Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
   

Date 197-, sorted by date, ascending

date event tags firsts
1970 - early 1971
197-
Over 20,000 Afro-Americans from the rural areas of the south-eastern United States became Bahá'ís. [BBRSM187] Mass conversion; United States (USA)
1970 (In the year)
197-
The first believer of Nuuk declared in 1970: Else Boesen, a Danish nurse. Else Boesen; Nuuk, Greenland The first believer in Nuuk was Else Boesen, a Danish nurse.
1970 (In the Year)
197-
The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tihrán underwent major repair and a fundamental restoration of both exterior and interior parts. - Restoration and renovation; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Tihran); Iran; Tehran, Iran
1970 (In the Year)
197-
The first Gypsy in Spain to become a Bahá'í, Maria Camacho Martinez, enrolled in Sabadell. - First believers by background; Maria Camacho Martinez; Sabadell, Spain; Spain first Gypsy Bahá’í in Spain
1970 (In the Year)
197-
The first native of Mauritania to become a Bahá'í enrolled. - First believers by background; Mauritania first native Bahá’í of Mauritania
1970 (In the Year)
197-
A Bahá'í International Youth Conference was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. - Conferences, International; - First conferences; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Ivory Coast
1970 (In the Year)
197-
Botswana held its first National Youth School. [BW15:329] - Conferences, National; - First conferences; Botswana; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth first National Youth School in Botswana
1970 Jan
197-
The inaugural publication of The American Bahá'í. The intention was that this new publication would contain news items, editorials, letters to the editors, feature articles, and various departments to inform, edify and entertain the friends at large. The Bahá'í National Review would continue publication but it would no longer publish news items but would become a gazette for the announcement of official policies and information that the National Spiritual Assembly wished to share with the friends. The Bahá'í National Review continued publication until November of 1970. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 24 December 1969 p15] - Newsletters; - Periodicals; American Bahá'í (newsletter); Bahá'í National Review; Wilmette, IL
1970 Jan
197-
Claire Gung opened Auntie Claire's Kindergarten in new facilities in Kampala with an enrollment of 146 children. [CG81] - Bahá'í inspired schools; Auntie Claires Kindergarten, Uganda; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda
1970 25 Jan
197-
Valde Nyman, the first full Gypsy in Finland to become a Bahá'í, enrolled in Helsinki. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Finland; Gypsies first full Gypsy Bahá’í in Finland
1970 20 Feb
197-
The passing of Curtis Demude Kelsey (b. 6 March, 1894 in Salt Lake City, UT) in Bradenton, FL.
  • He became a Bahá'í in 1917 through the influence of his mother, a talented poetess and writer who learned of the Faith in 1909.
  • Roy Wilhelm had sent three generators to the Holy Land and had asked permission from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to have Curtis come and install them. His request was granted and Curtis spent from September, 1921 until April, 1922 in the Holy Land. The units were installed at the Shrine of the Báb, (See SETPE1p38) at Bahjí (See SETPE1p55) and at the home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá at #7 Haparsin Street and the work was completed at all three locations on the last day of Ridván, 1922.
  • On the 6th of August, 1928 he married Harriet Morgan Kelsey (d. 18 March, 1971), a gifted musician and a teacher. They raised four children.
  • In 1953 while on pilgrimage Shoghi Effendi asked him to extend his stay to install a pump and watering system for the grounds at Bahjí.
  • He served on the Spiritual Assembly of West Englewood (now Teaneck) for some 30 years.
  • Curtis spent some time serving as an Auxiliary Board Member and gave talks at summer schools.
  • He passed away while serving at his place of retirement in Bradenton Florida. [BW15p468-473]
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Auxiliary board members; Bradenton, FL; Curtis Kelsey; Florida, USA; Harriet Kelsey; United States (USA)
    1970 20 - 22 Feb
    197-
    First American National Baha'i Education Conference in America was held in Wilmette. [USBN April 1970] - Conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL First American National Baha'i Education Conference
    1970 18 or 20 Mar
    197-
    The passing of Hilda Yank Sing Yen Male (b. 29 Nov or 29 Nov 1902, 1904 or 1906 in China, d. Riverdale, Bronx County, New York, USA). She was buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hartsdale, New York, USA.
  • In Memoriam. [BW15p476-478; PH54-56]
  • A note from Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh. read, in part: "This noble lady played an important role in the development of the Bahá'í Faith in the international field, and it was through her efforts that the Bahá'ís began their work with the United Nations." [BN No 472 July 1970 p2]
  • For a biography see Wikipedia.
  • She asked to attend the 1944 Baháʼí Annual convention as an observer and was moved by the spontaneous gestures of welcome and care shown between individuals society normally kept apart. She requested to enroll as a Baháʼí. She then asked to address the convention as a Baháʼí:

    "Fellow Baha'is, this is more than a pleasure. It is a miracle that I am participating with you in discussing such important matters. I contacted two denominations and a parliament of religions before I met Julia Goldman, Baha'i, who sowed this seed in my heart. While convalescent from a flying crash, my life was given me for service to God. Julia took me under her wing. I saw God vaguely; then more clearly, through the Baha'i Faith. Then came the battle of Hongkong(sic) where all shared in a common danger and hunger - forced to live the oneness of mankind. At length I secured a priority to fly to America and how do I rejoice to be in this free country! Conferring with Americans I have found this country the best to execute the message of peace. I have been blessed in meeting other Baha'is. I have been deeply impressed by the love and affection among Baha'is. China is well prepared by its sages for the Baha'i Faith. …" [BN No 170 September 1944 p6]

  • Find a grave.
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Bahá'í International Community; China; Hilda Yen; Riverdale, NY; United Nations
    1970 Apr - Aug
    197-
    More than 6,000 people became Bahá'ís in Bolivia. [BW15:232] Bolivia; Mass conversion
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    In its Ridván Message the Universal House of Justice announced the appointment of three additional Councillors, Iraj Ayman in Western Asia, Anneliese Bopp and Betty Reed in Europe and some 45 additional Auxiliary Board Members, 9 in Africa, 16 in Asia, 2 in Australasia and 18 in the Western Hemisphere. [Ridván 1970] - Bahá'í World Centre; Assistants; Auxiliary board members; Counsellors
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Botswana (Formerly Bechuanaland, until 1966.) was formed with its seat in Gaborone. [BW15:199]
  • For picture see BW15:144.
  • Botswana; Gaborone, Botswana; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Botswana
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Malawi (formerly Nyasaland, until 1964.) was formed with its seat in Limbe. [BW15:200]
  • For picture see BW15:146.
  • Limbe, Malawi; Malawi; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Malawi
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Fiji was formed with its seat in Suva. [BW15:271]

    Photo or first National Assembly from Bahaimedia.

    Fiji; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Suva, Fiji first NSA Fiji
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Nouakchott, Mauritania was formed. Local Spiritual Assembly; Mauritania; Nouakchott, Mauritania first Local Spiritual Assembly Nouakchott, Mauritania
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga and the Cook Islands was formed with its seat in Nuku'alofa. [BW15:275]
  • For picture see BW15:146.
  • Cook Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nukualofa, Tonga; Pacific first NSA Tonga and the Cook Islands
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of West Central Africa with its seat in Lagos was dissolved and three new National Assemblies were established. [BW15p189 Note 1]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly of Ghana was formed with its seat in Accra. [BW15p192]
  • For picture see BW15:144.
  • Accra, Ghana; Ghana; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Ghana
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of West Central Africa with its seat in Lagos was dissolved and three new National Assemblies were established. [BW15p189 Note 1]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly of Dahomey, Togo and Niger was formed with its seat in Cotonou, Dahomey (now Togo). [BW15p189]
  • For picture see BW15:144.
  • Cotonou, Benin; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Togo first NSA Dahomey, Togo and Niger
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of West Central Africa with its seat in Lagos was dissolved and three new National Assemblies were established. [BW15p192]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria was formed with its seat in Lagos. [BW15:192]
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nigeria first NSA Nigeria
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Upper West Africa was formed with its seat in Banjul, The Gambia. Jurisdiction for this Assembly extended over Senegal and Mauritania. [BW15p193]
  • For picture see BW15:147.
  • Banjul (Bathurst), The Gambia; Gambia, The; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Upper West Africa
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa was formed with its seat in Apia. [BW15:274]
  • For picture see BW15:146.
  • Apia, Samoa; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Samoa first NSA Samoa
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Central Africa was formed with its seat in Bangui. [BW15:206]
  • Territories under its jurisdiction were: Chad, Gabon, Congo (Brazzaville) and Central African Republic. Since 1964 they had been part of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Uganda and Central Africa along with Burundi and Rwanda who had formed a regional assembly in 1969.
  • Bangui, Central African Republic; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Central Africa
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Zaire was formed with its seat in Kinshasa. (Formerly Belgian Congo until 1960; then Republic of Congo (Kinshasa) until the name changed to Zaire in 1971. (Kinshasa was formerly called Leopoldville.) [BW15:205]

    At this time there was a large concentration of believers in South Kivu, there were Bahá'ís in Western Kasai, in Kinshasa and in Lubumbashi. The election took place in the home of Belgian pioneers Jean-Pierre and Anne-Marie Laperches. Hand of the Cause Mr Faizi was in attendance to represent the Universal House of Justice. [A Remarkable Response Film 26:55

  • For picture see BW15:147.
  • It has been reported that President Mobutu's personal physician was a Baháí, a Dr Jazab, and it was he who had Mobutu sign a document giving the Bahá'ís permission to practice their faith in the country. [Servants of the Glory page 60]
  • Congo, Democratic Republic of; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Zaire
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Southern Rhodesia was formed with its seat in Salisbury. [BW15:200]
  • The name of the country was changed to Zimbabwe on the 18 April 1980. The name of the capital was change to Harare in the second anniversary of the country's independence from the UK.
  • Harare, Zimbabwe; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rhodesia first NSA Rhodesia
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana was formed with its seat in Georgetown, Guyana. [BW15:238]
    • For picture see BW15:144.
    Georgetown, Guyana; Guyana; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana
    1970 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Near East was formed with its seat in Beirut, Lebanon with jurisdiction over Lebanon, Jordon and Syria. [BW15:146; BW16:264]
  • For picture see BW15:146.
  • Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanon; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Near East
    1970 22 Apr
    197-
    The first Earth Day mobilized 20 million Americans to call for increased protections for our planet. The organization of this event was inspired in part but the Santa Barbara Oil Spill of the 28th of January 1969 when an off-shore oil well owned by Union Oil blew out and spilled more than three million gallons of oil and killing thousands of seabirds, dolphins, seals, and sea lions and fouling the California coastline. As a reaction to this disaster, activists were mobilized to create environmental regulation, environmental education, and Earth Day. [Earth Day website] California, USA; Earth Day; Environment; United States (USA)
    1970 May
    197-
    The 'Iráqi Government issued a decree disbanding all Bahá'í institutions and all activities. For nearly three years, although the authorities carefully watched the conduct of the Bahá'ís, nothing apparently gave cause for interference in their personal lives and there were no additional impositions. [BW15p137] - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution, Other; Iraq; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Persecution, Iraq
    1970 May
    197-
    One thousand Guajiro Indians became Bahá'ís in Venezuela. [BW15:241] Mass conversion; Native Americans; Venezuela
    1970 27 May
    197-
    The Bahá'í International Community was granted consultative status, category II, by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations [BBRSM149; BW15:178, 366; BW16:333; BW19:30; VV54]
  • As a result, the Bahá'í International Community began to be represented at sessions of UN bodies addressing a wide range of issues of particular interest to Bahá'ís, including human rights, social development, status of women, environment, human settlements, agriculture, science and technology, new and renewable resources, population, law of the sea, crime prevention, narcotic drugs, children, youth, the family, disabled persons, the ageing, the United Nations University and disarmament.
  • At such sessions the Bahá'í International Community offers statements on the Bahá'í position on the subject under discussion.
  • Prior to this date individuals were accredited as "observer" representatives of the "Bahá'í International Community" which originally had been established in 1947 under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. Individuals who served as observer representatives on a part-time basis were Mildred Mottahedeh, Dr Ugo Giachery, John Ferraby, 'Azíz Navidi and Dr Amin Banáni among others. In 1963 the responsibility for the BIC was transferred to the Universal House of Justice and in 1965 permanent offices were established in New York with a full-time representative appointed. The first representative was Mildred Mottahedeh who soon asked to be replaced. Dr Victor de Arujo served for 23 years until his retirement in January, 1991. [BW15p358-367]
  • Bahá'í International Community Representative, Victor de Araujo, was elected to the Executive Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations. [BIC History 1970]
  • Amin Banani; Aziz Navidi; Bahá'í International Community; Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); John Ferraby; Mildred Mottahedeh; New York, USA; Ugo Giachery; United Nations; United States (USA); Victor de Araujo
    1970 27 May
    197-
    The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations approved the recommendation by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations of February 12th 1970, that the Bahá'í International Community be granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Bahá'í International Community; New York, USA; New York, USA; United Nations; United Nations Economic and Social Council
    1970 15 June
    197-
    Worldwide Bahá'í Statistics [CBN248,February1971p11]
         Countries opened to the Faith:
              Independent countries                134
              Significant territories and islands  179
                                      Total        373
    
         Number of localities where Bahá'ís reside   43,341
    
         Number of local spiritual assemblies        10,318
    - Worldwide; Growth; Statistics
    1970 19 – 21 Jun
    197-
    Rúhíyyih Khánum interrupted her African teaching safari to meet with more than 2,000 youth at the National Youth Conference in the United States. [BW15:331; VV10] - Africa; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; United States (USA); Youth
    1970 23 Jun
    197-
    The centenary of the death of Mírzá Mihdí was commemorated with a day of prayer by Bahá'ís around the world and in the Holy Land with a pilgrimage to the barracks in 'Akká, Bahjí and to his monument. [BW15:162–3] Akka, Israel; Bahji, Israel; Centenaries; Mírzá Mihdi (Purest Branch); Monument Gardens (Haifa)
    1970 (Summer)
    197-
    The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Uganda was elected for the first time. Those elected were: Mr. Enos Epyeru, Assistant Treasurer; Mr. Javan Gutosi, Treasurer; Mr. S. M. Isimai, Secretary; Mr. Moses Senoga, Vice-Chairman and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Julias Nambafu, Augustin Massati, Augustin Naku, and Albert Ocamodek. [Bahá'í News No 479 February 1971 pg15; Wikipedia] Kampala, Uganda; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Uganda
    1970 approx Jul
    197-
    The release of the film It's Just the Beginning. The documentary film is about the 1970 Bahá'í National Youth Conference and was made by Kiva Films. This film was aired on television and at community events. Distribution was under the Public Information Committee of the National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. [National Bahá'í Review Issue 47 November 1972 p2]
  • YouTube.
  • - Film; Its Just the Beginning (documentary film); United States (USA)
    1970 3 Aug
    197-
    The passing of Haik (Haig) Kevorkian (b.1 October 1916 in Aleppo, Syria) in Lomas de Zamora, Buenos Aires province of Argentina at the age of 54. He was buried in the British Cemetery beside his parents and his infant son.

    Haik had learned of the Faith from his father who had embraced the Faith in his birthplace, Gaziantep Aintab, Turkey. In 1937 the family emigrated from Aleppo, Syria to Argentina and they stopped on the way to visit the Holy Land where they spoke with the Guardian about pioneering. They arrived in Buenos Aires on the 29th of March after a another stop in Bahia to visit Leonora Holsapple.

    On February 29th, 1940 May Maxwell, accompanied by her niece Jeanne Bolles arrived in Buenos Aires and it was from Haik that she received the a telephone call to welcome her. The following morning when the Kevorkian family called at the City Hotel they learned that May Maxwell had passed during the night. Haik and Wilfrid Barton searched for a befitting spot for her interment and Haik spent the rest of his life honouring and caring for her resting place.

    Haik taught the Faith in the interior of Argentina and make international trips to Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Chile Brazil and Ecuador. He assisted in the formation of the first spiritual assembly in Guayaquil and won the honour of being named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh when he settled in the Galapolos Islands in May 1954. A record of his service there can be found in Heroes of God: History of the Bahá'í Faith in Ecuador, 1940-1979 by Helen Bassett Hornby.

    Upon his return from the Galapolos to Buenos Aires he married Aurora de Eyto and they had one surviving son, Daniel Claudio (b.1960). [BW15p483-485]

    - Biography; - In Memoriam; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Argentina; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Haig Kevorkian
    1970 14 Aug - 1971 5 Sep
    197-
    Eight Oceanic and Continental Conferences were held. BW15:296–323]
  • For many pictures see BW15:296–316.
  • - Conferences; - Conferences, Continental; Oceanic Conference
    1970 14 – 16 Aug
    197-
    The Oceanic Conference of the Indian Ocean was held in Rose Hill, Mauritius. [BW15:317; VV5]
  • For pictures see BW15:299–301.
  • For an account of the experience of attending from the point of view of Claire Gung, the "Mother of Africa", see CG84-85.
  • - Conferences; Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Mauritius; Mauritius; Oceanic Conference
    1970 14 – 16 Aug
    197-
    The Continental Conference was held in La Paz, Bolivia. [BW15:317; VV5]
  • For pictures see BW15:301–2.
  • - Conferences; - Conferences, Continental; Bolivia; La Paz, Bolivia
    1970 26 Sep
    197-
    The passing of Florence Evaline (Lorol) Schopflocher (b.1886 in Montreal. QC) in the Green Acre area. She was buried at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Eliot, Maine [Find a grave]
  • Wife of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. For his "In Memoriam" see BW7p664.
  • She circled the globe nine times on travel teaching tours and visited some 86 countries, many of them multiple times. She travelled to Iran twice visiting parts not previously visited by Western Bahá'ís.
  • She visited the Guardian 11 times.
  • She had several audiences with King Feisal in Iraq and discussed the question of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád with him.
  • Favourite themes for her public talks were the World Order letters of Shoghi Effendi and the emancipation and education of women.
  • A radiant star went from the West to the East. [BW15p488-489]
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • See her account of her travels in her autobiographical book Sunburst.
  • See a brief biography in The Bahá'í Community of the British Isles 1844-1963 p464-465.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Canada; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Lorol Schopflocher; Montreal, QC; Quebec, Canada; Siegfried Schopflocher
    1970 12 Nov
    197-
    Bahá'ís in the Central African Republic were arrested at a meeting to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh and Bahá'í activities were banned when a disaffected Bahá'í denounced the Faith as a political movement to the authorities. [BW15:207] - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Bans; Central African Republic; Persecution, Central African Republic
    1970 20 Nov - 28 May 1971
    197-
    Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion, Violette Nakhjavání, arrived in Ghana, at the start of the second leg of the 'Great African Safari' covering Western Africa. The itinerary was as follows:
  • Nov 20 - 28, 1970, Ghana
  • Nov 29 - Dec 21, 1970, Ivory Coast (now Côte d'Ivoire)
  • Dec 23, 1970 - Jan 14, 1971, Liberia
  • Jan 13 - 14, 1971, Ivory Coast (now Côte d'Ivoire)
  • Jan 15 - Feb 1, 1971, Mali
  • Feb 2 - 11, 1971, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso)
  • Feb 12 - 21, 1971, Ghana
  • Feb 22 - Mar 2, 1971, Ivory Coast (now Côte d'Ivoire)
  • Mar 3 - 15, 1971, Liberia
  • Mar 16 - 25, 1971, Sierra Leone
  • Mar 26 - Apr 8, 1971, Senegal
  • Apr 9 - 26, 1971, Gambia (now The Gambia)
  • Apr 26, 1971, Senegal
  • Apr 27 - May 10, 1971 Ivory Coast (now Côte d'Ivoire)
  • May 11 - 28, 197l, Ghana [BW15p606-607]
  • Accra, Ghana; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; Burkina Faso; Gambia, The; Ghana; Great African Safari; Ivory Coast; Liberia; Mali; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Violette Nakhjavani
    1970 Dec
    197-
    One of the goals of the Canadian Bahá'í Community was to prepare its "daughter" community, Iceland, to achieve National Assembly status by Ridván 1972 with incorporation by 1973. To facilitate these goals the National Spiritual Assembly assigned Douglas and Elizabeth Martin to the project with Elizabeth as the principal executive. The opening phase of the proclamation was launched at a Victory Conference which resulted in the enrollment of thirty people in January 1971 thus doubling the numbers in Iceland.
  • In January/February 1971 Continental Board of Counsellor Betty Reed visited and there were 130 declarations and of these, eight were adults. [BN No 487 October 1971 p20]
  • In addition six Icelandic believers, three of them youth, were invited to attend the Canadian National Convention in Halifax at Ridván. They were: Gudmundur Bardarson, Anna Maggy Palsdottir, Baldur B. Bragason, Margret Bardardottir, Svana Einarsdottir, and Janina Njalsdottir. [BN485 6 August, 1971 pg 6]
  • The Icelandic community organized a team to undertake a summer teaching project in the Faroes Islands in cooperation with the UK Bahá'ís. [BW15335-336]
  • Three additional local assemblies were formed in Iceland in August 1971 and they were in Keflavik, Hafnarfjordur and Kopavogur. [HNWE26; BN485 6 August, 1971 pg 6]
  • - Conferences; Anna Maggy Palsdottir; Baldur B. Bragason; Douglas Martin; Elizabeth Martin; Gudmundur Bardarson; Iceland; Janina Njalsdottir; Margret Bardardottir; Reykjavik, Iceland; Svana Einarsdottir
    1970 8 Dec
    197-
    The government of Taiwan granted Certificate of Registration to register the Bahá'í Faith as a religion. Recognition (legal); Taiwan
    1970 25 Dec - 1971 3 Jan
    197-
    The First International Bahá'í Youth Winter School took place in Salzburg, Austria, attended by 600 people from 25 countries. [BW15:332]
  • For picture see BW15:332.
  • - Conferences, International; - Europe; - First conferences; Austria; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Salzburg, Germany First International Bahá’í Youth Winter School
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    In Germany, Hermann Zimmer resurrected the claims of Ruth White in a small book published in 1971 (English translation in 1973), A Fraudulent Testament devalues the Bahá'í Religion into Political Shogism.
  • In Switzerland, Francesco Ficicchia wrote a comprehensive attack aimed mainly at the Bahá'í administration,
  • Der Bah'ismus Weltreligion der Zunkunft? (Evangelische Zentralstelle für Weltanschauungsfragen, Quell Verlag, Stuttgart, 1981).
  • Both of these works were financed and distributed by Evangelical Protestant organizations in Germany. [The Covenant and Covenant-breaker by Moojan Momen]
  • Covenant-breaking; Criticism and apologetics; Francesco Ficicchia; Germany; Hermann Zimmer; Ruth White; Switzerland
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    Following the prohibition of Bahá'í activity in Egypt in 1960, Egyptian Bahá'ís put forward a petition to the Supreme Constitutional Court seeking to overturn the presidential decree as unconstitutional. - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; Egypt; Persecution, Egypt; Petitions
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The first summer school in Singapore was held. First summer and winter schools; Singapore first summer school in Singapore
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Mali was formed in Bamako. Bamako, Mali; Local Spiritual Assembly; Mali first Local Spiritual Assembly in Mali
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The first three people to become Bahá'ís in Guinea enrolled. [BINS45] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Guinea first three Bahá’ís in Guinea
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The first Amerindian to become a Bahá'í in French Guiana enrolled. French Guiana first Amerindian Bahá’í in French Guiana
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The first Gypsies, six adults and six youth, the first to become Bahá'ís in France, enrolled at a campsite near Le Bourget airport. - First believers by background; France first Gypsies Bahá’ís in France
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The first Pingelapese to become a Bahá'í enrolled in the East Caroline Islands. - First believers by background; Caroline Islands first Pingelapese Bahá’í the East Caroline Islands
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    Over 500 people became Bahá'ís in Bangladesh. [BINS86] Bangladesh; Mass conversion
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The 'Lake Victoria Plan', a joint venture among the National Spiritual Assemblies of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi designed to carry the Faith to all the peoples and tribes living within Africa's largest lake basin, was inaugurated at the suggestion of Hand of the Cause Dr Muhájir. [DM96–8] - Africa; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Lake Victoria; Rahmatullah Muhajir
    c. 1971
    197-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Ciskei was formed in Mdantsane. Ciskei, South Africa; Local Spiritual Assembly; Mdantsane, South Africa first Local Spiritual Assembly Mdantsane, Ciskei
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    Dan Jordon with Don Streets co-founded the Center for the Study of Human Potential at the University of Massachusetts and, along with other Bahá'í educators and scholars, Dr Jordon started the Anisa Project, a comprehensive, Bahá'í-inspired educational system organized around a philosophical base. The model was adopted by dozens of school systems during Jordan's lifetime.
  • The Anisa Educational Model was inspired by the Bahá'í teachings and the philosophical work of Alfred North Whitehead and soon grew into a national movement that trained hundreds of educators.
  • This new educational model was conceptualized as a process rather than a fixed formula. Based on the constantly-evolving empirical framework of the biological and medical sciences the Anisa Model gathered and unified educational practice and theory into a completely new paradigm. [Anisa Model Home Page]
  • See the book by Dan Jordon and Don Streets Releasing the Potentialities of the Child.
  • Biographical information about Daniel C Jordon.
  • See also three articles by David Langness:
  • * Philosophy; Alfred North Whitehead; Anisa Educational Model; Dan Jordan; Don Streets; Education; Massachusetts, USA; Process philosophy
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The publication of Memorials of the Faithful by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust in Wilmette as translated from the original Persian and annotated by Marzieh Gail. It contains eulogies of some eighty early Bahá'ís transcribed from a series of talks given by 'Abdu'l‑Bahá in Haifa around 1914–15.

    It was first published in 1924 in Farsi when the Persian transcripts that had been corrected by 'Abdu'l‑Bahá were compiled into a single volume.

  • In 1973 Memorials of the Faithful was transcribed by Gertrude D Schurgast and published in Tucson, AZ by the Bahá'í Service for the Blind. In 1975 a second print run was done. [Collins3.75, 8.3]
  • See reviews, papers and tributes to the book.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Bahá'í Service for the Blind (USA); Gertrude D Schurgast; Marzieh Gail; Memorials of the Faithful (book); United States (USA); Wilmette, IL
    1971 (In the year)
    197-
    The publication of Divine Symphony by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust of New Delhi. The book was reprinted in 1976 and 1977. [Collins7.2771; p156] Divine Symphony; India; New Delhi, India
    1971 1 Jan
    197-
    The passing of Agnes Baldwin Alexander, (b. 26July 1875 in Hawaii) Hand of the Cause; "the daughter of the Kingdom", and "the beloved maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection" ('Abdu'l-Baha); the only Hand of the Cause mentioned in the Tablets of the Divine Plan; The first Bahá'í to set foot on Hawaiian soil; the first Bahá'í to settle in Japan; and the first Bahá'í to teach the Faith in Korea, passed away in Honolulu. (b. 21 July 1875) [BW15:423; VV8]
  • On the 13th of October she received a Tablet from 'Abdi'l-Baha encouraging her to travel to Japan. She arrived in 1914 and remained there for a total of thirty-two years. She lf[PH32]
  • She was appointed a Hand of the Cause on the 27th of March, 1957 after the passing of Hand of the Cause of God George Townshend. [MoCxxiv]eft Japan in 1937 and returned in 1950.
  • For her obituary see BW15:423–30.
  • See Life of Agnes Alexander by Duane Troxel.
  • See A Tribute to Agnes Alexander by Ben Perkins.
  • See An Account of How I Became a Bahá'í and My Stays in Paris in 1901 and 1937: Written at the Request of Mrs. Laura Dreyfus-Barney by Agnes Baldwin Alexander and edited by Thomas Linard.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Agnes Alexander; Firsts, other; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hawaii, USA; Honolulu, HI first to set foot on Hawaiian soil, first to settle in Japan, first to teach the Faith in Korea
    1971 1 – 3 Jan
    197-
    The Oceanic Conference of the South China Seas was held in the Victoria Memorial Hall in Singapore. [BW15:319; VV5]
  • For pictures see BW15:302–3 and VV6.
  • - Conferences; Oceanic Conference; Singapore
    1971 1 – 3 Jan
    197-
    The Continental Conference of Africa was held in Monrovia, Liberia. [BW15:318; VV5]
  • For pictures see BW15:304–5.
  • - Conferences; - Conferences, Continental; Liberia; Monrovia, Liberia
    1971 11 Feb
    197-
    The Montreal Municipality issued a permit recognizing the Maxwell home as a Bahá'í Shrine after nine years of negotiations and delays. With this struggle came a hidden blessing. For years the Shrine had been used as a Bahá'í Centre by the Montreal community, open also to friends of the area as a place to hold public meetings, open Feasts, and certain activities not always suited to it as a Shrine. The realization was made that it was a National Bahá'í Shrine and as such should not be used as a centre. [CBNApril1971p10]

    Bahai.ca: Bahá'í Shrine in Montréal

    Canada; Montreal, QC; Montreal Shrine; Quebec, Canada; Recognition (legal)
    1971 13 Feb
    197-
    Following the ban imposed by the government of the Central African Republic on Bahá'í activities in November 1970 and subsequent representations made by the international Bahá'í lawyer Dr Aziz Navidi, the ban was lifted and the Bahá'í Faith officially recognized.
  • This was broadcast in every news bulletin on government radio for the next 24 hours, the first public proclamation of the Bahá'í Faith in the country.
  • See also A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p8].
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; Central African Republic; Firsts, other; Persecution, Central African Republic; Recognition (legal) first public proclamation in Central African Republic
    1971 28 Mar
    197-
    The Universal House of Justice sent a message to all National Spiritual Assemblies titled Principles of Bahá'í Publishing. [Mess63-86p185-189]

    See as well the referenced document Reviewing: Practice and Functions of Literature Review by Shoghi Effendi and Universal House of Justice compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

    - Publishing, Review; Publishing, Policy and practice
    1971 Apr
    197-
    The International Bahá'í Youth Conference took place at Oteppe-Namur, Belgium, launching a two-year youth campaign for Europe. [BW15:333–4]
  • For picture see BW15:334.
  • - Europe; Belgium; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Oteppe, Belgium; Youth
    1971 18 Apr
    197-
    The Bahá'í International Community appointed a representative to the UN in Geneva. [BIC History 1971] Bahá'í International Community; Geneva, Switzerland
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Chad was formed with its seat in Fort Lamy. (In 1973 Fort Lamy became known as N'Djaména.) [BW15:207]
  • For picture see BW15:148.
  • See Servants of the Glory page 45-46.
  • Chad; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Chad
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Central African Republic was formed with its seat in Bangui. [BW15:207]
  • For picture see BW15:148 and bahai.org.
  • Central African Republic; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Central African Republic
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Congo and Gabon was formed with its seat in Brazzaville, the Congo. [BW15:206]
  • For picture see BW15:148 and Congo National website. In this picture are Dr. Taï and his wife as well as M Azemikah, all long-time pioneers in the Congo.
  • Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Congo, Democratic Republic of; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Congo and Gabon
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Lesotho was formed with its seat in Maseru. It was formerly Basutoland until 1966. Part of the area under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique, 1967—1971) [BW15:202]
  • For picture see BW15:148.
  • The communities of Swaziland and Mozambique continued in the union as a Regional Assembly.
  • Lesotho, South Africa; Maseru, Botswana; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Lesotho
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    Formerly under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assemblies of North West Africa, from 1956 to 1964, and of West Africa from 1964 to 1971 the Bahá'í community of Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta elected its National Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván, 1971, with its seat in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. [BW15p193]
  • For picture see BW15p150.
  • Ivory Coast; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Sudan was formed. Prior to this time it had been with Egypt. National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt formed. [BW15p187]
  • For picture see BW15:150.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sudan first NSA Sudan
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Solomon Islands was formed with its seat in Honiara. Previously it had been administered by the National Spiritual Assembly of the South West Pacific Ocean. [BW15:269] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Oceania; Solomon Islands first NSA Solomon Islands
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Trinidad and Tobago was formed with its seat in Port-of-Spain. [BW15:219, 242] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Trinidad and Tobago first NSA Trinidad and Tobago
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The first local spiritual assemblies in Guam were formed in Dededo, Inarajan, Mangilao and Tamuning. Guam; Local Spiritual Assembly first Local Spiritual Assemblies in Guam
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    Although the first National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda was elected in the summer of 1970 it has been listed the following Ridván. [BW15p295] Kampala, Uganda; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Uganda
    1971
    197-
    Localities: 46,707

    Local Assemblies: 10,461

    National Assemblies: 113 [from a pamphlet published by the NSA of Canada "Baha'i A New Man A New World Order"]

    Statistics
    1971 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the South West Pacific Ocean was formed with it seat in New Caledonia. Because of the departure of the Solomon Islands from this union, the new National Spiritual Assembly of South West Pacific Ocean comprised of the New Hebrides, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands. [Bahaipedia; BW15p269] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; New Caledonia
    1971 May
    197-
    The first National Teaching Committee of Sierra Leone was appointed by the Regional Spiritual Assembly of West Africa. Firsts, other; Sierra Leone; Teaching first National Teaching Committee of Sierra Leone
    1971 21 – 23 May
    197-
    The Oceanic Conference of the Caribbean was held in Kingston, Jamaica. [BW15:218, 319–20; VV5–6]
  • For pictures see BW15:304–8 and VV6.
  • - Conferences; Jamaica; Kingston, ON; Oceanic Conference
    1971 21 – 23 May
    197-
    The Oceanic Conference of the South Pacific was held in Suva, Fiji, BW15:320–1; VV6.
  • For pictures see BW15:308–9.
  • - Conferences; Fiji; Oceanic Conference; Suva, Fiji
    1971 24 May
    197-
    The passing of Anna Reinke (b. 15 August, 1882 Travis County, Texas) in Travis County Texas. She was buried in the Maul Cemetery in Travis County.
  • She is considered the mother of the Bahá'í community in Texas. Anna Reinke was a seamstress who lived in a converted Austin trolley from 1942 until her passing. She had learned of the Faith from her sister in Washington DC. Reinke is credited with the first racially integrated meeting ever held in Texas when she joined Gregory at Anderson High School, which was an all-African American school, where he delivered a message of racial friendship. The program eventually became the forerunner of the Louis Gregory Symposium on Race Unity that began March 27, 2007, and is held annually on Austin's Huston-Tillotson University campus. In the late 1940s, the Texas Regional Teaching Committee began an annual event, the Inter-racial Panel, that included Texan members of the Bahá'í faith, with the first event—a picnic—held at the home of Reinke, an active committee member. [The Statesman 29 October, 2019]
  • Find a grave
  • - Biography; Anna Reinke; Texas, USA; Travis County, TX; United States (USA) first Baha'i in Texas. Held the first racially integrated meeting in Texas.
    1971 16 - 29 June
    197-
    A special seminar for UN member state was held in Yaoundé in observance of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. The Bahá'í International Community was represented by Dr 'Azíz Navídí and Counsellor Dr Mihdí Samandarí. This was the first representation of the Bahá'í International Community with their consultative status. [BW15p368] Aziz Navidi; Bahá'í International Community; Cameroon; Mihdi Samandari; Yaoundé, Cameroon
    1971 7 Jul
    197-
    The "boogie board", was invented by Tom Morey who was inspired by a certain passage of a Bahá'í prayer that has been translated as ... confer upon me thoughts which may change this world into a rose garden ....[The most iconic vintage bodyboards of all time; Short Biography; Mini Documentary; Wikipedia] - Famous Bahá'ís; Boogie Board; Hawaii, USA; Tom Morey
    1971 31 Jul - 11 Aug
    197-
    The European Youth Conference took place in Fiesch, Switzerland, attended by 1,200 youth from 50 countries. [BW15:336–8]
  • About 200 people enrolled in the Bahá'í Faith during the conference. [BW15:336]
  • For pictures see BW15:337.
  • - Europe; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Fiesch, Switzerland; Switzerland; Youth
    1971 Aug
    197-
    The Universal House of Justice erected an obelisk on the site of the future House of Worship of the Holy Land on land that was purchased in 1953 with a gift of $50,000 from Milly Collins. [MBW63, 78-79, BBD 172; BW15:177–8; DH175; MUHJ83–4, SES18-20] - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Funds; Haifa, Israel; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; Millie Collins; Mount Carmel; Obelisks; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline
    1971 4 Aug
    197-
    The first Bahá'í College Club of Latin America was formed at the University of the Americas, Puebla, Mexico. [BW15:215] Mexico; Puebla, Mexico; Universities first Bahá’í College Club of Latin America
    1971 6 Aug - 31 May 1972
    197-
    Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion, Violette Nakhjavání, arrived in Ghana, at the start of the third leg of the 'Great African Safari'. [BW15:594–607]

    The itinerary was as follows:

  • Aug 6 - 10, 1971, Ghana
  • Aug 11 - Sept 6, 1971, Dahomey (now Benin)
  • Sept 7 - Oct 4, 1971, Nigeria
  • Oct 5 - Nov 2, 1971, Cameroon Republic
  • By sea?
  • Dec 11, 1971 - Jan 31, 1972, Zaire (now Central African Republic)
  • Feb 1 - Mar 9, 1972, Zambia
  • Mar 10 - 31, 1972, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) [BW15p606-607]
  • Accra, Ghana; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; Benin; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Ghana; Great African Safari; Nigeria; Violette Nakhjavani; Zambia; Zimbabwe
    1971 27 – 30 Aug
    197-
    The first Bahá'í Youth Conference for Western Asia took place in New Delhi. [BW15:335]
  • Two thousand people enrolled during the conference and the week following. [BW15:335]
  • - Asia; - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; India; Mass conversion; New Delhi, India; Youth first Bahá’í Youth Conference for Western Asia
    1971 approx Sep
    197-
    The Universal House of Justice distributed a memorandum to all National Assemblies to provide clarification to the publishing review policy. The purpose of review is to protect the Faith from misrepresentation and to ensure dignity and accuracy in its presentation. In general the function of a reviewing committee is to say whether the work submitted gives an acceptable presentation of the Cause or not. [National Bahá'í Review Issue 45 September 1971 p2] * Publishing; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Publishing, Review; Publishing, Policy and practice; Universal House of Justice
    1971 3 – 5 Sep
    197-
    The Oceanic Conference of the North Pacific was held in Sapporo, Japan. [BW15:321–2; VV6]
  • For pictures see BW15:312–14 and VV5.
  • - Conferences; Japan; Oceanic Conference; Sapporo, Japan
    1971 3 – 5 Sep
    197-
    The Oceanic Conference of the North Atlantic was held in Reykjavik, Iceland attended by some 800 people from 36 countries. [BW15:322–3; VV6; BN 488 November 1971 p24]
  • For pictures see BW15:309–12.
  • During the conference three believers from Canada-Florence Springgay, an Inuit; Hugette James, a French Canadian; Mary Ann Crow, from the Blackfoot First Nations flew to Greenland during the Conference to proclaim the Cause, and returned to report the results of their efforts. [BW20p310]
  • - Conferences; Florence Springgay; Hugette James; Iceland; Mary Ann Crow; Oceanic Conference; Reykjavik, Iceland
    1971 4 Sep
    197-
    Músá Banání, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Kampala, Uganda. (b.1886) [BW15:42; VV7]
  • For a brief biography see Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • For his obituary see BW15:421–423.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the second contingent on the 29th of February, 1952. [MoCxxiii]
  • A Bahá'í Winter and Summer School was established in the southern part of Ethiopia and named "Banání House" in honour of Hand of the Cause Músá Banání, their "spiritual father". [BW15p187]
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Kampala, Uganda; Musa Banani; Uganda
    1971 13 Oct
    197-
    Following the banning of Bahá'í activities in Egypt in 1960, Egyptian Bahá'ís submitted a petition to the Supreme Constitutional Court asking for redress and for justice to be upheld. [BW15:173]
  • The opinion of one Mandatory of the government is that the 1960 decree was unconstitutional. [BW15:173]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Egypt; Persecution, Egypt
    1971 16 Oct
    197-
    The inauguration of Shahyad Tower ("King's Memorial Tower") in Tehran. The tower was built in honour of the shah on the occasion of the commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire and has become an iconic symbol of the city of Tehran. It has been described as being a tower, an arch, a gate and an obelisk in one and is 50 meters (164 ft) tall and completely clad in some eight thousand blocks of cut marble from Isfahan Province. The main financing was provided by a group of five hundred Iranian industrialists.
  • After the Revolution in 1979 it was renamed The Azadi Tower (Liberty Tower) and was, in turn, the gathering place of the "rebels" in 1979 and for those protesting the results of the election in 2009.
  • The architect, Hossein Amanat was only 24 years old and a recent graduate when he won the competition for the project. In addition to having a remarkable career in designing buildings for commercial, educational and residential use, he is the architect for such Bahá'í projects as the Universal House of Justice Building, the Centre for the Study of the Holy Texts, the International Teaching Centre and the Mashriqu'l-Adhka in Samoa. He left Iran in 1978 and took up residence in Vancouver in 1980. [Hossein Amanat website; Farah Pahlavi website; Wikipedia]
  • - Architects; Architecture; Hossein Amanat (Husayn Amanat); Iran; Tehran, Iran
    1971 Nov
    197-
    The first Bahá'í Youth Conference of the Antilles took place in the Dominican Republic. [BW 15:217] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Dominican Republic; Youth first Bahá’í Youth Conference of the Antilles
    1971 26 – 28 Nov
    197-
    The fiftieth anniversary of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá was commemorated. [BW15:125–8; VV14]
  • For text of the letters of the Universal House of Justice see BW15:125–6 and MUHJ76–7.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; Haifa, Israel
    1971 Dec - 1972 Jan
    197-
    The first youth summer school for southern Africa was held at the Leroy Ioas Teacher Training Institute in Mbabane and is attended by 67 people from eight countries. First summer and winter schools; Mbabane, Eswatini; Swaziland first youth summer school for southern Africa
    1971 24 Dec
    197-
    The murder of American pioneer Martha (Marty) Ross Dean on a train from Wankie destined for Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). She was killed by an intruder who had entered her sleeping compartment and strangled her. She had been in Rhodesia since late 1970 and was enrolled in the Bulawayo School of Nursing at the time of her death. [BW15p508]
  • The case has been covered in Crime Scientist by Dr John Thompson and Some Famous Rhodesian Trials by Alan Hardy.
  • Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Martha Ross Dean
    1972 (In the year)
    197-
    The Louis G. Gregory Institute was founded in 1972. It was named after a native to South Carolina and the first to bring the Bahá'í Faith to the state. It is a training center owned by the Bahá'ís of the United States and managed by the Regional Baha'i Council for the Southeastern States. [Louis G. Gregory Bahá'í Institute] Hemingway, SC; Louis G. Gregory; United States (USA)
    1972 (In the year)
    197-
    Egyptian security services have exploited the decree to orchestrate six major crackdowns on the Bahá'í community , in 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972,1985 and 2001. The authorities arrested a total of 236 Egyptian Bahá'ís in these crackdowns, on grounds that they had violated the decree or on charges of "contempt of religion" On the few occasions on which arrests were followed by prosecutions, none of the defendants were ever found guilty of violating Law 263/1960 or any other law." from "IV. Egypt's Baha'is and the Policy of Erasure" in Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom by Human Rights Watch. Persecution, Egypt
    1972 (In the year)
    197-
    Derek and Sally Dacey, the first resident pioneers on Montserrat in the East Leeward Islands, arrived at their pioneer post. - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Leeward Islands first resident pioneers on Montserrat
    1972 (In the year)
    197-
    In Indonesia the Attorney-General confirmed the 1962 ban on Bahá'í administrative institutions and added a further prohibition against organized Bahá'í teaching activities. [BW19:41] - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; Indonesia; Persecution, Indonesia
    1972 (In the year)
    197-
    The first Bahá'í studies seminar was held in London. For an account of the development of these seminars see BW18:204 and BW19:368. Bahá'í studies; Conferences, Other; Firsts, other; London, England; United Kingdom first Bahá’í studies seminar in London
    1972 Jan
    197-
    The first Bahá'í Youth Summer School in Southern Africa took place in Swaziland, attended by 70 youth from eight countries. [BW15:338]
  • For picture see BW15:340.
  • First summer and winter schools; Swaziland first Bahá’í Youth Summer School in Southern Africa
    1972 Mar
    197-
    A thousand children attended a Bahá'í school in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. [BW15:237] Ecuador; Esmeraldas, Ecuador
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Afghanistan was formed with its seat in Kabul. [BW15:243]
  • For picture see BW15:151.
  • Afghanistan; Kabul, Afghanistan; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Afghanistan
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    National Spiritual Assembly of the Arabian Peninsula with its seat in Bahrayn was dissolved and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Eastern Arabian Peninsula was formed with its seat in Bahrayn (Bahrain) as well as the National Spiritual Assembly of Kuwait with its seat in Kuwait city. [BW15p297]
  • For picture see BW15:151.
  • It is assumed that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Eastern Arabian Peninsula (Bahrain) had Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (1974), Oman (1978),
  • Arabian Peninsula; Bahá'u'lláh, Prison cell of (Akká); Bahrain; Kuwait; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Arabian Peninsula
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Bangladesh was formed with its seat in Dacca. [BW15:243]
  • For picture see BW15:153.
  • Bangladesh; Dhaka, Bangladesh; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Bangladesh
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of Ireland was formed with its seat in Dublin. [BW15:283]
  • For picture see BW15:153.
  • The National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles was renamed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom. [BW15:290]
  • British Isles; Dublin, Ireland; Ireland; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; United Kingdom first NSA Republic of Ireland
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Iceland was formed with its seat in Reykjavik. Its members were: Liesel Becker, Svana Einarsdottir, Barbara Thinat, Carl John Spencer, Petur Magnusson, Johannes Stefansson, Roger Lutley, Baldur Bragasson and Larry Clarke. [BW15:225, 281]
  • For picture see BW15:153.
  • Iceland; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Reykjavik, Iceland first NSA Iceland
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Malagasy Republic (Madagascar) was formed with its seat in Tananarive. [BW15:199, BWNS288]
  • For pictures see BW15:153, 198.
  • The "Mother Assembly", the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean, was left with the Chagos Archipelago, Comoros with the formation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Réunion, Madagascar and Mauritius. [BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Madagascar; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tananarive, Madagascar first NSA Malagasy Republic
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Puerto Rico was formed with its seat in San Juan. [BW15:218]
  • For picture see BW15:155.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Puerto Rico; San Juan, Puerto Rico first NSA Puerto Rico
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The counties of Rwanda and Burundi were known as Ruanda-Urundi up until 1962 when the area was divided into two separate countries. From 1956 until 1964 they were administered by the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa and from 1964 to 1969 came under the Uganda and Central Africa regional assembly. The National Spiritual Assembly of Rwanda and Burundi was formed in 1969 and in 1972 the National Spiritual Assembly of Burundi with its seat in Bujumbura and the National Spiritual Assembly of Rwanda with its seat in Kilgali. [BW15:205]
  • Because of disturbances in the country; the Bahá'i administration in Burundi was dissolved in the same year and the affairs of the Faith placed under an administrative committee. It re-formed in 1978. [BW15:205; BW17:141]
  • Bujumbura, Burundi; Burundi; Kigali, Rwanda; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rwanda first NSA Burundi
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Nepal was formed with its seat in Kathmandu. [BW15:249]
  • For pictures see BW15:155, 248.
  • With Hand of the Cause Ali-Akbar Furutan representing the Universal House of Justice, the Bahá'ís of Nepal held their first national convention to elect their National Spiritual Assembly in 1972 during the reign of King Mahendra. The convention had forty delegates. The members of the first national assembly were: Amar Pradhan, Shyam Maherjan, Jujubhai Sakya, Aranda Lal Shrestha, Dinesh Verma, Keith de Folo, W. F. Chaittonalla, P. N. Rai, D. K. Malla - from Buddhist, Hindu, Christian backgrounds. [Religion in Nepal website]
  • Kathmandu, Nepal; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nepal first NSA Nepal
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The first national spiritual assembly in Micronesia, the National Spiritual Assembly of the North West Pacific Ocean, was formed with its seat in Ponape. [BW15:268]
  • Jusisdiction: Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Guam.
  • For picture see BW15:155.
  • For the story of the Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Guam, Edgar and Cynthia Olson (and Robert Powers) see BWNS303.
  • Micronesia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Pohnpei, Caroline Islands first NSA in Micronesia; first NSA North West Pacific Ocean
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Réunion was formed with its seat in St Pierre. [BW15:199]
  • For picture see BW15:155.
  • The "Mother Assembly", the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean, was left with the Chagos Archipelago, Comoros with the formation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Réunion, Madagascar and Mauritius. [BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • France; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Reunion Island; St. Pierre and Miquelon first NSA Réunion
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Seychelles was formed with its seat in Victoria. [BW16:156]
  • For picture see BW15:157.
  • The "Mother Assembly", the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean, was left with Mauritius, the Chagos Archipelago, Madagascar, the Malagasy Republic, Comoros and Réunion. [BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • Limbé, Camaroon; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Seychelles first NSA Seychelles
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Rwanda was formed. [BW15:205]
  • For picture see BW15:157.
  • Kigali, Rwanda; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rwanda first NSA Rwanda
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Gabon was formed. [BW15:206] Gabon; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Gabon
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Brunei (1966) was reconstituted as the National Spiritual Assembly of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei with its seat in Kuching, Sarawak and took on the added responsibility for Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak. [BW15:253; BN no 496 July 1972 p16]
  • For picture see BW15:254.
  • In 1974 it was dissolved with Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak coming under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia. [BW12p223]
  • Kuching, Malaysia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sarawak, Malaysia first NSA Eastern Malaysia and Brunei
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Singapore was formed with its seat in Singapore. [BW15:257]
  • For picture see BW15:157.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Singapore first NSA Singapore
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Windward Islands was formed with its seat in St Lawrence, Barbados. It was responsible for administrating the Faith in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, the Grenadines, Grenada, and Barbados. [BW15:220; BN No 496 July 1972 p17]
  • For picture see BW15:157.
  • Note: In 1975 the name was changed to the National Spiritual Assembly of Barbados and the Windward Islands in order to assists with the process of incorporation. [Bahá'í Encyclopedia]
  • Barbados; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; St. Lawrence, Barbados first NSA Barbados and the Windward Islands
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Tunisia was formed. [no substantiation can be found) iiiii National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tunisia first NSA Tunisia
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of the Congo was formed with its seat in Brazzaville. [BW15p206] Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Congo, Democratic Republic of; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Mauritius was formed. [Bahaipedia; BW15p295]
  • The "Mother Assembly", the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean, was left with the Chagos Archipelago, Comoros with the formation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Réunion, Madagascar and Mauritius. [BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • Mauritius; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Port Louis, Mauritius
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The Spiritual Assembly of Phuntsholing town was formed. It was the first assembly of Bhutan. [Bahá'í Collections] Bhutan; Local Spiritual Assembly; Phuntsholing, Bhutan first Local Spiritual Assembly in Bhutan.
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    The first local spiritual assembly in the Republic of San Marino was formed. Local Spiritual Assembly; San Marino, Italy first Local Spiritual Assembly Republic of San Marino
    1972 Ridván
    197-
    Due to intensifying conflict throughout the country, the National Spiritual Assembly of Viet Nam reported that it has lost contact with a number of localities, including those in the regions of Binh Long, Binh Dinh, Kontum, Pleiku, Quang Tri, Thua Thien and Chuong Thien. [BN497 August 1972; Bahaipedia] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Vietnam
    1972 28 Apr - 2 May
    197-
    An international teaching conference was held in conjunction with the dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America in Panama. [BW15:633–42]
  • For pictures see BW15:632–49.
  • Some 3,000 Bahá'ís attend. [TG191]
  • - Conferences, International; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Panama; Panama
    1972 29 Apr
    197-
    The House of Worship in Panama, the Mother Temple of Latin America, was dedicated in a series of ceremonies held throughout the day attended by Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, Ugo Giachery and Dhikru'lláh Khádem and four thousand Bahá'ís. [BW15:634; VV14]
  • For the history of the House of Worship see BW15:643–6.
  • For statistics on the House of Worship see BW15:647–9.

    Specifics

      Location:Panama City, Panama (On the Cerro Sonsonate (Singing Hill), a few miles north of Panama City)
      Foundation Stone: 8 October 1967 (Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum)
      Construction Period: 1969-1972
      Site Dedication: 29 April, 1972 (Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum)
      Architect: Peter Tillotson
      Seating: 550
      Dimensions:
      Cost:
      Dependencies:
      References: BW14p493, BW15p632-649

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