions, Between 1988 and 1990, the Hand of members of local governments, clubs and the Cause of God Amatu ' l-Baha Rul:iiyyih associations, and thousands of individuals . Khanum, accompanied by Mrs. Violette While initial presentations had concentrated Na1!!javani, visited mainland China four on national govenm1ent leaders and people times. She met with numerous prominent Jn the Solomon Islands, Auxiliary Board members have overcome the problem of transport between the many islands by using a motorized canoe to serve as a Maritime Baha'i Teaching Institute. J99 I. INTERNAT IONAL SURVEY OF CU RRENT BAH A' I ACTIVITIES 141 people, particularly in Beijing and Dalian, The Green Light Expedition videotape showed slides of her trip to the Amazon was broadcast in five segments i11 Guangzhou entitled the Green Light Expedition to vari- in November 1989, reaching approximately ous distinguished guests, and addressed five million peopl e. The same month a camstudents and staff at Nanka i University in era crew from China National Te levision Tianjin, where both Martha Root and Agnes in Beijing visited Bahapur, India, to include Alexander had also spoken during their the House of Worship in a documentary film visits to China. Her four visits included a about India. one-month trip, in the summer of 1988, to The videotape Jewel in the lotus about Guangzhou (Canton), Urumqi, Beijing, the Temple in India was aired in Tianjin Shanghai, Suzhou and Guilin, as well as a in two segments in January 1992, reaching one-week trip to Tibet in 1990. more than 3.5 million viewers each time. In the fa ll of 1989 she made a five-week The nanation was dubbed in Mandarin, and trip to Taiwan, travelling over 2,000 kilome- Baha' is in the area reported encmmtering ters and visiting some mass-teaching areas , people who were deeply moved by the film. as well as major cities. During this visit A series of ten-minute radio programs she presented a special copy of the Peace produced by the Baha' i Office of the Envi- Statement in Chinese to the Minister for ronment of Taiwan, an agency of the National Foreign Affairs of Taiwan, was received by Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan, reached the Minister of the Interior and the Secreta1y- approximately three million primary school Genera l of the National House of Represen- students. These weekly programs, which tatives, and had interviews with severa l contained Baha'i spiritual principles and maJOr newspapers. which mentioned the name of the Faith, While in the Far East A mah1 ' l-Baha also were broadcast to primary schools tluáoughattended a large forma l banquet organized out Taiwan for a ten-week period begi1ming by the Spirih1al Assembly of Hong Kong in in March 1992. The M inistry of Education honor of the passage, by the Legislative sponsored and partially funded these educa- Council , of " the Baha'i Ordinance" Act, and tion programs. visited U laan-Baatar in Mongolia for one The Chief of the Beinan Tribe in Taiwan, week, in 1989. Chen Wen-Sheng, adopted the Faith in The Hand of the Cause of God H . Co llis August 1990. He was the first tribal chief of Featherstone and Mrs. Madge Featherstone Taiwan (and greater China) to become a travelled to China for the first time in Baha'i. His son, Chen Chien-Hong, the next September 1988. They visited Guangzhou, hereditary chief, also emailed at the same Lanzhou and Beijing before departing at time. The Beinan Tribe (also known as the the begi1ming of October. During a tour of Puyuma Tribe) is the fifth most populous of Zhongshan University (Sun Yat-sen Univer- the nine major aboriginal tribes in Taiwan. sity) in Guangzhou, Mr. Featherstone was Taiwan ' s Ministry of the Interior reported invited unexpectedly to speak to the sh1dents the total popul ation of the Beinan to be over of the Department of Philosophy about the 8,5 00 at the end of 1988. Faith. Two days later he presented a lecture Efforts were made to share ideas about on "The Baha'i Fa ith: Its History, Teachings Chinese teaching among national conmmniand World-wide Development. " The sub- ties . The International Chinese Teaching jects covered included the oneness of Conunittee sponsored six highly successful mankind, the oneness of the Prophets, the international teaching conferences around relation of Baha' u ' llah to the Founders of the globe between 1988 and 199 1. In order the previous religions and the importance of to exchange ideas and strengthen their teacheliminating prejudices. ing program, members of the Taiwanese 142 THE BAHA'i WORLD Members of a teaching team enrolling a new believer in Macau in May 1989. conmmnity visited twenty-o ne countries MASS MEDIA which had established Chinese Teachi ng When the Six Year Plan began, the press Conm1ittees . was aware of the Baha'i Fa ith largely In some countries assoc iation with Chinese because of the persecutions in Iran. Wide co11ill1tmity organizations fac ilitated Chinese distribution of the peace statement provided teac hing, as in Hawaii, where interaction opportunities to broaden that image . Increaswith the Worldwide Farmers' Association ingly, members of the media sought out opened the door to sponsorship of a China Baha 'is fo r stories on their peace-related Peace and Friendship Tour in 1992. More activities, and even the press which had been than one hundred Chinese community lead- resistant to the Faith in some areas became ers in Hawa ii were presented with the Peace more receptive. The shift in press interest Statement. from the persecuti ons in Iran to the teach- The quantity of Baha'i li terature in ings of Baha'u ' llah was exemplified in the Chinese languages was greatly increased United States, where the number of significant during the Plan. The Baha ' i committee for articles about the Baha ' i Cause increased China and the International Chinese Teach- from approximately 2,000 to 3,800 per year. ing Conu11ittee jointly worked on trans lating This greater publicity provided the .necesse lections from Gleanings jimn the Writings sary incentive for Baha' is to develop more of Baha 'u '/Lah under the auspices of the sophistication in dea ling with the media, and Baha ' i World Centre. Other translations were encouraged them to produce more acceptmade of selected compilations produced at able material for use in radio, television and the World Centre. A group of Baha ' is in newspapers. China translated a compilation of various Radio was widely used for proclamation, Writings and prayers which was subsequent- and Baha' i radio operations became increasly published by the Spiritual Assembly of ingly involved in teaching effmis . In addition Maca u. to the progranuning on newly launched INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 143 Baha'i-owned radio stations in Chile and world market. Large-scale distribution of Liberia, and the continuing broadcasts of videotapes and audio-tapes has been steadily Baha'i stations in the United States, Ecuador, expanded by IBA VC from its bases in the Panama, Pem, and Bolivia, Baha'i programs United States and Venezuela, and the new were aired on non-Baha ' i stations in very Music Clearinghouse began a libraiy of music many countries, including such places as tapes by Baha ' i composers and perfom1ers Guyana, Belize, Grenada, Hawaii, Puerto developed for radio, Nineteen Day Feasts Rico, Malaysia, Thailand, Spain, Chad and and other uses. Lesotho. In Rwanda, broadcast of a weekly A number of regular television programs ten-minute radio program began in 1989 and about the Faith were also aired. The quickly attracted a large audience. The fol- Canadian-produced Bahci 'i Perspective was lowing year, when civil disturbances made broadcast a total of sixty-six hours ; Baha' is travelling extremely difficult, the program in El Salvador produced fifty-four episodes became one of the few means still available of a weekly program; a thirty-minute program for teaching. The listeners were invited to was shown twice monthly in Dominica; send questions, and the subsequent corre- twelve shows on the Faith were screened in spondence led to an average of ten Kenya; and Alaska produced four awarddeclarations per day. wim1ing, sixty-second public service an- In El Salvador public service a1mounce- nouncements called Peace Talks. ments about peace were broadcast twenty Numerous single-episode programs were times per day for one month, and in the produced, such as half-hour shows screened Republic of Ireland feahire subjects on the tluáoughout the United Kingdom and Portu- Faith were transmitted on all but one of the gal, a panel discussion on peace with newly legalized local stations. Radio stations representatives of various religions in throughout the length of Chile aired selec- Lesotho, and the broadcast of a Baha'i chiltions from The Hidden Words on an hourly dren ' s program on Transkei television. In basis for over a month as a public service many countries television news coverage of project; and Baha'i stations repeatedly pre- Baha'i events included interviews with local sented the Writings. Baha ' is, trave lling teachers and Counsellors. The International Baha ' i Audio-Visual Further significant programs included: the Centre (IBA VC), through its offices and broadcast of the International Convention representatives in several lands, continued video in Bolivia, Saint Lucia, South Africa, to support Baha' i spot use of radio and tele- Sri Lanka and Thailand; references made to vision by providing materials and advice. the Faith on C-SPAN and CNN in the Over fifty workshops and training seminars United States; and a seven-minute story on in the production and use of audio-visual the Faith which aired nationwide in prime media were conducted by IBA VC in thirty- time in Australia. seven countries and in all continents of the Proclamation in newspapers increasingly g lobe. Ten different monographs were pro- included regular publication of selected duced during the Plan, ranging from relating Writings, press releases about Baha'i events, spirihiality to media subjects to highly and feature a1iicles prepared about the Faith specific 'how-to ' papers, such as how to pre- and its followers. pare radio spot announcements. IBA VC By the end of the Plan most National distTibuted radio scripts and tapes in various Assemblies had a public relations office or languages to countries throughout the world, committee to prepare and review informaand adapted many films and videotapes, tion about the Faith. In most cases, the including the Green light Expedition , to officer chiefly concerned with the work also the various television standards used in the served as the national representative for the 144 THE BAHA'I WORLD global network created by the Baha' i the end oft11e Plan, Hawaii called its external International Community's Office of Public affairs program an indispensable part of its Info1mation, receiving news from this source. teaching work. Many Local Assemblies also appointed individuals or cmmnittees to monitor the THE ROLE OF THE ARTS public relations activities of the conm1unity. That day will the Cause spread like wildfire The Office of Public Infmmation created a when its spirit and teachings are presented manual to guide the work of these agencies, on the stage or in art and literature as a distributing it tluáough its worldwide netwhole. Art can better awaken such noble work. Some national conm1w1ities also held sentiments... especially among the mass of training sessions, such as Brazil ' s "Latin the people. American Baha ' i Seminar on Public Rela- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi tions and External Affairs" in early 1992, Effendi dated 10 October 1932, Baha 'i News, and Canada's public affairs training confer- 73 [May 1933] p. 7.) ences held across the country. Training was also held locally in Bangladesh, Ecuador, The truth of these words was increasingly Mauritius, Norway, Thailand, Taiwan, demonstrated as a growing number of music, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe. drama and dance performances proclaimed The majority of training in public rela- both the content and spirit of the Baha'i tions occurred through practical experience, teachings to ever-wider audiences. Most of as the media increased their attention to the performing arts groups were composed Baha'i activities during the Plan. One prom- of youth. inent example of iliis was in Hawaii where El Viento Canta (The Wind Sings), a specific issues such as the status of women group which formed while its members and the state of the environment were identi- were serving at the Baha ' i World Centre, fied from the Peace Statement, and an shared Latin American fo lk music as well as external affairs officer was made responsible the principles of the Faith with audiences for developing a portfolio on each issue. At throughout Europe, Africa, the fo1mer Soviet El Viento Canta pe1forming in Botswana in December J989 during the Bahiz 'i International Music Festival held in Gaborone. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' i ACT IVITIES 145 Union, Mongolia and China. The group Theatre Festival in Canada . Peace Child, a played to substantial audiences (for example, musical drama produced by a committee of 3,000 attended one concert in Spain) and the National Assembly of the Hawaiian received extensive radio and television cov- Islands, was performed at the Kennedy Cenerage which often included long interviews ter in Washington, D.C., and a documentary and led to many enrollments. was made of it by a major television net- Another Latin American youth group, work. In Australia an Aboriginal theater Planeta Paz (Planet Peace), began perfonning group called The Storytellers was fo1med. in Brazil in August 1991 and spearheaded a The power of dance to transcend language national proclamation effort in Argentina in barriers and connect hea1is was demonsháat- December. Each show combined music with ed by the enthusiastic responses of audiences Baha ' i themes, folk music and slide shows , to various performing groups. For example, opening with a tribute to Baha'u'llah and dance groups called Youth Workshops ending with invitations to embrace the Cause. formed throughout the United States and at The National Assembly of Brazil attributes Canada's Maxwell School; Youthquake toured at least three hundred declarations of faith to in the United Kingdom; and a well-known their concerts in that country. Lakota Sioux Indian believer perfo1med a Other musical groups formed by youth háaditional hoop dance in numerous commuincluded Let It Be This Generation which nities in Canada, the United States, Europe completed a 150-concert tour of Canada; and elsewhere. Light in the Darkness, a European group Baha'is also used other fine arts to spread which attracted eighty new believers during the message. In Denmark an exhibit of one concert in Romania; and the Carmel artwork based on Baha'i quotations and ac- Minstrels , six young Guyanese musicians companied by Baha'i books was displayed who shared the Baha'i message throughout three times. Excerpts from the Peace Statethe Caribbean in 1987. Travelling to other ment formed the basis of an art exhibit in continents to perfom1 was not unusual: Belize. The organizers of a peace festival in Malawi's Kwayera Mbee was invited to tour Japan invited the Balla ' is to conháibute a Europe; the Thailand performances of a display that blended photographs, háaditional group from New Zealand and Australia floral arrangements, artwork on peace themes ca lled Wildfire led to hundreds of enroll- by local children , and Baha'i books. ments ; and New Zealand's Youth for One Consultation on the use of arts in teaching World taught the Faith in Hong Kong. was facilitated by the founding, in August Music played a pa1iicularly impmiant role 1986, of the International Baha ' i Associain Africa, where numerous local choirs were tion for Arts, by several forums held at formed and Baha' i songs composed. The Landegg Academy in Switzerland, and by International Music Festival in Botswana the development of the Baha ' i Youth Instiwas described by the nation's Assembly as tute in Costa Rica as a center for háaining "one of the most significant achievements" youth to use arts in service to mankind. Conof its Plan, and Kenya 's Assembly reported sultation was followed by teaching projects that "many of our Baha'i communities have having an explicitly artistic emphasis. The been kept alive because of music and thou- European Baha ' i Youth Council organized sands have become Baha'is because ofit." a project called Peace Through A1iistic The history and principles of the Faith Expression in Yugos lavia in 1990 during were also widely shared through drama. The which hundreds attended special open-air Sacred Writings were combined with music concerts. In Belize a 1988 project which and dance to tell the story of the Bab when centered around the arts was reported to Badasht was performed at the International result in at least seventy-nine enrollments. 146 THE BAHA'I WORLD In 1991 the Music, Arts and Drama "many Baha'is have concrete personal goals." Committee of Czechoslovakia organized a In Brazil a Campaign oflndividual Teaching one-week Art Forum in collaboration with from Heart to Heart had 500 regular particithe Baha'i Association For Arts chapter in pants over a two-year period. Zimbabwe Bratislava; Baha'i artists and musicians from reported that a corps of travelling teachers, more than fifteen countries, including repub- averaging between six and ten individuals, lics of the former Soviet Union, shared ideas was in the field at any given time. The for proclaiming the Name of Baha'u'llah, National Assembly of Switzerland estimated and public performances were held daily. In that some 2,000 teaching activities were 1988 approximately 1,000 people participat- ca1Tied out by 230 believers. India reported ed in Canada's first Festival of the Human that the number of friends taking part in Spirit, a four-day series of workshops, ex- teaching activities increased tenfold. hibits and performances on using the arts in Teacher training took a variety of forms, teaching. from orientation sessions for travelling teachers and pioneers to seminars and institutes E XPANDI NG THE TEA CHIN G FORCE open to all believers. Several pennanent in- Efforts to encourage and support individual stitutes provided ongoing training, such as the teaching, provide teacher training and estab- '!!mi Teaching Institute in Lahore, Pakistan, lish permanent teaching teams all helped which in l 991 began to offer ten days of stimulate an increase in the number of dedi- classes per month, and the Jamaliyyih Institute cated souls actively spreading Baha' u' llah's in EI Salvador which trained approximately Message. The Universal House of Justice I 00 teachers. Annual national and regional reiterated the crucial importance of personal teaching conferences were held on all teaching in its Ric;!van l 988 message, saying: continents. "Every individual believer- man, woman, One paiiicular innovation which expanded youth and child- is summoned to this field the teaching force was the Universal House of action; for it is on the initiative, the reso- of Justice's call for sho1i-term pioneers. In lute will of the individual to teach and to September 1989 National Assemblies were serve, that the success of the entire commu- assigned a number of short-term pioneering nity depends." goals measured by months of service. Be- National Assemblies encouraged individ- cause the believers filling these goals did not ual initiative in a variety of ways. A series of intend to stay permanently (some stayed Vision to Victory conferences in the United only three months) they were freed from the States ended with participants submitting need to find employment, and thus more of personal pledges of teaching service. The the friends were able to participate. National Assembly of the Eastern Caroline The teaching work was also carried out Islands sent a booklet called A Personal by permanent teams in a number of coun- Teaching Campaign to all Local Assemblies tries. For example, the permanent teams of to be shared with their communities. Numer- Guyana's Resident Teacher Project inspired ous National Assemblies sent circular letters similar teams in Belize, Brazil, EI Salvador to Local Assemblies and held local seminars and Honduras; and full-time teams were on the topic . formed in four states of the United States While evidence of increased individual near the end of the Plan. Also in the United personal teaching is not easily monitored, States, approximately 1,000 teaching institutes National Assemblies on all continents made were formed, with members committing observations such as "a greater commitment themselves to teach a particular segment of to individual teaching"; "more involvement the population over a period of at least five and efforts in the field of teaching"; and years. Teaching institutes were also tried in INTERN AT IONAL SURVEY OF CU RRENT BAHA ' I ACTIVITIES 147 five pilot areas of Turkey and then spread all from Costa Rica joined the teaching proover the country. grams in Honduras. A highlight of the teaching work was the growing involvement and initiative of INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION indigenous peoples. Fo llowing a seminar in With strong encouragement from the Uni- Bolivia in July 1989 on the development of versal House of Justice, many steps were the Faith among the Indian peoples of Latin taken to win the goals of international col- America, a one-week teaching project was laboration in the teaching field . Conferences held during which some 500 people emolled. on border teaching were held in Europe and The seminar had been attended by seventy Centra l America, and successful exchanges Balla ' is representing nine distinct indige- of teachers took place when the Thai-Camnous groups from eight countries. In 1986 a bodian border opened for trade in 1991. gathering of all the sacred societies of the Major internationa l collaboration among in- Peigan Reserve in Albe1ia, Canada, was stitutions was achieved when the Promise of called by Elder Joe Crowshoe, a Balla' i, to World Peace Tour was organized: sixty-two exp lain the teachings and plan for further Balla'is from eight nations travelled to the intersocietal gatherings . Soviet Union in 1989 to disseminate the Indigenous believers increasingly volun- Peace Statement. teered travel teaching services. Four Garifuna Probably the most dramatic examples of teachers from Belize and Honduras formed a international collaboration occuned when team called Trail of Light and shared the the countries bordering Eastern Europe were Faith with the Carib descendants of their given responsibility for quickly organizing ancestors in Dominica. Mayan believers teaching plans and sending teachers when played a significant role in a 1989 project in the Eastern Bloc opened to the Faith. Myriad Mexico which led to the enrollment of 220 other international teaching projects were people in the first week. Teams of Bri Bri canied out collaboratively during the Plan. !rish Baha'i youth walked ji-om Cork to Limerick, a distance of 64 miles, on behalfof World Peace in October 1987. 148 THE BAHA'i WORLD YOUTI-I with a focus on reaching refugees from The Six Year Plan witnessed a widespread Mozambique. In the Netherlands the Youth acceptance by Baha'i youth in many parts Committee composed its own plan and invitof the world of the concept of a period of ed each youth to choose a personal goal service, undertaken generally as a temporary toward its fulfillment. interruption to their formal educational program and devoted fully to the promotion of HOUSES OF WORSHIP the teaching work. Youth in all continents Since the Mother Temple of the Indian subwere reported to be in the forefront of teach- continent was dedicated to public worship in ing activity. In its Ridvan 1992 message the December 1986, more than thirteen million Universal House of Justice affirmed that people have crossed its threshold, one day Youth activities took on a special char- alone registering 143,635 visitors; it is now acter shaped by the idea of a youth year one of the most visited religious edifices in of service. The involvement of the youth India. As the Temple's fame spread, its visiin the Six Year Plan as short-te1m pio- tors ' log became a roster of dignitaries from neers, travelling teachers and projecteers around the globe: heads of state, government had a profound effect on the teaching ministers, ambassadors , scholars and reliwork overall... gious leaders wrote of their admiration for Youth dominated the teaching work in the unique strncture, and for the principles Eastern Europe. Other examples of signifi- that inspired its singular and enthralling cant youth activity include the four STAR beauty. teaching projects carried out between 1987 The Houses of Worship on each of the and 1990 in Botswana with international other continents continued to act as silent participation, and the ongoing Sparks of teachers of the Cause. The national commu- Peace project which brought youth together nities in Australia and Samoa took particular every summer for an intensive campaign advantage of their Mashriqu'l-Adhkars to throughout the English-speaking Caribbean. introduce prominent people to the Faith; The United States reported that youth partic- special services held in conunemoration of ipated in nearly every ongoing project and United Nations Days were well attended by comprised most of the full-time teaching people of capacity from many professions. teams. The initiative taken by youth to form Refurbishment of the Temple in Uganda music, dance and drama groups to proclaim began, to make it once again East Africa 's the Faith is yet another aspect of the promi- jewel. In Panama the national secretariat nent role they played in the teaching work. was moved to the Temple grounds and a The level of initiative and organization large auditorium consháucted for visitors. At demonstrated by youth also rose, as exem- the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, plified by the establishment by the House of U.S.A., a long process of rehabilitating the Justice in October 1989 of a European Baha' i architectural concrete components began. Youth Council charged with coordinating In 1991 Germany ' s House of Worship was the various activities of the European Baha ' i classified as a Cultural Monument under youth and representing them in dealings with the provisions of the Historical Monument other youth groups and agencies. In Malawi Preservation Law. In all of the Houses of a strong National Youth Committee planned Worship, many teaching programs compleand canied out the Collis Featherstone Project mented the regular worship services. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 149 b. Greater Involvement of the Faith in the 1987 the Kansas State House of Representa- Life of Human Society tives in the United States also encouraged When the Six Year Plan began, the Universal study of the peace statement. House of Justice had just offered, in The As government officials became increas- Promise of World Peace, the experience of ingly aware of Baha'i teachings and activities the Baha'i community as a model for the related to peace and world order, Baha'i peoples of the world to study. Throughout communities took bolder steps to assert to the six years the believers increasingly shared those in authority the indispensability of that experience through association with indi- Baha'u'llah's principles. In countries underviduals and organizations working to solve going constitutional revisions such as Brazil, the problems addressed by Baha'u'llah. By Haiti, Paraguay, South Africa and Thailand, Ridvan 1992 Baha'i views and participation National Assemblies submitted to their govwere actively sought by individuals and gov- ernments documents offering suggestions ernments alike. for new national constitutions. The President of the South African Law Commission, the judge acting on behalf of the government, CONTACT WITH PROMINENT PEOPLE AND commented that the Baba' is were the one AUTHORITIES group whose ideas had provided a "spiritual The Promise of World Peace, which intro- and moral foundation" for a constitution. duced people from all walks of life to the Baha'i views were also made known to Baha'i Faith, led to unprecedented contacts various governmental organizations concerned with prominent people and government with solving social problems. In May 1991 authorities. By the end of the Plan Baha'i the National Assembly of Barbados submitviews on peace had been shared with gov- ted The West Indies in the 90's and ernment authorities in nearly every nation of Beyond-A Baha 'i Perspective to the West the world. Indian Commission Preparing the West A sample of the prominent people who Indies for the Future, a body established to were presented with the Peace Statement study the future of the Caribbean community includes: all 559 senators and congressmen and regional unification. A number of presenundertaking to write Brazil's new constitution; tations were also made to that Commission delegates to the Chuuk State Constitutional on behalf of other National Assemblies. In Convention and the Federated States of Taiwan the Ministry of the Interior arranged Micronesia National Constitutional Conven- a special seminar called "Resolving Social Ills tion, both in the Eastern Caroline Islands; through the Teachings of the Baha' i Faith." and the presidents of seven South American Significant connections were also made nations attending an intergovernmental meet- with professionals of many specialties. Seming in Uruguay. Presentations of the statement inars were held to share Baha' i ideas with to government and media officials in Cuba experts in various fields, receptions for were reported to have been warmly prominent Baha'i professionals brought received. them together with colleagues who were not After the Baha 'is of Cambridge, Massa- Baha'is, and monographs providing a Baha'i chusetts, U.S.A., presented The Promise of perspective in special fields such as educa- World Peace to their city council, the council tion and the environment were distributed . unanimously passed a resolution encourag- Baha'is also helped form professional assoing citizens to read and study the document ciations related to peace, such as the and paid tribute to the Baha'is for their lead- Association of Physicians for Peace and the ership in a range of peace-related issues. In Association of Educators for Peace, both in 150 THE BAHA' I WORLD Counsellor Beatrice Asare presents a copy of the Peace Statement to the Asantahene of the Asante State of Ghana at his palace in Kumasi in September 1988. -.; "' Counsellor Violette Haake presents a copy of the Peace Statement to the Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mr. lnatio Akaruru, in October J990. Baha 'i representatives present a copy of the Peace Statement to NA TO Base personnel in Kejl.avik, Iceland, in October J988. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA ' i ACTIVITIES 151 Brazil. Baha'i involvement with social and In 1988, Baha' is in Burkina Faso were economic development projects also brought the only members of a religious community the Faith to the attention of professionals in in the country to take part in a commemoradevelopment-related fields, such as educa- tion of the UN's International Peace Day tion and health care. and Children's Day; and for the first time in The presentation of awards sponsored that country, Baha'is were invited to particiby Baha'i communities to honor individuals pate in an official UN Day reception. for their service to humanity created many The National Assembly of Venezuela paropportunities to meet and encourage com- ticipated in a meeting of the UN Economic munity leaders. In Alaska the Honor and Social Council for Latin America which Kempton Award for Service to Humanity, led to the Assembly's hosting a meeting which is named after the woman known to of non-govenm1ental organization represen- Baha'is as the spiritual mother of Alaska and tatives; Baha' is subsequently helped to form Luxembourg, continued to be presented the Association of Non-Governmental Orgaaimually; each year more than 100 guests, nizations in Venezuela. including prominent figures , attended the Baha'is demonstrated their belief in reliawards banquet. Presentation of the National gious unity tluáough closer association with Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands' annual other religions. The Inter-Religious Under- Agnes Baldwin Alexander Award for Ser- standing Association was formed by fifteen vice to Humanity received substantial press groups in India including Baha' is; a significoverage. In 1988 the Baha' is of the United cant relationship was reported to have Kingdom presented their first Human Rights developed between the Baha'is of Nepal and A wards as pati of their commemoration of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace; the 75th anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit an "active and thriving link" was established to London. between Baha'is and the Interfaith Group which represents most religions in Fiji; and LIKE-MINDED 0RGANIZA TIONS Guatemalan Baha'is participated in a Con- Baha' is contributed their knowledge of gress for Peace with representatives of all Baha'u'llah's Teachings and their time to the country 's religious denominations. In many of the organizations which promote 1990 the Baha ' i International Community Baha'i ideals. Numerous individuals volun- formally associated itself with the World teered with local and international groups, Conference on Religion and Peace. such as commissions working to prevent The interfaith groups occasionally addmg abuse. In addition, Baha' i communities dressed a pressing social need. In Zimbabwe increased their support of United Nations' members of an association of religious activities and their involvement in interfaith groups collaborated with UNICEF to help associations. alleviate the physical sufferings of children Some of the most substantial collabora- in southern Africa. In Hawaii the Council of tion with United Nations initiatives took Churches co-sponsored the first Institute for place in the United States where the National the Healing of Racism in that state. The insti- Assembly, through its office at the United tute was formed by the Baha' is, modelled Nations , worked throughout all six years after similar institutes in North America. toward the ratification of various UN human Baha' is often addressed envirom11ental rights Conventions, helped to commemo- issues by co-sponsoring fomms , seminars rate the International Year of Peace and the and exhibits in conjunction with other International Year of Literacy, and became groups. For example, the National Assembly more actively involved in UN Association of the United States became a member of the activities. Global Tomonow Coalition, an organization 152 THE BAHA'I WORLD of 150 groups involved in issues related to Rights Day have evolved into a government resources, the environment and sustainable event in Berrnuda. Essay contests on peace, development. That Assembly also became a sponsored in a number of lands, draw the member of the Advisory/Planning Board of attention of youth to the teachings of the the North American Environmental Sabbath Faith. Committee; a Baha'i symbol now appears on Balla 'i organizations were foimed to prothe newsletter masthead and Baha'i quota- mote Baha'i principles among specific audiences tions were included in 10,000 kits distributed including the Baha'i Medical Association in for a special event. France and Health for Humanity in the United States. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES When renewed incidents of interracial Increasingly, Baha'is not only participated violence erupted in the United States, the in activities with like-minded organizations, Baha'i community was already offering its but also initiated their own events and orga- healing perspective on the problem through nized groups dedicated to addressing problems distribution of the statement The Vision of facing society. Race Unity: America's Most Challenging Numerous Baha'i seminars, conferences Issue, and through the holding of a series of and public meetings were augmented by Institutes for the Healing of Racism. unique events such as Brazil 's International Exposition on Education for Peace, carried S IGNS OF RECOGNITION out with the collaboration of twenty-three A growing number of prominent individuals embassies and educational institutions, and and groups sought the support of Baha' is Singapore's Arts for Nature exhibit which during the Plan. Invitations to participate in earned favorable recognition from the Min- peace-related activities, public mention of istry of the Environment and the Council of Baha'i views by prominent people, and Women's Organizations. requests for advice all pointed to increasing Several events initiated by Baha'is have recognition that the Faith offers solutions to gradually become a part of life in the greater the crises facing humanity. community. Annual Race Unity celebrations Milestone changes occurred in recogniare held in hundreds of United States cities. tion of the Faith by public officials. The Observances of World Religion Day have Prime Minister of the Cook Islands , Sir become annual national events in Suriname. Thomas Davis, accompanied by Lady Davis, The Baha'i commemorations of UN Human visited the World Centre in August 1986 to In Lesotho, Baha 'is were invited to the Royal Banquet Hall on 15 September 1987 to receive the United Nations' "Peace Messenger Award" for the • community's involvement in peace activities. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 153 consult with the Universal House of Justice Martin Luther King Federal Holiday Comabout world peace. Later that year the Presi- mission. In 1992 the Baha'i representative to dent of Dominica quoted from The Promise the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, was of World Peace during a radio broadcast invited to a gathering of 500 religious leaders on the International Day of Peace. In April convened by former President Jimmy Carter 1990 President Amata Kabua of the Mar- to explore religious involvement in "Project shall Islands, while officially visiting Israel, Atlanta," a social and economic development came to Haifa with his secretary and his project. The Baha 'i representative was then ambassador to confer informally with mem- elected to the project's six-member Advisory bers of the Universal House of Justice on the Council. role of the Marshall Islands in establishing Intensive Baha'i involvement in ecologyworld peace. related activities led to requests for Baha'is Baha ' i views on issues related to social to take greater leadership roles. Two memjustice were sought by the Central American bers of Hawaii's National Assembly were Institute for Business Administration during the only religious representatives among its seminar on "Post-War National Recon- sixty-two groups invited to patiicipate in the struction in El Salvador"; the Vice-President Governor's statewide Eaiih Day planning of Guyana requested a meeting with the session in 1990. A member of the United National Assembly of that country to discuss States National Assembly's Washington, D.C., Baha'i participation in the "Social Impact staff became pa1i of a working group to draft Amelioration Program"; and the Macau suggestions for the United States govern- Basic Law Consultative Committee asked ment's Ea1ih Summit position paper m the Macau Spiritual Assembly to send three 1992. representatives to a joint meeting with the Awareness of the Baha'i teachings on Basic Law Drafting Committee from China religious unity were demonstrated when a and various religious groups, after which the Baha' i became the only non-Buddhist speaker Baha' is were asked to submit their views in invited to address a public meeting held in a formal paper. conjunction with the "Asian Buddhist Con- In the United States Mrs. Coretta Scott ference for Peace" in Mongolia. In Guyana King, wife of the late civil rights leader, Baha'is were appointed to the President's the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs. invited Baha'is to co-chair the National Baha'is were included in panel discussions Religious Involvement Committee of the on "Action Through Faith" and "East Meets Mr. Dexter King (right) , son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was the keynote speaker at a Bahiz 'i Peace Conference held in Oslo, Norway, on 23 October 1986. Here he is being interviewed by the press. 154 THE BAHA'I WORLD West" at the International People's College Mental Health in New Zealand; and the in Denmark. director of Ghana 's Institute of Renewable Baha'is in Hawaii were asked to serve in Natural Resources spoke to a group from a significant number of advisory groups: the Cameroon's International Relations Institute Governor's Permanent Commission for the on "Religion in a World in Search of Peace Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, -A Baha'i Approach" and on agroforestry, Jr., Week; the Governor's Commission on noting that the Faith offers solutions to glothe Status of Women; and the Governor's bal environmental problems. Task Force on AIDS. Also in Hawaii, the The Faith was also directly presented to chairman of a government task force chose the world of academia during meetings with the Baha'i submission on education refmm professors, presentations of The Promise of for broadcast on the radio. World Peace to university faculties, and conferences related to religious studies. A ACADEMIC CIRCLES visiting professor at Belgium's University of In 1990 in the United States the Baha'i Chair Antwerp taught a course on the Faith to the for World Peace was established at the Uni- faculty of the Comparative Religion Departversity of Maryland's Center for International ment; a member of Portugal 's National Development and Conflict Management. Pro- Assembly spoke at the Congress on Religious posed by a non-Baha'i professor in response Studies held at the New University of to the Peace Statement, the Chair was created Lisbon; and the National Assembly of Guyana to conduct and publish research, design sent an overview of Baha'i community procourses and lead seminars in the fie ld of grams to 240 faculty members of the Baha'i studies and world peace within an University of Guyana. interdisciplinary context; to initiate public Awareness of the Baha'i Faith among fornms for discussing the issues proposed in scholars increasingly led to its inclusion in The Promise of World Peace; and to establish university courses. In some cases Baha'i academic links with, and provide technical approaches were incorporated into the study assistance to, Baha'i institutions in the fields of other issues , such as at the University of peace education and international devel- of California, Santa Cruz, U.S.A., where the opment. The creation of the Chair marked Baha' i Club helped to design a course called the first initiative by a prestigious insti tution "The Economics of a World Commonof higher learning to fornmlate a serious pro- wealth." In Guatemala 300 student teachers gram of Baha'i studies. Later that year Indore studied the booklet Education for Peace over University and the National Assembly of a period of twenty sessions. In other cases India signed a document establishing another the Faith itself became the subject of study: Cha ir for Baha' i Studies with a similar range lectures were given in comparative religion of functions to be developed. courses at Bermuda College, Malawi 's Recognition of the Fa ith ~ s principles as Chancellor College and the University of legitin1ate and irnportant subj ects of study Zimbabwe; the Faith was pari of an extenwas cultivated when Baha'is delivered papers sion course on religious studies at Fij i's and lectures relating the teachings to current University of the South Pacific; and entire issues. A Baha ' i scholar presented his analy- courses on the Faith were offered at Brazil's sis of the Third World debt at the prestigious Federal University of Santa Catarina and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzer- Univers ity of Hawaii ' s Hilo Campus. An land; papers on refugee mental health and office of the United States National Assema case study on a Baha'i refugee settlement bly drafted A Curriculum Guide to the program were received with considerable Baha'i Faith to help college professors interest at the World Conference on Refugee include the Faith in their courses. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACT I VITIES 155 Two institutions which contributed to the should guide the nation, the Assembly of that increasing respect afforded the Faith in country offered its Statement on the National scholarly circles were the Associations for Ideology, which recommended that consulta- Baha'i Studies, with their international co- tion be applied to the whole decision-making ordinating centre in Canada, and Landegg process. Two pioneers at the University of Academy, founded in Switzerland in 1988. Benin conducted a research project in which Baha'is also influenced the curriculum of they used consultation with local farmers to public schools at the primary and secondary demonstrate its value in rural development. levels. In Australia, after a retired Baha'i Increasingly, a variety of organizations teacher offered a multifaith religious educa- recognized the value of this important Baha ' i tion course to Queensland school officials, principle, and requested advice and training. the Queensland Department of Education In 1986, following a three-hour session on invited a Baha 'i representative to be present consultation led by Baha ' is, the Social and at Curriculum Development Committee Ethics Committee of the Canadian Nuclear meetings, and the State Religious Education Association requested that the Baha ' is facili- Advisory Committee voted to offer commit- tate discussion between the various factions tee membership to officers of the Faith. In in the nuclear energy debate. A mayor in Peru high school teachers assigned research New Zealand called the Local Assembly on concerning the Faith as homework, refer- behalfofhis city council to request a meeting ring to Radio Baha'i as a resource. British on consultation; the council met with three Columbia's Ministry of Education in Canada Baha ' is who explained and demonstrated the accepted The Hidden Words and The Seven concept. Valleys as literature which could be studied in high schools. PROMOTING EQUALITY OF THE SEXES The believers initiated and supported numer- ADVOCATING CONSULTATION ous activities to promote the equality of men As Baha'is worked to improve the level of and women. In most cases this took the form consultation within their communities (see of enhancing the status of women. Baha' is also "Higher Levels of Consultation," p. 167), sponsored hundreds of conferences open to they simultaneously increased efforts to the public; formed Baha ' i women's groups share this dynamic concept with the rest of which associated with other organizations the world. pursuing similar aims; and participated in Education about consultation took various various commissions and projects dedicated forms. In Guyana members of the Women's to equality of the sexes. (See also "Women's Affa irs Task Force presented the principle Activities", p. 409.) to sixteen representatives of women 's groups; Local, regional and national conferences the Baha'i model was demonstrated in a were hosted by Baha'is to address this issue graduate course at the University of Hawaii in such diverse locations as Cape Verde, to overwhelmingly positive response; and Chad, Grenada, Korea, Paraguay and Spain. Tonga ' s National Women's Greater Involve- The most noteworthy of these gatherings ment in the Life of Human Society Committee were: a 1988 international women's confersponsored a highly successful conference on ence in the United States which provided a consultation. forum for more than 1,000 women from In different ways, Baha'is seized opportu- sixty-five countries to discuss their role in nities to educate decision-making bodies the global peace-making process; the about the impo1iance of consultation. When Pacific Women's Conference spearheaded the government of Singapore invited groups by Hawaii ' s South Hilo Local Assembly in to submit their views on the core values that 1991 and attended by seventy people from 156 THE BAI-IA •j WORLD seventeen nations; and a Caribbean Women's contributions to food production in Africa Conference held in the Leeward Islands in and the importance of their involvement in 1988 with pa1iicipants from twelve countries. all levels of decision-making. Baha'i groups forged links with non- A number of related projects and com- Baha' i associations working toward similar missions benefited from the involvement of goals by registering with umbrella organiza- individual oelievers and Baha'i communities. tions, co-sponsoring events and speaking at The Faith was represented by both women meetings. The Baha ' i Women 's Committee and men at meetings called by the UN Comof Singapore collaborated with the Sin- mission on the Status of Women, including gapore Council of Women's Organizations , global and regional conferences, seminars which is composed of thirty-four groups; two and workshops. During the Plan fifteen state- Baha' is served as Executive Board members ments were presented to the Commiss ion on for a combined total of four years. In Nigeria such topics as social and economic developthe Baha'i Women's Development Board ment, education and the status of girls. One registered with the National Council of direct result of this involvement was a joint Women's Societies. Ireland's Baha'i National project supported by the United Nations Committee for Fostering the Equality of the Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Sexes fom1ed strong ties with other commu- called "Traditional Media As Change Agent." nity groups. In cooperation with various consultants Since 1988 a representative of the Faith Baha' i agencies, National Assemblies, and has served as convenor of "Advocates for UNIFEM, Baha'is created a project using African Food Security: Lessening the Burden traditional means, such as music and dance, of Women," a coalition of United Nations to stimulate discuss ions about women's agencies with non-governmental and inter- and men's roles in society. The project governmental organizations. Participants commenced in localities in Bolivia, Brazil, educate policymakers about women's vital Cameroon, Malaysia and Nigeria. The President of France, His Excellency Franr;ois Mitterand, with Mrs. Peggy Maichoo, pioneer to Reunion (right), at a reception at the Elysee Palace in Paris, in commemoration of International Wom ens ' Day, 8 March 1990. INT ERNA TION AL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACT IVITI ES 157 c. Increasing the Worldwide Availability has a permanent collection of 1,000 volumes and Use of Baha'i Literature and also sells Baha'i books. In addition, the A worldwide increase in the translation, Local Spiritual Assembly ofMoissala, noting production, distribution and use of Baha'i the paucity of educational facilities available literature was designated as a priority during to villagers , started a mobile library in colthe Six Year Plan with a view to proclaiming laboration with the Local Spiritual Assembly the Faith and its principles to all sections of of Munich, Ge1many; it contains both society and broadening the Baha'i commu- Baha 'i and general reference materials and nity's understanding of Baba 'u' llah and His travels between villages, spending one day Message. This objective was energetically in each place. addressed throughout the Baha' i world in a number of ways. PRO DUCTION AND TRANSLATION Trans lations of Baha ' i literature were signifi- AVAILABILITY cantly increased in a number of languages, Efforts to present Baha' i literature to both covering a greater range of subj ect matter. the general public and the Baha'i commu- Spiritual Assemblies strnve to enrich Baha' i nity were intensified, taking m any fo1ms. literature in national and local languages . The most widespread were the participation Many such efforts were acclaimed for their of Baha'is in book fairs and exhibitions, the conháibution towards the preservation of culdistribution of Baha' i literature to public ture and heritage. In Dominica, for example, libraries, and the establishment of book the first háanslation of The Hidden Words depots and lending libraries. It is not possi- into Creole was received with appreciation ble to enumerate the achievements of every by a high-ranking government official and community in this sphere of activity, but to was seen as advancing the culture of the focus on the accomplishments of a few is island. revealing. The National Spiritual Assembly of In India the Baha'is participated in some Switzerland published a booklet in Ladin, a thirty-eight book fairs, held nearly two main dialect of Romansch, the fourth lanhundred book exhibitions and established as guage of Switzerland; the booklet was many as 110 book depots an d 865 lending disháibuted to the media and to agencies libraries. In one Indian state the Baha'is engaged in preserving the language. In the received a request from the Director of Netherlands a national teaching conference Public Libraries for 3,000 copies of Baha' i was organized by a Loca l Assembly to celebooks to be distributed among the 1,500 brate the publication and to develop plans public libraries throughout the state. In for the use of a compilation of the Writings Argentina the Baha'is took part in the ammal of 'Abdu ' l-Baha in Frisian, a language of the Buenos Aires Book Fair, one of the most Frisian Islands and the northern Netherlands. important in Latin America, drawing nearly In Togo and Benin, where selected Writa million people each year. At the Interna- ings were háanslated into the native tongues tional Book Fair held in Yugos lavia and of villagers, a powerful effect on Baha' i attended by nearly 400,000 people, the conmmnities was achieved. To encourage Baha' i Book Distribution Service of Austria application of Baha'i teachings certain háibal gave out some 2,800 items. Baha'i publish- chiefs also made recordings of the obligaers attended three ammal International Book tory prayers so that illiterate villagers could Fairs in Beijing, China. In Chad the Olinga listen to the Words of Baha ' u ' llah; other Bookstore-Library was opened in Moissala audio recordings of the Writings amplified in the presence of religious, civi l and military this mode of learning prayers and studying leaders; the library, open to the public daily, the Creative Word. 158 THE BAHA'I WORLD In Papua New Guinea a booklet of prayers the publication of a number of bibliographies from several of the world's major religions of Baha' i works and an English-language was translated into Nalik, one of the local Baba 'i dictionary. Two more concordances languages, the first book ever printed in that were added to the seven already available, language; a written forn1 of Nalik had to be and the Sacred Writings in an electronic created by Baha'is before this could occur. format became accessible for the first time The booklet, entitled Saaule Nakmai, a tradi- through the publication of two software tional Nalik call for assistance from God, programs. was part of the Baha' i community's contri- With the overall enrichment of Baha'i bution to the United Nations International literature throughout the world, it became Literacy Year. necessary to ensure that the desire to create A clear trend emerged and gained momen- variety did not overshadow the need to make tum during the Plan to produce more Baha'i basic Baha' i literature available to the literature on a broader range of subj ects. masses of humanity. Cognizant of this need, New Baha' i publications appeared on themes the International Teaching Centre fostered a such as health and hea ling, marriage and program that is now known as the "core family, decision-making and consultation, literature" program. Core literature refers to implications and applications of peace, and a a selection of titles comprised of Holy Writrange of social and economic development ings, works on the Life and Miss ion of issues. Prior to the Plan only a handful of Baha'u' llah, and introductory and deepening Baba ' i publications existed on the subject of materials, which are printed in large numliteracy. By its close, the number of Baha'i bers and made available to the friends at publications related to literacy easily reached affordable prices. The list of titles chosen forty. Among the languages in which Baha' i as core literature for a given language not literacy materials can now be found are: only is unique to that language, but grows Hindi and Marathi for India; French and and changes as the community develops and Creole for Haiti; Lunda for Zambia; Guaymi as the general enrichment of literature for Panama; and Spanish, Portuguese and progresses. Quechua for Latin America. Nowhere did this approach prove more It is also interesting to note the marked useful than in the former Eastern Bloc, upsurge in the publication of Baha'i refer- where the sudden opening of the countries of ence materials. The Six Year Plan witnessed the region to the rest of the world in late An estimated 1,000,000 people visited the i nternational Book Fa ir held in Buenos A ires in April I 989. Th is was th e sixth year the Bahri 'i Publishing Trust of Argentina participated in the Fair and its booth attracted much attention. INTERN A TI ON AL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 159 1989, and the large-scale teaching efforts systematize efforts in translation, publication that followed, created an unprecedented and distribution on the various continents. demand for Baha'i literature. In languages Likewise, the first International Chinese spoken in those countries experiencing large- Baha'i Writers' Seminar was held in Malayscale expansion, namely Albanian, Bulgarian, sia in June 1991, which explored the need Romanian and Russian, a packet of basic for suitable Baha'i materials in Chinese. In core literature was printed in large quantities order to enhance the range of Baha'i literato put essential items into the hands of the ture available in Arabic, a committee known people. While the production and distribu- as the "Reviewing Board of Baha'i Literation of core literature was vigorously pursued, ture in Arabic" was appointed by the House parallel plans were developed to create a of Justice in September 1991, with its base broad spectium of Baha'i literature in these in London. A Baha'i publishers' conference, languages. Both processes gradually gath- held in England in February 1992, was ered momentum during the last two years of attended by forty-four representatives of the Plan and will continue for many years to twenty-two publishers from seventeen councome. tries. As an outgrowth of that conference, However, it was not only in the former the International Association of Baha' i Eastern Bloc where this approach proved Publishers was formed with its base in the useful. Core literature programs were also Netherlands. developed for languages spoken in other regions of the world where large-scale expan- DISSEM INATION sion is taking place, including Hindi, Khmer, The capacity of the Baha'i world to dissemi- Lao, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Portuguese and nate literature on specific issues to thousands several vernacular languages of Africa, such of people increased enormously. The release as Bemba, Igbo, Yoruba and Sara. of The Promise of World Peace provided the impetus for the development of this COLLABORATION capacity. Greater collaboration among Publishing Since the appearance of the Peace State- Trusts and Baha'i publishers was brought ment, some National Spiritual Assemblies about by technological advances in the field have published items focusing on issues relof printing and the increase in organizational evant to their own countries and have called capacity throughout the Baha 'i world. On an upon their national communities to use these operational level, closer collaboration was publications extensively in their proclamawitnessed in the increasing number of Pub- tion and teaching efforts. The most outstanding lishing Trusts sharing computer discs and/or example is the statement prepared by the films of manuscripts to facilitate the printing National Spiritual Assembly of the United of the same book in different locations, thus States in 1991 entitled The Vision of Race avoiding the cost, difficulties and delays of Unity: America 's Most Challenging Issue. transporting books over long distances and There is every indication that this newly across borders. acquired capacity will be fully utilized in On an organizational level, this collabora- the dissemination of the Statement on tion was reflected in the number of international Baha'u'llah. Issued in April 1991, the Stategatherings and consultative meetings about ment had already been translated into at least literature which took place during the Plan. forty-eight languages by the close of the In 1987, for example, Argentina held the Plan, and reports were received at the World first Baha' i conference on the production of Centre of its presentation to many prominent literature in Spanish to coordinate and figures in various lands. 160 THE BAHA'I WORLD d. Further Acceleration in the Process of An illustrated booklet outlining the major the Maturation of Baha'i Communities tasks of a Local Assembly was distributed at The Six Year Plan itself, its goals and the a national convention in Togo. method used to fommlate them, reflected a Seminars, workshops and regular visits new level of community maturity. In its let- provided the other major fom1 of education. ter of2 January 1986 the Universal House of In the United States, Auxilia1y Board mem- Justice stated: "This new process ... signalizes bers, assistants, Counsellors and National the inauguration of a new stage in the Assembly representatives conducted a series unfoldment of the Administrative Order." of eighteen local conferences as part of the "Local Spiritual Assembly Development STRENGTHENING LOCAL SPIRITUAL Program" launched in 1989. The sessions ASSEMBLIES were based on training modules and on a In some areas of the world, most notably new compilation prepared at the National Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union Center called Developing Distinctive Bahti 'i and East Asia, the number of Local Assem- Communities: Guidelines for Local Spiritual blies significantly increased, reaching and Assemblies. sometimes surpassing national goals. A mile- Members of the various institutions stone in Local Assembly formation occurred working together in Spain established tl1e when the central authorities in Moscow "Consolidation Project for Local Spiritual approved the Baha'is' application to restore Assemblies." A similar National Conunittee the long-lost Assembly of Ashkhabad for the Support of Local Spiritual Assem- ('Ishqabad) in 1989. Yet the primary empha- blies was created in the Netherlands. sis during the Plan was on encouraging In the Philippines a simplified Local existing Local Assemblies to manifest their Assembly manual translated into Tagalog full potential. was distributed during seminars run by the National Assemblies created innovative Area Teaching Committees' "Local Spiritual and effective deepening programs for mem- Assembly Development Project." A "Travel bers of Local Assemblies, and Auxiliary Deepeners' Program," created in Tanzania, Board members and their assistants worked worked with twenty Assemblies during the tirelessly to nmture these vital institutions. Plan, and the National Assembly of Ethiopia Local Assemblies took greater initiative in conducted mini-deepenings for members of holding regular meetings, canying out their its urban Assemblies. administrative functions, reformillg themselves The Assembly of Chad reported that without outside assistance, and conducting individual Baha'is travelled thousands of extension teaching projects. kilometers per year by bicycle to regularly A number of National Assemblies pro- visit, encourage, deepen and deliver mail to duced deepening materials for their local Local Assemblies, greatly contributing to institutions. In Brazil a set of nine booklets their development. Similarly, in tl1e Central called Forming Conscientious Local African Republic, the assistant secreta1y of Spiritual Assemblies was shared with more the National Assembly rode some 1,200 than 200 Local Assemblies. Standards for kilometers by bicycle to hold institutes for organizing and conducting secretariat and thirteen Local Spiritual Assemblies in five treasury tasks were formulated by the locations, reaching nearly 300 individuals . National Assembly of the Eastern Caroline The effects of such efforts could be seen as Islands and sent to all Local Assemblies. local institutions began demonstrating more The National Assembly of Fiji taped and responsibility and initiative. distributed materials related to Assembly Local Assemblies increasingly handled development in Fijian, Hindi and English. their basic duties without undue reliance on INT ERNAT IONAL SURVEY OF CURREN T BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 161 Counsellor Edith Senoga (second from left) visits Baha 'i communities in the remote western region of Uganda , near the Ruwenzori Mountains; Februmy 1990. National Assemblies . For example, by the Local Assemblies in Bolivia organized and end of the Plan, incorporated Assemblies in locally financed regional conferences with Singapore and Hawaii were handling their between 200 and 600 participants each. Fifty own administrative work to maintain incor- Canadian Assemblies initiated their own poration, and eight Assemblies in Taiwan deepening programs and fourteen were overhad assumed responsibility for their own seeing the functioning of bookstores and local centers. The minutes of Norway 's info1mation centers at the end of the Plan. Local Assemblies showed these institutions Eleven Local Assemblies in Transkei adopted to be increasingly advising individuals on and pursued twenty-four extension teaching their personal problems and on avenues for goals. service to the Cause. Hawaii reported that the number of personal cases reaching the D EVELOPING LOCAL BAHA'I COMMUNITIES National Assembly radically decreased after "It is not enough to expand the rolls of the Auxiliary Board members held deepen- Baha'i membership, vital as that is, " the ings with Local Assemblies on how they Universal House of Justice reminded the might handle this aspect of Assembly believers of the world in its message of responsibility themselves. Ri~van 1989. "Souls must be transfmmed, Many Assemblies went beyond bas ic communities thereby consolidated, new functioning and fully developed loca l models of life thus attained." activity plans. All Local Assemblies in the It is difficult to measure the develc.pment Netherlands composed their own arumal of local communities, because no numbers plans which were then confim1ed by the can be applied to the spirit at a Holy Day National Assembly. Thailand reported that celebration, to the level of cooperation four Assemblies created their own plans, among the friends on a daily basis, or to became financially self-sufficient and the creativity poured into preparation for supported surrounding communities. Italy's a Nineteen Day Feast. However, as the National Assembly dissolved its National National Assembly of the Cook Islands Corrunittee for the Assistance of Local reported, " .. .if the spirit of enthusiasm and Assemblies because of the level of maturity loving unity among the members of our that had been achieved. community has anything to do with the Finally, more Assemblies developed maturity of the community, then we have sufficiently to begin initiating activities of made great strides over the past six years in benefit to the wider community. Several this area. " The National Assembly of Nepal 162 THE BAHA'I WORLD similarly reported, "no doubt the greatest of members of the Mura Tribe, was elected progress during the Six Year Plan has been at Ri~van 1990. The number of native Seneregistered in the area of the maturation of galese on the National Assembly of that local communities." country reached eight in the last year of the The successes of large-scale enrollment Plan; as the number of pioneers decreased, in various parts of the world created an the Senegalese have "taken over, in the immediate and pressing need for community administration as in the teaching, and in so consolidation. India's "Muhajir Project" doing, have developed a greater sense of combined deepening with mass teaching, belonging to the Faith". The Pygmies of the using a mobile deepening institute to help Central African Republic fom1ed their first newly formed communities to hold Nineteen Local Assembly in 1987. Day Feasts, Holy Day celebrations and to Another sign of maturation was the perform administrative functions. Also in attention given to achieving greater equality India, the Baha'i Academy in Panchgani between men and women within the Baha'i significantly contributed to the process of community. Women's issues and the topic consolidation through well-designed courses of equality were studied at numerous Baha'i which were attended by Baha ' is from both schools, conferences, mini-courses and sem- India and abroad, and conferences and semi- inars, and entire conferences focusing on nars for Auxiliary Board members and women were held in countries as diverse as assistants. Puerto Rico, Korea, Austria, Mauritius and In the Khulna area of Bangladesh, where Cape Verde. the populations of approximately 100 vil- Baha'i groups were formed to provide lages came close to becoming 100 percent support for women and to encourage com- Baha'i, the Regional Teaching Committee munities to address the issue of equality. designated a few as "model Baha'i villages" The Women's Association for Development and focused efforts on making the difference of Peace and Unity in France consisted of between Baha'i and other villages readily ninety members in four regional groups and apparent. held deepenings at various Baha'i gather- One outstanding sign of community ings. In Spain the National Committee for growth was the greater participation of Women was created to provide articles, native believers in activities and institutions. lectures and deepenings. A committee in the As culh1ral expressions of indigenous people Eastern Caroline Islands, which was formed were better incorporated into Baha'i com- to foster equality, developed a participatory munity life and as Baha'is sought to preserve workshop on the topic. the most positive aspects of native cultures, Women from rnral areas and indigenous loca l people took greater responsibility for tribes also exhibited greater pariicipation in their Baha'i communities. Zimbabwe, for community life. In Costa Rica in 1992, tluáee example, reported that one of the highlights indigenous communities were represented of the Six Year Plan was the transfom1ation by women at the National Convention for the of pioneer-dominated activities into collec- first time. In India large numbers of women tive efforts supported by local believers. were reported to be taking responsibility for The increased number of native believers the affairs of the Faith in Rajasthan, and in elected to institutions reflected this greater November 1988 sixty-two Indian women participation. At the end of the Plan the from thirteen villages attended a deepening majority of the members of twenty-two Local conference at the Malhousi Baha'i Center in Assemblies in Guatemala were indigenous Uttar Pradesh, a reported "miracle" for people. The first indigenous Local Assembly women to leave their homes to share their in the Amazonas State in Brazil, composed views with others. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURREN T BAHA'i ACTIVIT IES 163 STRENGTH EN ING NAT IONAL SPIRJTUAL Baha'i elections, often carried out by the ASSEMBLIES Counsellors, contributed to greater Assem- Between 1986 and 1992, new National Spiri- bly maturity and improved the quality of tual Assemblies were formed or re-fo1med in elections, so that they reflected an increas- Angola, the Congo Republic, Guinea, Guinea- ingly spiritual atmosphere. One recurring B issau, Greenland, Macau, Niger, the West deepening program, which was developed in Leeward Islands, Zaire and throughout East- Hawaii for delegates, evolved into a national ern Europe and Central Asia. The twelve educational program on the electoral process. National Assemblies formed at Ria:van 1992 Higher levels of cooperation and greater alone equalled the total number in the world understanding of how to apply Baha'i prinof forty years ago. ciples were reported by Assembly members . Overall, National Assemblies functioned Kenya reported growth in planning, consulmore effectively as secretariats improved; tation and organization, stating "members are elections more closely reflected the Baha'i more committed, more loving, more vigoridea; Assemblies delegated more tasks to ous, and they have been trying to play their strong committees or councils; and members rightful role as 'servants'." Togo's Assembly generally developed greater understanding reported becoming more understanding of of their roles. the importance of administering with justice Record-keeping and organization of the the affairs and property of the Faith. The administrative work of Assemblies improved National Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands with greater access to office technology. declared that its degree of growth "is Membership records were computerized reflected in the fundamental unity among in numerous places , including Dominica, its members, the increased reliance on the Taiwan, Sri Lanka, the Eastern Caroline power of divine assistance in decision- Islands and Zimbabwe; and many secretari- making, and the constant attempt to make ats tluáoughout the Baha ' i world acquired decisions based on principle and to arrive at word processors and fax machines to facili- consensus and wrnnimity ... " tate their correspondence work. In Canada In several communications to National comprehensive information on localities was Assemblies, the Universal House of Justice entered into a database and a history of Local recognized greater Assembly maturity by Assembly establishment was compiled. delegating more responsibility to these insti- The emphasis in some areas on educating tutions . In 1986 Assemblies were urged to convention delegates in the unique nature of develop their own national archives, and in The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha 'is of French Guiana, with two A uxilimy Board members, in April 1987. 164 THE BAHA ' I WORLD 1990 the House of Justice encouraged and Assemblies in the Netherlands worked National Assemblies to begin selecting pio- together to provide deepenings and children's neers to be deputized and to match them with classes. In some cases Local Assembly sponsors, thereby complementing the efforts collaboration was international: seventy of the International Deputization Fund. believers from twenty-five localities in Some National Assemblies, in turn, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom moved to decentralize their activities as their met in 1988 to consult on ways they could communities and workloads grew. Malay- join efforts to better teach in their local sia's first State Baha'i Councils were communities. established, and several oflndia's Councils, Regional consultations among National created in 1986, developed sufficiently to Assemblies provided additional opportuniinclude their own secretariats, committees, ties for exchange. In October 1990 the Feast newsletters and journals. Encouraged Continental Board of Counsellors in the by the Co unsellors to appoint stronger Americas organized a meeting in Guatemala committees, Hawaii held its first two- for seven Central American National Assemday National Committee Training Institute, blies. Thirty-seven representatives of the focused on making committees into effec- twelve National Assemblies of the Eastern tive arms of the Assembly, with authority Caribbean met in Saint Lucia in 1987 to to act without further approval except in foster collaboration among the participating cases involving a principle, policy or major communities. That same year representafunding . tives of the Assemblies of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan began what COLLABORATION AMONG INSTITUTIONS became annual joint meetings ; they were As Baha'i institutions at all levels matured, joined by the new Assembly of Macau in greater efforts were made toward sharing 1990. Representatives of the Assemblies of ideas and encouraging collaboration in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangcommon goals among Local Assemblies, ladesh, India, Nepal, Sikkim and Sri Lanka National Assemblies, and between the elected met in India in 1989. Several joint meetings and appointed institutions. and institutes have been held between the At least twenty collaborative endeavors Assemblies of Thailand and Laos. involving 105 Local Assemblies took place In Africa members from the National in Canada; forty-one Assemblies in Guyana Spiritual Assemblies of Zimbabwe, Zambia participated in regional conferences in 1991 ; and Malawi met with Counsellors in 1988 to Participants in the National Convention of the Baha 'is in Ciskei, April 1987. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 165 .... ... ' - . .... ' e • ....... ...,, '..,.... • I • ' , ••• 4 ~ ' ' ' ' ' •' ' 11 •• • I • • ~ I •• e I 4 I I • I .. . ' ~ I 1 • •••• ' ( 1• , ~ . -' ' . '' . Members ofthe National Spiritual Assembly Counsellor Violette Haake (right) meeting of the Bahri 'is ofJamaica at the Interna- with Auxiliary Board members in tional Convention in Haifa, Israel, 1988. New Caledonia in November 1991. discuss the goal of entry by troops on both institutions in Belgium. Several National that continent. In Europe that year members Assemblies made observations similar to of the National Assemblies of the United Hawaii's: "Trust and confidence between Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland met the institutions and the collaborative spirit of in Belfast with some 150 Baha'is from learning from each other, growing and both countries to consult on winning border- working together have characterized the two teaching goals. The Netherlands reported arms of the administrative order. ... " greater collaboration among the National This spirit of cooperation manifested itself Assemblies of Belgium, Gem1any, Luxem- in gatherings of representatives of all the bourg and the United Kingdom, including the institutions. One conference held in Moscow regular exchange of teachers. in 1990 was sponsored by the National In June I 987 the Universal House of Assembly of Germany and attended by Justice assigned international collaboration members of three Continental Boards of goals to National Assemblies. National com- Counsellors and all Assemblies involved in munities were encouraged to aid each other teaching in the Soviet Union. with teaching, contribute toward properties A national Six Year Plan conference in and needed equipment, share course materi- Canada brought together representatives from als and collaborate on literature translation every institution, which then was followed projects. (See also "Increasing ... Baha' i by five meetings for large groupings of Literature'', p. 157.) Local Assemblies and, finally, six smaller In May 1986 the House of Justice regional gatherings. Togo's National Assemannounced an expansion of the Boards of bly reported that a "big step forward in Counsellors and the Auxiliary Boards, and the process of maturity" took place when throughout the Plan these institutions forged members of both institutions held two conever-stronger relationships with National and secutive meetings to discuss divergent points Local Assemblies. A few examples of efforts of view on the best time in the teaching to increase consultation between Counsellors process to elect Local Assemblies. The frank and Assemblies include joint regional and consultation "brought the participants to tum national conferences of the elected and to the directives and advice of the Guardian appointed institutions held in Pakistan; annual and of the Universal House of Justice. This meetings between the Assembly of Chad effort... has released an energy which has and its Auxiliary Board members; and annual spurred our efforts during the last three weekend meetings with representatives of months of the Plan." 166 THE BAHA'I WORLD Participants in a conference for Auxiliary Counsellor member of the International Board members' assistants held at Teaching Centre Magdalene Carney met Swakopmund, Namibia in July 1988. NSAs of Sen egal and Gambia, May 1990. COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF Advanced technology- including fax NEWS machines, conference calls and electronic Baha'i news and ideas continued to be shared mail- enabled a worldwide network of among the believers primarily through pub- Baba' i communication to be established. lications and radio, but communication was Electronic bulletin boards such as "Newsenhanced by increasing access to television, wire" in the United States, and international fax and electronic mail. When the Office and national computer networks such as of Public lnforn1ation at the Baha'i World "bahai-net," allowed individual believers in CentTe a1mounced the creation of a Baha'i far-flung locations to exchange ideas and International Information Network to better make contacts. The regular use of satellites coordinate effmts to proclaim the Cause and to link believers in the Cook Islands, defend its interests, another step was taken Hawaii, Western and American Samoa and toward increasing unity through improving the United States, beginning in 1986, forecommunication among Baha'is. shadowed a time when satellites would Newsletters for assistants to Auxiliary connect the whole Baha'i world. Board members and regional bulletins pub- In 1990 the Media Services Depa1tment lished by Teaching Conmlittees complemented of the United States National Center began national newsletters and Feast letters to regularly producing Baha 'i Newsreel, a videoform the backbone of inforn1ation exchange. tape highlighting Baha' i events around the Baha ' i radio stations, which by the end of world. Six editions of the newsreel were the Plan were broadcasting an average of produced and sent to almost all National thirteen hours per day each, seven days a Spiritual Assemblies during the Plan. In the week, year-round, also served to unite final year, tapes also became available in believers in their listening areas. Particularly Spanish and French. in Africa, radio was used to announce The importance of face-to-face communi- Feasts, Holy Days and teaching campaign cation was not lost in the midst of the new events; in India national public radio was possibilities opened up by technology. The available for a1mouncements. Radio has United States initiated two programs to served as a primary vehicle for conmlllnica- foster greater unity among members of its tion in rmal areas of South America, where geographically widespread community: the a considerable amount of programming is "Weekend Visits Program," begun in 1989, done in native languages such as Guaynli, brought groups of fifteen to thirty Baba ' is to Quechua, Mapuche and Aymara. the National Center to exchange thoughts INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 167 and concerns with the National Assembly; "families" for a demonstration of consultathe "Town Meetings Program" begun in 1990 tion in this context; the groups discussed and planned by the Treasurer's Office and the rights and responsibilities of each family members of the Auxiliary Boards, "fostered member, family discipline and the eliminaincreasingly open and frank discussion with tion of prejudice. the conununity and has provided. .. vital National Assemblies in Bolivia, Guyana, information about many aspects of the com- Mali and Norway reported reserving time munity's life." during their meetings for regular study of In Taiwan the National Assembly and passages in the Baha'i Writings on consultanational committees held meetings around tion. the country to help members meet as many individual believers as possible. In Zimbabwe SUPPORT OF THE FUND the Regional Teaching Committee system The health of the Baha'i Fund is yet another created a communication network using trav- indicator of the community's developing eling teachers to deliver news and messages. maturity. Although there is no way to measure the spirit of sacrifice and sense of duty HIGHER LEVELS OF CONSULTATION behind voluntary contributions, effo1is by A sign of growing maturity in Baha'i com- local believers to take more responsibility munities was the importance given to better for the needs of national and international practicing the art of consultation. The believ- funds indicate spiritual growth. ers developed materials, organized classes In 1989 Landegg Academy held its first and seminars, and began Assembly meetings study course on "Effective Fund Managewith deepenings on this fine art. ment for the Development of the Faith," Among the materials created and distrib- which illustrated the importance of fostering uted were Brazil ' s Baha'i Consultation and a spiritual basis for donations . Consult to Decide Better; audio-visual aids In the United States the "Local Assembly and a booklet were produced and dissemi- Goals Program for the National Fund" nated in Bangladesh; a complete course was was launched in October 1990. Based on prepared in Madagascar; and a document factors such as locality size and past record was written for presentations during Baha' i of donations , the National Assembly made hannattan schools in Togo. specific recommendations to a number of Consultation was often studied in confer- Local Assemblies which reflected the level ences, institutes and summer schools in of sacrifice felt to be within the local commany countries. India organized an annual munity's power. conference on it, and workshops were held In Canada the Loca l Assembly of West in Botswana, Burkina Faso, Denmark, El Vancouver, British Columbia, initiated what Salvador, Luxembourg and Spain. became a national program to contribute in The practice of consultation formed a specified units toward elimination of the major portion of several courses. During a 1990- 91 National Fund deficit. nine-day workshop in Australia, Baha'is from The number of regular contributors to the three Aboriginal Reserves elected a mock National Fund of Thailand increased four- Assembly and practiced consulting on hypo- teenfold after the national treasurer began thetical issues; an Auxiliary Board member making personal visits to communities and joined the process, thereby helping partici- sessions on the Fund were included in nearly pants to gain insight into the role of that all schools and conferences. institution. At a conference in the Western Local communities in several countries Caroline Islands sponsored by a Regional regularly supported their National Funds by Teaching Committee, participants formed planting crops to sell just for this purpose. 168 THE BAHA'I WORLD The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu 'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum opening the local Baha'i Center in Sheung Shui, Hong Kong, in November J990. Right: Counsellor Lucretia Warren with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Mozambique in fiwit of their newly acquired National Baha'i Center, 1989. Above: The new National Office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha 'is of Kiribati which was dedicated in 1989. Right: Friends gathered at the Baha 'i Center in Ndava, Burundi, for the inauguration held 22 October 1989. INT ERNAT ION AL SURVEY OF CU RRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 169 Frnit grown on the national endowment LEGAL RECOGNITION OF BAHA'i property at Fam1ers, St. Thomas Parish, INSTITUTIONS Barbados, was used to make jam to sell fo r The Universa l House of Justice was able the Fund. The Local Assembly ofNyiakungu, to call fo r the re-formation of the National Kenya, grew and sold tomatoes to become Assemblies of the Congo Republic and Niger the first Assembly to meet its contribution at Ri9van 1992 after the Faith had been goal for the National Fund. The Local Assem- legally recognized by the authorities in both bly of Tshilaka, Zaire, harvested crops of countries. These significant events were part coffee, com, manioc, beans and peanuts to of a trend toward governments ' officially benefit the Fund. Believers in Danane, Cote recognizing the Faith's independence. This d'Ivoire, cultivated rice for three consecu- facilitated the incorporation of its Assemtive years to support their Local Fund. blies, and acceptance of the legality of Baha'i maniage and absences of Baha'i students BAHA'I PROPERTIES from public schools on Holy Days . As the Baha ' i community expanded, a greater A milestone in legal recognition of the number of localities were able to build, Faith occurred in Germany in February 1991 purchase or rent local, regional and national when the Federal Constitutional Court, Baha'i centers. Efforts were also made to the highest legal authority in the country, renovate existing properties, encouraged by affirmed the legality of Assemb ly bylaws, the message from the House of Justice in upholding the constih1tional appeal made by October 1990 outlining standards for main- the Local Spiritual Assembly of Ti.ibingen taining Baha 'i properties. after a series of lower courts had refused New national centers were acquired in incorporation. The lower courts had based Ciskei, Macau, Mozambique, Romania and their decision on the grounds that the author- Saint Lucia. In Botswana, Project "Buy a ity granted to the National Assembly in the Brick" was initiated in 1988 to accelerate bylaws of the Local Assembly violated the contributions for the new center. The great- legal principle requiring all legally incorpoest number of new regional centers were rated associations to be autonomous . In a acquired in African countries such as decision with far-reaching implications, the Burnndi, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Siena Leone Federal Court affi1med the right of the and Zimbabwe. More than 200 local centers Baha'is to organize as a hierarchically were opened throughout the world. shuctured legal community according to the Two of the most significant achievements revealed Law of God. Because the decision in this area were the constmction of the was based partially on the constitutional Mother Temple of the Indian subcontinent, right to freedom of religious practice, the which was dedicated to public worship in Court declared its recognition of the Faith as December 1986 (see pp. 731-740), and the an independent religion, stating, "the characopening of the De Poort Conference Centre ter of the Baha ' i Faith as a religion and the in the Netherlands in June 1987. De Poort, Baha'i Community as a religious community which means "the gate," is owned and oper- is evident, in actual everyday life, cultural ated by the Dutch Baha'i community and tiáadition, and in the understanding of the hosts gatherings sponsored by members of general public as well as of the science of the European Baha ' i community and various comparative religion. " The Court even took other organizations. the rare step of issuing a statement to the Renovation of a number of Baha'i proper- press explaining its decision. ties also took place, the most extensive being In June 1988, the Legislative Council of the refurbishment of the Houses of Worship Hong Kong passed an ordinance giving the in Kampala, Uganda, and in Wilmette, U.S.A. Baha ' i Assembly a new status which may 170 THE BAHA'I WORLD well afford the Faith further legal protection lifted. Chicago' s Board of Education in in the years beyond 1997 when Hong Kong the United States, the Superintendent of becomes a part of the People ' s Republic of Education for the Northern Mariana Islands, China. The National Assembly of Saint Germany's Bavarian State Ministiáy for Lucia was also incorporated, and the Ciskei Education and Culture, and the Cantonal Assembly's constitution was approved by its authorities in Bern, Switzerland, all gave Government. permission for Baha'is to be absent on Holy Government documents acknowledging Days. In Zimbabwe the Holy Days are listed the Faith were used in India, where the on government calendars. Authorities in Director of the Census instlucted all enu- three counties of the Republic of Ireland merators to record the Baha'i Faith as an have granted a holiday to all pupils for the independent religion and list the believers Birthday of Baha 'u 'llah. properly. In Turkey, some fifty believers were able to change the religion section e. Promoting Universal Participation and of their birth certificates from "Islam" to the Spiritual Enrichment of Individual "Baha'i. " In Austria, Baha ' i credentials Believers became accepted as valid documents for In its Ric;lvan message of 1988, the Universal obtaining visas, and, in Saint Lucia, Baha ' i House of Justice wrote: registration of births and deaths was ... it is on the initiative, the resolute will recognized. of the individual to teach and to serve, The National Spiritual Assembly of the that the success of the entire community Hawaiian Islands was issued mailboxes in depends .... The ultimate tiáiumph of the the State Senate and the House of Represen- Cause is assured by that 'one thing and tatives to receive copies of all bills before only one thing' so poignantly emphasized the legislature. Baha'i institutions received by Shoghi Effendi, namely, 'the extent to tax exemptions in Equatorial Guinea, Guinea- which our own inner life and private Bissau, New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands, character mirror forth in their manifold and Uruguay. aspects the splendor of the eternal princi- Advances were made in recognition of ples proclaimed by Baba 'u 'llah'. Baha' i maniage. The Nigerian government pern1itted Baha'i institutions to issue gov- UNIVERSAL PARTI CIPATION ernment maniage certificates; five additional Baha'i institutions nurtured believers toward Local Assemblies in Uganda were authorized higher levels of participation in community to conduct legally valid marriage ceremo- life and service to the Cause by using educanies; Baha'i marriages were recognized for tional methods that reached the widest the first time in an additional nine National possible Baha'i audience, and by relating the Assembly areas; and Baha'i marriage offic- Teachings to the particular backgrounds of ers were appointed in Grenada, Guyana, the individuals in the community. Pakistan, Saint Lucia and Transkei. A wide Baha ' i audience was reached Progress was also made toward excusing through ongoing study guides published in more students and teachers from schools on national newsletters, such as the course on Baha'i Holy Days. In Ecuador permission the Kitab-i-Iqan that ran in the October and was granted for the Raul Pavon School to November 1989 issues of The American close on Holy Days. In Uganda the Educa- Bahiz 'i and was reproduced by the National tion Department of Mbale granted students Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands and exemption from classes on the nine Holy mailed to all believers through Local Assem- Days, the first instance of Holy Day recogni- blies. In addition, a study guide on the tion since the 1979 ban on the Faith was Epistle to the Son of the Wolf was published INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 171 in the Febrnary, March and April 1991 issues. Particular efforts were made to help Other methods used to reach believers believers integrate their ethnic identities and included an experimental program in India their Baha'i identities, particularly for indigoffering insh-uction through television, and enous people entering the Faith. In New increased use in Brazil of riverboats to carry Zealand a "Whare Wananga" (School of Baha'is along the Amazon River and its trib- Leaming) was established in June 1987 to utaries, providing deepening from village to provide twice-yearly intensive courses for village. the Maori Baha'is on the teachings and Correspondence courses were used to history of the Faith and the relationship reach believers who might not otherwise between Maori culture and the teachings . have access to regular deepenings or be able Also in New Zealand 107 Maori Baha' i to attend Baha'i schools. During the Plan women, including National Assembly and courses were developed in places such as National Teaching Committee members, Canada, El Salvador, Bangladesh, Thailand, held their first National Women's "Hui", or Burkina Faso and Tanzania, and previously traditional gathering, in Febrnary 1987. In published lessons continued to be disháibuted May of that year the National Convention in Saint Lucia, India , Botswana, Chad and of New Zealand was held for the first time at Malawi. In Belize, Brazil and Bangladesh, a "marae" (háaditional Maori meeting place). all of which experienced the challenges of The message from the Convention to the consolidation fo llowing large-scale emoll- World Centre said the decision to hold the ments, at least one correspondence course convention at a "marae" tapped the spiritual was sent to each new believer. Zimbabwe reservoir of the indigenous culture. reported that 4,5 00 believers participated in In the United States in August 1988, correspondence courses. Courses specifi- Native American men and women representcally for children were published in Taiwan ing fifty háibes gathered under a giant tent and Malaysia. surrounded by teepees near the sacred burial New believers were helped to establish site of Chief Sitting Bull at Standing Rock the foundations of their Baha'i identities in Reservation in South Dakota to attend the a variety of ways, the most common being Baha'i-sponsored "Fifth Continental Indigethe sending of Baha'i books, compilations of nous Council". Written pledges to serve the the Writings, or correspondence courses with Cause and carry the Faith to Africa, Europe welcome cards. In Guyana a "National and South America were received by the Deepening Program" for new believers was National Assembly on the last night of the launched in 1992, in which 1,000 have Council. In July 1989 Baha'is from eight pa11icipated. In the Netherlands all new countries joined seven Counsellors for a believers were invited to the National Center conference in Bolivia on the development of to meet the National Assembly and study the Faith among the indigenous peoples of the administration, and to a special weekend Latin America. Deepening conferences and of study at De Po011 Conference Centre. training programs specifically for the Lunda The National Assembly ofBurw1di regularly people of Zambia also resulted in offers to reserved one day of its program of classes háavel to teach and homefront pioneer. In fo r new Baha'is to ask questions. The Saint Lucia assistance was provided for National Assemb ly of Rwanda regularly indigenous believers to take part in overseas corresponded with new believers , sending conferences and teaching projects. news, deepening courses and selections from Zimbabwe provides another example of the Holy Writings. In Puerto Rico several success in encouraging the pai1icipation of regional conferences for new believers were native believers. The majority of Regional held. Teaching Committee members were local 172 THE BAHA'I WORLD Baha'is, ninety percent of Convention dele- basics of Baha'i life by producing two comgates were indigenous, deepening institute pilations, Prayer and Meditation and Shining teachers were indigenous and classes were Examples, and then launching a National conducted in vernacular languages. Teaching Conmlittee plan, printed in booklet Strengthening the Baha'i identities of fo1m, called Spiritualization in Action. Meetnew believers was particularly crucial in ings on each island conducted by National areas where mass enrollment had occmTed. Assembly members began in November The method used by resident teaching teams 1991. The Spiritual Enrichment Committee in Guyana of immediately revisiting new produced a series ofleaflets on the requisites believers, providing deepening, and involv- for spiritual growth to be used to stimulate ing them in the teaching work right away, consultation during Nineteen Day Feasts. spread to other countries experiencing entry Material promoting reflection on spiritual by troops. For example, a 1988 teaching principles was also provided to national project in Bolivia began with a two-day conmmnities by the Universal House of spiritualization and training course at the Justice. A compilation on tmstworthiness Firdawsi Institute in Caracollo, resulted in prepared by the Research Department of the the enrollment of more than 1,000 new souls Baha' i World Centre was sent to all National and ended with deepening courses designed Assemblies in January 1987, and extracts to maintain the momentum of expansion and from the Writings concerning the sanctity of consolidation. Baha'i marriage, together with a statement on preserving Baha'i maniages, were sent INDIVIDUAL SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT in December 1990. Regular deepenings sponsored by Baha'i institutions or initiated by individual believ- LITERACY ers, and armual summer, winter and spring In its Ri<;lvan 1989 message the Universal schools held regionally or nationally contin- House of Justice stated that "further systemued to provide consistent opportunities for atic attention needs to be given to the the Baha'is to develop their understanding eventual elimination of illiteracy from the of the Teachings and to experience the spiri- Baha'i community, an accomplishment tual unity of these gatherings. The focus of which would, beyond anything else, make study shifted more and more to the Life of the Holy Word accessible to all the friends Baha'u'llah as the Holy Year approached. In and thus reinforce their efforts to live the Alaska all believers were sent a copy of the Baha'i life." Statement on Baha'u' llah. The importance of such a campaign was The Assembly of Thailand reported greater again emphasized when the House of Justice enthusiasm and participation in Baha' i sum- wrote a Jetter to all National Assemblies mer and winter schools when the programs on 10 July 1989, calling on each to address were changed from lecture format to interac- itself to this objective. "Access to [the Holy tive learning. Word]," the Jetter read, "constant study of The word "institute" was used to designate it and daily use of it in our individual lives a variety of Baha'i educational entities, from are vital to the inner personal háansformation comprehensive consolidation and spiritual towards which we sháive and whose ultimate enrichment programs, to permanent facilities outer manifestation will be the emergence of offering regular courses, to one-time week- that divine civilization which is the promise end workshops. of the World Order ofBaha'u'llah." One example of a comprehensive program Baha'is responded to this call in various was Hawaii's Spiritualization Campaign, ways, participating in commemorations of which focused the entire community on the the United Nations International Literacy INTERN A TI ON AL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 173 Year in 1990, joining local adult literacy which described the society-building proprograms and creating their own programs. cesses of the Baha'i community and the operation of the Administrative Order using BAHA'i SCHOLARSHIP the language and concepts of general evolu- Notable advances were made in the develop- tion and systems theories, was ve1y well ment of Baha'i scholarship during the course received. Contact with this society, later of the Plan, such that an increasing number renamed the International Society for the of believers were engaged in analyzing the Systems Sciences, was maintained through problems of humanity and demonstrating the the presentation of papers with Baha'i conefficacy of the Baha ' i teachings in solving tent at each of its annual meetings. (See also these problems. "General Systems ... ", pp. 459-460) The process of relating the Teachings to In 1988 Switzerland 's Landegg Conferthe cunent issues of concern to the people of ence Center, a venue used for conferences, the world was fostered by the activities of seminars and summer schools since being the Associations for Baha' i Sh1dies which acquired by Baha ' is in 1983, became the are to be found now in every continental home of Landegg Academy which offers area, and which attract a growing number seminars, symposia, conferences and fornms of people, both Baha'is and others, to their for Balla ' is, such as a conference for young periodic meetings on such topics as racial professionals on "Reaching People of unity, the equality of men and women, the Capacity," and for the wider academic development of world order, and the spiri- community, such as symposia on conflict rual foundations of social development. (See resolution and the global environmental also pp. 461-470) crisis. In September 1990 the historic first A significant role is played by the Associ- "International Dialogue on the Transition to ation for Baha'i Sh1dies in North America, a Global Society," organized by Landegg in which has published proceedings of some of cooperation with the Vienna Academy for its conferences in books such as Unity: The the Srudy of the Furure and the University of Creative Foundation of Peace; Racial Unity: Maryland, brought together eighty leaders of An Imperative for Social Progress; The thought from around the world to present Bah6. 'i Faith and Islam; and Th e Baha 'i papers and discuss the changing world Faith and Marxism .. order. The inauguration in 1988 of Th e Journal In August 1989 Landegg launched the of Baha 'i Studies, a quarterly, trilingual "Ce11ificate Programme in Baha ' i Srudies." journal that publishes articles by scholars of Designed to foster systematic Baha ' i scholthe Baha'i Writings, created a fornm open to arship as called for by Shoghi Effendi, the all researchers . three-year independent srudy course requires Several Baha' is participated in a scientific pa11icipants to spend the month of August conference organized by the International each year at Landegg and to submit a num- Society for General Systems Research in ber of papers throughout the rest of the year. Budapest, Hungary, in 1987. Dr. Ervin The program began with twenty-eight Laszlo, a renowned scientist and member of srudents from eleven countries. the Club of Rome, had encouraged the The establishment of Baha'i Chairs at Baha ' is to participate and requested that a universities in the United States and India paper on the Faith be presented. The Baha'i also marked a significant step in the devel- Community as a Model for Social Change, opment of Baha'i scholarship. 174 TH E BAHA'I WORLD f. Baha'i Education of Children and traditions of child education had been estab- Youth and Baha'i Family Life lished ten or twenty years earlier, previously The education of chilc!Jen and youth and the weak Local Assemblies were beginning to nurturing of Baha'i families have been im- function and new generations of stalwart p01iant components of several recent Plans . believers were arising . However, the efforts required to open new Following this letter and others in a simiareas to the Faith and to consolidate new lar vein, the idea of placing emphasis on communities often meant that few resources children and youth increasingly became the were available for this crucial concern. Dur- focus of the believers' thinking, consultation ing the Six Year Plan the institutions of the and planning. In Africa, Latin America and Faith, encouraged by the Counsellors, gave Asia, as a result of large-scale enrollments fresh attention to the needs of children and among the masses, many Baha'i communiyouth. As the Plan drew to a close the training ties were particularly obliged to take a new of children 's teachers and the development look at the challenges of chi ld education. of children's materials were progressing In Colombia, beginning in 1990, háaditional with increased vigor and resolve, often as campaigns of expansion and consolidation a major activity of the growing number of were altered to pay greater attention to permanent teaching institutes. children and junior youth and, through them, Renewed focus on the imp01iance of to their parents. In the Caribbean also, it educating children, youth and fa milies, and was found that where organized children's greater understanding of the requirements classes occurred, they provided the greatest for building successful programs, were major access to the people. In many villages of the achievements of the Plan in this area. world it was not only Baha ' i children but also children and junior youth in the general BAHA ' I C I-llLD REN ' S EDUCATION population who showed an ardent desire to A December 1988 letter from the Interna- receive Baha'i education. As the Plan drew tional Teaching Centre to all Continental to a close, more communities were incorpo- Counsellors shared a vision of the children rating the establishment of children's classes of the world as teachers of their own genera- into their plans of action for large-scale tion, and as agents for the deepening of expansion. others, placing pa1iicular emphasis on chil- Teachers of children's classes were trained dren aged ten to sixteen. The Counsellors during a number of seminars organized by had seen how in conmmnities where strong national and local Baha'i institutions and by Children in a Bahri 'i tutorial school in Ngoakiri 11, in the Central Aji-ican Republic, 1987. INTERNAT IONAL SURVEY OF C URRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 175 permanent institutes. The International Teach- children. Nicaragua 's first National Chiling Centre, in a letter to all Counsellors in dren's Conference was held in Managua November 1992, foresaw the Six Year Plan in 1990, with more than forty children from setting the stage for the corning Three Year six communities participating in deepenings, Plan, and stated that "the rapid multiplica- singing, games and the breaking of a tion of programs for the training of children's traditional "piiiata" filled with gifts. Two class teachers represents one of the most children's conferences were held in Japan in promising developments of institutes around the last year of the Plan. The first "Children's the world". Unity Camp" was organized in Malaysia. The Ruhi Institute in Colombia continued to train youth as facilitators capable of stim- CURRI CULA AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ulating other youth to educate themselves Efforts to create materials for use in chilin order to become effective Baha'i teachers dren's classes were carried out in a number for the children in their communities. Ruhi of countries. The Children ' s Education Task materials are designed to help the believers Force in Australia developed a complete curlearn to study the Sacred Writings on their riculum of Baha'i studies for children up to own and to apply them in their daily lives, age fifteen and worked to fulfill its National thus spurring them on to higher and higher Assembly's international collaboration goal levels of service to the Cause. The materials to produce and exchange materials with were also used in other Latin American coun- other National Assemblies in the Pacific. tries, several African nations and in India. The School of the Nations in Brazil and the The National Assembly of India published Maxwell International School in Canada one of the Ruhi Institute manuals in Hindi, each began long-range projects of rewriting and in June 1991 held an intensive course to the curricula of their academic courses to prepare over forty individuals as trainers of reflect a spiritual approach to the subjects children's class teachers. This effort formed and to provide appropriate ethical content. part of a program to train hundreds of teach- Curricular materials for Baha'i children's ers in the Hindi-speaking states. classes were developed in many communi- The New Era Development Institute in ties , including Canada, Fiji, France, Gabon, India and Nur University in Bolivia also pre- Kenya, Norway, Singapore, Thailand and pared material for training teachers. the United States. Special activities to complement classes A number of National Assemblies and added to the positive Baha'i experiences of Baha' i educational institutions developed A Bahci 'i children 's class in Florida, southern Uruguay, poses for a happy photograph, November J988. 176 THE BAHA'i WORLD A Bahci 'i tutorial school in Chaco, Paraguay, in March 1989. curricula for teaching comparative religion reserved for children. Chile published chiland the Baha'i Faith in public schools. A dren's letters and artwork in a quarterly particular milestone was the approval of a bulletin called Capullitos, and a publication Baha'i curriculum for public schools in the for children called Light of the Lotus was states of New South Wales and Queensland, produced in the Canary Islands. in Australia. The Chilean Ministry of Education approved the inclusion of study programs YOUTH about the Faith in the general high school cur- Throughout the Plan the Baha'i education of riculum, and the National Assembly prepared youth took a variety of forms, including teachers for this task. Courses on religion and national and international youth conferences moral education prepared by Baha'is were á (often organized largely by the youth themused in Brazilian public schools, and efforts selves), deepening retreats, youth camps were made to introduce courses on the and week-long study institutes. For example, Faith in the educational systems of Bolivia, in the United States an international youth Cameroon and Spain. conference organized in 1988 attracted some Near the end of the Plan, Malawi's 8,000 participants. Youth schools, youth Regional Education Officer in the Southern symposia and forums for young profession- Region accepted a plan for Baha'is to present als, held at Landegg Academy in Switzerland, the history and moral teachings of the Faith among other places, provided opportunities in secondary schools . Also, a curriculum on for intensive study and international exthe Faith developed by the National Assem- change. blies of Jamaica and of Trinidad and Tobago Education programs that focused on prewas submitted to the Caribbean Examina- paring youth for the teaching field proved tions Council for use in the English-speaking particularly successful. In the summer of 1991 , Caribbean islands. following several intensive teacher háaining Publications for children also helped to courses for youth that were sponsored by the involve children in the rhythm of Baha'i National Teaching Committee in the United community life. A one-page lesson in every States and included field experience, some Feast letter in Zimbabwe was said to be in- sixty full-time teaching teams arose. Some shumental in establishing children's classes of the youth became so excited by their in rural areas; a separate Feast letter for chil- experiences that they decided to postpone dren was distributed in Brazil; and in Puerto their studies for one year to continue teach- Rico a page of the national newsletter was ing full-time. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIV!TlES 177 ASSISTING PARENTS and fifty children needing medical háeat- Parental guidance is central to the education ment, were commended by the government. of Baha'i youth and children, and a number In Papua New Guinea a National Women's of programs were devised to help parents Conference in October 1987 covered the prepare for their vital role. Efforts were háaining of children. made to ass ist African mothers who wished The Baha' i Mothers' Deepening Project of to supplement their education so that they the Baha'i National Teaching Committee of would be better prepared to educate their the Philippines was designed to give Filipina children; the African women Counsellors in Baha'i mothers and future mothers guidance particular saw this as a worthy mission and on the care, education and training of chilundertook extensive travels to further this dren; on maintaining a Baha'i atmosphere in aim. The Baha'i Programme for Mothers, an their homes; and on cultivating rapport with expanding series of booklets published by their husbands and fami lies. The intensive the National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya, project began in February 1988 with the provided guidance on raising healthy chil- holding of twenty-one Mothers ' Deepening dren, teaching good character and creating a Classes in different parts of the counh-y, and spiritual home environment. Translated into culminated in seven large Family Life Conalmost forty languages, the booklets are ferences in March and April 1988. A meeting widely used by parents throughout Africa, to explore the principle of the equality of and in 1987 a set was sent by the House of women and men was held in Cote d'Ivoire in Justice to all National Assemblies. October 1990, in which the Baha'is were The Baha 'i Education Network Commit- joined by a dozen other concerned parties to tee in Canada collaborated with various Local discuss the role of women as the first educa- Assemblies to sponsor more than thirty tors of their children, the importance of workshops on helping parents teach values mutual support and common goals among and virtues to children. The workshops were women, and ways to enhance understanding attended by over 1,000 people, half of whom between mothers and daughters. were not Baha'is. In Costa Rica a conference devoted to fami ly consultation and BAHA'i MARRIAGE AND FAM ILY LIFE parent-child relations was well attended. Various efforts were made throughout the In July 1986 classes for women in Pakistan world to develop programs to foster wholeon the basics of health care, hygiene and the some Baha'i family life, including deepenings, feeding of infants, attended by fifty women conferences and special classes at summer Th e wedding of two Bahti 'i couples at the l enakel Bahti 'i Centre on Tanna island in Vanuatu. Janumy 1987. 178 THE BAHA'I WORLD and winter schools. Baha'i families were interest among the participants, and invitaencouraged to become fully involved in tions to address the public followed. A practicing the basic teachings of the Faith, National Women's Conference, held at the with emphasis on prayer, maintenance of a Nakuru Baha'i Center, Kenya, in February loving and humble attitude toward others, 1990, focused on the spiritual, intellectual reading of the Writings, upholding family and material well-being of the Baha'i family; unity through consultation and encouraging the National Women's Committee arranged teaching of the Cause. television publicity and invited women rep- A conference was held in Cameroon in resentatives of the Government of Kenya to June 1986 to discuss the development of take part. The Baha'i youth of the Andaman women, marriage, family life and child edu- and Nicobar Islands joined other island youth cation. Also in Cameroon, mothers and to form a discussion group on Baha'i marfathers were invited to paiiicipate in regional riage in July 1990. The State Baha'i Council conferences on family life held periodically of Andhra Pradesh in India held a "Baha'i during the Plan; topics discussed included Family Conference" in November 1990. chastity, consultation in the family, the role In addition to studying the topic of family of fathers, discipline without physical pun- life, communities worked to create Baha'i ishment, and the effects on children of activities for families to enjoy together. parents' words and deeds. Every year the House of Worship in Sydney, The Baha'is of San Juan, Pue1io Rico, Australia, hosted a Children's Day celebrasponsored weekly talks on "Marriage as a tion in which families participated in readings, Fortress for Well-Being". The talks, pre- prayers and festivities. In Liberia a 400-acre sented by a Baha'i psychiatrist under the fatm owned by the National Assembly was auspices of the Auxiliary Board, attracted used early in the Plan as a center for the media attention which led to five radio sta- education of families. In Belize a nineteentions' broadcasting weekly announcements day program of readings and activities for about the project, and one popular station' s families was distributed. The Assembly of airing two-hour "call-in" shows for several Sri Lanka reported that its efforts to hold months on topics related to healthy marriage. family conferences and deepenings and to Elsewhere around the world, a prominent arrange individual visits to homes resulted Baha'i psychiatrist conducted a one-week in an increase in the number of identifiable seminar on marriage at the Landegg Academy Baha'i families. in Switzerland in 1986, which participants Families were the focus of teaching reported was practical, scholarly and cre- efforts in one city of El Salvador. A Local ative. In September 1987 the National Baha'i Spiritual Assembly chose a middle-class Women's Committee of Zaire held a Re- neighborhood where a Baha'i family lived gional Women' s Conference in Kinshasa, in which to proclaim the Faith during March Zaire, on marriage, family life and the edu- 1990. Of the 355 families visited by memcation of children. A traveling teacher visited bers of the Baha'i community, almost all Singapore in August 1989 and conducted a accepted literature, and follow-up visits workshop on "Marriage and Family Life", were made to thirty-six families. About fifty which focused on setting life goa ls, defining people from the neighborhood attended at one's personality, determining what one has least one evening event. By the end of four to offer the Faith, and examining one ' s weeks ten people had embraced the Faith expectations from a partner. A traveling and there continued to be interest among teacher in Lesotho conducted a three-day In- people in at least ninety households. Classes ternational Deepening Institute on Marriage in morality and virtues were established and and Family Life; the issues provoked intense offered to the children in the neighborhood. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAI-IA'i ACTIVITIES 179 g. Pursuing Social and Economic Develop- strengthened existing programs to ensure ment Activities in Well-Established Baha'i that new ventures proceeded from a strong Communities foundation. Baha'is worldwide now general- The dramatic worldwide expansion of Baha'i ly possess a much clearer understanding of social and economic development activities the unique Baha 'i approach to development since the October 1983 message by the and have gained invaluable experience in Universal House of Justice contributed in developing the art of applying spiritual conno small measure to the emergence of the cepts to the practical challenges of daily Baha'i community from obscurity and con- life. At the conclusion of the Plan a reported stitutes one of the distinguishing characteristics 1,344 Baha'i development endeavors were of the development of the Cause of God functioning throughout the world under the in the past decade. The virtually exponential jurisdiction of 137 National Spiritual Asexpansion achieved in the number of devel- semblies . (See Appendix.) opment activities during the Seven Year Baha'i programs established a reputation Plan (1979- 1986) became more gradual dur- for honest management and altJ.uistic service. ing the Six Year Plan as Baha'i communities Collaboration with other organizations gained momentum as support was received from organizations such as UNICEF, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNlFEM), and governments as widespread as Canada, India and Norway. Baha'i institutions began to be identified as important contJ.áibutors to international development, while the Baha'i administJ.áative network was seen as a potent force for coordinating development activities within a global framework. Many communities developed their consultative skills in order to more effectively identify feasible projects, formulate the necessary plans, and guide the resulting undertakings. The wisdom of starting small and ensuring that initial activities could be canied out successfully with local resources became increasingly evident. Assemblies became more adept at recognizing whether and how proposed development projects would contribute to the sttáengthening of the community. Many communities, especially those with permanent programs, began taking steps to ensure that effective development activities would continue even if external sources of supp01i were to be withdrawn. To an ever greater degree, National Spiritual Jn Guam, l 8 children from the Jnarajan Assemblies recognized the importance of in- Baha'i School planted 600 acacia seedlings creasing the local communities' awareness on 2 l October l 990. A statement of appre- of needs and possibilities, and of guiding ciation was issued by the Forestry Division and coordinating the efforts resulting from of Guam's Department of Agriculture. such awareness. Administtáative capabilities 180 THE BAHA'I WORLD grew and Baha ' i institutions continued the objective was to supplement or improve the process of building the organizational infra- nutritional value of the local diet, while in structure needed to guide and nurture more other instances the friends contributed their complex programs. The diversity of Baha'i labor to cultivate a communal field to raise development undertakings also increased money for a useful purpose, such as the dramatically. A high proportion of these Baha'i Fund, a Baha'i center or a tutorial ventures, especially in basic education and school. For some communities agricultural vocational training, targeted women and self-sufficiency was the goal. youth. A highly successful fish culture program Effective models for stimulating self- was implemented by the Baha 'is of Enteban sustaining community development were Ulu in Malaysia. The seven fish ponds profo1mulated and refined during the Six Year duced enough fish to meet the needs of the Plan and, as Baha'i communities throughout entire village of two hundred people. the world began to address their develop- The Community Development Program ment concerns, a remarkably diverse pattern of the Rabbani School, Gwalior, India, of activities emerged. From modest coopera- achieved notable success with its model farm. tive agricultural projects which raise funds The farm enabled this residential school for construction of a local Baha'i center, to to become almost self-sufficient in food community health education programs which production, while providing a real-world increase the prevention of endemic diseases; laboratory for the students to learn practical from ttáee-planting efforts to training semi- agricultural skills, and setting an outstanding nars which combat racism; from programs example for area farmers. Technical assiswhich offer succor to orphaned children to tance was offered to local agriculturists who those which confront the problems of mug wanted to introduce ecologically sound abuse; Baha'i communities discovered myriad farming practices. ways to express their faith through service to In Queensland, Australia, forty acres of humanity. New ttáaining programs for teach- bushland were donated by a Baha'i family ers of Baha'i childiáen's classes emerged, based to be used by Aboriginal people for growing on an increasingly sophisticated understand- bananas and other crops. It was dedicated ing of the learning needs of prospective in a ceremony attended by many Aborigines teachers who generally possessed limited as well as the Hand of the Cause of God educational backgrounds and teaching expe- H. Collis Featherstone. rience. Baha ' i educators began rewriting traditional academic curricula to reflect the INTEGRATED COMMUNITY D EVELOPM ENT spiritual perspective of the teachings. They Certain Baha'i development programs have also developed curricula for public schools, been conceived and designed with a confor adult literacy programs, and for courses scious understanding that all social and on the Faith or on human values. All these spiritual needs are interrelated. This requires notable areas of progress either emerged or that social and spiritual change go hand in became more evident during the Six Year hand, progressing from simple to more com- Plan, and are described in more detail below. plex unde1iakings. Activities of the Bayanda Project in Zaire and the New Era Develop- AGRICULTURE ment Institute in India are examples of this Small-scale agricultural activities, including approach. training courses for the improvement of fa1m- From the first contact of the Bayanda ing practices and productivity, were carried people (the Pygmies of northeastern Zaire) out by a number of Baha' i communities in with the Faith, they received assistance and developing counttáies. In some cases the encouragement from the Baha 'i community. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BA HA'I ACT IVI TI ES 181 An experimental p epper farm is a Bahci 'i economic development project in Sarawak, Malays ia. 1988. Jn Bolivia, Baha 'is use the Dorothy Baker Center for Environmental Studies. 1987. Jn Switzerland, Bahci 'is participate in the annual cleanup of the marshland form ed where the Rhone River flows into Lake Geneva. March 1992. 182 THE BAHA'I WORLD During the Plan agricultural activities enabled Community responsible for conducting the the Bayanda to improve their diet and to activities of the Faith related to the environbecome relatively self-sufficient; classes were ment. A compilation entitled Conservation held for the children; many adults learned of the Earth's Resources was subsequently to read and write: and health education issued by the World Centre. Communities programs improved nutrition, sanitation and and schools sponsored environmental educahygiene. The Bayanda developed greater tion and action programs involving wetlands confidence and a new vision for their future conservation, afforestation, pollution control, thus enabling them to interact more success- teclmological advancements, community refully with the wider community. sources and energy efficiency. Outstanding The Community Development Facilitator environn1ental programs were canied for- Program of India 's New Era Development ward in Taiwan and Bolivia. During the Institute trained young people to stimulate final year of the Plan the Office of the Enviand assist local communities to embark on ronment and the Baha'i community of Brazil the path of self-sustaining development. Dm- diligently prepared for the Earth Summit to ing the closing months of the Plan institute be held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. staff reported major success in implementing Among other Earth Sunmlit activities, a a new model for community development in major recognition award was to be bestowed which a group of highly unified trainees with upon the Baha'i Vocational Institute for modest development-related skills spent four Rural Women in Indore, India, for its guinea or five days in a village and conducted a worm eradication project. training institute for the local youth. The During the concluding year of the Six Year program included moral education classes, Plan twenty-six Baha'i tree-planting proj ects conununity service activities and training were undertaken, along ,with twenty-six in a practical skill which could be learned other enviro1m1ental activities. Many of quickly . The unity and spirit of service these activities were conducted in support of exemplified by the group of visitors, who government-sponsored programs or to mark would share in the life of the village for a World Environn1ent Day and Earth Day. relatively extended period of time, com- Some of the more notable initiatives during bined with integrated spiritual education and this period were those of the Anis Zunuzi valued community service, had a profound Baha'i School in Haiti and the Rabbani impact. In one instance the entire village School in India, where tree nurseries were enrnlled in the Faith and appeared ready to established and many thousands of seedlings introduce important changes in the organiza- were planted in villages. In 1986 the Rabbani tion of village life based on their growing School received a national award for its understanding of the Baha ' i teachings. afforestation activ ities. Subsequently, its wasteland reclamation effo11s, both at the CONSERVATION/ENVIRONMENT school farm and in the surrounding villages, Creation reflects the names and attributes of which had already reclaimed many acres of God, and mankind has a profound responsi- salt-affected soil, attracted widespread attenbility to protect the natural environment and tion from government authorities of Madhya preserve its ecological balance. Thus , in its Pradesh. This continuing project was con- 1989 Ric;lvan message the Universal House ducted in collaboration with the Society for of Justice called on Baha ' is to increase their Promotion of Wasteland Development in activities in support of environmental con- New Delhi. setvation, and in October it announced the Among others, collaborative tree-planting establishment of the Office of the Environ- eff011s were conducted in Colombia and ment as an agency of the Baha'i International Guam. In Colombia Baha'i youth joined INT ERNATION A L SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACT IVITIES 183 forces with a group called the Corporation to HEALTI-1 Defend the Bucaramanga Plateau and planted The importance of both preventive and curanumerous trees. On the island of Guam, a tive health care is clearly stated in the group of eighteen Baha'is assisted a govern- Writings . When the Universal House of ment foresháy agency in its tree-planting Justice released its message on social and work. economic development in 1983, there was A very successful environmental program only one modest Baha'i health care project was developed in Taiwan where the National in operation; by the end of the Six Year Plan, Assembly's Baha'i Office of the Environ- national communities around the world had ment and the Taiwan Council of Agriculture undertaken fifty-six health projects of varycollaborated in a "Nature Awareness Educa- ing scopes. tion Project." During 1990 thirty-six workshops Baha'i community health education proon environmental education for more than grams were conducted in Burkina Faso, 750 kindergarten and elementary school Cameroon, Chad, Colombia, Ecuador, India, teachers were conducted. A second series of Kenya, Laos , Malawi, Malaysia, Swaziland, twenty-seven workshops was held in 1991. Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia Public awareness of the Faith in Taiwan and Zimbabwe. Generally speaking, proconsequently rose and cordial relations with grams were organized to serve areas having government authorities were promoted. a significant number of relatively well- In Cochabamba, Bolivia, the Dorothy established Baha'i communities . Participating Baker Center for Environmental Studies, communities nominated one or more mature a private non-profit institution owned by and dedicated believers to receive háaining Baha 'is, managed an environmental research which would prepare them to serve as voluncenter and an interactive educational fac ility. teer health educators. The initial course The Center developed a unique approach to normally lasted approximately two weeks, environmental studies integrating elements focusing on inununization, basic hygiene of academic and environmental education, and sanitation, maternal and child health, sustainable agriculture and health care. nutrition and first aid. The participants also In Northern Ireland believers organized received intensive spiritual education based an environmental education program to learn on the Baha'i teachings, such as learning about community resources. Topics included prayers and passages on health from the wind power, conversion of agricultural Writings . A further development of the comwastes, small-scale water power, integrated munity health workers' program was the education of children, tree planting, fish selection and training of some of the experistocks in the area, willow biomass and fuel enced vo lunteers to serve as háainers for from the wetlands. Similarly, the Associa- future participants. tion for Baha' i Studies in Colombia and a The volunteers, working with their Local socio-eco logical group of the United Nations Assemblies in a mutually supportive way, organized an ecological fo1um entitled "Edu- were expected to offer at least several hours cation has an Enviromnental Conscience." of service per week to their local communities, In Brittany, France, Baha ' is joined members often working in tandem with govenm1ent of a regional Society for the Study and Pro- health workers. In some cases, usually tection of Nature to carry out a tluáee-week where funding had been obtained from an conununity service project to beautify a international development agency, it was nature reserve ; tasks included collecting possible to provide minimal full- or patifirewood, clearing the land, making observa- time staff support to coordinate activities tion lookouts for animal and bird watchers, and maintain contact with the volunteers. and painting and repairing a house. Overall, dropout rates were very low and 184 THE BAHA'i WORLD Dr. Zeeba Faroughi prescribing medicine to a patient she has examined during a ji-ee medical camp held on Bhit Island near Karachi, Pakistan. 1989. indicators of community health status sug- medical assistance were also pursued in the gested that the programs were having a Baha'i world. A few Baha'i communities significant impact. The outstanding success and individuals constructed small rural hosof several of these programs attracted the pitals or clinics to serve areas with limited attention of development agencies and gov- access to medical care. In such areas the proernments at local, national and international vision of curative care as well as preventive levels. health measures contributed significantly to For example, the Baha ' i Community De- the leve l of health of the communities which ve lopment Project on Health commenced they served. operation in Sarh, Chad, in 1984 as a The Bayan Project in Palacios, Honduras, humanitarian relief project in response to composed of a small hospital with out-patient the emergency situation which had resulted services, was established in 1985 by two from civil war and widespread famine. The doctors and their families who pioneered to . project expanded rapidly, and by the end of this remote area on the Caribbean coast. the Plan community health workers were Before its establishment the nearest hospital providing health care services in almost sixty was more than four hundred kilometers villages to more than 12,000 people. The away and was only accessible by air or water project, which received support from inter- transport. The new hospital provided medinational funding agencies, was praised by cal consultation and surgical treatment, and Chadian government officials. In 1991 a its staff conducted health education in the government official stated that the Baha'i local area. The hospital received support health program had been responsible for from various Baha'i and non-Baha ' i sources. blocking the spread of a cholera epidemic Baha'i communities in several counháies, into the district of Moyen-Chari, where the especially Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, project operated and the largest concentra- conducted medical camps in areas where tion of Baha'i communities in the country access to medical facilities was limited, was found. The health program also gave offering free consultations and basic medirise to the development of a network of eigh- cines. Camps specializing in eye and dental teen tutorial schools serving over 1,300 care were particularly effective. children. One of the most successful medical assis- In addition to health educational programs, tance programs was conducted in Guyana a number of endeavors aimed at offering where a number of Baha'i physicians from INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 185 other countries offered their professional substance abuse, orphans and homeless peoservices to the health authorities on a short- ple, the elderly and handicapped, persons tem1 basis. Some physicians made repeated with marital difficulties, refugees and victims visits, providing specialty care and conduct- of disasters . ing in-service seminars for medical staff. In Hawaii the Baha'i Community Assis- Following this initiative, arrangements were tance Program (B-CAP) was established in made to provide shipments of medical sup- 1987 to provide deepening and counseling plies to hospitals. Not only did the success on marriage and remarriage, assistance for of these activities foster wa1m relations family problems, a food bank and an elders ' between the Guyanese authorities and the program. Three essential characteristics of National Assembly of Guyana, but it also B-CAP were its reliance on Baha'i Writings inspired the creation of a similar program in for approaches to personal problems; refer- Nicaragua. rals to professional agencies, doctors or social workers qualified to handle particular RACE UNITY ACTIVITIES problems; and Local Assembly supervision Baha'i communities in the United States of each program. B-CAP, as an arm of the launched institutes for racial understanding National Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands, and cooperation in response to this, "the became a means by which the Baha'i commost vital and challenging issue" facing the munity could begin to take care of its own American nation. In addition to many con- members, as well as train a cadre of ferences and seminars, training sessions were volunteers. conducted for members of several local In Brazil the Lar Linda Tanure Center for police departments at their request. Within Social Well-Being, begun in 1986, offered a framework emphasizing the oneness of shelter, aid and education to needy children humanity, police officers and cadets were who were referred by the Juvenile Justice encouraged to adopt positive attitudes and Court in the Amazonas area. It had thirty behavior in their interactions with minority resident children, with 150 children attending groups. its preschool and youth programs. The Center fo1med part of the Association for the SOCIAL SERVI CES Coherent Development of the Amazon. Its Tluáoughout the world Baha'i communities activities for youth emphasized moral eduoperated programs offering compassionate cation and agricultural skills. The Center assistance to people in need: sufferers from also provided courses for women in health, In auguration of a public well built for the community by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. November 1988. 186 THE BAHA 'i WORLD hygiene, nutrition and the prevention of program. It taught village women, most of disease. whom came from extremely isolated tribal A number of American and Canadian areas in Madhya Pradesh and many of whom Baha'i communities assisted refugees and had never been away from home before, new immigrants to adapt to life in North to read and write, and provided training in America. Often the Baha'is conducted classes practical skills which would enable them to in English as a second language, helped the be self-supporting in their home conununities. newcomers to find jobs, and oriented them Moral education, personal hygiene, nutrition to available social services. and basic agricultural techniques were also Several Baha'i conununities assisted with taught by a devoted staff which surrounded disaster relief operations in the wake of the young women with loving-kindness and devastating storms. Relying on prayer and personal attention. The consistent result was consultation, Baha'i conununities drew upon a dramatic transformation in the characters the friends' sp irit of service to play an and competence of the participants, and the important role in quickly and calmly mobi- women' s home communities shared in these lizing the community during emergencies benefits upon their return. and in coping with the lingering effects of a Another project, involving Baha'i comdisaster. As one examp le, in the aftem1ath munities in Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the Baha ' is of Malaysia and Nigeria, promoted the equality the Virgin Islands actively assisted with of men and women. During the programs food distributions, counseling, provision of men and women examined traditional gender temporary roofing for homes of the elderly, roles based on the perspective of the Baba' i management of a shelter, and opened a local teachings. The facilitators strove to create a Baha'i center to a homeless family-all this loving, supportive atmosphere to encourage despite the fact that many of the Baha'is' participants to modify their behavior in own homes were damaged or destroyed. appropriate ways. In Bolivia, Cameroon and Malaysia these activities were supported by WOM EN UNIFEM. Many Baha'i development act!Vlt1es fo- In Uganda the Baha'is collaborated with cused specifically on realizing the potential the Uganda Women ' s Finance and Credit of women. The Baha ' i Vocationa l Training Trust and the Uganda Women Lawyers ' Institute for Rural Women in Indore, India, Association in a five-day gathering which is the longest-running example of such a enhanced the participants' knowledge of Participants in a fence-making course held by Bahri 'is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a rural development project in November 1988. INTERNAT IONAL SURVEY OF CU RR ENT BAHA ' i AC TI VITI ES 187 A geography lesson at the Baha'i School of the Nations in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, in April I 99 2. The children of the Mbabane Pre-School in Swaziland pose for the photographer while singing one of their favorite songs; I 987. 188 THE BAHA'i WORLD financial management, marketing, book- These schools conducted simple village-level keeping, legal issues and laws of marriage programs which provided basic education for and succession. The workshop, which brought children with limited educational opportutogether nearly thirty leading women, had nities. the overall aim of enabling these women to In many cases Baha'i tutorial school become more effective in guiding their own teachers themselves possessed only modest destinies and in contributing to the progress levels of education, but they often compenof their country. sated for their lack of academic training through their love for the children and the YO UTH spirit of service which animated their work. Youth around the world provided much of Likewise, the wholehearted support of the the energy, enthusiasm and spirit of service sponsoring local Baha' i community contribanimating Baha' i development programs by uted to the success of such ventures. The participating in a broad range of community teacher frequently functioned as a key service activities, and especially as tutorial believer who stimulated a wide variety of school or children's class teachers. A large activities in the local Baha' i community, and number of proj.ects were also specifically the tutorial school became a center for addiaimed at enhancing the social and spiritual tional activities. During the Plan many development of these young people. Two Baha'i tutorial schools, even some of those such locally initiated programs in the United which had commenced operating under a States, the Elbow Learning Lab and Fathers háee, evolved to t11e stage of offering a basic Incorporated, gained warm commendation primary school education in accordance with and recognition for their services. The Elbow the government-approved curriculum. Learning Lab in Griffin, Georgia, helped At the end of the Plan the most notable to meet the remedial education needs of tutorial school programs were those oflndia, children and youth in a low-income area where Baha' is operated almost 200, and where illiteracy and other social problems Zaire, where over ninety were functioning. were widespread. In July 1992 the project Other countries with major tutorial school received recognition as a "Point of Light" programs included Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, from the President of the United States. Chad, Colombia, Malawi, Panama and the Fathers Incorporated provided academic assis Philippines. tance and positive role models for inner-city In contrast to tutorial schools , Baha 'i youth in Detroit, Michigan, with the goal of academic schools are formally established improving academic competence and enhanc- institutions which have, or seek, official ing self-esteem. Activities included workshops accreditation from government authorities . and consultations on marriage and family These schools employ full-time staff and life, interviewing and resume writing, dress, usually offer academic subj ects which are behavior, peer pressure and substance abuse. taught according to government standards. Knowledge of the program's success spread During the Plan the number of Baha ' i in the wider communi ty, and outside finan- academic schools increased fro m forty-one cial assistance was rece ived to help fund a to one hundred and seventy-eight largely due summer project. to the evolution of many tutorial schools. In general, enrollments substantially increased, BAI-IA' i S CHOOLS the range of subjects taught broadened, and At the end of the Plan there were almost 500 physical faci lities were expanded or Baha ' i tutorial schools se1ving an estimated upgraded. Major academic schools include 20,000 children in developing countries in the New Era, Rabbani and Tadong Schools Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. in India; the New Day Schoo l in Pakistan; INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CU RRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 189 the Santitham School in Thailand; the Ruaha Masetlha Baha'i Institute in Zambia had per- School in Tanzania; School of the Nations haps the most highly diversified programs. in Brazil; the Anis Zumizi School in Haiti; Others effective in promoting development Colegio Nill in Chile; the Raul Pavon School activities included the Vocational Institute in Ecuador; and the Maxwell International for Rural Women in India, the Djalal Eghrari School in Canada. Polytechnic Institute in the Amazon region Baha'i schools increasingly distinguished of Brazil, the Ruhi Institute in Colombia, the themselves through their academic achieve- Yukon Institute in Canada and, in the United ments and the praiseworthy character of their States, the Native American Baha'i Institute, students. The schools generally followed a the Louis Gregoty Institute, and Louhelen, formal academic program, as established by Bosch and Green Acre Baha 'i Schools. the educational authorities, complemented by regular prayers, religious studies, commu- LITERACY nity service and vocational training. Several Access to the transforming power of the schools pioneered efforts to infuse Baha'i Word of God is an essential human right. concepts into their entire academic curricula. In July 1989 the Universal House of Justice In addition to schools operated by Baha'i called on all National Assemblies to aim at institutions, a number of private educational the elimination of illiteracy from the Baha'i establishments were founded by believers community. In response to this call many who strove to operate their programs in ac- Baha'i communities and the offices of the cordance with the basic principles, aims and Baha'i International Community actively objectives which vivify Baha'i development supported the United Nations International activities. Nill University in Bolivia and the Literacy Year in 1990 and either instituted School of the Nations in Macau are perhaps literacy programs or began to support existthe best known of these institutions ofleaming. ing ones. During the Plan the number of reported TRAINING INSTITUTES Baha'i literacy programs, many of them During the Six Year Plan several permanent short-term, rose from sixty-seven to 186. Baha' i institutes emerged as major centers Their goal was to teach reading and writing of the Faith's social and economic develop- to youth and adults who either had been ment activities. The New Era Development deprived of a formal education or who Institute in India and the William Mmutle had left school functionally illiterate. Baha' i A Mobile Baha'i Institute in Cotonou, Benin, in January 1989. 190 THE BAHA ' i WORLD educators specializing in literacy began public schools. The Baha' is of Namibia were to advocate an approach using "root" or invited to participate in efforts to restructure "generative" words with spiritual meanings the national education system, while the in order to teach vocabulary while evoking Baha'i community of Swaziland has been meaningful discussions on vital issues. Re- involved in a significant manner in the trainsults have indicated the effectiveness of this ing of preschool teachers nationwide. Also in approach for teaching literacy and, of equal Swaziland two Baha ' i educators have been importance, for stimulating personal growth developing core international curricula for and community development. environmental education based on the per- For example, in Panama, Guaymi Indian spective of the teachings. Baha'is collaborated with government liter- Ongoing teaching efforts in colleges and acy instructors to develop a literacy course universities have resulted in a large number in their native tongue focusing on the use of of short courses on the Baha'i Faith and its words having spiritual significance as part of principles. The most notable achievements a systematic effort to preserve and revive were the establishment of two university traditional culture. Chairs related to Baha ' i Studies: one at the The most ambitious literacy project was University of Maryland in the United States established by the National Assembly of India. in January 1990 and one at Indore Univer- Its goal was to eventually achieve universal sity in India in April 1990. literacy among the more than two million The accomplishments of the Baha'i com- Baha'is in the subcontinent. Comprehensive munity in the area of social and economic teaching materials were developed for courses development during the Six Year Plan reflect in the Hindi and Marathi languages, and ini- great audacity and cornn1itrnent to service. tial tráaining sessions for prospective trainers The believers worked to apply spiritual prinof literacy instructors were conducted. ciples to practical needs. The goodwill towards the Cause generated by these CURRICULUM D EVELOPMENT services has created countless opportunities A number of National Spiritual Assemblies for the future. The friends have seen that and Baba' i educational institutions have their endeavors in the path of service, no developed curricula to teach comparative matter how modest, have set in motion proreligion. Baha' is have also contributed to cesses which will long continue to produce improving the overall curricula of some beneficial effects. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CU RR EN T BAHA'i ACT IV IT I ES 191 APPENDIX Bahn 'f lnlernationa/ Community Statement, Ninlh Meeting of !he Committee of Represen tatives of Governments and Administralions, South Pacific Commission, 23rd lo 27th May 1988, Noumea, New Caledonia. Health, Education and the Role of Women The Ba ha' i International Community representing the Baha'i Communities of the Pacific Region wishes to express its appreciation to the South Pacific Commission for the invitation to attend thi s meeting of the Committee of Governments and Administrations. Although we are keen ly in terested in the variety of concerns bein g discussed at this meeting, we would like to direct our comments to the areas of health and ed ucation. The dynamic relationship between these two dimensions of human development is fu ndamental to the realization of all others. Baha'is beli eve that health is more than the absence of disease or infirmity. In add ition to the three w idely recogn ised aspects of health-physical , mental and soc ial wel l-being- the spiritual dimension is likewise important and shou ld be manifested not on ly in the indi vidua l, but also in the life of the family and the community. Consequently, Baha'i communities stri ve to address the needs of indi vidua ls, fam ili es, and the communi ty as a whole in their activities. The role of education in the reali za tion of thi s harmonious ba lance between all aspects of life cannot be overemphas ized and the ed ucation of wo men is of particul ar importance in thi s process. Women, as the main agents of primary health care, play an essen tial role in mai nt aining fam il y and commun ity hea lth. They are the ones who are most aware of sickness and su ffering in the communi ty because of their soc ial ro le as nurturers and care-takers of the youn g, the old , the sick and the handi cap ped, and they exert an important inn uence on health habits in the fam il y. Although it is o ften recogn ised that primary hea lth care has to respond to the needs of people, and that women have the most extens ive awareness of these needs, their opinion is hard ly ever so licited when hea lth care programmes are being formul ated. In order fo r communities to benefit from the knowledge whi ch wo men possess, a renewed self-confide nce of wo men has to be encouraged. Women have to learn to regard themselves as capable human beings with important contributions to make on the basis of their life experience and their accumul ated wealth of knowledge. Furthermore a conscious effort has to be made to enable women to organise and to vocalize the information they have acqu ired. If thi s partic ipation is to become a real ity, women mu st penetrate all levels and all areas of the hea lth care system. They have to be doctors, nurses, community deve lopment agents, educators, agricu ltural extens ion workers, public health officials, pl anners, legis lators, politicians. At the same time , they have to enco urage the participation o f people at the grass-roots, incl udin g women and women 's organizations, in th e decisions affectin g indi vidua l and co mmuni ty hea lth . None o f these resu lts can be reali zed unl ess special efforts are made to organise education and vocational and professiona l training in such a way that more girls and wo men can take advantage of them . Investing reso urces in primary health care programmes which includes health education and the app lication of health promoting activities based on simple but scientifica ll y so und measures in which women can participate at the local level, is likely to prov ide more benefits than traditional efforts ded icated to the formation of highl y skilled physicians who practice medicine in clinics and hospital s. Primary health care activities should be fu ll y integrated w ith the activities of other sectors involved in community devel opment, agriculture, education, pub li c works, housing, and communication, and the local population shou ld be active ly involved in the formulation and impl ementation of these activities , so that health care can be brought into lin e with loca l needs and prioriti es. These priorities will be based on decisions resulting from a continuo us d ialogue between the people and the se rvices. The Baha' i In ternational Community is active ly involved in primary health care. In India, Ma lays ia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and many more countri es inc lu din g the Pacific region , Baha ' i vi ll ages are implementing health and educat iona l programmes of many kinds and are hav ing much success. It is our view that these programmes are successful because the ove rall ed ucation of women is the key facto r and conseque ntl y they recogn ize their own va lue, thereby enab lin g them to participate more readily in decisions concerning their communitys' hea lth. While the Baha'i International Community continues to work toward the improvement of li fe in our commun ities thro ugh these programmes we also welcome the opportunity to lend sup port to health programmes which req ui re loca l as we ll as profess iona l volunteers. 192 THE BAHA'I WORLD 2. EXPANSION AND CONSOLIDATION OF THE BAHA'i FAITH SUMMARY STATISTICS OF THE SIX YEAR PLAN 1986- 1992 WORLD TOTALS 21April1986 20 April 1992 National Spiritual Assemblies................. ..... ....... .......... ...... .. 148 165 National I:Ia'.?iratu ' l-Quds ... ...... ............... ..... .. ....... ... .. ...... .... . 141 146 Baha'i Temples. ... ...... ........ .... .... ..... ....................... ..... .......... . 6 7 Sites for national Baha'i Temples. .............. ..... ....... ... ... ... .. ... 124 127 Baha' i Publishing Trusts... .................................................... 25 28 Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated. 802 NIA+ Baha'i schools ............................................ .. ....................... .. 599 666 Social and economic development projects ..... ........ .. ..... .. ... . 431 678 . (other than schools) Countries that exempt the Baha'i community from payment of taxes on properties .... .. .. ......... .. ...... ..... .. . . 61 77 Countries that recognize Baha'i Holy Days ... .... ....... .. ...... ... . 76 81 -. Countries that recognize Baha ' i maITiage ....... ...... .... ........... . 60 70 Localities where Baha'is reside .... ..... ... ..... ..... .. .... ... .. ... .. ...... . 114,988 120,046 Isolated centres and groups .................. ..... ........ ... ...... ..... ..... . 89,658 99,611 Local Spiritual Assemblies ... ........ .... .. ... ....... .... ... ..... .......... .. . 25 ,33 0 20,435* + No information available. * Between 1986 and l 988, a numerical dec rease of 11 ,000 Local Spiritual Asse mblies and 6, I 00 loca liti es occurred in India due to rev ised civil areas of jurisd iction. Similar changes took place in some other countries. I AFRICA 2 l April I 986 20April 1992 National Spiritual Assemblies..... ............... .. .......... ....... .. .. .... 43 47 National I:Iaziratu '1-Quds ............ ... .............. ..... ........ ...... ...... 41 42 Baha' i Temples.......... ....................... ..... ....... ..... ....... ....... ...... 1 1 Sites for national Baha'i Temples ....... ... ...... ...... ..... ........ .... .. 36 36 Baha'i Publishing Trusts. ............. .......... ......... ............. ......... 4 4 Languages into which Baha' i literature has been translated. 266 NIA Bahc't' i schools .. ... .. ... .. . .. . .. ... ... ... ... .. .. .... .. . .. .. .. ... ...... .. .... .. ... .. .. 143 166 Social and economic development projects ..... ........... ..... ..... 139 120 (other than schools) Countries that exempt the Baha' i community from payment of taxes on properties. .... ....................... .. ... 16 21 INTERNATIONAL SU RVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIV ITIES 193 Countries that recognize Baha'i Holy Days .. .... ...... .... ..... ..... . 16 18 Countries that recognize Baha'i marriage ....... ... ..... ....... ...... . . 10 13 Localities where Baha' is reside .. ................... .... .... .. ....... ..... ... 36,145 33,270 Isolated centres and groups ... ....... .. ... ..... .. .. .. ... ....... ... ... .. ..... .. . 29,878 27,366 Local Spiritual Assemblies ..... ..... ... .. ...... ............ .... ............ ... . 6,267 5,904 AMERlCAS 21April 1986 20April 1992 National Spiritual Assemblies..... ......... ... .... ...... .. .. .... ... .. ... .... . 41 43 National I:Ia?'. iratu ' l-Quds ... ... .... .. .. .... ... ....... .... .... .. ...... ........... 40 41 Baha'i Temples .. .. .................. .... ............... .. .. ....... .... .. ... ...... ... 2 2 Sites for national Baha'i Temples....... .. ...... ........... ... .. ....... .... 32 31 Baha'i Publishing Trusts........................... ............. ............. ... 3 3 Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated. . 172 NIA Baha'i schools ..... ... ... .......................... .. ...... ....... ........ .. ... ....... 106 184 Social and economic development projects ... .. . .. ... .. . ........ .. .. . 98 195 (other than schools) Countries that exempt the Baha'i community from payment of taxes on properties ............ ... .. ..... .. ..... ... .. 18 23 Countráies that recognize Baha'i Holy Days .. .. .. ..... ..... ..... .. .. .. 24 25 Countries that recognize Baha'i marriage .... ..... .... ..... .. ........ .. 13 17 Localities where Baha' is reside ....................... .. ......... .. .... .... . . 26,514 27,470 Isolated centráes and groups ..... .... .... ... ......... ...... .... ...... .... .... ... 20,303 22,079 Local Spiritual Assemblies .... ... .. .. ... .... ........ ... ... .. ..... .. ... ... ... .. . 6,211 5,391 ASIA 21Aprill986 20April 1992 National Spiritual Assemblies ....... ~ .................. ..... ... .. .. ..... .... . 27 29 N ational I:Ia?'. iratu ' l-Quds ....... ....................... ... ...... .... ........ .... 23 25 Baha'i Temples ....... .. ......... ............... ..... ... ... ...... ...... .. .......... .. 0 Sites for national Baha'i Temples ..... ..... ..................... ......... .. 22 24 Baha'i Publishing Trusts ....................................... ...... .......... . 8 9 Languages into which Baha' i literature has been tráanslated .. 174 NIA Baha'i schools ... .................. ....... .. ... ....... ..... ....... .... ......... ..... .. 342 300 Social and economic development projects ........... ............. .. 15 1 232 (other than schools) Counháies that exempt the Baha'i conununity from payment of taxes on properties ... ..... ........... ....... ..... ... 11 13 Countráies that recognize Baha ' i Holy Days ....... .. .. .. ..... .. .... . .. 13 13 Countráies that recognize Baha ' i marriage ......... .. ... .. ..... ....... . . 12 12 Localities where Baha'is reside .. ..... ...... ... ....... .. .. ... ............. .. . 46,270 51 ,119 Isolated cenháes and groups .... ........ ..... .... ..... .. ... ....... ......... .... . 34,976 43,700 Local Spiritual Assemblies ........... .... .. ......... ... ......... ....... ... .... . 11 ,294 7,419 194 TH E BAH A' I WORLD AUSTRALASIA 21 Aprill986 20April 1992 National Spiritual Assemblies ... .... ....... ........ .... ................. .... . 17 17 National I:Ia~iratu' 1-Quds ............. ... ... ..... ..... ..... ... ... ..... ..... ... .. 17 17 Baha' i Temples ........ ....... .... ....... ... .. ....... ... ... ............ ... ..... .. .. .. 2 2 Sites for national Baha' i Temples .... ... .... ........ ............ ... ... ... .. 15 16 Baha'i Publishing Trusts .... .... ... .... .. ....... .. ..... ................... ... .. . 2 2 Languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated .. 110 NIA Baha'i schools .................................. .. .... ...... ....... .. ........... ..... . 8 16 Social and economic development projects (other than schools) ... ... .... .... ...... .... ............... .. ... ......... .. .... . 20 101 Countries that exempt the Baha' i community from payment of taxes on properties .... ..... .................. .. .. ... 8 8 Countries that recognize Baha'i Holy Days .. .. ... ........ .. ... ..... .. 11 12 Countries that recognize Baha'i marriage ..... .... ..... .... .. ... ..... .. 16 18 Localities where Baha' is reside ............ ..................... .. .... ... .. . 3,062 4,094 Isolated centres and groups ....... ............. ... ...... ......... ...... ... ... .. 2,257 3,218 Local Spiritual Assemblies ... .. ........... ............. ........... .... ...... .. 805 876 EUROPE 21Aprill986 20April 1992 National Spirih1al Assemblies .. ..... .. ...... ..... .... ... ...... ............... 20 29 National I:Ia~iratu'l-Quds........... . ....... .. ...... . ........... .. ........ . ..... 20 21 Baha'i Temples ..................... .................................... .. ......... .. Sites for national Baha' i Temples .................. .. .................... .. 19 20 Baha'i Publishing Trusts .. ......... .. ........................................... 8 10 Languages into which Baha' i literature has been translated.. 80 NIA Baha'i schools ... ....... ..... .... .. ...... ..... ... ....... ....... ..... ... ...... ......... 0 0 Social and economic development projects ... .... ... .. .. ........... .. 23 30 (other than schools) Countries that exempt the Baha'i community from payment of taxes on properties ... ... ........ .... .... ... .. .... ... 8 12 Countries that recognize Baha' i Holy Days .. ...... .. ...... .. ....... .. 12 13 Countries that recognize Baha'i marriage ............ ... ... .......... .. 9 10 Localities where Baba' is reside ...................... .. .. .. ............. .. .. 2,997 4,093 Isolated centres and groups .. ................ ....... ..... ........ .. ... .... .... . 2,244 3,248 Local Spirih1al Assemblies ............. .. ........ .......... .. .... ..... ...... .. 753 845 II THE Two Y EAR SUBSIDIARY PLAN 1990-1992 ON 8 Febrnary 1990, the Universal House COUNTRIES AS POSSIBLE UP TO AND INCLUD- of Justice sent the following cable to the fol- ING RTQV AN I992. lowers ofBaha'u ' llah throughout the world: CALLING UPON THOSE NATIONAL ASSEM - FAR-REACHING EVENTS BEING ENACTED BLI ES EUROPE, AS IA AND AMER ICA WH ICH WORLD STAGE, PARTICULARLY JN EASTERN BEAR PRIMARY RESPONSIB ILITY FOR IND IVID- EUROPE AND SOV IET UN ION, ON THRESHOLD UAL NATIONS INVOLVED, TO CONSULT WITH FINAL FATE-LADEN DECADE CENTURY OF COUNSELLORS AND FORMULATE DETAILS LIGHT, PROVIDE FURTHER DRAMATIC SPEC IFIC GOALS INCORPORATING AND SUP- EV IDENCE RES ISTLESS OPERAT ION OF GOD'S PLEMENTING THOSE ALREADY ADOPTED AND MAJOR PLAN FOR TRANSFORMATION OF IN PROCESS ACCOMPLISHMENT UNDER SIX HUMAN SOCIETY. RAPID UNFORESEEN DEVEL- YEAR PLAN. MOVED PAY TRIBUTE PRESENT OPMENTS NECESS ITATE CORRESPONDING HOUR REMARKABLE UNSUNG ACH IEVEMENTS PARALLEL ACCELERATION IN LIFE-GIVING THOSE INSTITUTIONS A D INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISES BEING PURSUED BY INHERITO RS BELIEVERS PRESE TL Y LABOURING AD- BAHA°U'LLAH'S RESPLENDENT REVELATION. VAN CEMENT CAUSE IN EASTERN EUROPE AND REJOICE THEREFORE ANNOUNCE LAUNCHING SOVIET UN ION, ACHIEVEMENTS WH ICH HAVE AT RIQVA. 1 OF SUBSID IARY TWO YEAR BLAZED TRAILS FOR COMING LARGE-SCALE TEACH ING PLA N FOR VAST REMA IN ING IN ITIATIVE. CALL UPON BAHA'i WORLD AR ISE REACHES EASTERN EUROPE AND AS IA. SUPPO RT DIFFUS ION WORLD-REDEEMING MOMENTOUS STEP INVOLVES FURTHER SYS- MESSAGE FAITH GOAL AREAS THROUGH SET- TEMATIC UNFOLDMENT PROVISIONS TABLETS TLEMENT PIONEERS AND THROUGH DISPATCH MASTER-PLAN OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA ALREADY STEADY FLOW TRAYELLING TEACHERS, ESPE- IN ADVANCED STAGE OF OPERATION OTHER CIALLY THOSE WITI-1 KNOWLEDGE LANGUAGES AREAS PLANET. REG IONAL ENTERPRISE, CON- COUNTRIES AND REPUBLICS EASTERN BLOC. CEIVED IN CONSU LTATION INTERNAT IONAL CONCOM ITANT TH ESE MEASURES, VITAL TEACH ING CENTRE, DES IGNED SIG NIFI CANT- ONGOlNG PROCESS CHINESE TEAC HING RE- LY RE INFORCE CURRENT SIX YEAR GLOBAL CEIVING FURTHER IMPETUS. PLAN. OBJECTIVES INCLUDE ATTRACTION BROAD VISTAS NOW OPEN TO FA ITH GOD NUMEROUS NEW SU PPORTERS FA ITH , GREAT PROVIDE UN PRECEDENTED OPPORTUN ITI ES INCREASE TRANSLAT ION, PUB LICATION AND WIN FRESH VICTORIES AS WORTHY OFFERING DISS EMINATION BAHA'i LITERATURE IN SACRED THRESHOLD BLESSED BEAUTY REQUISITE LANGUAGES ENTIRE AREA, AND OCCAS ION COMMEMORATION FIRST CENTE- EXTENSION BENEFICENT INFLUENCE DJVINEL Y NARY HIS ASCENS ION COMING HOLY YEAR. APPOINTED ADMIN ISTRATIVE ORDER THROUGH fMPLORING ABUNDANT OUTPOURING DIVIN E ERECTION FRAME-WORK LOCAL NAT IONAL CON FIRMATIONS PARTI CIPANTS ALL FACETS BAHA'i INSTITUTIONS IN AS MANY EASTERN HISTORIC SIX YEAR CAMPAIGN. 196 THE BAHA'I WORLD 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The countries included in what was known He expressed the wish that Budapest "might as the Eastern Bloc had witnessed signifi- become a centre for the reunion of the East cant developments in the spread of the and West, and that from this city the light Cause towards the end of the nineteenth might emanate to other places". The first century and in the early decades of the twen- Local Spiritual Assembly in Budapest was tieth. In Baha'u ' llah 's lifetime, Baha'is were elected in 1939. living in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and The indomitable Martha Root visited Turkistan (now known as Central Asia) , the Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, first Baba' is settling in the latter in 1882. Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania A flourishing Baha ' i community devel- and Yugoslavia during the 1920s and 1930s. oped in Ashkhabad ('lshqabad) and became Queen Marie of Romania penned her hearta centre of Baha'i scholarship. In 1902, felt tributes to Baha' u' llah and His Message, construction began in Ashkhabad of the first earning the immortal distinction of being the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Baha'i world, an first among royalty to raise her voice in His act characterized by Shoghi Effendi as "the praise. Small Baha' i communities grew in a first major undertaking launched through the number of these lands. Yuk Echtner, in concerted efforts of His followers in the Czechoslovakia, learned of the Faith in 1925 Heroic Age of His Faith". Russia became and later was imprisoned for being a Baha'i. the first country to extend full recognition, Bulgaria was blessed from 1930 to 1954 by justice, and protection to the followers of the the selfless labours of Marion Jack, whom Baha'i religion. Strong Baha' i communities, Shoghi Effendi called a "shining example to with their own Local Spiritual Assemblies, pioneers'', and by the laying to rest in its soil were eventually established in Moscow, of her and of Adam Benke, the pioneer from Balm, and other centres in the Soviet Union; Germany whom Shoghi Effendi designated indeed in 1925 two National Spiritual as the first European Baba' i martyr. Assemblies, that of the Caucasus, with its Esperanto played an important role in the seat in Baku, and that of Turkistan, with its spread of the Faith in these regions, particuseat in Ashkhabad, came into being. larly in Hungary and Czechoslovakia, where The Faith had also attracted the attention believers continued to reside throughout the of prominent figures in Russia, such as Leo entire period. The earliest records of the Tolstoy. A Russian translation of the Kitab- Baha'i Faith in the Baltic States mention i-Aqdas had been made by Aleksandr four persons in Lithuania in the early 1930s Grigorevich Tumanskil and a compilation of who were Esperanto correspondents of the Writings of Baha'u'llah in Arabic was Dr. Hermann Grossmann and his wife, Anna. published in St. Petersburg in 1908. The These men showed interest in the Baha'i poetess and dramatist Grinevskaya had writ- teachings and were eventually visited by ten two dramas, one on the Bab and one on Martha Root in 1934. One of the earliest and Baha'u'llah; they had been performed in most outstanding believers in Poland was St. Petersburg and other places, including in Lidia Zamenhof, daughter of the creator of Germany after they had been translated by Esperanto. the poet Fielder. With the consolidation of Communist rule In the countries of Eastern Europe outside in the Soviet Union, restrictions began to be the Soviet Union, the Faith had been intro- imposed upon Baha'i communities, becomduced by various means . 'Abdu'l-Baha ing more pronounced in 1928 and increasing Himself visited Budapest in 1913 and during the next ten years. The Soviet authoraroused the interest of eminent Hungarians. ities confiscated documents, books, and a INT ERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACT IVITI ES 197 The Saha 'is of Moscow celebrating a Nineteen Day Feast for the first time since the 1930s. The event took place in the Hainsworths' home. 9 April 1989. printing press, dissolved Baha'i committees, Romania and White Russia (Belarus) and and took over Baha'i schools. Hundreds of for consolidating Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Baha'is were imprisoned, some were Hungary, Poland, the Russian Soviet sentenced to exile in Siberia and other penal Federated Socialist Republic (S.F.S.R.), and settlements, and others were deported to Iran. Yugoslavia. The National Assembly of Turkistan was The National Spiritual Assembly of the dissolved. The Temple in Ashkhabad was Baha 'is of Iran was made responsible for expropriated and turned into an art gallery. opening Kirgizia (later named Kyrgyzstan), A small number of Baha'is continued to Mongolia, Tajikistan (Tadzhikistan) and reside in the region, striving to keep the Uzbekistan, and for consolidating Azerbaijan, flame of their faith alive in the face of inten- Am1enia, Georgia, and Turkmenistan. sive atheist propaganda, the ever-present The National Spiritual Assembly of the danger of renewed persecution, and the United States was responsible for opening disability imposed by the prohibition of Kazakhstan, Sakhalin, and the Ukraine. teaching religion to anyone under the age of Goals for the translation of Baha'i literaeighteen. For these reasons, the flow of news ture into many of the languages of these from the Baha 'is in the Soviet Union to their countries were also part of the Ten Year fellow believers outside virtually ceased, á Crusade. and only very gradually over the years did it The Guardian expressed all these goals as become possible to re-open avenues of being subject to "circumstances pem1itting." communication in a few instances. Nevertheless, activities were carried out World War II and the subsequent advance with increasing efficacy through all the of Communism in Eastern Europe left only succeeding decades. The Baha'is of Germany tiny remnants of Baha'i communities. and Austria in particular were spurred on by Devoted individuals and families remained words of the Guardian such as these: steadfast through many difficult years. De- ... a community that has achieved so spite this situation, Shoghi Effendi included much in the past for our Faith, that has all these territories in his Ten Year Plan, been so dearly loved by 'Abdu'l-Baha, unveiled in 195 3, as follows. and is destined to spread, as He foretold, The National Spiritual Assembly of the light of God 's sacred Revelation not Ge1many and Austria was made responsible only in the heati of Europe but throughfor opening Albania, Estonia, Finno-Karelia, out that dark, war-devastated spiritually Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia (Moldova), famished continent. (22 November 1946) 198 THE BAHA'I WORLD .. .carry the fame of this community ... The work continued patiently, and quietly, as far as the Eastern fringes of the Asiatic with relays of travelling teachers continually continent. (30 October 1951) crossing and recrossing these lands, contact- The administrative base from which it ing old believers, bringing new souls into must spread out into Eastern and South- the Faith, and fostering wann relationships ern Europe, and beyond these spheres with seekers. Such was the danger that little into the heart of Northern Asia, as far as if any of this activity could be reported to the the China Sea, must first be thoroughly Baha'i world. Already during the latter years consolidated. (30 October 1951) of the Guardian's lifetime it was found that The beloved Guardian referred to these there were Baha'is living in certain of the tasks as "the Mission envisaged for them by Central Asian republics which had previously 'Abdu ' l-Baha, and now confirmed through been reported to be virgin territories. Later the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan". (14 Firaydun Khazra' i settled in Romania and August 1957) Helmut Winkelbach settled in White Russia As the years passed and new National (Belarus), becoming Knights ofBaha'u ' llah. Assemblies came into existence, some of the Moldavia (Moldova) was opened to the goals originally allotted to the community of Faith by a single believer, Annemarie Kri.iger, Germany and Austria were reassigned. The who through persistent visits and teaching newly formed National Assembly of Austria brought the first native Moldavian into the was given responsibility for Czechoslovakia, Faith in Kishinev (Ch~ in~u); she was Hungary, and Yugoslavia. The National As- named a Knight of Baha'u'llah by the Unisembly of Finland was given responsibility versal House of Justice for this achievement. for the goals in Estonia, a country whose In 1979, a Baha'i of Polish background, Alma language is akin to Finnish. TI1e National Monadjem, pioneered with her family to Po- Assembly of Sweden was given responsibility land and settled on the farm of her ancestors. for Latvia and Lithuania. Responsibility for During the 1980s, accounts were found in Sakhalin was transferred from the National the International Archives of the pioneering Assembly of the United States to that of work done in Albania by Mr. Refo <;:apari, a North East Asia (later Japan). Fi1mo-Karelia Baha'i of Albanian descent from New York ceased to be a separate Soviet Socialist Re- who had anived in Tirana in 1931. He had public (S.S.R.) and became an Autonomous stayed in Albania and died there alone and Soviet Socialist Republic (A.S.S.R.) of the of starvation. Meanwhile, a flourishing Baba 'i Russian S.F.S .R. community had been established which had When persecutions in the Cradle of the conesponded with the Guardian. The records Faith made it no longer feasible for the revealed that the conditions of World War II Iranian Baha ' i community to pursue its and its afte1math had dispersed these believgoals in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and ers, and indicated that members of Mongolia, responsibility for these areas was Mr. <;:apari's family might be living in Yutransferred. Mongolia and the republics of goslavia. The National Assembly of Austria Centrnl Asia for which Iran had been therefore sent Baha ' is to look for them. The responsible were given first to the National search was fruitful, and these faithful, long- Assembly of India, then to Germany, while suffering believers put the Baha'i institutions the Caucasian republics (Almenia, Azerbaijan, in touch with another member of their family and Georgia) were transferred directly to who had been living as the only Baha'i in Germany. The Central Asian republic of Albania for forty years, raising her children Kazakhstan and the Ukraine remained under as firm believers in the Faith. Thus began the jurisdiction of the National Assembly of the unprecedented efflorescence of the the United States. Baha'i community of Albania. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 199 The emergence of the policies of glasnost An example of the kind of painstaking, and perestroika in the mid-1980s and the re- persistent work which helped make possible forms launched in the Soviet Union aroused the open teaching projects of the Two Year intense interest in the countries which were Plan, comes from an individual who saw a responsible for the establishment of the need and arose to fill it. In October 1987, Faith there. These new opportunities and the Lynda Godwin made her first journey to the steps necessary to take advantage of them Soviet Union, travelling under the auspices were major themes of the consultation at the of a programme called Citizen Diplomacy, Counsellors' Conference held in the Holy which encouraged individuals to design pro- Land at the end of 1986. Shortly thereafter jects of cultural exchange between Americans the National Assembly of Germany held a and Soviets. She developed one project, special conference, at the end of March 1987 called the Soviet/American Teachers Task in Langenhain, for the representatives of Force, which brought American teachers to the various responsible National Assemblies the Soviet Union to team teach in Soviet class and committees to consult on the situation. rooms, and another called Birthday Friends This was immediately followed by a "Great for Peace, which made pen pals out of Soviet Eastern Conference" in Dieburg. At the re- and American children with common birth quest of the National Assembly of Germany, dates. The projects were so successful that which attached great importance to these she was invited back numerous times, making conferences, the Universal House of Justice more friends each visit as she worked with sent one of its members to represent it. At Soviet guides and translators and ananged that time it was unclear whether the precious for visitors to stay in Soviet homes. Between opportunities then available would remain October 1987 and April 1992, Lynda Godwin for long. It was decided that, in either even- made at least twenty trips into what became tuality, it was vital for the Baha'is to seize the forn1er Soviet Union, each time intrntheir chance without delay. Two Counsellors ducing a new group to the region and finding particularly stimulated and assisted the teach- different avenues for exchange. ing work in Eastern countries: 'Abbas Katirai Two plans projected by the Universal in Asian Russia and Sohrab Youssefian in House of Justice were the opening of Baha'i Albania and Romania. Paul Semenoff was Inforn1ation Offices in Moscow and Budanoteworthy for his work in European Russia pest. Documentation was prepared, a search and the Ukraine. was begun for suitable premises in both The fourteen believers who made up the cities, and a formal approach was made to Hungarian community in 1987 were blessed the appropriate agency of the Soviet Governto be visited by the Hand of the Cause of ment on behalf of the Baha'i International God Amatu'l-Baha R!'.Il_iiyyih Khanum, who Community. However, events advanced so inspired them with a vision of the future. rapidly that these initiatives were subse- The Hand of the Cause also visited Mongolia quently superseded by the rapid spread of in 1989, where she was invited to give lec- the Faith in both countries and the establishtures about her travels and about world peace ment of Local and National Assemblies. to students of English at a university. In some The accelerating growth of the Baha'i cases, the Faith could be directly promoted, communities and the drastically changing as in Poland where a Baha ' i booth was set conditions in the Soviet Union and the Eastup at the World Esperanto Congress in 1987 ern Bloc impelled the Universal House of and public events were held to proclaim the Justice to call for a subsidiary Two Year Faith. But generally, teaching consisted of Teaching Plan to rnn from Ric;lvan 1990 to making friends and preparing for a time when Ric;lvan 1992, with greatly increased goals restrictions on religion would be lifted. for all these lands. 200 THE BAHA'I WORLD 2. TRA YELLING TEACHERS AND PLONEERS The laws concerning the practice and shar- Statement, holding fund-raisers , and giving ing of religion in the Soviet Union had interviews about the project during the begun to change in 1989, the same year that course of a year, sixty-two Bahi'is from the Berlin Wall was breached. Restrictions eight nations entered the Soviet Union under on bringing in literature were lifted and the the auspices of Youth Ambassadors Internafirst open teaching event occurred when tional. They presented 3,000 copies of the Baha' is from Scandinavia participated in the Peace Statement and proclaimed the Teach- Murmansk Peace Festival organized by the ings of Baha ' u'llah from public platforms, Red Army. In August 1989, an individual in schools and universities, and in Soviet working in the region wrote: "This is a very homes. The man largely responsible for the special moment in the history of the Russian first public presentation of the Statement in nation and the Soviet peoples. It is a mo- Kazan later embraced the Faith, was elected ment, I feel, as do most of those who are chairman of the first Spiritual Assembly deeply involved in the work there, especially there, and eventually was elected to the first created by God to facilitate the presentation National Spiritual Assembly of the Union of of the Greatest Gift, the Message which the Soviet Socialist Republics at Ri~van 1991. King of Glory has brought for all mankind. As laws and attitudes changed, a hunger There are mighty spiritual forces at work for information about the Faith became evithroughout the length and breadth of that dent, and Lynda Godwin found herself in the land .. . forces which make possible the real- position to help meet this need. She was able ization of the most audacious of plans. All to draw on her experience and contacts from that is required is for the instruments of His leading projects sponsored by non-Bahi'is Faith, we the believers, to be present, to hT1st to organize explicitly Baha ' i endeavours. A fully in and be willing to follow the clear company called Inter National Soviet Redirection given by Bahi' u ' llah. " sources, Inc. was formed to oversee the work. In November 1989, The Promise of World Another group of Bahi ' is in the United Peace Tour became the largest group of States created the Soviet-American Cooper- Bahi ' is ever invited to enter the Soviet ative Society, and in Canada NetEast was Union with a specific Baha ' i purpose ap- established to assist Canadian Bahi'is to unproved by Soviet officials: to disseminate derstand the needs of the Faith in the Soviet the Peace Statement. After studying the Union and how they could be of service. Th e Baha'i display at the Murmansk Peace and Environment Festival, organized by the Red Army in July 1989. This was ~ the first open teaching event in the U.S.S.R. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'I ACTIVITIES 201 Among the projects Lynda Godwin and Canta perform at its next destination, as they others organized were two international deeply missed being near the spirit of the women's forums which allowed Baha'is and group. One admirer journeyed thirty-two non-Baha'is from different backgrounds to hours . share their ideas about the issues facing Another perforn1ing group which had women; two business seminars in the Ukraine formed at the Baha'i World Centre and to share the Baha'i principles related to eco- which greatly stimulated the teaching work nomics and ethics; the Lesson in Peace in the Soviet Union was Daystar. Twentyteaching trip; and tours of the musical per- three singers and dancers and a French mime formers Red Grammer, El Viento Canta, and artiste spent July 1990 enchanting hearts, Days tar. making friends, and sharing Baha'u ' llah' s In fact, Baha'i musicians and singing Message in the major cities of the Soviet groups responding to the call of the Two Union. The group travelled with eight Soviet Year Plan brought many people into contact guides and stayed in Russian homes, learnwith the Baha'i Faith for the first time. A ing as much as they could about the culture variety of talented performers drew large they were privileged to visit. crowds in the streets, parks, schools, and Among the venues for Daystar's welltheatres of the Eastern Bloc, as they demon- attended concerts were parks, a philharmonic strated the unique beauty of art expressed in hall, a children's camp, and the dining car of praise of God. When audience members the train from Leningrad to Kiev. A presensought the source of the artists' special tation on the Faith, which included slides, spirit, they found Baha'u'llah. was shown nightly in hotel lobbies. The El Viento Canta, a group which had group's members had the honour of being formed at the Baha'i World Centre and which the first Baha'is ever to visit Chernovtsy, in had travelled throughout Western Europe the Ukraine, where they met children who and Africa sharing traditional Latin Ameri- had never before seen anyone from outside can music and teaching the Faith (see also Russia. "Special Youth Projects'', p.443), began a In the summer of 1991, six youth formed three-month tour of the newly opening areas Daystar II as part of the "Youth Can Move in January 1990. Their route took them from the World" project. The project drew on the Yugoslavia to Hungary, Poland, Estonia, spirit and talents of Daystar, another music Russia, the Ukraine, Siberia, and Mongolia. group called Bridges which played folk, They played before audiences ranging from bluegrass, contemporary, and country music fifty to 1,000, and performed and were inter- from the United States, and thirty-eight other viewed on television in Yugoslavia, Hungary, international participants. The group was and in Leningrad and Moscow in Russia. divided into three teams, each assisted by Following El Viento Canta's concerts, four or five Russians who served as guides lively discussions of the Faith continued for and translators. Through their efforts people hours around the stage and in coffee shops, were able to witness, some for the first time, hotel lobbies, and private homes . One night living examples of the transforming power in Odessa, conversations about the Faith were ofBaM 'u'llah. in progress in four dormitory rooms at once, Light in the Darkness, a music group in English, German, Spanish, and Russian. It which had formed in Italy in December 1988, was not uncommon for people to stand in spread the Faith in Yugoslavia, Poland, and line for over half an hour after conce1is to Romania during the Plan. Audience memregister in a guest book for later contact and bers at their concerts heard the principles of literature. More than once, audience mem- the Faith explained between the singing of bers travelled many hours to see El Viento Baha ' i songs and popular songs about peace. 202 THE BAHA'I WORLD A music group spontaneously formed among participants in the Tahirih II Teaching Project in Neptune, Romania, in July J99 J. ft pe1formed in the streets, causing crowds to gather. Travelling teachers ji-om Brazil sing for Members of El Viento Canta giving a radio young Fiends in Poland in J990. interview in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, 1990. Baha 'is attending the first National Baha 'i Conference to be held in the US.SR. in about 60 years. The event took place on 24-25February1990 near Moscow. INTERN A TI ON AL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAH A' I AC TIV!Tl ES 203 At the end of each concert, audience mem- Renowned violinist Bijan Khadembers were directly invited to join the Baha'i Missagh shared his talents during one of the community. public concerts associated with the Ali Forum. In summer 1991, Light in the Darkness Mr. Khadem-Missagh and singer Ahdieh performed at the first European Youth Con- Pakravan also brought the name of the Faith ference in Neptune, Romania, and at other to many of the inhabitants of Dushanbe, locations in the area. When the group took a Tajikistan, during concerts given in the break during one concert that had 1,000 autumn of 1991. spectators, people began lining up at a Baha'i The European Baha' i Youth Council information booth near the stage. Eighty of helped channel the energies of European them declared their belief in Baha' u 'llah. youth into the work of the Two Year Plan The world renowned jazz musician Dizzy by organising teaching projects in Czecho- Gillespie mentioned the Baha'i Faith from slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the stage during concerts in East Berlin, Yugoslavia during the summer of 1990. In Moscow, and Prague in May 1990. The addition, the George Adam Benke Project musical tour was organized by professional held in the autumn led to the forn1ation of agencies in honour of a European event the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Bulgaria called One World Week. At each concert, since World War II. The Youth Council about 2,000 people heard the announcement continued to contribute significantly to the that the performance was a contribution of teaching work during the remainder of the Baha'i community to the special week the Plan. (See also "European Baha' i Youth and that it was dedicated to peace and global Council", p.432.) understanding. The East Berlin concert was With the Tablets of the Divine Plan as attended by the President of the East Geiman their guide, a group of youth from the United Parliament, and portions of it were broadcast States formed the Marion Jack Teaching on East Gern1an television. In Moscow, the Project in the summer of 1990 to bring performance was held under the patronage Baha 'u'llah's Message to the Soviet Union. of Mrs. Raisa Gorbacheva and was followed Canying 10,000 copies of the Peace Stateby a one-hour press conference attended by ment and 2,000 copies of The Hidden Words eighty international journalists. The Presi- in Russian, the youth travelled from the dent of the new Republic of Czechoslovakia, Ukraine to Siberia. When members of the Vaclav Havel, and his wife attended the con- team visited the village ofKolodnia, Siberia, cert in Prague. Following a press conference the chief invited them to return to "our with about one hundred reporters, Dizzy village and tell us how to become a Baha'i Gillespie and the Baha'i representatives were village". A second Marion Jack Project was received privately by the President. organized for January 1991, and Marion In July 1991, an International Baha'i Art Jack III took place that summer. Forum, held in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, While members of the first Marion Jack brought together approximately fifty aiiists Project were traversing the Soviet Union from around Europe and the Soviet Union to west to east, nineteen Baha' is from nine exchange ideas, share their work, and dis- countries were sailing south down the Volga cuss the contributions artists could make to and Don Rivers from Petrozavodsk toward the coming Baha'i Holy Year. An art gallery the Black Sea. A group of Soviet citizens had exhibited works by Baha'i artists, and every decided to build three Viking-style ships and evening for a week, public performances sail them from the Soviet Union to the Holy were held. Two musicians embraced the Land. When Captain Alexander Dubovsky, Faith during the week. who had become a Baha'i in the summer of 204 THE BAHA'i WORLD 1989 at an Army-sponsored peace fair, heard streets, in the houses of the friends where we of the plan for the Golden Age Mission, he were received with unforgettable hospitality, recruited Baba'is for it. When none of the on the beach, in the hall of the Albanian Parother passenger groups showed up for the liament, in hotels, in universities, and musical journey, it became a mission for Bah a 'u 'llah. academies-and enrolments occurred every- Down the rivers they sailed, going ashore where". and teaching by setting up display stands In August 1991, thirteen Baha' is from six with pictures and Baha'i literature in town European countries took part in teaching after town. Conditions were extremely rug- projects in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and in ged, as the little ships (18 x 20 metres) had Bishkek, Kirgizia. The teams set up book no cabins and were caught in storms several stalls in a busy square, in a town, and at a times . Yet each member carried a copy of university; spoke about the Faith to mema letter of encouragement from the Universal bers of a spiritual organization; and were House of Justice, and they "huddled around interviewed for radio and television. it during storms, shouted it in exaltation and On 1 January 1991, a French Baha'i mutmured it in wonder and praise". In al- group, calling itself Caravan of Peace, was most every port of call, one or more people able to present the Peace Statement to the embraced the Faith, and eleven members of authorities of Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. the ships' crews became believers. Although The collapse of the Eastern Bloc's politithe Baha'is had to end their journey in the cal, economic, and social systems, coupled Soviet Union, the ship called "Hope" arrived with the region's emergence from decades in Haifa in September with twenty-four of isolation, created great demand for infor- Russians aboard . The travellers spent three mation on a wide range of topics. Baha ' i days meeting with members of the Baha' i experts in various fields travelled to the area World Centre staff and visiting the Holy to share their professional experience and to Shrines. explain how Baha'u'llah's principles speak Many groups organized themselves dur- to the needs of the modem world. ing this period to make short-term teaching The Hand of the Cause 'Ali-Akbar Furutan trips. For one week in June 1991, fifteen was able to visit Russia in 1990 after Baha' is from Austria and Italy travelled to more than sixty years away. He was invited Albania and were able to enrol 150 people to speak to the approximately 380 particiinto the Faith. "Teaching was carried out pants of the "International Conference of everywhere", a participant reported, "in the Young Psychologists" at Moscow University. A group of nineteen Baha 'is spent three weeks sailing down th e Volga and Don Rivers on this and two other Viking - style ships in the summer of 1990, teaching the Faith to both ship crews and dock-side visitors. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITIES 205 Mr. Furutan also gave a lecture on education sought information about life outside the at the Murmansk Institute of Pedagogy. Eastern Bloc. In addition to coverage of the Counsellors conducted seminars on moral events described above and fairly regular education in Albania and Czechoslovakia, interviews of travelling teachers around the and possibilities for future cooperation and region, several films on the Faith were exchange were discussed. Also in Czecho- broadcast. Russian television aired a docuslovakia, an environmental consultant was mentary on the Baha'i Faith called "A able to approach high-ranking government Temple on My Way" which was produced officials responsible for environmental issues. by the Russian company Rus-film. The video In 1988, a presentation entitled "Participa- "Jewel in the Lotus'', about the Baha'i tory Radio for Rural Development: the House of Worship in India, was broadcast Baha'i Experiments" was presented at the on national television in Bulgaria through the International Colloquium on Communication unified efforts of the Varna Baha'i commuand Culture in Bled, Yugoslavia. nity and travelling teachers. Polish television A number of Baha'i doctors were able aired a documentary about the Faith called to consult their Eastern European colleagues "The Fold of the Ninth Prophet". for the first time . In the spring of 1990, a As the teaching work began to include doctor visiting Uzbekistan was able to share more and more native believers, (see also secthe Faith at a hospital in Tashkent. In every tion on "Numerous New Supporters attracted depa1tment, at least one doctor read the to the Faith'', p. 207 .) teaching conferences Peace Statement and discussed it with fellow were held to stimulate and coordinate these physicians. In the autumn of 1991 , a Baha ' i efforts. The first national teaching conferwas invited by the Institute of Preventative ence in Albania, held in Durres in November Medicine in Uzbekistan, to present two pa- 1991 , drew 200 Albanian Baha'is from ten pers at a congress of genetics and molecular different localities and fifty travelling teachbiology. The doctor was able to mention the ers. A journalist who attended all the sessions Faith in his speech and during informal talks decided to spread the Faith through his with doctors and scientists. He stressed the newspaper. The teaching conference ended impo1tance of cooperation between the East with a public meeting at a hall in the centre and the West. of the city. The first national teaching confer- Three doctors from three different coun- ences of Bulga1ia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, tries spent twelve days in August 1991 at the and Yugoslavia also occurred in 1991. In university town of Olomouc, Czechoslova- January 1992, the first teaching conference kia, where they conducted an unprecedented of Croatia and Slovenia took place in Kranj. combined course in medical English and Approximately 400 believers performed "The Promise of World Peace" for a group "the prince of all goodly deeds" during the of Czechoslovakian doctors. Also at the Two Year Plan, leaving their homes to reset- University of Olomouc, the Baha'is helped tle in the Soviet Union or Eastern Europe. organize a symposium called "Rational Faith The final two pioneering goals of the Ten and Blind Science?" which was addressed Year Crusade were fulfilled when Sean by a Baha'i physicist from Germany. Two Hinton settled in Mongolia and 'Abbas and Baha 'is were frequent visitors to Czechoslo- Ric;lvaniyyih Katirai settled in Sakhalin. As vakia, where they lectured on psychology at the Plan progressed, native believers began different universities and assisted with the arising to pioneer. The first Slovak hometeaching work. front pioneers of Czechoslovakia moved to Media coverage of many Baha'i-sponsored Jindrichuv Hradec in 1991. The first Ukraievents was excellent, as journalists eagerly nian pioneer settled in Minsk in early 1992. 206 THE BAHA'I WORLD Th e Hand of the Cause of God 'A li-Akbar Funitan in Samarkand (US.SR.) , visiting with some Baha 'i fiáiends on 1 April I 990. Baha'is meeting with the President of Albania, His Excellency Ramiz Alia, in his offices in Durres, J November J99 I. Shown Ji-om left: Mrs. Luci Bylykbashi of the Local Assembly of Durres, President Alia, Counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre Farzam Arbab, Mrs. Laurie Arbab, and Mr. Gian-Franco Mazzoni of the National Assembly of Italy. INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACTIVITI ES 207 3. NUMEROUS NEW SUPPORTERS ATTRACTED TO THE FAITH By the end of the Two Year Plan, more than heart from reading it in Baha 'u 'llah and the 12,000 people in Eastern Europe, the former New Era. Soviet Union, and Mongolia had embraced Also in Albania, a young man approached the Cause of Baha' u'llah and thousands some travelling teachers to ask them where more had been exposed to His Message. they came from, and upon hearing of the Many who had not formally emolled in the Faith, said that a Faith like this can only community had expressed their deep appre- be hue. He said the oneness of mankind is ciation for the teachings and helped make it the highest aspiration of today's man. After possible for them to spread. emolling in the Faith three days later, the People from all backgrounds became Baha'is. man shared the teachings with a co-worker The comments of one travelling teacher in who then requested a meeting with the trav- Albania were very typical: "Many different elling teachers . After some discussion, this kinds of people accepted the Faith-cultured man called on yet another friend and said, "I people, artists, professionals, students, musi- have met some Italian friends who have cians, actors, directors, judges, refugees and disclosed to me a religion that spiritualizes the unemployed". A seventy-year-old nun, democracy and democratizes spirituality." after forty-eight years of service to the Cath- Both men joined the Faith, the latter returnolic Church, accepted the Baha' i Faith in ing to his home, waking up his wife and Maribor, Yugoslavia. After reading Thief in seventeen-year-old son, and sharing the the Night, she said, "I came to the clear Cause with them. Both accepted Baha'u'llah understanding that I have to strive for com- that night. plete integration into the Baha' i community." In Romania, 350 people in at least sixty In the village ofKolindo in Sakhalin, a mayor different localities accepted the Faith during and leaders of the indigenous minority were a three-week teaching campaign. among more than 150 people who declared In the Soviet Union, it was more common their allegiance to Baha'u'llah. for those first hearing about the Faith to ea- A readiness to accept the Faith quite soon gerly begin an intense study and application after first hearing about it was not unusual in of its teachings which could continue for a Eastern Europe. In one case, a Baha'i was number of years before emolment in the speaking to an Albanian lawyer regarding community. Travelling teachers were often official recognition for the Faith when the amazed at the depth of tmderstanding and lawyer said, "I have always believed in these commitment demonstrated by seekers and teachings . Please register my name. I want new believers. to be a Baha'i." The Baha' i who had been One of the numerous examples of this speaking to her was surprised by her readi- comes from the Ukraine. A man was exness and asked for an opportunity to explain posed to the Faith at a Baha'i business forum, more. During the next fifteen minutes, she and after the Baha'is left, he continued to stopped him two or three more times, repeat- think deeply about what he had learned. He ing her wish to emol. The next day, when began abstaining from the use of alcohol and contacted by one of the local believers, the then made the major decision to resign his lawyer said, "I have consulted all my membership in the Communist Party, a friends ... . They all want to join [the Fa ith]". move that would cause him to lose his job as When she was visited later by her original manager at a large plant. He formed the goal teacher and was offered a wall hanging with of creating his own business based on the three prayers on it, she said she already principles learned at the Baha'i fornm. He knew the short obligatory prayer almost by also decided that although he would like his 208 THE BAl-IA'i WORLD family members to become Baha'is, and that One of the people to declare his faith in according to tradition he could issue this de- the Soviet Union just before the Two Year cree, he would instead expose them to the Plan was a sixteen-year-old boy who immeteachings and let them reach their own con- diately taught his mother what he had learned. clusions. "My whole family will be Baha'i A few months later, she enrolled and set in someday but it must be when they discover motion the Russian film project about the it in their hearts," he said. Faith. She in tum taught her parents who For several years prior to 1990, four men brought nine residents of their Ukrainian from Leningrad University had studied the village into the Faith. Faith without knowing that there were any Much of the teaching work was facilitated Baha' is in their city or that there was litera- by the enthusiastic support of non-Baha'is ture in Russian. The situation came to light who appreciated Baha'i prmciples and conwhen the men wrote a letter to the Associa- tributed to their diffusion. One family, who tion for Baha'i Studies in Canada. When a discovered the Baha ' i Faith when they pioneer later visited them, she found four offered to host a travelling Baha'i in their dedicated believers. home, called themselves devout atheists, yet When a travelling teacher asked a mem- they regularly talked late into the night with ber of a new Local Spiiitual Assembly about their guest about God, religion, Christianity, the election, the relatively new Baba 'i ex- and the Teachings ofBaha'u'llah. Each day plained in great detail the whole election they would share what they had learned with procedure, including rules for absentee votes co-workers. When Baha'is returned to the and tellers, and showed the ballot that had city for other teaching projects, the family been carefully prepared. The visitor stood in repeatedly allowed their home to be used as silence as the native believer demonstrated a central point of contact for Baha 'is needhis clear understanding of the important pro- ing to exchange messages. Another woman cess of which he had become a part. who hosted a travelling Baha'i made her A fervent eagerness to share their new- modest flat available for firesides, coming found Faith with others was common among home from work each night and preparing new believers throughout the Eastern Bloc. food for twenty-five to thirty-five people on Speaking about some of the 126 people who a tiny two-burner stove. enrolled in Bulgaria duriI1g December 1991 Following a Baha 'i business seminar in and January 1992, one travelling teacher the Soviet Union, one company chief called said, "Watching them teach and talk about all his employees together to announce that Baha'u ' llah made one wonder whether these the office would begin applying some newlyare the ones who could cross the seven leamed spiIáitual principles to its work. He valleys in 'seven steps, nay rather in seven told the employees that they would be using breaths, nay rather in a single breath'". consultation so he could hear their cont1ibu- Within a day or two of enrolling, some of tions and feedback. This was an entirely new them took full responsibility for the teaching concept, and the employees were amazed. efforts, translating talks and articles, distrib- In one of the Soviet cities where the music uting leaflets, giving public talks, inviting group Daystar performed, the director of a people to join the Faith and giving their philharmonic hall offered the facility and the phone numbers as contact points. In Albania, staff at no charge. F ollowmg El Viento Cana travelling teacher found that "once they ta' s tour, university students in another city heard about the Faith, they immedi ately be- instantly prepared the necessary documents came active so as to make their contribution to make the visits of more Baha'i groups to the establishment of the World Order of possible and offered to cover the expenses of Baha'u'llah". the concert hall and accommodations. INTERN A TI ON AL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'f ACT IVITIES 209 One university student in the Ukraine, fact, the Ministry co-sponsored the event, who was not a Baha'i, received the highest which was initiated by Baha'is and wellmark in his class for his presentation on the received by the 300 university professors, Faith in a course called "Scientific Atheism". teachers, educational administrators, and The student had discovered the teachings students who attended. The Ministry offiwhen he volunteered to help guide a group cials said the symposium had provided them of travelling teachers. He read all the books with the impetus they needed to begin he was given and prepared a thirty minute changing their educational system in a oral presentation which won the praise of his fundamental way. professor. After a successful public meeting in Sofia, In Mongolia, the organizers of the eighth Bulgaria, a high government official asked Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace invited the Baha'is to help draft legislation on relithe Baha'i International Community to send gious tolerance. In Tajikistan, a member of representatives. The delegation received a the Supreme Soviet attended quite a few warm response to its statement, "The Com- Baha'i meetings and expressed several times mon Goal of Universal Peace in Buddhism her great respect and love for Tahirih and and the Baha'i Faith'', which was delivered for the Baha ' i Faith in general. The forn1er by the only woman speaker at the gathering. President of Uzbekistan said he was deeply A Baha'i International Community represen- impressed and highly interested in the Faith tative was the only non-Buddhist speaker to after visiting the House of Worship in India address a public meeting arranged for the and then meeting Baha'is back in Uzbekistan. conference's final day. After the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Other support for spread of the Faith came Republic of Croatia was visited and presentfrom the organizers of the centenary Univer- ed with The Promise of World Peace, he said, sal Czech Exhibition. The Bahi'is were the "Your Peace Message has been studied in only religion to have a special exhibit, be- our Ministry and we support this initiative". cause the organizers were attracted to the One of the prominent people who not concept of the oneness of religions and felt only supported the Baha'is but joined the the Baha'i Faith could represent all the faiths. community was the first Deputy Minister of The Albanian Minister of Education Culture of Tajikistan, who became a Baha' i attended the opening session of a national along with twenty-four members of the symposium called "A New Framework for Opera Choir in Dushanbe, after the concert Moral Education" held in Tirana in 1991. In of Bijan Khadem-Missagh in 1991. ' The delegation of the Baha 'i International Community, which was invited to attend the eighth Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace, held in Ulaan-Baatar, Mongolia, in September J990. 210 THE BAHA'I WORLD For both those who declared their belief realized that they are not alone in their strugin Baha'u'llah and those who chose to take gles. Even the West is going through hard more time to investigate, their encounters times and must change. We can encourage with the Faith often meant an end to many each other and share skills to implement upforms of isolation. Living in societies where to-date thinking as we jointly prepare for the ideas were tightly controlled, spiritual needs twenty-first century." A Soviet participant in were not acknowledged, and interaction the school said it was the first time she had with foreigners was extremely limited, the seen the eyes of the businessmen shine. people of these regions had been deprived of When the first Moscow Baha'i conference exposure to the world's growing acceptance took place in December 1990, it was a comof oneness. At one international women's pletely new experience for the Soviets to forum which the Baha'is organized in Len- openly gather for expressly spiritual reasons, ingrad, a participant commented that it was a to meet people from different areas without whole new thought for her to realize that she the need for suspicion, and to realize that was part of a global sisterhood. Similarly, a there was no hierarchy among them. Even Baha'i who travelled to the Soviet Union though they had known there were Baha 'is and participated in a Baha'i business forum scattered throughout their vast country, it observed: "The Soviets made a 180 degree was the first time they actually sat side by tum from the first day to the last. They side. 4. TRANSLATION, PUBLICATION, AND DISSEMINATION OF B AHA 'f LITERATURE IN REQUISITE LANGUAGES OF THE ENTIRE AREA In the early years of the twentieth century, in Romanian included a prayer book printed a number of translations of Baha'i Sacred in 1982, Bah6 'u 'llah and the New Era in Writings and introductory materials about 1983, and The Hidden Words in 1984. The the Faith were produced in the languages of Eastern Literature Committee in Germany the region that later became the Eastern was particularly active, preparing and pub- Bloc. As already mentioned, a Russian trans- lishing Baha'i literature in most of the lation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas was made, and languages of the countries for which the a compilation of the Writings ofBaha'u ' llah German community had responsibility. was published in St. Petersburg in 1908. In However, as manuscripts were not allowed addition, Paris Talks was printed in Polish into or out of the countries of the Eastern in 1915. Literature printed in Albanian in- Bloc before the collapse of communism, cluded Words of Wisdom in 1930, the Kitab- the translations were often done by native i-Iqan in 1932, and Baha 'u '!Lah and the speakers living in exile, many of whom did New Era in 1933. A Bulgarian translation of not speak the most current version of the The Hidden Words was printed in 1937. language. In 1989, the laws restricting reli- During the decades that followed, a few gious literature in the Soviet Union were other publications were also produced. An lifted, and in 1990 the Spiritual Assembly of Introduction to the Bah6 'i Faith in Albanian Moscow obtained government permission came out in 1954. Paris Talks was printed in to have Baha' i books published in Russian. Estonian in 1968. A book of selections from Despite the obstacles that existed when the Baha 'u '!Lah and the New Era in Hungarian Six Year Plan began, nearly two dozen was printed in 1979, followed by a selection Baha'i books, booklets, Tablets and introof prayers in 1981 , and The Hidden Words ductory pamphlets were translated and in 1982. A Polish translation of The Hidden printed in Russian during this period. Also, Words was produced in 1979. Publications 50,000 copies of a Russian edition of INTERNATIONAL SURVEY OF CURRENT BAHA'i ACT IVITIES 211 the Hand of the Cause of God 'Ali Akbar cancellation in 1989. At the close of several Furlitan's book Mothers, Fathers and Chil- book fairs , Baha'i books were donated to the dren were printed in 1992. Lenin Library in Moscow which in tum dis- To serve the needs of the rapidly expand- tributed them to other libraries, including ing Baha'i communities in Albania, Bulgaria, one of the main libraries in Leningrad. Romania, and Russia, particular effo1is were An annual international book and video made to quickly print large quantities of"core fair in Budapest, Hungary, first held in 1989, literature" in the languages of these coun- included Baha'i participation every year. tries. (See p.158 for an explanation of the The Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom core literature programme.) In all the nations organized the Baha'i booth, which was visitof the former Eastern Bloc, previous transla- ed by prominent people such as the Minister tions were revised, new translations made, of Education, and drew the attention of the and reprints of existing materials produced. Hungarian National Television and Radio The translations and publications are too Company. Hundreds of items of literature numerous to list, but a few examples will were distributed each year. provide a sense of the range of projects The Baha'i Committee for Eastern Literaundertaken in such a short period of time. ture organized a very successful book fair During the Two Year Plan, prayer books in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1989, at which were printed in Azeri, Croatian, Macedonian, 4,500 copies of the Perspective Series and Slovene; the Kitab-i-Iqan was printed in booklet The Bahci 'i Faith in Serbian were Romanian; Selections from the Writings of disháibuted. The following year, the Baha'i Ba!ui 'u 'llah was printed in Hungarian; the Book Distribution Service Austria participat- Kitab-i- 'Ahd was printed in Polish; The Re- ed in the thirty-fifth International Book Fair ality of Man was printed in Czech and in Belgrade. Approximately 2,000 introduc- Slovak; Paris Talks was printed in Serbian; tions to the Faith, 700 copies of The Promise The Promise of World Peace was translated of World Peace, and one hundred copies of into Estonian, and printed in A1menian, prayers were distributed. Georgian, and Latvian; Baha 'u 'llah and the A Baha'i Book Exhibition, held in Riga, New Era was translated into Lithuanian; and Latvia, in October 1990 under the auspices Pathway to Peace was printed in Mongolian of the Central Latvian State Library, attractand Uzbek. The Hidden Words was published ed some 600 people. Following the exhibit a in Armenian in the prestigious bimonthly great number of the Baha 'i books were connewspaper Punik in 1991. tributed to the State Library. Even before the Two Year Plan, book It is difficult to convey the significance of fairs in the Eastern Bloc had provided an im- the translation, production, and distribution po1iant vehicle for bringing Baha'i literature work which intensified during the Two Year to the attention of a wide audience, and they Plan. Perhaps its importance can be hinted at continued to serve this vital function . by recounting the story of a Russian believer, The German Baha'i Publishing Trust, in who, when she saw Baha 'u 'llah and the New collaboration with other Baha'i Publishing Era in Russian for the first time, was "like a Trusts, began its successful biennial repre- starving person who just found food" . She sentation at the Moscow International Book grabbed two copies, held them to her breast Fair significantly before the Two Year Plan, and cried, "Now my friends can see that I and continued participation until the fair's am telling the truth ... they can read these". 212 THE BAHA •j WORLD Knight ofBaha 'u 'llah 'Abbas Katirai (left) arrived in Sakhalin on 24 March 1990 with his wife, Ri