Chronology: Date 1973

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
any all exact phrase

Date 1973, descending — sort earliest first

date	event	tags	firsts
1973 Dec 197-	A teenage Muslim girl learned of the Faith from one of her Bahá’í school classmates and, together with her older sister, became seriously interested in the teachings. When the Bahá’í Faith was referred to during a discussion of religion in class in one of the Government schools in Baghdad, the girl rose to her feet in defence of the Cause. When questioned by the teacher she announced her belief in Baha’u’llah, an assertion which created a stir in the class. The students spoke of the incident the same day to their parents, among whom was the Minister of Education, who, the following day, ordered an investigation to be made. He himself went to the school, dismissed the headmaster, and following the intervention of the Minister of the Interior ordered the arrest of the girl, together with that of three Bahá’í girls studying at that school. A chain of arrests, totalling almost fifty, followed in the course of the next few months. [BW15p138] One of the detainees, Anisa Abdul-Razzaq Abbas wrote of her time of her confinement over six years. Her book was translated by her daughter, Alhan Irwin, and published under the title Without Hesitation: An Account of an Iraqi Prisoner of Conscience. The book was published by One Voice Press in March 2021.	Persecution, Iraq; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Baghdad, Iraq; Iraq; Without Hesitation
1973 4 Dec 197-	The Universal House of Justice announced the completion of the final, south-western quadrant of the gardens at Bahjí. [BW16:135–6; DH122]	- Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahji, Israel
1973 Dec 197-	The National Spiritual Assembly of Puerto Rico held its first Bahá'í school. [BW16:194]	Puerto Rico	first Bahá’í school Puerto Rico
1973 Nov 197-	The first youth conference of Papua New Guinea took place in Sogeri with 40 youth and visitors. [BW16:276]	Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Youth; - First conferences; Sogeri, Papua New Guinea; Papua New Guinea	first youth conference of Papua New Guinea
1973 7 Oct 197-	The Universal House of Justice announced that the number of Auxiliary Board members throughout the world was to be raised to 270, of whom 81 will serve on the Auxiliary Boards for the Protection of the Faith and 189 will serve on the Auxiliary Boards for the Propagation of the Faith. In all there will be 54 Auxiliary Board members in Africa, 81 in the Western Hemisphere, 81 in Asia, 18 in Australasia and 36 in Europe. Each Continental Board of Counsellors was given the discretion to authorize individual Auxiliary Board members to appoint assistants and given broad latitude in this matter. [Message from the Universal House of Justice 7 October, 1973]	Counsellors; Auxiliary board members; Assistants; Appointed arm; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Bahá'í World Centre
1973 18 Sep 197-	Husayn Amánat was appointed architect of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. [BW16:133; DH172; VV37]	Universal House of Justice, Seat of (Haifa); Hossein Amanat (Husayn Amanat); Architecture; - Architects; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
1973 5 Sep 197-	John Ferraby, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Cambridge, England. (b. 9 January,1914) [BW16:511, VV8] Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii] For his obituary see BW16:511–12. Wikipedia. Bahaipedia. He was the author of All Things Made New published in 1960 by Allen & Unwin, London.	John Ferraby; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Cambridge, England; United Kingdom
1973 Jul 197-	The National Spiritual Assembly of Equatorial Guinea was formed. [BW16:141] Owing to local circumstances, it was disbanded within the year. [BW16:141]	National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Equatorial Guinea	first NSA Equatorial Guinea
1973 14 Jun 197-	The International Teaching Centre met for the first time. [VV16]	International Teaching Centre; Haifa, Israel	first meeting ITC
1973 8 Jun 197-	The Universal House of Justice permitted the Continental Boards of Counsellors to authorize individual Auxiliary Board members to appoint assistants. [BW17:322] Mrs. Zena Sorabjee was appointed Trustee of the new Continental Fund of South Central Asia, while Mr. Hushang Ahdieh and Mr. Mas'úd Khamsí were appointed the new Trustees of the Continental Funds of Central and East Africa and South America respectively. 8 June, 1973	Counsellors; Auxiliary board members; Assistants; Appointed arm; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Funds, Continental; Funds; - Bahá'í World Centre
1973 5 Jun 197-	The Universal House of Justice asked the Bahá'ís to commemorate on the Feast of Núr, the one hundredth anniversary of Bahá'u'lláh's departure from 'Akká and move to Mazra'ih. [VV21]	Centenaries; Bahá'u'lláh, Banishment of; Mazraih, Israel; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Mazraih)
1973 5 Jun 197-	The International Teaching Centre was established at the Bahá'í World Centre for the purpose of continuing the work of the Hands of the Cause of God into the future. [BBD118–19; BBRSM132–3; BW16:134, 411–14; BW17:322–5; VV16, CEBF200; Wikipedia] For cable of the Universal House of Justice see BW16:413. Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, 'Alí-Akbar Furútan, Paul Haney and Abu'l-Qásim Faizí and Counsellor members Hooper Dunbar, Florence Mayberry and Aziz Yazdí were appointed. [BW16:413] For pictures see BW16:412 and VV16. The duties and the organization of the International Teaching Centre were deliniated in the Message from the Universal House of Justice of June 8th, 1973. See Wikipedia article for the names of the Counsellor members since its inception.	International Teaching Centre; International Teaching Centre, Members of; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Counsellors; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Paul Haney; Abu'l-Qasim Faizi; Hooper Dunbar; Florence Mayberry; Aziz Yazdi; Appointed arm; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
1973 Ridván 197-	The National Spiritual Assembly of Equatorial Guinea was formed (The actual formation took place in July). Owing to local circumstances, it was disbanded within the year. [BW16:141] The Assembly was re-established in 1984 with its seat in Malabo. [Bahaipedia; BW19;147]	National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Equatorial Guinea
1973 197-	Localities: 54,102 Local Assemblies: 13,737 National Assemblies: 113 Tribes and minorities represented: 1,191 Literature translated into 567 languages Schools and Institutes: 153 Independent countries and important territories opened to the Bahá'í Faith: 317 [from a pamphlet published by the NSA of Canada "Baha'i A New Man A New World Order"]	Statistics
1973 Ridván 197-	The formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward and Virgin Island. [BW15p702]	National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; St. Thomas Island
1973 - 1974 197-	1973 - 1974 was a Year of Preparation. [Mess63-86pxli]	- Teaching Plans
1973 Ridván 197-	The Nine Year Plan was successfully completed. [BW16:131] For the growth of the Bahá'í Faith in this period see BW16:130. Also see The Nine Year Plan, 1964-1973: Statistical Report, Ridván 1973 by the Universal House of Justice. See as well the document entitled Analysis of the Nine Year International Teaching Plan of the Bahá'í Faith published by the Universal House of Justice in April, 1964. "Tribute must be paid to the host of Bahá'í youth from many countries whose travels in Africa hastened and ensured the success of the Nine Year Plan in that continent, and in particular to the international "rescue squad" of youth from Persia, India, the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries who in the closing hours of the Plan sealed its triumphant conclusion in Africa." [BW15p184] "The friends in several countries of Africa are also indebted to the outstanding services of Dr. 'Aziz Navidi, an international lawyer and Baha'i International Community Representative for Africa, who assisted the Bahá'í communities in these countries in obtaining official recognition and performed other valuable services." [BW15p185-186]	Nine Year Plan (1964-1973); - Teaching Plans; Youth; Travel Teaching; Aziz Navidi; - Bahá'í World Centre
1973 Ridván 197-	The Universal House of Justice was elected for the third time. The conference was attended by 472 National Spiritual Assembly members of the possible 1,017 from the 113 National and Regional Assemblies. Members of 14 Assemblies were prevented from attending for circumstances beyond their control but at least one person attended from the remaining 99 Assemblies. [VV14, SDSC296] The newly elected members of the Universal House of Justice were: 'Alí Nakhjavání, Hushmand Fatheazam, Amoz Gibson, Ian Semple, David Hofman, Charles Wolcott, Borrah Kavelin, David Ruhe, Hugh Chance. [Mess63-86]	Universal House of Justice, Election of; Conventions, International; Elections; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
1973 Ridván 197-	The Synopsis and Codification of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was published. [BBRSM138; MUHJ105; VV14; BW15:169] In 1953 Shoghi Effendi had included, as one of the goals of the Ten Year Plan, the preparation of a Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas as an essential prelude to the translation of Kitáb-i-Aqdas itself. In 1955 Shoghi Effendi initiated steps to this end and had made considerable progress when he passed in 1957. The task was continued on the basis of his work and the resulting volume was released. [Universal House of Justice Message 5 March, 1993] The Synopsis and Codification covered the text of both the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and the Questions and Answers which constitutes an appendix to the Aqdas.	Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book); * Publications; Questions and answers; - Bahá'í World Centre
1973 7 Apr 197-	Following the return to stability in Burundi, the Bahá'í Faith was granted formal recognition by the government. [BW16:137]	Recognition (legal); Burundi
1973 1 Apr 197-	The Bahá'ís of the Central African Republic broadcasted the first of their weekly radio programs on Radio Bangui. The Bahá'í community along with the other major religions in the country was accorded the privilege of presenting weekly radio broadcasts over Radio Bangui, whose programmes reach not only all of the Central African Republic but the neighbouring countries of Equatorial Africa as well. The first programme was entitled "What is the Bahá'í Faith?" and was presented by Gbaguene Robert and Toleque-Koy Michel. [BW16:141] See also...A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p10-11]	Radio; Firsts, other; Central African Republic	first weekly radio programme Central African Republic
1973 13 Mar 197-	The mansion at Mazra'ih was purchased. [BW15:169; BW16:136; BW19-779-782, DH94; VV14] From the Ridván message of the Universal House of Justice ... "The Mansion of Mazra`ih, often referred to by the beloved Guardian as one of the "twin mansions" in which the Blessed Beauty resided after nine years within the walled prison-city of `Akká, and dear to the hearts of the believers by reason of its associations with their Lord, has at last been purchased together with 24,000 square metres of land extending into the plain on its eastward side." [MUHJ68-73p112]	House of Bahá'u'lláh (Mazraih); Purchases and exchanges; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Mazraih, Israel; Akka, Israel
1973 Feb 197-	Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion Violette Nakhjavání completed their tour of Africa. For details of the safari see BW15:593–607. They drove some 36,000 miles to visit more than 30 countries. [BW15:596; VV12] See BW15:606–7 for the countries, islands and territories visited and the heads of state and other dignitaries who received them.	Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; Violette Nakhjavani; Great African Safari; - Africa; Haifa, Israel
1973 Jan 197-	The Bahá'ís of The Gambia were granted freedom of worship by the Secretary-General of the Gambian government. [BW15:193]	Recognition (legal); Gambia, The
1973 (In the year) 197-	Leonora Armstrong was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors. [Biographical Profile]	Counsellors; Leonora Holsapple Armstrong; Brazil
1973 (In the year) 197-	The first International Youth Conference of Mexico took place in Puebla City, was attended by 200 youth from five countries. [BW15:343]	Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Youth; - First conferences; North America; Puebla, Mexico; Mexico	first International Youth Conference of Mexico
1973 (In the year) 197-	The first local spiritual assembly in the Faroes was formed in Tórshavn.	Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Faroe Islands, Denmark	first LSA in Faroes
1973 (In the year) 197-	The first local spiritual assembly in St Helena was formed.	Local Spiritual Assembly; St. Helena	first Local Spiritual Assembly in St Helena
1973 (In the year) 197-	The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tihrán and its adjacent bírúní (reception area) were completely restored to their original structure, design and elegance.	House of Bahá'u'lláh (Tihran); - Restoration and renovation; Tehran, Iran; Iran


Home Site Map Tags Search Series Chronology Links About Contact RSS