NSA Highlights U.S. Tasks
During Next Nine Years
As we set about charting our individual and collective courses for our services to our beloved Faith for the next nine years, Ute American Bah! 'is have both a wide range of choice of services and almost the whole world in which to put them into action.
In the hope that it may aid in bringing our plans into proper foeus, the National Spiritual Assembly has re­ viewed the goals of the Nine Year Plan given to the believers of the United States by the Universal House of Justice and has set them forth in the following man­ ner for easy reference. In doing so we also share with our fellow believers throughout the world the knOWl­ edge of the numerous tasks that are ours alone as well as the areas in which we have been called upon to lend assistance to other national Baha'i communities.
In the Western Hemisphere we are called upon to:
OPEN - Turks and Caicos Islands in the British West Indies with the assistance of the NSA of Ja­ maica.
- Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatis, St. Martin and Guadeloupe (with the assistance of the NSA of Haiti), all in the Leeward Islands.
- St. Vincent and Dominica in the Windward Is­ lands.
RESETTLE - Antigua and Martinique (with the aid of the NSA of Haiti), islands in the Leeward group.
ESTABLISH AT LEAST ONE LOCAL ASSEMBLY in
- St. Lucia, Leeward Islands, and in Barbados, Windward Islands.
- The Bahamas (additional) ESTABLISH TWO LOCAL ASSEMBLIES in -Bermuda - Grenada (Windward Islands) and the Virgin Is-
lands (with the help of the NSA of the Dominican Republic).
ESTABLISH AT LEAST THREE LOCAL ASSEM­ BLIES in Puerto Rico, with one of them to be in­ corporated.
RAISE TO FIVE THE NUMBER OF CENTERS in Bermuda and the Bahamas. .
RAISE THE NUMBER OF LOCALITIES where Baha'is reside in the Leeward and Windward Islands to fifty.
FORM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands, with its seat in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin -Islands.
INCORPORATE THE AFOREMENTIONED NA­ TIONAL ASSEMBLY.
ACQIDRE - A national l.Ial'iratu'l-Quds for that National Spiritual Assembly.
- A national endowment for same. - A Temple site in or near Charlotte Amalie. OBTAIN LEGAL RECOGNITION of Baha'! Holy
Days and Baha'i Marriage Certificates in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
ASSIST MEXICO in teaching the Mayan Indians in Campeche, Chiapas, Yucatan and Quintana Roo.
ASSIST BOLIVIA in consolidating mass teaching areas.
ASSIST CHILE AND VENEZUELA in acquiring Temple sites in Santiago and Caracas, respectively.
In the Pacific Ocean - Assist the NSA of the Hawai­ ian Islands to consolidate the Marshall, Caroline and Mariana Islands.
In the Indian Ocean - Assist in the acquisition of a national I:Ia~iratu'l-Quds in Reunion Island and a teaching institute in Mauritius.
In Asia - Assist the NSA of North East Asia in the consolidation of the teaching work and the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly in Taiwan.
- Establish one local Assembly in Kazakhstan (eir-
z
curnstances permitting) and translate and publish Baha'i Hterature into Kazakh.
In Europe - Open the Ukraine. - Assist the National Assemblies of the Nether­
lands and Portugual to acquire Temple sites in The Hague and in Lisbon, respectively.
In Africa - To assist the fonowing National Spiritual Assemblies in their tasks of consolidation, acquisition of national 1:Ia?lratu'l·Quds, teaching institutes, and summer/winter school properties:
North East Airie a North West Africa Tanganyika and Zanzibar Uganda and Central Africa West Africa West Central Africa South and West Africa
On the Home Front - 1, Raise the number of localities where Baha'is re­
side from the present 1,650 to 3,000. 2. Increase (virtually double) the number of local
assemblies to 600, including at least two in each state.
3. Incorporate at least one assembly in each state. 4. Obtain legal recognition of the Baha'i Holy Days
and the Baha'i Marriage Certificate in each state. 5. Translate and print basic selections of Baha'i
literature for the steadily increasing number of In· dian believers. .
6. Enroll a greater number of believers from mi· nority groups, especially Chinese, Japanese, Span­ ish-speaking, Indians and Negroes.
7. Sharply increase contributions to the National and International Baht.. 'j Fund to meet the need of the expanding institutions of the Faith at the World Center and of the Cause as a whole.
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In assigning these prodigious tasks to the American Baha'i CommWlity the Universal House of Justice has reminded the believers that the beloved Guardian, in the first epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith, on more than one occasion addressed them as the "spirit­ ual descendants of the Dawn-breakers" and ,jchampion builders of the World Order of Bahft'u'llah" upon whom the Center of the Covenant showered his special bless­ ings and promises of victory provided their exertions "increase a thousand fold." Under the Nine Year Plan responsibility for the prosecution of the Master's Divine Plan "although now abundantly shared by over three score national communities" is still primarily vested in the American Baha'i Community. The immediate needs are the following:
1. An army of self-supporting pioneers to open the many new islands and to establish the fifty new cen­ ters in the Caribbean area.
2. Pioneers and settlers to establish a second local assembly in the nine states of the United States ''''There there is now only one assembly.
3. Individuals and families to disperse from the I ar ge com muni ties to raise up 300 new local assem­ blies throughout the country and to open up 1,300 new towns, cities and villages to the Faith.
4. An outpouring of sacrificial funds to acquire the large list of properties and Temple sites listed above as well as to support the ever increasing needs of the Faith at home, at the World Center, and throughout the entire world.
From this moment onward to 1973 our every thought, our every prayer, our every effort and interest must be oriented to these goals, believing with all our hearts that if we arise to do our part "this community will find itself securely established upon the throne of an everlasting dominion."
-U.S. NATIONAL SpmITUAL ASSEMBLY
First NationaL Convention of the Baha'is at Malayasia held in Kuala LumpuT April 25-28, 1964.
lAMA" NEWS
'Amatu'I-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum Distinguished Visitor at
Ceylon National Convention The third National Convention of the Baha'is of Cey­
lon was held on April 21-22 in Colombo. RUl).iyyih Kha­ Dum arrived in Ceylon on April 2Q and during her two and one half day stay she addressed a large audience of inquirers at the Convention Hall, a reception at the home of Lady de Soysa (President of the y.W.e.A.) which was attended by nearly 100 prominent ladies, and a village meeting at Kuruwita, which is an all Buddhist village. In addition there were numerous press conferences and a radio interview.
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Baha'is of the Indian Ocean Hold FiTSt Convention - Elect National Spiritual Assembly
LEFT: First National Spil'itua! Assembty 01 the Baha'is Of the Indian Ocean. Left to right, seated: S. Appa, E. Lutchmaya, N. DoomunJ H. Tirvengadum. Standing: R. Lutchmaya, P. Murday, R. MUTee, P. Fabien, S. Valay­ den. BELOW: FiTst Convention of the Baha'is Of the Indian Ocean. Hand of the Cause Enoch Dlinga was an
honored guest of the convention. ---
the Message to everyone. offer this gift and watch the souls of men become quickened."
The 1964·65 National Spiritual Assembly was elected and consists of the following members: Lionel Peraji, V. Chitravelu, S. Raveendra Raj, A. C. M. Fassy, Mrs. M. Fassy, Anwer Cadir, Keitb de Folo, B. D. Saleh, and M. D, Bascran.
The work of mass teaching has begun in 'Ceylon and the believers are hoping and praying for the time when the Faith will spread across the jungles, mOWltains and valleys as it has in India.
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FORST NATOONAl SIPORBTIUJAl ASSIEMRl'Y IEllECirlED UN VlIET INAM
The first National Convention of the Baha'is of Viet Nam and the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly was given wide publicity by the press and radio. Newsreels and radio covered both the meetings and the convention for six days. Finally on April 30 the National Spiritual Assembly was officially and pub­ licly received by the Chief of State and the Deputy Prime Minister on behalf of the Government.
The last event is of special interest not only per se but because exactly one year previouslYt on April 21, 1963 the then Interior Minister Bui-van-Luong banned the Cause and its activities in Central Viet Nam. Seven months later the Diem regime was toppled and Ngo­ Dinh-Diem and Ngo-Dinh·Nhu were shot. Bui-van­ Luong tied and the Faith was emancipated and began its upward march.
Recently the Baha'is appealed to the Minister of De· fense to :release Mr. Le-Loc member of the National Spiritual Assembly, who had been drafted into the Army one year ago by the past Government. They eXM plained that as a member of the National Assembly Mr. Le.Loc's religious obligations require his presence. The Defense Minister graciously cabled the release of Mr. Lac who has just returned to work full time for the Cause of God.
The message from the Universal House of Justice eXM tended a loving welcome to the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Viet Nam. It also listed the goals assigned to that community for the new Nine Year Plan. Some of these are: To establish the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Cambodia
Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhlijir with some of the del<!­ gates and friends including a delegate fTom the Javai
tribe in traditional hat and costume.
with its seat in Phnom-Penh, to acquire a national l;Ia~iratu'l-Quds in Phnom-Penh, to acquire a site for the future Ma:illriqu'l-A<i..hk..ir in or near PhnomMPenh, to incorporate sixty local spiritual assemblies, and to acquire a site for the future Mawriqu'I-A4bkar in or near Saigon. In addition, Viet Nam is to assist the Na­ tional Spiritual Assembly of Thailand in establishing the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Laos.
The tasks are great but the believers are assured that with the grace of God they will be aided to ac­ complish all of the goals assigned to them.
Delegates to the fiTst National Convention Of the Bah<i'is of Viet Nam.
.AHA', NEWS
First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah"'is of Viet Nam, Left to right: Pham-Huu-Chin, Jamshed Fozdar (chairman), Le-Loc, Daug-Binh (vice-chairman), Do­ Ngullen-Hanh, Le-Can, Trinh-Dinh-Khoi (secretary),
Ngullen-van-Nhuong, Gary Morrison (tTeasuTer).
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Meeting in Murcia, Spain addressed by Hand of tI,e Cause John Ferra by.
First Convention Hears Report of Six Thousand New Believers
The first national convention of the Baha'is of the Philippines was held on April 25-28 in the suburbs of Manila. The large hall was beautifully situated in a palm grove by the sea and at night the twinkling lights of the city across the bay were an attraction for the delegates from the villages.
Nearly 150 delegates and believers from twenty prov­ inces and ten different tribes attended and this was the first time that many of them had been with people of a different tribal' background.- The convention was honored to have as a guest Hand of the Cause Dr. Ral:tmatu'llah Muhajir who shared his love and inspi· ration with everyone.
Each day prayers were read in different dialects and a Baha 'j of two months from the Mansaka tribe was able to recite his from memory. Loving messages from the National Spiritual Assemblies around the world were read during the four days. The report from the National Teaching Committee was very inspiring. Dur· ing the last Saha'i year more than 6000 new believers enrolled including six new provinces and 200 new lo­ calities. The addition of twelve new tribes raised the
total to twenty-two and literature is now translated into twenty-one languages.
The convention was the first time in the history of the nation that the different tribes, all of whom are Fili­ pinos, had come together in love and harmony. Many were not able to speak the various dialects but were able to communicate with their brothers in the Faith through the language of the heart.
Just before the close of the convention a message arrived from Ihe Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land and it rekindled the spirit which had been generated during the preceding four days. On this last day, one of the believers from the Mangyan tribe, who had been shy and withdrawn on the first day, was sitting next to a Saha Ii from the Negrlto Tribe, which is from the far north. Previous to their meeting they had never known that the other's tribe existed. The Negrito was express· ing his sadness that they would not see each other again. The Mangyan said genUy, "You will take part of my heart to the North Cagayan Valley and r will take part of yours to my island in the south and we will always be together in the spirit!J
LErr: First Nationa! Convention Of tne Ban .. ',s of tne Pnilippines neld in PaTaiiaque, Rtzal Apri! 25-28, 1964. fuGHT: FiTst National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines. Left to right, standing: Theo Boehner!, Orpha Daugherty, Pablo MeTcade (vice-chairman), Neva Dulay (treasurer), Jack Davis (secretary). Sitting: Domi-
""doT Anunsacion, Luisa Mapa-Gomez, Vicente Samaniego (chairman), Ruth WalbTidge
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So.u1JL anrl Wm t1#JUro- ConuJUd.iD.fL t1cc°PLL rrl.Rw CJraJhznrp.L
The historic national convention of the Baha'is of South and West Africa was held in Swaziland in a vacated prison camp. Coils of barbed wire encircled the camp, a vivid reminder that this Cause had its early beginnings in HThe Most Great Prison." It created a renewed sense of dedication to Baha'u'llah and a nearness to the World Center, the source of inspiration and guidance.
The convention opened the evening of April 30 with the Ridvan feast. Prayers, readings from God Passes By and a talk on significance of Ric;1van set the tempo for the whole convention.
Some one hundred people were in attendance, the large majority being indigenous people who had, with great perseverance, overcome the various difficulties created by the border which exists between Swaziland and the Republic of South Africa. Many more would have come if they could have obtained the necessary permits. None from the Mozambique side were able to obtain passports so none of these devoted souls were able to attend. They were greatly missed.
The keynote of the convention was set by the mes­ sages detailing the Nine Year Plan from the Universal House of Justice. In the discussion that followed, the convention was of the opinion that this was a personal challenge to every single believer needing the serious consideration of all the believers in the Region. This Plan was discussed at great length and recommenda­ tions were made to the National Spiritual Assembly of ways and means whereby this Plan could be carried on to a successful conclusion. It made the convention realize that the time of the pioneers as we know them has now passed as someone put it: liThe work now rests firmly on the shoulders of the new believers themselves with the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly to carry the Cause of God on to greater victories than ever before. ~.
One of the main tasks of the convention, that of elect­ ing the Regional Spiritual Assembly, was carried out in an atmosphere of devotion and humbleness with pray­ ers for guidance that the right choice should be made by the delegates as they fulfilled their sacred task.
National Spiritual Assembly Of the Bahli'is of South and West A/rica Ri(lvcin 1964. Left to right, top row: Lowell Johnson (chairman), Max Seepe, Bishop Brown (treas­ urer). Middle row: Dale Anen, Paddy Mazebuko (vice­ chairman). Mrs. Valera Allen (assistant secretary). Bottom TOW: Mrs. Bahiyyih Ford (recording Secre­ tary), Mrs. Ephens Senne, William Maseh!a (secre-
tary).
A stirring message from the Hands of the Cause in Africa pointed out that the beloved guardian, Shoghi Effendi made this promise to the believers when he prepared them for the Ten Year Crusade: "May those who are privileged at this auspicious hour to render so noble a service to the Cause of God and fulfill so glorious a destiny, arise to perform befittingly their task to achieve such feats in the days to come as to draw forth from the Source on High a still greater measure of divine blessings that will enable them to write a still more brilliant chapter in the annals of God's Infant Faith and to contribute an outstanding share to the worldwide estahlishment and ultimate recognition of its newly bam Administrative Institu­ tions. "
FiT8t National Convention. held. in Swa.zdand in a building once used as a PTison.
BAHA'I HEWS
First Spiritual Assembly of Santa Cruz, Bolivia formed in Ridvan 1964. This was one of the most recent cities
open to the Faith.
Fourth National (0 nvention Held in Bolivia
The fourth National Convention of the Baha'is of Bolivia was held in La Paz. Because of the delicate political situation only twenty-seven of the thirty-eight delegates were able to attend. Hand of the Cause Jal.l1 Khitzeh was a distinguished guest and he explained the Nine Year Plan.
Some of the goals of the Nine Year Plan which were discussed were: Bolivia is to have 1200 centers and 600 assemblies, recognition of the Holy Days is to be obtained, literature is to be translated and published in the Chiriguano, Siriano, Yanoiguia, Moxos, Tokano and Chipaya languages, literatUre in Quechua is to be enriched and Baha'i education is to be extended to as many youth and children as possible.
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National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia elected Ri(ivan 1964. Left to right, seated: Andres Jac1<a1<allo, Angelica Costas, Yolanda de Lopez, Carmello !ac1<a1<allo. Stand­ ing: Estanislao Alverez, Alberto Rocabado, Athas
Costas, Nazario Tirado, Sabino Ortega.
three assemblies are to be incorporated, the Holy Days are to be nationally recognized, a school for children and youth is to be established in North Potosi, courses at the deepening school in Cochabamba are to be in­ creased.
The enrollment of new believers did not increase much during the past year but deepening and conso1i­ dation has been excellent.
CORRECTION
In BAHA'i NEWS No. 388 on page eight the first re· port from the Universal House of Justice should be changed as follows: The word "recalls" in line 15 of column 2 should be changed to Hrecords."
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8 AUGUST 1964
MOTHER TEMPLE OF EUROPE DEDICATED JULY 4 Full Report Will Follow jn later 'ssue
3000 newspapers and magazines were invited to write in for documentation of the dedication of the Frankfort Temple. To those replying an excellent portfolio was sent containing: a booklet explaining basic facts about the faith, information on all Baha'i Temples and the Frankfurt Temple in particular, architectural details of the Temple construction, an invitation to attend the inaugural service with reply card, a sample copy of
Bah,Pi Briefs (German magazineL a copy of the Baha'i literature catalog, quotations from the Writings, a sheet of Baha'i statistics, photos of the Temple, map of Temple location and a covering letter from the na­ tional secretary on special letterhead.
Since BAHA'i NEWS goes to press several days before the dedication the details will have to wait for the September issue.
Detail of Ihe Dome by day and night. Below: view Of Ihe Frankfurt Temple along the approach road.
Delegates…