Baha'i News Baha'i Year 144 No. 680 ISSN 0195-9212 USPS 040-140 November 4, 1957: Passing of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi ..... 1 A teaching trip to the spiritually receptive Peten area of Guatemala ..... 10 Rural development update at the Anis Zunuzi Baha'i School in Haiti ..... 12 Progress report: Escola das Nacoes (School of the Nations) in Macau ... 13 Around the world: News from Baha'i communities all over the globe .... 14 Retrospective ::"ry Pl ce Return to. P.O. Box67 cKenna, w. 98558 The passing of the beloved Guardian

All those who were privileged to yers, who were carrying out his instruc­ know the beloved Guardian Shoghi Ef­ A great many cables were re­ tions, as well as many high government fendi from the time of his childhood ceived and answered by the be­ officials; it was he who negotiated with them, supervised their work, kept until his passing remember him as be­ loved Guardian during this last ing incarnate with life; a dynamic, down expenses with an ingenuity and almost electric force seemed to radiate week of his life. He said to Ru­ insight truly inspired by God; it was he from him. He was always busy, rest­ hiyyih Khanum toward the end who instructed where every step should less, driving on to whatever goal he had of the week: 'Do you realize that be built, the height of every wall, the set before his eyes. He was intense in spans between every planted tree, the all aspects of his nature: his phenom­ we have done nothing but work diameter of every flower bed-even the enal powers of concentration, his deep this week?' colors of the flowers. It was Shoghi Ef­ feelings of passionate attachment to fendi who, entirely aside from the glo­ 'Abdu'l-Baha, his burning conscien­ passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha, remember rious spiritual leadership manifested in tiousness in carrying out his duties to standing at Shoghi Effendi's bedside, his letters, his books, and his words to the Faith of BaM'u'llah as its ap­ where he had called them to say good­ the pilgrims, so harbored the financial pointed Guardian-these were all bye, and looking at his face, so full of resources of the Faith that in his life­ facets of the same wonderful nature sorrow and despair, his eyes deep­ time the Temple in Chicago, the Shrine . which God endowed with those special sunken and heavily shadowed, and of the Bab on Mount Carmel, and the qualities He wished to be uppermost in hearing him say he was going away, International Archives Building could the one who was firmly to lay the ad­ that it was too much for him, he could be completed, as well as the extensive ministrative foundations of His Faith not bear it. He left the Holy Land, endowments of the Faith acquired in all over the world, and to plant the first fought his inner battle, returned, took Haifa and 'Akka; he made the plans ensigns of its victory in the four cor­ the helm of this Blessed Barque and and paved the way for the Temples ners of the earth. steered it for over one-third of a cen­ now being built; he was responsible for the purchase of the Temple sites, the That the Cause of God has reached tury through every storm and shoal. National Haziratu'l-Quds and endow­ the point where it stands today is due But the valiant heart and frail body ments, as well as many other things to the self-sacrificing, constant, un­ were receiving blows which left their during these last five years; all these ac­ sparing, truly herculean labors of its mark, and in the end took their toll. complishments were made possible by Guardian. That his heart should have The friends of God are well aware of his vigilance and wisdom. stopped, with no warning, at the early the achievements of their beloved age of sixty-one, is not so much due to Guardian; what they do not realize As the Faith grew and the years went this ceaseless, tireless work, but to the fully is that by doing so many things by, the beloved Guardian received sorrows and afflictions which he en­ personally over a period of so many more able support from believers of dured, for the most part in reserved years, he, and he alone, made it possi­ capacity, serving him in the Holy Land silence, from the stirrers-up of dissen­ ble for the big victories to take place. and abroad, but his personal supervis­ sion and the Covenant-breakers, old The fact that he did every single thing ion of expenses, his personal decision and new. The early pilgrims, after the himself saved the Cause tremendous as to what was befitting for the Baha'i sums of money; with what he thus sav­ Holy Places at the World Centre, was This article, "The Passing of Shoghi ed he was able to go on and commence never laid aside. He delegated to others Effendi, " was written by his wife, the a new enterprise. For thirty-six years he interviews and negotiations locally, but Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l­ held in his hands, with power of decis­ the management, the ordering of ob­ BahIsrael). the engineers, the architects, the law- terized all his other services to the Faith

Baha'i News/November 1987 1 entrusted to him by the Master in His Baha'i Council, but he was so strong she was able to find out from him ex­ Will. and healthy, had such tremendous actly how he felt Shoghi Effendi was On October 20, 1957, the beloved powers of endurance and vitality, that progressing. This same day a heavy Guardian arrived in London, accom­ it was difficult to persuade him to de­ mail had been received, and as Shoghi panied by Ruhiyyih Khanum, for the vote time to caring for himself. How­ Effendi's temperature was still high she purpose of ordering some furniture ever, for the past ten years he had been persuaded him not to look at it; but the and objects for the interior of the In­ under the supervision of an excellent next morning he called for his mail and ternational Archives Building and the doctor, who saw him at least twice a insisted on going over it personally, as Gardens above it. He chose London year, and he had consented to take he always did. A great many cables because it is an international center some special cures which were good for were received and answered by the be­ where objects from every country can his general health and calculated to loved Guardian during this last week of be found at much cheaper prices than reduce his blood-pressure. His doctor his life. He said to Ruhiyyih KMnum probably in any other one city of the often urged him not to overdo things toward the end of the week: "Do you world. He planned to remain a few when he returned to Haifa, to get more realize that we have done nothing but days and then proceed to Haifa. As exercise and more rest. But the doctor work this week?" was the invariable custom of the be­ could not visualize the Guardian's life He was anxious to leave London and loved Guardian during his absence in Haifa, or the nature of his respon­ carry out his original plan of returning from Haifa, no contact was made with sibility; could not know that he had to to Haifa; however, the doctor was very any Baha'i. Ruhiyyih KMnum attend­ read letters, reports, journals, and so severe on this point and told him ed to his mail and carried out his orders on for between three to eight hours a frankly that he was quite free to call in as she always did. day, just to keep abreast of his work; another doctor if he wished to, but that that he spent about four hours most af­ On Sunday afternoon, October 27, as long as he was taking care of him he ternoons and evenings, after being up could not give his consent to his depar­ Shoghi Effendi told Ruhiyyih KMnum and busy from early morning, giving that he had a pain across his knuckles ture until a week after his temperature out what strength he had left to the pil­ had fallen. The Guardian accepted in both hands; she asked him if he had grims, eastern and western; that he any other pains, and he said no, that this. stood sometimes for hours, in all The doctor was very careful of the just his fingers pained him and were weathers, directing the work he had stiff. He added: "I feel so tired, so beloved Guardian. When he came planned on Mount Carmel or at Bahji; every day, instead of being in a hurry tired.'' She begged him to rest, saying that when he was deeply distressed by that if he did not wish to go to bed, at like some doctors, he would sit with the some situation he would not feel able Guardian, examine him thoroughly, least he should rest quietly because the to eat and would lose much weight in a probability was that he was getting the and stay usually a half-hour, and one few days . About six weeks before the evening he remained an hour to chat influenza which was sweeping through Guardian passed away, he was exam­ Europe and indeed all over the world. with his patient. He invariably found ined by this doctor who found him in him sitting in bed reading, surrounded (She herself had been in bed with fever very good health and his blood-pres­ since Thursday night.) That night he by papers, his brief case beside him, sure lower than in years. The doctor and one evening he asked Ruhiyyih had a fever and by the following day who took care of him in London like­ his temperature had risen to thirty-nine Khanum, privately, what was the wise examined his blood-pressure and Guardian's work? She replied that he degrees (102.2° F). Ruhiyyih Khanum found it satisfactory and not high. succeeded in finding an excellent doc­ was a religious leader and had many re­ tor who had taken over the practice of During the week of the beloved sponsibilities. The doctor obviously a well-known Harley Street physician Guardian's illness-and indeed a num­ liked his patient, and after he had been who had retired. This doctor was con­ ber of times during the weeks before coming for three or four days, he told tacted and immediately prescribed his illness-he complained that he had Ruhiyyih KMnum, after leaving the medicine for the beloved Guardian, no appetite. He said: "I don't know beloved Guardian's room, that "he and came to see him early in the eve­ what has happened to me. I have com­ was smiling tonight"; that beautiful ning when he was able to get away pletely lost my appetite. I don't eat for smile had affected him too. The doctor from his hospital. He examined his pa­ twenty-four hours, but I still have ab­ told the Guardian on Friday that he tient very carefully; heart, chest, solutely no appetite whatever. It is now could get up and sit in his arm-chair as temperature, pulse, etc., and said that weeks that I have been like this. The a change from bed, and in order to get he considered that both the Guardian same thing is happening to me that his strength back; but Shoghi Effendi and Ruhiyyih · Khanum had cases of happened to BaM'u'llah when He lost did not want to do this, and he con­ Asiatic influenza, the beloved Guar­ His appetite after the death of tinued his work sitting in bed and rest­ dian's case being the more severe. Navvab." ing every now and then. However, all The constant stress of work, sorrows On Tuesday, Ruhiyyih KMnum had during his illness, the Guardian had and anxieties to which Shoghi Effendi recovered sufficiently for the doctor to gotten up to wash, to get papers from had been subjected had brought about allow her to go out on an important er­ his desk and so on. There was no time a condition of high blood-pressure, rand. As she had bronchitis following when he was too weak or ill to get out which he had had for a number of the 'flu, he would check on her condi­ of bed, not even the days when he had years; he mentioned this himself some­ tion when he had finished his visit to high fever. times to members of the International the beloved Guardian, and in this way On Saturday morning, the beloved

2 November 1987/Bahii'i News Guardian told Ruhfyyih Khanum that he wanted a large table placed in his room, big enough so that he could lay on it the map of the world on which he had been working. He had prepared one of those beautiful maps he used to make showing the progress of the work, and this one he called The Half­ Way Point of the Ten-Year Crusade, in other words, the progress made, and the victories won, during five years. He had already worked a great deal on this map; indeed it seems a strange coinci­ dence that the first time and the last time he worked on it should both have been occasions on which he was ill, symbolic of the great sacrifice of his life and strength that went into the con­ ception and prosecution of the World Crusade. About two months before he passed away, the beloved Guardian had had a cold, with a temperature the first night; the next day he had no The Chapel in the cemetery where the held on November 9, 1957. fever, but it was understood he would funeral service for Shoghi Effendi was remain in bed and rest. It was that day that he worked on his map for the first The beloved Guardian looked tired back-who is going to go up that time, for about ten hours, and it was after working on his map that day. He mountain and make all those plans and on Saturday, November 2, that he went back to bed and continued read­ stand for hours and supervise the worked on it for the last time. He told ing the many reports he had received. work? I can't do it. And I am not going Ruhiyyih Khanum that he wanted her He had only had a mouthful to eat at to do anything about the houses in to check over carefully with him the lunch-time, and he refused to eat any Bahji. Let them stay like that until I see figures and said that except for adding dinner at all. That evening he spoke how I feel. And I am not going to fur­ a few extra details and making sure with great depression. He had made nish the inside of the Archives this that what was on the map agreed with many plans for his winter's work in winter. It can wait another year, until his various lists, the work was finished. Haifa, and many times he discussed everything that is needed to furnish it is She remonstrated with him and begged these with Ruhiyyih Khanum, outlin­ collected. I shall just see the pilgrims him not to work, saying that in a few ing to her some of the work he was go­ and stay in my room and rest and do days he would be stronger and could ing to do on Mount Carmel in the Gar­ the few things that I have to do. I am then complete it, but he said: "No, I dens above the Archives, how he was not even going to take the telegrams must finish it; it is worrying me. There going to furnish the International Ar­ back from Jessie and make copies of is nothing left to do but check it. I have chives Building itself with the things them and keep all the receipts the way I one or two names to add that I have that had been ordered, and that upon have done all these years. She did this found in this mail, and I will finish it his arrival his first act would be to go in the summer, and she can go on do­ today." In the early afternoon he over to Bahji and himself give instruc­ ing it in the winter. I am too tired." He stood in front of the table and worked tions for the demolition of the build­ was very, very sad and depressed, and for about three hours. The table was ings inhabited for so many years by the spoke words such as these for a long strewn with pencils and files of papers Arch-breakers of Baha'u'llah's Cove­ time. It was not the first time that which constituted the Guardian's lists nant who had caused the beloved Mas­ Ruhiyyih Khanum had · heard him of languages, tribes, countries, Tem­ ter so much sorrow. He talked about speak in this vein, but it was with far ples, Haziratu'l-Quds, work com­ the disposition he intended to make of greater intensity and in more specific pleted, work being carried out, and a the stones and rubble of these houses detail than she had ever heard before, tremendous amount of data. At one and of his ideas for extending the Gar­ and it distressed her very deeply. time, while Ruhfyyih Khanum war den at Bahji. Many times during the That evening when the doctor came checking over with him the various lists past months he had spoken with en­ he was satisfied with the Guardian's and totals, he said to her, as he had thusiasm of these plans he was going to condition and said he could certainly said many, many times during the last carry out, but this evening he said to leave on Tuesday morning. He told year: "This work is killing me! How her: "Who is going to go back and do him he could go out if he wanted to can I go on with this? I shall have to all these things? I have no strength left. and get some fresh air. He also told the stop it. It is too much. Look at the I am like a broken reed. I can't do any­ Guardian that he had heard .over the number of places I have to write down. thing more. I have no spirit left to do radio that well over two hundred peo­ Look how exact I have to be!" anything more. Now we will be going ple had died of influenza during the

Baha'i News/November 1987 3 week, and they discussed this a little was speaking on the telephone beside dian's room, knocked gently, and, together. When the doctor left that the Guardian's bed, conveyed this mes­ when she received no answer, entered night, after staying quite a while, the sage to him, but he said he felt better, the room. The curtains were drawn Guardian said: "I like him very much. and that there was no need for the doc­ over the windows and the room was in He is a fine man, and a good doctor.'' tor to come. It was then agreed that he twilight. She saw the beloved Guardian The next day the Guardian appended would make his last call the following lying on his left side facing her, with a few lines to all the English letters that afternoon. Ruhiyyih Khanum sat in the his left hand folded over toward his had been written for him, and went room with the Guardian and they talk­ right shoulder and his right arm over over other matters regarding his work, ed for a while about everyday things. his left one, in a most relaxed and com­ dictating to Ruhiyyih Khanum some At half-past nine she asked him if he fortable position. His eyes were three­ instructions to be mailed, and telling would like to go to sleep, as she was quarters open and she thought he was her to write two other letters herself sure he was tired. He asked her: "What drowsy-in that state when people that afternoon. He did not wish to get time is it?" and she said, "Nine­ wake up and lie comfortably beginning up, preferring to remain in his room, thirty." He said: "It is too early to to think of their day's work. She asked mostly reading his papers in bed, or at­ sleep now; if I go to sleep now I shall him how he had slept, and if he felt tending to things on his desk. He later wake up early and then I won't be able better. When he neither moved nor re­ read over the letters that she had writ­ to go to sleep again. Stay a little while plied, and he seemed unnaturally still, ten and appended something to one of longer and talk." About ten o'clock a wave of agonizing terror swept over them. In one of the reports, he read she again asked him if he did not wish her; she leaned over him and seized his something that caused him intense in­ to go to sleep, and he said yes. She did hand. He was ice-cold and absolutely dignation, and he spoke to her about the last few things to make him com­ rigid; as the window was not open and it. He had also been upset during these fortable before retiring, and after say­ the room was very warm, he must have past few days by some news given him ing goodnight, left the room, asking ascended several hours earlier. In spite concerning the activities of some of the him before she went to be sure and call of her own condition, within two min­ Covenant-breakers, and referred to it her in the night if he needed anything. utes she had reached his doctor by more than once. Such things always Both Saturday and Sunday nights phone at the hospital, and had told him distressed him. Ruhiyyih Khanum did not sleep well, that she was afraid that his patient had As Sunday was the doctor's day of lying awake in the middle of the night passed away, and begged him to come rest, the Guardian had said the day be­ for long hours. It would not be correct instantly, in case there was something fore that he did not think it was neces­ to say that she had the slightest premo­ that could still be done. The doctor ar­ sary for him to come; however, the nition of what was to come, but she did rived shortly. In order to calm Ruhiy­ doctor telephoned that evening to in­ not sleep well, and her heart was heavy yih Khanum he gave heart injections to quire how Shoghi Effendi was and ex­ and sad. the beloved Guardian and massaged pressed his willingness to come if he On the morning of Monday, Novem­ his heart, but of course it was absQ­ was needed. Ruhiyyih Khanum, who ber 4, she went to the door of the Guar- lutely useless. A few minutes later a second physician arrived and con­ firmed that there was nothing to be done. The diagnosis was "Death caus­ ed by coronary thrombosis." Nothing in the world could have saved the be­ loved Guardian's life. If the best phy­ sicians hd been standing beside him, they could not have prevented his pass­ ing away from the clot of blood that suddenly entered into one of the heart­ vessels. The beloved friends, heart-broken, desolate and orphaned as they are, must be grateful that this Shoghi Ef­ fendi of ours, this sacred and so dearly­ loved Trust left us by 'Abdu'l-Baha, passed away with no illness or pain; in­ deed it was clear from his position and the expression in his eyes that he had not even had a spasm. His eyes bore no look of surprise, although they were open. They say such deaths are re­ served for the just. It devolved upon Ruhiyyih Khanum, half-mad herself with grief, to think of Bah

4 November 1987/Baha'i News agonizing news to the Baha'fs. She thought of the two British Hands of the Cause, so recently elevated to this high rank in the last Message from the beloved Guardian. She first turned to Hasan Balyuzi, an Afnan cousin of his. Within about an hour he was able to join her, and he telephoned John Fer­ raby, enjoining him to silence and tell­ ing him to come quickly. A telephone call was then put through to the Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery in Rome, and he said he would take the next plane for London. He arrived that same night about eight o'clock. An­ other call was put in for the Hand of the Cause Leroy Ioas in Haifa, and he was reached late in the afternoon. Al­ ready, earlier in the afternoon, Ru­ hiyyih Khanum had cabled the follow­ ing message to Haifa: "Beloved Guar­ One of the believers reads from the Sacred Writings. dian desperately ill Asiatic flu tell Leroy inform all National Assemblies inform believers supplicate prayers The customs in the West are differ­ tional Haziratu'l-Quds, and from there divine protection Faith." She could ent from the customs in the East, and back again in the same general direc­ not bear to deal the naked blow to the the ascension of the Guardian in such a tion to the burial place, would take hearts of other Baha'fs which she her­ vast city as London posed many prob­ more than an hour, and the plan had to self had received and had been forced lems. Very careful instructions were be abandoned. to inflict on three of the Hands, so she given to the undertaker by Ruhiyyih On Tuesday morning a telephone sent the above message, in the hope of Khanum, explaining that in our relig­ call was put through to the Hand of the preparing the Guardian's lovers, the ion we have no embalmment, that no Cause Adelbert Miihlschlegel, as Ru­ ill, the old, and the feeble, to receive injections of any kind to preserve the hiyyih Khanum had decided that he, a the full news. In spite of this effort to body must be given, and that nobody physician, one of the Guardian's own protect the friends from the full shock must be allowed to wash it, as provis­ appointed Hands, and a man known of this cataclysm that had overtaken ion would be made for this according for his spirituality, would not only be them, her first cable did not reach to our Faith. He fully understood this, able to endure the sorrow of perform­ Haifa before her telephone message, as London is a great world metropolis, ing the last service for the beloved and the news reached many Baha'fs in where people of many religious cus­ Guardian of washing his blessed body, different parts of the world over the toms live and die. The friends must but would do it in the spirit of con­ radio. A second cable was sent later in bear in mind that in all the arrange­ secration and prayer called for on such the day to Haifa with the request that it ments made after the passing of the be­ a sacred occasion. He accepted imme­ be cabled to all National Assemblies, loved Guardian, the Laws of the Aq­ diately, with deepest gratitude for this as she felt that the announcement of das, which he himself had so repeated­ inestimable privilege, and arrived, ac­ his passing should go out officially ly stressed and constantly upheld, had companied by the other German Hand from the World Centre of the Faith. to be obeyed. The size of London, and of the Cause, Hermann Grossmann, The text was as follows: the fact that the only suitable burial on Tuesday night at the Haziratu'l­ SHOGHI EFFENDI BELOVED OF grounds lie in its outskirts, had to be Quds in London. It was decided that ALL HEARTS SACRED TRUST GIVEN constantly remembered, so that no because of the Laws of our Faith which BELIEVERS BY MASTER PASSED mistake would be made in transporting are against embalming, the funeral AWAY SUDDEN HEART ATTACK IN his precious remains more than an should be held as soon as possible, SLEEP FOLLOWING ASIATIC FLU hour's journey. It was the longing of .preferably on Friday. Investigation STOP URGE BELIEVERS REMAIN the four Hands, who from the very day and consultation, however, showed STEADFAST CLING INSTITUTION of his ascension became responsible for that this would not allow enough time HANDS LOVINGLY REARED RE­ all the pressing matters that had to be to settle the formalities involved in pur­ CENTLY REINFORCED EMPHASIZED attended to in such a short space of chasing a site for the grave and con­ BY BELOVED GUARDIAN STOP ONLY time, to have him transported to the ONENESS HEART ONENESS PUR­ structing a suitable vault. The time was POSE CAN BEFITTINGLY TESTIFY National Haziratu'l-Quds where the therefore set for noon on Saturday, LOYALTY ALL NATIONAL ASSEM­ friends could gather and pray, until the November 9, and the following cable BLIES BELIEVERS DEPARTED GUAR­ funeral took place. Investigation, how­ was sent from London to all National DIAN WHO SACRIFICED SELF UT­ ever, showed that the journey from the Assemblies: TERLY FOR SERVICE FAITH. part of London where the beloved BELOVED ALL HEARTS PRECIOUS RUHfYYIH Guardian had passed away to the Na- GUARDIAN CAUSE GOD PASSED

Baha'i News/November 1987 5 PEACEFULLY AW A Y YESTERDAY spring, lay close to it on one side. It the sheath of flowers which was to AFTER ASIATIC FLU STOP APPEAL was over thirty meters square, and Ru­ cover the coffin. On Thursday at two HANDS NA TI ON AL ASSEMBLIES hiyyih Khanum made arrangements to o'clock Ruhiyyih KMnum and Adel­ AUXILIARY BOARDS SHELTER BE­ purchase it immediately, instructions LIEVERS ASSIST MEET HEARTREND­ bert Miihlschlegel drove to the place ING SUPREME TEST STOP FUNERAL being given to build a strong, deep where the body of the blessed Guar­ OUR BELOVED GUARDIAN SATUR­ vault. The Hands then proceeded to dian was to be washed. She had already DAY LONDON HANDS ASSEMBLY the undertaker's, to choose a suitable purchased nine yards of the heaviest BOARD MEMBERS INVITED ATTEND casket for the precious remains of the and finest white silk available and nine ANY PRESS RELEASE SHOULD beloved Guardian. After much delib­ yards of a slightly lighter weight for the STATE MEETING HANDS SHORTLY eration it was decided that for the pres­ first shroud, as well as towels and HAIFA WILL MAKE ANNOUNCE­ ent, as well as the future, the wisest cloths and soap to wash the body. MENT TO BAHA'f WORLD REGARD­ course would be to have a lead coffin These she delivered to Dr. Miihl­ ING FUTURE PLANS STOP URGE schlegel, keeping the second shroud HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS SAT­ with her. She waited in an ante-room URDAY. 'He was our Guardian, king of RUHfYYIH while he washed the precious remains The first thought of those concerned the world. We know he was no­ and wrapped them in the first shroud, with making arrangements for a befit­ ble because he was our Guar­ anointing the body with attar-of-rose ting burial of the beloved Guardian's which the Guardian himself had given dian. We know that God gave to Ugo Giachery, who had brought it remains had been to secure a piece of him peace in the end. But as I land especially for this purpose; how­ from Italy with him. It was over an ever, this proved an impossibility. An looked at him all I could think hour-and-a-half before Adelbert Miihl­ appointment with the Home Office of was-how beautiful he is, schlegel came to call Ruhiyyih Kha­ num, and to inform her that he had had been fixed to discuss this with how beautiful!' John Ferraby, but it was soon found to completed his sacred task. Let him say be impracticable because of laws re­ in his own words- as he afterward stricting the use of land near London which could be hermetically sealed, wrote them to her- what he felt during for burials. On Tuesday afternoon, and that this should be placed in a that time: Ruhiyyih Khanum, Hasan Balyuzi, beautiful bronze casket, the most dig­ "Something new happened to me in and Ugo Giachery were taken out to in­ nified, costly and enduring that could that hour that I cannot, even after a spect possible sites for the grave in be found. By doing this the Hands few days, speak Of, but I can mention cemeteries within an hour's journey were assured that in the future, when the wisdom and love that I felt pour from London. It was raining, and the the means of transport become so over me. In that room-which to first cemetery visited had only one plot rapid that the journey from London to worldly eyes would have appeared so remotely suitable for the purpose avail­ Haifa can be accomplished in an hour, different-there was a tremendous able, which was opposite the massive, it would be possible to convey the sa­ spiritual force such as I have only felt depressing vault of a family of the Brit­ cred remains of the Guardian to the in my life in the Holy Shrines. My first ish nobility, and prohibitively expen­ Holy Land. impression was the contrast between sive, in addition to being very near the On Tuesday night the Hand of the the body left behind and the majestic, entrance gate. Although in the eyes of Cause Amelia Collins, who had only transfigured face, a soul-stirring pic­ the world this cemetery must have im­ arrived in Haifa on Sunday, having ture of the joyous victory of the eternal portance, to the Hands present it was made a special effort to get home in over the transient. My second impres­ unbefitting and out of the question in time to greet the Guardian when he sion, as I prayed and thought and care­ every way, and their hearts sank with returned, joined Ruhiyyih KMnum in fully did what I had to do, was that in fear lest they should not find a proper London and was able to give her at this this degree of consecration to the work place for their so-dearly-loved Guar­ grievous time her much-needed, warm, of God I should work all my life, and dian. God had other plans, however, motherly love and support. Already all mankind should work a thousand for on motoring in the twilight to in­ European Hands of the Cause were in years, in order to construct 'the King­ spect the second cemetery, they entered London. On Wednesday the National dom' on earth; and my third thought a beautiful, peaceful spot on a hill, sur­ Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of was, as I washed each member of his rounded by rolling country, where the British Isles communicated to all body and anointed it, that I thanked birds sang in the trees and which had the believers the heart-breaking news, those beloved hands which had worked an entirely different atmosphere from and invited them, as members of the and written to establish the Covenant, the pomp and worldliness of the first. community in which this great calamity those feet that had walked for us, that The Superintendent escorted them to had occurred, to be present at the fu­ mouth that had spoken to us, that head the best piece of land he had, on the neral of the beloved Guardian, which that had thought for us, and I prayed highest part, and in the center of the was to take place on their soil. That and meditated and supplicated that in cemetery. It adjoined one of the roads afternoon, Ruhiyyih Khanum, accom­ the short time left to me, the members and was bounded by three great trees panied by Amelia Collins, drove out to of my body might hasten to follow in which cast their shade over it. The the cemetery and made arrangements his path of service; and my last thought peaceful woods of the countryside, with a florist in the neighborhood for was of my own distress because I felt where birds will make their nests in the decoration of the Chapel, and for how unworthy my hands were to

6 November 1987/Baha'i News anoint that blessed brow with attar-of­ instructions very carefully and making rich green velvet pall, the color to rose as the Masters of old were wont to every effort to create an atmosphere of which the descendants of Muhammad do their pupils; and yet what privileges, beauty worthy of this sacred occasion. are entitled by their illustrious lineage, what duties fall to us, the living, to Indeed, all the non-Baha'is concerned and which the Guardian, as a Siyyid watch over what is past and mortal, be with the death of and the funeral ar­ himself, through his kinship to the it ever so exalted. A great deal of rangements made for this stranger who Bab, had every right to bear with him mercy, love, and wisdom were hidden had passed away in their country so to the grave. Seating arrangements in this hour.'' suddenly, seemed deeply touched and were made for the following day, plac­ Ruhiyyih Khanum asked to be alone stirred by the great reverence and love ing the Hands of the Cause on the right with the beloved Guardian to say her that accompanied the still form of and on the left side of the coffin, fac­ own last farewell. Baha'u'llah says: God's great Guardian as he passed ing it. A hundred more chairs had to be "At this point the pen broke and the from life to the grave. They outdid ordered as the Chapel normally could ink gave forth nothing but blackness. " themselves in showing sympathy and only seat about eighty people. So a veil must be drawn over her feel­ cooperation. At the four corners of the That evening all the Hands of the ings alone with her Lord for the last grave the florist had already planted Cause who were in London, now num­ time. But she did tell the friends after­ four beautiful small cypress trees bering thirteen, met to discuss ap­ ward: which Ruhiyyih Khanum had ordered propriate readings for the funeral the ''He was our Guardian, king of the in memory of the hundreds of cypress next day. The Israeli authorities had in­ world. We know he was noble because trees that the beloved Guardian had structed the Charge d'Affaires at the he was our Guardian. We know that planted, during his lifetime, around the Israeli Embassy in London, Mr. Ger­ God gave him peace in the end. But as I Holy Places in Bahji and Haifa. At the shon Avner, to attend the funeral on looked at him all I could think of top of the Chapel, which was entirely behalf of the Government (the Ambas­ was-how beautiful he is, how beau­ non-denominational and used for ser­ sador being absent from his post). It tiful! A celestial beauty seemed to be vices of all religions, was an arched had been decided that, owing to the poured over him and to rest upon him alcove filled with a bank of chrysan­ great mourning of the Baha'i world, and stream from him like a mighty themums and asters, beginning with the short time available, and the re­ benediction from on high. And the deep shades of purple and running up stricted space at the cemetery Chapel, wonderful hands, so like the hands of through violet, lavender and orchid the funeral should be entirely private. Baha'u'llah, lay softly by his side; it tones to white at the top. Like two The spontaneous gesture of esteem, seemed impossible the life had gone arms reaching out, garlands of laven­ however, which the Israeli Government from them-or from that radiant der chrysanthemums ran along a cor­ had made, by requesting its representa­ face." nice which framed the raised upper tive to attend the funeral officially, After a little while she called Adel­ part of the Chapel. Above this, from could not be turned aside. The pres­ bert Miihlschlegel back into the room; wall to wall, was a beam of wood, in ence of this non-Baha'i had therefore the coffin, padded with soft white silk, the center of which a framed Greatest to be taken into consideration in con­ was brought; she arranged the second Name was hung. Beneath this, in front nection with suitable readings, and the shroud in it and the beloved Guardian of the alcove of flowers, the coffin was moving of the beloved Guardian's cof­ was laid inside. The flowers from the to rest on a low catafalque covered by a fin. As this weighed almost half-a-ton threshold of the Bab's Shrine, which Amelia Collins had brought from Haifa, she spread over that treasured form, covering it from feet to chin, a sacred carpet of love, and the last shroud she folded gently about him, closing away for all time from men's eyes the face on which the Baha'is had gazed with so much love. The coffin was then closed, a pall of purple and gold was spread over it, and a bouquet of flowers Ruhiyyih KM­ num had brought with her was placed on the top. All the next day, in a room full of flowers, the various Hands of the Cause from Persia, Europe, Africa, and America kept vigil and prayed near the mortal remains of their Beloved. On Friday evening, Ruhiyyih KM­ num and Amelia Collins drove out to the cemetery to inspect the Chapel and the grave. The florist was following his Led by his widow, the Hands of the Cause follow Shoghi Effendi to his grave.

Baha'i News/November 1987 7 it was considered that, in permitting hiyyih Khanum accompanied by In solemn file the friends followed the Baha'is to have the honor of taking Amelia Collins; cars bearing the other the casket as it was borne out, placed in turns carrying it, a very grave risk Hands, National Spiritual Assembly the hearse again, and slowly driven the would be run of its being jostled, tip­ members, Auxiliary Board members few hundred yards to the graveside. ped, or even slipping from their hands. and believers followed behind. It was There it was gently deposited at the Special bearers were therefore chosen probably the largest column of vehicles head of the grave, so that when the be­ who carried out their task with the ut­ seen in London for many years in at­ loved Guardian's remains were lower­ most dignity. tendance on a funeral of any denomi­ ed into it, he would face east to the While these events were taking place, nation. The journey to the Great Nor­ Qiblih of the Faith. The flowers were the National Headquarters of the Ba­ thern Cemetery at New Southgate, removed from the casket, revealing an M'is in London was becoming the where the sacred remains of Shoghi Ef­ engraved tablet on which was written: focal center of many agonized hearts, fendi are now interred, was accom­ Shoghi Effendi Rabbani seeking information, asking details, re­ plished in under one hour's time, the First Guardian ceiving what comfort other broken laws of the Aqdas being thus fulfilled. of the Baha'i Faith hearts could give and being directed as Through Leroy loas having prompt­ March 3rd, 1896-November 4th, 1957 to how they could reach the cemetery ly informed the Israeli authorities in a As all stood, silently waiting for the upon their arrival in London. The tele­ befitting manner of the sudden passing coffin to be lowered into the grave, Ru­ phone at the Haziratu'l-Quds rang al­ of the Head of the Faith, conditions at hiyyih Khanum felt the agony of the most all day without stopping, and its World Centre were calm, and he de­ hearts around her penetrate into her John Ferraby, secretary of the British cided it would be safe for him to leave own great grief. He was their Guar­ National Spiritual Assembly, with the the Holy Land over the weekend, and dian. He was going forever from their constant help of his wife, also a mem­ attend the funeral of the beloved Guar­ eyes, suddenly snatched from them by ber of that body, attended to telephone dian. This was very fortunate, because the immutable decree of God, Whose calls from such distant spots as Dja­ it made it possible for him to bring Will no man dare question. They had karta, Bombay, Kuwait, Israel, the with him, at the request of Ruhiyyih not seen him, had not been able to United States and several European Khanum, a small rug from the inner­ draw near him. She decided to ask for countries, to the ceaseless flow of most Shrine of Baha'u'llah at Bahji, it to be announced that before the cof­ cables and letters that poured in and with which to carpet the floor of the fin was placed in the grave, the friends out, as well as to press releases and in­ vault, and a covering, which had rested who wished might pass by it and pay terviews. It began to be clear that the likewise in that inner Shrine, for the their respects. For over two hours the funeral would be attended by many coffin itself. He also brought a bou­ believers, eastern and western, filed by. more of the friends than it had been quet of white jasmine and a box of For the most part they knelt and kissed thought could possibly get to London flowers gathered from the Gardens at the edge of the handle of the casket. in time. Not only were the British Ba­ Bahji, the Riqvan, Mazra'ih and Rarely indeed in history can such a M'is attending practically en masse, Haifa. demonstration of love and grief have but Hands of the Cause, various Na­ Already a great crowd of believers been seen. Children bowed their little tional Spiritual Assembly members and was waiting at the door of the Chapel heads beside their mothers, old men Auxiliary Board members, as well as when the funeral cortege drove up; on wept, the iron reserve of the Anglo­ individuals, were pouring in from over­ every face was written its own measure Saxon-the tradition never to show seas. As the Baha'is arrived in ever­ of heart-break and many sobs were feeling in public-melted before the increasing numbers, a great flood-tide heard. The casket was gently handed white-hot sorrow in the heart. The of love and sorrow was rising about the down, on it a beautiful sheath of deep­ morning had been sunny and fair; now silent figure of the Sign of God on red roses with fragrant white gar­ a gentle shower started and sprinkled a earth, preparing to bear his sacred re­ denias, lily of the valley and fuchsias, few drops on the coffin, as if nature mains befittingly to the grave. in the center, and a simple card with herself were suddenly moved to tears. Arrangements had been made to the inscription ''From Ruhiyyih and all Some placed little flasks of Persian have the funeral cortege assemble your loved ones and lovers all over the attar-of-rose at the head; one hesitat­ about ten o'clock before the Haziratu'l­ world whose hearts are broken." ingly laid a red rose on the casket, sym­ Quds, at 27 Rutland Gate, opposite The Great Guardian was carried in bol no doubt of the owner's heart; one Hyde Park; from there, those believers and laid on the soft green covering of could not bear the few drops of rain who were not going direct to the cem­ the catafalque. The Chapel was crowd­ above that blessed, hidden face, and etery would be driven by special cars ed to the doors, and many had to re­ timidly wiped them off as he knelt; which would follow the hearse. More main outside. All stood while the won­ others with convulsed fingers carried than sixty automobiles, accommodat­ derful prayer, ordained by BaM'u'llah away a little of the earth near the cas­ ing over three hundred and sixty peo­ for the dead, was chanted in Arabic. ket. Tears, tears and kisses, and sol­ ple, moved off in solemn file at 10:40 Six other prayers and excerpts from the emn inner vows were poured out at the and journeyed to the place where they Teachings were then read by friends head of the one who had always called were joined by the hearse bearing the with beautiful voices, some in English, himself their ''true brother.'' When the coffin of the revered Guardian. This some in Persian, and representative of last believers in this grief-stricken pro­ was preceded by a floral hearse and Baha'is from Europe, Africa, Amer­ cession had filed by, Ruhiyyih KMnum followed by the car in which rode Ru- ica, Asia-Negro, Jew, and Aryan. approached the casket, kissed it and

8 November 1987/Baha'i News knelt in prayer for a moment. She then had the green pall spread over it, laid the blue-and-gold brocade from the in­ nermost Shrine of Baha'u'llah on top of it and arranged the still-fragrant jas­ mine flowers over all its length. Then the mortal remains of him whom 'Ab­ du'l-Baha designated "the most won­ drous, unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the Twin Surging Seas" were slowly lowered into the vault, amid walls covered with ever­ green boughs and studded with flow­ ers, to rest upon the rug from the Holy Tomb at Bahji. A prayer was then chanted in Persian, and the Afnan Hand of the Cause, Hasan Balyuzi, read the closing prayer in English. All this time-a service that had lasted almost four hours-the repre­ sentative of the Israeli Government, obviously deeply moved, had been in attendance, himself stepping beside the coffin and, with bowed head, paying his solemn respects. He and the majori­ ty of the mourners now left, the Hands of the Cause, the National Spiritual Assemblies and Auxiliary Board mem­ bers remaining behind by previous ar­ rangement to see the vault sealed. Prayers were then said in many for­ eign languages and by friends from dis­ tant countries, and the orange and olive leaves brought from the Garden of the Ri<;lvan in Baghdad by Tarazul­ lah Samandari-the only living Hand of the Cause who was privileged to enter the presence of Baha'u'llah­ were placed on the grave, as well as the flowers brought by Leroy loas from the Baha'i Gardens in the Holy Land; these were sufficient for each person present himself to put some on the Guardian's resting-place. Over the tomb, at his feet, like a shield of crim­ son and white, lay the fragrant sheath of blooms which had covered his cas­ ket, and heaped about was a rich car­ pet of exquisite flowers, symbols of the love, the suffering, of so many hearts, and no doubt the silent bearers of vows to make the Spirit of the Guardian happy now, to fulfill his plans, carry on his work, be worthy at last of the The monument above the Guardian's grave in the Great Northern Cemetery. love and inspired, self-sacrificing lead­ ership he gave them for thirty-six years of his life. RUHfYYIH in collaboration with John Ferraby Haifa December 9, 1957

Baha'i News/November 1987 9 Guatemala

A teaching trip to the Peten area

According to information we re­ In my prayers, I asked that the doors ceived, little follow-up work had been My memory is engraved with be opened and the souls that we needed seen in the Peten area for the past two what shall ever be a precious ex­ to contact be found. I did not know that the answer to those prayers would years. This may have prompted a tele­ perience. Let it be placed on rec­ gram from the Hand of the Cause of be so close at hand. God Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum ord that the Peten is an area of Toward the end of the day I began to' concerning the necessity of visiting the enormous spiritual potential; a feel anxious about doing some actual area. great harvest seems to be waiting teaching. Near the Jungle Lodge are a As a pioneer to El Salvador for the only for the appropriate plans of couple of places where one can obtain past two years, I offered my services to food and drink. I went to one and or­ the National Spiritual Assembly of action. dered mineral water, thirsting more Guatemala, an offer that was gracious­ than anything for contact with the ly accepted. The trip was planned dur­ generation. They wait now for an op­ Guatemaltecos. Not having any suc­ ing the Ric}.van period especially for the portunity to rise again and illuminate cess, I began walking back toward the purpose of electing at least one of the all regions, as the Master stated. For bungalow when suddenly a strong de­ Assemblies in the area. David Robin­ this, proper education is needed, and sire to visit the ruins again, this time by son, a Baha'i from the U.S., and his the need to step into the field of action starlight, came over me. Seeing a man son Jesse accompanied me. What fol­ is crucial. One must ponder deeply on walking in that direction with a flash­ lows is a report of that trip with recom­ the high level of civilization once light, I decided to ask if I might accom­ mendations for future follow-up. reached by these people to appreciate pany him. As it turned out, he was one My memory is engraved with what the role they can play in the develop­ of the caretakers, and his name was shall ever be a precious experience. Let ment of the Baha'i World Common­ Augusto Heredia. He looked to be it be placed on record that the Peten is wealth. about my age (32 years) and seemed a an area of enormous spiritual poten­ The journey began Thursday, April very agreeable person. tial; a great harvest seems to be waiting 23. I took a bus from El Salvador to As we walked the old Maya road only for the appropriate plans of ac­ Guatemala in the afternoon, arriving that winds through the jungle, we tion. that evening. After spending the night began to talk. At first we spoke of the In five days we were able only to at the home of the National Spiritual new age and the needs of the times. I evaluate the surface and open some Assembly's secretary, David, Jesse and quickly realized what a great spiritual doors which should lead in the near fu­ I left on a 7 a.m. flight Friday for capacity this man had, and wondered ture to entry by troops. The spiritual Flores. I had brought some extra how a man of such humble origins receptivity of these people, who are money with which to visit the ruins at could have been the recipient of so direct descendants of the Mayas, build­ Tikal to pray and feel inspiration. Lit­ much profound wisdom and knowl­ ers of the most advanced pre-Colom­ tle did I suspect that undreamed-of op­ edge. The form of the Jaguar Temple bian civilization in the Americas, is portunities would begin to open up as a was becoming visible under the dim staggering. They are waiting with great result of what seemingly was a devia­ light of the stars when he began to hunger for the Message of God. tion from our intended route. disclose his secret to me. The memory of the former glory of Tikal is an extraordinary sight to We climbed a steep incline to the top what appears to have been a great spir­ behold, even in ruins. Its ancient "sky­ of the pyramid where the temple rises itual as well as material civilization has scrapers" tower above the jungle floor, above the jungle ceiling, then sat en­ not faded from their minds. Some of giving one an impression of beauty, tranced by the pure magic of the the ancient knowledge and prophecies majesty and grace. The city, which precious moments we were experienc­ have been handed down to the present contains more than 3,000 structures, ing. Augusto told me about the history This account of a teaching trip to the was built on a platform 30 feet above of the city and of Chak Mui, the rep­ Peten area of Guatemala in April 1987 the jungle floor. We headed on foot resentative of the Godhead among the was written by Andrew DiMauro, a for the main plaza, which has been re­ Mayas, chief spiritual leader of his race Bah

10 November 1987/Baha'i News when the Spaniards came and tried to destroy all remnants of the old faith, certain priests had hidden some of the old books or codices. The secrets of the faith were then passed down from gen­ eration to generation to the present one. Augusto had been given one of the books by his grandfather, who was 115 years old. He was waiting with this great treasure of spiritual and cultural heritage and had recently decided that the time had come to bring it forward. I told him the story of Baha'u'llah Who had come to inaugurate the new Day and bring about the revival of all good things. This pure soul accepted the Message immediately and without question, and began to make plans about how to carry it to his people. He began teaching the Faith the next morning, and had two interested seek­ ers for us to speak to that day. He told me of his desire to donate land for a Baha'i Center in his home town. There, he said, hundreds of souls are Villages such as this one are typical of of Guatemala described in this article waiting to hear the Baha'i Message, those in the spiritually rich Peten area by Bah

Baha'i News/November 1987 11 Haiti

Rural development at the Zunuzi School

, , 1,500, 000 Hai"ti N I~ I ¥ I 1$ I '1Q t kilomtfers s •Pilimi

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The Anfs Zumizf Bahd'l School is 13 kilometers (about eight hd '{s who have approached the project for help in obtaining miles) north of Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince in a school lunches. In February 1987 the Zumizf Project re­ semi-rural/semi-residential area called Lilavois. It helps ceived JO pigs: nine females and one male, from the Depart­ three smaller Bahd'l schools with teaching materials, curric­ ment ofAgriculture, as part of its pig distribution program. ulum development, administration and teacher training. Since 1983, when the rains stopped coming regularly, fewer These schools are in Liancourt (two hours north), Pont and fewer people in the area have been able to depend on Benoit (two and one-half hours north), and Pitimi (six crops. The importance of animal-raising has increased pro­ hours north). The Rural Development Project which works portionally, but pigs have been unavailable due to their out of the Zumizf School has mini-cooperatives, pigs, pre­ eradication during a swine fever epidemic. It was only be­ school centers and health activities within a five-hour radius cause of the excellent organization of local residents by the around the school. It is also involved in projects in Lian­ Ams Zumizf Development Project into mini-cooperatives court and the Cayes area. In and around Cayes, six local that the Department of Agriculture decided to provide 10 Spiritual Assemblies banded together to build a piggery. pigs, and their arrival in February was a cause for great re­ One Assembly hopes to start a school of its own. In the joicing. north, Guinaudee has a pre-school center run by local Ba-

12 November 1987/Baha'i News Macau

Escola das Nacoes gains momentum

The Escola das Nacoes (School of the Nations) project in Macau is pro­ In perhaps the most far-reaching outcome of the workshop, it was gressing at an accelerated pace, largely decided that the curriculum should be presented in a bilingual for­ as a result of a Curriculum Develop­ mat, with English and Cantonese to be given equal emphasis in a ment Workshop held the weekend of September 25-27. Educators drawn 'dual stream' linguistic approach. from the Baha'i community of Macau were joined by Baha'is from Hong school, and as such the Baha'i Faith Corey, is expected to arrive from the Kong in an effort to develop general (that is, the Covenant, history, Central U.S. in December. The most immedi­ guidelines for the formulation of a Figures, Administrative Order, and so ate need is to find qualified native Can­ suitable kindergarten curriculum. forth) will not be included in the cur­ tonese-speaking teachers who have In perhaps the most far-reaching riculum. The school is a socio-eco­ teaching credentials or who would be outcome of the workshop, it was de­ nomic development project initiated as willing to undertake a teacher-training cided that the curriculum should be a private venture by individual Baha'is program. presented in a bilingual format, with in consultation with Baha'i administra­ Any interested native Cantonese English and Cantonese to be given tive institutions and Baha'i experts in speakers are asked · to contact the equal emphasis in a "dual-stream" lin­ educational development. According­ school as soon as possible to discuss guistic approach. Each class is to have ly, Baha'i principles (such as the need employment possibilities. Inquiries and two qualified teachers, one English­ to abandon all forms of prejudice, the requests for further information may speaking and the other Cantonese; the equality of men and women, the one­ be directed to Donald W. Tennant, children will therefore be exposed to ness of mankind) will be incorporated Project Coordinator, Escola das Na­ both languages, from consistently sep­ into the curriculum as the fundamental coes, P.O. Box 81, Macau. arate sources, during the course of basis of the teaching philosophy. their daily routine. In a quite recent development, the Given the universally recognized im­ physical facility itself has been ac­ United States portance of developing fluency in the quired, as a representative of the Ronna Santoscoy, a Baha'i from national language of China, however, school signed a contract on September Mandarin will be introduced into the Kansas who is an Auxiliary Board 30 for the purchase of the entire first member, was invited last May to meet curriculum (as a third language rather floor of the "Seng Va" building adja­ than as a medium of instruction), pos­ with one of the top aides to the new cent to the President Hotel. The fa­ governor of Kansas, Mike Haden. sibly at the Primary One level. The cility is modern, spacious and in excel­ focus on Mandarin will increase grad­ The aide, Jose de la Torre, asked lent condition, and it is expected that that the Baha'is make an official pre­ ually through the primary and secon­ the necessary renovations will be rela­ dary years, and it is expected that the sentation of ''The Promise of World tively minor. The coordinators are Peace'' to the governor, saying that the students will be totally bilingual in therefore confidently pursuing their English and Mandarin upon comple­ statement would then be publicly dis­ plan to open the school in January played in the capitol rotunda. tion of their secondary education. 1988 as a pre-school and kindergarten The curriculum will also be multi­ for three- to five-year-olds. He asked for Baha'i collaboration cultural in its approach, and will con­ The most pressing concern at this with the Boards of Education in the centrate on the development of a point is the recruitment of trained, state to provide input for local pro­ "world citizen" awareness in the child­ qualified teachers and staff. At pres­ grams dealing with racial problems in ren. In this context, it should be under­ ent, two individuals are employed by schools, and asked them to help train stood that the school is not a Baha'i the school: Donald Tennant, a pioneer local law enforcement officers in deal­ from the U.S. who is serving as its ad­ ing with racial issues. This article about the Esco/a das Na­ ministrator, and Susan Pottier, a pio­ coes (School of the Nations) in Macau neer from Canada who has been hired appeared in a recent issue of the Hong as the first teacher. A second qualified Kong Bahd'l Newsletter. English-speaking teacher, Samantha

Baha'i News/November 1987 13 The world

Reception honors Counsellor Benson

A reception in honor of Counsellor members a successful year of service. In his address, Counsellor Benson Richard Benson was held May 3 during He reaffirmed his belief in religious thanked the president for his warm the National Baha'i Convention in liberty for Kiribati, saying that the uni­ response to the Baha'i Peace Con­ Bikenibeu, Tarawa. ty which is already established there ference held recently in Kiribati, and Among the invited guests were the must be maintained. for his part in protesting the Iranian President of Kiribati, the Hon. leremia Other guests included the ministers government's persecution of Baha'is in Tabai, and Madame Tabai. of education, finance, natural re­ that country. Mr. Tabai congratulated the Baha'i sources and industry; the secretary to The speeches by Counsellor Benson, delegates for their part in electing the the Cabinet; and two ministry secre­ President Tabai, and the chairman of National Assembly, and wished its taries. the National Spiritual Assembly were recorded and broadcast on the radio United States for 15 minutes the following evening. Austria The Baha'i Faith has been "in the news" in Austria during the past year. Two positive radio interviews with Baha'is were broadcast during Rigvan, while last December, Austrian televis­ ion presented a brief report on the ded­ ication of the House of Worship in In­ dia and the semi-official Austrian news agency, APA, produced a photo fea­ ture based on news of the Temple's dedication. That feature was also distributed by the European photo agency, EPA, in Europe and America. In addition, an article dealing with Islam in Der Spiegel (April 27) men­ tions the Faith in a favorable way.

Sri Lanka The Anwer Cadir Project, a cam­ paign to open to the Faith all remain­ On October 9, President Ezra Taft S. Mansen, first presidents of the ing localities in the Kegalla District of Benson (second from right) of the Church and counselors to Mr. Benson. Sri Lanka, is nearing a successful com­ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day During the meeting, which lasted near­ pletion. Saints (Mormon) received a copy of ly half an hour, Mr. Benson gave The project, which began last Jan­ 'The Promise of World Peace' from Judge Nelson a copy of the book The uary, succeeded by May in opening 102 Judge James F. Nelson (second from Mormons. A press conference fol­ localities. Two hundred new believers left), chairman of the U.S. National lowed at which Judge Nelson spoke were enrolled, while 2,500 people were Spiritual Assembly. Also taking part in with a reporter from the Associated contacted with the Baha'i message. the ceremony at the Church's head­ Press and representatives of local radio A reported "army" of Baha'is giv­ quarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, were and television stations. ing dedicated service to the project Gordon B. Hinkley (left) and Thomas made these significant gains possible.

14 November 1987/Baha'i News Philippines Dr. Minda Pamate takes a skin sample for laboratory analysis by the Depart­ ment of Health during a three-day Ba­ hd '(-sponsored medical clinic spon­ sored last Naw-Ruz by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines at Tapi-Nabiran, Mindoro Oriental. During the clinic, some 300 Mangyan people were treated by two physicians, marking the first time that doctors had ever brought medical aid to the Mang­ yan area.

A Mangyan Baha'i: lnggo Ganjuyan (right-center), explains to a woman in the Mangyan dialect how to take the medicine provided for her during a three-day Bahd '(-sponsored medical clinic held last Naw-Ruz in Tapi­ Nabiran, Mindoro Oriental, the Phil-

Baha'i News/November 1987 15 India

Pictured are Bahd'fs and their guests at Hazfratu'l-Quds of Jind, Harayana, India. the inauguration May 23 of the local At the invitation of the Indian In­ stitute for Non-Aligned Studies, that country's National Spiritual Assembly appointed two delegates to take part in a symposium on "Peace and Security: Asian Dimension" held April 18 in New Delhi. A paper titled "World Peace is not only possible but inevitable-a Baha'i perspective" was presented to the dis­ tinguished participants, most of whom were academics. The chairman of the afternoon ses­ sion referred to the necessity for work­ ing toward peace by studying the prob­ lem in terms of a new international order, as articulated by the Baha'i Faith. Trinidad/Tobago Banners reading "The Baha'i Faith teaches we are one world family'' were Children from the Thalia Village Ba­ February in various locations in Uttar placed in conspicuous places around hd 'l School in India present a dance Pradesh. More than 1,800 students Trinidad and Tobago during the com­ during the Thalia Bal Mela (Children's from 53 Bahd '[schools took part in the munity's annual Baha'i Week celebra­ Fair), one ofseven such events held last events. tion last March 20-26.

16 November 1987/Baha'i News Malaysia Sikkim The Spiritual Assembly of Petaling J aya, Malaysia, has established a com­ mittee composed of children ages 8-13 years. The committee meets once a month to discuss how to teach, how to tell children's stories of the Faith, how to help the plans of the local Assembly, how to save for giving to the Fund, how to achieve excellence in school, and other helpful topics. The Assembly feels it is thus able to tap into as well as develop the talents of its community members in this age group. • Three hundred-fifty Baha'i from 45 Malaysian communities came to a re­ cent Tamil-speakers' summer school which emphasized study of the goals of the Six Year Plan; the Covenant; the law of Huququ'llah; the station Of women; and other topics. Among those attending the spirited gathering were four Auxiliary Board Students arrive at the Tadong Bah

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