First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Yaounde, Cameroon

First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Yaounde. the Federal capital of the Republic of Cameroon, 1968. Seated (left to right): Louie Stewart (secretary), Alfred Defang (chairman), and Emmanuel Begoumenie (vice-chairman). Satnding (left o rifgt): David Eyong, Paul Nkono, Jacob Ayukotang, John Ayuk, and Elias Eta (treasurer). Ernest Ayompe was absent (Baha'i News, December 1968)

1971: Faith Receives Official Recognition in Chad and the Central African Republic

At the end of January and mid-February 1971 the Baha'i Faith was officially recognized and registered by the authorities in the Republic of Chad, destined to have its First National Spiritual Assembly at Ridvan, and in the Central African Republic, which will also have its own National Spiritual Assembly for the first time at Ridvan, 1971.

The recognition and registration, which is the equivalent to Incorporation, is a vital step forward for the Faith in both these countries, and represents a double victory in each case due to the difficulties which preceded these registrations.

In Chad, where the number of believers in the capital, Fort Lamy alone, had reached more than one thousand, application for registration was submitted during 1970 and was rejected by the authorities on the grounds that no new religion had been registered since the country became independent. As an appeal against this decision, the Baha'is in Fort Lamy immediately began a proclamation campaign by presenting the case and Baha'i literature to different ministers in the Government, many of whom were most sympathetic and receptive to the Faith. However it was found that the matter would have to be submitted for a final decision to the Head of State.

The First Black Baha’i who arose “to guide others”

From a Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha for Mrs. Pocohontas in Washington, USA:

"Render thanks to the Lord that among that race thou art the first believer,[1] arisen to guide others. It is my hope that through the bounties and favours of the Abha Beauty thy countenance may be illumined, thy disposition pleasing, and thy fragrance diffused, that thine eyes may be seeing, thine ears attentive, thy tongue eloquent, thy heart filled with supreme glad-tidings, and thy soul refreshed by divine fragrances, so that thou mayest arise among that race and occupy thyself with the edification of the people, and become filled with light. Although the pupil of the eye is black, it is the source of light. Thou shalt likewise be. The disposition should be bright, not the appearance. Therefore, with supreme confidence and certitude, say: 'O God! Make me a radiant light, a shining lamp, and a brilliant star, so that I may illumine the hearts with an effulgent ray from Thy Kingdom of Abha....'" 
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

[1] This Tablet was addressed to one Mrs. Pocohontas in Washington. According to Fadil Mazandarani, the recipient of the Tablet was a black woman. See Tarikh-i-Zuhuru'l-Haq, vol. 8, part 2, p. 1209 (Tihrán: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 132 B.E.). Additional information provided by the Archives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States indicates that Mr. Louis Gregory, in a history of the Washington, D.C. Bahá'í community, mentions a black Bahá'í, Mrs. Pocohontas Pope, who is likely the same person. Mrs. Pope learned of the Bahá'í Faith through Alma and Fanny Knobloch and Joseph and Pauline Hannen. There is, at present no other information on Mrs. Pope. (The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Women)

First National Spiritual Assembly of Sudan -- April 1971

Elected members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Sudan. Seated, left to right: Mr. Merghani Osman, Mr. Shakey Hassan Marrei, Mrs. Nawal Marrei, Mr. Hassan El-Said, Mr. Mosa Osman. Standing: Mr. Rashid Ali Hassib, Mr. Said El-Said, Mr. Said Ahmed Shalabi, and Mr. Mohamed Hassan.

April 1954: First Auxiliary Boards appointed

In the unfoldment of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause the Guardian instructed the fifteen Hands of the Cause outside the Holy Land to appoint, during Ridvan 1954, "by virtue of their supreme function as chosen instruments for the propagation of the Faith," five auxiliary Boards, one for each of the five continents. This body of the Hands of the Cause was, in the Guardian's words, "now entering (the) second phase (of) its evolution signalized (by) forging (of) ties (with the) National Spiritual Assemblies (of the) Baha'i world (for the) purpose (of) lending them assistance (in) attaining (the) objectives (of the) Ten Year Plan."

The task of the auxiliary Boards was to "increasingly lend (their) assistance (for the) promotion (of the) interests (of the) Ten-Year Crusade." Their function was to act "as deputies, assistants and advisers of the Hands," "working in conjunction" with the National Spiritual Assemblies on each continent. Their duties had been defined by the Guardian in his cablegram of October 8, 1952, launching the World Crusade: to "assist, through periodic systematic visits (to) Baha'i centers (in the) efficient, prompt execution" of the twelve projected National teaching plans.

The five auxiliary Boards appointed by the fifteen Hands of the Cause were announced as follows:

April 1970: First National Convention of the Baha'is of Uganda

First National Convention of the Baha'is of Uganda, April 1970 (Baha'i News, February 1971) 

August 6-12, 1970: First National Baha'i Youth Institute in Uganda

First National Baha'i Youth Institute held at Kikaaya Hill, Kampala, Uganda August 6-12, 1970. Shown are youth with: Moses Senoga, member of National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda, seated second from left; Zylpha Mapp, American pioneer and secretary of National Education Committee of Uganda, seated fourth from left. Holding the symbol of the Greatest Name is Justine Serunjogi, the first girl to attend the institute. (Baha'i News, November 1970)

April 1972: First National Convention of the Baha'is of Afghanistan

Some of the Baha'is attending the first National Convention in Afghanistan, April 1972. This photograph was taken at the Haziratu'l-Quds in Kabul. (Baha'i News, September 1972)

First National Convention of the Baha'is of Rhodesia - April 1970

Delegates and friends at the first National Convention of the Baha'is of Rhodesia held April 25-26, 1970 in Salisbury, Rhodesia. (Baha'i News, November 1970)

First American National Baha'i Education Conference -- Feb. 1970

First National Baha'i Education Conference in America was held in Wilmette, Illinois, between February 20-22, 1970 (Baha'i News April 1970)

The Báb’s First Disciples – The Letters of the Living

• They were seventeen men and one woman.

• The first to believe in the Báb was Mulla Husayn Bushrú’í.

• The second to believe in the Báb was Mulla Ali Bastamí.

• Two of them were brothers, a third a nephew of them.

• Two were cousins.

• Ten of them were Muslim clerics before becoming Bábis.

• One of them was referred to by the Báb, in allegorical language, as the return of the Imam Ali.

• One of them was instrumental in bringing the news of the Advent of the Báb to the attention of Tahirih who was in Karbala, Iraq at the time – before she became a Babi.

• One of them didn’t personally meet the Báb .

• One of them became known as the First Babi martyr.

• One of them was the son of a famous Persian mujtahid (a prominent religious scholar).

• One of them visited Baha’u’llah in Baghdad.

• One of them became the Báb’s secretary -- His amanuensis.

• One of them went to India, another to Iraq, proclaimed the Advent of the Báb, was arrested and tried in Baghdad, and sentenced to work for life in the imperial naval dock in Istanbul.

1923: First Baha'i Feast in New Zealand

The first Baha'i Feast in New Zealand was observed at the home of Miss Margaret Stevenson, 1923 (Star of the West, vol. 14, April 1923)

The largest gathering of Baha’is in the history of the Faith -- as of 1974

More than 10,000 Baha’is attended the First National Baha’i Conference of the Five Year Plan (1974-1979) in St. Louis, Missouri, USA during August 29-September 1, 1974…. The Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum attended as the representative of the Universal House of Justice. (Baha’i News, September 1974)

The Hand of the Cause of God Ruhiyyih Khanum being greeted by fellow Hands of the Cause, US National Spiritual Assembly members and the friends upon her arrival at the St. Louis airport.

A view of the arena of Kiel Auditorium during one session of the First US National Baha'i Conference of the Five Year Plan.

More than a thousand members of Local Spiritual Assemblies in the US attended a special afternoon seminar conducted for them by the National Spiritual Assembly.

May 1-3, 1970: First National Convention of the Baha'is of Malawi

The first National Convention of the Baha'is of Malawi, May 1-3, 1970. Hand of the Cause Paul Haney (second row center) represented the Universal House of Justice.

April 1967: First time a woman elected to LSA of Karachi, Pakistan, since its formation in 1929

History was made when for the first time a woman was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Karachi, Pakistan since its formation thirthy-eight years ago. Mrs. Pervin Yazamaidi is shown in center. (Baha'i News, February 1968)

April 1970: First Baha'i National Convention of the Samoan Islands

 

First Baha'i National Convention of the Samoan Islands in front of the Haziratu'l-Quds, Apia, Western Samoa. Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone is in the second row from the back, second to the right of the Greatest Name symbol. (Baha'i News, August 1970)

April 1970: First National Convention of the Baha'is of Ghana

First National Convention of the Baha'is of Ghana in Accra, Ghana, April 25-26, 1970 (Baha'i News, July 1970)

July 13, 1968: Legal Recognition Granted to NSA of Spain

It was with hearts overflowing with joy that the Baha'is of Spain received official notification on July 13, 1968 that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Spain had been legally recognized and given registry number 2 in the Register of Non-Catholic Religious Associations in the Ministry of Justice. This recognition of the National Assembly carries with it the automatic legal recognition of all Local Spiritual Assemblies duly formed in accordance with the Statutes of the National Spiritual Assembly.

This represents the fulfillment of one of the goals of the Ten Year Global Crusade of our beloved Guardian which, in spite of continuous efforts and great expense beginning in 1954 had proved impossible of accomplishment. From 1954 through 1963, legalization proceedings went through various government levels and to the Supreme Court with continuous denials. This goal was then included in the Nine Year Plan.

In December, 1966 a new basic law of the land was approved by national referendum, and one provision of the new law provided for government protection of all religions. To implement this new concept, a Law on Religious Liberty was passed by the national Parliament on June 28, 1967.

March 12, 1923: The Guardian calls for the establishment of local and national Baha’i Funds

And as the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon material means, it is of absolute necessity that immediately after the establishment of local as well as national Spiritual Assemblies, a Bahá’í Fund be established, to be placed under the exclusive control of the Spiritual Assembly. All donations and contributions should be offered to the Treasurer of the Assembly, for the express purpose of promoting the interests of the Cause, throughout that locality or country. It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund. The members of the Spiritual Assembly will at their own discretion expend it to promote the Teaching Campaign, to help the needy, to establish educational Bahá’í institutions, to extend in every way possible their sphere of service. I cherish the hope that all the friends, realizing the necessity of this measure, will bestir themselves and contribute, however modestly at first, towards the speedy establishment and the increase of that Fund. 
(Excerpt from a letter written by Shoghi Effendi, dated March 12, 1923, to the Baha’is throughout America, Great Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and Australasia; ‘Baha’i Administration’ pp. 34-43) 
(To read the entire letter please visit Messages to the Baha’i World)

April 30 - May 2, 1967: First Baha'i National Convention in Sikkim

The historic first Baha'i National Convention in Gangtok, Sikkim, April 30 - May 2, 1967. 'Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, special representative of the Universal House of Justice, is shown in second row, center. Of the 58 delegates 33 were present and fifty-four votes were cast. This tiny state situated in the Himalayan mountains had approximately 3000 believers in 1967 and 48 local spiritual assemblies. (adapted from Baha'i News January 1968 and March 1968) 

Facsimile of Letters of Recommendation issued in 1852 by the Turkish Legation in Tihran and delivered to Baha'u'llah prior to His departure for Baghdad

Facsimile of Letters of Recommendation issued in 1852 by the Turkish Legation in Tihran and delivered to Baha'u'llah prior to His departure for Baghdad (The Baha'i World 1930-1932)

First National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq 1931-1932

The First National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of 'Iraq, 1931-1932 (The Baha'i World 1930-1932)

April 22, 1898:The Baha'is of Mandalay, Burma, with the marble casket offered by them for the remains of the Bab

The Baha'is of Mandalay, Burma, with the marble casket offered by them for the remains of the Bab, April 22, 1898.



On the morning of March 21st 1909, the day of Naw-Ruz, 'Abdu'l-Bahá had the marble sarcophagus -- gift of the Bahá'ís of Rangoon -- carried up the mountain and placed in the vault. That evening He laid in the sarcophagus the wooden casket which contained the inseparable remains of the Báb and the disciple who had died with Him. A solitary lamp lit the scene, so poignant and yet so exultant. The Báb had been cruelly maligned, cruelly wronged, cruelly put to death. His torn and smashed body had had no home for many long years. Now the heart of Carmel was receiving it forevermore. Of this event Zechariah had written: 'Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord'. How mysteriously and indubitably had his prophecy come true. 'The Branch' had built 'the temple of the Lord', had raised His 'tabernacle' on His Mountain -- on Carmel -- the Mountain of God. 
(Balyuzi, ‘Abdu'l-Baha - The Centre of the Covenant’)

New York City, December 10, 1883: Probably the first newspaper reference to the Baha'i Faith in the United States

A page from the Sun, published in New York City, December 10, 1883, is probably the first newspaper reference to the Baha'i Faith in the United States. Note the column headed "The Babs and Their Prophet".(highlighted for ease of recognition) (The Baha'i World 1930-1932)

April 21, 1922: Shrines of Baha'u'llah and the Bab were electrically illuminated for the first time

On the first day of Ridvan [1922], although Shoghi Effendi himself had left Haifa, the Shrines of both Baha'u'llah and the Bab were electrically illuminated for the first time, pursuant to arrangements made before the Master's ascension, but, again, supervised by Shoghi Effendi himself. 

(Ruhiyyih Khanum, 'The Priceless Pearl')