{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-archive-page-jsx","path":"/archive/72/","result":{"pageContext":{"strings":{"about":"About","additional_articles":"Additional Articles","administration":"Administration","africa":"Africa","all_bahaiorg_sites":"All Bahai.org Sites","all_sites":"All sites","all_sites_arising_serve":"Arising to Serve","all_sites_arising_serve_caption":"A film recounting highlights of the 41 regional Bahá’í conferences called by the Universal House of Justice in 2008","all_sites_bahai_org":"The official website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_bahai_org_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","all_sites_bahai_org_library_caption":"The authoritative online source of Bahá’í writings","all_sites_bahaullah_org":"The Life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bahaullah_org_caption":"A photographic narrative of the life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bic":"Bahá’í International Community Representative Offices","all_sites_bic_caption":"The official website of the Bahá’í International Community’s Representative Offices. The site contains news and information about recent activity and provides access to BIC statements, reports, and other publications","all_sites_bicentenary":"Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bicentenary_bab":"Bicentenary of the Birth of The Báb","all_sites_bicentenary_caption":"The official international website for the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_frontiers_learning":"Frontiers of Learning","all_sites_frontiers_learning_caption":"This film captures the insights and experiences of people from four communities across the world whose efforts to build vibrant communities are at the frontiers of learning","all_sites_light_to_the_world":"Light to the World","all_sites_light_to_the_world_caption":"A feature film about the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","all_sites_media_bank_caption":"Photographs available for downloading","all_sites_national_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","all_sites_national_communities_caption":"A page containing links to the websites of many national Bahá’í communities from around the world","all_sites_news_bahai_org_caption":"The official news website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_title":"Official Bahá’í Sites","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org":"The Universal House of Justice","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org_caption":"Information about the Universal House of Justice and selected statements and letters","all_sites_widening_embrace":"A Widening Embrace","all_sites_widening_embrace_caption":"A documentary film about the community-building efforts of the Bahá’í world","americas":"Americas","android":"Android","archive_results_to_of_a":"Results","archive_results_to_of_b":"to","archive_results_to_of_c":"of","asia":"Asia","back_to_story":"Back to Story","bahai_international_community":"Bahá'í International Community","bahai_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","bahai_reference_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","bahai_world_centre":"Bahá’í World Centre","bahai_world_news_service":"Bahá’í World News Service","bahai_world_news_service_bwns":"Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","bahaiorg_home":"Bahai.org Home","bahais_semnan":"The Bahá’ís of Semnan","battambang_cambodia_house_worship":"House of Worship in Battambang, Cambodia","battambang_cambodia_temple":"Battambang, Cambodia Temple Inauguration","before_downloading_terms":"Before downloading please refer to the [Terms of use](/legal/).","bic_un_office":"Bahá’í International Community\nUN Office","brief_history":"Brief history","bwns_noTranslation":"BWNS","cdn_documentlibrary_path":"http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/","cdn_images_path":"//bwns.imgix.net/","chile_house_worship":"Chile House of Worship","chile_temple":"Chile Temple Inauguration","close":"Close","closed_doors_denial_education_iran":"Closed Doors: Denial of Education in Iran","comma":",","comprehensive_report":"Comprehensive report","contact":"Contact","contact_h1":"Contacting the Bahá’í World News Service","contact_h2":"Contacting Bahá’í institutions","contact_h3":"Reporting technical problems","contact_information":"Contact Information","contact_p1":"General inquiries about BWNS can be directed to [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org). Information regarding news and media contacts is available in the [Media Information](/media-information/) section.","contact_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in more than 100,000 localities in virtually every country and territory around the world. At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are guided by National Spiritual Assemblies, and a list of websites for many national Bahá’í communities can be found at the [National Communities page](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/) on Bahai.org.","contact_p3":"To report a technical problem with this site, please send a detailed description and screenshot of the issue, along with the address of the page where it occurred, to [webmaster@bahai.org](mailto:webmaster@bahai.org). Please note that this email address exists to receive reports of technical problems with the site and it is not possible to respond to other queries through this facility.","copy_link":"Copy Link","did_not_match_any_documents_showing_results_for":"did not match any documents. Showing results for","did_you_mean":"Did you mean:","download":"Download","download_highest_resolution":"Download highest resolution","email":"Email","email_address":"Email Address","enlarge":"Enlarge","error_page":"Error Occurred","error_page_p1":"Sorry. An error has occurred with your request. It would help us if you let us know what you were trying to do when this error occurred by using our [contact form](https://www.bahai.org/contact/).","europe":"Europe","featured_stories":"Featured stories","featured_videos":"Featured videos","follow_updates_via_instagram_twitter":"Follow the Bahá’í World News Service on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates and stories","from_bwns_archive":"From the Bahá’í World News Service archive","get_notified_stories":"Get notified of stories","highest_resolution":"Highest resolution","historical_photographs":"Historical photographs","homepage_feature_audio_h2":"Recent podcast episodes","homepage_feature_audio_h3":"Audio versions of stories","homepage_feature_audio_p1":"Selected audio content from around the globe","homepage_feature_h1":"Subscribe to BWNS Updates","houses_worship":"Houses of Worship","human_rights_iran":"Human Rights in Iran","images":"images","ios":"iOS","iran_news_stories":"Iran News Stories","key_terms_facts":"Key terms and facts","latest_headlines":"Latest headlines","latest_video_category":"Latest","legal":"Legal","legal_h1":"Privacy","legal_h2":"Terms of Use","legal_information":"Legal Information","legal_li_1":"They must at all times be attributed to the Bahá’í World News Service.","legal_li_2":"Photographs and stories cannot be used in any way (including, without limitation, suggesting an association with or endorsement of any product, service, opinion or cause) that conflicts with the intent and premise of the original source.","legal_li_3":"Photographs may be edited for size only. Captions must remain with the photographs at all times.","legal_li_4":"The Bahá’í World News Service will not be responsible to any person or organization for any liability for any direct, incidental,  consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that may result from any access to or use of the stories and/or photographs on our site.","legal_li_5":"Although this blanket permission to reproduce BWNS material is given freely such that no special permission is required, the Bahá’í World News Service retains full copyright protection for its stories and photographs under all applicable national and international laws.","legal_p1_1":"On this Web site we try to ensure your privacy. We collect only personal information provided by you on a voluntary basis, in order to respond to your queries and to send you any additional information and material that you request.","legal_p1_2":"Visitors to this Web site are not tracked, except to produce aggregate statistical data that does not identify individual users. Where we must use cookies to provide essential functionality, these are not used to track your use of the site or to store personally-identifiable information. Steps have been taken to ensure that all information collected from you will remain secure, free from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Please keep in mind that if you leave this site via a link, the other site may have a different policy regarding privacy.","legal_p1_3a":"We occasionally update this privacy policy and encourage you to review it periodically. If you wish to correct your personal information, or have questions regarding this policy, please send an email message to","legal_p1_3b":"or call the Bahá’í World News Service at +972 (4) 835-8412, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. GMT +2, Sunday through Thursday.","legal_p2_1":"All stories and photographs produced by the Bahá’í World News Service may be freely reprinted, e-mailed, posted to the World Wide Web and otherwise reproduced by any individual or organization, subject to the following restrictions:","legal_p2_2":"The Bahá’í World News Service is an agency of the Bahá’í International Community, a nongovernmental organization that represents and encompasses the five million members of the Bahá’í Faith.","links_other_websites":"Links to other Web sites","listen":"Listen","listen_bwns":"Listen to BWNS","load_more_results":"Load more results","media_bank":"Media Bank","media_information":"Media Information","media_information_about_bwns":"About BWNS","media_information_administration_h2":"International","media_information_administration_h3":"National","media_information_administration_h4":"Local","media_information_administration_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith is administered by a series of elected bodies at the local, national, and international levels. There is no class of ecclesiastics or clergy.","media_information_administration_p2":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies (see below) around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p3":"At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_administration_p4":"At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_administration_p5":"In addition, the Bahá’í Faith has **counsellors**, appointed to five-year terms by the Universal House of Justice, who serve as advisers in countries and regions around the world. Currently there are 90 such counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and an additional nine counsellors who constitute the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_a":"the Seat of the Universal House of Justice,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_b":"the International Teaching Centre,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_c":"the Centre for the Study of the Texts,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_d":"the International Archives Building.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p1":"The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith is permanently established in the Acre-Haifa area of northern Israel, following the explicit instructions of Bahá’u’lláh.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p2":"The burial place, or shrine, of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and that of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa are the holiest spots on earth for Bahá’ís. Other sites associated with the life of Bahá’u’lláh as well as the burial site of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are revered by Bahá’ís as holy places.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p3":"The shrines are the object of pilgrimage for thousands of Bahá’ís each year.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p4":"The administrative offices are positioned in an Arc across Mount Carmel in Haifa and include:","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p5":"Also in Haifa are the Bahá’í International Community’s Secretariat and Office of Public Information.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p6":"The Bahá’í World Centre is known for the gardens surrounding the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre, and also for the gardens and terraces surrounding the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p7":"At this time the Shrine of the Báb is open to the public.","media_information_brief_history_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith traces its origin to 1844 and the announcement by a young man, Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), that He had been sent by God to prepare humanity for a new age and the imminent appearance of another Messenger even greater than Himself.","media_information_brief_history_p10":"During the 40 years of His exile, Bahá’u’lláh revealed a series of books, tablets, and letters that today form the core of the **holy writings of the Bahá’í Faith**. Comprising the equivalent of some 100 volumes, the writings of Bahá’u’lláh describe the nature of God and the purpose of human existence, give new religious laws, and outline a vision for creating a peaceful and prosperous global society.","media_information_brief_history_p11":"In His will, Bahá’u’lláh named His eldest son, ‘Abbás Effendi (1844-1921), as the head of the Bahá’í Faith and authorized interpreter of His teachings. ‘Abbás Effendi, known to Bahá’ís as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (“Servant of Bahá”), became well-known in the Haifa/Acre area for his charitable works, and he also traveled through Europe and North America to encourage nascent Bahá’í communities and to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to the general public. The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are considered part of the sacred scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p12":"‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away in 1921. In his will he had designated his grandson **Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) as his successor, with the title of **Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith**. During the ministry of Shoghi Effendi, the religion spread around the world, and its local and national administrative institutions were established. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957, the line of hereditary leaders of the Bahá’í Faith came to an end.","media_information_brief_history_p13":"Following provisions established by Bahá’u’lláh, in 1963 the **Universal House of Justice** was elected to direct the affairs of the worldwide Bahá’í community. The nine members of the Universal House of Justice are elected every five years by the members of the Bahá’í national administrative bodies around the world.","media_information_brief_history_p2":"Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad took the title of the **Báb** (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) and said the one whose coming He foretold would be the universal Manifestation of God sent to inaugurate an age of peace and enlightenment as promised in all the world’s religions.","media_information_brief_history_p3":"The Báb’s teachings, which spread rapidly, were viewed as heretical by the clergy and government of Persia. More than 20,000 of His followers, known as Bábís, perished in a series of massacres throughout the country.","media_information_brief_history_p4":"The Báb Himself was publicly executed in the city of Tabriz on 9 July 1850.","media_information_brief_history_p5":"Bahá’ís consider the Báb to be both an independent Messenger of God and the forerunner of **Bahá’u’lláh** (“the Glory of God” in Arabic), who is the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p6":"Bahá’u’lláh, whose name was Mírzá Husayn ‘Alí, was born into a noble family in Tehran on 12 November 1817. In His mid-20s, He declined a life of privilege and became one of the leading disciples of the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p7":"In 1852, in the course of the persecution of the Bábís, He was arrested, beaten, and thrown into an infamous dungeon in Tehran. After four months, He was released and banished from His native land – the beginning of 40 years of exile and imprisonment.","media_information_brief_history_p8":"He was first sent to Baghdad, where He and His companions stayed for 10 years. In 1863, on the eve of His further banishment to what is now Turkey and then to the Holy Land, Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the Universal Messenger of God foretold by the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p9":"In 1868, Bahá’u’lláh arrived in the Holy Land with about 70 family members and followers, sentenced by the Ottoman authorities to perpetual confinement in the penal colony of Acre. The order of confinement was never lifted, but because of the growing recognition of His outstanding character, He eventually was able to move outside the walls of the prison city. He lived His final years at a country home called Bahjí, where He passed away in 1892. He was interred there, and His shrine is the holiest place on earth for Bahá’ís.","media_information_description":"Contacts, facts, style guide,\ngeneral information, and photos","media_information_h1":"National and local","media_information_h2":"International","media_information_h2_a":"Bahá’í World News Service","media_information_h2_b":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_h2_c":"Bahá’í International Community - United Nations Offices:","media_information_h2_e":"For languages other than English:","media_information_houses_worship_li_1":"Wilmette, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1953.","media_information_houses_worship_li_2":"Kampala, Uganda. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_3":"Sydney, Australia. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_4":"Frankfurt, Germany. Opened in 1964.","media_information_houses_worship_li_5":"Panama City, Panama. Opened in 1972.","media_information_houses_worship_li_6":"Apia, Samoa. Opened in 1984.","media_information_houses_worship_li_7":"New Delhi, India. Opened in 1986.","media_information_houses_worship_li_8":"Santiago, Chile. Opened in 2016.","media_information_houses_worship_li_9":"Battambang, Cambodia. Opened in 2017.","media_information_houses_worship_li_10":"Norte del Cauca, Colombia. Opened in 2018.","media_information_houses_worship_li_11":"Matunda Soy, Kenya. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_12":"Tanna, Vanuatu. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_13":"Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opened in 2023.","media_information_houses_worship_li_14":"Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Opened in 2024.","media_information_houses_worship_p1":"Bahá’u’lláh designated Bahá’í Houses of Worship as spiritual gathering places for prayer and meditation around which will cluster social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific institutions. Eight continental, two national, and four local Bahá’í Houses of Worship have been built.","media_information_houses_worship_p2":"The physical structure of a House of Worship comprises a central building—a House of Worship—along with several dependencies. While the House of Worship forms the focal point of worship in a geographical area, its purpose is not solely to provide a place for prayer. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that, through the provision of education, healthcare and other services it is also to support the social and economic progress of the community and afford shelter, relief and assistance to those in need. In this connection, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá anticipated that subsidiary branches—such as a hospital, school, university, dispensary, and hospice—would gradually be added to a House of Worship. Bahá’u’lláh refers to the House of Worship as a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Arabic for “dawning place of the mention of God.”","media_information_houses_worship_p3":"Bahá’í Houses of Worship are located in:","media_information_houses_worship_p4":"Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. A local House of Worship is also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_key_terms_facts_h1":"Name of the religion and of the organization – the Bahá’í Faith","media_information_key_terms_facts_h2":"Founder of the Bahá’í Faith – Bahá’u’lláh","media_information_key_terms_facts_h3":"Year of founding – 1844","media_information_key_terms_facts_h4":"Head of the religion – the Universal House of Justice","media_information_key_terms_facts_h5":"Number of Bahá’ís – more than 5 million","media_information_key_terms_facts_h6":"Description of the religion and key beliefs","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_a":"the unity of the races and elimination of prejudice,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_b":"the equality of women and men,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_c":"universal education,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_d":"the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_e":"a spiritual solution to economic problems,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_f":"establishment of a universal auxiliary language,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_g":"the harmony of science and religion,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_h":"the independent investigation of truth,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_i":"the creation of a world commonwealth of nations that will keep the peace through collective security.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_b":"A member is called a Bahá’í (plural: Bahá’ís). It is also correct to say that someone is a “member of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of Bahá’u’lláh,” or a member of the Bahá’í community of a given locality.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_c":"The term “Bahá’í International Community” refers to the non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p2":"Bahá’ís consider Bahá’u’lláh to be the most recent in a line of great religious teachers, or Messengers of God, that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Krishna, Muhammad, Moses, Zoroaster, and others. Bahá’u’lláh—the name is Arabic for “Glory of God”—was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran, and passed away in 1892 in Acre, Israel. The coming of Bahá’u’lláh was announced by the Báb (Arabic for “Gate”), also considered by Bahá’ís to be a divine Messenger.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p3":"There are a number of important dates in the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith, but the first announcement by the Báb of the new religion came in 1844.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p4":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í community, an elected body of nine men. Its seat is at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Around the world, in almost all countries, a National Spiritual Assembly oversees the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in that country, and Local Spiritual Assemblies oversee local affairs.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. Bahá’ís believe that the world’s major religions represent unfolding chapters in God’s teachings for humankind, and that the writings of Bahá’u’lláh represent God’s guidance for this age.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_b":"Bahá’u’lláh’s central teaching is the unity of humanity under one God.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_c":"Among the many Bahá’í principles are the following:","media_information_key_terms_facts_p7":"For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_li_a_1":"Phone (office): +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_li_a_2":"E-mail, for news inquiries: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_li_b_1":"Mr. Saleem Vaillaincourt (London)","media_information_li_b_2":"Senior information officer","media_information_li_b_3":"Phone (office): +1 (212) 803-2544","media_information_li_b_4":"E-mail: [media@bic.org](mailto:media@bic.org)","media_information_li_c_1":"Ms. Bani Dugal (New York)","media_information_li_c_2":"Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_c_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_c_4":"Phone: +1 (212) 803-2500","media_information_li_c_5":"After-hours phone: +1 (914) 329-3020","media_information_li_c_6":"E-mail: [uno-nyc@bic.org](mailto:uno-nyc@bic.org)","media_information_li_d_1":"Ms. Simin Fahandej (Geneva)","media_information_li_d_2":"Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_d_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_d_4":"Phone: +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_d_5":"After-hours phone: +41 (78) 880-0759","media_information_li_d_6":"E-mail: [geneva@bic.org](mailto:geneva@bic.org)","media_information_li_e_1":"Persian – Simin Fahandej, +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_e_2":"French – Rachel Bayani, +32 (475) 750394","media_information_li_e_3":"To arrange other languages +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_media_contacts":"Media Contacts","media_information_p1":"Editors, journalists, and other media professionals are encouraged to contact the National Office of the Bahá’ís of their own country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_p2":"BWNS reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","media_information_p3":"Information about the Bahá’í Faith is available at [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/)","media_information_p_native":"The website for BWNS is located at [news.bahai.org](https://news.bahai.org/)","media_information_photographs_p1":"To arrange for photographs, you are encouraged to contact the office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the  Bahá’ís of your country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_photographs_p2":"For more information, or for international photographs, contact the Bahá’í World Centre:","media_information_photographs_p3":"Phone: +972 (4) 835-8412  \n            E-mail: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_photographs_p4":"Photographs here may be downloaded and published, with photo credit given to the Bahá’í World Centre. [Terms of use](https://news.bahai.org/legal/).","media_information_photographs_p5":"Additional photos are available through the [Bahá’í Media Bank](https://media.bahai.org/). Images attached to articles in the [Bahá’í World News Service](https://news.bahai.org/) main site may also be downloaded.","media_information_photographs_p6":"Photographs of Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran are available in the [Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html) section of this Web site.","media_information_sidecontent_h1":"Bahá’ís in Iran","media_information_sidecontent_li":"Updates, background, photos","media_information_statistics_p1":"There are more than 5 million Bahá’ís in the world.","media_information_statistics_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in virtually every country and in many dependent territories and overseas departments of countries. Bahá’ís reside in well over 100,000 localities. About 2,100 indigenous tribes, races, and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá’í community.","media_information_statistics_p3":"There are currently 188 councils at the national level that oversee the work of communities. A network of over 300 training institutes, offering formal programs of Bahá’í education, span the globe.","media_information_statistics_p4":"Of the several thousand Bahá’í efforts in social and economic development, more than 900 are large-scale, sustained projects, including more than 600 schools and over 70 development agencies.","media_information_statistics_p5":"There are currently 14 Bahá’í Houses of Worship – in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Germany, India, Kenya, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Uganda, the United States, and Vanuatu. Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. Local Houses of Worship are also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_statistics_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_statistics_p7":"Bahá’í writings and other literature have been translated into more than 800 languages.","media_information_statistics_p8":"Each year, around one million people visit the Bahá’í Shrine, terraces, and gardens on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.","media_information_statistics_p9":"In Iran, where the Bahá’í Faith originated, there are now about 300,000 Bahá’ís, constituting the largest religious minority in that country.","media_information_style_guide_h1":"Pronunciation guide","media_information_style_guide_h2":"Style guide and glossary","media_information_style_guide_p1":"**Bahá’í:**   Ba-HIGH  \n            **Bahá’u’lláh:**   Ba-ha-ul-LAH  \n            **Báb:**   Bahb (Bob)  \n            **‘Abdu’l-Bahá:**   Abdul ba-HAH  \n            **Naw-Rúz:**   Naw Rooz  \n            **Ridván:**   REZ-vahn","media_information_style_guide_p2_1":"**‘Abdu’l-Bahá** (1844-1921) – The son of Bahá’u’lláh who was the head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1892 to 1921. Bahá’u’lláh in His will had designated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá occupies a special station as the authoritative interpreter of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and as the perfect example of how a Bahá’í should live. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled widely through Europe and North America from 1911-1913, explaining his Father’s teachings in talks, interviews, and addresses at universities, churches, temples, synagogues, and missions for the poor. (Bahá’ís capitalize pronouns—for example, “He”—that refers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá out of respect for his special station. Such pronouns are not capitalized in this guide in deference to international journalistic style and also to avoid confusion with Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, who are considered to be divine Prophets.) For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_10":"**Bahá’í Faith** – The correct term for the religion is the Bahá’í Faith. It is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. It is not a sect of another religion. In a list of major religions, it would look like this: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism,  Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_11":"**Bahá’í International Community** – The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York. For more information, see [bic.org](https://www.bic.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_12":"**Bahá’í World Centre** – The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith, comprising the holy places in the Haifa/Acre area in northern Israel and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The Bahá’í World Centre itself uses the spelling “Centre”; elsewhere both “Centre” and “Center” are used, depending on the custom of the country.","media_information_style_guide_p2_13":"**Bahá’u’lláh** – The founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who lived from 1817 to 1892, considered by Bahá’ís to be the most recent divine Messenger, or Manifestation of God, in a line of great religious figures that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Moses, Muhammad, Zoroaster, the Báb, and others. Bahá’u’lláh was born in Tehran in present-day Iran, and passed away near Acre, in what is now Israel. “Bahá’u’lláh” is a title that means the “Glory of God” in Arabic; His name was Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí. His writings, which would equal about a hundred volumes, form the basis of the Bahá’í teachings. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_14":"**Bahjí** – The place near Acre where the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh (His burial place) is located, as well as the mansion that was His last residence and surrounding gardens. It is a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís. The word “Bahjí” is Arabic for “delight.”","media_information_style_guide_p2_15":"**children’s classes** – Classes in moral education, open to all, that are provided for children, operated at the community level by the Bahá’í training institute.","media_information_style_guide_p2_16":"**Convention** – See [International Bahá’í Convention](#internationalbahaiconvention) and [National Bahá’í Convention](#nationalbahaicconvention).","media_information_style_guide_p2_18":"**counsellor** – An adviser appointed by the Universal House of Justice who serves in a particular geographic area or at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. At present, there are 90 counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and nine counsellors who form the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the  Bahá’í World Centre. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_19":"**devotional meetings** – Gatherings, often in people’s homes, for prayers and to read the sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions. Usually undertaken as an individual initiative.","media_information_style_guide_p2_2":"**accent marks** – Bahá’í, Bahá’u’lláh, and other names are written with accent marks, but many publications and websites do not have the facility for using such marks.","media_information_style_guide_p2_20":"**fast, the** – A period during which Bahá’ís abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sundown during the Bahá’í month of ‘Alá’, from 2 March to 20 March. Bahá’u’lláh enjoined His followers to pray and fast during this period. The sick, the traveler, and pregnant women, among others, are exempt.","media_information_style_guide_p2_21":"**feast** – See [Nineteen Day Feast](#nineteendayfeast).","media_information_style_guide_p2_22":"**Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith** – See [Shoghi Effendi](#shoghieffendi).","media_information_style_guide_p2_23":"**Haifa** – The city in northern Israel that, along with nearby Acre, is the location of the Bahá’í World Centre. The international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith (including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice), the Shrine of the Báb, and surrounding terraces and gardens are all located on Mount Carmel in the heart of Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_24":"**Holy days** – Eleven days that commemorate significant Bahá’í anniversaries. The nine holy days on which work is suspended are the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Birth of the Báb, Declaration of the Báb, Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Martyrdom of the Báb, Naw-Rúz, Ridván (a 12-day festival, of which the first, ninth and 12th days are holy days). The other two holy days are the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. *See names of individual holy days.*","media_information_style_guide_p2_25":"**Holy Land** – The area associated with present-day Israel, which is holy to a number of religions, including to Bahá’ís. The resting places of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and of the Báb in Haifa are, to Bahá’ís, the holiest spots on earth.","media_information_style_guide_p2_26":"**International Archives Building** – One of the buildings at the Bahá’í World Centre on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The repository of many sacred relics of the Bahá’í Faith, it is visited by thousands of Bahá’í pilgrims each year.","media_information_style_guide_p2_27":"**International Bahá’í Convention** – A gathering every five years of delegates from around the world to consult on the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith and elect the members of the Universal House of Justice. Members of the National Spiritual Assemblies serve as delegates.","media_information_style_guide_p2_28":"**International Teaching Centre** – One of the institutions at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. The International Teaching Centre has nine members, all counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_29":"**Local Spiritual Assembly** – At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_style_guide_p2_3":"**Acre**– English rendering of the name of the city north of Haifa where Bahá’u’lláh was exiled in 1868. He lived in or near the city until His passing in 1892. Bahá’ís often use the Arabic name, ‘Akká, which was the name in general use during the time of Bahá’u’lláh. In Hebrew the name is Akko.","media_information_style_guide_p2_30":"**Mount Carmel** – In Haifa, Israel, site of the Bahá’í World Centre, including several Bahá’í holy places, the most important of which is the Shrine of the Báb, and the buildings housing the administrative offices of the Bahá’í World Centre.","media_information_style_guide_p2_31":"**National Bahá’í Convention** – In each country, the annual gathering of elected delegates to discuss the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in their jurisdiction and to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.","media_information_style_guide_p2_32":"**National Spiritual Assembly** – At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_style_guide_p2_33":"**Nineteen Day Feast** – An administrative gathering at the local level. The term refers to a spiritual “feast” of prayers,  consultation and fellowship. It is held every 19 days, on the first day of each Bahá’í month.","media_information_style_guide_p2_34":"**pilgrimage** – Each year thousands of Bahá’ís undertake pilgrimage, during which they forge a profound and lasting connection with the spiritual and administrative centre of their Faith, located in the Haifa-Acre area of what is now northern Israel. Bahá’í pilgrims pray and meditate at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Shrine of the Báb, as well as in the beautiful gardens that surround them. They also draw inspiration from the time spent at various historical sites associated with the lives of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, as well as from visits to the edifices dedicated to the worldwide administration of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_35":"**progressive revelation** – The central belief that Manifestations of God have successively provided the guidance necessary for humanity’s social and spiritual evolution.","media_information_style_guide_p2_36":"**Regional Bahá’í Council** – In some countries, the National Spiritual Assembly assigns certain of its functions to Regional Bahá’í Councils, which serve a designated geographical area within the land in question. The responsibilities of a Regional Council may include carrying out policies of the National Spiritual Assembly, supervising progress of particular plans and projects, and taking steps to stimulate and coordinate the growth of the Bahá’í community within the region.","media_information_style_guide_p2_37":"**Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) – The head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1921 to 1957. His title is Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. He is the grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the great-grandson of Bahá’u’lláh. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_38":"**Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh** – The resting place of the mortal remains of Bahá’u’lláh, located near the city of Acre in what is now Israel. The shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_39":"**Shrine of the Báb** – The resting place of the mortal remains of the Báb, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. It is a sacred site to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_4":"**‘Akká, Akko** – See entry above for “[Acre](#acre)”.","media_information_style_guide_p2_40":"**study circles** – A study circle is one of the principal elements of the process of distance education offered by the [Bahá’í training institute](https://www.bahai.org/action/response-call-bahaullah/training-institute). It is a small group that meets regularly to study the institute course materials.","media_information_style_guide_p2_41":"**Universal House of Justice** – The international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_5":"**Arc** – An area on Mount Carmel in Haifa, shaped like an arc, where the major international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith, including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, are situated.","media_information_style_guide_p2_6":"**Báb** – The title, meaning “Gate,” assumed by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, the Founder of the Bábí Faith and the Forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh. Considered by Bahá’ís to be one of the twin Manifestations of God associated with the Bahá’í Faith. Born on 20 October 1819, the Báb proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of Islam and said His mission was to announce the imminent coming of another Messenger even greater than Himself, namely Bahá’u’lláh. Because of these claims, the Báb was executed by firing squad in the public square in Tabriz on 9 July 1850. His remains were hidden in Iran for many years before being taken to Haifa/Acre in 1899 and buried on Mount Carmel in 1909. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_7":"**Bábí Faith** – The religion founded by the Báb. After 1863 and the announcement by Bahá’u’lláh that He was the Messenger whose coming had been foretold by the Báb, the Bahá’í Faith gradually became established and most followers of the Báb began to call themselves Bahá’ís.","media_information_style_guide_p2_8":"**Badí‘ calendar** – The Bahá’í calendar, consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of intercalary days known as Ayyám-i-Há. The number of these intercalary days varies according to the timing of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere in successive years. The first day of the year corresponds to the spring equinox. The Bahá’í era (B.E.) begins with 1844, the year of the Báb’s declaration. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/action/devotional-life/calendar).","media_information_style_guide_p2_9":"**Bahá’í** – (1) A noun referring to a member of the Bahá’í Faith. The plural is Bahá’ís. (2) An adjective describing a person, place, or thing related to the Bahá’í Faith. Examples: a Bahá’í book, the Bahá’í community, a Bahá’í holy day, a Bahá’í holy place.","media_reports":"Media Reports","menu":"Menu","meta_description_bwns":"The Bahá’í World News Service - BWNS - The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community, reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","minutes_short":"min","mobile_app":"Mobile app","national_bahai_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","news_email":"news@bahai.org","news_service_home":"BWNS Home","no_matches_for":"No matches for","no_results_for":"No results for","number_of":"of","oceania":"Oceania","official_news_site":"Official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community","one_country":"One Country","other_bahai_sites":"Other Bahá’í Sites","other_sites":"Other sites","other_stories":"Other Stories","overview_section":"Overview of this Section","page_link":"Page link","photographs":"Photographs","photographs_download":"Photographs for download","podcast":"Podcast","podcast_available":"Podcast available","podcast_description_bwns":"Reporting on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_p1":"The Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS) podcast reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_subscribe":"Subscribe to the BWNS podcast for additional audio content.","print":"Print","privacy":"Privacy","recent_articles":"Recent Articles","recent_headlines":"Recent headlines","recent_media_reports":"Recent media reports","recieve_stories_email":"Receive stories via email","related_stories":"Related Stories","results":"Results","return_top":"Return to top","rss":"RSS","search":"Search","search_bahai_reference_library":"Search the Bahá’í Reference Library","search_bahaiorg":"Search Bahai.org","search_news_service":"Search the News Service","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_description":"Read reports on the progress","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_title":"Coverage of Construction Work of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá","see_all":"See All","seven_bahais_leaders":"The Seven Bahá’í Leaders","share":"Share","share_this_article":"Share this article","share_this_page":"Share this page","show_more":"Show more","sign_up":"Sign Up","slideshow":"Slideshow","social_media_name_instagram":"Instagram","social_media_name_instagram_account":"bahaiworldnewsservice","social_media_name_twitter":"Twitter","social_media_name_twitter_account":"bahainews","special_reports":"SPECIAL REPORTS","special_reports_shrine_construction":"Coverage of construction work for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá","statistics":"Statistics","story_archive":"Story Archive","style_glossary_pronunciation_guide":"Style guide, glossary and pronunciation guide","subscribe":"Subscribe","subscribe-confirmation-message":"Thank you for your interest in Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe-souble-optin-email":"You will receive an email shortly, asking you to confirm your subscription.","subscribe_bot_submission":"This doesn't look like a human submission.","subscribe_check_email":"Please check your email to confirm your subscription!","subscribe_email_exists":"This email already exists! Check your email to confirm your subscription.","subscribe_error":"Subscribe Error","subscribe_error_p1":"Sorry. An error has occurred with your subscription request to the Bahá’í World News Service. Please try again. If this problem persists, please use our [contact form](https://www.bahai.org/contact/).","subscribe_h1":"Stories via email","subscribe_h2":"Mobile app","subscribe_h3":"Updates via Twitter","subscribe_h4":"Podcast","subscribe_label_email":"Email","subscribe_label_email_fill":"Please enter a valid email address.","subscribe_label_first_name":"First name","subscribe_label_first_name_fill":"Please enter your first name.","subscribe_label_last_name":"Last name","subscribe_label_last_name_fill":"Please enter your last name.","subscribe_missing_fields":"Please fill in all required fields!","subscribe_p1":"Receive emails from the Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS) when new articles are published.","subscribe_p2":"Receive updates and notifications from the BWNS app.","subscribe_p3":"Follow the Bahá’í World News Service on Twitter for regular updates and stories.","subscribe_p4":"Subscribe to the BWNS podcast for additional audio content.","subscribe_success_h1":"You have been subscribed to Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_success_p1":"Your email address has been added to our mailing list.","subscribe_success_p2":"Thanks for becoming a subscriber.","subscribe_to_bwns":"Subscribe to BWNS","subscribe_unknown_error":"Sorry, an unknown error has occurred. Please try again later.","subscribe_unsubscribe_bwns":"Unsubscribe from BWNS","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_client":"Something went wrong, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_no_email":"We do not have this email in our database, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_server":"Something went wrong on our server, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_h1":"Unsubscribe - Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_h1":"You have been unsubscribed from the Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p1":"Your email address has been removed from the mailing list.","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p2":"Thanks for having been a subscriber.","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p3":"(If you unsubscribed by accident and prefer to continue receiving emails from the Bahá’í World News Service, please [click here](./).)","tenth_international_bahai_convention":"Tenth International Bahá’í Convention","the_bahai_faith":"The Bahá’í Faith","thirteenth_international_bahai_convention":"Thirteenth International Bahá’í Convention","twelfth_international_bahai_convention":"Twelfth International Bahá’í Convention","united_nations":"United Nations","unsubscribe":"Unsubscribe","updated_content":"UPDATED CONTENT","updates_via_social_media":"Updates via social media","url_copied_to_clipboard":"URL copied to clipboard","video":"Video","view_all":"View all","view_all_articles":"View all articles","visit_page":"Visit page","watch_next":"Watch next","watch_video":"Watch video","what_bahais_believe":"What Bahá’ís Believe","what_bahais_do":"What Bahá’ís Do","texterify_timestamp":"2023-09-10T10:15:38Z"},"archivePageNumber":72,"archiveTotalPages":80,"totalStories":1596,"archiveList":[{"storyNumber":271,"evergreenUrl":"jubilee-becomes-major-talking-point","title":"Jubilee becomes major talking point","description":"Celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Baha'i Faith here became the talk of the islands as local dignitaries attended...","date":"2003-11-10","customDateline":null,"city":"PORT BLAIR","country":"INDIA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423848-bwns5087-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423848-bwns5087-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first Spiritual Assembly of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with, at center, Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, a Hand of the Cause, and the widow of Shoghi Effendi.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Baha'i Faith here became the talk of the islands as local dignitaries attended special events, and the media provided extensive coverage.\n\nAt a dinner for high-ranking officials, the Lt. Governor, Shri N. N. Jha, praised the work being carried out by the Baha'is in the islands, which are a Union Territory of India.\n\nThe first lady, Smti Chaya Jha, then officially announced  that the Baha'is had  specially produced for the occasion a souvenir publication, which included a history of the Faith here.\n\nIn a speech wishing the Baha'is good luck in their endeavors, she said that she had first met Baha'is 40 years ago, and had a number of good friends who were members of the Faith.\n\nAt a unity concert attended by some 700 people, the Chief of Staff of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Rear Admiral Rakesh Kala, wished the Baha'is all the best in their work and activities.\n\nRear Admiral Kala spoke of his fond memories of the peacefulness he experienced during his visit to the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi.\n\nAt both the official dinner and the concert, Jamshed Fozdar was one of the guests of honor. Mr. Fozdar is a son of Dr. K. M. Fozdar (1898-1958), who first brought the Baha'i Faith to these islands in 1953 as part of a Ten Year Plan to take Baha'u'llah's teachings around the world.\n\nDr. Fozdar, who received the title of Knight of Baha'u'llah for his services, had to leave the islands after four months but by then four local people  had become Baha'is, and they remained to continue the development of the community."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"At the jubilee events, which were held 10-12 November 2003, Jamshed Fozdar said that the Baha'i Faith possessed a solution to the problems being faced by mankind today, and he exhorted the audience to investigate its teachings.\n\nHe also recounted stories about his father, who diligently and effectively served the Faith not only in the islands, but also in India and Singapore.\n\nThe events attracted coverage in the widely circulating newspaper, \"The Daily Telegrams,\" an official English daily. There were also reports in three other English language daily newspapers, two Hindi newspapers, and a Tamil weekly newspaper.\n\nThe All India radio repeatedly led its bulletins with news of the jubilee. It broadcast quotations from Baha'u'llah as its \"Thought for Today\" and carried live interviews with three Baha'is.\n\nThe local television also covered the unity concert, which featured a program of songs and dances presented by Baha'i youth and other high school students, all on themes of peace, harmony and unity. At that event, citations of appreciation were given to people  who had rendered selfless service to the people of the islands.\n\nThe former project manager of the construction of the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi, Sheriar Nooreyazdan, gave an address and presented a slide show about the Temple to an appreciative audience of more than 110 people, including 32 engineers.\n\nAn integral part of the festivities was an Institute conference at a freshly refurbished Baha'i House. The more than 100 Baha'i who attended were addressed by, among others, Payam Shoghi, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Mr. B. Afshin from Panchgani in India, Mehrzad Akhtarkhavari, secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Mr. R. N. Shah, a prominent Baha'i from India.\n\nAmong the topics of the sessions, were the Five Year Plan, currently being carried out by Baha'is throughout the world, and its three core activities -- capacity building study circles, devotional meetings and children's classes.\n\nEach of these activities is open to the wider community, and all are being energetically pursued by the Baha'is here. There were also reminiscences of the early days of the Faith in the islands.\n\nSeven people who declared their Faith in Baha'u'llah were called to the stage for a warm welcome and expressions of encouragement. Twenty-one Baha'is offered to move to other parts of the islands to develop Baha'i communities there.\n\nIn a message to the Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice promised prayers that the jubilee event would be a source of inspiration to the Baha'is as they endeavored to promote the Cause of Baha'u'llah.\n\nThere are currently 11 Local Spiritual Assemblies on the  Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which  has a population of some 280,000. The population is spread among  40 of the 540 islands in the group."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423850-bwns5086-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Some members of the audience at the unity concert."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423846-bwns5085-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Lt. Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Shri N. N. Jha and the First Lady, Smti Chaya Jha, (seated at front) listen to address by Jamshed Fozdar."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423846-bwns5084-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Payam Shoghi, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, addresses the Institute Conference."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423846-bwns5083-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423846-bwns5082-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A group from the Nicobar islands performs at the celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423846-bwns5081-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'is gather at the Institute Conference, which was part of the jubilee celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423847-bwns5080-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Jamshed Fozdar (left) presenting a memento to the Chief of Staff of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, Rear Admiral Rakesh Kala."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423847-bwns5079-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"First Lady of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Smti Chaya Jha, (right, with the souvenir of the jubilee."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":270,"evergreenUrl":"generation-expresses-gratitude","title":"Generation expresses gratitude","description":"Two young cousins provided a highlight here at the national Baha'i jubilee celebrations, which followed satellite festivities in eight cities....","date":"2003-11-21","customDateline":null,"city":"PHOKENG","country":"SOUTH AFRICA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423752-bwns5078-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423752-bwns5078-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first South African Indian to become a Baha'i was Dr. Abdul-Hak Bismillah (holding baby) in 1955. He is pictured with his wife, Joan. They are with Sombi Govind (left), Ismail Cassim and children.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Two young cousins provided a highlight here at the national Baha'i jubilee celebrations, which followed satellite festivities in eight cities.\n\nAt an opening session of the festivities, Kelebogile Khunou, 12, and Direlang Nakedi, 11, praised their grandparents for becoming Baha'is nearly 50 years ago.\n\nThe cousins said the sacrifices made by their grandparents, Ntate and Mme, were the cause of many of the benefits in their own lives.\n\nOne of those benefits, both said, was that their parents were \"welcomed into the progressive knowledge-giving world of the Faith.\"\n\n\"I [would] never exchange anything to give up being a Baha'i child -- it is really a rewarding experience,\" Kelebogile said. \"The favorite gift I receive every day from my grandparents' efforts is the relationship of my parents, which is based on the principle of equality of men and women.\"\n\nThis testimony by third-generation Baha'is helped symbolize the dramatic and inspiring history of the Baha'i Faith in South Africa, where for many years the government's official policy of  apartheid (involving the separation of racial groups) ran directly counter to the principle of the oneness of humanity, a fundamental teaching of Baha'u'llah.\n\nParticipants at the South African jubilee celebrations, held from 21 to 22 November 2003, told stories of courage, of successes achieved in a \"cloak and dagger\" fashion, of constant police surveillance, of dogged determination, and of endeavors of heroic proportions.\n\nMembers of the 40-strong local community of Phokeng, including youth, organized most of the national event, which was attended by some 620 Baha'is."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"African dancing, music and dramatic performances, including presentations by the group \"Beyond Words,\" gave artistic and emotional energy to the national jubilee celebrations. At one point, all the members of the National Spiritual Assembly sang to the audience from the stage.\n\nThe Queen Mother of the Bafokeng tribe, Dr. Semane B. Molotegi, a guest of honor at the celebrations, said she was delighted the jubilee was held in her province -- the home of the first indigenous South African Baha'is -- and she praised the Baha'i community work for peace and unity.\n\nDuring the celebrations, some Baha'is who were in South Africa in the 1953-1963 era recounted memories, and outlined some of the difficulties they overcame in the early years of the community.\n\nOne such speaker was Ephens Senne, whose wife, Dorothy, in January 1955, became the first South African woman to accept the Faith. Describing the oppressive atmosphere of apartheid, Mr. Senne said he and his wife were scared initially that the white people had plans to kill them. That fear vanished as they got to know the Baha'is, but they had to be very careful about meeting them because of their apprehensions about official surveillance.\n\nWhen the couple visited European Baha'is, they had to pretend that they came to clean the houses, carrying mops and brooms to avoid suspicion, said Mr. Senne, a former member of the National Spiritual Assembly.\n\nOne of the talks at the conference was about the \"spiritual ancestors\" of many of today's Baha'is -- the three Persian Baha'is who were murdered in March 1994 at the Baha'i center in Mdantsane, Ciskei.\n\nThe presentation recalled the crime that shocked not only Baha'is throughout South Africa and the world but also the local community when gunmen from a militant black group shot dead Houshmand Anvari, Shamam Bakhshandegi, and Riaz Razavi, all of whom had come to South Africa to improve conditions for the black majority.\n\nAt the jubilee festivities, members of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Beth Allen and Enos Makhele, gave inspiring talks on unity and diversity, and the vision of the South African Baha'i community respectively.\n\nThe two authors of a newly published book, \"Heroes and Heroines of the Ten Year Crusade in Southern Africa,\" Edith and Lowell Johnson, spoke on the topic, \"Fifty Years of the Baha'i Faith in South Africa.\"\n\nParticipants listened closely as Edith Johnson pointed out that in 1953 there were only two Baha'is in South Africa, Agnes Carey (1879-1958) in Durban and Reginald Turvey (1882-1968) in Johannesburg, and they didn't know about each other. Shoghi Effendi, who had traveled through South Africa in 1929 and 1940, named them \"Mother\" and \"Father\" respectively of the Baha'is of South Africa.\n\nRecords show that the first Baha'is in South Africa were Agnes Cook in 1911 and William and Mary Fraetas in 1912. The first pioneer was Fanny Knobloch in 1920.\n\nMr. Johnson said that the first of 37 pioneers to arrive during the Ten Year Plan were William (Bill), Marguerite and Michael Sears. The Sears' farm became a place for people of different racial and religious backgrounds to deepen their understandings of the teachings of Baha'u'llah. Mr. Sears was later appointed a Hand of the Cause of God, and this much-loved figure published influential books and delivered inspiring talks on the Faith.\n\nThe first indigenous South African to become a Baha'i was Klaas Mtsweni, an employee of Lyall and Eleanor Hadden, in 1954 in Pretoria. The first white South African to enroll was Florence Norman in Durban.\n\nDuring the early years prominent local Baha'is included, for example, Bertha Mkize, Gilbert Tombisa, Dr. A.H. and Joan Bismillah, Cassiem Davids, William Masetlha, Max and May Seepe, Andrew Mofokeng, Florence Marumo, Sue Hofmeyr Podger, Daniel Ramoroesi, Michael Nthau, Stanlake Kukama, Phillip Hinton, plus the Heuvel and Gallow families.\n\nMr. and Mrs. Johnson said that since 1963, 396 overseas Baha'is had served in South Africa, and about 182  are present there now\n\nThe first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in 1954 in Johannesburg, and the National Spiritual Assembly, administering the whole of Southern Africa, followed two years later. It assisted the formation of 14 National Spiritual Assemblies in Southern Africa and also three \"homeland\" regions, which are now incorporated back within South Africa.\n\nToday the National Spiritual Assembly administers one country, South Africa, and the island of St. Helena. There are 38 Local Spiritual Assemblies.\n\nAt the conclusion of the address by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, the participants sang a Mike Sears song, which is now sung all over Africa and starts with the lyrics: \"Africa, Africa! Come let us sing, a song of the love and the glory of God.\"\n\nThe satellite festivities were held in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Sabie, Umtata, and Mafikeng.\n\nThe South African Baha'i community is actively involved in the three core activities now engaged in by Baha'is throughout the world -- study circles, children's classes and devotional meetings.\n\nIn 2000, some 12 per cent of new Baha'is were under the age of 25 years but that has increased to 25 per cent this year, as more and more young people attend study circles and become attracted to the teachings.\n\nOne of the activities carried out within the wider community is the Royal Falcon Education Initiative, which is dedicated to the promotion of moral values among teenagers and young adults in South Africa.\n\nMore than 29 facilitators are now offering the program at 18 schools throughout South Africa and it is being used at a university and in a prison, as well as in nearby countries.\n\n(Jubilee photos by Denny Allen)."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423750-bwns5077-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Max Seepe, who served the Faith in South Africa for many years, as did his wife, May."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423749-bwns5076-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Daniel Ramoroesi, co-ordinator for the jubilee festivities, and former longtime member of the Continental Board of Counsellors."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423753-bwns5075-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Phillip Hinton joined the Faith in 1961 in Cape Town, and was an active Baha'i teacher. He became an accomplished actor."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423750-bwns5074-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Deeply loved Baha'i Andrew Mofokeng."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423748-bwns5073-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Harry and Bahiyyih Ford, early Baha'i pioners to South Africa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423752-bwns5072-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Cassiem Davids (left), an outstanding Baha'i teacher and administrator, with Leon Tarin (centre) and Ismail Bayat."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423752-bwns5071-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first Malay Baha'is of South Africa, the Gallow family, with (at right) the first Afrikaner Baha'i, Sue Hofmeyr (Podger)."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423752-bwns5070-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Lyall and Eleanor Hadden, whose employee, Klaas Mtsweni, became the first African Baha'i in South Africa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423754-bwns5069-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first South African woman to become a Baha'i, Dorothy Senne, with her husband, Ephens."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423755-bwns5068-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"William Masehla (Masetlha), a member of South Africa's first Local Spiritual Assembly and National Spiritual Assembly, and a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423753-bwns5067-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Agnes Carey, the \"Mother\" of the South African Baha'i community."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423747-bwns5066-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423747-bwns5065-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i historians Edith and Lowell Johnson."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423748-bwns5064-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Enos Makhele, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, addressing the participants."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423749-bwns5063-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Performance by children at the jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423750-bwns5062-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Friends celebrating...Abdia Naidoo and Kully Ziphete, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423749-bwns5061-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participating in the jubilee were longtime Baha'is Gilbert and Tabitha Tombisa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423747-bwns5060-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Performance troupe \"Beyond Words\" comprised youth from South Africa, Cuba, Taiwan, Ireland, United Kingdom."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423753-bwns5059-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Swaziland Baha'i choir, who sang at the jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423749-bwns5058-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i children from the Rustenburg area sang and performed a play about \"Rainbow\" people, which depicted the oneness of mankind."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423747-bwns5057-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Service to the participants...South African Baha'i youth."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423753-bwns5056-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of South Africa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423753-bwns5055-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On their way to South Africa...William (Bill) Sears (left), his wife, Marguerite, and son Michael. (Absent from photo is the Sears' other son, Billy)."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423754-bwns5054-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Reginald Turvey, the \"Father\" of the Baha'is of South Africa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423749-bwns5053-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"One of the speakers, Ephens Senne (right), with festival participant Christine Hoagi."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423752-bwns5052-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Guest of honor, the Queen Mother of the Bafokeng tribe, Dr. Semane B. Molotegi (right, and Beth Allen, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423750-bwns5051-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Cousins who praised their Baha'i grandparents at the jubilee...Direlang Nakedi (left) and Kelebogile Khunou. Photo by Denny Allen."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":269,"evergreenUrl":"girl-highlights-conference-theme","title":"Girl highlights conference theme","description":"A 10-year-old girl made one of the most moving speeches at a conference here that stressed the importance of educating girls. Akansha Dhungyha...","date":"2003-12-19","customDateline":null,"city":"NEW DELHI","country":"","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423581-bwns5050-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423581-bwns5050-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The conference in session.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A 10-year-old girl made one of the most moving speeches at a conference here that stressed the importance of educating girls.\n\nAkansha Dhungyha told of the discrimination she faced as a girl in her home village of Bhaktapur, in Nepal.\n\n\"In my village, they send the boy to school thinking that he will take care of the parents when they get older, and that the girl will go to another home when she is married,\" said Akansha, explaining why girls are often kept at home.\n\nShe made her presentation on 19 December 2003 at a conference entitled \"Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy,\" which was organized by the Baha'i International Community with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other international agencies and organizations.\n\nAkansha told the conference that if parents do send the girls to school, they enroll them in lesser quality government schools, while the boys are sent to private institutions.\n\n\"And there are a lot of girls who leave the school because of the lack of toilets,\" she said. \"Or the parents take the girls out of school and ask them to get married.\"\n\nAkansha's experiences highlighted and reinforced some of the main points made by adults at the conference.\n\nSome 150 governmental officials, international agency representatives, non-governmental activists, academics, and other civil society representatives gathered for the event, which was held 17-19 December 2003 at the Baha'i National Center (known as Baha'i House) in New Delhi."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The conference sought to establish and strengthen networks and partnerships among organizations in South Asia that work to accelerate the provision of basic education of universal quality to all children, and especially to girls.\n\n\"We here in South Asia are challenged by high numbers of children out of school,\" said Erma Manoncourt, a deputy director for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), India, noting that some 43 million children are out of school in the region, and that the majority -- some 26 million -- are girls.\n\n\"It is only by increasing the enrollment and retention of girls that we can reach the goal [of universal education],\" Ms. Manoncourt said.\n\nBy the end of the conference, many of the participants reached agreement on certain key points.\n\nFirst, that greater efforts must be made to eliminate the cultural and economic barriers that prevent girls from going to school in South Asia.\n\nAs well, government funding for education must be increased so as to increase the availability of, and access to, schooling in the region.\n\nAdditionally, however, many participants stressed the importance of improving educational quality -- as a means of attracting children to school and keeping them there -- by emphasizing moral education, updating primary school curricula, increasing community participation, and giving localities more control over school administration.\n\n\"School education does not prepare a child to live,\" said Mervyn Fernando, the director of the SUBODHI Institute for Integral Education in Sri Lanka.\n\n\"It prepares a child for a job with certain skills. But even after grade 12 or 13, the child goes to society very ill-equipped to live life as a mature, successful citizen because  a lot of important things have been left out of our education system.\"\n\nThe conference opened at the Baha'i House of Worship here, when a number of prominent officials and experts outlined the challenges and benefits of achieving universal education.\n\nBani Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, spoke about the importance of education -- and especially for girls -- as being in the \"enlightened self-interest\" of society.\n\n\"Education for all -- and especially for girls -- is not only a human right. It is also in the best interests of society as a whole,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n\"It is, indeed, perhaps the single best development strategy we have.\"\n\nMs. Dugal noted that the Baha'i writings stress the importance of educating girls -- a point she said had been confirmed by recent educational and sociological research.\n\nEducated girls are healthier and more prosperous, she said, and their families and children are likewise healthier and more prosperous.\n\n\"By every measure, every study, and every rational thought process, the investment made today in the education of girls and boys pays dividends that will last far into the future -- and make the world a much better place,\" Ms. Dugal said.\n\nDr. Sadig Rasheed, the Regional Director of UNICEF for the Region of South Asia, stressed the overall strategy of putting girls first as a means to increase educational access for everyone.\n\n\"We know that some of the things that can be done to keep a girl in school, such as better sanitation, a friendlier protective environment, and secure, violence- and harassment-free, surroundings, also benefit boys,\" said. Dr. Rasheed.\n\n\"By looking after the most vulnerable, we make conditions better for all. By reaching those who have the most difficulty in accessing education, we assist the path for everyone.\"\n\nDelhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that India must work harder to overcome cultural preconceptions that cause discrimination against girls and prevent their education.\n\n\"We are supposed to be a country of wise men, and yet we are one of the most illiterate countries in the world,\" said Ms. Dikshit.\n\n\"We have states where the girl foetus is still killed. Why are families choosing to kill the girl child even before she is born?\"\n\n\"Despite the fact that my vegetable seller has a cell phone around his neck, he still does not think the girl at home needs to be educated,\" said Ms. Dikshit. \"We must make education a habit.\"\n\nFive South Asian countries were represented at the conference: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Many sent government representatives and all were represented by organizations of civil society, including the Bah' communities of each of the five countries.\n\nThe conference was co-sponsored and supported by a number of agencies, including: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Vision India, National Foundation for India, Save the Children UK, Commonwealth Education Fund, and India Alliance for Child Rights.\n\n(Photos and story by Brad Pokorny)."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423581-bwns5049-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship was the backdrop for the opening ceremony."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423581-bwns5048-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i representatives Bani Dugal, left, and Farida Vahedi, centre, chat with Sadig Rasheed, Director, UNICEF for South Asia."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423581-bwns5047-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Akansha Dhungyha, right, with Shireen Vakil Miller, of Save the Children, UK."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":268,"evergreenUrl":"global-diversity-information-society-conference","title":"Global diversity at Information Society conference","description":"The global diversity of the worldwide Baha'i community was showcased at a major United Nations conference on the creation of a global \"Information...","date":"2003-12-12","customDateline":null,"city":"GENEVA","country":"","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423572-bwns5046-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423572-bwns5046-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i delegation (left to right): Michael Quinn (United States), Bahiyyih Chaffers (Canada), Laina Raveendran Greene (Singapore), Karanja Gakio (Botswana).","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The global diversity of the worldwide Baha'i community was showcased at a major United Nations conference on the creation of a global \"Information Society.\"\n\nThe Baha'i International Community assembled a delegation of Internet and communications specialists -- who are also Baha'i's -- for the U.N.'s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held from 10-12 December 2003.\n\nThe Baha'i delegation included one of the founders of Africa Online, a top-ranked entrepreneur and Internet consultant from Singapore, and a CISCO Systems vice-president who is of Native American origin.\n\nIt was headed by Canadian Bahiyyih Chaffers, who was appointed in August as a permanent representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"Baha'is believe that the emergence of a global information society is an aspect of the inevitable coming together of humanity in the construction of a new, just, and peaceful global civilization,\" said Ms. Chaffers.\n\n\"It is important that the growing information society be as inclusive as possible, so that every human being has an opportunity to participate in shaping global society.\"\n\nSome 54 heads of state, prime ministers, presidents, and vice presidents, along with 83 ministers, came to the WSIS, which drew official delegations from some 176 countries.\n\nAlso attending were several thousand representatives of nongovernmental organizations, business groups, the media, and other organizations of civil society.\n\nThe summit, called by the U.N. to assess the impact of information and communications technology on human society, ended with the adoption of a Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action aimed at building a \"people-centered, inclusive, and development-oriented Information Society.\"\n\n\"We are going through a historic transformation in the way we live, learn, work, communicate, and do business,\" said U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan in an opening speech to the summit.\n\n\"We must do so not passively, but as makers of our own destiny. Technology has produced the information age. Now it is up to all of us to build an information society,\" Mr. Annan said.\n\nFor their part, representatives of the Baha'i International Community -- along with several Baha'i-inspired organizations -- participated in the summit at many levels.\n\nThey attended workshops, worked with other civil society organizations on issues before the summit, and presented the results of various Baha'i-inspired projects in the \"ICT4D\" (Information and Communication Technology for Development) global village that was associated with the WSIS.\n\nMs. Chaffers, for example, was selected to chair the Ethics and Values Caucus, an ad hoc civil-society group that sought to ensure that moral and ethical values were included in the summit's deliberations. The caucus issued a statement to the summit that said, in part:\n\n\"The ethical dimension of the Information Society, where the common good is its driving force, involves the development of a code of practice at the individual, community, national, and international levels, that protects the dignity of every human life.\n\n\"This ethical dimension is where the oneness of humanity is recognized and respected and where each human being born into the world is acknowledged as a trust of the whole.\"\n\nA member of the Baha'i delegation, Karanja Gakio, participated on a round-table discussion of Internet security in developing countries that was held at the ICT4D forum.\n\nA number of Baha'i agencies also participated in various summit activities.\n\nThe European Baha'i Business Forum (EBBF) sponsored a workshop at the summit titled \"Toward a Knowledge-based, Sustainable World Information Society: The Role of Good Governance and Business.\"\n\nIt featured a panel composed of Dr. Augusto Lopez-Claro, economist and director of the World Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum; Dr. Arthur Lyon-Dahl, president of the International Environment Forum and a former senior advisor to the United Nations Environment Programme; and Dr. Ramin Khadem, chief financial officer of Immarsat, London."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":267,"evergreenUrl":"in-u-s-south-surges-towards-success","title":"In the U.S., South surges towards success","description":"Participants at the biggest Baha'i conference held in the United States since 2001 prepared themselves for increasingly focused efforts to expand...","date":"2003-11-27","customDateline":null,"city":"NASHVILLE","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423547-bwns5045-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423547-bwns5045-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A banner by young artists...more than 400 children attended the conference.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Participants at the biggest Baha'i conference held in the United States since 2001 prepared themselves for increasingly focused efforts to expand the Faith in their country.\n\nSome 4,000 Baha'is attended the Southern Regional Baha'i Conference, which was held from 27-30 November and was opened by the city's vice mayor Howard Gentry Jr.\n\nParticipants spent sessions examining progress in three core activities being undertaken throughout the Baha'i world -- capacity-building study circles, children's classes, and devotional meetings.\n\nThose sessions, aimed at furthering the process of expansion, were allied to the theme of the conference, \"Blazoning the Name of Baha'u'llah,\" a plan to introduce the name of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith to every resident of the United States by 2013.\n\nThe Regional Baha'i Council of the Southern States, which sponsored the conference, reported \"extraordinary progress\" in the number of study circles in the region, and in the number of participants who have completed the sequence of courses and trained as tutors.\n\nThen participants examined what was successful or otherwise in Baha'i communities, evaluating progress in geographic \"clusters.\"\n\nThe southern states of the country saw a dramatic surge in enrolments in the Baha'i Faith in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and participants at the conference pledged to undertake systematic activities to ensure the region continues in that tradition. At the event, which was open to the public, 18 people joined the Faith.\n\nThe conference was dedicated to the memory of Ali-Akbar Furutan, 98, the much-loved Hand of the Cause who passed away in Haifa, Israel, on the eve of the opening of the conference. Speakers drew on the example of his life to encourage participants in their efforts."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Among the addresses given at the conference was one by Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.\n\nA prominent article in \"The Tennesseean,\" the state's biggest-circulation daily newspaper, subsequently quoted Dr. Henderson urging on the Baha'is in their efforts to expand the Faith.\n\n\"We are really talking about the essential mission of the Baha'i Faith, which is nothing more complicated than learning how to love and sharing with other people what we're learning about that love, and then telling them Who taught us how to love like that,\" Dr. Henderson said.\n\nAnother speaker, Eugene Andrews, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, told the participants that the Faith is not a church, and its members should not conduct themselves in a way where leadership comes from an individual or individuals presumed to be qualified for the purpose.\n\n\"Where does our spiritual vitality come from? It comes from you all,\" he said.\n\nRebequa Murphy, also a member of the Continental Board, used an urban analogy to illustrate her point that the institute process (which includes study circles, children's classes and other community activities) was aimed at raising a community of teachers of the Faith.\n\n\"In New York City you learn [to] only hail cabs that have their light on, because if their light's not on they're not open for business,\" Ms. Murphy said.\n\n\"When we become communities of teachers, what happens? What the institute process does, it turns on [our] lights. So people know we're open for business. And they come to us.\n\n\"We must never forget the purpose for which we live -- to bring about the oneness of the human family.\"\n\nKenneth Bowers, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly said he was a native southerner, a descendant of slave-holders and confederate soldiers and he could testify to \"a new life that is stirring in this age,\" one in which he could be loved by African-Americans and love them right back.\n\n\"And the question I ask is, who else but God can do something like that?\" Mr. Bowers said.\n\nArtistic expression permeated the conference. There were musical and dramatic performances, a journey for children through reconstructed historical places of the Faith, film screenings, displays of the visual arts, and creative devotionals.\n\nA performance of the Voices of Baha choir -- featuring solos by performers such as Dan Seals, Red Grammer, the Price Sisters, and Van Gilmer -- took place in a venue synonymous with the music of the south -- the Ryman Auditorium, once home to the Grand Ole Opry.\n\nYouth and children had sessions devoted to their issues, and many young people volunteered to help in the running of the conference. Other sessions included an adult singles discussion group, an African-American teaching consultation, young adults leadership sessions, and a forum for study circle tutors.\n\n(Article based on reporting by Tom Mennillo. Photos courtesy of \"The American Baha'i.\")"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423557-bwns5044-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Eugene Andrews."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423546-bwns5043-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Youthful masters of ceremonies,left to right, Bahie Rassekh, Irene Iturburo, and Jay Green."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423546-bwns5042-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Kenneth Bowers."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423547-bwns5041-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Musician Red Grammer entertaining the children at the conference."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423546-bwns5040-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Rebequa Murphy teaches a South African song to the conference participants."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423546-bwns5039-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of an Oklahoma family, who have been investigating the Faith, spoke of their experience."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543423557-bwns5038-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Poetic inspiration...Anis Mojgani recites one of his poems at the conference in Nashville. Photo by Tom Mennillo."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":266,"evergreenUrl":"celebrating-with-music-dance","title":"Celebrating with music and dance","description":"Classical Spanish dances and melodies entertained participants at the 50th jubilee celebrations in the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands....","date":"2003-10-10","customDateline":null,"city":"LAS PALMAS","country":"SPAIN","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422671-bwns5037-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422671-bwns5037-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Virginia Orbison, who settled in the Balearic Islands in 1953.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Classical Spanish dances and melodies entertained participants at the 50th jubilee celebrations in the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands.\n\n**Canary Islands**\n\nSongs originating from the Canary Islands were a highlight of the festivities held in the capital, Las Palmas, from 10-12 October 2003.\n\nGuests from Austria, Senegal, Morocco, and Spain joined local Baha'is to watch a video documentary about the 50 years of Baha'i activity in the islands.\n\nAnother film, produced by local youth, depicted the significant role young people played in the history of the Baha'i community.\n\nOne of the speakers, Mahnaz Nekoudin, paid tribute to the Baha'is who had settled in the islands to support the work of the Baha'i community.\n\nMany of those pioneering Baha'is were present at the jubilee, and received roses as a gesture of gratitude.\n\nThe Faith came to the Canary Islands in October 1953 when George and Peggy True, and their son, Barry, arrived from Detroit and settled in Tenerife."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"For their services, Mr. and Mrs. True received the accolade Knights of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi.\n\nAt the jubilee, Barry True gave an address that included affectionate reminiscences of his parents.\n\nAnother Knight of Baha'u'llah to the Canary Islands was Gertrude Eisenberg, who settled on the island of Grand Canary.\n\nShoghi Riaz Rouhani, a Baha'i from Egypt, arrived on that island a few months later, in April 1954. He too was named a Knight of Baha'u'llah.\n\nMr. Rouhani, who was present at the jubilee, talked about the significance of the historic events 50 years ago.\n\nAlso contributing to the festivities were Emilio Egea and Sohrab Youssefian, members of the Continental Board of Counselors.\n\nIn conjunction with the jubilee, the Baha'is organized an interfaith panel discussion, which was held at the Writers' Guild of Las Palmas.\n\nPresent at that meeting were representatives of the Buddhist, Catholic, and Jewish communities, as well as the consuls for Ireland and Italy.\n\nInes Jimenez, member of the town council of Las Palmas, spoke at that gathering.\n\n\"The message that I learned is that humanity is one race, and that unity, peace, and dialogue of all cultures of the world will be a reality,\" Mrs. Jimenez said.\n\nAlso attending were Angel Tristan, editor and columnist of one of the regional newspapers, \"La Provincia,\" who had written an article about the Baha'i Faith.\n\nThe jubilee was also covered by another local newspaper, the \"Canarias 7,\" and there was a report by the local television station, Channel 8.\n\n**Balearic Islands**\n\nCelebrations took place in Mallorca (Majorca), Soller, and Calvia from 21 to 23 November 2003.\n\nMany Baha'i and other artists, including the local Baha'i choir and the San Jaime Choir, performed at the events. Regional dances, and performances on violin and piano were also part of the entertainment.\n\nThe first Baha'i to take the Faith to the islands was Virginia Orbison of the United States, who arrived in August 1953.\n\nOthers soon to follow were Jean and Tove Deleuran from Denmark, and Charles Monroe Ioas of the United States, who was present at the jubilee.\n\nThey were among many other Baha'is at the same time who left their home countries at the urging of the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, to take the teachings of Baha'u'llah around the world.\n\nThose first four to arrive in the Balearic Islands received the title Knight of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi.\n\nSeveral high-ranking officials were present at the celebrations, including the director of the Human Rights for Children's Office, a UNESCO representative, and senior members of the Education Council, who praised the Baha'i community's work for social welfare.\n\nAlso present were Emilio Egea, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, and members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Spain.\n\nRepresentatives of the Buddhist, Jewish, Catholic, and Muslim communities participated with the Baha'is in a panel discussion on religious dialogue, which was covered by the local media."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422675-bwns5036-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"George and Peggy True, and their son, Barry, with Gertrude Eisenberg (right) in the Canary Islands."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422672-bwns5035-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Colorful costumes were a feature of the jubilee in the Canary Islands."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422677-bwns5034-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Rouhani, who attended the celebrations in the Canary Islands."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422670-bwns5033-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422670-bwns5032-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422673-bwns5031-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Charles Monroe Ioas (left) with Jean and Tove Deleuran in the Balearic Islands."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422678-bwns5030-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the 50th anniversary celebrations in Las Palmas."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422671-bwns5029-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Wearing traditional dress at the jubilee was Sandra Marrero, who sang folk songs of the Canary Islands."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":265,"evergreenUrl":"double-blessing-cook-islands","title":"Double blessing for Cook Islands","description":"Two women -- from different countries but with the same aim -- brought the Baha'i Faith to these remote islands half a century ago. As part of...","date":"2003-10-15","customDateline":null,"city":"RAROTONGA","country":"COOK ISLANDS","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422638-bwns5028-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422638-bwns5028-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Cook Islands at the International Convention in Haifa, 1998.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Two women -- from different countries but with the same aim -- brought the Baha'i Faith to these remote islands half a century ago.\n\nAs part of an internationally co-ordinated effort to spread the Baha'i Faith around the world, Edith Danielsen, from the United States, and Dulcie Dive, from New Zealand via Australia, arrived here in 1953 and 1954 respectively.\n\nTheir efforts soon bore fruit. In March 1955, two Cook Islanders, Tuaine Karotaua (also known as Mr. Peter Titi) followed by Rima Nicholas, became Baha'is.\n\nA year later, the first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Cook Islands was first elected in 1985.\n\nThe stories of these early Baha'is and those who followed were told during the 50th jubilee celebrations held here from 10 to 15 October 2003.\n\nMore than 100 participated, including overseas visitors and guests.\n\nA commemoration event on 14 October began with a traditional welcome from Cook Islands Baha'i Nga Makirere.\n\nMrs. Makirere described how the message of both Jesus Christ and Baha'u'llah arrived in the Cook Islands through the island of Aitutaki, Mrs. Danielsen's first landing point."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Among the official guests at the jubilee were Queen Elizabeth's representative to the Cook Islands, Frederick Goodwin, and his wife, Ina Goodwin, the former representative, Sir Apenera Short and Lady Short, and Prime Minister Robert Woonton with his wife, Sue Woonton.\n\nAlso present were traditional tribal chiefs and a representative from the country's Religious Advisory Council.\n\nDuring his address, Sir Apenera commended the organizers of the jubilee, and the Baha'is in general.\n\n\"I praise you Baha'is for bringing your religion to the Cook Islands,\" Sir Apenera said.\n\n\"I pray God to take you to another 50 years, and God will make that happen.\"\n\nBaha'i speakers included Heather Simpson, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, and Alan Wilcox, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand. The Baha'i communities of both countries have close links.\n\nAmong the guests were the brother and daughter of Tuaine Karotaua, Papa Poreo Tavai Portoru and Te Oru Karotaua; a son of Rima Nicholas, Albert Nicholas and his wife; and a daughter of a prominent Baha'i, the late Pa Ariki, Chief of Takitumu, Lily Henderson.\n\nAlso present during the festivities were Baha'i pioneers Nan Greenwood, from Canada, and Gwen Welland, from the United States, who have lived in the Cook Islands since 1972 and 1962, respectively.\n\nProfessor Duane Varan of Australia gave talks on the Faith to audiences comprising Baha'is and members of the wider community.\n\nThe events also included a devotional gathering that opened with a prayer said in eight languages, and featured children singing and readings from the Baha'i holy writings. The program also included reading messages of congratulations from Baha'is overseas.\n\nOther highlights included a concert with singing, drumming and dancing, and a visit to the island of Aitutaki.\n\nGeorgie Skeaff, who has compiled a record of the Cook Islands Baha'i community, led a tour to historical Baha'i landmarks, such as where Mrs. Danielsen and Mrs. Dive first lived here.\n\nMrs. Skeaff's account tells how Mrs. Danielsen (1909- 1984) was in San Francisco when she ran her finger over a map, stopped it at the Cook Islands, and decided to go there. She arrived in October 1953, and remained until 1958.\n\nMrs. Danielsen was responding to a call by the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, to move to places where there were no Baha'is so that the spiritual benefits of Baha'u'llah's teachings would be available to all.\n\nAn outgoing personality, Mrs. Danielsen was also a talented musician -- she played the organ to entertain guests -- and she delighted in extending hospitality and teaching the Baha'i Faith.\n\nMeanwhile, Dulcie Dive (1909-1962), a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand since 1944, left her adopted country of Australia in 1954 to be a Baha'i pioneer in the Cook Islands.\n\nMrs. Skeaff said Mrs. Dive had a loving nature, which attracted people to her. She is still spoken about with affection in the Cook Islands.\n\nAs first Baha'i arrivals, both Mrs. Danielsen and Mrs. Dive were named Knights of Baha'u'llah by Shoghi Effendi.\n\nMrs. Skeaff's record also describes the first two Baha'is in the Cook Islands and others who followed.\n\nIn 1956, the first Cook Island Baha'i, Mr. Titi (1907-84) moved to New Zealand where he came to be loved for his spiritual insights, his happy personality and his devotion to spreading the Baha'i message.\n\nThe first Cook Island Baha'i woman, Mrs. Nicholas (1926-2000), had been a star student, and became a popular singer and instrumentalist, and a leader of the Girl Guides. She greatly assisted the progress of the Faith by providing her skills as a translator to Mrs. Danielsen.\n\nAnother prominent Baha'i was Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki (1923-1990), who became a Baha'i after meeting Dulcie Dive and Edith Danielsen. In 1978, Pa Terito inherited her traditional chief's title. As Ariki (hereditary chief) of Takitumu, she was able to reach many levels of society, and she actively proclaimed the Faith in the South Pacific.\n\nTe Atamira Makirere was a clergyman when, in the face of considerable local disapproval, he and his wife, Nga, became Baha'is in 1977. Te Atamira, also known as \"Ta\" or \"Papa Ta,\" lives on Aitutaki and is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly.\n\nThere were more than 100 pioneers in the Cook Islands from 1953-2003, and more than 170 traveling teachers.\n\nMuch of the development of the Baha'i community has been carried out in difficult circumstances.\n\nIn 1975, a law was enacted allowing only four religious groups -- all Christian denominations -- to publicly teach their faith. This law was repealed in 1978.\n\nIn 1992, four Baha'is formed a private pre-school, which has now developed into a primary and intermediate school, Te Uki O. There have been many other Baha'i-inspired projects over the last 50 years. A current one is the \"Cook Islands Learning Disability Reading Program.\"\n\nFor the last eight years, a popular Baha'i television program, \"Baha'i on Air,\" has screened at first weekly, and now fortnightly, in Rarotonga."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422636-bwns5027-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rarotonga, 1956."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422636-bwns5026-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Youthful celebrations at the Cook Islands Baha'i jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422640-bwns5025-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Sir Apenera Short."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422636-bwns5024-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Next generation...Albert Nicholas with Mrs. Nicholas (right) and Georgie Skeaff."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422636-bwns5023-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Flowers of one garden...Tiana Griffin, left, and Ella Uritaua."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422642-bwns5022-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Ready for a singalong...Corinne Matepi, Sophia Hebenstreit, Lua Hancock (with guitar), Tevana Hebenstreit."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422635-bwns5021-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422636-bwns5020-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dulcie Dive."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422641-bwns5019-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Edith Danielsen."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422636-bwns5018-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Musical celebrations... (Left to right) Kuhio Rosa-Travis, Mona Matepi holding Akiva Griffin, Papa Teata Makirere."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422642-bwns5017-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i pioneer Nan Greenwood,95, (right) with Lady Maui Short."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422637-bwns5016-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Historical trio...(Left to right) Rima Nicholas, Tuaine Karotaua (Mr. Peter Titi), Edith Danielsen. 1955."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":264,"evergreenUrl":"reflections-rwanda","title":"Reflections of Rwanda","description":"Baha'is from different ethnic groups joined together in unity at a meeting here where they reviewed the achievements of their community and made...","date":"2003-11-30","customDateline":null,"city":"KIGALI","country":"RWANDA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422623-bwns5015-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422623-bwns5015-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Baha'is from different ethnic groups joined together in unity at a meeting here where they reviewed the achievements of their community and made plans for the future.\n\nThe Baha'is were participating in a \"reflection meeting\" -- now an increasingly common practice in Baha'i communities worldwide.\n\nSongs and traditional dances contributed to the meeting, which was held on 30 November 2003. Sixty participants attended, half of whom were youth. They came from different sectors of the community.\n\nA Baha'i spokesperson said that unity is a Baha'i ideal, and the Baha'is identify themselves as Rwandans first, instead of as belong to a particular ethnic group like Hutu or Tutsi.\n\n\"So in the Baha'i meetings everybody is seen as a brother or a sister, without emphasizing the differences,\" the spokesperson said.\n\nThe reflection meeting was the third held in the Kigali cluster of communities, which comprises five Local Spiritual Assemblies.\n\nThe participants studied, \"Building Momentum,\" a publication produced at the Baha'i World Centre, which gives guidance in the administrative and capacity-building methods being used to advance the process of wide expansion of the Faith."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Baha'is are following advice from the international governing council, the Universal House of Justice, to focus on three core activities: study circles, children's classes and devotional meetings, all of which are open to participation from those in the wider society.\n\nIn the Kigali cluster there are six regular study circles, -- which are aimed at developing spiritual insights, knowledge and skills -- five children's classes and nine devotional meetings.\n\nThe participants at the reflection meeting made a plan to multiply those activities.\n\nIn 1994 in Rwanda, widespread violence resulted in the deaths of some 800,000 people.\n\nIn March 2000, as the country struggled to create unity and rebuild trust between the ethnic groups, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Rwanda issued a statement to the National Commission for Unity and Reconciliation urging consideration of the principle of oneness of humanity as a basis for reconciliation in the country.\n\n\"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,\" said the National Spiritual Assembly, urging the adoption of a program for moral education that would seek both to abolish prejudices and to foster social and economic development."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422623-bwns5014-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'is in Kigali, Rwanda, participate in a study circle."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422623-bwns5013-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dancers at the reflection meeting."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422623-bwns5012-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the Kigali reflection meeting."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":263,"evergreenUrl":"arts-portray-life-spirit","title":"Arts portray life of the spirit","description":"British Baha'is explored creative ways to portray the themes of a popular study course on spirituality at a national festival held here last...","date":"2003-11-08","customDateline":null,"city":"SCARBOROUGH","country":"ENGLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422604-bwns5011-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422604-bwns5011-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Singer Hatef Sedkaoui, known as Atef.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"British Baha'is explored creative ways to portray the themes of a popular study course on spirituality at a national festival held here last month.\n\nMore than 1,200 people attended the festival, held from 7 to 9 November 2003, in the historic spa town of Scarborough, on the northeast coast of England.\n\nThe Baha'is and their many guests used the arts and other methods to portray the themes of \"Reflections on the Life of the Spirit,\" a course aimed at understanding prayer, life after death, and the spiritual nature of human beings.\n\nThe course, created at the Ruhi Institute in Colombia, is the first in a series being used widely by Baha'is around the world to develop spiritual insights, knowledge and skills. People who are not Baha'is are also participating in increasing numbers.\n\nFestival coordinator Rob Weinberg said the event was aimed at encouraging people to reflect on their spiritual nature and its portrayal in dramatic and musical performances, audio-visual presentations, and talks.\n\n\"The 'Life of the Spirit' was chosen as the theme because (spirituality) is fundamental to life and the transformation of society,\" Mr. Weinberg said.\n\nThough many of the participants had already studied the course, Mr. Weinberg said that the festival was meant to \"take the concepts and ideas of it and present them on a bigger stage.\""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"We also wanted to demonstrate to our visitors and friends what it means to be a Baha'i and to encourage them to engage with the processes the community is involved with.\"\n\nAmong the many guests of the Baha'is attending the festival was a representative of environmental charity Life Force International, Nigel Whittle, who said the festival was successful on many levels.\n\nThe enormous effort of the Baha'is was demonstrated by the variety and quality of exhibits, talks, and entertainment, Mr. Whittle said.\n\n\"Since the spirit is manifested in the material, this aspect of the festival alone represented much love, faith, and spiritual development,\" he said.\n\nThe spiritual realities that underpin human existence, the main theme of \"Book One\" of the Ruhi Institute's series of courses, was the topic of an address by Sohrab Youssefian, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors.\n\n\"Just as there are laws, such as gravity which govern our physical life, so there are spiritual laws which impact on the life of our souls,\" Mr. Youssefian said.\n\n\"If we fail to access these forces, we remain like a bird that refuses to leave its nest and fly -- in other words, we do not realize the potentialities inherent within us.\"\n\nAllied to the theme of prayer was an exhibition that showed the development of Baha'i Houses of Worship around the world.\n\nRare drawings and photographs of those Temples were displayed alongside architectural models. Audio-visual presentations charted their evolution.\n\nThe exhibition also included images and descriptions of the model of the newest Baha'i Temple, which is now in the planning stages and will be built near Santiago, Chile.\n\nIllustrating the theme of life after death, Arabella Velasco, a British writer and actress, presented \"A Light at the End of the Tunnel,\" her play based on first-hand accounts of near-death experiences.\n\n\"These were true stories taken from over 200 testimonials that were studied in my writing of the play,\" said Ms. Velasco, who played all three characters.\n\n\"Although science has not yet backed up such experiences, they add an enriching element to our study, in (\"Reflection on the Life of the Spirit\") and other arenas, of life after death,\" she said.\n\nOther themes, such as the status of women, were also creatively explored at the festival.\n\nAthens-based actor Shirin Youssefian-Maanian performed all 14 characters in the play \"Pure,\" written by Annabel Knight.\n\nThe play depicts the life and death of the 19th century Persian poet, Tahirih, who heralded a new age of emancipation for women and challenged the religious fundamentalism of her time.\n\nAmong the prominent musicians at the festival was Conrad Lambert, also known as Merz, who gave a solo performance.\n\nMerz's debut album was named one of the top 50 in the United Kingdom in 1999, and his performance at the Glastonbury Festival won him critical acclaim.\n\nMaking his UK debut was Tunisian-born Hatef Sedkaoui, also known as Atef, who played a blend of new soul and traditional Arabic dance music with his Marseilles-based band, \"Soul Tunes.\"\n\nOne of the members of \"Soul Tunes,\" Franck Taieb, said there were no religious barriers when it came to music.\n\n\"My wife is a Muslim and I am Jewish, and Atef is a Baha'i, and music brings us all together,\" Mr. Taieb said.\n\nThe festival included a creative description of aspects of the 1890 meeting between the distinguished Cambridge University orientalist, Professor Edward Granville Browne, and Baha'u'llah.\n\nA documentary film about Professor Browne, which included footage shot in the professor's rooms at Pembroke College, was screened.\n\nFestival participants could enter a detailed reconstruction of the room near Acre, Israel where the meeting took place, and hear a recording of Professor Browne's eloquent pen-portrait of Baha'u'llah.\n\nAnother film shown at the festival charted the worldwide development of the Baha'i community since 1890.\n\nThe National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom presented a program describing the Baha'i social and community projects underway in the country.\n\nParticipants heard about the Institute for Social Cohesion, a Baha'i sponsored initiative, which encourages government and civil society to promote unity and understanding between socially diverse groups within British society.\n\nHeather O'Neill, the coordinator of the Baha'i-inspired Youth Empowerment Project of Swindon, described how many young people have transformed their lives by participating in programs aimed at helping them develop a sense of purpose, personal responsibility and community service.\n\nFestival participants aged between 11 and 14 had sessions in which they explored issues affecting them at school, and in the wider society.\n\nThe event concluded with a devotional ceremony. Pauline Senior, 96, a Baha'i for more than 80 years, led readers -- from children to the elderly -- in a tribute to the transforming power of the Baha'i teachings in their lives."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422604-bwns5010-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Professor Edward Granville Browne in oriental attire."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422604-bwns5009-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of \"Soul Tunes\" and friends. Singer Atef is second from the left."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422604-bwns5008-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Actor Shirin Youssefian-Maanian."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422604-bwns5007-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Exhibition of Baha'i Houses of Worship."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422603-bwns5006-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Creators of the theatrical production \"Pure.\" (Left to right) Jessica Naish (director), Shirin Youssefian-Maanian (actor), and Annabel Knight (playwright). Photo by Darius Himes."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":262,"evergreenUrl":"lively-festivities-lesotho","title":"Lively festivities in Lesotho","description":"Lively performances of dance, music and storytelling were highlights of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Baha'i Faith in Lesotho, held...","date":"2003-10-11","customDateline":null,"city":"MASERU","country":"LESOTHO","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422567-bwns5005-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422567-bwns5005-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Lively performances of dance, music and storytelling were highlights of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Baha'i Faith in Lesotho, held from 10-12 October 2003.\n\nThe Butha Buthe Baha'i choir and the Men's Choir from Lesotho sang several times throughout the program, as did the Swaziland Baha'i choir.\n\nA visiting arts group from South Africa, Beyond Words, performed many dances. They also depicted the lives of the first Lesotho Baha'is in a play written for the occasion.\n\nAt times during the event, all the participants were dancing and singing together in harmony.\n\nFollowing a reception at the national Baha'i center, more than 170 Baha'is gathered at the Lesotho Sun Hotel for two days of celebrations. Guests came from South Africa and Swaziland.\n\nLesotho Television covered part of the proceedings.\n\nPresent at the event was a member of the Continental Board of Counselors, Enos Makhele of South Africa, who spoke about the historical significance of the anniversary.\n\nAfter an address by the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, Nontsiki Mashologo, participants learned from a slide presentation about some significant Baha'i activities during the past 50 years, such as visits by traveling teachers, youth conferences, and children's classes.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"One of those major events was the visit from 19 July to 4 August, 1972, of Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, a Hand of the Cause of God and the widow of the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi.\n\nThe first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of  Lesotho was formed in 1971. There are now 26 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and Baha'is live in more than 470 localities.\n\nThe Lesotho Baha'is hold regular children's classes, study circles, and devotional meetings. There is also a youth enrichment program, which encourages young people to identify their problems and empowers them to find solutions.\n\nAt the jubilee, Mapeko Mofolo, the secretary of the National  Assembly, told stories about the early days of the Baha'i Faith in Lesotho.\n\nThe first Baha'is to arrive in Basutoland (as Lesotho was once called) were Frederick and Elizabeth Laws, a couple from the United States.\n\nThey arrived on 13 October 1953, just three days before the end of the Holy Year at the beginning of a ten-year plan to take the Baha'i teachings around the world.\n\nFor their services, they each received the accolade, Knight of Baha'u'llah, from Shoghi Effendi.\n\nThe Laws soon won the hearts of the local people. Mrs. Laws became known simply as \"Malerato\" (Mother of Love) and Mr. Laws as \"Lerato\" (Love).\n\nThey soon met Chadwick and Mary Mohapi, a couple in their sixties.\n\n\"The Mohapis asked us to live in their village, and gave us a round, thatched hut with a clay floor. The rondavel was about 16 feet in diameter. We laid a tarpaper floor and moved in,\" Mrs. Laws later recalled.\n\nOn 6 September, 1954, after learning about the faith from Mr. and Mrs. Laws every evening for five weeks, Mr. and Mrs. Mohapi became Baha'is, the first local believers of their country.\n\nSubsequently, despite difficulties with language, many local people were enthusiastic to learn about the Baha'i Faith.\n\n\"Our mighty Lord takes our inadequate words, our puny efforts, and causes them to bring great results,\" Mrs. Laws wrote.\n\n\"Those who hear go out to tell many others -- the chain is endless to eternity.\"\n\nMr. and Mrs. Laws stayed in Basutoland for 30 months. Mr. Laws could not get a work permit so they left for South Africa in early 1956. By that time there were 85 Baha'is in Lesotho and five Local Spiritual Assemblies.\n\nThey later moved to Gambia and then to Liberia to assist the Baha'i communities in each of those countries."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422568-bwns5004-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Frederick Laws."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422568-bwns5003-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Elizabeth (Beth) Laws."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422568-bwns5002-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Lesotho and other Baha'is (1970s)."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422568-bwns5001-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'is present the publication \"Who Is Writing the Future?\" to His Majesty King Letsie III (second from left) at the Royal Palace in Lesotho, 1999."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422569-bwns5000-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Lesotho at the International Baha'i Convention in Haifa, Israel, 1998."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422568-bwns4999-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Lesotho Baha'i singing group at the celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422569-bwns4998-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The visiting Swaziland Baha'i choir, who sang at the festivities."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422570-bwns4997-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422571-bwns4996-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Elizabeth Laws, known as \"Mother of Love\", with local people in Lesotho."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422573-bwns4995-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Elizabeth and Frederick Laws in the 1940s, before they became Knights of Baha'u'llah to Lesotho."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422569-bwns4994-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"One of the Lesotho choirs at the festivities."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422568-bwns4993-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The elderly and the young participated at the golden jubilee celebrations of the Baha'i Faith in Lesotho."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":261,"evergreenUrl":"high-ranking-member-bahai-faith-passes-away","title":"High-ranking member of the Baha'i Faith passes away","description":"The worldwide Baha'i community has lost one of its most cherished figures with the death on 26 November of Ali-Akbar Furutan. Mr. Furutan, who...","date":"2003-11-26","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422531-bwns4992-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422531-bwns4992-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Furutan.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The worldwide Baha'i community has lost one of its most cherished figures with the death on 26 November of Ali-Akbar Furutan.\n\nMr. Furutan, who carried the rank of Hand of the Cause of God, was one of the only two surviving members of this company of senior officers of the Faith appointed by its late Guardian, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, who died in 1957.\n\nMr. Furutan was 98 years of age, but had maintained a demanding schedule of activities at the Faith's World Centre in Haifa, Israel.\n\nHe died of natural causes.\n\nHis wisdom and gentle sense of humor had contributed greatly to deepening the understanding of the Faith's spiritual teachings by the steady stream of Baha'is from all over the world who come as pilgrims to the Shrines of their religion.\n\nBorn in Sabzivar, Iran, on 29 April 1905, Ali-Akbar Furutan moved with his family to Ashgabat in what was then Russian Turkestan (now part of Turkmenistan), and, through his years of school and university, he took an active part in the work of the Baha'i communities of Ashgabat, Baku, Moscow, and other parts of Russia.\n\nIn 1930 he was expelled from the Soviet Union during the Stalinist persecution of religion, and, from that time on, played an ever more significant role in the work and administration of the Iranian Baha'i community.\n\nFollowing the passing of Shoghi Effendi, Mr. Furutan was one of the nine Hands of the Cause selected, at their first Conclave, to serve as Custodians in the Holy Land, pending the election of the Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the religion envisioned by its Founder, Baha'u'llah."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"As a young man, Mr. Furutan had won a scholarship to the University of Moscow, from which he obtained degrees in education and psychology.\n\nOn returning to Iran, with his wife, Ataieh, he served as principal at the influential \"Tarbiyat School for Boys\" which was eventually closed by the Pahlavi government as a result of pressure brought by fanatical Islamic elements in the country.\n\nDespite the circumstances of his departure from the Soviet Union, Mr. Furutan retained to the end of his life a deep love for the people of that region of the world.\n\nA source of great joy was his return in 1990, as the guest of honor at the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Soviet Union.\n\nIt seemed a particularly fitting conclusion for a long life of service to humankind that his death should have occurred at the close of a meeting where he had addressed assembled Baha'i pilgrims from many countries, as was his practice, concluding his remarks with the exchange of a few words with some of the Russian-speaking believers in attendance.\n\nMr. Furutan's wife predeceased him. He is survived by his daughters, Iran Muhajir and Parvin Furutan, and two granddaughters, Gisu Muhajir-Cook and Shabnam Rahnema."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422533-bwns4991-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Furutan at the dedication of the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, United States of America, 1953."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422531-bwns4990-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Furutan, after being appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422531-bwns4989-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Furutan with Baha'i children and their teachers, June 2003."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422531-bwns4988-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Ali-Akbar Furutan."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":260,"evergreenUrl":"greek-youth-dance-into-view","title":"Greek youth dance into view","description":"Young Baha'i dancers from Greece received an enthusiastic reception when they performed at an exhibition by nongovernmental organizations in...","date":"2003-11-23","customDateline":null,"city":"ATHENS","country":"GREECE","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4986-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4986-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Young Baha'i dancers from Greece received an enthusiastic reception when they performed at an exhibition by nongovernmental organizations in Athens last month.\n\nThe exhibition was organized under a development program of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held at the historic Zappio.\n\nThe applause was matched when they performed at an international gathering for peace held at another elite venue, the Palia Vouli (\"Old Parliament\") in Athens.\n\nSuch response is becoming familiar to the Flame of Unity troupe.\n\nSimilar positive reactions came when the 15-member troupe danced at a seminar on conflict resolution held in Cyprus last summer, and when it performed at two other venues on that island -- in an old khan (hotel) in the northern part of Nicosia and at a Baha'i summer school in the south of Cyprus before 300 people from 28 countries.\n\nThe dancers, aged between 11 and 17, aim to inspire their audience to tackle and overcome the causes of such social problems as racism, poverty, abuse in the family, and illicit drug use.\n\nOne of two co-coordinators of the troupe, Helen Kontos, a Baha'i from Thessaloniki, said organizers of prestigious events are impressed by the dancers' excellence, their enthusiasm in raising awareness about important issues, and the choreography.\n\nMrs. Kontos said their audiences appreciate the sincerity of these young performers in giving their message."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"And they admire the fact that the multi-cultural group, which includes youth from Greek, Albanian, Dutch, Swiss, Persian, and other backgrounds, shows such unity.\"\n\nThe other co-ordinator of Flame of Unity, Lida Mirra, a Baha'i from Patras, said that members of Flame of Unity make an effort on tour to develop their own characters.\n\n\"We conduct daily deepenings (spiritual study sessions) and prayers and, besides their arts skills, the youth develop their social skills and their spirituality.\"\n\nThis past summer, Flame of Unity toured Greece where they presented their show in Volos, Larissa, Amarinthos, Zagora, and Patras, and finished in September with three performances in Thessaloniki.\n\n\"It was exhausting, but wonderful,\" said Andreas Vatsellas, a 17-year-old from Athens and the oldest member of the group.\n\nHe said he couldn't believe how impressed people were and that such young people could cause such an impression.\n\nMrs. Kontos said that when they danced on 6 September 2003 at the gypsy settlement of Agias Sofias near Thessaloniki, the audience response was spontaneous and warm-hearted.\n\n\"There was a crowd of people of all ages, and they would surround them and come closer and closer,\" she said.\n\n\"We had to make more space so they could dance, and some of the men helped us. They responded with such generosity, care and warmth that they impressed us as much as our youth did them.\"\n\nThe troupe also received a warm reception when it performed at a youth prison near Volos.\n\nSome of the troupe had already experienced the taste of success as members of the Phoenix Theatre, a drama group that was founded in the summer of 2001 and which performed local material in the Greek language. Most of the Flame of Unity dancers were part of that group.\n\nMrs. Kontos taught them songs and choreographies for her play \"Beast TV, Channel One,\" a fable about human rights in which an owl reads news about uprisings all over animal country.  Each of the scenes is followed by a song and dance.\n\nHer husband, Greek composer Kostas Kontos, instructed the group in singing, and taught them one of his own compositions.\n\nTheater director Jessica Naish from the United Kingdom instructed the young people in stagecraft and directed the play, assisted by actress Shirin Youssefian-Maanian from Athens.\n\nAfter rehearsals on the island of Evia in 2002, Theatre Phoenix performed before a Turkish-speaking minority in Athens and in Volos, Larissa, and Thessaloniki. A national television channel covered a performance at a gypsy camp.\n\nThat year the troupe members began their intensive training in dance organized by the National Youth Committee of the Baha'is of Greece.\n\nThey went to Crete for intensive training in the choreographies of the dance workshop. Their teacher was  Ramin (\"Wrighley\") Mazloum of Germany.\n\nThis year the youth gathered in March to rehearse the dances with the help of Jesse Fish, an American Baha'i youth.\n\n\"We learned much more than just dancing,\" said Daphni Kontou, a 13-year-old from Thessaloniki.\n\n\"We needed to focus and be disciplined, and not to waste time, otherwise we could never manage to rehearse in time for the performances. It was also very important that we had unity in the group and didn't forget what we were doing it for.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4985-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Phoenix Theatre and some of their young fans."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4984-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Gypsy children enjoying the performance."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4983-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On stage...Phoenix Theatre."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422509-bwns4982-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On tour...Phoenix Theatre."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4981-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Outside performance at the Zappio."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4980-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dancing at an international peace conference inside the Palia Vouli."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4979-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Performance by Flame of Unity outside the historic Zappio (Zappeion)."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422505-bwns4978-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Flame of Unity troupe and supporters outside the Palia Vouli (\"Old Parliament\") in Athens."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":259,"evergreenUrl":"bahai-international-community-lauds-passage-un-resolution-human-rights-iran","title":"Baha'i International Community lauds passage of UN Resolution on Human Rights in Iran","description":"Noting that the Baha'is of Iran face continuing religious persecution, the Baha'i International Community today expressed appreciation for the...","date":"2003-11-21","customDateline":null,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1687959778-bwns-default-missing-image-endslate-still-8-1-1.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Noting that the Baha'is of Iran face continuing religious persecution, the Baha'i International Community today expressed appreciation for the support of those countries that co-sponsored and voted for a new resolution in the United Nations General Assembly about ongoing human rights violations in Iran.\n\n\"International support remains the key to protecting the long oppressed Baha'i community of Iran,\" said Bani Dugal, the Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"We are extremely grateful today for the support of those countries that have once again expressed concern about human rights violations in Iran -- especially as regards Iran's Baha'is.\"\n\nBy a vote of 73 to 49, with 50 abstentions, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution today that expresses \"serious concern\" over continuing violations of human rights in Iran -- and mentions specifically \"continuing discrimination\" against Baha'is and other religious minorities.\n\nSince the Islamic Republic of Iran was established in 1979, the 300,000-member Baha'i community of Iran has faced on-going and systematic persecution. In the early 1980s, more than 200 Baha'is were killed, hundreds were imprisoned, and thousands were deprived of jobs and education, solely because of their religious belief.\n\nAlthough killings and imprisonments have abated in recent years -- in large part thanks to international pressure -- Iran's Baha'is remain victims of systematic oppression. Baha'is continue to be deprived of employment, property, education, and the right to freedom of assembly and worship.\n\nTwo years ago, for the first time in 18 years, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights failed to pass a resolution expressing concern about human rights in Iran, an event that ended UN-sponsored monitoring of the Iran's human rights situation.\n\n\"Since the end of international monitoring, the situation of the Baha'i community has not improved -- as was hoped by those countries that urged a 'dialogue' with Iran on human rights,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n\"Indeed, if anything, the situation of the Baha'is in Iran has deteriorated, with an increase in short term arrests and detentions, the confiscation of more properties, and continued harassment of Baha'i teachers and students.\n\n\"We laud those countries that recognize the importance of continued pressure on Iran and that have taken a principled stand by co-sponsoring it and/or voting for it,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"At the same time, we must state that we regret the lack of support from those nations that have chosen to turn a blind eye to the oppression of Iran's largest religious minority.\"\n\n\"For Iran's beleaguered Baha'is, a resolution from the United Nations is a sign of hope and a source of comfort, confirmation that the international community indeed stands behind its words on human rights.\"\n\nThose countries who co-sponsored the resolution were: Andorra, Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, The Netherlands, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.\n\nApproval of the resolution in the Third Committee virtually assures its passage by the full General Assembly in a final vote, an event that is likely to occur in December."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":258,"evergreenUrl":"moving-images-spirituality","title":"Moving images of spirituality","description":"Twelve films were screened at an inaugural Baha'i film festival here this month. The festival, open to the public, included movies made by professional...","date":"2003-11-07","customDateline":false,"city":"EDMONTON","country":"CANADA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422478-bwns4977-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422478-bwns4977-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Tara Rout, one of the organizers of CEBFest.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Twelve films were screened at an inaugural Baha'i film festival here this month.\n\nThe festival, open to the public, included movies made by professional and amateur filmmakers from Canada and the United States.\n\nThe pictures were presented in four categories: short and feature fiction, and short and feature documentary. Entries could include film, digital and analog video, and animation.\n\nSupported by the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Edmonton, \"The Cause and Effect Baha'i Film Festival\" (known as \"CEBFest\") was held from 6 to 8 November 2003 on the campus of the University of Alberta.\n\nAmong the themes explored at the festival were the spiritual nature of human beings, the equality of men and women, the elimination of prejudice, world peace, life after death, the harmony of science and religion, and the history of the Baha'i Faith.\n\nIn a workshop organized at the Edmonton Baha'i center, the festival participants also examined ideas on filmmaking. A panel discussion was also held on the role of individual initiative within the Baha'i community, and the importance of the arts.\n\nThe organizers of the festival were University of Alberta law student Tara Rout, 25, playwright Jacqueline Russell, 23, and film director Tobin Smith, 26.\n\n\"I am surprised that nobody has thought of it before,\" said Ms. Rout, the originator of CEBFest. Though not a film professional, she said she enjoys organizing events and wanted to provide a forum for this kind of filmmaking."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"We wanted to create a venue for motion pictures that revolve around virtues and attributes of the Baha'i Faith, a place where Baha'i artists could showcase their work,\" she said.\n\nMr. Smith said the festival also gave artists and filmmakers an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and to plan collaboration for future projects.\n\n\"I think festivals like this say to filmmakers: 'You have a place and you are not alone',\" he said.\n\nHis film, \"Song of Songs\", won the Best International Picture award at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival in 2002, and he has strong views about the role of cinema in society.\n\n\"It is important to make motion pictures that don't contribute to the 'lack of quality cinema' -- to make movies that lead you to think, to contemplate, and to raise influence,\" he said.\n\n\"As Baha'i artists we have the opportunity to make motion pictures that are of a particular standard, a quality -- to share the history of the Baha'i Faith, to share the principles of the Baha'i Faith, to share the vision of what we hope for the future.\n\n\"The influence that Baha'i films can have on the world is limitless. What people want to see are good stories, told well.\"\n\nBaha'i filmmakers can contribute to spirituality in film, he said, even if the film doesn't involve explicitly Baha'i content.\n\n\"Take a look at a motion picture like 'What Dreams May Come'. Nowhere is there mention of religion or any such design, but that motion picture exists on a spiritual plane. I'd say the same for 'Whale Rider'. Here is a motion picture that strongly influenced and affected me. It was spiritual filmmaking to me.\"\n\nGretchen Jordan-Bastow, who submitted a film about Navajo sand painting, said that the event provided a rare opportunity to people to see films together, in one place that demonstrated moral, social and spiritual values.\n\n\"Today the media is full of news of murder, war, and various violent acts -- this beats down society and is a discouragement to the human spirit,\" said Ms. Bastow, who has worked as a producer and director for more than 16 years.\n\n\"Baha'i films can bring to the forefront all the good work that is being done, and demonstrate the triumph of the human spirit,\" said Ms. Jordan-Bastow.\n\nAnother filmmaker who presented her work was Angela Rout (a sister of Tara). Her film, \"I Think You'll Like it There\", deals with the excitement and the personal challenges of a youth offering a year of service to her community.\n\n\"From my understanding, the Baha'i concept of art is inclusive rather than exclusive,\" said Ms Rout, 26, a fine arts graduate who is now an architecture student.\n\n\"It is inspiring, useful, a part of everyday life. It enhances our world, reminds us of our true purpose and of our noble character.\n\n\"The spiritual nature of the theme (of the festival) is quite different from mainstream festivals and this is a unique opportunity.\n\n\"Artists and filmmakers tend to work independently and don't get a chance to see the impact of their work. By bringing these films together, the combined energies and perspective is inspiring to both the audience and the filmmakers.\"\n\nAnother participating filmmaker was Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi, whose film, \"When Your Spirit Goes Wandering\", deals with escapism and the denial of one's spiritual nature.\n\nHe said that films are possible tools of social advancement.\n\n\"Art must have a purpose and function beyond itself -- either to provoke thought, encourage consultation or elevate the spirit through aesthetic form,\" Mr. Eshraghi-Yazdi said.\n\n\"My artistic inspiration is deeply inspired by the writings of Baha'u'llah, both in concept and function,\" he said.\n\nMost of the filmmakers received funding for their productions from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canada Film Board, and Vision TV, Canada's leading multi-faith and multicultural television network.\n\nEncouraged by the interest showed by participants, the organizers are planning to hold weekend workshops on story boarding, film editing, grant applications, and other practical issues related to film making throughout the next year.\n\nAlthough initially the festival began as an experimental project only, the organizers now have a vision for CEBFest and they are already planning for next year's festival.\n\n\"I myself know about four movies that didn't get in because of the deadline -- this is just the beginning,\" Tara Rout said.\n\n\"I am hoping that people, who have come to the festival, will feel welcomed to the Baha'i community because it's an open, dynamic, and exciting place to be.\"\n\nFor more information about the festival see\n\n[http://www.geocities.com/cebfest/index.htm](http://www.geocities.com/cebfest/index.htm)\n\nFilms presented at \"The Cause and Effect Baha'i  Film Festival\" 2003 were:\n\n* *The Trials of Eve by Gretchen Jordan-Bastow.*\n* Myth and story-telling combine Canadian West-Coast imagery with the Adam and Eve story to create a positive vision of change and transformation for both women and men.\n* *Morning Stars: A Profile of Kevin Locke* by Shar Mitchell\n* Kevin Locke, an internationally renowned hoop dancer from the Sioux Nation, says that the teachings of the Baha'i Faith are the fulfillment of his people's traditional prophecies. His flute music, hoop dancing and oral traditions express some of his culture.\n* *What Hath God Wrought!: A History of the First Century of the Baha'i Dispensation* by Joel Cotten.\n* This documentary tells the story of the fulfillment of 19th century expectations and reveals a connection among the messianic traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i Faith.\n* *Seasonal Soil...Singing Stones* by Jennifer Maas.\n* The story of a diverse neighborhood in Seattle where a park to commemorate Cesar Chavez, the Latino civil rights leader, is being built.\n* *Navajo Sand Painting: The Healing Tradition* by Gretchen Jordan-Bastow.\n* Native American Baha'i, Mitchell Silas, takes the viewer on a journey into the ancient world of the Navajo healer and demonstrates the connection of native traditions with the Baha'i revelation.\n* *Abdu'l-Baha: Glimpses of Perfection* by Faramarz Rohani.\n* Visuals and narration depict stories about Abdu'l-Baha's trip to North America in 1912.\n* *A New Faith is Born* by Faramarz Rohani.\n* An account of the growth of the Baha'i community from a small, persecuted band of believers into a vibrant, international body.\n* *Sherbrooke Baha'i Youth Congress* by Tobin Smith.\n* In 2001, more than 1,000 Baha'i youth from all over the world gathered in Sherbrooke, Quebec to celebrate the international Baha'i Youth movement. This film communicates the spirit of that event and of the youth movement itself.\n* *I Think You'll Like It Here* by Angela Rout.\n* A young Baha'i on her year of service to the community depicts the challenges involved.\n* *Skowak: The Bribri of Mojoncito, Costa Rica* by Shar Mitchell.\n* A look at the Bribri people and their success at maintaining their traditions in the face of modern development.\n* *Zamir: Red Grammar in the U.S.S.R* by Shar Mitchell.\n* Just before the fall of communism, a Baha'i children's performer tours the Soviet Union promoting the principles of world unity and love for all humanity.\n* *When Your Spirit Goes Wandering* by Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi.\n* The film deals with the cause and effect of our spiritual actions and the consequences of attempts at escape from, or denial of, our responsibilities."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422479-bwns4976-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Surveying the location...director Tobin Smith (left) with Dustin Lamendola."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422482-bwns4975-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"One of the entrants in the film festival, Joel Cotten."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422481-bwns4974-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On the set... filming of \"Song of Songs.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422478-bwns4973-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Director Tobin Smith, one of the organizers of the film festival, explains a shot to his crew."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":256,"evergreenUrl":"public-parade-triumph-faith","title":"Public parade a triumph of faith","description":"On the 50th anniversary last month of the arrival here of the Baha'i Faith, a parade set out from Baha'i Street and moved through the center...","date":"2003-10-17","customDateline":null,"city":"PORT VILA","country":"VANUATU","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4971-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4971-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"On the 50th anniversary last month of the arrival here of the Baha'i Faith, a parade set out from Baha'i Street and moved through the center of this capital city.\n\nThe streets were closed for the occasion and the police provided an escort for the hundreds of Baha'is on parade.\n\nSinging songs and waving to the crowds, the Baha'is paraded under banners proclaiming principles of their Faith such as \"the oneness of humanity.\"\n\nTraditional dancers from the Vanuatu island of Tongoa led the parade along the main streets.\n\nMembers of local Baha'i communities, wearing different floral uniforms, followed them.\n\nThe Baha'is of Mele, for example, wore yellow and purple, those from Pango were in pale blue, and the Erangorango Baha'is had on green and white.\n\nInterspersed with the marchers were colorful floats including a replica of the S.S. Caledonien, the ship on which Bertha Dobbins had traveled to Port Vila in 1953. Mrs. Dobbins was the first to bring the Baha'i Faith to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu).\n\nIn the time since her arrival, the Baha'i community of Vanuatu has grown to have 44 Local Spiritual Assemblies, and a National Spiritual Assembly. The Faith is now established in 199 localities throughout this archipelago of some 80 islands."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Before a 500-strong audience including many government and community leaders, the chairman of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Tahi, welcomed the parade and congratulated the Baha'is on the anniversary.\n\n\"I would like to praise the Baha'i community for all its contributions to this country, especially in education and promoting good health,\" Mr. Tahi said.\n\n\"Thank you, too, to the Baha'is who have set up businesses in Vanuatu and helped us economically.\n\n\"The Baha'i Faith is here to promote unity. Now unity is something that we must all protect. If we want to have unity in our communities, it is not enough to leave the chiefs to arrange it. Each of us, as individuals, has the responsibility of working towards it.\"\n\nA Baha'i youth representative, Laifi Soalo, pointed out that everyone is part of one family, the human family, and that the barrier to the unity of the human race is prejudice.\n\nA representative of the Baha'i children, Faleono Mototorua, 10, said, \"We children beg of you, our parents to think strongly about our education. We want you to guide us along the straight path and to teach us how to achieve spiritual qualities.\"\n\nLater, at a public festival on Port Vila's tropical seafront, other leaders  to speak about the Faith included Vanuatu's Director-General of Education, Abel Nako, and the Mayor of Port Vila, Patrick Crowby.\n\n\"The Baha'i Faith is not new to me,\" Mr. Crowby said.\n\n\"It has been part of my life as a child at home, and now as Mayor of this city. My mother is a strong Baha'i. Even though I have not accepted the Faith, I always admire her.\"\n\nBaha'is first provided education in Vanuatu in 1954, and the tradition continues today on the island of Santo where the Rowhani school has 80 primary and kindergarten pupils from different religious backgrounds. It has a potential roll of 200. In 2004 it will grow to include a high school.\n\nThe Vanuatu Baha'is have their own radio program, and are frequently asked to participate in seminars on social issues. They are active in adult literacy and work in socio-economic projects involving health care, water supply and environmental conservation.\n\nThey reach out to the community by offering devotional meetings, children's classes and study circles aimed at developing skills, knowledge, and spiritual capacity.\n\nA highlight of the jubilee, celebrated between 16 and 19 October 2003, was the opening of an extension to the national Baha'i center, which virtually doubles its size.\n\nTo a spontaneous eruption of cheering, singing and dancing, the cutting of the ribbon was performed by Vanuatu's first local Baha'i, Peter Kaltoli, and Madge Featherstone, who with her late husband, Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone, often visited Vanuatu.\n\nMrs. Featherstone spoke about her memories of Bertha Dobbins, who had taught both her and her husband the Baha'i Faith in South Australia in 1944.\n\nMrs. Dobbins (1895-1986) was a New Zealand schoolteacher who, before arriving in Vanuatu in 1953, had moved to Australia, where she became a Baha'i in 1929, edited the Baha'i magazine \"Herald of the South\" for 22 years, and served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand.\n\nIn consultation with her Baha'i husband, Joe, and her teenage children, Joseph and Helen, she decided to respond to a call from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, and arrived  by herself in Vanuatu on 17 October 1953 to offer the Baha'i message to people there.\n\nIn March 1955, Mr. Kaltoli, of Ifira, became the first person in Vanuatu to accept the Faith. Other early believers were David Lonis of Erakor, William Titiongoaroto of Tongoa, and Alice Wombu of Erromango.\n\nMrs. Dobbins established the Nur primary school in Port Vila in 1954, and continued teaching there until 1971. The first Local Spiritual Assembly was formed seven years after her arrival.\n\nBy 1977, there were enough Baha'is to allow the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Mrs. Dobbins, her goal achieved and by then elderly, felt able to leave the country.\n\nThroughout the decades, local Baha'is assisted by those from other countries who had settled in Vanuatu, actively developed the Baha'i community, their efforts supported by traveling teachers of the Faith.\n\nOther historic Baha'i events in Vanuatu included the visit in 1979 of Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, a Hand of the Cause and the widow of Shoghi Effendi.\n\nAnother occurred in 1998, when a representative of the Universal House of Justice, Giovanni Ballerio, met Vanuatu's president, Jean-Marie Leye Lenelgau, to talk about the role of Pacific Island leaders in bringing about world peace.\n\nIn 2002, the community received its first visit from a serving member of the Universal House of Justice, Ali Nakhjavani.\n\nAmong the many international guests attending the jubilee was a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia, Kath Podger, and an Australian-based member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Stephen Hall.\n\nThey participated in a day of laughter and tears as Baha'is remembered the hardships, achievements and personalities of the past, expressed confidence in the plans for future growth, and enjoyed musical items and traditional food cooked overnight in several earth ovens.\n\nRepresentatives came from Baha'i communities in the Solomons and French Polynesia, and there was a 56-strong delegation from New Caledonia, who brought gifts and performed a powerful dance.\n\nA professional Baha'i musician, Gary Stirling, performed for the Baha'is and, with Sylvain Malsungai, was a master of ceremonies at a full-day public concert of song and dances staged on the city's sea-front.\n\nNon-stop entertainment there came from a Baha'i choir and dance groups from the Vanuatu island of Efate and from New Caledonia and French Polynesia.\n\nMeanwhile Baha'i communities in Tanna, Malakula, Pentecost and Ambae held local jubilee festivities."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4970-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Stephanie Melenamu (right), one of three prizewinners in the jubilee poster competition with a member of the Baha'i National Education Committee, Annick Moltaban."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422447-bwns4969-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Sam Nasse, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly and the master of ceremonies for the jubilee meetings, with Stephen Hall, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4968-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Peter Kaltoli, 1993."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4967-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Youth volunteer Lui Albert with his students at the Forchenale Baha'i School, Santo Bush, 1993."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4966-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Training Institute, Lunganville, Santo, 2000."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422449-bwns4965-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Vanuatu at the Baha'i World Centre, 1998."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422449-bwns4964-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Vanuatu Baha'is with Bertha Dobbins."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4963-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Bertha Dobbins (centre), who took the Baha'i Faith to Vanuatu, with Hand of the Cause, Collis Featherstone and his wife, Madge, in May 1971."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422447-bwns4962-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Opening the extension to the national Baha'i center...Madge Featherstone (left) and Vanuatu's first Baha'i, Peter Kaltoli."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422448-bwns4961-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'is from Pango and Port Vila communities parading through the capital's main streets."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422447-bwns4960-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Traditional dancers from Vanuatu's Tongoa island starting the jubilee parade from Baha'i Street, just outside the national Baha'i center."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":255,"evergreenUrl":"high-tribute-swiss-centenary","title":"High tribute at Swiss centenary","description":"Baha'is from all parts of Switzerland and guests from 26 other countries gathered last month for centenary celebrations in this scenic mountain...","date":"2003-10-05","customDateline":null,"city":"INTERLAKEN","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422417-bwns4959-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422417-bwns4959-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Baha'is from all parts of Switzerland and guests from 26 other countries gathered last month for centenary celebrations in this scenic mountain town.\n\nThe festivities marking the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Baha'is in this country were held here because of the town's historical link to the Faith.\n\nInterlaken was dear to Shoghi Effendi, the head of the Baha'i Faith from 1921 to 1957. On vacations here, he found a rare respite from his heavy workload.\n\nThe Interlaken celebrations followed an official reception for dignitaries held at the national Baha'i center in Bern on 23 September 2003 during which a senior Swiss political leader paid a high tribute to the Swiss Baha'i community.\n\n\"On the occasion of your jubilee celebration I congratulate you for the ideas you stand for and to which you are committed: the unity of humankind, world peace, tolerance towards people of other cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds,\" said the Federal Chancellor, Annemarie Huber-Hotz.\n\n\"I am here because I share your ideals and consider your efforts for their implementation as essential steps on the path towards a more peaceful world,\" Mrs. Huber-Hotz said.\n\n\"Our world needs people with a vision and a compass that are oriented beyond our own borders, and by borders I mean not only geographical, but ethnic, social and religious borders.\"\n\nThe Swiss Baha'is presented the chancellor with a copy of \"The Baha'i World, 2001-2002\", the annual record of Baha'i activities and perspectives."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The major daily newspaper of Bern, \"Der Bund\", published an extensive article about the reception, whose guests included government officials, parliamentarians, and representatives of non-governmental and religious organizations.\n\nThe centenary events that followed in Interlaken on 4 and 5 October, celebrated the achievements of the country's Baha'i community in the first century of its existence.\n\nSwiss Baha'is reside now in more than 220 locations in the country. A community of cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity, it comprises members from 60 national backgrounds.\n\nOf the 57 people who have served on the National Spiritual Assembly throughout its 50-year history, 29 were women, 28 men, reflecting a commitment to the equality of women and men, a principle of the Baha'i Faith.\n\nThe International Baha'i Bureau was established in Switzerland in 1925, beginning the longstanding Baha'i association with international organizations, including the League of Nations and the United Nations. The Baha'i International Community maintains an office in Geneva.\n\nThe guests of honor among the 450 participants at the centenary celebrations in Interlaken included Ali Nakhjavani, a former member of the Universal House of Justice, and his wife, Violette.\n\nParticipants at the centennial enjoyed various artistic presentations, and heard about the history of the Baha'i community in Switzerland, including that 'Abdu'l-Baha  briefly visited Switzerland in September 1911, spending time at Lake Geneva.\n\nAriane Schaller related the stories of her grandparents, Joseph de Bons, from Switzerland, and his French-American wife, Edith, the first Baha'is to reside in Switzerland.\n\nAlso present at the centennial celebrations was Annemarie Kruger, the granddaughter of scientist and humanitarian, Auguste Forel (1848-1931), a Swiss Baha'i and a figure of such renown that his image has appeared on a Swiss postage stamp and bank note.\n\nNils Semle recounted stories of the contributions of his father, Fritz Semle, who accepted the Faith in 1920, and was elected a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland in 1962.\n\nAlso participating was a senior member of the community, Mrs. Renee Bahy-Vuichet, who joined the community in 1949, and who has been an active promoter of education for children and the advancement of women in both Switzerland and Iran.\n\nA message from the Universal House of Justice to the participants said in part: \"May these events inspire all the participants and, beyond them, the devoted members of the Baha'i community in every part of the Confederation, with an increased awareness of the momentousness of their task and of the blessings that are showered upon every determined endeavor for the progress of the Cause.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4958-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland, 2003."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422421-bwns4957-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"One of the first two Baha'is in Switzerland, Edith McKay (later Edith de Bons), right, with May Bolles (later May Maxwell), who introduced her to the Baha'i Faith in Paris in 1900."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4956-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland, 1962. At front (center) is the late Fritz Semle, a stalwart member of the community from 1920."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422420-bwns4955-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Four generations of Swiss Baha'is at the centenary: the Bahy-Vuichet family."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4954-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Former member of the Universal House of Justice, Ali Nakhjavani (right) and his wife, Violette (second from left), with Holger and Joyce Siebers, members of the Baha'i community of Switzerland, at the centenary celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4953-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dr. Auguste Forel, who wrote in his will: \"I have become a Baha'i. May this religion live and prosper for the good of mankind; this is my most ardent wish.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4952-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Musical celebrations: Baha'is perform at the Interlaken festivities."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4951-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The first Baha'is of Switzerland, Dr. Joseph de Bons and his wife, Edith de Bons, with their daughter, Mona, in 1911."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4950-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Swiss Federal Chancellor Annamarie Huber-Hotz (fourth from left), with eight members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422418-bwns4949-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Some of the Baha'is from the 27 countries who celebrated the centenary of the Baha'i Faith in Switzerland."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":254,"evergreenUrl":"island-faith-holds-jubilee","title":"Island of faith holds jubilee","description":"It all began with the decisions of one woman in Massachusetts and a family in Michigan. When they decided to take the teachings of the Baha'i...","date":"2003-09-19","customDateline":null,"city":"PALERMO","country":"ITALY","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422390-bwns4947-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422390-bwns4947-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Florence Bagley (1914-1990).","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"It all began with the decisions of one woman in Massachusetts and a family in Michigan.\n\nWhen they decided to take the teachings of the Baha'i Faith to Sicily 50 years ago, they initiated the next phase in the religious history of this Mediterranean island.\n\nCenturies ago it had been an outpost of Islam, but it was a tight-knit community with a strong allegiance to the Catholic Church when the first Baha'is arrived in 1953 as part of a ten-year plan to take the teachings of the Faith around the world.\n\nFrom 19 to 21 September 2003, as the Baha'is of Sicily celebrated the golden jubilee of the arrival of the Faith on their island, they could rejoice that Sicily now has 11 Local Spiritual Assemblies and that Baha'is now live in 44 localities there.\n\nIn 1953, however, there were no Baha'is in Sicily.\n\nArriving there was something of a shock for Emma Rice, who, at 55, had left her comfortable family estate in Hamilton, Massachusetts, in the United States.\n\n\"Her first impressions of Sicily were horrifying, for she was confronted with poverty, unsanitary conditions, illiteracy, and what she felt to be cruelty previously unknown to her,\" her 1985 obituary by Anne Gordon Atkinson reveals."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"But she found strength in prayer and quickly made friends. In fact, just after Mrs. Rice's arrival in Sicily, a chambermaid in her hotel in Taormina caught sight of a picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha in Mrs. Rice's hotel room, and within two months both the maid and the hotel's laundress had become Baha'is.\n\nMrs. Rice plunged herself into Sicilian life. She learned the local songs and dances, and the language. She went to festivals, christenings, graduations, and pageants.\n\nA week after Mrs. Rice came to Sicily, Baha'is from Michigan, Stanley and Florence Bagley, arrived with their three teenage children.\n\nThey met a local person who introduced them into Palermo society and soon gained local friends.\n\nFor their services in Sicily, the members of the Bagley family were designated by Shoghi Effendi as \"Knights of Baha'u'llah,\" as was Mrs. Rice.\n\nAt the golden jubilee celebrations held in Campofelice di Roccella near Palermo, there were 300 guests from 15 countries.\n\nGuests of honor included a former member of the Universal House of Justice, Ali Nakhjavani, who spoke about the Ten Year Plan, and his wife, Violette Nakhjavani, who gave some moving recollections about Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, the widow of Shoghi Effendi.\n\nThe jubilee was an occasion to recall how the community grew over the years.\n\nThrough the activities of the Baha'i pioneers and other arrivals, and with visits by Hand of the Cause Ugo Giachery (1896-1989), the Faith grew. The first Local Spiritual Assembly formed in 1957.\n\nDr. Giachery was born in Palermo, Sicily, but had later moved to the United States where, in the 1920s, he met his wife, Angeline, and became a Baha'i. In 1947, Dr. and Mrs. Giachery settled in Italy as pioneers of the Faith.\n\nDr. Giachery went on to win renown as an able assistant of Shoghi Effendi in the projects to build the superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab, and the International Archives Building, both on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel.\n\nHe provided innumerable services to the Faith. In August 1968, he was the representative of the Universal House of Justice at a conference attended by some 3,000 Baha'is in Palermo. The conference commemorated the centenary of Baha'u'llah's arrival in the Holy Land.\n\nAt the jubilee, Italian Baha'i Mario Piarulli, 82, shared with participants his memories of Dr. Giachery.\n\n\"Dr. Giachery and Mrs. Giachery were like my father and mother. They were the first Baha'is I met,\" Mr. Piarulli said.\n\n\"Whatever I know, concerning the meaning of life, the way life should be conducted, I learned from them,\" he said.\n\nMr. Piarulli, 82, has recently finished writing a book, \"The Ambassadors of Baha'u'llah\" (Gli Ambasciatori di Baha'u'llah), which he dedicated to the memory of Dr. Giachery.\n\nAnother author present was Rino Cardone, a journalist, who launched his recently published book \"The Countless Pearls of Sicily\" (La Sicilia dalle Infinite Perle), in which he describes the history of the Baha'i Faith in Sicily.\n\nA highlight of the jubilee was a teleconference between the participants and Hand of the Cause Dr. Ali-Muhammad Varqa, who was in Haifa, Israel.\n\nDr. Varqa, who has been a regular visitor to Sicily, also sent a special letter for the occasion, which read in part:\n\n\"Following the 50 years of hard effort and activities, you have been successful in creating a community, which could be presented as a model of integrity, harmony, and fellowship that generates the sweet fragrance of divine love in all parts of the islands of the Mediterranean Sea.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422392-bwns4946-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422390-bwns4945-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Ali Nakhjavani and his wife, Violette, at the jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422391-bwns4944-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Palermo, 1958."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422391-bwns4943-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dr. Ugo Giachery and his wife, Angeline, early 1970s. (Photo by Phillip Hinton.)"},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422393-bwns4942-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Stanley and Florence Bagley."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422391-bwns4941-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Emma Mandell Rice (1898-1985) in 1978."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422391-bwns4940-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Youth celebrate the golden anniversary of the arrival of the Baha'i Faith in Sicily."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":253,"evergreenUrl":"dedicated-citizens-win-awards","title":"Dedicated citizens win awards","description":"Brazilians who have devoted themselves to supporting human rights received \"world citizenship awards\" at a Baha'i-sponsored ceremony here. The...","date":"2003-09-09","customDateline":null,"city":"BRASÍLIA","country":"BRAZIL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422369-bwns4938-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422369-bwns4938-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Zilda Arns (right) after accepting an award from Baha'i representative, Solange Aurora.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Brazilians who have devoted themselves to supporting human rights received \"world citizenship awards\" at a Baha'i-sponsored ceremony here.\n\nThe event, held on 9 September 2003, was covered by major television channels, Rede Globo and TV Nacional. Many newspapers also published reports about the awards.\n\nGovernment representative Hildesia Medeiros and representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Brazil presented the awards at the ceremony, which was held in the auditorium of the Ministry of Justice.\n\nAmong the 250 attending were members of the Association of Brazilian Lawyers, and representatives of government ministries, the Supreme Court of Labor, and United Nations agencies.\n\nA special posthumous award went to the Brazilian diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations' special representative who was killed in Iraq in August 2003.\n\nOther award recipients, including individuals and organizations, were:\n\n- Dom Mauro Morelli, from Rio de Janeiro, for his work to eliminate poverty;\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"- The Malunga Group of African-descendant Women, for its work for the advancement of black women;\n\n- The Steve Biko Benefactor Institute for organizing preuniversity courses for Afro-descendants;\n\n- The Rural Women's Movement in Santa Carina for its support of rural women;\n\n- The Gaspar Dias Center for Human Rights for its work in the slums of Sao Paulo;\n\n- The National Child-Hope Movement, for improving the living conditions of poor children;\n\n- The Great Circus Arraial, an institution that trains poor children to work in the circus, and helps them to develop the confidence to earn their own living;\n\n- Mrs. Zilda Arns, founder and coordinator of the Children's National Pastoral;\n\n- March Eighth Woman's House, for its support of poor, pregnant women and the victims of violence.\n\nAccepting the award on behalf of the March Eighth Women's House was Bernardete Aparecida Ferreira, the organization's president.\n\n\"This award is the acknowledgment of our work to defend the human rights of marginalized women and victims of violence -- our institution has helped about 3000 people a year,\" Mrs. Ferreira said.\n\nThe awards were founded by the Brazilian Baha'i community in 1994.\n\nThe jury which selected the award recipients this year included a representative of a major newspaper, \"Folha de Sao Paulo\", as well as members of the National Movement of Human Rights, UNESCO and the Baha'i community.\n\nThe president of the jury was Brazilian writer Washington Araujo.\n\n\"The creation of this award put a spotlight on the efforts of the Baha'i Community to defend human rights, for world peace, the status of women and the preservation of the environment,\" said Mr. Araujo, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Brazil."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422369-bwns4937-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i representative Osmar Mendes presents an award to Sonia Creide of the Malunga Group of African-descendant Women."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422370-bwns4936-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Hildesia Medeiros of the Ministry of Social Security, presents an award to Luiz Takezi Tohara, representing the Gaspar Center for Human Rights."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422369-bwns4935-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Silvio Humberto dos Passos Cunha (right), from the Steve Biko Benefactor Institute, accepted an award from Baha'i representative Roberto Iradj Eghrari."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422370-bwns4934-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i representative Carlos Alberto Silva presents an award to Bernardete Ferreira of March Eighth Woman's House."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422369-bwns4933-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Venus Pezeshk, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Brazil, presents a World Citizenship Award to Roberto Pires, representing the National Child-Hope Movement."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":252,"evergreenUrl":"golden-anniversary-queen-carmel","title":"Golden anniversary of the Queen of Carmel","description":"When Shoghi Effendi, then the Head of the Baha'i Faith, announced the completion of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab 50 years ago...","date":"2003-10-12","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4948-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4948-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Shrine of the Bab at night.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"When Shoghi Effendi, then the Head of the Baha'i Faith, announced the completion of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab 50 years ago this month, he used poetic words to indicate the significance of the occasion.\n\nHe described the completed Shrine in a cablegram as the \"Queen of Carmel enthroned (on) God's Mountain, crowned (in) glowing gold, robed (in) shimmering white, girdled (in) emerald green, enchanting every eye from air, sea, plain (and) hill.\"\n\nThe Shrine on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel, is the burial place of the Bab, the Martyr-Prophet of the Baha'i Faith, the Forerunner of Baha'u'llah, the Faith's Founder. For Baha'is, it is a place of pilgrimage and the holiest spot on earth after the Shrine of Baha'u'llah.\n\nThe beauty of the Shrine, illuminated at night, is now enhanced by 19 garden terraces that stretch one kilometer from the base of Mount Carmel to its summit. The terraces, which were opened in May 2001, have attracted more than 1.5 million visitors.\n\nThe announcement by Shoghi Effendi in October 1953 of the completion of the Shrine's superstructure came five years after the beginning of a US$750,000 construction project paid for by Baha'is around the world.\n\nThe completion of the project was, in fact, the triumphant consummation of a process begun more than 60 years earlier by Baha'u'llah to provide a fitting resting place for His Forerunner.\n\nIn 1891, Baha'u'llah had indicated to His eldest son and appointed successor, 'Abdu'l-Baha, the precise spot on Mount Carmel where the Shrine of the Bab should be built."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"'Abdu'l-Baha carefully carried out His Father's instructions. He overcame many difficulties to build a massive six-room mausoleum of local stone. Then, in 1909, He solemnly placed the sacred remains of the Bab in an alabaster sarcophagus within the vault of the edifice, which he called \"the Throne of God\".\n\nBetween 1928 and 1929 Shoghi Effendi added three rooms to the building.\n\nIn 1942, he commissioned one of Canada's leading architects, William Sutherland Maxwell -- his father-in-law, who was then living in Haifa -- to design the arcade and the superstructure, which was to embellish and preserve the stone building.\n\nFor two years, Mr. Maxwell consecrated himself to his task.\n\nShoghi Effendi provided overall guidance, including in the use of Western and Eastern styles, but left the artistic details to Mr. Maxwell.\n\nOn 23 May 1944, 100 years after the Bab declared his Mission, Shoghi Effendi unveiled in Haifa a 60 cm (two feet) model of the superstructure. When built, it would rise 40 meters above ground level.\n\nCrowning the majestic design, as anticipated by 'Abdu'l-Baha, was a dome, which was set on an 18-windowed drum. That, in turn, was mounted on an octagon, a feature suggested by Shoghi Effendi. A stately arcade, in fulfillment of the vision of 'Abdu'l-Baha, surrounded the stone edifice.\n\nShoghi Effendi, who spoke of the work of Mr. Maxwell with delight and admiration, said the project to build the structure transcended in sacredness any collective undertaking in the course of the history of the Faith so far.\n\nConstruction began at the time of the establishment of the state of Israel, and as the world was struggling to recover from a devastating war. Building materials were in extremely short supply in the country, as were skilled stone masons.\n\nShoghi Effendi asked Sicilian Baha'i, Ugo Giachery, to acquire the required materials in Italy. Much of that country had been laid waste by the Second World War, and there too it was difficult to obtain the vast quantities of construction items necessary.\n\nSkilled artisans, however, were looking for work. Dr. Giachery engaged them to cut, carve, and polish Chiampo stone and Rose Baveno granite in accordance with Mr. Maxwell's designs. They produced 28 columns, eight pilasters and 28 arches -- as well as other pieces.\n\nUsing his skills in planning, administration, and as a government liaison, Dr. Giachery ensured that ships transported the columns, panels, capitals, arches and other items for the Shrine from Italy to Haifa.\n\nOvercoming electricity shortages, export restrictions, storms at sea, a fire on board ship, a cordon of warships, and even the dropping of 61 cases of stone into Haifa harbor, Dr. Giachery fulfilled Shoghi Effendi's requests to the letter.\n\nHe was to be accorded the honor of being named a Hand of the Cause, and one of the Shrine's doors was called after him.\n\nThe superstructure was said to be at the time the largest prefabricated building to move from Europe to any point in the world.\n\nThe first contracts were signed in 1948, and the first threshold stone laid in 1949.\n\nSuch was the beauty of the completed arcade with its colonnade of rosy pink granite and its Oriental-style arches of soft, creamy stone that many local people thought the structure was finished in June 1950, long before the octagon and dome were erected.\n\nThe emerald green and scarlet mosaics on the balustrade above, the fire-gilded bronze symbol of the Greatest name, the Baha'i ringstone symbol at the four corners, and the multitude of intricate decorations and motifs elsewhere were hailed as pure artistry.\n\nThe original plan of Shoghi Effendi had been to halt at this stage until conditions improved, but he changed his mind.\n\nThe next stage was to build a platform to support the proposed octagon, drum and gilded dome, which would combine to weigh more than 1,000 tons.\n\nHuge interlocked beams in the shape of an eight-pointed star -- cast in one day -- were placed about 30 cm above the roof level of the stone building.\n\nThat star was supported by eight steel-reinforced concrete piers, which reached down to bedrock. The piers penetrated the thick masonry of the Shrine, a difficult task successfully implemented without damaging the essential structure or impinging on the Tombs.\n\nThe octagon rose from the center of the large platform. It was surmounted by eight elegant, golden-tipped pinnacles, which anchored wrought-iron railings suggesting a lotus blossom opening.\n\n\"Great happiness, many congratulations and much laughter\" accompanied the completion of the installation of the railings, wrote Dr. Giachery in his book of recollections entitled \"Shoghi Effendi\".\n\n\"The whole edifice displays a great variety of architectural and artistic gems, products of the inventiveness and refined taste of Mr. Maxwell,\" he wrote.\n\nIn 1952, Leroy Ioas, a Baha'i who had been closely associated with the construction of the beautiful Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, arrived from the United States. He was to become an able lieutenant of Shoghi Effendi in the construction process.\n\nMr. Ioas employed his considerable administrative skills and practical mind to supervise the building of the drum and dome, a task done without the availability of sophisticated machinery. He too was to be named a Hand of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi called the door on the octagon after him.\n\nThe drum, a perfect cylinder, was completed in March 1952. Rising 11 meters, it rests on a circular steel-reinforced-concrete ring on the top of the octagon.\n\nIn accordance with an idea of Shoghi Effendi's, it has 18 stained-glass lancet windows, representing the first disciples of the Bab.\n\nOn 25 March 1952, while the drum he had designed was being built, Mr. Maxwell died in Montreal, Canada. It was three months after he had been appointed a Hand of the Cause.\n\nIn a message expressing his intense grief at the passing of his friend and colleague, Shoghi Effendi announced that the southern door of the Bab's tomb would be named after him.\n\nThe building of the brim, and then the dome, called for all the ingenuity of the engineer of the project, Professor H. Neumann of Haifa's Technion University.\n\nNo heavy stone could be used because the weight-bearing capacity of the concrete stilts was limited.\n\nA solution was found for the brim using two slabs of stone anchored together and to the dome. Next, Professor Neumann used a recently-devised method for the dome in which cement, mixed with fine sand and water was sprayed upon a mold.\n\nMeanwhile, 12,000 fish-scale tiles -- of 50 different shapes and sizes -- were being made in Holland by employing an innovative process involving fire-glazing over gold leaf.\n\nOn 29 April 1953, Shoghi Effendi climbed the scaffolding and placed  behind one of the tiles a small box containing plaster from the Mah-Ku prison cell, which once confined the Bab in Persia.\n\nThe lantern and finial were placed on top of the dome, and the tiling was finished.\n\nThe graceful structure was completed, the golden dome its crowning beauty.\n\nShoghi Effendi announced the conclusion of the project in a joyous cablegram to a Baha'i conference being held in New Delhi, India from 7 to 15 October 1953.\n\nHis message came as a triumphant climax to the Holy Year marking the centenary of the birth of the Mission of Baha'u'llah, and at the early stages of the successful Ten Year Plan to spread the Baha'i teachings throughout the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4932-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The dome and drum of the Shrine of the Bab take shape over the completed octagon and colonnade, 1952."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4931-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Construction of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Bab viewed from the base of Mount Carmel, 1952."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422308-bwns4930-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A view of the Shrine of the Bab while the drum was under construction, from a terrace below, 1952."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4929-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Shrine of the Bab with rooms added by Shoghi Effendi, 1939."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4928-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Stone edifice under construction by 'Abdu'l-Baha."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4927-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The lantern, dome, drum and octagon of the Shrine of the Bab. (Photo by Edit Kalman.)"},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4926-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Shrine of the Bab and its Terraces at night."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422308-bwns4924-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Shrine of the Bab."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4923-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Architectural features of the Shrine of the Bab."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422312-bwns4922-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Leroy Ioas when the tiling of the dome was underway, 1953."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4921-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dr. Ugo Giachery."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422308-bwns4920-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"William Sutherland Maxwell."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422306-bwns4919-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Shrine with its superstructure completed."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422308-bwns4918-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The octagon with its pinnacles and balustrade, 1952."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4917-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Interlocked beams in the shape of an eight-pointed star supported the octagon."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422311-bwns4916-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Workmen building the platform above the stone edifice, 1950."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4915-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The colonnade under construction, 1950."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422307-bwns4914-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Shrine of the Bab in 1909."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422309-bwns4913-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Drawing by William Sutherland Maxwell of the Shrine of the Bab with the superstructure he designed, 1944."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":251,"evergreenUrl":"devotion-human-rights-recognized","title":"Devotion to human rights recognized","description":"Just after the birth of her fourth child, Melody Karvonen made a career change that put her on the path to be named Human Rights Worker of the...","date":"2003-09-27","customDateline":null,"city":"HELSINKI","country":"","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422293-bwns4912-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543422293-bwns4912-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Melody Karvonen with her husband, Jarmo, at the award ceremony. (Photo by Martin Heslop.)","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Just after the birth of her fourth child, Melody Karvonen made a career change that put her on the path to be named Human Rights Worker of the Year in Finland.\n\nWhile still on maternity leave, Mrs. Karvonen decided to bring to an end her 10-year career in architectural drafting and house-designing and to move into the human rights field.\n\nShe first participated in a project aimed at the elimination of racism.\n\nIn that campaign organized by the Red Cross and the Mannerheim's Child Protection League, she led groups of youth and children in discussions on racial tolerance in society and the beauty of human diversity.\n\nFourteen years later, after her initial steps had broadened into a career devoted to the protection of human rights, Mrs. Karvonen, 51, was named the Human Rights Worker of the Year by the Finnish League for Human Rights.\n\nDr. Pentti Arajarvi, a member of the league's board of directors and husband of the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen, was the keynote speaker at the award ceremony on 27 September 2003.\n\nAlso present was Mikko Puumalainen, the Finnish Ombudsman for Minorities.\n\nIn her acceptance speech, Mrs. Karvonen said that the principles of the Baha'i Faith provided a basis for her work.\n\n\"Today there is a lot of emphasis in the world on diversity and coexistence, but less on how we can work better together,\" she said.\n\n\"People often concentrate on the differences of culture, but in my work I try to focus on how human beings can live together.As Baha'u'llah said: 'The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.'\"\n\nMrs. Karvonen was born in Iran -- her maiden name was Naghmeh Izadi -- and moved to Finland in 1973. She is married to Finnish-born Jarmo Tapio Karvonen and has four children. She has served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Finland since 1997.\n\nAfter her initial two years as a volunteer in human rights work, she accepted a position with the Red Cross as a refugee adviser for the newly established Center for Asylum Seekers in Joensuu, in the east of Finland.\n\nFor five years she represented the Police of Joensuu as an educator for tolerance and cross-cultural understanding.\n\nOther projects with which she has been involved include a program to reduce violence and racism among youth; the establishment of a school curriculum called \"Coexistence to Living Together, a Curriculum for World Citizenship Education\"; an evaluation and development of an international meeting center in Joensuu; and the \"Be Equal Be Different Project\" shared by Finland, Holland, Italy and Ireland to reduce discrimination in the workplace.\n\nMrs. Karvonen often accepts invitations from throughout Finland to address groups on topics such as cross-cultural understanding, tolerance and understanding, and the equality of women and men.\n\nMrs. Karvonen is currently working as an immigration counselor for a project funded by the European Social Fund, under the auspices of the European Union."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null}],"lang":"en","language":"en","location":"/archive/72/"}},"staticQueryHashes":["2762707590"]}