Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
any   all   exact phrase

Date 195-, ascending sort latest first

date event tags firsts
1950 (In the year)
195-
By this year the Bahá'í population of Black Africa was probably no more than 12. [BBRSM190–1] Statistics; - Africa
1950 (In the year)
195-
The Court of the First Instance in Karkúk, Iraq, registered a Bahá'í marriage certificate. [MBW4; UD248]
  • This was the first time in the East, outside Israel, that a Bahá'í marriage was recognized as being legal, an important precedent for other Oriental countries. [MBW4; UD248]
  • Firsts, other; Marriage; Weddings; Recognition (legal); Karkuk, Iraq; Iraq first Bahá’í marriage recognized in the East (outside Israel)
    1950 (In the decade)
    195-
    In Iran, the Hujjatiyya Society was started by Shaykh Mahmúd Halabí to persecute and harass the Bahá'ís. [S1296]
  • During the Pahlaví era it confined itself to this end and was called the Anti-Bahá'í Society. [SI296]
  • See The Anti-Bahá'í Society by Mehdi Abedi and Michael M.J. Fischer.
  • Hojjatieh Society; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran
    1950 (In the year)
    195-
    The publication of Prescription for Living by Rúhíyyih Rabbani by George Ronald. The first edition was a run of 300 copies, done in a dark blue cloth, serial numbered and autographed by the author. There were subsequent printings in 1950, 1960, 1972, and 1978. [Collins7.2181-2185; CBN No 13 May 1950]
  • In 1971-1972 the book was transcribed by Gertrude D. Schurgast of Tuscon, AZ into braille. Another "printing" was done by the Service for the Blind Committee in Stevenage, England in 1983. [Collins8.118-119]
  • Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; * Publications
    1950 (In the year)
    195-
    Ghulam Reza Akhzari and his son Nur Allah were killed near Yazd and Bahram Rawhani was murdered in Taft. [Towards a History of Iran's Bahá'í Community During the Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979 by Mina Yazdani.] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Yazd, Iran; Taft, Iran; Iran
    1950 (In the year)
    195-
    The publication of The Covenant, An Analysis by George Townshend. It was published in Manchester by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust 15p. [Collins7.2578] Covenant; Manchester, England
    1950 3 Jan
    195-
    A woman named Sughrá and her five children were brutally murdered. Members of the Spiritual Assembly of fhte Bahá'ís of Yazd were falsely accused of ordering the crime. The accusations were orchestrated by the judicial authorities from Yazd who were influenced by Mullá Khálisizádih. The trial of these innocent individuals occurred in Tehran with the help of fundamentalist religious authorities. As a result the guilty were never prosecuted and many innocent individuals were imprisoned and executed. [SCF123117] Mulla Khalisizadih; Abarqu, Yazd, Iran; Yazd, Iran; Iran
    1950 15 Jan
    195-
    The earliest observation of what has become known as World Religion Day was observed in Portland, Maine in October of 1947 and was entitled "World Peace Through World Religion" after a talk by Firuz Kazemzadeh. [Portland Sunday Telegram And Sunday Press Herald. Portland, Maine. October 19, 1947. p. 42.; BN No 229 March 1956 p1]
  • In 1949 there were observances in various communities in the United States and in December of 1949 it was standardized across the United States by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States to be held January 15, 1950. The purpose of World Religion Day is to highlight the ideas that the spiritual principles underlying the world's religions are harmonious, and that religions play a significant role in unifying humanity. [BN No 226 December 1949 106BE p4-5]
  • It is celebrated internationally each year on the third Sunday in January. [Wikipedia]
  • See World Religion Day (January) by Christopher Buck
  • See message from the Universal House of Justice dated 22 October, 1968 to the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago in Lights of Guidance #1710 in which they describe the purpose of World Religion Day.

    ".....is a celebration of the need for and the coming of a world religion for mankind, the Bahá'í Faith itself." iiiii

  • World Religion Day; Interfaith dialogue; Firsts, other; Firuz Kazemzadeh; United States (USA)
    1950 3 Feb
    195-
    Dr Sulaymán Birgís was martyred in Káshán, Iran. [BW18:390]
  • For his obituary see BW12:684–5.
  • Two men affiliated with the Islamic Development Association of Kashan, asked Dr Sulayman Berjis to attend to a patient at their home. When the doctor arrived at the house, the two men, and others, stabbed the doctor 81 times, killing him. The murderers, who had the support of influential clerics, turned themselves in to the police. They said they had been motivated by their strong religious beliefs. A number of clerics wrote a letter to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, and asked him to free Berjis's murderers. The trials of the murderers took place from August 27 to September 13, 1950, in Tehran. As a result of the efforts of the clerics and a group of their supporters, conservative businessmen with links to the city's bazaar, the court pronounced the accused not guilty. They were all released. [Iran Wire; Towards a History of Iran's Baha'i Community During the Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979 by Mina Yazdani]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Kashan, Iran; Iran
    1950 26 Mar - 10 Apr
    195-
    The British Community needed 22 declarations to complete the goals of their Six Year Plan. The National Spiritual Assembly of Canada sponsored a trip by John Robarts to lend his assistance. During his 13 day stay he visited London, Manchester, Blackpool, Blackburn, Sheffield, Oxford, Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow and Edinburgh and witnessed 18 declarations. By April 10th the goal had been won. [CBN No 13 May, 1950 p4] John Robarts; London, England; Manchester, England; Blackpool, England; Blackburn, England; Sheffield, England; Oxford, England; Dublin, Ireland; Belfast, Northern Ireland; Glasgow, Scotland; Edinburgh, Scotland
    1950 Ridván
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the Africa Campaign (1951-1953) in a cable to the British National Convention. [BW12:52; UD245–6]
  • The British community was to lead the campaign supported by the Bahá'ís of the United States and Egypt. Shoghi Effendi expanded the plan to include the cooperation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Persia and of India, who were to provide additional pioneers. The Plan was not scheduled to start until Ridván 1950 but the British Bahá'í community as soon as possible after the Plan was announced. [UD245]
  • The object was to open the Faith to three countries, Gold Coast, Tanganyika and Uganda. Shoghi Effendi termed it "the first International collaboration plan in Bahá'í history. (CG157, 159]
  • For the objectives of the campaign see UD245–6.
  • For the importance of the enterprise see UD260–3.
  • The plan was to be launched after a year's respite but the British Bahá'ís begin to implement the plan immediately. [CB317]
  • At the time of the Campaign there was "...since the days of the Blessed Beauty and up to the early 1950s, the activities of the friends in Africa had produced the formation of one National Spiritual Assembly with its seat in Cairo, Egypt, the opening of 12 countries to the light of the Faith, and some 50 localities established throughout its vast lands. It was at such a time that the beloved Guardian ushered in the first African Teaching Plan" [Message from the Universal House of Justice To the Friends gathered at the Bahá'í International Conference at Lagos dated 19 August, 1982 ; The UK Bahá'í Journal/History]
  • The first to arise for the Campaign was Claire Gung who departed from England on the Warwick Castle on the 3rd of January, 1951 bound for Tanganyika. [CG13, 26]
  • Others who pioneered were: Philip Hainsworth, Uganda, June 1951; Hasan and Isobel Sabri, Tanganyika, July 1951; and Ted Cardell, Kenya, October 1951.
  • For additional information see The Baha'i Faith in Africa: Establishing a New Religious Movement, 1952–1962 by Anthony Lee.
  • - Teaching Plans; Africa Campaign; Claire Gung; Philip Hainsworth; Hasan Sabri; Isobel Sabri; Ted Cardell; - Africa; United Kingdom; United States (USA); Egypt the first International collaboration plan in Bahá'í history
    1950 25 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi cabled the Bahá'í world with the successes of the Bahá'í work in the past year. [MBW3]
  • The number of sovereign states and dependencies where the Faith was established reached 100, an increase of 22 countries since 1944.

    Approximate number of Localities where Bahá'ís resided in the largest Bahá'í communities.

  • European Goal Countries: --> Over thirty localities.
  • Germany and Austria: --> Over forty localities.
  • British Isles: --> Over fifty localities.
  • Australia and New Zealand: --> Over sixty localities.
  • Dominion of Canada: --> Over eighty localities.
  • India, Pakistan and Burma: --> Over eighty localities.
  • Latin America: --> Over one hundred localities.
  • Persia: --> Over seven hundred localities.
  • United States of America: --> Over eleven hundred localities. [Baha'i Historical Facts, January 15, 2018 quoted from The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1950 Information Statistical and Comparative compiled by Shoghi Effendi]
  • Statistics
    1950 25 May
    195-
    Dr Khodadad M. Fozdar, a medical officer of the State Railways in India, arrived in Singapore, the first pioneer to the country. [BW13:393]
  • His wife, Shirin Fozdar, joined him in September 1950.
  • Khodadad M. Fozdar; Shirin Fozdar; Singapore first pioneer to Singapore
    1950 (Early June)
    195-
    In 1950 Sutherland Maxwell suffered from a severe illness from which he never recovered. He returned to Montreal in early June, 1951. [From CBN undated Memorial Issue] Sutherland Maxwell; Haifa, Israel; Montreal, QC; Canada
    1950 Jul
    195-
    The British Six Year Plan was successfully completed. [BW11:25; MBW4] - Teaching Plans; - Teaching Plans, National; United Kingdom
    1950 9 Jul
    195-
    The Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb was commemorated.
  • For Shoghi Effendi's message to the Bahá'ís on this occasion see BW12:191–3.
  • For accounts of commemorations around the world see BW12:205–8.
  • A small group of Bahá'í pilgrims visited the site of the Báb's martyrdom and other places associated with His life. [BW12:217–26]
  • The columned arcade and parapet of the Shrine of the Báb were completed. [ZK284–5]
  • Centenaries; Báb, Martyrdom of; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Pilgrimage; Pilgrims; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel; Iran; - Worldwide
    1950 24–27 Jul
    195-
    The third European Teaching Conference was held in Copenhagen. [BW12:49; SBBR14p243]
  • 177 Bahá'ís from 22 countries attended.
  • Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences, International; Copenhagen, Denmark; Denmark; - Europe
    1950 28 - 30 Jul
    195-
    The First European Teaching Summer School was held in Elsinore, Denmark. [SBBR14p243] Summer schools; Elsinore, Denmark; Denmark First European teaching summer School
    1950 Sep - Oct
    195-
    Four Bahá'ís in Iran were arrested on trumped-up charges. The trial lasted until 1954, when the accused were given prison sentences. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Iran
    1950 23 Oct
    195-
    Nur Ali, a well-known and respected public servant in Suva, became a Bahá'í, the first to accept the Faith in Fiji. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Fiji first Bahá'í in Fiji
    1950 Nov
    195-
    Brian Burland, the first Bermudian to become a Bahá'í, accepted the Faith in Canada. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Canada; Bermuda first Bermudian Bahá'í
    1950 Nov
    195-
    From Switzerland, Shoghi Effendi invited five Bahá'ís—Lotfullah Hakim, Jessie and Ethel Revell, Amelia Collins and Mason Remey—to Haifa. [PP251]
  • They, together with Ben and Gladys Weeden who were already there, were told that they would constitute the International Bahá'í Council. [PP251–2]
  • International Bahá'í Council; Lutfullah Hakim; Jessie Revell; Ethel Revell; Amelia Collins; Charles Mason Remey; Ben Weeden; Gladys Anderson Weeden; Switzerland; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    1950 1 Nov
    195-
    Mírzá Badí'u'lláh, the youngest son of Bahá'u'lláh, (b.1867 in Adrianople) described by Shoghi Effendi as the 'chief lieutenant' of the 'archbreaker' of the 'divine Covenant' died. [CB340, 355–6; CF89, BIC162, MSBR63, BBR460, RoB3pg230, CH209, SoB92, CoB340, 355-6, CoF89]
  • A close companion of Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí. [CoB165]
  • All his family became Covenant-breakers. [CoB362]
  • He had a short-lived repentance. [CoB152-3, GPB263, Historical Dictionary of the Bahá'í Faith p321, Interview with Badi'u'llah by Howard MacNutt]
  • He opposed both 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. [CoB165] As an example, in 1939 when Shoghi Effendi proposed to relocate the remains of Mirza Mihdí and Ásíyih Khánum from 'Akka to Haifa, it was Mírzá Badí'u'lláh who led the dissenting faction claiming that as he was more closely related to Mirza Mihdí, it was he, under Moslem law, who had the right to decide as to the disposal of the remains. [BBR460-461]
  • Mírzá Badiullah; Covenant-breaking; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1950 (Near end of year)
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi entered into negotiations with the government of Israel to exchange some farm land near the border with Jordan for the same acreage in the vicinity of the Shrine and the Mansion in Bahjí. The difficult and protracted talks lasted two years and involved Mr Hautz and Leroy Ioas, who in March 1952, had become the General Secretariat of the International Bahá'í Council and so had become the lead on the negotiations. [SETPE1p124-125] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bahji, Israel; Haifa, Israel
    1950 Dec
    195-
    Jalál Nakhjavání arrived in Tanganyika, the first Bahá'í pioneer to the country. [BW18:79]

    History of the Bahá'í Faith in Tanzania says that Claire Gung was the 1st pioneer of the Bahá'í Faith in the country. Her biography, Claire Gung: Mother of Africa p14 confirms that she disembarked the The Warwick Castle sometime in February, 1951.

    Jalal Nakhjavani; Pioneers; Claire Gung; Tanganyika, Tanzania first Bahá’í pioneer to Tanganyika
    1950 15 Dec
    195-
    The Guardian appealed directly to Israel's Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to recognize the interest of the Bahá'í community in the property known as Mazra'ih as a holy place. After a protracted struggle to obtain ownership of the property, then a Moslem religious endowment, he leased the site from the Department of Moslem and Druze affairs in the Ministry of Religions. [DH93, GBF137, PP290, CB331, MBW7, Bahá'í News, no. 244, June 1951, p. 4] House of Bahá'u'lláh (Mazraih); David Ben-Gurion; Haifa, Israel; Mazraih, Iran; Akka, Israel; Israel
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Khadaram and Parvin Payman were the first pioneers in Indonesia. [PH62] Khadaram Payman; Parvin Payman; Indonesia
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Portuguese Bahá'ís Mr António and Mrs Ema Rocha, Mrs Guedes DeMelo Rocha and Mrs D. Laura Rodriquez, the first pioneers to Angola, took up residence in Luanda. - First travel teachers and pioneers; Luanda, Angola; Angola first pioneers to Angola
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Muhammad Kayvani was murdered in Najafabad. [Towards a History of Iran's Bahá'í Community During the Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979 by Mina Yazdani.] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Najaf, Iranabad, Iran; Iran
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi received the original manuscript of The Kitáb-i-Íqán, in the handwriting of 'Abdu'l-Bahá with some marginal additions by Bahá'u'lláh, and placed it in the International Bahá'í Archives. International Bahá'í Archives; Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Throughout Iran, the government introduced repressive measures against Bahá'ís. [BW18:390]
  • Bahá'ís were dismissed from government positions. [BW18:390]
  • Fifty Bahá'í employees of the public hospital in Mashhad were dismissed. [BW18:390]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Mashhad, Iran; Iran
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Bahá'ís in Árán, Káshán, Iran, were attacked, and one died. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Kashan, Iran; Iran
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Bahá'í women in Egypt were extended the right of membership on local spiritual assemblies. [MBW12]
  • Shoghi Effendi called this 'a notable step in the progress of Bahá'í women of the Middle East'. [MBW12]
  • Local Spiritual Assembly; Women; Egypt
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    By this year the first Canadian Inuit had become a Bahá'í. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - First believers by background; Inuit people; Canada first Canadian Inuit Bahá'í
    1951 (In the year)
    195-
    Palle Benemann Bischoff, the first to become a Bahá'í in Denmark, settled in Aasiaat, and became the first Bahá'í to live in Greenland. [MC22]
      Shoghi Effendi had given Canada the goal of opening Greenland, a seemingly impossible task because it was a closed country in which no one could enter with obtaining permission from the Danish government. See BW20p803-804 for John Robarts role in opening the path for Palle Bischoff.
  • Despite having a degree in commercial science, he began his career in Greenland as a fisherman, later working as a manager in a fishing station, and then opening a ski school.
  • He was best known for being the first person to teach the Greenlanders to ski and for having organized the first ski competition in West Greenland.
  • He returned to Denmark in 1954 where he became a member of the first local assembly of Copenhagen as well as the Regional Assembly of Scandinavia and Finland from 1957 until 1963 when he was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Denmark. He also served as a member of the Auxiliary Board from 1963 until 2000. [BW20 p303; Bahaipedia]
  • Palle Benemann Bischoff; Greenland; John Robarts first Bahá’í in Denmark; first Bahá’í resident in Greenland
    1951 9 Jan
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the formation of the International Bahá'í Council. [BBD118; BBRSM127; GBF109; MBW7–8; PP252; UD261]

    Proclaim National Assemblies of East and West weighty epoch-making decision of formation of first International Bahá'í Council, forerunner of supreme administrative institution destined to emerge in fullness of time within precincts beneath shadow of World Spiritual Center of Faith already established in twin cities of 'Akká and Haifa....

  • The members were: Rúhíyyih Khanum (1951–61) Liaison with Shoghi Effendi; Hand of the Cause of God Charles Mason Remey (1951–61) President; Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins (1951–61) Vice President; Hand of the Cause Leroy Ioas (1952–61) Secretary General; Hand of the Cause Jessie Revell (1951–61) Treasurer Luṭfu'lláh Ḥakím (1951–61) Eastern Assistant Secretary Ethel Revell (1951–61) Western Assistant Secretary Ugo Giachery (1952–61) Member-at-large; Hand of the Cause Ben Weeden (1951–52); Gladys Weeden (1951–52); Sylvia Ioas (1955–61).
  • See UD261 for the significance of the establishment of the International Bahá'í Council. Between 1951 and 1957 Shoghi Effendi directed the members and used the Council to create an image of an international body handling the Bahá'í affairs in Haifa. According to Shoghi Effendi, the Council's responsibilities were to:
  • establish links with the Israeli authorities, and
  • negotiate with them concerning and establishing of a Bahá'í court to deal with personal matters,
  • Shoghi Effendi to complete the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb
  • as an international Bahá'í secretariat.

    This body functioned until the election of the Universal House of Justice in 1963.

  • It was a forerunner to the Universal House of Justice. [BBD118]
  • For its functions see MBW7–8.
  • Its seat is the Western Pilgrim House. [BBD178]
  • For the stages of its evolution see CB324.
  • International Bahá'í Council; Universal House of Justice; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; Pilgrim Houses; Pilgrim House, Western (Haifa); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    1951 25 Jan or 4 Feb
    195-
    Claire Gung arrived in Tanganyika aboard the Warwick Castle and obtained employment as a matron in a boys' boarding school in Lushoto. She was the second Bahá'í pioneer to the country. [CG160; CBN No 18 Mar 1951 p10]
  • She later pioneered to Uganda and Southern Rhodesia during the Ten Year Crusade.
  • An additional group of early arrivals in East Africa settled in Tanganyika in 1951. They included Hassan and Isobel Sabri who came from Egypt, and Jalal Nakhjavání and his family from Iran. By 1954, a Local Spiritual Assembly had been elected in Dar es Salaam including three native believers. Among them was Denis Dudley-Smith Kutendele, the first to accept the Faith in Tanzania. [A Brief Account of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nance Ororo-Robarts and Selam Ahderrom p2]
      History of the Bahá'í Faith in Tanzania said that the first local spiritual assembly was elected in Dar es Salaam in 1952 and that it received civic registration later under Tanganyika's Trustee's Incorporation Ordinance.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Claire Gung; Hassan Sabri; Isobel Sabri; Jalal Nakhjavani; Denis Dudley-Smith; Kutendele, LSA, formation; Tanzania; Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania Denis Dudley-Smith Kutendele, the first to accept the Faith in Tanzania
    1951 25 Feb
    195-
    In a letter from the Guardian addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, concerning its Two Year Plan which immediately preceded the Ten Year Crusade, he made a reference to the election of the Universal House of Justice:

    On the success of this enterprise, unprecedented in its scope, unique in its character and immense in its spiritual potentialities, must depend the initiation, at a later period in the Formative Age of the Faith, of undertakings embracing within their range all National Assemblies functioning throughout the Bahá'í world—undertakings constituting in themselves a prelude to the launching of worldwide enterprises destined to be embarked upon, in future epochs of that same Age, by the Universal House of Justice, that will symbolize the unity and coordinate and unify the activities of these National Assemblies. [UD261; 9 March 1965]

    Universal House of Justice, Election of; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 Mar
    195-
    The Bahá'ís of El Salvador called on the president of the Republic to dispel any suspicions that the Bahá'í community was linked to communism. Communism; El Salvador
    1951 2 Mar
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the completion of the restoration of the House of 'Abbúd. [MBW8] House of Abbud (Akká); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Restoration; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Haifa, Israel; Akka, Israel
    1951 7 Mar
    195-
    The Prime Minister of Iran, Haj 'Alí Razmara was assassinated during a memorial service in a mosque in Tehran. He had planned to have the Bahá'í prisoners including the members of the Spiritual Assembly of Yazd and others, killed on their way to Tehran. [SCF123note63] Haj Ali Razmara; - Prime Ministers of Iran; - Prime Ministers; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1951 12 Mar
    195-
    Bahá'ís in Taft, Iran, were attacked and one was killed. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Taft, Iran; Iran
    1951 21 Mar
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the completion of the excavation for the eight pillars to support the dome of the Báb's Sepulchre and the decision to place a $130,000 contract for the stonework for both the cylinder and the dome. [CBN No19 April 1951 p4] Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 2 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the completion of two additional terraces, a scheme initiated a quarter of a century prior, to fulfill the Master's plan to connect, through a series of nine terraces, the Shrine of the Báb with the Templar Colony at the foot of Mount Carmel. [CBN No 19 April 1951 p4] Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb (Haifa); Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Mount Carmel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    The Bahá'ís of the British Isles launched a Two Year Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46]

    Some goals were:
      - To strengthen the nineteen Spiritual Assemblies already established in the British Isles
      - To form nuclei in three dependencies of the British Crown in East or West Africa
      - To translate, publish and disseminate Bahá'í literature in three additional African languages

  • Note that the British community was concentrating on homefront goals and playing a leading role in the African Campaign coordinated with five other National Spiritual Assemblies. [The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
  • - Teaching Plans; British Two Year Plan; United Kingdom; Ireland; British Isles
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, Pakistan and Burma launched the Indian Nineteen Month Plan (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; BBRSM158; DND148–50]

    Some goals were:
      - To offer Rs 2,500,000 to the Shrine of the Báb Fund
      - To enrich Bahá'í literature in local languages
      - To send pioneers to Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam, Zanzibar and Madagascar
      - To increase the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
      - To enhance the status of the Bahá'í New Era School in Panchgani

    - Teaching Plans; - Teaching Plans, National; India; Pakistan; Myanmar
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    Several National Spiritual Assemblies-Britain, Egypt, India, Iran and the United States, joined forces in their first collaborative teaching effort called the Africa Campaign (1951-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46, BBRSM158, MBW135-140]
  • See also UD261 for the significance of the Africa Campaign.
  • See Bahá'í Communities by Country: Research Notes by Graham Hassall for further details of the Plan.
  • - Teaching Plans; Africa Campaign; - Africa; United Kingdom; United States (USA); Egypt; India; Iran
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central America, Mexico and the Antilles was elected at an international convention in Panama City. Those elected were: Srta. Raquel J. Francois, Mrs. Cora H. Oliver, Srta. Elena Marsella, Srta. Natalia Chavez, James V. Facey Srta. Zenayda Jurado C, Mrs. Louise Caswell, Dr. David Escalante, Artemus Lamb. [BW12:60; Bahá'í News No 244 June 1951 p12]
  • 25 delegates representing 12 countries were present at the convention. [BW12:60]
  • For a photo of those attending see Bahá'í Historical Facts.
  • The countries of Central America were Belize, Costa Rica (confirmed) El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Raquel Francois; Cora Oliver; Elena Marsella; Natalia Chavez; James Facey; Zenayda Jurado C; Louise Caswell; David Escalante; Artemus Lamb; Panama first NSA of Central America
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of South America was elected at an international convention in Lima, Peru. Elected were: Edmund J. Miessler (Sao Paulo), Mrs. Margot Worley (Bahia), Miss Eve Nicklin (Lima), Manuel Vera (Lima), Dr. Alejandro Reid (Punta Arenas), Mrs. Gayle Woolson (Bogota), Esteban Canales L. (Asuncion), Srta. Mercedes Sanchez (Lima), Rangvald Taetz (Montevideo) [BW12:60; Bahá'í News No 244 June 1951 p12]
  • 18 of the 27 delegates were present at the convention. [BW12:60]
  • For a photo see Bahá'í Historical Facts.
  • The countries involved were: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The union lasted until 1957 when it was split into two administrative bodies.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Lima, Peru; Peru first NSA of South America
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pakistan and Burma launched a Nineteen Month Teaching Plan (1951-1953). The Plan included both homefront and international goals. [DND149-154; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2] - Teaching Plans; India, Pakistan and Burma Nineteen Month Plan
    1951 Ridván
    195-
    The number of sovereign states and dependencies open to the Faith was 106, while some of the Writings had been translated into more than 80 languages. [MBW11] Statistics; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 25 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi cabled the Bahá'í world with list of the successes of the Bahá'í work in the past year. [MBW11–13] Statistics; * Translation; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Worldwide
    1951 25 Apr
    195-
    The Bahá'í International Fund was established. [MBW13–14] Funds, International; Funds; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 23 May
    195-
    Jamshed and Parvati Fozdar arrived in Kuching with their son, Vijay, and became the first Bahá'ís to settle in Sarawak. Jamshed Fozdar; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Kuching, Malaysia; Sarawak, Malaysia; Malaysia first Bahá’í residents in Sarawak
    1951 Jun
    195-
    Bahá'ís in Fárán, Iran, were attacked and several houses burned. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Faran, Iran; Iran
    1951 Jul
    195-
    Mr P. K. Gopalakrishnan Nayer, an Indian, became a Bahá'í in Dar-es-Salaam, the first person to accept the Faith in Tanganyika. [BW12:53] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; Tanganyika, Tanzania; Tanzania first Bahá'í in Tanganyika
    1951 30 Jul
    195-
    Louis Gregory, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Eliot, Maine, near Green Acre. [CoF163; BW12:666; TMW310, LOF98; SYH236; BN No 247 September 1951 p1]
  • A national memorial service was held for him at the Temple in Wilmette on the 24th of November 1951. [SYH236]
  • Soon after his passing he was designated by Shoghi Effendi the first Hand of the Cause of his race. (On 5 August, 1951) [BBD91; BW12:666, MoCxxii]
  • Louis Gregory was the first person of his race to be elected to any administrative body in the United States. [-from talk by Louis Venters 2min 13sec]
  • See TG114, 117-8 for a description of his passing .
  • For his obituary see BW12:666–70.
  • See a list of his publications.
  • For biographical information on Hand of the Cause Louis Gregory see Gayle Morrison, To Move the World: Louis G. Gregory and the Advancement of Racial Unity in America (Wilmette, IL, USA Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982, 1999 printing).
  • For short biographical information see Bahá'í Encyclopedia]
  • Louis Gregory kept a journal of his visit to 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1911 including statements of 'Abdu'l-Baha, stories of the believers in the Holy Land and his experiences at the Shrines. It includes a selection of tablets 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed to him. A Heavenly Vista: The Pilgrimage of Louis G. Gregory".
  • See Louis Gregory, the Oneness of Humanity, and Highlights in the Development of the African-American Lawyer a presentation by Anthony Vance.
  • Louis G. Gregory; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Hands appointed posthumously by Shoghi Effendi; Firsts, other; Eliot, ME; Maine, USA; United States (USA) first black Hand of the Cause
    1951 2 or 3 Aug
    195-
    The establishment of the Faith in Uganda with the arrival of Mr. Músá Banání, his wife Samí'ih Banání, their daughter, Mrs. Violette and her husband, Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, of Iran, with their baby daughter Bahiyyih, and Mr. Philip Hainsworth who arrived in Kampala from England. [Wiki Bahá'í Uganda]
  • See BWNS135 for an account of the celebration of 50 years of the Faith in Uganda and the accomplishments.
  • Musa Banani; Violette Nakhjavani; `Alí Nakhjavání; Bahiyyih Nakhjavani; Philip Hainsworth; Samiih Banani; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda; - Africa first pioneers to arrive in Uganda
    1951 Sep
    195-
    National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States provided guidance on military service. [BN No 247 September 1951 p4] Military (armed forces); Military; Weapons; War; United States (USA)
    1951 Oct
    195-
    Marthe Jeanne Molitor, the first Belgian Bahá'í to settle in another country, left for the Belgian Congo (Zaire) one day after becoming a Bahá'í. Marthe Jeanne Molitor; Congo, Democratic Republic of first Belgian Bahá’í to settle in another country
    1951 11 Oct
    195-
    Edmund (Ted) Cardell, arrived in Kenya, the first Bahá'í pioneer to the country in the Africa Campaign. [UD488]
  • Marguerite Preston, the wife of a tea grower, had been living in Kenya since August 1945. She was killed in an air crash in February 1952.
  • Edmund (Ted) Cardell; Marguerite Preston; Kenya first pioneer to Kenya in Africa Campaign
    1951 22 Oct
    195-
    Ethel Stephens, the first black American pioneer to Africa, arrived in Accra, the first Bahá'í pioneer to Ghana. [UD273] Ethel Stephens; Ghana first black American pioneer to Africa; first pioneer to Ghana
    1951 30 Nov
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced plans for the Great Jubilee commemorating the centenary of the birth of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh in the Síyáh-Chál. [BW12:24–6, 115–16; MBW16–18] Great Jubilee (1952-1953); Centenaries; Bahá'u'lláh, Birth of Revelation of; Haifa, Israel
    1951 Dec
    195-
    Brothers-in-law Fred Bigabwa, a Mutoro, and Crispin Kajubi, a Muganda, became Bahá'ís in Uganda, the first to accept the Faith in that country. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Uganda first Bahá'ís in Uganda
    1951 13 Dec
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi's brother Riáz Rabbáni was the last of his siblings to become a Covenant-Breaker. "With feeling profound concern, grief, indignation, am compelled disclose Bahá'í world recent developments Holy Land furnishing further incontestable proof relationship established old and new Covenant-breakers demonstrating increasing boldness, marked, tragic decline in character and spiritual condition grandchildren `Abdu'l-Bahá. Their shameful attitude and conduct receiving approbation their elders. Evidences multiplying attesting Ruhi's increasing rebelliousness, efforts exerted my eldest sister pave way fourth alliance members family Siyyid Ali involving marriage his granddaughter with Ruha's son and personal contact recently established my own treacherous, despicable brother Riaz with Majdi'd-Din, redoubtable enemy Faith, former henchman Muhammad-'Ali, Archbreaker Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant. Convey information all National Assemblies." [MBW16, CoB358, 362, 364] Covenant-breaking; Riaz Rabbani; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1951 20 Dec
    195-
    Hand of the Cause Roy C. Wilhelm, (b.17 September, 1875) passed away in Lovel, Maine. He was buried in the Wilhelm Family Cemetery in Stoneham, Maine. [BW12:662]
  • He became a Bahá'í when he accompanied his mother on her pilgrimage to 'Akká in 1907. He introduced Martha Root to the Faith in 1908. In 1909 he was elected to the Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity and served on the American National Spiritual Assembly. A Unity Feast was held at his home in West Englewood, NJ in June of 1912, an event commemorated every year. [Highlights of the First 40 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in New York, City of the Covenant, 1892-1932 by Hussein Ahdieh p7]
  • He, along with Stanwood Cobb, and Genevieve Coy, wrote In His Presence: Visits to 'Abdu'l-Bahá These are said to be "three of the most important, and most touching, accounts of pilgrimages to the Holy Land in the time of `Abdu'l-Bahá. These are three classic works of Bahá'í history and literature. Roy Wilhelm's account is from his visit in 1907.
  • On his passing Shoghi Effendi designated him a Hand of the Cause of God. (23 December, 1951) [MoCxxii, BW12:662]
  • For his obituary see BW12:662–4.
  • Find a grave
  • Roy C. Wilhelm; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Hands appointed posthumously by Shoghi Effendi; Martha Root; Lovel, ME; Maine, USA; United States (USA)
    1951 24 Dec
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi appointed 12 Hands of the Cause of God, the first contingent of Hands to be appointed. BBRSM127; BW12:38–40, 374–5; BW13:333–4; MBW20; PG223-224]
  • They were Sutherland Maxwell, Mason Remey, Amelia Collins (she had been appointed in 1946, but her appointment had not been made public), Valíyu'lláh Varqá, Tarázu'lláh Samandarí, 'Alí-Akbar Furútan, Horace Holley, Dorothy Baker, Leroy Ioas, George Townshend, Hermann Grossmann and Ugo Giachery [GBF110–11; MBW20; PP253–4]
  • - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Hands of the Cause, Contingents; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Sutherland Maxwell; Charles Mason Remey; Amelia Collins; Varqa, Valiyullah; Varqa; Tarazullah Samandari; `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Horace Holley; Dorothy Baker; Leroy Ioas; George Townshend; Hermann Grossmann; Ugo Giachery; Haifa, Israel
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    The establishment of the Bahá'í Service for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped as a committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. Its purpose is to provide the literature of the Faith in mediums which can be used by those individuals whose physical or mental handicaps prevent them from using normal print. [website] Blindness; Disability; United States (USA)
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Published on the instructions of Shoghi Effendi, Dr Yúnis Afrukhtih's Khatirát-i-Nuh-Saliy-i- Akká, has been described as "pre-eminent among those works dealing with the history of Covenant-breaking".

    The English translation was titled, Memories of Nine Years in Akka) by Riaz Masrour and was published by George Ronald in 2004.

    Over those nine years, 1900 to 1909, Jináb-i-Khán (the title by which Dr. Yúnis Afrukhtih was honoured by 'Abdu'l-Bahá) served the Master in Akká as secretary, translator, envoy and physician. These were difficult years when the Master was imprisoned in the city of Akká, His every move subject to misrepresentation by the Arch-breaker of the Covenant and his associates, and even His life was in danger. At the same time the period saw the victories of the construction of the Shrine of the Báb and the House of Worship in Ishqábád, as well as the rise of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh in the West.

    Youness Afroukhteh (Yunis Afrukhtih); * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); Memories of Nine Years in Akka (book); Riaz Masrour; Covenant-breaking
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Aziz Yazdi from Persia joined Ted Cardell in Nairobi. In 1953 they were joined by Ursula Samandari from England. [A Brief Account of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nance Ororo-Robarts and Selam Ahderrom p2] Pioneering; Aziz Yazdi; Ted Cardell; Ursula Samandari; Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Mr Narain Das, a textile salesman from India working in Singapore, became a Bahá'í, the first person in the country to accept the Faith. A few months later Mr Teo Geok Leng, a Chinese Singaporean, became a Bahá'í, the first native of Singapore to accept the Faith. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Singapore first Bahá'í in Singapore; first Chinese Singaporean Bahá'í
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Bahá'ís and their homes were attacked in Najafábád, Iran, and several houses were set on fire. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Najaf, Iranabad, Iran; Iran
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Dudley Smith Kutendere from Zomba in the south of Malawi became a Bahá'í in Dar-es-Salaam, the first African to become a Bahá'í in Tanganyika and the first in all of Central and East Africa.
  • Denis has the unique distinction of being the first native believer in sub-Sahara Africa to take the Faith to a new country when in 1952 he left Tanzania to return to his native Nyasaland settling in his home town of Zomba. [A Brief Account of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nance Ororo-Robarts and Selam Ahderrom p2]
  • Dudley Smith Kutendere; Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; Zomba, Malawi; Malawi first African Bahá’í in Tanganyika, and Central and East Africa
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Walli Khan, a Fiji Indian, became a Bahá'í, the first person in Fiji to accept the Faith. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Fiji first Bahá'í in Fiji
    1952 (In the year)
    195-
    Khodabakhch Attar-Hamedani, his wife, and four sons were the first to pioneer to Algeria. The first Local Assembly was formed in 1954 and several others were formed after. He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Algeria and Tunisia and was appointed to the Auxiliary Board until all foreign Bahá'ís were expelled in 1968. [BWIM114] Persecution, Algeria; Algiers, Algeria; Algeria first to pioneers to Algeria
    1952 10 Jan
    195-
    The passing of Honoré Jaxon (b. 1861 as William Henry Jackson in the village of Wingham, ON). He died one month after his eviction from his basement apartment where he hoarded three tons of archival material which he hoped would become a library for the study of the Métis people of Saskatchewan.

    See Speechless 4 December 2009 for a chronological biography as well as a bibliography / webliography of other works on him.

    See NUVO for a photo of his eviction from the New York Daily News archive and a short biography.

    See as well BFA1p90-93; OBCC18-21, 25-26.

  • For his biography see Honoré Jaxon: Prairie Visionary by Donald B. Smith and Strange Empire: Louis Riel and the Métis People by Joseph Howard.
  • - In Memoriam; Honoré Jaxon; Metis people; New York, USA
    1952 Feb
    195-
    Enoch Olinga became a Bahá'í, the third Ugandan and the first of the Iteso tribe to accept the Faith.
  • See TG160 for the story of how he became a Bahá'í.
  • Enoch Olinga; Uganda first Bahá'í of Iteso tribe
    1952 Feb
    195-
    Eric Manton and his son Terry arrived in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), the first Bahá'ís to settle in the country. They settled in the Copperbelt region from where he was able to raise a number of native believers who took the Faith to other parts of Zambia. [A Brief Account of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nance Ororo-Robarts and Selam Ahderrom p2]
  • The first local convert was Christopher Mwitumwa in 1954. [Wikipedia]
  • - First travel teachers and pioneers; Eric Manton; Terry Manton; Northern Rhodesia; Zambia first residents in Northern Rhodesia
    1952 21 Feb
    195-
    For their part in the Africa Campaign, Egypt was asked to send pioneers to Libya and to Algeria. The first pioneer to Libya, Dr. Hussein Gollestaneh, arrived in Benghazi from Egypt.
  • By June 5, 1952 the first Libyan. Mr El Alamy, declared his faith in Bahá'u'lláh. Later in June a Bahá'í family, the Gorrah family, arrived to assist with the teaching work. [BN No 246 August 1951 p10; BN No 260 October 1952 p5]
  • Hussein Gollestaneh; Mr El Alamy; Gorrah family; Benghazi, Libya; Libya first libyan to declare his Faith
    1952 29 Feb
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi appointed the second contingent of Hands of the Cause of God. [BW12:375–6; CT202–3 MBW20–1; PP254; ZK47]
  • They were Fred Schopflocher, Corinne True, Dhikru'lláh Khádem, Shu'á'u'lláh 'Alá'í, Adelbert Mühlschlegel, Músá Banání and Clara Dunn. [BW12:375–6; MWB19–20]
  • Shoghi Effendi described their two-fold function: propagation of the Faith and preservation of its unity. [BW12:376; MBW21]
  • - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Hands of the Cause, Contingents; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Fred Schopflocher; Corinne True; Dhikrullah Khadem; Shuaullah Alai; Adelbert Muhlschlegel; Musa Banani; Clara Dunn; Haifa, Israel
    1952 Mar
    195-
    Mariette Bolton of Australia visited New Caledonia, the first Bahá'í to visit the islands. [BW15p437]
  • During her visit Mlle Françoise Feminier became a Bahá'í, the first person in New Caledonia to accept the Faith.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; New Caledonia first Bahá’í to visit New Caledonia; first Bahá'í in New Caledonia
    1952 Mar
    195-
    The Octagonal component of the Shrine of the Báb was completed. [The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical & Comparative p6] Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel
    1952 4 Mar
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi described plans for a marble colonnade to encircle the Shrine of the Báb as an intermediate step to building a superstructure for the Shrine and sent his ideas to Italy for scale drawings and estimate. [SE133–4] Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel; Italy
    1952 8 Mar
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the enlargement of the International Bahá'í Council to eight members. [MBW22; PP252–3]
  • Its members were Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, Mason Remey, Amelia Collins, Ugo Giachery, Leroy Ioas, Jessie Revell, Ethel Revell and Lotfullah Hakim. [BW12:379; MBW22]
  • International Bahá'í Council; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Charles Mason Remey; Amelia Collins; Ugo Giachery; Leroy Ioas; Jessie Revell; Ethel Revell; Lutfullah Hakim; Haifa, Israel
    1952 25 Mar
    195-
    Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Montreal. He died in the very room that the Master had slept in during His visit to Canada. (b.14 November, 1874) [DH143; MBW132; PP246; CBN undated Memorial Issue]
  • For his obituary see BW12:657–62.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For his relationship with Shoghi Effendi and work on the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb see PP236–43.
  • Shoghi Effendi named the southern door of the Báb's tomb after him in memory of his services.
  • On June 16th, 1956, friends of the Montreal area gathered at the grave to place, under the headstone, an alabaster box that had been sent by the Guardian. The box contained a piece of plaster taken from the walls of the prison in Máh-Kú where the Báb had been incarcerated in 1847. Another piece of plaster from the same source had been placed under the first golden tile of the dome of the Shrine of the Báb. The superstructure of the Shrine had been designed by Sutherland Maxwell. [TG55; CBN No 80 September 1956 p2]
  • Find a grave.
  • For a brief biography see LoF276-286.
  • The Canadian Bahá'í News published a special Memorial issue.
  • Sutherland Maxwell; - Architects; Fortress of Mah-Ku, Iran; Gifts; Relics; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Montreal, QC; Canada
    1952 26 Mar
    195-
    Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum was appointed Hand of the Cause of God to replace her father. [GBF111; MBW132–3] Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Haifa, Israel
    1952 Ridván
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Central America launched a One Year Plan (1952-1953). [Ruhi 8.2 p46; The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]

    Shoghi Effendi provided the following advice for the aims of the Central American Assembly:
      -To establish harmony, love and understanding among the Bahá'ís
      -To promote the teaching work
      -To win support for the National Bahá'í Fund
      -To assure publication of Bahá'í literature in well-translated Spanish editions in cooperation with the National Spiritual Assembly of South America. [BW12p68-69; Shoghi Effendi: Author of Teaching Plans ]

    - Teaching Plans; - Teaching Plans, National; Central America One Year Plan; Central America
    1952 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly of Uganda was established in Kampala.
  • Enoch Olinga was a member.
  • Local Spiritual Assembly; Kampala, Uganda first Local Spiritual Assembly of Uganda
    1952 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Tanganyika was established in Dar-es-Salaam. Jalal Nakhjavani, Hassan Sabri, Isobel Sabri, Leslie Matola, Khanum Darakshandeh Nakhjavani, Dudley Denis-Smith Kutendele, Eustace Mwalimu, and Naimi Frahang Nayer Gopalkrishnan were among its members; Matola belonged to the Yao tribe, while Mwalimu belonged to another. [History of the Bahá'í Faith in Tanzania] Local Spiritual Assembly; Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania first Local Spiritual Assembly in Tanganyika
    1952 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly of Singapore City was established. [BW12:573; PH58, 67] Local Spiritual Assembly; Singapore first Local Spiritual Assembly Singapore City
    1952 Ridván
    195-
    The National Convention of the Bahá'ís of Central America was scheduled to be held in a prestigious hotel in San Jose, Costa Rica. When a distinguish believer, Mr Matthew Bullock, was not allowed to register at the hotel because of his race, the National Assembly moved the Convention to another venue and registered guests moved to small pensions rather than staying at the hotel. [SDSC65]
  • Matthew Bullock was one of the early African-American believers in the United States. He became an enrolled believer in 1940 after 15 years of knowledge of the Faith. In 1952 he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly and along with fellow NSA member Elsie Austin, represented that institution at the first Intercontinental Teaching Conference in Uganda in 1953. [LoS108, SDSC102]
  • Conventions, National; NSA; Race; Matthew Bullock; Elsie Austin; San Jose, CA; Costa Rica; Central America
    1952 27 Apr
    195-
    Hyde Dunn was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God posthumously in a cable sent to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand. [BW13:861; SBR169] Hyde Dunn; - Hands of the Cause; Hands appointed posthumously by Shoghi Effendi
    1952 May (end)
    195-
    Plans drawn up by Mason Remey for a Mashriqu'l-Adhkár on the promontory of Mount Carmel in Haifa were approved but construction is not presently planned.
  • For a photo of the model of the design see BW12p548. This model was presented and place on view at the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago in 1953. It is now at the main hall of the Mansion at Bahjí. [SER170-174]
  • For an address by Mason Remey made at the unveiling of the model see BW12p547-550]
  • Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Design; Charles Mason Remey; Haifa, Israel
    1952 18 May
    195-
    The case brought against Shoghi Effendi by the Covenant-breakers in connection with the demolition of a house adjoining the Shrine and Mansion of Bahá'u'lláh at Bahjí was removed from the civil courts by the government of Israel. [CB330; GBF138–9; PP233–4, 290]
  • For the history of this case and the outcome see BW12:384–7.
  • Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); House of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahji); Court cases; Covenant-breaking; Haifa, Israel; Bahji, Israel
    1952 c. Jun
    195-
    Dudley Smith Kutendere returned to his home in Nyasaland, becoming the first Bahá'í in the country.
  • He taught the Bahá'í Faith to his brother, who becames the first person to accept the Faith in Nyasaland.
  • Dudley Smith Kutendere; Malawi first Bahá’í resident in Nyasaland; first Bahá’í in Nyasalan
    1952 1 Jun
    195-
    In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian by the Assistant Secretary, the National Spiritual Assembly was informed that Ahmad Sohrab had cabled the Israeli Minister of Religion to influence the court case brought by the Covenant-breakers, against the Guardian, and which resulted in complete vindication of the Guardian's control of the Bahá'í Shrines and properties. Sohrab's cable identified the Caravan with the Covenant-breakers and stated that the organization was not under the authority of Shoghi Effendi. In a letter dated May 25, 1941, the Guardian wrote through his Secretary that Sohrab "is no doubt the most subtle, resourceful and indefatigable enemy the Faith has had in America." Covenant-breaking; New History Society; Ahmad Sohrab; United States (USA)
    1952 Jun or Jul
    195-
    Mr C. C. Cheng, a newspaper reporter; Professor L. S. Tso, a professor of engineering; and Miss Rosie Du (Ruthy Tu) became Bahá'ís in Taiwan, the first people to accept the Faith in the country. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Taiwan; - Asia first Bahá'ís in Taiwan
    1952 Jun
    195-
    Aaron ('Arthur') B. Wellesley Cole, a Sierra Leonean barrister, returned to Sierra Leone from England, the first Bahá'í to enter the country. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Sierra Leone first Bahá’í resident Sierra Leon
    1952 26 Aug
    195-
    The martyrdom of Nuri'd-Dín Fath-'Azam near Tehran. [BW12p690-692] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1952 8 Oct
    195-
    Holy Year, "The Great Jubilee", October 1952 to October 1953, was inaugurated. [MBW16-18; BW12:116; DG84; PP409–10; SBR170–1]
  • Centenary celebrations of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh's mission were initiated. [MBW16–18]
  • "Shoghi Effendi began the Holy Year to commemorate the centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's experience in the Siyáh Chál in October 1952 and closed the Holy Year in October 1953 (which corresponds to the centenary of the "Year Nine", the Islamic year 1269)". [Two Episodes from the Life of Bahá'u'lláh in Iran p21 by Moojan Momen]
  • Four international conferences were scheduled in Kampala, Wilmette (dedication of the Temple), Stockholm and New Delhi. [SETPE2p31-43]
  • For a brief description of the Kampala Conference see CG20-21.
  • Great Jubilee (1952-1953); Holy Years; Centenaries; Bahá'u'lláh, Birth of Revelation of; Síyáh-Chál (Black Pit, Tehran); Kampala, Uganda; Uganda; Wilmette, IL; United States (USA); Stockholm, Sweden; Sweden; New Delhi, India; India
    1952 8 Oct
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced his decision to launch 'the fate-laden, soul-stirring, decade-long world-embracing Spiritual Crusade' in the coming year. [BW12:253–5; MBW40-41; StS42]
  • For the objectives of the Crusade see BW12:256–14.
  • Among the goals to be achieved was the construction of the International Bahá'í Archives building. [BBD22; DH168; MBW43]
      "the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá'í Administrative Centre to be established on Mount Carmel". [PP264]
  • See The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical and Comparative (PDF) compiled by Shoghi Effendi.
  • See map of the Ten Year Crusade.
  • Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Teaching Plans; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; - Bahá'í World Centre; International Archives Building (Haifa)
    1952 12 Nov
    195-
    The government of Israel exchanged 145,000 square metres of land surrounding Bahjí for property at Ein Gev on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee belonging to the descendants of Bahá'u'lláh's brother Mírzá Muhammad-Qulí and given to the Faith for this purpose. [DH118, 208; PP233, SETPE1p134-125, MBW454-46]
  • Bahá'í holdings at Bahjí up to this time amount to only 4,000 square metres.
  • Bahji, Israel; Mírzá Muhammad-Quli; Israel; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Sea of Galilee, Israel
    1952 12 Nov
    195-
    Dagmar Dole, pioneer to Alaska and Denmark, passed away in Glion, Switzerland.
  • Shoghi Effendi said she was the 'first to give her life for the Cause in the European project'. [BW12:702; ZK66–7]
  • For her obituary see BW12:701–2.
  • See also Bahá'í Chronicles and Find a Grave.
  • Dagmar Dole; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Glion, Switzerland; Switzerland; Alaska, USA; United States (USA); Denmark first to give life for Cause in the European project
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Bahá'ís and their houses were attacked in Bushrúyih and Fárán, Iran. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; Bushrúyih, Iran; Faran, Iran; Iran
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Marthe Molitor, a Belgian from Rwanda, began to teach the Bahá'í Faith in Kalina (now Gombe), a district in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa). [bahai.org] Marthe Molitor; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Mr. Mohammad Ali Djalali was among the first Baha'i's to reside in Morocco, for which Shoghi Effendi gave him the title "Knight of Baha'u'llah." [BW34p239]

    It is not certain which "Morocco".

    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Morocco
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    The arrival of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh Dr. Mihdi Samandari and Mrs. Ursula Samandari (Newman) in Mogadishu, Somalia [BWNS230] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Mogadishu, Somalia; Somalia
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Áqá Rahmán Kulayní-Mamaqání was martyred in Durúd, Iran. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Durúd, Iran; Iran
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Alfred Amisi (Maragoli), Jacob Kisombe (Mtaita), Laurence Ouna (Mluhya), Labi Mathew (Zulu), and Zablon Bob (Luo) were among the first Kenyans to become Bahá'ís. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Kenya first Kenyans Bahá’ís
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Grant Mensah, a Ghanaian, became a Bahá'í in Ruanda-Urundi, the first person to accept the Faith in that country. Grant Mensah; Ruanda-Urundi first Bahá’í in Burundi
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Anjoman-e Hojjatieh ("Society of Allah's Proof Over Creation"), also called the Hojjatieh Society was founded specifically as an anti-Bahá'í organization by a charismatic Shiite Muslim cleric, Shaikh Mahmoud Halabi in the aftermath of the coup d'état of 1953. Between the early 1950s and the early 1970s a great number of the future elite of the Islamic revolution were trained by Hujjatieh. During the 1979 Iranian revolution, the Society was to play an important role in stirring animosity against Bahá'ís. However, in part because of differences in theology—among other things the Hojjatieh believe a truly Islamic state cannot be established until the return of the 12th Imam—the Society fell into disfavour and was banned by the regime in 1984. [Hojjatieh Society, Wiki] Hojjatieh Society; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran
    1953 (In the Year)
    195-
    The publication of Questions about the Second Coming by George Townshend by the Bahá'í Publishing Committee in Wilmette in response to questions asked of him by the Bahá'ís of Kampala.
  • The publication is available in PDF.
  • - Christianity; George Townshend; Wilmette, IL; United States (USA); Uganda
    1953 12–18 Feb
    195-
    The first Intercontinental Teaching Conference was convened by the British National Spiritual Assembly in Kampala, Uganda. [BW12:121, MBW135-140; BN No 267 May 1953 p5-7]
  • For Shoghi Effendi's message to the conference see BW12:121–4.
  • For a report of the conference see BW12:124–30.
  • It was attended by ten Hands of the Cause, Bahá'ís from 19 countries and representatives of over 30 tribes. [PP413]
  • Over a hundred new African believers attended as personal guests of the Guardian. [PP413]
  • With this conference the Ten Year World Crusade was launched. [BBRSM158–9; BW12:253; MBW41]
  • Picture. [BW12p118]
  • See some candid video footage taken by Ted Cardell.
  • - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Guardianship; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences, Intercontinental; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); Teaching; - First conferences; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda; - Africa first Intercontinental Teaching Conference; first international conference held in Africa
    1953 (Early in the year)
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi obtained a wrought-iron gate from England with the intention of installing it at the bottom of the terraces on Mount Carmel. Instead, he had it installed on the path radiating out from the entrance to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. The Pyramidal-obelisks and the flower-urns made of lead, border the path on either side. He had originally planned to pave the main path with Carrara marble, the same stone used in the Monument Gardens but abandoned the idea and used pebbles from the Sea of Galilee as he had done on the path between the second and third gates leading to the Shrine of the Báb and at the house of 'Abdu'l-Bahá at 7 Persian Street.
  • It was Amelia Collins who provided the funds for the purchase of the gate and so Shoghi Effendi named it the "Collins Gate" in her honour. [SE129-130]
  • Another account has it that Millie Collins suggested the Guardian take a summer holiday when she saw that the Guardian was working himself into exhaustion. He stalled her several times citing the requirements of his work but finally, when she would not relent, admitted that he did not have the money. She provided the funding for the trip but he spent it on the gate. [Sweet and Enchanting Stories (PDF) p41-42 edited by Aziz Rohani]
  • Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Collins Gate (Bahjí); Amelia Collins; Bahji, Israel
    1953 19 Mar
    195-
    Suhayl Samandarí arrived in Mogadishu and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Italian Somaliland. [BW13:452]
  • Within a short time, Sa'íd 'Alí Masqatí, a Somali from the port of Baraawe, became a Bahá'í, the first person to accept the Faith in Somalia.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Mogadishu, Somalia; Italian Somaliland first Somali Bahá’í
    1953 25 Mar
    195-
    Enayat Sohaili, an Iranian, arrived in Mozambique from India, the first Bahá'í pioneer to the country. [BW13:290]
  • He was imprisoned and deported in June 1953. [BW13:290]
  • Enayat Sohaili; Pioneers; Persecution, Mozambique; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; - First travel teachers and pioneers; Mozambique first Bahá’í pioneer Mozambique
    1953 Apr
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Finland was established in Helsinki. Local Spiritual Assembly; Helsinki, Finland first Local Spiritual Assembly in Finland
    1953 19 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced plans to build a House of Worship in Frankfurt. [BW13:733; LDG191–2]l
  • For the difficulties in pursuing the project see BW13:733–7.
  • Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Langenhain; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Langenhain, Germany; Frankfurt, Germany; Germany; - Europe
    1953 20 Apr
    195-
    The Second Seven Year Plan ended with 2,425 localities, 611 local spiritual assemblies, 100 countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith. There were 12 national assemblies to this date; [UC43]
      Accomplishments:
    • NSAs in Canada, Central and South America;
    • Assisted the systematic spread of Faith in Europe, incl. forming 10 LSAs in goal cities;
    • Interior ornamentation complete;
    • Supported the building of the Shrine of the Báb;
    • Expansion and more LSAs on homefront. [The Spiritual Conquest of the Planet (Supplement) p2]
  • From 1921 to this time the Faith had expanded to 128 countries and territories, 15 during the time of Baha'u'llah, 20 during the time of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and an additional 58 under the stewardship of the Guardian. [Patheos website]
  • - Teaching Plans; Second Seven Year Plan, US and CA (1946-1953); Statistics
    1953 Ridván
    195-
    The Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963) was launched. See MBW151-156, MBW151.

    The four primary goals of the plan were outlined as follows:
      -the development of institutions at the World Centre
      -consolidation of the twelve countries where the Faith was well established
      -consolidation of all other territories already open
      -the opening of the remaining "chief virgin territories" around the globe (131)

    For the objectives of the Crusade see BW12:256–14. Among the goals to be achieved was the construction of the International Bahá'í Archives building. [BBD22; DH168; MBW43] "the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá'í Administrative Centre to be established on Mount Carmel". [PP264]

    To those Bahá'ís who arose to open new territories to the Faith during the Ten Year Crusade, the title 'Knight of Bahá'u'lláh' was given. On 27 May 1992, the Roll of Honour containing the names of all the Knights of Bahá'u'lláh was deposited beneath the entrance door to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.

    "…Sometimes people strive all their lives to render outstanding service. Here is the time and opportunity to render historic services; in fact, the most unique in history, aiding in the fulfillment of Daniel's Prophecies of the Last Day, and the 1335 days, when men are to be blessed by the Glory of the Lord, covering the entire globe—which is the real goal of the Ten Year Crusade. [DG54-55]

    A map of goals for the Ten Year World Crusade by Shoghi Effendi can be found in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-1954). Electronic versions, in both medium and large format can be found here.

    The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah's Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.

  • See The Journal of Bahá'í Studies Vol 14, no. 3-4, 2004 for the essay The Ten Year Crusade by Ali Nakhjavani.
  • See CBN No 66 July 1956 in a message dated the 13 of May 1956 Leroy Ioas, (unsure if it was sent on behalf of the Guardian or from the International Bahá'í Council, probably the former), Mr Ioas outlined the three phases of the Crusade; First Phase: open virgin territories, Second Phase: 1. widespread dispersal, 2. settlement in new areas, 3. formation of Local Assemblies and National Assemblies, 4. incorporate Local Assemblies. Third Phase: (open on 21 April 1956, the formation of National Assemblies, with their own Haziratu'l-Quds, have their own endowments and to be incorporated.
  • See The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical and Comparative (PDF) compiled by Shoghi Effendi.
  • For a graphic representation of the goals of the Ten Year Crusade see Objectives and Tasks of Ten-Year Spiritual Global Crusade of the Bahá'í World Faith by Shoghi Effendi compiled by Beatrice Ashton published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-19540).
  • Map of Goals for the Ten Year World Crusade by Shoghi Effendi published in Bahá'í World, Vol. 12 (April 1950-1954) Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1956.
  • Progress Bahá'í World Crusade 1953-1958 was the map that Shoghi Effendi finished on the night of his passing.
  • At the start of the Ten Year Crusade the only sovereign countries in Africa were Egypt and Ethiopia, the remainder were still under the yoke of colonialism.
  • Many who arose as pioneers to the African continent came from Iran, the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. In Southern Africa alone, 27 pioneers arrived in the first year of the Crusade. Among them were Melvin and Helen Hope in Angola; Fred and Beth Laws in Lesotho; Enayat Sohaili and 'Izzat Zahrai in Mozambique; Mehranguiz Munsiff in Madagascar; Ottilie Rhein in Mauritius; Lowell and Edith Johnson, William, Marguerite and Michael Sears and Harry and Bahíyyih Ford in South Africa; Claire Gung in Southern Rhodesia; and Ted Cardell in South West Africa. In the whole of Africa, 58 of the international pioneers opened new territories and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p3]
  • Statistics; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); - Teaching Plans; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Roll of Honour; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; Endowments; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Worldwide
    1953 Ridván
    195-
    Mrs Meherangiz Munsiff, the wife of an Indian diplomat in London, arrived in Madagascar and was acknowledged as the first Bahá'í in the country. [BWNS288]
  • There was one other Bahá'í in Madagascar before Mrs Munsiff but he was not a Bahá'í in good standing.
  • Suffering ill health, Mrs. Munsiff left in January 1954 a day after Danile Randrianarivo, 29, accepted the Faith, becoming the first Malagasy Bahá'í.
  • Meherangiz Munsiff; Danile Randrianarivo; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Madagascar first Bahá’í in Madagascar
    1953 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Kenya was established in Nairobi. Local Spiritual Assembly; Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya first Local Spiritual Assembly in Kenya
    1953 Ridván
    195-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland was established. Elected were: Prof. Mario Fiorentini, Mrs. Anna Kunz, Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, Miss Elsa Steinmetz, Mrs. Stella Lonzar, Mrs. Anne Lynch, Friedrich Schar, Mrs. Marion Little, and Prof. Alessandro Bausani.
  • For a photo see Bahá'í Historical Facts.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Italy; Switzerland first NSA Italy and Switzerland
    1953 Ridván
    195-
    Bahjí was lit for the first time by 99 four-branched wrought iron lamp posts. [GBF32; PP89–90] Light; Firsts, other; Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Bahji, Israel; Haifa, Israel first time Bahjí lit
    1953 29 Apr
    195-
    In a moving ceremony, Shoghi Effendi placed a silver box containing a fragment of plaster from the ceiling of the Báb's cell in Máh-Kú under a tile in the golden dome of the Shrine of the Báb. [BW12:239; ZK285] Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Mah-Ku, Iran; Boxes containing dust, earth or plaster; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel; Mah-Ku, Iran; Iran
    1953 29 Apr - 2 May
    195-
    The All-American Jubilee celebrations began. [BW12:149] Centenaries; United States (USA)
    1953 30 Apr
    195-
    Messages from Shoghi Effendi regarding a victory in France:
      "Finally share the heart-warming news of the impending establishment of the long-overdue Hazíratu'l-Quds in the French capital through the conclusion of an agreement to purchase a nine thousand pound property situated in the best residential quarter of the city. Kiyani's spontaneous, generous contribution is solely responsible for the achievement of the great victory of the establishment of the institution designed to serve as the administrative headquarters of both the present Paris Assembly and the projected French National Spiritual Assembly." [MBWp141]

      "The second Ḥaẓíratu'l-Quds to be acquired during this period was one in Paris, destined to become the national administrative headquarters of the French Bahá'í community. This achievement was announced in the Guardian's cablegram to the Forty-Fifth Annual Bahá'í Convention of the United States Bahá'ís on April 30, 1953, as follows: "Heart-warming news (of the) impending establishment (of the) long overdue Ḥaẓíratu'l-Quds (in the) French capital through (the) conclusion (of an) agreement (to) purchase (a) nine thousand pound property situated (in the) best residential quarter (of the) city." The acquisition of this property was made possible by the spontaneous and generous contribution of a single believer, Mr. Hussayn Quli Kiyani, recently come to Paris from Persia. The formal dedication of the Paris Ḥaẓíratu'l-Quds took place on July 4, 1953, with Dr. Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause of God, coming from Rome to assist in the ceremonies." [BW12p55]
    Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Hussayn Quli Kiyani; Ugo Giachery; Paris, France; France
    1953 May
    195-
    Mary and Reginald (Rex) Collison, an elderly Canadian-American couple, arrived in Ruanda-Urundi (Burundi) from Uganda and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455]
  • For the story of Mary Collison's life see BW15:486–8 as well as Servants of the Glory page34.
  • Arriving in July was Dunduzu Chisza, a young Baha'i from Malawi, (then Nyasaland) The earliest Rwandan Bahá'í whose name is recorded was Alphonse Semanyenzi. [The Bahá'í Faith in Rwanda website; BWNS349]
  • The first Bahá'í to travel through Rwanda may have been Marthe Molitor c. 1947 after becoming a Bahá'í in Belgium. She moved on to the Belgian Congo. [Taarifa]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Mary Collison; Rex Collison; Dunduzu Chisza; Alphonse Semanyenzi; Marthe Molitor; Ruanda-Urundi First Baha'i in Rwanda
    1953 1 May
    195-
    The House of Worship in Wilmette was consecrated in a simple ceremony for Bahá'ís only. [BW12:143, 152; ZK93]
  • For details of the dedication see BW12:152–4.
  • A most wonderful and thrilling motion will appear in the world of existence," are 'Abdu'l-Bahá's own words, predicting the release of spiritual forces that must accompany the completion of this most hallowed House of Worship. "From that point of light," He, further glorifying that edifice, has written, "the spirit of teaching … will permeate to all parts of the world." And again: "Out of this Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, without doubt, thousands of Mashriqu'l-Adhkárs will be born." "It marks the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth. [CoF69 Message of 21 March 1949]
  • Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Dedications; Wilmette, IL; United States (USA)
    1953 2 May
    195-
    The House of Worship in Wilmette, the Mother Temple of the West, was dedicated in a public ceremony. [BW12:142, BWNS218]
  • For the text of the Guardian's message of dedication see BW12:141–2.
  • For an account of the event see BW12:154–63.
  • See BN No 261 November 1952 p9-10. The Temple Dedication Committee consisted of: Paul E. Haney, Mrs. Corinne True, Allen B. McDaniel, Carl Scheffler, Albert R. Windust with Horace Holley as the chairman.
  • See The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical & Comparative p24-26 for project statistics and a chronology of events.
  • Towards the end of his life in Tehran, Ahmad (of "Tablet of Ahmad" fame) had entrusted the original Tablet to his grandson Jamal who, in turn, out of the purity of his heart and his devotion to the Faith of God, offered it as a gift to Hand of the Cause, Trustee of Huqúq, the son and brother of two illustrious martyrs, Jinab-i-Valiyu'llah Varqá. When Jinab-i-Varqa, according to the instructions of the beloved Guardian, was sent to take part in this dedication ceremony he brought this most precious Tablet as his offering to the archives of the Bahá'ís of the United States. [A Flame of Fire by A.Q. Faizi.]
  • See the message of the Universal House of Justice dated 1 August, 2014 for more on the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Wilmette.
  • See The Story of the Temple by Allen Boyer McDaniel. [CBN No43 August 1953 p4; Collins p101 7.1479]
  • See the video The Temple History Design and Construction.

    Specifics

      Location: Wilmette, Illinois, U.S. Cook County
      Administration: On the same day as the internment of the sacred remains of the Báb on Mount Carmel, March 21st, 1909, the first American Bahá'í Convention opened in Chicago. The Convention established the 'Bahá'í Temple Unity', incorporated to hold title to the Temple property and to provide for its construction. A constitution was framed and an Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity elected. This body became the future National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada. [BBD39; BBRSM:106; BW10:179; GPB349; PP397; SBBH1:146; BFA2:XVII, 309; BW13:849; MBW142–3]
      Foundation Stone: by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 1 May, 1912
      Construction Period:The purchase of the site completed: 1914. Design Chosen: 1920. Superstructure: 1921 – 1 May 1931. External Ornamentation: June 1932 -1943. Interior: 1951
      Dedication: 1 May 1953
      Architects: Louis Bourgeois with Alfred Shaw (interior cladding) Bourgeois became a Baha'i in New York City in 1907, and two years later responded to the call for designs for the Temple. In 1920, delegates from across the country unanimously selected his innovative design. Bourgeois traveled to Haifa to consult with 'Abdu'l-Bahá. With 'Abdu'l-Bahá's encouragement, Bourgeois refined and scaled down the size of his design. [The House of Worship Architecture]
      Seating: 1,191 [DP220]
      Dimensions: 203ft at the base and 49ft high
      Cost: $2.6 million (another source) $51,500 (land) plus $3,212,517.60 (construction costs 1921-1953)
      Dependencies: Construction of a home for the aged was began in December, 1957 and inaugurated on 1 February, 1959. It is located about three blocks away.
      Note: In GPB349 Shoghi Effendi states that "…this enterprise—the crowning achievement of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in the first Bahá'í century…".
      References: CEBF236-241,GPB348-353, MDM121-239, The Dawning Place, The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1963 Information Statistical & Comparative p36-37. iiiii
  • Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Mother Temples; Lawh-i-Ahmad (Tablet of Ahmad (Arabic)); Gifts; Archives; Dedications; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Quick facts; Alfred Shaw; - Architects; Homes for the aged; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Dependencies of; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Basic timeline, Expanded; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Wilmette, IL; United States (USA)
    1953 3 – 6 May
    195-
    The All-America Intercontinental Teaching Conference was held in Chicago. [BW12:133]
  • For the texts of Shoghi Effendi's messages to the conference see BW12:133–41 and MBW142–6.
  • Twelve Hands of the Cause were present. The Guardian was represented by Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum. [BW12:143; CBN No 82 November, 1956 p3]
  • At the conference, five members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States resigned from that body in order to go pioneering: Elsie Austin, Dorothy Baker, Matthew Bullock, Mamie Seto and Dr William Kenneth Christian. [ZK102]
  • Extract from the second message to All-American Intercontinental Conference from Shoghi Effendi... [MBW150]
    .....the lands contributed in Latin America for a similar purpose approximate one-half of a million square meters, ninety thousand of which have been set aside near Santiago, Chile, for the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of South America..
  • Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences, Intercontinental; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); Teaching; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Pioneering; Elsie Austin; Dorothy Baker; Matthew Bullock; Mamie Seto; William Kenneth Christian; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Santiago; Purchases and exchanges; Chicago, IL; United States (USA); Santiago, Chile; Chile; United States (USA) first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in South America
    1953 23 May
    195-
    The Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. Valiollah Vargha, arrived in Guayaquil accompanied by Miss Eve Nicklin, a pioneer and the spiritual mother of Perú. He also visited Quito and left the country in early July to attend the conference in Stockholm. [Heroes of God pp53-54] Valiollah Vargha; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Eve Nicklin; Guayaquil, Ecuador; Ecuador; Quito, Ecuador; Ecuador
    1953 28 May
    195-
    In a message addressed on the eve of the 61st anniversary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh, at the opening of the Ten Year Crusade, Shoghi Effendi encouraged 70 pioneers to arise to fill the goals promising that a Roll of Honour with their names would be deposited at the entrance door of the inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh. [MBW48-49]
  • He further elaborated in a message addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada. See the message of the 8 June 1953. [MtC177]
  • See 1992 28 May.
  • Pioneers; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Roll of Honour; Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1953 Jun
    195-
    Ghulám 'Alí Kurlawala arrived in Daman and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Daman, India
    1953 Jun
    195-
    Dunduzu Chisiza, a Nyasaland student who had recently become a Bahá'í in Uganda, arrived in Ruanda-Urundi (Burundi) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Ruanda-Urundi
    1953 6 Jun
    195-
    'Izzatu'lláh Zahrá'í (Ezzat Zahrai) arrived in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Zimbabwe; - Africa
    1953 20 Jun
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi designated the Maxwell home in Montreal as a Shrine. [MtC179] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Montreal Shrine; Maxwell residence, Montreal, QC; Firsts, other; Montreal, QC; Canada first Bahá'í Shrine in North America
    1953 Jul
    195-
    Rawshan Áftábí and Fírúzih Yigánigi arrived in Goa and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Rawshan Aftabi; Firuzih Yiganigi; Goa, India; India
    1953 Jul
    195-
    Eskil Ljungberg of Sweden, aged 67, arrived in the Faroe Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451]
  • He was the only Bahá'í on the islands for over a decade.
  • For the story of his life see BW19:658–61.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Faroe Islands, Denmark
    1953 Jul
    195-
    Arthur and Ethel Crane arrived in Key West and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW16:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Key West, FL
    1953 Jul
    195-
    Sa'íd Nahví arrived in Pondicherry and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Pondicherry, India; India
    1953 Jul
    195-
    Jack Huffman and Rose Perkal arrived on the Kodiak Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Kodiak Islands, AK
    1953 Jul
    195-
    Jenabe and Elaine Caldwell arrived in the Aleutian Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] Jenabe Caldwell; Elaine Caldwell; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Aleutian Islands, AK
    1953 21 – 26 Jul
    195-
    The European Intercontinental Teaching Conference was held in Stockholm. [BW12:167; CBN No 46 November, 1953 p4; CBN No 47 December 1953 p6; CBN No 49 February 1954 p3]
  • For Shoghi Effendi's message to the conference see BW12:167–71.
      In it he called for "the opening of the following thirty virgin territories and islands: Albania, Crete, Estonia, Finno-Karelia, Frisian Islands, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Rumania, White Russia, (Belarus) assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Germany and Austria; Channel Islands, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Hebrides Islands, Malta, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the British Isles; Andorra, Azores, Balearic Islands, Lofoten Islands, Spitzbergen, Ukraine, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States of America; Liechtenstein, Monaco, Rhodes, 160 San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Italy and Switzerland". [MBW157]
    • For a report of the conference see BW12:171–8.
    • Fourteen Hands of the Cause were present. [BW12:171]
    • 374 Bahá'ís from 30 countries attended, of these 110 come from the ten goal countries. [BW12:171]
  • Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences, Intercontinental; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); Teaching; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Stockholm, Sweden; Sweden; - Europe
    1953 27 Jul
    195-
    Siegfried (Fred) Schopflocher, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Montreal and was buried beside the grave of Sutherland Maxwell in Mount Royal Cemetery. He was born in Landkreis Fürth, Germany 26 September 1877. [BW12:664-666, LOF390, TG119, CBNS 24 July 2014, Bahá'í Chronicles, SCRIBD, Schopflocher, Siegfried (1877–1953) by Will C. van den Hoonaard]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the second contingent on the 29th of February, 1952. [MoCxxiii]
  • See TG32, 228 and LoF384-390 for short biographies.
  • Bahá'í Encyclopedia for a biography written by Will van den Hoonaard.
  • See Schopflocher, Siegfried by Will C. van den Hoonaard.
  • For his obituary see BW12:664–6.
  • He was known as the "Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the West. [BW12:664-666]
  • For a brief biography see Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • Find a grave.
  • Siegfried Schopflocher; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; Montreal, QC; Canada
    1953 Aug
    195-
    The Congo-Belgian colony had its first believers, identified under the term "The Spiritual Sowers". The story begins with Louis Selemani Bin Kimbulu (the first person to accept the Faith) and Sébastien Ilunga Ngoy Buanga Tumba, two Congolese bank officials who were living and working in neighbouring Burundi, where they received, from a servant working for a Western expatriate, a book of Bahá'í prayers which they did not hesitate to liken to a grimoire. Finding it interesting, they sent a letter for further clarification regarding the nature of the prayers to the Bahá'í Publishing House which published the book.

    In response to their correspondence, an American Bahá'í living in Usumbura, present-day Bujumbura, went to meet these two men. Some time after they met, and after conducting the independent search for Truth, they decided to become Bahá'ís. This is how they began to spread the "new message" to their other colleagues at the Bank, all Congolese living in eastern DRC.

    Very quickly, these two young bankers succeeded in finding souls receptive to the message of the Bahá'í teachings. They were 19 in all and constituted the nucleus called "Spiritual Sowers", the founders of the Faith in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [bahai.org; bahai.org; A Remarkable Response Film 4:18]

    Louis Selemani Bin Kimbulu; Sébastien Ilunga Ngoy Buanga Tumba; Bujumbura, Burundi; Congo, Democratic Republic of first believers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Shawkat Nahví arrived in Pondicherry and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Pondicherry, India; India
    1953 Aug
    195-
    'Abbás Vakíl arrived in Cyprus and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Cyprus
    1953 2 Aug
    195-
    Fred Schechter, an American, arrived in Djibouti and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for French Somaliland. [BW13:451]
  • Mr Schechter went on to pioneer to several Latin American countries, he spent thirteen year on the Continental Board of Councillors for the Americas and served on the International Teaching Centre. He passed away on 27 January 2017 in California, U.S.A. He was 89 years old. [BWNS1149]
  • See In Memoriam Fred Schechter: Bahá'í House of Worship Memorial Program.
  • Fred Schechter; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Counsellors; International Teaching Centre, Members of; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); French Somaliland; Djibouti, East Africa
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Shiyam Behari arrived in Pondicherry and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Pondicherry, India; India
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Amír Húshmand Manúchihrí arrived in Liechtenstein and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Liechtenstein; - Europe
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Salísa Kirmání and Shírín Núrání arrived in Karikal and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Karikal, India
    1953 Jul - Aug
    195-
    Amín and Sheila Banání, a Persian-American couple, settled in Athens-Kifissia in August 1953 and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Greece. [BW452]
  • They were able to stay in Greece until 1958 when they were asked to leave by the government. [from an interview with Sheila Banani 10 November, 2022 on Thursday Night @7]
  • See Professor Amin Banani, 1926–2013: A Prominent Scholar of Iranian Studies by Ehsan Yarshater in Iranian Studies, 2014, Vol 47 No 2 p347-351 for an obituary of Amin Banani.
  • Amin Banani; Sheila Banani; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - In Memoriam; Athens, Greece; Greece
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Edythe MacArthur arrived in the Queen Charlotte Islands (now Haida Gwaii) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455; BWIM143-145] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Queen Charlotte Island, BC
    1953 Aug
    195-
    Udai Narain Singh arrived in Sikkim and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455; PH63] Udai Narain Singh; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Sikkim, India; India
    1953 11 Aug
    195-
    Virginia Orbison arrived in the Balearic Islands from a pioneer post in Spain and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Balearic Islands. [BW13:449]

    It was neither her first nor her last pioneer experience. Between 1942 and 1946 she pioneered to Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. After World War II she went to Madrid, Spain where she helped raise the first local spiritual assembly and she did the same thing in Barcelona the following year.

    In July of 1953 she went to the Stockholm Intercontinental Teaching Conference where she offered to pioneer to Mallorca in one of the Balearic Islands, She stayed about one year before returning to Barcelona in August of 1954 where she attended the Iberian Teaching Conference that was attended by 60 people. Late that nine, she and nine others were arrested by the police and interrogated for 18 hours. They had thought that the Bahá'í were Communists.

    In 1956 she moved to Portugal where she was elected to the first Iberian Regional Spiritual Assembly. After three years she was forced to leave by the authorities because of her Bahá'í activities, holding property and owning a telephone.

    She was asked to go to Luxembourg where she spent nine years but made little progress in establishing the Faith. She was then asked to got to Malaga, Spain and by 1972 Malaga had a local spiritual assembly so she pioneered to Margella in 1979.

    The National Spiritual Assembly asked her to write a history of the Faith in Spain which was completed in 1980.

    As was her wish, she passed to the Abha Kingdom in 1985, still a pioneer. [KoB346-347; Wikipedia]

    See also Also see Bahá'í World 19 pages 715-721 or 692-697 in the print version and Bahá'í News #586 January 1980 p2-5.

    Virginia Orbison; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Balearic Islands, Spain; Spain; Chile; Argentina; Bolivia; Peru; Ecuador; Brazil; Mallorca, Spain; Spain; Portugal; Luxembourg
    1953 14 Aug
    195-
    In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria it was stated that:
      He is Particularly anxious to have some of the German Bahá'ís enter the western territories of the Soviet Union not yet open to the Faith, namely: Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, White Russia and Moldavia, and every effort should be made to enable some of the Bahá'ís, German or of other nationality, to go to these countries. The young people in particular may be able to arrange their affairs in such a way as to procure employment in the Soviet Union. This would be a great service, and is part of the work allotted to the German Bahá'ís under the World Crusade. [14 August 1953]
    Germany; Austria; Soviet Union; Moldavia
    1953 (Late August)
    195-
    Soon after becoming a Bahá'í in Kampala, Enoch Olinga, together with fellow new believers Max Kanyerezi and Samson Mungono, responded to the Guardian's call and left his home in Uganda, to fulfill pioneering goals accompanied by Persian pioneers Ali and Violette Nakhjavání. Leaving in late August 1953 they traveled for almost 3 months, covering a distance of over 5000 kilometers.

    The first leg took them to Samson Mungono's post in Kamina, in the Katanga region of the Belgian Congo. They then took a grueling route to Brazzaville, where Max was dropped off and continued through the thick forests of French Congo and Gabon, hoping to pass through French Cameroons and finally reach the British Cameroons. The car broke down in the tropical forest of Gabon leaving the three remaining friends unable to continue. Enoch volunteered to walk to a town 50 miles ahead through the forbidding jungle to get help. Upon arrival Enoch was so ill he was hospitalized for two days and could not travel for a week. He told of a dream he had in which Shoghi Effendi took him in his arms to comfort and reassure him in his desperation. In mid-October they reached the British Cameroons on the very evening of the conclusion of the Holy Year.

    Confirmations of the monumental efforts these first African pioneers made soon followed: Enoch, Max and Samson all successfully brought many local people under the banner of the Greatest Name. [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p4]

    Pioneering; Max Kanyerezi; Samson Mungono; `Alí Nakhjavání; Violette Nakhjavani; Congo, Democratic Republic of; Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Cameroon
    1953 26 Aug
    195-
    Ella Bailey (b. 16 December, 1864, Houston, Harris County, Texas) passed away in Tripoli, Tarabulus, Libya at the age of 88 years. [BW12:687]
  • She was elevated to the rank of martyr. [MBW170]
  • For the story of her life see PSBW131–42.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • For her obituary see BW12:685–8.
  • For information on her burial site and a short biography see Find-a-grave.
  • See Youtube video I Adjure Them - The Ella Bailey Story as told by Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.
  • She had accompanied Mr and Mrs Rober Gulick in their settlement in Tripoli. [BN No 271 september 1953 p6]
  • Ella Bailey; Names and titles; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Tripoli, Libya; Libya; Houston, TX; Texas, USA; United States (USA)
    1953 (In the year)
    195-
    Pioneers began to arrive in Libya;
  • Mustapha Salem arrived in July and settled in Tripoli, [BN No 272 October 1953 p9}
  • Asia and Feridon Zein and their two children settled in Benghazi, [BN No 272 October 1953 p9}
  • Rizvaniyyih Iqrari pioneered to Benghazi, Libya on 10 September,
  • Mohsen Enayat pioneered within Libya from Tripoli to Feezan on the 26th of September,
    • SeeSETPE2 p63-66 for an account of Moshen's stay during which he was able to reach two provincial ministers including the Minister of Finance. He was forced to leave by the government after 10 months but was able to recruit Foad Rushdy from Egypt to replace him.
  • Mr. and Mrs. Ne'mat 'Abdu'l Wahid and Mr. Wahid's sister-in-law arrived in Tripoli, Libya in late September. [BN No 273 November 1953 p12-13]
  • Mrs. Laura Kelsey Allen arrived in Tripoli, September 3, 1953. [BN No 280 June 1954 p9]
  • As a result a Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in Benghazi in 1953 and in November of the same year in Tripoli. . [BN No 274 December 1953 p2; BN No 280 June 1954 p10]
  • Mustapha Salem; Asia Zein; Feridon Zein; Rizvaniyyih Iqrari; Mohsen Enayat; Laura Kelsey Allen; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Mr and Mrs Nemat `Abdu'l-Wahid; Tripoli, Libya; Libya; Benghazi, Libya; Libya
    1953 28 Aug
    195-
    Mildred Clark, a pioneer in Norway, and Loyce Lawrence (née Drugan), a nurse and hospital matron, arrived in the Lofoten Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453]
  • Mrs Lawrence began teaching the Saami.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Sámi people; Lofoten Islands, Norway; Norway
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Brigitte Hasselblatt arrived in Shetland and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Shetland Islands; Scotland; United Kingdom
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Gertrude Eisenberg arrived in Las Palmas and is named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Canary Islands. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Canary Islands, Spain
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Evelyn Baxter arrived in the Channel Islands and was named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] Evelyn Baxter; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Channel Islands, UK
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Ada Schott, Elizabeth Hopper, Sara Kenny and Ella Duffield arrived in the Madeira Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Madeira; Portugal; - Europe
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Brigitte Lundblade (nee Hasselblatt), (b. 1923 - d. 17 May 2008) arrived in the Shetland Islands and was later honoured with being named as Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [Bahaipedia] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Shetland Islands; Scotland; United Kingdom
    1953 Sep
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Enayat Sohaili in Nyasaland (now known as Malawi) [BWNS240] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Malawi; - Africa
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Kathleen Weston arrived in the Magdalen Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Magdalen Islands, QC
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Julius Edwards arrived in the Northern Territories Protectorate (now part of Ghana) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Northern Territories Protectorate; Ghana
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Doris Richardson arrived on Grand Manan Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Grand Manan Island, NB
    1953 8 Sep
    195-
    Jameson and Gale Bond arrived in Arctic Bay in the District of Franklin and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451, SDSC127] Jameson Bond; Gale Bond; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Arctic Bay, NU; Franklin, QC
    1953 9 Sep
    195-
    Rooho'llah Mavadatt arrived in Algeria as a pioneer. [BN No277 p8] Algeria
    1953 9 Sep
    195-
    José (d. 1985) and Hilda (née Summers) Xavier Rodrigues, a Portuguese-English couple, arrived in Bissau from Portugal as the first Bahá'í pioneers to Portuguese Guinea (Guinea Bissau) and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bissau, Guinea-Bissau; Portuguese Guinea; Guinea Bissau
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Cora Oliver arrived in British Honduras (Belize) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] Cora Oliver; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Belize
    1953 12 Sep
    195-
    Nellie French arrived in Monaco and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454]

    Then 85, she was the first Bahá'í to arrive in Monaco, but she passed away a few months later. For her act of service in bringing the Faith to the country, she received the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi.

    A celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bahá'í Faith in the Principality was held on 24-25 April 2004 at the Theatre des Varietes in Monte Carlo, and opened with the reading of a welcoming message from the National Council of the Principality. [Newspaper Archive on BLO]

    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Monaco
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Dick Stanton arrived in Keewatin and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Keewatin, NT
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Howard Snider arrived in Key West and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Key West, FL
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Diá'i'lláh Asgharzádih arrived in the Channel Islands and was named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Diaillah Asgharzadih; Channel Islands, UK
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Elsa Grossman arrived in the Frisian Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] Elsa Grossmann; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Frisian Islands
    1953 Sep
    195-
    Hugh McKinley and his mother, Violet, arrived in Cyprus and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450]
  • Violet passed away in 1959 and she was laid to rest in Famagusta. Hugh remained in Cyprus until 1963. He died in Suffolk in 1999 was was buried in Lawshall, Suffolk. He had been born on the 18th of February, 1924.
  • See Ismael Velasco's paper entitled In Memoriam: Hugh McKinley.
  • See Life of Hugh McKinley, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh by Olive McKinley.
  • See Memoram: Hugh McKinley by Ismael Velasco.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Hugh McKinley; Violet McKinley; Ismael Velasco; Olive McKinley; Cyprus; Famagusta, Cyprus
    1953 18 Sep
    195-
    Dwight and Carole Allen arrived in Athens and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Greece. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Athens, Greece; Greece
    1953 20 Sep
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Mr. Max Kanyerezi in Middle Congo (now called Republic of Congo). At this time the country was, together with the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, and Gabon, part of a much larger French territory called the Federation of French Equatorial Africa which was dissolved in 1958. [BWNS246; A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p8]
  • Max and his wife Florence later moved back to Uganda where he had been raised. [CG106-107]
  • The website of the Bahá'ís of the Republic of the Congo gives a different date for the arrival of Max Kanyerezi...
      "Le premier bahá'í au Congo était Max Kanyerezi. Il fut déposé par Violette et Ali Nakhjavani en 1955." (Translation) "The first Bahá'í in Congo was Max Kanyerezi. He was dropped off by Violette and Ali Nakhjavani in 1955." [Reference]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Congo, Democratic Republic of; - Africa
    1953 20 Sep
    195-
    Countries (in which) Bahá'ís residenow aggregate over (one) hundred fifty. over seventy (have been) added (in the) course (of the) nine years separating (the) first (and) second Jubilees. [From a letter from Shoghi Effendi CBN No 46 November 1953 p1] Statistics; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1953 23 Sep
    195-
    Ted and Joan Anderson arrived in Whitehorse, Canada, and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Yukon. [BW13:457] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Ted Anderson; Joan Anderson; Whitehorse, YT; Canada
    1953 26 Sep
    195-
    The martyrdom of Rahmán Kulayní Mamaqání. He was stabbed by a ruffian in a mob. [BW12p710-711] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution, Mobs; Durúd, Iran; Iran
    1953 30 Sep
    195-
    Manúchihr Hizárí and Hurmuz Zindih arrived in Tangier and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Morocco (International Zone). [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Tangier, Morocco; Morocco
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Mrs (Alexandra) Ola Pawlowska arrived in St Pierre and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Miquelon Island and St Pierre Island. [BW13:454] Ola Pawlowska; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; St. Pierre and Miquelon
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Helen Robinson arrived on Baranof Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Baranof Island, AK
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Ursula von Brunn arrived in the Frisian Islands and was named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] Ursula von Brunn; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Frisian Islands
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Katharine Meyer arrived on Margarita Island and was named Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Katharine Meyer; Margarita Island, Venezuela
    1953 Oct
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Edith Danielson in the Cook Islands. [BWNS265] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cook Islands; Pacific
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Edmund ('Ted') Cardell arrived in Windhoek and wss named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for South West Africa (Namibia). [BW13:456]
  • He was later joined by his wife Alicia and the first German Bahá'ís to pioneer to Africa, Martin and Gerda Aiff and their children.
  • In 1955 Hilifa Andreas Nekundi, (also known as Tate Hilifa), was the first Namibian to become a Bahá'í. Mr. Nekundi later served on the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Windhoek, and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Namibia. [BWNS280]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Ted Cardell; Alicia Cardell; Martin Aiff; Gerda Aiff; Hilifa Andreas Nekundi; Tate Hilifa; Windhoek, Namibia; Namibia first German Bahá’ís pioneers to Africa; the first Namibian to become a Bahá'í.
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Muhammad Mustafá Sulaymán, an Egyptian, arrived in Spanish Sahara (Western Sahara) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. BW13:456]
  • For the story of his life see BW18:768–71.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Muhammad Mustafa Sulayman; Spanish Sahara
    1953 Oct
    195-
    The superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb was completed. [BBD210; CB324–5; PP235; ZK85–6]
  • Marble for the Shrine of the Báb came from Chiampo, Italy as did marble for the Archives Building, the Resting Place of Shoghi Effendi, the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the Terraces Project, the Monument Gardens and the Houses of Worship in India and Samoa. It was cut and chiseled by a firm called Margraf, formerly known as Industria Marmi Vincentini. [BWNS1223]
  • 'Abdu'l-Bahá described the Shrine of the Báb as the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. [ABF18]
  • In a letter from the International Bahá'í Council dated the 2nd of May 1955, they reported on the great interest that has been taken in the Shrine of the Báb since the completion. [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p1; BN 292 Jun 1955 p4]
  • Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Marble; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; Margraf; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel; Chiampo, Italy; Italy
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Claire Gung arrived in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. She spent 18 months in Salisbury (Harare) where she was a member of the first local spiritual assembly. [CG161] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Southern Rhodesia; Zimbabwe first spiritual assembly of Salisbury (Harare)
    1953 Oct
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Emma Rice, followed one week later by Knights Stanley and Florence Bagley and their three teenage children, Susan, Gerrold and Carol in Palermo, Sicily. [BWNS254] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Sicily, Italy; Italy
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Lionel Peraji arrived in Mahé and is named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Mahé, India
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Charles Dunning arrived in the Orkney Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] ul>
  • In probably it was October of 1954 Harold and Marzieh Gail depart from St Matthew's Quay in Aberdeen destined to pay a visit to Charles Dunning in Kirkwall. On the island the diminutive Charles Dunning is referred to as "a wee chappie". [OPOP55-59]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Orkney Islands, Scotland
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Geraldine Graney arrived in the Hebrides and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Geraldine Graney; Hebrides
    1953 4 Oct
    195-
    Una Townshend arrived at her pioneer post. It was planed that her father, Hand of the Cause George Townshend, accompany her to Malta where the warm climate might improve his health. He was not well enough to go so Una went alone. Unfortunately his illness advanced and Shoghi Effendi asked her to return home to care for him so she left at the end of 1954. Una and her brother Brian helped him to complete Christ and Bahá'u'lláh by writing down his dictations as he was dying from Parkinson's. Shoghi Effendi called the book Hand of the Cause of God George Townshend's 'crowning achievement'. [KoB359-360] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Malta
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Marie Ciocca Holmlund arrived on Sardinia and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Sardinia, Italy
    1953 7 Oct
    195-
    William Danjon Dieudonné arrived in Andorra and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW12:449]
  • He continued to live in the country.
  • By 1979 Andorra had a Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly in Andorra-la-Vella and three localities. [BN No 581 August 1979 p11]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Andorra; - Europe
    1953 7 – 15 Oct
    195-
    The Asian Intercontinental Teaching Conference was held in New Delhi. [BW12:178; CBN No 50 Mar 1953 p6-7]
  • For Shoghi Effendi's message to the conference see BW12:178–81.
  • At the request of our beloved Guardian a memorial service was held for our dearly loved Hand of the Cause, Mr. Sutherland Maxwell. Loving tributes were paid to his memory by Mr. Remey and Mr. Giachery. [CBN No 50 Mar 1953 p6]
  • For a report of the conference see BW12:181–8.
  • This was the first international Bahá'í gathering ever to be held in the East. [BW12:181; SBR171]
  • It was attended by 489 Bahá'ís representing 31 countries. [BW 12:181]
  • The design for the International Bahá'í Archives was revealed to the Bahá'ís of the world for the first time at this conference. [DH168]
  • Following the New Delhi conference the Hands of the Cause and other visiting Bahá'ís travelled the length and the breadth of the country speaking in universities, teachers' training colleges, agricultural schools, theatres, hotels, Y.M.C.A.'s, at service clubs, and theosophical societies. Prominent citizens representative of the Hindu, Moslem and Christian faiths were chairmen at many of these meetings. There were numerous press conferences and wide-spread newspaper publicity. The Hands of the Cause were able to present Bahá'í books to world famous Indian scholars, to the family of the Maharaja of Indore and to representatives of the press. Perhaps never since Abdu'l·Bahá visited America has the Faith been presented in such a variety of places in so short a time. Dorothy Baker was one of the Hands who participated in this post-conference proclamation. [CBN No54 Jul 1954 p5]
  • Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences, Intercontinental; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); Teaching; - First conferences; New Delhi, India; India; - Asia; International Archives Building (Haifa) first international Bahá’í gathering in the East
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Earle Render arrived in the Leeward Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Leeward Islands
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Richard and Lois Nolen and children Linda Jean, Cynthia and John arrived in the Azores and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13p449; Bahaipedia] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Richard Nolen; Lois Nolen; Azores
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Salvador and Adela Tormo arrived on the Juan Fernandez Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile; Chile
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Elly Becking arrived in Dutch New Guinea and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Dutch New Guinea; Indonesia
    1953 11 Oct
    195-
    Fawzí Zaynu'l-'Ábidín and his wife, Bahíyyih 'Alí Sa'di'd-Dín, and their sons Kamál and Sharíf arrived in Tetuán from Egypt and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Spanish Morocco. [BW13:456]
  • For the story of Fawzí Zaynu'l-'Ábidín's life see BW16:544–6.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Fawzi Zaynul-Abidin; Bahiyyih Ali Sadid-Din; Kamal Zaynul-Abidin; Sharif Zaynul-Abidin; Tétouán, Morocco; Morocco
    1953 13 Oct
    195-
    Esther Evans and Lillian Middlemast arrived in Castries, St Lucia, and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Windward Islands. BW13:457] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Castries, St. Lucia; St. Lucia; Windward Islands
    1953 13 Oct
    195-
    Frederick and Elizabeth Laws arrived in Basutoland (Lesotho) and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449, BWNS262 ]
  • For the story of the life of Elizabeth Laws see BW17:459–60.
  • Chadwick Mohapi and his wife became the first Bahá'ís in Basutoland (Lesotho). [TG166]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Basutoland first Bahá'ís in Basutoland (Lesotho)
    1953 13 Oct
    195-
    Una Townshend arrived in Malta and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454, BWNS234] Una Townshend; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Malta
    1953 14 Oct
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the settling of 13 further Knights of Bahá'u'lláh, with 178 territories now open to the Faith. [MBW173] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Statistics; Growth; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); - Worldwide
    1953 14 Oct
    195-
    Robert and Elinor Wolff arrived in Dutch Guiana and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Dutch Guiana (Suriname); Suriname
    1953 14 Oct
    195-
    Edith M. Danielsen arrived on Aitutaki Island, 150 miles north of Rarotonga, before leaving for Avarua, Rarotonga, five days later and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Cook Islands. [BW13:450]
  • For the story of her life see BW19:625–6.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Cook Islands
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Enoch Olinga arrived in Victoria (Limbé) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the British Cameroons. [BW13:449]
  • The first Cameroonian to become a Bahá'í in British Cameroon was a youth, Jacob Tabot Awo.
  • The first Cameroonian adult to become a Bahá'í was Enoch Ngompek of the Bassa tribe.
  • The first Cameroonian woman to become a Bahá'í was Esther Obeu, the wife of David Tanyi.
  • Enoch Olinga; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Limbé, Camaroon; British Cameroon; Cameroon; Nigeria first Cameroonian youth Bahá’í; first Cameroonian adult Bahá’í; first Cameroonian woman Bahá’í
    1953 15 Oct
    195-
    Eberhard Friedland arrived in French Guiana from the United States and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; French Guiana
    1953 16 Oct
    195-
    Benjamin Dunham Weeden and his wife Gladys (née Anderson) arrived in Antigua and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Leeward Islands. [BW13:453]
  • For the story of Ben Weeden's life see BW15:478–9.
  • For the story of Gladys Weeden's life see BW18:692–6.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Antigua; Leeward Islands
    1953 17 Oct
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Bertha Dobbins in Vanuatu. [BWNS256] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Vanuatu; Oceania
    1953 18 Oct
    195-
    George and Marguerite (Peggy) True arrived on Tenerif with their 12-year-old son Barry and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Canary Islands. [BW13:450; BW19p634] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; George True; Peggy True; Margarite True; Barry True; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Canary Islands, Spain
    1953 20 Oct
    195-
    Frances Heller arrived in Macau and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the island. [BW13:453; PH73]
  • She was the first Knight of Bahá'u'lláh to settle in Chinese territory.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Frances Heller; Macau first Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to settle in Chinese territory
    1953 24 Oct
    195-
    Elsie Austin arrived in Tangier from the United States and Muhammad-'Alí Jalálí, an Iranian, also arrived. They were both named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Morocco (International Zone). [BW13:454] Elsie Austin; Muhammad-`Alí Jalálí; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Tangier, Morocco; Morocco
    1953 24 Oct
    195-
    Luella McKay, John and Erleta Fleming, and Alyce Janssen arrived in Spanish Morocco and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Luella McKay; John Fleming; Erleta Fleming; Alyce Janssen; Morocco
    1953 29 Oct
    195-
    Opal Jensen arrived on Réunion Island from the United States and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455]
  • She was later declared a Covenant-breaker.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Covenant-breaking; Reunion Island; France
    1953 29 Oct
    195-
    Gladys ('Glad') Irene Parke and Gretta Stevens Lamprill arrived in Papeete from Australia and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Society Islands, French Polynesia. [BW13:455]
  • For the story of Gladys Parke's life see BW15:457–8.
  • For the story of Gretta Lamprill's life see BW15:534–5. She was the inaugural secretary of the Hobart LSA, a secretary of the NSA of Australia and New Zealand and a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Society Islands. She was known as the "Mother of Tasmania".
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Papeete, French Polynesia; Society Islands, French Polynesia; French Polynesia
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Zunilda de Palacios arrived on Chiloé Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Zunilda de Palacios; Chiloé Island, Chile; Chile; Latin America
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Geertrui Ankersmidt arrived in the Frisian Islands and was named Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Gertrud Ankersmidt; Frisian Islands; Netherlands
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Frederick and Jean Allen and Irving and Grace Geary arrived on Cape Breton Island and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Frederick Allen; Jean Allen; Irving Geary; Grace Geary; Cape Breton Island, NS
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Shirley Warde arrived in British Honduras (Belize) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Shirley Warde; Belize
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Dr Malcolm King, an American pioneer in Jamaica, arrived in British Guiana (now Guyana) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Malcolm King; British Guiana
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Rolf Haug settled in Crete and iwa named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for that island. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Rolf Haug; Crete, Greece
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Albert Nyarko Buapiah became a Bahá'í in Ghana, the first Ghanaian to become a Bahá'í in the country. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Albert Nyarko Buapiah; Ghana first Ghanaian Bahá’í
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Max Kanyerezi, a Ugandan, was brought to Brazzaville by Violette and 'Alí Nakhjavání and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for French Equatorial Africa. [BW13:451] Violette Nakhjavani; `Alí Nakhjavání; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Max Kanyerezi; Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; French Equatorial Africa
    1953 Oct
    195-
    'Amín Battáh, an Egyptian, arrived in Río de Oro (Western Sahara) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Amin Battah; Western Sahara; - Africa
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Bertha Dobbins arrived in Port Vila on the island of Efate from Adelaide, Australia, and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the New Hebrides Islands (Vanuatu). [BW13:454] Bertha Dobbins; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Port Vila, Vanuatu; Efate, Vanuatu; Vanuatu
    1953 Oct
    195-
    Gail and Gerald Curwin with their daughter Leeanna and Maurice and Ethel Holmes arrived in Nassau and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Bahamas Islands. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Gail Curwin; Ethel Holmes; Gerald Curwin; Maurice Holmes; Nassau, Bahamas; Bahamas
    1953 Nov
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Dr. K. M. Fozdar on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. [PH57; BWNS271] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Tábandih Paymán arrived in San Marino and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh in November. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Tabandih Payman; San Marino, Italy
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Mary Olga Katherine Mills (née Bieymann) arrived in Malta and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Malta
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Samíra Vakíl arrived in Cyprus and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Cyprus
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Dr Mihdí Samandarí arrived in Italian Somaliland and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452]
  • His wife Ursula (née Newman) arrived in 1954 and was also named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Somalia
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Dr Khodadad M. Fozdar, an Indian of Parsi background, arrived in the Andaman Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449]
  • For the story of his life see BW13:892–3.
  • Khodadad M. Fozdar; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India; India
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Husayn Rawhání Ardikání and his wife, Nusrat, arrived in Tangier with their daughter, Shahlá, and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Morocco (International Zone). [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Husayn Rawhani Ardikani; Nusrat Ardikani; Sahla Ardikani; Tangier, Morocco; Morocco
    1953 Nov
    195-
    'Alí Akbar Rafí'í (Rafsanjání) and his wife, Sháyistih, and their 19-year-old son, 'Abbás, arrived in Tangier and all were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Morocco (International Zone). [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Morocco
    1953 Nov
    195-
    Matthew W. Bullock of Boston, Massachusetts, arrived in the Dutch West Indies (Netherlands Antilles) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Lesser Antilles
    1953 11 Nov
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the settling of a further contingent of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh in 21 virgin areas, bringing the number of territories open to the Faith to 200. [MBW52–3] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Statistics; Growth; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); - Worldwide
    1953 11 Nov
    195-
    Ottilie Rhein (1903-79), an American of German origin, arrived in Mauritius and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the island. [BW13:454]
  • For the story of her life see BW18:703–5.
  • On her first expedition to provide necessities for living, she met the proprietor of a shop, Mr. Yim Lim, who became the first resident of the country to join the Faith. [BWNS274]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Ottilie Rhein; Yim Lim; Mauritius first Bahá'í in Mauritius
    1953 13 Nov
    195-
    Kámil 'Abbás arrived in the Seychelles from Iraq and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455; BWNS272]
  • For the story of his life see BW18:722–3.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Seychelles
    1953 20 Nov
    195-
    The formation of the Israel Branch of the Bahá'ís of Canada. Canada; Israel; Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada
    1953 Dec
    195-
    Jean and Tove Deleuran arrived in the Balearic Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh in December. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Jean Deleuran; Tove Deleuran; Balearic Islands, Spain
    1953 Late in the year
    195-
    'Abdu'l-Karím Amín Khawja became a Bahá'í in Algeria, the first person to accept the Faith in that country. [BN No277 p8] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Algeria; - Africa first Bahá'í in Algeria
    1953 Dec
    195-
    Kay Khusraw Dahamobedi, Bahíyyih Rawhání and Gulbár Áftábí arrived on Diu Island and are named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Diu Island, India; India
    1953 Dec
    195-
    Adíb Baghdádí arrived in Hadhramaut and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Hadhramaut, Arabian Peninsula; Yemen
    1953 Nov or Dec
    195-
    The arrival, from Egypt, of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Labib Isfahani in Dakar, Senegal. He was followed by his brother Habib Isfahani in April of 1954 who also received the honour. [BW13:452, BWNS283] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Labib Isfahani; Habib Isfahani; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; Senegal
    1953 Dec
    195-
    The arrival of Barbara Sims and her family, husband Sandy and daughter Sandra in Tokyo. [Barbara Sims' Contribution to Bahá'í Scholarship in Asia Pacific by Sandra S. Fotos; In memoriam Barbara Sims by Universal House of Justice, Sheridan Sims, and Sandra S. Fotos] Barbara Sims; Sandra Fotos; Tokyo, Japan; Japan
    1953 7 Dec
    195-
    Jalál Kházeh was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God after the passing of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. [GBF111–12; MBW55] Jalal Khazeh; Siegfried Schopflocher; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Appointments
    1953 8 Dec
    195-
    Loretta and Carl Scherer arrived in Macau from Milwaukee and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for that island. [BW13:453; PH73]
  • For the stories of their lives see BW18:738–40.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Macau
    1953 13 Dec
    195-
    A separate department for the Bahá'í Faith was established by the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs. [GBF137; PP 291; PP320] Recognition (legal); Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1953 19 Dec
    195-
    Yan Kee Leong became a Bahá'í, the first person to accept the Faith in Malaya. Yan Kee Leong; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; British Malaya; Malaysia first Bahá'í in Malaya
    1953 27 Dec
    195-
    Gilbert and Daisy Robert, a French couple, become Bahá'ís in Madagascar, the first people to accept the Faith in the country. Gilbert Robert; Daisy Robert; Madagascar first Bahá'ís in Madagascar
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    The purchase of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Istanbul was concluded. [SS38] House of Bahá'u'lláh (Istanbul); Purchases and exchanges; Istanbul, Turkey; Turkey
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    The first Tlinget from Alaska to become a Bahá'í, Eugene King, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Alaska, USA; United States (USA) first Tlinget Bahá'í
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in the Balearic Islands, C. Miguel, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Balearic Islands, Spain first Bahá’í in Balearic Islands
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    'Aynu'd-Dín and Táhirih 'Alá'í arrived in Southern Rhodesia and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Zimbabwe
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    Mr and Mrs Sandikonda, Eliam Chisengalumbwe, Mr Musonda, Peter Chitindi and Elias Kanayenda became Bahá'ís, the first African Bahá'ís to enrol in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). BANANI BULLETIN, 1 AUG 1954] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Zambia first African Bahá’ís in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia)
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    José Mingorance Fernandez and his wife, Carmen Tost, a Spanish couple, accepted the Bahá'í Faith; they were the first to enrol in Andorra. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Andorra first Bahá’ís in Andorra
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    Khodadad Irani settled in Zanzibar, the first Bahá'í to do so. Khodadad Irani; Zanzibar, Tanzania first Bahá’í pioneer in Zanzibar
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    Mehraban Isfandiar Sohaili arrived on Mayotte and stayed for two months, the first Bahá'í to visit the island. Mihriban Suhayli (Mehraban Sohaili); Mayotte first Bahá’í to visit Mayotte
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    The arrival in Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia) of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh Izzat'u'llah Zahrai, Douglas Kadenhe, Nura Faridian (now Steiner), Enayat and Iran Sohaili, Shidan Fat'he-Aazam (later member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa) and his wife Florence. [BWNS275] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Zimbabwe; - Africa
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Violet Noehnke on the Admiralty Islands, now Manus Province in Papua New Guinea. [BWNS307, BWNS312] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea
    1954 (In the year)
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Ted Cardell in South West Africa (now called Namibia). [BWNS280] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Namibia
    1954 or 1955
    195-
    "The sacred dust of the Báb's infant son, extolled in the Qayyum-i-Asma, was respectfully and ceremoniously transferred on the anniversary of his Father's martyrdom, in the presence of pilgrims and resident believers to the Bahá'í cemetery in Shiraz, the prelude to the translation to the same spot of the remains of the Báb's beloved and long-suffering consort." [CBN No 65 June, 1955 p1]
  • The timing of the event is unclear. From the article, "the second year, second decade of the second century", it can be assumed that it took place on July 9th, 1955, however, the publication date was June, 1955.
  • Ahmad (son of the Báb); Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1954 Jan
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Dulcie Dive in the Cook Islands. [BWNS265] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cook Islands
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Jean Sevin arrived in Tuamotu Archipelago and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:457] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Charles M. Ioas arrived in the Balearic Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Balearic Islands, Spain
    1954 3 Jan
    195-
    Howard and Joanne Menking arrived in the Cape Verde Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Cape Verde
    1954 3 Jan
    195-
    The passing of Helen "Nellie" Stevison French (b.19 Oct 1868 Peoria, Illinois) in Monaco. She was buried in the Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum in Chicago.

    In September 1953 Nellie French, 85, became the first Bahá'í to arrive in Monaco, but she passed away a few months later. For her act of service in bringing the Faith to the country, she received the accolade Knight of Baha'u'llah from Shoghi Effendi.

    A celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bahá'í Faith in the Principality was held on 24-25 April 2004 at the Theatre des Varietes in Monte Carlo, and opened with the reading of a welcoming message from the National Council of the Principality. [Newspaper Archive on BLO]

  • Evincing a marked talent for singing, Nellie left in 1888 for Naples, Italy, to develop that interest. The four-year residence abroad gave her the opportunity to learn the French and Italian languages, to acquire an appreciation of the Latin fine arts, and to master a strenuous course in training for the operatic stage. She suffered a case of typhoid fever in 1892 and returned to the United States to recuperate; but her recovery was followed by scarlet fever which impaired her vocal chords irreparably. Her aspirations for a musical career were ended.
  • In 1894 she married Stuart Whitney French, a childhood companion. About 1896, accompanied by her mother, she attended a few meetings at the home of Dr. Khayru'lláh. The spiritual seeds were sown. Moving to Arizona in 1900, Nellie French lived in Bisbee until 1904 and in Douglas until 1917. Her visits to Chicago and New York furnished a few Bahá'í contacts with meager information; the Bahá'í messages. Mrs. Isabella Brittingham went to Arizona in 1917 to teach the spiritual significance of the Bahá'í Faith offered Nellie a rare privilege. That experience confirmed Nellie who became the first resident Bahá'í teacher in Arizona.
  • Mr. and Mrs. French moved to Pasadena in 1918. During Riḍván, in April, 1921, Mr. and Mrs. French visited Haifa and 'Akká; that pilgrimage became the fulfillment of all her hopes.
  • She contributed to the literature of the Faith by her work from 1930 to 1946 as Chairman of the Bahá'í World Editorial Committee, during which time she assembled material for volumes IV—X. She translated into French and Italian the "Blue Book" and the brochure "Number 9," and for several years she wrote "Loom of Reality," a column published in the Pasadena Star-News. In 1931 she made permanent Braille plates for Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era and for the Kitdb-i-iqan. She served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada 1929 - 1938.
  • As an administrator, she served as Chairman of the Pasadena Spiritual Assembly from 1928 to 1938. For four years, ending in 1944 she was Chairman of the InterAmerica Committee, and in this capacity she presided at a session of the Centenary Celebration in 1944. Later she was a member of the European Teaching Committee. She helped support the work of the International Bureau at Geneva and the All-Indian project at Macy, Nebraska, undertaken by her sister-in-law, Mary Farley Stevison.
  • In April, 1952, thirty-one years to the day, Nellie French returned Mt. Carmel to meet the beloved Guardian in person. During the Holy Year which was also the first year of the World Spiritual Crusade, Nellie French settled in the principality of Monaco to win the accolade, "Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW12p700]
  • Find a grave.
  • Nellie French; - In Memoriam; Peoria, IL; United States (USA); Monaco; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh
    1954 Jan
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Abdu'l Rahman Zarqani, in the Seychelles. [BWNS272] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Seychelles; - Africa
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Munír Vakíl, a former general in the Iraqi army, settled on one of the Kuria-Muria Islands in the Arabian Sea and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453]
  • For the story of the hardships of his pioneering post see ZK99–101.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Khuriya Muriya Islands, Oman; Oman
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Elizabeth Bevan (later Mrs Golmohammed) arrived in Rhodes and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Rhodes, Greece
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Virginia Breaks arrived on the island of Truk and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Caroline Islands. [BW13:450; MBW57] Virginia Breaks; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Truk, Caroline Islands; Caroline Islands
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Kenneth and Roberta Christian arrived in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] Kenneth Christian; Roberta Christian; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Southern Rhodesia; Zimbabwe
    1954 Jan
    195-
    Andrew and Mina Matthisen arrived in the Bahamas and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahamas; Caribbean
    1954 10 Jan
    195-
    Dorothy Baker, (b. Montclair, Essex County, New Jersey, USA 21 December, 1898) Hand of the Cause of God, was killed in a plane crash in the Mediterranean Sea, near the island of Elba. BOAC Flight 781 departed Rome, Italy on a flight to London, England. While climbing through 27,000 feet, the plane experienced a sudden in-flight break-up and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea near the Island of Elba. All 35 passengers and crew on board were killed. Following this accident, the Comet fleet was taken from service and subjected to numerous modifications in areas believed to have been the origin of the yet-unknown failure. The fleet was returned to service in late March 1954. [BW12:670; FAA Website]
  • In 1921 she married Frank Baker who had two motherless children. They had a girl and a boy of their own. [FMH73]
  • She was the granddaughter of Ellen "Mother" Beecher who took her to see 'Abdu'l-Bahá in New York in 1912. An early teacher (unnamed), after seeing the young girl, had a vision and asked Jináb-i-Fazil for an explanation. He replied that "someday she will become on of the great teachers of the Cause" and Mother Beecher began to pray that this would be fulfilled. [FMH73]
  • See FMH76-77 for the story of how Doris McKay was able to help Dorothy deal with her depression in 1929.
  • For the Guardian's cable see BW12:670, CF161.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed her among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For her obituary see BW12:670–4.
  • See also Freeman, From Copper To Gold.
  • See TG229 for a short story about her and a comment from her on the Long Obligatory Prayer.
  • See Remembering Dorthy Baker at Bahá'í Blog.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • See article in the Canadian Bahá'í News No 46 February 1954 p1.
  • Find a grave.
  • Dorothy Baker; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Mediterranean Sea; Elba, Italy; Italy
    1954 Jan
    195-
    John and Audrey Robarts with their two younger children, Patrick and Tina, left Toronto for their pioneer post in Mafeking (later Mafikeng), Buchuanaland (later Botswana and formerly Bophuthatswana). Older children Aldham and Gerald pioneered to Nigeria and a homefront post respectively. [LOF485-6; CBN No48 January 1954 p11]
  • Later the same year he was appointed to the newly established Auxiliary Board by Hand of the Cause of God Músá Banání. They returned to Canada some 13 years later. [LOF486, 491]
  • John Robarts; Auxiliary board members; Canada; Botswana; Nigeria; - Africa
    1954 14 Jan
    195-
    Lilian E. Wyss arrived in Apia from Australia and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Samoa Islands. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Apia, Samoa; Samoa
    1954 15 Jan
    195-
    'Abdu'l-Rahmán Zarqání, from India, arrived in the Seychelles and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Seychelles; - Africa; India
    1954 18 Jan
    195-
    Mrs Dulcie Burns Dive arrived in the Cook Islands from Australia and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450, 925] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Cook Islands
    1954 25 Jan
    195-
    Stanley P. Bolton, Jr. arrived in Nuku'alofa, on Tongatapu Island, from Australia and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Tonga Islands. [BW13:456, BWNS286] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Tonga
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Grace Bahovec arrived in the Baranof Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Baranof Island, AK
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Rahmatu'lláh and Írán Muhájir arrived in Mentawai Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454]
  • For the story of their pioneering activity see Muhájir, Dr Muhajir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • Rahmatullah Muhajir; Iran Muhajir; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Mentawai Islands; Indonesia
    1954 Feb
    195-
    'Azízu'lláh and Shamsí Navídí with their daughters Vida and Giuilda arrived in Monaco and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455]

    A celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bahá'í Faith in the Principality was held on 24-25 April 2004 at the Theatre des Varietes in Monte Carlo, and opened with the reading of a welcoming message from the National Council of the Principality. [Newspaper Archive on BLO]

    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Monaco
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Joan Powis arrived in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Southern Rhodesia; Zimbabwe
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Bernard H. Guhrke arrived on the Kodiak Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Kodiak Islands, AK
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Gail Avery arrived in the Baranof Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Baranof Island, AK
    1954 Feb
    195-
    John and Audrey Robarts their son Patrick and young daughter Tina arrived in Mafikeng and the three adults were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Bechuanaland (Botswana). [BW13:449]
  • Before the end of the year Dr Molema became the first declarant in the country. He gave the Robarts letters of introduction to six chiefs in the regions which opened many doors for teaching. [KoBp111]
  • John Robarts; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Mafikeng, Botswana; Botswana; Dr Molema
    1954 Feb
    195-
    David Schreiber, an American, arrived in Antigua and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Leeward Islands. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Antigua; Leeward Islands
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Faríburz Rúzbihyán (Feriborz Roozbehyan) arrived in The Gambia and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Gambia, The
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir and Irán Muhájir arrived the Mentawai Islands and received the accolade "Knight of Bahá'u'lláh".[BS13p454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Hands of the Cause; Mentawai Islands; Indonesia
    1954 10 Feb
    195-
    John Leonard arrived in the Falkland Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Falkland Islands
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Elise Schreiber (later Lynelle) arrived on St Thomas Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] Elise Schreiber (later Lynelle); - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Sao Tome and Principe
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Husayn Halabi arrived in Hadhramaut and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Hadhramaut, Arabian Peninsula; Yemen
    1954 15 Feb
    195-
    Charles Duncan (a musician and composer) and Harry Clark, both Americans, arrived in Brunei from Kota Kinabalu (Jesselton) in Sabah, where they had been waiting for several weeks, and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451; PH63]
  • Later he pioneered to Thailand where he learned the language. See Servants of the Glory page 19
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Charles Duncan; Harry Clark; Brunei; Thailand
    1954 Feb
    195-
    Shirin Fozdar arrived in Saigon, the first pioneer to Vietnam.
  • In June 1954, her daughter-in-law, Parvati Fozdar (wife of Jamshed Fozdar's) and their young son, Vilay, came to Saigon from the United States to help Ms. Shirin Fozdar. Jamshed Fozdar arrived on July 18, 1954. A month later. In August Ms. Shirin Fozdar returned to New Zealand. Mr. Jamshed Fozdar found employment and the family lived for a long time in a small apartment at 88 Le Loi Street (the old Bonard).
  • Pham Huu Chu was the first person to accept the Bahá'í Faith in Vietnam. [Bahá'í Religion in Community Education in Vietnam by Vu Van Chung]
  • Shirin Fozdar; Pioneer; Saigon, Vietnam; Vietnam first pioneer to Vietnam. first person to become a beliver in Viet Nam
    1954 21 Feb
    195-
    Charles ('Chuck') and Mary Dayton from the United States, settled in Charlotte Amalie, on St Thomas, and wre named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Leeward Islands. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; St. Thomas Island; Leeward Islands
    1954 spring
    195-
    The Síyáh-Chál and some surrounding property was acquired by the Bahá'ís. [BW12:64–5; SE153; SS45]
  • The purchase cost was $400,000 which was contributed by a Persian believer Habib Sabet. [BW12:65; CBN No 53 June 1954 Insert p2] iiiii
  • Síyáh-Chál (Black Pit, Tehran); Purchases and exchanges; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1954 Mar
    195-
    Greta Jankko arrived in the Marquesas Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] Greta Jankko; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
    1954 1 Mar
    195-
    Alvin J. Blum and his wife, Gertrude (née Gewertz), arrived in Honiara and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for the Solomon Islands. They were accompanied by their eight-year-old daughter Keithie. [BW13:456; BWNS291] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Solomon Islands
    1954 1 Mar
    195-
    Shirin Fozdar visited Cambodia to receive the first medallion and Certificate of Satrei Vatthana (Champion of Women) from His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk. She was the first Bahá'í to enter the country.
  • She was not able to teach the Faith openly but she did speak about it to the king's parents.
  • Shirin Fozdar; King Norodom Sihanouk; Cambodia first medallion and Certificate of Satrei Vatthana (Champion of Women) recipient; first Bahá’í in Cambodia
    1954 Mar
    195-
    Qudratu'lláh Rawhání and Khudárahm Muzhgání arrived in Mahé and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Mahé, India
    1954 4 Mar
    195-
    The arrival of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh Elena (Marsella) and Roy Fernie in Kiribati (Gilbert Islands). They had come from the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama. [BWNS301, BW13:452]
  • They had left their home in Panama and their service on the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama to pioneer. They arrived on the island of Abaiang (aka Charlotte Island, of the Gilbert Islands), on March 4, 1954 and for this service they were named Knights of Baha'u'llah. About the first of June 1954, former Catholic seminarian and mission teacher Peter Kanere Koru became the first convert on the island.
  • Their teaching work brought opposition from the Roman Catholic priest who told his congregation not to attend the Bahá'í meetings. He began to criticize them in the Roman Catholic newsletter and actually contributed to the knowledge of the Faith because the newsletter had a wide distribution.
  • The priest persisted in his opposition by informing his bishop who asked the government to send the Fernies away and to send Peter Kanere, a native Bahá'í, back to his native island of Tabiteuea. At the time, to be a registered religious organization required a membership of at least 100 believers so the government-approved sending the Fernies away however, in a single night some 300 people registered. A certificate of registration was issued on the 24th of September, 1955, but not before they managed to exile Roy Fernie. Elena continued the teaching work on her own and was responsible for firmly establishing the Faith on Abaiang.
  • Meanwhile, Peter Kanere, back on his home island, managed to teach a Protestant minister who was under discipline of his church at the time. Together they spread the Faith on Tabiteuea. [Island Churches: Challenge and Change by Makisi Finau page 101]
  • For more details on the life of Roy Fernie see Bahaipedia.
  • See also The Origins of the Bahá'í Faith in the Pacific Islands: The Case of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands by Graham Hassall.
  • And Bahá'í Faith in the Asia Pacific: Issues and Prospects also by Graham Hassall.
  • Elena Maria Marsella published The Quest for Eden in 1966.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Tabiteuea, Kiribati; Kiribati; Gilbert and Ellice Islands first Bahá'í on Kiribati (Gilbert Islands)
    1954 Mar
    195-
    Olivia Kelsey and Florence Ullrich (later Ullrich-Kelley), a young college graduate, and Olivia Kelsey, an accomplished Bahá'í author and poet, arrived in Monaco from the United States and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454; Collins 4.6 and 7.1359]

    A celebration to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Bahá'í Faith in the Principality was held on 24-25 April 2004 at the Theatre des Varietes in Monte Carlo, and opened with the reading of a welcoming message from the National Council of the Principality. [Newspaper Archive on BLO]

  • See Bahá'í Chronicles for the story of the life of Florence Maria Ullrich Kelley (b. November 3, 1932 d. February 17, 2016)
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Monaco
    1954 19 Mar
    195-
    Paul Haney was appointed Hand of the Cause of God following the death of Hand of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker. [GBF111; MBW57] Paul Haney; Dorothy Baker; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Appointments
    1954 21 Mar
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that there were Bahá'ís in 219 countries. [MBW57] Statistics
    1954 25 Mar
    195-
    The passing of Marion Jack (General Jack) (b. St. John, New Brunswick) at her pioneer post in Sofia, Bulgaria at the age of 87. She had been at her post since 1931. [BWNS385; Never be Afraid to Dare p. 227]
  • Shoghi Effendi called her 'a shining example to pioneers of present and future generations of East and West'. [CF163]
  • For her obituary see BW12:674–7.
  • See also BFA2155; MC359.
  • For a photo of her gravestone see CBNOct1972p.10.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles for a biography.
  • For a photo by the Bahá'ís of Sofia see BW5p464.
  • See also Marion Jack: Immortal Heroine by Jan Jasion
  • See CBN October1979 for tributes as well as a photo of her gravesite.
  • See The Early Years of the British Bahá'í Community (1898-1911) p128-129.
  • Marion Jack; Pioneers; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Pioneers; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Sofia, Bulgaria; Bulgaria
    1954 25 Mar
    195-
    Leland Jensen arrived on Réunion Island from the United States and ws named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455]
  • He was later declared a Covenant-breaker.
  • Leland Jensen; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Covenant-breaking; Reunion Island; France
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Suhráb Paymán, together with his five-year old-daughter Ghitty, arrived in San Marino from Tihrán to join his wife. He was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh in April. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; San Marino, Italy
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Bahá'í women in Iran were accorded full rights to participate in membership of both national and local Bahá'í assemblies. [MBW65]
  • This removed the 'last remaining obstacle to the enjoyment of complete equality of rights in the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Persian Bahá'í Community'. [MBW65]
  • National Spiritual Assembly; Local Spiritual Assembly; Women; Equality; Iran
    1954 Apr
    195-
    The arrival of future Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, Mr. Enoch Olinga, in British Cameroon. [BWNS291] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Enoch Olinga; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); British Cameroon; - Africa
    1954 Apr
    195-
    A mere eight months after settling in British Cameroons, Enoch Olinga, along with the community of new believers at his pioneering post received a cable from Shoghi Effendi asking for African believers to settle in British Togoland, French Togoland, the Ashanti Protectorate and in the Northern Territories Protectorate before the following Ridván.

    Although Bahá'ís for only a few months, their response was instantaneous; the largest difficulty arose in limiting themselves to the four names required to fulfill the designated posts. This was determined by a vote. David Tanyi, Edward Tabe, Benedict Eballa, and Martin Manga were duly selected. Samuel Nyki was sent to French Cameroon. Each one established a Local Spiritual Assembly in their assigned posts within two years. [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p4; KoB71]

    Pioneering; David Tanyi; Edward Tabe; Benedict Eballa; Martin Manga; Samuel Njiki (Samuel Nyki); Cameroon; British Togoland (Ghana); French Togoland (Togo); Ashanti Protectorate, Ghana; Northern Territories Protectorate
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Dr John Fozdar arrived in Brunei in April 1954 and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450]

    See Remembering Dr John Fozdar.

    John Fozdar; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Brunei
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Mrs Mehrangiz Munsiff pioneered to the city of Douala in the French Cameroons (later Cameroon). Both she and Mr Samuel Njiki were honoured as Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for this territory. [Bahá'í Journal UK Vol 20, No 5 Jan/Feb 2004, BW13:451; BWNS249]
  • For a photo see Bahá'í Media Bank.
  • Meherangiz Munsiff; Samuel Njiki (Samuel Nyki); - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; French Cameroon; Cameroon; Douala, Cameroon Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Cameroons
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Edward Tabe, a youth from Cameroon, no older than fourteen, and Albert Buapiah from the Gold Coast arrived in British Togoland and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450; KoB78-79; BWNS249] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Edward Tabe; Albert Buapiah; British Togoland (Ghana); Ghana
    1954 Apr
    195-
    The arrival of Knight Martin Manga to Northern Territories Protectorate (now part of Ghana). [BWNS249; BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Northern Territories Protectorate; Ghana
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Benedict Eballa arrived in Ashanti Protectorate (Now part of Ghana) and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449; BWNS249] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Ashanti Protectorate, Ghana; Ghana
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Habíb Isfahání arrived in Dakar and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for French West Africa. [BW13:452] Habib Isfahani; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Dakar, Senegal; French West Africa
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Kay Zinky arrived in the Magdalen Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Magdalen Islands, QC
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Howard Gilliland arrived in Labrador and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Labrador, NL
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Corporal Richard Walters and his wife, Evelyn, and Richard and Mary L. Suhm arrived in Tangier from the United States and were all named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Morocco (International Zone). BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Tangier, Morocco; Morocco
    1954 Apr
    195-
    John and Marjorie Kellberg of Oak Park, Illinois, arrived in the Dutch West Indies (Netherlands Antilles) and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Lesser Antilles
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Robert B. Powers, Jr., a member of the U.S. armed forces at the Navy Air Station, arrived in Guam and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Mariana Islands. [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Guam; Mariana Islands
    1954 Apr
    195-
    The site for the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the Holy Land was selected. [DH175; MBW63] Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Haifa, Israel first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Holy Land
    1954 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that there were Bahá'ís in 228 countries and that Bahá'í literature has been translated into 130 languages. [MBW61–2] Statistics
    1954 (Prior to)
    195-
    The first native Fijian, the first Pygmy, the first Berber and the first Greenlander to accept the Bahá'í Faith enrolled. [MBWp62] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - First believers by background; Greenland
    1954 6 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the creation of five Auxiliary Boards with the following number of members: Asia 7; America 9; Europe 9; Africa 9; Australia 2. [BW13p335; CBN No 53 June 1954 p6; MBW44, 58-60]
  • Their function was to 'act as deputies of the Hands in their respective continents', to 'aid and advise them in the effective prosecution of the' and to assist them 'in the discharge of their dual and sacred task of safeguarding the Faith and of promoting its teaching activities'. [MBW63]
  • See also BBD26; BBRSM127; MC3.
  • These boards were mandated with the propagation of the Faith.
  • Auxiliary board members; Appointed arm; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; Funds, Continental; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1954 6 Apr
    195-
    Five Continental Bahá'í Funds were inaugurated by Shoghi Effendi. [MBW59, 63] Funds; Funds, Continental; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre
    1954 6 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that plans for the International Bahá'í Archives had been completed and that steps had been taken to begin its construction. [PP264BBD22–3; DH169; GBF117–8; MBW64] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; - Bahá'í World Centre; Mount Carmel; Haifa, Israel; International Archives Building (Haifa)
    1954 6 Apr
    195-
    In his Ridván Message Shoghi Efffendi announced that: The site for the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the Holy Land has been selected--an area of approximately twenty thousand square meters--situated at the head of the Mountain of God, in close proximity to the Spot hallowed by the footsteps of Bahá'u'lláh, near the time-honoured Cave of Elijah, and associated with the revelation of the Tablet of Carmel, the Charter of the World Spiritual and Administrative Centres of the Faith on that mountain. Funds totalling one hundred thousand dollars have, moreover, been contributed by one of the Hands of the Cause*, residing in the Holy Land, and negotiations have been initiated with the Israeli authorities for the purpose of effecting the immediate purchase of the selected site. (*Hand of the Cause Milly Collins) [MBW63; DoH175]

    In another message about a year later he provided further details. [MBW78-79]

    Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; Funds; Amelia Collins; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); - Bahá'í World Centre; Mount Carmel; Haifa, Israel the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the Holy Land
    1954 9 Apr
    195-
    Gayle Woolson and her companion, Rebecca Kaufman, arrived in the Galapagos Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:452] [Heroes of God p59] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Galápagos Islands, Ecuador; Ecuador
    1954 11 Apr
    195-
    Bula Mott Stewart arrived in Swaziland and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Swaziland
    1954 12 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi accepted the bid made by the firm of Enrico Pandolfini of Pietrasanta in Tuscany, Italy for the supply of the obelisk will mark the place of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Holy Land. After the delivery of the materials circumstances did not allow for the obelisk to be erected. The Universal House of Justice completed the project in August, 1971. Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Obelisks; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Pietrasanta, Italy; Tuscany, Italy; Italy
    1954 13 Apr
    195-
    David Tanyi, a tailor, arrived in French Togoland from British Cameroons and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; French Togoland (Togo); Togo
    18 Apr
    195-
    John and Valera Allen arrived in Swaziland and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Swaziland
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    In his cablegram of October 8, 1952, Shoghi Effendi called upon all 15 "continental" Hands to appoint, during Ridván, 1954, five Auxiliary Boards, one on each continent, composed of nine members each to work as their deputies along with the National Assemblies to assist in the execution of the twelve teaching plans. [BW13p335, MBW44, 63] Auxiliary board members; Assistants; Appointed arm
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    Adelaide Sharp, who had been in Iran since 1929, was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, the first woman elected to that body. [BFA2:361] Adelaide Sharp; NSA; Firsts, other; Women; Iran first woman elected NSA Iran
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in the Malay Peninsula was established in Seremban. Local Spiritual Assembly; Seremban, Malaysia; British Malaya first Local Spiritual Assembly Malay Peninsula
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    The first all African local spiritual assembly in Tanganyika was formed in Bukoba. Local Spiritual Assembly; Bukoba, Tanzania; Tanganyika, Tanzania first all African Local Spiritual Assembly in Tanganyika
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly was formed in British Cameroons. Local Spiritual Assembly; British Cameroon first Local Spiritual Assembly British Cameroons
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly was formed in in Usumbura (later Bujumbura, Burundi) and it composed entirely of Congolese. At that time the area was called Ruanda-Urundi. In 1962 Ruanda-Urundi became the two independent states of Rwanda and Burundi. [A Remarkable Response Film 26:55] Local Spiritual Assembly; Bujumbura, Burundi; Burundi first Local Spiritual Assembly Ruanda-Urundi (Burundi)
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Algeria was formed in Algiers. [BWIM114] Local Spiritual Assembly; Algiers, Algeria; Algeria first Local Spiritual Assembly Algeria
    1954 21 Apr
    195-
    Bruce Matthews arrived at Goose Bay and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Labrador. [BW13:453]

    See Bruce Matthews, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Goose Bay, Labrador by Lynn Wright and Susan Gammage.

    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Goose Bay, NL; Labrador, NL; Canada
    1954 Ridván
    195-
    In Uganda, 2 years previous, there were no Bahá'ís. By this time there were over 700 Bahá'ís, with 24 Spiritual Assemblies. [That Promising Continent 18] Statistics; Uganda
    26 Apr
    195-
    President of Israel Ben Zvi and his wife visit the Shrines on Mount Carmel, the first official visit paid by a head of a sovereign state to the Shrines of the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [GBF139–140; MBW68; PP2923] Ben Zvi; - Presidents; Prominent visitors; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Firsts, other; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel first official visit head of a sovereign state to Shrine of the Báb
    1954 May
    195-
    Elinore Putney arrived in the Aleutian Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Aleutian Islands, AK; Alaska, USA; United States (USA); Russia
    1954 2 May
    195-
    The arrival of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh Mavis Nymon and Vivian Wesson in French Togoland (now called Togo). [BWNS329 ] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); French Togoland (Togo); Togo
    1954 2 May
    195-
    Cynthia R. Olson of Wilmington, Delaware, settled in Barrigada, the largest village in Guam, and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Mariana Islands. [BW13:454; BWNS303] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Barrigada, Guam; Guam; Mariana Islands; Oceania
    1954 4 May
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi closed the Roll of Honour, except for those pioneers who have already left for their posts and those first arriving in the remaining virgin territories inside and outside the Soviet Republics and satellites. [MBW69] Roll of Honour; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1954 4 May
    195-
    Elizabeth Stamp, an Irish-American widow from New York City, arrived in St Helena and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; St. Helena
    1954 5 May
    195-
    Sabrí and Fahima (Ra'isa) Elias, an Egyptian couple with four children, arrived in Djibouti and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for French Somaliland. [BW13:451] Sabri Elias; Raissa Elias; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; French Somaliland; Djibouti, East Africa
    1954 2 May
    195-
    Mavis Nymon and Vivian Wesson, both Americans, arrived in French Togoland and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:451] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Togo; - Africa
    1954 17 May
    195-
    The arrival of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Elise Lynelle (then Schreiber) in Bata, the capital of Rio Muni, Spanish Guinea, and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for a second time, this time for Spanish Guinea. [BW13:456; BWNS330] Elise Schreiber (later Lynelle); - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bata, Equatorial Guinea; Spanish Guinea; Equatorial Guinea
    1954 26 May
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi, Rúhíyyih Khánum and Leroy Ioas returned the visit of President Ben Zvi by visiting him in Jerusalem. [GBF140; PP293–4] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Leroy Ioas; Ben Zvi; - Presidents; Jerusalem, Israel; Israel
    1954 29 May
    195-
    Haik (Haig) Kevorkian arrived in the Galápagos Islands and settled on the island of Santa Cruz. He was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. Haig had been present in Guayaquil as an itinerant pioneer-teacher in 1945 when the first local Assembly of that city was formed. He returned in 1954 to fill the virgin goal of the Galapagos. [BW13:452; Heroes of God: History of the Bahá'í Faith in Ecuador, 1940-1979 p24; 61]
  • On March 8, 1955 on the island of Santa Cruz, Señor Moyses Mosquera Zevallos enrolled as the first believer of the Galapagos. He was a school teacher from the mainland of Ecuador working on the island. Later he was dismissed from his job and was forced to leave theGalapagos due to accusations made against him of immoral acts with some of his students in spite of the fact that the teaching space was such that his wife was constantly with him. He had been the victim of an attack by the parish priest[ibid p76]
  • Haig returned to his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina in January 1956. His family came from Turkey but he was born in Syria on October 1, 1916 and came to Argentina as a youth with his family. He married his fiancée Miss Aurora de Eyto on October 19, 1957. His wife reported that he had colds continuously after returning from the islands, and on August 3, 1970 Haig passed away at .the age of 54. [ibid p75]
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Haig Kevorkian; Galápagos Islands, Ecuador; Ecuador
    1954 Jun
    195-
    Harold and Florence Fitzner arrived in Portuguese Timor and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] Harold Fitzner; Florence Fitzner; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Portuguese Timor; East Timor
    1954 Jun
    195-
    Louise Groger arrived on Chiloé Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Chiloé Island, Chile
    1954 Jun
    195-
    Shawqí Riyád Rawhání (Shoghi Riaz Rouhani), an Iranian from Egypt, arrived in Las Palmas and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Canary Islands. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Canary Islands, Spain
    1954 9 Jun
    195-
    The passing of Alain LeRoy Locke (b. September 13, 1885, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.) in New York. He was laid to rest in Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC.
  • Locke graduated from Harvard University and was the first African American to win a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship (1907). Despite his intellect and clear talent, Locke faced significant barriers as an African American. In spite of the fact that he had been selected as the first African-American Rhodes Scholar, Locke was denied admission to several colleges at the University of Oxford because of his race. He finally gained entry into Hertford College, where he studied from 1907 to 1910. Locke also studied philosophy at the University of Berlin during his years abroad. He subsequently received a doctorate in philosophy from Harvard and taught at Howard University.
  • Locke declared his belief in the Bahá'í Faith in 1918. He is thus among a list of some 40 known African Americans to join the religion during the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
  • In 1925 he published The New Negro: An Interpretation of Negro Life. It was an anthology showcasing African American artists and is generally considered a seminal moment in the founding of the Harlem Renaissance and he became known as the "Dean of the Harlem Renaissance" which sought to advance African Americans through race relations, the arts, and social thought, leaving behind European and white American styles and celebrating the black experience.
  • See Alain Locke: Four Talks Redefining Democracy, Education, and World Citizenship edited and introduced by Christoper Buck and Betty J Fisher in World Order Vol 38 No3 p21-41. [Uplifting Words; Wikipedia] [Uplifting Words; Wikipedia]
  • See his article "Impressions of Haifa". [BW3p527-528]
  • See also his article "The Orientation of Hope". [BW5p527-528]
  • See Alain Locke: Bahá'í Philosopher by Christopher Buck.
  • See Alain Locke: Faith & Philosophy by Christopher Buck
    • See the review by Derik Smith in World Order Vol 38 No3 p42-48.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • See Bahá'í Teachings.
  • See Uplifting Words.
  • The Bahá'í Faith and African American History: Creating Racial and Religious Diversity, Chapter 3: "Alain Locke on Race, Religion, and the Bahá'í Faith" by Christopher Buck.
  • The US Postal Service issued a series of stamps entitles Great Literary Movement: The voices of the Harlem Renaissance Forever on 21 May 2020.
  • Find a grave.
  • Alain Locke; - In Memoriam; * Philosophy; Race amity; Race unity; Harlem Renaissance; African Americans; Philadelphia, PA; New York, USA the first African-American Rhodes Scholar,
    1954 18 Jun
    195-
    The first islander to become a Bahá'í in the Seychelles, Marshall Delcy, a local school teacher, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Seychelles first islander Bahá'í in Seychelles
    1954 19 Jun
    195-
    The first Canary Islander to become a Bahá'í, Sr. José Jacinto Castillo y Gonzalez, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Canary Islands, Spain first Canary Islander Bahá’í
    1954 24 Jun
    195-
    Shápúr Rawhání and Ardishír Furúdí, Iranian residents of India, arrived in Bhutan by foot and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. They spent about two months in Bhutan. However, circumstances did not permit them to remain longer and they had to return to India. [BW13:449]
  • They were accompanied to the Bhutan border by the prime minister of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji.
  • In about 1961 Dr. Anayat Soroosh Yaganagi, a Bahá'í of Zoroastrian background from Bangalore pioneered to Bhutan. See the brief history of his family and the development of the Faith in the country in "Bahá'í Recollections" written by one of his daughters, Geeti Yaganegi.
  • Shapur Rawhani; Ardishir Furudi; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bhutan; India
    1954 Jul c.
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Brunei, Daphne Hassan, enrolled. Daphne Hassan; Brunei first Bahá’í in Brunei
    1954 Jul
    195-
    José Marques arrived in Portuguese Timor and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:455] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Portuguese Timor; East Timor
    1954 Jul
    195-
    Dr John George Mitchell, an English physician who became a Bahá'í in 1950, arrived in Malta and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Malta
    1954 Jul
    195-
    Reginald Stone and Allan Delph became Bahá'ís in British Guiana, the first two people to accept the Faith in that country. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; British Guiana; Latin America first Bahá'ís in British Guiana
    1954 5 Jul
    195-
    Violet Hoehnke, an Australian, arrived in Papua New Guinea and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Admiralty Islands. [BW13:449] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Papua New Guinea; Admiralty Islands, Papua New Guinea
    1954 Second half of the year
    195-
    The first Somali to become a Bahá'í in Djibouti, 'Alí 'Abdu'lláh, a 21-year old employee of a commercial firm, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Djibouti, East Africa; Somalia; - Africa first Somali Bahá’í
    1954 12 Jul
    195-
    Dudley Moore Blakely, an artist, sculptor and designer, and his wife, Elsa ('Judy'), British citizens living in Maine, arrived on Tongatapu and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Tonga Islands. [BW13:456] They shared the honour with Dr. Stanley Bolton. [BWNS286] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Tonga
    1954 12 Jul
    195-
    The first South African to become a Bahá'í enrolled in the Faith on this day. [That Promising Continent 20] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Pretoria, South Africa; South Africa first South African to become a Bahá'í
    1954 15 Jul
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Macau, Harry P. F. Yim (Yim Pui Foung), a 45-year-old small business proprietor born in Canton, China, enrolled. Harry P. F. Yim (Yim Pui Foung); Macau first Bahá’í in Macau
    1954 7 Aug
    195-
    Marcia Steward de Matamoros Atwater arrived in the Marshall Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:454] Marcia Atwater; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Marshall Islands
    1954 28 Aug
    195-
    Mihribán Suhaylí (Mehraban Sohaili) arrived on the Comoro Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] Mihriban Suhayli (Mehraban Sohaili); - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Comoros Islands
    1954 Sep
    195-
    Four people had become Bahá'ís in Zanzibar by this date. Statistics; Zanzibar, Tanzania
    1954 6 Sep
    195-
    The first people to become Bahá'ís in Bechuanaland (Lesotho), Chadwick and 'Maselai (Mary) Mohapi, enrolled. [BW17:449–52] Lesotho, South Africa; - Africa; Bechuanaland first Bahá’ís in Bechuanaland (Lesotho)
    1954 17 - 24 Sep
    195-
    The first Italo-Swiss Joint Summer School was held September 17-24 in Bex les Bains in Switzerland, and was attended by as many as 75 friends. Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, Hand of the Cause, discussed the Ten-Year Crusade, and Prof. Zeine-Zeine of Beirut lectured on the Kitáb-i-Iqán. For these sessions all the friends were together. Smaller groups, by language, were formed for study of Bahá’í Administration. [Baha'i News Issue 286, December 1954 p4]
  • For a photo see Bahá'í News Issue 291 May 1955 p14.
  • The first Italo-Swiss Joint Summer School
    1954 26 Sep
    195-
    The first native Greek to become a Bahá'í, Emmanuel Petrakis, enrolled in Crete. Emmanuel Petrakis; Crete, Greece first native Greek Bahá’í
    1954 Oct
    195-
    A National Haziratu'l-Quds was established in Kabul. [MBW70; 81] Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Kabul, Afghanistan; Afghanistan
    1954 1 Oct
    195-
    Anthony and Mamie Seto arrived in Hong Kong. - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Anthony Seto; Mamie Seto; Hong Kong; - Asia
    1954 1 Oct
    195-
    The title of the a parcel of land on Mount Carmel was transferred to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, Israel Branch. The title deed was for Parcel No. 304, Block 10811 Mount Carmel, Haifa. Purchases and exchanges; Mount Carmel; Haifa, Israel; Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1954 1 Oct
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that there were Bahá'ís in 235 countries and territories and over 3000 centres around the world. [MBW69–70] Statistics; Growth; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); - Worldwide
    1954 1 - 3 Oct
    195-
    Bahá'ís of Germany and the European Hands of the Cause invited the Bahá'ís of Europe to the Haziratu'l-Quds in Frankfurt am Main to develop plans and to coordinate action in the work of the second phase of the Ten-Year Crusade. [BN No 285 Nov 1954 p5] Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences; Frankfurt, Germany; Germany first Bahá'í European Conference to meet in Germany
    1954 3 Oct
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi designated Martha Root as a Hand of the Cause of God posthumously. She had passed away on September 28, 1939 in Hawaii.
  • Shoghi Effendi called her the 'archetype of Bahá'í itinerant teachers', the 'foremost Hand raised by Bahá'u'lláh since 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing', 'Leading ambassadress of His Faith' and 'Pride of Bahá'í teachers'. [GPB386]
  • Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Martha Root
    1954 Oct
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Nassau, Bahamas, Winfield Small, a young police officer from Barbados, enrolled.
  • Mr Small opened Barbados to the Faith.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Nassau, Bahamas; Bahamas; Barbados first Bahá’í in Nassau, Bahamas
    1954 8 Oct
    195-
    Richard Nolen and his family, (Lois A. (Warner), Linda Jean, Cynthia and John), arrived in the Azores, for which he and his wife were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. Two more children,Christopher Lee and Sylvia Louise, were born to the Nolens during their time there. Due to Richards failing health, the family returned to the United States and settled in Tacoma, Washington in August of 1962. After a prolonged illness Richard passed away on the 5th of May 1964. [Bahaipedia] Richard Nolen; Lois Nolen; Linda Jean Nolen; Cynthia Nolen; John Nolen; Azores; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh
    1954 22 Oct
    195-
    Mr and Mrs Suleimani arrived in Keelung, Taiwan by ship. They spent the rest of their lives there.

    Ridvaniyyih Suleimani served on the Auxiliary Board and the National Spiritual Assembly. She passed away in Taiwan on the 18th of March 1981. [BW18p752-754]

    Suleiman Suleimani served on the National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan from its formation in 1967 until 1978. He also served as a deputy of the institution of the Huqúqu'lláh for about two decades. [BW20p889-891]

    The Suleimanis, originally from Iran, had lived for about 28 years in Shanghai where Mrs Ridvaniyyih Suleimani's father, Mr Husayn Ouskouli Uskuli (or Uskui) had long resided and conducted a business. Mr and Mrs Suleimani had left Shanghai permanently in 1950 because of the difficult situations for foreigners in China but Mr Ouskouli decided to stay on and won the admiration of the Guardian. He died in Shanghai at the age of 86. [The Taiwan Bahá'í Chronicle by Barbara R. Sims p3; PH39; Video Early history of the Bahá'í Faith in China 7 min 57 sec]

    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Riḍvániyyih Ouskouli and Muhammad Suleimani Milani; Husayn Ouskouli Uskuli; Auxiliary board members; Keelung, Taiwan; Taiwan; Shanghai, China; China
    1954 Nov
    195-
    A plot of land of slightly less than half an acre (1,300 metres) owned by Farah Sprague (Farahangiz Khanum), a Covenant-breaker, was purchased (after expropriation by the Finance Minister of the state of Israel on the recommendation of the mayor of Haifa), overcoming the final obstacle to beginning the construction of the International Bahá'í Archives. This concluded a thirty-year struggle in the acquisition of land on the Arc for the Guardian. [LI210-211; DH169; MBW73–4; CBN No 60 January 1955 p1]
  • He said, in a letter dated the 27th of November 1955...

      "The truculence, greed and obstinacy, of this breaker of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, demonstrated by her persistent refusal to sell and by the exorbitant price subsequently demanded, raised, during more than thirty years, an almost insurmountable obstacle to the acquisition of an area, which, however circumscribed, occupies a central position amidst the extensive Baha'i domains in the heart of God's holy Mountain, is situated in the vicinity of the Báb's Sepulchre, overlooks the Tomb of the Greatest Holy Leaf, and adjoins the resting-places of the Brother and the Mother of Abdu'l-Bahá, and which, through deliberate neglect, has. been allowed to become an eyesore to all those who throng the embellished precincts of a Mausoleum rightly regarded as the second holiest Shrine in the Bahá'í world.
      The ownership of this plot will now enable us to locate the site, excavate the foundations, and erect the structure, of the International Bahá'í Archives, designed by the Hand of the Cause, Mason Remey, President of the International Bahá'í Council, which will serve as the permanent and befitting repository for the priceless and numerous relics associated with the Twin Founders of the Faith, with the Perfect Exemplar of its teachings and with its heroes, saints and martyrs, and the building of which constitutes one of the foremost objectives of the Ten-Year Plan. [CBN No 60 January 1955 p1]
  • Farah Sprague (Farahangiz Khanum); Covenant-breaking; Purchases and exchanges; Mount Carmel; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Haifa, Israel; International Archives Building (Haifa)
    1954 1 Nov
    195-
    The members of the Algerian National Liberation Front initiated an armed conflict on French targets to start the Algerian War, also known as the Algerian Revolution or the War of Independence which lasted until 1962 and lead to the independence of Algeria from France. This decolonization war was marked by guerrilla warfare, war crimes, and civil strife. The conflict ended with the signing of the Évian Accords.

    The war had a profound human cost, with estimates of Algerian casualties ranging from 400,000 to 1.5 million, alongside 25,600 French soldiers and 6,000 Europeans. The war also saw the perpetration of war crimes, including massacres, rape, torture, the destruction of villages, and the displacement of over 2 million Algerians. Upon independence, approximately 900,000 European-Algerians fled to France. The FLN targeted the Harkis, Algerian Muslims who served with the French army, for retribution, with many facing brutal violence. About 90,000 Harkis found refuge in France, where they and their descendants form a significant community​. [Wikipedia]

    Colonialism and imperialism; History (general); Algeria; France
    1954 20 Nov
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Tonga, Harry Terepo, born in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, enrolled.
  • He was a teacher, interpreter and guide living in Ohonua on the island of Eua.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Tonga first Bahá’í in Tonga
    1954 27 Nov
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi described the significance of the world administrative centre of the Faith and the 'structures, which will serve as the administrative seats of such divinely appointed institutions as the Guardianship, the Hands of the Cause, and the Universal House of Justice' to be ranged along a 'far-flung arc'. [MBW74] Guardianship; - Hands of the Cause; Universal House of Justice, Seat of (Haifa); - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; Mount Carmel; Haifa, Israel; Arc (World Centre)
    1954 27 Nov
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the commencement of "the excavation for the foundations of the International Archives heralding the rise of the first edifice destine to inaugurate the establishment of the seat of the World Baha'i Administrative order in the Holy Land". [MBW75] - Bahá'í World Centre; International Archives Building (Haifa)
    1954 8 Dec
    195-
    Bahá'ís in Ádharbáyján were dismissed from their employment in the Ministries of Health and Public Highways. [BW18p390] Persecution, Adharbayjan; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Azerbaijan
    1954 16 Dec
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the death of Avarih in Iran, "CONDEMNED POSTERITY MOST SHAMELESS, VICIOUS, RELENTLESS APOSTATE ANNALS FAITH, WHO THROUGH CEASELESS VITRIOLIC ATTACKS RECORDED VOLUMINOUS WRITINGS CLOSE ALLIANCE ITS TRADITIONAL ENEMIES, ASSIDUOUSLY SCHEMED BLACKEN ITS NAME SUBVERT FOUNDATIONS ITS INSTITUTIONS.
  • In the same message he announced the death of Ameen Fareed in North America; "HISTORY WILL RECOGNIZE ONE MOST PERFIDIOUS AMONG KINSMEN INTERPRETERS CENTER COVENANT, WHO, DRIVEN BY UNGOVERNABLE CUPIDITY COMMITTED ACTS CAUSING AGONIES GRIEF DESTRESS BELOVED MASTER CULMINATING OPEN ASSOCIATION BREAKERS BAHA'U'LLAH'S COVENANT HOLY LAND."
  • Likewise he announced the death of Falah in Turkey; "CHIEFLY REMEMBERED PRIDE, OBSTINACY INSATIABLE AMBITION IMPELLING HIM VIOLATE SPIRITUAL ADMINISTRATIVE PRECEPTS FAITH."
    • Ne'matullah Falah had left Iran at the time of Baha'u'llah's exile and had finally settled in Iskenderun, Turkey, where he had become a successful businessman. He had been appointed Honorary Iranian Consul in that city, a post he had taken upon the explicit encouragement of the Master, 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Upon his accession to the Guardianship Shoghi Effendi had considered that it would serve the Cause better if Baha'is refrained from all political activities. He therefore asked Falah to resign his post. This Falah refused to do, especially as he had a letter from the Master urging him to take the post. This resulted in the expulsion of Falah and his family from the Cause.
    [Bahá'í History]
  • Covenant-breaking; `Abdu'l-Husayn Ávárih; Ameen Fareed (Amin Farid); Nematullah Falah; Iran; Turkey; United States (USA)
    1955 to 2007
    195-
    The fifth Trustee of the Huqúqu'lláh was 'Ali-Muhammad Varqá. He inherited both the Trusteeship and the station of Hand of the Cause of God from his father upon his passing. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 25 March, 1985]
  • During his tenure the compilation Huqúqu'lláh was published (1985) by the Universal House of Justice.
  • The delegates gathered at the National Convention of the Bahá'ís of the United States in 1984 petitioned the Universal House of Justice to make the Law of the Huqúqu'lláh applicable in their country. (Up to this point the law only applied to Bahá'is of Persian origin.) The Universal House of Justice replied that it was not yet time for such a measure but did agree to make more information available in preparation for such a time. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 3 January, 1985, AWH30]
  • Friends in Austria and the United States published codifications on the Law of the Huqúqu'lláh. To the benefit of the believers everywhere the Research Department at the World Centre was asked to prepare a brief history and a Codification. This information was sent to all national assemblies in the Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 25 March, 1987.
  • In 1991 the Central Office of Huqúqu'lláh was established in the Holy Land under the direction of the Chief Trustee in anticipation of the worldwide application of the law. Subsequently regional and national boards were established. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 November, 1991]
  • With the publication of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in English in 1992 the law of the Huqúqu'lláh became universally applicable.
  • In 2005 an International Board of Trustees of the Huqúqu'lláh was established to guide the regional and national boards. Three members appointed to the Board were Sally Foo, Ramin Khadem, and Grant Kvalheim. Their term of office was to be determined. [Ridván 2005]
  • The last Hand of the Cause of Cause and Trustee of the Huqúqu'lláh, Alí Muhammad Varqá, passed away in Haifa on the 22nd of September, 2007. [BWNS579]
  • Huqúqu'lláh; Varqá, `Alí-Muhammad; Huququllah, Trustees of; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Varqa; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    1955 (In the year)
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in The Gambia, Mr Nichola Banna, a Lebanese merchant, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Gambia, The first Bahá’í in The Gambia
    1955 (In the year)
    195-
    The first indigenous Samoan to become a Bahá'í, Sa'ialala Tamasese, enrolled.
  • He was a member of one of the three royal families of Samoa. [BINS, No. 100, 1 MARCH 1979, p. 1]
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Bahá'í royalty; Royalty; Samoa first indigenous Samoan Bahá’í
    1955 (In the year)
    195-
    Labíb Isfahání arrived in Abidjan, French West Africa, from Dakar, the first Bahá'í to settle in what is now the Ivory Coast. Habib Isfahani; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; French West Africa first Bahá’í to settle in Ivory Coast
    1955 (In the year)
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Spanish Sahara, 'Abdu'l-Salam Salím Al-Sbintí, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Spanish Sahara first Bahá’í in Spanish Sahara
    1955 (In the year)
    195-
    Twenty–two African Bahá'ís were expelled from the Belgian Congo. Persecution, Belgian Congo; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Congo, Democratic Republic of
    1955 (In the year)
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Grenada, John Protain, a waiter at the Santa Maria Hotel, enrolled. John Protain; Grenada first Bahá’í in Grenada
    1955 Jan
    195-
    Dorothy Senne became the first Bahá'í in South Africa. [BWNS270] Dorothy Senne; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); South Africa First Bahá'í in South Africa.
    1955 c. Jan
    195-
    The first Tswana Bahá'í, Stanlake Kukama, enrolled in Mafikeng. - First believers by background; Mafikeng, Botswana; South Africa first Tswana Bahá’í
    1955 8 Jan
    195-
    Señor Moyses Mosquera Zevallos became the first believer of the Galapagos Islands to accept the Faith. As a result of his becoming a Bahá'í he was persecuted by the priest and both he and his wife lost their jobs as teachers. He was wrongfully accused of immoral acts with some of his students in spite of the fact that the teaching space was such that his wife was constantly with him.

    Moses was dismissed from his position because of the influence of the priest but he was asked to return to Naranjal because of the demands of the parents of his students. He remained at this school until his retirement during the late 1970's. [Heroes of God: History of the Bahá'í Faith in Ecuador, 1940-1979 by Helen Basset Hornby p69; 77]

    Santa Cruz, Galápagos; Galápagos Islands, Ecuador; Ecuador the first to accept the Eahá'i Faith in the Galapagos.
    1955 18–22 Jan
    195-
    Five Bahá'ís were arrested and beaten in Hisár, Khurásán, Iran; four of these are dragged around the town; Bahá'í houses were attacked, looted and set on fire. [BW18p390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Hisar, Iran; Khurásán, Iran; Iran
    1955 Feb
    195-
    The first local person to become a Bahá'í in Mauritius, Mr Yam-Lim, a Chinese Catholic, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Mauritius first local Bahá’í in Mauritius
    1955 4 Feb
    195-
    Bahá'í women in Hisár, Khurásán, Iran, were assaulted. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Hisar, Iran; Khurásán, Iran; Iran
    1955 8–15 Feb
    195-
    The first people to become Bahá'ís in Réunion, Paul and Françoise Tayllamin (8 Feb) and Jean Donat and Julien Araye (15 Feb), enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Reunion Island; France first Bahá’ís in Réunion
    1955 Mar
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in the Solomon Islands, William Gina, a 43-year-old Solomon Islander from the Western Solomon Islands, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Solomon Islands; Oceania first Bahá’í in Solomon Islands
    1955 Mar
    195-
    Kamálí Sarvístání arrived on Socotra Island and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:456] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Socotra Island
    1955 4 Mar
    195-
    The first Tongan to become a Bahá'í in Tonga, Tevita Ngalo'afe, enrolled. - First believers by background; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Tonga first Tongan Bahá’í in Tonga
    1955 14 Mar
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Guam, Charles T. Mackey, a United States civil service employee, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Guam first Bahá’í in Guam
    1955 20 Mar
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the acquisition of 36,000 square metres of land for the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkár of the Holy Land. [DH175; MBW78–9]
  • The entire sum of $180,000 for the purchase was donated by Amelia Collins. [MBW79]
  • In April Shoghi Effendi reported that $50,000 had been contributed by the Hand of the Cause, Amelia Collins for the purpose of establishing Bahá'í national endowments in no less than fifty countries, situated in all five continents of the globe. [MBW81-82]
  • See the letter from the Guardian dated the 1st of October 1954 for a list of other properties/ buildings that were acquired due to the generosity of Millie Collins. [CBN No58 Nov 1954 p1; BN No 285 November 1954 p1]
  • Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; Purchases and exchanges; Amelia Collins; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Endowments; Donations; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; - Worldwide first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Holy Land
    1955 Apr
    195-
    The first person to become a Bahá'í in the Bahamas, Molly Newbold, enrolled.
  • As she did not remain a Bahá'í, Arnold Wells, a tinsmith who became a Bahá'í on 20 April, is regarded as the first Bahá'í. Christine Thompson, who owned a small fruit and vegetable shop, and Frank Ferguson, who owned a gas station, also enrolled on 20 April.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Bahamas first Bahá’í in Bahamas
    1955 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that the Bahá'í Faith was represented in 236 countries, in 3,200 locations, by over 40 ethnic groups. Bahá'í literature was translated into 176 languages. [MBW76–8] Statistics; Growth; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); - Worldwide
    1955 18 Apr
    195-
    After the violent storm of persecutions against the Bahá'í's in Iran broke loose, the Bahá'í International Community delegates presented their case and Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold, intervened with the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs and brought an immediate end to the physical persecution and lifted the danger of a massacre. [Bahá'í International Community History, 18 April 1955] United Nations; * Persecution, Iran; Bahá'í International Community; Iran
    1955 21 April
    195-
    In 1843, the Báb's only child, Ahmad, was still-born or died soon after birth. Khadíjih Bagum had a very difficult delivery and almost died as a result. The child was buried under a pine (or cypress) tree in the shrine of Bíbí-Dukhtarán (meaning Matron or Mistress of the Maidens).
  • In the opening days of 1955, the Shíráz municipality decided to construct a school on the site which would have destroyed the grave. When advised of the situation Shoghi Effendi responded: "Guardian approves transfer remains Primal Point's Son Gulistán Jávíd. Ensure befitting burial."
  • The Spiritual Assembly arranged for the remains to be exhumed, laid in a silk container, and placed in a cement coffin. For three months, the coffin was kept in the western part of the local Hadiratu'l-Quds. On the 21st of April 1955, which coincided with the day of the Báb's martyrdom reckoned by the lunar calendar, a special ceremony for the reinterment was held. It was the largest Bahá'í gathering in Shíráz in the history of the Bahá'í Faith. Multitudes of believers from all parts of the country participated in the historic event. In a prayerful atmosphere, the remains were reinterred in the Bahá'í cemetery of Shíráz. The Guardian heard the details and, on 24 April, cabled his joy: "SHIRAZ ASSEMBLY CARE KHADEM TEHERAN. OVERJOYED HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT CONGRATULATE VALIANT FRIENDS LOVING REMEMBRANCE SHRINES SUPPLICATING BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS. SHOGHI." [The Afnán Family: Some Biographical Notes by Ahang Rabbani 2007 Note <44>]
  • In the first báb of the fifth vahíd of the Persian Bayán, the Báb asks for a befitting structure to be built over the resting-place of Ahmad for the faithful to worship God. [Bahaipedia] .
  • Ahmad (son of the Báb); * Báb, The (chronology); Báb, Family of; Cemeteries and graves; - Births and deaths; Shíráz, Iran; Iran; Cypress trees
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    (The) design (for the) Mother Temple (in the) cradle (of the) Faith (was) unveiled (in the) presence (of) pilgrims (and) resident believers assembled (within the) Haram-i-Aqdas (on the) first day (of) Ridvan. SHOGHI [CBN No65 Jun 1955 p1] Bahji, Israel
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first five local assemblies in Bechuanaland (Botswana) were formed in Seqonoka, Maseru, Mafeteng, Maphohloane and Sephapos' Gate. Local Spiritual Assembly; Seqonoka, Botswana; Maseru, Botswana; Mafeteng, Botswana; Maphohloane and Sephapos Gate, Botswana; Lesotho, South Africa first five Local Spiritual Assemblies in what is now Lesotho
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first four local spiritual assemblies in The Gambia were formed in Bathurst (Banjul), Serrekunda, Lamin and Brikama. Local Spiritual Assembly; Banjul (Bathurst), The Gambia; Serrekunda, The Gambia; Lamin and Brikama, The Gambia; Gambia, The first four Local Spiritual Assemblies in The Gambia
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) was formed in Salisbury (Harare). [CG21] Local Spiritual Assembly; Harare, Zimbabwe; Southern Rhodesia first Local Spiritual Assembly in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly of French Togoland (Togo) formed at Lomé. Local Spiritual Assembly; Lomé, Togo; French Togoland (Togo); Togo first Local Spiritual Assembly in French Togoland (Togo)
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual in Mozambique was established in Lourenço Marques. [BW13:290] Local Spiritual Assembly; Lourenco Marques, Mozambique; Mozambique first Local Spiritual Assembly in Mozambique
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first native Mozambican Bahá'í, Festas Chambeni, took the Bahá'í Faith to Angola. [BW13:290] Festas Chambeni; Angola first native Mozambican Bahá’í
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first Local Spiritual Assembly in Italian Somalia was formed in Mogadishu. Local Spiritual Assembly; Mogadishu, Somalia; Italian Somaliland first LSA in Italian Somaliland
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Madagascar was formed in Tananarive (Antananarivo). Local Spiritual Assembly; Tananarive, Madagascar; Madagascar first Local Spiritual Assembly in Madagascar
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in the Seychelles was formed in Victoria. Local Spiritual Assembly; Limbé, Camaroon; Seychelles first Local Spiritual Assembly in Seychelles
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in the Bahamas was formed in Nassau. Local Spiritual Assembly; Nassau, Bahamas; Bahamas first Local Spiritual Assembly in Bahamas
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Vietnam was formed at Saigon-Cholon (Cholon is the Chinese section of Saigon). [BN No 293 July 1955 p5; Bahá'í Religion in Community Education in Vietnam by Vu Van Chung]
  • This body was also the first local assembly to be formed in Indochina.
  • Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Saigon, Vietnam; Vietnam first Local Spiritual Assembly in Vietnam
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Zanzibar (Tanzania) was formed. Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Zanzibar, Tanzania firstLocal Spiritual Assembly in Zanzibar
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Réunion was formed. Local Spiritual Assembly; Reunion Island; France first Local Spiritual Assembly in Réunion
    1955 Ridván
    195-
    The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Monaco was established.

    The first person to become a Bahá'í in Monaco was Margaret Lantz, of Luxembourg. Soon after her a Frenchman, Mr. Charbonnet, who owed an antique shop in Monaco, also accepted the Faith. Charlottte Campana was the first person of Monegasque nationality to become a Bahá'í.

    Bahá'í writings translated into Monegasque were officially presented to Crown Prince Albert in 2001. [Newspaper Archive on BLO]

    Monaco first LSA in Monaco
    1955 23 Apr
    195-
    Ramadán began. Shaykh Muhammad-Taqí known as "Falsafí" made an inflammatory speech against the Bahá'ís from a mosque in Tihrán. [BW18p390]
  • This was broadcast on national radio and stirred up the people against the Bahá'ís. [BW18:390]
  • Beatings, killings, looting and raping went on for several weeks, usually incited by the local 'ulamá. [BW18:390–1; MC16–17; ZK215–6]
  • The House of the Báb in Shíráz was attacked and damaged by a mob led by Siyyid Núru'd-Dín, a mujtahid.
  • See a publication in the newspaper Shahin Tehran about his "work".
  • Báb, House of (Shiraz); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution, Mobs; - Persecution; Falsafi; Shaykh Muhammad-Taqi; Tehran, Iran; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1955 May-Jul
    195-
    Persecutions against the Bahá'ís continued throughout Iran. [BW18p391]
  • Many Bahá'ís were beaten, including women and children.
  • Bahá'í houses and shops were looted and burned.
  • Bahá'ís employed in government service were dismissed.
  • Bodies of dead Bahá'ís were disinterred and mutilated.
  • Young Bahá'í women were abducted and forced to marry Muslims.
  • Several Bahá'í women were publicly stripped and/or raped.
  • Crops and orchards belonging to Bahá'ís were looted and destroyed.
  • Bahá'í children were expelled from schools.
  • The House of the Báb in Shíráz was damaged and almost destroyed by an anti-Bahá'í mob.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Báb, House of (Shiraz); Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1955 2 May
    195-
    The police locked the doors of the National Bahá'í Centre in Tihrán thus preventing the holding of the final day of the National Bahá'í Convention. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Conventions, National; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1955 4 May
    195-
    Sylvia Ioas was appointed to the International Bahá'í Council as its ninth member. [BW19:612; GBF110; MBW86; PP253; CBN No65 Jun 1955 p1; BN No 292 Jun 1955 p3] Sylvia Ioas; International Bahá'í Council; Haifa, Israel
    1955 7 May
    195-
    The Iranian army occupied the National Bahá'í Centre in Tihrán. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1955 8 May
    195-
    Bahá'ís were beaten at Dámghán, Khurásán, Iran. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Damghan, Iran; Khurásán, Iran; Iran
    1955 8 May
    195-
    The Bahá'í centre at Rasht, Iran, was attacked and taken over. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Rasht, Iran; Iran
    1955 9 May
    195-
    Bahá'í houses were attacked and looted at Shíráz, Iran. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1955 9 May
    195-
    The Bahá'í centre at Ahváz, Iran, was taken over. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Ahvaz, Iran; Iran
    1955 16 May
    195-
    The Bahá'í centre at Isfahán, Iran, was taken over. [BW18:390] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Isfahan, Iran; Iran
    1955 17 May
    195-
    The Iranian Minister of the Interior announced in parliament that the Government had issued orders for the suppression of the 'Bahá'í sect' and the liquidation of the Bahá'í centres. [BBRSM174; BW18p391] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Iran
    1955 22 May
    195-
    The dome of the National Bahá'í Centre in Tihrán was demolished with the personal participation of several high-ranking army officers. The Haziratu'l-Quds had been taken over on the 7th of May. The publication of the pictures of the demolition encouraged a widespread outburst of persecution of Bahá'ís throughout Iran. [BW18:391; Archives of Bahá'í Persecution in Iran]
  • After the coup in 1953 the Shah was indebted to the clergy for their support and so they were given a greater latitude to persecute the Bahá'ís. In an attempt to show his gratitude the Shah sent a high ranking officer to ask if they had any special requests and they called for the Bahá'í Centre in Tehran to be destroyed. The army occupied the Centre and high-ranking officers and clerics jointly demolished the dome. [Towards a History of Iran's Bahá'í Community During the Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979 by Mina Yazdani.]
  • For pictures see BW13:293–4.
  • Photo.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1955 23 May
    195-
    The Bahá'í International Community submitted its Proposals for Charter Revision to the United Nations for the Conference for Revision of the UN Charter. [BW13:788, 795–802] Bahá'í International Community; United Nations Charter; United Nations; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    1955 24 May
    195-
    The Bahá'í centre at Karaj, Iran, was taken over. [BW18p391] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Karaj, Iran; Iran
    1955 27 May
    195-
    The Bahá'í centre at Máhfurúzak, Iran, was demolished. [BW18p391] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Mahfurúzak, Iran; Iran
    1955 30 May
    195-
    Bahá'ís were attacked and wounded and their houses attacked at Ábádih, Iran. [BW18p391] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Ábádih, Iran; Iran
    1955 (Spring)
    195-
    Travelling by foot, Udai Narain Singh arrived in Tibet from Gangtok, Sikkim, and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, his second such distinction.
  • He was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh in spring 1956. [BW13:456]
  • Udai Narain Singh; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Tibet; Sikkim, India; India
    1955 1 Jun
    195-
    The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tákur, Mázandarán, Iran, was taken over. [BW18p391] House of Bahá'u'lláh (Takur); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Takur, Iran; Mazandaran, Iran; Iran
    1955 2 Jun
    195-
    The first pioneer to settle in Laos, Dr Heshmat Ta'eed, arrived in the country from Thailand. - First travel teachers and pioneers; Laos first pioneer to Laos
    1955 3 Jun
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced to all National Assemblies that Majdi'd-Din, "the most redoubtable enemy of 'Abdu'l-Baha" and "the incarnation of Satan", someone who played a leading role in the kindling of the hostility of 'Abdu'l-Hamíd and Jamál Páshá and who was the instigator of Covenant-breaking and archbreaker of Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, died at the age of one hundred after being struck with paralysis affecting his limbs and his tongue. [MBW87-88, 94]
  • He was the son of Bahá'u'lláh's only full brother Mírzá Músá, also know as Áqáy-i-Kalím. He was married to Samadiyyih, Bahá'u'lláh's daughter from his second wife Fatimih Khanum making him brother-in-law to Mírzá Muhammad `Alí.
  • Both Majdi'd-Dín and Samadiyyih were eventually declared Covenant-breakers for supporting Mírzá Muhammad `Alí. Majdi'd-Din was a scribe for Bahá'u'lláh. It was he who on June 6th or 7th, 1892, read the Kitáb-i-'Ahd to a large crowd in front of the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh in which Bahá'u'lláh appointed 'Abdu'l-Bahá as his successor. [CBN No69 Oct 1955 p2]
  • Covenant-breaking; Majdid-Din; `Abdu'l-Hamid; Jamal Pasha; Mírzá Musa (Aqay-i-Kalim); Samadiyyih Khanum; Fatimih Khanum
    1955 3 Jun
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that a thousand groups and local Assemblies telegraphed appeals to the Iranian authorities and that all National Assemblies addressed written communication to the Shah, the government, and to parliament pleading for justice and protection. [MBW89] * Persecution, Iran; - Bahá'í World Centre
    1955 4 Jun
    195-
    Frank Wyss of Australia arrived on Cocos and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:450] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia
    1955 28 Jul
    195-
    Seven Bahá'ís were stabbed and beaten to death by a mob in Hurmuzak, Iran. [BW18p391; Towards a History of Iran's Baha'i Community During the Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979 by Mina Yazdani.]
  • Several other Bahá'ís, including women, were beaten and injured; Bahá'í houses and property were damaged. [BW18:391]
  • See also M. Labíb, The Seven Martyrs of Hurmuzak.
  • See entry for 26 September, 2016.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution, Mobs; - Persecution; Seven martyrs of Hurmuzak; Hurmuzak, Yazd; Iran
    1955 Aug
    195-
    Appeals were made by National Spiritual Assemblies around the world through the Bahá'í International Community to the UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld to ask the Iranian government to halt the attacks on the Bahá'ís. [BW13:789–91; BW16:329; MBW88–9; PP304, 311; CBN No 81 October 1956 p1]
  • The intervention of the Secretary-General of the UN, along with the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, brought an end to the physical persecution of the Bahá'ís, although their human rights are still denied. [BW13:790; BW16:329]
  • This marked the first time the Faith was able to defend itself with its newly born administrative agencies. An "Aid the Persecuted Fund" was established.
  • Historian Mohamad Tavakoli-Targhi noted that the 1955 anti-Bahá'í campaign was both the apogee and the point of separation of the state-clergy co-operation. The Shah succumbing to international pressure to provide human rights, withdrew support. The result was that the period from the late fifties until 1977-1978 was a period of relative safety. [Towards a History of Iran's Bahá'í Community During the Reign of Mohammad Reza Shah, 1941-1979 by Mina Yazdani.]
  • Bahá'í International Community; United Nations; NSA; Human rights; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; New York, USA; United States (USA); Iran
    1955 5 Aug
    195-
    In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles he requested that Bahá'ís withdraw from Churches, Synagogues, Freemasonry and other secret societies. A number of letters had been written before and were written after on the same subject. [LoGno.1387; LoGno.1388 (1956); LoGno.1389 (1956); LoGno.1390 (1956); LoGno.1391 (1951)]
  • 'Abdu'l-Bahá had previously permitted such membership in the Masons. [ABL127]
  • Membership of other organizations; Secret Societies; Masons; Masonry
    1955 15 Aug
    195-
    The passing of Mabel Hyde Paine (b. 7 December 1877 in Rockville, CT, d. 15 August 1955 in Urbana, IL). She was buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Urbana. [Find a Grave]

    Mabel Paine was a Bahá'í teacher and an author. She is remembered as the compiler of The Divine Art of Living that was first published by the Bahá'í Publishing Committee in Chicago in 1944 and saw numerous reprints and revisions until the four revisions. It is still in publication. [Collins4.114 - 4.117]

  • See also Paine, Mable Hyde; Obituary by Garrett Busey.
  • - In Memoriam; Mabel Hyde Paine; Rockville, CT; Urbana, IL
    1955 23 Aug
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced plans to begin construction on the House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda in light of the fact that the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár that had been planned for Tehran during the Ten Year Crusade had to be postponed due to circumstances in Iran. [MBW90; PP312; BW13p713; CG42-43; Bahá'í Faith, The: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Bahá'í Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963 compiled by Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land] Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Kampala; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Tihran; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda; Iran; Tehran, Iran
    1955 Sep-Oct
    195-
    Bahá'ís in Iran continued to be dismissed from their employment. Bahá'í students were expelled from Shíráz University. [BW18p391] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1955 Sep
    195-
    Fowzieh Sobhi arrived in British Somaliland from Egypt, the first Bahá'í to reside in the country. Fowzieh Sobhi; British Somaliland first pioneer to British Somaliland
    1955 23 - 25 Sep
    195-
    International Teaching Conference was held in Nikko, Japan. [Japan Will Turn Ablaze p87, 97] Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; - Conferences, International; Teaching; - First conferences; Nikko, Japan; Japan first conference held in Japan
    1955 Oct
    195-
    Daniel Haumont arrived in the Loyalty Islands and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Islands; Loyalty Islands
    1955 12 Nov
    195-
    Hand of the Cause of God Valíyu'lláh Varqá passed away in Stuttgart.
  • For his obituary see BW13:831–834.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • Varqa, Valiyullah; - In Memoriam; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; Varqa; Stuttgart, Germany; Germany
    1955 15 Nov
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that for the construction of the International Bahá'í Archives thirty of the fifty-two pillars, each over seven metres high, had been raised and that half of the nine hundred tons of stone ordered from Italy had been safely delivered at the Port of Haifa. He also said that a contract for over $15,000 had been placed with the tile factory in Utrecht for over 7,000 green tiles to cover the 500 square metres of the roof. [MBW95]
    He announced as well:
  • the purchase of a plot of land adjacent to the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf for $100,000,
  • the purchase of the dilapidated house situated south of the Mansion at Bahjí in which 'Abdu'l-Bahá used to receive friends, among them the first party of Western pilgrims after Bahá'u'lláh's passing,
  • a plot of land situated in the neighbourhood of the Shrine of the Báb,
  • and that the formalities had been completed in the purchase of the site of the future Mashriqu'lAdhkár on Mount Carmel. [MBW78-79, 95]
  • The transfer of the deeds for the above plots of land were being transferred to the name of the Israel branches of the United States, The British, the Persian the Canadian and the Australian Baháa'í National Spiritual Assemblies. [MBW95]
  • Bahji, Israel; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Haifa; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tea House of (Bajji); - Bahá'í World Centre; Utrecht, Netherlands; International Archives Building (Haifa)
    1955 15 Nov
    195-
    'Alí Muhammad Varqá was appointed a Hand of the Cause to succeed his father. [GBF111; MBW91] Varqá, `Alí-Muhammad; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Varqa
    1955 Dec
    195-
    The first Samoan woman to become a Bahá'í, Mrs Lotoa Refiti (later Lotoa Rock), enrolled. [Koala News, No. 22, February 1956] Lotoa Refiti; Samoa first Samoan woman Bahá'í
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    The publication of Religion for Mankind by Horace Holley. There were subsequent publications by George Ronald in 1966, 1969, and 1976 and the Bahá'í Publishing Trust in Wilmette and a printing in 1967. It was transcribed into braille in 1970. [Collins7.1222-7.1226; 8.100]
  • "A collection of cogent essays on several aspects of the Bahá'í social programme and the dynamic of community and administrative life. [Collins7.1222]
  • Horace Holley; * Publications
    c. 1956
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi acquired the title to the Pilgrim House at Bahjí from the Israeli government as part of the exchange for the Bahá'í properties at Ein Gev. [BBD177; DH226] Pilgrim house, Bahji; Pilgrim Houses; Purchases and exchanges; Bahji, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    The first indigenous person to become a Bahá'í in Dutch Guiana (Suriname), George van Axel Dongen, enrolled. George van Axel Dongen; Dutch Guiana (Suriname); Suriname first indigenous Bahá’í in Dutch Guiana (Suriname)
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    The first Tlinget to become a Bahá'í in Alaska, Joyce Anderson Combs, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Alaska, USA; United States (USA) first Tlinget Bahá’í in Alaska
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    The first people to become Bahá'ís in Cape Verde enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Cape Verde first Bahá’ís in Cape Verde
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    The first indigenous person to become a Bahá'í in New Guinea, Apelis Mazakmat, a school teacher and member of the local government council, enrolled. Apelis Mazakmat; New Guinea first indigenous Bahá’í in New Guinea
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    Kedarnath Pradhan, from neighbouring Sikkim, arrived in Nepal, the first pioneer to the country. [Bahá'í Faith In Nepal by Prof. Anil Sarwal] - First travel teachers and pioneers; Nepal; Sikkim, India; India first pioneer to Nepal
    1956 (In the year)
    195-
    A Roman Catholic priest lodged a complaint against the Bahá'ís of Morocco with the Moroccan Security Service. Persecution, Morocco; Morocco
    1956 c.
    195-
    The first person in Tibet to become a Bahá'í, Chiten Tashi, a young businessman from the village of Chombethan, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Tibet first Bahá'í in Tibet
    1956 Jan
    195-
    The first Bahá'í pioneer in what is now the Central African Republic, Samson Nkeng, arrived in Bangui from the British Cameroons1 Samson Nkeng; Pioneer; Central African Republic first pioneer in Central African Republic
    1956 12 Feb
    195-
    The first four people to become Bahá'ís in Hong Kong, Nari Sherwani, Ng Ying Kay, Chan Lie Kun and Chan Lie Fun, enrolled. [PH75] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Hong Kong first four Bahá’ís in Hong Kong
    1956 21 Feb
    195-
    The first Bahá'í pioneer, Marguerite Allman, (later Miners), formerly of Hamilton and her pioneer post in the Queen Charlotte Islands (now Haida Gwaii), arrived in 1956. She taught the second Icelandic Bahá'í, Erica Petursson. [BN No 487 October 1971 p20; BN303 May 1956 p13] Pioneer; Reykjavik, Iceland; Iceland; Hamilton, ON
    1956 25 Feb
    195-
    Husayn Uskuli, (b. 1875) long-time pioneer to Shanghai from 'Ishqábád, passed away in Shanghai at the age of 82 and was buried in the Kiangwan Cemetery in Shanghai. [PH29, BW13p871-873]
  • He had heard about the Faith at the age of 18 from Mírzá Haydar-'Alí. After his marriage he moved to 'Ishqábád where he was very active in the community. After his move to Shanghai his home was the centre of activity and hospitality for all those passing through. He was the only foreign-born Bahá'í to remain in China after the regime change. The xenophobic attitude of the government precluded any meaningful contact with the local citizenry.
  • He was survived by four daughters and a son.
  • Husayn Uskuli; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Ashgabat; Turkmenistan; Shanghai, China; China
    1956 (Early)
    195-
    In early 1956, Rudolfo Duna, his wife Angelica, and eleven year old daughter Julia, early Mozambican Bahá'ís, undertook the arduous train journey from Johannesburg, South Africa to Luanda, Angola, covering over 5,000 kilometers. Within a week after their arrival in Luanda, a community large enough to establish a Local Spiritual Assembly was formed.

    Another example of a new African believer arising was the case of Dorothy Chivunda in Zambia. When word of the Faith reached the church Dorothy attended, it aroused the curiosity of the congregation. The church decided to send Dorothy to investigate the claims of this new religion. Within three weeks, she declared as a Bahá'í, promptly organizing a teaching trip to her native village in Kawiku, in Chibwakata area of North Western Province. This trip, and the others that followed, involved over 300 kilometers of travel over rough terrain. It set in motion a process that would lead to the enrolment of thousands of her fellow tribesmen, the Lunda of Zambia, into the Faith.

    [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p3]

    Pioneering; Rudolfo Duna; Angelica Duna; Julia Duna; Dorothy Chivunda; Luanda, Angola; Angola
    1956 9 Mar
    195-
    The passing of Albert R Windust (b. 28 March 1874 in Chicago) in Berrien County, Michigan. He was buried in the Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago.

    Albert, in spite of his meagre education, was a deep student of the Writings, an able speaker, and a profound teacher of the Laws and Ordinances. His classes on the Covenant and Bahá'í Administration were most helpful both to newcomers and Bahá'ís of long association with the Faith. There was a freshness and vigor in his teaching; he radiated a love that reached the hearts. In his every-day life he demonstrated the power of the revealed Word of Bahá'u'lláh.

      "Deeply grieved passing much loved greatly admired staunch ardent promoter Faith, Albert Windust, Herald Covenant, whose notable services Heroic Formative Ages Faith unforgettable. Assure friends relatives fervently supplicating progress soul Kingdom." – Shoghi [BW13p873-874
    ]

    At the age of fourteen Albert became an apprentice in the printing firm where his father worked. Later he became the first publisher of the Writings of the Faith in America. He printed booklets, early editions of prayers, and the Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh (16 March 1900 BFA2p25). In 1910 he founded and started printing the first Bahá'í monthly publication, Star of the West. He gathered and published the well-known three volumes of Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá from Tablets written to the Bahá'ís in North America. He also assisted Howard MacNutt in publishing Promulgation of Universal Peace. Albert also helped in the compilation and publication of the first five volumes of The Bahá'í World for the years 1926 to 1934.

    When his father died on May 21st, 1913 Albert wrote to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and asked Him to pray for him. 'Abdu'l-Bahá responded by sending a Tablet with a prayer. It was published in SoW Vol 11 Issue 19 p219 and has been printed in Spiritual Strength for Men p82-83 published by Kalimat Press and in Family Worship p66 compiled by Wendi Momen and published by George Ronald.

  • See also Prayer for Fathers by 'Abdu'l-Bahá as translated by Ahmad Sohrab.
  • - In Memoriam; Albert Windust; Chicago, IL
    1956 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that the remaining 22 pillars of the International Bahá'í Archives had been erected and that the last half of the 900 tons of marble from Italy had been delivered. Forty-four tons of glazed green tiles from Utrecht had been placed in position. [MBW108]
    He also announced that:
  • the dilapidated house located near the Mansion had been restored,
  • Negotiations were underway with the Development Authority of the State of Israel for the acquisition of two plots to the north and south of the Shrine.
  • the destruction of a row of sheds near the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh,
  • that an expropriation order had been published in the Israel Official Gazette related to the buildings enclosed within the Haram-i-Aqdas regarding the occupancy of these buildings of the Covenant-breakers. [MBW108-109]
  • Haram-i-Aqdas; Covenant-breaking; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Tea House of (Bajji); - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahji, Israel; International Archives Building (Haifa)
    1956 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced that the Bahá'í Faith was established in 247 countries, in 3,700 localities and that there were more than 900 local spiritual assemblies, of which 168 were incorporated. Bahá'í literature had been translated into 190 languages. [MBW92–3] Statistics
    1956 Apr
    195-
    Shoghi Effendi announced the extension to Egyptian Bahá'í women of the right to be elected to the National Spiritual Assembly and to participate in the national convention. [MBW96–7] National Spiritual Assembly, women; Women; Equality; - Middle East; Egypt
    1956 Apr
    195-
    The publication of Ade-rih-wa-nie-ton On-kwe-on-we Neh-ha: A Message to the Iroquois Indians in the Canadian Bahá'í News. This pamphlet was translated to the Mohawk language by Mr. Charles Cooke of Ottawa and there is reason to believe the translation was commissioned by the Québec Regional Teaching Committee. [Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to Dr. C Buck 6 January 2021; CBN No69 Oct 1955 p4; CBN 45 April 1956 p.11]
  • See Deganawida, the Peacemaker by Dr Christopher Buck published in American Writers: A Collection of Literary Biographies Supplement XXVI (2015)
  • See as well Native Messengers of God in Canada?: A Test Case for Bahá'í Universalism by Christopher Buck published in Bahá'í Studies Review, 6, pages 97-133 London: Association for Bahá'í Studies English-Speaking Europe, 1996. Also Native Messengers of God in Canada? A test case for Bahá'í universalism, by Christopher Buck:Commentary by William P. Collins.
  • Also of interest on the same subject is his article Dr. David Ruhe's Tribute to Indigenous Messengers of God.
  • See as well Messengers of God in North America, Revisited: An Exegesis of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Tablet to Amír Khán by Christopher Buck and Donald Addison.
  • For information about the Tablet to Amír Khán see Tablet to Amir Khan and Tablet of the Holy Mariner by / on behalf of Universal House of Justice.
  • Bahá'í Universalism and Native Prophets by Christopher Buck.
  • See the series Indigenous Messengers of God.
  • - Indigenous Messengers of God; Iroquois; Native Americans; Canada
    1956 7 Apr
    195-
    The first indigenous person to become a Bahá'í in Micronesia, 22-year-old Joe Erie Ilengelkei from Palau, Caroline Islands, enrolled. Joe Erie Ilengelkei; Palau; Caroline Islands first indigenous Bahá’í in Micronesia
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    The Regional Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa was formed with its seat in Johannesburg, South Africa. The National Convention was held at the Sears farm. Those elected to serve were: John Allen, Festus Chembeni, Walter Dlamini, William Masehla, Robert Miller, Andrew Mofokeng, John Robarts, William Sears and Max Seepe. In January 1957 Walter Dlamini resigned and Marguerite Sears was elected to replace him. [BW13:284; MBW71-72; BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • Its area of jurisdiction was the Union of South Africa, Basutoland, Zululand, Swaziland, Bechuanaland, South West Africa, Angola, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland, Mozambique, Madagascar, Réunion Island, Mauritius and St Helena Island. See the Guardian's message to this Assembly. [That Promising Continent 28-29]
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Johannesburg, South Africa; South Africa first Regional Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    The Regional Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa was formed with its seat in Kampala, Uganda. [BW13:284; MBW71-72]
  • Its area of jurisdiction was Uganda, Tanganyika, Kenya, Belgian Congo, Ruanda-Urundi, French Equatorial Africa, Zanzibar, Comoro Islands and Seychelles Islands. See the Guardian's message to this Assembly. [That Promising Continent 30]
  • Ali Nakhjavani, Hassan Sabri, Philip Hainsworth, Oloro Epyeruj, Jalal Nakhjavani, Aziz Yazdi, Tito Wanantsusit, Max Kenyerezi, and Sylvester Okurut were members of the first regional national assembly. [History of the Bahá'í Faith in Tanzania]
  • This regional assembly was dissolved at Ridván 1964. [BW14p96]
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda first Regional Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    The Regional Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa was formed with its seat in Tunis, Tunisia. [BW13:284]
  • Its area of jurisdiction was Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco (International Zone), Spanish Morocco, French Morocco, Rio de Oro, Spanish Sahara, French West Africa, Gambia, Portuguese Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gold Coast, Ashanti Protectorate, British Togoland, French Togoland, Nigeria, British Cameroons, French Cameroons, Northern Territories Protectorate, Spanish Guinea, St Thomas Island, Cape Verde Islands, Canary Islands and Madeira. [MBW71-72]
  • See the Guardian's message to this Assembly. [That Promising Continent 27, 32]
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tunis, Tunisia; Tunisia first Regional Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly was formed in Morocco (International Zone). Local Spiritual Assembly; Morocco first Local Spiritual Assembly Morocco
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    The Regional Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa was formed by expanding the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt and Sudan. [BW13:284]
  • Its area of jurisdiction now included Egypt, Sudan, Abyssinia, Libya, Eritrea, British, French and Italian Somaliland and Socotra Island.
  • From this date forward all African territories originally allocated to the United States, the Persian, the Egyptian, the Indian, and the British National Spiritual Assemblies became, in the course of the Ten-Year Plan, to benefit from the advantages of sustained assistance by these Assemblies Spiritual Assemblies. [MBW71-72]
  • Since 1956 National Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa had been led by the former National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt and the Sudan. In 1960 difficulties in Egypt made it impossible to administer territories outside of Egypt a regional administrative committee was formed and this, in turn, was replaced with a new (regional) National Spiritual Assembly with its headquarters in Addis Abba. [BW13p287]
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Egypt; Libya; Sudan; Eritrea; French Somaliland; Djibouti, East Africa; Italian Somaliland; Ethiopia; Socotra Island; British Somaliland; Abyssinia; Eritrea first Regional Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    In his message to the four African Conventions for the National Spiritual Assemblies of Central and East Africa, North East Africa, North-West Africa, and South and West Africa, the Guardian announced that there were "over three thousand avowed supporters, five-sixths of whom belong to the Negro race, scattered throughout more than fifty territories and islands, and residing in over four hundred localities. Representatives of no less than one hundred and forty of its tribes have, moreover, enlisted under the banner of the Faith. Over a hundred and twenty Bahá'í Local Assemblies are already functioning throughout its territories. Into more than fifty of its indigenous languages Bahá'í literature has been and is being translated. The process of incorporating the newly formed Local Assemblies has furthermore been inaugurated. A National Administrative Headquarters has been established in each one of its four pivotal centres, while three Temple sites situated within its confines have been recently purchased, on one of which the Mother Temple of Africa is soon to be erected." [That Promising Continent 24-26] Statistics; - Africa
    1956 Ridván
    195-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Bermuda was formed. Local Spiritual Assembly; Bermuda firstLocal Spiritual Assembly Bermuda

    only 500 results shown; trying narrowing your search

    Home divider Site Map divider Tags divider Search divider Series
    Chronology divider Links divider About divider Contact divider RSS
    smaller font
    larger font