NEWS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE NATIONAL OF THE BAHA'(s OF THE UNITED STATES FOR BAHA'tS ONLY

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No. 514 BAHA'I YEAR 130 JANUARY, 1974

Dorothy Beecher Baker By Ugo and Angeline Giachery

Toward the unity of East and West by A.Q. Faizf

Baha'ls and the UN page one page six page thirteen CONTENTS

Toward the unity of East and West ...... page 1 Baha'is and the United Nations . . page 6 Dorothy Beecher Baker .page 13 Around the World .... .page 21

COVER PHOTO

The Hand of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker.

PHOTO AND DRAWING CREDITS

Cover: Mrs. Mary Lou Ewing; Inside Cover: Bah(i' i News, United Nations, Bahci' [News; Page I: Bahci' [ News, Mr. ; Page 2: Bahci' [News; Page 3: Mrs. Rouhieh McComb; Page 6: United Nations; Page 7: World Peace Through law Center, Bahci' [International Community; Page 8: United Nations; Page 9: United Nations; Page IO: Afro-American Newspaper; Page 11 : Bahci' [ International Community; Page 13: Dr. Ugo Giachery; Page I4 , I 5, 16, I 7, 18, 19: Bahci' [News; Page 21: Bahci' [News. Drawings; Page 5, 12, 20: Dr. David Ruhe. CORRECTIONS

On page 11, Bahci' [News, November I973, th e name "Mr. Slessinger'' appeared in a story entitled, " You Have Been Chosen: The story of Carrie and Edward Kinney", by O.Z. Whitehead. The name should read, Mr. Edward Schlesinger. POST AL INFORMATION

Bah(i' (News is published for circulation among Bahfi' {sonly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the BahQ' fs of the United States, as a news organ repor1ing current activities of the Ba ha' (world community. Bahii' ( News is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Baha' { News Editorial Office, l I2 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Jllinois 60091, U.S.A. Change of address should be reported directly to Membership and Records, National Baha' (Center. 112 linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. U.S.A. 60091. Mu?,Z,ajfari' d- D in-~h a h Toward the unity of East and West

The meeting between Lua Getsinger

and Muzzaffari• 'd-Din Shah

by A. Q. Faizf

January, 1974/BAHA'i NEWS l Lua remembered the promise given to her by 'Abdu'l-Baha that one day he would send her to the Shah of Persia.

Mr. Edward Getsinger, (right), with Persian believers.

Lasting ties of fellowship, mighty persecutions. It happened in 1902, that, she sought an audience through the bridges of understanding and indissol­ when Lua Getsinger was in Paris with Persian representative in Paris. Then uble alliances of affection are now her husband, the Shah had come to she met with the Shah's Chief Minister, being established between the East and Europe to learn firsthand of the material Atabak Aazam. During her attempt to the West, once thought hopelessly di­ and political progress of the West, see the Shah, which seemed an impos­ vided. How infinitely precious is the about which he had heard fabulous sible task, Lua constantly remembered luster imparted to the resplendent his­ stories and descriptions. Hedged in by the promise given to her by tory of the Cause of God by these his staff, his servants, and his guards, 'Abdu'l-Baha who assured her that one imperishable bonds of harmony so joy­ he was inaccessible to any but those day he would send her to the Shah of ously forged by the loving and devoted who interested him. His life in Paris Persia. Lua was a gentlewoman of the servants of Baha'u'llah. The darkness was a busy one of extensive visits West with great beauty and excellent of a world of hypocrisy, intrigue, throughout the city; into shops, public manners and breeding. Eventually she hatred and dishonesty is dispelled by places, theaters, gardens and govern­ was confirmed in securing an appoint­ the penetrating force of the di vice light ment institutions. Naturally, the French ment to offer "dramatic and tragic of these miracles of love, shedding press avidly reported the activities of appeal" to His Majesty, the their radiance and warmth upon all this Middle Eastern Potentate who was Shahanshah. mankind. surprisingly enlightened, tender­ Muiaffar Shah was surely intrigued An instance of this love and under­ hearted, and a generous member of an by this handsome woman in an elegant standing resulted from the meeting historically rapacious dynasty. black dress tailored specially for this between Muiaffar Shah, King of Per­ Reading, praying, and meditating on historic occasion. Lua was given full sia, during the early part of this cen­ what she might do on behalf of the scope to express her feelings and de­ tury, and the courageous Lua Get­ Faith, Lua Getsinger spontaneously scribe how pitilessly the Baha'fs were singer. Mrs. Getsinger's services and decided to seek an audience with the being treated in Persia. She said: "Our sacrifices, according to the beloved Shah to make him aware that the Baha'i souls tremble, our minds are agitated, , conferred luster upon Faith had followers in the West and that and our hearts burn and break." Her the American Baha'i community and they longed to see their brothers and "irresistible charm and remarkable the influence upon the King resulting sisters in Persia also enjoying liberty of gifts, with the great and added charm of from that meeting may have changed conscience and freedom of worship, the spirit" so impressed the King, so the course of Baha'i history . relieved from being continuous targets won his respect for her courage that he The loving hearts of all the scattered of inhuman treatment and undeserved gave his promise, seconded by his friends in the West were melting when cruelties. Chief Minister, that he would amelior­ they heard reports of the barbaric at­ ate the suffering of the Baha'fs. "Be at rocities being inflicted upon the Baha'fs Dramatic Appeal ease f' was the Shah's promise as he in the homeland of Baha' u'llah. The It was difficult to obtain an audience dismissed her, " Be at Western friends passionately desired to with the King, but Lua's determination ease ... everything will be taken care do something to end these interminable would not allow her to concede. First of."

2 BAH.A'[ NEWS/ January, 197 4 The King returned to Persia to later lease the Baha' fs and to make such become the monarch to sign the first restitution as would quell any possible The fire of Constitution of his land, earning for retribution from the Court. him the designation "The Just", and The other incident took place in persecution could be bringing hope to all his subjects that Tehran and the account is as follows: , they too might soon have those broad Public Meeting Place ignited in Iran freedoms so hard won throughout the It was considered an act of worship, world. to be observed diligently by good Mus­ by the slightest spark Fire of Persecution lims, to visit the graves of the Imams or of the most The fire of persecution could be those considered to be saints. For this ignited in the capital and provinces of reason cemeteries were centers of at­ insignificant event. Iran by the slightest spark of the most traction in olden days. They provided insignificant event. Mu~affar Shah's welcome, open spaces in the crowded promise to Mrs. Getsinger was fulfil­ and congested cities of the East. The led. people gathered not only to visit the It happened (circa 1905) that a very resting places of the dead, but to meet well-known and learned man from the the Ii ving as well; to receive and ex - Lua Getsinger with young child in Jewish community of Hamadan, Hajf change news, to mourn those passed Chicago. Mihdf Arjumand, embraced the Faith away, and to listen to religious songs of Baha' u'llih. Inspired by the Word of God, he was articulate and full of his convictions, and began to propagate the Cause amongst both Jews and Mus­ lims. This proved to be a terrible blow to the prestige of the ecclesiastical leaders of both religions. This new convert was well versed in the Qur'an as well as the Old and New Testaments, and this seemed incredible to the Mus­ lims . "A Jew proving to us the advent of our own Promised One!' was the lamentable cry of every adherent of the Islamic religion in that region . So, the Jewish and Muslim 'ulamas lodged a grave complaint against the new in­ truder. The governor, venal and corrupt, saw in the vindictiveness of the Jews and Muslims an opportunity to extort large sums of money from the defense­ less Baha'fs. He used the charges as a basis for their arrest. The governor's agents immediately seized Hajf Mihdf Arjumand and several other outstand­ ing believers and carried them to the seat of the governor where they were cast into prison, chained, and detained without recourse to the courts. He then demanded large sums of money for their release. The Baha'fs in Hamadan , encour­ aged by the reports of the King's wil­ lingness to intervene in such cases and by his reputation for justice, cabled the Shah to protest the fa! sity of the charges and the extortion by the governor. To their great joy and satisfaction the King immediately ordered the governor to ~ free the prisoners and to see to their well-being. Alarmed at this royal inter­ vention, the governor hastened to re -

January, 1974/BAHA'f NEWS 3 Baha'ls of this particular quarte r called A few women living in one house , The ignorant mob Sar-Qabr'aqa, were renowned for their anticipating the inevitable violence and numbers, successful teaching activities possible death of all the Baha'fs, met accepted and their audacity. When one of the together and after prayerful consulta­ Baha'ls died and was buried in the tion decided to appeal directly to the the commands public cemetery, the local mullas Shah. They agreed upon a day for seized upon this to incite the muledriv­ concerted action and, by going from of the m ullas ers, who immediately hung the dead roof to roof, asked all the Baha' i bodies of dogs around the grave and women of Sar-Qabr'aqa to leave their as words coming marched in the streets and lanes, at­ houses at the speci fie hour. They de­ from heaven. tracting a following, shouting and curs­ cided to go first to the mansion of the ing the hapless Baha'fs . No human Gran Vazfr, the Chief Minister, focus for their anger materialized and Atabak, then on to the court of the Shah the mob dispersed without a victim. himself. - A Second Death On the morning set for the appeal, By happenstance another Baha' i died the Baha'i women came forth from their soon thereafter; and his body was also houses dressed in their customary black interred in the same cemetery. The garb. Fearful but determined, they second burial ignited the full fury of the walked down the lanes and streets of Muslims, who declared the burial of the the quarter, first to the gate by which and sermons. Sometimes they even Bah a' I infidels to be an act of presump­ the King usually left the capital city on came to watch the performances of tuous desecration of the precincts of his hunting expeditions. When they jugglers and dervishes, who played holy tombs . Taking advantage of the learned that the Shah would not go with snakes and performed acts of excitability of the idle holiday throngs, hunting that day they turned to the hypnosis. These gatherings typically the mullas whipped up the expectant house of the Grand Vazir. They walked occurred on Holy Days, and usually people with their tirades . One by one slowly through the narrow streets. every week on Thursday afternoons. the mullas stood atop a mound and News of their coming and mission Activities would continue into the early shouted at the top of their voices: spread throughout the quarter. The night hours on this eve of the Muslim " Attack the Babl houses and shops! volatile Tehranis came running to the day of rest. Confiscate and plunder! Do not pur­ spot. Stones flew . The women were A well-known cemetery near chase anything from them! Prevent greeted with every insult and epithet. Tehran's eastern gate, called their filling their jars with water from Some fell and were maltreated. A few Sar-Qabr-aqa, attracted many persons the public reservoirs ... !" Since the were beaten to death. But the urgency on these occasions. The noise, bustle, commands came from the priests, the of their mission drove them onward commotion and excitement was food ignorant mob accepted these words as through the sea of opponents, the exec­ and drink to the deprived and unruly coming from heaven through the rations, and the missiles. Like a black population of the district. On Thursday mouths of the mullas. Besides, it stream, they meandered through the afternoons the populace would crowd pleased their appetite for violence and narrow streets of Tehran until at last to the cemetery, some to sit at the feet plunder to hear the assurance given to they reached the great house of Atabak. of a mulla to ask for answers to religi­ them by their religious leaders that their They were quickly admitted to the large ous problems, some to lis{en to the ignominious deeds would be pleasing outside courtyard, the bfrunf, extensive storytellers with their endless yams, to God. enough to swallow the entire proces­ others to watch the cavalrymen demon­ What could the defenseless Baha'ls sion of women and boys, but small strate their feats of horsemanship. The do except to protect themselves by enough to exclude the throng of tor­ dervishes would attract people into a keeping aloof, and in the silence of the mentors. circle to be amused or instructed by hours of suffering pray to God ! Informed of their coming, the Minis­ their unusual appearances and gestures. Baha'i shops were closed. The ter sent for the court photographer to There were in this restless mob many of Baha' i men and their families seques­ record their presence and number. the royal mule-drivers, hardy ruffians tered themselves in their homes, know­ After reading their written appeal for who carried the King's equipment and ing that to emerge meant to be set upon protection and justice, he advised the women to proceed immediately to the supplies on his hunting expeditions. and murdered. The humble stores of The wildest of men, they frequentl y provisions kept in their homes were Shah's Court, there to plead directly with the monarch for intervention. victimized the inhabitants of Tehran quickly consumed. Night z. fter night a Further incited by the rumors of their with their brutality and cruelty, and local reign of terror against the Baha'ls favorable audience with Atabak, the were also noted for their vicious and continued. The Muslim terrorists mob redoubled its harassment of the irresponsible tongues. prowled about with guns, swords and women as they proceeded to the gates The Baha'ls, who were always har­ knives, seeking their quarry. The fate of the King's palace. ried and timid and seeking to avoid of the Baha' Is wavered on the sword provocations, would band together for edge of chance. Ultimately, hunger and Two-edged Appeal self-protection and buy or rent houses need would flush them from their re­ It must be remembered that such in one of the quarters of Tehran. The treats. appeals were dangerously two-edged.

4 BAHA'i NEWS/January, 1974 The absolute power of the Shah was women in that glorious episode of the exercised unpredictably. A man could Faith, he promptly dispatched a very The hand of the King lose his life as easily as he could gain eloquent Tablet to them . In it He said justice. they "quaffed the brimful cup .. . May was extended over When kind-hearted Mu?affar Shah it be ail to their health!" Furthern1ore, learned about their complaints and their He assured them that the sufferings, the hapless Baha'fs , supplication for relief from harassment insults and iniquities sustained in the and peril, from damage to property and path of the Lord were the signs of God's shielding them from the threats of injury and death, he special mercies and bounties, and indi­ immediately sent fifty armed cavalry­ cated the coming of the day wherein all the mullas and men and ten famishes from his private would be changed into praise and guard to disperse the mob. Further, grace. He said they were candles burn­ muleteers alike. they were ordered to protect the Baha' is ing in the gatherings of women and and to remain in Sar-Qabr'aqa district stars shining from the horizon of eter­ until peace and quiet had been com­ nity . pletely re-establ ished. And so it was Could it be that the King, when done . The hand of the King was ex­ confronted with those incidents, re­ tended over the hapless Baha' fs , shield­ membered the graceful, black-clad ing them from mullas and muleteers Western woman in Paris, and recalled alike . his promise, "Be at ease . . . everything When the Master received news of wil 1 be taken care of' ? the great courage of these Baha' i

January, 1974/ BAHA'f NEWS 5 Abidjan, Ivory Coast Bah3'is and the United Nations

6 BAHA'i NEWS/January, 1974 Baha' f participation in three events oflate summer 1973 provided outstand­ ing opportunities to proclaim the Baha'i solution to world problems be­ fore distinguished audiences. The Baha'i International Community was invited to send representatives to the United Nations seminar on "The F amity in a Changing Society, " London; the " World Congress on World Peace Through Law, " Abidjan, Ivory Coast; and the United Nations seminar on " Youth and Human Rights," San Remo, . The Baha'i International Commun­ ity Representatives were able not only to address delegates of UN member nations, UN non-governmental organi­ zations, and internationally-known juri-sts, but, in addition, were able to circulate statements on Baha' f perspec­ tives on current issues to all particip­ ants and the press. The Baha' f rep­ Inaugural session of the conference. resentatives and alternates made many valuable personal contacts, as well as Dr. Aziz Navidi discussing the Faith and answering questions. Law An event that attracted considerable international press attention recently was the Sixth World Conference on World Peace Through Law, in Abid­ jan, Ivory Coast. More than 2,000 lawyers, jurists, and government minis­ ters, from over I 00 nations met bet­ ween August 26-31, to discuss the strengthening of international law and the promotion of world legal institu­ tions at a time when the evidences of chaos and disorder were reaching pain­ ful and epidemic proportions through­ out the world. The press coverage reflected an interest in seeing whether luminaries of the legal world, in the relative isolation of a scholarly confer­ ence, in an untroubled comer of the world, could devise some common outlooks on the more prickly legal issues of the day. On the agenda were such volatile items as hijacking, human rights, multi-national business, the regulation of ocean resources, the treatment of refugees, and population control. The conference, a biennial event, was sponsored by the World Peace Through Law Center, a worldwide

January, 1974 /BAHA'i NEWS 7 The Baha'i representative spoke immediately following the message of the President of the Ivory Coast.

Stock farming in the Ivory Coast. organization of lawyers, judges, and light the moral basis of law and its was sufficiently impressed with his legal scholars, determined to educate expanding coverage of individuals. petitioner to grant him his wish. He the nations about the potential for world This focusing of attention on the promised Dr. Navld'i an opportunity to order with justice, under the rule of similarities between law systems and speak during the official reception by law. The Center, like the Baha'i Inter­ religions, and the impact which these the Ivory Coast Government to inaugu-­ national Community, is a Non­ great human forces can have by com­ rate the conference, immediately after Governmental Organization affiliated mon efforts on the creation of the the message from the Head of State, with the United Nations. In addition to peaceful world order with justice for President Felix Houphouet-Boigny. attempting to unravel the monumental all, is a most worthwhile endeavor," he Dr. Navld'i later characterized his legal snarls of this period, the delegates said. Neither the volume on "Religion amazing good fortune as "a miracle attended an August 25th ceremony to and Law", nor the conference program from Baha'u'llah". mark the 25th anniversary of the signing itself, initially afforded an opportunity On the evening of the 26th, exactly of the Declaration of Human Rights. for the presentation of a Baha'i view on as promised, Chief Justice Boni, upon On the second conference day, work world peace. In fact, the Center's book­ reading the presidential message, in­ sessions on harmonizing African na­ let attributed many of the teachings of troduced Dr. Navld'i to the more than tional needs with the requirements of the Baha'i Faith to Islam. Nonetheless, 2,000 people assembled at the Univer­ international law were conducted, as a Baha'i delegate sent to Abidjan by the sity of Abidjan. were sessions on the values fostered by Baha'i International Community to at­ Dr. N avid' i said that man's collec­ African tribal law. tend the conference managed, upon his tive life had passed through many The international observance of arrival, to partially rectify the over­ stages: infancy, adolescence, and now World Law Day, on August 26, culmi­ sights. had entered its stage of maturity. Ev­ nated with a program in Abidjan. Dr. 'Aziz Navld'i, himself an interna­ erything that in earlier times had served World Law Day is an annual event tional lawyer, and a resident of the needs of humanity was no longer sponsored by the World Peace Through Mauritius, serving as representative of sufficient. In abandoning its adoles­ Law Center. For 1973 the Center made the Baha'i International Community for cence it acquired new virtues, attained an effort to demonstrate to the more Africa, arrived in the Ivory Coast four a new moral level, achieved new than two billion followers of the days before the start of the conference. capacities, and began to develop a new world's religions the purposes and He promptly met with Judge William kind of civilization, infinitely richer goals shared by religion and law in S. Thompson, Secretary-General of the and more noble than any which pre­ building peace. A handbook entitled sponsoring center, to request the al­ ceded. But at the same time it de­ "Religion and Law" was published for lotment of time for a Baha' i presenta­ veloped characteristics and behavior the occassion. It outlined the Center's tion on world peace. Judge Thompson that endangered its very survival . thesis on the complimentary nature of indicated that permission could be Since the tum of the century man has religious and secular law. In the words granted by the permanent chairman of pursued the elusive goal of peace, he of the Center's President, Charles S. the conference, Chief Justice Alphonse said. But the goal has been unattaina­ Rhyne: "as transnational contacts a­ Boni, of the Ivory Coast Supreme ble. "We are the victims of war, of mong individuals grow in importance Court. Dr. Navld'i presented his re­ animosity and strife among nations, with the technological miniaturization quest to Justice Boni, who although races, religions, classes, sects, and of the world, we believe it well io spot- never haying heard of the Baha'i Faith, colors," he observed. Among the af-

8 BAHA'I NEWS/January, 1974 flictions to humanity he enumerated: Faith through his thoughtful and sym­ neo-colonialism, the exploitation of pathetic articles. He offered to publish The editor man by man, the spiraling arms race, a statement on the Faith if Dr. Navid'i political and economic rivalries, into­ was allowed to speak; but he was remembered meeting lerance, ignorance, egotism, suspi­ skeptical of this transpiring because the cion, the increasing severity of ter­ program was planned and confirmed Ruhf yyih Khan um rorism, inequality, madness, crime, well in advance. He may have been etc. Alone and collectively, these surprised by Dr. Navid'i's successful on her visit to the maladies have limited man's ability to encounter with Justice Boni, but true to establish peace. "The malaise and suf­ his word, the day after Dr. Navid'i's I vary Coast, fering which has afflicted humanity presentation, he published the text of since the last World War is the result, his remarks, with a photograph. and offered to for the most part, of the world's perva­ On August 28, Mr. Albert Lincoln, publish a sive lack of spirituality," Dr. Navid'i Dr. Navid'i's alternate, from the Cen­ concluded. tral African Republic, was invited to statement on the While afflictions become more ag­ address a study session on the revision gravated the various peoples of the of the United Nations Charter and about Faith. world depend increasingly on one the necessity to establish a world com­ another. "It is no longer possible for monwealth of nations. He explained at anyone to isolate himself with the that session that Baha'is support the Vendors selling fruit at railway stop in expectation of self-sufficiency," Dr. concept of the United Nations, as well Ivory Coast. Navid'i said. In addition to the political as many of its programs around the ties, there are inextricable commercial, agricultural, educational, and a myriad other ties that are reinforced each day. "It therefore appears that universal peace and the unification of humanity can be realized in this epoch," he said. This peace, however, "is not supported and cannot be safeguarded, unless it is in accord with the Divine Ordinances, applied by a Divinely inspired Physi­ cian." It is from these ordinances that man must fashion his laws. "A new world order, for the establishment of universal peace, has become legally possible, socially imperative, and di­ vinely ordained," he said. Peace, should come, he estimated, as the result of the spiritualization of the world and the fusion of its peoples and beliefs. " The Baha' i Peace Program which Baha' u'llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith, revealed more than a century ago, contemplated from the beginning the establishment of a peaceful order," Dr. Navid'i said. " Our epoch has unal­ terably demonstrated the interdepen­ dence of the earth's peoples. It is upon this reality that the Baha'i Peace Prog­ ram rests." Before it was even clear that he would be a conference speaker Dr. Navid'i visited the editor of the single dail y newspaper in the country, Fraternite, requesting publicity on the Baha' i Faith. The editor remembered meeting Ruhiyyih Khanum on her visit to the Ivory Coast, and confided to Dr. Navid'i that at that time he tried to familiarize his countrymen with the

January, 1974/ BAHA'f NEWS 9 The London seminar on family life was the first ever held under the auspices of the United Nations on that subject.

At opening of conference Mr. Charles Rhyne (center), with Ivory Coast Pres­ ident Felix Houphouet-Boigny (left), and Mr. William S. Thompson (right) . world. He spoke at length about those Family a Changing Society" in Lon­ Governmental Organizations in consul­ characteristics of the Ba ha' f Faith don, July 18-31. Mrs. Nys and Mrs. tative status with the Economic and which encourage the development of a Afnan, one from the West the other Social Council, including the Baha'i sense of world community, and sug­ from the East, were soon referred to International Community. The United gested that it would be upon this found­ affectionately by their co-conferees as Nations Children's Fund was rep­ ation that a world peace would be built. the " Baha'i twins." The Baha'i rep­ resented, as well as UNESCO and the On the same day Dr. Navid'i addressed resentative to the seminar on "Youth World Health Organization. Several a work session considering ways of and Human Rights," in San Remo, intergovernmental organizations were strengthening the International Court of Italy, August 28 to September 10, was represented; the League of Arab States, Justice. Mr. Foad Katirai, a student of Interna­ and the Organization of American Throughout the conference both men tional Trade at Oxford University. States, among them. were able to meet informally with many The seminar on family life was or­ Some of the topics discussed at the of the attending dignitaries, jurists, ganized by the United Nations at the fourteen-day conference were the fam­ scholars, and lawyers. A copy of Dr. instance of the United Kingdom, as part ily in a changing society, problems and Navid' i's remarks were presented to of a UN policy of providing advisory responsibilities of its members; alloca­ people attending the conference as well services to member states in the field of tion of rights and responsibilities within as copies of the pamphlet, "Pattern for human rights. This London seminar the home; the welfare of children; the Future Society". was the first ever held on the subject of responsibility of society toward chil­ the family under United Nations au­ dren; the special problems of working spices. parents; and the national and interna­ The role of women in the family has tional measures required to promote the been a major concern of the United principle of the equality of men and Women Nations Commission on the Status of women in the family. Womeen in recent years. A number of. In her brief address to the conference The two other international events studies, particularly concerned with the Madame Nys said the importance of the attended by representatives of the status of women in family law, have family should be understood within the Baha'i International Community were been completed or set in motion, for the context of great forces of change pro­ not as well publicized, or possibly even Commissions's deliberation. Several of pelling mankind toward a single world as dramatic, but the problems con­ these studies came up for discussion at society. fronted were also at the very core of our the Londori seminar, such as reports on "Marriage is the foundation of a modem existence, and Baha'is were the status of unmarried mothers, and good family," she said;" good families able to make important contributions to the legal capacity of married women. in turn are the foundation of a stable the consultation. Other studies are being readied for civilization." Love, needed in mar­ Madame Lea Nys, an Auxiliary submission to the 25th session of the riage more than in other relationships, is Board member for Belgium, and her Commission in 1974. essentially a divine force that creates alternate , Mrs. Shomais Afnan, rep­ Participants from 28 countries at­ spiritual and physical union, she said. resented the Baha'is at the United Na­ tended the London seminar, as did "The most important person in the tions Inter-Regional Seminar on "The representatives of 30 Non- family is the mother," she noted.

l 0 BAHA'I NEWS/ January, 1974 "Equality of rights, status and oppor­ on understanding of the spiritual nature which designated the mother responsi­ tunities for women and men is recog­ of man and belief in the organic one­ ble for the entire care of the children nized in the Baha'i Faith as a divine ness of humanity," she told the assemb­ and all the household tasks made it law, but the education of girls as future lage . difficult for couples to adjust to the mothers, and therefore first educators Both Madame Nys and Mrs. Afnan changing requirements of the family," of mankind, is even more important. were invited to receptions, dinners, and the participants' report stated. A trend "Their obligation as parents consti­ lunches where they spoke further about was said to be developing, whereby tutes the first and foremost duty for the Faith to participants from a variety functions such as child-rearing and husband and wife, equally binding on of countries many were given Baha' i maintenance, as well as employment both. Parents must promote the oneness literature. outside the family, are no longer of mankind through example and de­ There were many interesting conclu­ strictly identified as the sole responsi­ velop in their children the growing sions agreed upon by the participating bility of one or another of the marriage consciousness that 'The world is but national and international organiza­ partners. These functions are increas­ one country and mankind its citizens' ." tions. Perhaps of most significance was ingly being shared by mothers and Among the rights of children, in the agreement that the family, whatever fathers, the report maintained. addition to those normally recognized, its form or pattern, fulfill many basic Despite the increasing tendency to such as academic instruction, she listed biological, sociological and psycholog­ share household responsibilities sev­ as most important instruction in human ical needs of the individual, essential to eral participating groups insisted that and spiritual virtues, stressing the latent the stability of nations. "It should great care should be taken "to preserve divine nature of man. This so that "free therefore be preserved and receive the the positive aspects of the woman's role from all prejudice they may grow up in full support that society could give in as mother and homemaker, and her turn to form their own families in the fulfilling these fundamental func­ confidence and dignity in the face of the service of each other and of mankind," tions," the participants concluded in trend towards greater involvement of she explained. their post-conference report. women in the economy, and in com­ The essential, long-term solution to The participants also noted a grow­ munity affairs. " the ills of the planet, according to Mrs. ing acceptance of the principle of the Although participants noticed an ac­ Nys, lies in the transformation of equality between men and women. celerating trend toward equal partner­ human values. "We believe that no­ This was considered a major influence ship in decision-making between thing short of the kind of change that is on family life, and upon the perceived spouses, it was felt, nonetheless, that in beginning to take place in Baha' i com­ roles of men and women within the still too many instances, the husband munities throughout the world, where family. It was observed that the tradi­ was, in law, the head of the family, the basic transformation in purpose and tional picture of the father as the sole enjoying a dominant status to that of the character occuring in each individual is provider and head of the family , was no wife. "More often than not," the report reflected in his social and family life, longer consonant with the reality of stressed, "the wife would not enjoy the will be able to provide the highest many present-day family situations, legal capacity to contract, or bring suit quality of human life on this planet. A where women find it necessary or or defend in court without the consent new consciousness must emerge, based challenging to work. "The tradition of her husband." Too often, the report

Conferees agreed that the family, whatever its form or pattern , fulfills many needs of the in di vi dual and is essential to >} .... the stability of ,- ~ ... nations .

Participants at youth seminar. Mr. Katirai, the Baha'i representative, is seated at extreme right.

January, 1974/ BAHA' f NEWS 11 said, decision-making rests with the cause of human rights. Much attention ments of the population, in insuring husband. As the father, he is the sole was devoted to the problem of creating that the human rights of all people are guardian of his children, and is entitled educational conditions that would ena­ respected. to administer the property of his wife, ble young people to fully develop their "The first step in this direction is the without her consent or participation. potentialities, and to strengthen their arousal of the consciousness of youth to Several participants consequently, re­ respect for human rights. Observers the oneness of mankind," he said. fered to the need for protective legisla­ from 28 countries attended the UN "Before unity and agreement are firmly tion for women in such circumstances. seminar. established among the peoples of the In all, there were almost JOO recom­ At the end of the seminar many world, we are convinced, nothing can mendations made by the participants at recommendations were unanimously be. . . thoroughly effected." Youth the London seminar. adopted and published in the seminar must, through a process of self­ report. Among them: that governments enlightenment, instill in itself a global ratify the existing international coven­ perspective, and adopt a new set of ants on human rights; that governments values, permeated by such characteris­ eMablish educational means to promote tics as truthfulness, kindness, sincerity, Youth in young people the respect for human and justice. The expression of these The two-week seminar on " Youth rights; that the member states of the and Human Rights," in San Remo, United Nations include more young values, he said, will be the respect and explored ways by which young persons people in their delegations to the Gen­ promotion of human rights. can participate more effectively in the eral Assembly. Both Mr. Katirai, and his alternate, implementation of the principles estab­ In the Baha' f view, Mr. Katirai said Mr. Sohrab Youssefian, were able to lished in the Universal Declaration of to the seminar, human rights are God­ speak about the Faith to the press, a Human Rights, and in national and given rights, and youth have perhaps a representative of the Vatican, and par­ international programs serving the greater reponsibility than other seg- ticipants from many nations.

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/ ·'"'' .. , ~~ ~ - - - -< ...... , - ~, 12 BAHA'I NEWS/January, 1974 Dorothy Beecher Baker Reflections on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of her passing

by Ugo and Angeline Giachery 'Abdu'l-Baha sensed the virtues and capacities of young Dorothy, who was to become an out­ standing Baha' f teacher and administrator. Mrs. Baker, (second from left), during her last public appearance in Pakistan, in 1954.

" This is a Matchless Day. Matchless, become one of the outstanding teachers ta! Baha'i achievement by the impetus must, likewise, be the tongue that and Baha'i administrators of the West­ of the Master's Divine Plan released celebrateth the praise of the Desire of ern Hemisphere. Following graduation through the Guardian, and she poured all nations, and matchless the deed from college Dorothy spent a few years forth with superb energy and brilliance that aspireth to be acceptable in Hi s teaching school in Newark. She was her unique contribution to the Seven sight." offered a position to teach at the Ethical Year Plan and World Crusade." 1 Mrs. Gleanings, p. 39 Culture School in New York but did not Baker had a special ability to speak to This passage from the writings of accept it. She then married Frank Al­ young people and lectured in hundreds Bah

14 BAHA'I NEWS/ January, 1974 Luxembourg, Switzlerland, Italy , Por­ half staff. We read Baha' i prayers on tugal, and Spain. During this trip she deck, throwing handfulls of carnations Wherever she went encouraged the pioneers, and lectured upon the water. The service lasted to the general public in the capitals of about 15 minutes. she was almost all those countries. We well remember Returning to the Island, we had an her visit to , her charm, smiling opportunity to speak of the Faith to the inevitably countenance, and oratory, with which ship's commander. Other people in she conquered many a heart. The be­ Porto Azzuro became interested in the cast in the role lievers in that city who had the privilege Faith, and in Italian newspapers, the of meeting her, still remember the glow accounts of the disaster referred to Mrs. of problem­ of her kindness and love. Even in recent Baker's association with the Baha'i years we have met many believers who, Faith. It was discovered that the day solver. with a tone of pride, have said, " I first after the accident, a pamplet written by heard of the Faith from Mrs. Baker," May Boles Maxwell entitled" An Early or," it was Mrs. Baker who brought me Pilgrimage," was found at sea and into the Faith." On 24 December 1951, given to a British newspaperman, who, Mrs. Baker, (left), in India; with the Mrs. Baker was appointed a Hand of after perusing it for a few minutes, threw Maharani of Scindia, (center), and the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi, it back into the water, having attached Mrs. Shirim Boman, (right), a resident among the first contingent of the no importance to it. In his cablegram to Hands. Her devotion, enthusiasm, pro­ the Baha' is on the occasion of Mrs. Bahti' i teacher. found knowledge of the teachings, and eagerness to serve, all of which had made of her a true champion of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, had thus been rewarded. As a Hand of the Cause Mrs. Baker participated in the four Intercontinental Conferences held in late 1953. We well remember her in Stockholm and New Delhi , where her grace and eloquence were at their zenith. She visited the then Prime Minister of India, Mr. Jawahar­ lal Nehru, and during the New Delhi Conference sat by that statesman, radiating purity and distinction, and conversing with him with poise and conviction for well over a half hour. At the request of Shoghi Effendi she re­ mained in India for two months, travel­ ing far and wide, lecturing at some fifty colleges and universities. The seeds she planted in the hearts of so many youth have now blossomed, and in the last few years India has been afire with the Cause of Baha'u'llah.

No survivors of the crash were found. On Monday, January 18, on an Italian naval corvette, we went with the Baker family to the site of the disaster. Floral wreaths were thrown into the sea from the ship and from a Naval plane flying overhead while the bugles sounded taps and flags were lowered to

January, 1974/BAHA'f NEWS 15 To tread the eternal path with dignity and joy is the birthright of every man.

The attending the first Intercontinental Bah{i' i Teaching Conference, in Kampala , Uganda, February 1953. Dorothy Baker is sec­ ond from right.

Baker's passing, the Guardian spoke of her special role in Baha'i history: "HEARTS GRIEVED LAMENTABLE, UN­ TIMEL ASSING DOROTHY BAKER, DIS- TJ\IGUISHED tlAND CAUSE, ELOQUENT The Path to God EXPONENT ITS TEACHINGS, IN DE­ FA TI GABLE SUPPORTER OF ITS by Dorothy Baker human institutions have had their hours INSTITUTIONS, VALIANT DEFENDER OF of birth and death. ITS PRECEPTS. LONG RECORD OUT­ He who would view religion impar­ Even earthly cultures have resulted STANDING SERVICE ENRICHED AN ALS tially must remove himself sufficiently directly or indirectly from the impetus CONCLUDING YEARS HEROIC OPENING from any single part of it to look upon of revealed religion. The lettered Jews EPOC FORMATIVE AGE BAHA ' f the panorama. At first he will see only sprang from the spiritual genius of DISPENSATION. " 3 We vividly re­ wilderness, and will become confused, Moses; the glory of ancient Persia member our last goodbye to Dorothy on berating the sense of honesty that bade reflects the fire of Zoroaster; unfolding a November morning in New Delhi. him see. Looking back through history, Europe lifts her spires in homage to the She was to leave the hotel for another however his eye will catch sight of a glorious Nazarene; the mathematics of lecture at a college. Elegant in her white highway somewhat hidden by the the Arabs of Cordova, the arcfiitecture, simplicity, she looked like a young girl thickets of the wilderness, but very astronomy and oet1c genius o tne going to a feast. Although she was straight, and marked at definite inter­ Muhammadan worl~ e middle cen- suffering with a bad cold and a tempera­ vals by brilliant lights. What is that path oes espeak in like manner the gi o ture, she looked as beautiful as ever, through the maze of human thought and uhammad. The force which has re- smiling with a sweetness that cannot be feeling? Is it a figment of the imagina­ pea e , n&often out of the blackest forgotten. Our separation was moving tion, or has a merciful Creator given to despond, brought into being such bril­ and affectionate. The greatest tribute His created a planned Way to liant marks of progress, and more we can pay to the memory of the Him ? Steadily rising in the world amazing still, re e ed that gri2.2_n lc:if=-e..,, _ beloved Hand of the Cause Dorothy today is the disturbing belief that religi­ ·o and salvatio which characterizes Baker, is the certitude that her sac­ ous institutions have failed. The sincere he spring season of a great religion, is rifice, born from her deep dedication to seeker finds in every house of Worship, the eternal Christ, the Word that is in the Faith, was made in the same selfless be it Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism Prophethood. Through it man is im­ spirit of service which distinguished or Muhammadanism, the same exalted bued with the Holy Spirit and is moti­ her brilliant life. Her noble personality sentiments of worship and of brother­ vated by a master emotion. One shall never be forgotten by ours and hood, yet see the failure of each to hundred years after Jesus lived on earth countless generations of followers of translate fliat sentirnen mtu-the pos · - Greek Christian would not have raised Baha'u'llah. ue o its 12eo2le. The church, a house sword against Roman Christian. He divided agarnst itself, is tom by wuuld have been conscious fii;st that e I. Horace Holley, "Memorial Meet­ nationalism, racial suppressions and was Christian, secon !11at he was ing for Dorothy Beecher Baker," economic injustice. At such a time Gree . o ay one 1s first Gennan, Baha'i News, March 1954, No. 277, Baha'u'lllih recalls us to the oneness of French, American or English, and as an p. 2. the foundation of all religions and to the afterthought we are Christians to­ 2. Mr. Edwin Matton, Ibid, p. 4 essential rightness of that foundation. gether. In the spring-season of Christ­ 3. Ibid, p. 1 Religion has never failed, though ianity the master emotion was a com-

16 BAHA'f NEWS/ January, 1974 mon love for God, and other emotions experiences fusion with the Manifesta­ were sublimated to it. Nothing short of tion of God's Perfection. Paul would be such vitality can today raise to the point made alive in Christ Jesus. Ali, youth­ of good health the spiritual temperature ful disciple of this day, proclaimed as of the world. he gave his life, "If I recant, whither That the seed of such a renewal is shall I go? In him I have found my even now at work cannot be doubted. paradise." The Wo dis he bre do ife, While on the one hand we have a falling one Word throug out the ages and away of faith, on the other hand are to cycles, t ough the speakers have been be found signs of the budding of new many. H8 w well ha

When our beliefs are raised to the plane of deeds and our hearts ~ fiarmon1zed wit

The Hands of the Cause at Third Intercontinental Conference, in Swe­ den . Mrs. Baker is at far left, second row.

January, 1974/ BAHA'f NEWS 17 .renunciation is still the law of rebirth, and he who would side step this law in his life will be spiritually impoverished.

Delegates to Central American Annual Convention in 1952 . Mrs . Baker is fourthfrom left, sitting. ordeals are a blessing to this end. " With heavenly condition learn the use of place himself directly across. Seeing fire we test the gold," Baha'u'lllih such a faculty for the _r,.e ecti n the that 'Abdu'l-Baha was quite lost in his writes . ]_Qw else can old~ urifi d? kin dom of heaven. More interesting own reverie, he began to pray silently Great souls discover ffiat tliey are ei'f er still, conside li possible result of a for his friends, his family and finally for the possessors or the possessed. Life, whole world of people using the power the crowned heads of Europe. No word the teacher, becomes the enemy of the of meditation, or reflection, for the was uttered by the quiet man before soul who, steeped in self-love, is the dispensing of God's affairs on earth. him. He went over all the prayers, he continual prisoner of the clutch of Such meditation is akin to prayer. knew then, and repeated them twice, circumstance; but the friend of one What sincere traveler would not give three times-still no sound broke the who, purified of self-demands, counts the half of his kingdom to consciously expectant hush. Surreptitiously he rub­ as ure gain the lessons of this me­ walk and talk with God? Yet the sci­ bed one knee and wondered vaguely times ru ess teac er, and learns to ence of prayer is so little understood about his back. He began again, hear­ possess i , a h :pp treasure, for the that in the words of Tennyson we are : ing as he did so, the birds heralding the sake of God, the Dear, the Knower. "A child crying in the night, dawn outside the window. An hour The second step is assuredly the A child crying for the light, passed, and finally two. The man was attainment of understanding. edita­ And with no language but a cry." quite numb now . His eyes, roving tion and pra er, 'Abdu'l-Baha assures How different the mature experience along the wall, caught sight of a large us, are t e s of our understanding. of the heart that turns in complete crack. He dallied with a touch of Faculties allowe to rf st m 1m 1m abandonment to the Will of God, ec indignation but let his gaze pass again tion or fallen into disuse, must be called d' c.tati alwa s list.... en ii!i:;;ia~ to the still figure across the bed. The into activity. 'Abdu'l-Baha points out ecstasy that he saw arrested him and he that the mind is like a mirror which drank deeply of the sight. Suddenly he reflects that to which it is turned. If the wanted to pray like that. Se! fish desires mirror reflects that to which it is were forgotten. Sorrow, conflict, and turned . If the mirror reflects the lustful even his immediate surroundings were and sordid, can the owner claim better as if they had never been. was than the lowest condition? If the same .!r!=~=· conscious of only one thing, a pas i0 - mirror becomes the reflector of arts and ·.c;E:::::::.at desire to draw ne r o God. eiosmg scienti fie realities its status is undeni­ ht e e again e se world firmly ably high . Greatest of all is the noble - aha was in New aside, and amazingly his heart teemed station of the soul that turns its mirror York, He called to him an ardent Baha'i with prayer, eager, joyous tumultuous toward the spiritual Sun of Revelation and said, " If you will come to me at prayer. He felt cleansed by humility and becomes warmed and illumined by dawn tomorrow, I will teach you to and lifted by a new peace. 'Abdu'l-Baha its direct ray . A well-known business pray." Delighted, the man arose at four had taught him to pray! The "Master of genius attributes a large measure of and crossed the city, arriving for his Akka" immediately arose and came to success to undisturbed meditation upon lesson at six. With what exultant expec­ him. His eyes rested smilingly upon the his affairs for fifteen minutes at the tation he must have greeted this oppor­ new Ii humbled believer. "W e you beginning of each day . He is undoub­ tunity! He found 'Abdu'l-Baha already , " He said, "}'.OU must not t mk o tedly correct. How much more, then , it at prayer, kneeling by the side of of the your achin bo y, nor of e bir s is necessary that the soul seeking a bed. He followed suit, taking care to outs1...... e the wm.... ow, nor o the crac 18 BAHA'I NEWS/January, 1974 by acceptable deeds, for spirituality "I have known only joy." The same itself, far from being a subjective ex­ joyous sovereignty completely en­ perience, is the reflection of Godliness veloped the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha whose into channels of human living. years of imprisonment were worn like The greatest deeds are those of ur­ an ermine cloak. At one time he hat balm is in detachment. What p_Qseful sac ce. o great is this wea tli wrote, "Though I stay in prison it is jus peace is · true surrender to His Will. t at rougfi it man's life takes on a like paradise; afflictions and trials in th'

''If you will come to me at dawn tomorrow , I will teach you to pray,'' said the Master. Five members ofthe National Assembly of the United States left in 1954 to take up pioneering posts. They were, left to right, Dr. William Kenneth Christian, Mrs. Mamie Seto, Mrs. Elsie Austin, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, and Mr. Matthew Bullock.

January, 1974 /BAHA'i NEWS 19 ment of love untainted by arrogance. shalt see the earth even as the most the world is kept. The old world passes; The door is open to black and white , Glorious Paradise." tomorrow , swords are beaten into rich and poor, fellow countryman and A unity greater than fellowship will ploughshares. Baha'u' llah fulfills and foreign born. He extends the hand of exist between the true lovers. Out of renews all of the great Scriptures of the friendship to every sincere soul and perfect union with the Will of the world and infuses all things with new honors at his table evey type and kind in Beloved will appear a common pas­ life. He is the ichael s oken of by the garden of his Lord. No ephemeral sion, unit in the love of God. This tanie. for the trou ous time of the end lines divide him from his fellows. He celestia accomplishment o near when there is increase of knowledge, glories in the accomplishments of the ones will give rise to the harmony of the and running to and fro . He is the One strong and is a steward of the rights of race. promised by Jesus, of whom that the weak. He is, in short, the servant of This in short is the path to God sanctified Spirit said, "I have yet many all, the friend of all, the lover of all. He renewed. When we attain a united faith things to say unto you, but ye cannot has cast himself into the sea of unity. through the ever-flowing waters of bear them now . Howbeit when he, the Baha'u'llah writes, " Ye are the fruits Revelation; when our beliefs are raised Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide of one tree, the leaves of one branch. to the plane of deeds and our thoughts you into all truth. " He is the Mihdi Deal ye with one another with the harmonized by a common passion , then 1419 m ~ed by Mu~ammad . He 1 e utmost love and harmony. So powerful heaven will be opened before every Fnen spoken o , and the is the light of unity that it can illumine sincere soul and society will inherit a Sunrise of Zoroaster. His universal the whole earth . . .. Exert yourselves new earth. Spirit is the " Glory of God that shall that ye may attain this transcendent and Today the stage is set for the greatest cover the earth as the waters cover the most sublime station . . . this goal spiritual drama of history, for the sea." His coming is the bow of promise excelleth every other goal; this aspira­ ~h of the po.we of the h aJ in the sky. " Lo, every stone and clod tion is the monarch of all aspiration." will be or the st time worl 1a'_e_a_n ..,_, crieth, ' The Promised One hath ap­ Moreover, He assures us , " That which in propor.t" n to in itel y 1g er de­ peared, and the Kingdom is to God, the God willeth shall come to pass and thou velo men . The promis o the en of Powerful, the Mighty, the Pardoner.' "

20 BAH A'f N EWS/January, 1974 , ,,.,_.~ ~ ., 1f .!!!.:a \ ~ , ~· --.'\ ·---·· j. ·· , - ...... l

Tanzanian Exhibition A Baha'i Exhibition was held at the Saba Saba Fair in Dar Es Salaam last July. Many people visited the booth and seven of those declared. Over Bahd' ifriends in Switzerland. 3,000 people saw showings of" It's Just the Beginning" during the week long exhibition. Hands Cause visit Swiss Two Hands of the Cause of God Around visited Basel, Switzerland earlier this year. In August Hand of the Cause Mr. Khadem met with the Baha'fs ands poke of this life in the the Faith. Hand of the Cause Mr. Khazeh visited in September and told of his meetings with the World Guardian and how they have af­ fected his life. The Hand of the Cause Mr. Khdzeh.

Ghana Assembly Members of the fourth National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana with Auxiliary Board Member Mrs. Vera Edwards. Left to right, first row : Mrs. Edwards, Mr. Ernest Bentil, Prince Abaidoo, Mr. David Tanyi (Treas­ urer). Second row: Mrs. June Jackson (Secretary), Dr. Vadlamudi, Mr. Abdu' l-llah Yazdani, Mr. Emanuel Kumi. Third row: Mr. Gordon Jackson (Vice Chairman), Dr. John Powell (Chairman).

January, 1974 /BAHA'f NEWS 21 Nasrid-D{n Shah

The Kings who said no A set of eight portraits of kings and rulers to whom Baha 'u 'II ah addressed Tablets is now available through the International Baha'f Audio- Visual Centre. The pictures are available in black and white prints, black and white glossies, and black and white 35mm slides. Unlimited international rights have been secured for the reproduction of these pictures by any Baha'i institution, andforreproductionofthese pictures by any other media in connection with a Baha'i story. Your local Baha'i librarian or authorized Baha'( distributor may have them in stock, or can supply you with prices and ordering information. If these materials are not available in your area, please write the International Baha'( Audio-Visual Centre, 1640 Holcomb Road, Victor, New York 14564, for Kaiser Wilhelm I additional information.

International Baha'i Audio-Visual Centre