I NEWS PUBLISHED BY THE NAT IONAL SP IRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF TH E BAHA'I S OF THE UNI TED STATES

FOR CIRC ULAT ION AMONG BAHA' IS ONLY

No. 399 BAHA'I YEAR 121 JUNE 1964

MESSAGE FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE TO THE BAHA'I WORLD

BAHA 'f WORLD CENTER The Ten Year Crusade, so recently consummated in a blaze of victory and rejoicing, constituted the en­ Haifa, Israel tire ninth part of this process. It saw the Cause of God leap forward in one mighty decade-long effort to the April, 1964 point at which the foundations of its Administrative Order were laid throughout the world, thus preparing To the B aha'is of the World. the way for that awakening of the masses which must characterize the future progress of the Faith. Dearly loved Friends, From the beginning of this Dispensation the most urgent summons of the Word of God , voiced succes­ The divinely propelled process, described in such sively by the Bab and Baha'u 'llah , has been to teach awe-inspiring words by our beloved Guardian, which the Cause. 'Abdu'l-Baha, in His own words, "spent His began six thousand years ago at the dawn of the Adam­ days and nights in promoting the Cause and urging ic cycle and which is destined to culminate in "the the peoples to service." Shoghi Effendi, discharging stage at which the light of God's triumphant Faith the sacred mission laid upon him, raised the Admin­ shining in all its power and glory will have suffused istrative Order of the Faith, already enshrined within and enveloped the entire planet," is now entering its the Sacred Writings, and forged it into a teaching in­ tenth and last part. strument to accomplish through a succession of plans,

Members of the Univ ersai H ouse of Justice in the Shrine Gardens on Mt. Carmei. F r om Left: Charies Wolcott, A moz Gibson, Hooshmand Fathecizam, H u gh Chance, H . Rorrah K av eiin, Ian SempLe, Lotfuitah H akim, D avid H ofman, ' A H N akhjav cini. 2 JUNE 1964 national, international, and global, the entire Divine at least one thousand seven hundred of them to be Plan of ·Abdu'l-Baha, and he clearly foresaw in the incorporated; " tremendously long" tenth part of the process already The raising of the number of localities where Ba­ referred to, a series of plans to be launched by the Uni­ ha'is reside to over fifty-four thousand; versal House of Justice, extending over "successive epochs of both the Formative and Golden Ages of the The building of two more MaIDriqu'l-A@kars, one Faith. " in Asia and one in Latin America; The first of these plans is now before us. Opening at The acquisition of: Ric;lvan 1964 , while the memories of the glorious Jubilee Thirty-two Teaching Institutes, of 1963 still surge within our hearts, it must, during its Fifty-two national I:Ia~iratu'l - Quds , nine year course. witness a huge expansion of the Cause Fifty-four national Endowments, and of God and universal participation by all believers in Sites for sixty-two future Temples ; the life of that Cause. Wide extension of recognition by civil authorities of the Baha'i Holy Days and Baha'i Marriage Cer­ Tasks at the World Center tificates; The translation of literature into one hundred and At the World Center of the Faith the tasks of the Plan thirty-three more languages, and its enrichment include: in major languages into which translations have Publication of a synopsis and codification of the already been made; Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book ; The establishment of four new Baha'i Publishing F ormulation of the Constitution of the Universal Trusts, and House of Justice ; A vast increase in the financial resources of the Faith. Development of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, in consultation with the body of the The Role of the Individu al Hands of the Cause, with a view to the extension into the future of its appointed functions of pro­ The healthy development of the Cause requires that tection and propagation ; this great expansion be accompanied by the dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Ba­ Continued collation and classification of the Baha'i ha'i life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly Sacred Scriptures as well as of the writings of in the persistent effort to understand more and more Shoghi Effendi ; the significance of Baha'u 'llah's Revelation. In the Continued efforts directed towards the emancipation words of our beloved Guardian, " One thing and only of the F aith from the fetters of religious orthodoxy one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the un­ and its recognition as an independent religion; doubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private char­ The preparation of a plan for the befitting develop­ acter mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splen­ ment and beautification of the entire area of Ba­ dor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Baha­ ha'i property surrounding the Holy Shrines: 'u'llah." Extension of the existing gardens on Mount Car­ mel; Twin Ob jectives of the Nine Year Plan Development of the relationship between the Baha'i Expansion and universal participation are the twin Community and the United Nations; objectives of this initial phase of the second epoch of The holding of Oceanic and Inter-Continental Con­ the Divine Plan, and all the goals assigned to the sixty­ ferences; nine ational Communities are contributory to them. The process of cooperation between National Spiritual The co-ordination of worldwide plans to commemo­ Assemblies, already initiated by the beloved Guardian, rate, in 1967 168. the centenary of Baha'u 'llah's will, during the course of this Plan, apply to over two Proclamation to the kings and rulers which cen­ hundred specific projects and will further strengthen tered round His revelation of the Suriy-i-Muluk in this process which may well assume great importance Adrianople. in future stages of the Formative Age. Once more, dear friends, we enter the battle but Tasks for the World Community with an incomparably greater array than that which embarked upon the World Crusade in 1953. To that In the world community the Plan involves: small force of twelve national communities, now vet­ The opening of seventy virgin territories and the eran campaigners, have been added fifty-seven new resettlement of twenty-four; legions, each under the generalship of a National Spiritual Assembly, each destined to become a veteran The raising of the number of ational Spiritual As­ of this and future campaigns. That Crusade began semblies, the pillars sustaining the Universal with slightly more than six hundred Local Spiritual House of Justice, to one hundred and eight, nine Assemblies, the greater part of which were situated in times the number which embarked on the first Persia, orth America and Europe; the home fronts historic World Crusade in 1953 ; now comprise nearly four thousand six hundred Local Increasing the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies Spiritual Assemblies scattered throughout the conti­ to over thirteen thousand seven hundred, scattered nents and islands of the world. We begin this Plan throughout the territories and islands of the world, with a tremendous momentum, exemplified by the ad- BAHA'I NEWS 3 dition, since last Ric;lvan , of over four thousand new torious, firmly established, organically united world centers and thirteen National Spiritual Assemblies, community, dedicated to the service of God and the and by the beginning, in several countries, of that en­ final triumph of His Cause. try by troops into the Cause of God prophesied by Therefore let each of the sixty-nine communities 'Abdu'l-Baha and so eagerly anticipated by Him. seize its tasks, at once consider how best to a ccomplish The Standard Bearers of this ine Year Plan are them within the allotted span, raise its band of pio­ those same divinely appointed, tried and victorious neers, consecrate itself to unremitting labor and set out souls who bore the standard of the World Crusade, the on its mission. ow is the golden opportunity . F or what­ Hands of the Cause of God, whose advice and consulta­ ever convulsions the waywardness of a godless and tion have been invaluable in the working out of this materialistic age may yet precipitate in the world, how­ Nine Year Plan. Supported by their " deputies, assist­ ever grievous may be the effects of the rolling up of ants and advisers," the members of the Auxiliary the present order on the plans and efforts of the Com­ Boards, they will inspire and protect the army of God, munity of the Most Great Name, we must seize the op­ lead through every breach to the limit of available re­ portunities of the hour and go forward confident sources and sustain those communities struggling over that all things are within His mighty grasp and that, if intractable or stony ground, so that by 1973 the cele­ we but play our part, total and unconditional victory brations befitting the centenary of the Revelation of will inevitably be ours. the Most Holy Book may be undertaken by a vie- -THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

CONVENTION GREETINGS from UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE April 23, 1964 (On) occasion (of) Ric;l.van festival extend (our) loving greetings (to) Hands, Delegates (and) friends present (at) historic conventions launching first enterprise (of the) second epoch (in the) unfoldment (of) 'Abdu'l-Baha' s Divine Plan. Hail formation (of) thirteen additional National Spiritual Assemblies testifying (to the) resistless development (of the) World Order (of) Baha'u 'llah. Convey (to) all friends (the) joyful news (of the) dedication (of the) Mother Temple (of) Europe July 4. Assure (all) (of our) ardent prayers (for) vic­ tories (and) bountiful favors (during) course (of the) plan now launched.

CABLEGRAM FROM 1964 U.S. CONVENTION to THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE April 23, 1964 Eagerly awaited Nine-Year Plan attests (to the) immeasurable bounties released through (the) establishment (of) The Universal House of Justice. Offer prayers of profound thanks­ giving. Enthusiastically anticipate executing thrilling tasks which will increase momentum engendered by Ten Year Crusade and Most Great Jubilee. Resolve increase (our) sacrifices one thousand fold in cooperation (with) emerging Baha'i World Community . Humbly sup­ plicate prayers (at) most sacred threshold that we may lay before our Beloved (the) fruits (of the) fulfillment (of) His plan.

REPLY FROM UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE to 1964 U.S. NATIONAL CONVENTION April 25, 1964 Hearts warmed (and) overjoyed (at) Convention's enthusiastic unqualified acceptance (of the) tasks (of the) nine year plan (and the) continuing role (of) friends (in the) cradle (of the) administrative order a s chief prosecutors (of the) Divine Plan (of) 'Abdu'l-Baha. As­ sure (all) (of our) prayers (and) supplications (at) holy shrines (that) distinguished Amer­ ican Community be given strength, resources (and) guidance (to) achieve victory (on) all fronts. 4 JUNE 1964

Hand of Cause Leroy loas Visits Throughtout U.S. Thousands of Baha'is from dozens of communities in at least ten states, many of them traveling hundreds of miles, had the great bounty of spending several hours with Hand of the Cause Leroy C. Ioas and his wife, Sylvia, during a cross-country series of week-end conferences arranged by the National Spiritual Assem­ bly for Mr. and Mrs. Ioas from mid-January to mid­ April. Beginning in Sarasota, Florida, where Mr. Ioas was resting at the time, they began an itinerary of week-end conferences hosted in order by the Spiritual Assemblies Hand of the Cause Leroy Ioas with some of those at­ of Miami and Tampa, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia ; New tending meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Orleans, Louisiana; Austin, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona, and Riverside, Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. tion with the Master 3nd the beloved Guardian, and While in each city the program consisted primarily of his description of the Holy Shrines and their surround­ three talks by Mr. Ioas for Baha'is only, some of the ing gardens in whose development, under the direction communities also arranged informal teas and dinners of Shoghi Effendi, Mr. Ioas had spent much time. and similar social events for families and contacts. Space does not permit making more than brief ref­ Also, where his health permitted, Mr. Ioas attended erence to reports and letters of appreciation from the firesides and met with small groups of Baha'is for more host and visiting communities, but the following ex­ intimate discussion of the Faith. cerpts are indicative of the enthusiasm, love and grati­ At all eleven conferences Mr. Ioas' talks were de­ tude inspired by the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Ioas. signed to bring the friends a greater understanding of " The coming of Mr. and Mrs. Ioas provided the the oneness of the Faith, the love and spiritual power greatest spiritual experience this section of the South of 'Abdu'l-Baha and the beloved Guardian, and a has known in many years . .. . This community was deeper knowledge of the unique position and responsi­ blessed beyond measure by these wonderful souls be­ bility of the Universal House of Justice as the supreme ing here." This was from ew Orleans, Louisiana. The and divinely guided institution of the Faith. As a result Jackson, Mississippi Assembly hired a bus to take the of the inspiration given to all those who were privileged believers to this meeting. to hear him, there has been released a dynamic spirit "It was a privilege to have Mr. Ioas in Phoenix for of devotion and dedication already expressing itself in all too short a time. We know his words have touched greatly accelerated teaching service in several areas the hearts of many and will be lasting inspiration for which he visited. years to come. It was a true bounty for us. " Thus re­ For many believers this was the first time they had ports the Assembly of Phoenix, Arizona. While in that ever had an opportunity to meet and hear a Hand of the city Mr. Ioas conducted the funeral service for Mr. Cause and they, as well as all the others, were deeply Larry Gimlin, member of the American Indian Serv­ moved by Mr. Ioas' accounts of his intimate associa- ice Committee who had passed away unexpectedly. A living "oneness of mankind" was portrayed in the dignified service since the Baha'is present represented Leroy Joas, Hand of the Cause, meeting with members a sprinkling of various races, as did the pall bearers. of the Austin, Texas Spirituai Assembiy. Austin was The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States one of the cities where conferences were scheduied. is very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ioas for the great in­ spiration and encouragement they have given so many communities and individual Baha'is during this trip.

Mass Conversion Continues in India The spirit of Baha'u'llah has penetrated five hundred villages in the area of Gwalior, India and twenty thou­ sand people have entered the Faith since January 1961. Plans are being formed to purchase a beautiful fifty acre piece of land near G walior to establish a teaching institute. Men and women from every village will be invited to study Baha'i history, the teachings, laws, ad­ ministration and to learn prayers and Baha'i songs by memory. They will elect a trial assembly, practice con­ sultation, make decisions and learn how to give a B aha'i talk. After graduation they will return to their 5 BAHA'I NEWS

homes to teach others and to travel by foot, bicycle to the visitors for more than two hours. After the meet­ and ox cart to virgin villages. ing, one half of the villagers immediately declared their belief in Baha'u 'llah. An elder embraced the Ba­ Institute Aids Mass leaching ha'i guests saying: "Your visit has been like God com­ For many months a Teaching Institute has been op­ ing to us.'' erating at Indore, Madhya Pradesh, which is the heart And so the work goes on - bringing the Faith to a of one of India's early mass teaching areas. Selected people starved for it. villagers eat, sleep and attend classes in the small red brick building. Both students and teachers freely give their time to the classes which last seven hours a day "Be ... an answerer of the cry for one week and when the week is over the villagers return from twenty to a hundred miles to deepen their of the needy'' neighbors in the Cause of God. Last October Sgt. Marshall N. White, Negro member Tribal Villages Scenes of Stirring Events of the Ogden, Utah, police force was gunned down in an attempt to apprehend an escapee from a state in­ Kwetyapani, a two hour drive from Indore by as­ stitution. Three days later he died leaving besides his phalt and bullock cart roads, is a tribal village. Six widow, three children and his mother without funds to years ago this village was inhabited by two hundred face the future. illiterate and undisciplined " bow and arrow" Indians. Learning of the straitened circumstances of this Today Kwetyapani is a model Baha'i village composed family and stirred by her strong feeling that a com­ of twenty-one mud and rock houses which encircle the munity owed a moral obligation to the loved ones of Baha'i school. In this school students are instructed in those who sacrifice their lives in their-dedication to the the reading and writing of Hindi, arithmetic and Baha'i service of their community, Mrs. Clair D. Schneider of history and p rinciples. No child is too young to know the Ogden Baha'i community, almost single-handed and the prayers by heart or to answer questions about the without much initial encouragement from any except "Dawnbreakers" of the Faith. the B aha'is launched the Marshall N. White Memorial The late Dorothy Baker, Hand of the Cause, talked Fund which brought in several thousand dollars from with the villagers of Harshodhan, outside of Ujjain, in many individuals, organizations and firms throughout 1953, the opening year of the World Crusade, thus Utah to be presented to Mrs. White at Christmas time. planting the seeds. When Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhajir While a number of individuals in positions of promi­ came to Harshodhan five years later he realized that nence applauded Mrs. Schneider's efforts, only a few most of the villagers were already believers. Subse­ were able to arouse any appreciable cooperation large­ quently Harshodhan became one of India's foundation ly because of the general deep-seated prejudice against stones in mass conversions. This village is one of hun­ egroes in the state. dreds which have been transformed by the spirit of On the close of the campaign Mrs. Schneider issued Baha'u'llah. While the figure mounts each week, no a public statement of thanks and appreciation to those, less than 120 ,000 Indian villagers - living in the forests, including Governor George D. Clyde, who gave support mountains and prairies - have declared their belief in to her efforts, at the same time pointing out that every­ Baha 'u'llah since January 1961. one needed to be genuinely concerned about settling so Comparatively Few Teachers Work cheaply this account of one who "had great faith and Constantly for Cause pride in his community and performed his job of dedi­ cation beyond the call of duty." Searching out the virgin villages and deepening the Commenting on the degree of the community's re­ Baha'i villages demands every free moment of the sponsiveness, Mrs. Schneider asked how much is the travelling pioneers. Mrs. Shirin Bowman, one of the life of a public officer worth, and what effect the mea­ pioneers, remarked: "The Baha'is who are able to go gerness of this gift would have upon the morale of the to the villages are very few. If we had more, Baha'u'­ other men now on the police force who are expected to llah would conquer this land in an instant. make the community safe for our children. Very few Baha'is are carrying the words of Baha'u'­ On invitation of the city's Mayor, Mrs. Schneider ap­ llah into the villages yet the Message travelled like peared before the city council where she was com­ wildfire across the hot sands of Madhya and Uttar mended for her activities and services. The Mayor's Pradesh, the jungles of Mysore, the mountains of Nil­ letter of invitation to Mrs. Schneider stated: " Our com­ giris and the coastal villages of Madras. munity has been given greater dignity and stature be­ In Bomur Aghara the 78 year old headman said: "I cause of the interest you took in the Marshall N. White thank God each day that I have found Baha'u'llah. At family." One member of the council commented: " It last I can die in peace." is appropriate that this recognition is given during In Madhakapura, a tiny, impoverished village in Brotherhood Week." central India, a man answered a Baha'i from Ameri­ In reporting the matter to BAHA 'I EWS Mrs. ca: "My greatest discovery? It is to know that you and Schneider mentioned that during the drive no mention I can love each other. Baha'u'llah looks at us with the was made of race - that it was kept completely on same expression." the police level. In Immdihelli, where every village official is a Ba­ The Editorial Committee of the BAHA 'I NEws takes ha'i, the headman smiled: "Baha'u'llah built a circle pleasure in reporting this service as another example around us. This Faith brought unity of purpose to our of how B aha'is may demonstrate through service the place." spirit of the Faith and particularly its fundamental In Malli Keri every man, woman and child listened principle of the oneness of mankind. JUNE 1964 Teaching Continues in Guatemala

Teaching efforts continue in Guatemala with holding of Summer schools. Clockwise from upper left: Huehue­ tenango, January 24-25, Sacapulas, January; Chichicastenango, Nove.mber 16-17; Cob an, March 26-28. School was also held in Quezoltenango and public meetings have been held throughout the country. Auxiliary Board mem­ ber Artemus Lamb (seated in upper left picture) has been extremely active in bringing the Message of Bahci'u'llcih to the Guatamalan people. ZUM BAH/(1-HAUS DER ANDACHT TO BAHA'I - HOUSE OF WORSHIP Information Regarding LANGENHAIN TEL. HOF HEIM Q88 Dedication of Mother Temple of Europe The dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe, Langenhain, Germany, will take place Saturday, July 4, but the actual hour has not yet been announced. The National Spiritual Assembly of Germany asks that all Baha'is planning to attend make their own hotel reservations through local travel agencies and A82WEIGUNG ACI-! ~KM to inform the SA of their plans to attend either or (T U RN OFF AFrE'2 ,5 KM) both the dedication and the European Teaching Con­ I VON l"RANKFU RTA.MA\N ference on July 5 and 6. The cost of hotel rooms varies \ AAUDTBAHNHO.-(MAIN STATION) from DM 8 to DM 25, roughly from $2.50 to S6.50 per I NAO.l -=~~G~NHAIN 251.'.M day. The hall of the Gesellschafthaus im Zoo, Frankfurt, wi ll be open from 9:00 a.m ., July 4, where the friends can receive further information. E ach one attending must produce current Baha'i credentials. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., on July 4 bus service will be available from the Zoo to L angenhain for the dedica­ tion. The accompanying map will help those who wish to plan their own t ransportation . RICH TU NG (DI RE: C TION) Wll::SBADI; N HAZ.IRATU ' L-OUDS INi:::STtNDSTR.24. Ttl.12.~ 2b

1-lAUPTBAHN~OI" {MAIN STATION) BAHA'I NEWS 7

Part of the Baha'i community on the island of Grenada, Windward Islands, British W est Indies, gathering in St. Georges to celebrate Naw-Ruz, with the resident pioneer, Winston Evans. Windward Islands w as a virgin goal of the Ten Year Crusade, seiected by the late Hand of the Cause, Dorothy B aker, as a base for L atin American teaching and it was her destination at; the time of her passing on January 10, 1954, whiie r eturning from a teach­ ing trip to India at the request of Shoghi Effendi. Shortiy after the air crash that took her iife near the island of Elba, Frank Baker, Dorothy's husband, and her mother, Mrs. LueHa Beecher, proceeded to tm this pioneering post as originaUy planned, later joined by Mr. and Mrs. Don Corbin for a four-year period. The Windward Islands are part of three island groups to form a National Spiritual Assembiy in the Nine Year Plan, and Grenada has al- ready achieved its assigned goal of two Local Spiritual Assembiies, estabiished this Ri~vcin.

Altogether, this was a harrowing time for everyone Alaskan Baha'is Marshall Forces for Nine concerned. Nevertheless, the Baha'is of Alaska have re­ ceived the new Nine Year Plan and are enthusiasti­ Year Plan Following Disastrous Earthquake cally planning for their part in it. The Baha'is of Alaska have expressed gratitude for the prayers and concern of the friends everywhere, and for the letters, phone calls and wires that reached them following the great earthquake in March. All of the Winter school held February 23 at the I:Ia?iratu'l-Quds friends survived with no serious injuries, even though in Borum, Norway. Meeting was highlighted by the many were badly shaken up. A check was made of all declaration of a pharmacy st11dent. affected areas as soon as communications were re­ sumed, verifying the well-being of the friends. A number of Baha'is in Anchorage became displaced because it was impossible to return to homes due to the destruction and danger of landslides. Most have now been able to locate in other places, at least for the present. The H azira, which is located near a part of the se­ riously damaged section, was greatly weakened and lost the large chimney to the main section of the build­ ing, but it is still standing. The caretakers quarters were not noticeably affected, so work can be carried on there. Several Baha'is in Anchorage and the isolated Baha'i in Seward were in positions enabling them to be of serv­ ice both in the Civil Defense and health and sanitation work. One of the friends with the State Sanitation De- .---._, partment in Fairbanks (which was not affected by the quake) has been working in Anchorage constantly. The manager of the radio station in Cordova, a Baha'i, re­ ported on conditions almost around-the-clock the first few days. 8 JUNE 1964

I::la?iratu'l-Quds of Nairobi, Kenya. The building is on an acre lot covered with beautiful fiowers and green shrubs.

150 Attend all peoples in this Day. Music, both instrumental and vocal, added to the Prayer Powwow joyous spirit. The acme of the Powwow was reached when a Chero­ Five inches of rain failed to dampen the spirits of kee couple signed registration cards. This was followed the Baha'is and their friends who met for the third time by another declaration. at L ake Eucha(oo-chee) near Jay, Oklahoma April 4 and 5. Sponsored by the Baha'i Assembly of Rogers, Ar­ kansas, the Prayer Powwow convened on Saturday aft­ Bahci'is at the Baha'i Center of Tainan, Taiwan during ernoon beneath threatening skies. Before the opening the visit by Hand of the Cause D r. Ra/:i.matu'llcih Muhci­ of the gathering, cars carrying the friends, both Indian jir, fifth from left, top row. Pioneer S. A. Suleimani is and Baha'i began to arrive from Wisconsin, Texas, seated at the left and Mrs. Suleimani is seated on the Oklahoma and Arkansas, some having driven nearly couch, second from the right. 800 miles. The guest book gave evidence of visitors from many areas of the four states, including 108 Indians among the 150 in attendance. F ollowing the opening prayer by Chairman Gerald Abas, prayers were offered in Persian and in Finnish. Greetings were read from the Universal House of Justice, from the Hands in the Holy Land who offered prayers on the very days of the P owwow "that the dear Indian friends will indeed be illumined with the light of the Faith so that they may become pure channels for this light to reach many new souls." Hand of the Cause Zikru'llah Khadem sent a wire expressing his deep regret at being unable to make what would have been his third visit to the Oklahoma Indians. Loving messages were also read from the National Spiritual Assembly, from the American Indian Service Committee and from the American National Teaching Committee, as well as from several Baha'i Groups and individuals. United States Senator J. Howard Edmondson sent his best wishes, "for an inspiring and enriching con­ ference," and Oklahoma's Governor Henry Bellman sent "best wishes for a meaningful gathering." Mrs. Beth McKenty spoke of the Message sent to BAHA'I NEWS 9

The Baha'is of Phnom Penh, Cambodi a together with L uxembourg National B aha'i Summer School held at Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey Morgan, resident pioneers Mondorf-les-Bains August 31 - September 2, 1963 . there. At present there are over 300 believers in Cam­ bodia locateri in fou r provinces. Most of the believ ers belong to the Khmer race. munity," and " Human R elation s in the Field of E m ­ ployment. " Group leaders were Dr. Edward Flaccus, co-chairman of the Duluth R ound Table ; Dean Elias , member of the board of the Duluth Citizens Commit­ Baha'i Youth tee on Human Rights; D avid Morris of the Minnea­ polis Baha'i Community, and Kenneth J effers of the Hold Meeting Rochester Baha'i Community. Three youth conferences were held recently in New York, New Mexico and Idaho drawing youth from 0 three widely separated sections of the country. The Program P review for the week April 12-18, 1964 Over forty youth and their friends from Arizona, New sent out by the Theodor H erzl Institute in New York Mexico, Texas and Colorado attended a Youth Confer­ City listed Dr. Firuz K azemzadeh as speaker on the ence held in Gallup, New Mexico on March 27 , 28 and Baha'i F aith , the second in a series entitled " Religions 29. The theme of the Conference was " The World Order in Israel." of Baha'u'llah" and included classes given by both 0 adult teachers and youth. Arrangements were made Station KOTA-TV of R apid City, South Dakota de­ for the youth to drive out to Bread Springs, New voted the entire Black Hills Almanac Show to an in­ Mexico, an Indian D ay School, on Saturday and on terview on the Baha'i F aith . Two local Baha'is, one Sunday morning a group from the Conference drove of whom was a egro sergeant from Ellsworth Air to Pine Springs, Arizona to hold classes with the In­ F orce Base, were the guests. Mrs. Ruth Moffett had ap­ dian believers there, who do not have much opportu­ peared as a guest on the same show when she was in nity to meet with other Baha'is. Rapid City last October. A conference was held March 27-29 in Boise, Idaho and was attended by youth from Washington, Oregon , 0 ldaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. The A weekly 45 minute radio program called " Focus, " theme of the Conference was "Man's T rue Destiny." heard on station WLAC in Nashville, Tennessee, fea- The Local Spiritual Assembly of H a mburg, New York assisted their youth in holding a conference April 3-5. Young people came from Ohio ; Ontario, Canada and ew York including p eople of several n ational­ A B aha'i gathering at Ulu P edas rnbber plantation ities and races. The theme of the conference was "The sponsored by the believers of Seremban, Malaya on Baha'i Youth P erspective of the Modern World." F ebruary 9, 1964 .

News Briefs The Minnesota State Commission Against Discrim­ ination (MSCAD) will request the 1965 State Legis­ lature to change present laws d e aling with public and private housing and employment of minority groups. Walter Warfield, MSCAD field representative, outlined the proposed legislation during a Human ,Relations Conference which was sponsored by the B aha'is of Duluth on Saturday, F ebruary 15. Warfield spoke at a dinner which followed four afternoon workshops deal­ ing with "The Causes of P rejudice and Its Control," "Race Relations," " Human Relations Within the Com- 10 JUNE 1964

The Spiritual Assembly of Beverly Hills, California held a public nieeting at which it presented awards to two landlords for their courage in renting to Negros despite militant opposition. 175 Baha'is and guests attended the meeting. I n the picture Mr. and Mrs. Irving Bobo (left) Gathering for youth fireside at Malibu, California. Pag­ watch as Richard Maimes (right) presents awards to emit program first put on for World R eligion D ay has (left to right) Mr. and Mrs. H ugo Berman and L. been found so effective it is repeated throughout South- Schwartz on behalf of the Baha'i Community. ern California. tured Baha'is on three occasions. Judy Otey appeared 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at University College in Syracuse, in two brief interviews and on March 18 Robert Hay­ New York. The program consisted of three Baha'i den, associate professor of literature at Fisk Univer­ speakers, a morning "coffee klatch" and lunch. The sity, \\·as allowed the entire 45 minutes to talk about event was publicized by posters and by newspaper an­ the Faith. nouncements. Twenty-one people attended including 0 two ne\\' contacts.

The Baha'i Club of Jackson State College in Jackson, Mississippi recently conducted the Vespers Services in the Dansby H all Auditorium. R eadings were from BAHA'I IN THE NEWS Gleanings followed by a talk explaining the mission The March-April issue of L ib erty, a Seventh D ay Ad­ of Baha'u'llah. On the back of the printed program ventist magazine had an article about the Baha'is who the times of the meetings of the B aha'i Club were were imprisoned in Morocco. The article stated that listed along with a cordial invitation to all those in­ the B aha'is had been imprisoned on charges of win­ terested to attend. ning converts from Islam. In addition, it stated, the 0 group had been accused of participation in a political plot to overthrow the government. The Baha'is were The Baha'i Intercollegiate Club of Western ew York released because, according to the statement of the Su­ held its second symposium on Sunday, December 8 from preme Court, there was no law in Morocco specifically banning proselyting therefore the group could not be tried legally. The other charges were dismissed. The Spiritual Assembly of Enfield, Australia, recently in­ corporated. Left to right, front : Matthew Appleton, Mrs. J. Moreira, Mrs. D. Appleton, Mrs. P hyliss Cameron, Members of the first Baha'i Community of Negritos, Eric Lewis. B ack: Mrs. F. Lewis, Mrs. M. Chittle New Cabalaan, Zambales, Philippines . Rose Mangapis Borough, J. Chittle Borough, K.' Moreira. and Juanita Stuart are standing behind the group. BA HA'I NEWS 11

titled "Personality of the Week." The article states that Mrs. McKay has been a Baha'i for twenty years and that she was a pioneer in Spanish Morocco for five and one half years. 0 A book titled Historic Churches of the United States by Robert C. Broderick contains three full page photo­ graphs of the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette as well as ex­ planatory text. In addition, the Temple is pictured on the outside jacket. 0 The January 1964 issue of Catholic Digest contained a three and a half page article about the Baha'i Faith. Baha'i group of Nome, Alaska. Three members are The article appeared as the answer to a letter to the native Alaskans of E skimo origin. From the left: editor which asked how the Baha'i World Faith com­ Bernard Blumenstein, Rita Blumenstein, Jeanette Bris­ pares with the Catholic religion. The reply was gener- bois, Robert Summers, Willie Wiloya.

article concluded by mentioning that the Moroccan constitution guarantees religious freedom and that the country had signed the United Nations statement which branded religious intolerance as a violation of the U.N. Charter and the Universal Declaration of Hu­ man Rights. 0 The Wichita Beacon, a Wichita, Kansas newspaper ran a Lenten series entitled "What My Religion Means to Me," in which articles were written by representa­ tive area laymen . On March 4 the article was written by Erwin Schawacker, member of the Local Spiritual Assembly. He stated that the Baha'i Faith offers him an inspiring and demanding purpose in life as well as the divine wisdom and love of Baha'u'llah. In the re­ mainder of the article he presented the basic teachings Students and teachers gathered for the official photo­ of the Faith. graph of the First Guajiro Baha'i School in Venezuela. 0 Another newspaper which ran a Lenten series was The Detroit Free Press of Detroit, Michigan. This se­ Some of the Guajiro students shown with visual aids ries was entitled, "I Walked Where Jesus Walked" used during the classes. and consisted of descriptions of places in the Holy Land frequented by Jesus. On March 4 the article was about Mount Carmel and was written by Ervin Leroy Thomas, a local Baha'i. The foreword to the article mentioned that it was questionable whether Jesus ever saw Mt. Carmel but that Elijah, Jesus and Moses stood together on another mountain (Mount Tabor) closer to Nazareth during the transfiguration of Jesus. It then in­ troduces Thomas as a member of the Baha'is, errone­ ously defined as "a Persian oriented eclectic group which meets regularly on the Wayne State University Campus." In the article Thomas describes the strong emotions which he experienced when he first gazed upon Mt. Carmel. He then quotes the verse from Isaiah which states that Carmel shall see the glory of the Lord and demonstrates how Baha'u'llah fulfilled this prophecy. The article concludes with several quota­ tions from the Writings of Baha'u'llah. 0 The November 30 , 1963 edition of the Detroit Courier had an article about a Baha'i, Mrs. Louella McKay, en- 12 JUNE 1964 ally accurate and sympathetic although the author was attempting to demonstrate the superiority of the Cath­ olic religion. He traced the origins and history of the Faith but was considerably inaccurate in describing the difficulties perpetrated by ~ ub l). - i - Azal after the declaration of B aha'u'llah. In fact he seemed to emphasize the defections caused by both Subl).-i-Azal and Mirza Mul).amm ad 'Ali, the half-brother of 'Abdu'l­ Baha. He says of the Faith towards the end of the ar­ ticle, " B aha'i is truly a serious faith, claiming mil­ lions of members and worthy to be associated with the mor~ ancient and widespread religions of mankind, but it can hardly hope to supplant any of them. Its doc­ trine rates high in intelligence and morality, and Chris­ tians claim that some of it was borrowed from them." 0 The Spiritual Assembly of P ago Pago applied on be­ half of the entire B aha'i Community in American Sa­ moa for exemption from school for Baha'i children on the nine Holy Days. The Director of Education granted Group attending the Waukesha Youth Conference, the exemption. February 28. Thomas Schwandes holds slide as (left to right) Steve Yamamoto, Mrs. Ann H olmstrom, 0 Maureen Bunyan and Larry Schwandes look on. The December issue of the Village Defender, an Amity­ ville, New York egro monthly newspaper, contained a poignan t story about the F aith called " A West African Story." It is the story of a young African Baha'i who Calendar of Events embraced the F aith of Baha'u'llah and who was so filled with love and enthusiasm that he trave'lled by bicycle FEASTS to the neigh boring villages to bring the message to the June 5 - Nur (Light) p eople. June 24 - Rahmat (Mercy) PROCLAMATION EVENT Baha'i Publishing Trust June 14 - Race Amity Day Up-to-date Fact Brochure Availab le U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETING Baha'i World F aith : Summary of its .History, Teachings June 19, 20 , 21 and Administrative Order. This 1964 edition of the fact sheet gives up-to-date, factual material on all aspects of the F aith. The cover shows three World Center photos and the four Baha'i Temples. A footnote for news editors explains that photos may be obtained from local Baha'i publicity representative or from national head­ Baha'i House of Worship quarters. Visiting Hours Copies of this brochure should be presented to news­ paper editors and to radio and TV stations for their Daily files of information of the F aith. A general mailing to 10 :00 a.m. to 9:00 p .m . (E ntire buildin g) various community leaders and organizations to keep them advised and informed would also be a good local Service of Worship undertaking. This edition has been folded to make it a Sundays self-mailer for added convenience. 3:30 to 4: 10 p.m. Order brochures only from the Publishing Trust - photos are not available here. Public Meeting 10 copies ...... $1. 00 Sunday, June 21 50 copies ...... $4 .50 4:15 p .m.

BAHA' i NEws is published for circulation among Baha'is only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, as a news organ r eporting current activities of the Baha'i world community. · BAHA'i NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: J ames Cloonan, Managing Editor; Mrs. Lilian Cloonan, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Repr esentative. Material must be r eceived by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Baha'i News Editorial Office, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. Change of address should be reported directly to National Baha'i Office. 112 Linden Avenue. Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.