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BUENOS AIRES

Argentina

Paintings of peace and unity on display

Paintings of peace and unity on display BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Peace and unity were themes of paintings in an exhibition by a Baha'i artist at a prestigious venue here. Uruguayan artist Sima Baher titled the exhibition "The Earth Is But One Country," an excerpt from a quotation by Baha'u'llah. Sponsored by the embassy of Uruguay in Argentina, the exhibition opened at the Borges Cultural Center. Simultaneously with Ms. Baher's exhibition, the gallery featured works by Salvador Dali and is now displaying images by renowned French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Launching Ms. Baher's exhibition, Uruguayan author and radio presenter Angela Caceres spoke about the importance of peace and unity, the principles that inspired the paintings. "Peace and unity are abstract words and it is only when we move from the noun to the verb that they concert into action," Ms. Caceres said. "Peace in the heart, peace in the soul, unity in the being, peace and unity in the family, peace and unity in the major family which is humanity – all these are the essence of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith," she said. At the exhibition, held between 5 and 29 February, 2004, Ms. Baher also displayed two of her books, which feature similar themes to her paintings. Sima Baher beside the poster of her exhibition at the Borges Cultural Center in Buenos Aires."From Uruguay to the World" and "Lazos," both edited and published by Ms. Baher, include poems and articles written mostly by Uruguayan authors. Speaking about the themes of her books at the event, Ms. Baher said that peace is one of the essential characteristics of a mature society. "The concept of peace is much more profound than the end or absence of wars," she said. "Peace is the stage during which we can develop and manifest our latent potential for the good of the society. Peace is believing that we are noble and distinguished beings." Ms. Baher said that artists have a responsibility towards humanity. "Artists are educators who touch the hearts of people directly – they help people see, feel, and understand the realities of the world." Ms. Baher, also a poet and an art teacher, organizes classes and gatherings in Uruguay where participants explore the arts with the help of the Baha'i writings. In the coming months the classes will also be held in Argentina, under the auspices of the Center of Art, Culture, and Development, a foundation that she established in 1996 with her husband, Alejandro Caballero, to focus on art as a means of personal and social development. "Art is a spiritual issue," Ms. Baher says. "Baha'u'llah said that the arts, crafts, and sciences elevate the world of being and lead to its exaltation. The arts can awaken noble qualities and sentiments in us and make us want to become better people." Ms. Baher completed her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in L'Aquila, Italy, and later studied architecture in Rome. In 1981 she received the Premio Foro award at an international art competition, organized by the Forum Interart Gallery in Rome. Her paintings have featured in many exhibitions in Montevideo, in other cities in Uruguay, and in Italy, Argentina, Brazil, and the United States. Ms. Baher's exhibition will open again in June at the Cultural Center in Adrogue, a city near Buenos Aires.

-34.6075682

-58.4370894

MONTE CARLO

Monaco

Celebrations in a principality

Celebrations in a principality MONTE CARLO, Monaco — Guests from 25 countries joined the Baha'is of Monaco to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Baha'i Faith in the principality. More than 320 participants came from a range of countries that included Albania, Australia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Italy, and Uruguay. The jubilee celebrations on 24-25 April 2004 were held at the Theatre des Varietes in Monte Carlo, and opened with the reading of a welcoming message from the National Council of the Principality. In September 1953 Nellie French, 85, became the first Baha'i to arrive in Monaco, but she passed away a few months later. For her act of service in bringing the Faith to the country, she received the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi. Some of the other Baha'is who first brought the message of the Baha'i Faith to Monaco 50 years ago were present at the jubilee, together with members of their families. One was Shamsi Navidi who had arrived from Iran with her daughters Vida and Guilda, in February 1954. Mrs. Navidi's husband, the late Aziz Navidi, a distinguished Baha'i lawyer, joined his family a few months later. Shoghi Effendi named both Mr. and Mrs. Navidi Knights of Baha'u'llah. In March 1954 Florence Ullrich (later Ullrich-Kelley), a young college graduate, and Olivia Kelsey, an accomplished Baha'i author and poet, arrived from the United States. Ms. Ullrich and Ms. Kelsey were also named Knights of Baha'u'llah. "We didn't know their language nor did we know their culture," Ms.Ullrich-Kelley told the conference while recounting her memories of her first days in the principality. At the gravesite in Monte Carlo, Monaco, of Angeline Giachery, the wife of the Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery. (Right to left) Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, Mrs. Violette Nakhjavani, Mrs. Florence Kelley, Mr. Larry Kelley. Photo courtesy of Hawai'i Baha'i News.Ms. Ullrich-Kelley said the Baha'is initially found it difficult to establish contact with the locals. However, they made the effort to learn the language and soon met people who were interested in the Faith. The first person to become a Baha'i in Monaco was Margaret Lantz, of Luxembourg. Soon after her a Frenchman, Mr. Charbonnet, who owned an antique shop in Monaco, also accepted the Faith. Charlottte Campana was the first person of Monegasque nationality to become a Baha'i. The first Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Monaco was established in 1955. Since then, as the representative of the Swiss National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i of Switzerland, John-Paul Vader, told the jubilee, the Monaco community has sent out Baha'is who assisted and taught the Faith in other countries, and also worked for the Faith in international institutions and in defense of the persecuted Baha'is in Iran. Baha'i writings translated into Monegasque were officially presented to Crown Prince Albert in 2001, and one highlight of the jubilee was the reading of a prayer in that language. Stephane Valeri, President of the Monaco National Council, sent representatives to the jubilee: a member of the National Council, Christophe Spiliotis-Saquet, and Christian Berti. Also present was Henri Doria, the representative of the mayor of Monaco. The guests of honor at the jubilee were former member of the Universal House of Justice, Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, who addressed the participants on spiritual matters, and his wife Violette, who described the visit in the 1980s to Monaco of Madame Rabbani, a Hand of the Cause of God and the widow of Shoghi Effendi. Others Hands of the Cause who visited Monaco during the past 50 years included Abul Qasim Faizi, John Ferraby, Djalal Khaseh, Adelbert Muhlschlegel, and Tarazullah Samandari. Present at the jubilee were representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of France, Italy, and Switzerland. Congratulatory messages arrived from other Baha'i communities, including Germany, Hawaii, Luxembourg, Morocco, and New Zealand. A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Nosrat Tirandaz, delivered the message of the Board of Counsellors for Europe to the Monaco Baha'i community. Participants enjoyed viewing slides prepared by Rochan Mavaddat which depicted the history of the Monaco Baha'i community. Linda Youssefian-Marshall of Italy paid a tribute to the most prominent Baha'i to have resided in Monaco, the late Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery, who spent his latter years there with his wife Angeline. A short film of the Giacherys made by Gregoire Foucher was also shown. The celebrations, which were chaired by Paul Hakim, also featured many artistic presentations. Ranzie Mensah from Italy sang excerpts from the Baha'i writings put to music and a Tunisian-born singer Hatef Sedkaoui, also known as Atef, performed European and North African songs. One of the Baha'i youth, Melodie Kahl played the cello. Guitarist Serge Merlaud and pianist Francine Astani also performed. The joyous celebrations ended with a dinner party for 300 at the seashore restaurant of one of the local Baha'is, Eric Chauvet. The Monaco postal authorities issued a special postal mark to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Following the event a local weekly magazine, The Monaco Hebdo, published an article about the jubilee.

43.7402961

7.426559

LONDON

United Kingdom

Comedian wins major award

Comedian wins major award LONDON — One of the ways award-winning Inder Manocha handles hecklers when he is onstage doing stand-up comedy is this response: "Sir, if I embarrass you it's called comedy. If you embarrass me it's racism." The retort works because of Mr. Manocha's diverse heritage - and its play on political correctness. A member of the Baha'i Faith and born of Indian and Iranian parents, Mr. Manocha is currently winning rave reviews for his multiethnic comedy, which is popular here in the racially diverse United Kingdom. Mr. Manocha yesterday capped off his recent string of successes by winning an award at a major award ceremony that celebrates diversity and excellence in the media. Inder Manocha, 36, who turned his back on a career in psychotherapy just four years ago, was named best comedian at last night's EMMA -- Ethnic Multicultural Media Achievement Awards -- ceremony. The BBC2 television channel will screen the award ceremony on 30 May 2004. As an award winner, Mr. Manocha was in high-profile company. Other recipients of awards included actor Tom Cruise, who accepted his with a videophone message, and the star of hit movie "Bend it Like Beckham" and TV show "ER," Parminder Nagra, who arrived from the United States to attend the ceremony and receive an award. The EMMA awards aim to reward professionals who have made a contribution to the cultural diversity of Britain and have maintained "high human values." Manocha's interest in performing comedy began at an early age, but until recently it had remained a hobby. "I had done some comedy while at university and the interest had always been there," he says. "Then, after many years of studying and working as a therapist, I began writing the occasional sketch and speaking at friends' weddings -- and someone said that I should really try stand-up. And I did." The most grueling part followed, with five-minute slots in comedy clubs where audiences are notoriously hard to please. "But if they like you, they invite you back -- for ten minutes!" laughs Mr. Manocha. At the 2003 Edinburgh Festival, Manocha was invited to perform twice at the "Best of the Fest Show" and then for the show's whole run at London's Bloomsbury Theatre. In February 2004 he made his successful debut at a top venue, London's Comedy Store, and he returns for more shows this year. The inspiration for his comedy, he says, stems from growing up in a multiethnic Baha'i family in north London. "My father is Indian from a Sikh background, my mother is Zoroastrian Persian, and I had a very English education at Oxford," Mr. Manocha says. "So it was natural for me to do a kind of cross-cultural satire. I know both British and Asian cultures very well and I enjoy the way their idiosyncrasies play off each other. "The Baha'i teachings on unity and cultural diversity inspire the comedy, and then the high ethical standards of the Faith set the parameters," he says. "Obviously when you're up there on the stage, you want to make people laugh and it could be so easy to mock or denigrate others or resort to bad language for a quick and easy response. "But being a Baha'i calls you constantly to moderation and respect --that's a wonderful thing but a very challenging thing in this environment." From a Baha'i viewpoint, he says, laughter plays an important part in the spiritual life of the individual. "Often, a highly spiritually developed person will have a great sense of humor," Mr. Manocha says. "I suppose it's about having a right approach to life and keeping things in perspective. The Baha'i teachings talk about joy giving us wings, and laughter being spiritual relaxation. I think giving people the opportunity to laugh together is an immensely uniting and joyful thing." Mr. Manocha's unique approach has also led him to enjoy success in Durban, South Africa, where he has now appeared twice -- at the "East Coast Radio Ha Comedy Showcase" and in the "India's Kings of Comedy" show. "Durban is about 80 percent Asian, and they got all the jokes," he says. "Multiracial comedy bills are relatively new there and they are very much trying to promote it and make it work as a symbol of the new South Africa." (For the winners' list see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/3744147.stm.) Note: The EMMA Awards ceremony will be broadcast on Sunday 30 May on the BBC2 television channel at 2145hrs GMT. Report by Rob Weinberg.

51.5073219

-0.1276474

ABAIANG

Kiribati

Sailing in for a jubilee

Sailing in for a jubilee ABAIANG, Kiribati — The President of Kiribati and more than 200 Baha'is overcame a storm at sea to attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of the arrival of the Baha'i Faith in Kiribati. They traveled the 15 kilometers from the main island of Tarawa to the island of Abaiang on 4 March 2004 to attend the festivities being held where the Baha'i Faith was introduced. President Anote Tong and Madam Tong set out in a police boat and had just arrived at the lagoon when the storm hit. They made it ashore safely. However, more than 200 Baha'is were in the open ocean on the 50-foot catamaran "Marawanraoi" and had to persevere through high seas and rain to reach Abaiang. They arrived safely and in time for the celebrations to begin as planned. The events included a speech by President Tong, performances of singing, dancing, and drama, and a feast of roasted fish, taro, breadfruit, pork, chicken, and coconut. The joyous celebrations were fitting for a community that has seen more than 10,000 local people join its ranks over the last 50 years. The Faith has spread to 115 localities in Kiribati, and there are 38 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The social and economic development projects of the community include the Ootan Marawa Baha'i Vocational Institute, the only teacher training institution for pre-school teachers in Kiribati. It is open to all, regardless of religion, and is assisted by the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kiribati, at the Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1998.There are five pre-schools administered by Baha'i Local Spiritual Assemblies on Tarawa and the outer islands. They accept pupils of all religious affiliations. The Elena Marsella Institute is a national permanent Baha'i training institute that develops human resources needed in the growth of the Faith. The jubilee festivities, which were covered by two national newspapers and two national radio stations, were opened with a welcome by Baha'i spokesperson Teinabure Taukoriri. In his address to the participants, President Tong said that the different religions worshipped the one and same God. He also gave advice on the role of secular and religious leadership. "Governments of the land and spiritual governments should work hand in hand for the welfare of the people," President Tong said. A report from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kiribati was read to the participants by Atita Atanrerei. The report recounted that the Faith was introduced by Elena and Roy Fernie, who left their home in Panama and arrived to live in the village of Tuarabu, Abainag, on 4 March 1954. For this service, both Mr. and Mrs. Fernie were named Knights of Baha'u'llah by the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. The report said that the Fernies brought with them a piano and a radio, then very rare in the islands, and that Mr. Fernie was an amateur magician. "They became friends of the people of Tuarabu village and people kept coming back to see more of Roy's magic tricks and to listen to the piano and radio they had brought," the report said. "Among the people [coming for the entertainment] was Peter Kanere Koru, a Catholic teacher, who spoke English and he came to the attention of Roy and Elena when he said a sentence in English from the crowd when he was translating for the local people -- he soon became the first [Baha'i] believer in Kiribati." The report said that opposition to the Faith from some quarters led to the deportation of Mr. Fernie. It also prompted the banishment of Mr. Kanere, via Tarawa to his home island of Tabiteuea. He was forced to leave his sick wife behind in hospital and she died a short time later. Mr. Kanere did not meet Baha'is again until four years later, but he remained steadfast in his beliefs. By the time Baha'is were eventually able to come to visit him, he had introduced the Baha'i Faith to nine people on his island, the report said. Activities by local Baha'is, by foreign traveling teachers and by visiting Hands of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone and Rahmatullah Muhajir-- as well as by Auxiliary Board member Mosese Hokafonu of Tonga -- led to the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands in 1967. Among those participating in the jubilee celebrations were Taukoriri Eritai, who became a Baha'i at the time the Fernies were on Abainag, and Baha'is pioneers in Kiribati, Joe Russell and John Thurston. Also attending was a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand, Michael Fudakowski, who lived for some 17 years in Kiribati with his wife, Robin White, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia, and their family. Mr. Dominic Tabuaka represented the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Marshall Islands. Messages came from a range of Baha'i communities including those in Australia, Canada, Hawaii, the Solomon Islands, Ukraine, the United States, and Western Caroline Islands.

2.19410135

172.78020398996938

HAIFA

Israel

New site offers extensive collection of Baha'i scripture

New site offers extensive collection of Baha'i scripture HAIFA, Israel — The Baha'i International Community yesterday launched a Web site that includes the sacred writings of the Baha'i Faith in English, Arabic, and Persian, as well as other Baha'i publications. The Baha'i Reference Library offers an extensive collection of Baha'i holy scripture, which includes the writings of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and 'Abdu'l-Baha. In addition, the Web site contains works by Shoghi Effendi, the Universal House of Justice, and Baha'i authors. The launch of the Baha'i Reference Library marks the first time that a voluminous authoritative library of Baha'i scripture and other Baha'i publications has been available on the Internet. The front page of the new site.The launch is the first stage of the development of the Reference Library. Other materials will be added as they become available. "The site is expected to assist researchers, students of religion, and the general public worldwide in gaining greater access to the Baha'i holy texts," said the director of the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i International Community, Douglas Moore. "It joins the family of Baha'i International Community sites including, among others, the general information site, the news service, and the Baha'i International Community's statement library," Mr. Moore said. The address of the Baha'i Reference Library is http://reference.bahai.org.

32.8191218

34.9983856

HAGATNA

Guam

Spiritual legacy now paying dividends

Spiritual legacy now paying dividends HAGATNA, Guam — Cynthia and Edgar Olson initially won fame on this Pacific Island for introducing "Swedish pancakes" but their enduring legacy is a contribution far more precious. The couple, originally from Delaware in the United States, brought the teachings of Baha'u'llah here, and from that foundation the Baha'i Faith has since spread across the four inhabited islands of the archipelago of the Mariana Islands. Some three years after their arrival the Olsons opened a Swedish pancake house, which became so popular that families drove from the far corners of the island to taste the exotic concoctions. The building later functioned as a Baha'i center and it was from there that the plans to firmly establish the Faith were made. Today the community includes seven local spiritual assemblies, and is experiencing a surge in enrolments as its devotional meetings, children's classes, and study circles attract attendance from the wider community. The dramatic story of the Olsons was recounted on 2 May 2004 at Mrs. Olsons' graveside, in a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Faith in the Mariana Islands. The Olsons were unlikely pioneers -- a journalist and storekeeper, both middle-aged: the thin, frail Cynthia and the burly, balding Edgar -- and they almost didn't make it by the target date of 2 May 1954. As part of a decade-long (1953-1963), highly successful strategy to spread the Faith around the world, the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, had set that date as the goal for Baha'is to arrive in their place of service. This act usually involved, as it did with the Olsons, Baha'is voluntarily leaving their country to settle in one where there were no Baha'is. Collis Featherstone (center) and Mrs. Featherstone with the Governor of the the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Pedro Tenorio, 1985.At the time of the Olsons' arrival, the Mariana Islands were still a military area, controlled exclusively by the US Navy. Even short-term visitors needed special security clearance and a very good reason for coming -- a Navy-approved reason. Cynthia Olson came first, completing the last leg of her 12,000-kilometer journey on a rare Pan Am civilian flight to the islands. She had convinced the Navy that she could be useful on Guam. Her husband had stayed behind to close up their store, and was anxiously awaiting word of her safe arrival. She landed on 2 May 1954 after the telegraph office had closed, so she waited up all night to send a cable first thing the next morning. Her message was immediately read to a cheering audience at the US Baha'i National Convention halfway around the world. Shoghi Effendi named Cynthia a Knight of Baha'u'llah for her efforts. Her first job was as host of a popular daily program called "Women's World" at the island's only commercial radio station. Edgar, widely known as "Olie," followed a year later and became a popular TV executive and presenter -- as well as an owner of the pancake house. The Olsons quickly fell in love with the friendliness and generosity of the indigenous people, the Chamorros. Other ethnic groups there include Filipinos, Micronesians, Asians, and a tiny minority of US mainlanders, often called "haoles" or "statesiders." In a message read to the commemoration event, Mrs. Madeleine Bordallo, Guam's present US Congresswoman, lovingly recalled Cynthia's support and encouragement for her as a fellow radio presenter, and later in Mrs. Bordallo's official role as the First Lady of Guam. "As we remember Cynthia, let us remember a lady who was kind with her words, abundant with faith and hope, and generous with her love," wrote Mrs. Bordallo. "She came to our islands, as I did, fell in love with it, its culture and traditions, but most of all, its people," she said. Mrs. Olson later became a journalist for the United States Trust Territory of the Pacific, and then a supervisor responsible for arranging scholarships for island students. Many of those students, some of whom stayed in the Olsons' home, later became prominent members of Guam society, including legislators, teachers, and businessmen. In her memoirs, Mrs. Olson wrote about the first Baha'i Feast on Guam, when she and Robert Powers, a young Baha'i sailor who had been posted there temporarily, said prayers and had a picnic at the water's edge in the southern village of Inarajan. Mr. Powers also received the title Knight of Baha'u'llah. The first Micronesian islander to become a Baha'i was Joe Erie Ilengelkei, who became the ninth member of the community, thus meeting the required number to form the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Guam. It was established on 21 April, 1956. When the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the North West Pacific, which included the Mariana Islands, was formed in 1972, Mrs. Olson was elected a member. In 1978 she became a member of the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Mariana Islands. During the past 50 years the Mariana Islands has welcomed many distinguished Baha'i visitors, including Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, and two other Hands of the Cause, Rahmatullah Muhajir, and Collis Featherstone. Cynthia Olson passed away in 1988, and Edgar Olson a year later. The Mariana Islands Baha'i community will hold another celebration in November, this one a formal banquet, as part of their jubilee celebrations of the Faith that this stalwart couple brought to these islands. (Report by Tom Howe.)

13.4727446

144.75201822544284

LOS ANGELES

United States

Global sounds embrace the audience

Global sounds embrace the audience LOS ANGELES, United States — The throb of African drums and Caribbean rhythms. The croon of a classical violin and the sigh of its Chinese cousin, the erhu. The trill of a South American flute. These sounds, often in thrilling combination, came during Embrace the World, a concert tour by Baha'i musicians. The tour went from 15 April to 11 May 2004 and traveled to 10 states of the United States and also to British Columbia, Canada. The musicians performed at 20 concerts at packed venues in major cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Salt Lake City, and Houston, as well as in various smaller cities and towns in between. Audiences from a wide range of religious and ethnic backgrounds responded with standing ovations, singalongs, and insistent requests for encores. After each concert, the musicians slept on a bus as they were driven to the next venue -- they covered more than 8000 kilometers in 26 days. Why take on the difficulty of such a demanding tour requiring the harmonizing of diverse musical styles, different instruments, and musicians from different cultures? "The general purpose of the concerts was to share the Baha'i concept of the oneness of mankind -- and I feel that sense of oneness was felt deeply by all who attended the concerts," said KC Porter, a multi-Grammy award winning producer, songwriter, and keyboardist, who organized the concert series. Lin Cheng. Photo by Alistair Eagle."The spirit of unity was reflected not only in the music, but with the diversity that was represented on the stage, featuring artists and musical styles from around the globe," he said. "The events also provided an opportunity for concertgoers to come together in a spirit of oneness." Mr. Porter won a Grammy for his contribution to Carlos Santana's "Supernatural" -- named the album of the year in 2000 -- worked with popular music artist Ricky Martin, and was named producer of the year by the Latin Grammys in 2001. Sharing the stage with Mr. Porter was Lin Cheng, a singer and erhu virtuoso whose albums have sold by the millions in China, and Iranian-born Farzad Khozein, a jazz-influenced classical violinist. Also touring were Colombian singer Leonor Dely with her family's flute-and-percussion group, Millero Congo, and backing musicians from the United States and Scotland. Baha'i communities and Baha'i college clubs promoted the concert and organized venues all along the path of the tour, often with the help of local organizations such as the local Community Race Relations Coalition in Waco, Texas. Civic officials in several areas recognized the uplifting message of the events. Former Washington Governor Mike Lowry, the chief executive of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, Michelle Sanidad, and the chairperson of the Duwamish Tribe, Cecile Hansen, attended the Seattle concert at the invitation of local Baha'is. In Scottsdale, Arizona, Mayor Mary Manross proclaimed May 11 "Embrace the World Day." The concert won positive reviews, including by the executive director of the Arts Council in Lake County, California, Xian Yeagan: "It was the integration of these styles in the hands of the masters that made the concert so moving," the review said. "And that was what the concert was all about, embracing and unifying the world through art." Local musicians also had the opportunity for exposure as opening acts for some of the concerts. They included hip-hop group Justice Leeg in the Los Angeles area, the Duwamish Tribe drumming group in Seattle, and a 100-piece choir, Getting Higher, in Vancouver. Audience members of Chinese background in particular reacted warmly to Lin Cheng's interactive performances. "Some of them had grown up [in China] with the songs of Lin Cheng on the radio and sang along with her," said Anne Perry, after a concert at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she is a faculty member. As well as music, the concerts included presentations of selections from the Baha'i writings. Question-and-answer sessions after each concert promoted understanding of the Baha'i Faith, and of why its teachings encouraged these musicians from such varied backgrounds to perform together. (Contributed to by James Humphrey, editor, "The American Baha'i.") (Photos by Alistair Eagle and Michael Frank.)

34.0536909

-118.242766

CAPE TOWN

South Africa

Couple put their faith into the picture

Couple put their faith into the picture CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Work on Baha'i service projects here gave screenwriters Mark Bamford and Suzanne Kay the idea for a movie that has recently won international media attention. After their arrival here from Hollywood in 2001, the husband and wife team threw themselves into various service projects such as after-school enrichment programs for disadvantaged children and English lessons for refugees from French-speaking African countries. Those experiences inspired them to make "Cape of Good Hope," a feature film that was screened recently at two international film festivals and reviewed positively by, among others, the BBC and the top show business journal, "Variety." Mr. Bamford and Ms. Kay had left their busy careers as television scriptwriters in Los Angeles so they could pursue their own film projects in Cape Town, a city they had visited a few years earlier and had come to love. It was also a place where they wanted to raise their new-born baby and to involve themselves in helping the reconstruction of a newly democratic African nation. During their involvement in the service projects they saw first hand the struggles of ordinary people to make the most of their lives. That prompted them to write the screenplay and then produce and direct the movie. The film that emerged, "Cape of Good Hope," won a standing ovation at its premiere in April 2004 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Following that premiere, the BBC television's "Talking Movies" show carried interviews with some of the stars of the film, and described the movie as "heartfelt and real." Mama (played by Lillian Dube) comforts Lindiwe (Nthati Moshesh).And the subsequent screening of "Cape of Good Hope" at the Cannes Festival -- which highlighted the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid by showing major South African films -- clearly struck a chord with an influential reviewer. "Variety," the most widely read film industry journal, hailed the movie's "warmth and charm" and said it was a "good-natured multi-character snapshot of contemporary South Africa." The reviewer described the film as a "crowd-pleasing feel-good exercise in love and tolerance," and referred to director Mark Bamford's "fine sense of timing." The film, cowritten by Mr. Bamford and Ms. Kay, interweaves fictional storylines revolving around a Cape Town animal rescue center. Characters include the woman who runs the shelter, a refugee from war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, a single mother trying to educate herself while working as a servant, a young couple unable to have children of their own, and a recently widowed veterinary surgeon. In this mosaic of love and hope, filmed on location in South Africa, the human stories replace the intense political focus that is the norm for films set in Africa. "There were lots of films about Africa and with epic political messages," Mr. Bamford said, "but we felt they were missing the trees for the forest." "You actually feel more from a story which is about the reality of people's lives." Through the stories of individuals, the film highlights themes of love, interracial relations, xenophobia, justice, and -- in an unusual twist for a commercial movie -- kindness to animals. "Cape of Good Hope" is Mr. Bamford's debut as a director of a feature movie. His previous work includes "Hero," a widely screened short film. The positive themes of the movies reflect the couple's philosophy on filmmaking. "I think the purpose of art is to uplift the human spirit," Mr. Bamford said. "In film, entertainment is fine, but a lot of what passes for entertainment is destructive -- it degrades women and glorifies drugs and violence." The role for Baha'i artists, he said, is not to avoid crucial issues or to be "nicey-nicey," but rather to be optimistic. Ms. Kay: "Because we say 'uplifting,' we don't mean 'naive' -- we just want to give [audiences] energy to contribute something for the betterment of society." They quickly acknowledge that business considerations mix with those of art and their Baha'i beliefs. "Film is art yet commerce at the same time -- it is very difficult to produce art on demand -- it takes time, patience, and detachment," Ms. Kay said. Mr. Bamford and Ms. Kay said they tried to integrate their art and their spiritual beliefs, and felt they saw the outcome in the spirit among cast and crew. "Large number of the cast and crew deferred salaries to support us," Ms. Kay said. Among those actors was Eriq Ebouaney, star of the award winning "Lumumba" who told the BBC: "I think this film is definitely a celebration of South Africa, definitely a celebration of multiculturalism, and I think it's also a celebration of democracy."

-33.928992

18.417396

MELBOURNE

Australia

Location unveils Hidden Words

Location unveils Hidden Words MELBOURNE, Australia — Location, location, location. Those are called the three most important guidelines in real estate -- and taking notice of them has helped boost visitor numbers at a Baha'i bookstore here in Australia's second biggest city. The number of customers, browsers, and window shoppers has increased since the bookshop -- "Hidden Words: Baha'i Books and Information" -- moved recently from a small shopping arcade to a nearby prominent location on a main road. Its new spot is near a busy intersection close to both the Hawthorn Town Hall and one of Melbourne's major universities, and in a restaurant precinct. Many motorists stopped at red traffic lights spend their waiting time looking into the shop window. "At least one third of the customers and browsers are not Baha'is, and many come to the shop from other suburbs," says spokeswoman Emilia Tabrizi. "It has a growing name among Baha'is as a good source of quality books and resources. Our reputation has spread by word of mouth and as a result we even have some interstate customers who order books from us." The shop is an information center, Ms. Tabrizi says, that lets the public satisfy its growing curiosity about a faith that bases its work for world unity on Baha'u'llah's teaching of the principle of the oneness of humanity. Customers have had many positive things to say about the shop, she says, including comments that it is "inspirational," "soothing," and "informative." Members of a study circle, who meet at the bookstore, with their workbooks.The number of participants from the general public has also increased at the study circles hosted by the shop. At least half the membership of a new study circle, for instance, comes from outside the Baha'i community. The study circles -- an activity now offered by the Baha'i communities in more than 180 countries and territories worldwide -- aim at developing individual capacities in a range of activities, such as reawakening one's spiritual life, teaching values to children, and expressing one's views to others. Another popular event is 30-minute "tranquility zones" offered on Sunday mornings. They provide music, meditation, and spiritual upliftment through readings and prayers. Facilitators change for the tranquility zones, giving a different flavor from time to time. Although Baha'is do not force their beliefs on others, they are keen to offer the teachings of Baha'u'llah to anyone interested in inquiring -- and now the shop has an increased number of those. To satisfy this demand, information evenings are held every fortnight on Friday evenings and they feature a speaker on the Baha'i Faith and a question-and-answer session. Some 25 local Baha'i volunteers are involved in the operation of the shop, which is open eight hours a day from Monday to Friday and six hours on Saturday. A newsletter updates customers of forthcoming activities. The shop, overseen by the Regional Baha'i Council, takes its name from "The Hidden Words" by Baha'u'llah. That volume comprises 150 brief inspirational counsels and admonitions for spiritual life and growth.

-37.8142176

144.9631608

PORT MORESBY

Papua New Guinea

A life in pursuit of noble endeavors

A life in pursuit of noble endeavors PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — After Violet Hoehnke introduced the Baha'i Faith to Papua New Guinea in 1954, she climbed steep mountains, drove along tortuous roads, and sailed through sometimes stormy seas to bring the teachings of Baha'u'llah to the local people. By accepting the people's invitations to spend the night in their often humble dwellings – a practice rare for Europeans there in the 1950s – Violet Hoehnke demonstrated her commitment to the principle of the oneness of humanity, and she won the hearts of her hosts. When she died, aged 87, on 4 June 2004, the Baha'i community of Papua New Guinea had grown from a solitary individual half a century ago to include 252 Local Spiritual Assemblies and thousands of Baha'is living in more than 3000 villages and towns in all 19 provinces of the country. "What seemed at first an enormous challenge, has now become a reality," Ms. Hoehnke wrote in a short autobiography penned in 1997. "It is the responsibility of every Baha'i, wherever they reside and whoever they may be, to share these teachings of unity with everyone they meet so that peace may come to Papua New Guinea and the world," she wrote. Ms. Hoehnke was confined to bed and could not attend the national convention of the Faith here in April this year, but the delegates and observers conveyed to her by telephone their loving greetings as they consulted on the ongoing development of the vibrant Papua New Guinean Baha'i community she had initiated. Violet Hoehnke, who had remained at her pioneering post for 50 years, passed away less than two months after that message. Following a funeral service attended by hundreds of Baha'is and members of other religions, she was laid to rest in the first grave in a new Baha'i section of the 9-Mile Cemetery on a hillside outside Port Moresby. Violet Hoehnke (1916-2004).A trained nurse who was widely known as "Sister Vi," Ms. Hoehnke was the matron of the first integrated hospital in the country. She maintained impeccable standards in her hospitals. Her steadfast adherence to the injunctions of her Faith to love all humanity, and her humility, made her a beloved figure – for example, she had many friends among the clergy of other faiths. Throughout the decades she wrote countless encouraging letters to hundreds of Baha'is and other friends, some of whom later became prominent leaders in the country. In 1975 she became a citizen of the newly independent country. Violet Hoehnke, born in Australia, became a Baha'i aged 23 after being introduced to the Faith by a Scottish migrant, Jim Heggie, and then hearing more from the first Australian Baha'i, Oswald Whittaker, and three believers who were later designated as Hands of the Cause: Martha Root, John Henry Hyde Dunn, and Clara Dunn. Her nursing qualifications enabled her to quickly answer a call to take the Faith to the Admiralty Islands, now Manus Province, in Papua New Guinea. Her arrival fulfilled a goal of a ten-year plan to spread the Baha'i teachings worldwide. For this service, the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, bestowed upon her the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah. Ms. Hoehnke invited local people to her home in the Admiralty Islands and held first aid classes for them, which prompted criticism from members of the European community, who practiced racial segregation. As a result, the hospital authorities quickly transferred her to a hospital in Rabaul on the nearby island of New Britain. Although seemingly a setback, it turned out to be fortunate because she met up with the only other Baha'i in Papua New Guinea, Rodney Hancock, a 21-year-old New Zealander who had arrived in Rabaul about the same time that Ms. Hoehnke had first arrived in the Admiralty Islands. In 1956, after being introduced to the Baha'i Faith by Ms. Hoehnke and Mr. Hancock, a teacher on Manus Island, Apelis Mazakmat, became the first Papua New Guinean Baha'i. In the subsequent years, as thousands entered the Faith, more than 150 Baha'is from other countries came to Papua New Guinea to assist the local Baha'is as they administered and developed their national community. In 1973 Ms. Hoehnke was appointed a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors and it was in that role that she visited, guided, and encouraged many Baha'i communities in Papua New Guinea and elsewhere in the Pacific Ocean. She served in that capacity for seven years. After she retired, she lived in Mount Hagen in the highlands and continued to nurture Baha'is. Her home there was always open to the community. She donated the proceeds from her former home in Lae and her most recent house in Port Moresby to the Baha'i community. Even in latter years, when her eyesight had failed and she was confined to bed, she followed the guidance of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the world to participate in capacity-building study circles. The Universal House of Justice sent a message of condolence to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Papua New Guinea. It said that Ms. Hoehnke's record of accomplishment included "dedicating herself totally to the advancement of the Cause of Baha'u'llah and demonstrating an exemplary willingness to undergo hardship in the pursuit of her noble endeavors." "Throughout these years, she became known far and wide for the genuine love and respect she offered to the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea," the message said. The Universal House of Justice asked for memorial gatherings to be held for her throughout Papua New Guinea. It called upon the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i of Australia to arrange a memorial service in the Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney.

-9.4743301

147.1599504

WASHINGTON

D.C.

United States

Baha'is co-author women's rights publication

Baha'is co-author women's rights publication WASHINGTON — A newly published handbook demonstrates the leading role played by the Baha'i community of the United States in advocating the ratification by the U.S. government of an important international treaty on women's rights. The handbook, which outlines the importance of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, was co-authored by Leila Rassekh Milani, a spokesperson for women's issues for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. A coalition of some 190 U.S. nongovernmental organizations recently introduced the book at the U.S. Senate. For more than a decade, a representative of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly has co-chaired the coalition, which is known as the Working Group on Ratification of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women). The convention is an international "Bill of Rights" for women. It addresses the political, cultural, economic, and social dimensions of human rights for women around the world. The United States was active in drafting the convention and was one of the first nations to sign it. However, the United States is the only industrialized nation that has failed to ratify the treaty, lacking the necessary votes in the Senate. The handbook, "CEDAW: Rights that Benefit the Entire Community," was introduced in a Senate hearing room under the sponsorship of Senator Joseph Biden, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. More than 100 people attended, including representatives of the United Nations, NGOs, and congressional staff. "The treaty on women's rights is a key instrument in promoting the equality of women," said Sean Moore, a spokesman for Senator Barbara Boxer, one of the key supporters of the convention in the Senate. "This handbook is an important educational tool to gain the 67 votes needed for Senate ratification." The front page of the new publication.Working with Ms. Milani on the book were Sarah Albert of the General Federation of Women's Clubs and Karina Purushotma of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly's office in Washington. The book is a revised and expanded edition of "Human Rights for All," an advocacy book compiled and edited by Ms. Milani in 2001. "After September 11, the world changed," said Ms. Milani. "Greater attention was given to Afghanistan and the aggressive, systematic oppression of women there. Links were found between terrorism and the status of women, national security and women, HIV/AIDS and women." Accordingly, the second edition of the book focuses on the international impact of the treaty and documents how the treaty has been used by activists, lawyers, government agencies, and nongovernmental organizations to address trafficking in women, HIV/AIDS, terrorism, national security, and other key issues of global concern. Carolyn Hannan, director of the U.N. Division for the Advancement of Women, said U.S. ratification of the convention would strengthen the treaty around the world. She also thanked the Working Group for producing the advocacy book, saying, "We will use it extensively in our work and with all our contacts at the United Nations." An electronic version of the book is available for download at http://www.womenstreaty.org. Since 1988, the Baha'is of the United States have been at the forefront of efforts to encourage U.S. ratification of international human rights treaties, including the U.N. Genocide Convention, the Convention Against Torture, the Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention Against Racial Discrimination.

38.8950368

-77.0365427

LONDON

United Kingdom

Leading economist calls for global reform

Leading economist calls for global reform LONDON — A leading economist has joined his voice to the growing doubts about the capacity of existing international institutions to tackle the world's problems. Augusto Lopez-Claros, the chief economist with the World Economic Forum in Geneva, told a conference organized by the Association of Baha'i Studies in association with the Irfan Colloquium that humanity is trying to face its challenges but its institutions are simply incapable of delivering adequate solutions. His address was one of the keynote talks at the conference, held 2-4 July 2004 at the University of London's Institute of Commonwealth Studies, which aimed to explore Baha'i views on the theme of "Power and Responsibility." Mr. Lopez-Claros, who is a Baha'i, pointed to new challenges in the modern world like the increasing globalization of business and the radical change in the service industries caused by alliances between distant nations. "Our current institutions were not designed for these changes nor for the challenges posed by the environmental crisis, AIDS or terrorism," Mr. Lopez-Claros said. "Political structures are hierarchical, rigid, and slow. Some governments are adapting but most are struggling." The result, Mr. Lopez-Claros said, is a growing public dissatisfaction with politicians and politics. "Only a global framework and global institutions can address certain problems," he said. One of the conference organizers, Nazila Ghanea-Hercock of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, said that "Power and Responsibility" are of concern in a number of disciplines, including governance, science, medicine, and the media. "A lot of people feel disempowered from sources of authority," she said. "We need to discuss how humanity deals with this issue in order to progress." Conference participants (from left to right): Farhad Fozdar, Farhad Foroughi, and Professor Masoud Yazdani.Scholar and author Moojan Momen described ways in which the Baha'i community offers a promising model for secular institutions, taking into consideration the fact that many people feel they don't have a say in their society, and that a balance must be found between individual freedoms and centralized authority. "In the Baha'i model, power does not rest with individuals but institutions," Dr. Momen said. "Baha'i consultative practice provides a safe and encouraging environment for people...to express their views. Devolution to local decision making has been the evolving hallmark of [Baha'i] planning processes." Dr. Momen said the balance between individual freedom and central authority was explored by Baha'u'llah in a letter to Queen Victoria of Britain. "On the one hand He applauded British efforts towards elected democracy but on the other He condemned excesses of liberty. Certainly the Baha'i experience in these areas could be fruitfully examined as a model for change." Another speaker, Nahal Mavvadat, from the University of Birmingham, described an evolving maturity in medical treatment where patients are being increasingly encouraged to take an active role in their own healing. "A new paradigm for medicine would temper scientific knowledge and wisdom with human virtues such as compassion, trust, and a commitment to living according to spiritual laws," Dr. Mavvadat said. Among the distinguished guests was Professor Moshe Sharon, who holds the chair for Baha'i studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Professor Sharon, who is not a Baha'i, addressed the conference on the challenges he faced in translating Baha'u'llah's Book of Laws, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, into Hebrew. The conference was organized by the Association for Baha'i Studies - English-Speaking Europe in association with the Irfan Colloquium. The Association of Baha'i Studies has 20 affiliates, each dedicated to the study and application of Baha'i teachings. The Irfan Colloquia started in 1993 and aim to foster systematic studies of the scriptures of the world's religions from the Baha'i perspective and to promote scholarly studies of the belief system of the Baha'i Faith. (Report by Rob Weinberg.) (Photos by Hamid Jahanpour.)

51.5073219

-0.1276474

BARCELONA

Spain

Baha'is participate in interfaith parliament

Baha'is participate in interfaith parliament BARCELONA, Spain — The high point of 20 years of interfaith activity by Lally Lucretia Warren, a Baha'i from Botswana, came this week when she chaired a session at the 2004 Parliament of the World's Religions. The Parliament, a major interfaith conference, drew more than 8,000 people from 75 countries to this Mediterranean city 7-13 July. Acting as master of ceremonies, Ms. Warren steered a plenary session through the granting of a new international award for interreligious dialog, speeches by prominent Jewish and Muslim leaders, and prayers from representatives of various religions. Ms. Warren, a nurse and midwife, began her involvement in interfaith activities two decades ago by being one of the organizers of local observances of World Religion Day. "Baha'u'llah said 'Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship,'" said Ms. Warren. "So that is what we tried to do." Ms. Warren attended the Parliament in her capacity as one of 15 members of the Parliament's international advisory committee -- a group that includes such figures as the Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, and Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi. Ms. Warren was largely sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation, in part because of her participation in Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa, which was initiated by the Lutherans. Her role reflected the participation of Baha'is here -- many making presentations were representing various interfaith and academic organizations. Lally Lucretia Warren addressing the 2004 Parliament of World's Religions.Denise Belisle of Canada, for example, was sponsored by the Goldin Institute because of her work in an interreligious "Partner Cities" project that came about because of her activity on the Interfaith Council of Montreal. Jan Saeed of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA was sponsored by Brigham Young University because of her efforts on the Salt Lake Interreligious Council during the 2002 winter Olympics. And Brian Lepard, a professor of law at the University of Nebraska, came at the invitation of the Global Ethics and Religion Forum because of his scholarship on international human rights and religion. More than 20 Baha'is were involved in panel discussions, speeches or other events at the Parliament, and another 80 Baha'is attended as participants, coming from more than a dozen countries. "The goal for Baha'is at the Parliament is to help further understanding between the different religions," said Miguel Gil, who represented the Baha'i community of Spain. Mr. Gil said the Spanish Baha'i community gave significant support by providing volunteers and organizational assistance. Moojan Momen, a Baha'i scholar of the United Kingdom, who gave a well-attended talk at the Parliament on "The Baha'i Theological Basis of Interreligious Dialogue," said that Baha'is are able to contribute particularly well to interfaith dialogue because of a belief system that defuses those elements of religion that tend to produce conflict. In speeches and discussions, religious leaders and activists from virtually every religious tradition repeatedly called for tolerance, and recognition of human interdependence and the common spirit in all religions. "We need a new global spirituality that affirms the unity of all being, that affirms the interconnectedness of all, and affirms a new bottom line of love, caring, and generosity," said Rabbi Michael Learner, a noted Jewish author, in a panel discussion entitled "The Battle for God." Taking the theme "Pathways to Peace," the 2004 Parliament was organized by three entities: the Chicago-based Council for the Parliament of the World's Religions, the UNESCO Centre of Catalonia, and the Forum Barcelona 2004. Open to religious leaders and lay people alike, the event involved more then 400 workshops, panel discussions, and artistic presentations. The overall focus was on promoting interreligious dialog. An assembly of religious leaders, held in conjunction with the Parliament, focused on four social issues: improving access to clean water, reducing global poverty, advocating the elimination of Third World debt, and opposing religiously inspired violence. The Parliament is the third such gathering since 1993, when some 8,000 people from all religions came together in Chicago to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the World's Parliament of Religions, which was held there in 1893 and was the start of the movement for interreligious dialog. The 1893 event was also the first time that the Baha'i Faith was mentioned in a public talk in the Western Hemisphere. In 1999, a second modern Parliament was held in South Africa, attracting some 7,000 participants from 90 countries. Baha'is have been involved in all three modern Parliaments, as organizers, participants, and presenters.

41.3828939

2.1774322

MBABANE

Swaziland

Royal praise for development projects

Royal praise for development projects MBABANE, Swaziland — Members of the royal family and other dignitaries praised the Baha'i community at celebrations marking the 50th jubilee of the Baha'i Faith here. "The contribution of the Baha'i Faith in Swaziland is highly commendable," said Zephania Hlatjwako, the principal secretary to Prince Gabheni, the Minister of Home Affairs. Mr. Hlatjwako made his comment at the national library in Mbabane as he opened an exhibition depicting photographs of the early Baha'is of Swaziland. "The Baha'is have established an educational complex in Malagwane hill [in Mbabane] which strives to provide excellent academic and moral education at pre-primary, primary, and high school levels," Mr. Hlatjwako said. The school, founded in 1990, has more than 850 enrollments this year. Students sit their examinations under the Cambridge international examinations system. Another example of the Baha'i contribution to education is the Tarbiyat School in Manzini. This institution is for pupils who have difficulties in regular schools. The curriculum focuses on moral education, youth enrichment, computer literacy, HIV/AIDS prevention -- and even includes a bee-keeping course. There are four other Baha'i schools in Swaziland. The jubilee celebrations, held between 11-16 May 2004, featured presentations on the history of the Swaziland Baha'i community, which now has 24 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The event was rich in cultural entertainment. The Swaziland Baha'i choir sang and a local Baha'i youth dance troupe gave performances inspired by Baha'i principles. Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani (center) with Princess Gcinaphi (left), and Chief Zwangendaba Dlamini, at the Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1984.Thozi Nomvete and Crispin Pemberton-Pigott performed a song written for the occasion with lyrics about the history of the Faith in Swaziland. Some 600 participants, including visitors, who came from Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, and the United States enjoyed a traditional feast, known as "braai," which was held at the Baha'i center. Some of the early Baha'is -- including Ben Dlamini, Chuck Ducker, and Jacob Mdluli -- told touching stories about the first Baha'is in Swaziland, Bula Mott Stewart and John and Valera Allen. Ms. Stewart arrived in Swaziland from the United States on 11 April 1954. As the first person to introduce the Baha'i Faith to Swaziland, she received the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. She spent six-weeks in that country and later moved to South Africa, where despite the oppressive racist laws, was able to give the Baha'i teachings to the local people, many of whom became Baha'is. Ms. Stewart later served the Faith in Hong Kong, and the Pacific. On 19 April 1954, John and Valera Allen, also from the United States, arrived in the country to help to establish the Baha'i community and they too were named Knights of Baha'u'llah. Another Baha'i who settled there that year was Mrs. Allen's mother, Maude Todd Fisher. Mr. Allen, who had run a successful car business in San Francisco, helped scores of Baha'is from other countries to settle in Swaziland. He built, and largely financed, schools and Baha'i centers in the country. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were both elected to the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Mbabane in 1955. Mr. Allen served as the chairman of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland when it was formed in 1971. Mrs. Allen served on the National Teaching Committee. In 1959 she was elected to the National Assembly of South and West Africa and served as secretary. Among the first local people to become Baha'is were Isaiah Phala, a teacher, and his wife, Jemima. Others to follow were Ben Dlamini, Chris Kuhlase, Andrew Mofokeng, Maxwell Ndlovu, and some of the children of the late King Sobhuza II. One of those was Princess Gcinaphi, an ardent promoter of Baha'i principles, who went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1984. On several occasions, Baha'is met the King, who often assured them of his support for the Baha'i community. A tribute to the late King was offered at the jubilee by Beth Allen, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa. Also attending from the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa were Enos Makhele and Maina Mkandawire. Representatives of King Mswati III and the Queen Mother were present at the jubilee festivities, a sign of the continuing good relations between Swaziland's royal family and the Baha'i community. A message from the King was read on his behalf by his brother, Prince Phinda, a member of the Swaziland National Council. "We have no doubt that the Baha'is have found a happy home in the kingdom of Eswatini [Swaziland] " the King's letter to the participants said. "This is evident through their active participation in and contribution to the welfare of the Swazi nation." The King's message also praised the Baha'i community's efforts in educational and agricultural projects. The Queen Mother sent a message in which she related some of the main teachings of the Baha'i Faith to current issues in Swazi society. Her message was delivered by a royal representative, A.K. Hlope. "As the Swazi nation, we pledge to continue to pray for unity, peace, and harmony, and to support all organizations that promote such values, for a better world, for the benefit of all mankind," the Queen Mother's message said. Several newspapers reported extensively on the jubilee, among them "The Nation" monthly magazine and the "Weekend Observer," which published articles about the Baha'i Faith on four weekends. Radio Swaziland broadcast several talks on the Faith, both in English and the local language, SiSwati. Guests received a color booklet produced for the jubilee. It depicts the major events in the history of the Swaziland Baha'i community and tells of the service of the local Baha'is assisted by many traveling teachers from a variety of countries, as well as those Baha'is who settled in the country. It also refers to visits by many distinguished Baha'is, among them Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani and other Hands of the Cause, including Collis Featherstone, Leroy Ioas, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, Adelbert Muhlschlegel, Enoch Olinga, John Robarts, and William Sears. (Jubilee photos by Linda Blair.)

-26.325745

31.144663

MADINA

Papua New Guinea

Celebrations held throughout the land

Celebrations held throughout the land MADINA, Papua New Guinea — The Baha'is of Papua New Guinea are celebrating the 50th anniversary of a community that includes thousands of Baha'is living in more than 3,000 localities in all 19 provinces of the country. Rather than hold the festivities in a central location of this mountainous country where communities are often separated by difficult terrain, the celebrations are being held at variety of venues. Some 700 Baha'is from the New Ireland region and their guests gathered on 8 May 2004 for the anniversary festivities in Madina where in 1958 the country's first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed. There are now 252 of those nine-member local Baha'i administrative councils spread throughout Papua New Guinea. To mark the occasion, the local Baha'is built a memorial pool at the Madina Baha'i center as a tribute to the Baha'is who introduced the Faith to the area. Colored lights illuminated two large stars that were placed in the middle of the pool to symbolize Baha'u'llah and the Bab. The guest of honor was Rodney Hancock, who came to Papua New Guinea in July 1954 from New Zealand to help establish a Baha'i community. Mr. Hancock addressed the participants at the jubilee about the exemplary life of Violet Hoehnke an Australian Baha'i who introduced the Faith to Papua New Guinea, and who stayed at her pioneering post for 50 years. For her services in Papua New Guinea Ms. Hoehnke received the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. Confined to bed, Ms. Hoehnke was unable to attend the jubilee celebrations. She passed away one month later, on 4 June 2004, at the age of 87. Madina Baha'i Rodney Kelep outside the local Baha'i institute. Inside, the ceiling is covered with nine pointed stars made from seashells, and each window's upper frame is carved with traditional motifs.Mr. Hancock said that Ms. Hoehnke had corresponded with many Baha'is over the decades. "She must have written hundreds, if not thousands of letters to encourage the friends [Baha'is] in their endeavors," he said. Mr. Hancock also spoke of the difficulties of introducing the Faith in the 1950s, when the Australian Administration disapproved of any friendly association between expatriates and local people. He had to obtain special permission from the government before visiting villages. It took more than a year before he and Ms. Hoehnke could introduce the Faith to the first Papua New Guinean to become a Baha'i -- Apelis Mazakmat, a teacher from Munawai village, in New Ireland. "He [Mr. Mazakmat] told me that when he first heard of the Faith from [Ms. Hoehnke] it was like the answer to all his dreams and he wished to learn more about the teachings of Baha'u'llah," Mr. Hancock wrote in his book titled, "Longpela bun nating: My life as a Baha'i pioneer in Papua New Guinea." Participants at the jubilee also paid tribute to some of the other early believers who have passed away, among them Axomerang, Kelep, Romalus, Sairu, Salomie, Sanaila, and Tivien. At the celebrations, New Ireland provincial administrator Robinson Sirimbat praised the efforts by the Baha'i community to promote unity and understanding among the different religions in the region. A local government leader Dickson Bilas was also present. Members of the National Spiritual Assembly Paul Lupai and Margaret and Michael Elias attended the celebrations. Also present was Jalal Mills, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia, who addressed the gathering about the history the Baha'i Faith in Papua New Guinea. Dr. Mills' father, John Mills, was present in Madina when the first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed. Guests enjoyed a lavish traditional feast prepared by the Baha'i women of Madina. Baha'i choirs, string bands, and Christian "singsings" (traditional dancing and singing) provided the entertainment that continued till the early hours. In Rabaul, some 600 guests arrived on 3 April 2004 at the jubilee venue, Kulau Lodge, after traveling to the Lodge down a road decorated with streamers, flowers, and a large banner. Donald Tulai, who grew up in Rabaul, was the master of ceremonies. Among the participants at the celebrations was Roslyn Bale, the first Papua New Guinean woman to become a Baha'i in the local area. A United Church choir performed a song, written for the occasion, and a Baha'i youth choir sang Baha'i songs. A dance group, wearing traditional costumes and headdresses, performed a dance that told the story of the first Local Spiritual Assembly. Rodney Hancock and Jalal Mills also attended these festivities. Radio Rabaul provided extensive coverage of the event in Rabaul, and a daily newspaper ,"The National," published a report about the events in Madina. The local Baha'i communities in Alotau, Baimuru, Balimo, and Pencat will hold their jubilee celebrations later this year. The Baha'i community is actively involved in educational projects. Local Spiritual Assemblies in the rural areas sponsor kindergartens and primary level school programs. Members of the community also hold devotional meetings, children's classes, and study circles, which are all open to the public. More than 150 Baha'is from other countries came to Papua New Guinea during the past 50 years to assist the local Baha'is as they administered and developed their national community. (For an obituary on Violet Hoehnke, see http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/story/307).

-2.9037461

151.372208

WALTAMA

Chad

Fishing project yields extra dividends

Fishing project yields extra dividends WALTAMA, Chad — As a maker and seller of fishing nets, Ali Mahamat knew all too well that fish were slowly disappearing from the Chari River here in the southern region of this sub-Saharan African nation. "Fifteen years ago, the fishing was good," said Mr. Mahamat. "But it gradually died out to the point where there was practically nothing." Mr. Mahamat concedes that until a few years ago he had inadvertently contributed to the die-out. In what he now realizes was a misguided effort to help fishermen here, he sold nets with increasingly smaller mesh, designed to catch the few immature fish that remained. Then, one day, he tried to sell his nets to the fishermen of this village, located about 50 kilometers southeast of Sarh, the regional capital. But the fishermen here had other ideas. They had organized into a community-based group to revive the fishing and they had become serious about enforcing game laws. "They said I can't sell small nets here," said Mr. Mahamat. "They said I could only sell nets with large mesh. They said it was to protect the fish." Today, because of actions like that, the fish are returning to the Chari River in the Sarh region -- as are other signs of prosperity. The women's group in Waltama has organized a literacy class, a by-product of APRODEPIT's process of community-based consultation.Much of the credit goes to APRODEPIT, a Baha'i-inspired non-governmental organization that has worked here for more than a decade to promote a variety of community-based, sustainable development practices. (For the meaning of its name, see below.) Based in Sarh, the organization's outward focus is to provide communities with training in improved fishing practices, fish farming, and the preservation of fish through smoking and curing. It also promotes wildlife protection, reforestation, composting, and arboriculture. Along the way, it has helped to organize more than 140 community groups in the region -- and dozens more in areas near N'Djamena, the national capital. Further, because of its distinctive participatory methods of community organization and consultation, a number of the groups have branched out into other endeavors, such as the operation of community-based schools, women's literacy classes, and village granaries. Governmental officials in Chad, the 11th-least developed nation in the world point to APRODEPIT as a model partner in the effort to promote sustainable development. "The importance of using local knowledge as the starting point for initiating new technologies and constant contact in the field with the participating groups has given APRODEPIT an impressive success rate with its projects," said Nenodji Madingar, assistant director of Forestry and Desertification in the Ministry of Environment and Water. The organization takes a distinctive approach to development that emphasizes the equality of women and men, environmental protection, systematic growth, and, above all else, close consultation with the local community -- principles that are all drawn from the Baha'i teachings. "In reality, the training we give emphasizes how communities can develop themselves," said Yam-bel-yam Kosse Malla, the founder and director of APRODEPIT. "Our underlying idea is to promote an organic process of community development. "They start with fish farming, and they harvest the fish. Then they realize they have more money but their children aren't educated. So they decide to create a community school. Next, perhaps, they realize they have a problem with health. So we assist with health education. And by following this system, the village gradually raises itself up," said Mr. Kosse Malla. This approach has certainly worked in Waltama, which formed its first group in 1995 and has since instituted a variety of sustainable fishing efforts, established a village school, created a village granary, and, most recently, launched a program of literacy classes for women. "The groups are really helping the village from my point of view," said Gastone Allada, the 70-year-old chief of Waltama, who also acknowledged the organization's crucial role in the process. "Before, there were no fish; now there are fish. Before there was no school; now there is a school. So I am very happy." Local community groups in Waltama and neighboring villages have also established a protected zone for hippopotamuses -- an idea that also emerged from a process of community consultation. The villagers noticed that there were more fish where there were also hippos -- and so, with the assistance of field managers from APRODEPIT, they set up signs declaring their section of the river a wildlife protection zone. They also formed surveillance patrols to drive away poachers. As a result, since 1995 the population of hippos has gone from approximately two to about 200. The increased presence of hippos, in turn, has improved the fishing. The manure from the hippopotamuses serves to breed small insects, which become food for the fish. Additionally, the hippos act as natural fish wardens. Outsiders are afraid to mingle with them, while local fishermen have learned how to maneuver through the herd without upsetting them. (APRODEPIT, is an acronym for Action pour la Promotion des Ressources des Organisations de Dfense de l'Environnement et de la Pisciculture integree au Tchad (Action for the Promotion of Resources for Organizations Defending the Environment and Integrated Pisciculture in Chad.) (For a more extensive story on this project see http://www.onecountry.org/e154/e15401as_Chad_story.htm).

8.8155

18.8746167

MOUNT ISA

Australia

Study circles unite Outback dwellers

Study circles unite Outback dwellers MOUNT ISA, Australia — When Maxien Bradley of Mt. Isa suggested forming a study circle, others who lived far away were quick to sign up. A resident of this mining town Ms. Bradley had found a way for members of a study circle to meet regularly despite the desert and farmland that separated them in the vast "outback" (remote area). Study circles are a feature of Baha'i communities worldwide. They involve self-directed training and learning in small groups. In the sparsely populated regions of the Northern Territory and Queensland, regular meetings had not seemed possible until Ms. Bradley suggested a cheap form of telephone conferencing. She soon found enough participants to try out the method. More than 1,200 km to the northwest, David and Sue Podger of Katherine in the Northern Territory, decided they wanted to be part of the innovation. Also keen to join were Sandy Patton and Frances Avent, both residents of Longreach, 630 km south of Mt. Isa. Some 1,800 km away in Brisbane, Narelle Kinneally Tolstoff became a member. And in Warwick, 160 km south of that city, was Leila Deighton, another willing participant. The first meeting of the study circle was in 2001 and they are still continuing. Among the hundreds of face-to-face study circles in Australia is an indigenous one in Western Australia. Pictured (left to right) are three of its members: Shona Earnest, Joyce Injie, and Tadgee Limerick.The group decided on the "Ruhi method" that is being used by Baha'is in some 180 countries worldwide. The method aims to develop the capacities of individuals to undertake activities such as teaching values to children, assisting people to independently investigate spiritual truths, and learning how to competently express one's own views. In the first of a seven-book series, members discuss scriptural extracts on a given theme, such as prayer and meditation, and life after death. Mrs. Podger agreed to be the "tutor" of the study circle. In the Ruhi method that role is not a traditional instructor but someone who helps the participants focus on the topic. "Each member realizes that he or she is playing a part in molding the study circle, and in making it what it is," Mrs. Podger said. "It works by group consensus, and not because I, as the facilitator, arrange everything." She said that people in the outback are usually independent and want to learn by discovering things for themselves. So taking responsibility for their own learning -- an essential element of the Ruhi method --came naturally to them. "They love to sing or play a musical instrument, tell a story or recite a poem to illustrate the point they are making, so it can get quite lively," Mrs. Podger said. The group has even sung together over the phone. Sometimes members halt their discussion to listen intently to a moving poem or prayer. "Hearing everyone's news is a special time," Mrs. Podger said. For example, at one news session, a member told how she served food to people at camel races in western Queensland -- she saw it as a practical way to help the community. Another described encountering hundreds of kangaroos while driving to meet with Baha'is in Alice Springs. "Sharing stories of one another's backgrounds promotes an understanding of each one and allows a warm affection to develop in the group," Mrs. Podger said. Service to the community is a vital part of the Ruhi study circle method. "Practice confirms the thought," Ms. Bradley said. "It is pointless studying this if we're not going to do something." One successful idea was to select an extract from the Baha'i writings and put it into practice before the next meeting. Another was to choose a virtue to demonstrate, with the deadline being the next time the phone rang for the study circle. The results speak for themselves. Sandy Patton has begun a youth class. Frances Avent attends Bible classes and sings Baha'i songs in local concerts. Leila Deighton holds information evenings on various subjects, while Narelle Kinneally Tolstoff recites her poetry on spiritual themes for a variety of audiences. Maxien Bradley continues to direct community choirs, and for the past three years has raised money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service by cooking at regional events. She also volunteers for the annual Rodeo and Mt. Isa Show. Some study circle participants, such as the Podgers, have become "Outback Volunteers," visiting isolated people and helping when they can The members of the study circle gathered in 2003 to train to be tutors -- four now tutor telephone study circles. Telephone study circles are also active on the other side of Australia. One based in the remote town of Tom Price in Western Australia has a participant 2,000 km away. Mrs. Podger says the advantage of the telephone method over e-mail or chat rooms is the lively interaction, including rapid-fire discussion, laughter, and contemplative times. "It all happens faster than written interactions can take place, making it possible to accomplish more. "Also the audio factor makes many forms of expression possible, and many forms of art, which add to the great pleasure of the participants." Maxien Bradley said the phone enables nuances of the voice to be easily heard. "You are virtually next to a person without seeing them," she said.

-20.7289898

139.4931522

LANGENHAIN

Germany

Author linked psychology and spirituality

Author linked psychology and spirituality LANGENHAIN, Germany — Baha'i author and psychologist Erik Blumenthal said that human beings have two important tasks -- to become more conscious and more spiritual. To assist people carry out those tasks, Erik Blumenthal wrote a series of profound and easy-to-read books that offer practical advice on marriage, child education, the meaning of life, encouragement, and aging. The far-reaching influence of his wisdom was demonstrated after he passed away in Germany aged 89 on 27 June 2004, when messages of mourning and sympathy poured in from many countries. Among those tributes was a message from the Universal House of Justice, which praised the selfless devotion of this "dearly loved" Baha'i in his service as a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Europe since its inception in 1968 until 1985. "The guidance he provided as a prominent psychologist, the high standard of personal excellence he set, and his kind and gentle manner served as an example for all those with whom he interacted," the Universal House of Justice said. In accordance with the advice of the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany will hold a memorial meeting in his honor at the Baha'i House of Worship here on 5 September 2004. Erik Blumenthal based the advice in his books on the teachings of the Baha'i Faith and on the findings of his psychological research. Among his most popular books were "Peace with Your Partner: A Practical Guide to Happy Marriage" and "Believing in Yourself: A Practical Guide to Building Self-Confidence." Translated from the original German into many languages including English, French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese, his books are still popular worldwide. Family portrait. (Front right to left) Erik Blumenthal, Marianne Blumenthal. (Back right to left) son, Stefan Blumenthal; daughters, Dorothee Nicke, Fidelis Karina Brinz, and Roja Pelzer, 2002.Mr. Blumenthal traveled extensively to offer the teachings of the Baha'i Faith and to elaborate the findings of his psychological research. The secretary of the German Baha'i National Spiritual Assembly, Foad Kazemzadeh, told the hundreds of people at his funeral that Mr. Blumenthal was a very sought-after speaker. "He not only had a lovely personality but he could connect psychology and religion in a way that always put man's spiritual development in the foreground," Mr. Kazemzadeh said. In a eulogy, Dr. Stefan Blumenthal, Erik's son, said that his father gave strength to his family and to thousands of people all over the world, fostering peace in families and partnerships. "Characteristic for him was his sense of ethics and his encouragement of his fellow human beings, attitudes which governed his life," Dr. Blumenthal said. When he faced difficulties, Erik Blumenthal lived up to his own beliefs in the power of faith, a positive attitude, and a realistic optimism -- themes of his book "The Way to Inner Freedom." Because of his father's Jewish origins, he was forbidden entry to university, where he wanted to study medicine. During World War II he was forced to go into hiding for a while to escape harassment by Nazis. At 38, Erik Blumenthal began his study of psychology, reviewed his life, and became a Baha'i. Among those who taught him the Faith was Adelbert Muhlschlegel, a Hand of the Cause. Dr. Muhlschlegel later appointed Mr. Blumenthal as an Auxiliary Board member. Mr. Blumenthal was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany from 1955-63. The Baha'i principle that science and religion should be in harmony helped Mr. Blumenthal to select the school of psychology he found most appropriate, the Individual Psychology of Alfred Adler. In 1964 he became president of the Swiss Society for Individual Psychology, and in 2001 Mr. Blumenthal was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Guild of Counsellors of Individual Psychology. In 1957 when his wife, Dolores, died, Mr. Blumenthal drew on his faith to carry on and care for their four dependent children. In 1959, he married Marianne, who became his colleague in both Baha'i and psychological activities for more than four decades. They had two children. Erik Blumenthal is survived by Marianne, four children, fourteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

50.9029533

10.5218165

LISBON

Portugal

Top sportsmen find support in faith

Top sportsmen find support in faith LISBON, Portugal — When Nelson Evora hurtles through the air during the Olympic Games this month, he will know that his fellow Baha'is will be with him in spirit. Nelson Evora, who will represent Portugal in the triple jump, has often expressed his gratitude for the support of the Baha'i community in his adopted homeland. "The Baha'i community has helped me, supported me, and given me confidence to strive to do my best in sports and in aspects of life," he said just before heading for Athens. He is one of a group of Baha'i professional sportsmen competing at the top levels who have expressed their views about the influence of their faith on their participation in their sport. Others are tennis player Miles Kasiri (United Kingdom), baseballer Khalil Greene (United States), and footballer Luke McPharlin (Australia). Mr. Evora, 20, has won gold medals in the triple and long jump events as a junior in recent European athletic meetings and he holds the Portuguese record for the triple jump (under 23) event. Born in Cote D'Ivoire where his parents had gone to live from Cape Verde, Nelson relocated to Portugal when he was five. The family moved into an apartment that happened to be on the floor above Nelson's future coach, trainer and mentor, Joao Ganco, a member of the Portuguese Baha'i community. Nelson Evora with his coach, Joao Ganco.Mr. Ganco, who introduced Mr. Evora to the Baha'i Faith, describes the young star as a talented athlete and as responsible, humble, good-humored, and helpful. After the Olympics, Mr. Evora will study in the faculty of management at the University of Lisbon. Miles Kasiri, tennis Miles Kasiri, 18, this year became the first British player in 32 years to make the boys' (under 19) final at Wimbledon. He finished as runner up, and came close to achieving an upset win over number one seed, Gael Monfils, of France. Mr. Kasiri will compete in the junior tournament at the United States Open in New York next month. He says the Baha'i Faith's strong emphasis on self-discipline has influenced his participation in his sport. "That's essential if you are going to be a good athlete -- it helps me to have a good work ethic and really strive to do my best. "And the fact that the Baha'is don't drink alcohol is very important if you are going to keep physically fit." Mr. Kasiri said his Faith also gives him a very positive outlook. A spiritual perspective, he said, also keeps the game in perspective. "At the moment I don't do much else except play tennis but being a Baha'i gives me something else to think about, and the consciousness that there is, of course, more to life than the sport." He said his aim was to be the best he can be in his sport at an international level. "The Faith puts a lot of emphasis on striving for excellence, and that is what I am doing." Mr. Kasiri grew up as a Baha'i in Margate, Kent, with his English mother and Iranian father. He competed in his first international competition at 11. At 13, he won a scholarship to train at the Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida that produced tennis stars such as Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Anna Kornikova, and this year's ladies Wimbledon winner Maria Sharapova. Mr. Kasiri is currently based at the Queens Club headquarters in London. Khalil Greene, baseball A member of the United States Baha'i community, Khalil Greene has received extensive media coverage for his skills and temperament as he competes in the National League, one of North America's two major baseball competitions. In April Mr. Greene, 24, from Key West, Florida, was named the league's "rookie of the month," less than two years after being named the top amateur player of the year in the United States, and college baseball's player of the year. Mr. Greene plays shortstop for the San Diego Padres, a position requiring quick reflexes and intense concentration. In the US sports media, veteran players have been tipping Mr. Greene as a potential star of the future. Director of scouting (talent spotting) with the San Diego Padres, Bill Gayton, told the "San Diego Union-Tribune" newspaper that Mr. Greene is "not very excitable" -- unusual in a game known for its extroverted culture. "He's hard to get to know but once you get to know him, everyone loves him. He's humble." Explaining his quiet off-the-field presence, Mr. Greene told the newspaper "faith and background" are a big part of his approach to life. "I have a perspective on it," he said. "You look at the overall of why you are here. You try to find a happy medium...not overly excitable and not too upset." "I tried to fit in as a team player more than as an individual player, and in doing so I was able to achieve a lot of individual feats." Raised as a Baha'i by his parents, Jim and Janet Greene, he makes prayer and reading the Baha'i Writings as much a part of his daily life as his training. A feature article in the "Anderson (South Carolina) Independent-Mail" portrayed Greene as disciplined in eating and exercise, devoted to the Baha'i Faith and faithful to its moral standards, and respected by coaches and teammates alike. Luke McPharlin, football Another Baha'i professional sportsman in the media spotlight is Luke McPharlin, 22, who plays Australian Rules football for the Fremantle Dockers team in Fremantle, Western Australia. Mr. McPharlin formerly played for the Hawthorn football club in Melbourne but was later recruited back to his home city of Perth, where his new team has since experienced a dramatic rise in fortunes. Commentators cite his contribution as one of the reasons for the change. The game is unique to Australia and is known for its almost continuous action, its high leaps for the ball and skills in kicking and catching while running at speed. Playing at center half-back, Mr. McPharlin is responsible for preventing thrusts by the attacking forwards of the opposition and for setting up counter attacks. Asked how being a Baha'i affects his role as a professional sportsman, Mr. McPharlin said he always had "an awareness that I'm representing the Baha'i community in all on-field exploits so I've always tried to play the game fairly." Being a Baha'i also affects the way he looks at football: "Sport is just one aspect of life -- as Baha'is we should endeavor to develop all our capacities." He says initially he was discreet about his beliefs but as time has gone on he has opened up and now teammates respect his no alcohol policy. "It certainly helps with fitness but more importantly recovery, as alcohol has been linked with lengthening recovery from injury." Although his football commitments involve a working week of six to seven days -- with an average of five contact hours daily -- he is half way through a degree in biomedical science. Brought up in a Baha'i family by his parents, Ian and Marion McPharlin, he is a member of a Baha'i Local Spiritual Assembly and is involved with study circles using the Ruhi Institute material. "I endeavor to visit Baha'i junior youth groups as often as I can and give talks." Mr. McPharlin, who plays the guitar, writes songs and sings, has also produced with friends two CDs of music inspired by the Baha'i Faith. "The idea was to create positive music that could fall into a commercial bracket." Some of the music has been played on a popular television sports program and the CD is a brisk seller at his football club. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Nelson Evora won the Olympic gold medal in August 2008 at the Olympics in Beijing, China. This note appended 21 September 2008.)

38.7077507

-9.1365919

NEW YORK

United States

New ploy by Iranian Government to deprive Baha'is of higher education

New ploy by Iranian Government to deprive Baha'is of higher education NEW YORK — In yet another clear violation of the human rights of the Baha'is of Iran, nearly 1,000 Baha'i university-age students in Iran have been told they must accept identification as Muslims in order to enter university this year, the Baha'i International Community has learned. Representatives of the Baha'i International Community heard yesterday about the action, which involves pre-printing the word "Islam" in a slot listing a prospective student's religious affiliation on national college entrance examination results, which were distributed to students recently. The move comes after Baha'i students were led to believe, through Government pronouncements in the news media and private assurances, that their religion would not be an issue on university entrance forms this year in Iran. "The Iranian Government is, in effect, attempting to force Baha'i youth to recant their faith if they want to go to university," said Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations. "This action goes against all the assurances that Iran has been giving the international community about its desire to respect religious freedom, and, indeed, against international covenants on human rights to which Iran is a party," said Ms. Dugal. For more than 20 years, Baha'is have been banned from institutions of higher education solely because of their religious beliefs -- a violation that has been condemned in numerous international human rights forums. The Government's move effectively extends this ban, inasmuch as Baha'is, as a matter of principle, do not deny their faith. In the past, entrance forms required that applicants list themselves as followers of one of the only four religions that enjoy official recognition in Iran -- Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or Zoroastrianism. These being the only choices given them, Baha'is, who refused to lie about their affiliation, were excluded from university. This year examination forms had no such slot for religious affiliation. Instead, university applicants were merely asked to designate which of four approved religious subject examinations -- on Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or Zoroastrianism -- they chose to take as part of overall university entrance examinations. Representatives of the Baha'i community were assured that by selecting Islam as the subject for examination there would be no implication that the students were members of that faith. However, according to reports from Iran, now that Baha'i students have taken the exam, officials are saying that their action amounts to a de facto declaration of faith in Islam. In that light, Baha'i students in Iran are unable to enter university, since it would amount to a renunciation of their faith, and would be used by the authorities as evidence of such renunciation. "For more than a year, the Government has held out the promise that Baha'is would, for the first time in some 20 years, be allowed to attend national institutions of higher education," said Ms. Dugal. "Now, in what amounts to a devious 'catch-22,' the Government is saying 'You can come, but you must pretend you are a Muslim.' But that is something Baha'is cannot do. And the Government knows that." The Baha'i community of Iran, with some 300,000 members, is Iran's largest religious minority. Since 1979, when the Islamic Republic was established, more than 200 Baha'is have been killed, hundreds have been imprisoned, and thousands have been denied education, employment, and other rights in an ongoing episode of systematic religious persecution.

40.7127281

-74.0060152

BRISBANE

Australia

Author introduced Faith to a generation

Author introduced Faith to a generation BRISBANE, Australia — Gloria Faizi introduced the teachings of Baha'u'llah to a whole generation of inquirers through her pocket-sized introduction to the Baha'i Faith. First published in 1971, "The Baha'i Faith: An Introduction" is published in 21 languages. The inexpensive and easy-to-read book has sold more than 200,000 copies. Right up until she passed away here aged 83, on 29 June 2004, Gloria Faizi was intent on using her literary gifts to tell people about Baha'u'llah. Her book, "Baha'u'llah -- The Promised One" has just been published, its initial draft dictated by her while ill in bed. At the time of her death, she was writing her ninth book, a biography of her late husband, Abu'l-Qasim Faizi (c. 1906-1980), a Hand of the Cause of God. In a message of condolence to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia, the Universal House of Justice said Gloria Faizi had "rendered outstanding services to the Cause of Baha'u'llah throughout her life." "Her distinguished record of accomplishment includes a number of books translated into many languages which have proved most valuable in attracting inquirers to the Faith and in conveying a deeper understanding of the Baha'i teachings." The Universal House of Justice said they remembered with appreciation "her many contributions to the progress of the Baha'i communities, including her pioneering in Bahrain with her illustrious husband, her work at the Baha'i World Centre, and her devoted travels far and wide as a teacher of the Cause." Gloria Faizi (center, rear) with her mother Najmieh (left), her father Rahmatu'llah Khan 'Ala'i (right), and her brother, Manuchihr.Gloria Faizi was born into the Ala'i family, distinguished for its service to the Faith. She met the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, when she accompanied her father to the Holy Land as a child. When she was 17, she married Abu'l-Qasim Faizi, and together they assisted Baha'i communities in a remote rural area of Iran before settling in Bahrain in the mid-1940s. Their two children, Naysan and May, were born during their 15 years there. Family members heard no complaints about the conditions there from Mrs. Faizi, and it was only later that they learned of the extreme difficulties she and her husband encountered in the early years -- initial unemployment, malnourishment, the lack of relief from intense heat, discomfort, and hostility. Over the years the couple were of great assistance and inspiration to Baha'is in the region. Later, Mr. Faizi's duties required them to move to the Holy Land. After Mr. Faizi passed away, Mrs. Faizi lived for two more years in Haifa and then moved to India where she traveled widely in service to the Faith. "Her love for India and the Indian community was immense," said a longtime secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Ramnik Shah. "Her great contribution to the development of the Faith in India was her assistance in not only writing but supervising the printing of books and booklets that were required for the proclamation and deepening of the Faith," Mr. Shah said. Mrs. Faizi set up residential institute programs to teach and train Baha'is in Tamil Nadu and in Solan, in Himachal Pradesh. In more recent years she was resident at the Rabbani School in Gwalior, where her deep knowledge of the Baha'i Faith and her brilliance in communication were demonstrated in memorable classes for both faculty and students. A Fellow of the Institute of Linguists, Mrs. Faizi was fluent in Persian, English, Arabic, French, and Turkish, and she had a working knowledge of Hindi. Her literary gifts enabled her to write not only her immensely popular introductory book but also another best-seller, "Fire on the Mountain Top," a collection of stories about early members of the Baha'i Faith. More and more books were to pour from her pen. Among them was "Flowers of One Garden," which is now being distributed to government educational institutions throughout India. Meticulous to a high degree in everything she did, she would painstakingly pore over her manuscripts until convinced they were free from faults. She was in demand as a speaker and teacher of the Faith internationally. In a eulogy delivered at her funeral, her literary assistant Vafa Fakhri said Mrs. Faizi was a scholar, writer, and teacher to the end. Mr. Fakhri referred to her "almost superhuman focus, determination and perseverance", her "gentle and endearing sense of humor" and her vast knowledge of the Baha'i Faith and other religions. Gloria Faizi is survived by her two children, and four grandchildren.

-27.4689682

153.0234991

N'ZEREKORE

Guinea

Youth enjoy learning together

Youth enjoy learning together N'ZEREKORE, Guinea — A Baha'i youth conference here attracted participants from Baha'i, Muslim, Christian, and traditional African religious backgrounds. They gathered at the University of N'Zerekore in the forest region of this French-speaking country to learn about the teachings, history, and administration of the Baha'i Faith through presentations, workshops, and dramatic art performances. The third annual national Baha'i youth conference, held 23-25 July 2004, opened with greetings from the regional governor's representative and the rector of the university. History The history lessons focused on the lives of the Central Figures and early heroes of the Baha'i Faith. One Baha'i youth said he was moved by a story about how 'Abdu'l-Baha showed great kindness to a man who chose to mistreat Him. "The story of 'Abdu'l-Baha helped me to love the people who reject me and to show them that I truly love them," said Abdoulaye Bangoura, 19, a teacher of Baha'i children's classes. "If I try to be like 'Abdu'l-Baha, who is the perfect exemplar of the Baha'i Faith, I must accept the pain and the problems, and continue forward -- this story has given me courage...," he said. For Mohamed Diaby, a 19-year-old Muslim, it was the story of the Baha'i Faith's Forerunner, the Bab, that caught his attention, and he was attracted to teachings of the oneness of humanity. Participants at the national Baha'i youth conference in N'Zerekore, Guinea."You could say we are all from the same family and worship the same God," said Mr. Diaby. After studying quotations by Baha'u'llah, Bernadette Traore, a 19-year-old Catholic, drew attention to the message they contained about the need to live in harmony with one's beliefs. Administration After a presentation on the structure and functioning of Baha'i administrative institutions, participants divided into groups so they could learn about how to serve as members of Local Spiritual Assemblies. The groups studied the duties of a secretary and chairperson and then held mock elections for those office-holders. They also appointed an advisor (the equivalent of an Auxiliary Board member.) Functioning along the lines of a Local Spiritual Assembly, the groups consulted on topics such as assisting illiterate people to study the Baha'i writings, counseling alcoholics, dealing with criticism from local leaders of other religions, and competently looking after Baha'i funds. One of the participants, Bruce Mukumbi, a Congolese Baha'i now living in Guinea, said the youth learned that the office-holders of the Assembly, such as secretary or chairman, are not allowed to impose their opinions on the group. "Because of this workshop, everyone understood that each person can freely give his opinion and then the decision that's made belongs to the whole Assembly -- that is the principle of consultation," Mr. Mukumbi said. Theater The youth worked in groups to create short plays about Baha'i history and Baha'i teachings such as consultation, the oneness of religion, and the equality of women and men. "The Baha'i Faith in Guinea has a great future with these youth," said Jean Jacques Yem, a high school arts teacher from Mali who attended the conference. Mr. Yem has visited many French-speaking African countries since 1992, presenting plays based on various Baha'i themes and training Baha'i performing arts groups in the use of the arts in promoting the Faith. Mr. Yem, said he had never seen such enthusiasm from youth as he had observed after spending a month forming theater arts workshops in Guinea. Organization Mr. Yem said he was also impressed that a six-member National Baha'i Youth Committee organized the conference. "I saw these young people stand up and take into their own hands the organization of the entire conference," he said. "The programs, the security -- they organized almost everything themselves." Mr. Bangoura, a member of Guinea's National Baha'i Youth Committee, said the plan for next year's conference is to boost even further the number of youth from different religious backgrounds and countries. "It is a conference for youth who are both Baha'is and not Baha'is," he said. "Since the main teaching of the Baha'i Faith is the unity of humankind, this teaching is brought to life with participants from other religions -- with Muslims, Christians, and Baha'is." Institute After the conference, 41 youth and five facilitators stayed for an intensive two-week training program using the Ruhi Institute materials, which focus on different aspects of the Baha'i teachings and history. An integral part of the Ruhi learning method requires students to memorize quotes from the Baha'i writings. Mr. Yem said that in the first week of the training sessions, the youth had developed a memorization competition. "They even adopted a little game where each time someone moved away from courteous behavior, they would respond to that person with a quote," Mr. Yem said. "For example, a girl said something rude to a boy, and someone started reciting the words [of Baha'u'llah] 'A kindly tongue...' and everyone chimed in together 'is the lodestone of the hearts of men.... It clotheth the words with meaning.' It is so moving to see them living like that." (Report and photos by Mandy Morgan.)

7.7589949

-8.8160001

VILNIUS

Lithuania

International cast in musical theater

International cast in musical theater VILNIUS, Lithuania — A multinational musical theatre troupe enjoyed a positive reception here this month during a two-week tour organized by the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Vilnius. The Inspirit Performing Arts group, with members from 14 countries including Lithuania, presented three performances of a musical play, "Quest of the Spirit," to enthusiastic audiences in the Elfu Theater in Vilnius. During the tour from 31 July to 13 August 2004, the 16-member cast performed songs, dances, and instrumental pieces in a production that depicted aspects of the world's religions. The show's theme was the path of a wayfarer in his search for spiritual truth. Some of the cast also presented a show in a local cafe, as well as offering impromptu performances of dances and songs in outdoor venues. Other activities included a public photographic exhibition held in a hall located near the city center. This well-attended display featured the work of Ineta Alvarado, a Baha'i from Vilnius. It included photographs of the Shrine of the Bab and the surrounding terraced gardens. On six evenings, members of the troupe gave public talks on a variety of topics including Baha'u'llah's mission, the Baha'i Faith's relationship to other religions, and what it means to be a Baha'i. These talks were followed by discussions. The activities of Inspirit sparked the interest of audience members in the Baha'i Faith and they have since begun attending Baha'i study circles, devotional meetings, youth and children's classes, and discussion meetings. Inspirit is a performing arts group formed by volunteer staff at the Baha'i World Centre, in Haifa, Israel. Members come from Australia, Estonia, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Inspirit troupe.The self-funded troupe undertook the tour during the vacations of its members as a service to the people of Lithuania. They were assisted in their activities by Baha'is from Estonia and Latvia. This was the second visit by Inspirit to Lithuania. The troupe originally traveled to Vilnius in 2002 and the reception was so enthusiastic that it made plans to return this year. The reaction proved to be positive again. Among local youth attracted to the show were Lijana Juodzbalyte and Aidas Alionis, who subsequently attended many of Inspirit's activities including the morning devotional sessions. At the conclusion of the project, the two were obviously touched by the performers and their message. "This was the best summer of my life," Aidas said. Lijana said the songs and dances looked very professional. "It was great to see so many flags on the stage -- it was a show of unity, " she said. "There were many kinds of art on the same stage at the same time, including singing, acting, dancing -- and beautiful photos shown on the screen." Eugene Van Zanten of Ukmerge said that even though the cast members were from so many different countries and spoke almost as many languages, they were able to perform in complete unity. At the tour's conclusion, Lijana summed up the reactions to the performances. "Inspirit's activities," she said, "have touched the hearts of many Lithuanians." (Kevin McLoughlin contributed to this report and provided photographs.)

54.6870458

25.2829111

NAANTALI

Finland

Mystical work inspires playwright

Mystical work inspires playwright NAANTALI, Finland — After watching a play called "The Seven Valleys," drama teacher Hanna-Mari Aflatuni said she wished she could have joined the actors on stage. "It was deeply moving and thought provoking," she said of the play, which was written by Tuula Kuitunen and performed by the Naantali Amateur Theater troupe. "It was wonderful how devotedly all the participants took part in the performance," she said. The play is based on "The Seven Valleys," a work by Baha'u'llah that depicts the journey of the human soul. After its premiere won a highly favorable review in a Finnish newspaper, the play has been repeatedly performed to enthusiastic audiences, most recently in Lappeenranta in July. The play has been staged several times at the renowned Naantali Theatre, which was awarded the Naantali city art prize in 2001. "The Seven Valleys" includes seven songs, each symbolizing a different spiritual stage described by Baha'u'llah -- the valleys of search, love, knowledge, unity, contentment, wonderment, and true poverty and absolute nothingness. In the play, two narrators guide the traveler as he arrives at different stages of his journey. Quotations from Baha'u'llah depict the valleys and the challenges the traveler goes through in order to reach his goal. Songs and dances portray his feelings throughout the production. In his review of the November 2003 premiere for the regional newspaper "Rannikkoseudun sanomat," Pentti Narvanen wrote that "even in the most pious church events one cannot experience such harmony of spiritual elements." "I have never experienced a similar feeling in theatre or in any other event," Mr. Narvanen said. "This was food for the soul, unbelievably touching." Mr. Narvanen said "the symphony of visual effects, music, voice, and the lighting" of the play seemed to have had a great impact on the audience. Playwright Tuula Kuitunen, a Baha'i, also composed the music. She said that the performance presents the audience with the opportunity to have a spiritual experience in a new and refreshing manner. "An artistic experience goes deeper to the core of an individual; it touches the senses, the emotions, the heart, the mind, the spirit, and the intellect," Mrs. Kuitunen said. "As a piece of art, I feel 'The Seven Valleys' expresses the same universal and spiritual themes from which all cultures, performing arts, literature, and sciences have originated," she said. Mrs. Kuitunen, is a pharmacist and a mother of four children, is from Naantali, on the southern coast of the country. She has previously composed songs for children's classes as well as for adults, based on Baha'i history. The idea of the play came when she and other members of a Baha'i study circle started holding devotional gatherings that are open to the public. Study circles, devotional gatherings, and as children's classes are organized throughout the world by Baha'i communities, who invite attendance by all, regardless of background. "In the beginning we used recorded classical or other music, but little by little I began to use my own," she said. "I have noticed that the combination of the holy word and music can be a very spiritual experience." Mrs. Kuitunen first read Baha'u'llah's work "The Seven Valleys" when she joined the Baha'i community in 1972 and ever since she has wanted to explore its themes. Her family assisted her to realize her dream. Directing the play is her husband, Mikko Kuitunen, 53, who is also one of the actors. He has been the director and producer of the Naantali Theatre for 10 years. Their daughter, Elina Kuitunen, 16, is one of the cast, while her brother, Jarkko, 26, is responsible for the technical aspects of the play. One of the performers, Timo Hokkanen, 43, who is not a Baha'i, said that the play made him think about the real meaning and purpose of life. "The play uses silence, melody, and harmony as a road to relaxation," said Mr. Hokkanen, whose wife, Sirkka, and their two children, are among the 15-strong cast. He said that many audience members have told him they want to see the performance again.

60.4688687

22.0291149

WINSCOMBE

United Kingdom

Unveiling a new world of learning

Unveiling a new world of learning WINSCOMBE, England — Learning about masks unveiled new layers of self-confidence for a participant at the Baha'i Academy for the Arts. "The very positive attitude towards the students shown by all the tutors is a powerful way of improving both self-confidence and self-expression," said Alison Scrutton, who attended a workshop on performing with masks. Ms. Scrutton, who is not a Baha'i, said that the academy far exceeded her expectations. She was one of some 280 amateur and professional artists who attended the academy, held 31 July-7 August 2004. Ms. Scrutton, a schoolteacher by profession, said the encouragement given to students helped them achieve more than they had thought possible at the beginning of the week. "The tutors worked hard to develop confidence and artistic growth in their students and everyone's contributions were always valued," she said. "The course was brilliant," she said. "After a week I felt far more confident about my abilities to express myself through movement and mask work." Held annually for 12 years, the academy attracted participants came from a variety of countries, including Bulgaria, Greece, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Students display puppets made for use in story-telling in Baha'i children's classes.A British Baha'i, Anne Wong, said that the academy provided an ideal environment for learning. Participants could work for the highest standard of excellence in their selected courses, said Ms. Wong, who was attending the academy for the first time. "I enjoyed watching the unveiling of confidence and creativity in people. [At the academy] everyone is engaged in some kind of art whether it be singing, drumming, sculpture, painting, textiles, drama," Ms. Wong said. "The whole ethos of the academy is based on a profound statement from Baha'u'llah that we are 'mines rich in gems of inestimable value,' and art is a means by which we can manifest these gems," she said. Some of the courses introduced this year for adults included abstract painting, textile art, black and white photographic printing, drumming, and computer presentations. Junior youth (ages 12-15) were offered new courses in theater arts, creative painting, and dance. Another new feature was the "Art of Living" class. Drawing on the Baha'i writings on health, hygiene, and the environment, as well as on the results of scientific research in these fields, students learned how to integrate spiritual concepts and the arts into how they looked after their health and managed their lives. This year's artist-in-residence was pianist Nancy Lee Harper, assistant professor of piano at the University of Aveiro in Portugal. Dr. Harper taught a master class for experienced artists, including a singer, a violinist, two pianists, and a flamenco guitarist. "Remaining open to the moment and using consultation as the basis of our work, [we found] the results were truly staggering and far beyond anyone's imagination," Dr. Harper said. In addition to developing their own individual work, the group created a musical narrative titled "The Journey," which they performed as part of the evening program. The piece portrayed the dramatic story of the transfer of the remains of the Bab in the late 1800s from Persia (now Iran) to the Holy Land, where they were laid to rest on Mt. Carmel in 1909. Dr. Harper said that as opposed to some other art courses, academy students are not judged for their abilities, and there is no negative criticism -- quite the opposite. She said that peer teaching is a very strong element of the academy and that the artists naturally respond to such a helping and encouraging environment. Evening sessions were also a source of inspiration. A new feature was the screening of films and documentaries, many of them focusing on the artistic creative process. London-based architect and designer Sabiha Foster gave a lecture on the development of humanity's relationship with architecture, using such examples as the earliest remnants of architecture through to the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, India, which opened in 1986. Theater artist Bill George and his daughter, Anisa, from the United States, used a dramatic performance to explore the relationship of the Baha'i Faith and the theater. The academy also offered space for students to work independently on their own projects. Photos by Rob Weinberg. For more information, see http://www.bahai-artsacademy.com/. For a story about last year's academy, see http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/story.cfm?storyid=245.

51.3139428

-2.8334616

NEW YORK

United States

Baha'is decry cultural cleansing in Iran

Baha'is decry cultural cleansing in Iran NEW YORK — The destruction of yet another Baha'i holy place in Iran has prompted an outcry by Baha'is around the world, who see that the Iranian Government is persisting in a campaign of persecution so extreme in the fanaticism driving it that it even jeopardizes invaluable assets of the country's cultural heritage. The demolition in June of an historic house in Tehran, which followed the leveling of a Baha'i holy place in Babol earlier this year, has spurred national Baha'i communities in several nations to place a statement in major newspapers decrying the destruction. The statement, which ran in the New York Times today, is set to run soon in newspapers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Baha'i community of Iran, with about 300,000 members, is that country's largest religious minority. With some five million members in more than 180 countries worldwide, the Baha'i Faith is an independent religion that promotes such teachings as the oneness of humanity, the underlying unity of the religions, the equality of women and men, and the need to eliminate prejudice. Since 1979, despite their peaceful character, more than 200 Iranian Baha'is have been killed, and hundreds more have been tortured and imprisoned. Tens of thousands have lost jobs, pensions, and access to education, all solely because the clerics who rule Iran declare them heretics. "The hatred of the extremist mullahs for the Baha'is is such that they, like the Taliban of Afghanistan who destroyed the towering Buddhist sculptures at Bamiyan, intend not only to eradicate the religion, but even to erase all traces of its existence in the country of its birth," says the statement, which took the form of a paid advertisement in the New York Times. The house that was destroyed in June had been owned by Mirza Abbas Nuri (also known as Mirza Buzurg), the father of Baha'u'llah, Who founded the Baha'i Faith. Mirza Abbas Nuri was an eminent provincial governor and was widely regarded as one of Iran's greatest calligraphers. An interior courtyard of the historic House of Mirza Abbas Nuri (Mirza Buzurg), Tehran, June 2004.The statement in the Times notes that Mirza Abbas Nuri's house was an "historical monument, a precious example of Islamic-Iranian architecture, 'a matchless model of art, spirituality, and architecture.'" "In their determination to rid Iran of the Baha'i community and obliterate its very memory, the fundamentalists in power are prepared even to destroy the cultural heritage of their own country, which they appear not to realize they hold in trust for humankind," the statement continues. "Surely the time has come for Iranians everywhere to raise their voices in protest against such willful desecrations," concludes the statement. Placing the statement in newspapers around the world is part of a coordinated effort by Baha'is outside of Iran to call the world's attention to the destruction of cultural landmarks that are part of the heritage of the entire world, said Glen Fullmer, director of communications for the Baha'i community of the United States. "The places that are being demolished are significant to all humanity," said Mr. Fullmer. "They reflect unique elements of Iran's cultural history. So we are calling on Iranians around the world to protest the destruction of their own culture." The statement will also be printed in one of France's premier newspapers, said Brenda Abrar, a spokesperson for the Baha'i community there. "There are a great many Iranians in France," said Ms. Abrar. "We want to alert them that their own cultural heritage is in danger. The house that was demolished in June actually represents a great work of Islamic architecture." In July, the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri published a lengthy article about the life of Mirza Abbas Nuri and the architecture of his house. "As he had good taste for the arts and for beauty, he designed his own house in such a style that it became known as one of the most beautiful houses of that period," wrote Iman Mihdizadih in Hamshahri on 13 July. "The plasterwork and the tile-work in the rooms as well as the verdant veranda, the courtyard with its central pool, and the trees planted in the flowerbeds, all created a tranquil atmosphere in this house." The house was demolished over a period of about one week in June. The demolition order was issued in April by Ayatollah Kani, director of the Marvi School and the Endowments Office, ostensibly for the purpose of creating an Islamic cemetery. When the demolition started on 20 June, officials from the Ministry of Information were present, and by 29 June more than 70 percent of the structure had been destroyed. [See photographs] The destruction of Mirza Abbas Nuri's house represents just the latest in a series of demolitions that appears to be aimed at systematically destroying Baha'i holy sites, said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations. In April, despite international protest, the gravesite of an early apostle of the Faith was destroyed in Babol. The house-like structure marked the resting place of Mulla Muhammad-Ali Barfurushi, known as Quddus. Quddus was the foremost disciple of the Bab, the Prophet-Herald of the Baha'i Faith. In 1993, more than 15,000 graves were bulldozed at the well-kept Baha'i cemetery of Tehran on the pretext of constructing a municipal center. In 1979, shortly after the Islamic revolution, the house of the Bab in Shiraz, one of the most sacred sites in the Baha'i world, was demolished. The house of Baha'u'llah in Takur, where the Founder of the Baha'i Faith spent his childhood, was also demolished soon after the revolution and the site offered for sale to the public. "We see all this as part of a concerted plan on the part of the Iranian government to gradually extinguish the Baha'i Faith as a cultural force and cohesive entity," said Ms. Dugal. "Over the years, the government's strategy has changed, from outright killing to methods that are less likely to attract international attention, such as the destruction of holy sites. "But the end result is the same: to completely destroy the Baha'i community of Iran, along with its history and heritage," said Ms. Dugal. To see a copy of the statement placed in the New York Times, see http://www.bahai.org/pdf/ad20040912.pdf. To see a press release from the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i community of the United States, see http://www.bahai.org/pdf/pr20040912.pdf. For information in French see http://www.bahai.fr/article.php3?id_article=122. For background article on the situation of the Baha'is in Iran, see http://bahai.org/article-1-8-3-6.html. For the history of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran, see http://bahai.org/article-1-8-3-7.html. For an article on Iran's secret blueprint for the destruction of the Baha'i community, see http://bahai.org/article-1-8-3-14.html. For an August 2004 news story on the ploy to deprive Baha'is of higher education, see http://www.bahaiworldnews.org/story/317.

40.7127281

-74.0060152

SYDNEY

Australia

A special place in the rose garden

A special place in the rose garden SYDNEY — Less than a week before Sirus Naraqi passed away, his medical colleagues at the University of Sydney held a well-attended symposium in his honor. Delivering the opening address, Papua New Guinea heart specialist Professor Sir Isi Kevau described Professor Naraqi as a "special chapter in the history of medicine in Papua New Guinea." That chapter is a story of training medical students and doctors, of effective research into prevalent diseases, and of major contributions to improving the country's health system. "I thank God that we in Papua New Guinea were given the opportunity to cherish the knowledge and wisdom that this very special individual exuded in the 18 years he lived in the country -- he has a very special place in God's garden of roses," said Sir Isi, the first Papua New Guinean medical professor, who was trained by Professor Naraqi. Professor Naraqi, 61, died on 18 August 2004 after a prolonged illness. More than 700 mourners of many religious, racial, and professional backgrounds attended his funeral. Born in Iran in 1942, Sirus Naraqi demonstrated his caliber by placing first in university entrance examinations in Iran out of 80,000 students nationwide. He completed his postgraduate medical training in the United States where he later practiced as a specialist in internal medicine. He was named "best attending physician" and "best teacher of the year" at the University of Illinois teaching hospital. Because of his spiritual beliefs and his humanitarian nature, he then chose to devote his intellect and expert medical skills to some of the world's most materially disadvantaged people by working in Papua New Guinea from 1977-79 and 1983-98. Sirus Naraqi (left) with his professor at medical school, Iran, 1967.He spent much of his free time -- weekends and vacations -- visiting remote villages to provide treatment for those with little access to medical care. His main role was combining practice as a specialist in internal medicine with his duties as professor of medicine at the University of Papua New Guinea. His special attention to training local undergraduate and postgraduate students meant that by the time he moved to Australia in 1998, he left behind so many highly competent and trained doctors and specialists that expatriate doctors were no longer so crucially in demand. In 1999, on the recommendation of the government of Papua New Guinea, Queen Elizabeth awarded him the high honor of Commander of the British Empire (CBE). "Sirus was a shining example of the committed and dedicated pioneers who came from afar to heal and educate," said a former prime minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Julius Chan. "He developed friendships with our people, as well as built lasting institutions and learning for future generations of Papua New Guineans," Sir Julius said. As professor of medicine and associate dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney's western clinical school, Professor Naraqi co-established a research foundation and quickly demonstrated his remarkable abilities as a teacher. "He is... a well-loved academic among medical students who have respected his dedication to his profession and his generosity of spirit in the training and mentoring of professionals," read a tribute published at last month's symposium that also mentioned his achievement in publishing more than 100 scientific and medical papers. A deeply knowledgeable, eloquent and highly capable Baha'i, Sirus Naraqi served as a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia since 1985, providing advice and encouragement to the Spiritual Assemblies and believers as he traveled widely in that region. "We feel intensely privileged to have known him and served with him," said Jalal Mills, a member of the Continental Board based in Papua New Guinea. Dr. Mills said Sirus Naraqi firmly believed that people even in the most humble of circumstances could understand profound concepts and live as spiritual people. "He had the ability to see the potential and to patiently and lovingly nurture this potential," he said. Another of his Baha'i colleagues, Stephen Hall, a member of the Continental Board, said he admired Professor Naraqi's highly developed intuitive wisdom, his ability in an instant to go to the core of a matter and hone in on the relevant spiritual principles. "Sirus never seemed rushed and he always had time for anyone who needed his guidance and advice," he said. In a message of condolence, the Universal House of Justice said the devoted services to the Baha'i Faith by Dr. Sirus Naraqi will long be remembered. Dr. Naraqi played a "pre-eminent role in the propagation of the Cause to all parts of the country and the establishment of Baha'i institutions on a secure foundation," the message said. "He was renowned for his commitment to encouraging and nurturing capable indigenous believers to take responsibility for the work of the Cause and for the love and kindness he showered on all members of the community," the message said. The Universal House of Justice advised the National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia and Papua New Guinea to hold memorial gatherings in his honor and asked that memorial meetings be held in the Baha'i Houses of Worship in Australia and Samoa. Sirus Naraqi is survived by his wife, Mitra, four children, and a grandson.

-33.8548157

151.2164539

STUTTGART

Germany

Windows open to Baha'i gospel music

Windows open to Baha'i gospel music STUTTGART, Germany — Residents here flung open their windows to listen to gospel-style music being sung on the streets below by an international Baha'i choir. The choir had completed a concert in an historic church and continued outside, as its director Van Gilmer later explained. "The audience followed the choir out of the church to the sidewalks as it continued to sing -- people opened their windows to enjoy the impromptu concert we gave," he said. That enthusiastic response by the citizens of this southern German city was replicated in different ways across Europe this northern summer. Audiences in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, as well as in Germany, gave standing ovations to the Baha'i Gospel Choir, which included 103 members of many different backgrounds and from 12 countries including Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Uganda, and the United States. "There was no concert where the audiences did not stand up and sway, clap, and even stomp their feet for encores," said Mr. Gilmer, who said the singers were often as affected by the music as the audience. "This is often true with gospel when the depths of one's beliefs are captured in the expression of the music," he said. Choir member Tahirih Olinga of Uganda agreed. "Gospel music is very uplifting," Ms. Olinga said. Roya Yazhari (second from left) and fellow soprano Katrina Davis (right) with Jada Davis (left), Jasmine Davis (center), and Sydney Ewing-Roush (front)."The spirituals, the words, and the style of the songs are very powerful. They had a big impact on us and the audiences as well." Ms. Olinga said that as well as enjoying the music, the audiences appeared to be inspired by the message of their songs -- the Baha'i principles of peace and unity. "The power of God's word bound us together as a choir and also with the audience," she said. The group's repertoire comprised 14 items -- gospel songs and spirituals, as well as Baha'i writings put to music in the gospel style. Each one-and-a-half-hour performance started with the Baha'i song "We Have Come to Sing Praises," and then the choir went on singing other well-known gospel songs including "I'm so Glad," "If We Ever Needed Love," and "Amazing Grace." The concerts finished with "Love Me That I May Love Thee," the last verse of which the choir sang in the language of the country in which it was performing. The choir gave six concerts in four countries, finishing with a performance in the Baha'i House of Worship in Langenhain, Germany. Although this was the first tour of the Baha'i Gospel Choir, some members were in the gospel choir that sang at the Baha'i World Congress in New York in 1992 and 10 years later at the Baha'i Festival of Arts, also in New York. Among those in the 2004 Baha'i Gospel Choir who had sung in the 2002 performance were professional musicians Joyce Garrett, and Patrick Lundy, who are not Baha'is. Dr. Garrett, well-known in gospel circles in the United States, was the musical director of the tour. She is a member of the Naval Academy Gospel Choir and the Eastern High School Choir, which has won international awards. Founder of the Ministers of Music choir, Mr. Lundy is an accomplished pianist and the director of several gospel choirs. He was the assistant music director during the tour. Another choir member was veteran drummer Lester Saucer, who regularly performs with leading gospel groups in the United States. Mr. Gilmer has sung gospel as part of the repertoire of another Baha'i choir, "Voices of Baha," in Asia, North America, and Europe. Photos by Vic Voytek. For more information see, http://www.bahaigospel.org. For a report of a concert by "Voices of Baha" see https://news.bahai.org/story/235.

48.7784485

9.1800132

CALGARY

Canada

Speakers urge spiritual and intellectual solutions

Speakers urge spiritual and intellectual solutions CALGARY, Canada — Spiritual ideas are an essential component in solving the world's complex problems, according to the opening speaker at the annual conference of the Association for Baha'i Studies-North America. "The global problems of the contemporary world make interdisciplinary research a necessity," said Harold Coward, founding director of the Centre for Studies of Religion and Society at the University of Victoria in Canada. The inclusion of religious and spiritual ideas in any such interdisciplinary approach is important, Dr. Coward told the conference, held here 3-6 September 2004. Dr. Coward, who is not a Baha'i, said his own center was established to ensure "that the wisdom of the religious traditions is included alongside the best that science, social science and the humanities have to offer when major global problems are addressed." Contributions by the other 58 major presenters addressed various aspects of the theme of the conference -- "Spirit and Intellect: Advancing Civilization" -- to the more than 1,200 participants. It was the association's 28th annual conference. In an address titled "The New World Disorder: Obstacles to Universal Peace," scholar Andy Knight outlined how insights from the Baha'i teachings could help in developing solutions to conflict and other problems affecting the planet. Although the world yearns for peace, an exercise of volition and action is required to bring it about, said Dr. Knight, the McCalla Research Professor of International Relations in the Department of Political Science at the University of Alberta. "It is not ephemeral, it won't fall from the sky into our laps because we hope for it -- it requires extraordinary effort and it will require fundamental change to the present world order," said Dr. Knight, who is a Baha'i. Dr. Kimberley Naqvi, one of the organizers of the conference.The Baha'i writings, said Dr. Knight, provide the most comprehensive view of the requirements for peace to be established. Primary among them is the recognition of the unity of the human race. "We have to reach out to the non-Baha'i world, not to proselytize, but to let them know what is possible in terms of world order," said Dr. Knight. Other speakers and sessions covered a wide range of issues, including the arts and architecture, issues affecting indigenous peoples, spiritual and moral principles, and community in the workplace. Siamak Hariri, a partner in Hariri Pontarini Architects in Toronto, spoke of the process involved in designing the first Baha'i Temple of South America, to be located in Santiago, Chile. Mr. Hariri described how the concept for the temple emerged from a broad collaboration among a team of Baha'i and non-Baha'i designers. The process was in marked contrast to the milieu in contemporary architecture, which he said fixates on deconstruction and frenetic experimentation. "In a sense, we tried to abandon what we knew. We wanted a structure that is whole, with a sense of its completeness that leaves exploration of disharmony to others, without going back to pastoral expression," said Mr. Hariri. Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, who until recently served as a member of the Universal House of Justice, presented the Hasan M. Balyuzi Memorial Lecture. Mr. Nakhjavani described how the former head of the Faith Shoghi Effendi carefully prepared the Baha'is of the world for a ten-year plan (1953-1963), which achieved its aim of opening the majority of the nations and territories of the world to the Baha'i Faith. Kimberley Naqvi, one of the conference's organizers, said that part of the importance of the conference was that it expanded the Baha'i community's world view and its knowledge of critical social issues -- and directed it toward action. Conference chairman Ridvan Moqbel said that Baha'i scholarship involves a community of learning, where everyone -- with or without academic credentials -- can learn from each other and contribute to the betterment of the world. "The association strives to promote diverse approaches to scholarship that apply the insights of the revelation of Baha'u'llah to the critical problems facing humanity," said Mr. Moqbel. [Paul Hanley contributed to this report.] [Photos by Michael Adachi and Omid Rahimzadeh.] For more information, see http://www.bahai-studies.ca/.

51.0460954

-114.065465

TOHANU NOU

Romania

Creativity a theme of summer schools

Creativity a theme of summer schools TOHANU NOU, Romania — Participants at a Baha'i summer school here visited the summer residence of Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938), the first monarch to embrace the Baha'i Faith. The excursion to her castle in the scenic region of Bran was part of a program characteristic of a string of summer schools across Europe this year. Baha'i summer schools worldwide balance devotional, study, and recreational aspects. The visit to the castle was an opportunity to remember and be inspired by historic figures of the faith such as Queen Marie, and the Baha'i who introduced her to the Faith, Martha Root. Common themes of schools held in countries such as Romania, Norway, Ireland, Slovakia, and Croatia were the creative ways of approaching devotional meetings, study circles and children's classes -- the "core activities" now being carried out by Baha'is throughout the world. In Romania, the emphasis was on workshops, and how Baha'is and their friends could improve the way they carried out the community's core activities. "Workshops involved participants preparing skits, decorating prayer books, making invitations for devotional meetings and study circles and learning how to tell stories," said Della Marcus, a participant. One of the sessions, presented by Chris Ruhe, was on how to write songs, and another, by Ehsan Erfanifar, was about the importance of holding devotional meetings. A presentation at the summer school in Romania. Photo by Della Marcus.Norway More than 300 Baha'is gathered for Norway's summer school at Beitostolen, where they enjoyed recreational walks in that spectacular mountainous region. A guest speaker, Dr. Hossain Danesh of Canada, addressed the topic of how to mature as human beings within the context of family, work, and Baha'i service. One session explored the case study of a social and economic development project, and another focused on the importance of agriculture in society. "In the afternoons there were different choices of activities and there were specific programs for children, junior youth and senior youth all throughout the school," said a participant, Britt Thoresen. Ireland In Ireland too there were programs for the younger members of the Baha'i community. Junior youth built a large wooden swing and a "watch tower" as part of the recreational program at the country's summer school, attended by more than 500 people in Waterford city, 14-22 August 2004. Other recreational activities included soccer, swimming, face painting, and tie-dying. "Awakening the Spirit" was the theme of the school, which mixed panel sessions and workshops with traditional lecture formats. Visiting speakers included scholars and writers Wendy and Moojan Momen, and Rita and Viv Bartlett. To mark the 10th anniversary of the United Nations International Year of Family, the school invited the people of Waterford to participate in an open day that had the theme "Celebrating the Family." That event followed a talk on the topic in the City Hall and a visit to the school by the Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Seamus Ryan. Slovakia The principal guest speaker at the national summer school was Dr. Firaydoun Javaheri, a member of the Universal House of Justice, who spoke about the role of the Baha'i Faith in the 21st century. Actor and comedian Omid Djalili and his wife, Annabel, presented a drama workshop. Known for his roles in such movies as "The Mummy," "Spy Games," and "Gladiator," Mr. Djalili was on a return visit with his family to Slovakia, where he lived from 1991-93. He drew widespread media attention -- television channels, radio stations, and newspapers covered aspects of the event, which was held in the Low Tatras from 31 July to 5 August. Other speakers included Raymond and Furugh Switzer, who talked about marriage, family life, and managing time and money. Croatia and Slovenia The summer school of Croatia and Slovenia was held 21-28 August in Seline, Croatia. The participants came from the host countries of Croatia and Slovenia, as well as nearby Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro. Others came from Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, United Kingdom, and the United States. The theme of the sessions was "Living by the will of God," and the titles of the presentations included "Baha'i family identity," "Spirituality at work," "Marriage and finding a partner," "Baha'i burial laws and writing a will," and "Prayer."

45.5524283

25.3845258

ACCRA

Ghana

Official urges study of 'noble principles'

Official urges study of 'noble principles' ACCRA, Ghana — The principles of the Baha'i Faith "could shed light on what steps our society should take to improve our social and economic life," a senior government official told participants at the Baha'i jubilee celebrations in this West African nation. The theme of the 27-29 August 2004 celebrations, which commemorated the establishment of the Faith here 50 years ago, was "Spiritual Solutions for Social and Economic Problems." "I sincerely believe that the theme chosen for this celebration is to engender our whole society to reflect on the principle that human nature is fundamentally spiritual," said Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. "I urge the rest of us who are non-Baha'is to exhibit some of the good principles of religious humility, to examine the noble principles of the Baha'i teachings," Mr. Agyeman Manu said. During the past 50 years, the Baha'is of Ghana have been active in social and economic development programs. A recent example is the work of the Olinga Foundation for Human Development, founded in 1999. The foundation has been involved in promoting literacy and moral education classes in primary and junior secondary schools in rural areas of Ghana. In the Western region of the country, for example, more than 5,000 children, in 150 schools participated in such classes with the help of the foundation. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ghana at the Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1998.Another feature of the jubilee was the awarding of prizes in a student essay competition organized by the Baha'i community. Students throughout Ghana were asked to discuss four principles shared by at least four of the world's main religions. On behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Ghana, Thelma Khelgati, a former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, congratulated the winners and handed out the prizes. A special feature of the celebrations was the launching of the book titled "Conquering the Hearts, A Brief History of the Baha'i Faith in Ghana from 1951-1995." Introducing the book, Diana Heymann-Adu, the managing director of Meridian FM radio station, said that "the Baha'i Faith has much appeal and relevance to the modern world." She said that the book, which tells about the lives of the early Baha'is in Ghana, will offer many insights to future generations. The Baha'i teachings were first brought to Ghana (then under British rule and called "the Gold Coast") in 1951 when Ethel Robertson Stephens, an African-American Baha'i from Virginia came to Accra. Mrs. Stephens stayed one year in the Gold Coast. In the early 1950s Baha'i pioneers established Baha'i communities in the Northern Territories, Ashanti Protectorate, and British Togoland. Those three regions, together with the Gold Coast, became the independent nation of Ghana in 1957. Among the first Baha'is in those three regions were three young Baha'is from Cameroon, Benedict Eballa (Ashanti Protectorate), Edward Tabe (British Togoland), and Martin Manga (Northern Territories). Other pioneers were Julius Edwards, a Jamaican tailor from Liberia (Northern Territories) and the first Baha'i from the Gold Coast, Albert Buapiah (British Togoland). For their services in establishing Baha'i communities in these regions the five men later received the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. Another Cameroonian Baha'i, who assisted the Baha'i community in Ghana in the early days was David Tanyi. In 1954, Mr. Tanyi had been named a Knight of Baha'u'llah for introducing the Baha'i Faith to Togo (then French Togoland). In 1957 he moved to Tamale (Northern Territories), and with his wife,Esther, and their children remained in Ghana for more than three decades. During the celebrations, some of the first believers, among them Blanche Fredua-Agyemang, Emmanuel Budu, Ernest Bentsil, and Prince Abaidoo gave accounts of the early years of the Faith in Ghana. Over the course of three days, the jubilee festivities were held at three locations: at the Hotel Novotel in Accra, in Kumasi, and at the Baha'i institute in Gyankama. During the three days, participants enjoyed a variety of artistic performances, including presentations by the local Baha'i youth choir, Flight 009, accompanied by Yoofi Nketsiah, and songs and dances by the Bawdie Baha'i youth group. Others whose musical performances entertained the jubilee crowd were George Olinga of Uganda with Ekua Mensah from the United States, and Pinnock Casely-Hayford, a local Baha'i. Also present at the celebrations were members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa Beatrice Asare, who presented the message of the Continental Board to the participants, and Kobina Amissah Fynn. After the celebrations, participants said prayers at the gravesites of two of the early believers, Joseph Musah and Beattie Casely-Hayford. Following the events in Accra and Gyankama, the celebrations continued in the other nine regions of the country. The Baha'i community, which has 63 Local Spiritual Assemblies, is currently organizing study circles, children's classes, and prayer gatherings, all of which are open to the wider public. The Baha'i community of Ghana has welcomed many distinguished Baha'i guests throughout the years, among them Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani and other Hands of the Cause, including Abu'l-Qasim Faizi, Jalal Khazeh, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, Enoch Olinga, and John Robarts.

5.5571096

-0.2012376

LOME

Togo

Togo Baha'is celebrate jubilee

Togo Baha'is celebrate jubilee LOME, Togo — A message from one of the Baha'is who introduced the Baha'i Faith to Togo was a highlight of the jubilee celebrations held here. "I love you all so much, pray for your spiritual growth and that you may continue in faith and teaching the Cause of Baha'u'llah -- the Cause of God," wrote Mavis Nymon, 82, who now lives in the United States and was unable to attend the celebrations in this West African country. Ms. Nymon, originally from Fargo, North Dakota, was 32 years old when she and 59-year-old Vivian Wesson of Chicago, Illinois, took the message of the Baha'i Faith to what was then called French Togoland on 2 May 1954. In her letter, which was read to the jubilee participants, she vividly described their dramatic landing by large dugout canoe in Ghana and then their subsequent night journey across the border, ending with their arrival in the capital city of Lome just before midnight. "What an unspeakably joyous occasion for us," she said. They had accomplished their goal of contributing to the Ten Year Plan (1953-1963) to establish the Faith in countries where there were no Baha'is. By the end of the decade the number of national communities had more than doubled. In her letter Ms. Nymon described the help she and Ms. Wesson received from Togolese people and how, about one month after their arrival, they met another Baha'i there, David Tanyi, from Cameroon. For introducing the Baha'i teachings to French Togoland, the three received the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. "I wanted to go to Africa since I was 16, and it was the great fulfillment of my life," Ms. Nymon later said. At the Tanyi residence, 1955: Vivian Wesson (left), David Tanyi (standing rear), Esther Tanyi (right), and the Tanyi children, Mbu and Enoch.Later Ms. Nymon and Ms. Wesson moved to Liberia to assist the Baha'i community there. "In 1964 I visited Togo again but now I am amazed to know of the progress of the Baha'i community there," she said. Mrs. Wesson and Mr. Tanyi have since passed away, though the three were reunited at the Baha'i World Centre in 1992. Fifty years after their arrival more than 300 participants gathered in the capital city of Togo to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Baha'i community. Guests came from 20 countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, France, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Iran, Mali, Martinique, Niger, Senegal, and the United States. Throughout the jubilee celebrations youth groups and choirs from Togo provided entertainment, and many groups of guests contributed songs. The jubilee festivities, celebrated 20-22 August 2004, were held not only in Lome but also at the Vivian Wesson Training Institute in Djidjole. A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Togo, Philip Smith, welcomed the participants. In an address to the participants and their guests, Komi N'Sougne, an Auxiliary Board member, said the jubilee was also a celebration of unity in diversity, one of the main principles of the Baha'i Faith and one that is evident in the Togo Baha'i community. The Faith here is established in 665 localities and there are 108 Local Spiritual Assemblies. "For the Baha'is it is not a question of building uniformity but rather to create unity and an environment where potentials [of individuals] can develop," Mr. N'Sougne said. A message from the National Spiritual Assembly, presented by its secretary, Akakpo Yaovi Kougblenou, described the early days of the Togo Baha'i community, and it named those who first accepted the message of the Faith there, among them being Emmanuel Ocloo, Bruno Adjakly, Samuel Ggogbo, Michel Kokou Negble Attigah, and the first Togolese woman to become a Baha'i, Patience Adjakly. Leyla Moustapha from Togo and Amrullah Khelghati from Guinea spoke to the participants about the history of the Baha'i Faith in Togo. A slide show by Thelma Khelgati also brought back many memories of the early days. Attending as a representative of the Cameroon Baha'i community was Mary Tanyi, the wife of Enoch Tanyi, who is the son of the late David Tanyi. She also addressed the celebrants. A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, Antoinette Ziehi from Cote d'Ivoire, spoke on the role of the youth in the Baha'i community. Other members of the Continental Board of Counsellors present at the celebrations were Moussa Kamaye and Ibrahim Galadima from Niger. An integral part of the jubilee was a regional Baha'i youth conference, the main theme of which was unity in diversity. Performances came from the Henri Montra dance group, the La Voix de l'unite (Voices of Unity) choir of Djidjole, a choir from Yoyovi Kondji, the Rossignols d'Akka (Nightingales of Akka) choir, and a dance group from Niamey, Niger. The jubilee received extensive coverage in the local and national media. The event was covered by Television Togolaise (a national television channel), Radio Lome (a national radio station), the Grand Quotidien National d'Information Togo-Presse (a national daily newsletter), and some private news organizations. The first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in Lome, in 1955. Many Baha'is from other countries have come to live in Togo to assist local Baha'is develop their community. During the past 50 years the Togo Baha'i community has welcomed some distinguished Baha'i guests, among them Hands of the Cause Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani and Rahmatullah Muhajir.

6.130419

1.215829

MALABO

Equatorial Guinea

Obstacles no match for pioneer spirit

Obstacles no match for pioneer spirit MALABO, Equatorial Guinea — When Elise Lynelle arrived in this West African country in 1954 to introduce the teachings of the Baha'i Faith, she faced two major obstacles. The first was a restriction on free association between whites and blacks. The second was that she was allowed only a one-month visa, barely enough time to get settled, let alone explain the teachings of a world religion. Nevertheless, she was able to help establish the Faith in this country, then known as Spanish Guinea. Fifty years later, she described those early days to participants in the jubilee celebrations, which the Baha'i community held here on 20-21 August 2004. A young journalist from the United States, Ms. Lynelle (then Elise Schreiber) arrived in Bata, Spanish Guinea, on 17 May 1954. Normally it would have been difficult to obtain a visa but, fortunately, her arrival coincided with a festival, and the military authorities allowed her to stay for a month. While in Bata, Ms. Lynelle was unable to make contact with black Africans because of restrictions on association between the races, and any new religion was frowned upon. However, a Spaniard, Jose Ramos Espinosa, accepted the Faith. With Mr. Espinosa's help, Ms. Lynelle joined a group of surveyors who were traveling in the colony looking for places to build lighthouses. In June 1954 she sailed with them to the island of Corisco. Here she met the elderly King of the island, Santiago Uganda Mdelo and his nephew, Edward Robinson, both of whom readily accepted the Baha'i teachings. King Uganda told Ms. Lynelle that he had had a premonition about someone who would come to him with a message. Baha'is in Luba, Equatorial Guinea, 1990.For introducing the Baha'i Faith to Equatorial Guinea Ms. Schreiber received the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. Her arrival in this country contributed to the achievements of the Ten Year Plan (1953-1963) to establish the Faith in countries where there were no Baha'is. By the end of the decade the number of national communities had more than doubled. Returning to the country for the first time in 50 years, Ms. Lynelle said she was impressed at the changes that had taken place in Equatorial Guinea and the progress of the Baha'i community. The country now has four Local Spiritual Assemblies. Other speakers at the jubilee festivities to describe the early days were Alberto Ntutumu, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Equatorial Guinea, and Miguel Bielo, a member of the Auxiliary Board. Also present was Jose Maria Fierro Cueto (also known as Dr. Pepe), who came from Mexico to Equatorial Guinea in the 1980s to assist the Baha'i community. A slide presentation about the history of the Faith paid tribute to other early members of the community, among them Joseph Enonguene and Johanna Ngompex, who came from Cameroon in the 1960s. At the celebrations, a member of the Auxiliary Board in Cameroon, Christine Tchameni, represented the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa. Some prominent non-Baha'i officials attended the celebrations, including the Health Minister, Dr. Justino Obama Nve, and Mrs. Obama. Theatrical and musical presentations entertained the participants, a highlight being traditional dances by members of the biggest tribe of Equatorial Guinea, the Fang. In a message to the participants at the golden jubilee celebrations, the Universal House of Justice expressed its hope that "this occasion, besides giving pause for reflection on what has so nobly been attained to date, will provide inspiration to each individual present to see his own role in advancing this world-embracing Cause." The national television channel, RTV (Radio Television Malabo), covered the event. A monthly magazine, La Gazeta, later published an article about the celebrations. The Baha'is of Equatorial Guinea organize various activities which are also open to the wider public, including regular moral educational classes for children and pre-youth, prayer gatherings, and study circles aimed at building individual capacities. As part of the jubilee celebrations, a graduation feast for study circle participants will be held in November 2004.

3.752828

8.780061

OFFENBACH

Germany

People's Theater begins new season

People's Theater begins new season OFFENBACH, Germany — An award-winning Baha'i-inspired theater project began a new season of performances this week aimed at preventing violence and promoting social skills among school students. Earlier, representatives of People's Theater outlined the program to the mayor of Offenbach, Gerhard Grandke, who has been a strong supporter of the project. As well as being well known and appreciated in this city, People's Theater has won favor this year at the highest levels of the federal government. The German Minister for Family and Youth, Renate Schmidt, awarded two representatives of People's Theater, Curtis Volk and Erfan Enayati, a financial grant to assist the further development of the theater. People's Theater was one of 25 winners selected from 560 entrants in a competition initiated by the Office of the Chancellor to select the projects with the most promise of benefiting society. At a reception for award recipients in July 2004, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder said to the winners: "We need more people like you, people who know how to transfer their knowledge and talents into service for the community." People's Theater was founded by Erfan Enayati, a Baha'i from Offenbach, who was inspired by "The Happy Hippo Show," a television program in Russia created by Shamil Fattakhov to help youth deal with moral and ethical situations in their everyday lives. The Baha'i inspiration behind the People's Theater is seen not only in its selection of the social topics that are the themes of its performances, but also because in its guiding principles such as honesty and sincerity, and the decision-making process used on a daily basis by those involved in the project. People's Theater at a primary school.Called consultation, this method is used by Baha'is to dispassionately examine different points of view before coming to a consensus. In addition, the Baha'i principles of the underlying unity of world religions and respect for all ethnic groups play a fundamental role in every show. Presentations by the People's Theater combine the elements of a talk show with those of a theater. A twist is that its outcome is largely influenced by the audience. (See an article about "The Happy Hippo Show" http://www.onecountry.org/e103/e10304as.htm.) Each show illustrates a conflict that exists in the school where the show is being performed. The theater portion of the show portrays the problem to the audience. Then, in the talk show section that follows, the audience discusses constructive solutions to the problem through dialog, discussion, and role-play. The moderator begins the show by explaining the rules. The actors then illustrate a conflict in a scene that focuses on such issues as violence, backbiting, and dishonesty. The moderator stops the scene and asks the audience such questions as: "What just happened?", or "How do the actors feel?", or "What could be done to change the situation?" After a discussion by audience members, the moderator chooses a student to replace one of the actors. The student is then encouraged to try to change the situation by using ideas from his or her peers. The scene lasts up to about five minutes and then begins again. After several attempts by the audience, the scene is then repeated one last time by the initial actors who follow the advice of the audience. The moderator then sums up. The first performance of People's Theater was at a primary school in 2001 with the support of the Mayor of Offenbach, Gerhard Grandke. "I was convinced and excited about the prospects of this project and its underlying concept from the beginning so I gladly sponsored it," Mr. Grandke said. The project also has the support of local government offices dealing with education, community integration and crime prevention, and it has received a warm reception in the public school system. During the last two years the People's Theater has performed more than 700 shows in more than 40 schools. In the past school year, five youth dedicated their time to working in the theater as a social service, and now more youth have offered to follow them for a year of service. Participation in the People's Theater is recognized as social and civil service, and as such, it may be substituted for the mandatory military service required in Germany. It is supported by a pedagogical association and has a board of trustees. A principal at Gutenberg Primary School, one of the schools where People's Theater has performed, Heike Burger, said that working with People's Theater was an enjoyable experience. "The program was praised by all participants; parents, teachers, and pupils," Ms. Burger said. A teacher at the Adolf-Reichwein High School, Elke Kunkel, said that the children were inspired to think by the themes of the show and were motivated to search for positive solutions." "The young actors and actresses have a special understanding of the language which speaks to the youth --they are able to get their attention and motivate them to work with the show," Ms. Kunkel said. "The work with the young actors and actresses is a worthwhile investment in our pupils," she said. A teacher at the Helen-Keller Primary School, Christina Kutzmann, said that working with People's Theater is very constructive for the pupils. "They are able to work with abstract ideas, for example 'Conflicts from Boredom' or 'Dealing with Provocation' in a very creative fashion that realistically brings the problems (to the attention of) the children in an appealing manner." Report by Jennifer Wiebers. For more about People's Theater see http://www.peoples-theater.de/.

50.1055002

8.7610698

SAN MARINO CITY

San Marino

Baha'i jubilee celebrated in 'world's oldest republic'

Baha'i jubilee celebrated in 'world's oldest republic' SAN MARINO — Prominent government officials paid tribute to the Baha'i community at a gala dinner celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Baha'i Faith to this country. The anniversary was "a very special and important occasion," the Secretary of State for Industry, Claudio Felici, told 100 prominent citizens of San Marino and their Baha'i hosts at the event held on 25 September 2004. Conveying greetings from the government, Dr. Felici spoke about the Baha'i attitude towards peace and how it moved beyond just rhetoric and good intentions to dialogue, cooperation, and human relations. The activities of the Faith in seeking peace and religious unity are well known in San Marino, a country surrounded by Italy and a member of the United Nations since 1992. It lays claim to the description of "the world's oldest republic." Last year, the captains regent, two leaders who hold the positions of head of state and government, accepted delivery of a message from the Universal House of Justice which called for decisive action to eradicate religious intolerance and fanaticism in the world. The government of San Marino has also intervened internationally in defense of the Baha'i community of Iran, which has suffered persecution at the hands of the authorities in that country. Tabandeh and Sohrab Payman.A message read to the jubilee dinner from the captains regent, Paolo Bollini and Marino Riccardi, said the Baha'is had helped to draw attention to the values of belonging, tolerance, and solidarity that permeate San Marino. "The presence of the Baha'i community in San Marino is consequently of great significance and will help bring a future of certainty and peace," they said in their message. A prominent member of the Italian Baha'i community, Julio Savi, then delivered an address to the gathering in which he outlined the history of the Baha'i Faith in the country. Dr. Savi described how in 1953 Tabandeh ("Toby") Payman of Iran was attending a Baha'i conference in Stockholm when she decided to introduce the Faith to San Marino as part of a ten-year plan to take the teachings around the world. Without returning to her home in Tehran, she moved directly to San Marino, where her husband, Sohrab, and their daughter Ghitty joined her some months later. Dr. Savi said that after their arrival in San Marino they established friendships, and soon the Baha'i ideas and thoughts became better known in the country. "San Marino is a special place," Dr. Savi said. "The republic was founded many years ago by a saint, someone who was also spiritually motivated," he said. "In this country, Toby gave her contribution, a contribution of ideas, which, I believe, coincide with those of the San Marino people, the defenders of freedom." The head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, bestowed on Mr. and Mrs. Payman the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah for their service in introducing the Baha'i Faith to San Marino. The couple still reside there and were honored participants at the jubilee festivities. At a celebration on 26 September 2004 attended by Baha'is from San Marino, Italy, Monaco, and the United States, a message from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of San Marino was read to the participants. Congratulations also came the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of France, Italy, and the United States and from many other Baha'i communities around the world. Later that day, the secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of San Marino, Ghitty Payman, welcomed Baha'is and guests to a concert in the Titano theatre where a prominent singer from Ghana, Ranzie Mensah, performed. Ms. Mensah, who has performed with Miriam Makeba and appeared on numerous television shows as well as entertained at international governmental events, was accompanied on the piano by Alfredo Matera and by singers Stefy Piovesan, Aurelio Pitino, and Lidia Genta Rigamonti. After she sang songs with lyrics including the words of Baha'u'llah, the audience gave her a standing ovation. A buffet dinner brought the joyous jubilee celebrations to a close. For an earlier article about the Baha'i community of San Marino, see https://news.bahai.org/story/200.

43.9363996

12.4466991

SYDNEY

Australia

Conferences stress service to others

Conferences stress service to others SYDNEY — You're never too old to serve others. To prove it, Bruce Saunders told the story of a group of people in their 60s and 70s who wanted to help in their community. "They decided to volunteer to do gardening for disabled people who can't look after their own gardens," said Mr. Saunders, speaking at a conference here entitled "Portals to Growth -- Creating Capacity for Service." "It was proof to them that at any age they could feel confident and do something great for their community," he said. That story and others were told at the 1-4 October event in Sydney that attracted 1,200 participants. It was mirrored by a sister conference, attended by some 700 people, on the same subject held 7-10 October, across the continent in Perth. The participants focused on the energy that is being unleashed through "study circles" and other core activities of Baha'i communities worldwide. "Graduates (of study circles) become wonderful volunteers because they have a deep, personal commitment to serving others," said Mr. Saunders, who is one of many tutors throughout Australia who volunteer to assist study circle participants in their self-directed training and learning. "They also develop the ability to look at a situation and realize what they can contribute, and have a positive impact, even if they know they're dealing with a problem that's too big for them to solve alone," he said. Explaining the theme of the conference, a spokesperson for the Australian Baha'i community, Yvonne Perkins, said that Baha'is worldwide have been developing activities aimed at fostering spiritual development as well as building the capacity of individuals and local communities to serve others. How to enchance children's classes was a theme of the conferences...Annette Subhani is pictured with her daughter, Nicole."There are three core activities which Baha'is offer to the wider community -- study circles, children's classes, and devotional meetings," Ms. Perkins said. "An increasing number of people are participating in these activities. They come from a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds. "More than 380 study circles are currently being conducted in Australia, about 700 devotional meetings are held regularly each month, children's classes are offered in more than 100 localities, and Baha'i classes are being held in 320 government schools," she said. With the guidance of a keynote speaker at both conferences, Dr. Farzam Arbab, participants reflected on the development of study circles. Members of study circles undertake voluntary community service, thereby learning to integrate personal spiritual development with serving others. Dr. Arbab, a member of the Universal House of Justice, said study circles build not only a sense of optimism about the future, but also empower individuals to act for positive change. The emphasis on a grassroots approach allows a great range of individual approaches and initiatives to be developed, and those that prove particularly effective can be broadened and made more widely available, Dr. Arbab said. "The spiritual needs of human beings are identical, whether we are rich or poor, educated or uneducated, literate or illiterate," he said. "In the study circles, the service component is identical no matter where you are living, or your educational background. It begins with simple tasks, such as visiting a friend or praying together, and builds up to complex acts of service as people become more confident." As well as exploring ways to expand and enhance the study circle process, the conference participants also looked at how to steadily improve Baha'i educational classes offered to children. They also looked at various ways to enhance Baha'i devotional meetings, where prayers and readings from all the major religions are combined with music and personal reflection, with the aim of building a closer relationship with God, and a deeper commitment to serving others. A popular aspect of the conferences was the emphasis placed on use of the creative arts, with individuals being encouraged to convey their understanding through song, dance, puppet shows, story telling, and live performance. Among the professional artists who entertained were singer and songwriter Grant Hindin Miller, actors Philip Hinton and Keith Sabri, and the Mana musical group. In line with the culture of individual participation permeating the Baha'i community worldwide, participants had the opportunity to join in one or more of the 123 workshops on offer. Topics for the afternoon workshops included, for example: how to develop as a teacher of children's classes starting a small service project and making it grow managing conflict including the arts in personal and community life combining second language learning with moral development ecological camps for junior youth activities involving indigenous people pathways to develop spirituality, love and service children's say on children's classes Dimity Podger, a conference organizer, said she was astonished by the breadth and diversity of presentations on various service projects and the experiences of Baha'i teachers working with study circles and children's classes. "At a time when many people feel frightened about the future, and incapable of influencing positive change, Baha'is are clearly thinking hard about how you can create a dynamic, vibrant community at the grassroots," Ms. Podger said. Betsy Ayankoya, a Baha'i from North Carolina in the United States, attended both the Sydney and Perth conferences with three friends from the US. "We're delighted, really, with what we've learned here -- it will really help us to implement what we're doing at home much better," Mrs. Ayankoya said. The conferences had parallel sessions to meet the needs of all age groups, including children, junior youth, youth, and adults. Reporting by Corinne Podger.

-33.8548157

151.2164539

ANDORRA LA VELLA

Andorra

Mountainous country marks anniversary

Mountainous country marks anniversary ANDORRA LA VELLA, Andorra — With great emotion, William Danjon Dieudonne read a prayer at celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Baha'i Faith to this country. Mr. Danjon, 80, read the prayer at jubilee festivities attended by Baha'is from Andorra, Spain, and France. Guests included representatives of Christian churches, the diplomatic corps, the Red Cross, and the media. At a conference in Stockholm in August 1953, French-born Mr. Danjon decided to answer a call from the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, to establish the Faith in countries where there were no Baha'is. When a keynote Baha'i speaker at the conference, the Hand of the Cause Dorothy Baker, asked for a Baha'i to settle in Andorra, Mr. Danjon volunteered. He left his home in Denmark and arrived in this mountainous country between France and Spain on 7 October 1953. He thereby became one of a unique group of volunteers who were responsible in just one decade (1953-1963) for more than doubling the number of countries where Baha'is were resident. For Baha'is it was important that their Faith, whose principal teaching is the oneness of humanity, could offer its teachings in as many places as possible, whether the country was large or small. Among the many countries settled by Baha'is in 1953 were Vanuatu and the Cook Islands in the Pacific, Cameroon and the Congo Republic in Africa, and Sicily in Europe. Some of the participants at the jubilee celebrations in Andorra.The head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, bestowed upon Mr. Danjon and all of the others who first established the Faith in those countries the accolade "Knight of Baha'u'llah." "To come to Andorra was the most important decision of my life," said Mr. Danjon, who remains a resident. "I liked the Andorra people from the very first and they liked me, I think." In 1954, he saw the first fruits of his decision when two residents of Andorra, Carmen Tost Xifre de Mingorance and her husband, Jose Mingorance Fernandez, joined the Faith. They remained steadfast until they passed away. Their son, Jose Mingorance Tost, is now chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Andorra. Although it was difficult initially for Mr. Danjon to obtain a job, he has since held prominent positions in the media, the public service, and the Red Cross. He continues to write articles for the media on the Baha'i Faith. For eight years, he represented the Andorra Trust Board in France, where he formally presented a book of the Tablets of Baha'u'llah to two French presidents, who, by virtue of their office, held the title of co-prince of Andorra. The jubilee celebrations took place on 17 September 2004 and included a dinner, and musical performances by Marc Pia (piano), Silvia Gil (saxophone), Sebastian Esandi (cello), and Kati Evogli (singer). Chairman of the event was the secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Andorra la Vella, Badi Daemi. The speakers were Antonio Gil of Andorra and Carmen Medina of Spain. Former members of the Andorra community, Olga Garcia and Juan Cisneros of Spain, gave a presentation about the Baha'i Faith. Prayers were said for the Baha'is of Andorra who have passed away. On the day after the celebrations, an article about the event, accompanied by a photograph, appeared in the main newspaper of the country. The Andorra community has one Local Spiritual Assembly. Like the rest of the worldwide Baha'i community, it is engaged in organizing study circles, devotional meetings, and children's classes, all of which are open to participation by the wider community.

42.5069391

1.5212467

ACRE

Israel

Holy place restored and open to pilgrims

Holy place restored and open to pilgrims ACRE, Israel — In the late 1860s, Baha'i pilgrims walked hundreds of kilometers from Persia through treacherous deserts to this ancient Mediterranean city in what is now northern Israel. Their goal was to visit Baha'u'llah, the Founder of their Faith, Who was being held in a prison citadel after His banishment to Acre by the Ottoman authorities. A victim of patently false charges, Baha'u'llah was incarcerated there with His family and some of His followers on 31 August 1868. Many of the pilgrims who sought His presence were refused entry to the walled city of Acre let alone to its citadel. Instead, they waited at the outskirts of the city hoping for even a glimpse of Him. Standing at the outer moat of the citadel, they rejoiced when they saw Baha'u'llah wave to them through a window on the floor in which He was incarcerated. Merely to gaze, however briefly, upon that majestic prophetic figure, was for those pilgrims the most important moment of their lives. Today, thousands of Baha'i pilgrims enter the very cell that Baha'u'llah occupied, now a holy place for prayer and meditation. For the past decade, however, visits to this holy place were suspended because of the need for extensive restoration and conservation work. Restoration work under way in Baha'u'llah's cell.After 15 years of negotiations, research, and planning, the restoration work began in 2003 and finished about a year later, in June 2004. Approved by government authorities keen to preserve the heritage of the site, the project was supervised and financed by the Baha'i World Centre. With the new pilgrimage season (October-July) under way, Baha'is from all over the world visit the cell as part of a nine-day pilgrimage, the main purpose of which is to pray and meditate in the Shrine of Baha'u'llah just outside Acre, and in the Shrine of the Bab in Haifa. As well as being a place of prayer and contemplation, the cell is a solemn reminder in stone that the imprisonment of Baha'u'llah holds a parallel to the injustices and sacrilegious cruelties inflicted on earlier Manifestations of God, the Holy Ones Who founded the world's great religions. The cell and its environs were where He revealed some of His best-known works, including a proclamation of His divine mission to political and religious leaders. It was there, too, that Baha'u'llah met with Badi, a young hero of the Faith who was later martyred when he traveled to Persia to present a message from Baha'u'llah to the Shah (Nasiri'd-Din Shah). From the moment of His imprisonment in Acre, this was a place of great suffering for Baha'u'llah. In June 1870, His agonies intensified when His 22-year-old son, Mirza Mihdi, fell through an unguarded skylight on to a crate below, receiving fatal injuries. A grieving Baha'u'llah revealed a prayer in which He offered up His son to God "that Thy servants may be quickened, and all that dwell on earth be united." Shortly after that tragic death, the Ottoman authorities decided the citadel was needed to house troops. Accordingly, in November 1870, after two years, two months and five days in the citadel, Baha'u'llah, His family, and followers were moved to house arrest within the walls of Acre. Protection of a holy place The citadel has since remained under the control of successive civil administrations. By the early 1990s, however, deterioration of the citadel had advanced to the point that the government of Israel decided conservation work was vital to preserve the entire structure. The site is also important to the state of Israel because of the imprisonment there of groups of Jewish activists during the years of the British Mandate. The secretary-general of the Baha'i International Community, Albert Lincoln, said detailed negotiations with the Israeli authorities were conducted about the restoration and use of the upper floor of the northwest tower, the location of Baha'u'llah's cell and associated rooms. "Ultimately, agreement was reached on a creative compromise under which the interior of the upper floor of the northwest tower would be restored to the situation that existed in 1920, and the exterior of the building to its condition in 1947," Mr. Lincoln said. The time frames allow the interior of the site to resemble its appearance during the time of Baha'u'llah and the exterior to be as it was when the Jewish activists were imprisoned there, he said. Research Before the restoration project began the Baha'i World Centre commissioned a study of the building site by the Architectural Heritage Center at the Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, the Technion, and consulted with a local authority on Ottoman architecture to ensure the historical integrity of the planned restoration. Research determined that the Ottoman citadel had been built in stages during the 18th and 19th centuries and that the northwest tower is located on top of the remains of the Hospitaller quarter of the Knights Order of St. John, a crusader structure. In the Ottoman era the citadel housed the residences of locals rulers but later was used mainly as a military barracks. The upper floor of the northwest tower of the complex where Baha'u'llah and His family were incarcerated was probably built about 1797, according to the Technion researchers. Architectural details, including some decorative panels, indicate that the rooms were intended for somebody of high rank, such as a military commander. However, at the time Baha'u'llah was confined there, the place was dilapidated. The roof had been constructed of wooden beams and rafters covered with rubble and low quality mortar. Dust and grit from the rubble rained through the rotten ceiling timbers into the rooms below. The living quarters were initially dirty and the water contaminated. Researchers, looking for descriptions of the cell and the living arrangements during the time of Baha'u'llah's incarceration, consulted contemporary reports, photographs, and accounts by Western Baha'i pilgrims who visited in the early years of the 20th century, as well as later historical records. Baha'u'llah's room in the southwest corner of the building was part of an apartment comprising six other rooms where members of His household stayed. The outer section of this area included a verandah (above which was the skylight), a kitchen, latrines, a mezzanine, and a biruni -- a room Baha'u'llah used for receiving visitors. The eastern side faced the courtyard with three open arches bounded by pairs of columns serving as balcony openings (now filled in). Other Baha'is lived elsewhere in the citadel. Later changes Researchers believe that there were no significant changes to the upper floor until the 1920s, when the British undertook major renovations, replacing the roof and much of the paving. More alterations were made in 1947 during a period when the British, who were using the citadel as a prison, made part of the upper floor into the prison infirmary. In 1947, after an escape of prisoners elsewhere in the citadel, the British authorities changed the original frames of the doorways in the upper floor from stone arches to perpendicular concrete beams, and replaced the wooden doors and partitions with steel grilles. Plans and photograph In preparing the restoration project, Baha'i experts consulted plans of the upper floor that had been made by the British administration before it undertook the alterations in the 1920s. The plans, found in local archives, documented how the floor was likely to have looked in the time of Baha'u'llah. The solution to one important question came from another source. The British had replaced the roof from which Baha'u'llah's son, Mirza Mihdi, fell to his death. The location of the skylight was not indicated in the plans found in the archives and thus its exact historical location was uncertain. The problem was solved in the 1990s with the retrieval from German aerial photographic archives in Munich of an aerial photograph taken of the citadel in 1917. The original roof, in which the skylight is clearly visible, was still in place when that photograph was taken. As part of the structural reinforcement of the building carried out by the Israeli authorities before the start of the Baha'i restoration project, a new concrete roof was cast. It incorporated the historic skylight at the location indicated by the 1917 aerial photograph. Restoration project The restoration project, planned under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice, began in 2003. Traditional materials were used to obtain as authentic a restoration as possible. For example, white plaster of the type used in the 19th century was applied in the many places where the original had peeled off. "The idea was that we didn't want to make the project look too new, but at the same time not look artificially old," said Orang Yazdani, a Baha'i specialist in conservation architecture, who managed the project. "It will look closer to what it was like in Baha'u'llah's time in five years -- as it gets older it will look more like that time," Mr. Yazdani said. The restoration work involved installing new ceilings made of katrani timber, the dense and heavy wood used by the Ottoman builders. The doorways were restored to the shape of an arch, and wooden doors in the original style were installed. Damage done by steel bars introduced by the British was remedied. In the cell of Baha'u'llah, six lighting and storage niches that had been sealed off were re-opened. The floor was restored to its original type. In Baha'u'llah's cell the windows now have horizontal bars as shown in early 20th century photographs. In the other windows the grid pattern used during the British mandate has been retained. There was yet another challenge, Mr. Yazdani said. "How do you deal with modern needs and requirements--especially safety -- in an historical building without it looking too out of place?" The solution involved using copper lanterns, discreet spot lighting, and smoke alarms tucked away. However, the cell of Baha'u'llah was exempted from such facilities owing to its sacred status. With the restoration complete, Baha'i pilgrims will now have a more accurate understanding of the circumstances surrounding Baha'u'llah's imprisonment in a place where, despite such maltreatment, He was nonetheless able to further His Faith and teachings.

32.9281731

35.0756378

APIA

Samoa

Royal welcome at jubilee gathering in Samoa

Royal welcome at jubilee gathering in Samoa APIA, Samoa — A royal welcome greeted participants at the "Waves of One Ocean" conference that marked the 50th anniversary of the Baha'i Faith in Samoa and the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Baha'i House of Worship here. The Head of State of Samoa, His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II, said he extended his greetings with "profound wonder and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father." "Many friends have joined together to help bring this precious Faith to its present stage of growth and it is always a source of great joy for me to meet Baha'is from around the world," said His Highness, who is a member of the Baha'i Faith. His Highness made a special mention of the Baha'i Temple in Samoa in his message, which was read to participants at a jubilee banquet by his daughter, Susuga To'oa Tosi Malietoa, who is also a Baha'i. "One victory stands out among the many accomplishments we are celebrating this week and that is the building of a magnificent House of Worship dedicated twenty years ago," he said. Present at the banquet, held on 22 September 2004, were acting Prime Minister Fiame Mataafa Naomi, other cabinet ministers, the chief justice, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of Christian churches. Among the 150 Baha'is present were Lilian Wyss-Ala'i, who introduced the Faith to Samoa in 1954, and Hossein Amanat, the architect of the House of Worship. The evening began with the reading of a message from the Universal House of Justice by the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Samoa, Steven Percival. The interior of the dome of the Baha'i House of Worship in Samoa. Photo by Mark Wilkie."Your nation has won the everlasting distinction of being blessed by the presence of His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II, the first reigning monarch to accept the Message of Baha'u'llah," the Universal House of Justice said. "Members of the Samoan Baha'i community have made an important contribution to the advancement of the Faith in other parts of the region and have become distinguished for their energy, devotion, and vitality," the Universal House of Justice said. Welcoming the participants on behalf of the government of Samoa, acting Prime Minister Fiame Mataafa Naomi said she acknowledged with gratitude "the continuous and unwavering service rendered by the Baha'i Faith to Samoa and its people for the last 50 years." "You have demonstrated in words and deeds that religion is the real basis of civilized life, which includes peace building, promotion of human rights, equality of men and women, education, healthcare, and sustainable development," the acting Prime Minister said. "May God continue to bless the house where mention of God hath been made, as well as the Universal House of Justice -- may His blessing be upon his Highness, the Head of State," she said. Keynote speakers at the banquet also included Han Ju Kim-Farley and her husband Robert, who both spoke on moral leadership and values-based governance. Groups and individual musicians from Samoa, Australia, the Cook Islands, Tonga, and New Zealand provided musical entertainment and the evening concluded with the graceful performance of a traditional dance by Saifale'upolu Tamasese, a Baha'i from Samoa. A concurrent event held that evening was addressed by one of the early Baha'is of Samoa, Sione Malifa, and entertained by a variety of musical groups. On the following day, more than 400 Baha'is attended a reception at the private residence of His Highness, the Malietoa. Among those present were members of the Continental Board of Counsellors Beatrice Benson and Heather Simpson, as well as representative of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Samoa, Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Tonga. A traditional gift-giving ceremony was held, and groups from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tonga performed. Mrs. Wyss-Ala'i also performed a Samoan dance. His Highness called on the performers to come forward to thank them personally. Later, members of the National Spiritual Assembly, accompanied by other members of the Baha'i community, presented traditional gifts to the government of Samoa represented by acting Prime Minister Fiame Naomi and other cabinet ministers, including Health Minister Siafausa Mulitalo Vui, who thanked the Baha'is for their contributions to the country. During a visit to the House of Worship at Tiapapata that same day, Baha'is from the Samoan islands of Savai'i and Upolu performed songs and dances that depicted the arrival of the Faith, the dedication of the Temple, and aspects of the Baha'i teachings. Among gifts presented on that occasion was a traditional tapa cloth given by the Tongan Baha'is to Mrs. Wyss-Ala'i in memory of her late husband, Suhayl Ala'i, who served with great distinction in the region as a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors. The Baha'is then visited the gravesites, located on the Temple property, of Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giachery and Mr. Ala'i. They also visited the Baha'i cemetery and the Baha'i Montessori school. At the official opening ceremony of the conference, held 22-26 September 2004, the chairman of the National Spiritual, Assembly Titi Nofoagatoto'a, introduced Mrs. Wyss-Alai to some 600 Baha'i participants from 21 countries. Mrs. Wyss-Ala'i was one of six of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand to answer the call in 1953 from the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, to take the Faith to countries where there were no Baha'is. Then single and aged 24, she arrived in Apia, Samoa in 1954. Her brother, Frank, introduced the Faith that year to the Cocos Island. For their service, Shoghi Effendi awarded both of them the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah. It was a rare event that two members of one family received such a high honor. Mrs. Wyss-Ala'i, who continues to reside in American Samoa, delivered an emotionally moving address to the conference during which she read the names of the 24 Knights of Baha'u'llah, 15 of them women, who took the faith to the Pacific Islands. She spoke of her admiration for the Samoan people, told historical anecdotes, and described visits by Hands of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery, Abu'l Qasim Faizi, and Enoch Olinga. During the past 50 years the Samoan Baha'i community has welcomed other distinguished Baha'i guests, among them Hands of the Cause of God Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, Collis Featherstone, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, John Robarts, and William Sears. Once the only Baha'i in Samoa, Mrs. Wyss-Ala'i is a member of a Baha'i community that now includes 29 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The following day, the prime minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who was on official business at the United Nations in New York, sent a congratulatory message to the conference in which he said: "May God bless you all and may you have a most successful celebration...." Participants in a session about Baha'i history heard addresses by members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Beatrice Benson, Heather Simpson, and Fereidoun Yazdani, all of whom later participated in discussions about the continuing expansion of the faith. A devotional service dedicated to those Baha'i who brought the Faith to the Pacific was held at the Temple and featured choirs from Samoa, American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. The architect of the House of Worship in Samoa, Mr. Amanat, delivered an address in the basement hall of the Temple. The participants accepted an invitation by a member of one of the royal families of Samoa to Afeafe o Vaetoefaga, a place of historical and mythological significance. "It is against this background of history that I formally associate my family with the 50th celebration of Baha'i in Samoa," said Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese, a former prime minister, and the cousin of Saialala Tamasese, one of the first local Baha'is. That evening Samoan Baha'i youth dedicated a dramatic performance to the Baha'is of Iran, who have been suffering severe persecution for some 25 years. Other local and visiting groups also gave performances. On 27 September many conference participants attended a joyous picnic at a local beach. The festivities and conference received extensive coverage by national television, radio, and Samoan newspapers, published locally and abroad. Baha'is in Samoa have made significant contributions to the well-being of the Samoan people. There are five Baha'i pre-schools in Samoa -- two in Savai'i and three on Upolu. Members of the Baha'i community have been active in human rights education and have also produced a television cooking show promoting nutritional recipes. (This story includes a slide show. See icon above.) (Jubilee photos by Sitarih Ala'i, Pouya Ehsani, Hylton Grigor, Steven Percival, John Walker.)

-13.8343691

-171.7692793

SAN ANTONIO

United States

Standing up for justice and truth

Standing up for justice and truth SAN ANTONIO — When she was just a girl, Elsie Austin (1908-2004) bravely stood up for justice and truth, and she never stopped doing so throughout her long life. One of only two African-American children in her Cincinnati classroom, Elsie pointed out errors in a textbook that denigrated the role of Africans in world history. Elsie then told her class about the many contributions made by Africans in producing works of great beauty from bronze, gold, and ivory. "There was an electric silence," she said many years later. She recalled that her teacher had then agreed with her and described to the class the contributions made to the world by African-Americans. Elsie Austin gained her initial motivation to stand up for principle from the example and teachings of her brave forebears such as her great-grandmother, who refused to be intimidated by the racist terror perpetrated against her by the Ku Klux Klan in her home state of Alabama. After Dr. Austin became a Baha'i in 1934, she gained life-transforming inspiration from accounts of the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha. She was confirmed in her Baha'i attitudes and beliefs by Hands of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker and Louis Gregory, an African-American. In a 1998 lecture Dr. Austin said that Baha'is constitute a unique world community, one that is operating in every part of the world where there is tension, violence, and hatred. Elsie Austin (wearing coat and holding frame, seated center) with women attending the first Baha'i Convention in Tunis, Tunisia. 1956."We are making a serious effort to pry human beings away from their alienating traditions, their comfortable ignorance, and their prejudice -- but we must try harder." Dr. Austin never wavered in her own resolve to try harder, but rather redoubled her efforts over the decades. The service rendered to humanity by Dr. Austin was so distinguished that, after her death in October 2004, the Universal House of Justice advised the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States to hold memorial gatherings throughout the Baha'i community in the United States and in the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. That event will be held on 11 December 2004. Another such gathering will be held in the Baha'i House of Worship in Uganda. Describing her as a "dearly loved, keen-sighted, stalwart promoter and defender of the Cause of God," the Universal House of Justice said "the shining example of her sacrificial life will remain a source of inspiration to her fellow believers for generations to come." Dr. Austin met the head of the faith, Shoghi Effendi, while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1953, and shortly afterwards earned the accolade from him of Knight of Baha'u'llah for introducing the Baha'i Faith to Morocco. She was a member of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of the United States (1946-53) and North and West Africa (1953-58), and of Local Spiritual Assemblies in five countries -- the United States, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and the Bahamas. She was one of the first members of the Auxiliary Board, assisting the Hand of the Cause of God Musa Banani in that role for four years. She also served at the Baha'i World Centre in the Holy Land. Dr. Austin recorded a series of firsts in the secular community. She was the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Cincinnati's College of Law and the first to be appointed assistant attorney-general of the State of Ohio. After a legal career with several federal government agencies, she spent a decade in Africa as a Foreign Service officer, working in cultural and educational programs sponsored by the United States Information Agency, and initiating the first women's activities program of that organization in Africa. Dr. Austin participated in many international women's conferences, including the 1975 International Women's Conference in Mexico City where she chaired the Baha'i delegation. In such roles, as in her daily life, her natural dignity and grace, and her down-to-earth attitude won the hearts of those with whom she came into contact. Citing her determination, independence, honor, and justice, her longtime friend, Lecille Webster referred to her love of fine dining and her sense of humor. During one address Dr. Austin said, "I have shortened this talk, lest it become like the mercy of God in that it endures forever and passes all understanding." And in a resume, Dr. Austin described her hobbies: "Reading, writing, theater and anything else which stimulates the mind and does not involve drastic exercise." Dr. Austin won a string of awards, including two honorary doctorates. A scholarship for law students from minority groups was named after her, and she served as national president of Delta Sigma Theta, a prestigious national US public service sorority. Her writings appeared in legal journals as well as in Baha'i magazines. One of her articles, later produced as a pamphlet, was about her mentor, Louis Gregory. More than seven decades after she stood up for the truth in her classroom, Dr. Austin delivered a lecture in which she said that there are times when it is necessary to protest, not violently but with the courage to reject the false and the unjust. "If we go about it with faith, with intelligent protest, standing up and demonstrating what the right attitude and motivation is for human progress, we can cause progress," she said. "After all, the battle we face is essentially a spiritual battle to transform the souls and spirits of human beings, to empower them to express love and justice, and to develop a unity of conscience."

29.4246002

-98.4951405

TAINAN

Taiwan

Attractive center holds fond memories

Attractive center holds fond memories TAINAN, Taiwan — A Western-style villa with an oriental flavor and a beautiful garden attracts the attention of passers-by here but its significance is much more than that of a tourist attraction. Originally the home of prominent early members of the Baha'i Faith in this former capital of Taiwan, the building now serves as the center for a thriving Baha'i community here. A joyous event held 22-24 October 2004 marked the 50th anniversary of the arrival in Taiwan of Suleiman and Ridvaniyyih Suleimani, a Persian married couple who heeded the call for volunteers to move to the island to support the fledgling Baha'i community here. The Suleimanis arrived on 22 October 1954 when there were only 10 Baha'is on the island. They remained in Taiwan for the rest of their lives, stalwart members of the Baha'i community. Following in their footsteps over the decades Baha'is came from a range of countries to help local members of the Faith establish the Taiwanese Baha'i community. When the Suleimanis passed away, they bequeathed their home to the Faith. A spokesperson for the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Taiwan, Thomas Lee, said the Suleimanis gave their life, their time, and their property to the Baha'i community. "They came to meet a goal, they stayed to live their life, and they died in their post-these are truly pioneers," Mr. Lee said. Participants in a Baha'i children's class, Taiwan, 1988.On 21 October 2004, a group of Baha'is held a prayer gathering at the port of Keelung, where the Suleimanis first arrived. The next day more than 100 Baha'is from Taiwan, as well as guests from the United States, attended a morning devotional meeting at the Baha'i center where prayers and selections from the Baha'i writings were read, chanted, and sung. Musicians played the flute, guitar, and piano. The afternoon session included reading of congratulatory messages from the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'is of Canada, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and the United States. A representative of the city's mayoral office also attended to convey greetings to the participants. A video presentation featured excerpts from the diary kept by Mr. Suleimani. His great niece, Touran Javid, and her husband Farhang, also addressed the gathering. Then some Taiwanese Baha'is who remembered the pioneering couple shared stories and fond reminiscences. A special touch was the provision of banana bread baked to a recipe of Mrs. Suleimani, a treat greatly appreciated by Baha'is in Taiwan throughout the years. After a feast including Persian as well as Chinese dishes, there was a family fun night characterized by music, singing, dancing, stories, and laughter. The next morning Baha'is gathered for prayers at the hilltop gravesite of Mr. and Mrs. Suleimani, who passed away in 1987 and 1981 respectively. Many Taiwanese Baha'is were involved in the planning, preparation, cleaning, cooking, and other contributions to the anniversary events, Mr. Lee said. "Unity was one of the key factors in making this event a success," he said. The Taiwanese Baha'i community organizes 20 regular children's classes, attracting some 200 children. They also organize study circles and devotional meetings open to the general public. Some 200 primary school children attend their moral education classes, a social and economic project of the Taiwanese Baha'i community.

22.9912348

120.184982

NEW YORK

United States

UN expresses concern about Iran's Baha'is

UN expresses concern about Iran's Baha'is NEW YORK — For the 17th time since 1985, the United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution expressing "serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, making specific mention of the ongoing persecution of the Baha'i community there. The resolution, introduced by Canada, passed by a vote of 71 to 54 on 20 December 2004. It called on Iran to "eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds" and took note of the recent upsurge of human rights violations against the Baha'is of Iran. Specifically, the resolution noted the "continuing discrimination against persons belonging to minorities, including Christians, Jews, and Sunnis, and the increased discrimination against the Baha'is, including cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, the denial of free worship or of publicly carrying out communal affairs, the disregard of property rights, the destruction of sites of religious importance, the suspension of social, educational, and community-related activities, and the denial of access to higher education, employment, pensions, and other benefits." Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, said that the worldwide Baha'i community is thankful for the support of the international community of nations. "As noted by the resolution, the situation for Baha'is has been worsening this year, and expressions of concern by the international community such as this remain the chief means of protection for Iran's beleaguered Baha'i community," said Ms. Dugal.

40.7127281

-74.0060152

MILL BAY

Canada

Teacher appreciation days held in Canada and Australia

Teacher appreciation days held in Canada and Australia MILL BAY, Canada — Baha'i communities across Canada and Australia paid respect to the teaching profession at events that marked World Teachers' Day. The role of the educator is given prime importance in the Baha'i Faith, and Baha'i communities in various countries have been active supporters of the occasion, which was initiated by UNESCO in 1993 and is observed internationally in October. In Mill Bay, British Columbia, Canada, teachers at five schools received a framed quotation from the Baha'i writings that indicate the importance of teachers: "The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind." Baha'is also presented the teachers with gifts of homemade fudge and plant arrangements. Across the country, the Baha'is of Richmond Hill, Ontario organized a teacher appreciation event on 23 October 2004 that included a dinner and show at a local community center. "Our teachers don't have lucrative corporate bonuses, commissions, or large salaries," said Bahador Derakhshani, one of the organizers. "Yet their work is so critical in shaping the minds and soul of every future mother, father, doctor, lawyer, engineer, executive." The dance academy of a nearby Baha'i-inspired school in Stratford, Ontario, Nancy Campbell Collegiate, performed dances that depicted topics such as unity and the elimination of racial and social prejudice. Australian national Baha'i education officer Kath Podger (front left), Victorian state parliamentary secretary for education Liz Beattie (front right), with participants at the appreciation event in Manningham.The principal of the school, Cora McNamara, addressed the gathering on the importance of the role of teachers. Organizers of teacher appreciation events in Australia reported some teachers saying that it was the first time in their careers that they had received such recognition and appreciation for their efforts. Events were held in Australia, in such places as Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Hobart, and Perth. In Melbourne, teachers, school principals, a local mayor, and members of parliament gathered at a dinner and presentation ceremony for teachers. The Victorian state parliamentary secretary for education, Liz Beattie, was the keynote speaker for the evening. "I commend the Manningham Baha'i community for hosting this dinner to pay tribute to teachers," Mrs. Beattie said. "They are not always given the generosity and the credit that they deserve," she said. Mrs. Beattie encouraged the audience to reflect on the effect that their own teachers had made on their lives. "It is important that as a community we acknowledge not only the dedication of teachers but also their professionalism," she said. National Baha'i education officer Kath Podger also addressed the gathering. "The Baha'i Faith teaches that our true reality is spiritual, rather than physical and that one of the attributes of man is his nobility," said Ms. Podger, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia. Referring to the responsibility of educators in light of this understanding, she said it is their responsibility to "assist the child to develop and take ownership for their own spiritual progress." Mrs. Beattie presented six school principals with books for the school library and 80 schoolteachers with certificates of appreciation. Ms. Podger presented certificates of appreciation to 15 volunteer teachers of Baha'i children's classes. The certificates included the quote from the Baha'i writings that Mrs. Beattie had referred to in her speech: "The education of children is as the work of a loving gardener who tends his young plants in the flowering fields. The question of goodly character is of first importance." Australian Baha'is also organized morning teas, dinners, and presentations at school assemblies. In the weeks leading up to teacher appreciation events in Australia, children attending Baha'i religious education classes in government schools and after school Baha'i education classes, showed appreciation to their teachers for the contribution they made to their lives.

48.651057

-123.556366

BUJUMBURA

Burundi

Spiritual solace in a recovering land

Spiritual solace in a recovering land BUJUMBURA, Burundi — In a country that has endured many years of harrowing conflicts, members of the Baha'i community have found an occasion to celebrate. The golden jubilee of the establishment of the Faith in the country was a time to reflect on principles of unity that show a way out of the difficulties that have saddened Burundi in recent times. The country has suffered terribly from the sustained violence that erupted in 1993. Baha'is have been among those killed during the fighting, and many others have fled to neighboring countries. The community suffered in other ways, such as the destruction of regional Baha'i centers in Bubanza, Carama, and Cibitoke. Despite the difficulties, the Baha'is of Burundi have been active in organizing prayer gatherings, children's classes, and study circles. They have opened these activities to the wider public, providing participants with spiritual solace, a respite from their sorrows, and a vision of a united, peaceful future. In a message to the Baha'is of Burundi on the occasion of the jubilee, the Universal House of Justice expressed its wish that "this historic gathering may be a source of inspiration to the friends as they endeavor to further advance the Cause of God in Burundi." Other congratulatory messages arrived from a former member of the Universal House of Justice, Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, and his wife, Violette, and from the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa. Mary Collison (1892-1970), a Knight of Baha'u'llah to Ruanda-Urundi (now the independent countries of Rwanda and Burundi).During the celebrations, held at the national Baha'i center in Nyakabiga, Bujumbura, on 27-28 August 2004, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, Ahmad Parsa, spoke about the important role the Burundi Baha'i community has played in this region. "Despite all the difficulties in Burundi, the Baha'is could keep their ideals and continue working for all the people of the country without any distinction," Mr. Parsa said. "People are often looking for material assistance that will help the country to come out of its problems," he said. "In reality the biggest need is education to a new and spiritual mentality that will assist the people to understand that they are members of the same family -- this is what the Baha'is have done and are doing in Burundi," he said. Mr. Parsa said many residents of Burundi who were originally from Rwanda and the Congo region became Baha'is in Burundi and then returned to their homelands where they have contributed to the Baha'i communities and wider societies there. The jubilee gathering was a time to hear about the history of the Faith in the country. The Faith came to Burundi in 1953 when Mary and Reginald (Rex) Collison from the United States and Dunduzu Chisiza, a young Baha'i from Malawi (then Nyasaland), arrived in Ruanda-Urundi (now the independent countries of Rwanda and Burundi). The Collisons, a retired couple, had previously rendered many services in their Baha'i community in New York, through extensive travels in the United States, and in Uganda. Mr. Chisiza was their interpreter in Ruanda-Urundi. Government policies required the Collisons and Mr. Chisiza to leave the country some 18 months after their arrival but by the time of their departure, there were about 20 Baha'is in the country. The first person to accept the Baha'i teachings there was Selemani Bin Kimbulu, of Congolese origin from Bukavu. For establishing the Baha'i community in Ruanda-Urundi, the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, awarded Mr. and Mrs. Collison and Mr. Chisiza the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah. At the jubilee celebrations, one of the first Baha'is of Burundi, Fidele Simwakira, 75, spoke about his recollections of the early days of the Faith in the country. Mr. Bin Kimbulu, the county's first Baha'i, who now lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was unable to attend the festivities because the border was closed. However, his grandson, Sylvestre Kitenge, was present as a member of the choir that entertained jubilee participants. Others who addressed the jubilee gathering about the history of the community were Zuruzuru Ezekiel, Barbara and David Sunstrum, and Jean Baptiste Habimana. Jubilee participants also enjoyed some artistic presentations. A member of the Baha'i community recited some of his poetry on peace and presented a sketch about the principle of unity, and a group from Kinama performed traditional dances.

-3.3638125

29.3675028

NEW DELHI

India

Distinguished visitors praise Baha'i Temple

Distinguished visitors praise Baha'i Temple NEW DELHI, India — Prominent international visitors to the Baha'i House of Worship here recently expressed their admiration of the Temple that attracts more than three and a half million visitors each year. Crown Princess Margareta of Romania and her husband, Prince Radu von Hohenzollern-Veringen, attended a prayer service at the Temple on 14 November 2004. On 13 December 2004 the First Lady of the Slovak Republic, Silvia Gasparovicova, attended a similar service at the House of Worship. Princess Margareta and her husband were welcomed at the House of Worship by the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India, Farida Vahedi, and by the architect of the Temple, Fariborz Sahba, who explained features of the building. The couple was accompanied on their visit by the ambassador of Romania to India, Vasile Sofineti, and Mrs. Sofineti. Following a service, which included prayers from some of the major religions, the guests proceeded to the nearby information center where they viewed an exhibition about the Baha'i Faith. More than 3.5 million people a year visit the Baha'i House of Worship in India, making it one of the most visited buildings in the world. Photo by Nikolai Werner.The Princess expressed delight at finding on display photographs of her great-grand-mother, Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938), who was the first monarch to become a Baha'i. The exhibit also included the letter of Queen Marie addressed to Shoghi Effendi, the then head of the Faith, in which she declared her belief in the Baha'i teachings. Afterwards the Princess wrote in the visitors' book that her visit had been an "uplifting and moving experience" and that it made "the connection between generations, like a rainbow of hope, affection and peace, love, and faith." "To see here the photographs of my great-grandmother, Queen Marie of Romania, and to feel her spirit is a blessing," she wrote. A month later, the First Lady of the Slovak Republic, Silvia Gasparovicova, was greeted upon her arrival at the Temple by a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Asia, Zena Sorabjee. Ms. Gasparovicova attended a prayer service at the House of Worship accompanied by the wife of the ambassador of the Slovak Republic to India, Edita Ilascik, and the wife of the ambassador of India to the Slovak Republic, Radhika Lokesh. The First Lady later wrote in the visitors' book, remarking on the "very beautiful and wonderful atmosphere in this religious building." Among many other prominent visitors to the Temple, which was opened in 1986, have been the president of India, the prime ministers of Norway and Sri Lanka, the president of Iceland, the vice-president of Uruguay, and the Dalai Lama. Known in India as the Lotus Temple, it is one of the most visited buildings in the world and has won numerous architectural and engineering awards. It is designed in the shape of a lotus flower, which is beloved in India as a symbol of purity and tenderness -- and of God's Messengers. The Temple is one of seven Baha'i Houses of Worship in the world. The others are in Australia, Germany, Panama, Uganda, the United States, and Samoa. Another is to be built in Chile. Each temple has its own distinctive design that incorporates common elements such as a dome and nine entrances, which are symbolic both of the great religions through which humans have gained knowledge of God and of the diversity of the human race and its essential oneness. (For more information on the Lotus Temple see https://news.bahai.org/story/89/)

28.6138954

77.2090057

HAIFA

Israel

By-election for two members of Universal House of Justice

By-election for two members of Universal House of Justice HAIFA, Israel — In a letter dispatched to all National Spiritual Assemblies, the Universal House of Justice announced its approval of requests by two of its members, Mr Douglas Martin and Mr Ian Semple, for permission to relinquish their membership on the Body owing to considerations of age and the related needs of the Faith. They will continue to serve on the House of Justice until a by-election to replace them is completed. The results of the by-election will be announced at Naw-Ruz (21 March 2005).

32.8191218

34.9983856

BANJUL

The Gambia

Two reasons for festivities

Two reasons for festivities BANJUL, The Gambia — The Baha'i community of this West African country had a double reason to celebrate last month. The first was the opening of a new national Baha'i center in the coastal town of Bakau, about 10 km from the capital. The second reason for celebration was the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the Baha'i Faith to the country. The consecutive festivities were held 24-26 December 2004. Among the more than 200 people attending the opening and dedication ceremony of the national center, held on 24 December 2004, were representatives of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Muslim communities. Also present were the nation's solicitor-general, Raymond Sock, and Mrs. Sock; the headman (Alkalo) of Bakau, Alhaji Luntung Jaiteh; a representative of the local mayor of Kanifing municipality; business people; and other dignitaries. Baha'i participants came not only from The Gambia -- including remote areas -- but also from neighboring Senegal and from Mali, Mauritania, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau, as well as other countries in Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia. Eleven members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors attended part or all of the festivities. An uplifting performance by the Dakar Baha'i choir opened the dedication ceremony, followed by the reading of messages from the National Spiritual Assembly and other Baha'i institutions and individuals around the world. Precious gifts from the beleaguered Baha'i community in Iran were presented and gratefully received. The keynote speaker, Wendi Momen, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom, told the gathering that the Baha'i Faith was centered on a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all people and all countries. Residents of the village of new Yundun in The Gambia with visiting Baha'is from Canada and the United States, who were contributing to children's classes and literacy classes. 1993."Baha'is believe that by developing our spiritual nature, by acquiring those virtues and personal values that are truly reflections of the divine -- individuals are better placed to work with others to create communities and a world that is peaceful, just, prosperous, and united," said Dr. Momen, who first came to The Gambia in 1976 as a doctoral researcher. The ceremony continued with a performance by Les Etincelles, a Baha'i dance troupe from Dakar. That was followed by displays of books and historical photographs and then a celebratory dinner. The center will provide a venue for administrative and devotional meetings, study circles, children's classes, and social and economic development programs, such as free computer lessons for the public. The program for the jubilee celebrations, which began on 25 December 2004, opened with performances on the balafon (African xylophone). The history of the Faith in The Gambia was told in both the Wolof and English languages. Then the Gambian Baha'i choir, The Nightingales of Gambia, made a dramatic entrance to the venue complete with drumming and songs. The story of the introduction of the Baha'i Faith to The Gambia, by Fariborz Ruzbehyan, came from his grandson, Iraj Sarvian, who traveled to The Gambia from the United States for the jubilee celebrations. Mr. Ruzbehyan arrived in The Gambia on 19 February 1954. For that service, Shoghi Effendi bestowed upon him the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah. Shortly after his arrival, suffering greatly from asthma and fever, Mr. Ruzbehyan had to be admitted to a hospital but his seeming misfortune turned into delight when he was able to introduce the Faith to a fellow patient, Nelson Ethan Thomas, who soon became the first indigenous Baha'i. During his two years in The Gambia, Mr. Ruzbehyan saw 300 people accept the Baha'i teachings, and he helped with the elections of six Local Spiritual Assemblies. He returned briefly in 1957 and purchased a house in Serkeunda to serve as a Baha'i center. Other historical accounts at the festivities came from Baha'is who had left other countries to settle in The Gambia, and from Baha'is who had visited as travelling teachers of the Faith. They recalled the dedicated service of many Baha'is who had since died, and also recounted many anecdotes of their experiences. Among the Baha'is recalled with great affection was a dedicated pioneer from Ghana, Yaw Asare, who served on the National Spiritual Assembly and passed away in a tragic accident in 1992. The first Gambian woman to be elected to the National Spiritual Assembly, Ramatoulie Dem, was warmly remembered by her granddaughter and namesake. Others who were spoken of with great admiration included Baha'i teachers and administrators Shala Ardekani-Neyestani, Muhammad Djalali, Rose Camara, and Inayatullah Fananapazir. Stories were also told of the inspiring visits of Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani and other Hands of the Cause of God, including Musa Banani, Enoch Olinga and Rahmatullah Muhajir. The program on 26 December 2004 began with the reciting of prayers and verses by Baha'i children from Lamin Village. The keynote speaker, prominent Baha'i author Moojan Momen, who had served the Faith in The Gambia as a youth in 1968, addressed the participants. "In the past, revolutions and social upheavals really only changed the few people at the top and left the masses at the bottom," Dr. Momen said. "In this day, a truly extraordinary change enunciated by Baha'u'llah is in the process of being realized. This change puts the affairs of the people in the hands of the people. "It is an empowerment that requires great changes in the traditions, thinking, and acting of the people. It is not something that will occur suddenly; rather it is a gradual but inevitable process." Members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Beatrice Asare of Ghana and Tessema Asfaw of Ethiopia, also addressed the gathering. The joyous celebrations concluded with a picnic at Sanyang Beach.

13.4410165

-16.56275092072591

EDINBURGH

Scotland

History springs to life on Scottish stage

History springs to life on Scottish stage EDINBURGH, Scotland — Episodes from the early history of the Baha'i Faith in the West came to life through dramatic performances here this month. In the drawing room of an historic Edinburgh house once visited by Abdu'l-Baha, actor Sarah Munro played a housemaid recounting the experience of meeting Him. The performance was part of a weekend of events that set in motion a process to acquire a new Baha'i center in the city as a venue for a wide range of activities, including the reception of distinguished visitors. Edinburgh's significance as a capital city has increased since the re-establishment in 1999 of the Scottish Parliament after an interval of almost 300 years. The Universal House of Justice recently called for the establishment of a new center to replace the existing one, which is no longer suitable for the growing needs of the community. An open weekend on 8-9 January 2005 attracted more than 250 visitors who journeyed to the Scottish capital for a weekend hosted by the local Baha'i community. The program featured performances, tours, displays, and information on the proposed new center. The weekend's events coincided with the 92nd anniversary of the visit in 1913 by Abdu'l-Baha, Who was the leader of the Baha'i Faith from the death in 1892 of His father, the Faith's Founder, Baha'u'llah, until His own passing in 1921. 'Abdu'l-Baha, then 68 years of age, had traveled to Edinburgh at the invitation of Jane Whyte, a prominent society figure in turn-of-the-century Scotland. Her husband, the Reverend Dr. Alexander Whyte was a leading figure in the Free Church of Scotland who had a broad-minded approach to religion and a desire to overcome sectarianism in the church. Mrs. Whyte had visited 'Abdu'l-Baha with a Baha'i friend in 1905, when He was still a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire in the Holy Land. In Edinburgh's St. George's West Church, where Dr. Alexander Whyte once preached, viola player Carolyn Sparey-Fox entertained participants in the events marking the anniversary of the 1913 visit of Abdu'l-Baha.On her return to Scotland, Mrs. Whyte told many groups and societies about the Baha'i teachings and hosted the first Baha'i meetings in Scotland in her own home. With the Young Turk Revolution in 1908, 'Abdu'l-Baha was freed after more than 50 years of exile and imprisonment, and so could travel to the West to proclaim His father's teachings. 'Abdu'l-Baha arrived in Edinburgh on 6 January 1913 and stayed at the Whytes' residence at 7 Charlotte Square. He told a gathering there of prominent women that they must educate and prepare themselves for great responsibility in the years to come. During the anniversary of His stay, visitors were taken in groups to the house that had been the Whytes' residence. The house is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is preserved as a fine example of a family home from the Georgian era. Normally closed to the public during the winter months, the Trust opened the house for the Baha'i visitors during the weekend -- and its own staff was on hand as guides. On display in its rooms were precious archival items including clothing and documents belonging to 'Abdu'l-Baha that had been loaned by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom. Among other highlights of the weekend was a performance by a Baha'i choir in the High Kirk of St Giles where 'Abdu'l-Baha had attended a performance of Handel's oratorio Messiah, held in aid of the city's poor. For singer Maureen Hunter-Merrick, a Baha'i from Edinburgh, the performance was the spiritual highpoint of the weekend. "We were all very moved at being able to sing in the cathedral where Abdu'l-Baha had been," she said. "We chose a selection of traditional songs, prayers in the Gaelic language and modern settings of Baha'i writings to try to capture the history and special nature of the place and 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit." A Scottish cultural evening attracted more than 100 Baha'is and their friends, who enjoyed a traditional ceilidh band and folk dancing. The open weekend ended with a program held at the Freemason's Hall in George Street where 'Abdu'l-Baha had addressed a gathering of Esperantists. The guests enjoyed a program of prayers and music, reflections by scholar Moojan Momen on the significance of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit, and presentations on the fundraising campaign to acquire the new center. Baha'is throughout the United Kingdom have been organizing fund-raising events to finance the project. Baha'is do not accept financial donations from outside of the community's own membership. "There is a strong awareness of the significance of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit here," said John Parris, a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Edinburgh, which will own the new center. "The Baha'is here are very enthusiastic about this project, and the possibility of being able to to carry forward the train of events which was set in motion during His visit," Dr. Parris said. (Report and photographs by Robert Weinberg.)

55.9533456

-3.1883749

KIGALI

Rwanda

Thriving community builds social unity

Thriving community builds social unity KIGALI, Rwanda — The jubilee festivities here were a major victory in the history of the Rwandan Baha'i community, a speaker told the participants at the celebrations. Uzziel Mihembezo, one of the early Baha'is of Rwanda, said that the event was proof that despite the genocide in 1994, the Baha'i community continues to grow. Many Baha'is were among the 800,000 to perish during the violence, and many fled the country. However, the community is thriving, with 28 Local Spiritual Assemblies and Baha'is living in 106 localities. In a congratulatory message to the Rwandan Baha'is on the occasion of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the Universal House of Justice wrote: "We cannot help but marvel at the progress the Cause of God has made in that land and express our humble gratitude to Baha'u'llah for bestowing His healing Message upon the sorely tried peoples of that country." One of the speakers at the festivities was a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, Ahmad Parsa. "It is a great pleasure that many principles of the Baha'i Faith have been adopted by Rwandans in their struggle to recover from what happened in 1994," Mr. Parsa said. Through moral and spiritual principles people can learn to avoid dissension and disunity and to create friendship and love, he said. Some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rwanda at the Baha'i International Convention, Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1998.The official guest speaker at the festivities, Ndigabo Francois, a government official of Nyagisagara, praised the Baha'i community for its efforts to build unity and understanding between Rwandans of different ethnic background. Those efforts include a statement in March 2000 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rwanda to the National Commission for Unity and Reconciliation in which the Assembly urged that consideration be given to making the principle of the oneness of humanity the basis for reconciliation in the country. "Baha'is believe that humankind has always constituted one species, but that prejudice, ignorance, power seeking, and egotism have prevented many people from recognizing and accepting this oneness," the National Spiritual Assembly wrote. The jubilee celebrations began on 11 December 2004 in Kigali and continued the following day in the village of Nyagisagara, 100 kilometers from the capital city. The 450 participants at the jubilee celebrations came from different regions of Rwanda, as well as from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe. Journalists from eight newspapers and magazines and from the Rwanda National Radio and Radio Flash FM covered the event. The three main newspapers in the country -- one in French, one in English and one in Kinyarwanda -- published articles about the jubilee. Baha'i choirs and dance troupes from Cyangugu, Gatenga, Goma, and Kigali performed traditional and modern dances prompting the joyous participants to join them on the stage. During the event, master of ceremonies Jean Baptiste Habimana, a member of the Auxiliary Board, described the current activities of the Rwandan Baha'i community, emphasizing the regular children's classes, prayer gatherings, and study circles, all of which are open to the public. In the Kigali region, for example, there are now eight children's classes, 13 prayer gatherings, and 20 study circles. Among those recounting stories to the gathering about the early days of the Baha'i community were Kitoko Mangili, now the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, Uzziel Mihembezo, and Isaac Ngwijebose. Frequently mentioned in such reminiscences were the first Rwandan Baha'i, the late Alphonse Semanyenzi, and a medical doctor, Dr. Ataollah Taaid, who came with his wife, Zahereh, to assist in the development of the Baha'i community. After becoming a Baha'i, Mr. Semanyenzi worked at Dr. Taaid's clinic in Kigali. In 1972 he was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rwanda. He also served as an interpreter during the visits in 1972 and 1973 by Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, a Hand of the Cause of God. Mr. Semanyenzi's brother, Higiro Anastase, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rwanda, told the participants about the time when the Taaid family first arrived in Rwanda in 1966. Mr. Anastase said that while Dr. Taaid worked at the clinic, his wife, Zahareh, traveled the country to tell villagers about the Baha'i teachings. (Dr. and Mrs. Taaid, who now live in Belgium, were unable to attend the jubilee.) The message of the Baha'i Faith was introduced to Rwanda (formerly part of Ruanda-Urundi) in 1953 by Mary Collison and Reginald (Rex) Collison, a retired couple from the United States, and Dunduzu Chisiza, a young Baha'i, from Malawi (then Nyasaland). For this service Mr. and Mrs. Collison and Mr. Chisiza received the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith Shoghi Effendi.

-1.950851

30.061507

EVANSTON

ILLINOIS

United States

Magazine wins design award

Magazine wins design award EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, United States — A magazine published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States has received an international award for best journal design. "World Order" received the award from the Council of Editors of Learned Journals (CELJ) in recognition of new designs for its cover and interior that convey the magazine's multidisciplinary nature and its relevance to the twenty-first century. The CELJ, whose membership is comprised of more than 450 journal editors, is a major international organization dedicated to appraising academic journals in the humanities. "World Order" managing editor Betty Fisher said the magazine, which has been published since 1966 and has an international readership, is devoted to consideration of the spiritual, moral, cultural, and social challenges confronting world society at a time when humanity must recognize its oneness and establish a global, just civilization. "Through this new design, the editorial board hoped to convey a multidisciplinary approach to life, as well as a commitment to social engagement, open-mindedness, and intellectual curiosity," Dr. Fisher said. "We wanted the design to reflect a publication that is thought-provoking but exciting, serious but engaging, innovative but accessible." The cover of "World Order" Volume 35, Number 2.In creating a new cover for the magazine, designer Richard Doering chose a mix of classic and progressive elements to convey a sense of stability and timelessness and included the words "religion, society, polity, arts" to emphasize the magazine's wide focus. The page design was developed by Patrick Falso of Allegro Design, Inc., who has worked with "World Order" since 1991. CELJ Vice-President Jana Argersinger said the judges found that "World Order" had retained aspects of its original design that gave it a distinctive look -- such as the full-bleed photos that open each article -- and at the same time introduced improvements that lend it "a more dynamic feeling in keeping with its multifaceted editorial purview." The judges also commended the new single-column format, which allows for "the graceful placement of asymmetrical pull quotes," and the upgraded paper and printing quality, which "add to the crispness of the whole package," Dr. Argersinger said. "'World Order's' new incarnation is the outstanding entrant in this year's contest for journals that have launched a new design over the last three years," she said. The award, presented in Philadelphia on 27 December 2004, was accepted by Dr. Fisher and Mr. Doering on behalf of the design and editorial staff. "World Order" has published articles, editorials, and reviews on race and racism, the equality of men and women, human rights, the environment, the United Nations, spiritual approaches to economic problems, and interfaith dialogue. It also has a reputation for publishing poetry and photographs of high artistic merit. Dr. Fisher said that although "World Order" is intended to provide a Baha'i perspective on topics of broad social concern, it also seeks submissions from individuals, regardless of their religious background, who are interested in exploring the relationships between contemporary life and contemporary religious teachings and philosophy. Subscriptions to "World Order" magazine are available through the Baha'i Distribution Service at 800-999-9019 or on the Web at http://www.bahaibookstore.com .

42.0447388

-87.6930459

PRAIA

Cape Verde

Completing the circle of service

Completing the circle of service PRAIA, Cape Verde — A recent visit by three Baha'is to these islands in the north Atlantic Ocean had its origins in a decision taken some 50 years earlier. In January 1954 Howard and JoAnne Menking decided to leave their comfortable home in the United States to introduce the Baha'i Faith to Cape Verde, then a poverty-stricken Portuguese colony. They were among volunteers participating in a decade-long (1953-63) initiative to establish the Faith in countries where there were no Baha'is. By the end of the decade the number of national communities had more than doubled. The Menkings left Cape Verde in 1959 after the local Baha'i community was established. A half-century later, in November 2004, Mr. Menking returned for the jubilee celebrations of that community, accompanied by his daughter, Cristina Menking-Hoggatt, and her son, Cheyenne, 13. Mr. Menking stayed three weeks, during which time he met Baha'is in various parts of the island of Santiago and spoke about the Faith to inquirers, some of whom decided to join the Baha'i community. That warm reception to the teachings of Baha'u'llah was quite different from the response in the first testing year that Mr. and Mrs. Menking lived in Cape Verde. Howard Menking (left) with a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, Kobina Fynn, at the jubilee celebrations of the Cape Verde Baha'i community.Mr. Menking, now 79, told participants in the jubilee festivities held on 18 November 2004 about the challenging conditions and slow progress of the Faith in the islands in 1954. In fact, so barren were the results of the Menkings' initial efforts to interest local people in the Baha'i Faith that Mr. Menking wrote to the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, and asked about the wisdom of staying there when the needs of the Baha'is were so urgent on the mainland of Africa. Shoghi Effendi replied that victories in a difficult post were more meritorious than those easily won. From that time on, the fortunes of the Faith in Cape Verde improved. The Menking family was also blessed with their first child. Their daughter Cristina was born on Christmas Day, 1955. The first local person to become a Baha'i was a good friend of Howard Menking. His name Frutuoso (meaning "fruitful") seemed appropriate because others were soon to follow him into the Faith. They included Claremundo (meaning "the light of the world"), Inacio Barbosa Amado, Avalino Barros, Octavio Brito, and Entonio Leon. By April 1956 there were enough Baha'is in Praia to form the first Local Spiritual Assembly. Three years later the Menkings returned to the United States where they continued as active participants in the Baha'i community. Mrs. Menking passed away in 1988. For their settling in Cape Verde Mr. and Mrs. Menking received the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi. At the jubilee festivities, a spokesman for the Baha'is of Cape Verde, Poh Chean Chong, delivered a welcoming address, and the chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Praia, Manuel Jesus Moreno, spoke about the history of the Faith in Cape Verde. The secretary of the Cape Verde Baha'i community, Tony Parker Danso, read congratulatory messages from other Baha'i communities on the occasion. Cristina Menking addressed the participants on her Baha'i experiences in Cape Verde and on the role of women and the importance of family life. Two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa addressed the gathering. Beatrice Asare, delivered a congratulatory message from the Board and Kobina Fynn spoke to the gathering about the future direction of the community, and invited guests to join with the Baha'is in study circles, devotional meetings, and children's classes. Also present were representatives of the Baha'i community of Portugal, Aminullah Shahidian and Varqa Carlos Jalali. Dr. Jalali addressed the gathering about the aims and purposes of the Baha'i Faith. A photographic exhibition included photographs of the first Baha'i institutions in Cape Verde, the early Baha'is, distinguished Baha'i visitors to the country, and current activities of the Baha'i community. Participants enjoyed musical interludes by local Baha'i artists, and heard songs they had composed. The National Radio of Cape Verde and Croule FM, a private radio station, broadcast coverage of the jubilee. Three newspapers of Cape Verde, "Expresso das Ilhas," "Horizonte," and "A Semana" published articles about the celebrations.

14.9162811

-23.5095095

GROESBEEK

Netherlands

Religion gives basis for human rights

Religion gives basis for human rights GROESBEEK, Netherlands — The global community should look to the ethical teachings of the world religions as well as to international law to protect human rights, a keynote speaker told the European Baha'i Conference on Law. Professor Brian Lepard of the University of Nebraska in the United States said that violations of human rights appear to be relentlessly increasing despite dramatic advances last century aimed at safeguarding them. Professor Lepard was delivering the Dr. Aziz Navidi Memorial Lecture, which is named after a prominent Baha'i lawyer renowned for his courage and skill in defending persecuted Baha'is. The conference held 9-12 December 2004, attracted participants from 10 countries and was organized by the Law Association of the Tahirih Institute, an educational institute of the Dutch Baha'i community. "International law and world religions must form a new partnership, drawing on their mutual strengths if human rights are to become a living reality for human beings groaning under the yoke of oppression, tyranny, and deprivations of their most basic human needs," Professor Lepard said. Neysun Mahboubi delivering his address "The Oneness of Humanity as a Contemporary Legal Principle" at the European Baha'i Conference on Law.Professor Lepard said that many human rights are not enforced internationally because there is no agreement on their moral basis. That shortcoming helps some governments and individuals justify their violation of human rights, he said. States are beginning to recognize the moral bankruptcy of much of existing international law and are emphasizing the need for a moral foundation for legal norms, he said. In addition, enlightened religious leaders are showing a growing interest in modern-day human rights law. Professor Lepard said the moral and ethical teachings of religions -- which underpinned international law at its historical formation -- give that moral foundation to human rights by declaring that they are God-given rights. They also help prioritize those rights, and they give recognition of individual duties to promote and protect the human rights of others. "The ethical teachings of the world religions underscore that all human beings are members of one human family and are thus are entitled to the same fundamental human rights," Professor Lepard said. Only the spiritual principle of the oneness of humanity will help people build bridges of friendship with those of other religions, nationalities or races and provide a firm foundation for respecting the rights of others, he said. Among other papers delivered by Baha'i lawyers were: "State and Religious Order in Baha'i Theology" by Tajan Tober (Germany). "The Oneness of Humanity as a Contemporary Legal Principle" by Neysun Mahboubi (United States). "The Place of Idealism in an Emerging International Legal Order" by Salim Nakhjavani (United Kingdom). "From Empire to Empathy: Law, Spirituality, and the Oneness of Humankind," by Payam Akhavan. Other contributions to the conference came from a legal officer with the International Criminal Court, Rod Rastan; two Dutch lawyers, Karlijn van der Voort and Nushin Milani; and Baha'i scholar and lawyer Susan Lamb.

51.7741022

5.9305385

HLUBOKA NAD VLTAVOU

Czech Republic

Manage time to 'balance your life'

Manage time to 'balance your life' HLUBOKA, Czech Republic — Good time-management in all the important spheres of life will help meet the challenge of living a balanced life, a speaker told a Baha'i youth seminar that attracted participants from 30 countries. "Baha'is are called upon to walk with practical feet on the mystical path," German psychiatrist Hamid Peseschkian told the "Changing Times European Youth Forum," which was held at the Townshend International School from 26 December 2004 to 1 January 2005. Dr. Peseschkian offered a model of a balanced life that gives equal emphasis to four major areas -- health and body, work and achievement, contacts and relationships, and spirituality and future. "The Baha'i Faith has the vision of a new generation of people who on the one hand exercise moderation in all things but on the other have a faith-centered life and not a work-centered one," he said. Some participants from Germany at the Changing Times seminar: (left to right) Shamim Rafat, Katharina Towfigh, Emanuel Towfigh.The seminar, organized by a team of European Baha'i youth, is the third annual event of its kind, its reputation for learning and camaraderie attracting participants from many European countries as well as from Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Namibia, New Zealand, Samoa, and the United States. The keynote speakers were Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, who until recently served as a member of the Universal House of Justice, and his wife, Violette Nakhjavani. Mr. Nakhjavani gave his insights on the world situation and on spiritual matters, and also recounted his memories of growing up in the Holy Land. Mrs. Violette Nakhjavani paid a tribute to the Hand of the Cause of God, Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, whom she accompanied on many of her travels for the Baha'i faith. Other speakers included Italian industrialist Giuseppe Robiati, who spoke on the Baha'i view of a new world order. Workshops addressed a variety of themes such as consumerism, the art of communication, leadership and power, and using the arts to express a vision of a new world. Keith Sabri of Australia performed two one-man plays depicting Baha'i historical events. (Seminar photos by Kamran Granfar.) For more information about the seminar, see http://www.changing-times.org.

49.0522493

14.4342702

OTAVALO

Ecuador

Heroic life inspires conference

Heroic life inspires conference OTAVALO, Ecuador — Participants at a conference commemorating the 25th anniversary of the passing of a deeply cherished Baha'i resolved to increase their service to humanity. The "Growth and Victories" conference was held from 30 December 2004 to 2 January 2005 in honor of the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu'llah Muhajir (1923-79). A highly effective promoter of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith, Dr. Muhajir died in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, while undertaking a tour of encouragement of Baha'i communities. Baha'is attending the conference came from a range of South American countries as well as from Australia, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most of the Baha'is who came from Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia traveled for several days by land to get to the conference. The headstone of the grave of Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, Quito, Ecuador.In a message to the participants, the Universal House of Justice called upon the Baha'is to arise to serve "with the same unrelaxing vigor, spiritual discipline, and generosity that characterized dear Dr. Muhajir." Highlights of the conference were talks on the life of Dr. Muhajir by his daughter, Gisu, and by a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas, Eloy Anello of Bolivia. Ms. Muhajir related anecdotes from her father's life and those of other Hands of the Cause of God. "They possessed a special spirit and capacity that was evident from an early age," she said. Other speakers included two other members of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas, Crystal Shoaie of Bolivia and Leticia de Solano of Ecuador. Among the topics of the talks were "The Dynamic Power of Example," "The Glorious Future of the Indigenous People," and "The Process of the Institute, Teaching, and Growth." In between the talks, several Baha'i communities of Ecuador including those of Otavalo, Santa Rosa, Cuenca and Samborondon, gave presentations on their activities, achievements, and service performed in the name of Dr. Muhajir. On each morning of the conference, the participants gathered for devotional meetings during which prayers and quotations often recited by Dr. Muhajir were read. Local musicians, as well as international Baha'i artists KC Porter and Leonor Dely, gave performances that enhanced the enjoyment of the conference participants. The Baha'i community of Ecuador has 16 Local Spiritual Assemblies and is home to a Baha'i radio station, Radio Baha'i, which has its studios in Otavalo. It is oriented towards community development and service.

0.22276364999999998

-78.24542744351957

UNITED NATIONS

United States

Baha'is play big role at UN conference

Baha'is play big role at UN conference UNITED NATIONS, United States — Baha'is played prominent roles last month at the 10-year review of the ground-breaking World Summit for Social Development. Baha'i International Community representative Bahiyyih Chaffers chaired one of the main panel discussions at the one-day Civil Society Forum held 8 February 2005 in association with the review, which ran from 9-18 February. On 10 February, Haleh Arbab Correa, representing a Baha'i-inspired development organization, participated in a high-level panel on "Promoting Full Employment," sitting side by side with ministers and ambassadors from more than 20 countries. Dr. Arbab Correa was one of five civil society representatives invited to participate on the panel. In 1995 more than 250 Baha'is from some 40 countries joined 5,500 delegates of non-governmental organizations at the World Summit for Social Development, reflecting the worldwide Baha'i community's concern about the global social issues addressed by the Summit, which was held in Copenhagen in 1995. Known sometimes simply as the Social Summit, it was one of a series of ground-breaking United Nations global conferences in the 1990s that set an international consensus on post-Cold War issues concerning sustainable development, human rights, and the advancement of women. The Summit called for a more compassionate and people-centered approach to development. The 10-year review was conducted under the auspices of the UN Commission on Social Development. Government delegates to the meeting focused on discussing whether the goals of the 1995 meeting had been met -- or whether they had been displaced by other concerns, such as terrorism and global security issues. Baha'i International Community representative Bahiyyih Chaffers chaired a discussion at the civil society forum held in conjunction with the UN review of the Copenhagen Social Summit.The two Baha'i delegates were among more than 150 NGO representatives gathered at the Civil Society Forum. Ms. Chaffers chaired a morning discussion on "Why Copenhagen Matters for the Millennium Development Goals." Those goals commit the international community to an expanded vision of development, one that vigorously promotes human development as the key to sustaining social and economic progress in all countries, and recognizes the importance of creating a global partnership for development. A member of the executive committee of the NGO Committee on Social Development, Ms. Chaffers set the tone for the discussion by stressing that the "age-old dream of global peace" cannot be established without "a galvanizing vision of global prosperity" marked by the "material and spiritual well-being" of all the world's inhabitants. Dr. Arbab Correa also brought up the importance of taking into consideration humanity's spiritual reality in her comments at the high-level panel on employment. Dr. Arbab Correa represented FUNDAEC, a Baha'i-inspired, nonprofit, non-governmental organization with 30 years of experience in rural Colombia. (Its name is a Spanish acronym for "The Foundation for the Application and Teaching of the Sciences.") Saying that education was the key to promoting full employment, she emphasized the importance of training young people with the skills and capabilities they will need to create a better world. "As a Baha'i-inspired institution, we emphasize the importance of spiritual and moral values," said Dr. Arbab Correa. "Our program focuses on the spiritual, intellectual, and social aspects of the human being." She said also that a key motivating factor in such training is to focus on the importance of service to humanity, more than merely self-enrichment. "If we want to train human beings to participate in the construction of a better world, it is important to emphasize the service aspect," she said. Dr. Arbab Correa also participated in a side event about international success stories in the fight against poverty where she presented the experience of FUNDAEC. "People should not be looked at as problems," said Dr. Arbab Correa, who is rector at FUNDAEC's University Center for Rural Well-being. "People are resources. Development requires participation. People can take charge of their own development with proper education." Too often, added Dr. Arbab Correa, people are viewed as consumers, simply part of the market. But society is not a jungle, and development programs should aim at cooperation instead of competition. "Human beings have a noble, spiritual aspect," she said. "The role of education and development is to bring out those potentialities."

BAGUIO CITY

Philippines

Arts on display in scenic city

Arts on display in scenic city BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — This scenic city proved an ideal venue for the Baha'i National Arts Festival. Known for its beautiful views and rich cultural heritage, Baguio City provided the right atmosphere for the festival, held between 26 and 29 December 2004. Baha'i artists came from 20 localities in the country to perform, display their art, and encourage others to explore their own artistic skills and talents. Members of different generations at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines: (left to right) Stephanie, Camilla, Paul, and Dennis Pangilinan with Vicente Samaniego.Performers, like the rock band Sublime Vision, sang songs they had composed. The NCR (National Capital Region) youth group gave dramatized performances about the early history of the Baha'i Faith. The dances performed by the San Jose City youth troupe included depictions of Baha'i principles in their presentations. A trio of dancers -- Tessie Elisan, Early Soledad, and Bebeth Vergara -- performed modern and traditional dances. Poetry by Baha'i authors, recited in English and Tagalog -- the official languages of the Philippines -- won a warm reception at the festival. Baha'i spokesperson Fe Samaniego later praised the quality of the festival program and the performances. "The number and variety of skilled performers and artists demonstrates the depth of the artistic talent of the Baha'i community of the Philippines," Ms. Sanaiego said. "It also shows the commitment of Baha'is to include artistic expression in all their activities in line with the encouragement from the Universal House of Justice," she said. Youth, junior youth, and adult groups held discussions at the festival about the use of the arts in community activities. Children also had an important role to play. They recited poems and prayers and took part in musical performances. In special workshops children learnt about the role of prayer. The guest of honor at the festival was a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia, Dr. Humaida Jumalon. Among other participants were some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Philippines and of the Regional Baha'i Council of Central Luzon.

7.1732879

125.4020171

GABORONE

Botswana

Minister praises Baha'i activities

Minister praises Baha'i activities GABORONE, Botswana — Half a century ago, because of apartheid restrictions, the Baha'is of Botswana had to meet under the cover of darkness. But now the community receives effusive public praise. The minister of local government of Botswana, Margaret Nasha, commended the activities of the community when she addressed its golden jubilee held 10 to 12 December 2004. Dr. Nasha said the Baha'i community, with its systematic training courses, was seeking to "further the development of Botswana along moral and ethical lines." Listening to her speech were jubilee participants who had come from as far away as Australia, Canada, Chile, India, and the United States. Many others had traveled from nearby African countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Dr. Nasha spoke of the importance of Baha'i capacity-building study circles, which enhance, for example, abilities to teach values to children, to express one's views more eloquently, and to assist others to independently investigate spiritual truths. She also praised the Baha'i children's classes, which are open to the wider public, as are Baha'i study circles and devotional meetings. Dr. Nasha said that Baha'i children's classes teach "the oneness of humanity, the equality of boys and girls in the eyes of God, and the need for honesty and kindliness in their dealings with other people." "I commend the teaching of these virtues," she said, "because they ensure that our nation's development is based upon a moral, ethical, and tolerant foundation." Fifty years ago, attempts to carry on Baha'i activities based on the Faith's fundamental principle of the oneness of mankind received no such official endorsement. Segregation Until independence in 1966, the country, then known as the Bechuanaland Protectorate, was administered from Mafikeng in apartheid South Africa. As such, Mafikeng was subject to strictly imposed conditions of racial segregation. Baha'is had to take extreme precautions if whites and blacks were to gather in mixed groups. At the jubilee, a Botswana Baha'i, Lally Warren, told participants that as a young child in Mafikeng it had been unusual to meet white people who were pleasant to her so she believed that all white people were bad. That changed when she met the Robarts family, Canadian Baha'is who introduced the Faith to Bechuanaland in 1954. "The Robarts didn't treat me like a black child, they treated me as a child," she said. Eight members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana, 1970.She recalled when she was 10 and the Robarts family came to her house for meetings with her parents James and Stella Moncho, the first local couple to become Baha'is. "They could only do this at night, and as they came towards the house they would switch their [car] lights on and off to say, 'Is it ok, is it safe, can we come?'" said Mrs. Warren, who was a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa from 1985 to 2000 and has served the Baha'i Faith in many other capacities. "There was no electricity in the black area during those days so my mother would take a lantern and stick it out through the window and wave it to say, 'OK, it's safe for you to come.'" Nina Robarts, who was a teenager at the time, told the jubilee participants about the drama of those nights. "When we saw the lantern, that was the most glorious sight for us -- it meant we were going to see our African friends that night," said Ms. Robarts, who now lives in Canada. She is the daughter of the late John and Audrey Robarts, who each received the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, for moving to Bechuanaland to introduce the Faith. Mr. Robarts (1901-91) was later named a Hand of the Cause of God, whose duties were to protect and propagate the Faith. A filmed interview with him, "Retrospective," was shown at the jubilee. Early believers A message written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the jubilee participants said that "this historic event, at which the shining spirit and soul-stirring exploits of the early believers will be recalled, will surely inspire the friends to arise with renewed dedication to bring the healing Message of Baha'u'llah to the indigenous peoples of your beloved country." Among the other "soul-stirring exploits" described at the jubilee was the way Mr. and Mrs. Robarts were able to present the Faith to local people. They befriended Modiri Molema, a highly respected medical doctor and the only black man who was permitted to associate with whites. Dr. Molema invited his friends and family to hear about the Baha'i Faith, and he gave the Robarts family letters of introduction to the dikgosi (traditional chiefs) of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. Dr. Molema accepted the Faith but his enrolment was not made public because of likely harassment due to his previous high-profile political involvement. In 1955 his relative, Stanlake Kukama, became the first native Tswana of Bechuanaland to become a publicly declared Baha'i. Mr. Kukama, who attended the jubilee celebrations, said he had been an anti-apartheid activist, and was a member of the South African political party, the African National Congress. He said he had detested white people because of their attitude towards Africans but that changed when he heard about the Baha'i Faith from the Robarts family. "In 1955 I heard of the Baha'i Faith," Mr. Kukama said, "and [found] the principles of the Faith were the solution to [achieve] peace and harmony for mankind." "I realized that the white and the black were all blind. They did not see the truth, they did not have the eye of the soul. "Hence, I became a Baha'i, and renounced man-made solutions to peace. "I was healed. I got a spiritual prescription and I thought I should give it to my people. From there I was so excited!" he said. The African National Congress tried to woo back Mr. Kukama for many years without success. The police kept him under surveillance even after he became a Baha'i because they did not believe that he had given up partisan politics. Mr. Kukama later served for many years both as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bophuthatswana and of South Africa. Other early Baha'is present at the jubilee celebrations included Goitsemodimo Bolokang, Gaolebale Komanyane, Mothusiotsile Matabane, Esther Moncho (a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly), and Michael Nthau. The participants made fond mention of other members of the community who had made significant contributions to the Botswana Baha'i community but were unable to attend the jubilee. They included former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors Shidan Fat'he-Aazam, and a Baha'i from the United States, Jeff Gruber, who organized the translation of many of the Baha'i writings into the local language of Setswana and who personally translated Baha'i scripture into several Bushman languages. One of the members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana, Maureen Page, now from the United States, presented a gift of framed photographs of Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, the widow of Shoghi Effendi and a Hand of the Cause of God, that were taken during her visit to the Bushmen (San) people in the Kalahari desert of Botswana in 1972. Among the other Hands of the Cause to visit Botswana during the past 50 years were Collis Featherstone, Paul Haney, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, Adelbert Muhlschlegel, and Enoch Olinga. Program A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa Enos Makhele spoke at the jubilee about the significance of the Baha'i history in Botswana and the achievements and the future plans of the community. There are 30 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Botswana, and Baha'is can be found in several hundred villages and other localities. Baha'i choirs from the villages of Oodi and Tlokweng, as well as the National Jubilee Choir and the Swaziland Baha'i youth choir provided uplifting entertainment. A dramatic presentation by a group of Baha'i youth portrayed traditional and modern aspects of cultural life in Botswana. The jubilee celebrations were covered by the National Television of Botswana, the private television channel GBC, and two newspapers, the "Daily News" and "Mmegi." For more about the Baha'i community of Botswana see https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=130

-24.6581357

25.9088474

UNITED NATIONS

United States

Pledges on equality 'need to be honored'

Pledges on equality 'need to be honored' UNITED NATIONS, United States — Governments should ensure that they act upon their commitments to advance the equality of women and men, said the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, Bani Dugal, in a speech to commemorate International Women's Day. "What is the meaning of stated commitments if no action results?" said Ms. Dugal, the chairperson of the NGO Committee at the UN on the Status of Women. "States can no longer be permitted to shirk from their responsibilities on the pretext of domestic jurisdiction or cultural relativism. There are no grounds--moral, practical or biological--on which denial of women's rights can be justified," Ms. Dugal said. "The consequences of inaction and continuing discrimination against fully half of the world's population are an affront to human dignity and a disavowal of the very principles of the United Nations," she said. Ms. Dugal was speaking on 4 March 2005 at the invitation of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She shared the dais with a roster of notables in the field of women's rights, including Nobel Prize winners Wangari Maathai of Kenya and Rigoberta Menchu Tum of Guatemala. "The full equality of men and women is not the end goal," said Ms. Dugal. "It is a prerequisite for the very ends the United Nations was created to serve. That global peace and security are not possible without women is a truth we can no longer deny. As a global community, we have the means; we have made the plans, let us not be afraid to try." Ms. Dugal said the UN had given the worldwide women's movement a "unique space" in a series of conferences to address women's rights--the 1995 World Conference for Women in Beijing, for example, was critical in helping women reach for full equality. The Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, Bani Dugal, at the observance of International Women's Day at the United Nations on 4 March 2005."It established clear standards and stated unequivocally that women's rights are human rights and that meeting these rights is central to every nation's progress in development and democracy," said Ms. Dugal. It is important, however, for those governments that signed the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to ensure those commitments are acted on, she said. Ms. Dugal also stressed the importance of partnership with men and boys, and their education, in the advancement of women. "Until they themselves refuse to accept laws and practices that discriminate and demean their daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers, nothing will change," said Ms. Dugal. Angela King, who organized the 23rd Special Session of the General Assembly in 2000, known as Beijing +5 for its review of the 1995 conference, posed a list of questions relating to implementation of those commitments: Why are ways to implement government commitments not fully funded? Why are so few women at the peace table? Why are stereotypes of women's roles so hard to change? "When we can answer all these questions then we will know why implementation is so slow," said Ms. King. "When we find what strategies to put in place then real implementation will be underway." Ms. King's successor in the position of assistant secretary-general and special adviser on gender issues and advancement of women, Rachel Mayanja, called for "more male gender specialists and more strategic alliances with young women and men." "In the last 30 years, men have gone to the moon and back, yet women are still at the same place they were, that is trying to sensitize the world to the unwarranted and unacceptable marginalization of women which deprives them of their human rights," Ms. Mayanja said. Report by Veronica Shoffstall. For more information on the speeches of the participants see http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/wom1495.doc.htm.

HAIFA

Israel

Two new members join Universal House of Justice

Two new members join Universal House of Justice HAIFA, Israel — The Universal House of Justice has announced the election of two new members, Payman Mohajer and Paul Lample. The Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Baha'i Faith, conveyed to National Spiritual Assemblies the results of a by-election to fill two vacancies on Naw-Ruz, the Baha'i new year. The holy day is celebrated from sunset on March 20 to sunset on the 21st. Dr. Mohajer and Mr. Lample fill the vacancies created by the departure at Naw-Ruz of Mr. Ian Semple and Mr. Douglas Martin, owing to age and the related needs of the Faith. Dr. Mohajer was born in Tehran, Iran, where he received his elementary school education. He then went with his family to India where he received a degree in homoeopathic medicine in 1984. After several years' work in his medical clinic, Dr. Mohajer completed a master's degree in psychology. In 1996, his interest in the field of education led him to establish a Baha'i-inspired institution, the Foundation for the Advancement of Science. He was appointed as an Auxiliary Board member in 1986, serving until he was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia in 1991. He was called to serve as a member of the International Teaching Centre in 1998 and was reappointed in 2003. He and his wife, Svetlana, have three children. Mr. Lample, an author and educator, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and a Master of Science from the National University in San Diego, California. In the early 1990s he served on the National Teaching Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. In 1994 he moved to the Baha'i World Centre to serve as coordinator of the Office of Social and Economic Development. He was appointed to the International Teaching Centre in 2003. Mr. Lample and his wife, Marcia, have three children. The other members of the Universal House of Justice are Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Hooper Dunbar, Hartmut Grossmann, Firaydoun Javaheri, Peter Khan, and Glenford Mitchell. The Faith, which has no clergy, administers its affairs through democratically elected councils at the international, national, and local levels. Baha'i elections take place without campaigning or nominations, the results being determined by plurality vote. Members of the Universal House of Justice are elected by members of all National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world. Electors are guided by the Faith's teachings, which advise each person to vote, independently and in the privacy of his or her own conscience, for "the names of those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability, and mature experience." There are about five million Baha'is worldwide. Prominent among the Faith's teachings are the oneness of humanity, the equality of men and women, and the unity and harmony of the world's religions. The Baha'i World Centre in the Acre/Haifa area of modern day Israel has been both the spiritual and administrative center of the Faith since its Founder, Baha'u'llah, was exiled there by the Ottoman Empire in 1868.

32.8191218

34.9983856

HAIFA

Israel

Leaving after many years of service

Leaving after many years of service HAIFA, Israel — Two members of the Universal House of Justice have left the Baha'i Faith's international governing council after many years of service. Mr. Ian Semple, 76, served as a member of the Universal House of Justice since it was first elected in 1963. Mr. Douglas Martin, 78, served as a member since 1993. Re-elected successively to five-year terms, Messrs Semple and Martin requested the Universal House of Justice for permission to resign their office owing to considerations of age and related needs of the Faith. The request was granted and they served until a by-election to replace them was completed. The by-election was held by postal ballot and the results were announced on 21 March 2005. (https://news.bahai.org/story/358) Both Mr. Semple and Mr. Martin had extensive experience in the Faith's activities before their election to the nine-member council, which has its Seat on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. Mr. Ian Semple (left) and Mr. Douglas Martin.Born in 1928 in England, Mr. Semple did his national service in the British Army from 1947-50 during which period he earned a commission in the Royal Corps of Signals. He studied at Pembroke College, Oxford, obtaining a BA in German and French Language and Literature in 1952 and an MA in 1955. He subsequently studied accounting in the City of London, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1955 and becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mr. Semple became a member of the Baha'i Faith in 1950 and was first elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the British Isles in 1956. He served on that body, latterly as its secretary, until he moved to Haifa upon his election in 1961 to the International Baha'i Council, on which he served as assistant secretary. From 1957-61 he also served as a member of the Auxiliary Board for the propagation of the Baha'i Faith in Europe. Mr. Semple has delivered many addresses on the history and teachings of the Baha'i Faith. He is married to Mrs. Louise Semple (nee Gloor) and they have three children. Mr. Douglas Martin was born in 1927 in Ontario, Canada. He holds a Bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Western Ontario and a Master's degree in history from the University of Waterloo, Ontario. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, passed away in 1999. Mr. Martin was a consultant in advertising and public relations until he devoted himself exclusively to Baha'i administration and scholarship. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada from 1960-85, serving as its general secretary from 1965-85. From 1985-93 he was director-general of the Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa. With Dr. William S. Hatcher, he co-authored "The Baha'i Faith: The Emerging Global Religion," published by Harper & Row and later by the US Baha'i Publishing Trust. He has also published articles and scholarly monographs and lectured widely on the Baha'i Faith. He is a former editor-in-chief of "One Country," a Baha'i international news magazine, and "The Baha'i World," a series of annual reference volumes. He was a founding member of the Association for Baha'i Studies, serving on its international executive committee from 1974-85.

32.8191218

34.9983856

MATSAPHA

Swaziland

Beliefs inspire invention of stove

Beliefs inspire invention of stove MATSAPHA, Swaziland — Setting out to design a stove for developing countries, Crispin Pemberton-Pigott began by imagining how many trees might be saved if he invented an inexpensive, efficient wood-burning cooker. Mr. Pemberton-Pigott is the head of New Dawn Engineering in Swaziland, an appropriate technology design and manufacturing company that serves southern Africa. He moved from Canada to Africa 28 years ago and cites his practice of the Baha'i Faith as the inspiration behind New Dawn's efforts to design and manufacture economical machines for Africa's villages. "The Baha'i writings speak of the importance of initiating 'measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people,'" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. "They say there can be 'no undertaking greater than this.'" "In a way, the Vesto stove began as a flight of fancy, to see if I could bring to market an innovative stove that ignored the nay-sayers who said a commercially viable, highly efficient stove cannot be made cheaply," he said. "If it worked, we could save a very large number of people the effort of cutting down trees, and at the same time avoid the need to plant a lot of new trees for fuel," he said. Mr. Pemberton-Pigott's "flight of fancy" has paid off. The stove burns just one-quarter of the wood needed to cook on an open fire, and it is virtually smokeless. New Dawn has sold more than 1,000 of the new stoves since its invention in early 2002. Moreover, the stove was honored last year by the Design Institute of South Africa (DISA), taking the top Chairman's Special Award, which called it "an outstanding piece of design which is of the highest international standard." "The relatively low retail price brings the Vesto stove within reach of people at the lower end of the economic scale," the Award citation reads. Judging criteria included innovation, cost/value relationship, performance, safety and ergonomics, environmental impact, appearance, and ease of installation and maintenance. "That is the highest such design award that we know of in Africa," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. The stove also won recently in the Houseware category at an annual event held by the South African Bureau of Standards. And the Stainless Steel Development Association gave the product a Merit Award for the innovative use of stainless steel. Founded by Mr. Pemberton-Pigott and his wife, Margaret, in 1984, New Dawn makes a wide range of simple but highly efficient machines for use at the village level in developing regions. In addition to the Vesto and other stoves, these machines include hand-operated oil presses and rock crushers, fence makers, and various brick and roof tile makers. "We believe that labor-intensive equipment and virtuous social and economic development can be catalysts not only for third world countries, but for illustrating a better future for mankind," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. "In this day, actions must exceed words." How it works The portable Vesto stove burns wood and dung more efficiently and with fewer emissions than conventional stoves. Dung, especially, is a notoriously low-yield and smoky fuel but is used in some regions of Africa, such as Ethiopia, where no other fuel is available. The key to this efficiency, said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott, is a design that pre-heats incoming air while using that air to insulate the fire and prevent heat loss. "This increases the efficiency of burning low quality fuel, like dung, by up to six fold," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. The Vesto has three types of secondary air inlets, allowing it to function as both a charcoal-producing gasifier and a charcoal burning, wood burning, or dung burning stove. Another feature of the Vesto design is that it can be manufactured relatively simply. "Its production does not require complex and expensive tooling or high capital expenditure," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. "Many innovative stoves are so elaborate that they are almost impossible to make in a simple environment. In designing this stove, we sought both simplicity and extreme efficiency." Based on a modified 25-liter paint can, the stove sells for about US$29.00. If sales increase, and more units are produced, that price will drop further, said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. In addition to burning fuel more efficiently -- a considerable benefit in a region where forests are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain -- the stove also offers innovative safety measures. "Stoves are a major source of health problems for women and children," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. "The Vesto addresses these by being safe to use -- not very hot on the outside." Unlike a paraffin stove, the Vesto contains its fire in a gas-insulated tin, which not only makes it cooler to the touch but confines the fire if the stove is knocked over. In addition, the fact that the Vesto burns virtually any biomass fuel means that households can move away from the use of expensive charcoal. "African cities use huge amounts of charcoal, produced at despairingly low conversion rates from virgin forests," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. "No one has ever converted a large urban population from charcoal back to wood. "Doing so would also save large tracts of forest because the wood is so much more efficient in terms of the total heat in the fuel and the total amount of cooking done by it compared with charcoal. "To achieve this, it would be necessary to have a stove that burned charcoal well and wood very well," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. "People might buy it as a fast-lighting charcoal stove, but then sooner or later they would run out of charcoal and try burning wood." "They would immediately realize that the lower cost wood was a good or even better fuel than the charcoal had been," said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. The Moya Center for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Swaziland recently received a donation of four Vesto stoves for its child-headed households. "All of these children had been using firewood and an open fire to cook their food," said Jane Cox, director of the Moya Center. "And their 'kitchens' are a smoke trap and particularly unhealthy. "I have been back to these households [since they got stoves] and they speak with one voice," said Ms. Cox. "They use a fraction of the firewood they had been using, with the amazing result of water boiling within 10 minutes and no smoke visible." For more information about the Vesto stove, see http://www.newdawnengineering.com/website/stove/singlestove/vesto/vesto1.php.

-26.494482

31.308351

SYDNEY

Australia

Baha'i classes find wide appeal

Baha'i classes find wide appeal SYDNEY, Australia — About 6,000 primary schoolchildren in Australia are attending Baha'i classes, which are offered in more than 300 state-run schools. The classes are offered mainly to provide religious instruction to Baha'i children. Yet more than 90 percent of the children in Baha'i classes are from families who are not members of the Baha'i Faith -- indicating the wide appeal of the Baha'i approach to religious education. Among the parents sending their children to Baha'i religious classes at their local primary schools is Vicki Thomas, a 33-year-old resident of St. Ives, a suburb of Sydney. Ms. Thomas, who is not a Baha'i, says she wants her three children to grow up with some kind of religious feeling. "My children are very young, and they don't need anything too heavy at this stage, but it's important to me that they do have a faith education," said Ms. Thomas. "I liked the open-minded approach of the Baha'i curriculum," she said. Australian parents have the option of enrolling their children in Special Religious Education courses at state schools, thanks in part to a century-old law requiring schools to offer religious training if parents want it. As might be expected in Australia where some 70 percent of the population identify themselves as Christian, many more children attend religious classes offered by Christians in state schools. Classes are also offered in by Buddhist and Muslim groups, among others. Moral values stressed In accordance with the Baha'i belief that all the world's great religions share the same divine origin and have been revealed progressively to humanity, the approach of Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) includes an introduction to the world's other great religions. BESS classes also stress the development of moral values as taught in all world religions, such as patience, honesty, and compassion, as well as Baha'u'llah's social principles, such as the oneness of humanity, the equality of women and men, and the promotion of racial and religious tolerance. Prayers and meditation are also incorporated. "Parents appreciate that we teach the students to respect the different cultures and religions of the world in the classes," said Yvonne Perkins, a spokesperson for the Baha'i community of Australia, which has about 10,000 members. "They also like the moral basis of the program, and the fact that we encourage children to look at their own behavior and how improving it helps them to contribute to a better world," said Ms. Perkins. The law in most Australian states and territories allows students to obtain specialized religious education in the school setting. Special Religious Education (SRE) is offered by religious groups, approved and administered at the state level. The BESS program was established in the late 1980s, when the Baha'i community was approved by the New South Wales State Government as a provider of Special Religious Education. Today, BESS classes are taught by hundreds of Baha'i volunteers in most states of Australia. Members of a Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) class in Perth, Western Australia displaying their work at a school assembly.They receive ongoing training in religious education, undergo child protection training, and are registered according to the policy of state-level education departments. They use curriculum resources developed for BESS classes by Baha'is who are professional educators. An example is the situation in Western Australia where the State's Department of Education and Training is involved. "The Baha'i Special Religious Curriculum -- the Peace Pack -- has been reviewed and subsequently endorsed by the Department for trained Baha'i personnel to deliver," said Brian Rogers, the Department's principal curriculum officer. "In endorsing the program, the Department looked at general issues such as pedagogical approach rather than specific information, which is left to the individual religious bodies to decide," said Mr. Rogers. Independent thinking The BESS program encourages children to identify those virtues they already possess, and those they need to develop. The classes adhere to the Baha'i principle that education should help people think independently. Hence, BESS teachers do not seek to convert or indoctrinate their students, but rather to encourage them to think about their spirituality and the ways they can serve humanity. Children from families who are not Baha'is may only attend BESS classes with parental permission. "We've experienced an enormous growth of interest and numbers in BESS classes over the past decade in particular," said Ms. Perkins. "The classes have expanded in number and size largely through word of mouth, and through the results that parents see in children who attend them. "Children love the way the classes are taught -- the program is quite varied, with a lot of arts and crafts, meditation, and stories -- so it keeps their imagination stimulated," Ms. Perkins said. BESS teachers also incorporate singing, dancing, games, and other participatory activities. Many teachers draw on a Baha'i curriculum known as the "Peace Pack." It was initially developed in Western Australia by professional teacher Georgina Sounness and professional illustrator Terri Turner. "The whole purpose of it is to empower children to believe that peace is achievable and to give them the tools to become peacemakers and assist them in bringing it about," said Ms. Sounness. To help children imagine a peaceful world, the authors use the idea of building a "Peace House" with cardboard, paint, and felt. Children understand that if one part is missing, the house isn't complete, Ms. Sounness said. "If the oneness of mankind is missing, or gender equality is missing, there will still be an absence of peace." Changes in behavior The response from parents to the BESS classes has been overwhelmingly positive. "I've had parents call to thank us for giving their children a spiritual education," said Ms. Sounness. "They want to give that to their children but are often at a loss on how to approach this. "They've given written permission for their children to attend the classes, so they know what they're receiving, but beyond that they fall in love with the curriculum too." Ms. Perkins said many parents have commented on how their children's behavior has improved through attending BESS classes. "Our teachers work from the view that while a child's qualities might be masked by poor behavior that's developed over time, everyone nevertheless possesses something wonderful. "Baha'i teachers actually search for those good qualities in the children, to show the children the wonderful qualities they have, ignoring labels like 'poor concentration' or 'badly behaved'," said Ms. Perkins. "For a child, to have someone encouraging you to develop your good attributes once a week instead of focusing on what's wrong with your behavior -- this can all make a dramatic change to a child's life." Robert Chivers, a 50-year-old software developer in Perth, who has taught BESS classes for three years, said parents often say they see improved behavior after the classes. "Parents notice the difference on the days the children have Baha'i classes -- for example, their children are calmer, and talk about using virtues," Mr. Chivers said. BESS teacher Venus Nasrabadi said the number of pupils in her class has risen dramatically over the past eight years. "Children really do recognize God, in the sense that they have a feeling for their own spirituality, and I give them a lot of creative activities which illustrate the themes they're learning," Ms. Nasrabadi said. "For example, in teaching about Moses, we made paper baskets to illustrate the story that His parents had to put Him into a basket and place him in a river, and that helped introduce our study of Moses and His achievements and the Jewish faith. "For Mother's Day, the children made a gift card containing a prayer for mothers from the Baha'i writings, and covered them with sequins, shells, and colors. Later, their mothers told me that they absolutely loved this craftwork partly because it is a gift thanking them for their service as parents, and also because their children are learning respectfulness." Michelle Ostowari, 47, is married to a Zoroastrian and chose BESS classes for her daughter, being "the closest thing" she could find to a Zoroastrian class. "It's been very good for my daughter; she has become genuinely tolerant towards everyone, no matter whether they're Jewish, Muslim, or whatever -- she gets on with everyone, and we're delighted that, for her, religion will never be a barrier to friendship," Ms. Osowari said. Jan Heath, a 46-year-old teacher in Brisbane, who is not Baha'i, sends her son to BESS classes at the Fig Tree Pocket State School. She says the class has helped him develop respect and tolerance for others. "My son certainly seems to be heading towards growing into a caring young man," said Ms. Heath. "He may have done this anyway, but constant reminders and praise in Baha'i classes can only help. I feel that the teachings reinforce our family values." Ms. Thomas, of the Sydney suburb of St. Ives, likewise said her children seem to enjoy the Baha'i classes. "There is an emphasis on peace and unity in the Baha'i teachings, which the children love," said Ms. Thomas. "They come home with beautiful work and beautiful quotations, and there's a real gentleness of spirit that comes across, which is really beneficial for them," said Ms. Thomas. "It's definitely one of the highlights of the week -- they look forward to their Tuesday mornings so much." Reporting by Corinne Podger.

-33.8548157

151.2164539

LONDON

United Kingdom

British prime minister praises Baha'i community

British prime minister praises Baha'i community LONDON, England — The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, has praised the work of the nation's Baha'i community in assisting social cohesion and the interfaith movement. "In many ways, Baha'is embody the spirit of community cohesion that is so important to our society," Mr. Blair said in a message on the occasion of the Baha'i Naw-Ruz (New Year). "The Baha'i community, in its outlook on life and in its proactive work in the inter-faith, cohesion and anti-discrimination fields, show how much faith-based bodies can contribute to wider society, and the Government looks forward to continuing our good relationship," Mr. Blair said. The message was read at the Naw-Ruz reception held on 21 March 2005 on the terrace of the House of Commons. Baha'i representatives, members of both Houses of Parliament, and senior members of the public service attended the event. At the Naw-Ruz reception at the British Paliament: (left to right) Tim Morris of the British Foreign Office, Mieko Bond, director of the Baha'i Office for the Advancement of Women in the United Kingdom, and Lembit Opik MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'i Faith.The All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'i Faith sponsored the gathering, which was also attended by representatives of interfaith organizations, NGOs, and the media. The All Party Friends of the Baha'i Faith was formed in 1999 and has since hosted five Naw-Ruz receptions. The group is open to members of Parliament from across the political spectrum and was formed largely in response to the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran and other states. The chair of the All Party Friends of the Baha'i Faith, Lembit Opik MP, spoke of his admiration for the work of the Baha'is. The secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom, Barney Leith, thanked the All Party Friends of the Baha'i Faith for defending the human rights of the Baha'is in Iran and for keeping the government of the United Kingdom informed of the situation. "Sadly, the situation of the Baha'is in Iran is deteriorating at the moment. This makes the work of the All Party Friends of the Baha'is even more vital," Mr. Leith said. Entertainer Inder Manocha, a Baha'i who was named best comedian in last year's Ethnic Multicultural Media Achievement Awards, was master of ceremonies for the gathering. Baha'i communities throughout the world celebrate their new year, marked by the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, between sunset on 20 March 2005 and sunset on the 21st. Known as "Naw-Ruz," the festival has been celebrated in Iran from time immemorial, and was confirmed by Baha'u'llah as a holy day. It coincides with the first day of the first month of the year in the Baha'i calendar.

51.5073219

-0.1276474

HAIFA

Israel

New version of 'The Baha'is' magazine published

New version of 'The Baha'is' magazine published HAIFA, Israel — A new version of a glossy 80-page magazine profiling the Baha'i Faith and its worldwide community has just been published. "The Baha'is" is a magazine suited to the needs of journalists, officials, academics, leaders of thought, and the general public. It is written in the style of a newsmagazine and illustrated with color photographs, charts, and graphs. The first edition of the magazine -- with more than 250,000 copies -- was published in 1992 and later reprinted. It was translated into many languages, including Albanian, French, Icelandic, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish. "The new version is completely updated," said Douglas Moore, director of the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i International Community, which is the publisher of the magazine. "We expect that it will be extremely useful in helping people better understand the Baha'i Faith and what the Baha'is are all about," Mr. Moore said. It features sections on Baha'u'llah, the spiritual and moral teachings of the Baha'i Faith, the Faith's history and administration, and its programs of social and economic development. It also has profiles of individual Baha'is and examples of community activities. The new edition appears initially in English but translations into other languages are under way. "The Baha'is" can be ordered from the Baha'i Distribution Service in the United States (http://www.bahaibookstore.com).

32.8191218

34.9983856

SUVA

Fiji

Tree-planting marks Fiji anniversary

Tree-planting marks Fiji anniversary SUVA, Fiji — Fijian Baha'is have planted trees to mark the 80th anniversary of their community and as a tribute to Baha'is in Fiji and Iran. Four trees, each a different type of Norfolk pine (Araucaria) from different Pacific countries, were planted at the Baha'i compound in Suva, said Kim Bowden-Kerby, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Fiji. "A Norfolk pine from Australia signifies the services of Irene Jackson Williams, who came here in the mid 1950s to assist the Baha'is," Ms. Bowden-Kerby said. "Another type of Araucaria, which can only be found in Fiji, stands in memory of the first Fijian Baha'is," she said. "An Araucaria from Papua New Guinea was planted at the national Baha'i center to mark the 80th anniversary of the Faith in Fiji and one, a Cook pine from New Caledonia, for those Baha'is who have been martyred in Iran." Norfolk pines, distinguished by their height, beauty and symmetry, are well known by Baha'is for gracing the approaches to the holiest places in the Baha'i world, the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and the Shrine of the Bab in the Holy Land. The plantings took place at the anniversary festivities, which were held 12-15 November 2004. The first day of the celebrations also involved the observance of the Baha'i holy day commemorating the birth of Baha'u'llah. Third convention of the Baha'is of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji, April 1961.Present at the festivities were some longstanding members of the community including Victor Williams, Aisea Aisake (the first Rotuman Baha'i), Apisai Matau, Yee Wah Sing (the first Fiji Chinese Baha'i), and Lepani Vakaloloma. They spoke about the early days of the Faith in Fiji and shared stories about their first encounters with the Baha'i teachings. Among those warmly remembered at the anniversary festivities were distinguished Baha'i visitors Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani and other Hands of the Cause of God including Abu'l Qasim Faizi, Collis Featherstone, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, and Enoch Olinga. The Hand of the Cause of God Martha Root deposited Baha'i books in the Suva library while on her way to Hawaii in 1939. Among the official guests at the celebrations was Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, who subsequently became vice-president of Fiji. During those celebrations, Fiji-based historian Graham Hassall addressed participants about the history of the Fijian Baha'i community and the individuals who played an important role in establishing it. Dr. Hassall highlighted the contributions of Irene Jackson (later Mrs. Williams), a Baha'i from Australia, who arrived in Suva on 21 March 1954. Ms. Jackson, who worked as a bookkeeper in the capital, was soon elected as a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Suva and served as its secretary. In 1959, when the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the South Pacific was formed, Ms. Jackson was elected secretary. A New Zealand Baha'i, Nora Lee, had lived in Fiji from 1924 to about 1930. Before Ms. Jackson's arrival there were already a number of staunch Baha'is in the country. Among Baha'is who visited in the early days were Loulie Matthews, and Alvin and Gertrude Blum. Among the first Fijians to accept the Faith were Nur and Violet Ali, and Wali and Zainab Khan. The celebrations were rich in music and dance. The Baha'is of the Lau Islands danced a traditional meke, while a youth group from the island of Rabi and a Baha'i choir sang songs. The performance of a Nasinu youth troupe included European, Fijian, and Indian dances. Following the public ceremony there was a joyous and emotional two-day celebration in the Baha'i compound where Baha'is from all over Fiji shared stories and joined in group singing. The "Fiji Times," one of the mostly widely read dailies in the country, published an article about the anniversary festivities. Today there are 21 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Fiji. Baha'is live in more than 80 localities throughout Fiji and are engaged in community service. For example, they hold regular prayer gatherings and children's classes, both of which are attracting increasing members of the wider public. A weekly multi-faith prayer gathering is held every Sunday at the national Baha'i center in Suva, where participants read prayers and verses from a variety of religious scriptures. The community also organizes study circles, where Baha'i and other participants learn how to assist others to investigate spiritual truths and to express themselves eloquently. They also learn how to carry out acts of service to others, such as teaching spiritual values to children.

-18.1415884

178.4421662

GENEVA

Switzerland

Dismay at lack of human rights resolution on Iran as persecution worsens

Dismay at lack of human rights resolution on Iran as persecution worsens GENEVA, Switzerland — The Baha'i International Community today expressed its dismay and disappointment at the failure of the UN Commission on Human Rights to even consider a resolution on human rights in Iran, given the worsening situation in that country and in particular the persecution of the Baha'is. "In view of the sharp increase of human rights violations against the Baha'i community of Iran, it is nothing less than shocking that the Commission on Human Rights has for the third year in a row failed to renew international monitoring of the situation," said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations. "Over the past year, two important Baha'i holy places have been destroyed, Baha'i students have been denied access to higher education, and, most recently, Baha'is in Yazd and Tehran have been swept up in a new wave of assaults, harassment and detentions. "All of this has come as part of a continuing pattern of religious persecution instigated and condoned by the Iranian government, which has in years past faced the clear condemnation of the international community for its actions," said Ms. Dugal. "We are very disappointed at the failure of the Commission on Human Rights to live up to its mandate," said Ms. Dugal. "Unfortunately, countries which in the past have initiated resolutions calling for the international monitoring of Iran backed away from the table again this year," said Ms. Dugal. Ms. Dugal's comments came at the end of the Commission's period for consideration of country-specific resolutions today, when all hope for such a resolution on Iran had passed. Three weeks ago, the Baha'i International Community strongly urged the Commission to table and pass a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran, saying that "the gross, flagrant, repeated violations of human rights in Iran -- including the abuses that target Baha'is in that country -- warrant the re-establishment of a monitoring mechanism." "For three years, this Commission has not been capable of presenting a resolution on Iran, while the situation there has gradually but steadily deteriorated," said Diane Ala'i, the community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva, in a statement to the Commission on 23 March 2005. "And now, over the past few months, we have had the impression of a shifting back in time, some 20 years or more, as we have witnessed a resumption of violent attacks on the Baha'i community in Iran," said Ms. Ala'i. "The most serious outbreak occurred in Yazd, where several Baha'is were assaulted in their homes and beaten, a Baha'i's shop was set on fire and burned, and others were harassed and threatened, following a series of arrests and short-term detentions. The Baha'i cemetery in Yazd was wantonly destroyed, with cars driven over the graves, tombstones smashed and the remains of the interred left exposed." Ms. Ala'i also said that in March, in Tehran, Iranian intelligence agents entered the homes of several Baha'is and spent hours ransacking their houses before carting away their possessions and taking them into custody. "Five Baha'is have been imprisoned just this past month," said Ms. Ala'i. "Two were finally released on bail, but family and community members have not been able to locate those in detention. Two others, who had previously been briefly detained for nothing more than distributing copies of a courteous letter to President Khatami, have now received the maximum sentence for this so-called offence. "Six more Baha'i families recently had their homes and land confiscated, depriving them of their only means of livelihood." "Indeed, human rights violations in Iran have again become so grave that, in our view, they warrant a clear signal from the international community and a decision to reestablish international monitoring -- now," Ms. Ala'i said in March. Between 1978 and 1998, the Iranian government executed more than 200 Baha'is. Hundreds more Baha'is were imprisoned, and tens of thousands were deprived of jobs, pensions, businesses, and educational opportunities. In the face of intense international pressure, most significantly through a series of United Nations human rights resolutions, the Iranian government has essentially halted the executions and greatly reduced the number of Baha'is held in prison. Yet while it has halted the most egregious forms of direct violence against individual members of the Baha'i community, the government has nevertheless continued its campaign of persecution, principally through social and economic restrictions that aim at slowly suffocating an entire religious community.

46.2017559

6.1466014

HAIFA

Israel

New official Baha'i Web site launched

New official Baha'i Web site launched HAIFA, Israel — A new official Web site has been launched by the Baha'i International Community to provide an introduction to the Baha'i Faith for general inquirers, researchers, and journalists. The Web site, titled "The Baha'is," is also a portal to the family of official Web sites of the Baha'i International Community. This site at http://bahai.org replaces the previous site at the same address, "The Baha'i World," as the main official site of the Baha'i Faith on the Internet. The content of "The Baha'i World" will continue to be available as the "Baha'i Topics: An Information Resource," at http://info.bahai.org. The new site gives visitors concise initial summaries of aspects of the Baha'i Faith, said Douglas Moore, director of the Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel. "The visitors then have the option of obtaining more comprehensive and better integrated information on those topics," Mr. Moore said. It also provides access to the latest Baha'i news and feature stories, he said. "The inclusive feel of the site demonstrates the Baha'i belief that the teachings of Baha'u'llah are for everyone and not just those who have joined the Faith," Mr. Moore said. "Those who read about the current main activities of Baha'is will see that all are welcome to participate in them, whether they be study circles, children's classes, or devotional meetings," he said. A map assists visitors to find the official Baha'i Web sites of their respective countries. The site acts as a portal to the family of official sites of the Baha'i International Community including: Baha'i Topics: An Information Resource (http://info.bahai.org); a comprehensive collection of articles about the Baha'i Faith, its teachings, history, and community. Baha'i World News Service (https://news.bahai.org); the latest Baha'i news and feature stories. One Country (http://www.onecountry.org); a news and features magazine. Baha'i Reference Library (http://reference.bahai.org); the authoritative online source of the Baha'i sacred writings. Baha'i Statement Library (http://statements.bahai.org); an archive of statements by the Baha'i International Community. The Baha'i International Community will launch two more official sites in the near future: a media library that includes a collection of Baha'i images for use in publications and Web sites, and a glossary, which will offer definitions and a pronunciation guide to key Baha'i terms.

32.8191218

34.9983856

SANTIAGO

Chile

Spectacular site for Chile temple

Spectacular site for Chile temple SANTIAGO, Chile — The first Baha'i House of Worship in South America will be built in the Andean foothills with a panoramic view of the mountains in three directions. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Chile has taken possession of a 110-hectare site in a rural region of the Chacabuco Province some 35 minutes by car north of the center of Santiago. The House of Worship will be on the top of a hill in a seven-hectare section of the site that will constitute the immediate grounds and gardens of the Temple. The temple, designed by Canadian architect Siamak Hariri, will be clad in forged glass and Spanish alabaster. The translucent stone will allow sunlight to filter through during the day and the Temple to emit a warm glow from the interior lighting at night. The nine "wings" that form the exterior will torque upwards, overlapping at the apex to create a dome. The groundbreaking ceremony for the US$27 million temple will be held in October 2005, and the building should be completed within three years, said a spokesman for the Baha'i International Community, Douglas Moore. The municipal authorities have given pre-project approval and an environmental impact study is now under way, Mr. Moore said. "The site is arid and semi-desert in character and is untouched, unspoiled land with its original vegetation," he said. The alabaster "wings" of the Baha'i Temple for South America will be translucent."An access road has just been completed, and other preliminary work is to begin with some landscaping and tree planting," he said. "The Bicentennial Commission of the Chilean government has designated the Baha'i House of Worship as one of a limited number of official projects in the private sector to commemorate Chile's 200 years of independent nationhood," Mr. Moore said. "We are glad to see the civil authorities' recognition of the significance of this edifice and their confidence in the benefit the undertaking will bring to Santiago and to Chile as a whole." Mr. Moore said the project would be financed entirely by voluntary contributions from Baha'is around the world. Representatives from all national Baha'i communities of the Western Hemisphere will be invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, with a special emphasis on the countries and indigenous peoples of South America. Chile had been mentioned as the site for the first Baha'i Temple of South America in a message to the South American Baha'i convention in 1953 by the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi. There has been widespread media attention to the Temple project since the announcement on 12 June 2003 by the Universal House of Justice that it had chosen a design by Mr. Hariri of the Toronto firm of Hariri Pontarini Architects. The design has won accolades from writers in more than 40 international architectural and design journals published in a range of countries including, for example, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Russia, and the United States. The "Canadian Architect" journal featured the design on its December 2004 cover as one of its 2004 Awards of Excellence. A judge for the awards was quoted in this journal as saying, "this project represents a rare convergence of forces that seem destined to produce a monument so unique as to become a global landmark." "One can only marvel at the architect's commitment to originate this form, the energy with which it has been developed, and the power of religious belief in motivating artistic achievement." Another journal "The Architectural Review" said in its April 2004 issue that the Temple "should become a gentle and welcoming beacon to the whole of South America." For more information on the Baha'i House of Worship for South America, see https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=223 https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=229 https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=279.

-33.4377756

-70.6504502

BELLINGHAM

WASHINGTON

United States

How everyone can win

How everyone can win BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON, United States — In Western countries, it is taken for granted that the best way to settle political, economic, or legal differences is by putting two or more sides together in a contest and letting one side win. But the adversarial system has distinct flaws. There is always a "winner" and a "loser." Somewhere along the line, compromises are usually made, which may not be in the best interests of the whole. And there is always the possibility -- and an increasing one as corruption of various forms creeps into the system -- that money or power will win out instead of truth or justice. What if there is a better way? Michael Karlberg's new book, "Beyond the Culture of Contest," calls into question the series of assumptions on which the adversarial system is based, asking whether they are not more products of culture than of our underlying nature. It also offers a hopeful new model ("mutualism") in which non-adversarial decision-making could become the norm. Dr. Karlberg, an assistant professor of communication at Western Washington University, criticizes the "assumption that contests are normal and necessary models of social organization." In Western societies, he writes, there are three "core institutions" of society: politics, economics, and the legal system. Each is structured as a contest, he writes, designed to pit various parties, interests, or litigants against each other. And all three institutions are based on the notion of self-interest as the primary motivation. "The political arena has been structured much like the capitalist free market," he writes. "It is an arena within which individuals, and the parties they construct, try to advance their particular ideals and interests in a self-interested and competitive manner." The norm for adversarialism goes largely unquestioned, Dr. Karlberg adds, because it has become part of Western "culture." And that has occurred largely because of an assumption that human beings are by nature essentially selfish and aggressive. The key to re-evaluating the culture of contest, then, is to re-evaluate our conception of human nature, Dr. Karlberg writes. "Human beings appear to have the developmental potential for both conflict and cooperation," he writes. "Which of these potentials is more fully realized is largely a product of our cultural environment -- as demonstrated by the fact that different societies vary considerably in their expressions of conflict and cooperation." Acknowledging that there will be a considerable number of skeptics who will remain wedded to the idea of contest, competition, and the efficiency of self-interest, Dr. Karlberg then examines various past and present forms of "mutualism." In particular, he suggests that the various strands for a new kind of cooperative global culture are emerging in such areas as the feminist and ecological movements, modern systems and communications theories, and alternative systems for dispute resolution. Ultimately, however, Dr. Karlberg suggests that none of these strands can be fully integrated without an overall change in our culture as a whole -- which, in turn, will require a re-conception of human nature and social structures. What is needed, Dr. Karlberg writes, is "an alternative cultural formation" in which mutualism replaces adversarialism. And he suggests a "case study" for such a model in the worldwide Baha'i community, "which has over a century of experience applying non-adversarial models...in an integrated and mutually reinforcing manner." With some five million members, organized into local self-governing councils in more than 180 countries, Dr. Karlberg writes, the worldwide Baha'i community can be seen as a "vast social experiment that is testing the assumptions about human nature, social organization, and social change" that prevail in the adversarial system. Dr. Karlberg, who is a Baha'i, notes that the Baha'i community follows a set of teachings that emphasizes cooperation, harmony, and unity. Its institutional structures, he writes, are built around a non-partisan yet fully democratic electoral system that embodies non-adversarialism as one of its highest principles. In that system there are no nominations, no campaigning, and no underlying concept of interest groups or constituencies. "The Baha'i electoral system embodies neither a contest nor the pursuit of power," he writes. "In contrast to partisan electoral systems the process is unifying rather than divisive. Since no one seeks election, there is no concept of 'winning.' At the same time, the electoral process remains eminently democratic." Consultation Dr. Karlberg also examines the principles of "consultation," the non-adversarial decision-making system that is used by all Baha'i institutions. It seeks to "transcend the adversarial posturing and partisanship" and "patterns of negotiation and compromise" that mark traditional adversarial decision-making. Dr. Karlberg writes that the history of the Baha'i community is, by and large, a history of individual self-sacrifice and dedication to collective interests, presenting a significant challenge to the assumption that human nature is incorrigibly selfish and aggressive. Dr. Karlberg writes that the nature of global interdependence requires just such new modes of mutualism and cooperation in human endeavor. "Because our reproductive and technological success as a species has led to conditions of unprecedented interdependence, no social group on the planet is any longer isolated," writes Dr. Karlberg. "Under these new conditions, new strategies are not only becoming possible, they have become essential. An interdependent social body cannot coordinate its collective actions as long as its component members are locked in adversarial relationships." Review by Brad Pokorny. "Beyond the Culture of Contest: From Adversarialism to Mutualism in an Age of Interdependence" by Michael Karlberg. George Ronald. Oxford. http://www.grbooks.com/

48.7544012

-122.478836

BRIDGETOWN

Barbados

Lifting standards wins awards

Lifting standards wins awards BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — A gold medal in an international junior weightlifting championship is just one of a string of recent achievements in sport, the arts, and community service by Baha'is on this Caribbean island. When Christopher Clarke, 14, won gold in the junior weightlifting competition in Slovakia this year, he beat competitors from traditionally strong nations in the sport such as Hungary and Poland. Last year he won gold medals in the snatch (62.5 kg) at the Pan American School weightlifting championships held in Colorado Springs, United States, and also at a championship in Montreal. Christopher likes to compete but has a special attitude towards his rivals. "I think of them as friends that I am playing with," he said. His faith, he said, helps him in his sport. Champion junior weightlifter Christopher Clarke with some of his awards."When I go to make a lift during competition, I feel as though I am not alone, as though someone is there with me," he said. "It (his faith) motivates me, especially knowing that others are saying prayers for my success," he said, adding that Baha'is also support him by welcoming him at the airport as he arrives back from competitions. Other young members of the Baha'i community of Barbados have also won recognition in the past year but in different fields of endeavor. Rahmat Jean-Pierre, now 21, won silver and bronze awards for dance and music respectively in the 2004 National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), and Simin Dolphin, now 17, was recognized last year for her academic excellence in Spanish. "This testifies to the motivating power and example of Baha'i children, junior youth, and youth in the wider community," said Debbie Kirton, a spokesperson for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Barbados. Ms. Kirton attributed the success of many individuals in the Baha'i community to the fact that as Baha'is they understand and appreciate the value of excellence in all undertakings. The Baha'i youth of Barbados have older members of the Baha'i community as role models in service to the community and to the arts. For example, Diane Bourne-Daniel, received a National Cultural Foundation Stalwarts award last year for her indigenous and original craft, a tribute that followed recognition in the same field in 2003 when she received the "Queen's New Year Honour Award" and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Hazel Beckles received the "United Nations Volunteer Service" award for exceptional contributions to the upliftment of the people of Barbados, and she also received recognition for being a founding member of the Justice of Peace Association. Last year, Michael Forde won the Governor-General's award for original music as well as other prizes, and Rhonda Lewis won a "National Cultural Foundation-Ervin Burgie" award for excellence in the creative arts, along with university awards in the humanities. The Baha'i community of Barbados has 10 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The community organizes regular study circles, children's classes, and prayer gatherings, all of which welcome participation by the general public.

13.0977832

-59.6184184

JOHANNESBURG

South Africa

Baha'is hold unique democratic elections

Baha'is hold unique democratic elections JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Baha'i delegates from throughout South Africa have elected the national governing body of the Faith using the same unique democratic system employed by Baha'i communities in more than 180 countries worldwide. Forty-eight delegates gathered at the new national Baha'i center this month for the annual convention where they consulted on plans for their national Baha'i community. The delegates also heard the news that the Baha'i Faith will be introduced into state schools throughout South Africa as part of the "Religion in Education" program run by the government. However, the main purpose of the meeting was the election. In a prayerful atmosphere, the delegates voted for nine members of their community to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of South Africa for one year. A spokesman for the Baha'i International Community, Douglas Moore, said the distinctive way Baha'i elections are conducted worldwide stems from the writings of the Baha'i Faith. "The Baha'i Faith administers its affairs through democratically elected nine-member councils at local, regional, national, and international levels," Mr. Moore said. "It's a sacred process for Baha'is." "There are no nominations before or during elections, and Baha'is completely abstain from campaigning or discussing the qualities of individuals," Mr. Moore said. "The delegates make their own private choice of who to vote for based on criteria set down in the writings of the Faith," he said. Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Mongolia elected in 2005."Those criteria are unquestioned loyalty, selfless devotion, a well-trained mind, recognized ability, and mature experience." Mr. Moore said that the voting is by secret ballot. Every adult Baha'i (21 years old and over) in the country is eligible to be voted for. Conventions Voting for the National Spiritual Assemblies takes place at conventions where delegates, who are elected to represent regional areas, also consult on the progress of the Baha'i community and how best to contribute to the spiritual well-being of their countries. The conventions held this year were the final in a five-year period during which the Universal House of Justice asked the Baha'is to pay particular attention to encouraging the participation of the wider society in three "core activities": the spiritual education of children, capacity-building study circles, and devotional gatherings. Increasing numbers of people who are not Baha'is have now participated in the core activities throughout the world. A message from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the world -- known as the Ridvan message -- was consulted upon at the conventions. Examples In Brazil, 50 delegates from 25 Brazilian states consulted on measures to mobilize the trained human resources of the community to achieve their goals. They also discussed how junior youth and youth can bring spiritual teachings to their own generation. In Russia, the delegates gathering in Moscow came from a diverse range of nationalities spanning the greater part of the country, including regions such as Ossetia, Yakutia, Kalmiki, and Buryatia. The consultation on the use of the arts in the community emphasized folk art as a direct and effective means of attracting the hearts of the people to spiritual teachings. In Japan, 31 delegates meeting in the Tokyo Baha'i center reported that they were heartened by the expansion of the Japanese Baha'i community, the increase in the number of Baha'i children's classes and the rising number of participants from the wider society who are joining Baha'i study circles and devotional gatherings. In New Caledonia, the national convention was marked by significant participation by the youth among the delegates. The delegates consulted on how to enhance children's classes, study circles, and devotional gatherings and also on the national Baha'i Fund. In Myanmar (Burma), 54 delegates met in Daidanaw, a Baha'i village. Following the enthusiastic consultations at the convention more than 300 children attended a children's conference. In the United States, the 96th annual convention was held in the Foundation Hall of the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Wilmette, Illinois. The delegates reported a greater appreciation of systematization of activities and an expanded outward-looking orientation and fostering of individual initiative. In France, the delegates reported a "serene and focused atmosphere" and a "constructive and smooth unfolding of the consultation and the election of the National Spiritual Assembly." On 20 April, Baha'i local communities worldwide elected their governing councils, the Local Spiritual Assemblies.

-26.205

28.049722

AUCKLAND

New Zealand

Award winner advocates celebration of diversity

Award winner advocates celebration of diversity AUCKLAND, New Zealand — People do not need to sacrifice their different cultures as they strive for a global community that recognizes common rights and values, said the winner of a national speech award organized by the New Zealand Baha'i community. In a speech at the 2005 Race Unity Speech Award, which is soon to be broadcast on New Zealand national radio, Georgina Rood said that cultural and racial characteristics make humanity more interesting. "Celebrating those differences as a force for unity and common good -- rather than using them as a source of division -- is the challenge we face, and have always faced," said Georgina,17, a student at Sacred Heart College in Wellington. "Our generation can be the turning point -- we have opportunities that our parents never had," said Georgina, who is not a Baha'i. The topic of the speeches by the six finalists was a quotation from Baha'u'llah: "The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens." The annual competition, which began in 2001 with 19 entrants, is open to all students in the last three years of high school in New Zealand. The 100 entrants in this year's competition came from 10 regions throughout New Zealand, from Auckland in the north to Dunedin in the south. The runners up were Sasha Borissenko of Aquinas College in Tauranga and Kimberley Cook of Pakaranga College, Auckland. Georgina received $750 and a trophy, as did her school, and the runners up and their schools received $250 each and certificates. The chief judge of the five-person multi-ethnic judging panel was the former Race Relations Conciliator and now the chief commissioner of the Families Commission, Rajen Prasad. The current Race Relations Commissioner, Joris De Bres, presented the prizes. Held in conjunction with the speech award was a race unity conference, organized by the Baha'i community in partnership with the Human Rights Commission. Participants had a choice of four workshops: "racism -- the global plague"; "cultural symbols and stereotypes"; "human rights and the Treaty of Waitangi"; "dimensions of identity." A keynote speaker was Kirsten Zemke-White of the New Zealand Baha'i community. Dr Zemke-White, an ethnomusicologist, used songs from different decades and of different styles to show how race and race relations are intrinsic to music ranging from rock, to jazz, to hip hop. "Race is all around is in the music we listen too, even if we're not aware of it-some of it positive and some of it negative," Dr. Zemke-White said.

-36.852095

174.7631803

BERLIN

Germany

Senior government minister praises Baha'i contributions

Senior government minister praises Baha'i contributions BERLIN, Germany — The German Minister for Home Affairs, Otto Schily, has praised the contributions of German Baha'is to the social stability of the country. In a congratulatory message to the German Baha'i community at a reception held on 10 May 2005 to celebrate its centenary, Mr. Schily said that German Baha'is actively support the protection and preservation of common values as well as the equality of all human beings. "It is not enough to make a declaration of belief," Mr. Schily said. "It is important to live according to the basic values of our constitutional state, to defend them and make them secure in the face of all opposition. The members of the Baha'i Faith do this because of their faith and the way they see themselves." Mr. Schily said that Baha'u'llah's "extremely humane" principle guiding people to dedicate themselves to the service of the entire human race was valid for all the great religions of the world as well as for every country concerned with human beings and their rights. He said that, in view of the inflammatory slogans by some extremist groups, the message to the religious leaders of the world issued by the Universal House of Justice in 2002 was of great importance in the world. (For more about that message see https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=159) Together, Mr. Schily said, Germans must abolish racial and ethnic prejudices and fight the nationalism that incites hatred of others rather than enriches the love of one's country. "I wish the Baha'i community in Germany a peaceful and dignified future for their members but also, true to their own guiding principle, for all humankind," he said. The centenary reception was held at the Berlin headquarters of the government of Hesse, the state in which the Baha'i House of Worship and national center is located. The program included a panel discussion on the "Requirements of Social Cohesion" that focused on social orientation and the role of religion in today's society. In a keynote address introducing the discussion, a prominent member of the German federal parliament, Ernst Ulrich von Weizsaecker, commended the ideas of the German Baha'i community on social integration, which they published in a statement in 1998. Other participants in the panel discussion included: the state secretary in the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, Marieluise Beck; the president of the Federal Agency of Civic Education, Thomas Krueger; the plenipotentiary of the Council of the Protestant Church of Germany to the Federal Republic and the European Union, Stephan Reimers; and the academic director of the Townshend International School in the Czech Republic Friedo Zoelzer. An international Baha'i conference in Frankfurt, Germany, 1958.Among the invited guests were Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The gathering in Berlin was the second centenary event held by the German Baha'i community. A third will be held in September 2005. On 22 April 2005 a reception was held at the national Baha'i center in Hofheim-Langenhain adjacent to the Baha'i House of Worship for Europe, which opened in 1964. Guests included representatives of the Federal and European Parliaments, the government of the state of Hesse, the cities of Hofheim and Wiesbaden, and political parties. At that reception, the state secretary of the Ministry of Science and Art of Hesse, Joachim-Felix Leonhard, praised the principles of the Baha'i Faith, describing the Baha'i message as "cosmopolitan, global, and modern." "The Baha'is," Professor Leonhard said, "are seeking to communicate and understand at a time when others are talking about a clash of civilizations." The mayor of Hofheim, Gisela Stang, referred to initial opposition to the establishment of the Baha'i House of Worship in Hofheim-Lanenhain 41 years ago but said the Baha'is are now fully integrated into the community. "They provide an important impulse for the city and for society," said Ms. Stang, referring to the forums the Baha'is organize and to their cultural diversity. "It would be good if these activities could be expanded upon -- the city of Hofheim would provide support." Representing the city of Wiesbaden, Angelika Thiels thanked the Baha'i community for its contribution towards nurturing understanding among religions. Ms. Thiels also referred to the contribution of the Baha'i community in offering to the wider society regular children's classes in which pupils learn about spiritual and moral values. The chairperson of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany, Saba Khabirpour, spoke about the history and the development of the Baha'i community, and the relationship between the spiritual development of individuals and the advancement of mankind in the material world. Also present at the gathering were the architect of the Baha'i House of Worship in Germany Teuto Rocholl, a former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe Anneliese Bopp, and former and present members of the National Spiritual Assembly. An article about the centenary of the Baha'i community of Germany appeared in a major newspaper, "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung," on 20 April 2005. The final centenary event of the German Baha'i community will be held in September in Stuttgart. It was in that city where the first member of the German Baha'i community, a German-born dentist from the United States, Edwin Fischer, settled in 1905. 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah and the head of the Faith from 1892-1921, visited there in 1913. The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany was formed in 1923. From 1937-1945 Baha'i activities were banned in Nazi Germany, in part because of the Faith's progressive teachings including on the oneness of humanity. Local Baha'i communities were dissolved and their literature was confiscated. Some of the believers were interrogated, imprisoned, and deported by the authorities. Some Baha'is of Jewish background were killed by the regime. After World War II the German Baha'i community soon reestablished its activities. By 1950, there were Baha'is living in 65 localities in Germany. However, the Baha'i community in Eastern Germany was dissolved until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Today German Baha'is live in 900 towns and cities throughout the country. There are 106 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The Baha'i community is active in the discourse on interfaith and gender equality issues, as well as in sustainable development and human rights education. Baha'is also hold regular study circles and prayer gatherings, which are open for participation to the wider public. For more information about the Baha'i community of Germany, see http://www.bahai.de For more information about centenary celebrations of the Baha'i community of Germany, see http://news.bahai.de

52.5186925

13.3996024

LONDON

United Kingdom

Hollywood role for veteran Baha'i actor

Hollywood role for veteran Baha'i actor LONDON, England — Veteran actor Earl Cameron was taking part in a Baha'i community activity in the United Kingdom when he received a surprising phone call from his agent. It was an offer to audition for a role in a major movie, something unexpected for Mr. Cameron, now 87 and largely retired from the movie business. His agent told him that Sydney Pollack, director of "Tootsie" and the Oscar-winning "Out of Africa," was considering him for a part in a new political thriller. "I had to rush to test for the role," Mr. Cameron said. "I turned up late...but they liked what I did." Mr. Cameron was cast as Edmund Zuwanie -- the unsavory president of a fictional African country -- in "The Interpreter," starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn. He had no hesitation accepting the role. "I feel that an actor must portray life, and despotic characters need to be portrayed and shown up," he said. The film tells the story of a translator, played by Ms. Kidman, who overhears a plot to assassinate Mr. Zuwanie as he addresses the UN General Assembly. "The Interpreter" is the first film ever to be shot inside the United Nations building in New York. Actor Earl Cameron playing the role of the president of an African country in "The Interpreter." Photo courtesy of Universal Studios.When Alfred Hitchcock made "North by Northwest" in 1959, he built a replica of the UN's interiors. With "The Interpreter," officials allowed the movie to be filmed in the UN building after office hours. At the film's climax, Mr. Zuwanie is portrayed addressing the General Assembly, a scene that reminded the actor of the Baha'i belief in the need for world unity. "There I was," said Mr. Cameron, "standing at the lectern in front of 2,000 extras playing all the ambassadors." "Seeing the names of all the countries on the desks in front of me, I got a real sense of the importance of the UN." "The world is desperate for peace and there's no other way it can go but towards greater cooperation at a global level," he said. "Solutions have to be found at a level above national interests -- and so far there isn't any other organization which can establish these first steps towards lasting peace." The critics have unanimously praised his performance in "The Interpreter." He has been described as the "one memorable performer in the film...absolutely eerie as the dictator of Matobo." (heraldnet.com) The "Baltimore Sun" wrote: "Earl Cameron is magnificent as the slimy old fraud of a dictator..." "Rolling Stone" described Mr. Cameron's appearance as "subtle and menacing." Philip French in "The Observer" referred to "that fine Caribbean actor Earl Cameron." The film's UK premiere at the Empire in London's Leicester Square was a glamorous occasion. Mr. Cameron was called to the stage by Sydney Pollack to be presented to the audience along with Nicole Kidman. "It's the first time I had been to a premiere for many years," Mr. Cameron said. "I've never experienced anything like that. There were thousands of cameras." Earl Cameron moved from Bermuda to England during World War II and there became a pioneering black British actor. In London in 1963 he became a Baha'i. "I never felt there was any conflict between being a Baha'i and being an actor," he said. "From time to time I managed to get certain lines in the script changed by the director if I felt uncomfortable saying them," he said. "Very occasionally I turned a part down. There was a period when black actors tended to get the villain parts. But I often got sympathetic character roles. Perhaps I have a sympathetic look about me." From the 1950s to the 1970s, he appeared in many films including "Sapphire," "The Message" -- the story of the Prophet Muhammad -- and the James Bond movie, "Thunderball." Mr. Cameron also became a familiar face on television in such popular shows as "Danger Man," "Doctor Who," and "The Prisoner." A twelve-year career break followed when Mr. Cameron went to the Solomon Islands with his family to assist the Baha'i community there. (Report by Rob Weinberg.)

51.5073219

-0.1276474

HAIFA

Israel

New 'Baha'i World' volume addresses pressing social issues

New 'Baha'i World' volume addresses pressing social issues HAIFA, Israel — Gender equality, domestic violence, and the role of the family in society are among the issues examined in the newly released volume of "The Baha'i World." "The Baha'i World 2003-2004" is the 12th volume in the annual record of Baha'i activities and perspectives. "The Baha'i World volumes offer serious students of the Baha'i Faith and general readers a yearly snapshot of the Baha'i community's progress and development," said Ann Boyles, the book's senior editor. "We publish articles and essays that relate Baha'i perspectives to issues of topical concern," said Dr. Boyles. Some of the major articles include "Inner Enlightenment, Moral Refinement, and Justice: Antidotes to Domestic Violence," by Dr. Michael Penn; "Towards a Purposeful Beauty: Reflecting on and Learning from the Houses of Worship," by Charles Boyle; and a "World Watch" essay by Dr. Boyles on the role of the family. A page of photographs in "The Baha'i World 2003-2004."Dr. Penn's article explores the Baha'i perspective on the global problem of violence within the home. He discusses beliefs and practices that are detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of women and girls, while considering the efforts of various Baha'i administrative bodies in promoting equality between men and women. Dr. Penn looks at the connection between the private and social elements of life, and examines the effect of family violence on the progress of society. He stresses the Baha'i principle of the importance of early childhood education in promoting social justice and eliminating domestic violence. "The cultivation of the human spirit begins in the family," he writes. In his article, Charles Boyle offers a perspective on the significance of the Baha'i Houses of Worship and their relationship to other sacred architecture. "The Houses of Worship erected by the Baha'i community are designed to attract the heart and stir the soul," Mr. Boyle writes. "They stand as physical embodiments of purposeful beauty." Other reports featured in the book include an account of the Baha'i participation at the World Summit on the Information Society, the annual "Year in Review" survey, a statement by the Baha'i International Community on "The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality," and an update on the situation of the Baha'i communities in Iran and Egypt. A chapter, illustrated by photographs, is devoted to the golden jubilee celebrations that were held in 2003-04 in many Baha'i national communities. This 280-page book is prepared by the Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information. It contains numerous color photographs, and is available for US$18.00. It can be ordered from World Centre Publications through the United States Baha'i Distribution Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Boulevard Atlanta, GA 30336-2017, USA. Telephone: (800) 999-9019; e-mail: bds@usbnc.org

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HAVANA

Cuba

Government officials visit Baha'i center

Government officials visit Baha'i center HAVANA, Cuba — Senior government officials and representatives of diverse religious groups in Cuba gathered with Baha'is for an interreligious event in the newly reconstructed Baha'i center in central Havana last month. Caridad Diego Bello, the chief of religious affairs in the Cuban government, and two other officials from her office joined Baha'is and representatives from Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and African Yoruba religious communities at the gathering, which was held on 23 May 2005. Ms. Diego expressed her gratitude to the Baha'i community of Cuba for bringing together the diverse group, and then spoke about the major social principles of the Baha'i Faith and on the theme of inter-religious harmony. "These are principles that even I as a non-follower of any religion would agree with," said Ms. Diego, who is a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba. Among the social principles of the Baha'i Faith are the equality of women and men, racial unity, and the abolition of extremes of wealth and poverty. The interreligious gathering at the national Baha'i center in Havana, Cuba, 23 May 2005.The inter-religious event was the second major gathering held this year in the Baha'i center, which was acquired by the Baha'i community in 1956 but which recently required complete rebuilding. Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Cuba hosted Ms. Diego and her staff on a tour of the center. The secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Havana, Ernesto Santirso, welcomed all the guests and explained that the purpose of the gathering was to open the center to other religious communities. Mr. Santirso read extracts from the 2002 message by the Universal House of Justice to the world's religious leaders in which the Baha'i governing council supported inter-faith dialogue and called upon those involved to address the implications of "the over-arching truth that God is one and that, beyond all diversity of cultural expression and human interpretation, religion is likewise one." (Full text available at: https://www.bahai.org/documents/the-universal-house-of-justice/letter-worlds-religious-leaders. After Baha'i speakers read quotations from Baha'u'llah on religious harmony, the representative of the Jewish community, Jose Miller, addressed the gathering. "Salvation comes from deeds and not from beliefs alone," Dr. Miller said. "We should have deeds that will improve the condition of the world today and bring peace to our society." A representative of the Institute for Bible and Theological Studies said the three Baha'is currently studying Christian theology with the Institute were an important asset to the school. Among the other guests were the chairman of the Islamic Association, Pedro Linares, and a high priest (babalao) of the African Yoruba religion, Stanislav Berboa. The Baha'i community of Cuba has five Local Spiritual Assemblies and has another center in Camaguey. The community has regular children's classes, devotional meetings, and study circles where guests are welcome. The first Local Spiritual Assembly in Cuba was established in Havana in 1941. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Cuba was formed in 1961.

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-82.3589631

LONDON

United Kingdom

Equality principle inspires winner

Equality principle inspires winner LONDON, England — An award-winning businesswoman is attributing her success partly to a Baha'i principle taught to her as a child. Jyoti Munsiff was named "Businesswoman of the Year" at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards ceremony, held here on 26 May 2005, attended by Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Among the VIPs attending the award ceremony were the eminent British lawyer and a patron of the awards, Cherie Booth, who is the wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Kamalesh Sharma, the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom. The Asian Women of Achievement Awards were established to celebrate the commitment, dedication, and determination of Asian women within commercial, professional, artistic, and humanitarian sectors. Two years ago, another Baha'i, Professor Faraneh Vargha-Khadem, was named "Professional of the Year" at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2003. (See https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=219) A patron of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards Cherie Booth, the wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, at the award ceremony, 2005. Photo courtesy of Asian Women of Achievement Awards.In her acceptance speech, Ms. Munsiff said she attributed her career achievements to the confidence given to her by her parents who brought her up with the Baha'i principle that men and women are equal in the sight of God. "The Baha'i teachings have been the foundation stone of how I have conducted myself in a working environment," Ms. Munsiff said. Born in Mumbai to Indian parents, Ms. Munsiff is corporate general counsel and the company secretary of Shell Transport. She is one of the most senior women in Shell world-wide. Ms. Munsiff joined the legal department of petroleum giant Shell in 1969 and became a project lawyer in most Shell businesses. She then led groups of lawyers that provided advice to Shell's businesses globally. Ms. Munsiff is about to take up a new post in Shell as chief compliance officer with the task of ensuring that Shell's companies around the world operate in a legal and ethical way. Presenting her with the award, Member of Parliament Theresa May said that Ms. Munsiff had "marked herself out in a male dominated arena, which says a lot about her strength of character and charisma. "She has not been vocal about her achievements, preferring to be out there and doing what she does best." Ms. Munsiff is also director of and honorary legal counsel to the Prince of Wales' International Business Leaders' Forum. She is president of the Commonwealth Association for Corporate Governance and also is a governor of the College of Law, a trustee of the Imperial War Museum and chair of the IMW Trading Company. The other contenders in the Business Woman of the Year category were Monica Fan of RBC Capital Markets, Surinder Hundal of Nokia, and Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi of Unilever. (Report by Rob Weinberg.)

51.5073219

-0.1276474

UNITED NATIONS

United States

Unity stressed at interfaith conference

Unity stressed at interfaith conference UNITED NATIONS, United States — The key to interfaith harmony is to focus on the essential oneness of all religions, a Baha'i International Community representative told a groundbreaking conference on interfaith cooperation. "It is this essential unity of religion, across the tremendous diversity of history, culture, tradition, philosophy, and practice, that should now become the operating principle of religious discourse," said the Community's principal representative to the United Nations, Bani Dugal. Ms. Dugal was among some two dozen speakers at the "Conference on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace," which was held on 22 June 2005. The conference was sponsored by a tripartite group that included 16 governments, three UN agencies, and eight religious and civil society organizations. It is the first time such a group has convened a substantive interfaith event at the United Nations -- an institution that rarely holds interfaith gatherings of any type. A report of the conference will be communicated to world leaders at the planned Millennium Summit Plus Five conference in September. Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Alberto G. Romulo, who opened the conference, said his government chose to co-sponsor the event because of the "vital role" that religions have in the promotion of peace. "Religions lie at the heart of each culture and civilization," said Dr. Romulo. "We embark on this tripartite partnership as an historic and inspired approach to the collective pursuit of universal peace as a fundamental goal enshrined in the UN Charter and in the 2000 Millennium Declaration." In her address, Ms. Dugal said persistent religious intolerance requires "a fundamental change in the way that believers of different religions relate to one another." "The remedy for the repeated crises plaguing our communities today is to center our efforts and frank deliberations on that which we hold in common rather than that which sets us apart," Ms. Dugal said. Growing numbers of people are already coming to realize that the truth underlying all religions is, in its essence, one, she said. "This recognition arises not through a resolution of theological disputes but through an awareness of the reality that there is only one human family and that the Divine Essence, from which all life has sprung, has also been the impulse behind the principles and laws of the great religions of the world. "The diversity of regulations and observances associated with the various faiths need not pose a challenge to the idea of religion's essential oneness. That religions differ from one another is to be attributed to the different requirements of the age in which they appeared." Ms. Dugal told the conference that the Baha'i sacred writings offer numerous passages stating the purpose of religion 'is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world.'" She also urged governments everywhere to observe the right, outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, for individuals to freely adopt and change their religious beliefs. "The individual's search for truth is an activity intimately linked with the human conscience and with the essence of life itself," Ms. Dugal said. "At a time when religious extremism, intolerance, and discrimination are threatening peace in many parts of the world, religious leaders must unequivocally support, if not lead, efforts to ensure that all people are afforded this fundamental freedom," she said. Ms. Dugal called for women and girls to be involved alongside men and boys in laying the foundation for interfaith understanding and sustainable peace. Full participation of women should be "passionately pursued, not only at the level of pragmatism but as the expression of the spiritual and moral principle that men and women are equal in the sight of God." Other speakers included Jean Ping, President of the UN General Assembly; Rapil Zhoshybaev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kazakhstan; Katherine Marshall, Director and Counselor to the President of the World Bank; Dr. H.M. Din Syamsuddin, Vice-Chairman of Muhammadiyah (Indonesia); Laurence Bropleh, Permanent Representative to the UN, World Council of Churches; Maleeha Lodhi, High Commissioner for Pakistan in London; Ambassador Gunter Mulack, Commissioner for Dialogue with the Islamic World (Germany); and William Vendley, General Secretary, World Conference of Religions for Peace. Government co-sponsors of the event were: Argentina, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Gambia, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, Spain, Thailand, and Tunisia. UN agency co-sponsors were: the Department of Economic and Social Affairs; the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the World Bank. Civil Society Organization co-sponsors were: the Baha'i International Community, the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, the International Public Policy Institute, Soka Gakkai International, Temple of Understanding, United Methodist Church, United Religions Initiative, and World Peace Prayer Society.

UNITED NATIONS

United States

Baha'is address historic UN hearings

Baha'is address historic UN hearings UNITED NATIONS, United States — A representative of the Baha'i International Community outlined specific recommendations for reform of the United Nations during an address at historic hearings between non-governmental organizations and the UN General Assembly. Roberto Eghrari, who is from Brazil, put forward the Baha'i position on 24 June at a session chaired by the president of the UN General Assembly, Jean Ping. Among the recommendations Mr. Eghrari outlined were: -- That advancement of the role of women is an essential element in strengthening the effectiveness of the UN. -- That the Human Rights Commission should be greatly strengthened by creating a standing "Human Rights Council." -- That mechanisms for funding the United Nations should be strengthened, beyond voluntary contributions. -- That the capacities and diverse experiences of civil society must be included in all aspects of UN work-- from decision making to on-the-ground implementation. Mr. Eghrari said the guiding principle that must now animate reform "is the oneness of humanity, a spiritual principle that underpins the very nature of human reality." "We are one human family, and each member of the human race is born into the world as a trust of the whole," said Mr. Eghrari. "It is on the basis of this recognition of our essential oneness that a process of reform can be successful." The Baha'i International Community was among some 200 international civil society organizations invited to participate in the series of interactive hearings held 23-24 June 2005. In advance of September's Millennium Plus Five Summit of world leaders, the General Assembly sought input from NGOs on four main themes: human rights, poverty elimination, peace and security, and United Nations reform. The hearings featured statements by select NGOs, along with a dialogue between a larger group of NGO representatives and government delegations. It was the first time the UN General Assembly has held this type of meeting. The Baha'i International Community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Diane Ala'i, was also chosen as an "active participant" in the hearing on human rights, which was held 23 June. That designation entitled Ms. Ala'i to offer a response during the dialogue held on "Freedom to Live in Dignity." In her remarks, Ms. Ala'i also supported the creation of a Human Rights Council. Such a council should continue to utilize so-called "special procedures" by which the current Human Rights Commission can create special rapporteurs that can monitor human rights in specific countries. She also stressed the importance of maintaining the understanding that human rights are universal, as outlined in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

SINGAPORE

Singapore

Junior youth take inspired steps

Junior youth take inspired steps SINGAPORE, Singapore — Junior youth from the Singaporean Baha'i community entertained more than 500 youth at a recent event organized by the World Bank. The young Baha'is performed dances portraying the need for unity among the peoples of the world and the vital necessity to eliminate prejudice of all kinds. High school and university students from a variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds enthusiastically applauded the performance by the Baha'is at the event, which was held at the Anglo Chinese Junior College on 1 June 2005. The World Bank organized the occasion to increase the awareness of development issues among young Singaporeans and to inspire them to volunteer to assist local non-governmental organizations. The Baha'i junior youth (aged 12-15) come from Chinese, Indian, European, and Persian backgrounds. An active group, they performed, for example, at an event earlier in the year and recently visited Baha'is and their friends in remote regions of Sabah in East Malaysia. Baha'i junior youth dancers from a variety of backgrounds won applause from an audience of more than 500 youth at an event organized in Singapore by the World Bank.

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103.8194992

HAIFA

Israel

'Prophet's Daughter' tells story of an exceptional woman

'Prophet's Daughter' tells story of an exceptional woman HAIFA, Israel — A woman who was assigned principal responsibility for the administration of an independent world religion is the subject of a book recently launched at a major book fair in New York. "Prophet's Daughter," by Dr. Janet Khan, tells the story of Bahiyyih Khanum (1846-1932), who held the reins of the Baha'i Faith at crucial formative stages in the history of the youngest of the world religions. The book describing the life of the daughter of Baha'u'llah was presented at BookExpo America held in New York on 3-5 June 2005. General manager of Baha'i Publishing Lee Minnerly said the book describes the accomplishments of Bahiyyih Khanum and her exceptional ability to transcend adversity. "The book delivers a strong message of encouragement and hope to anyone concerned about humanity's ability to combat ignorance, prejudice, and repression," Mr. Minnerly said. The author, a member of the Research Department at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel, holds a doctorate in counseling. She coauthored with her husband, Dr. Peter Khan, the 1998 book "The Advancement of Women: A Baha'i Perspective." "Prophet's Daughter" analyzes the significant role Bahiyyih Khanum played in the development of the religion's administrative structure and in its emergence as a worldwide faith. "In the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when Middle Eastern women were largely invisible, confined to the home, deprived of education and social status, Bahiyyih Khanum was an active participant in the dramatic early years of the Baha'i Faith," Dr. Janet Khan said. The resting place of Bahiyyih Khanum, Baha'i World Centre, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel."The book illustrates how Bahiyyih Khanum transcended the cultural constraints of the time she lived in," she said. From her earliest years Bahiyyih Khanum suffered with her family as the authorities in Persia confiscated their home and possessions, and exiled them from their homeland to eventually be imprisoned in Acre in the Holy Land. "Bahiyyih Khanum's role in the early history of the Baha'i Faith was different at different points of time," Dr. Khan said. "It is clear though that from her childhood she had an appreciation and understanding of the significance of her Father's station and the new religious revelation He brought," she said. Baha'u'llah passed away in 1892 and appointed His eldest son, 'Abdu'l-Baha, as His successor as head of the Faith. Between 1911 and 1913, during 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels to Europe and America, He entrusted His sister, then in her mid 60s, with the responsibilities of the day-to-day administration of the Faith. In her brother's absence Bahiyyih Khanum welcomed dignitaries and officials, met with Baha'i pilgrims, and handled the affairs of 'Abdu'l-Baha's extended family. Like her brother, she gave assistance to the poor and provided medical services to the sick. Another significant phase of her life came after the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in 1921. In His Will and Testament, 'Abdu'l-Baha appointed His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as head of the Faith, with the title "Guardian." Shocked by the sudden passing of his grandfather and conscious of the weighty task ahead of him, the 24-year-old Shoghi Effendi had to prepare himself for this unexpected responsibility. For the next three years Shoghi Effendi spent extended periods of time in contemplation, prayer, and planning in Switzerland, during which he assigned the task of the supervision of the Baha'i community to Bahiyyih Khanum. "This meant that for the first time in history a woman was appointed to direct the affairs of a world religion and that Shoghi Effendi had the confidence that Bahiyyih Khanum would succeed in this task," Dr. Khan said. Her appointment to this position came during a critical period of transition for the Baha'i Faith and its community, Dr. Khan said. She possessed the necessary skills and qualities of character to carry out her assigned functions. Bahiyyih Khanum had a vision of how the Faith should unfold, Dr. Khan said, because she understood the succession of the Faith's administrative order as preordained by Baha'u'llah. "By corresponding with Baha'i communities worldwide she facilitated the transition process between the passing of 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Guardianship, and the election of spiritual assemblies, the governing councils of local Baha'i communities," she said. "To me, Bahiyyih Khanum was not only highly refined spiritually, she was also a woman of great strength, resilience, and practicality. She was a prisoner from the age of six but always remained optimistic, and encouraging, a strong and complex woman, action oriented, and forward looking. "The book intends to analyze aspects of Bahiyyih Khanum's legacy that have continuing relevance to men and women, not only in the present day but also in the future," said Dr. Khan. The full title of the book is "Prophet's Daughter: The Life and Legacy of Bahiyyih Khanum, an Outstanding Heroine of the Baha'i Faith." "Prophet's Daughter" can be ordered at general bookstores in the United States. For those living outside the United States, the book can be ordered through the United States Baha'i Distribution Service, at bds@usbnc.org.

32.8191218

34.9983856

DUBLIN

Ireland

'Value system' could protect diversity

'Value system' could protect diversity DUBLIN, Ireland — The challenge of establishing unity in diversity was among the topics explored at a conference held here to examine the impact of the Baha'i teachings on a wide range of contemporary issues. The concept of "unity in diversity," which addresses the underlying similarities of different populations and cultures, is increasingly studied by social scientists as policy makers seek to integrate populations of various ethnic and religious allegiances. It is also a central principle of the Baha'i Faith. Addressing the annual conference of the Association of Baha'i Studies -- English-Speaking Europe, Dr. Iarfhlaith Watson, a lecturer in sociology at University College Dublin, said sociologists have been looking at this issue since their discipline began. "As humanity experiences its collective coming of age, the challenge is to find a way of holding people together -- not so tightly that pathological consequences ensue nor too loosely that they become lost," Dr. Watson said at the event, which was held 2-3 July 2005. Dr. Watson concluded that allegiance to a higher cause -- such as one common faith -- could provide people with a shared value system that allows order to be maintained but provides the freedom for diversity to be protected and flourish. Among the guests at the conference was Dr. Sheikh Shaheed Satardien, a Muslim cleric from the Dublin Inter-Faith Roundtable. Dr. Satardien and his colleagues recently organized a conference entitled "Towards a New Religious Model for Global Peace," which aimed to bring together scholars, religious leaders, and commentators from the worlds of media and politics. "Virtually all faiths oppose war and yet many of the world's conflicts contain religious elements," said Dr. Satardien. "Unity in diversity," the topic addressed at the conference, was the theme of an event hosted earlier this year by the Baha'i community of Cork as its contribution to the "European Capital of Culture 2005" program. People from 16 countries, some pictured here, attended the event, which included songs from the Dublin-based Townshend Baha'i choir, dramatic presentations, a salsa performance and lesson, traditional "canciones" ballads from Mexico, rhythmic melodies of Uganda, and Irish poetry. A member of the "Capital of Culture" organizing committee, Tom McCarthy, said the event captured the true spirit of the festival, uniting the hearts of the people who attended."Ireland is becoming the world in microcosm with new races, creeds, and cultures arriving on a daily basis. Potentially this country is a macro-laboratory for examining and testing strategies to promote peace that may have relevance on the global stage." Dr. Satardien said he is very taken by the vision of peace and global justice found in the Baha'i teachings. "I think the presentations at this conference should be heard by all people -- from academics to the man in the street -- to help them understand more about what the Baha'is are doing and how these teachings can be applied." Talks included presentations from Baha'is who came from a range of countries including Ireland, England, Scotland, the United States, Germany, Norway, and Malaysia. The Association was formed to foster the intellectual life of the Baha'i community and to assist Baha'is in the application of their teachings to the challenges of modern-day society. Dr. Masoud Afnan, a specialist in infertility at the Birmingham Women's Hospital, explored the concept of the soul in the world's religions and the implications such concepts have on the ethics of contemporary fertility treatments and research. "The differing ideas about when the soul associates itself with the new life in the womb has major implications on how the religions view such treatments, and how governments develop laws and policies," Dr. Afnan said. Among other presentations was an overview of the forces of history from the "big bang" through to the emergence of global civilization by Dr. Nahal Mavaddat, a medical academic, from Birmingham, England. Dr. Mavaddat said that millions of years of evolution have brought us to the point where human life, at the apex of the evolutionary process on this planet, is emerging towards its fulfillment -- global consciousness and the recognition of the oneness of humanity. Lawrence Staudt, chairman of the Irish Renewable Energy Council, explored the notion of the natural world being an expression of the will of God. Mr. Staudt examined the metaphorical nature of the physical world, that through "creation" we learn lessons about spiritual reality. New research was also presented on figures from the history of the Baha'i faith including Dr. William Cormick, an Irish physician who lived in 19th century Persia and who was the only European known to have met the Bab. Vincent Flannery from Ireland outlined information he obtained from a descendent of Dr. Cormick about his work as physician to crown prince Nasirid-Din. Another historical figure discussed was Frank Edwin Scott, an American Impressionist painter resident in Paris and a member of the first Baha'i community in Europe. 'Abdu'l-Baha gave talks in his Paris studio and Shoghi Effendi visited him in 1920. Malaysian-born Sathia Varqa, examined the actions of five of the world leaders addressed by Baha'u'llah in the middle of the 19th century. (Report by Rob Weinberg.)

53.3497645

-6.2602732

SOFIA

Bulgaria

Baha'i group pays homage to a heroine

Baha'i group pays homage to a heroine SOFIA, Bulgaria — Towering trees sheltered ornate headstones that were almost hidden in the dense vegetation of an old cemetery in this eastern European capital. In this lush setting, a group of Baha'is from 15 countries slowly made its way along a path towards a grave of historic significance. As the Baha'is turned a corner, they came upon a scene that was in complete contrast to what had come before. It was a small lawn cemetery in immaculate condition and enclosed by a low wall. This is the British military cemetery where British Commonwealth servicemen from two world wars, and some civilians, are laid to rest. In its neat precincts is the dignified grave of one who bore the nickname of "General Jack." This is not the tomb of a great soldier but rather of a spiritual hero of the Baha'i world community. It is the resting place of Marion Jack (1866-1954), who is acclaimed for her selfless role as a "pioneer," one who moves to another country to help establish and develop a Baha'i community. The belief in the oneness of humanity and the conviction that world unity is the key to a lasting international peace has inspired many Baha'is to pioneer to ensure that the teachings of Baha'u'llah are available to all peoples on the planet. The one acknowledged as the greatest of those pioneers is Marion Jack. Half a century after her passing, the group of Baha'is gathered around her grave. They placed bouquets on the headstone. "I had a strong feeling of respect and gratitude," Inga Daniels, a Baha'i from Iceland, recalled later. Light shines through the door leading to the living quarters of 'Abdu'l-Baha in Marion Jack's 1908 painting of a scene at the House of 'Abdu'llah Pasha, Acre."A woman who demonstrated such courage and perseverance in her role as a Baha'i pioneer is not only important to the history of the faith in Bulgaria, but is an example for anyone who likes to be of service to a worthwhile cause -- being at her grave was truly inspiring," said Ms Daniels. Like the others in the group, she had come to the cemetery after participating in a Baha'i conference held in Sofia 30 June-3 July 2005. The Baha'is bowed their heads as several among them recited prayers, including one by Baha'u'llah for those who have passed away: "Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water and grant that they may behold thy splendors on the loftiest mount." Those with some knowledge of the life of Marion Jack spoke quietly to the gathering about the one whose epitaph, inscribed in gold letters, begins with the words: "Immortal heroine." Born and raised in Canada, Marion Jack had become a Baha'i while an art student in Paris. In 1908 she spent some months in Acre where she had the privilege of being with 'Abdu'l-Baha. He admired her sense of humor, joviality, and spiritual certitude, and He gave her the affectionate nickname of "General Jack." During her stay in the Holy Land, she taught English to some of His grandchildren and met another of them, the young Shoghi Effendi. Some of her paintings done at that time are now on display in the Baha'i holy places in Israel, including the Mansion of Bahji. Inspired by the guidance of 'Abdu'l-Baha , Ms. Jack took the message of the Faith to Alaska 1919-20. More than a decade later, when revisiting the Holy Land, Shoghi Effendi, then the head of the Faith, asked Ms. Jack, 65, to go as a Baha'i pioneer to Bulgaria. She went there directly from the Holy Land, arriving in 1930. In cooperation with just a handful of other Baha'is, she helped establish thriving Baha'i communities in places such as Sofia and Varna. In that first decade of her stay in Bulgaria, she lived through the world economic depression sustained only by a meager pension that afforded her basic accommodation and food. Then, during World War II, her living conditions became immeasurably worse. Shoghi Effendi suggested she leave the country for Switzerland. However, he accepted, with great admiration, her plea to remain at her post. She had told him there was nobody there at the time who could replace her as a Baha'i pioneer. Living in a city subject to aerial bombing and facing the possibility of internment by a pro-Nazi government, Ms. Jack demonstrated persistence, fearlessness, self-abnegation, and generosity. During the Stalinist-style political era that followed the war, she suffered from inadequate food, heating, and clothing. She lived in dank rented rooms -- once in a damp cellar with no windows. Among the other difficulties she faced were serious health problems, an inability to master the Bulgarian language, theft of her belongings, extreme cold, plagues of bedbugs, and the irregular arrival of her pension. Yet she remained cheerful and steadfast. Shoghi Effendi said there was never a "more inspiring pioneer." When she passed away, aged 87, on March 27, 1954, he urged the building of a suitable grave that was destined to "confer eternal benediction" on Bulgaria. It would, he said, become in the future a place of visitation, a prediction that is being borne out by such visits as the one last month. An extract of the tribute Shoghi Effendi paid her on her passing appears on the headstone of her grave: "Immortal heroine...Greatly loved and deeply admired by 'Abdu'l-Baha. A shining example to pioneers...Her unremitting, highly meritorious activities...shed imperishable splendor on contemporary Baha'i history...Shoghi." Marion Jack's legacy lies in a Baha'i community now established in 100 localities throughout the country -- and in beautiful paintings adorning the meeting chamber of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bulgaria and some of the walls of the Baha'i holy places in Acre and Haifa. (For more information on Marion Jack, see the book "Never Be Afraid to Dare" by Jan Teofil Jasion, George Ronald, Publisher, 2001. http://www.grbooks.com). (Editor’s Note: A change was made to paragraph 16 on 6 June 2017 to reflect that Marion Jack went to Bulgaria in 1930, not 1931.)

42.6978634

23.3221789

CAMBRIDGE

MASSACHUSETTS

United States

Science and religion explored

Science and religion explored CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, United States — The relationship between science and religion was explored at the 29th annual Association for Baha'i Studies conference, which took place here on the 11-14 August 2005. Attended by some 1,300 people, the conference explored everything from the role of inspiration in scientific discovery to the value of prayer in healing. Presentations ranged over the gamut of natural and social sciences, from neuroscience to quantum mechanics, from philosophy to psychology. More than 100 speakers presented during the course of the four-day event. Participants came mainly from the United States and Canada but also traveled from Australia, Austria, Chile, China, France, Gabon, Germany, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Sudan, and the United Kingdom. The conference was organized by the Association for Baha'i Studies--North America, one of 26 sister organizations around the world that provide forums for scholars and students to exchange ideas inspired by Baha'i principles. Most presentations focused on this year's conference theme, "Science, Religion and Social Transformation." The Baha'i sacred writings explicitly uphold the underlying harmony of science and religion, and many scholars sought to show how these two systems are increasingly seen as complementary sides of the same reality. Redwan Moqbel, a professor of immunology at the University of Alberta, spoke on the role of inspiration in scientific endeavors. Dr. Moqbel said that current science is beginning to corroborate Baha'u'llah's teaching that there are realms yet to be discovered at every level of existence. "In the field of immunology, there is this concept of universes within universes," said Dr. Moqbel. "As we discover one layer of this onion, you then peel it off and there is another layer. "We are now beginning to discover that there are, at the molecular level, the signs and symptoms of a system within the tiniest units of a single cell," said Dr. Moqbel. "And when you go to the Baha'i writings, Baha'u'llah tells you that there are worlds within worlds, universes within universes." Dr. Moqbel said he believes that all knowledge emanates from God, and it is the responsibility of scientists to make themselves conduits of that knowledge through an attitude of utmost humility and cooperation with their colleagues. Redwan Moqbel, director of the pulmonary research group at the University of Alberta, delivered a plenary address on "That 'Eureka' Moment: The Role of Reflection and Inspiration in Scientific Discovery""'Humble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee,'" said Dr. Moqbel, quoting from the writings of Baha'u'llah. "Fellow scientists, this is our motto." John Hatcher, professor of English literature at the University of South Florida, delivered the Hasan M. Balyuzi Memorial Lecture, the conference's annual keynote address, titled "Unveiling the Huri of Love." Often taking a lighthearted approach, Dr. Hatcher examined the relationship between the phenomenal world and spiritual reality, suggesting that the former is a physical manifestation of the latter and that human beings can attain greater intimacy with the spiritual world by progressing through the various stages of love revealed by Baha'u'llah. The creation of physical reality, Dr. Hatcher said, is "a means by which we can understand abstract concepts" such as love. In this light, everything possesses some attribute of God, Dr. Hatcher said. "We love 'stuff' for example, because all 'stuff' manifests attributes of God." The primary purpose of human existence, he said, is to "climb the ladder of love," moving progressively from love for material things and love for self to love for others and finally to love for God above all else. Another convention highlight was a talk by Douglas Martin, who served as a member of the Universal House of Justice until earlier this year. Mr. Martin in a plenary address urged the scholarly community to contribute its insights on the unprecedented learning process that Baha'is around the world have put at the center of their community life. Mr. Martin likened the process, in which small groups of individuals gather informally to pray and study the Baha'i teachings, to the building of a bridge across a chasm. As more people engage in the process, the bridge is slowly built and the separation that humanity has always made between the mind and the heart gradually disappears. The learning process referred to by Mr. Martin consists of three main activities: study circles, devotional gatherings, and children's classes. The study circles cover such topics as living a spiritual life, learning about the life of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, and serving humanity. Each of the three activities -- whether it is group study, praying, or education of children -- is designed to bring participants to a closer understanding of their relationship to God. The systematic and world-embracing scope of this process is unprecedented in human history, Mr. Martin said, and scholars are in a unique position to assess its impact on human behavior and community cohesion. According to one of the conference organizers, this year's theme of the harmony between science and religion attracted a more diverse group of speakers than usual. "We do get strong submissions on the theme every year," said Kim Naqvi, the program coordinator, "but I think we have a lot of people presenting new ideas this year and a lot of Baha'i medical practitioners as well. "For example, Murray Skeaff came from New Zealand to present a study on fasting, and that's just the kind of presentation that we did not get before," said Ms. Naqvi. "We have had many more empirical science-based studies, particularly in the medical and natural sciences, done in the context of the Baha'i Faith than we've had in previous years." A perennial feature at Association for Baha'i Studies conferences have been the artistic presentations, and this year's event showcased a mixture of chorale music, dancing, spoken word pieces, and musical performances. Anne Gordon Perry performed a monologue during the Friday plenary entitled "Sarah Farmer: Raising the Flag of Peace," which recounted the triumphs and travails of the abolition-era figure who helped establish a center dedicated to peace and religious unity. Ms. Farmer, who became a Baha'i at the turn of the century, was held in high esteem by 'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah. The center she helped found and which 'Abdu'l-Baha visited eventually turned into Green Acre Baha'i School, a facility that is used today for annual schools, conferences, and workshops dedicated to peace and unity-related themes. Green Acre is located in Eliot, Maine. The weekend wrapped up with a panel of five speakers discussing their experience as young Baha'is in the academic and professional world. Speaking on the theme of "Walking the Academic Path with Baha'i Feet," the panelists explored the challenges of applying Baha'i principles to the often thorny problems that spring up in their respective fields, which range from economics to law to political science to bioethics to international development. The speakers concurred that as vital as are the divine teachings that are revealed to humanity by Baha'u'llah and the other Messengers of God, the challenge for Baha'is is to show to the wider public the applicability of these teachings to the practical problems of the day. "My challenge," noted Julia Berger, a senior researcher and writer for the Baha'i International Community, "is to never become lazy but to really think these concepts through. For example, when we talk about unity, what does it mean for today in the particular context that I might be thinking about it? How can I communicate this persuasively in a way that a community that has never heard of the Baha'i Faith can understand it?" -- Compiled from a report by the Canadian Baha'i News Service

42.3750997

-71.1056157

HAIFA

Israel

David S. Ruhe, 1914-2005

David S. Ruhe, 1914-2005 HAIFA, Israel — Dr. David S. Ruhe, former member of the Universal House of Justice, died Tuesday, 6 September 2005, near his home in Newburgh, New York, following a stroke in mid-August. He was 91. Dr. Ruhe became a Baha'i in Philadelphia in 1941, subsequently serving on numerous Local Spiritual Assemblies and national Baha'i committees. Elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States in 1959, he served as its secretary from 1963 until 1968, when he was elected to the Universal House of Justice. His service on the Baha'i Faith's supreme governing council here extended for five terms of five years each until 1993. A medical doctor, Dr. Ruhe was also an accomplished film-maker, painter, and author. Graduating from Temple University School of Medicine in 1941, Dr. Ruhe began his medical career during World War II as a malaria researcher in the United States Public Health Service where he was promoted to the rank of Medical Director. In l954, Dr. Ruhe was named the first professor of Medical Communications at the University of Kansas Medical School. Among the innovations he introduced there were the use of optical fibers for endoscopic cinematography, the projection of high-definition images in surgical theaters, and videotaping of psychiatric sessions for peer review. He made scores of medical films, winning the Golden Reel award, the Venice Film Festival award, and the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain award for his productions. In the course of his work in medical education he was appointed Director of the Medical Film Institute for the Association of American Medical Colleges. Dr. Ruhe was a prolific writer. In his medical career, he authored many papers and two books on aspects of medicine and medical audiovisual communication. During his years at the Baha'i World Centre, Dr. Ruhe researched and wrote Door of Hope, detailed explanation of the history and significance of Baha'i holy places in Israel, published in 1983. Later, he wrote Robe of Light, a historical account of Baha'u'llah's early years, published in 1994. Dr. Ruhe was also an accomplished painter who was trained in the Lehigh Valley school of impressionism. Upon his 1993 departure from the Universal House of Justice, Dr. Ruhe and his wife, Margaret, returned to New York State where he produced a series of documentary TV programs about the Baha'i Faith. Dr. Ruhe is survived by his wife, Margaret, and two sons, Christopher and Douglas, and their families.

32.8191218

34.9983856

ELIOT

MAINE

United States

Ambassador talks peace at Green Acre

Ambassador talks peace at Green Acre ELIOT, MAINE, United States — The Japanese ambassador to the United States told a gathering at Green Acre Baha'i School that he had "deep admiration" for the effort Baha'is have made in "attending to world peace and human harmony." Taking the theme of "Peace in the 21st Century," Ambassador Ryozo Kato spoke on 4 September 2005 about Japan's growing role in peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts around the world. "Japan is working around the world for the conservation of the environment, for disarmament, and for the eradication of poverty and disease," said Ambassador Kato. His speech capped off a week-long celebration of the role played 100 years ago by a prominent US Baha'i, Sarah Farmer, in promoting activities that supported negotiations that ended the Russo-Japanese War. Ambassador Kato addressed some 175 people, including the Japanese news media, as did representatives of the Baha'i community of the United States and the Baha'i community of Japan. The event was preceded by a week-long program commemorating the signing of the so-called Portsmouth Peace Treaty, which ended what many historians consider the first "modern" war, fought between Russia and Japan for 18 months in 1904-05. On 26 August 2005, Suheil Bushrui, who holds the Baha'i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland, spoke on "A Step Towards A Culture of Peace: Reflections on the Treaty of Portsmouth." Erica Toussaint, Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato, and Foad Katirai, after Dr. Katirai gave Ambassador Kato a copy of his book, "Global Governance and the Lesser Peace," on 4 September 2005 at Green Acre Baha'i School.Prof. Bushrui's talk was followed by five days of diverse educational activities exploring the cultural, economic, educational, political, and spiritual foundations for the creation of lasting peace. Features of the five-day program included a discussion of Russian contributions to the culture of peace, organized by the Boston-based Russian American Cultural Center, an interfaith panel discussion on the role of religion in promoting peace, a discussion of the role of the arts in creating a culture of peace, and an examination of African-American contributions to peace. On 31 August 2005, as well, Mitsuru Kitano, minister for public affairs at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC, spoke at Green Acre about the significance of the Portsmouth Treaty. The 4 September event also featured a dramatic re-enactment of the 1905 visit of the Japanese delegation to Green Acre and a commemorative raising of a "Peace" flag -- in honor of a similar flag hoisted 100 years ago by Ms. Farmer during the peace negotiations at the nearby Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Ms. Farmer, an early member of the Baha'i Faith, founded Green Acre and sponsored a series of summer conferences about peace and inter-religious harmony in the opening years of the 20th century. The Green Acre conference of 1904 closed with a program dedicated to the resolution of the Russo-Japanese war, and, the following year, when delegations from Russia and Japan met in nearby Portsmouth to negotiate an end to the war, Ms. Farmer was invited to witness the signing of the resulting treaty. She was the only woman at the event. Charles Doleac, co-chair of the Portsmouth Peace Treaty Anniversary Committee, said at the 4 September celebration that Ms. Farmer and other early Baha'is in the greater Portsmouth area played a critical role in pushing government delegations towards a settlement. "The Baha'is in 1905 were really trying, through the work of Sarah Farmer, to resolve this dispute," said Mr. Doleac, who has done extensive research on the Portsmouth treaty process and history. Foad Katirai, who traveled from Japan as the representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Japan, said that the Portsmouth Peace Treaty process can be understood as among the first "multi-track" efforts at diplomacy, one that included not only various governments but also a civil society component. "Many associations, many people, seek peace," said Dr. Katirai, who is the author of a book, "Global Governance and the Lesser Peace." "The Baha'i vision is perhaps unique in that we regard world peace as already having been born in the 20th century. What remains for us in the 21st century is to take the newborn peace and to see that it grows and develops into a mature and lasting system of global governance." Erica Toussaint, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, said that the signing of the peace treaty was a bold step on the part of the Japanese delegation in 1905. "Because peace requires great courage," said Ms. Toussaint. "That courage was to make a decision that to many people might be unpopular. When the Japanese delegation went home, there were riots." Ms. Toussaint also quoted from a talk given by 'Abdu'l-Baha in London in September 1911. "In that talk, he said: 'In the days of old an instinct for warfare was developed in the struggle with wild animals; this is no longer necessary; nay, rather, co-operation and mutual understanding are seen to produce the greatest welfare of mankind,'" said Ms. Toussaint.

43.1531421

-70.8000557

STUTTGART

Germany

German Baha'is celebrate 100 years

German Baha'is celebrate 100 years STUTTGART, Germany — More than 1,800 participants at the centenary celebration of the German Baha'i community commemorated a history both "dark" with crisis and "highlighted" by achievement. Participants came from every region of Germany and at least 25 other nations for the day-long jubilee, held 10 September 2005 at the Stuttgart Congress Center. Stuttgart was chosen as the host city because it was where the German Baha'i history had its beginning. Featuring prayers, speeches, music, and theatrical performances, the program took note of the "dark" times when the Baha'i Faith was banned under Nazism in Germany -- and of the joyous highlights that have followed during modern Germany's reconstruction and prosperity. For example, a series of performances, highlighted with old film clips and photographs, depicted events such as the 1913 visit of 'Abdu'l-Baha to Germany, the consecration of the Baha'i House of Worship in Langenhain, an interrogation at a police station during the prohibition of the Baha'i Faith under the Nazi regime, and the arrival of the first Baha'i in Germany, Dr. Edwin Fischer, in Stuttgart in 1905. Dr. Fischer, a dentist, had emigrated in 1878 from Germany to New York, became a Baha'i there, and then returned to his home country to bring the message of Baha'u'llah. Dr. Fisher used every opportunity, including talking with his patients, to mention the Baha'i teachings, and in time a number of Germans embraced the new religion. One of the speakers at the jubilee was Ian Semple, a former member of the Universal House of Justice, who represented the House of Justice at the occasion and read a message from it that referred to the arrival of the Baha'i Faith in Germany and its subsequent expansion. John Eichenauer, center, was interviewed about the role he played just after World War II in helping the German Baha'i community re-establish itself. A United States soldier stationed in occupied post-war Germany, Mr. Eichenauer made efforts to track down Baha'is in Stuttgart and re-connect them with the outside world."The spark lit in 1905," the message said, "has burgeoned into a conflagration." The Universal House of Justice said "this is a moment for reflection, profound reflection -- one that recounts the highlights in contrast to the dark aspects punctuating the history of crisis and victory that depicts the evolution of the German (Baha'i) community." Mr. Semple also delivered two talks in German which quoted from the writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi about the destiny of the German Baha'i community. He said the central task for the German Baha'i community today lies in its contribution to the "vital task" for building a new, just and peaceful global society. "In this age all the specific destinies are linked in the one enormous task of unifying the world and attaining the maturity of human society," said Mr. Semple. Another speaker, Stuttgart's deputy mayor for social affairs, Gabriele Mueller-Trimbusch, thanked Baha'is for their initiative in starting World Religion Day. "The respect you pay to other world religions, your openness for people who have different opinions, your message of peace for the world we live in, makes you a greatly appreciated partner for us," she said. "Stuttgart highly values the activities of the Baha'i community, because it participates in the social life of our city in an exemplary manner," Ms. Mueller-Trimbusch said. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany also addressed the gathering, as did a guest, the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, William E. Davis, who emphasized the "chain of deep and abiding love that binds our two communities." After World War II the American Baha'is sent to German Baha'is money, food and literature, and aided them in rebuilding the administrative structures. A US soldier stationed in occupied post-war Germany, John Eichenauer, who helped the German Baha'i community at that time, was a featured guest, and he told participants in the centenary festivities about his experiences during the first days of the reconvening of the German Baha'i community. The festivities included a variety of musical performances and dances. A children's program for the event was also organized, in which participants sang, played games, and acted in plays. The commemoration follows events in April and May to celebrate Germany's Baha'i jubilee. On 10 May 2005, the German Minister for Home Affairs, Otto Schily, addressed a congratulatory message to the German Baha'i community and on 22 April 2005 prominent parliamentarians attended a reception held at the national Baha'i center in Hofheim-Langenhain adjacent to the Baha'i House of Worship for Europe, which opened in 1964. German Baha'is now live in some 900 towns and cities throughout the country. There are 106 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The Baha'i community is active in the discourse on interfaith and gender equality issues, as well as in sustainable development and human rights education. (Photos by Alexander Schramm.)

48.7784485

9.1800132

UNITED NATIONS

United States

Values highlighted on UN anniversary

Values highlighted on UN anniversary UNITED NATIONS, United States — In observance of the 60th anniversary of the United Nations, the Baha'i International Community has issued a major statement that focuses on the importance of the oneness of humanity and religious freedom as critical values in the process of UN reform. "The blurring of national boundaries in the face of global crises has shown, beyond a doubt, that the body of humankind represents one organic whole," says the statement, which is titled "The Search for Values in an Age of Transition." Accordingly, the oneness of humanity must become the overriding focus as humanity searches for solutions to global challenges such as poverty, AIDS, environmental degradation, terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons. "It is clear that none of the problems facing humanity can be adequately addressed in isolation from one another," the statement says. "The increasingly apparent interconnectedness of development, security and human rights on a global scale confirms that peace and prosperity are indivisible -- that no sustainable benefit can be conferred on a nation or community if the welfare of the nations as a whole is ignored or neglected." Moreover, the statement asserts that the issues surrounding religion and freedom of belief have now risen to a level of "consuming global importance, which the United Nations cannot afford to ignore." "While the General Assembly has passed a number of resolutions addressing the role of religion in the promotion of peace and calling for the elimination of religious intolerance, it struggles to grasp fully both the constructive role that religion can play in creating a peaceful global order and the destructive impact that religious fanaticism can have on the stability and progress of the world," the statement says. "A growing number of leaders and deliberative bodies acknowledge that such considerations must move from the periphery to the center of debate -- recognizing that the full impact of religion-related variables on governance, diplomacy, human rights, development, notions of justice, and collective security must be better understood." Within the framework of these two main themes, the statement offers a number of concrete recommendations to the United Nations. These recommendations fall in four broad areas: human rights, development, democracy, and collective security. Among the recommendations are: -- A call for "the United Nations to affirm unequivocally an individual's right to change his or her religion under international law." -- The establishment of a timeline for the universal ratification of international human rights treaties. -- That the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights should become "the standard-bearer in the field of human rights and an effective tool in alleviating the suffering of individuals and groups whose rights are denied." -- An emphasis on education in UN development programs, since the "capacity of people to participate in the generation and application of knowledge is an essential component of human development." Special attention should be given to the education of girls, which "may well yield the highest return of all investments available in developing countries." -- That the rich countries of the world have a moral obligation to remove export and trade measures that bar the entry of countries struggling to participate in the global market. -- That the UN should develop modes for the "constructive and systematic engagement with organizations of civil society (including businesses and religious organizations)." -- That "healthy democracy must be founded on the principle of the equality of men and women" and efforts by member states to promote democracy must therefore "vigilantly work for the inclusion of women in all facets of governance in their respective countries." -- That "in our interconnected world, a threat to one is a threat to all," and the principle of collective security ultimately means that "the United Nations must in due course move towards adopting a procedure for eventually eliminating permanent membership and veto power" in the Security Council. The Baha'i International Community has previously issued major statements on the important anniversaries of the founding of the United Nations. On the 10th anniversary, in 1955, the Community issued a statement offering "Proposals to the United Nations for Charter Revision." And in 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the UN, it issued "Turning Point for All Nations." The full text of "The Search for Values in an Age of Transition" can be read at: www.onecountry.org/e172/BIC_UN_60th.htm

SOFIA

Bulgaria

Stimulating spirit pervades study circle

Stimulating spirit pervades study circle SOFIA, Bulgaria — On a soft summer evening, conversation in the center of this Eastern European capital moved quickly past the transient issues of the day to the eternal questions. Gathered were members of a Baha'i-inspired study circle that has met weekly in an exploration of spiritual and practical topics that have excited them for the past two years. "We talk about the soul, life after death, prayers -- these are the eternal questions," said Iota Konstantinova, a corporate administrative manager. Ms. Konstantinova, who is not a Baha'i, was referring to their discussions that arose out of studying "Reflections on the Life of the Spirit," the first in a series of workbooks developed by the Ruhi Institute of Colombia. The study circle here has moved through the series now to the fourth of seven workbooks. The workbooks were originally intended for members of Baha'i communities to use in study circles with the aim of fostering their own spiritual development and building their capacity to better serve others. However, popularity of the study circles has now spread far beyond the Baha'i community. In many countries, including Bulgaria, participation in study circles includes people from a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds. They use a system of self-directed learning carried out in a group setting. Study circles have tutors whose role is to facilitate discussion rather than instruct, and in this case it is Terry Madison, a Baha'i. Ms. Madison described the other members as people who "love and respect" the Baha'i Faith although not formally enrolled. Ask the members of the study circle to explain the benefits of their involvement and they respond with enthusiasm. "Well-educated people enjoy such discussions," said Ms. Konstantinova, who holds a master's degree in civil engineering as well as qualifications in economics and journalism. "It has given me new ideas, new points of view, new understandings." Ms. Konstantinova said, for example, that her participation has inspired her to embark on a personal project to help eliminate gossip and backbiting in her environment. "I read an extract from Baha'u'llah that says it is not one who calls himself a Baha'i who is His follower but one whose deeds are those of a Baha'i," she said, speaking of the importance of acquiring moral virtues rather than just labeling oneself as a member of a faith. Another member of the study circle is Dyana Dafova, an award-winning Bulgarian singer and composer with an international following. In New York recently, she donated two songs for a compilation compact disc released by the United Nations Human Rights Commission. Her music has been played in space to US astronauts. Stephanie and Evgenie Kostourkov.Ms. Dafova said she enjoys study circles because they allow one to see oneself from a different angle and to become more knowledgeable about important topics. "I like to make contact with people who have a spiritual interest and have spirituality in life," she said. "When you are leading a very hectic life, I think it is good to take time to look at these things. If you don't, you lose out on knowing how you have to live, about what is important. This is the most important thing you do in your life." At home, she recites Baha'i prayers with her husband. She describes herself as a good friend of the Baha'i Faith. "I have been to Haifa -- I had a wonderful experience there (at the Baha'i holy places), a special experience that I will remember for the rest of my life." Previously her creative focus was in the jazz, pop, and classical genres but it has since changed to "new music," combining the musical influence of different cultures, and presenting a message of love, peace, and tolerance. "It is very serious music for thinking people. It is music for the mind and the soul." Ms. Dafova's service activities include being president of the Morals and Ethics Association, a foundation she and Terry Madison established to build a moral society through education and the practice of virtues in daily life. The association arranges training programs for parents and teachers in virtues education, and it plans pilot "virtues" projects in schools. Another member of the study circle, businessman Evgenie Kostourkov, said that members of the study circle discuss the spiritual development of the personality and how this intersects with their own lives, their families, and society. "I enjoy this mostly because it is a very good group -- they are very intelligent women and have very interesting views -- and we love Terry and highly appreciate her tutorship." Mr. Kostourkov said he has most enjoyed studying the lives of Baha'u'llah and the Bab, how They delivered spiritual teachings, knowing that would attract persecution. He said he is impressed with Their courage and endurance. Involvement in the study circle, he said, has made him and his wife feel more relaxed, and they enjoy continuing the discussions at home after returning from the study circle meetings. "We have started saying prayers -- Christian and Baha'i prayers. They are almost the same -- they must be the same, coming from the same source. When you are praying, it changes everything." His wife Stephanie, known as Fanny, is an English translator who works closely with Terry Madison in a series of service projects, such as the Love That Child Foundation, which is involved in helping children in need, including children with disabilities. For her, the study circle is a relief after the often trivial conversations encountered in normal daily life. "Even professors here are not ready to talk about serious matters -- they are always joking and drinking. This discussion, though, is serious, it is very deep conversation." "Since I have been with Baha'is there has been a change in me. During our upbringing in communist times religion was absolutely neglected -- in 40 years they eradicated 1,000 years of religious tradition." The effect, she said, was to make it difficult for her to have any religious feeling and to make her feel "terribly alone." Even now she doubts her capacity for true spiritual feeling although she can see that throughout her life she has been on a spiritual quest. One of the issues with which she is grappling is how God can allow children to suffer. Since being involved in the study circle she has been continually pondering the value of prayers, and she now experiments with reciting them. "I sometimes pray that God will help me to relax and it works," she said. "My great gain (from the study circle) is this idea to serve and help others. I feel the pleasure of doing it, it is very natural. I think how beautiful it is, how great it is to help others." Formerly a resident on the Caribbean island of St. Martin and Suriname, the study circle tutor Terry Madison is a television producer who has lived in Bulgaria for more than 14 years. She said there is a special spirit in the study circle. "By the time the session is over everyone is uplifted. Even if they were depressed and didn't feel like coming initially, they are grateful for our sessions, and at the conclusion they are always joyful -- me too. "I learn continually from these lovely souls," she said, mentioning their ability to deliver talks on deep spiritual matters not only during their own study circle sessions but at others in the city and at the Baha'i Center to bigger audiences. A day after the discussion in the apartment, the group met on the patio of the Kostourkov home for their regular session studying spiritual virtues. Others present included a local lawyer, psychologist, and teachers -- all keen to consciously include spiritually virtuous behavior in their own lives and to assist their children and others to do the same. It was a lively and vibrant session, including a skit, and lots of laughter. The same spirit of the study circle -- joy and intellectual and spiritual stimulation -- pervaded the gathering. (Photographs by Edit Kalman.)

42.6978634

23.3221789

NEW YORK

United States

Magazine wins 'grand award'

Magazine wins 'grand award' NEW YORK, United States — "One Country," the newsletter of the Baha'i International Community, has won a prestigious "Grand Award" this year in the APEX 2005 Awards for Publication Excellence. The periodical reports mainly on activities of the worldwide Baha'i community in relation to issues of sustainable development, peace and world order, human rights, and the advancement of women. "One Country" won the Grand Award in the "nonprofit, small office" category. Just 100 Grand Awards were handed out, in 16 categories, from among 5,000 entries, according to APEX organizers. "We're honored to have won a Grand Award from APEX this year," said Douglas Moore, the director of the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i International Community, the publisher of "One Country." "In the world of nonprofit and organizational publications, it is a sign of considerable recognition," Mr. Moore said. The annual APEX awards are sponsored by Communications Concepts of Springfield, Virginia, USA. They aim at recognizing excellence in publications, including websites, by professional communicators. The awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. Now in their 17th year, the APEX Awards have gradually grown in prestige. This year, for example, the editors of "Foreign Policy Magazine" won three Awards of Excellence, a fact that they have noted on their website. In addition to the Grand Awards, APEX issues Awards of Excellence in 11 major categories, divided into some 109 subcategories. This year "One Country," whose editor is Brad Pokorny, also won an Award of Excellence in the "Columns and Editorials" subcategory for its Perspective Editorial titled "Literacy and Development," which was published in the April-June 2004 issue (Volume 16, Issue 1). "One Country" has won a number of APEX awards in previous years for its news and feature stories, including a 1991 "Grand Award" in the Newsletters category. "One Country" is issued quarterly. In addition to an English edition, it is published in French, Spanish, Chinese, German, and Russian. The English edition goes to more than 38,000 people in 180 countries. To see "One Country" on the Internet, go to http://onecountry.org.

40.7127281

-74.0060152

EDINBURGH

Scotland

Edinburgh gains elegant center

Edinburgh gains elegant center EDINBURGH, Scotland — An elegant Baha'i center in the Scottish capital has been obtained after a united effort by the local and national Baha'i communities. The center, at 44 Albany Street, is in the historic Georgian New Town area of the city, within the building conservation zone and close to Edinburgh's central business and shopping district. The four-story building has many spacious rooms suitable for the reception of distinguished visitors and for meetings of the Baha'i Council for Scotland, the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Edinburgh, and the Baha'i community in general. The search for a center began after a call in 2003 by the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom to find a new center to replace the existing one, which could no longer meet the needs of the community. Fundraising events throughout the United Kingdom began in 2004, the first donation being 35 pounds (US$62) raised by Baha'i children selling handmade bookmarks. (Baha'is do not accept donations from outside of the community's own membership). In January 2005 a new momentum to the search for an appropriate building and to fundraising came as Baha'is from throughout the United Kingdom attended a gathering that included dramatic performance of events from the early history of the Baha'i Faith in Scotland. (See https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?). In April 2005 a suitable building owned by a charitable organization was put on the market. On 23 May 2005, a Baha'i holy day commemorating the founding of the Baha'i Faith in 1844, the 1.2 million pound (US$2.12 million) offer by the Baha'is was accepted by the vendors. View from below of the staircase and cupola in the new Baha'i center in Edinburgh.A spokesman for the Edinburgh Baha'i community, John Parris, said the interior of the building is spacious and elegant and gains a lot of natural light due to its southern-facing aspect. "The style is Georgian and it gives a great feeling of dignity to the center," said Dr. Parris, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom. Refurbished in 1999, it retains its original features, including the cornice work, a cupola, fireplaces, stairways, and distinctive curved doors, Dr. Parris said. The center is already being used for activities of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Edinburgh, and many plans are being made for its future use to serve the community and welcome guests there.

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HAIFA

Israel

New service offered to readers

New service offered to readers HAIFA, Israel — The Baha'i World News Service now offers readers an RSS feed for use in their news readers and Web logs (blogs). The RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed includes headlines, introductory paragraphs of stories, and links back to the complete stories. For more information on the RSS feed, including instructions on how to subscribe, click on the XML button that appears at the bottom of the home page and news pages on the Baha'i World News Service Web site.

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DAR ES SALAAM

Tanzania

Religions gather to pray for peace

Religions gather to pray for peace DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Representatives of nine religious communities offered prayers on the International Day of Peace at a gathering organized by the Baha'i community of Tanzania. "This is an historic day," said keynote speaker, United Nations representative Eshila Maravanyika. Ms. Maravanyika expressed her delight at witnessing representatives of the various religious denominations coming together in a united forum to offer prayers for peace on 21 September 2005. Listening to her address were representatives of the Baha'i Faith, Buddhism, Christian denominations, Hinduism, Islam, and Zoroastrianism as well as from the Aga Khan Council and African traditional religion. In a general discussion, participants presented their suggestions on what should be done to become peacemakers and how to make a contribution individually and jointly towards building a peaceful world. Dr. Navruz Lakhani, a representative from the Aga Khan Council, said that we need to learn about other cultures, religions and traditions. A lighthearted moment during discussions at the International Day of Peace gathering organised by the Baha'is of Tanzania.(Front row) Secretary of interrelations dialogue of the Catholic Church Rev. Father Gallus Marandu (left), Aga Khan Council representative Dr Navruz Lakhani."Most of the times we have conflict it is because of our ignorance of others," Dr. Lakhani said. "If as individuals we make an effort to learn about others, then the respect and tolerance will come," he said. Ms. Gladys Denis, a Christian, said peace should start with individual people, who then take it to the community and make it collective. "It should be responsibility of everyone," Ms. Denis said. "Let's take the attitude of 'my responsibility', before we say 'we,'" Ms. Denis said. Ms. Jessica Mkuchu, the secretary of the Tanzania Ecumenical Dialogue Group said we need to believe in peace first. "Then (we must) avoid conflict and violence," Ms. Mkuchu said. The program included a parade by children who carried banners that read: "Guess who are we? Children of one creator and flowers of one garden; guess what we need? peace, please." Explaining the reason for organizing the gathering, Baha'i spokesperson Mitra Deliri Sabet said that humanity now stands at the beginning of a great new era of peace as promised in scriptures of the world's religions. "The purpose of the gathering was to provide a common ground where various religious organizations can come together and pray for a common goal -- peace," Ms. Sabet said. The gathering followed other interfaith activities in which the Baha'is of Tanzania have also been involved, she said. "We work hand-in-hand with other religious organizations in many areas, for example, poverty reduction, and in HIV programs," she said. (For an earlier story about the Baha'is in Tanzania, See https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?).

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SYDNEY

Australia

Women scoop awards at film festival

Women scoop awards at film festival SYDNEY, Australia — A movie from a child's perspective about the equality of the sexes won the "best film" award at the Baha'i-inspired "Harmony Film Festival" held in Australia's biggest city on 22 October 2005. The Australian-made movie by Bita Haidarian, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker, tells the story of an eight-year-old girl whose father refuses to let her to swap her household chore (dishwashing) with her brother's (lawn mowing) because mowing is "for boys." The girl takes matters into her own hands and ends up with a humorous and telling result. More than 600 people attended the festival, which had "woman" as its theme. Entries came from 25 filmmakers of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds and from countries including Australia, Japan, Spain, Russia, and the United States. The films ranged from a gentle coming of age exploration ("32EE") and broad-based slapstick comedy ("Footsteps Femme Fatale") to documentaries about genocide in Sierra Leone ("Mussu") and female alienation in Russia ("The Glass Island"). The judges were from the film industry. They included documentary filmmakers Peter Butt and Mitzi Goldman, movie director Mojgan Khadem, film and television journalist Sandy George, and actor Nick Tate. Eight of the 14 finalists were female directors, a gratifying result according to festival director Mehrzad Mumtahan. "We chose 'woman' as the 2005 theme to draw attention to the issue of equality and the important role women can play as peacemakers in our troubled world," Mr. Mumtahan said. Harmony Film Festival organizers, from left, Naomi Hall, Collis Ta'eed, and Mehrzad Mumtahan."To have the majority of the finalists be female is an incredibly positive result. It shows that we're not just about words and platitudes -- but really making a difference." Mr. Mumtahan said the festival was inspired by the Baha'i belief that the arts have a great capacity to awaken and uplift the heart. He said filmmakers can proclaim widely the message of peace, and encourage people to discuss vital issues relating to harmony and unity. Entrants in the festival were advised that a useful starting point in their exploration of the 2005 theme was "The Promise of World Peace," a message issued in 1985 by the Universal House of Justice that highlighted an important relationship between the role of women and the establishment of world peace. "The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace," the message said. "The denial of such equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world's population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations," it said. (For more of the statement, see http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/uhj/PWP ) Shideh Faramand's six minute comedy "In Time" won both the "audience choice" and "achievement" awards. The film takes a humorous look at the social pressures on single women to get married and start a family. Ms. Faramand said her inspiration in filmmaking was to "make an impact on the world." "They say the soul of society can be seen through the arts and we can see that its moral stance is so degrading. I would like to create its new soul," she said. The award for the "most original concept" went to Anis Fanaeian for his film "Remember Tomorrow," a film about a successful professional woman who chooses motherhood and the joy of having and raising children over a successful career. One of the judges, documentary filmmaker Peter Butt, said the Harmony Film Festival is building a new paradigm for the film industry, providing a new platform for filmmakers to share with the world their hopes and dreams of a new civilization. "You're talking to the grassroots and you're inspiring people to roll out new ideas to impact upon society," Mr. Butt said. "It may not be from tonight that there's a big change, but it's the practitioners (filmmakers) that have the greatest impact." The festival, now in its second year, was organized by a three-person team comprising Collis Ta'eed, Naomi Hall, and Mr. Mumtahan. The festival films have already been seen in other Australian cities, in New Zealand, and in Israel, and will soon be screened in other countries. For more information on the festival see http://www.harmonyfilmfest.com (Reporting by Farnaz Fanaian and Sabour Bradley.)

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COLLEGE PARK

MARYLAND

United States

Peace expert appointed to university chair

Peace expert appointed to university chair COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND, United States — A former senior official with the United States Agency for International Development, John Grayzel, has been appointed to the Baha'i Chair for Peace at the University of Maryland in the United States. Dr. Grayzel will succeed the inaugural holder, Suheil Bushrui, who is retiring after holding the position since 1992. Dr. Grayzel, a member of the Baha'i Faith, holds a law degree from Stanford University and a doctorate in anthropology from the University of Oregon. He served for 25 years in the field of international development and conflict management, tackling senior foreign service assignments for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His work took him to Africa, India, and the Philippines, among other places. He also served in the US Peace Corps. The Baha'i Chair for Peace is part of the University of Maryland's Center for International Development and Conflict Management, which adheres to the belief that "peace building and development-with-justice are two sides of the same coin." The Center's director, Jonathan Wilkenfeld, said that Dr. Grayzel, with his extensive background in conflict management, "will be a good fit here." The chancellor of the University of Maryland System, William E. Kirwan, said that through the chair, the values of the Baha'i Faith resonate on campus and support the major values and activities at the university. "This is the first ... Baha'i Chair in existence, and was one of my most important initiatives as president of the College Park campus," Dr. Kirwan said. The mission of the Baha'i Chair for Peace, in part, is to develop alternatives to the violent resolution of conflict, promote global education and spiritual awareness, and reflect the beliefs of the Baha'i world community in building a global society. (For a story on Professor Bushrui, see https://news.bahai.org/story/282) (Reporting by Deborah Leigh Wood for "The American Baha'i".)

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UNITED NATIONS

United States

Panel urges talks on religious intolerance

Panel urges talks on religious intolerance UNITED NATIONS, United States — Governments should tackle increased religious intolerance by promoting discussion both within and between religious groups and by ensuring that women and political leaders are involved in the talks. These were among the recommendations made by a panel of experts in freedom of religion and belief at a symposium organized by the Baha'i International Community in New York on 25 October 2005. The panel included Piet de Klerk, Netherlands' Ambassador at Large for Human Rights; Asma Jahangir, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief; and Felice Gaer, Director of the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights. Bani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, chaired the symposium titled "Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." Ms. Dugal said the Baha'i International Community sponsored the event to stimulate discussion and thinking about the implementation and protection of the right to freedom of religion and belief. "Perhaps now more than ever in our lifetimes, religious ideas and religious actors are asserting themselves at all levels of society," Ms. Dugal said. "Against the backdrop of accelerating processes of globalization, the search for meaning, rootedness, and community is manifesting itself in diverse expressions of worship and belief," she said. The panel at the symposium on "Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." (Left to right) Asma Jahangir, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief; Piet de Klerk, Netherlands' Ambassador at Large for Human Rights; Felice Gaer, Director of the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights."At the same time -- as repeatedly highlighted in the reports of the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on this right -- we witness persistent intolerance and discrimination based on religion and belief, the proliferation of violence and hatred in the name of religion, and religious extremism." All three panelists stressed the importance of upholding the right to freedom of religion and belief outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and other UN treaties. "Some say freedom of religion is the mother of all human rights," said Mr. De Klerk, adding that all human rights are universal and interconnected. "The degree to which freedom of religion or belief is upheld reflects the general human rights situation in a particular country," he said. Mr. De Klerk said that although concern about government repression of religious freedom has not lost its importance, recent trends have led to increased tensions between religious groups themselves and that has caused new worries over the right to religious freedom, he said. "In our globalized world, certain religions or believers feel more and more threatened than before." This trend seems to have led to a rise in fundamentalism and accompanying clashes between governmental law and religious law. Mr. De Klerk said the first reason for heightened religious tension was that increased migration means religions are less confined to one particular region than before. "The second reason is that after the fall of the iron curtain, it has become more difficult to rally people around political ideologies -- but religious ideology has not lost its influence." Beyond strictly upholding laws that provide for religious freedom, Mr. De Klerk said the best way for governments to deal with religious tension and intolerance is to promote dialogue, both within and between religious groups. That would make it more difficult for extremists to encourage religious violence, he said. "States should support these dialogues both morally and financially." Ms. Jahangir said that in her visits as UN Special Rapporteur last year to three countries -- Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and France -- she saw evidence of renewed competition among religions and the fear that one religion is going to overtake the other. Religious dialogue should not be held just among religious leaders, she said. "Dialogue would remain meaningless unless politicians are involved -- more so, women, who remain on the fringes and are often the victims of religious intolerance." One of the most contentious arenas between religious groups and others, including the state, is the area of family law, she said. Sometimes interpretations of religious law conflicts with generally accepted principles of national and international law such as the equality of women and men, she said. "I believe it is time now for politicians...to take a lead in the dialogue on how these tensions can be removed because some of it may be purely because of belief and some of it may be a jostling for power -- and it is the jostling for power that must be addressed." Ms. Jahangir also said that she has observed a relationship between religious freedom and development. "Where you have religious oppression...it makes poverty worse," she said. Ms. Gaer spoke about her experience as a member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which was established in 1998 to monitor the freedom of religion or belief outside the United States with reference to US foreign policy. Ms. Gaer said some governments misapply the limitations on religious freedom that are specified in international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). For example, while the ICCPR upholds the right to "freedom of thought, conscience and religion," including the right to "manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching," it allows governments to curb the open expression of religious belief if "necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others." Ms. Gaer said that many governments have unjustifiably taken this clause as a license to suppress minority religions. In Saudi Arabia, she said, members of the USCIRF were told by government officials that the open expression of religion -- such as the existence of non-Muslim houses of worship and religious symbols -- must be restricted because "the Saudi people would not tolerate it and they might violently oppose the public expression of religion by non-Muslims." "If this is accurate then the remedy must not lie in the suppression of religious expression but in the teaching of tolerance," she said. Ms. Gaer said that during a 2004 visit to Egypt in which the USCIRF investigated concerns over the oppression of Coptic Christians, Jews, Baha'is and certain "unorthodox Muslims," members of the USCIRF were told by government officials that any such restrictions were required to protect public order. However, when USCIRF pressed Egyptian officials for evidence that such groups posed a threat to public order, they provided no evidence. "They said the Baha'is had engaged in political activity and that the community participated in immoral acts," said Ms. Gaer. "But they had no facts to back up their denunciations in formal meetings. And when we pointed that out to them, it made absolutely no difference to those officials, who continued in other meetings where the very same arguments were made."

THURSDAY ISLAND, QUEENSLAND

Australia

Radio program attracts wide audience

Radio program attracts wide audience THURSDAY ISLAND, QUEENSLAND, Australia — A weekly Baha'i radio program is building bridges of understanding across the more than 100 islands of the Torres Strait in the far north of Australia. Aimed at providing a service to the Baha'i community scattered throughout the islands, the program is now also attracting participation by many of the majority Christian population. The program uses a talkback format and functions as an on-air study circle, based on a self-directed approach to training adopted by Baha'i communities worldwide. In a study circle, participants read through selected passages from the Baha'i writings together, and share their understandings with the guidance of a facilitator. The program is broadcast on Thursday Island community radio station 4MW, which is listened to by some 85 percent of Torres Strait residents. Titled "Baha-Bi-Buiya," which means "Light-Light-Light" in the two main dialects of the Torres Strait and in Arabic, the program has been broadcast now for more than a year. Local Baha'is Janelle Gebadi and Margaret Gabey host the program, with the support of back-up presenter Ina Aiputa. The presenters read the passages from the Baha'i writings and then the audience participates in what are often lively discussions. Ms. Gebadi said that when the show started, people were slow to participate but that has completely changed. "Now people are asking so many questions," she said, adding that she thinks it is good that people find the program so interesting. "Each week we try and make people understand or (become) aware of the Baha'i Faith because sometimes people misunderstand the Faith," she said. Joanne Thompson, a local resident, said there have been many benefits from the program. "It is helping to break down the barriers," she said. "In the beginning there was open hostility to the program but now more and more people are starting to ask questions-- more people are turning up to our functions." "I am staggered at the content, the nurturing and the courage that these magnificent ladies (present) over the airwaves," she said. (Story adapted from "Australian Baha'i Report.")

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142.21892059042744

NEW DELHI

India

Fiji's First Lady visits Temple

Fiji's First Lady visits Temple NEW DELHI, India — The First Lady of Fiji, Leba Qarase, visited the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, India on 10 October 2005. A prayer service held specially for the occasion included chants in both Hindi and English of prayers from the Baha'i, Christian, and Hindu scriptures. Mrs. Qarase then visited the Information Centre where she viewed panels on Baha'i history and those displaying socio-economic development projects. The First Lady of Fiji, Leba Qarase (fifth from right, with hat) and her entourage visiting the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi. Escorting the visitors was Shatrughun Jiwnani, the Temple's public relations general manager (right).She met Nalina Jiwnani, Director for the Baha'i Office for the Advancement of Women in India. In the visitors' book, Mrs. Qarase wrote: "I already feel at peace. Glory be to God! It is a great experience going through the temple. May God Almighty bless the Baha'i Faith!" For another story about other prominent visitors to the Temple, see https://news.bahai.org/story/344 For a story about the Baha'i faith in Fiji, see https://news.bahai.org/story/366

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77.2090057

NEW YORK

United States

Devotional meeting pulses with energy

Devotional meeting pulses with energy NEW YORK, United States — The sounds of African drums and soaring voices burst out over a normally quiet lower Manhattan Street lined with antique dealers and four-story apartment buildings. It was a recent Sunday morning and the pulsating energy was coming from the New York Baha'i Center where a drum circle was being led by African-American men, with people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds joining in. The gathering was a striking example of a new and growing feature of Baha'i community life: community devotional meetings designed to engage the world at large through uplifting and inspirational prayers, music, readings and more. In this case, the monthly event also offers a striking antidote to the sometimes subtle, sometimes overt sense of racial segregation that still pervades American society. Called the "Hush Harbor Devotional," the gathering takes its name from meetings held by slaves who hung wet fabric on tree branches to stop their voices carrying while they were praying and planning escapes. "The whole idea is to extend that idea of a safe place, not just for black folks but for everyone that comes to the devotional," said Lloyd Lawrence, one of the organizers. "I think we free people up from their own cultural limitations," Mr. Lawrence said. William Roberts, a keen observer of the progress of the devotional, said many newcomers are surprised that they feel so comfortable in an environment that is led by African-American men. "In the larger society, people are made to fear black men," said Dr. Roberts, who himself is African-American and serves as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. Dr. Roberts said that at the Hush Harbor Devotional gathering people are helped to feel at ease, to feel welcomed and embraced. "Many people want to have a conversation with God, feel the spirit of the Almighty," said Dr. Roberts. "They want to have their souls quickened with that spirit -- and coming into this kind of devotional allows them to feel that spirit." Organizers of the Hush Harbor devotional meetings: Lloyd Lawrence (left) and Kenneth Ray.Participants are welcomed with refreshments and invited to stay for lunch. In addition to drumming and singing, the Hush Harbor Devotional also features the chanting of prayers in a wide range of languages, including Arabic, Persian, Mandarin, and Spanish. The Hush Harbor Devotional began about three years ago. The idea came from participation by New York City Baha'is in the Black Men's Gathering, which are regular events that were founded by Dr. Roberts in 1987 and have continued ever since. The aim of that gathering, which has proved an ongoing success, is to change the conditions of men of African descent and help them to achieve spiritual transformation. The use of the drumming combined with prayers began with the Black Men's Gathering and became the model for the Hush Harbor Devotional. "The purpose [of Hush Harbor] is not to perform, it's not to read perfectly, but to pray," said Dr. Roberts. Kenneth Ray, who organizes the event with Mr. Lawrence, said he thought it had helped the community to understand its wonderful diversity. "When we first started, Hush Harbor was mainly attracting the African-American community, but now it is inclusive of people from all backgrounds, Baha'is and non-Baha'is alike," Mr. Ray said. Mr. Ray said the question the organizers attempt to answer is this: "How many different ways can we present the [Baha'i] Faith to as many different backgrounds?" One of those attracted is P.J. Sanchez, a law student, who learned of the Baha'i Faith initially from her mother and then read some Baha'i material online. She came to realize the New York City Baha'i Center was within walking distance from her apartment, and so she decided to attend a devotional gathering there. "I was struck with the inclusive nature of the worship," Ms. Sanchez said. "I felt as if everyone was actively participating, rather than just listening or responding by rote as I have felt in other forms of worship," she said. "The lack of clergy and the lack of a script or plan -- the lack of ritual, I suppose -- for the devotional made the worship feel much more self-directed and organic, as if it was springing up naturally from the hearts and minds of the participants." Ms. Sanchez said she was also struck by the diversity of the participants. "There seemed to be a much wider variety of race and class than I have usually found in various religions, and everyone mingled together without the formation of cliques," she said. "Everyone participated in the devotional in a way that felt comfortable to them -- shouting out or not, moving around or not, praying in English or in Spanish -- and this was respected by all of the other participants. "The musical nature of the Hush Harbor Devotional seemed very unique to me. Instead of music being an interlude from prayer, it was the mode of prayer itself. I found this to only enhance the words being said." Ms. Sanchez attended a discussion about the Baha'i Faith that followed the lunch and was able to ask about the various forms of worship in the Faith. She says she is interested in learning more. One of the core activities of Baha'is around the world is to increase the efforts made to host devotional gatherings and to enhance their quality. The Hush Harbor Devotional is now seen as an example of how to reflect on positive aspects of one's culture and to bring that to the rest of the Baha'i community and the population at large. "Really what's happened is we've witnessed men who have been marginalized in their community step forward," Dr. Roberts said. "It allowed them to know that being a Baha'i does not mean you have to put aside your culture, your way of doing things," he said. Mr. Ray said that the devotional provides many with a different understanding of diversity and worship. "It's a way for everyone to express his or her spirit -- it's about the full participation of everyone in the room," he said. "We seek to touch people's hearts. If people's hearts are affected then Hush Harbor is serving its purpose." (Report by Stephanie Vaccaro.) (Photographs by Mike Relph.)

40.7127281

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HAIFA

Israel

Head of state visits Baha'i World Centre

Head of state visits Baha'i World Centre HAIFA, Israel — The president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kessai Note, and his wife, Mrs Mary Note, paid an official visit to the Baha'i World Centre on 1 December 2005. The president and first lady were welcomed by a member of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. Peter Khan, and his wife, Dr. Janet Khan. Also in the welcoming party were a counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre, Mr. Stephen Hall, and his wife, Mrs. Dicy Hall. Among those in the presidential entourage were the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands, Mr. Gerald Zackios, and Mrs. Zackios, and Bikini Atoll senator Tomaki Juda and Mrs. Juda. At a reception in the seat of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. Khan discussed with President Note the history of the Baha'i community in the Marshall Islands and the contributions the Baha'is have made to development in that country. President Note and his party then visited the Shrine of the Bab and its surrounding Terraces. "I enjoyed the visit very much," said President Note. President Kessai Note of the Marshall Islands, right, and the deputy secretary-general of the Baha'i International Community, Murray Smith, near the Shrine of the Bab.It was the second visit to the Baha'i World Centre by a head of state of the Marshall Islands, the first being in 1990 by President Amata Kabua. President Note was on state visit to Israel, said the deputy secretary-general of the Baha'i International Community, Murray Smith. Mr. Smith said the visit came about at the suggestion of Mr. Zackios. "Through his frequent contact with the representatives of the Baha'i community, the Foreign Minister, Gerald Zackios, was aware that the international headquarters of the Baha'i Faith, with its beautiful gardens, was located in Haifa and he encouraged the officials in the office of the President to request inclusion of the Baha'i World Centre in the itinerary," Mr. Smith said. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Marshall Islands was established in 1977. There are currently 13 Local Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha'i Faith in the country.

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