Baha'i News Baha'i Year 139 October 1982
The Mountain Brown experience: Teaching in Papua New Guinea WITH SORROWFUL HEARTS ANNOUNCE EXECUTION ON 11 AUGUST IN URUMIYYIH ACTIVE BAHA'[ ALI NA'IMIYAN AFTER BEING IMPRISONED ONE YEAR. PRESSURES INTENSIFYING AGAINST BELIEVERS IRAN. CALL UPON FRIENDS CONTINUE EFFORTS BEHALF OPPRESSED BRETHREN CRADLE FAITH. UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AUGUST 30, 1982
Baha'i News Baha'i Year 139 No. 619 ISS N 0195-9212 USPS 040-140
The first of five International Conferences is held in Dublin, Ireland ...... 1 Quito, Ecuador, is the site of the second International Conference ...... 3 The Faith is represented at a United Nations seminar in Sri Lanka ...... 6 A memorial service honors conservationist Richard St. Barbe Baker . .... 7 The Senate of Fiji passes a resolution condemning Iran persecutions . ... 8 In Papua New Guinea, an ongoing teaching effort is highly successful .. 10 Around the world: News from Baha'i communities all over the globe . ... 12
Baha'i News is publ ished monthly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the BaM'is of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Baha'i world community. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appea r at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to the Periodicals Office, Baha'i National Center, Wi lmette, IL 60091 , U.S.A. Ch anges of ad dress should be reported to the Office of Membership and Records, Baha'i National Cen ter. Please attach mailing label. Subscription rat es: one year, U.S. $8; two years, U.S. $15. Second class postage paid at Wilmette, IL 60091 . Copyright <> 1982, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ls of the United States. World rights reserved . Printed in the U.S.A. "-'--- ' ··' -. r: 'J C.:-ot::.nds L:.,..,,_....,.~ International Conferences _..__ ~ -;; Pl~ce Return to· P.O. Box67 . Kenna. WA. 98&58 Dublin: Awakening the 'spiritual heart'
The first of the Baha'i International Conferences called for by the Universal House of Justice during the Seven Year Plan was held June 25-27 at the head quarters of the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, Ireland. The conference, attended by 1,854 adults, youth and children, was dedi cated to the memory of Bahfyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, who passed to the AbM Kingdom 50 years ago. The Universal House of Justice was represented by the Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone. Also attending were the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts and eight mem bers of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe. In his welcoming address, the chair man of the host National Spiritual As sembly of the BaM'is of Ireland stress The Hands of the Cause of God H. ed the significance of the conference a three-month period in 1982. The Collis Featherstone (third from left) for a European continent that has Dublin Conference drew an audience and John Robarts (right) and their grown spiritually cold. of nearly 1,900 Bahd'fs from 60 coun wives listen attentively from their front tries. Like the other Conferences, it Mr. Featherstone read a message to row seats in the Royal Dublin Society was dedicated to the memory of Ba the Conference from the Supreme Hall at the first of five Bahd'f Inter h(yyih Khdnum, the Greatest Holy Body in which the urgency of re national Conjerences to be held during Leaf. awakening the spiritual heart of Eu rope was stressed. He then called on the friends to arise to meet that During the second day of the Con His stories underscored the way in spiritual challenge. ference, Mr. Robarts discussed the sig which teachers' efforts and sacrifices Later, following a special tribute to nificance of the Local Spiritual As are richly rewarded. the Greatest Holy Leaf, Mr. Feather sembly, and Counsellor Agnes Ghaz Counsellor Taherzadeh dedicated his stone spoke about the "pattern of Ba navi spoke about Baha'i family life. presentation, "The Onward March of ha'i life," and Counsellor Adib Taher Later that day, Counsellor Betty the Faith," to the martyrs in Iran. He zadeh discussed ''the power of divine Reed presented a pictorial report of the reemphasized the importance of bring assistance.'' present status of Local Spiritual As ing the Faith constantly and unhesi sembly goals in Europe. During the tatingly to the masses in Europe. Special reception evening session, Dr. Taherzadeh in The Conference included a rich mix The Hands of the Cause and Coun vited Baha'is who had been moved to ture of musical entertainment that in sellors met prominent members of Irish consider pioneering to join him on cluded performances by ''The Dawn society during a special reception that stage. Nearly 80 of those present re breakers," a singing group from Aus also was attended by the Australian sponded to help fill some of the re tria, and a special Conference theme ambassador, representatives from sev maining goals in Europe. that was composed in honor of the eral other embassies, a former deputy During the final day of the Con Greatest Holy Leaf by two BaM'is prime minister of Ireland, and a ference Mr. Robarts presented several from Ireland. former special adviser to the cabinet. powerful examples of teaching activity. News coverage of the Conference in-
Baha'i News/October 1982 1 eluded excellent reports on television, radio and in the press. The message from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'i Inter The unprecedented television cover national Conference held June 25-27 in Dublin, Ireland: age was highlighted by a report on the "The world is in travail and its agitation waxeth day by day. Such shall be its main evening news program and a sep plight that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly.'' arate 15-minute feature in a program The shattering blows dealt to the old, divisive system of the planet and the on religion. constantly accelerating decline in civilized life since that dire warning was ut Excellent coverage tered by Baha'u'llah a hundred years ago, have brought mankind to its present The excellent radio coverage in appalling condition. Consideration of how the Baha'is of Europe, confronted cluded reports during four separate by this situation, can meet their responsibilities, spiritually and actively, is the main purpose of this Conference. programs and a broadcast of the first The holding of this Conference in Dublin calls to mind the historic and Irish-language interview on the Faith. heroic services of Ireland in spreading the divine religion through pagan Eu Articles about the Conference ap rope. Europe's response was to develop, through many vicissitudes, the most peared in both the national and Dublin widespread and effective civilization known. That civilization, together with press with two especially well-written all other systems in the world, is now being rolled up, and Europe's plight in reports in The Irish Times, a leading proportion to her former pre-eminence, is desperate indeed. newspaper. By the same token her opportunity is correspondingly great. The challenges The final Conference session was to her resilience, to her deep-seated spiritual vitality, nourished over the cen closed by the two Hands of the Cause turies by the Teachings of Christ-now, alas, neglected and even con and also featured many of the 255 chil demned-can and must call forth a more magnificent response than was ever dren present who filled the stage and made by the divided and contending peoples of olden times. Yours is the task sang some of the songs they had learn to arouse that response. The power of Baha'u'llah is with you and this Day, as ed during their separate children's con attested by the Bab, "is immensely exalted ...above the days of the Apostles ference sessions. of old." In this great Day, Europe is blessed as never before in its history, for the Following the close of the historic Manifestation of God, the Lord of Hosts, spent five years of His exiles within International Conference, the flowers its borders, sending forth from His "remote prison" the first of those chat ~ that had adorned the Conference stage lenging, world-shaking addresses to the kings and rulers, six of whom were Eu were taken by the friends to be placed ropean potentates. There is no authenticated record of a Manifestation of God on the graves of the beloved Guardian, ever before setting foot in Europe. Shoghi Effendi, and the Hand of the You are engaged on a Seven Year Plan and have made devoted and sacri Cause of God George Townshend. ficial efforts to attain its objectives. But its ultimate purpose, as that of all other plans, namely the attracting of the masses of mankind to the all embracing shelter of the Cause of God, still evades us. Particularly in Europe. We have not, as yet, found the secret of setting aglow the hearts of great numbers of Europeans with the divine fire. This must now be your constant preoccupation, the subject of your deliberations at this Conference, the pur pose of your lives, to which you will attain "only if you arise to trample be neath your feet every earthly desire ... " We call upon every Baha'i in Europe to ponder this vital matter in his in most soul, to consider what each may do to attract greater power to his efforts, to radiate more brilliantly and irresistibly the joyous, regenerating power of the Cause, so that the Baha'i community in every country in Europe may stand out as a beacon light repelling the dark shadows of godlessness and moral degradation now threatening to obliterate the last remnants of a dying order. We call upon the Continental Board of Counsellors to consult following this Conference with every National Spiritual Assembly in Europe, and together, launch such a campaign of spiritualization of the Baha'i community, allied with intensified personal teaching, as has never been witnessed in your conti nent. The goals of the Seven Year Plan can all be accomplished as the result of such a program and the European Baha'i community may achieve through it the spiritual force and character to demonstrate to a stricken and declining civilization the peace and joy and order of the long-awaited, Christ-promised Kingdom of God on earth. May the loving spirit and saintly life of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the fiftieth anniversary of whose ascension is commemorated in this Conference, imbue your thoughts and aspirations and resolves with that dedicated, self sacrificing, utter devotion to Baha'u'llah and His Cause which she so greatly exemplified.
2 October 1982/Baha'i News International Conferences
Quito: Riding the 'high tide' of victory
More than 1,300 Baha'is from 42 States and Venezuela. the prefect of Pichincha and second countries gathered August 5-8 in This conference, like the other four highest provincial official, who praised Quito, Ecuador, nestled high in the held this year, was dedicated to the the Baha'is for their work and their towering Andes Mountains, for the Ba memory of Bahiyyih Khanum, the ideals, and extended a warm welcome ha'i International Conference of Latin Greatest Holy Leaf, the 50th anniver to those attending the Conference. · America and the Caribbean. sary of whose ascension was observed The prefect was in turn welcomed by The Hand of the Cause of God Paul throughout the Baha'i world in July. Mr. Haney, Counsellor Raul Pav6n, Haney represented the Universal Among the Conference highlights and Sr. Marcario Guillen, chairman of House of Justice at the Quito Confer were the presentation of the ''Trail of the National Spiritual Assembly of ence, the second of five such gatherings Light" teaching team composed of in Ecuador. to be held during 1982. The first was in digenous Baha'is from Alaska, Canada Following the inauguration cere Dublin, Ireland, and the others in La and the United States, and "Folklorico mony about 300 people including an gos, Nigeria; Montreal, Canada, and Night" during which more than 1,500 estimated 50 non-Baha'i dignitaries at Canberra, Australia. Baha'is and their guests in the au tended a banquet at the Hotel Col6n. Also attending the Conference in ditorium at Colegio Benalcazar en Counsellor Pav6n spoke about the suf Quito were 13 Continental Counsel joyed a program of songs, dances and fering and martyrdom of Baha'is in lors, representatives of 24 of the 29 Na comedy by Baha'i groups from Bo Iran, after which a musical program tional Spiritual Assemblies in Latin livia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecua was presented by Mrs. Julia Stephens America and the Caribbean, and mem dor, Peru, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. from Puerto Rico and Farzad Khosein, bers of 21 Indian tribes from Bolivia, The Conference was opened Thurs a pioneer to Ecuador from Iran. Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, day evening, August 5. The guest At the first full Conference session Ecuador, Panama, Peru, the United speaker was Dr. Patricio Romero B., Friday morning, the message from the Universal House of Justice was read in English and Spanish by Mr. Haney. Sra. Maria Perugachi, a member of the 19Ei2 National Spiritual Assembly of Ecua dor who is an Otavalo Indian, trans lated the message from Spanish into the Quechua language. In his opening address to the Con ference, Mr. Haney, speaking again in English and Spanish, called attention to the message from the House of Jus tice that referred to "the honor which Baha'u'llah has conferred upon the countries of the Americas, and the power of accomplishment which this brings to the inhabitants of those coun tries who accept the Faith and arise to serve it." He said the Supreme Body was referring to the call in the Kitab-i Aqdas addressed to the Presidents of the Republics of the Americas. Speaking of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Mr. Haney said, "Baha'u'llah, in a The Hand of the. Cause of God Paul dience of more than 1,300 at the Baha'i' Tablet addressed to her, declared that Haney, representing the Universal In ternational Conference in Quito, her station was so great, her spirituality House of Justice, addresses the au- Ecuador. so profound, that her prayers would al-
Baha'i News/October 1982 3 ways be accepted at· the Throne of God. Her supplications, Baha'u'llah CONFEHENCIA INTEHNA promised, and her 'intervention' on be half of others 'would never fail to be 1992 answered.' And we may be sure that lDH2 BAHAi her spirit is hovering over this gather ing, and that she is intervening on our DE LATINDAMEHICA Y EL CARlllE behalf before that 'Throne of God.' " That afternoon Counsellor Peter McLaren presented the representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Latin America and the Caribbean, and reported on the status of the goals of the Seven Year Plan, reviewing the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies and new localities thus far achieved by each country. The news was received with hearty applause. Afterward, Counsellor Farzam Ar bab from Cali, Colombia, spoke about pioneering, and Srta. Marfa Perugachi presented a talk on the role of Baha'i women. The evening session consisted of a Above: Members of the Native Amer Conference participants pay their re Unity Feast coordinated by the Spiri ican 'Trail of Light' teaching team are spects at the grave of the Hand of the tual Assembly of Quito at which Mrs. introduced at the Bahd'{ International Cause of God Ra}Jmatu'lldh Muhdjir. Gayle Woolson, a Knight of Baha Conference in Quito, Ecuador. Below: 'u'llah who pioneered for 29 years in Central and South America, recounted some of her experiences as a Baha'i pioneer. Saturday morning's session began with a talk on the Baha'f way of life by Counsellor Donald Witzel. This was followed by a presentation by Auxil iary Board member Sabino Ortega of Bolivia on the development of Local Spiritual Assemblies, and by songs by a group of Baha'is from Bolivia. Sra. Elena de Reed from Chile spoke about the education of children, after which Mr. Haney addressed the Con ference again, this time concerning the Baha'i Funds. Counsellor Mas'ud Khamsi then spoke in Spanish and Persian about the need for sacrifice, after which the friends were given an opportunity to contribute to the Fund. More than $22,000 was contributed in a few mo The Trail of Light project was ini (Makah) from the United States. ments' time. tiated by the Continental Board of Mrs. Profeit, who served as the Also on Saturday, Counsellors Counsellors for the Americas in con team's spokesman, urged the friends to Pav6n and Lauretta King presented the sultation with the three National arise while there is yet time and spread "Camino de! Sol" (Trail of Light) Spiritual Assemblies concerned. Team the light of Baha'u'llah all over the teaching team to the Conference. The members are Walter Austin (Tlingit In world. Afterward, Counsellor Hidaya 'seven-member team of Native Ameri dian), Mrs. Rita Blumenstein (Yupik tu'llah AQ.madfyyih joined the group cans from Alaska, Canada and the Eskimo) and Mrs. Rebecca McKennet on stage and made a fervent call for the United States had been divided into (Tlingit) from Alaska; Rick Belcourt believers to arise to pioneer and teach two groups for a two-month teaching (Metis) and Mrs. Louise Profeit (Tlin the Cause. campaign in the Americas that was git) from Canada; and Chester Kahn The colorful "Folklorico Night" ac completed with its arrival in Quito. (Navajo) and Mrs. Rita Markishtim tivities Saturday evening were video
4 October 1982/Baha'i News taped for later broadcast on television in Quito. To the followers of Bahd'u'lldh gathered at the International Conference in Sunday, August 8-the final day of Quito, Ecuador the Conference-began with a talk Beloved Friends, about the role of youth in the Faith by Enrique (Kiko) Sanchez Jr. of Peru. We hail with joyous hearts and eager anticipation the soldiers of Baha This was followed by presentations of 'u'llah's army of light gathered together in Quito, the capital city of th.e Re Baha'i literature from Argentina and public of Ecuador, to do honour and homage to the blessed memory of Colombia, and by a stirring talk on Bahfyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, the most outstanding heroine of teaching among the Indians by Andres the Baha'i Dispensation, the 50th anniversary of whose ascension was so re Jachacollo, an Auxiliary Board mem cently commemorated throughout the world. ber from Bolivia. Conscious of the beloved Master's plea to promulgate the oneness of man Talks on teaching among the black kind to a spiritually impoverished humanity, inspired by the memory of the people were then given by Sra. Carmen Hand of the Cause Dr. Ralµnatu'llah Muhajir whose mortal remains are in Elisa de Sadeghian, a member of the terred in the soil of Quito, and deriving spiritual stimulus from the Mother Auxiliary Board from Colombia, and Temple for Latin America, the friends are reminded of the galvanizing words Vicente Quiniones, a member of the of our beloved Guardian addressed to " ...the eager, the warm-hearted, the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecua spiritually minded and staunch members of the Latin American Baha'i com dor. munities . . . ": "Let them ponder the honor which the Author of the Revela Mr. Haney was the special guest at a tion Himself has chosen to confer upon their countries, the obligations which luncheon for pioneers from the U.S. that honor automatically brings in its wake, the opportunities it offers, the hosted by the International Goals power it releases for the removal of all obstacles, however formidable, which Committee. Members of the Board of may be encountered in their path, and the promise of guidance it implies ... '' Counsellors also were present at the Praiseworthy indeed are the achievements thus far made by the communities luncheon. of South and Central America and the islands of the Caribbean in the first half Information about the role of radio of the Seven Year Plan. Full advantage should be taken of the current high tide in the Faith was presented on behalf of of proclamation engendered by the crisis in Iran to attract to the Cause of CIRBAL (Centro para Intercambio Baha'u'llah earnest and seeking souls from every stratum of society, thereby Radio Fonico Baha'i de America La enriching the spiritual and material diversity of our communities. tina) by Dean Stephens, Fernando Great effort should be made to utilize more fully the valuable possibilities of Schiantarelli and representatives from radio and television as a means of reaching the vast multitudes whose hearts Radio Baha'i in Ecuador and Peru. and minds offer fertile soil for the planting of the seeds of the Faith. All ele The Universal House of Justice, in its ments of the Baha'i community, particularly the women and youth, should message to the Conference, wrote: arise as one soul to shoulder the responsibilities laid upon them. All out "Great effort should be made to utilize standing goals of the Seven Year Plan should be pursued with enthusiasm and more fully the valuable possibilities of assurance of their accomplishment. radio and television as a means of All National Spiritual Assemblies during the remaining fast-fleeting years of reaching the vast multitudes whose this radiant century, in collaboration with the Institutions of the Faith stand hearts and minds offer fertile soil for ing ready and eager to assist them, must greatly reinforce the foundations of the planting of the seeds of the maturing National and Local Spiritual Assemblies to enable them to cope suc Faith ... " cessfully with the multifarious and challenging problems that will confront Near the close of the Conference the them. friends listened tearfully as Mrs. Mary At a moment in Baha'i history when the persecuted, beleaguered friends in Kuchekzadeh of Ecuador described the the Cradle of the Faith heroically continue to face the trials ordained for them situation of the martyrs in Iran and in in the Major Plan of God, meeting martyrdom, as need be, with joyous accep troduced a film in which relatives of tance, it behooves the friends throughout the Baha'i world to endeavor by some of the martyrs were interviewed their own greatly increased acts of self-abnegation to make fruitful the by Sr. Schiantarelli. spiritual energies released by the sacrifices of their stricken brethren. After a further call to the believers May you all immerse yourselves in the spirit of the saintly life of the Greatest by Mrs. Raquel Constante, a represen Holy Leaf whose self-sacrificing devotion to her beloved Father's Cause is a tative of the Pioneer Committee of the worthy example for every believer to emulate. Americas, to arise to pioneer and travel The Universal House of Justice teach, the Conference was closed with a final farewell from the Hand of the Cause of God Paul Haney. Many of nine buses carrying 360 Baha'fs left the Among those present were Mrs. Mu the friends stayed for a goodbye party, National Center in Quito to visit the Mjir and her daughter, Gisu. while the Iranian believers attended a grave of the beloved Hand of the The following day ~earns of Baha'fs meeting in the Farsi language with Mr. Cause of God Ralµnatu'llah Muhajir spread throughout Ecuador on teach Haney and the Farsi-speaking Counsel in Quito and the studios of Radio Ba ing projects, the results of which are lors. ha'i and the Amatu'l-Baha Rul}iyyih still being received by the National On Monday, August 9, a caravan of Khanum Teaching Institute in Otavalo. Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador.
Baha'i News/October 1982 5 Sri Lanka
Faith supports UN human rights seminar
The Baha'i International Commu nity was among 22 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) represented June 21-July 2 at a United Nations Seminar in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on National, Local and Regional Arrange ments for the Promotion and Protec tion of Human Rights in the Asian Re gion. More than 100 people were present at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute for the opening of the first UN seminar of its kind ever held in Sri Lanka or the South Asian region. The gathering was declared open by His Excellency President J. R. Jayewar dene of Sri Lanka who proclaimed the vital importance of promulgating and protecting human rights as a part of the developmental process of true civi lization. While participants in the seminar failed to reach a consensus on the es tablishment of a Human Rights Center for Asia, it was agreed to pursue that goal in future UN seminars. The representative of the Baha'f In ternational Community, Jamshed K. Fozdar of Sri Lanka, addressed the seminar on the universal aspects of human rights and the fundamental His Excellency President J.R. Jaye Nations Division of Human Rights and contribution that the Teachings of wardene of Sri Lanka (center), accom representing the UN Secretary-Gen Baha'u'llah make to this fundamental panied by his brother, H. W. Jayewar eral, arrive to declare open the UN imperative of our age. dene (left), chairman of the Sri Lanka Seminar on Human Rights held June Mr. Fozdar's address was the only 21-July 2 in Colombo. one to be printed in its entirety in the Foundation, and K.F. Nyamcke of Daily News, the largest newspaper in Uganda, acting director of the United Sri Lanka. '' ... while fully adhering to their Faith's injunctions concerning loyalty to government and abstention from partisan political activity," said Mr. Fozdar, "the Baha'is labor assiduously for the establishment of human rights, which, in our view, can only be ensured for all when the race of man becomes, in the words of Baha'u'llah, as one family and the planet a single home."
6 October 1982/Baha'i News United Kingdom Richard St. Barbe Baker: 1889-1982
A celebration of the life and work of Richard St. Barbe Baker, a Baha'i who was the founder of ''The Men of the Trees," a society dedicated to the planting and protection of trees, was The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Bessborough, celebration of Mr. Baker's life and held July 14 at St. John's Smith representing the Prince of Wales, pays work held July 14 at St. John's Smith Square, London. tribute to Richard St. Barbe Baker, a Square, London. Mr. Baker, 92, died Mr. Baker died June 9 in Saskatoon, Bahti'{ who founded 'The Men of the June 9 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada, during his sec Trees' conservation society, during a Canada during a world tour. ond world tour of 1982. He was 92 years old. rence of dust bowls. forest conservator. More than 320 people attended the The society that he founded grew so From his early efforts to induce the memorial celebration including official rapidly that by 1929 Mr. Baker had re Kenyans to halt the insidious advance representatives of the governments of signed from the forestry service and of the Sahara grew his determination Australia, India, Kenya, New Zealand was devoting himself entirely to its to devote his life to persuading people and the People's Republic of China. aims. and their governments of the absolute His Royal Highness the Prince of As its numbers increased so did its necessity for tree cover if man. was to Wales, patron of The Men of the influence, and over the years it was re survive on this planet. Trees, was represented by the Rt. Hon. sponsible for saving countless trees From 1929 onward he traveled all the Earl of Bessborough, D.L. It mark from needless destruction, and for the over the world in pursuit of this task, ed the first time that Britain's royal planting of vast numbers of replace writing innumerable articles, pamph family had sent a representative to a ments when felling was necessary. lets and scientific papers; lecturing to Baha'i gathering. Mr. Baker's greatest ambition, the any available audience, and interview Also attending were representatives reclamation of the Sahara desert, had ing ministers and heads of state. from most major environmental only lately begun to show results. He also published many books in groups in England and the president of In his lifetime the achievements were cluding an account of his epic journey the Global Forest Fund whose head relatively small but the way ahead was across the Sahara and a history of the quarters is in the Netherlands. charted and he was able to see, for ex famous redwood trees of California. Messages of sympathy were received ample at Bon Saada in Algeria, the Mr. Baker became a Baha'i in 1922 from Prime Ministers Gandhi of India proof that this mammoth task was pos and was active in the Faith at con and Muldoon of New Zealand. sible. ferences around the world. Following the formal ceremony a re Mr. Baker, born in 1889 near South He served as special adviser to the ception was held for about 110 of the ampton, England, was graduated in Baha'i delegation at the UN conference guests at the Baha'i Center in London. 1911 from Saskatchewan University. in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1976 and also at Mr. Baker, who was awarded the He was reading Divinity at Cambridge tended other UN conferences on behalf Order of the British Empire for his University when World War I broke of the Faith. work in conservation, started The Men out. He was made an honorary LL.D. of of the Trees in Kenya in 1922 while he An accomplished horseman, he join the University of Saskatchewan in 1971 was serving as a young forestry officer. ed King Edward's Horse as a trooper and was awarded the OBE in 1978. He persuaded local tribesmen that and was later commissioned. In his memory, the Richard St. the replacement of trees that were be He served in France until 1918 when Barbe Baker Foundation has been es ing felled for agricultural clearings, for he was seriously wounded for the sec tablished in Saskatchewan to help fuel, and for timber was vital to their ond time. He returned to Cambridge to carry on his work. future survival. take a diploma in forestry, financing For information, write to the St. He already had reached the conclu himself by building caravans from sur Barbe Baker Foundation, 417 Cumber sion, now widely accepted, that it was plus RAF materials. land Avenue South, Saskatoon, Sas the removal of tree cover that created In 1920 Mr. Baker was sent to Kenya katchewan S7H 2L3, Canada, or deserts and contributed to the occur- by the Colonial Office as an assistant phone 416-924-2014.
Baha'i News/October 1982 7 Fiji
Senate condemns persecutions in Iran
Hon. Senator Ratu Vakalala problems. I was told, "Let the Baha'is Those failing to recant their faith may bure-Mr. President, Sir, I beg to suffer in distant Iran. Why bother suffer greatly . . . move: about Gen. Pinochet, Mururoa, New Hon. Senator Barrett-Mr. Vice That this House expresses its grave Caledonia, apartheid and many other President, Sir, I commend the hon concern at the continuous persecutions problems?" My answer, of course, Sir, ourable Senator Vakalalabure for of members of the Bah 8 October 1982/Baha'i News Mr. Vice-President, Sir, Fiji sub President, Sir, I rise to support this port to the motion. Even if we ask the scribes to the 1948 Universal Declara motion that has been brought before United Nations again ... tion of Human Rights and Fiji is a par this House in all sincerity by one of the Mr. President-Order! I am sorry to ty to and a strong and constant sup Members who has a heart to match his interrupt the honourable Senator, but I porter of the international convention friend ... have already transgressed the extent by on the elimination of all forms of racial The fundamental principles that about a minute and a half. I thought discrimination. have established this Baha'i faith are you might have been finishing off on Mr. Vice-President, Sir, in view of indeed noble and would go well in any the dot at 4:30. I have no alternative our abiding commitment to the prin society and are models for us to follow. but to adjourn the House until to ciples enshrined in these documents, I have a real concern, Mr. Vice-Presi morrow morning. Fiji has opposed flagrant violations of dent, that any direct appeal to the pres human rights wherever they occur, be ent Iranian Government may bring Wednesday, March 17, 1982 it on the question of apartheid in South about even more suffering by these Resumption of debate on the persecu Africa, the racial discrimination there persecuted people and I trust that the tion of the Bahd'f Faith in Iran or the imposition of martial law in Po efforts made by the mover and the land or the persecution of members of other Members will lead to the end of Hon. Senator Ratu Vakalala the Baha'i faith in Iran. such suffering in persecution by the bure- ... Mr. President, Sir, while Concerning the persecution of the members of the Baha'i faith, not only listening, I have seen that I need only members of the Baha'i faith in Iran, in Iran but in any other country where to press two points. The human rights one of the most distressing and sad as they or any like them are suffering of the religious minority in Iran, Sir, pects is the violation of the rights of a similar persecutions . . . are being violated through conscious people to hold a religious belief. On Government policies. I understand, this, Mr. Vice-President, Sir, the grave Mr. Vice-President, Sir, I feel that Sir, that there are policies by the Gov concern of the Fiji Government was ex only good can come from this motion, ernment of the day in Iran which pressed at the last session of the United and I sincerely hope that it has the de threaten the lives of this minority Nations General Assembly where it sired effect upon the authorities who group. If this issue is aired only in this was stated, and I quote: are perpetuating this kind of treatment House, the Senate of Fiji, we would against innocent people. I also hope, have no proof, but Parliaments the "In certain parts of the world we are Mr. Vice-President, that it prompts us world over, Sir, have aired this; even witnessing situations where in the name in this country to take a look at some the United Nations aired it. of national unity or simply because of of the principles of the Baha'i faith and the prejudice of those in power, the hu the principles that we have subscribed You can lie to people some of the man rights of the followers of minority to in the Universal Declaration of Hu time but not all the time. Young school religious groups have been mercilessly man Rights. girls, Sir, are being kidnapped by their suppressed and flagrantly violated. Hon. Senator Mal-... In fairness, religion teachers and are not allowed to Members of such minority religious Sir, as in any democratic country, peo contact their parents or relatives. Just groups face the very real threat of com ple have the right of freedom of speech thinking about it really touches me, es plete annihilation simply because their and religion. Where there is no democ pecially as a father-for my child to be religious beliefs do not conjorm to racy, people are not even allowed to taken away from me and never to be those of their Government. " say the right things at the right time. I seen again, Sir ... But here, we do not Fiji supported this at the United Na have every sympathy for the Baha'i have only one case, we have many like tions General Assembly just recently. faith, Sir. I do not know what the Gov this. If it cannot be solved through this More recently, Mr. Vice-President, ernment of Fiji is going to do because motion, if it cannot be through the Sir, Fiji voted in favour of a resolution they have not done anything in the past pressure of the United Nations or the concerning the persecution of Baha'is for other countries or other religions governments of the world, surely, Sir, in Iran that was adopted by the United when they have been ill-treated. From God will do His part because we are Nations Commission on Human my personal view, Sir, I have every talking about religion, we are talking Rights ... faith in the Baha'i faith, they are very about people who believe in God. Sure Mr. Vice-President, Sir, although good and they preach good reform ly, God is here with us and listening, the Government of Fiji does not feel methods. and He has heard because we prayed that a direct call from it to the Gov Hon. Senator Ratu Loki-... As a before we started our deliberations. ernment of Iran would be effective in nation which believes in humanity, in God must do something, Sir, and He this heart-breaking situation, I believe unity and peace, I think it is only right can do it in His own way. that the Government of Fiji has amply for us to support any move such as this However, Sir, I think that Fiji's per demonstrated its continuing concern that would bring about peace, love and sistence as a leading country of the about the persecution of the Baha'is in humanity in any country in the world Pacific impels us to speak on the broad Iran and the Government of Fiji will today because we are, in fact, living in issues of human rights that affect the continue to register its feelings in the one world. Anything that would affect entire world community, and for that I strongest possible manner in all inter a part of this world can eventually thank the House. national forums, wherever and when spread and affect this small globe. ever such opportunities arise. Therefore, I feel that this House Question put. Hon. Senator Weaver-Mr. Vice- should stand in unity and show its sup- Motion agreed to. Baha'i News/October 1982 9 Papua New Guinea Going 'out of their way' to teach Cause Traveling Baha'i teachers have been Port Moresby and a two-day walk just Shortly afterward, two members of carrying out successful teaching and to reach the first village. From there, a the National Spiritual Assembly, deepening activities in the remote vil walk of three hours to one full day is David Hall and Silan Nadarajah; Aux lages of Mountain Brown in the Owen required to reach the next village. iliary Board member Noel Bluett, and Stanley Range of Papua New Guinea During the last two years there were Vegua Heina, a member of the Na where there are now eight all-Baha'i few visitors to the area. When a disease tional Teaching Committee who is villages and four other remote villages claimed the lives of 73 villagers, local from a Mountain Brown village, ar with growing Baha'i communities. superstition blamed the Baha'is. rived by helicopter in Sanomu Village. The Faith was introduced in this re When news of the epidemic reached Once there, the traveling teachers ar mote and rugged mountain area in the the National Spiritual Assembly of ranged for a two-day conference that early 1970s by two local Baha'is. The Papua New Guinea, the health authori included the dedication of a new Ba usual means of transportation there re ties were contacted and it was dis ha'i Center that was built by local be quires a four-hour drive by truck from covered that a strain of malaria ac lievers who had to carry each log for tually was responsible for the deaths. the building into the village from the The health agency then ordered that bush. the area be sprayed to eliminate the Members of the local Baha'i com disease. munity had paid for construction of Last year the National Assembly the new Center themselves except for consulted with members of the Con nails, which were paid for through a tinental Board of Counsellors to plan a contribution from the National Assem joint teaching and consolidation cam bly. paign in the Mountain Brown area. More than 80 people attended the David Hall (left), a member of tl}e Na tional Spiritual Assembly of Papua New Guinea, made a four-day walk through the remote Mountain Brown area with his guide, Masina, during a Bahd'fsjrom Sanomu Village in the re ing the dedication ceremony for the vil teaching campaign in which he and mote Mountain Brown area of Papua lage's local lfa~fratu'l-Quds. The three other Bahd'fs visited remote vil New Guinea don traditional costumes Center was built by members of the vil lages in that country. and per!arm on ceremonial drums dur- lage's Baha'i community. 10 October 1982/Baha'i News ,i ~ ~ ')_( -• Villagers in the Mountain Brown area of Papua New Guinea are joined in a ,; , '. >~ ' . ~~ ~ - traditional dance by Si/an Nadarajah ' \ ,' • (center, wearing glasses), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Papua New Guinea. two-day deepening conference. In formation of a new Local Spiritual As had taken place during their visit to the cluded were presentations on the Cove sembly and the 20 declarations that Mountain Brown villages. nant and administration, the relation ship between the Counsellors and As semblies, and an update on the current situation in Iran. Following the conference, the visit ing Baha'is remained in the Mountain Brown area for four days to visit the viliages of Homenomu, Ununomu, Eia, Manunomu, Himai-a, Kunaia and Maroromu, each of which is on the slope of a mountain. As the friends approached each vil lage they were greeted by decorative ar ches, children singing, and the happy faces of the local Baha'is. Deepening conferences were held in each village. As a follow-up to this contact with the Mountain Brown villagers, three Baha'i youth from Australia-Jalal Mills, Gordon Stannling and Hamed Badian-spent four weeks visiting the Baha'i communities in that area. They spent two to three days in each village holding deepening classes, chil dren's classes and firesides. From each village the youth were escorted to the next village by local Baha'is who car ried their belongings for them. These three Bahd'l youth from Aus Papua New Guinea. They are (left to The three young Baha'is returned ex tralia spent four weeks conducting fire right) Ja/a/ Mills, Gordon Stanning, hausted from their four weeks in rug sides and deepenings in the remote vil Hamed Badian. ged mountain terrain but elated by the lages of the Mountain Brown area of Baha'i News/October 1982 11 The world Japan has a brand new National Center Japan has a new national I:Ia~iratu'l individual Baha'i. sion, a brocade that was presented to Quds in Tokyo on the same site on This in turn allowed the National the Baha'is of Japan by the Guardian which the original National Center Assembly to build the new J:Ia+fratu'l in 1954. once stood. Quds and to purchase a Baha'i Center The brocade, which once rested in The new three-story building re for the Baha'i community of Osaka. the Shrine of Baha'u'llah, was pre places a small Japanese-style house The new national J:Ia+iratu'l-Quds sented by Shoghi Effendi with instruc that served as Japan's J:Ia+iratu'l-Quds contains the Japanese Baha'i commu tions that it be displayed in tht;: national from 1954 until last year. nity's most precious archival posses- J:Ia~ratu'l-Quds. The new building has ample room for large or small meetings, committee Ghana rooms, a large national office, and a National Archives room. The beloved Guardian, Shoghi Ef fendi, contributed half the purchase price of the original J:Ia+iratu'l-Quds in 1954, and a Persian pioneer to Japan, Noureddin Mumtazi, contributed the rest. The great appreciation of land values in Japan recently allowed the National Spiritual Assembly to sell for a considerable profit a piece of prop erty in Osaka that was donated by an A teaching campaign that was held in Adof oli Michael, the first Bahci '{in Af August and September 1981 in the Af ram Plains; R. Das Bornoh, a pioneer ram Plains area of northeastern Ghana from Malaysia; Gladys Larbi; Edward led to the formation of 44 Local Spiri Larbi; Azita Ghaneh, a Bahci'f from tual Assemblies, the opening ofsix new Qatar; Eleanor O'Callahan, a pioneer localities to the Faith in three ad from Ireland; Owusu Akyeaw; and ministrative regions of the country, (kneeling) Suleiman Arouna, a Bahci'f and the enrollment of 1,087 new be from Nigeria, and an unidentified lievers. Shown here are members of the member of the teaching team. teaching team (standing left to right) 12 October 1982/Baha'i News South and West Africa Shown with members of the National second pioneer institute May 29-30. consultation that there are at least 18 Spiritual Assembly of South and West Also present were Counsellor Bahiyyih more places in the region that need ei Africa are 62 homefront and overseas Winckler and members of the A uxil ther homefront or overseas pioneers. pioneers who attended the country's iary Board. It was determined during Denmark Thirty-seven Danish Baha'i women and their non-Baha'i guests attended a Baha'i women's conference May 29-31 in northern Zealand, Denmark. It was the first time in the history of the Faith in Denmark that Baha'i and non-Baha'i women had met to discuss their role in the Faith. The conference, whose theme was "The Rights, Privileges and Obliga tions of Women in the Baha'i Commu nity," focused on four presentations on Tahirih, the Greatest Holy Leaf, women's role in the family and com munity, and equality in the Baha'i world. Mashid Patio, a representative of the Shown in this group photo are the 37 sored by the National Spiritual As Baha'i International Community in Baha'i' women and their guests who at sembly of Denmark and had as its Europe, was a special guest at the con tended a Bahd'{ Women's Conference theme 'The Rights, Privileges and Ob ference, which was sponsored by the last May 29-31 in northern Zealand, ligations of Women in the Bahd'{Com National Spiritual Assembly of Den Denmark. The conference was span- munity.' mark. Among the subjects for consultation Suriname was the letter of February 1981 from the Universal House of Justice on the Mrs. Meherangiz Munsiff, a travel The meeting was reported the fol roles of husband and wife in the Baha'i ing teacher from the United Kingdom, lowing day in a local newspaper with a family. accompanied by a local Baha'i, paid a photo showing the two Baha'i women courtesy call July 30 on Ramdat Mis with the President Misier's wife. Some of the participants said they ier, the president of Suriname. hadn't participated in a Baha'i gather ing as wonderful as this for many President Misier said he knows years. something of the Faith and expressed his concern over the persecution of Ba Some of them asked the National ha'is in Iran. Spiritual Assembly to arrange more such meetings to strengthen women During an hour-long visit with the and to encourage them to perform even president's wife, Mrs. Munsiff pre greater acts of service to the Cause. sented her with a Baha'i book. Baha'i News/October 1982 13 Hawaii Shown here are delegates and guests at the Bahci'( National Convention of Ha- waii, held April 23-25 in Honolulu. Lawrence Kelley, a Bahd'l from Ka- communities of Oahu. The presenta neohe, Hawaii, presents a copy of the tion was a part of 'Baha'i' Week' ac book A Cry from the Heart by the tivities on Oahu that marked the 80th About 200 people including Hawaii's Hand of the Cause of God William anniversary of the establishment of the Lieutenant Governor, Jean King, at·· Sears to Eileen Anderson, the mayor of Faith in Hawaii. tended the Bahd'l marriage July 4 in Honolulu, on behalf of the Bahci'l Koolaupoko of Frederick Wood and Samieh Labib, who are both members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands. The receptioTJ reflected the oneness of humanity with many ethnic groups participating in the ceremony. 14 October 1982/Baha'i News Australia Members of the National Spiritual ing of the importance of the two Na '' . . . the emergence of such an as Assembly of Australia met last May tional Assemblies in the region as out sembly may be said to have, at long 28-30 with Auxiliary Board member lined by the Guardian. last, established a spiritual axis, ex Kimiko Schwerin, representing the Na At the meeting, plans were made to tending from the Antipodes to the tional Spiritual Assembly of Japan, for produce a pamphlet about the spiritual northern islands of the Pacific what may prove to be the beginning of axis in English and Japanese for dis Ocean-an axis whose northern and the development of the ''spiritual axis'' tribution at the Canberra Conference. southern poles will act as powerful between Japan and Australia spoken magnets, endowed with exceptional It was decided that the pamphlet would of by the beloved Guardian, Shoghi be designed by the National Spiritual spiritual potency ... " Effendi. Assembly of Japan and produced in In a letter to the new National Spiri The historic meeting at the national that country, with both countries to tual Assembly of North East Asia, the I:Ia~ratu'l-Quds in Sydney was called finance its publication. Guardian referred to the new "spiri in response to a message from the Uni tual equilibrium" as a " ... momen versal House of Justice. In 1957, the Guardian referred to the tous development paving the way for The Supreme Body urged that such a "spiritual axis" in a letter to the Na the eventual introduction of the Faith meeting be held to plan for a presenta tional Spiritual Assembly of Australia into the far-flung Chinese mainland tion on the spiritual axis at the In describing the election of the new Na and, beyond it, to the extensive terri ternational Conference in Canberra tional Spiritual Assembly of North tories of Soviet Russia ... " and to promote a greater understand- East Asia with its seat in Tokyo: Benin More than 250 Baha'is and their guests attended the dedication January 24 of the Regional J:la~fratu'l - Quds of Zou province in Abomey, Benin, thus helping to fulfill that country's goal of establishing two more regional Baha'i Centers during the second phase of the Seven Year Plan. Among those who attended the dedi cation of the Center, named in honor of the Hand of the Cause of God Ral) matu'llah Muhajir, were Counsellor Thelma Khelghati, seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Benin, and Auxiliary Board member Frederic Hodonou. Local officials sent delegations to the dedication program, and the titular head of the royal families of the Fon people made a special visit during which he declared his interest in the Auxiliary Board member Frederic Ho man of the National Spiritual Assem Faith and his support of the Baha'i donou cuts a ribbon during the dedi bly of Benin and chairman of the Spiri teachings. cation ceremony January 24 of the tual Assembly of Abomey; representa More than 60 of those who attended "Centre Muhcijir," the Regional lfa~ tives of Spiritual Assemblies in Zou the ceremony had traveled with their (ratu 'l-Quds in Abomey, Benin. Look province, the National Teaching Com chief in a truck from their remote vil ing on are Frederic Mehou (standing mittee, and Bahci'( youth. lage in Mono province. During the pro next to Mr. Hodonou), the vice-chair- gram they sang songs about the Faith, accompanied by traditional drum The program, planned by the Natio music and dancing. Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Benin and Auxiliary nal Teaching Committee, included Weeks of preliminary activity for the Board member Frederic Hodonou were classes on goals of the Seven Year proclamation effort included distribu among the more than 60 people from Plan, a special session on the perse tion of 175 invitations to provincial, five of that country's six provinces who cution of the Faith in Iran, and a play district and local authorities, local participated last December 19-21 in the about teaching the Faith that was pre secondary school directors, and Baha'i Harmattan summer school, held at the sented by the youth. communities throughout the country. National J:la~fratu'l-Quds in Cotonou. Baha'i News/October 1982 15 El Salvador Three hundred invitations were sent to prominent citizens and the media in El Salvador for a proclamation meet ing July 9 at the Salvadorean Cultural Center. The two reporters who attended were given press releases and photos about the recent persecution of Baha'fs in Iran. The well-attended event featured presentations on the history of the Faith and the present persecutions in cluding slides of damaged or destroyed Baha'i properties in Iran as well as views of the Shrine of the Bab. Several Baha'i youth read prayers during the program, and ·afterward, Meherangiz Munsiff (left), a traveling visit to Trinidad and Tobago. Articles guests talked informally with Baha'fs about her visit appeared in the Trini teacher from the United Kingdom, ad during an hour-long social period. dresses Bah 16 October 1982/Baha'I 'lqws Zimbabwe Shown here are delegates and guests at tional lfa~fratu'l-Quds in Harare. The tion by Auxiliary Board member !raj the Bahd'f National Convention in Continental Board of Counsellors for Yazdani. Zimbabwe, held last April at the na- Africa was represented at the Conven- India PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT 138 BAHAi ERA (JUNE1982) PANCHGANL More than 200 Baha'fs from nine countries and from nine states in India A plaque (left photo) identifies the new pants included Counsellor Burhdni'd participated June 26-27 in an inaugural Bahd'( Youth Academy at Katanga Dfn Afshzn and representatives of the conference that marked the opening of Hills in Panchgani, India. More than National Spiritual Assembly of India, the Baha'i Youth Academy in Panch 200 Bahd'fs were present at a two-day the Auxiliary Board, and the National gani, Maharashtra State, India. conference June 26-27 that marked the Youth Committee. The establishment of the academy establishment of the academy. Partici- fulfills a long-cherished desire of the Universal House of Justice, the Con tinental Board of Counsellors and the emy's permanent base at Kanga Hills physical and recreational needs National Spiritual Assembly of India. was set in place in memory of the re through special evening programs. Among the participants was Coun cent Baha'i martyrs in Iran. The academy began its operation sellor Burhani'd-Din Afshin; one A variety of teaching methods has with a six-week study course in English member of the National Spiritual As been adopted for the academy's six sembly of India; three Auxiliary Board for 35 young Baha'fs and another six hours of daily classroom instruction week course in Farsi. members; and three members of the with emphasis on approaches that ac National Youth Committee of India. tively involve the students. The academy's second six-week The foundation stone for the acad- The academy provides for students' course was to begin in October. Baha'i News/October 1982 17 The life story of the first black Hand ofthe Cause of God Louis G. Gregory and the Advancement ''At the heart of the most challe ngin g issue for the American Baha' i community- of Racial Unity the problem of obliterating racial prej udice-stands Louis George Gregory. " TO MOVE in Ainerica So begins Gayle Morrison' s biography of Louis Gregory, son of a Georgia slave who became a Hand of the Cause of God . But To Move the World is more than a biog THE WORLD raphy. It brings into sharp focus a nm .. b ~ r of strands: the life of Louis Gregory, the social and rac ial forces at work in the United States during his lifetime ( 1874-195 1), and the I dynamics of the Baha'i Faith that were shaping, often against the wishes of individual members, a community uneq ui v ocall y committed to the oneness of mankind and the elimination of racial prej udice. Because the threads of hi s life cannot be easil y separated, Louis Gregory's story presents a rich tapestry that in vites deep and thoughtful study. He was a lawyer, one of the " talented tenth"; yet he gave up a promising career to devote his energies full-time to spreading the teachings of the Baha' i Faith. He knew and associated with virtuall y all of the black leaders of his day and many leading whites as well. He was repeatedly elected to national Baha'i office by a predominantly white membership. He was widely known as a lecturer and writeron racial unity and other progressive principles. But whether as writer, lecturer, or admin istrator, Louis G. Gregory stood in the fo re front of every struggle the American Baha' is made to establish rac ial amity. Today, some Gayle Morrison is an educator. business woman, and an hi sto thirty years after his death, ri an. She has published a guide to books on Southeast Asian " noble-minded, golden- hi story. a number of articles on a variety of topics, and has hearted" Louis Gregory served on the Editorial Board of World Order magazine. She still stands as a beacon and a lives with her husband and two chil dren in Hawaii. tower of strength who Cloth edition. Foreword by Glenford E. Mitchell. bequeathed a legacy show xx viii+ 320 pages, notes, index, 28 photographs. ing how it is possible to eliminate racial prejudice Catalog No. 332-072.$16.00* from our li ves and , in so *Valid only in the United States. All others write for doing, to move the world . prices and ordering and shipping instructions. Available in cloth onlyji·om Bahd1 Publishing Trust 415 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091