bahai canada nov-dec 2010

It is incumbent upon everyone to aid those daysprings of authority and sources of commandwho are adorned with the ornament of equity and justice. Blessed are the rulers and the learnedamong the people of Bahá. They are My trustees among My servants and the manifestations of

My commandments amidst My people. Upon them rest My glory, My blessings and My grace whichhave pervaded the world of being. In this connection the utterances revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdasare such that from the horizon of their words the light of divine grace shineth luminous andresplendent.

O ye My Branches! A mighty force, a consummate power lieth concealed in the world of being. Fixyour gaze upon it and upon its unifying influence, and not upon the differences which appear from it.

The Will of the divine Testator is this: It is incumbent upon the Aghsán, the Afnán and My Kindred toturn, one and all, their faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealedin Our Most Holy Book: ‘When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelationis ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from thisAncient Root.’ The object of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch [‘Abdu’l-Bahá]. Thus have We graciously revealed unto you Our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, theAll-Powerful. Verily God hath ordained the station of the Greater Branch [Muhammad ‘Alí] to bebeneath that of the Most Great Branch [‘Abdu’l-Bahá]. He is in truth the Ordainer, the All-Wise. Wehave chosen ‘the Greater’ after ‘the Most Great’, as decreed by Him Who is the All-Knowing, theAll-Informed.

It is enjoined upon everyone to manifest love towards the Aghsán, but God hath not grantedthem any right to the property of others.

O ye My Aghsán, My Afnán and My Kindred! We exhort you to fear God, to performpraiseworthy deeds and to do that which is meet and seemly and serveth to exalt yourstation. Verily I say, fear of God is the greatest commander that can render the Cause of Godvictorious, and the hosts which best befit this commander have ever been and are anupright character and pure and goodly deeds.

Say: O servants! Let not the means of order be made the cause of confusion and theinstrument of union an occasion for discord. We fain would hope that the people ofBahá may be guided by the blessed words: ‘Say: all things are of God.’ This exaltedutterance is like unto water for quenching the fire of hate and enmity whichsmouldereth within the hearts and breasts of men. By this single utterancecontending peoples and kindreds will attain the light of true unity. Verily Hespeaketh the truth and leadeth the way. He is the All-Powerful, the Exalted, theGracious.

It is incumbent upon everyone to show courtesy to, and have regard for theAghsán, that thereby the Cause of God may be glorified and His Word exalted.This injunction hath time and again been mentioned and recorded in theHoly Writ. Well is it with him who is enabled to achieve that which theOrdainer, the Ancient of Days hath prescribed for him. Ye are biddenmoreover to respect the members of the Holy Household, the Afnán and thekindred. We further admonish you to serve all nations and to strive for thebetterment of the world.

That which is conducive to the regeneration of the world and the salvationof the peoples and kindreds of the earth hath been sent down from theheaven of the utterance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. Give yea hearing ear to the counsels of the Pen of Glory. Better is this for youthan all that is on the earth. Unto this beareth witness My glorious andwondrous Book. (Bahá’u’lláh, Kitab-i-Ahd)

From the Writings

F R O M T H E I N S T I T U T I O N SUNIVERSAL HOUS OF JUSTICECOUNSELLORS APPOINTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4GARDEN REOPENS TO PILGRIMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLYTHE COVENANT AND CHILDREN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

HEARTBEATA GENEROUS SPIRIT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

THE RIGHT OF GODQUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

S P O T L I G H TONTARIO LEARNS FROMSUMMER TEACHING CAMPAIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12PIONEERING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S JOURNEYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19THE AUTHORITY OF THEUNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

D E P A R T M E N T SCANADA NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27WORLD NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28IN MEMORIAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29CHILDRENS’ PAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30ANNOUNCEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31HOW TO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33THE RIGHT OF GOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050758ISSN 1199-1682Return undeliverable Canadian addresses toRecords Department7200 Leslie St., Thornhill On L3T 6L8email: [email protected]á'í Canada is published 6 times a year -May/June, July/August, September/October,November/December, January/February,March/April - by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada7200 Leslie StreetThornhill, ON L3T 6L8phone: (905) 889-8168fax: (905) 889-8184e-mail: [email protected]

I N S I D EDecember 2010 Questions 167 B.E.

Vol. 23, No. 4

Published for the Bahá’ís of Canada

O N T H E C O V E R

A south facing view from the water well towards thebridge at the entrance to the Ridván Garden. (Photo: Bahá’í International Community)

4 � November/December 2010 • Quest ions 167 B.E. Bahá’í Canada

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Day of the Covenant, 26 November 2010,marks the opening of a new five-year term ofservice for the members of the Continental

Boards of Counsellors for the Protection andPropagation of the Faith. It is with great joy that weannounce the names of the Counsellors appointedfor the coming term, whose number remains ateighty-one.

AFRICA (19 Counsellors): Selam Ahderom(Trustee of the Continental Fund), RamchandCoonjul, Mariama Ousmane Djaouga, MaziarDjoneidi, Clement Thyrell Feizoure, Agatha Gaisie-Nketsiah, Kini Musalo Geoghegan, Amina Jaouane,Townshend Lihanda, Sehla Masunda, KatalayiMbombo, Maina Mkandawire, Aggrey Zeyazi Munubi,Zowe Tiba Nganyade, Albert Nshisu Nsunga, HelenOtia, Ahmad Parsa, Christopher Kiprotich Songok,Tiati a Zock

THE AMERICAS (19 Counsellors): Jose LuisAlmeida, Ann Boyles, Ronny Brenes, Beatriz Carmona,Daniel Duhart, Jorge Henrique Guerreiro (Trustee ofthe Continental Fund), Ana Hilda de Lemus, AlisonMilston, Borna Noureddin, Garth Pollock, GaneshRamsahai, Carmen Elisa de Sadeghian, PejmanSamoori, Bernardino Sanchez, Daniel Scott, NavidSerrano, Leticia de Solano, Anita Vandella Williams,Holly Woodard

ASIA (20 Counsellors): Jamil Aliyev, EnkhdelgerBanzragch, Jabbar Eidelkhani, Bijan Farid, NaderaFikri, Gloria Javid, Lee Lee Loh Ludher, TarrantMatthew Mahony, Khumukcham Satish Meetei,Delafruz Nassimova, Lori McLaughlin Noguchi,Khursheda Porsayeva, Foad Reyhani (Trustee of theContinental Fund), Rajan Sawant, OmidSeioshanseian, Zebiniso Solieva, George Soraya,Ircham Hadi Sujadmiko, Mehranguiz Farid Tehrani,Myint Zaw Oo

AUSTRALASIA (11 Counsellors): Sohayla Asari,Ritia Kamauti Bakineti, Soheyla Bolouri, KirkJohnson, Dinesh Kumar-Mills, Jalal Rodney Mills,U’ileiuluwehi Pimental, Kessia Aisoli Ruh, TessaScrine, Henry Tamashiro, Alan Wilcox (Trustee of theContinental Fund)

EUROPE (12 Counsellors): Naisan Azimi, Uta vonBoth (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Olga

Daradur, Antonella Demonte, Andrej Donoval, AisteElijio, Shirin Fozdar-Foroudi, Zoraida Garcia Garro,Saba Khabirpour, Bernard Lo Cascio, FirouzehMoghbel-Naderi, Paul Verheij

The following believers, who have earned ourabiding gratitude for their self-sacrificingcontributions to the progress of the Cause, are beingrelieved of the duties of membership on the Boardsof Counsellors:

Farzin Aghdasi, Eugene S. Andrews, Fadel Ardakani,Fevziye Baki, Nidavanur Baskaran, BeatriceBenson, Desmond Godfrey Browne, DavidChittleborough, Irene Chung, Vivien Craig, OlgaDaynovskaya, Ehsanollah Hemmat, David Huang,Nadia Jaberi-Koppold, Eric Kingston, DeborahKirton, Eddy Lutchmaya, Enos Makhele, AntonioGabriel Marques Filho, Tsatsi Othaniel Mfete, RuthAmos Mnyampi, Hannu Tapani Olkkonen, JayaGopan Ramasamy, Lateef Rasheed, ManijehReyhani, Ilhan Sezgin, Crystal Baker Shoaie,Marilyn Smith, Rodrigo Tomas, Gerardo Vargas,Robin White, Fereidoun Yazdani, SohrabYoussefian

We are confident that these dear friends will remaina source of inspiration and strength to the believersas they continue their dedicated efforts for theadvancement of the Faith in the coming years. Weshall offer supplications at the Sacred Threshold ontheir behalf, that divine blessings may surround theirevery endeavour in the path of service toBahá’u’lláh.

In our recent Ridván message, we announced to theBahá’í world the achievement of the goal of thecurrent Five Year Plan – to establish no less than1,500 intensive programmes of growth worldwide –and outlined in significant detail the developmentsthat have taken place in the Bahá’í community at thelevel of culture over the last decade and a half. Weexpressed the hope that, during this final year of thePlan, the friends would bend their energies towardsstrengthening the pattern of expansion andconsolidation that has now been everywhereestablished, in preparation for the Five Year Plan tobe launched at Ridván 2011. We are calling theCounsellors from all continents to the Bahá’í WorldCentre for a conference from 28 December 2010 to1 January 2011, during which deliberations will be

Counsellors appointedFrom the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World, 1 November 2010:

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

With joyful and grateful hearts we announcethat the restoration and conservation workon the Ridván Garden in the Holy Land,

which includes a circulating water system thatrecreates the island and an Ottoman flour mill thatwas in use during the time of Bahá’u’lláh, has nowbeen successfully completed.

That site of such exquisite beauty, designated by Himas “Our Verdant Isle”, is once again open to pilgrims,who will have the opportunity to experience thetranquillity of the surroundings that greeted theBlessed Beauty when He visited it at the terminationof His nine-year confinement within the walls of theprison-city of ‘Akká.

Garden reopens to pilgrimsFrom the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, 29 October 2010:

held on the features of the next Five Year Plan and onthe decisive role the Counsellors are to play, togetherwith their auxiliaries, in the critical period leadingup to its launch and in the years that follow.

It is our ardent prayer that the Blessed Beauty mayvouchsafe unto these eighty-one souls His unfailingprotection and unceasing confirmations as they ariseto take up the high duties to which they have beencalled.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Bahá’í Canada November/December 2010 • Quest ions 167 B.E. � 5

Some two kilometers southeast of the historic city of Acre, the Ridván Garden – created for Bahá’u’lláh – has been restored to itsoriginal island setting. The centrepiece is a fountain from which water is conveyed into a canal that runs past the garden. (Photo: Bahá’í International Community)

The National Spiritual Assembly recently had thejoy of consulting with a group of children’sclass teachers and coordinators of this core

activity, to explore ways to support and acceleratetheir work. One of the teachers told the story of thefirst time her class – composed of neighbourhoodchildren who had not been raised in Bahá’í families– saw a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The 6- and 7-year-oldshad attended many classes and knew the stories well.One day, one of the children asked, “Is ‘Abdu’l-Baháreal?” The teacher was stunned. For some reason, shehad not explicitly told the participants in the classthat the Person figuring in the stories theywere hearing every week was a real person, who hadactually walked on the earth. This question made herrealize that they were thinking of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ascomparable to Santa Claus, and she hastened to fetcha photograph of the Master to show them that Heactually existed, had lived on the planet, and that thestories were not fables, but true.

“This is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” she explained simply, for theyalready knew much about Him. They alreadyloved Him. The photograph was passed from child tochild, but not in the ordinary way children passthings – each child paused as they held the pictureand looked intently at His smiling face. One childtouched His face and smiled. All were silent. In thatsilence, it was clear they were experiencing thepresence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá – the atmosphere was sofull the teacher herself could not speak.

November 26 is the day that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has givenus to celebrate His appointment as the Centre of theCovenant – this matchless gift whose power is “thepivot of the oneness of mankind.”1 It is the Covenantthat provides a direct line from the footsteps of aweary Traveller approaching the gates of the city ofShíráz in search of His Beloved, to the Five Year Plan– a worldwide symphony conducted by theinstitution ordained by Bahá’u’lláh Himself to be“charged with the affairs of the people,” whose

members are the “Trustees of God among Hisservants and the daysprings of authority in Hiscountries.”2

It is this symphony that has brought the children ofthe world, in growing numbers, to their ownencounter with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In the lines ‘Abdu’l-Bahá penned to introduce the prayer now read at HisShrine, He promised that whoever “reciteth thisprayer with lowliness and fervor will bring gladnessand joy to the heart of this Servant; it will be even asmeeting Him face to face.” In another passage, Hesays “A trusted messenger hath arrived and hath, inthe world of the spirit, delivered a message fromGod’s loved ones. This auspicious courier bringethfragrances of great ardour and wafteth the life-givingbreezes of the love of God. He maketh the heart todance for joy and filleth up the soul with an ecstasyof love and rapture.”3

With these passages in mind, let us re-visit thechildren’s class and the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’sphotograph. Let us imagine the joy of that meetingand its effect on the tender hearts and minds of thechildren, made possible by the devotion of achildren’s class teacher who has built such strongbonds of love between the Master and theparticipants in her class. Who can doubt thefoundations of firmness in the Covenant are beingthus built, young heart by young heart?

With deepest gratitude to all parents, communitymembers and children’s class teachers who labourto serve Canada’s children,

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada

References1 Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 2382 Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 263 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 19

The Covenant and childrenNATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY



A generous O CHILDREN OF DUST!Tell the rich of the midnight sighing of the poor, lest heedlessness lead them into the path ofdestruction, and deprive them of the Tree of Wealth. To giveand to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it withhim that adorneth himself with My virtues.(Bahá’u’lláh, The Persian Hidden Words)

Whosoever comes with one good act, God will give himtenfold. There is no doubt that the living Lord shall assistand confirm the generous soul.(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of the West, Vol. 6, No. 17, p. 139)

Be ye daysprings of generosity, dawning-points of themysteries of existence, sites where inspiration alighteth,rising-places of splendours, souls that are sustained by theHoly Spirit, enamoured of the Lord, detached from all saveHim, holy above the characteristics of humankind, clothedin the attributes of the angels of heaven, that ye may win foryourselves the highest bestowal of all, in this new time, thiswondrous age.(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 242)

In this wondrous age, however, praised be God, thecommandments of God are not delimited, not restricted toany one group of people, rather have all the friends beencommanded to show forth fellowship and love,consideration and generosity and loving-kindness to everycommunity on earth. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 20)

Strive, therefore, to create love in the hearts in order thatthey may become glowing and radiant. When that love isshining, it will permeate other hearts even as this electriclight illumines its surroundings. When the love of God isestablished, everything else will be realized. This is the truefoundation of all economics. Reflect upon it. Endeavor tobecome the cause of the attraction of souls rather than toenforce minds. Manifest true economics to the people. Showwhat love is, what kindness is, what true severance is andgenerosity. This is the important thing for you to do. (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 238)

There is no time to lose. The masses, greatly tried by thecalamities of the age, restless, disappointed, and eager toobtain real and complete relief in their hour of trial, hungerfor the Message of the new Day, and will, if properlyapproached and appealed to, embrace the great verities itenshrines. Firm and unassailable unity among those whoprofess to be its bearers, unshakeable fidelity to theprinciples on which it is founded, generous and unfailingsupport of the institutions designed to propagate it, are thevital prerequisites of their urgent and sacred task. (Shoghi Effendi, Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New Zealand 1923-19 7, p. 62)

To give and to be

generous are

attributes of Mine;

well is it with him

that adorneth himself

with My virtues.

To give and to be

generous are

attributes of Mine;

well is it with him

that adorneth himself

with My virtues.(Bahá’u’lláh, The Persian Hidden Words)

spirit

HEARTBEAT

One of the most poignant stories wehave about the Funds tells of how theland for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of India

was bought.

The Guardian had given his approval for thepurchase of a piece of land on the outskirts ofDelhi which was composed of one large plotand four much smaller ones, amounting to atotal of about twenty-two and a half acres.

This was in 1953 when there were not manyBahá’ís in that part of the world and the sum ofRs. 140,289, which was needed for thepurchase of the five plots, was a considerableamount of money (about US$20,000).

The National Spiritual Assembly allotted aportion of this sum to each area under itsjurisdiction, and the members set out to visitthe friends in different places, explain to themthe importance of the Temple, and encouragethem to contribute towards the purchase ofthe land.

Two of the members of the Assembly arrivedone day at the modest restaurant of ArdishírRustampúr in Hyderabad. Ardishír had left hisnative village in Írán when he was only tenyears old, to seek his fortune in India. Besidesthe clothes he wore at the time, he had theequivalent of $1.00 in his pocket and a fewpieces of dry bread. He arrived in Bombay aftera difficult journey and, as he was a Zoroastrianhimself, he found a job in the restaurant of aZoroastrian from Írán. He worked hard andsaved every paise (a hundred paise make onerupee) he earned, dreaming of the day whenhe could have a restaurant of his own. Manyyears later, he finally managed to open amodest restaurant in Hyderabad, where helearned about the Bahá’í Faith.

Ardishír lost his heart to Bahá’u’lláh and longedto serve Him with an ardour as fervent as hehad felt when he yearned for a business of hisown.

So this was the man at whose place the twomembers of the National Assembly foundthemselves in Hyderabad. From them, Ardishírcame to know about the land that was to bebought for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and theamount of money needed. Then he asked hisguests to wait for him while he went to attend

to an urgent matter. When he came back heplaced before them his entire capital – in cash.He had drawn from his bank all the money hehad saved in his life, plus whatever cash he hadin his till which he had not yet counted. Thetotal amount was Rs. 100,190.

The two visitors were astounded by thisextraordinary response to their appeal. Theirdiscreet inquiries revealed that Ardishír hadnot kept a single rupee for himself. “How willyou manage your business?” they asked? “Thismoney is not mine”, Ardishír replied. “It wasgiven to me by Bahá’u’lláh and I have beenkeeping it in trust. I am happy I can give it backto Him now. If it pleases Him, He will again giveme what I need.” It was useless to argue withhim, but his two friends begged him to keep atleast Rs. 190 for his immediate needs.

The magnanimous gift of Rs. 100,000 paid forthe total cost of the first, and by far the largest,of the five plots of land for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. Only a little over Rs. 40,000 was nowneeded for the other four plots.

Ardishír had seen the opportunity of a lifetimeand had seized it without the least hesitation. Itseemed as though he had struggled and savedall these years to be able to lay a worthyoffering at the feet of his Lord. And this is whythe name of Ardishír Rustampúr will continueto inspire all who hear of how the land for theTemple in India was bought. �(Gloria Faizi, Stories About Bahá’í Funds, pp. 22-24)

The story of Ardishír’s generosity

Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, India. © Bahá’í International

Community


HEARTBEAT

It is all too easy to understand the concept ofgenerosity merely in financial terms. The Bahá’íWritings teach us of the spiritual obligation and

profound privilege bestowed upon us ofcontributing generously to the funds of the Faith.When we reflect on the question of generosity,however, it quickly becomes clear that this qualitymanifests itself in many ways and has a clear andprofound influence on the evolution of humansociety.

The Writings show us clearly that generosity is anattribute of God and of His Manifestations. Asfollowers of Bahá’u’lláh, we are called upon toemulate this attribute, to offer up, with purity ofheart and with a passion to be of service to theBlessed Beauty and to the world of humanity, ourtime, our money, our energies; joyfully expending the bounties bestowed upon us through the grace ofthe All-Merciful. This generosity of spirit is but onemanifestation of the nobility for which humanitywas created and to which we are called upon toarise.

The world at large, knowingly or not, seems to bevisibly responding to this Divine call. Trendsettershave identified a growing movement towardgenerosity on the part of a society sickened by greedand selfishness, in which, despite tough economictimes, generosity runs at a new high. Witness, forexample, the emergence of an online-fuelled cultureof sharing, giving and engaging for the benefit ofothers.

The beloved Guardian exemplified the inherentnobility of giving for the joy of giving and of puttingthe needs of others before himself. His generosity ofspirit shone through in “his spiritual guidance, hisencouragement and praise, his unbounded gratitudefor services rendered.”1 Shoghi Effendi seemed tounderstand implicitly what recent studies havedemonstrated: that generosity is contagious.2 Plansinitiated by the Guardian were invariably supportedby a substantial contribution at their outset, in partto encourage the Bahá’ís to follow his example. 3

He noted “the spirit of enthusiasm andconsecration”4 animating the Canadian Bahá’ícommunity and was very much touched by theresponse of these friends to his appeals for supportof the Shrine work at the World Centre.5 Time andagain, the Bahá’ís of Canada have arisen to befittinglyexpress their commitment to the Cause of

Bahá’u’lláh, embracing their part in meeting thechallenges facing the Bahá’í world and in redeeming“the ransom imposed upon the beloved friends inthe Cradle of the Faith.”6 The history of this generousoutpouring of substance is gloriously exemplified bythe level of contribution on the part of the Canadiancommunity to the Arc buildings on Mount Carmel.Individual believers contributed almost $8,000,000which, combined with contributions from Canadianinstitutions, resulted in more than $26,000,000being donated toward the Arc Project.

This illustrious history of generosity in giving ismatched by an equally glorious record of service onboth the home front and in the international field.The Canadian community, in striving to fulfill thegoals of the Five Year Plan, has joyfully risen toexemplify the words of the Universal House ofJustice, that “teaching is a basic requirement of a life of generous giving”7 and will surely call forth “the reward which the exalted Pen of God hasinscribed upon the tablet of this world for thosewho have arisen to promote the Cause through thegenerous outpouring of their substance and thesacrifice of their lives.”8

As we move through the swiftly vanishing monthsyet remaining in this Plan and gird up our loins inpreparation for the Plans yet to come, let us strivetogether to reach new heights of generosity in ourefforts to please Him. How great a privilege to facethe challenges yet to be met in the pathway of Hislove, how glorious the opportunities to sacrificeourselves and all that He, in His infinite Mercy, hasbestowed upon us. Let us ever strive to be as those“at whose bounty treasures were afraid, at whoseopen handedness and generosity the ocean wasdismayed?”9 �

References1 Ugo Giachery, Shoghi Effendi – Recollections, p. 25.2 James H. Fowler and Nicholas A. Christakis, Cooperative Behaviour

Cascades in Human Social Networks, on Proceeding of the NationalAcademy of Sciences, published online March 8, 2010.

3 Ugo Giachery, Shoghi Effendi – Recollections, p. 25.4 Shoghi Effendi, Messages to Canada, p. 53.5 Shoghi Effendi, Messages to Canada, p. 24.6 The Universal House of Justice, Messages 1963 to 1986, p. 425.7 The Universal House of Justice, Ridván Message 2010.8 Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh v. 4, p. 260.9 ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, A Traveller's Narrative, p. 78.

Living a generous life


HEARTBEAT

Through the National Spiritual Assembly: Kindly make yourcheque payable to “Canadian Bahá’í Fund” and mail to:

The Treasury Department Bahá’í National Centre 7200 Leslie StreetThornhill, ON L3T 6L8

Through a Local Spiritual Assembly: For furtherinformation, please contact the Treasurer of your LocalAssembly.

Online at www.bahaifunds.ca, directly from your bankchequing account or through your creditcard. Contributions may be made on a one-time basis, orset up in an ongoing manner, such as every Bahá’ímonth, on a specific day of the Gregorian month, twiceeach month, or bi-weekly.

Through a Pre-Authorized Payment Plan offered bychartered banks. If you wish to use this method, pleasecontact the Treasury Department of the NationalSpiritual Assembly and request a “Pre-AuthorizedPayment Authorization Form”. You can reach the

Treasury Department by:• Mail: At the above address• Fax: (905) 889-8184• E-mail: [email protected]

Earmarking:Should you wish to earmark part or all of yourcontribution for a specific Fund, kindly indicate thisaccordingly. Examples of the various Funds of the Faithare:

“Local Fund” (only through a Local SpiritualAssembly or Online method – see above)

“Regional Branch of the National Fund” “National Fund”

“Homefront Deputization Fund”“International Fund” “World Centre Endowment Fund” “Continental Fund” “International Pioneer Deputization Fund” “Wilmette House of Worship Fund”“Santiago House of Worship Fund”

How to contribute to the Funds of the Faith:

At a glanceNational Fund All goals of Canada

Goal $5099 $8309

Where we are $1869 $2982

Where we should be $2571 $4189

Shortfall $701 $1207

Fund Update

House of WorshipSantiago

Budget Actual Surplus (shortfall)

National Fund Continental Fund InternationalDeputization Fund

House of WorshipWilmette

TH

OU

SA

ND

S

1 May 2010 – 30 October 2010

International Fund World CentreEndowment Fund

1500

1000

500

0

-1000

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5500

5000

6000

T H O U S A N D S

(701) (5)

562

1600

63135

1869

273

1000

52103100 22750 85

5099

325(231) (79)(231)


The Right of GodTHE RIGHT OF GOD

Q: Is income from a wholly Bahá’í-ownedcompany subject to Huqúqu’lláh? A: “As you state, the obligation to pay

Huqúqu’lláh rests on individual believers, noton corporate bodies, even if these are whollyowned by Bahá’ís.

“On the other hand, if the owners of acompany which is entirely Bahá’í-ownedwish their company to make a donation to Huqúqu’lláh, such a contribution isacceptable. It does not, of course, reduce the obligation of the individual believersconcerned to pay their own Huqúqu’lláh.”(From a letter dated 30 March 1989 written on behalf of the Universal House ofJustice to a National Spiritual Assembly)


Questions and Answers


The Bahá’í Council of Ontario, reflecting on the “Arise With Resolve” summer teachingcampaign, says it was “deeply moved” when

thinking of the many courageous friends whoventured forth, during their intensive expansionphases, to learn the ways of community building inneighbourhoods and villages.

As this issue went to press, the Council was stillgathering news and reports from around the region,but it notes there is every indication much has beenlearned.

“Carefully thought out plans, which reflected thevarying capacities of the friends, sincerelyimplemented with an attitude of learning andcarried out with a close collaboration between thecluster agencies, have laid a foundation for the workahead and shed light on our understanding of theways and means of community building.

“While a significant number of friends enrolledunder the banner of the Most Great Name during theteaching projects, the experiences of those whoparticipated in the various campaigns cannot solelybe evaluated in these terms. Perhaps moresignificant is the learning that was generated. In fact,through the efforts made this summer we aregaining a more profound understanding of twofundamental concepts.

“First, ‘that teaching is a basic requirement of a life ofgenerous giving.’1 Clearly, it is not an event, butrather part of an ongoing ‘process that seeks to raisecapacity within a population to take charge of itsown spiritual, social and intellectual development’2.Second, that our direct teaching efforts are notevaluated on the basis of whether or not these newfriends enroll, but rather, are viewed as a ‘catalyst foran enduring process of spiritual transformation’3.

“The efforts made to teach in neighbourhoods andvillages have given us first hand knowledge of thechallenges associated with assisting a population to‘shed the lethargy imposed on them by society.’ Incluster after cluster . . . people entered into

meaningful conversations with Bahá’ís, manyrecognizing the truth of this Message, but few couldescape their present circumstances and commence‘a path of service to humanity’ as easily as we mayhave anticipated. While our conversations and theresulting friendships provide the catalyst, thetransformative force will come from the instituteprocess.

“This then, is the learning, for if we had not venturedinto the arena of community building on such abroad scale, as was done so courageously thissummer, the path forward might still remain unclear.We might not, without having had this experience,been able to understand the real implications of theinstitute process, the engine that drives our work,the means by which a population is empowered toarise and be of service to humanity.”

The Council points to a passage from the Ridván2010 message of the Universal House of Justice as areminder of the significance of this learning: “. . . understanding the implications of the Revelation,both in terms of individual growth and socialprogress, increases manifold when study and serviceare joined and carried out concurrently.”

In conclusion, the Council advises the work ahead ischallenging. “It could be no other way, for we arebuilders of a new civilization, but the Council isconfident that, if we persist in our efforts during theremaining months of the Plan, we will learn muchmore about community building and the enduringprocess of spiritual transformation.” �

Reference:1 Universal House of Justice, Ridván 20102 Ibid3 Ibid

Ontario learns from summer teaching campaign

Tobago

Although we were in Mississauga, Ontario, foronly a year, we were very fortunate to makemany special friends there and in the Toronto

area. We think about you often. We pioneered back tothe island of Tobago two-and-a-half months ago andevery day here is still new and exciting. There are somany people to meet and things to learn, being in anew place and culture. Tobago is very different fromits sister island of Trinidad, where we lived morethan 20 years ago.

Tobago is a small Caribbean island (120 squaremiles) of approximately 55,000 people, primarily ofAfrican descent. Often described as “RobinsonCrusoe’s Island,” Tobago is hilly with lush tropicalforests, many beautiful beaches along its coastline,and coral reefs around its perimeter. MostTobagonians are devout Christians.

“God willing” and “God bless you” are said insincerity in almost every conversation one has. Somebumper stickers on cars in Canada say “Baby on

Board.” Here there are some that say “God Inside.”This is a genuinely spiritual culture and we areconstantly amazed and warmed by the reliance anddedication so many people have for the Creator.

The Bahá’í community here is very small (fewer than200 people) with approximately 20 friends who arereally active. The active friends are very loving,supportive and dedicated and we feel privileged tobe a part of this community.

We have enjoyed giving a couple of musical firesidesand were involved last week in organizing andperforming at a Soul Café (musical/spiritual coffeehouse) sponsored by the Bahá’ís at a local restaurant.The response was amazing. Music is such animportant force in this culture and we are finding itis a wonderful way to connect with people. We areworking towards our first Intensive Period ofGrowth and are looking forward to offering moremusical firesides which contacts, met when directteaching, can be invited to. (Those who participatewill then be encouraged to become involved in thecore activities.)

The interior of the Tobago Bahá’í Centre.Bahá’í Canada November/December 2010 • Quest ions 167 B.E. � 13

From a work/job perspective, Anne-Marie directedtwo very successful performing arts camps hereover the summer resulting in two performances onthe local television station. We are in the process oflaunching “Arts Alive Tobago,” a performing artsorganization and school, and the initial response isvery promising. We also hope to start performing asa family in hotels in the next few months althoughonly Anne-Marie and Daniel can get paid for this.

Dan is loving it here. Being an animal lover andnature boy, he is out snorkelling on the reefs two orthree times a week. He has done a night patrol on aturtle nesting beach and he volunteers three times aweek assisting vets with their surgery at thestruggling SPCA here. He has also started to play hissteel drums with a group of other outstanding youngsteel drum (pan) players.

I’ve applied for residency status but can’t work forincome until that is approved (which is likely to beat least a year from now). I’ve been very busy helpingAnne-Marie and Dan develop their respectiveactivities and handling many of our family’s logisticaldetails. One has been house hunting. We’ve been in atwo bedroom suite but will be moving into afurnished house in October, large enough for Anne-Marie to teach private and group music lessons. (Italso has a spare bedroom for visitors.)

Costs of essentials tend to be expensive here (mostare imported) and selection is, of course, limited.Having no heating bill is a great help and theprospect of continuous warm weather is wonderful.We have no entertainment costs as spare time isspent visiting friends and swimming (sometimessimultaneously). We are living a real outdoor lifestylewith much more physical activity. Dan has reallytrimmed down as a result. (I would too if it wasn’tfor the wonderful homemade coconut sweet breadand peanut sugar cake that are so plentiful here.)

Thanks to Anne-Marie and Daniel's dual citizenshipwe feel very fortunate to have been able to return toTobago. We do miss our special friends in Canada,however. Please remember us and Tobago in yourprayers. �

Peter (Anne-Marie and Daniel) Brimacombe

Trinidad

Iremember a couple days before I left Canada andwent off for a period of service my mom told me:“Shabnam, I can’t wait for you to come back, so

that I can see the new Shabnam, see the changes thathave occurred in you.” What is she talking about?How much is nine months away going to change me?A new Shabnam was not imaginable.

It didn’t take me very long to start seeing thechanges. As days went by there was so much to learn.And this was helping me to form a new Shabnam.

I had the bounty of serving in Trinidad & Tobago, abeautiful country that is filled with wonderfulpeople and wonderful souls, a country whosepeople have learned how to be happy. No matterwhat happens in their lives, these people are alwayshappy. As a country its size might be small, but theheart of its people is big and full of love.

A day after arriving in Trinidad I was asked to assistwith the coordination of a junior youth animatortraining camp. The youth attending were all localswho I thought were born into Bahá’í families. I madethis assumption based on their spirituality and theirdesire to serve, and also the love each one of themhad for Bahá’u’lláh. Little did I know, most of themhad only been Bahá’ís for two years or less. I becameinterested in knowing more about each one of them,so I started asking them about their lives, their pastsand their goals. They all had similar lives, and acommon goal for their future. Their pasts were full ofheartbreaking stories, their presents filled withservice and trying to teach the Faith to the rest oftheir families, and the goal for their future was tohelp bring justice and peace not only to theircountry, but also the world.

As I spent more time with each one of them, and asdays and months passed by, not only could I see thetransformation in each one of these youth, but also Icould feel it with my heart. Every single one of theseyouths is an inspiration to me. Their desire to serveis my motivation.

My three co-pioneers - Borna Farahmandpour,Melody Rowhani, Mona Fathieh - and I had thebounty of serving in different clusters of Trinidad &Tobago. This country is divided into five differentclusters, one of which had launched an IntensiveProgram of Growth before we got there. We wereeach asked by the National Spiritual Assembly ofTrinidad & Tobago to work in different clusters, anddo our best to help them with their goal, launching

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Intensive Programs of Gowth.

Borna and I were asked to work in a village called LaPastora. Almost everyone in this small village knewabout the Faith, and this was due to the hard workdone by pioneers years ago. There were many youthwho once were Bahá’ís, but had slowly drawn awaybecause of difficulties they’d each had in life. Ourgoal was to help them realize that the Faith – andmore importantly humanity – needs their help nowmore than ever. It is up to them to change theirsociety. We had to help them realize they can make adifference in their society; they have enough powerto make a difference.

We started with inviting them all to musicaldevotionals, and making bonds of friendship. Itdidn’t take long before we found ourselves busywith many different study circles and activities. Theinteresting part was that these youth were so eagerto be a part of these activities they would want tomeet hours every day to finish the Institute coursesas soon as possible, so they could each start theirown core activities.

Krissy, a 22-year-old Borna and I spent a lot of timewith, as a child had been part of children’s classeswith her siblings. Krissy finished the first threebooks of the sequence within the first month and

half. She would call us any chance she got and wewould get together at any place we could find, andwe would study together. Krissy finished Book 7 andwas already accompanying others in differentactivities, such as junior youth, study circles, andmuch more. The day after Ridván, Krissy called to tellus she had been elected to the Local SpiritualAssembly of her community. Borna and I were bothso happy we were nearly in tears.

Krissy was just one of the many youth that Trinidad& Tobago has in her heart. These are the youth whoare slowly introducing their country to a new life byspreading the message of Bahá’u’lláh to each corner.

Witnessing the growth and transformation of allthese people made me realize the true meaning of“Youth can move the world.”

During my period of service there were many testsand difficulties I had to face, but each one of thesetests was somehow teaching me something new,helping me become stronger. All these differentexperiences caused me to look at our world with adifferent vision. Each person crossing my pathhelped me have a better understanding of myself.

Going through many different crisis and victories,moments that were filled with tears, and laughter,having to overcome different challenges, and facing

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Somewhere in this picture is Canadian Youth Service volunteer Shabnam Mehrabkhani, at a junior youth camp in Trinidad.


different difficulties, there were only two things thatkept me going. One was knowing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá willalways be beside me, and that he will guide my waystep by step. The other was the Tablet of Ahmad.Truly this tablet calms my heart every single time Irecite it, and it helps me with all I need.

Now that I am back in Canada, I hope I will have thebounty of being able to apply all this learning in myown community. �

Shabnam Mehrabkhani, Sturgeon County, Alberta

Haiti

For our service in Haiti, we spent the month ofJune supporting local core activities inPetionville, Lilavois (where the Anis Zunuzi

Bahá’í School is located), Jacmel, Lavallée, Cabaretand Musak. Our role was generally to develop gamesand spiritual and moral development activities thatcould be used for children’s classes and junior youthin ways that complement Ruhi Book 3, 3A and Book5. We worked with groups of animators andchildren’s class teachers and we helped organizedevotional gatherings and children’s classes incollaboration with local children’s class teachers.The friends were happy to have an increasedrepertoire and to learn some new teachingstrategies, which we made sure were culturallyappropriate since we had opportunities to pilotthem with Haitian children and see what workedbest.

Because my daughter-in-law Karène is Haitian andspeaks fluent Creole, our service was greatlyfacilitated by her translation and animation skills, notto mention her knowledge of the culture and growthof the Faith in Haiti.

My son Roshan and I conducted our part of the workin French with the addition of some beginningCreole. We also visited an adult English languageschool in Petionville and spoke to five classes thereabout the Faith. A number of students wereinterested and the Haitian Bahá’í computertechnician who organized this event is makingarrangements to offer a Book 1 in English at theschool where students can both practice theirEnglish and learn about the Faith.

While there we learned many things from theHaitian friends including about 50 wonderful songsin Creole and French that we will be able to use withthe Canadian friends.

In addition to our Bahá’í work, the three of ussupported the work of Linda Gershuny’s Bahá’í-inspired NGO (CAFT) by providing teacher trainingworkshops using the CAFT models and materials tohelp teachers and volunteer teachers improve theirteaching strategies, use of the arts, and increase theircapacity to use participatory learning methods. I alsohelped both CAFT and another fledgling Haitianorganization in Jacmel to write project reports andproposals using standard project managementdesign and logic models. This was useful to thembecause they need to use those formats to obtainand account for funding from both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í funders.

Our non-Bahá’í friend, Roy Flowers, who is a farmerand a handyman from Southern Alberta, spent hisentire time in Haiti at the Anis Zunuzi Schoolrepairing and rebuilding after the earthquake. Heinstalled solar panels and got the electricity andinternet working for the school, created an irrigationsystem for the school farm, helped rebuild the roofsand other parts of homes for Bahá’í staff whosehomes were destroyed in the earthquake, fixed theschool water reservoir so that the 600 students andstaff could have water all day, rewired the electricalsystem and got all the lights working, taught severalchildren how to repair bicycles and small appliances,and was generally a huge help to the school.

The school administrator said they had never hadanyone so useful come to the school and offered a“posh two room house” for Roy if he would considereither staying longer or coming back again!

We will continue to pray for the success of thewonderful Haitian friends who are so steadfast in theface of so many obstacles. �

Marie, Karène, Roshan Gervais, Edmonton, Alberta

Things to love about Haiti

The people: The best part of Haiti is thewonderful people. Always welcoming, warmsmiling and ready to help. The most charming

and lovely of all are the children. They fall in lovewith everyone, are sweet to their younger siblings,are respectful and obedient, full of energy andenthusiasm but always ready to settle withoutcomplaint if asked. They sing, drum and dance withjoy and skill from a young age. I can teach a song inHaiti in two minutes that would take Canadians twoweeks to learn. They will sit patiently for a long time

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and put effort into mastering any skills because theyare so ready and willing to learn. Nobody has betterdance moves than Haitians! Everything moves andeverything is synchronized.

The debrouillardise: People never complain here.They put up with all inconveniences and adjust to alldifficulties without even a shadow of resentment.Sometimes you see the deep pain and long sufferingin their faces, but they always make light of it anddon’t go into details. Even when they tell you aboutsomething sad it is not done in a big way. Haitians arediscrete. They speak about things and show youthings indirectly. You have to pay attention topeople’s body language and facial expression here ifyou want to understand the whole story. Haitians area wonderful blend of “living out loud” and “tactfuldiscretion.”

Group work: They desire to work in groups, play ingroups, visit in groups and live generally in groups.Putting effort into group projects is everywherehere. Everyone is volunteering for a bunch of thingsranging from cleaning the streets to teaching streetchildren to do folk dances, to working on solarenergy systems, to creating local problem solvingassociations addressing local needs. Maybe that iswhy there are so many outside NGOs here too – theHaitians already have the attitude that they need tocreate groups to get things done, so it wouldn’t betoo hard for an NGO to recruit people.

Willingness to wait through a process: People willvisit for hours without saying much untilconversations naturally occur. They don’t leave ifnothing seems to be going on like people do inCanada. They come early, wait, stay later and leavewhen a good visit, event, meeting or amount ofprogress has occurred. People take the necessarytime to complete processes.

The early start: Since it is so hot here, people are upat the rooster crow. And there are roosterseverywhere, even in cities. At first light things startstirring and by 5:00 a.m. they are in full swing. Youhave to take advantage of the cool hours of themorning because by 10:30 the heat is intolerable.

Mangos: The best mangos in the world are here. Idon’t know how I will live without them.

Grandma Lili’s cooking: Beans and rice tastes like themost expensive meal under Grandma Lili’s deft hand.Haitian cooked and raw salads are amazing. There arefabulous cornmeal dishes and things like friedbreadfruit, freshly roasted peanuts sold in the streetand corozone juice made from the fruit in trees that

grow in the yards. And the very best thing of all isGrandma Lili’s coffee. If I already won’t survivewithout the mangos, I surely will faint without hercoffee. Haitian coffee is really good but GrandmaLili’s coffee is like dying and going to coffee heaven.

Things to learn from Haiti: You don’t need much tolive. Be satisfied with what you have and gratefulwhen something extra comes along. Don’t complainwhen things are difficult and never make people feelbad about poverty. Act as if every place you enter isthe palace of a king or queen, because that is wholives there and the surroundings don’t matter at all.

Greet everyone and take the time to visit. Know yourneighbours and make new friends all the time. Shareyour food, belongings and anything you have.

It is possible to get completely clean with about 4-5litres of water, including washing your hair. Then youcan wash out your underwear, clean the sink and usethe waste water to flush the toilet. People in Canadause so much water for nothing. Haitians know howto conserve water and how to use less when it isscarce.

Twelve people can use the same bathroom if theytake turns and only take a minimum of time doingwhat they need to do. In fact more than 12 can usethe bathroom once everyone is up and washed. �

– Marie Gervais

Namibia

In early 2010 we attended a pioneering workshopand heard about many short-term pioneeringopportunities. Almost instantly we decided to

commit three months to serve internationally. Theonly question remaining was: “Where in the worlddo we go?”

To answer this question, the Canadian internationalPioneer Department was extremely helpful inproviding information about possible avenues ofservice around the globe. All we knew aboutNamibia was that our friends, Amelia and Iain, hadserved there the previous summer, Jonathan had meta couple of Namibians while serving at the WorldCentre, and it was home to some massive sanddunes.

“Why not?”

After hearing glowing reports from our friends andlearning more, it seemed like a perfect serviceopportunity. We arrived at the beginning of July and

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INTERNATIONAL PIONEER DEPARTMENT7200 Leslie St., Thornhill, ON L3T 6L8

Telephone: (905) 889-8168 • Fax: (905) 889-8184 • Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

658 + 92 = 750

will stay until the end of September. Within a fewdays of landing in Namibia, we met with members ofthe National Spiritual Assembly, the Auxiliary Boardand the Institute Board to consult about our term ofservice. A few months previously Nima Mazloumiand Tjireya Tjitendero had visited various clusters totrain children’s class teachers . . .. Following up ontheir visit, our primary focus is to build on the effortsalready made by some incredibly capable teachersaround the country and help them strengthen andsystematize their classes.

So far, we have travelled more in Namibia and seenmore of this beautiful country than we have of ourown! We have visited Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund,Windhoek, Oshakati and Rundu.

Along the way, we have had some overwhelminglygenerous hosts and have met some truly inspiringindividuals.

Our time here has not been without crises andvictories! We’ve both had to adjust to the culture.These adjustments have forced us to strengthen ourcertitude in the oneness of mankind and fix our gazeon the constant and universal nature of Bahá’u’lláh’sRevelation.

As we reach the midway point of our stay, we’d liketo share a few of our experiences. In our firstexpedition to Otjiwarongo, we were able to conducta children’s class teacher reflection and refreshergathering and visit three of the four classes takingplace in the cluster. We visited the location as oftenas possible, to work with children’s class teachers,

meet with newly-enrolled Bahá’ís and reflect withthe cluster coordinators. We were both struck by themany challenges these young teachers face and bythe firmness of their resolve, their belief inBahá’u’lláh's healing message and their faith in itspotential to transform their community.

During our visit to Oshakati, we once againwitnessed how strikingly receptive young peopleare to the Faith and how ready they are toparticipate in this process of spiritualtransformation. Along with Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati we visited the UNAM northern campus andwere able to engage in direct teaching with 15 or soyouth. This resulted in an on-campus Ruhi Book 1study circle that started the very same day! We metwith the group twice that week and we were happyto hear the study circle continues with a local tutor.

Another notable experience occurred when wewere invited to assist with a fireside at a local centre.We arrived at the prearranged time and hunkereddown for some patient waiting. About an hour later,when we had lost all hope, we were surprised to seea large group of potential participants headingtoward us. We counted around 50 in total – thefireside of a lifetime! Unfortunately, they were alllivestock, grazing near the local centre! �

— Tara Nakhjavani and Jonathan Lebensold,Montréal, Québec (Published in The NamibianBahá’í, August 2010)

PIONEERING

Canadian pioneers are on the move

658Pioneers Settled

92Pioneersneeded


By the end of August, 658 pioneers had been sent,or had committed to go.

We need to send 92 more pioneers to achieve the goal of 750.

‘ABDU’L -BAHÁ

One hundred years ago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, theeldest son of Bahá’u’lláh and His appointedsuccessor as head of the Bahá’í Faith,

embarked on a series of journeys which, over thecourse of three years, took Him from the Holy Landto the Nile delta, from the Pacific coast of NorthAmerica to the banks of the River Danube.

Despite His advanced age, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set out inAugust 1910 to present Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings aboutthe dawning of a new age of peace and unity, to highand low alike. These historic journeys launched afledgling faith on its way to becoming a worldreligion.

“He was sixty-six years old,” the Universal House ofJustice wrote in a message, dated 29 August, to markthe centenary – a message published in the last issue– “an exile since childhood, with no formalschooling, a prisoner for forty years, in failing health,and unfamiliar with Western customs and languages.Yet He arose, without thought of comfort,undeterred by the risks involved . . .

“With the inauguration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels tothe West, the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, hemmed in formore than half a century by the hosts of enmity andoppression, burst its restraints.”

Following the Young Turk Revolution of 1908, whenall political and religious prisoners of the OttomanEmpire – including ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His family –were set free, He began to plan sharing, in person,the Bahá’í teachings with the world beyond theMiddle East. Two years later He left the confines ofthe Holy Land, heading first to Egypt where he

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s journeys“The gift of God to this

enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and

of the fundamental oneness of religion.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá on board the S.S. Celtic as He sailed from New York City to Liverpool, England, 5 December 1912. © Bahá’í International Community


‘ABDU’L -BAHÁ

stayed for one year.

Then, in August 1911, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set sail for Europe,spending a month in London and two months inParis. After returning to Egypt for the winter, He setoff again in March 1912 for an eight-month long tourof North America, followed by second visits toLondon and Paris, as well as journeys to Austria,Germany, Hungary and Scotland.

“From the time of Bahá’u’lláh's passing, the Bahá’íFaith's spread to North America and Europe hadbeen a very significant development,” says MoojanMomen, an historian based in the United Kingdom,“but these communities were rather few in number.

“So ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visits not only saw Him generallyproclaiming the Bahá’í teachings further afield, butalso consolidating the religion’s breakthrough intonew cultures.”

At ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s first ever public talk – given at theCity Temple church in London on 10 September1911 – ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told the congregation, “The giftof God to this enlightened age is the knowledge ofthe oneness of mankind and of the fundamentaloneness of religion.”

“Over and over again, He stressed the need forunderstanding between people, for bringingreligions together, for world peace,” explains Paris-based writer Jan Jasion, who is researching ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels in Europe. “He wanted to bring peoplecloser to God and for them to understand the realityof religion and rid themselves of superstitions.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá was also able to participate comfortablyin discourses about themes that lay outside of theMiddle Eastern experience. “For example, the greatdangers of racism;” notes Firuz Kazemzadeh,emeritus professor of history at Yale University, “therelationship between capital and labour, and theconflict between worker and employer; theimpending Great War; and federalism as a solution tothe problems among the States.”

For three years, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tirelessly addressedthousands of people – including clergymen,journalists, academics, diplomats, philosophers,suffragettes, and social reformers. He also – perhapsmost importantly for Him – met with, and attended

“He challenged people to rise above their own understanding of reality, to a higher level ofrealization – a spiritual level as well as the social.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s second visit to mainland Europe in 1913 included a stay in Germany. He is shown here at a large gathering inEsslingen. © Bahá’í International Community



‘ABDU’L -BAHÁto the needs of, the poor.

Among those deeplyimpressed by Him was Dr.David Starr Jordan, theAmerican scientist anduniversity administrator,who famously said, “‘Abdu’l-Bahá will surely unite theEast and the West, for Hewalks the mystical pathwith practical feet.”

Dr. T. K. Cheyne of Oxford,the celebrated theologian,spoke of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the“Ambassador to Humanity.”

“What is striking is that,while ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had agreat deal of praise forprogressive thinkers, Hewas also very clear-eyedand uncompromising inHis assessment of the ways in which they fell shortof their own ideals,” says Kenneth E. Bowers, thecurrent Secretary of the National Spiritual Assemblyof the Bahá’ís of the United States. “He challengedpeople to rise above their own understanding ofreality, to a higher level of realization – a spirituallevel as well as the social.”

There were other aspects of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá'spersonality that further delighted those He met, saysMr. Bowers.

“He carried Himself remarkably well in cultures thatwere entirely alien to Him. I think one of the thingswe should remember about Him – and which wesometimes forget as a characteristic of a ‘spiritual’figure – is that He was someone who was extremelywitty and charming.”

By the time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels came to an end,members of the nascent Bahá’í community hadreceived a wider vision of their Faith, and citizens ofnine countries, on three continents, had beeninformed of the Bahá’í teachings for the first time.

“At the beginning of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ministry, theBahá’í Faith was a fairly obscure religious movement.There was very little accurate information about itanywhere,” says Moojan Momen. “By the end of Hislife, not just in Europe and North America but allover the world – in Asia, the Pacific, Australia, SouthAfrica, South America – large numbers of peopleknew about the Faith and had a positive impressionof it.

“His travels were certainly a major religious event ofthe 20th century,” says Dr. Momen. “They had muchthe same sort of effect as St. Paul’s journeys whichhad a sizable impact on the spread of Christianity.”

Mr. Bowers believes it is impossible to conceive oftoday’s American Bahá’í community, for example,without taking ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit into account.“Through His life and words, He was thepersonification of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. Heinspired the first handful of Bahá’ís not only tospread their Faith but, just as importantly, withstandall sorts of tests. In a very tactful, loving and wiseway, He set the example to be followed.”

As a result of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's journeys, the Bahá’ícommunity began to propagate His ideas further andthese became reinforced in the general population.“This is where the real impact of His visits lies – inthe capacity of the community He raised to continuewhat He taught them after all these years,” says FiruzKazemzadeh.

In its letter, the Universal House of Justice invitestoday’s worldwide Bahá’í community to reflect notonly upon what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá achieved and set inmotion, but on the work still left to do.

His words and actions during His travels, theUniversal House of Justice writes, offer “anabundance of inspiration and manifold insights” formeeting the challenges of the present day. — BWNS(Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, p. 310)

‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His entourage beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, 1912. © Bahá’í International Community

THE AUTHORIT Y OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Among the signs of the process of disintegration throughout the world is

the deepening moral crisis which hasdrawn our society increasingly into attitudes ofrelativism with regard to truth and values. Normativethinking seems to lean heavily on the rejection ofany moral “foundations” or universal truths andvalues. Human identity is largely being left to localand cultural categories. Religion, especially in itsorganized form, is increasingly under suspicion.

Against this backdrop, Bahá’ís are convinced that themoral and foundational principles of religion havenot lost their validity. As the commentary OneCommon Faith reminds us, the Psalms, theUpanishads and the Qur’án do not disappointanyone who “sincerely poses questions to Heaven.”1

Indeed, “the most painful aspect of the current crisisof civilization is that the search for truth has notturned with confidence into religion’s familiaravenues.”2

But individuals do not live in a vacuum. We allparticipate in a social order. Since the time ofKrishna, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, the world has evolved immensely. In the last few decadesalone, democracy “has fundamentally altered therelationship of the individual to authority.”3

Moreover, “[s]tem cell research, nuclear energy,sexual identity, ecological stress and the use ofwealth raise, at the very least, social questions thathave no precedent.”4

The religious systems of the past are not capable toguide mankind through such questions ofcontemporary life. They are not able to “refashion its system of belief in a manner to derive legitimacyfor the authoritative words of its Founder.”5 To meet this challenge, Bahá’u’lláh has established aclear Covenant with His followers where “theconcepts of the past are brought to a new level ofunderstanding, and the social laws, changed to suitthe age now dawning.”6

But what implications does Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenanthave on our work for the Cause today?

The authority of the Universal House ofJusticeThe Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh

is unbroken, its all-encompassing power inviolate. Thetwo unique features which distinguishit from all religious covenants of thepast are unchanged and operative. Therevealed Word, in its original purity,amplified by the divinely guidedinterpretations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá andShoghi Effendi, remains immutable,unadulterated by any man-madecreeds or dogmas, unwarrantableinferences or unauthorizedinterpretations. The channel of divineguidance, providing flexibility in allthe affairs of mankind, remains openthrough that Institution which wasfounded by Bahá’u’lláh and endowedby Him with supreme authority andunfailing guidance, and of which theMaster wrote: “Unto this body allthings must be referred.” How clearlywe can see the truth of Bahá’u’lláh’sassertion: “The Hand of Omnipotencehath established His Revelation uponan unassailable, an enduringfoundation. Storms of human strifeare powerless to undermine its basis,nor will men's fanciful theoriessucceed in damaging its structure.”1




The flow of divine authorityBahá’u’lláh – the Supreme Manifestation of God –made clear the stations, legitimacy, roles andauthority of the individuals and institutions that wereto continue the flow of divine authority after Hispassing. He made provisions of unique proportions inthe entire field of religious history – provisionsentirely missing in both Christianity and Islám, “twoof the most widely diffused and outstanding amongthe world’s recognized religions.”7

When Bahá’u’lláh passed away in 1892, divineauthority continued to flow through a uniquefunction fulfilled by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He was “theExemplar of the pattern of life taught by His Father,the divinely inspired authoritative Interpreter of HisTeachings and the Centre and Pivot of the Covenantwhich the Author of the Bahá’í Revelation made withall who recognize Him.”8 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was not aManifestation of God, but received “His inspirationand sustenance direct from the Fountain-head of theBahá’í Revelation.”9 Importantly, “His words are notequal in rank, though they possess an equal validitywith the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh.”10 His passing in1921 marked the end of the Apostolic Age of theCause, and the beginning of the Formative Age.

The promulgation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will andTestament inaugurated the Formative Age of theCause. This document is the Charter of Bahá’u’lláh’sAdministrative Order. It is a seminal documentrequiring intense study. Indeed, its contents “are fartoo much for the present generation tocomprehend” and it “needs at least a century ofactual working before the treasures of wisdomhidden in it can be revealed.”11

In His Will and Testament, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá elaboratedon two supreme institutions of the AdministrativeOrder that were founded and anticipated inBahá’u’lláh’s Kitáb-i-Aqdas: the Guardianship andthe Universal House of Justice. Their authority isunequivocal: “Whatsoever they decide is of God.Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hathnot obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him andagainst them hath rebelled against God . . .”12

The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justiceare thus the “Twin Successors” of Bahá’u’lláh and‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “Their common, their fundamentalobject is to insure the continuity of that divinely-appointed authority which flows from the Source ofour Faith, to safeguard the unity of its followers andto maintain the integrity and flexibility of itsteachings.”13

Shoghi Effendi was the Guardian of the Cause andthe infallible Interpreter of its teachings. During a 36-year ministry he raised the structure of electedSpiritual Assemblies “and with their collaborationinitiated the systematic implementation of theDivine Plan.”14 Indeed, through Shoghi Effendi’sinterpretative authority, “the structure of theAdministrative Order, as well as the course that itsfuture development will pursue, have beenpermanently fixed.”15

It is against this backdrop, that an appreciation of theauthority of the Universal House of Justice needs tobe considered.

The divine authority of theUniversal House of JusticeOn 21 April 1963, at the one hundredth anniversaryof the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh, the UniversalHouse of Justice was elected for the first time. Sincethen, it has been elected through the same processof secret ballot and plurality vote in a three-stageelection by adult Bahá’ís throughout the world everyfive years.

Its origin and authority, its duties and function, are allderived from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, and theauthoritative interpretations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá andShoghi Effendi. A synopsis of those duties are to befound in its Constitution, which is referred to by theShoghi Effendi as the “Most Great Law of the Causeof Bahá’u’lláh.”16

While it is beyond a the scope of this article todiscuss the numerous powers and duties of theHouse of Justice, and the numerous passagesreferring to its authority, the following sections willtouch on some of the central concepts related to itsfunction.

LegislationAs far as the legislative function of the UniversalHouse of Justice is concerned, “it cannot abrogate orchange any of the laws which are explicitly laiddown in the sacred Text.”17 Instead, Bahá’u’lláh hasleft the House of Justice with all matters “which havenot outwardly been revealed in the Book” and Heassures us that “God will verily inspire them withwhatsoever He willeth.”18 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá elaborates onthis matter when He writes:

Those matters of major importance whichconstitute the foundation of the Law of God are

THE AUTHORIT Y OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICEexplicitly recorded in the Text, but subsidiary lawsare left to the House of Justice. The wisdom of thisis that the times never remain the same, forchange is a necessary quality and an essentialattribute of this world, and of time and place.Therefore the House of Justice will take actionaccordingly . . .19

An important element of the House of Justice’sfunction of legislation is that some of the laws ofBahá’u’lláh are intended for a future society and areto be applied progressively. The House of Justiceadvises the Bahá’í community accordingly when itdeems it timely for a law to be universally binding.

ElucidationSoon after the Universal House of Justice was formedsome questions arose among the believers regardingthe relationship between the Guardianship and theUniversal House of Justice. Among issues raised wasa reference in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament thatstated the House of Justice is to “deliberate upon allproblems which have caused difference, questionsthat are obscure and matters that are not expresslyrecorded in the Book.” The friends asked: What isthe difference between such elucidations by theHouse of Justice and the interpretations of theGuardian?

In response to this question, the House of Justiceexplained the Guardian “reveals what the Scripturemeans; his interpretation is a statement of truthwhich cannot be varied.”20 The elucidations of theHouse of Justice, however, “are susceptible ofamendment or abrogation by the House of Justiceitself” and “serve to supplement and apply the law ofGod.”21 Importantly, however, the House of Justiceunderlined that the friends should understand that itwas “in a position to do everything necessary toestablish the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh on thisearth.”22

InfallibilityGiven the statements above, it should be clear thatthere is no limit to the infallibility of the House ofJustice. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahámakes it clear the infallibility of the House of Justiceextends to decisions which “bear upon dailytransactions” and in Some Answered Questions weread its decisions and commands are “guarded frommistake.”

Moreover, the Will and Testament explains that anydecision of the Universal House of Justice is “verilythe truth and the purpose of God Himself.” The

House of Justice is “the source of all good and freedfrom all error.” Together with the Guardianship, it is“under the care and protection of the Abhá Beauty,under the shelter and unerring guidance of theExalted One . . . Whatsoever they decide is of God.”

‘Abdu’l-Bahá also writes the following about theauthority of the House of Justice:

Let it not be imagined that the House of Justicewill take any decision according to its ownconcepts and opinions. God forbid! The SupremeHouse of Justice will take decisions and establishlaws through the inspiration and confirmation ofthe Holy Spirit, because it is in the safekeepingand under the shelter and protection of theAncient Beauty, and obedience to its decisions is abounden and essential duty and an absoluteobligation, and there is no escape for anyone.

Say, O people: Verily the Supreme House of Justiceis under the wings of your Lord, theCompassionate, the All-Merciful, that is, under His protection, His care, and His shelter; for He has commanded the firm believers to obey thatblessed, sanctified and all-subduing body, whosesovereignty is divinely ordained and of theKingdom of Heaven and whose laws are inspiredand spiritual.23

Divine authority and mass communicationsIn our contemporary, globalized world of masscommunications, we are bombarded from every sidewith all kinds of messages, news, propaganda,advertisements, information and analyses. In such acomplex environment, it may be easy to take theletters and guidance of the Universal House ofJustice for granted.

But would that be an adequate response if weconsider that the House of Justice is “the last refugeof a tottering civilization,”24“the sole infallibly guidedinstitution in the world to which all must turn,”25 therecipient of “divine guidance which is at once thelifeblood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation,”26

the pivot of the “world-shaking, world-embracing,world-directing administrative institutions, ordainedby Bahá’u’lláh,”27 and the institution that the worldcan find the “guidance required to live withmodernity, successfully and with assurance”28?

The discussion above puts the significance of suchcommunications as the Ridván 2010 message – orany other communication from the Supreme Body –


THE AUTHORIT Y OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICEinto sharp focus. Indeed, can those who haverecognized Bahá’u’lláh fail to acknowledge thatwithin it we have infallible and God-inspiredguidance pertaining to the needs of our world andthe priorities of our lives that deserve ourwholehearted and serious consideration? �

References:1 Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of

Justice 1963-1986 1996:15.2 One Common Faith 2005:14.3 One Common Faith 2005:15.4 One Common Faith 2005:15.5 One Common Faith 2005:15-16.6 One Common Faith 2005:17.7 Universal House of Justice, Introduction to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1992:1-2.8 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1974:145.9 Universal House of Justice, Introduction to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1992:3.10 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1974:139.11 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1974:139.12 Shoghi Effendi, letter written on his behalf, 25 March 1930.13 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1991:11.14 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1974:149.15 Universal House of Justice, Introduction to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1992:3.16 Century of Light 2001:86.17 Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of

Justice 1963-1986 1996:229.18 Universal House of Justice, Introduction to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas 1992:5.19 Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh 1978:68.20 Quoted in Universal House of Justice, Introduction to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

1992:4-5.21 Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of

Justice 1963-1986 1996:56.22 Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of

Justice 1963-1986 1996:56.23 Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of

Justice 1963-1986 1996:56.24 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Messages from the Universal House of Justice

1963-1986 1996:85.25 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1974:89.26 Universal House of Justice, Messages from the Universal House of

Justice 1963-1986 1996:89.27 Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh 1974:153.28 Shoghi Effendi, Messages to America, 1947:32.29 One Common Faith 2005:16.

Recommended reading• The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

• The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh by ShoghiEffendi.

• Letters dated 9 March 1965, 27 May 1966, and7 December 1969, on the Guardianship andthe Universal House of Justice.

• The Child of the Covenant: A Study Guide tothe Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, byAdib Taherzadeh.

• A Study Guide to the Constitution of theUniversal House of Justice, by Guy Sinclair.



Among the powers and duties with whichthe Universal House of Justice has beeninvested are:

To ensure the preservation of the Sacred Texts andto safeguard their inviolability; to analyse, classify,and coordinate the Writings; and to defend andprotect the Cause of God and emancipate it fromthe fetters of repression and persecution;

To advance the interests of the Faith of God; toproclaim, propagate and teach its Message; toexpand and consolidate the institutions of itsAdministrative Order; to usher in the World Orderof Bahá’u’lláh; to promote the attainment of thosespiritual qualities which should characterizeBahá'í life individually and collectively; to do itsutmost for the realization of greater cordiality andcomity amongst the nations and for theattainment of universal peace; and to foster thatwhich is conducive to the enlightenment andillumination of the souls of men and theadvancement and betterment of the world;

To enact laws and ordinances not expresslyrecorded in the Sacred Texts; to abrogate,according to the changes and requirements of thetime, its own enactments; to deliberate and decideupon all problems which have caused difference;to elucidate questions that are obscure; tosafeguard the personal rights, freedom andinitiative of individuals; and to give attention to

the preservation of human honour, to thedevelopment of countries and the stability ofstates;

To promulgate and apply the laws and principlesof the Faith; to safeguard and enforce thatrectitude of conduct which the Law of Godenjoins; to preserve and develop the Spiritual andAdministrative Centre of the Bahá’í Faith,permanently fixed in the twin cities of ‘Akká andHaifa; to administer the affairs of the Bahá’ícommunity throughout the world; to guide,organize, coordinate and unify its activities; tofound institutions; to be responsible for ensuringthat no body or institution within the Cause abuseits privileges or decline in the exercise of its rightsand prerogatives; and to provide for the receipt,disposition, administration and safeguarding ofthe funds, endowments and other properties thatare entrusted to its care;

To adjudicate disputes falling within its purview;to give judgement in cases of violation of the lawsof the Faith and to pronounce sanctions for suchviolations; to provide for the enforcement of itsdecisions; to provide for the arbitration andsettlement of disputes arising between peoples;and to be the exponent and guardian of thatDivine Justice which can alone ensure thesecurity of, and establish the reign of law andorder in, the world. �

From the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice

The Seat of the Universal House of Justice at sunrise.© Bahá’í International Community


CANADA NEWS

Children’s class teachers from across Canada who were invited to meet with the Counsellors and National Spiritual Assembly atthe National Centre, mid-September. The National Assembly arranged the meeting to give impetus to children’s classes, a themefrom the Ridván 2010 message.

A handful of friends in St. Albert, Alberta, spurred on by individual initiative, held a dinner and auction for the Fund in July, raising$11,000. Friends from surrounding communities joined in.


(London)

Britain’s most prominent heads of religion havecalled for the release of the seven Bahá’íleaders serving prison sentences in Iran.

A statement by the United Kingdom’s religiousleaders – describing the sentencing of the seven as a“gross violation of the fundamental human right tofreedom of religion” was signed by, among others,the Archbishop of Canterbury – who is the head ofthe worldwide Anglican communion; the RomanCatholic Archbishop of Westminster; the Chief Rabbiof the United Hebrew Congregations of theCommonwealth; and the Assistant Secretary Generalof the Muslim Council of Great Britain.

The statement notes that despite calls from theinternational community calling upon the Iranian

authorities to follow “humanitarian and legal norms,”the seven were sentenced “for reasons which in theview of all independent observers are solely basedon their faith.”

“These sentences form part of a wider picture overmany years of severe harassment of the Bahá’ícommunity,” says the statement.

The seven Bahá’í leaders – Fariba Kamalabadi,Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie,Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm– were all members of a national-level group that,with the Iranian government’s knowledge, helpedsee to the minimum spiritual needs of Iran’s 300,000Bahá’ís.

After being incarcerated without charge for 20months, and six brief court appearances, the seven

UK heads of religion call for release of Iran’sseven Bahá’í leaders

WORLD NEWSBahá’í World News Service: <www.bahaiworldnews.org>

Some 400 people, including numerous human rights advocates, attended an event mid-September at Berlin’s historic Brandenburg Gate calling for therelease of Iran’s seven Bahá’í leaders, each initially sentenced to 20 years in prison, a sentence apparently reduced later to 10 years.28 � November/December 2010 • Quest ions 167 B.E. Bahá’í Canada


were each reportedly sentenced to 20 yearsimprisonment for propaganda activities against theIslamic order and the establishment of an illegaladministration, among other allegations. All thecharges were completely and categorically denied. Itwas reported in September that the sentences havebeen reduced to 10-year jail terms.

“We view this act as a gross violation of thefundamental human right to freedom of religion andcall on the Iranian government to fulfill theirobligations under article 18 of the United NationsDeclaration of Human Rights to review the case andto ensure that the treatment of these ‘prisoners’accords with justice and due process as defined inthe Iranian constitution and law,” wrote the UnitedKingdom’s religious leaders.

“We call upon all governments and people of goodwill to call upon the Iranian authorities to reviewthis decision and to cease harassment of the Baha'icommunity.

“We extend our sympathies to the Bahá’í communityat this difficult time and hope that the widespreadand growing international concern over this matterwill cause the Iranian authorities to correct thisflagrant injustice,” the statement said.

The statement is signed by The Most ReverendRowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury; The MostReverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop ofWestminster; Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks; Shaykh IbrahimMogra, Assistant Secretary General of the MuslimCouncil of Britain and chair of Religions for PeaceUK; Mr. Jay Lakhani, Hindu Academy; Mr. Arjan VekariaJP, President, Hindu Forum of Britain; Dr IndarjitSingh CBE, Network of Sikh Organisations; and DrNatubhai Shah MBBS PhD, Network of JainOrganisations, Council of Dharmic Faiths.

Reports of the sentencing of the seven Bahá’í leadershas provoked a global chorus of condemnation fromgovernments, human rights organizations, othergroups and countless individuals. In August, CardinalKeith O'Brien – the Archbishop of St Andrews andEdinburgh and head of the Catholic Bishops’Conference of Scotland – also condemned theimprisonment of the seven describing it as a “mostappalling transgression of justice and at heart a grossviolation of the human right of freedom of belief.”

“We are deeply moved by the sympathy andsolidarity expressed by the UK’s significant religiousleaders for our beleaguered brethren in Iran,” said DrKishan Manocha, the United Kingdom Bahá’ícommunity’s director of external affairs. �

For the past two years, Bahá’í Canada hasproduced an annual “In memoriam” articlecontaining extended notices of the passing ofsome individuals during the course of theprevious 12 months. These notices usually wereanchored by messages from the Universal Houseof Justice. The Bahá’í Canada Committee hasdecided to return to the practice of includingextended notices in each issue, rather thanaccumulating them.

Nazenneen Ardekany, Vancouver, BritishColumbia

Rick Belcourt, Calgary, Alberta

Mary Dustyhorn, Regina, Saskatchewan

Leanne Gambler, Opportunity MD 17, Alberta

Sanat Heyvandar, Vancouver, British Columbia

Zia Hodaie, Toronto, Ontario

Eliza Medicine, Fort Frances, Ontario

Ata’u’llah Ghalili Najafabadi, Toronto, Ontario

Mir Rezvan Partovi Sissan, Toronto, Ontario

Clare Poskitt, Vancouver, British Columbia

Aghdas Rahnemay Rabbani, Guelph, Ontario

Ataollah Samandari, Vancouver, BritishColumbia

Tom Volquardsen, Salt Spring Island, BritishColumbiaA pioneer to the island in 1965, he served onthe Local Assembly for all but one year of hislife there.

WORLD NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gatherings plannedIf you are a scholar and a Bahá’í and are planning toattend the 2011 Congress for the Humanities and theSocial Sciences (aka “The Learneds”), in Frederictonat the University of New Brunswick and St. ThomasUniversity, you’ll want to know about a series of get-togethers being organized. Contact either Will C. vanden Hoonmaard <[email protected]> or Deborah K. vanden Hoonaard <[email protected]> for information.

Historical Consciousness and the Divine PlanA new project brings together a series of talks byDouglas Martin, a former member of the UniversalHouse of Justice, in an engaging format using awebsite and DVDs. The original talks were presentedin Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and LatinAmerica, during the course of four years. “HistoricalConsciousness and the Divine Plan” is intended tohelp us develop a deeper understanding of theDivine Plan and our roles – individually andcollectively – in achieving its goals.

Mr. Martin has taken the content of each talk andreduced it to a presentation of between 10 and 20minutes, retaining the original focus of each stage ofthe series.

He draws on his skills as a speaker and storytellerand his training as an historian to take us on ajourney that begins with the implications ofhumanity’s failure to grasp the evolutionary natureof religion and the dramatic example provided byChristian Europe’s rejection of the Qur’an.

Subsequent discussions trace the evolution of theBahá’í Cause and the challenges, both spiritual andintellectual, that have had to be faced at every stageof humanity’s collective coming of age. Each talk issupported by several discussion questions andsuggestions for further reading. One talk might ask,for example, “What does it mean to say that religionis progressive?” or “Why do you think that religionhas not been seen as an evolutionary phenomenon?”

The collaborators on the project decided toredevelop the original talks in this interactive formatto work more effectively with the media being used.“People won’t just watch the talk and move on; theycan consider the ideas that Mr. Martin is presenting

and engage with them,” said Alex Frame, the project’sproducer.

The series concludes with a reflection on the FiveYear Plan and the challenge placed before us by theUniversal House of Justice to become part of thatevolutionary process through our participation inthe current Plan and the Plans to come.

The series, called “Historical Consciousness and the Divine Plan,” can be accessed at<www.divineplantalks.org>. DVDs will also beavailable for purchase from the Bahá’í DistributionService.

Share Your Story!What insights are you gaining from the institutecourses? How have home visits influenced you andyour community? What are you learning aboutinviting and taking seekers through the institutecourses? How are the core activities moving yourcluster forward? We want to share your stories soothers may learn from your efforts. Send your story to the National Spiritual Assembly:<[email protected]> or 7200 Leslie St.,Thornhill, ON, L3T 6L8.

Retired? Semi-retired? Why not travel internationally and serve as a shortterm pioneer in another country? You can use yourskills and assist with projects in other countrieswhile developing new skills and experiencinganother culture. For further information, pleasecontact the International Pioneer Department ofCanada at <[email protected]>

Translation volunteers neededThe Bahá’í National Centre has seen a substantialincrease in the volume of documents needing to betranslated into French or English and is seekingvolunteer translators. The volunteers would receivework by email and can therefore work from home.

Requirements and qualifications: Excellent writtenFrench or English (or both); reliability; attention todetails; access to the Internet; a good understandingof the principles of the Faith, the organization of thecommunity and the Five Year Plan.

Contact: <[email protected]>.


Institute BoardsBritish Columbia406-2226 12th Ave. W.Vancouver, BC, V6K [email protected] 418 7171

Alberta14 - 3029 Rundleson Rd. NECalgary,AB,T1Y [email protected] 980 5427

Saskatchewan, Manitoba &Northwestern Ontario722 4th Ave. NSaskatoon, SK, S7K [email protected] 717 7474

Ontario1006-80 Mooregate Cr.Kitchener, ON, N2M [email protected] 603 3569

Quebec265 rue PerronLa Prairie, QC, J5R [email protected] 409 1271

Atlantic Provinces47 Tremont St.Dartmouth, NS, B2Y [email protected] 463 4801

Bahá’í CouncilsBritish Columbia806-737 Leon Ave.Kelowna, BC, V1Y [email protected]; [email protected] 869 4990

Alberta38 Point McKay Crt. NWCalgary, AB, T3B [email protected];[email protected] 455 1230

Saskatchewan, Manitoba &Northwestern Ontario1319 20th St. W.Saskatoon, SK, S7M [email protected] 244 5799

Ontario288 Bloor Street W.Toronto, ON, M5S [email protected] 517 5187

Quebec75 rue d’AuteuilQuebec, QC, G1R [email protected] 692 3955

Atlantic ProvincesPO Box 48135 RPO Mill CoveBedford, NS, B4A [email protected] 857 2067

Bahá’í Review: Guidelines for Writers and MusiciansBahá’í authors of books, commentaries, texts, histories, book reviews, and audio-visual materials having any Bahá’í content are reminded to send four copies, in final form (edited for grammar) to the NationalSpiritual Assembly for review, before publication by eitherBahá’í or non-Bahá’í publishers, or self-publishing. Kindlyinclude all illustrations, recordings, liner notes, and coverdesign. The criteria for Bahá’í review–still required but whichthe Universal House of Justice calls a “temporary measure”– aredignity, accuracy, and conformity with the Teachings. Becausethis time-consuming work is done on a voluntary basis, the reviewprocess can take up to twelve weeks or more, depending on the complexityof the work. The full memorandum containing this guidance, along with acompilation “Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings on the Subject of Writers andWriting” is available electronically from the Secretariat Department at:[email protected]

ANNOUNCEMENTS


Purchase Bahá’í booksFor Bahá’í books in English and Persian,contact:Bahá’í Distribution Service9-945 Middlefield RoadToronto, ON, M1V 5E1Order desk: (800) 465-3287<www.bds-canada.com>For Bahá’í books in French, contact the Service de distribution bahá’í - Québec(SDB-Q)75 d’auteuil StreetQuébec QC G1R 4C3418-692-2402<[email protected]><www.ca.bahai.org/files/catalogue.ENGLISH.pdf>

Pioneer internationally / becomean International Youth ServicevolunteerContact the International PioneerDepartment at 7200 Leslie Street, Thornhill,ON, L3T 6L8, phone 905-889-8168, fax 905-889-8184, email:<[email protected]> or<[email protected]>.

Contact by emailEmail addresses for various departments atthe Bahá’í National Centre in Thornhill,Ontario:

National Spiritual Assembly:[email protected]: [email protected]á’í Canada Committee:[email protected] Pioneer Department:[email protected]@cdnbnc.orgNational & Unit Conventions TaskForce: [email protected] External Affairs Department:[email protected] [email protected] Department:[email protected] Youth Services:[email protected]

If you are not sure to which department youshould be directing your email, please use<[email protected]> and your email

will be forwarded to the correctdepartment.

Get international travel credentialsRequest international credentials from the Bahá’í National Centre when planningto visit countries other than the United States. Contact the Records Department at <[email protected]>. Internationaltravelling teachers are asked to contact theInternational Pioneer Department at<[email protected]>, or at 7200 LeslieStreet, Thornhill, ON, L3T 6L8.

Change your addressMoving? Please notify your SpiritualAssembly or Group so it can notify theRecords Department of the NationalSpiritual Assembly, or notify the RecordsDepartment directly, by sending a notecontaining your name, old address, newaddress and your Bahá’í ID number to:Records Department, Bahá’í NationalCentre, 7200 Leslie Street, Thornhill, ON,L3T 6L8; fax: 905-889-8184; email:<[email protected]>.

Apply for pilgrimageAll pilgrimage requests (nine-day pilgrimageor three-day visit) are to be made directlybetween the individual pilgrims and theBahá’í World Centre. Applications are inwriting only; telephoned requests cannot beaccepted. The Bahá’í Pilgrimage Web site<http://pilgrimage.bahai.org> offersinformation and an online pilgrimageapplication form. Those without access tothe Internet may send their applications forpilgrimage by post or fax: Office ofPilgrimage, PO Box 155, 31-001, Haifa, Israel;fax: 011-972-4-835-8507.

Have a Bahá’í weddingWhen you are planning to get marriedplease contact the Local Spiritual Assemblyin whose jurisdiction the wedding will beheld without delay. A Bahá’í wedding cannot take place without the authorizationof the Local Assembly. Bahá’ís whointentionally disregard the marriage law aresubject to the possible loss of theiradministrative rights.

Submit items to Bahá’í CanadaSend news, photos, etc. to Bahá’í Canada,7200 Leslie Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 6L8;email: <[email protected]>. Materialreceived after the copy deadline for oneissue automatically will be considered forthe next issue. Editorial deadline:March/April 2011 - February 1, 2011.

Find “Bahá’í” on the InternetThe Bahá’í World: <www.bahai.org/>Bahá’í Reference Library:<http://reference.bahai.org/>Bahá’í Topics: An Information Resource:<http://info.bahai.org>Bahá’í International Community’s UnitedNations Statement Library: <www.bic-un.bahai.org/>Bahá’í World News Service:<www.bahaiworldnews.org/>Bahá’í Community of Canada:<www.ca.bahai.org>Canadian Bahá’í News: <bahainews.ca>[<nouvellesbahaies.ca>]Transforming Neighbourhoods<www.transformingneighbourhoods.org>Bahá’í Distribution Service: <www.bds-canada.com>Le Service de distribution bahá’í - Québec(For an English language catalogue onFrench books) <www.ca.bahai.org/files/catalogue.ENGLISH.pdf>One Country: <http://onecountry.org>Bahá’í Media Bank:<http://media.bahai.org/>Life of Bahá’u’lláh: <www.bahaullah.org>

Travel-teach and pioneer withinCanada“The institutions, in turn, will have toexercise sound judgement to ensure thatsuch friends are strategically placed. Priorityshould be given to settling short-term andlong-term pioneers in those clusters that are the focus of systematic attention . . .” Contact the National Spiritual Assembly<[email protected]> or 905-889-8168for where to direct your service offer withinCanada.

How to:

ANNOUNCEMENTS


The Rightof God -Huqúqu’lláh

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Members of the Board of Trustees:Dr. Denis Allard (506) 857-9624 [email protected] Mr. Brian Eiriksson, Treasurer (905) 847-9680 [email protected]. Terri Flanagan (250) 547-6654 [email protected] Dr. Anne Furlong (902) 388- 0810 [email protected]. Abdu’l-Missagh Ghadirian, Secretary (514) 737-9879 [email protected]

IMPORTANT HUQÚQU’LLÁH PAYMENT INFORMATION

In response to guidance from the International Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh in Canada has set upa centralized system of receipting and recording of payments at the Treasury Department of the Bahá’í National Centre.Payments of the Right of God (Huqúqu’lláh) are not processed through individual Deputies or Representatives.

Payments should be sent directly to the Huqúqu’lláh Treasury at the Bahá’í National Centre, 7200 Leslie Street, Thornhill,ON, L3T 6L8. The Huqúqu’lláh Treasury will issue one receipt, which will serve both as an acknowledgment receipt and asan official tax receipt. It is up to the individual to determine whether or not she/he wishes to use the receipt when filing her/hisincome tax return. Cheques, bank drafts, bank and/or postal money orders should be made payable to “Canadian Bahá’íFund” earmarked “Huqúqu’lláh” or “Right of God”. Payments to the Right of God can also be made utilizing the‘www.bahaifunds.ca’ Online Contribution System. The individual’s Bahá’í identification number must be provided on allpayments.

Payments should not be made through a local Spiritual Assembly.

Inquiries regarding the law of the Right of God (Huqúqu’lláh), including information about its spiritual significance as wellas assistance with calculation, may be referred to your nearest Representative or Deputy Trustee.

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Bahá’í National Centre Huqúqu’lláh Treasury, 7200 LeslieStreet Thornhill ON L3T 6L8

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Canadian Bahá’í Fund - Huqúqu’lláh

‘www.bahaifunds.ca’

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The primary purpose, the basic objective, in laying downpowerful laws and setting up great principles and institutionsdealing with every aspect of civilization, is human happiness;and human happiness consists only in drawing closer to theThreshold of Almighty God, and in securing the peace and well-being of every individual member, high and low alike, of thehuman race; and the supreme agencies for accomplishing thesetwo objectives are the excellent qualities with which humanityhas been endowed.

( Abdu'l-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 60)


January 14-16 National Spiritual Assembly meeting

February 17-21 National Spiritual Assembly meeting

February 18-20 Institutional meeting

March 25-27 National Spiritual Assembly meeting

April 28-May 1 National Convention, Toronto

April 29-May 1 National Spiritual Assembly meeting

May 13-16 National Spiritual Assembly meeting

June 24-26 National Spiritual Assembly meeting

Notice to Iranian Bahá’ís living in Canada

Bahá’í Canada deadlinesThe following are the editorial deadlines forupcoming issues of Bahá’í Canada. Material such asnews, photos, announcement, etc., received after thecopy deadline for one issue automatically will beconsidered for the next issue.Issue Editorial Copy

Deadline

March/April 2011 February 1May/June 2011 April 1

Please note that all material submitted to Bahá’í Canadafor publication is reviewed by the Bahá’í CanadaCommittee of the National Spiritual Assembly.

CALENDAR

Bahá’í Canada onlineBahá’í Canada is available in electronicform online at <www.bahaicanada.ca>toall registered Canadian Bahá’ís. To log in,you will need your Canadian ID cardinformation.


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