World Canada | |||
date | event | tags | firsts |
1983 Sep 198- |
Persian Baháʾís have made great contributions in international Bahá'í fields. The Persian Bahá'í community, as the oldest and wealthiest Bahá'í community in the world has played a vital role in almost every major accomplishment of the Bahá'í world community. The earliest Bahá'í communities in the Middle East, and southern Russia were without exception formed through the pioneering activities of the Persian Bahá'ís. In later periods they traveled and settled in different parts of the world to propagate the Faith. During the Ten Year World Crusade (1953-63) and subsequent global activities, the Persian community contributed substantial manpower and financial support. During 1968-73 alone, as a partial goal of the international Nine Year Plan (1964-1973), 3,500 Persian Bahá'ís were relocated to goal areas, both domestic and international, and some five thousand individuals, often using their own resources, served as missionaries abroad. [BW13p291-292; BW15p247; BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati] | Statistics; Iran | |
1983 Sep 198- |
All property and endowments owed by the Bahá'í administration in Iran was seized.
The acquisition, preservation, and maintenance of the places directly associated with the history of the Bahá'í faith had been among the goals of the community since its early years. These places consisted of houses and sites associated with the principal figures of the Faith, burial places of Bahá'í saints, places where the martyrdoms of believers took place, prisons, fortresses, and defense centres of heroes and renowned Bahá'ís. The fact that these places were located throughout the country made their care a major undertaking for various committees at local and national levels. The work included the registration, description, and photographing of the sites in addition to their regular maintenance and restoration. In the late 1960s more than 124 holy places belonged to the faith in various localities throughout the country. There were more than 200 national and 452 local endowments consisting of Bahá'í centres, cemeteries, hostels, and public baths. [Department of Statistics, Baháʾí World Centre, Haifa, "Persia - Nine Year Plan File," 14 January 1969] In addition the Bahá'is had acquired 3.58 square kilometers of land on the slopes of Mount Alborz, named Ḥadīqa, in northeast Tehran, for the eventual construction of a National Mašreq al-Aḏkār. Although the temple had not yet been built a complex of buildings had been erected on the site to serve as the seat of Bahá'í summer schools and other social and administrative activities. [BW10p48; BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati] |
* Persecution, Iran; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Tihran; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Statistics; Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1983 3 Sep 198- |
In response to the Iranian authorities banning all Bahá'í administrative and community activities and the making of membership in a Bahá'í assembly a criminal offence, as their last act the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran sent an open letter to the Prosecutor General of the Islamic Revolution refuting the false charges made against the Bahá'ís and informing him of their willingness to obey the government and disband the Bahá'í administration. [BW19:43]
Since the 1920s when the Bahá'í administration was introduced in Iran they had made considerable progress. 1950 Local Spiritual Assemblies: 280 Localities: 712 1968 Local Spiritual Assemblies: 560 Localities: 1,541 1979 Local Spiritual Assemblies: 679 Localities: 1,699[BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati] |
National Spiritual Assembly, Iran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; National Spiritual Assembly, dissolved; Local Spiritual Assembly, dissolved; Yaran; Khadimeen; Statistics; Iran | |
1983 1 Sep 198- |
In a message addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of Norway on the subject of meditation, the Universal House of Justice included a six-point summary of 'the essential requisites for our spiritual growth'. Written on behalf of the House of Justice, this significant letter expressed its confidence that if the believers practised the suggested disciplines they would penetrate the 'miasma of materialism' impeding the growth of the Faith in Europe. The suggestions have been gleaned from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh and were stressed again and again in the talks and Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The points were:
They also suggested that in their private meditation the believers use the repetition of the Greatest Name, Alláh-u-Abhá, ninety-five times a day which, although at that time it was not yet applied in the West, it was among the Laws, Ordinances and Exhortations of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. |
Meditation; - Bahá'í World Centre; Norway; Spiritualization | |
1983 29 Aug 198- |
In Iran the Bahá'í Faith was banned in Iran and membership of Bahá'í institutions made a criminal offence. This
order required the dissolution of the third National Spiritual Assembly and roughly 400 local
assemblies. [BW19:43]
In time, seven former members of the third National Spiritual Assembly were arrested and eventually executed by the government.
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Iran | |
1983 23 Aug 198- |
Seyyed Hussein Musavi Tabrizi, the Attorney General of Iran, declared all Bahá'í administrative activities illegal, thus requiring the dissolution of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, along with some 400 Local Assemblies which operated under its jurisdiction. [Iran Press Watch] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; Iran | |
1983 5 – 7 Aug 198- |
The first Los Angeles Bahá'í History Conference was held at the University of California at Los Angeles. [BW19:369–70] | Bahá'í history; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Other; - Conferences; - First conferences; Los Angeles, CA; United States (USA) | first Los Angeles Bahá’í History Conference |
1983 1 - 12 Aug 198- |
The second World Conference Against Racism was held in Geneva, Switzerland.
|
United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; UNESCO; Racism; Discrimination; Geneva, Switzerland | |
1983 Ridván 198- |
The number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Africa rose to some 7,200 and localities where Bahá'ís resided to over 35,000. In Algeria, the Congo, Egypt, Libya and Niger the Faith remained banned. [BW19p147] | Statistics; - Persecution; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Algeria; Congo, Democratic Republic of; Egypt; Libya; Niger | |
1983 17 Jul 198- |
The passing of Counsellor William Mmutle Masetlha (b.February 21, 1921 in Sophiatown, a township of Johannesburg) in Dube (Soweto), South Africa. [BW19p607-608]
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- In Memoriam; Williams Mmutle Masetlha; William Mmutle Masetlha Foundation (WMMF); Auxiliary board members; Banani School, Zambia; Sophiatown, South Africa; Johannesburg, South Africa; Soweto, South Africa; South Africa | |
1983 12 Jun 198- |
The Hojjatiyeh society, also known as Hojjatieh or Hojjatiyeh Movement, was a religious and political organization in Iran with a short but controversial history. It emerged in the 1950s and gained significant influence within Iran's Shia Muslim community in the 1970s and early 1980s. The movement's name is derived from its founder, Shaikh Mahmoud Halabi, who was known as Hojjat-ol-Eslam Hojjati. The Hojjatiyeh movement initially presented itself as a conservative Islamic group that aimed to combat the spread of the Bahá'í Faith and defend the principles of Twelver Shia Islam. It considered the Bahá'í teachings to be a heretical deviation from Islam and saw Bahá'ís as apostates. The movement was critical of the Shah's regime and initially aligned itself with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the Iranian Revolution in 1979. After the revolution, the Hojjatiyeh movement's activities and ideology began to be viewed with suspicion. Its radical and confrontational approach towards other religious minorities and even other Shia Muslims drew criticism from other clerics and political factions within the new government. In response to mounting pressure and criticism, Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the dissolution of the Hojjatiyeh society in 1983, effectively banning the organization. The movement's radical and divisive teachings were seen as a threat to the stability and unity of the newly established Islamic Republic. [Wikipedia; Hojjatiyeh, Mesbahiyeh, and Ahmadinejad by M Sashimi] |
Hojjatieh Society; * Persecution, Iran; Iran | |
1983 (early) Jul 198- |
The European European Board of Counsellors sponsored a Bahá'í Youth Conference in Innsbruck. Amatu'l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum was a special guest. It was attended by about 1,500 from some 40 countries. [BW19p173]
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- Conferences; Conferences, Youth; Innsbruck, Austria; Austria | |
1983 Jul 1983 198- |
The Office of Social and Economic Development was opened at the Bahá'í World Centre. [AWH8; BBD70; BBRSM154; BW19:58; VV78]
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Office of Social and Economic Development (OSED); Social and economic development; Social action; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1983 25 Jun 198- |
The passing of Reginald "Rex" Collison (b. 3 May 1884 in Ohio). He was buried in Oak Mound Cemetery, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California, USA. [BW19p595-596]
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Rex Collison; - In Memoriam; Mary Collison; Dunduzu Chisza; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Healdsburg, CA; California, USA; United States (USA) | |
1983 24 Jun 198- |
In response to the hanging of 10 Bahá'í women in Shíráz, the Universal House of Justice addressed a cable to the Bahá'í youth throughout the world, urging them to re-dedicate themselves to the Cause. [BW19:187–8, 297] | Youth; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1983 18 Jun 198- |
In Shiraz, ten Bahá'í women ranging in age from 17 to 57, were hanged. All of the women had been tortured and interrogated in the months prior to their execution. The youngest of these martyrs was Mona Mahmudnizhad, a 17-year-old schoolgirl who had been beaten on the soles of her feet, kissed the hands of her executioner and placed the hangman's rope around her own throat. The names of the others executed were Zarrin Muqimi-Abyanih, 28, Ruya Ishraqi, a 23-year-old veterinary student, Shahin Dalvand, 25, a sociologist; Izzat Janami Ishraqi, 57, a homemaker and mother of Roya; Mahshid Nirumand, 28, who had qualified for a degree in physics but had it denied her because she was a Bahá'í, Simin Sabiri, 25; Tahirih Arjumandi Siyavushi, 30, a nurse; Akhtar Sabet Sarvestani, 25, also a nurse; Nusrat Ghufrani Yalda'i, 47, a mother and member of the local Bahá'í Spiritual Assembly. [Hanged for teaching "Sunday school"]
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Martyrs, Shiraz 1983; Mona Mahmudnizhad; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Youth; - Persecution, Education; Shahin Dalvand; Izzat Janami Ishraqi; Mahshid Nirumand; Simin Sabiri; Tahirih Arjumandi Siyavushi; Akhtar Thabit; Nusrat Ghufrani Yaldai; Zarrin Muqimi-Abyanih; Ruya Ishraqi; Shíráz, Iran; Iran | |
1983 16 Jun 198- |
Six Bahá'ís were executed by hanging:
Dr. Bahrarn Afnan, aged 50, a prominent physician specializing in heart and internal diseases; Mr. Bahram Yalda'i, aged 28, who had studied to obtain his doctorate in economics; Mr. Jamflid Siyavushi, aged 39, who owned a clothing shop; Mr. 'Inayatu'llah Ifiraqi, aged 61, who had worked for the Iran Oil Company and was retired; Mr. Kurug Haqqbin, aged 34, an electrical technician specializing in the repair of radio and television sets; and Mr. 'Abdu'l-Husayn Azadi, aged 66, a veterinarian who had been an employee of the Ministry of Health. Of this group, all save Mr. Igraqi and Mr. Yalda'i were members of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Shíráz or surrounding communities. [BW19p178] |
* Persecution, Iran; Shíráz, Iran | |
1983 23 May 198- |
A five year term for the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre was established by the Universal House of Justice. [Message 19 May, 1983; BW19:27] "... a five-year term for the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre. Each term will start on 23 May immediately following the International Bahá'í Convention, and the current term will end on 23 May 1988. Should circumstances prevent the Universal House of Justice from making new appointments at the end of any five-year term, the Counsellors will remain in office until such time as new appointments can be made." |
Counsellors; International Teaching Centre, Members of; Appointed arm; Universal House of Justice; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1983 19 May 198- |
The Universal House of Justice announced a number of changes to the membership of the International Teaching Centre raising the number of members to nine. [BW19:27]
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International Teaching Centre; Counsellors; Florence Mayberry; Magdalene Carney; Masud Khamsi; Peter Khan; Isobel Sabri; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1983 29 Apr - 2 May 198- |
The Universal House of Justice was elected for the fifth time at the International Convention held in Haifa.
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Universal House of Justice, Election of; Elections; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Conventions, International; Gifts; Roses; NSA; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Iran | |
1983 Ridván 198- |
The renovation of the House of 'Abdu'lláh Páshá in 'Akká was completed. [BW18:77]
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House of `Abdu'lláh Páshá (Akká); - Restoration and renovation; Conventions, International; Firsts, other; Pilgrimage; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Akka, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre | first pilgrims to House of ‘Abdu’lláh Páshá |
1983 Ridván 198- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of St Vincent and Grenada was formed. [BW18:107]
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National Spiritual Assembly, formation; St. Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Grenada | first NSA St Vincent and Grenada |
1983 Ridván 198- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of St Lucia was formed with its seat in Castries. [BW18:107, 171, 514-515] | National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Castries, St. Lucia; St. Lucia | first NSA St Lucia |
1983 Ridván 198- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of Dominica was formed with its seat in Roseau. [BW18:107, 171, 514-515] | National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Roseau, Dominica; Dominica | first NSA Dominica |
1983 Apr 198- |
The Government of Morocco prohibited all Bahá'í meetings. [BW19:49] | Persecution, Morocco; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; Morocco | |
1983 Mar 198- |
Five local and two pioneer Bahá'ís were arrested, interrogated and held briefly in prison in Mauritania. [BW19:49]
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NSA; Persecution, Mauritania; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Mauritania | |
1983 Mar 198- |
The first International Youth Camp of Surinam was held in NW Nickerie, attended by 130 Bahá'ís. [BW18:176] | International Youth Camps; Nickerie, Suriname; Suriname | first International Youth Camp of Surinam |
1983 24 Feb 198- |
The inauguration of the Bahá'í Vocational Institute for Rural Women at Indore, India. It offered rural women residential courses on literacy, health care and income generating skills. The success of this school was recognized when it won one of the Global 500 Environmental Action awards that was presented at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 [The Baha'is magazine]. | - Bahá'í inspired schools; Women; Social and economic development; Earth Summit; Indore, India; India | |
1983 13 Jan 198- |
The publication of the compilation entitled "The Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith" by the Universal House of Justice. [Messages63-86p571, Compilation of CompilationsVol 1 p187] | Deepening; - Compilations; * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1983 Jan - Feb c. 198- |
The Seat of the Universal House of Justice was completed; the Universal House of Justice officially occupied the building. [BBD204; BW19:23; VV62]
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Universal House of Justice, Seat of (Haifa); Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; Marble; Architecture; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Margraf; - Bahá'í World Centre; Mount Carmel; Arc (World Centre) | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The film Heritage of the Martyrs, made by Elizabeth Martin, documented the fate of the Bahá'ís in Iran. [HNWE45] | - Film; Elizabeth Martin; Heritage of the Martyrs (film); Elizabeth Martin; Toronto, ON; Canada | |
1983 (In the decade) 198- |
During its first decade in power, the Islamic regime openly persecuted and killed Bahá'ís. These persecutions, however, caused reaction in the international community. In response to the international calls for the persecutions to be stopped, Siyyid Husayn Musawi, then the attorney general of Iran, declared that the Bahá'ís were not being harassed for their religious beliefs but because they were Israel spies. This was despite the fact that by that time it had become plainly obvious that the attorney general's so-called "spies" could avoid maltreatment and persecution by openly denouncing their faith. The Bahá'í community forcefully denied the charges and challenged the attorney general to produce evidence to back his allegations. [Iran Press Watch 1407] | Conspiracy theories; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The Association for Bahá'í Studies, German-Speaking Europe, was established in Austria. [BW19:357–8] | Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; German language; Austria | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The Diary of Juliet Thompson with a foreword by Marzieh Gail was published by Kalimat Press. The diary was of one of the earliest Bahá'ís of New York, covering her many hours with 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 1909, 1911, and 1912. It was a vivid personal account of spiritual love and the tests of her faith. [Collins7.2553] | Pilgrims notes; Diary of Juliet Thompson; Juliet Thompson; * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; Marzieh Gail; Los Angeles, CA; United States (USA) | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The persecution of the Bahá'ís of Iran continued throughout the year. [BW18:92; BW19:177–226]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution, Human rights; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; Human rights; Yaran; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iran | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The Association for Bahá'í Studies of Francophone Europe was established in Switzerland. | Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; French language; Switzerland | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The Association for Bahá'í Studies, English-Speaking Europe, was established in the Republic of Ireland.
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Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Ireland; United Kingdom; - Europe | |
1983 (In the year) 198- |
The Association for Bahá'í Studies, India, was established. [BW19:360] | Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; India | |
1943 - 1983 198- |
Child's Way was a periodical published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States beginning in 1943. It aimed to serve parents, teachers and children. In January 1968 the periodical shifted to focus more on children, providing games, stories, puzzles, songs and other material for kids. It was "published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November in Baltimore, Maryland. [National Bahá'í Review Issue 9 September 1968 p9]
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Child's Way (periodical); Baltimore, MD; Maryland, USA |
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