·~·; ,1._ ~~·:'.~:;~~~~~~:§:~'.!

Illuminated (decorated) Prayers and Passages of Baha'u'llah for teaching and deepen­ ing make welcome gifts, provide inspiring wall decoration and aid in memorization. Illuminated Prayers and Passa8es of 5aha'u'llah Preservation and consolidation of the victories won: This is one of the three major objectives of the Five Year Plan as the Cause of God goes "from strength to strength" throughout the worldwide Baha'i community. We can do this even in the face of rising global chaos if we use the strengthening serenity of our Sacred Texts, the Creative Word of God, to deepen and consolidate Baha'ls. For this purpose several short, simple, powerful quotations of Baha'u'llah have been chosen and are now available in large type, illuminated by dignified artwork. These attractive, brief prayers and meditations are suitable for framing or other kinds of display. Ten different quotations have been printed on 8. 5 by 11-inch paper - large enough for wall or window display, yet small enough to be carried in a notebook. Members of teaching, proclamation, conference, and consolidation committees might want to pay particular attention to this set for possible use at summer schools, institutes, and children's classes. They are excellent for complementing normal teaching materials or for gifts to participating individuals at Baha'i gatherings. The large type and easy-to-handle pages also make the material useful for persons with poor eyesight, or for beginning readers, either children or adults, who are not yet accustomed to Baha'i literature. In addition, these passages are generally brief enough so that students can memorize them without difficulty. The entire set of ten can be bound into a new believers' booklet either as they are or mounted artistically on colorful heavy paper. Further decorative illumination can then be added, limited only by the artist's imagination. In this way home-made albums can be tailored to a variety of indigenous cultures. Other possible uses include mementos for friends on special Baha'i occasions, or gifts for the sick or shut-in. These ten quotations by Baha'u'llah are available either in complete sets or as individual prayers and meditations in multiples of ten. How to Get the Illuminated Prayers and Passages of Baha'u'llah Your local Baha'i librarian or authorized Baha'i distributor may have them in stock, or may be able to supply you with prices and ordering information. If, however, you cannot find them in your area, you may send your inquiry to the International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre, 1640 Holcomb Road, Victor, N.Y. 14564, U.S.A. for forwarding to the proper organization. Baha'i News aha'i Year 132 December 1975 No. 537 For Baha'is On ly

, I , Contents - , · · J

The Baha'i Faith in Burma ...... 2 A vibrant, unified community with a thirst for deepening In love with justice ...... 6 The story of Matthew Bullock: pioneer, coach , attorney Teaching the Faith in Togo ...... 9 People are reported to be receptive World Center ...... 10 Radio, prayer, excavation, travels of Hands of the Cause Around the world ...... 13 Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon Reipublic, Canada, Ethiopia, Greenland, Iceland, India, Iran, Italy, Liberia, iechtenstein, Malaysia, New Zealand, Northwest Pacific Ocean, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rhodesia, United States, Windward Islands

Page 6 Page 9 Page 10

On the cover: Some Baha'i youth of Burma. The Baha'i youth are distinguished by their radiance and their love of knowledge from the mass of Burmese youth.

Baha'i News is published monthly for circulation among Baha'is only by and Records, National Baha'i Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL tne National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, as a 60091, U.S.A. Please attach mailing label. r ews organ reporting current activities of the Baha'i world community. Subscription rates: one year, US $8 ; two years, US $15. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced through­ out; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a Second class postage paid at Wilmette, Illinois 60091 . carbon copy. Send materials to: Baha'i News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Copyright © 1975, National Spiritual Assembly of the BaM'is of the Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A. United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Change of address should be reported directly to Office of Membership 2 December 1975 I Baha'i News ne of the most dramati c and exc iting cirmustances of their acceptance of the How an entire Ofeatures of the Five Year Plan is the Faith , the elders of Daidanaw decided, great call raised by The Universal House of afte r consultati on, to invite Siyyid Mu?rafa village of 800 ustice for an army of pioneers and travel­ to present the teachings in their vill age. .ng teachers to forsake the ir homes fo r the Today, there are elderl y Baha' is living in accepted the Faith propagati on of the Cause of God . Daidanaw who remember the exciteme nt The heroic services of these dedi cated associated with hi s arrival, the joy with of Baha'u'llah Baha' is re lease spiritual powers which which the mass of the vill agers, some 800 have a far- reaching effect on the world. in total, entered the shelte r of the Faith of We may well specul ate on the magnitude Bah a' u' llah. 3 of this effect, which will onl y become ev i­ S iyyid M u?rafa settled dow n in dent with the passing of years. The present Daidanaw, devoting hi s life to the deepen­ condition of the Burmese Baha'i commun­ ing of hi s fe llow-believers, to the exte n­ ity offers a rare opportunity for a case sion of the teaching work to nearby vil­ study-to observe , nearl y I 00 years late r, lages, and to the translati on of literature the effect of a pioneering teaching venture into Burmese. Even in his nineties, he carried out in response to the Divine sum­ would enthusiastical ly walk miles to meet mons. an inquirer and share hi s be lief. 4 During World War II , maraud ing gangs Historical background from adj oining villages, possibl y inflamed In 1878, Siyyid M u?rafa Rumi settled in by re li gious fan ati cism , a tt ac ke d Rangoon, Burma, after nearl y three years D aid anaw , destroy in g the J-:l a?: iratu' 1- of travel in India and Burma in the com­ Quds. Siyyid Mu?rafa, 99 years old , was pany of Jamal Effendi , the eminent Baha'i murdered by these ruffians." The Guar­ teacher sent to that region at the instructi on di an, in a me morable cable, designated of Baha' u' llah. Siyyid Mu ~ r afa had em­ Siyyid M u?rafa as a Hand of the Cause of braced the Faith in M adras, India , in 1875 God , referred to him as " dearl y loved as soon as he came in contact with Jamal sta un ch high-minded noble soul Siyyid Effendi . In Burma, groups established in M u?rafa," ha il ed the " long record of hi s Rangoon and Mandalay by Jamal Effendi superb servi ces both teaching administra­ were patiently and lovingly nurtured by tive fi elds," and described him as " passing iyyid Mu?rafa as they developed into (to) supreme concourse. " 6 3 piritual Assemblies. 1 During the Ministry of 'Abdu' l-Baha, The Burmese nation today the fl edgling Burmese Baha' i community Burma today is experiencing many dif­ was the recipie nt of many blessin gs from fic ulties as a result of social and economic the Master. A hi ghl ight in the life of Siyyid conditions over the past several years. Its Mu?rafa was the occasion in 1899 when he economy is struggling, so that consumer was privil eged to take to the World Cente r goods and travel fac ilities are ve ry li mited . the marble sarcophagus which 'Abdu' l­ Several prov inces are experiencing insta­ B a ha accepted as a g if t fro m th e Baha'is of Mandalay and which was de­ bility resulting from political fo rces ~ with stined to enshrine the sacred remain s of the the central government undertaking milit­ Bab.2 ary acti on to quell rebellions. The gov­ During the Ministry of 'A bdu' l-Baha, ernme nt po li cy is such that Burmese citi­ the fortunes of the Faith in Burma were ze ns can onl y rarely obtain vi sas fo r travel suddenly and dramati call y revolutionized . abroad; a consequence is that Burmese The headman of the Daidana w vill age Baha' is have for several years been unable found himself involved in a legal case in to go to the World Cente r on pilgrimage or Rangoon, 30 miles away. His applicati on fo r the Inte rnati onal Conventio ns as­ for bail was granted on condition that a sociated with the electi on of The U niversal citizen stand s urety for him. The headman House of Justice. They have also been was pessimisti c about bein g abl e to satify una bl e to atte nd great Inte rnati onal Con­ this condition whe n, to hi s amazeme nt , a fe re nces at which Baha' is from ma ny stanger in the courtroom offered hi mself. countries gather. For many years the gov­ In response to the headman' s inquiry, the ' ernme nt provided visitors to Burma with Opposite page, upper left: the Hand of!he stranger identified himse lf as a Baha'i. As vi sas fo r no longer than 24 hours; now it is Cause of God Siyyid Mu$[aja Rumi: he a result the headman and his companions possibl e gene rally to obtain a seven-day taught an entire village. The building on from Daidanaw were brought to the pres­ visa. With rare exceptions pioneers are the upper right is the Shrine of Siyyid _nce of Siyy id Mu?rafa, who succeeded in unable to settl e in Burma. The isolati on of Mustafa Riimi at Daidanaw. Below, some demonstrating to them the validity of the the Burmese Baha' fs is he ighte ned by the of the Baha' is ofD aidanaw gather inji-ont Cause. W hen the vii lagers re ported the uncerta inties of the postal system . of the Shrine.

Baha'i News I December 1975 3 The Burmese Baha'i community today We were also privileged to participate in Burma: vibrant, During May 1975, we had the great a five-day youth deepening conference unified with privilege of visiting Burma, and meeting he ld in Rangoon. The Baha'is at that con­ members of its stalwart Baha'i commun­ ference had been selected by the Loca a strong thirst it y. It provided an opportunity not onl y to Spiritual Assemblies around Rangoon ano participate in the teaching work , but also came to the Nati onal Cente r as guests of for deepening to examine the effects of the teaching the National Spiritual Assembly for an in­ pioneering efforts of Jamal Effendi and tensive deepening program, preparatory to Siyyid Mu?\afa Rumi, I 00 years later. going out in traveling teaching teams. The We observed the followi ng characteris­ deepening sessions typically occupied I 0 ti cs of the Burmese Baha' i community: hours each day. The dedication of the The striking contras t be tween youth was evident in the di li gence with 1. • the Baha' i community and the rest which they took notes, asked questions, of the country. The mass of the people of and studied the material. T he Auxiliary Burma appear despondent, fee ling little Board members and National Spiritual As­ incentive to develop themselves, and are se mbly members no t onl y conducted clas­ very isolated from the rest of the world. By ses, but also set a beautiful example in contrast, the Baha' i community is vibrant preparing and servin g food fort he youth so and dynamic, fo rward-looking and serene , the yo uth could have the m ax imum despite its isolati on. The Baha'is have an amount of time to study. At the end of the amazing sense of world-mindedness, five-day session, a three-hour examination thinking in global te rm s and interested in provided a means fo r the youth to assess the condition of the entire world. their knowledge . We visited the vill age of Daidanaw to On one occasion we were to meet sev­ observe an area where Baha' i community eral Baba' i youth in the c ity. Since we life has been practiced for three genera­ fo und it difficult to indenti fy the Baha'i tions. The contrast between this vi llage youth from the ir parents' descriptions, we and its surroundings is s triking. A obse1ved a group of young people in a stranger, passing through unaware that store, knowing the Baha'i youth to be thi s was a Baha'i village , could not fail to among these young people. We tried to be impressed by the difference between it predi ct which ones among the group were and the surrounding villages. It is very Baha'i from their appearance and their be­ neat, clean, and tidy . The demeanor of the hav ior. To our pleasure, we found our pre­ people, the ir caITiage and the ir bearing, diction to be entirely coITect; those youth the gentl eness and dignity with whi ch they di stinguished by their bearing and manner relate to each other, distinguish them from proved to be the Baha' is who e merged to the gene ral popul ation. T he vill age is greet us. much more prosperous than surrounding A nother contrast is the unity in vii !ages because the cooperative attitudes 2 • the Baha' i community, compared to fostered by the Baha'i teachings promote the segmentation in Burmese society. Four agri cultural efficiency and rai se the pros­ reli gions co-exist in Burma, in addition to perity of the e ntire community. the Baha' i Faith-the Buddhist, Christian, The rhythm of life in the village is such Hindu, and Muslim religions. As a result, that in the earl y morning, at the first li ght the peopl e thirst increasingly for some of dawn, the villagers arise, observe the ir meaning underlying the clash of differing morning prayers and proceed to the fi e lds. re li gio us practi ces. The Baha' i teachings, In the late afternoon the y gather in the uniting all reli gions, are a manifest haven Baha'i Center, which is lit by one kerosene of sere nity and harmony. lamp. The adults and the youth , the chil­ T he unity in the Burmese Baha' i com­ dren and the grandparents, all gather, sit­ munity is ev ide nt not only in the ting on the floor, to pray together and he teroge ne ity of its relig io us back­ discuss the Baha' i teachings. grounds, but also in the warmth charac­ Walking in a vill age that is entirely terizing the relationship betwee n the youth Baha' f is a unique fee ling. You smile con­ and the ad ults. During several sessions of fidentl y at a stranger, each knowing that the Rangoon deepe ing conference, we the other is a Baha'i. He invites you in to shared news of Baha' i activites in othe r hi s house and insists on serving you food. part s of the world. Later, at Daidanaw, we With no common language, one resorts to saw the youth from the conference sitting frequent expression of All ah' u' Abha w ith with the older members of the community, smiles and ingenious hand gestures. In sharing with them every item of ne ws that such c ircumstances the conversation is they had obtained in Rangoon. In the face eloquent in the universal language of the of the adversit y and conflict in the Bur­ spirit. mese nation , the Baha'is have learned to

4 December 1975 I Baha'i News treasure every morsel of knowledge, and the conve rsa ti on of the beli evers. They sion, the youth have adopted a special pro­ to share it with their fell ow Baha'is as a yearn for knowledge of the progress of the ject to acquire sufficient proficiency in very precious gift. Faith in other parts of the world , and dis­ English that they can make an intensive Another example of the un ity is fo und in cussion is continually directed into areas stu rl of the Guardi an's writings and the the strength of the bonds we fo rmed with which will benefit the progress of the m es ~ ages of The Universal House of Jus­ the Baha' i youth , despite the brev ity of our Cause . ti ce. vi sit and the inability to speak the Burmese Repeatedly , they in sisted that we take language. Everybody was in tears when it their love to the World Center of the Faith. The lesson of Burma came time to depart. Now, in the Uni ted Deprived of the bounty of phys ical pril­ States, we look back on those moments grimage to the Holy Pl aces, they commis­ The story of Burma is unfinished and with wonder, recalling how we met the sioned us to offer prayers on their behalf. will not be fi ni shed within our lifetime. Burmese Baha' is, perfect stangers sharing Later in our journey, we were privil eged to Undoubtedly the Burmese community will no common language, but developed such offer prayers on their behalf at the Holy continue to expand and develop, year after a deep sense of love in so short a peri od of Shrines of Baha' u' ll ah and the Bab. We year into the future. We look bac k with time that even now our hearts ac he at our visited the Holy House of the Bab and wonder at the progress of the last l 00 absence from them. greeted the Baha'is of Shiraz in the name years, wi tnessing the resul t from one The insati abl e th irst for deep­ of the Burmese Baha' i comm unity. In traveling teacher, Jamal Effendi, who 3 • ening. The Burmese Baha' is have turn , the Baha'is of Shiraz acknowledged arose at the in struction of Baha' u' ll ah and respo nde d to the c halle nge of adve rsit y th e bond they share with Burma; from the opened this country to the Faith . and isolati on by cl inging resolutely to the soil of Shiraz the Bab arose , and fro m Today the voice of divine in spi ration, teachings, mastering the Sacred Texts and Burma came the sarcophagus which now speaking through The Universal House of becoming expertly versed in the writings enshrines His precious remains. Justice, call s us to arise and fo llow in the of the Guardi an. Although the deepening A striking feature is the cease­ footsteps of the earl y heroes and heroines conference was designed fo r Baha' i youth 4 • less teaching ac ti vity of the of the Cause . In one 100 years time , what 15 years or older, we saw children, some Baha' is in the face of the hazards which are will be the result of our exe11ions today in very youn g, who had won the permiss ion sweeping Burmese society. This is seen in servi ce to the Cause? of the National Assembl y to attend the the constant stream of traveling teachers conference. Small childre n, some no more journeyin g all over Burma, di sregarding than l 0 years old , attended the sessions rebellions and warfare. We met elderly every day , taking notes and studying as Baha' is who were preparing to travel to the References hard as the ir older brothers and sisters, remote areas of Burma, to expend their I. Bahci"i News, March 1946, page 12. fee ling hi ghly privileged to be able to par­ remaining energy in the promotion of the 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. ti cipate in such a deepening session. Cause. The youth use the ir vacations to 4. Ibid. A no the r exam ple of thi s thi rst for ca1Ty out teaching assignments . In addi­ 5. Bahcf i Nell's, January 1946, page 8. deepening is that the Faith is fo remost in ti on to the ir training in a trade or profes- 6. Baha· i News , November 1954, page 17.

The National Baha' i Center at Rangoon, Burma.

Baha'i News I December 1975 5 Matthew W. Bullock, Knight of effacement which enabled blacks to sur­ One has only to realize how much Jesse Baha'u'Jlah. forged new trails. broke vive the prejudices of the Old South? Jesse needed the help of a working son to under­ through old barriers, and fought for recog­ took his family to Boston in 1889, arriv­ stand the depth of his love and the sacrifice nition of human worth and human dignity. ing, as he later said. "with seven children that he made in giving Matt the freedom to His achievements had an impact on his and a ten dollar bill." choose and to strive on his own. Baha'i and non-Baha'i communities. He Life in Massac:rnsetts had its hardships. Matthew Bullock met the challenge. He will be remembered as one who blended but it gave young Matt his first access to enrolled at Dartmouth. With a classmate, material and spiritual progress, and kept the kind of education which developed his he gave concerts in churches and hotels . his life on the course of high and constant talents. Completing his elementary train­ He was billed as "the famous baritone commitment to the oneness of Goel and the ing in 1894, he wanted to go to high singer of Dartmouth." He was a diligent unity of mankind. school. His father, constantly seeking bet­ student, and he joined the Dartmouth track Jesse and Amanda Bullock, of Dabney. ter employment opportunities, moved the team, excelling in the broad jump and high North Carolina, first looked upon the face family to Everett. Matt entered high school jump. And he became a footbal l star. One of their new son. l\latthew. on September and. earnestly applying himself, discov­ sports historian. Edwin Henderson. 1 I. 1881. They were not too long out of ered what developed skills of mind and evaluating Matt Bullock's performance on the searing experiences of human slavery. 'body could achieve. He graduated from the Dartmouth football team. observed struggling to raise their family in the pov­ Everett High School in 1900 with scholas­ that "Bullock was one of the brainiest men erty, hostility, and fear which accom­ tic honors and with the historic distinction of football ability the game has ever had." panied the drama of emancipation in the of being a black who was captain of four of Mr. Bullock completed his B.A. degree Old South. To his parents, Matthew must his school's five athletic teams. This was at Dartmouth in 1904 with scholastic hon­ have been a hope and a promise, for even his first pioneer experience, and it must be ors and with fame for his athletic achieve­ in childhood he was distinguished by his remembered that his victories were not ments. He then entered Harvard and sup­ strong, well-coordinated body, his inquir­ easily won in the climate of that period. ported himself by coaching. Mas­ ing. militant intellect, a good singing High school gave Matt confidence and sachusetts Agricultural College hired him voice, and a sensitive. radiant. outgoing ambition. He yearned to go on . His goal and he became the first black to serve as spirit. was that symbol of excellence, Dartmouth head coach at a predominantly white ins­ Perhaps it was the promise of this son College. Jesse Bullock wanted to support titution. He also coached at Malden High that impelled Jesse Bullock to move his his son at college, but he could barely School. He was graduated from Harvard family from Dabney when Matt was 8 provide for the family. W ith a Jove beyond Law School in 1907 with an excellent rec­ years old. How could he doom such a child words, he gave Matt the painfully saved ord. to the attitudes of ignorance and self- sum of $50 and sent him to try his wings. Matt Bullock had to struggle for oppor-

6 December 1975 I Baha'i News tunity. achievement, and respect during a judge in the Common Pleas Court in who referred to him as an '·unsung hero of is school years. He found that doors Philadelphia. the daughter a librarian in the Battle of the Argonne."' which were usually open to well-qualified. Detroit. Matthew Bullock returned to the U.S. professional graduates were closed to him. Matthew Bullock was asked to be the on Memorial Day. 1919. and began prac­ Even among his colleagues. he often met dean of the Agricultural and Mechanical ticing law in Boston. He soon became such only grudging acceptance. In his memoirs. College at Normal. Alabama, in I 915. and an outstanding citizen and leader that he Matt recalled that one colleague. after 40 he worked there until 1917. when he re­ was encouraged to run for public office. years of class reunions. finally condes­ turned to Boston and was admitted to the He ran as a candidate for the Mas­ cended to introduce Matt to his family. Massachusetts Bar. sachusetts House of Representatives in Matthew Bullock learned to pioneer Then. refused active service during 1929 and lost by 92 votes. He was ap­ against bitterness and rage in himself and World War I because of a heart condition. pointed a special assistant to the Mas­ in others. he went to Camp Meade as an educational sachusetts attorney general in 1924. and in Finding no suitable employment in Bos­ secretary of the YMCA organization 1927 the governor appointed him to the ton. Matt accepted an offer from Atlanta which served the armed forces. He joined State Parole Board. later known as the Baptist College. now known as the American Expeditionary Forces and State Parole Board and Advisory Board of Morehouse College. to serve as an athletic went to France with the 369th Infantry. Pardons. He served on that board. in vari­ director and teacher. This took him back to Overseas. he confronted and opposed ra­ ous capacities, including that of chairman. the South in 1908. He developed some of cist policies. thus angering several com­ for 20 years. He helped to establish the the "cleanest and finest football teams in manding officers. He served 15 months in Boston Urban League. served as its secre­ the South." However, he was detem1ined the front lines without being granted a tary and as a board member. and was a life to practice Jaw. He opened a law office in leave. When he applied for accommoda­ memberofthc league. He was president of Atlanta in I 9 I 2. There are no records of tions to return to the United States, he was the Adult Education Center of Boston for his pioneer experiences as a black lawyer reassigned. Mr. Bullock showed such three years and remained an honorary in a Deep South which was then still the leadership and bravery during his front line board member until he died. He served as Old South. service that he was recommended for the president of the Community Church of During this challenging period in his military honor. the Croix de Guerre Boston. As a distinguished leader he never career, Matt met Katherine Wright and medal. But the colonel of the regiment based his influence on the exploitation or they were married. The Bullocks· mar­ refused to approve it. The incident is men­ manipulation of hostilities and tensions. riage was a long and stable one. blessed tioned in the autobiography of Black He was above hatred and bigotry. moti­ with two children whose Jives express the educator Dr. John Hope. Mr. Bullock also vated by a love for justice. high standards of their parents. The son is received a letter from an Army chaplain While president of the Community

Baha'i News I December 1975 7 Church, Mr. Bullock was invited to a din­ is the same after being with the Guardian. I cial love and compassion helped him ner for Mrs. Ludmilla Bechtold Yan Som­ wish every Baha'i could have the bounty through dark days of pain and incapacity. beek, who was a Baha' i traveling teacher. which has been mine." How grateful and humble with loving a - He asked her searching and challenging What words could not express, Matt prec iation Mr. Bullock's ti red heart mt questi ons, and was especially interested in Bullock's li fe expressed thereafter. He have been. the racial attitudes of white Baha' is . Her was a careful observer of the African Con­ Illness so weakened Mr. Bullock that in answers stimulated him to read. He ference and a deeply inspired participant. 1967 he moved to Detroit where his daugh­ studied Some Answered Questions, and he With a special radiance of spirit, he left the ter lived. After a brief time, he entered a and Mrs. Bullock visited Green Acre Conference and traveled to the Belgian nursing home. He kept up his Baha'i con­ Baha'i School. Congo. Returning through West Africa, tacts and his contacts with Dartmouth and Mr. Bullock investi gated the Faith fo r he visited Liberia, where he met the Harvard . The two colleges, equally com­ many years, and the Baha' is taught him Liberian president and the American am­ mitted to him, did not forget him. with great patience and kindness. Mrs. bassador, both of whom had some mis­ Harvard conferred upon him an honor­ Yan Sombeek, his first teacher, became taken ideas about the Faith. Mr. Bullock ary degree and se nt it to him in 1970. hi s warm and understanding friend . She corrected these ideas, and the president Dartmouth College called hi m back for the kept him continually reading the Teach­ was so touched that he invited Mr. Bullock 1971 commencement and conferred upon ings and afforded him contact with experi­ to a special dinner and introduced him to him the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws. ences and people that gave him an over-all 25 distinguished people from Liberia and Matthew Bullock was then 90 years old . picture of Baha'i life. When Matthew Bul­ other countries. Mr. Bullock spoke of the As he stood for the prese ntation and the lock became a Baha'i in 1940, he said that Baha' i Faith and stated that he was in Af­ reading of hi s citati on he received a stand­ Mrs. Yan Sombeek was his spiritual rica as a representative of the United State s ing ovation from the audience of 5,000. mother. All his life, he expressed pro­ National Assembly. What poignant memori es mu st have been fo und appreciation for her friendship. When Mr. Bullock returned home, he his on that day . How he must have rejoiced Mrs. Katherine Bullock died in 1945. fo und that the American Baha' fs had re­ to hear his beloved Faith mentioned in the Though she had not fo rmally accepted the ceived increasingly stirring messages from citation: "Concern for your fellow man Faith, she was impressed with the Teach­ the Gaurdian urging them to pioneer, to continued to occupy your energies after ings and never opposed her husband's carry the Faith to other countries and win retirement. You are a recognized leader of Baha'i interests. B er death left a great gap the victories of the World Crusade. the Baha'i Faith, and you have traveled all in Matt Bullock's li fe. However, in that Matthew Bullock was 72 years old, an over the world at your own expense in the year of grief and loneliness yet another established, prominent citizen, enjoying interest of that re li gion. You believe very honor came to him. The United States sec­ the fruits of a life of hard work and sac­ deeply that the establishment of univers retary of the Navy invited Mr. Bullock to rifice. The Guardian's messages and ap­ j ustice and freedom requires the spiritu< join a special commission of di stinguished peals shook him , leaving no doubt in his and moral awakening of all people .. . " citizens and participate in an inspecti on mind about the priority of pioneering. Matthew Bullock returned to Detroit , tour of Naval installations in the Pacific. Matthew Bullock was one of those strengthened by so many memories of the As a member of the Baha' i community, Baha'is who rose to his feet at the 1953 great moments of hi s life, and tranquilly Mr. Bullock gave un stintingly of hi s lead­ American Baha'f Convention, offering to awaited the opening of that door to other ershi p skill s and hi s devotion. He traveled pioneer. Overcoming the limitations of his existence. Death came to him on De­ extensively and frequently to promote the age and t.he objections of those near to cember 17, 1972. He was 91. Faith, visitin g Haiti, Costa Rica, and Mex­ him, wrenching himself free from the With hi s customary orderliness, Mr. ico. His deep commitment attracted many home community and land, he was one of Bullock left a wi ll in which he provided for people. He served as chairman of the Bos­ the five National Assembly members who a Baha' i funeral, and he even selected the ton community and was appointed to many resigned and went pioneering during that passages he wished read from the Writings national committees, and in 1952 he was memorable year. at his serv ice. And a very great honor and elected to the National Spiritual Assembly. Mr. Bullock settled in Curacao, Dutch tribute came to him from the Faith he had He went to Africa in 1953 as one of the West Indies, and helped establi sh a new so loved and served. delegates from the U.S. National Assem­ Assembly there. He was o ne of the The Universal House of Justice cabled bly to the first Intercontinental Baha' f pioneers to whom the Guardian gave the to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Conference in Uganda, East Africa. He title "Knight of Baha' u' llah." He taught Baha'is of the United States: GRIEVED received permission from the beloved and traveled and extended hi s services to PASSING KNIGHT BAHA'U'LLAH Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, to make a pil­ other areas of the West Indies, helping to MATTHEW BULLOCK DISTING­ grimage to the Holy Land before attending form and strengthen other Baha'f Assem­ UISHED PROMOTER FAITH. CON­ the conference. blies. VEY FAMILY ASSURANCES The visit to the Holy Shrines and the In 1960, feeling the disabilities of ex­ PRAYERS HOLY THRESHHOLDS cordial reception given him by the beloved treme age , Mr. Bullock returned to the PROGRESS SOUL. ADVISE HOLD • Guardian had a profound spiritual impact United States. In Boston, he ta ught and MEMORIAL GATHERING on Matthew Bullock. "The Guardian has se1ved as best he could. Age and illness MASHRIQU'L-ADHKAR. cleared up many things for me ," he said . troubled him , and the Boston friends who The National Assembly he ld that "My visit to him and to the Holy Shrines had known him for so long treated him gathering on February 17 , 1973. The are experiences beyond words. I don't with much love and sympathy. Among music of a life so devoted to se1ving the think I will ever be able to express what it them mu st be mentioned a long time principles of an eternal Faith was caught meant to me. Nor do I think that any Baha'i Baha' i friend , Bernice Ball, who with spe- up and amplified in the chords of eternity.

8 December 1975 I Baha'i News nationalism is growing. Government per­ mission is needed for the Baha' fs to hold a Teaching public event. However, such permission often benefits the Baha' fs. In one place, the Baha' fs asked the mayor if they could hold a public meeting the Faith in the market place. The mayor said he thought they should hold three public meetings, two in the town hall and one in the high school. The mayor chaired the in Togo first meeting and personally invited dig­ nitaries to it. The assistant mayor chaired the second, which was announced by the town crier. And the third was held as sug­ gested in the high school. In another place, the governor offered to chair a meeting, and did so. He called the meeting after the daily "animation," which is a gathering of the people to sing songs and dance in praise of the government. This is a sign of the increasing Communist influence in Togo. Mrs. Khelghati quoted a Baha'i in Togo, who said, "How can we ever exp­ lain to Baha' u' llah that the Communists were more active and devoted than we were?" Communism is a real temptation to the leaders of Africa' s impoverished, under­ developed nations, though it contradicts their own deep religious faith. But educa­ tion can remove such faith from a popula­ tion in one generation. So the Baha'fs have The people of Togo are " incredibly re­ Mrs. Khelghati. She said that in late Oc­ to move fast, now. And the people ceptive" to the Faith, said Auxiliary Board tober and early November a traveling are hungry forthe Message of Baha' u' llah. member Thelma Khelghati. Mrs. Khel­ teacher from Belgium found 70 new Their own spirit of faith, along with their ghati is the Auxiliary Board member for Baha'is in Togo, and these people were new perception of the limitations of the Togo, Dahomey, Ghana, and Niger, all in from all strata of society: a banker, an church, brings them, in ever-increasing West Africa. She and her husband, assistant to a government minister, a uni­ numbers, to the Baha' is. In one place this Amru' llah, went to pioneer in Togo in versity student, a nurse , laborers, a rich summer, about six Bah a' is spent two hours March, 1973 . businessman. inviting the public to a meeting and about " In Togo, all the people, whether dis­ A few years ago, there were only four or 350 people showed up and sat and lis­ tinguished professionals or officials or five pioneers in Togo. Now there are 12, tened until the Baha'is were exhausted and simple tribesmen, are receptive to the including two children. One of the chil­ had to end the meeting. Faith. They have a firm belief in God," dren, 18-month-old Andalib Khelghati , " West African countries are quickly be­ Mrs. Khelghati explained. " They have a was born in Togo. coming more difficult to get into," said deep faith, a sense of man' s dependence on The first National Spiritual Assembly of Mrs. Khelghati. In her opinion, foreigners God. They know that to do anything-to Togo was elected at Riqvan 1975. Three of within the country will, in a few years, be healed, to get a job--you need help its members are pioneers and the rest are have little mobility, will be unable to travel from a Superior Power, and they call on Togolese. And in the last few years, more from village to village as the pioneers do that Power. They love prayers. Almost deepened and active Togolese Baha' is now. always, the first question they ask the have arisen to spread the Faith. The Khelghatis visited their family in Baha'i teaher is, ' Do you have prayers?' " Last summer, two Togolese believers the United States during November and The Khelghatis have noticed this at­ went from the city to their own native areas stopped at the House of Worship in Wil­ titude all over West Africa . Western to teach the Faith. They opened the areas, mette. They bought much needed books, pioneers in that region learn the true mean­ and many people became Baha'is. One pictures, and Baha'i jewelry in the Temple ing of humility, hospitality, and courtesy went to Sansanne-Mango, a Moslem area book,.store. from the seekers. inhabited by the Tchkossi Tribe. Another They love their pioneer life. Mrs. Khel­ French-speaking pioneers and traveling went to Niamtogougou and taught the ghati said that she thinks " the bounty for teachers are badly needed in Togo to find Losso Tribe. the pioneers is that they learn more about new Baha' fs and help deepen them. And The Khelghatis said that, for the mo­ themselves. In an unfamiliar environment, new Baha'is are easy to find. " Almost ment, western civilization and materialism it's easy to see yourself and get to know anybody you talk to is interested," said have not penetrated very far in Togo, but yourself. You stand out."

Baha'i News I December 1975 9 World Center

A radio recording studio was dedicated in de Burafato of the Continental Board of Ruben Betancourt, vice-chairman of the August at Ma yaguez, Puerto Rico. Present Counsellors for Cen tral America, and National Spiritual Assembly. on the occasion were Counsellor Carmen

ters of production in at least fo ur countries, cooperati on and professionalism. and to encourage cooperati on in sharing ECUADOR: Outstanding has been scripts, tapes, and ideas. Ec uado r' s experie nce with broadcasts How the use of radio Access to radio statio ns seems to be from the small commercial station Radio is spreading the Faith relatively easy in much of Latin America Turismo in Otavalo. So useful have been where both governmental and private the broadcasts, which are directed primar­ In its message to the Baha' i world at commercial stations welcome the moder­ il y to the Indian believers of the region, Na~-Ruz, 1974, The Universal House of ate and modern Baha'i programs a nd that ste ps have been taken to build equip­ Justice called for the " use o n an increasing where Baha' is are well received. The flow ment for a Baha' i broadcasting studio at scale (of) the fac ilities of mass communi­ of Baha' i travel teachers provides news­ the Baha' i Teaching Institute in that moun­ cati on," and 39 National Spiritual As­ worthy persons for inte rview. Other free tain city. Broadcasts hopefull y will be un ­ semblies were specifically directed to un­ time may include in spirational spots, an­ dertaken in both short and medium wave dertake radio programming for proclama­ nouncements of Baha' f events and even frequenc ies. Programs in Spanish a nd tion and teaching. som e program series as in Belize , Q uechua are produced by a dedicated Eightee n Latin Ameri can Assemblies Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the Virgin Is­ corps of indigenous believers a nd were given this assignme nt and many of lands. pioneers. these have made important progress to­ Time-even prime time during peak BOLIVIA: Bolivia, with the similar wards mobilizing individual and commun­ hours of audie nce receptio n-can often be problem of a la rge Ind ia n po pulation it y resources. Through the active assis­ purchased very inexpensively. In a few speaking either Q uechua or Aymara, has l tance and professional s timulus of K . places it may be feasible , on the basis of been construc ting a s imple recordin g Dean Stephens, rad io and television en­ Baha' i need and opportunity, to own and studio in the Baha' i Center in La Paz. gineer of Pue rto Rico who has designed run low-power local Baha' f stati ons as Feasibility studies have been undertaken several recording studios and developed possibly in Ecuador, Bolivia , or Panama. fo r a possibl e independent Baha' i radio plans for a number of National Assemb­ The opportunities are many , although the station. Meanwh il e, radio broadcasts are li es, strides have been taken to develop obstacles are abundant. What is obvio us is carried on a local commercial stati on as national programs, to create regional cen- that much can be achieved with initiative, funds permit.

1o December 1975 I Baha'i News PANAMA: Panama' s House of Wor­ utilization and scripts are being prepared vice rn each and every fo ll ower of the ship on the Cerro Sonsonate (S inging for broadcast. Cause. Mountain) offers singul ar natural advan­ BELIZE: Belize has for some time tages fo r a future radio station. The Na­ conducted weekly radio programs, but tional Assembly has authorized the con­ these are now in the process of upgrading Hands of Cause struction and equipping of a small record­ the program content. return to Haifa ing studi o as a part of the caretaker's house CURACAO: Curacao, in the Dutch and appointed a committee for developing Antilles, reports that it has "a regul ar Sun­ The Hands of the Cause of God 'A li programs of suitable content. day morning program , usin g a different Akbar Furutan , Paul E. Haney , and EL SALVADOR: El Salvador, with its language each time-Dutch, English, Abu' l-Qasim Faizi have returned to the ir energetic community which includes sev­ Papiamento-but using the same text . . . duties at the Internati onal Teaching Center eral media-trained persons, has converted then, after three weeks, we move to a new in Haifa and are participating in the pro­ a room in its National Ha?'.irat u' l-Quds into text ... " . Scripts are based on The Bahti' i gram of pilgrimage which resumed in late a recording studio and is now completing Faith b y Gloria Faizi and o n Dr. October. its eq uipping. It hopes to produce its own Esslemont' s Bahti' u' lltih and the New Mr. Furutan' s itinerary took him , dur­ regul ar programs and spots, and function Era . ing July, August and part of September, to as a regional center for radio productions. TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO and Baha'i centers and Summer Schools in PUERTO RICO: Puerto Rico on Au­ GUYANA: Beginning with 5-minute Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, gust 26, 1975 , establi shed in Mayaguez weekly programs in Trinidad, and a simi­ and Switzerl and. the first fully operati onal recording studio , lar series of 10-minute programs in The last part of September and part of dedicated on that date in the presence of Guyana, both communities are planning October were spent with the believers in a Counsellor Carmen de Burafato. The cooperati on in the preparati on and sharing number of centers in Turkey, where Mr. Baha'i radio committee of Puerto Ri co has of materials. Furutan held meetings day and night, at­ begun actively to produce , for island The goal to "expand the use of radio for tended by the fri ends who came from local broadcasting , a series of deepening prog­ Baha' i broadcasts aimed at proclamation and outlyin g areas despite transportati on rams which hopefully will be of use as well of the Faith to a greater number of li sten­ difficulties. There was full participation in neighboring areas. ers, as well as deepening the faith of the by men and women, youth and children, THE LEEWARD AND VIRGIN IS­ believers," is well under way in Central and many penetrating questions about the LANDS: This national community, with America , the Caribbean and northern Cause were answered by him. Mr. Furutan several radio professionals among its South America. With the future develop­ was particularly impressed with the en­ members, is hoping to develop a regional me)lt of effective cooperative procedures thusiasm of the Baha' i youth - some of producti on center, possibly in their Na­ among the communities of the region the them former members of the 'A lavi sect­ tional Ha?'.iratu' l-Quds, for the English­ successful utilization of thi s powerful and spoke to them of the significant role speaking Caribbean and Beli ze. The Local teaching tool will not onl y add to the pre­ the youth can play in the Cause. Spiritual Assembly of St. Thomas has sti ge of the Cause but also make it familiar Reporting on Mr. Furutan' s visit, the begun a weekly radio series based upon to the masses. National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey Sidney I. Dean' s " 52 Baha' i Talks for All wrote, " The friends were deli ghted to have Occasions." Three other Baha' i programs November 12 marked met Mr. Furutan . . . one could see great are broadcast in the Leeward and Virgin by intensive prayer joy and happiness in the ir faces and feel Islands: in St. Maarten, St. Cro ix, and the power of love which he showered upon Saba. A committee in Martinique, French A wave of prayer was spread across the them. The youth were very eager to learn Antilles, is do ing scripts in French. globe on November 12 , the Birthday of - they would come with their note pads JAMAICA: Jamaica, after its success­ Baha'u'llah. and take notes for later reference. We are ful broadcast series of 20 half-hour pro­ The day of intensive prayer marked the grateful for the bounty of this visit. . . " grams in a five-week period in 1973 , has beginning of a vigorous world-wide cam­ In addition to attending in August a now reactivated its committee for radio paign to inspire individual believers to number of Summer Schools and visiting and televi6ion and will share its tapes with pu sh forward with the vital work of the Baha'i communities in the United King­ the English-speaking countries and is­ Five Year Plan. dom, Ireland, and Europe , Mr. Haney was lands. A recording studio is being planned The special day of intensive prayer was the honored guest at the Regional Youth for this island. suggested by the International Teaching Conferences he ld at Steevensbeek, N. NICARAGUA: Nicaragua has pur­ Center to the Continental Counsellors and Brabant, The Netherlands, and at Ar­ chased a tape recorder, has begun the Auxiliary Boards throughout the world .. cegno, Switzerland. systematic taping of programs and has re­ The Counsellors , in turn, asked the believ­ " We were deeply grateful for the pres­ cruited radio script writers. There is a reg­ ers everywhere to join them. ence of the Hand of the Cause of God Paul ular weekly program of upgraded quality Prayers went forth from the Holy Places Haney at part of each Conference," the aired over " Radio Nacional" on the North at the World Center, from Houses of Wor­ Continental Board of Counsellors in Coast which is widely received in Hon­ ship, from cities, from remote villages, Europe reported. " His presentation of duras. from homes. The purpose was to attract texts from the Guardian's letters played an COST A RICA: An active committee Divine confirmations to the sacred task especially significant part in the program, has been formed in Costa Rica for media and to quicken the spirit of sacrificial ser- because to study the writings of the Faith

Baha'i News / December 1975 11 World Center ·

The Universal House of Justice Build­ The believers have bee n invited to con­ ing will be constructed in front of the ter­ tribute to the building fund in order to House of Justice raced area which will be beautified. The e nsure uninte n-upted progress of the pro­ seat site terraced purpose of the terrac ing is to avoid placing ject, called by The Universal House of the building against the side of Mount Justice the greatest single undertakin g of This photograph, taken in November, Cam1el. the Five Year Pl an. shows the progress of the excavati on at the Actual construction of the majestic 5 1/z site of the permanent seat of The Universal story building is expected to begin early in House of Justice. 1976. was one of the objectives . . . youth came liminary to a public meeting. It was stated the Cause ... It was of invaluable signifi­ from a number of countries to each Con­ that there was good response to both proc­ cance for all of us to benefit from his ference, the Dutch bei ng naturally in lamation programs and there were some profound and loving wisdom ... the chil­ greatest numbe r in Holland, and Swiss and enquirers at each public meeting. dren in o ur community were especiall y Italian in Switze rl and ... the response of In July , Mr. Faizi e mbarked o n a bl essed by hav ing a couple of hours of the ir the youth to this opportunity for study was lengthy journey which took him to The own in an unforgettable meeting with Mr. very positive and they appreciated it very Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, the Un­ Faizi." much." ited Kingdom , France , Luxembo urg , Mr. Faizi was pleased to witness a The general aiTangements fo r each Con­ Italy, and Austri a where he was able to hi gher degree of consecration among the ference were handled by a committee of meet with the Baha'i friends and partici­ friends in Europe, a greater thirst on their youth , it was reported, and the youthful pate in nine Summer School programs. part for knowledge abo ut and understand­ participants at the Conferences w illingly " We hereby express o ur deepest ing of the Teachings, and many welcome lent assistance in cleaning duties. A period gratitude," the Danish 1 ational Spiritual evidences of the interest and zeal of the of proclamation was organi zed o n con­ Assembly wrote , " for the visit this sum­ youthful members of the Baha' i com­ junction with each Conference, as a pre- mer of the precious and beloved H and of munities he visited.

12 December 1975 I Baha'i News Around the World

Bolivia Pioneers and traveling teachers from the Declarations follow United States, Mexico, Argentina, Ger­ many, Vene zuela, and Bolivia attended a teaching project three-day pioneer institute in August at the One of the most notable successes of Amelia Collins Baha' f Institute at this summer's International Teaching Pro­ Cochabamba, Bolivia . ject in Bolivia was the declaration of 23 students at a rural teachers college in Paracaya. A special deepening institute is planned for these new Baha' is , who will , when Brazil they complete coll ege, be teachers for the Covenant is theme pub I ic school system in rural areas of of Youth Congress Bolivia . Rural teachers have much influ­ ence in their communities, and when they The fifth National Baha'i Youth Con­ use that influence to furthe r the aims of the gress of Brazil , recently gathered in Porto Faith, the Inte rnational Teaching Project Fel iz, was attended by 75 youth from nine will bear magnificent fruits. institute August 15 - 17 at the Amelia Col­ communities. Youth from the United States, Mexico, Ii ns Baha'i Institute, Cochabamba, The theme of the conference was "The Argentina, Germany, and Bolivia worked Bolivia. Continental Counsellor Donald Covenant." The theme was suggested by together during the project, which began Witzel of Venezuela conducted the insti­ The Universal House of Justice and was in July. The projecteers joined pioneers tute, during whi ch five youth decided to studied through a paper written by Coun­ and other traveling teachers for a pioneer stay in Bolivia as full-time pioneers. se ll or Leonora Armstrong of the Continen­ ta l Board of Counsellors for South· America. Other topics were prese nted by youth who compiled material from the Writings and, in some cases, drew upon their own professional training . In the evening, youth prese nted original plays dramatizing Baha' i teaching situations. The youth surpassed the ir goal in con­ tributing to the National Youth Fund and decided to revise a Portuguese Baha' i pamphlet for youth.

Cameroon Republic Baha'i book displays very effective In an effort to bring the Baha' i Message to all strata of society, the National Spiritual Assembly encouraged Local As­ semblies to sponsor Baha'i book displays.

Baha'i News I December 1975 13 Around the World

The di spl ays were publicized by post­ home of one of the friends. Many friends li p to li p, from heart to heart. ers, written invitations, and fl ye rs. Atten­ were gathered, with seven seekers-boys, "None of the friends was agit ated; none dance ranged fro m a handful to 400 inquir­ girl s, European s, Afri cans-all happy, all panicked. Eve ryone felt a se nse of the pre­ ers. New believers were enrolled as a re­ attracted to Him, when suddenly the thun­ se nce of Baha' u' ll ah, of His power and sult of the exhibits. der of heavy shooting was heard , shaking assistance. Soon, all reached their homes. The exhibits we re announced on the all the windows. Cries and lamentations Although my automobile tire was punc­ radi o, which also broadcast an in te rvi ew were heard from a large group of people tu red by a stray bullet, I, too, reached with a member of a Local Asse mbly and who were the target of machine gun bullets home in safety. whi ch recorded and broadcast the talk s fi red into the very room below us. And " This is a short account of a long story, give n at the public meeting whi ch con­ then the fl ow of many wounded , teITified , of a day somewhat similar to many in the cl uded the display sessions. At the meet­ bleeding people who sought refu ge in the past and whi ch may resemble many more in g , speakers fro m six di ffe rent back­ house where we were gathered. We ru shed days to come. But what is beautiful and grounds spoke on the oneness of mankind. to the ir rescue , re ndering whatever assis­ heartening is the spirit of the believers who tance we coul d, calling the ambulance, are firm , united , lov ing, daring and pa­ Canada comforting them , stopping the ir bleeding, tient! We know that all this will pass, but Yukon Native Council consoling the many fr ightened children, the Faith of God will not. And we are issues action call some of whom were praying, some weep­ helping one another to seek no shelter ex­ in g. cept His mi ghty Covenant and Stro nghold. The Yuko n Baha' i Native Council , the " Afte r a few minutes, soldie rs and Please pray fo r all of us." firs t of its kind in Canada, met in Carcross, Yukon TeITi tory, to issue "a rin ging call Greenland fo r ac ti on." Danish settlement Auxiliary Board me mbers Howard Brown, Peggy Ross, and Ted Anderson, receives Message and Board assistants F letcher Be nnett and Sukkertoppen is a Dani sh settl ement on Loretta King represented the Continental an island on the southwest coast of Green­ Board of Coun se llors at the conference. land, north of Godthaab, and has an esti ­ Ed Muttart represented the Canadian Na­ mated popul ati on of 1,400. No Baha'is ti onal Assembly. live there. The Council of approx imately I 00 na­ Mrs. Lotus Nie lse n of Godthaab re­ tive and white Ba ha' is from Northe rn centl y visited Sukkertoppen while on a Canada and Alaska was chaired by a Tlin­ teaching trip . She is an assistant to Aux­ gi t Indian Baha'i youth who recently made ili ary Board mem ber Peggy Ross of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and then Canada. went on a teaching trip to several centers in Mrs. Nielsen arranged a public showing Euro pe and Greenland . of Baha' i slides in Sukkertoppen. While The consultati on, ce ntered on ac ti on trying to find a place in which to g iv e her that will consolidate the teaching work in program , she befriended many local peo­ the vill ages, was " impressiv e and the ple and gave them Baha' i literature. The depth of un derstanding and commitment town has no newspaper, so the meeting overwhelming ," one participant said . "A \ coul d only be adverti sed by a poster on the ge nerous contribution to the Fund was community bulletin board . The young made. The need fo r acti on was seen and policemen entered the house to investi gate man who made the poster discussed the pl ans made to visit and teach in the area' s the source of the shooting and were as­ Faith with Mrs. Nielse n for fo ur hours. He goals. One such plan was successfully car­ tonished to fin d a re li gious meetin g in took Baha'i literature, and conse nted to ried out the ni ght the Council ended." progress. translate Mrs. Nielsen's talk fro m Dani sh Mention of Baha' u' ll ah produced a into Greenl andi c. Ethiopia miracle ! The chief of poli ce knew about Mrs. Nielse n reported that the poster How Baha'ls react the Faith . He summoned hi s aides to help attracted much atte ntion, but she faced an in time of war the wo unded , apologeti call y made a empty room at the hour when the meeting purely ceremoni al inspection of the house, was to have begun. "Fiftee n minutes What happens to firm Baha'is in time of and , to our astoni shment and relief, gently later," she said, " Ferdinand, who made war? Excerpts from a letter by a beli ever in and respectfully told us that we were free the poster, arrived , wearing a wool scarf Asmara, Ethiopia , contain the thrilling to go, expl aining that there was no need to and perspiring profusely. He had fl u and a answer: investigate the fri ends. He said he knew high fever and expressed regret that no one "As on every other day, we had already the Baha'is were not a source of danger had come to the meeting . He di d not heard shooting. And yet, filled with the and he entertained no doubts about them . reali ze that I considered hi s presence desire of mentioning His blessed Name " The bysta nders were asto unded . enough! He wanted to see the slides and 1 and calling more people to His court, there ' What is a Baha'i?' they as ke d. And we spent 1 /2 hours again discussing the was a beautiful gathering, a fireside, at the Baha' u' ll ah's blessed Name passed from Faith . .. " This man and his wife are now

14 December 1975 I Baha'i News tudying the Faith. there any Remover of difficulties ... " Spiritual Assemblies, and opening 3,000 In Holste in sborg, Mrs. Nielsen was un ­ After a deep sil ence, the Bishop, "with joy localities to the Faith. able to a1Tan ge a public meeting . " I visited in hi s eyes:' insisted on in scri bing and pre­ w ith people where I fo und them ," she senting to Mr. Afs hi a book about Ice­ Iran stated , "outside the ir ho uses, in the street, land . The presentati on was made " in a Youth activities in stores. Sometimes they accepted litera­ spirit of sweetness and humility." ti.Ire. The Greenl anders were fri endly and A third Auxiliary Board me mbe r, Eov­ to be increased helpful." aro T . J6nsson, and ano ther member of the Inte nsifying Baha' i youth act1 v1t1es in Mrs. Nielen also visited the widow of Nati onal Spiritual Assembly joined the de­ Iran was the theme of the 26th annual He ndrik Olsen, who was the firs t native legati on to visit the Rev. Arelius Nielsson, Baha' i Youth Conventio n of Ira n. Re­ Baha' i of G reenl and . He learned of the who is described as " the best beloved cently gathered in Teheran, the Conve n­ Faith through M rs. Johanne Hoeg, the fi rst priest in this country and surely the most ti on brought together 77 youth from 38 Danish Baha' i, and he was translating renowned." Rev. Nielsson has ofte n me n­ distri cts. Continental Counsellor Masih Baha' u' llah and the New Era into Green­ ti oned and defended the Faith in ne ws­ Farhangi of the Contine nta l Board of landic when he died in 1967. paper articles. He once wrote that the Counse llors in Western Asia addressed the Baha' i Faith was " li ke a golden gleam in youth, emphasizing the ir importance as Iceland the darkness and beneath it you can hear teachers. Faith proclaimed the murmur of the Holy River. " The youth studied the goals of the Five Rev. N ie lsson warml y g reete d his Year Plan and discussed a report by 62 to Icelandic leaders guests, and liste ned atte ntively to a discus­ Persian youth who have been traveling The Icelandic Baha' i community re­ s ion of the Teachings. He said he did not teaching in Africa. centl y proclaimed the Faith to the leaders doubt that the li ght of C hrist sho ne in the The youth made plans to increase indi­ of Iceland, presenting them with Baha'i Baha' f Faith. He expressed regret at the vidual teaching among university students; literature, including The Baha.' i Wo rld, pass ing of Asge ir Eina rsson , forme r 26 of the m offered to pioneer on the Per­ Vol. XIV. chai rman of the Local Spiritual Assembly sian homefront and 13 to fore ign coun­ Auxiliary Board members Had i Afs hi of Reykj av ik , and seemed moved by the tries; I 12 intern ati onal traveling teaching and Svana Einarsdottir, and Erla Guo­ fact that the books presented to him were trips were pl edged. mundsdottir, vice-chairman of the Na­ inscribed by the Nati onal Assembly. He All these pl edges are to be carried out by tional Spiritual Assembly of Iceland , had a gave a copy of the Icelandic psalm book to next year, whe n the youth meet for the ir 15-minute interview with the president of Mr. Afshi and ki ssed him on both cheeks 27th annual Convention. the Republic of Iceland . in the traditional Icelandic expression of They reported that " . .. the President deep affecti on. Italy was most congeni al, received us warmly , Baha'i booth popular and mentioned Eskil Ljungberg, Knight of India at Sardinia fair Baha'u' ll ah for the Faeroe Islands, w ith Intensive teaching whom the president had some associati ons Every year a large internati onal trade while he was serving as director of the project is launched fa ir is held in Cagliari , capital of Sardinia, Nati onal Museum. It was evide nt that A Baha' i confe re nce in H yderabad , Italy. This year, the Local Spiritual As­ Eskil had made favo rable impressio ns. India, cabled the World Cente r: " Two sembly of Cagli ari decided that, despite The president was very fri endly and asked hundred twenty-one Baha'is, including the expense, this would be an invaluable interesting questi ons." 125 re presentatives 42 villages, 60 volun­ means of procl a iming the Faith . The Bishop of Iceland also welcomed teers teaching projects eager assist great They rente d a booth at the fair. The the Baha' i de legation. Erla Guomundsdot­ new victories Five Year Plan . .. " booth was fortunately placed at the en­ tir thanked the Bishop for his effort in The Baha'i community oflndia was stir­ trance of a very popular pav ilion. The fair establishing a country-wide day of prayer red by Contine nta l Counsell or Hoope r attracted 6,000 visitors, several thousand for world peace, and explained that thi s Dunbar of the Inte rnatio nal Teaching of who m stopped at the Baha' f booth was the main goal of the Baha'i Faith. T he Center in Haifa, who visited India at the whi ch was open for the entire JO- day fa ir, Bishop seemed deeply moved , and sa id, " I request of The U niversal House of Justi ce. and was manned by the Baha' is of Cagliari thank you for these words. There are not A report from India states that Mr. Dunbar and the nearby town of Quartu . After many who appreciate what we try to do. conveyed "an electrifying challenge to the abo ut fi ve days, the Baha' is were in the But I must confess that I am afraid , I am so Indian Baha' i community fro m The Uni­ happy but embarrassing positi on of be ing afraid of what is happening in this worl d , versal House of Justi ce." almost o ut of free literature a nd the the diabo lical power seeming to get a Consultation amoung the four South thousand visi ting cards which they had stronger hold on people each day, and Central Asian Counsellors, Mr. Dunbar, printed . there is nothing we can do . The peopl e do and the Nati onal Spiritual Assembly gave O ne man entered the booth and, with not come to us any more, they do not li ste n birth to " a spirit of determination," and an evident excite ment, picked up Paris Talks to us. " T he Bishop was overcome by hi s inte nsive teaching campaign was launched to show his wife. He told the Baha'is that feelings, and Erla Guomundsdottir re­ in October, with the goals of strengthe ning he had worked for the printe rs of the book quested permission to recite a prayer. The 1,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies, estab­ in Rome and that he had been responsible Bishop readily assented, and heard , " Is li s hing 300 firml y -grounded Local for its layout , but was transferred before its

Baha'i News I December 1975 1"5 Around the World

th ousa nd s to Chri sti anity after he spoke for Au xili ary Board members, and Adi b Teaching emphasized just a few minutes, and compared the fruits Taherzadeh of Ireland . Mr. Taherzadeh of hi s work to those of today's pi oneers. gave lessons on the importance of firmness at Summer School who toil fo r yea rs. in the Cove nant and the ro le of the indi ­ The Hand of the Cause of God A.Q . The Hand of the Cause of God Ugo vidual beli ever in helping to crea te Local Faizi, address ing students at the Itali an Giac hery reminded the fri ends of the lives Spiritual Asse mblies. Baha' i Summer School, emphas ized the and sacrifices of some of the earl y Western Mr. Taherzadeh's book on the Local need to ari se and teach now because in the believers. Spiritual Asse mbly, Trustees of the future it will take hundreds of years to Other special teachers at the sc hoo l, Merciful., has recently bee n tra nslated attempt to do what can be done now. whi ch met at the Pi zzomunno Hotel in into Italian and is almost ready for publica­ He told of St. Peter who conv erted Yieste , Italy, we re Mrs. Giac hery, three ti on. printing and had not seen a copy of it until that day. Roman Catholi c cl ergy visited the booth and two of them bought books . The Asse mbly has rented the sa me booth aga in fo r next year. Other teaching acti vities in Sardin ia this yea r included a public meetin g for United Nati ons Day , on the ri ghts of chil dren. The Ba ha· is of Quartu and Cagliari had met with the ch ief publi c re lati ons officer fo r the United Nati ons in Italy and had consulted with him on how to acquain t the public with the aims of th e United Na ti ons. Their mee ting rece ived good local press cove rage . One article inclu ded a quotati on fro m Shoghi Effe ndi. The Fai th was also proclaimed in Cagl­ iari by an individual Bah<1'i who wro te a thesis on "Social As pects of the Baha' i Faith ," to obtain her degree in politi cal science . She disc ussed the thesis before an interested panel of examiners, so me of This is a section of the Baha'i booth at th e th ousan.d persons stopped at th e booth whom we re already fa mili ar with the Intern ational Trade Fair held annualc in during/he 10-day fair. Faith . Cagliari, capital of Sardinia . Severc1 I ,,

16 December 1975 I Baha'i News cepted The Baha'i World, vo l. XIV. He tribution to th e construct ion of the perma­ asked a few questions about th e Fa ith . Dr. nent seat of The Un iversal House of Jus­ Giac hery answered the questions and ti ce. A resolution passed at the Conference stressed that the Faith is a divine fo rce to states: "We resolve to assist to accompli sh bring humanity cl oser to Goel. th e goals of the Five Year Plan, particu­ larly to develop the distinctive characteris­ Malaysia tics of Baha' i life in the local community, Inspiring Women's suppo11 our Local Spiritual Assemblies, encourage our fam ilies to gather for dawn Conference held prayers , and contribute to the Fund. We The first Bahci' i Women's Conference wi ll also strive to improve the health in our of Malaysia, recentl y he ld in Kampong community." Temiang, was attended by 63 women from The report of this confere nce con­ 11 communities. cluded, " ... we pray that more Women's Some traveled first by express boat , Conferences wi ll be organized. " then by slow laun ch through the equatori al jungle. At each stop, Baha'i wome n New Zealand boa rd ed the launch and , during the four­ Teaching Conference hour journey, they met and got to know stresses individual each other. The women spent the last hour of their trip walking through the jungle to The New Zealand National Teaching Kampong Temiang, balancing on neatly Conference, at Ngongotaha, New Zea­ Liberia fe ll ed and pl aced tree trunks. lan d, on Labor weekend, attrac ted about Baha'i featured The Women's Committee of the Local 160 Bah<1'is. Special guests we re Conti­ Spiritual Asse mbl y of Kampong Temiang nental Co un se ll or Suh ayl Ala' i and Aux­ at school event had arranged th e conference, and a house ili ary Board members G ina Garcia and A publi c school in Tubmanburg, Bo mi was avail abl e for the tired but happy vis­ Owen Battrick. Territ o ry, Liberia, invited a Ba ha'i it ors. The Conference emphas ized individual pionee r, Eloui se G. Sanders, to speak at its The Local Asse mbl y provided food , deve lopment. The New Zealand National United Nati ons Day celebration on Oc­ whi ch was prepared by th e men so the Teaching Committee used lettered buil d­ tober 24. A Bah<1' i who teaches math al the women could participate in the confe r­ in g bl ocks to demonstrate the effectiveness school int rod uced Mrs. Sand ers, who ad­ ence. The men also looked after the ch il­ of indiv idu al strivin g. The blocks rep­ dressed 200 st ud ents and I 0 teachers. She dren. resented attributes such as obed ience, stressed the equality of men and women Talks and wo rk shops included the ro le se lf-d isc ipline, and purity. When the 19 and taught her audience a Baha'i song. of wome n , stories o f famo us Ba ha' i blocks we re put together to form a build­ The deputy principal th ank ed Mrs. San­ women, ac tivitie s of women in the local in g. the buil ding proc laimed, " All Goals ders fo r her se rvice and requested a copy of communit y, wo men and the goals of the Ful fi ll ed 1.. th e song fo r the sc hoo l. The prin cipal also Five Year Plan , moral conduct of a Bah~t ' i , Another session foc used on the specific told the student s th at th e speech wo uld be the Ba ha'i Fun d, and health in structions. goals of the Five Y car Plan with be! ieve rs part of the ir exams, and sa id , " I am al­ The session on health included a compari­ from va ri ous areas of New Zealand report­ ready a Baha' i . . I acce pted all the son of nati ve and scientific methods of ing on progress toward s winnin g the goa ls teachin gs of all the reli gions, for I know pre-nata l and post-natal care . The nati ve in their communities. one thing mankind is aiming at is ge ttin g to methods we re de monstrated by two mi d­ th e dwe lli ng-place of God in Heaven ." wives from Kampong Temiang. Northwest Pacific Ocean Slides we re shown in the evening, and 20th, 21st Local the women rejoiced to see th e faces of th e Liechtenstein Assemblies formed Dr.,Mrs.Giachery in ternational Baha'i community, the Holy Places at th e World Ce nte r, and the Two new Local Spiritual Assemblies visit with Prince Houses of Worshi p. we re fo rmed during September. The Hand of the Cause of God Ugo " In spired by the devo ti on, unity and The National Spiritual Assembl y of th e Giachery and Mrs. Giachery recentl y vis­ happ in ess whi ch we experi enced at the No rth West Pac ifi c Ocean announced that ited the principality of Liechtenstein. Confe rence," they reported, ··we all re­ the format ion of a Local Spi ri tual Assem­ Dr. and Mrs. G iachery and Rudi ge r turned home ready to se rv e Baha' u' ll ah bly in Nge re ml e ng ui , Palau Di stri ct, Wohlwend, who is the corresponding sec­ and to build up wo me n's committees in all Western Caroline Island s, and at Laura in retary of th e Baha'i Group of Vaduz, capi­ communities to train the women to take the Marshall Island s, brings to 21 the tal of Liechtenste in , we re accord ed an in­ their equal place in society." number of Local Spiritual Assemblies. terview with Prince Franz Josef II. T he fo ll ow in g month, anoth e r This Na tional Assembly has the goa l of Dr. G ia chcry reported th at the vis it with Women's Conference in Kampong Bul an ra isin g the number of Local Spiritual As­ the Prince was li ve ly, inte resting, and Sebuya u attracted 75 women from 18 se mblies in it s area to 50 duri ng the Five fri end ly , and the Prince grac iously ac- communities. The women made a con- Year Plan.

Baha'i News I December ·1975 17 Around the World

J OLC£DA KAINKAIN MAN I LAIKIM OLSEM - '; LONC P N. C. OU BUNC WANTAlM

Bah{i'is of Lae, New Guinea, marched in living in Papua New Guinea become un­ the Independence Day parade in Sep­ ited as one people.·· Th e Baluf i marching Pakistan tember, carrying a banner which reads, group, the only multi-racial group in th e " Bah(f i long to see the diverse peoples parade, received enthusiastic applause. Education is theme of public meeting In Lae, the Baha' is marched in the lnde­ In Rabaul , just before the raisin g of the A recent three-day procla matio n in pe nde nce Day Parade, wearing blue fl ag of Papua New Guinea on Indepen­ Paki stan , directed by the National Youth T-shirts and bright sarongs . On the front of dence Day, a Baha'i recited , from the offi­ Committee of Pakistan , concluded with a the T-shirts was a dove in the form of cial grandstand and in Pidgin , the nati onal public meeting in Karachi . The meeting praying hands and the words " Baha' i language, 'Abdu' l-Baha's " Praye r for was a se minar on "Education in Paki s­ Faith-Peace for Mankind." O n the bac k Mankind." The Baha'i was one of the rep­ tan. " was a nine-po inte d star surrounding a map resentatives of the majo r re li gio ns of the Some outstanding local c iti zens were of Papua New Guinea. country , and the prayer was printe d in the invited to the seminar, which was chaired The lead marche rs can-i ed a large ban­ Independence Day Program in Pidg in and by Baha' i youth. Many of these disting­ ne r which said " Baha'is lo ng to see the in English. ui shed g uests addressed the gathe ring, not­ d iverse peoples li vin g in Papua New Baha'is of New Ireland he ld a special ing that the Baha'i community can help G uinea become united as one people." service comme mo rating Independe nce improve educati onal standards. The marching group cons isted of nine Day. About 1,000 people crowded to the A Baha'i gave the closin g address and women and 10 men who re presented se ve n service in the pl ayground of a school. The he emphasized that the World Order of different prov inces and included pioneers Baha'is read from Baha' i Writings and Baha' u' llah is what is needed by the world of C hinese and European descent. Behind from the Bible , and the program con­ today. the group, two Baha'is from the hi ghl ands cluded w ith songs by the Madina youth marched , pl ay in g traditional bamboo string ba nd. This was the first public Papua New Guinea flutes. Baha'i se rvice in New Ireland. Baha'is participate The o nl y multi-racial group in the parade, the Baha'i marchers attracted en­ Rhodesia in Independence Day thusiasti c atte nti on and appla use , espe­ Youth teachers The Baha' is of Papua New Guinea pro­ c iall y when th ey passed the official dais. claimed the Faith on the ir country' s Inde­ The Baha'is feel the ir participation in the go to Botswana pende nce Day in Septe mber. Their par­ parade was " the most successful procla­ Two Baha'i youth from Rhodesia re­ ti c ipation in Independe nce Day eve nts was mati on event ever he ld in Lae." cently completed a te aching trip to Bots­ " inspired by the Bah a' is o f the Central T he be! ievers of Rabaul entered a float wana, the first trip under a new pl an for African Republic who marched in the In­ in Rabaul' s Inde pe ndence Day Parade. exchange traveling teachers. depe nde nce Day celebrations in the ir The fl oat was freque ntl y pho tographed The young women conducted a fiv e-day country in December 1974," the National and attracted favorable comme nts. Its in sti tute in the vill age of Bobonong, hold­ Spiritual Assembly of Papua New G uinea theme was " A New Nation United Unde r in g classes for children and youth , fo r reported. God." women, and the general community. The

18 December 1975 I Baha'i News vill age has regular Baha'i children's class­ country, but to Baha' is its special signifi­ pl ans don' t bear fruit. No teaching: no es and the childre n were thrilled to wel­ cance is that it was here the Master an­ Local Spiritual Assemblies, no new Wo rld com e g uest teachers. The trave ling nounced Himself to be the Cente r o f the Order. The continued confusion of human­ teachers demonstrated sewin g and hand­ Covenant .. . the bl essin g of His presence it y, the continued com1ptio n of humanity craft s and e ncouraged the women to start a in this area will surround all o ur teaching will not be stopped unless each ari ses to Wome n' s C lub. One of the Five Year Pl an e fforts he re." teach the Cause to somebody e lse." goals fo r Botswana is to o rgani ze mo re At the Illino is Conference , Miss True In New York , Dr. Kha n, newly as­ women's activities. said that the Master, according to the be­ signed to assist that state, said: "Afte r vis­ In anothe r area, pl ans for a meeting fe ll loved Guardian, e ndured the saddest iting 20 countries during a s ix-mo nth sab­ th rough, so the two youth ta ught in the period of Hi s li fe w he n He was cut off batical leave this past year, I can assure villages and at cattl e posts. " Most people from the beli evers during World War I. you tha t the re are many opportunities fo r were ve ry friendly and very surprised to During this time He revealed the Tablets of the spread of the Faith now which may not see us," they re po11ed , " We to ld the m the Divine Plan , outlining the miss io ns o f exist in a few years' time. The coll apse of some of the Teachings of the Faith and the Baha'is of the West. the o ld world and the building of the new gave them pamphlets. One man invited us " These missions are great; worldwide World Order means that Baha' is are be in g back to hi s home to teach his family about c ivilization , worldwide peace," Miss True called to transcend themselves and achieve the Baha'i Faith." In Molepolole, three mo re teachers, in­ cluding two local youth , jo ined the travel­ ers, and they gave a fireside with a selec­ ti on of Baha'i songs.

United States Each One Teach One conferences' theme Two United Sta tes Nati o na l Teach­ ing Confe re nces he ld in Brockport, New York , and Joliet, lllino is, on Nov. 1-2 were call ed Each One Teach One Conferences The Hand of the Cause of God Dhikru· llah November at Joliet, Illinois. A similar con­ because they focused on the individual Khadem addresses the believers at the ference was held at Brockport, New York. Baha' is responsibility to teach the Faith. Each One Teach One Conference held in Illino is and New York are special goal areas for the Un ited States during the Five said. " The Guardian and 'A bclu' l-Baha a new respo nse to the will of God." Year Pl an, as are California and Washing­ saw the encl in the beginning and o nce in Dr. Khan po inted out that the Fa ith is ton, D.C. , because the M aste r spent much awhile they would lift the curtai n and let us becoming more significant to the people of time in these places during His visit to the look clown the aisle and see the things the world. Baha'is are be ing observed. U.S. in 19 12. which are goin g to happen. We have this in "The Baha' i community is growing in Each confe re nce was well -atte nded, the Writings . The be loved Guardian strength fa r mo re than we know," Dr. with hundreds of participants. The Hanel brought into be in g the Administrative Khan said. "Until you go into a country of the Cause of God Dhikru'llah Kh aclem; Order needed to carry out the Divine Pl an and experie nce the ethos of the Baha'i Counsell or Ed na True; G lenford Mitchell , of 'Abclu'l-Baha." community, seeing how it is shining in secretary of the United States National C iting the Guardian's brilliant, g lobal contrast to the rest of society, statist ics do Spiritua l Assembly; and C harl otte Lin­ teaching C rusades, and the cha ll engin g not mean too much . In trave ling, you can foo t, assistant secretary , addressed the Plans of The Uni versal House of Justi ce, more and more predict who are Baha'is, gathe rin g in Illino is. In New York, the she said that " we must look at all these when you look into the faces of crowds in fri ends heard Counse llor Sarah Pereira; plans as o ne and the same Plan, the Pl an of airports and railway terminals. In many Auxiliary Board member Peter Kha n; Goel. At this time, The Universal House of countries, statesmen , lead e rs and the Firuz Kazemzacle h, chairman of the Na­ Justice is concerned. The goals of the Plan judic iary are becom ing dee pl y aware of ti onal Assembly; and Magdelene Carney, are not where they should be. So thi s is a the Faith, no longer regarding it as a Uto­ member of the National Assembl y. weighty mome nt. " pian o rganzati o n." Speakers at the confe re nces mentioned The two teachin g confere nces inspired The conferences devoted Saturday af­ the special blessings g ive n to the American the believers with a vision of the ne w te rnoon to workshop sessio ns , stressin g believers by 'Abclu' l-Baha. World Order, and what that ord er reall y the Each One Teach One the me. Consulta­ Baha'is livin g in New York state enj oy a means. ti o n during the workshops cente red o n in­ special blessing in that New York C it y is "The planning is clo ne," said Mr. dividual teaching expe rie nces, ways of the City of the Covenant," Dr. Kaze m­ Mitchell whe n he addressed the Illinois meeting, teaching, and deepening friends. zadeh po inted o ut. "New York C ity plays Confe rence . "Our Assembly has do ne all an important part in the life of the state and it can do. If individuals don't respond , Continued on Page 20, Col. 3

Baha'i News I December 1975 19 Around the World · ·

Continued from Page 19

Workshop leaders reported practical tips on teaching and these were summarized and presented to each conference. Suggestions incluclecl: have Baha'i de­ corations and literature displ ayed in your home, g ive Baha' i literature and posters as Some pictures of the Each One Teach One gifts, li ste n to the seekers and find a way to Conferences_- I. The Hand (Jf th e Cause of mention the Faith by speaking to their in ­ Cod Dhikru' I/ah Khcidem addresses the terests, hold special children's parties on conference in Joliet, Illinois. 2. Friends festive Holy Days, and make our homes share teaching methods in a workshop ses­ centers of hospitality . sion. 3 .Part of the audience ar rhe Brock­ Speakers at both conferences stressed port, New York, conference. 4. An infor­ that th e friends must realize the ir indi­ mation booth in Illinois, sho 11 ·in g th e vidual responsibility. Each must hold a F iends 11 •here their services are most firesid e in his or her home once in 19 cl ays needed. 5 . Youth lead a conference sing­ where new people are invited and where a/on g . Some words of the "Each One some phase of the Fa ith is me ntioned and Teach One" song, written especially for di sc ussed. the conferences:·· . . . ileach ivould teach, " Do we know the station of the believ­ we'd have one ll'orldj(Jr Ba ha' u' I/ah . .. · · ers?" asked Mr. Khadelll as he addresse e! the Il li nois Conference . " The beloved Guardian call s you the . spiritual descen­ dents of the Dawn-Breakers. And what did the Dawn- Breakers do? Your fo refathers-and you have the same capacity-withi n three years, four years, five yea rs, c hanged the who le of Persia-Iraq , every vi ll age , every town. Wherever you went there was the Light of the Bab; all classes, everybody heard and was lllovecl. And frie nds, they had no free­ dolll d id they'J They suffe red so m uch. T hey had 20,000 peopl e w ho gave the ir lives for thi s very purpose : to teach. Each one teach o ne'J Each o ne teach more tha n one'"

Local Assembly Program praised F irst reactio n from Assembli es which have colll pletecl the Local Spiri tual As­ se mbly Developme nt Program has been very enthus iastic. A group of Baha' is who were trained at the Natio na l Cente r in A ugust in turn trained 28 Local Assembli es in 12 states in October. One Local Assembly whi ch completed the program wrote to the Nati onal Spiritual Assembly th at " the training will assist all mankind towards establi shing the King­ dom of Goel on Hi s earth. " Anothe r As­ se mbly call ed the program fa ntastic and beauti fully organi zed . This program " de­ m o ns t rates again the powers of Baha' u' ll ah's Ad ministrative Order and what can be accomplished w he n we ari se

20 December 1975 I Baha'i News and senre His Cause," anothe r Assembly Pettit who poi nted out the importance of rote. th is Indian Asse mbly. They encouraged Teaching stressed The purpose of the program is to assist the Umatill a Group to begin working with by Mr. Robarts Local Assemblies in accompli shing one of the wife of one of the Baha' is on the Res­ the major goals of the Five Year Plan , the erv ati on. She is an Umatilla Indian. The The H and of the Cause of God John development of Baha'i life, particularly in Baha' is also worked more earnestly with Robarts, Auxiliary Board members Peter local communities. other seekers and they located an India n Khan and Cathe rine McLaughlin, and " The program is one of the most s ig­ Baha'i from A laska who had just moved to Mrs. Audrey Robarts spent a weekend in nificant developments in the history of the the Reserv ati on and who was eager to be October with the Baha'ls of New York American Baha' i community," said John active. Soon , some of the seekers de­ City. Friends came from surro unding BeITy, coordinator of the Local Spiritual clare d , including the Umatilla India n areas; some eve n fro m Maine and Assembly Development Program. " It is woman and an entire family. Michigan. the most comprehensive program ever de­ The two Auxiliary Board members in­ ve loped to assist Local Asse mbli es in Master's Lake Mohonk troduced Mr. Robar1s. He emphasized the meshing the administrative and spiritual importance of teaching, stressing the value visit commemorated wings of the Faith into balance," Mr. I of obedience to our in stitutions and of Berry said. The visit of 'A bdu' l-Baha to the Confer­ trusting in God. The persons tra ined at the National ence on Peace and International Arbitra­ " God will assist all those who ari se to Center have broken into two-man teams. tion in 19 12 at Lake Mohonk, New Paltz, serve Him," said Mr. Robarts. " If I can and will now school 400 Baha'ls in the New York, was commemorated on Oc­ get this point across, it will have been a details of the comprehensive materials tober 20. good day." Mr. Robarts and hi s wife, Au­ used in I 0 three-hour classes. The 400 will More than 200 Baha' Is gathered for the drey, told anecdotes of pioneers and dedi­ then divide into two-man teams and train program which was held in the same parlor cated homefront se ttlers, drawing on their more Local Asse mblies. It is expected that whe re the Master had delivered a memora­ experiences in Canada and Africa. more than 250 Assemblies will have com­ ble address on "The Oneness of the Real­ New York state is a special goal area for pleted the program by Ricjvan. ity of Human Kind. " 'Abdu' l-Baha's talk , the U nited States during the Five Year The purpose of the trainers is to assist as recorded in the Mohonk record s, was Plan. Mr. Robarts stressed the need for Local Assemblies in making the most ef­ read. increased teaching "so that beli evers shall fective use of the materials developed for come into the Faith in droves." .he program. The New York City community is buy­ The mate ri als consist o f two new vol­ ing a building to use as a Baha' i Center. umes and videotaped talks by Counsellors The purchase of the ne w center fulfills one and members of the National Spiritual As­ of their Five Year Plan goals. The friends se mbl y . The volumes-the 365-page saw a slide presentation of the new build­ Development of the Local Spiritual ing on Saturday evening . Assembly and the 154-page Guidelines for On Sunday, Dr. Khan, who was re­ Local Spiritual Assembli es-were de­ centl y given the special assignment of as­ veloped under the guidance of the Nati onal sisting New Yo rk state, in s pired the Assembly as part of the Baha'i Com­ Baha' is by sharing hi s thoughts on the prehensive Deepening Program . problems and bounties of spiritual de­ velopment in the United States. Indian Reservation Assembly formed Windward Islands Faith proclaimed Another Local Spiritual Assembly has Firuz Kazemzadeh delivers address. been formed on an Indian Reservati on, to Carib leader bringing to 13 the total of new Local As­ The Carib India n Chief, Mas Clam, re­ semblies on Indian Resenrations since the In the commemorative address, Firuz centl y received Baha' u' llah and the New beginning of the Five Year Plan. The goal Kazemzadeh, chairman of the National Era and Th e Proclamation of Bahti' u' llah of the Pl an is the formation of 25 suc h Spiritual Assembly, said tha t from a te aching team which traveled to the Assemblies. 'A bdu' l-Baha, as the true Exemplar, was island of Dominica to meet him. · The latest was elected on October I 9 on religion in action. He had shown by His The team was sponsored by the National the U mati Il a Ind ia n Rese rvation in li fe how to live the teachings of His Father, Spiritual Assembly of the Windward Is­ Oregon. The U matilla Group had been as­ Baha'u' l!ah . lands. The teachers reported that Mas sisted by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Dr. Kazemzade h ta lked abo ut the Clam he ard a brief discussion of the Faith Pendleton, Oregon, to raise its number to Maste r' s early childhood diffi culties and and told th e teachers that he was happy 12 adults, several youth, and several child­ the sorTows He endured during His youth they had come. ren. with Baha' u' ll a h in ex il e; of This proclamati on of the Message to the The Pendleton Baha' ls were stimulated 'Abdu' l-Baha's timeless wisdom and His Carib leader fills a goal of the Five Year by a visit by Auxiliary Board member Paul all-encompassing completeness. Plan.

Baha'i News I December 1975 21