Baha'i News Baha'i Year 143 No. 669 ISSN 0195·9212 USPS 040·140 'Fearless, deeply loved' Hand of Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem dies. . 2 Mr. Khadem's address to Baha'i Peace Conference in San Francisco. . . 4 The Association for Baha'i Studies holds its 11th annual Conference. . . 8 Communications quarterly profiles the Amoz Gibson Training Centre. . 9 House of Justice comments on betterment of life, path to world unity. . 12 Around the world: News from Baha'i communities all over the globe. . . 14
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Fariburz Sahba (right), chief architect of the Bah Baha'i News/December 1986 1 In Memoriam Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem As the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrullah Khadem often said in re WITH SORROWFUL HEARTS ANNOUNCE PASSING IN counting the words of Shoghi Effendi, DEFATIGABLE FEARLESS DEFENDER FAITH DEEPLY LOVED the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, HAND CAUSE ZIKRULLAH KHADEM. HIS STERLING SERVICES "sorrow and joy embraced" at the Ba TO THE CAUSE, HIS TOTAL CONSECRATION TO TASKS ASSIGN ha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Il ED TO HIM BY BELOVED GUARDIAN, HIS OUTSTANDING EF linois, during a memorial service No FORTS AS MEMBER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY CRADLE vember 15 for Mr. Khadem who passed FAITH, HIS VALUABLE SOUL-UPLIFTING STIMULATION IM away two days earlier in Chicago. PARTED BODY BELIEVERS NORTH AMERICA, PARTICULARLY Foundation Hall overflowed with UNITED STATES BAHA'I COMMUNITY, HIS UNTIRING EN those who had come from nearby and DEAVORS THROUGH HIS TALKS AND WRITINGS IN SAFE distant locales to weep for their loss GUARDING COVENANT AND IN INSTILLING APPRECIATION and to celebrate his life of service and LOVE FOR SHOGHI EFFENDI SHED UNDYING LUSTRE OVER victory. PERIOD HIS ADMIRABLE STEWARDSHIP CAUSE GOD. Mr. Khadem's wife, Javidukht, and OFFERING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HIS RADIANT their five children offered remarks that SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. URGE HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL set a tone of love and appreciation. GATHERINGS HIS NAME AT ALL HOUSES OF WORSHIP AS WELL Their uplifting sentiments were echoed AS IN ALL LOCAL BAHA'I COMMUNITIES. by the Hand of the Cause of God Wil UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE liam Sears and representatives of the NOVEMBER 14, 1986 U.S., Canadian and Alaskan Baha'i communities. with members of the Continental were able to be present at the service to Since the National Spiritual Assem Board of Counsellors in the Americas pay their respects to a man who was as bly was meeting that same weekend and U.S. Auxiliary Board members, all deeply loved for his humility and self effacement as he was greatly admired as a fearless and outspoken champion of the Cause of God. The funeral service for Mr. Khadem, which was held in nearby Skokie, his home for the past several years, took place Saturday morning before the memorial gathering. Mr. Khadem had enjoyed vigorous health until August, when it was found that he had a fatal illness. The illness soon confined him to bed, but he re mained active, dictating letters and talks and sharing inspiring details of Baha'i history distilled from his pre cise, scholarly memory. Unable to attend the Baha'i Interna tional Peace Conference held over the Labor Day weekend in San Francisco, he sent a message to the conference that was read to the friends by Mrs. The Hand of the Cause of God Wit- for Zikrullah Khadem at the Bahd'( Khadem (text is on pages 4-7). liam Sears speaks at a memorial service House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. In October, Mr. Khadem addressed 2 December 1986/Baha'i News Pictured are some of the mourners who loss of the Hand of the Cause of God life of service und victory at a funeral came from far and near to weep for the Zikrullah Khadem and to celebrate his service November 15 in Skokie, Illinois. a letter to the U.S. National Spiritual communications from the Guardian umenting the details of occurrences in Assembly in which he thanked its for distribution to the friends in Iran. every place that was visited by Baha' members "from the bottom of my Other unique services included assist u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-BaM. heart for all the kindnesses that you ing the opening of the doors of pilgrim Mr. Khadem, always precise in writing have shown ... to me over the past 26 age for the Baha'is of Iran, and secur or speaking of details of the Cause, years. ing many artifacts of the Cause such as painstakingly compiled that informa "I am deeply indebted to our be the famous sword of Mulla Husayn. tion. loved Guardian," he wrote, "for hav After the passing of the Guardian, Mr. Khadem's talks were inspira ing sent me to the West to witness the Mr. Khadem volunteered to serve as a tional, suffused with contagious love glorious victories of our beloved Faith. Hand of the Cause in the Wes tern for the Guardian. He was a scholar of As I look back over the years, I can on Hemisphere. He was thus able to fulfill the Old Testament and was learned in ly humbly supplicate: 'O Lord! In the prediction the Guardian had made recent and ancient religious history. crease my astonishment in Thee!' " in 1940 that he would send Mr. Kha Mr. Khadem also wrote books and Mr. Khadem was born into a distin dem "to the West to witness the glori guished Baha'i family in Tehran in articles about the Faith in both English ous victories of our beloved Faith," as and Persian. 1905 . His surname, Khadem (in Eng referred to by Mr. Khadem in his last Professionally, he was associated for lish, "one who serves") was bestowed letter to the National Spiritual many years with the Anglo-Persian Oil upon his father, Mirza Nasrollah, in a Assembly. Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Baha that praised Company as chief interpreter and di his services to the Cause of God. He relocated to the West in 1960 and rector of the Educational Department. Mr. Khadem served from 1949-60 as tirelessly pursued the successful com Later, he became secretary of the Iraqi a member of the National Spiritual As pletion of the Guardian's Ten Year Embassy in Tehran, and meanwhile sembly of the Baha'is of Iran, and was Crusade, which was culminated in the was a successful businessman and en appointed a Hand of the Cause of God election in 1963 of the Universal House trepreneur who was fluent in Persian, by the Guardian in February 1952. of Justice. Arabic, English and French. During the lifetime of the Guardian, Mr. Khadem's many services to the Mr. Khadem's death reduces to eight Mr. Khadem was given many specific Supreme Body, like those to the Guar the number of the living Hands of the assignments to travel throughout the dian, were characterized by instant, Cause of God. world, encourage the friends, promote complete and exact obedience. Besides his wife, Mr. Khadem is sur and protect the Faith, and help carry The House of Justice called upon vived by one brother, one sister, five out the global teaching plans. Mr. Khadem to undertake an extreme children and 14 grandchildren, all of For 17 years, he also received the ly important and delicate mission, doc- whom are Baha'is. Baha'i News/December 1986 3 United States Mr. Khadem's Peace Conference message This is a transcript of an address by which means that "the clouds, wind, the Hand of the Cause of God Zikrul 'We know that, according to moon, sun and heaven are working to lah Khadem to the Bahci'( International Jesus Christ, the Will of God gether in order that man may earn his Peace Conference in San Francisco. will be done on earth as it is in livelihood and not be ignorant, and Mr. Khadem was too ill to attend the mankind may live together in perfect conference, and the message was read heaven . .. . All of nature, ac harmony.'' instead by his wife, Auxiliary Board cording to the Guardian, serves This was the purpose of God for member Javidukht Khadem, on Satur this purpose: to bring mankind man from the very beginning which has day, August 30. together, to call the people to the no beginning; man has always been • looking forward to this Great Day. All Beloved friends, Allah'u' Abha! Kingdom of God.' the prophets have spoken about this With my poor health and my back and have suffered the greatest suffer problem, I don't know whether I'll be House of Justice. I will read a part of it ings to prepare us for this Day, to edu able to attend this conference. If not, I and leave the rest to be studied: cate us and bring about love and unity. have asked my dear wife, who has been "To the Peoples of the World: In the Bible we read the beautiful so kind to me, to read this message on "The Great Peace towards which verse from Isaiah, whom the Guardian my behalf if I am unable to present people of good will throughout the honored as "the greatest of the Israeli myself. I have asked her to convey my centuries have inclined their hearts, of prophets": "For unto us a child is loving greetings to you all at this which seers and poets for countless born, unto us a son is given. And the glorious, historic first International generations have expressed their vi government shall be upon His shoulder Peace Conference. You cannot im sion, and for which from age to age the and His name shall be called 'Wonder agine how close, how very close you all sacred scriptures of mankind have con ful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the are to my heart and how very much I stantly held the promise, is now at long Everlasting Father, the Prince of love you all. My dear friends, although last within the reach of the nations. Peace.' Of the increase of His govern I shall not be able to be with you in per "For the first time in history it is ment and peace there shall be no end, son, you are in my thoughts and pray possible for every one to view the entire upon the Throne of David, and upon ers. May Baha'u'llah continually sur planet, with all its myriad diversified His kingdom to order it, and to estab round you with all His bountiful bless peoples, in one perspective. World lish it with judgment and with justice ings. peace is not only possible, but in from henceforth forever. The zeal of I wish to start my talk with the beau evitable .... " the Lord of Hosts will perform this." tiful quotation that Baha'u'llah con So with this beautiful quotation the In that passage, as well as in all firms in His Writings, "Lord, increase conference started. I feel very happy scriptures, it is promised that "the My astonishment in Thee!" What a that I am a part of it. What else can I Prince of Peace will come" and bring glory to be a part of this historic con add to these beautiful statements, the the whole of mankind into one family. ference, the first Baha'i International Program of Peace for the world? "The Prince of Peace," Jesus Christ in Peace Conference. The very purpose of God, according His second coming, has come to the This conference is convened through to the Sacred Writings, was to create world at the appointed time. Now. the National Spiritual Assembly of the man to know Him and to worship For everything there is a time. The Baha'fs of the United States, the gov Him, which means we must live to whole universe worked for that end. In erning body of the Baha'fs of this gether in great love and harmony. It 1844, the Revelation of the Bab country, under the tutelage of the Su has been predicted that in this universe, brought this message of unity to man preme Body of the Faith, the Universal one day the whole of mankind would kind. The countries and territories of House of Justice. become one family. the world came close together. The In the conference brochure, in the I very much like that beautiful verse first stirrings of His message, through best way possible, they have explained of Persian poetry, which I'll say in the the world's first telegraphic communi the purpose of the conference on the original language, '' Abr o bad o mah o cation, "What hath God wrought?" front page by quoting from the state khorshid o falak dar karand ta toh na made it clear that ''the earth is but one ment on peace from the Universal ni beh kaf ari o beh gheflat nakhori," country and mankind its citizens." 4 December 1986/Baha'I News Baha'u'llah addressed us, "O Peo ple of the World! The tabernacle of the unity of God has been pitched up, and is calling all mankind to this tent." The message of peace began in this Revela tion in 1844 with the declaration of the Exalted Bab. By saying, "In My previ ous Manifestation," when referring to the Bab, Baha'u'llah makes it clear that world peace was the purpose of God from the inception of the Baha'i Dispensation. He educated us and up lifted us in order to prepare us for this great promise of peace. After many years of His Revelation, the time was ripe for Him to give this program to the world. He wrote to the rulers of mankind, exhorted them, and warned them that the only solution to all the problems of the world would be through the unity of mankind which would lay the foundation for the prom ised peace. However, they were deaf to His call. Again, the Universal House of Jus tice sent extracts of these Tablets to all the leaders of the world and told them about the message of peace brought by Baha'u'llah. Still, the world was not ready. Baha'u'llah was so very patient all His life. About two years before He passed on, one of the great orientalists, the well-known Professor Edward Browne, had an interview with Baha' ·u'llah, the only one of its kind by a Westerner. Professor Browne was The Hand of the Cause of God Zikrul lie appearances at the 1986 U.S. Bahd'f granted four successive interviews with lah Khadem makes one of his last pub- Convention in Chicago. Baha'u'llah. In one of them, Baha' u'llah spoke about His message of tion of the human race than on that We know that, according to Jes us peace: which would conduce to the happiness Christ, the Will of God will be done on ''Praise be to God, that thou hast at of mankind ... . These strifes and this earth as it is in heaven. Nothing will tained! . .. Thou hast come to see a bloodshed and discord must cease, and happen without the Will of God. prisoner and an exile .... We desire all men be as one kindred and one fam Therefore, nothing can stop this pro but the good of the world and the hap ily .... Let not a man glory in this, cess. All of nature, according to the piness of the nations; ... That all na that he loves his country; let him rather Guardian, serves this purpose: to bring tions should become one in faith and glory in this, that he loves his mankind together, to call the people to all men as brothers; that the bonds of kind . ... " the Kingdom of God. affection and unity between the sons of The beloved Guardian of the Cause 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Son of Baha' men should be strengthened; that di of Baha'u'llah, the interpreter of His u'llah, made a visit to the West, par versity of religion should cease, and Writings after 'Abdu'l-Baha, said in ticularly the United States. It took Him differences of race be annul his writings that indeed, these inter months 'to complete His travels. In all led ...what harm is there in this? views were ''. . .immortalized by the the churches, synagogues and intellec ...Yet so it shall be: these fruitless Exile's historic declaration that 'these tual centers, He promulgated the mes strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars sage of peace to the world. He gave away, and the Most Great Peace shall shall pass away and the Most Great talks, informed, inspired, and show come .... Do not you in Europe need Peace shall come.' '' This declaration ered His matchless love on all who this also? Is not this that which Christ was a momentous announcement to were blessed to meet Him. foretold? ...Yet do we see your kings the West of God's Plan for Peace. Ed He had a great love for the West, and rulers lavishing their treasures ward Browne was blessed to receive particularly America. Here in Califor more freely on means for the destruc- and record it. nia, He said: "I hope that advocates of Baha'i News/December 1986 5 peace may daily increase ... until the ten in 1944, this "Peace Program according to the Baha'i Writings, "the whole population shall stand for that ... stands out as the boldest and nob source of all good and freed from all beneficent outcome. May the men of lest proposal yet made for the well error.'' This means that God protects, affairs in this democracy uphold the being and security of mankind.'' inspires and guides them in their deci standards of international conciliation, Unknowingly, from the creative sions as a body. then may altruistic aims and thoughts spirit infused into the world by Baha' This body came into being in the radiate from this center toward all u'llah's announcement, everyone and Formative Age of the Faith after the other regions of the earth, and may the everything, all of nature, in fact, is passing of the beloved Shoghi Effendi. glory of this accomplishment forever serving to bring into being the Christ It continued the work that the Guar halo the history of this country. May promised Kingdom of God on earth. dian had started, the strenuous labors the first flag of International Peace be The rays of the Sun of Reality, the that he shouldered alone, the labors upraised in this state.'' (The Promulga Prince of Peace, according to Jesus that consumed all his energy and left tion of Univ.ersal Peace, pp. 376-77) . him without a moment's rest through That was in October 1912, more out his life. than 70 years ago. In 1945, in San 'Baha'u'lhih's message of peace The World Order of Baha'u'llah, Francisco, the Charter of the United has now spread to every land, to that embryo that the Guardian nur Nations was drawn up and proclaimed. all countries, islands and terri tured, has matured and will come into Some 40 years ago, when the Universal fruition under the care of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was con tories. In the United States alone House of Justice. After the passing of sidered and approved by the United there are thousand of localities the beloved Guardian, the Universal Nations, a conference was held, at where Baha'is reside and more House of Justice directed the Baha'is tended by international authorities, than 1, 700 local Spiritual As of the world, spread the healing mes public figures, and well-wishers of sage of Baha'u'llah, propagated the mankind. The meeting began with semblies.' Faith according to the Tablets of the prayers for peace. The first prayer Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and pro which was said was a Baha'i prayer, Christ, have been warming the hearts, tected His Cause. since the different religions were listed educating man, and germinating the Baha'u'llah's message of peace has in alphabetical order. As "Baha'i" was seeds to bring mankind to this great now spread to every land, to all coun listed first, the first message was purpose. This is the will of God, and tries, islands and territories. In the Baha'u'llah's prayer for peace. Actual nothing can change it. United States alone there are thous ly, that fulfilled the promise of 'Ab The whole world cannot change it; ands of localities where Baha'is reside du '1-Baha: the first call for peace came rather, the whole world has no choice and more than 1, 700 local Spiritual As from San Francisco and was led by the but to serve this end. Baha'u'llah left semblies. words of Baha'u'llah. us the blueprint for His new World So now we can see how the Will of Following 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to Order and left us 'Abdu'l-BaM to clar God has been fulfilled. Baha'u'llah, America in 1912, after the first World ify it and the Guardian to bring it into the Prisoner of 'Akka, the Manifesta War, President Wilson went to Europe being. He gave us a new World Order tion of God for this Day, the Prince of and presented his peace proposal with for all of mankind. He said, "the old Peace, alone and unaided, with the its 14 points. He called the nations to world order is being rolled up and a power of the Word of God as His only peace. Most supported him, but not, new one laid out in its stead." The new provision, has transformed the world unfortunately, the leaders of America. order was spread at that time. and "has made all things new" accord President Wilson passed on in grief be Of course, we as human beings could ing to the prophecies of the Bible. cause his own countrymen could not not appreciate or understand it, but it From that first announcement, all of appreciate his historic contribution. infused a new spirit into the world. It creation has served this purpose. His His role was a very important one and was irrigated by the suffering and teachings of unity, the equality of men he deserves to be mentioned in this his blood of the martyrs, thousands of and women, the abolition of all pre toric conference. them, who are still giving their lives in judices, the unity of science and relig In His Writings, 'Abdu'l-Baha said the Cradle of the Faith in Persia, in ion, universal compulsory education, that with this announcement of Presi order to bring into being this new Or and so forth have permeated the minds dent Wilson's, the Dawn of Peace der for the world. It is their sacrifice and hearts of all people to prepare the broke upon the world. That was the that has brought this message out of way for peace. Dawn of Peace before the sunrise. obscurity. The Universal House of Justice re Baha'u'llah's message of peace, first This World Order of Baha'u'llah printed excerpts from the Messages of announced to Edward Browne, was was given to us just two years before Baha'u'llah and His Tablets to the universally proclaimed by President He passed on when His tabernacle was rulers and leaders of mankind and sent Wilson. 'Abdu'l-Baha calls it "Fajr-i pitched up on Mount Carmel. The copies to current leaders. Many re Sulh-i-Azam darakhshid.'' That Tablet of Carmel was revealed in which sponded positively, whereas when means: the Dawn of the Great Peace Baha'u'llah emphasized that soon the Baha'u'llah first addressed them more has broken. 'Abdu'l-BaM praises him Ark of God will sail and the Laws of than 100 years ago, no one except for his efforts. According to the belov God will flow to the whole world. Queen Victoria of England gave a fa ed Guardian, in God Passes By, writ- The Supreme Body of the Faith is, vorable response. Over this past cen- 6 December 1986/Baha'i News tury, the spirit infused into the world the presentation of the statement to the these triumphs, these first, sweet, by His teachings together with the Council, by the local Spiritual Assem precious fruits of victory! ceaseless labors of His followers the bly. . . . It not only warmly endorses His Plan is unfolding. This con world over have been at work to pre the peace statement, but pays a gen ference is another historic step. Thanks pare the way for the Kingdom of God erous tribute to the leadership of the to the Lord of the Age that we are alive promised to us in all Holy Books. Baha'i community in a range of pro and blessed to witness this event where The time is now ripe to reap the first gressive concerns." What a victory! we can partake of the first choice fruits fruits of peace. This year has been de I also want to share with you an ex of the labors, suffering, and sacrifice clared International Year of Peace for cerpt from the following telex, dated 7 of the Author of this Faith, His all mankind. It is in this year that that August 1986, from the Universal Prophet-martyred Forerunner, and His body, the Universal House of Justice, House of Justice: twin interpreters, together with the with the inspiration of the Almighty, ''In humble acknowledgement sacrifices of His lovers all over the formulated a statement on peace and Baha'u'llah's unabated confirmations, world whose efforts and very lives are addressed it "To the Peoples of the we inform friends everywhere private offered in His path. World." visit to Baha'i World Centre Prime For my part, as a humble representa This message, entitled ''The Promise Minister Cook Islands Sir Thomas Da tive of the Cradle of the Faith, from of World Peace,'' has been delivered to vis and Lady Davis 3 and 4 August. that dark corner of the world, I am all the heads of state and leaders of Occasion made historic by Prime Min very grateful that I have had the boun thought as well as to the population at ister's initiative in requesting consulta ty to raise my voice on behalf of the large. Many have responded very fa tion with Universal House of Justice Baha'is in Iran in this historic con vorably and appreciated the need for a regarding world peace. ference, in this blessed state from united effort to bring about peace in "Visit also marked most concrete re which 'Abdu'l-Baha predicted the call the world. Among these was our belov sponse to date by political leader to for peace would originate. ed President who has been very sym peace statement released to peoples pathetic to the tragic plight of the Ba The Baha'is of Iran are suffering day world last October. During consulta and night and have from the beginning ha'is in Iran and has voiced his support tions which took place on first day in on a number of occasions. of this Revelation offered their lives council chambers following Prime that this Faith may emerge from obscu This show of support by an Amer Minister's visit Shrine Bab and on sec ican President was predicted by Baha' rity. Now, in the midst of their agony, ond day at Mansion Bahjl following they can be succored by hearing of the u'llah in His Most Holy Book, the his visit Shrine Baha'u'llah, Sir Book of Aqdas. Many others, in Eu astounding victories of the Faith Thomas discussed his thoughts about throughout the world. rope, in the House of Lords, in the world peace and his desire for practical House of Commons, in countries action consonant with challenges and Friends! Do you not behold the pres throughout the world have voiced their opportunities facing vast Pacific ence of our beloved Master, 'Abdu'l support and appreciation. Many have area . .. . Baha, amongst us? Can you not see studied the Baha'i program for peace His overwhelmingly loving and smiling and have said this is the only solution "Once again action by leader from countenance? Do you not feel His to the problems of the world. Others Pacific Ocean calls to our minds one of magnetic personality, His gentle de have sought the advice and help of Ba Baha'u'llah's most trenchant asser meanor, His undoubted pleasure as He ha'i institutions in their own countries tions concerning power His Cause: witnesses the fulfillment of His predic for help in their programs of social and 'Should they attempt to conceal its tions? Friends! There is no doubt; He economic development. light on the continent,' He wrote, 'it is with us! Many international aid organiza will assuredly rear its head in the mid "Basha, ta ·;obheh dowlatash tions recognize the value of the Baha'i most heart of the ocean, and, raising approach and cooperate with Baha'i its voice, proclaim: I am the Lifegiver bedamad ! " "Wait, this is only the institutions to implement educational of the world!' " break of dawn, only the beginning!" and welfare projects. In reference to Baha'u'llah's Tablet "Een hameh avazha az shah bovad!" The show of support throughout the to the Kings, the beloved Guardian "All these melodies descend from the world is too numerous to discuss in states, "Baha'u'llah . .. warns them King of Glory!" detail. I will give you just two ex that 'Divine chastisement' will 'assail' Thank you, my beloved Shoghi Ef amples. them 'from every direction,' if they re fendi! Thank you, that you planned I received a letter dated 21 July 1986 fuse to heed His counsels, and pro for me, your humble servant, to wit from the Baha'i International Com phesies His 'triumph upon earth' ness all these victories and the glory of munity addressed to some of the Ba though no king be found who would this historic occasion! ha'is and National Spiritual Assem turn his face towards Him." blies. I quote: "On June 2, 1986, the The Guardian foresees that the kings Council of the City of Cambridge in and rulers of the world, out of despera Massachusetts unanimously passed a tion from their own impotence, will Resolution encouraging citizens to read turn to the Universal House of Justice and study the peace statement issued for counsel. Friends, this is a unique by the Universal House of Justice. The period in the history of mankind. How Resolution was adopted in response to blessed we are to be able to witness Baha'i News/December 1986 7 Canada Association's 11th annual Conference The 11th annual Conference of the Peace," and "The Socio-Politics of Nakhjavani, a member of the Univer Association for Baha'i Studies, held Peace.'' A workshop was also given on sal House of Justice, delivered a mov August 20-24 at the University of "Preparing the Successful Paper: ing talk on the theme of peace. Western Ontario in London, Ontario, What Every Writer Should Know" by The finale of the conference saw the Canada, was the largest such gathering Dr. Betty J. Fisher, general editor of children enter the hall and perform a to date with about 2,000 adults taking the U.S. Baha'i Publishing Trust, and "peace chant," which was followed by part. her assistant editor, Richard Hill. musical and slide presentations. Planned as a response to the request Friday evening featured a banquet The annual meeting of the Associa by the Universal House of Justice that for dignitaries in the Great Hall of the tion was held Sunday afternoon, and each national Baha'i community spon university, followed by a Concert for that evening a special gathering was ar sor at least one major event to mark Peace which included diverse perform ranged for the Persian-speaking Ba the United Nations International Year ances by Conference guest Dr. Ervin ha'is with addresses by Amatu'l-Baha of Peace, the Conference focused on Laszlo of the Club of Rome (an ac Rulµyyih Khan um and Mr. Nakhja the theme "Beyond the Quest for complished pianist), Gordi Munro, the vani. Peace: Creating a New World Order" Tahirih Choir, the Do'a World Music In addition to the main Conference, and was organized according to a num Ensemble, Nancy Ward, and the One a large number of ancillary events took ber of aspects of the peace statement Planet, One People Please singers. place including a conference on peace addressed last year to the peoples of Saturday morning's session was cen for young people ages 12-15, a child the world by the House of Justice. tered on "Peace and the New World ren's peace conference for 6-to-11 year The opening session, "The Promise Order" with presentations by Dr. olds, and a nursery peace conference of World Peace," was keynoted by the Laszlo ("Science and Prophecy: for those younger than six years. Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l Humankind's Path to Peace in a An exciting aspect of these confer Baha Rulµyyih Khanum, who was fol Global Society'') and Dr. Hossain Da ences was the participation in them by lowed by youth speakers Helen, John nesh, secretary of the National Spir speakers from the main Conference in and Amelia Danesh of New Zealand, itual Assembly of Canada ("Creating a cluding Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Kha addressing the theme "Youth: A Dy New World Order: The Baha'i Para num, Counsellor Taherzadeh, and Dr. namic Peaceful Force." digm"). Laszlo. The opening session ended with the Saturday afternoon saw Professor winner of the Association's essay com The peace conference for young peo Ross Woodman of the University of ple was singularly blessed by the par petition in the high school category, Western Ontario give his presentation Kenneth Sooley (a 15-year-old non-Ba ticipation of the Hand of the Cause of on "The End of the World: Whatever God 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa who ha'i from Newfoundland) presenting Happened?" It was followed by a Na his paper, "Peace Through Mutual showered love on his young audience tive American peace pipe ceremony, in and visibly increased their love of Understanding," after which Amatu'l which Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Kha Baha Rulµyyih Khanum presented him learning about the Faith and the solu num, Dr. and Mrs. Laszlo, and other tions it offers for the ills of humanity. and the other two winners, Nancy dignitaries took part. Ward in the university category and On the Wednesday and Thursday ; Paul Hanley in the general category, Saturday evening focused on preceding the main Conference, eight I with their awards. "Women and Peace" with papers by more auxiliary gatherings of agencies The second plenary session was high noted Jungian analyst Marion Wood and affiliates of the Association for lighted by the annual Hasan Balyuzi man, Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, Greg Baha'i Studies were held. These includ Lecture, given this year by Counsellor Dahl, Nancy Ward and Dr. Jane Faily. ed the Baha'i International Health Adib Taherzadeh on "The Human Sunday morning's final session of Agency, the Baha'i Education Insti Soul.'' fered a peace forum with Dr. Laszlo, tute, the Baha'i Institute for Environ Following this, the Conference was Professor Woodman, Mrs. Woodman, mental Design, the Baha'i Family Insti broken into a number of simultaneous Dr. Danesh and Ms. Nakhjavani par tute, a conference for those in the legal sessions at which papers were pre ticipating as panelists. Following this, profession, and conferences on cultu sented on the themes "Strategies for Amatu'l-Baha Rulµyyih Khanum ad ral minorities, the arts, and agricul World Peace," "Dynamics of World dressed the conference briefly, and 'Ali ture. 8 December 1986/Baha'I News Puerto Rico Amoz Gibson Centre gains recognition In a lush tropical setting 15 minutes' tion in specific knowledge and skills. drive from Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a In the classroom, a wide range An expanding curriculum vital new educational facility has come of instructional methods is em In response to rapidly expanding into being. Situated on a five-acre hill ployed, from traditional lectures media opportunities and the corres side farm, the Amoz Gibson Training to role playing, mock interviews, ponding need for skilled volunteers, Centre was established in 1982 and is the curriculum has evolved to become operated by CIRBAL, an international audio-visual presentations, an integrated program in Development Baha'i field agency for development panel discussions, independent Communication with six to eight train media. The centre provides practical, projects, workshops, and self ing sessions held each year. The pro "hands-on" training in appropriate administered exams. gram is intensive and practical, de media and technology for the spiritual, signed to prepare students for all social and economic development of communications-related aspects of people the world over. and 44). project management including tech Within easy reach of all the Amer Baha'i radio stations are bases for nical maintenance and the training of icas, the training centre shares space education and community service. In others. The curriculum is divided into with CIRBAL's Broadcast Division, the Andes, these stations have become five broad areas: hardware, software, which oversees the planning and con · the most popular in the region. When human development, international ser struction of Baha'i radio stations the station at Lake Titicaca, Peru, vice, and participatory media theory throughout the world. These highly stopped broadcasting for a week while and practice-all presented from a Ba successful radio operations have been awaiting parts for its transmitter, ha'i perspective. featured in professional journals be campesinos went to the city to demon Academic offerings range from cause of their unique emphasis on local strate, thinking the government had weekend workshops to month-long participation and management, and taken the station off the air. In Bolivia, courses in communication manage their innovative educational and cul thousands of villagers walked for days ment, broadcast engineering, graphic tural programming. Radio stations to attend festivities associated with the arts, radio programming and produc currently exist in Ecuador, Peru, Bo anniversary of Radio Baha'i. tion, photography, script-writing and livia, Panama and the United States, Course offerings announcing, silk-screening, journal with others under construction in addi ism, and exhibit design. tional Latin American countries and in Originally established to prepare vol Africa. They are staffed by members unteer workers for these stations, the Special training of the local community, many of centre began with a three-week, 140- Courses have also been designed to whom received their training at the hour radio broadcasting course. The meet the needs of special groups, like Arnoz Gibson Centre. Several articles course, now offered annually, is orga that given for the future staff of the about Baha'i radio stations have ap nized around an intensive, six-day-per Baha'i radio station recently con peared in earlier Development Com week schedule covering the fundamen structed in rural Panama. Instructors munication Reports (see Nos. 40, 42 tals of educational and cultural broad for this course were challenged to de casting, programming and production, velop new teaching methods approp This article, "Training Broadcast legal and technical topics, and man riate for the Guayrni Indian partici ers: The Amoz Gibson Training Cen agement. In the classroom, a wide pants, who had little formal schooling tre, " is reprinted from the Summer range of instructional methods is em and no experience with even the most 1986 issue of Development Communi ployed, from traditional lectures to basic audio production equipment. In cation Report (No. 54), which is pub role playing, mock interviews, audio one session, students learned to pro lished quarterly by the U.S. Academy visual presentations, panel discussions, duce "oral scripts," in which picto for Educational Development. It was independent projects, workshops, and graphs are organized into an outline written by Randie Gottlieb, adminis self-administered exams. Throughout that then serves as a guide for a radio trator of the Amoz Gibson Centre, the course, students are immersed in a interview or presentation. In the eve who received her doctorate in Media multi-cultural environment designed to nings, the Guaymis alternated between and Instructional Development from foster a spirit of cooperation and ser studying and sharing beautiful exam Boston University. vice, in addition to providing instruc- ples of their folk tales, traditional Baha'i News/December 1986 9 music, and dance. During the final tional "Script-writing, Programming tre has brought in students from more course evaluation, they commented and Production Workshop'' conduct than 25 developing nations including that the two-week session had taught ed for staff members and managers members of national Baha'i adminis them ''what radio really is and what it from three Baha'i radio stations in trative bodies, non-literate villagers, can be-for education, for our culture, South America, that was held in Puno, university professors, young people in for teaching humanity .... " Peru, during that same year. vestigating career possibilities, and Occasionally, the centre sponsors As one of the very few institutions North Americans who train to serve off-campus activities such as a 14- that offers training for media trainers abroad as volunteer workers and as country media training trip through the as well as for local participants in a consultants to the local project staff. Caribbean in 1984, and an interna- media project, the Amoz Gibson Cen- Classes are conducted in both English Gibson Centre offers communications program rich in field experience, community development The Development Communication program at the Amoz on the needs of the local population, the Baha'i stations Gibson Centre in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, offers tools for the have become a positive force for grassroots development, achievement of a dynamic coherence between the spiritual and a vital part of the communities they serve. and practical requirements of life on earth-an integral part In response to the need for training volunteer workers for of the Baha'i concept of the unity of mankind and a neces the various radio operations, the Amoz Gibson Centre was sary ingredient of world peace. Through direct participation established in 1982 by CIRBAL, an international Baha'i in radio and other media projects in Baha'i communities the field agency for development media. Since that time, the world over, the Centre offers a program rich in field exper Centre's student body has ranged from non-literate indig ience-linking communications philosophy, organization enous Baha'is to university professors from more than 25 and human resource management to the technology approp developing nations, as well as North Americans who learn riate to extend the benefits of community development to to serve abroad as volunteer teachers of the Native popula society as a whole. Development Communication seeks to tion. Within easy reach of all the Americas, the Centre · establish both "new bases for human happiness" and "new shares space with CIRBAL's Broadcast Division, which instrumentalities toward this end." ('Abdu'l-Baha, The oversees the planning and construction of Baha'i radio sta Secret of Divine Civilization) tions throughout the world. The Centre's affiliations in One such instrumentality is Radio Baha'i Ecuador, a clude stations in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Panama, Liberia, radio station established in 1977 to serve the rural indig Chile and the United States. enous population around Otavalo. Staffed by local volun The Development Communication program is intensive teers, it was the first to transmit in the native language of and practical, designed to prepare students for all aspects of the region, broadcasting traditional Andean music, uplift project functioning including management, programming ing prayers and passages, community news, questions and and production, technical maintenance, and training of answers on nutrition and agriculture, presentations de others. The program is divided into five broad curricular signed to improve the condition of women, and special areas: hardware, software, human development, interna classes for children. One of the most popular daily features tional service, and participatory media theory and prac is "El Noticiero Local," affectionately called "La Vaca tice-all presented from a Baha'i perspective. Some offer Perdida" (The Lost Cow) by the staff, since it provides a ings are specialized (Radio Production Laboratory, Broad forum for villagers to transmit messages they deem impor cast Engineering, Photography Workshop), while others cut tant, free of charge. Radio personnel conduct field surveys across several areas of the curriculum (Introduction to of listener needs and preferences, create and edit their own Development Media, Community Radio Broadcasting, programs, and operate and maintain the equipment. Development Communication). Baha'i radio stations are bases for universal educa "The scientific and technological advances occurring in tion-blending material, human and spiritual elements. In this unusually blessed century," the Universal House of the Andes, these stations have become the most popular in Justice stated in The Promise of World Peace, "portend a the region. When the station at Lake Titicaca (Peru) stop great surge forward in the social evolution of the planet, ped broadcasting for a week while awaiting parts for its and indicate the means by which the practical problems of transmitter, campesinos went to the city to demonstrate, humanity may be solved." Development, the House of Jus thinking that the government had taken the station off the tice points out, is largely dependent upon natural stirrings at air. In Bolivia, thousands of villagers walked for days to at the grassroots, from which it should receive its driving force tend festivities associated with the anniversary of Radio Ba rather than by imposition of plans from above. The purpose ha'i. In Ecuador, doctors from a rural health center re of the Development Communication program at the Amoz turned to the station to ask that their announcement offer Gibson Centre is to help these grassroots efforts: promoting ing free eye care be discontinued, as the response was so education in science and technology, training in the tech overwhelming they couldn't handle the number of cases. niques and tools of communication, and respect for the Through messages of inspiration and guidance, respect for spiritual nature of human progress. the dignity and value of the indigenous culture, and focus 10 December 1986/Baha'i News and Spanish-many times on a fully bi Radio and Television in Peru. appliances in rural homes. The centre lingual basis. The centre is presently makes extensive use of this alternate consulting with several universities Staff and faculty are, for the most energy system to power everything part, volunteers, contributing their ex about the possibility of offering joint from the ceiling fans in classrooms to pertise to a "boot-strap" operation degree programs, a step that will allow the computer in the office. whose facilities have been built grad eligible students to receive college ually, financed by proceeds from For the Baha'is, development is credit for courses taken at the Arecibo course tuitions. Much of the equip largely dependent upon needs at the campus. grassroots, from which it should re The centre has attracted a highly ment and educational materials were acquired through donations. ceive its driving force, rather than by qualified faculty with extensive media imposition of plans from above. The and international experience including With its emphasis on appropriate purpose of the Development Commu the executive producer of a national media and technology, the Amoz Gib nication program at the Amoz Gibson radio education project in Kenya; a son Centre also hosts an ongoing pro Centre is to help these grassroots ef doctor of education specializing in gram of research and development. In forts-promoting education in science cross-cultural communication and conjunction with CIRBAL's Broadcast and technology, training in the tech media; the manager of a rural black Division, faculty members have pio niques and tools of communication, community-service radio station; and a neered inventions ranging from solar and promoting respect for the spiritual well-known South American TV and powered community radio to low-cost foundation of human progress. film producer who now heads National 12-volt power for lighting and small Colombia ,.... ~' . I •/ I ti' J l!e!iy1d11 -'Tuen!e Representatives of the Christian, Hin gathered to celebrate World Religion bia. Representing the Faith du, Jewish, Muslim and Bahri'( faiths Day this year in Barranquilla, Colom- tavo Correa (far right). Baha'i News/December 1986 11 World Centre Solving the problems of mankind Betterment of life !ems of their communities. The Universal House of Justice is aware of the magnitude In time, great Baha'i institutions of learning, great inter of the problems that the Baha'i communities face, but as the national and national projects for the betterment of human response to the Message of Baha'u'llah increases and as the life will be inaugurated and flourish . Baha'i community throughout the world shows its ability to The Baha'i work for the reconstruction of human society overcome these problems, the attention of men and women can thus been seen to comprise three streams: the most fun in every stratum of society will increasingly be drawn to the damental is the spreading of the Word of God, the winning Faith. The most urgent need now-so late is the hour-is of the allegiance of ever greater numbers of men and women for the Baha'is to spread the Message, while they are still to the Cause of Baha'u'llah and the establishment of the Ba able to do so, to the largest possible number of their fellow ha'i Administrative Order; concurrent with this is the con human beings, simultaneously expanding and consolidating tribution to human advancement and to the progress of the the Baha'i community as quickly as they can with the re Baha'i community made by individual Baha'is in the pursuit sources at their disposal. As mankind passes through the of their daily work; and then there are the projects and insti darkest phase of its history, the Baha'i community will have tutions for human advancement launched and operated by to face not only entry by troops, which it is now experienc Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies as their resources grow and the ing, but, before too long, mass conversion. range of their activities expands. It is for the Universal The first step in the reconstruction of human society is for House of Justice to direct the energies of the believers in individuals to accept Baha'u'llah as the Manifestation of these various channels and to make known what activities God for this age and to begin to strive, as well as they can, are timely and have priority. (From a letter dated August to follow His Teachings in their individual and in their com 21, 1977) munal lives. Conversion is but the first step, yet it is the es The path to world unity sential one. Without it, no amount of expertise or scientifi cally based knowledge will have a lasting effect, because the Concerning the transition from the present system of na fundamental motivating and sustaining power will be lack tional sovereignty to a system of world government, the ing. House of Justice fully agrees ... that the Baha'is must do As the Baha'i community grows it will acquire experts in all in their power to promote this transition. This requires numerous fields-both by Baha'is becoming experts and by several related activities, all of which are goals of the pres experts becoming Baha'is. As these experts bring their ent Seven Year Plan. One is the establishment as rapidly as knowledge and skill to the service of the community and, possible of firmly grounded, efficiently functioning local even more, as they transform their various disciplines by Spiritual Assemblies in every part of the world, so that seek bringing to bear upon them the light of the Divine Teach ers everywhere will have a point of reference to which they ings, problem after problem now disrupting society will be can turn for guidance and for the Teachings of the Faith. A answered. In such developments they should strive to make second is the deepening of the believers, of all ages, in their the utmost use of non-Baha'i resources and should collabo understanding of and obedience to the Teachings. A third is rate fully with non-Baha'is who are working in the same the proclamation of the Faith to all strata of society, and in fields. Such collaboration will, in the long run, be of far particular to those in authority and to leaders of thought so more benefit than any attempt now to treat such scientific that those who hold the direction of peoples in their hands endeavors as specifically Baha'i projects operating under will learn accurately about the nature and tenets of the Faith Baha'i institutions and financed by investment of Baha'i and will grow to respect it and implement its principles. A funds. fourth is the promotion of Baha'i scholarship, so that an in Paralleling this process, Baha'i institutional life will also creasing number of believers will be able to analyze the be developing, and as it does so the Assemblies will draw in problems of mankind in every field and to show how the creasingly upon scientific and expert knowledge-whether Teachings solve them. A fifth is the development of rela of Baha'is or of non-Bahci'is-to assist in solving the prob- tions between the Baha'i International Community and the United Nations both directly and with the highest UN insti These excerpts from letters written on behalf of the Uni tutions and at a grass-roots level in areas of rural develop versal House of Justice concerning the work of Bahd'(s in ment, education, etc. solving the problems of mankind appeared in the Australian As you are no doubt aware, the Guardian indicated that Baha'i Bulletin, No. 353 (October 1986). the development of mankind from its present chaotic condi- 12 December 1986/Baha'i News tion to the stage of the Baha'i World Commonwealth would tions of the Faith can give to governments, the pattern of be a long and gradual one. The coming into existence of a world administration offered by the Baha'i community and World Authority and the initiation of the Lesser Peace is the great humanitarian projects which will be launched un one major transformation in this process, and will be fol der the aegis of the Universal House of Justice will exercise lowed by other stages of the development of the Faith as a great influence on the course of progress. (From a letter outlined by Shoghi Effendi in his writings. Undoubtedly, as dated January 19, 1983) these developments are taking place, the counsel the institu- Germany The Bahci'( Publishing Trusts of Germany and India were the House of Worship and the Faith, which was given to represented October 1-6 at the International Book Fair in them in a folder with photos and short descriptions. On Fri Frankfurt, Germany, whose theme was 'India-Change in day morning, under the headline 'Bah Baha'i News/December 1986 13 The world Jamaicans receive peace statement "The Promise of World Peace" has On October 25, 1985, a 13-nation the Council of Churches, and express been widely distributed throughout J a UN Model Assembly in Kingston clos ing appreciation for the freedom of maica. So far 12 ministers of govern ed with a presentation of the peace religion on the island. ment have received it, as well as mem statement to the assembled delegates. The peace message was then pre bers of the Senate. On that occasion, the president of the sented to the Council president with Newspapers have carried photos of UN Association of Jamaica and the two books for the Council library, Ba presentations of the peace statement to vice-president of the World Federation hri'( World Faith and Gleanings from the Governor-General, Sir Florizel of UN Associations were given copies the Writings of Bahd'u'lldh. Glasspole, and to the Minister of State of ''The Promise of World Peace. ' ' in the Ministry of Industry and Com * * * Bolivia merce. The presentation to Prime Min A three-member delegation compos ister Edward Seaga was broadcast on ed of members of the National Spir In response to an invitation from the national television. itual Assembly of Jamaica met last country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Many other dignitaries have received February with 10 executive members of and Religions, the National Spiritual the statement including the Chief Jus the Jamaica Council of Churches at the Assembly of Bolivia has appointed tice of the Supreme Court, the presi Council headquarters in Kingston to Mrs. Ana de Albarracin to the Bolivian dent of the Court of Appeals, the chief present copies of the peace statement. Commission for the International Year of staff of the Defense Force, the com Mr. Elias Zohoori, secretary of the of Peace. missioner and acting commissioner of National Assembly, read a letter from The Year of Peace was inaugurated police, and the vice-chancellor of the that body explaining the purpose of the in Bolivia last March 10 in the presence University of the West Indies. meeting, praising the unifying role of of the entire diplomatic corps, minis ters of government, members of the armed forces and the Catholic Church, Nigeria and the Bolivian Commission of which the Baha'i community is considered a member. Baha'i principles have been gra ciously accepted by the commission, and quotes from the writings were in cluded in its "Plan of Action," a con sensus document outlining its philos ophy and aims. Cyprus A children's fireside last December 22 in Nicosia, Cyprus, was attended by 20 delighted parents who watched as a number of beautifully costumed child ren presented passages from the Baha'i writings and prayers relating to the principles of the Faith. Bahd'(s in Nigeria celebrated Naw-Ruz in Ibadan . About 300 people watched Each of the youngsters had a card with a football (soccer) match as the the 'friendly match,' publicity for hung around his or her neck with a 'Brilliant Stars' of Ibadan, Oyo State, which included 60 posters, and many "principle" lettered on it. As each card hosted the 'Bahd '(Peace Makers' from youth were attracted to the Faith when was read aloud, it was hung on a tree. Bendel State. The referee (center, hold the teams were organized. Team mem Songs were presented in English and ing ball) was Dr. Akanni Bankole, a bers included Bahd'(s, Christians and Greek, affecting a greater harmony Bahd'(who operates a veterinary clinic Muslims. than that of the music alone. 14 December 1986/Baha'I News Thailand 'Together for World Peace' are the members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia at their meeting last March 24-31 in Bangkok, Thai land. Seated (left to right) are Dr. Perin Olyai, Sabir Afaqf, Rose Ong, Dr. !raj Ayman, Zena Sorabjee, Zabz' hu 'I/ah Gulmuhammadf and Michi toshi Zenimoto. Standing (left to right) are Vicente Samaniego, Dr. John Foz dar, Dr. Che/lie Sundram, Burhdni'd Dfn Afshfn, S. Nagaratnam, K.H. Payman, MasOz Rawhdm: Bijan Fa reed and Ruhullah Mumtazf. Germany Eleven-year-old Gunter Meyer, son level by reading an essay on peace by The jury, Gunter's father wrote, was of Mr. and Mrs. Werner Meyer, pio 'Abdu'l-Baha which he found in a Ger taken by surprise: " ... they expected a neers from Canada to Osnabruck, Ger man Baha'i book, Frieden (Peace). nice children's story, but instead lis many, won the 1986 national German One month later, in May, Gunter tened to a difficult text with meaning language reading competition for non entered the national competition where and power which they (themselves) German children. he successfully competed against 10 barely understood!" Some of the After having only 14 months of in other students, some of whom had judges, he added, even took notes. struction in the German language, been living in Germany for four to five The Meyers' younger son, now in Gunter won in his category at the state years. second grade, also reads and speaks German. The Meyers credit the child Vanuatu ren's performance to their belief in the value of education, and count it as a confirmation for pioneers everywhere. ' •. ~--.. ,~ * * * Sixty people attended the first Con ference on Teaching the Chinese spon sored by the Far East Teaching Com mittee of Germany and held March 1 at Langenhain. Attendees learned about the geog raphy, history, religion and modern society of China and consulted on op portunities for teaching Chinese people living in Germany. * * * On February 27, the Weisbadener Kurier published an article on the Ba ha'i Home for the Aged, the first de pendency of the Mother Temple of Eu rope. The article, based on an interview with Baha'is at the National Center in Pictured is the local Hazfratu '1-Quds just prior to the annual National Con Langenhain, Germany, is accompanied on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, built by vention of the Bahd'ls of Vanuatu. by a photograph of the House of Wor local Bahd'fs and opened in April 1986 ship. Baha'i News/December 1986 15 United Nations An impressive account of youth ac Universal House of Justice to all Ba tional Youth Conferences were held in tivities in Baha'i communities all over ha'i youth urged them to "conscious Argentina, Belize, Canada, El Salva the world in support of the Interna participation in the affairs of the dor, Jamaica, Peru (giving rise to eight tional Year of Youth, compiled by the world" and called upon them to "aid national and international youth pro Baha'i International Community of the realization of. .. aspirations for a jects), the United States (with youth fice in New York City, was forwarded world without war." from 42 countries attending) and Ha last May to the United Nations head Baha'i youth in more than 50 coun waii (with youth from 20 countries and quarters. tries held IYY activities. In 22 of them, islands in the Pacific). An edited version of the report will the Baha'is collaborated with govern In Chile, Colombia, St. Lucia and appear in a UN publication recounting ment agencies or other non-Baha'i Venezuela, school-related projects activities of non-governmental organi groups to sponsor events. such as tutoring, sponsoring educa zations during IYY. A small sampling will serve to show tional programs and holding contests The activities of Baha'is on fi ve con all emphasized the IYY theme of "Par tinents reflect a wide variety of observ the many and varied activities cited in the BIC's report: ticipation, Development, Peace." ances by the Baha'i world community In Asia, youth from 24 countries at of the IYY theme, "Participation, De In Africa, there was aid to the tended an Asian Baha'i Youth Con velopment, Peace.'' They range from drought-stricken, care for the sick and ference in New Delhi, India; another humanitarian service and social work elderly, and tree-planting in Chad; conference was held in Thailand; an to educational campaigns, ecological youth tutored school children in Bots island-wide school competition on IYY efforts and the production of literature wana and Zambia; and youth dramas themes was conducted in Taiwan; and and special materials. entitled "Peace or Sword" were . pre a variety of medical services were The BIC report points out that the sented in three regions of Zaire. rendered by Baha'i youth in both India message of January 3, 1984, from the In the Americas, Baha'i Interna- and Pakistan through rural "camps" which offered free medical treatment Canary Islands to villagers. In Australasia, Baha'i youth con ferences and rallies were held in Kiri bati, Guam, Australia, New Zealand and Tuvalu. Sixteen countries in Europe held sig nificant programs including projects for charitable, altruistic and humani tarian organizations. In Antwerp, Belgium, 1,452 youth from 45 countries attended an IYY conference; in Greece, youth volun teers visited orphanages and homes for the elderly, planted trees, cleaned a sec tion of a forest, and joined in activities of the Ministry of Youth; in Iceland, Baha'i youth published a special mag azine for IYY; In Ireland, young peo ple volunteered to join the Mobile Teaching Institutes in African coun tries; in the Netherlands, youth raised funds for a hospital boat project in South America, while Sweden hosted three international youth summer schools featuring studies on peace. Meanwhile, the Landegg Conference Centre in Switzerland hosted an IYY conference whose participants included Swiss non-governmental organiza tions. The first local Spiritual Assembly of neer from the U.S.}, Heidrun Schmol One unique contribution (among GUimar, Tenerije, the largest of the ler and Aladin Alai, and (seated left to many) by Baha'i youth in the United Canary Islands, was for med in January right) Elsy Alvarado Rodriguez, Agus Kingdom was the distribution of one 1986. Pictured are its members (stand tin Rodriguez, Mahnaz Neheedin Her and one-half million copies of the UN ing left to right) Horst Schmoller, Na rera and Manual Herrera. Declaration of Human Rights to secon tascha Schmal/er, Odilia Palmer (pio- dary school students in England. 16 December 1986/Baha'I News Alaska Dewey Ehling of Anchorage, Alas ka, was honored last February for his dedication to the youth of his commu nity as the fourth recipient of the an nual Honor Kempton Award for Ser vice to Humanity given by the Baha'is of Alaska. Mr. Ehling is the conductor of the Anchorage Youth Symphony and the Anchorage Community Chorus. In ad dition, he is artistic director of the Alaska Festival of Music, director of the Alaska Fine Arts Camp, and direc tor of music for the Anchorage School District. Tod Jones, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska, pre sented an inscribed plaque to Mr. Eb ling who responded with sincere ap preciation and ended his acceptance speech with the prayer, "Blessed Is the Spot.'' Spain A press conference held January 25 in Palma de Mallorca to launch the The Bahd'{ Publishing Trust of the guide visitors around the fair, the entry peace statement in the Balearic Islands United Kingdom was represented for for a well-known Jewish publisher was had impressive results. the first time last April with a booth at also shown as the Baha'i' booth num Six newspapers and three radio sta the prestigious London Book Fair held ber, resulting in a large number of Jew tions were represented as the Spiritual at the Barbican Centre. The book fair ish authors, media people and educa Assembly of Mallorca publicy present is one of the largest in the world, and tors from all over the world visiting the ed ''The Promise of World Peace. '' provided many excellent opportunities Baha'i' booth 'by mistake. ' An attrac Articles appeared in both the Eng to proclaim the Faith to publishers, tive photograph of the Shrine of the lish- and Spanish-language papers, re book sellers, authors and visitors from Bab drew considerable comment and flecting the high level of interest overseas. Also, because of an error in led to many requests for literature and created by the press conference. the catalog which is used as a map to further information about the Faith . Two lovely "Peace" posters have been printed in large quantity to help Belgium the Baha'i community of the Balearic More than 60,000 copies of "The from Germany and two Iranians from Islands proclaim the message of peace Promise of World Peace" have been throughout 1986. Pakistan have joined the community, distributed within Belgium to about which will continue its strong efforts to five per cent of the country's popula teach the local population. India tion. * * * King Baudoin I received the state A radio station manager in Malines, A. Manisegaran, a traveling teacher ment by mail, while presentations have Belgium, invited two Baha'is to speak from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, visited been made in person or by mail to local about the Faith on an hour-long pro India's Tamil Nadu State for 11 days and national politicians, professors, gram last December 1. The two spoke last January and February, presenting lawyers, physicians, clergy and more about Baha'i principles, social laws, the Universal House of Justice's peace than 2,000 members of the media. community life, and the need for peace statement to 22 prominent people in The impression of enhanced prestige in the world. Madras and five in Pondicherry. and status for the Faith has been prov He made hundreds contacts with in ed by greatly heightened interest in the Dominican Republic fluential people throughout the state Baha'i booth at the annual Interna The Barahona Area Project, begun including writers; journalists; profes tional Book Fair in Brussels. last June in the Dominican Republic, is sionals in the cinema, radio and tele * * * bringing in many new believers who vision; artists; performers; civil of A local Spiritual Assembly has been are, in turn, teaching the Cause. At the ficials in culture and development; and formed in Eupen, Belgium, the first end of one month of teaching, there businessmen and bankers. Assembly to be formed in the German were about 1,500 new Baha'is in some speaking part of that country. Pioneers 24 localities. Baha'i News/December 1986 17 from the Baha'i Publishing Trust Baha'i history coines alive in STD RIIS fROM • Thirty tales offaith, courage, and sacrifice from the early days of the Faith told by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears and embellished with Persian music. Based on the book of the same name by Zoe Meyer. Shaykh Ahmad's Secret • The Young Man in the Green Turban • The Shepherd's Dream • Mulla l:fusayn and the Bab • The Letters of the Living • The Story of the Bab• The Bab's Messengers • The Message to Baha'u'llah •The Dream of Baha'u'llah's Father • The Storm • The Adventure in the Desert •The Story of Sadiq • The Bab is Taken Prisoner • The White Bird • On the Road to Tihran • The Castle of Mah-Ku • 'Ali Khan's Dream • Tahirih • The ew World Order • Mu8ammad-'Ali's Vision • The Trial of the Bab• Fort Tabarsi • The Siege • The Dream of Quddus • The Story of Va8id • Hujjat • The Martyrdom of the Bab • God's Cause Today • Baha'u'llah •An excellent way to introduce the entire family to episodes of Baha'i Four 60-minute history cassettes packaged in an • An exciting resource for attractive vinyl binder deepening classes for all ages and family sharing •An inspiring way to start *no charge fo r postage and or end your day as you handling commute Available from Baha'i Distribution Service 415 L/1 DEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, IL 60091 • Tel . 1-800-323 -1880