Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
   

Date 199-, sorted by date, ascending

date event tags firsts
1990 (In the year)
199-		 The United Nations International Literacy Year. [VV108] Literacy; United Nations
1990 - 1992
199-		 The accelerating growth of the Bahá'í communities and the drastically changing conditions in the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc impelled the Universal House of Justice to call for a subsidiary Two Year Teaching Plan to run from Riḍván 1990 to Riḍván 1992, with greatly increased goals for all these lands. [BW20p199] * Teaching Plans; Soviet Union; Two Year Teaching Plan
1990 (In the year)
199-		 The Bádi Foundation was established in Macao through an initial endowment in honour of Badi'u'llah Farid and Shidrokh Amirkia Bagha, who were outstanding examples of dedication, service and self-sacrifice for the well-being of humankind. The fundamental purpose animating the Bádi Foundation has always been to contribute, however modestly, to the spiritual and material progress of China. [Website]
  • Its projects include:
    • Early Childhood Education: The award winning Hidden Gems Programme, implemented by educational organizations across Asia, includes content in the areas of mathematics, science, and character development for children aged 3 to 6.
    • Junior Youth Program: Drawing on the talents of a group of youth volunteers and working in partnership with a number of local educational institutions, the Moral Empowerment through Language Programme seeks to release the potential of 12-15 year olds to contribute to the transformation of their communities.
    • School of the Nations offers education to over 600 students from kindergarten through high school in Macao. The school offers programmes characterized by academic rigor and an integrated approach to the moral and intellectual development of its students.
    • The Centre for Continuing Education at School of the Nations offers a range of educational programmes seeking to promote community well-being. Its aim is to provide quality, innovative learning opportunities to a growing number of people, of all ages and backgrounds.
    		• - Social and Economic Development Organizations; Badi Foundation; China; Macau
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan opened a permanent Bahá'í Office of the Environment for Taiwan in Taipei. [BINS221:5] Environment; Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 An Association for Bahá'í Studies was established in Kenya. - Africa; Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Kenya
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Italian Association for Bahá'í Studies was established in Rome. [BINS232:5]
  • It lapsed in 1991 but was re-established in 1992.
    		•  - Europe; Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Italy; Rome, Italy
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The first Adam Benke Project was organized by the Bahá'í European Youth Council in Bulgaria.
  • The first semi-public talks and lectures in Bulgaria were given in restaurants, where people are invited to private meetings.
  • Eleven people become Bahá'ís.
    		• Bulgaria; European Bahá'í Youth Council; Firsts, other; Youth First Adam Benke Project; first semi-public talks and lectures in Bulgaria
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Purest Branch Project in Belize resulted in over a thousand people becoming Bahá'ís from the Garifuna population around Dangriga. Belize; Dangriga, Belize; Mass conversion; Teaching campaigns
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 Amata Kabua, President of the Marshall Islands, visited the Bahá'í World Centre. [BW94–5:83] - Bahá'í World Centre; - Islands; - Presidents; - Prominent visitors; Amata Kabua; Marshall Islands; Oceania
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa made a submission for the drafting of a new constitution.
  • The judge that received it, the President of the South African Law Commission, commented that this document stated the Bahá'ís were the only group whose ideas had a spiritual and moral basis for the constitution. [AWH87-8]
    		•  Constitutions (Bahá'í); National Spiritual Assemblies; South Africa
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace was held in Mongolia.
  • A representative of the International Bahá'í Community was the only non-Buddhist speaker invited to address a public meeting held in conjunction with the conference. [AWH88] [VV101]
  • The paper that was delivered was entitled The Common Goal of Universal Peace in Buddhism and the Bahá'í Faith.
    		•  * Interfaith dialogue; - Buddhism; - International peace conferences; Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Mongolia
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 Pope John Paul II made mention of the Bahá'ís at a reception held in his honour in Burundi. [AWH88] - Popes; Burundi; Pope John Paul II
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 With the approval of the Universal House of Justice, the Bahá'í administrative institutions of the eastern and western parts of Germany were re-united. [BINS230:2] Germany; National Spiritual Assembly of Germany
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Bahá'í International Community, through the Office of the Environment in collaboration with other environmental organizations, re-instituted the annual World Forestry Charter Gathering that had be founded in 1945 by Richard St. Barbe Baker. [AWH75] [VV106] Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Environment; Richard St. Barbe Baker
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Bahá'í International Community was invited to participate in the World Conference on Education for All in Thailand because of its involvement in the work of the Task Force for Literacy under the aegis of UNESCO. [AWH75] Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Education; Literacy; Thailand; UNESCO
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 A branch of the Bahá'í International Community's United Nations Office for the Pacific region was opened in Suva, Fiji. [AWH76; VV54] Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Fiji; Suva, Fiji
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 For the first time a representative of the United Nations was able to officially meet with a representative of the proscribed Bahá'í community in Irán. The report to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights resulted in a resolution being adapted on Irán in a session held in Geneva. [AWH76] Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Geneva, Switzerland; Iran; United Nations Commission on Human Rights first time a representative of United Nations able to officially meet with a representative of proscribed Bahá'í community in Irán
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The formation of the European Bahá'í Business Forum in France with members from 26 countries in Europe and elsewhere. [VV115]
  • Formed by a group of Bahá'ís active in business and management meeting in Chamonix, France, due to concern about the decline of ethics and values in business.
  • Forum created to promote the moral and spiritual wisdom and principles of the great religious traditions of the world (sources included Judaism, Hinduism, and Christianity as well as the 19th century revelation of Bahá'u'lláh) such as adherence to the principles of justice, respect, trustworthiness, integrity and unity.
  • Beginning as an informal network, its membership grew requiring the election of a Governing Board.
  • Members have attached importance to sharing their broad experience and to contributing to the improvement of management in emerging free-market economies of Central and Eastern Europe. [ebbf]
  • See The History of EBBF: Twenty-Five Years of Contributing to the Discourse of Ethics in Business by Francois Couillard.
  • Under advice from the Universal House of Justice, EBBF changed its name from European Bahá'í Business Forum to the less parochial name Ethical Business Building the Future. [The above, pg45]
  • ebbf website.
    		•  - Europe; Business; Chamonix, France; Ethical Business Building the Future (EBBF); European Bahá'í Business Forum (EBBF); France
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the emancipation of the Iranian Bahá'í community and outlined the steps to be taken by the US government towards this end. [AWH76; VV60] United States (USA); United States House of Representatives
    1990 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan (Senate) of Taiwan co-sponsored with the National Spiritual Assembly a Bahá'í educational programme on environmental protection. [BINS218:5]
  • This was the first formal joint effort between the Bahá'ís of Taiwan and the government authorities.
    		•  Agriculture; Environment; Taiwan First formal joint effort between Bahá'ís and Taiwan government
    1990 Jan – Feb
    199-    		 The Brazilian Society of Educators for Peace, conceived and initiated by Bahá'ís, is officially recognized by the Amazonas State Government. [BINS219:3] Bahá'í associations; Brazil; Education; Peace
    1990 Jan
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly comprised entirely of newly enrolled Bahá'ís of Ahmadiyyah background is formed in Chak No. 8P Katta, Pakistan. [BINS219:5] Ahmadiyya; Katta, Pakistan; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Pakistan
    1990 15 Jan
    199-    		 Carl Sagan, a professor of astronomy and director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University, appealed for religion and science to join hands in preserving the global environment. He was joined in his appeal by 22 well-known scientists. He made this appeal on the first day of a conference on the environment and economic development sponsored by the Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival. More than a thousand religious, political and scientific leaders from 83 nations attended the conference. [NY Times 16Jan90; The Global Forum on Environment and Development for Survival] * Interfaith dialogue; * Science; Carl Sagan; Environment; Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders on Human Survival; Moscow, Russia; Russia
    1990 24 Jan – 5 Feb
    199-    		 The first All-Union Bahá'í Conference was held in Moscow with 250 people gathered from all over the Soviet Union and from 17 other countries. This was the first national Bahá'í conference held in the USSR in about 60 years. [BINS224:8; VV112] - Conferences, National; - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Moscow, Russia; Russia first national Bahá'í conference in the Soviet Union in six decades
    1990 26 Jan
    199-    		 The Bahá'í Chair for World Peace was established at the University of Maryland's Centre for International Development and Conflict Management at the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. [AWH76; BINS217:7; VV108]
  • Professor Suheil Bushrui was appointed to the Chair in 1992.
  • For picture see VV108.
  • On the 12th of February the Universal House of Justice announced that the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and the University of Maryland had signed a memorandum of understanding to establish "The Bahá'í Chair for World Peace" in its Centre for International Development and Conflict Management.
  • In 1992 Professor Suheil Bushrú'í was named as the first scholar to hold the Chair. [AWH76; VV108]
  • See The American Bahá'í for information on the endowment to fund the Chair as well as the programs and activities. "As part of its threefold objective of research, education and publication, the Bahá'í Chair collaborates with academics and practitioners to provide inspiration and direction to students, faculty and leaders seeking solutions to the world's great challenges through the study of Bahá'í perspectives."
  • Official website.
    		• Bahá'í Chair for World Peace; Maryland, USA; Suheil Bushrui; United States (USA)
    1990 Feb - Apr
    199-    		 Between February and April 1990, the South American Bahá'í musical group El Viento Canta toured Russia, leading to emerging of strong Bahá'í groups in Ulan-Ude and Severobaikalsk in Siberia. This tour was one of the many organized by the US/USSR Initiatives and lead by Lynda Godwin. [Bahaipedia] The musical group El Viento Canta was founded in 1987 in the Holy Land and between 1988 and 1990 did tours in Western and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Mongolia, China, Macau and Hong Kong. El Viento Canta (musical group); Lynda Godwin; Russia; Russia; Severobaikalsk, Russia; US/USSR Initiatives; Ulan-Ude, Russia
    1990 22 Feb
    199-    		 Jalál Kházeh, (b. 24 February, 1897, Tihran) Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Toronto. He was buried in York Cemetery in Toronto. [BINS219:90]

    Note: VV123 says it was 20 February.

  • He was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God on the 6th of December, 1953 after the passing of Hand of the Cause of God Siegfried Schopflocher. [MoCxxiv]
  • See LoF164-167 for a short biography.
  • Find a grave.
  • See Bahá'í Recollections for an account of Hand of the Cause Kházeh's visit to Asia in 1972.
    		• - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Canada; Hands of the Cause, Appointments; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Jalál Kháḍih; Toronto, ON
    1990 1 Mar
    199-    		 Fourteen-year-old Olga Anatolevna Kirushkin (Olga Kiryushkina) from Bobruisk became the first known native person to become a Bahá'í in Belarus. [Helmut Winkelbach website] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Belarus; Minsk, Belarus; Olga Anatolevna Kirushkin first known native Bahá’í in Belarus
    1990 20 Mar
    199-    		 The Bahá'í World Centre received official approval from the District Town Planning Commission for the initiation of the Projects on Mount Carmel. This paved the way for the ultimate issuance of building permits. [Ridván 1990] - Bahá'í World Centre; Arc project; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel
    1990 21 Mar
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly formed in Eastern Europe since the Second World War was elected in Cluj, Romania. [AWH73; BINS221:4; 100 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in Europe by Seena Fazel and Graham Hassall] Cluj, Romania; Eastern Europe; Firsts, other; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Romania first local spiritual assembly formed in Eastern Europe since the Second World War
    1990 21 Mar
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly since the second world war in Eastern Europe was elected on 21 March 1990 in Cluj, Romania. [100 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in Europe by Seena Fazel and Graham Hassall]
  • Counsellor Don Rogers represented the International Teaching Centre.
    		•  Cluj, Romania; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Romania The first local spiritual assembly (LSA) since the second world war in eastern Europe was elected on 21 March 1990 in Cluj, Romania.
    1990 24 Mar
    199-    		 Abbas and Rezvanieh Katirai opened the Sakhalin Islands and became a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh after 35 years of pioneering in Japan. This last goal was achieved 37 years after the Guardian had designated it as a goal of the Ten Year Crusade. [DM345; AWH73; VV112; Russia by Moojan Momen] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Japan; Russia; Sakhalin Island
    1990 31 Mar 31 – 1 Apr
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í International Chinese Symposium was held in San Francisco, California; it was attended by 362 Bahá'ís from eight countries. [BINS222:6] - Conferences, International; - First conferences; California, USA; China; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Other; San Francisco, CA; United States (USA)
    1990 9 Apr
    199-    		 The establishment of the Chair for Bahá'í Studies at the University of Indore (later renamed Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya). Dr. Vishnudatta Nagar was appointed to the position. [BINS222:8; VV108; BW'86-'92pg454]

    The purpose of the Chair for Bahá'í studies embodied in the agreement was as follows:
    a. to promote Research and scholarship in Bahá'í Studies.
    b) to design and conduct courses , seminars, and studies in the field of Bahá'í studies and related subjects within an interdisciplinary context and publish results and reports of such activities.
    c) to promote inter-university linkage through seminars, exchange lectures etc with a view to promote interfaith harmony, national/ international integration and world peace. [Bahá'í Chair for Studies and Development]

  • See Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 12 February 1990.
    		• Chair in Bahá'í Studies; India; Indore, India; Universities
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 In its Ridván message the Universal House of Justice announced that in the previous two years almost two million people have become Bahá'ís. [AWH79] - Worldwide; Growth; Statistics
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Estonia was formed at Tallinn. [BINS223:3] Estonia; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Tallinn, Estonia First local spiritual assembly in Estonia
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 The first indigenous local spiritual assembly of Amazonas State, Brazil, was formed among the Mura tribe in Beruri. [BINS223:71] - Indigenous people; Amazonas State, Brazil; Beruri, Brazil; Brazil; Firsts, other; Local Spiritual Assemblies First indigenous local spiritual assembly of Brazil
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 Maureen Nakekea and Marao Teem were elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Kiribati, the first indigenous women to be elected to the institution. [BINS224:7] - Indigenous people; - Islands; Firsts, other; Kiribati; National Spiritual Assemblies; Oceania; Women first indigenous women elected to National Spiritual Assembly of Kiribati
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 For the first time, two Bush Negro women delegates attended the national convention of Surinam. [BINS226:6] - Indigenous people; Conventions, National; Firsts, other; Suriname
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 The re-formation of the Spiritual Assembly of Moscow with Hand of the Cause 'Alí-Akbar Furútan in attendance. [VV111-2] Local Spiritual Assemblies; Local Spiritual Assembly, re-formed; Moscow, Russia; Russia
    1990 - 1992
    199-    		 The launching of a subsidiary Two Year Subsidiary Plan for the former Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc countries. [Message 8 February 1990; Ridván Message 1992; BW20p195-224].

    Goals were:

    1. attraction of numerous supporters
    2. great increase in the translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá'í literature
    3. the extension of the administrative order in the region by the erection of local and national spiritual assemblies [AWH71]
    		* Teaching Plans; Eastern Europe; Russia; Soviet Union; Two Year Subsidiary Plan
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 Over the last two years, almost one million souls entered the Cause. The increasing instances of entry by troops in different places contributed to that growth, drawing attention to Shoghi Effendi's vision which shapes our perception of glorious future possibilities in the teaching field. For he has asserted that the process of "entry by troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Bahá'í world … will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races, and as a direct result of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic in nature, and which cannot as yet be even dimly visualized, will suddenly revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith, derange the equilibrium of the world, and reinforce a thousandfold the numerical strength as well as the material power and the spiritual authority of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh." [Ridván 1990] Over the last two years, almost one million souls entered the Cause. The increasing instances of entry by troops in different places contributed to that growth, drawing attention to Shoghi Effendi's vision which shapes our perception of glorious future possibilities in the teaching field. For he has asserted that the process of "entry by troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Bahá'í world … will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races, and as a direct result of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic in nature, and which cannot as yet be even dimly visualized, will suddenly revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith, derange the equilibrium of the world, and reinforce a thousandfold the numerical strength as well as the material power and the spiritual authority of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh." We have every encouragement to believe that large-scale enrollments will expand, involving village after village, town after town, from one country to another. However, it is not for us to wait passively for the ultimate fulfillment of Shoghi Effendi's vision. We few, placing our whole trust in the providence of God and regarding as a divine privilege the challenges which face us, must proceed to victory with the plans in hand. (Riḍván 1990 – To the Bahá'ís of the World) www.bahai.org/r/825800151 Entry by troops; Mass conversion; Statistics
    1990 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Macau was formed. [BW86-92p164]
  • The following references say that it was formed in 1989: AWH62; BINS199:1; VV104 ;Ridván 1990.
    		•  Macau; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1990 22 Apr
    199-    		 Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries. [Earth Day website] Earth Day
    1990 May
    199-    		 The US Senate unanimously adopted a concurrent resolution condemning Irán's continued repression of the Bahá'ís calling for their complete emancipation. This was the fourth congressional appeal. [VV60] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Iran; United States (USA); United States Senate
    1990 18 - 20 May
    199-    		 The first of seven European women's conferences sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors was held in Iskenderun, Turkey. [BINS230:1] Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Women; Counsellors; Iskenderun, Turkey; Turkey
    1990 22 May
    199-    		 The nations of Northern Yemen and Marxist Southern Yemen united to become the Republic of Yemen with Ali Abdullah Saleh, a former a conservative military leader, as President. Saleh had served as President of North Yemen for 12 years until then.
  • Ali Salim al-Beidh, a Soviet-trained southern army commander, was chosen as Vice President. Mr. Beidh, had ruled Southern Yemen when it was a Marxist state. A unification of the two countries' political and economic systems was to take place over 30 months. In that time, a unified parliament was formed and a unity constitution was agreed upon, however, tensions between North and South continued with sporadic fighting.
    		• Yemen; Yemen, Recent history
    1990 23 May
    199-    		 The work started on the project to reinforce and extend the main terrace of the Shrine of the Báb. This was the initial step in the work to have the Terraces extend from the foot of the ridge of the mountain. [Ridván Message 1992, AWH83, 102]
  • The architect for the Terraces project was Fariburz Sahba.
    		•  - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre; Akka, Israel; Arc project; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Fariborz Sahba; Haifa, Israel; Israel; Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb (Haifa)
    1990 Jun
    199-    		 Nicolai Gejnze, from Bishkek and a crew member in one of three boats in which Bahá'ís made a trip down the Volga River in June and July 1990, enrolied, the first person from Kirgizia known to have become a Bahá'í. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Central Asia; Kirgizia, Kyrgyzstan; Kyrgyzstan; Nicolai Gejnze; Russia; Volga River the first person from Kirgizia known to have become a Bahá'í.
    1990 4 Jun
    199-    		 The 1st International Exposition on Education for Peace sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly was held in Brasilia, Brazil. Twenty-three embassies and educational institutes participated. [AWH88, BINS226:1] Brasilia, Brazil; Brazil; Education; Exhibitions; Peace
    1990 9 Jun
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Czechoslovakia was formed at Prague. [BINS226:1] Czech Republic; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Prague, Czech Republic
    1990 10 Jun
    199-    		 The Paraguay International Chinese Teaching Symposium, the first of its kind in South America, was held in Asuncion, attended by 80 people from 10 countries. [BINS226:4] - Conferences; - Conferences, International; Asuncion, Paraguay; China; Conferences, Bahá'í; Latin America; Paraguay
    1990 Jul
    199-    		 The first youth conference of Estonia was held in Kabli, near Parnu, attended by some 113 participants from all parts of Europe Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Estonia; Kabli, Estonia; Pärnu, Estonia; Youth First youth conference of Estonia
    1990 3 Jul
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Guyana announced that the Bahá'ís constitute about five percent of the total population of the country. [BINS228:1]
  • In some towns over 20 percent of the people are Bahá'ís. [BINS228:1]
    		•  Guyana; Latin America; Statistics
    1990 8 – 11 Jul
    199-    		 The first summer school of Czechoslovakia was held in Jindrichuv Hradec, attended by 24 Bahá'ís from eight countries. [BINS230:2] Czech Republic; First summer and winter schools; Jindrichuv Hradec, Czech Republic; Summer schools
    1990 6 Aug
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in the Ukraine was formed in Kyiv. Kyiv, Ukraine; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Ukraine
    1990 Sep
    199-    		 The publication of the compilation Teaching Prominent People. * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Compilations; Teaching
    1990 Sep
    199-    		 Eighty leaders of thought from around the world gathered at Landegg Academy for the first International Dialogue on the Transition to a Global Society. The event was co-sponsored by the University of Maryland, the Vienna Academy for the Study of the Future and the Landegg Academy. [VV109]
  • For documentation on the proceedings see UNESCO Documents and Publications.
  • A second international dialogue took place in 1991 and a third in 1992. [VV109]
    		• Bahá'í Chair for World Peace; Conferences, Other; Firsts, other; Landegg, Switzerland; Landegg International University; Universities; University of Maryland; Vienna Academy first international dialogue on the transition of the global society
    1990 1 - 2 Sep
    199-    		 The European Bahá'í Business Forum was formed at a meeting in Chamonix, France, attended by people from eight countries. [BINS244:8; VV115]
  • For picture see VV115.
    		•  Business; Chamonix, France; Ethical Business Building the Future (EBBF); European Bahá'í Business Forum (EBBF); France
    1990 6 Sep
    199-    		 The Bahá'í International Community opened a branch of its United Nations Office for the Pacific region in Suva, Fiji. [AWH76; BINS233:4–5; VV54] Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Fiji; Pacific; Suva, Fiji; United Nations
    1990 8 Sep
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly on Sakhalin Island was formed in Yuzhno. [BINS232:5] Local Spiritual Assemblies; Russia; Sakhalin Island; Yuzhno, Russia first local spiritual assembly
    1990 29 Sep
    199-    		 The passing of Hand of the Cause of God H. Collis Featherstone in Katmandu, Nepal. He was born at Quorn, South Australia on May 5th, 1913. [BINS232:8, VV12, The Bahá'í Encyclopedia, Find a grave]
  • For his obituary see BW20p809-818.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii]
  • See Bahá'í Recollections for an article complete with pictures by Narenda Pande about Mr. Featherstone's last days and funeral.
  • See LoF434-448 for a biography.
  • Find a grave.
    		• - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Collis Featherstone; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Kathmandu, Nepal; Nepal; Quorn, South Australia; South Australia
    1990 29 - 30 Sep
    199-    		 The largest gathering of world leaders in history assembled at the United Nations to attend the World Summit for Children. Led by 71 heads of State and Government and 88 other senior officials, mostly at the ministerial level, the World Summit adopted a Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and a Plan of Action for implementing the Declaration in the 1990s.
  • The Bahá'í International Community played a key role among non-governmental organizations in promoting the concept of rights for children.
  • World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children.
  • Plan of Action for Implementing the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children in the 1990s.
  • Goals for Children and Development in the 1990s.
    		• - BIC statements; Bahá'í International Community (BIC); New York City, NY; United Nations
    1990 Oct
    199-    		 The publication of the last issue of the Bahá'í News by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States after nearly 70 years of uninterrupted service. [CBN Feb1991pg15]
    • Issues 1 to 40 were published under the name Bahá'í News Letter. Subsequent issues, from #41 to #714, were entitled simply Bahá'í News.


    Bahá'í News Published December 1924 to October 1990 
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    "Bahá'í News" Issues 001-110
    Dec 1924 - Sep 1937
    969
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn01.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 111-210
    Oct 1937 - Aug 1948
    1186
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn02.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 211-280
    Sep 1948 - Jun 1954
    1072
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn03.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 281-345
    Jul 1954 - Nov 1959
    1088
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn04.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 346-400
    Dec 1959 - Jul 1964
    849
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn05.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 401-440
    Aug 1964 - Nov 1967
    716
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn06.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 441-490
    Dec 1967 - Jan 1972
    1008
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn07.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 491-525
    Feb 1972 - May 1975
    958
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn08.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 526-580
    Jun 1975 - Jul 1979
    1019
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn09.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 581-630
    Aug 1979 - Sep 1983
    958
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn10.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 631-670
    Oct 1983 - Jan 1987
    780
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn11.pdf
    "Bahá'í News" Issues 671-714
    Feb 1987 - Oct 1990
    847
    bahai-news.info/pdfs/bn12.pdf

    Subscribers in the United States received an insert entitled US Supplement from 1958 to 1967 and the name of the insert was changed to National Bahá'í Review from 1968 until the Bahá'í News discontinued publication in 1990.     		* Publications; - Newsletters; - Periodicals; Bahá'í News (US); United States (USA) First international periodical publication in the Faith.
    1990 19 – 21 Oct
    199-    		 The first summer school of Cape Verde was held in Tarrafal, attended by 30 people. [BINS247:8] Cape Verde; First summer and winter schools; Summer schools; Tarrafal, Cape Verde first summer school Cape Verde
    1990 19 – 21 Oct
    199-    		 The first National Children's Conference of Nicaragua was held in Retiro, Aurora, Managua, attended by more than 40 children. [BINS243:8] - Conferences, National; - First conferences; Casa de Retiro La Aurora, Managua; Children; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Children; Managua, Nicaragua; Nicaragua first National Children's Conference of Nicaragua
    1990 11 Nov
    199-    		 For the first time in 45 years, a Bahá'í meeting was held in a public building in Bulgaria. [BINS236:2] Bulgaria first time in 45 years, Bahá'í meeting in a public building
    1990 12 Nov
    199-    		 12 November 1990:

    To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the World

    SEVEN MONTHS AFTER LAUNCHING SUPPLEMENTARY TWO YEAR PLAN REJOICE ANNOUNCE FOURTEEN LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES IN SOVIET UNION, PLUS SIX IN ROMANIA WHERE THERE ARE NOW OVER 600 BELIEVERS, AND ONE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY EACH IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY AND YUGOSLAVIA. DEVELOPMENT FAITH IN ALL THESE COUNTRIES AS WELL AS IN ALBANIA, BULGARIA, MONGOLIA AND POLAND GOING FORWARD WITH EXTRAORDINARY SPEED, FORMATION MORE LOCAL ASSEMBLIES IN PROCESS OR EXPECTED SHORTLY.

    The Universal House of Justice [Mess86-01p178]

    		* Teaching Plans; Albania; Bulgaria; Czech Republic; Hungary; Mongolia; Poland; Romania; Soviet Union; Supplementary Two Year Plan; Yugoslavia
    1990 22 Nov – 6 Dec
    199-    		 The First European Bahá'í Youth Encounter was held in the Canary Islands, attended by over 150 people from eight countries. [BINS239:1] - Conferences, International; - Europe; Canary Islands, Spain; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Youth first European Bahá'í Youth Encounter
    1990 26 Nov
    199-    		 The number of the Auxiliary Board members was increased from 756 to 846. [AWH89] Appointed arm; Assistants; Auxiliary board members; Statistics
    1990 30 Nov - 2 Dec
    199-    		 The First National Teaching Conference of the Bahá'ís of Romania was held near Poiana Brasov, in the Carpathian mountains. [CBN Feb 91p14] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; Poiana Brașov, Romania; Romania first National Teaching Conference of the Bahá'ís of Romania
    1990 Dec
    199-    		 The first week-long residential Bahá'í study school of Guinea was held in Guéckédou. - Study schools; Firsts, other; Gueckedou, Guinea; Guinea first week-long residential Bahá'í study school of Guinea
    1990 8 - 9 Dec
    199-    		 The first All-Union Bahá'í Consultative Conference was held in Moscow attended by Bahá'ís from every part of the Soviet Union, members of three Continental Boards of Counsellors and representatives of all those National Spiritual Assemblies having responsibility for the work of the Faith in that area. [BINS 238:6] [CBN Mar91Vol3no8] [VV112] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Moscow, Russia; Russia first All-Union Bahá'í Consultative Conference
    1990 8 - 9 Dec
    199-    		 The Moscow Conference was attended by Bahá'ís from every part of the Soviet Union, members of three Continental Boards of Counsellors, David Smith, Paul Semenoff and Patrick O'Mara as well as representatives of all those National Assemblies having responsibility for the work of the Faith in that area.

    See the message that was sent to the Conference date the 21st of November 1990 by the Universal House of Justice found at Mess86-01p178 which included messages from Shoghi Effendi dated the 11th of January 1923 and the 2nd of January 1930 with predictions about the future of Russia. [CBN Vol 3 No 8 March 1991 p1-3]

    		 David Smith; Moscow, Russia; Moscow Conference; Patrick O'Mara; Paul Semenoff; Russia
    1991 (In the year)
    199-    		 The first major public statement of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, The Vision of Race Unity: America's Most challenging Issue, was published and disseminated widely throughout the country. * Publications; - National Spiritual Assembly, statements; - Statements; Public discourse (discourses of society); Race; United States (USA); Unity; Vision of Race Unity (statement)
    1991 (In the Year)
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States established the Association of Persian Culture and Literature, with the goal of promoting Persian arts and culture. Later, this entity was named "Association of the Friends of Persian Culture."

    The main objectives of the Association were:

    • Assisting individuals of Iranian descent to stay in touch with, and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, artistic and literary heritage of Iran.
    • Encouraging children, youth and young adults of Iranian descent living abroad to familiarize themselves with, and gain a deeper appreciation of Persian arts, literature and culture.
    • Helping English speaking friends and family members to gain an appreciation of Persian culture.
    • Promoting systematic and comprehensive study of Persian arts, culture and history.
    • Creating dialogue in a loving, respectful and friendly atmosphere amongst Iranians with different religions, ethnicities and ideologies.
    [Association of the Friends of Persian Culture.]
    1991 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Italian Bahá'í Community purchased the La Panoramica hotel in 1989 and by 1991 to was transformed it into an International Study Centre for training and study as well as cultural exchanges between people of various religions and many nationalities. [Website; Facebook; Instagram]
  • List of Associations for Bahá'í Studies worldwide.
    		•  Acuto, Italy; Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Italy
    1991 (In the year)
    199-    		 The publication of Centres of Bahá'í Learning, a compilation of writings from Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice on the subject of Bahá'í Summer Schools and Teaching Institutes. * Publications; - Compilations; Summer schools; Teaching institutes
    1991 Jan
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Slovakia was formed in Bratislava. Bratislava, Slovakia; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Slovakia first local spiritual assembly in Slovakia
    1991 Jan
    199-    		 Dr. Victor de Araujo, Bahá'í representative to the United Nations for 23 years and the first full-time representative, retired from his duties. He had represented the BIC at innumerable conferences and seminars throughout the world as well as at the UN headquarters in New York, often serving as chairman on the UN committees. [VV54]
  • Mr. Techeste Ahderom of Eritrea succeeded him. [VV54]
    		•  Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Firsts, other; New York, USA; Techeste Ahderom; United States (USA); United States (USA); Victor de Araujo First full-time Bahá'í representative to UN
    1991 2 Jan
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Bulgaria was formed in Plovdiv. [BINS239:2] Bulgaria; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Plovdiv, Bulgaria first local spiritual assembly in Bulgaria
    1991 20 Jan
    199-    		 The first World Religion Day to be held in Bophuthatswana took place in Mmabatho. [BINS 244:1] Bophuthatswana, South Africa; Mmabatho, South Africa; South Africa; World Religion Day first World Religion Day
    1991 25 Jan
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Latvia was formed in Riga. [BINS241:3] Latvia; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Riga, Latvia first local spiritual assembly in Latvia
    1991 25 Jan
    199-    		 Mottahedeh Development Services was established by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States as a non-profit agency to promote social and economic development to benefit individuals of any race, creed, or nationality. The agency name honours more than fifty years of dedicated service by Mildred and Rafi Mottahedeh, two pioneers in social and economic development.
  • Mottahedeh Development Services was organized as a charitable organization under US law. [MDS]
    		•  Mildred Mottahedeh; Mottahedeh Development Services; National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; Rafi Mottahedeh; Social and economic development; United States (USA)
    1991 26 - 27 Jan
    199-    		 The first National Teaching Conference of Yugoslavia was held in Belgrade. [BINS243:3] - Conferences, National; Belgrade, Serbia; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; Yugoslavia
    1991 Feb
    199-    		 The Faith became officially recognized as a "religious association" in Romania. [CBNJun91pg12] Recognition (legal); Romania
    1991 5 Feb
    199-    		 The highest legal authority in Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court, overturned the decisions of a number of lower courts that had refused to register the by-laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly on the grounds that the authority granted to the National Spiritual Assembly in the document violated the legal principle requiring the autonomy of all legally incorporated associations.
  • The case was first brought before the District Court of Tübingen when the legal administrator refused to register the Local Assembly on the 8th of December, 1983. The decision was appealed on the 5th of May 1985 to the High State Court in Sturrgart and rejected on the 27th of January 1986. News of the decision caused other jurisdictions to demand that local assemblies amend their By-Laws or face cancellation of their existing incorporation. The National Spiritual Assembly was in danger of the same fate. An appeal was submitted in March of 1986.
  • The ruling affirmed Bahá'í community, by its right as a recognized religion, recognized by public knowledge and by the testimony of scholars of comparative religion, had the right to a legal identity. [AWH87]
  • See Ridván Message 1991.
  • For complete details of the case see Mess86-01p206-235.
    		•  By-laws; Germany; Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies; Recognition (legal); Tübingen, Germany
    1991 8 - 14 Feb
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í Winter School of Romania was held in Felix, attended by 80 Bahá'ís. [BINS241:3] Băile Felix, Romania; First summer and winter schools; Romania
    1991 25 Feb
    199-    		 In Iran, a secret government memorandum (known as the Golpaygani Memorandum) was drawn up by Iran's Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council and signed by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, which provided a blueprint of the policies and actions to which the Bahá'í community of Iran was to be subjugated. The memorandum demanded a shift in Iran's stance towards Bahá'ís from overt persecution to a more covert policy aimed at depleting the Iranian Bahá'í community's economic and cultural resources. This was a change in the policy for the Islamic regime which had openly persecuted and killed Bahá'ís during its first decade in power and had accused them of being spies for various foreign powers. The document also called for "countering and destroying their [Bahá'ís] cultural roots abroad." [Iran Press Watch 1407]
    Signed by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the memorandum established a subtle government policy aimed at essentially grinding the community into nonexistence by:
  • forcing Bahá'í children to have a strong Islamic education,
  • pushing Bahá'í adults into the economic periphery and forcing them from all positions of power or influence, and
  • requiring that Bahá'í youth "be expelled from universities, either in the admission process or during the course of their studies, once it becomes known that they are Bahá'ís." [One Country; Iran Press Watch 1578]
  • The memorandum can be found here, here and here.
  • This document might have remained secret had it not been divulged to Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, the Salvadoran diplomat who served as the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran between 1986 and 1995. Professor Pohl disclosed the document in 1993 during a session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (now replaced by the Human Rights Council). [BWNS575]
    		• * Persecution, Iran; - Ayatollahs; - Persecution; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution, Other; Ayatollah Khamenei; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Golpaygani Memorandum; Human rights; Iran; United Nations; United States (USA)
    1991 Mar 1991
    199-    		 In March the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly was re-elected in Warsaw. By 1992 the National Spiritual Assembly was elected. [Wikipedia] Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Poland; Warsaw, Poland
    1991 12 Apr
    199-    		 The Local Spiritual Assembly of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, was re-formed. Local Spiritual Assembly, re-formed; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Uzbekistan
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 Number of National Assemblies - 155

    Number of Local Assemblies - more than 17,000

    Number of nationalities and tribes represented is estimated at 2,112 [B'91pg54 note 2]

    Number of localities - over 108,000. [CoB375]

    Number of languages - over 800 [B'91pg3]

    		 - Worldwide; Growth; Localities where Bahá'ís reside; Statistics
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 The Universal House of Justice announced that the law of Huqúqu'lláh would become universally applicable at Ridván 1992. [AWH91–2, 174, Ridván 1991] - Worldwide; Huqúqu'lláh; Laws, Gradual implementation of
    1991 (In the year)
    199-    		 The administration of the Bahá'í Faith in Zaire was devolved to a system of subordinate regional councils. Congo, Democratic Republic of; Regional Bahá'í Councils
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 Romania has had a Bahá'í community since 1926, including Marie of Edinburgh, Queen of Romania at that time. After the fall of communism in Romania, which generally had outlawed religion, the Romanian Bahá'í community organized to form its first National Spiritual Assembly. The National Spiritual Assembly of Romania was formed with its seat in Bucharest. About 200 believers were present at the inaugural National Convention. [AWH86; BINS246:1; VV113]
  • Photo of the first National Spiritual Assembly.
  • From the Ridván Message...
      ...the Government has recognized the Bahá'í community as a religious association with the right to spread the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh

    In 2005 the Romanian Bahá'í community numbered some 7000, but in January 2007 a law was passed that had restrictive requirements for religious communities to be recognized, which Bahá'ís and other religions could not meet. Some of the restrictions include waiting twelve years from petitioning for recognition and to have over 22,000 members. [ROMANIA: Too much power for the state and recognised communities?]

    		•  Bucharest, Romania; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Persecution, Romania; Romania first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Romania
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Czechoslovakia was formed with its seat in Prague. [AWH86; BINS246:3–4; VV113] Czech Republic; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Prague, Czech Republic
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Soviet Union was formed with its seat in Moscow. [AWH86; BINS246:1–3; VV113]
  • This assembly was later renamed the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Baltic States and Georgia. [BW95-96p48]
  • It was dissolved in 1992 when the National Spiritual Assembly of Russia and the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova were formed to replace it. [National Spiritual Assemblies: Lists and years of formation by Graham Hassall]
    		• Moscow, Russia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of the West Leeward Islands was formed. [AWH86; BINS246:1; VV113] iiiii [bahaihistorycaribbean.info/html/st__martin__anguilla__saba__st.html] Leeward Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward Islands that was formed in 1981 was renamed the National Spiritual Assembly of the East Leeward Islands following the splitting of this region. [East Leeward Islands by Patricia Paccassi] Antigua and Barbuda; Leeward Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1991 (In the year)
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Liberia had to be dissolved because of the civil war in that country. [Ridván Message 1992] Liberia; Monrovia, Liberia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1991 Ridván
    199-    		 The Bahá'ís of East and West Germany were united at their 61st convention for the first time after the war. [VV113] Conventions, National; Germany first united convention in Germany after war
    1991 May
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Moldova was formed in Kishinev. Kishinev, Moldova; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Moldova
    1991 14 May
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Armenia was formed at Yerevan. Armenia; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Yerevan, Armenia
    1991 16 Jun
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Albania was formed at Tirana. Albania; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Tirana, Albania
    1991 17 Jun
    199-    		 The contracts were signed for the second phase of construction for the terraces to the Shrine of the Báb. Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel; Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb (Haifa)
    1991 18 Jun
    199-    		 The passing of Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, John Aldham Robarts at Rawdon, Quebec. He was born in Waterloo, Ontario 2nd of November, 1901. [VV124]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii]
  • See BW20p801-809.
  • For his obituary see BINS250:10.
  • For picture see VV124.
  • For the story of how he came to learn of the Faith see SBR137.
  • See LoF473-495.
  • A 50-minute film entitledRetrospective, a Ciné Bahá'í production, was made as a tribute to the Hand of the Cause John A. Robarts on the occasion of his 40th anniversary as a member of the Bahá'r' community.
    		• - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; John Robarts; Quebec, Canada; Rawdon, QC
    1991 21 Jun
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Kirgizia was formed in Bishkek. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Kirgizia, Kyrgyzstan; Local Spiritual Assemblies
    1991 15 – 21 Jul
    199-    		 The first summer school of Sikkim was held in Saramsa. [BINS257:6] First summer and winter schools; India; Saramsa, Sikkim; Sikkim, India; Summer schools first summer school of Sikkim
    1991 15 – 21 Jul
    199-    		 The first European Bahá'í Youth Conference of Romania was held in Neptune. [BINS253:9; VV74]
  • For picture see VV74.
    		•  - Conferences, International; - Europe; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Neptun, Romania; Romania
    1991 Aug
    199-    		 Hand of the Cause Dr 'Alí-Muhammad Varqá convened a conference for the Deputies of the Huqúqu'lláh at Landegg Academy. [VV125]
  • Photo.
    		•  - Conferences; Huqúqu'lláh; Landegg, Switzerland; Switzerland; Varqá, `Alí-Muhammad
    1991 15 – 22 Aug
    199-    		 The first summer school of Tajikistan took place in Varzoub Gorge. First summer and winter schools; Tajikistan; Varzoub Gorge, Tajikistan first summer school of Tajikistan
    1991 Sep
    199-    		 The ground was broken for the construction of the Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts and for the Extension to the International Archives Building. [Ridván Message 1992] - Bahá'í World Centre; Arc project; Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts (Haifa); Foundation stones and groundbreaking; Haifa, Israel; International Bahá'í Archives
    1991 (In the year)
    199-    		 The Bahá'ís of Bulgaria held their first National Conference in Plovdiv. Earlier that year they had elected local spiritual assemblies in Plovdiv, Sofia, Stara Zagora and Blagoevgrad.
  • In November the Bahá'í Faith was officially registered as a religion at the Directorate of Religions. They held their first National Convention in 1992. [Nation Website]
    		•  Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria; Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Sofia, Bulgaria; Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
    1991 2 Oct
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Belarus was formed at Minsk. Belarus; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Minsk, Belarus The first local spiritual assembly in Belarus is formed at Minsk.
    1991 25 – 27 Oct
    199-    		 The first National Teaching Conference of Bulgaria was held in Plovdiv. [BINS258:2–3] - Conferences, National; Bulgaria; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; Plovdiv, Bulgaria
    1991 12 Nov
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í meeting to be held in a public location in Mongolia took place in the theatre of the former Lenin Museum. Mongolia first Bahá'í meeting to be held in a public location in Mongolia
    1991 26 Nov
    199-    		 The Office of Ḥuqúqu'lláh had been established in the Holy Land under the direction of the Chief Trustee of Ḥuqúqu'lláh, the Hand of the Cause of God 'Alí-Muḥammad Varqá, in anticipation of the worldwide application of the Law of Ḥuqúqu'lláh the following Riḍván. Concurrent with this development were the steps being taken by Dr. Varqá to organize regional and national Boards of Trustees of Ḥuqúqu'lláh, following the example of the Board that had been already functioning in the United States. [Adapted from the Message of the Universal House of Justice dated 26 November, 1991.] - Bahá'í World Centre; Firsts, other; Haifa, Israel; Huququllah, Basic timeline; Huququllah, Trustees of; Varqá, `Alí-Muhammad; Varqá (disambiguation) Establishment of the Office of Ḥuqúqu’lláh.
    1991 Dec
    199-    		 The first Music Festival for Youth of Zaire was held. [BINS288:8] * Arts and crafts; - Music; Congo, Democratic Republic of; Music festivals first Music Festival for Youth of Zaire
    1991 Dec 20
    199-    		 A Bahá'í Monument for Peace was inaugurated in a ceremony held in Florianopolis, Brazil. [BINS266:1] Bahá'í Monument for Peace; Brazil; Florianopolis, Brazil
    1991 Dec 27 – 31
    199-    		 The first winter school of Hungary was held in Miskolc. [BINS266:2] First summer and winter schools; Hungary; Miskolc, Hungary first winter school of Hungary
    1991 Dec 31
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Niger was given permission by the Ministry of the Interior to engage in Bahá'í activities. [BINS261:6] Niger; Recognition (legal)
    1992 (In the Year)
    199-    		 Priscilla Rhodes was the first pioneer to settle in Venezuela. [The Beginnings of the Bahá'í Faith in Latin America: Some Remembrances by Artemus Lamb] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Venezuela first pioneer to Venezuela
    1992 (In the year)
    199-    		 Prime Minister Hamilton Green of Guyana made a formal state visit to the temple in Wilmette. [Bahá'í Newsreel Vol. 3 number 2; VV133] - Prime Ministers; - Prominent visitors; Guyana; Hamilton Green; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL
    1992 (In the year)
    199-    		 The establishment of the Bahá'í Chair for Peace at the University of Maryland in the United States. The mission of the Bahá'í Chair for Peace, in part, was to develop alternatives to the violent resolution of conflict, promote global education and spiritual awareness, and reflect the beliefs of the Bahá'í world community in building a global society. Suheil Bushrui held the chair from 1992 until 2005. [BWNS282] Bahá'í Chair for World Peace; Maryland, USA; United States (USA); University of Maryland
    1992 (In the year)
    199-    		 Bahá'í literature was available in over 800 languages. [CoB372] * Translation; Statistics
    1992 (In the year)
    199-    		 The publication of the book entitled The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963: An Account of the Stewardship of the Hands of the Cause was published by the Bahá'í World Centre. [VV122] * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Hands of the Cause; Custodians; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Ministry of The Custodians (book)
    1992 (In the year)
    199-    		 The publication of the statement entitled "Bahá'u'lláh", prepared by the Office of Public Information at the Bahá'í World Centre. The statement was formally released at a press conference in Bombay, India by Hassan Sabri. [VV126]
  • For the text see BW92–93:47–94.
    		•  * Bahá'u'lláh; * Bahaullah (chronology); * Publications; - Statements; Bahá'u'lláh (statement); Hassan Sabri; India; Mumbai, India; Office of Public Information
    1992 Jan
    199-    		 The first teaching conference of Southern Yugoslavia was held, attended by 40 Bahá'ís representing 12 nationalities. [BINS264:8] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; Yugoslavia first teaching conference of Southern Yugoslavia
    1992 2 – 5 Jan
    199-    		 The first European Conference on Bahá'í Activities in Universities was held in Brno, Czechoslovakia. [BINS263:2]
  • BINS290:2 gives a second report of this event, incorrectly implying it was held in January 1993.
    		•  - Conferences, International; - Europe; Brno, Czechoslovakia; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Other; Czech Republic; Universities first European Conference on Bahá'í Activities in Universities
    1992 10 – 11 Jan
    199-    		 The first teaching conference of Croatia and Slovenia was held in Kranj. [BINS263:1–2] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Teaching; Croatia; Kranj, Slovenia; Slovenia first teaching conference of Croatia and Slovenia
    1992 1 Feb
    199-    		 The Local Spiritual Assembly of Zanzibar Island was formed. [BINS267:6]
  • This is the first administrative body on the island since the revolution of 12 January 1964. [BINS267:6]
    		•  Local Spiritual Assemblies; Zanzibar, Tanzania
    1992 3 – 6 Feb
    199-    		 The Association of Bahá'í Publishers and Distributors was established at a Bahá'í Publishers' Conference in Oakham, England, with its headquarters in the Netherlands. [BINS273:4-5; VV71] - Publishing Trusts; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Other; Netherlands; Oakham, England; United Kingdom
    1992 7 Mar
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Eastern Germany was formed in Erfurt. [BINS267:3] Erfurt, Germany; Germany; Local Spiritual Assemblies
    1992 18 Mar
    199-    		 The martyrdom of Mr. Bahman Samandari in the Evin prison in Tehran. Mr. Samandari was executed with no advance notice and in the absence of due process. A 52 year-old businessman from a distinguished Bahá'í family, he was buried secretly on 20 March 1992 and his family was not notified until 5 April 1992. This was the first execution in three and one-half years. It belied the public position taken by the Iránian government that the Bahá'ís were not being persecuted for their religious beliefs. [AWH118-9; VV126; Iranwire 22 Apr 2022] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Bahman Samandari; Evin Prison; Iran; Tehran, Iran
    1992 25 Mar
    199-    		 William Benard Sears, (b.28 Mar 1911), Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Tucson, Arizona. He was buried in East Lawn Palms Cemetery and Mortuary Tucson, Arizona. [BINS267; VV124]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii]
  • Find a grave.
  • See LoFp496-506 for a short biography.
  • He was the author of several books:
    • All Flags Flying, The NSA of South and West Africa, (1958)
    • A Cry from the Heart: The Bahá'ís of Iran, George Ronald, (1982)
    • God Love Laughter, George Ronald, (1960 and multiple re-prints)
    • The Prisoner and the Kings, General Publishing Company, (1971)
    • Release the Sun, Bahá'í Publishing Trust, (1957)
    • Thief in the Night or The Strange Case of the Missing Millennium, Talisman Books, (1961 and multiple re-prints
    • The Wine of Astonishment, George Ronald, (1963 and multiple re-prints)
    • The Flame; The Story of Lua, (with Robert Quigley), George Ronald, (1972) [Collins7.2354-79]
    		• - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Arizona, USA; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Tucson, AZ; United States (USA); William Sears
    1992 Apr – May
    199-    		 Fifteen people became Bahá'ís in Barentsburg, Spitzbergen. [BINS271:4–5] Barentsburg, Norway; Svalbard, Norway
    1992 April
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í Youth School of Romania was held in Curtea de Arges, attended by 60 Bahá'ís. [BINS269:5] Curtea de Arges, Romania; Romania first Bahá'í Youth School of Romania .
    1992 April
    199-    		 With a world population 5.48 billion, the American Bahá'í population was 110,000 in more than 7000 communities. [From a press release by the American National Office dated the 28th of May, 1993] Statistics; United States (USA)
    1992 4 – 5 Apr
    199-    		 The first Children's Festival and Family Conference of Turkey was held in Cankaya, Ankara. [BINS269:5–6] - First conferences; Ankara, Turkey; Çankaya, Turkey; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Children; Conferences, Marriage and Family; Turkey first Children's Festival and Family Conference of Turkey
    1992 7 Apr
    199-    		 The establishment of Unity Publishing, an independent, registered publishing company in St. Petersburg, Russia. At the National Convention in May of 1992, Unity Publishing sponsored a translation seminar. [from their brochure] iiiii * Publishing; Russia; St. Petersburg, Russia
    1992 Apr 20
    199-    		 The Six Year Plan was successfully completed. [BW20p115]
  • For the major accomplishments of the Plan see AWH97–102, 187–8 and VV126.
  • The Faith was represented in every country. 1.5 million enrolled during the Plan. [Ridván Message 1992]
  • With more that 5 million people enrolled, Bahá'ís lived in 217 independent countries, territories and islands representing 2,112 tribes, minorities and ethnic groups. [Ridván Message 1992] [VV126]
  • Literature was translated into 802 languages and tribal tongues. [Ridván Message 1992] [VV126]
  • The proclamation of the Faith entered a new phase from the proclamation of 1967 in commemoration of Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation to the kings to the opportunities offered by the Iránian revolution in 1979 to the distribution of The Promise of World Peace.
  • The dedication of the House of Worship in New Delhi.
  • The emergence of the Faith from obscurity.
  • The increase in the number of projects of social and economic development.
  • The involvement of youth in the service to the Faith. The concept of the "year of service" was initiated.
  • The advances in the consolidation of the Bahá'í administrative as marked by the improvement in internal development and the collaborative efforts of its two arms.
  • The inauguration of the great building projects on Mount Carmel.
    		•  * Teaching Plans; Six Year Plan (1986-1992); Youth, Year of service
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The Second Holy Year commenced. [Ridván 1992; AWH40, 90, 95–6; BW92–3:20; VV127, 133]
  • For the purpose of the Holy Year see AWH96–7, 107–9 and BW92–93:20, 29–30.
  • For the significance of Holy Year see BW92–3:95–6, AWH107-109.
  • From the Ridván Message...
      The Faith of Bahá'u'lláh is represented in every country on earth. The sudden change in the political climate, no doubt by intervention of God's Major Plan, opened vast regions to the penetration of the divine teachings, primarily in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries. The opportunities created by this change made possible the settlement of Knights of Bahá'u'lláh in the last virgin territories that remained from Shoghi Effendi's Ten Year World Crusade. They also impelled the launching at Ridván 1990 of the subsidiary Two Year Plan for those regions. This supplementary Plan was a spectacular success, not only in terms of expansion in the many countries involved, but also in the diversity of the strata represented by the new believers in these countries, in the volume and variety of Bahá'í literature published and in the array of Bahá'í institutions established during that short time. The Bahá'í world was highly stimulated by these developments, and a number of countries elsewhere recorded significant successes in the teaching work…
    		• * Teaching Plans; Centenaries; Holy Years; Statistics; Two Year Subsidiary Plan
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The announcement by the Universal House of Justice that the Law of Ḥuqúqu'lláh was to be in effect for the members of the entire world community. Prior to this time, it was only binding on the Eastern believers, regardless of where they lived. [Ridván Message, AWH106, 175, BW92–3:28, CBN Jan91 p2]

    In a letter to an individual dated 23 February 2000 the Universal House of Justice commented on the way the new law was introduced for universal application.

    		 - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Worldwide; Haifa, Israel; Huqúqu'lláh; Huququllah, Basic timeline; Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book); Laws; Laws, Gradual implementation of
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Baltic States (Latvia and Lithuania and Estonia) was formed with its seat in Tallinn. [BINS270:2; BW92–3:119, CBN Jan92 p2, VV121]
  • For picture see BINS282:9.
    		•  Baltic States; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tallinn, Estonia First NSA Baltic States
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The formation of a Regional Spiritual Assembly for Ukraine, Belarus (Bielarus as it was spelled then) and Moldova with the seat in Kyiv. [CBN Jan92 p2, CBN Jan91 pg2, BW92–3:119; VV121] Belarus; Kyiv, Ukraine; Moldova; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Ukraine
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Poland was formed with its seat in Warsaw. [CBN Jan92 p2, BINS270:2; BW92–3:119; VV121] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Poland; Warsaw, Poland
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Bulgaria was formed with its seat in Sofia. [CBN Jan92 p2, BINS270:1; BW92–3:119; VV121; Nation Website]
  • The National Convention was attended by long-time pioneer to the country, Annemarie Kruger, the granddaughter of Dr August Forel.
  • For picture see BINS279:9.
    		•  Bulgaria; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sofia, Bulgaria
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of the Congo Republic was reformed after 14 years suspension of the Bahá'í Faith. [CBN Jan92 p2, BINS270:5; BW92–3:119; VV121; BW86-92p169]
  • For picture see BINS275:7.
    		•  Congo, Democratic Republic of; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Niger was re-formed after a 14-year interruption. [CBN Jan92 p2, BINS270:5; BW92–3:119; VV121; BW86-92p169] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Niger
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Hungary was formed with its seat in Budapest. [BINS270:2–1; BW92–3:119; VV121] Budapest, Hungary; Hungary; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Albania was formed with its seat in Tirana. [CBN Jan92 p2, BINS270:3–4; BW92–3:119; VV121] Albania; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tirana, Albania
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Greenland was formed with was seat in Nuuk. About 35 to 40 people attended the inaugural Convention. [BINS270:3; BW92–3:119; VV121, CBN Jan92 p2; Bahaipedia] Greenland; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nuuk, Greenland
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Azerbaijan was re-formed after half a century of prohibition and persecution. The seat was in Baku. [BINS270:4; BW92–3:119; VV121] Azerbaijan; Bandar Anzali, Iran; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The formation of the National Assembly of Angola. [CBN Jan92 p2, BINS270:4; BW92–3:119, VV120-1] Angola; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The former National Spiritual Assembly of the USSR with its seat in Moscow became the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Russia, Georgia and Armenia. [CBN Jan92 p2, CBN Jan91 pg2, BW92–3:119; VV121] Armenia; Georgia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Russia
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The Regional Spiritual Assembly of Central Asia (comprising of the Republics of Kazakhstan, Kirgizia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) was formed with its seat in Ashkhabad. [BINS270:4-5; BW92–93:119; BW94–95:29; CBN Jan92 p2, VV121] Ishqabad (Ashgabat); Kazakhstan; Kirgizia, Kyrgyzstan; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Uzbekistan
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 In the Ridván Message 1992 it was announced that the National Spiritual Assembly of Sikkim would by absorbed in the Indian community. National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sikkim, India
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The first local spiritual assembly in Mongolia was formed in Ulaan Baatar. [BINS269:4]
  • The local assembly was understood to have been formed in the spring of 1991 but this was found to have been a mistake.
    		•  Local Spiritual Assemblies; Mongolia; Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia first local spiritual assembly in Mongolia is formed in Ulaan Baatar
    1992 21 Apr
    199-    		 After a three year teaching project in Guyana the Bahá'í population reached some 6% of the population. [Ridván Message 1992] Guyana; Statistics; Teaching
    1992
    199-    		 The annotated English translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was published. [KAIV; VV142]
  • Note: The date of copyright is 1992 but the book was not available until Ridván 1993.
    		•  * Publications; * Translation; - Bahá'í World Centre; Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book)
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly was elected in Zagreb. [BWNS1506] Croatia; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Zagreb, Croatia
    1992 Ridván
    199-    		 The government of Trinidad and Tobago issued a postage stamp in recognition of the Bahá'í Holy Year. [BW92–3:119; VV133]
  • For picture see BW92–3:121.
    		•  Holy Years; Stamps (philately); Trinidad and Tobago
    1992 Apr 27
    199-    		 After a ten-year struggle, the Faith's legal Chinese name in Taiwan was changed from 'Ta Tong Giao' (Religion of Great Harmony), used for 70 years, to the 'Bahá'í Faith'. [BINS271:6] Recognition (legal); Taiwan
    1992 May
    199-    		 A series of postage stamps overprinted with 'Bahá'í Holy Year' was released by the postal service in Guyana. [BW92–3:122] Guyana; Holy Years; Stamps (philately)
    1992 27 – 30 May
    199-    		 Three thousand Bahá'ís representing approximately 200 countries and territories, gathered at the Bahá'í World Centre to mark the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh. [BINS271:1–2; BW92–3, 96–8, 121]

    On the 27th (or 28th) of May...the gathering of one hundred thirteen Knights of Bahá'u'lláh along with 19 representatives of every National Spiritual Assembly (165) and 9 representatives of every territory without a National Spiritual Assembly (40-50) at Bahjí in commemoration of the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (some 3,000 persons). The original scroll bearing the Roll of Honour of the Knights of Bahá'u'lláh was placed by Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum in a chamber at the entrance door of the inner sanctuary of the Most Holy Shrine. [AWH90, 105; VV128; BW92-3p98; BINS271:1; Message 7 June 1992]

  • See the Roll of Honour online at Knights of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • For pictures see VV127-8, BINS271:9-10, BW92–3:97.
    		• - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Centenaries; Haifa, Israel; Holy days; Roll of Honour
    1992 28 May
    199-    		 Ibsen Valls Pinheiro, President of the Federal Chamber of Deputies of Brazil, opened a special session of the Chamber called to observe the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh, attended by 45 federal deputies. [BINS271:2; BW92–3:121]
  • For picture see BW92–3:122. Note: VV133 says this was 29 May.
    		•  Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Brazil; Centenaries; Ibsen Valls Pinheiro
    1992 May 29
    199-    		 The Chamber of Deputies of the government of Brazil paid homage to Bahá'u'lláh. [Bahá'í Newsreel Volume 3 Number 2] [UHJMessage 30Mar92]
  • The tribute to Bahá'u'lláh was paid at a plenary session of that body and following that session members joined Post Office officials in the formal launching of a commemorative postage stamp. [VV133]
    		•  Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Brazil; Holy Years; Stamps (philately)
    1992 May 29
    199-    		 The Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh was commemorated at the Guardian's Resting Place in London. Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Centenaries; London, England; Shoghi Effendi, Resting place of (London); United Kingdom
    1992 29 May
    199-    		 A statement titled Bahá'u'lláh was published by the office of the Bahá'í International Community Office of Public Information in New York marking the centenary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh. It was bound as a booklet and given wide distribution in many national communities.

    The statement was formally released at a press conference in Bombay, India by Hassan Sabri. [VV126]

    		* Bahá'u'lláh; * Bahaullah (chronology); * Publications; - Statements; Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Bahá'u'lláh (statement); Hassan Sabri; Historical overviews by Central Figures or BWC; India; Mumbai, India; Office of Public Information
    1992 29 May
    199-    		 The Commemoration of the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh at Bahjí and the walk from the German Settlement to the Shrine of the Báb, the circumambulation of the Shrine and the walk to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice for the viewing of a projected portrait of Bahá'u'lláh, and a candle-lit programme of prayers and readings. The 3 a.m. observances circled the globe in some 71,000 localities with prayers and readings beginning in the Eastern Pacific Ocean time zone and going west. At 1PM in the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, there was a viewing of the passport photo of Bahá'u'lláh taken in 1868. [BINS271:1–2; BW92–3:96–7; VV129–30, SDSC367-368]
  • For the tribute to Bahá'u'lláh by the Universal House of Justice see BW92–3:31–6.
  • For pictures see BINS271:10 and VV129, 130.
    		•  - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Centenaries; Holy days
    1992 1 - 14 Jun
    199-    		 Bahá'ís from many countries participated in the United Nations Conference on the Environment (UNCED), known as the Earth Summit, and the Global Forum for non-governmental organizations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [BINS272:1–3; BW92–3:124; VV110]
  • The Bahá'í International Community delegation was extremely active in the Global Forum, promoting a holistic approach in negotiations on the Earth Charter; as well, it was the only religious nongovernmental organization to make a statement to the Summit's plenary session.
  • For a report of the Bahá'í involvement at the Earth Summit see BW92–3:177–89.
  • For the text of the statement of' the Bahá'í International Community read at the plenary session see BW92–3:191–2.
  • For pictures see BW92–3:179, 183, 186.
    		•  - BIC statements; Bahá'í International Community (BIC); Brazil; Earth Summit, Brazil (1992); Environment; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United Nations; United Nations Summits; United Nations conferences
    1992 5 Jun
    199-    		 The Bahá'í Vocational Institute for Rural Women, a non-profit education project based in Indore, India, was one of 74 individuals and institutions presented with the United Nations Environment Programme 'Global 500' award in Rio de Janeiro. [BINS272:5; BW92–3:125; VV110]
  • For picture see BW92–3:183.
    		•  Awards; Barli Development Institute for Rural Women, Indore; Brazil; Environment; India; Indore, India; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Social and economic development; United Nations; Women
    1992 15 Jun
    199-    		 The arrest and subsequent murder of Mr Rúḥu’lláh Ghedami from Muẓaffaríyyih (near Esamshahr), Iran by two member of the Iranian Disciplinary Forces. His burnt body was found 60 kilometers outside Tehran on the Qum Highway; it had be set alight using gasoline. It was determined that two brothers, both members of the Iranian Disciplinary Forces, had forced Mr. Ghedami to give them a letter attesting to the sale of his property. [Letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 25 June 1992] * Persecution, Iran; Universal House of Justice, Letters and messages (collected)
    1992 18 Jun
    199-    		 The passing of Counsellor Isobel Sabri, (b. 19 July, 1924) member of the International Teaching Centre, in England. She was born in California in 1924. Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada to all Local Spiritual Assemblies dated the 16th of October 1992. [VV124]
  • She was buried at the New Southgate Cemetery
  • Find a grave
  • See Bahaipedia for the message of condolence from the Universal House of Justice.
    		•  - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; California, USA; Counsellors; International Teaching Centre, Members of; Isobel Sabri; United Kingdom; United States (USA)
    1992 19 - 22 Jun
    199-    		 Graduation ceremonies were held for the thirty-eight members of the first graduating class of the Maxwell International Bahá'í School. More than seven hundred participated in the ceremonies. ["Maxwell Eagle" Sep/Oct 1992 Vol IV no. 1 page 1] - Bahá'í inspired schools; British Columbia, Canada; Canada; Maxwell International School, Canada
    1992 9 Jul
    199-    		 The National Post Office of Panama issued a commemorative envelope to mark the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW92–3:127]
  • For picture see BW92–3:127.
    		• Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Centenaries; Panama; Stamps (philately)
    1992 27 Jul
    199-    		 The National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga broadcasted the first of its weekly 30-minute television programmes. [BINS281:5] Television; Tonga
    1992 28 Jul
    199-    		 The passing of Léa Nys (b. 27 December 1910 in Brussels). She was "the first to accept the Message of Bahá'u'lláh on the soil of Belgium" and she served on the first National Spiritual Assembly from 1962 to 1965 and so participated in the election of the first Universal House of Justice. In addition, she served on the Auxiliary Board and represented the Bahá'í International Community at UN conferences. Léa Nys travelled extensively to teach the Cause. [BW In Memoriam p5-8] - Biography; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - In Memoriam; Belgium; Brussels, Belgium
    1992 21 – 23 Aug
    199-    		 The first National Summer School of Bulgaria was held in Stara Zagora, attended by 75 people. [BINS278:1–2] Bulgaria; First summer and winter schools; Stara Zagora, Bulgaria; Summer schools first National Summer School of Bulgaria.
    1992 23 – 29 Aug
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í summer school to be held in Croatia took place in Pula, Istria, attended by a hundred Bahá'ís from nine countries. [BINS278:2; BINS287:10] Croatia; First summer and winter schools; Istria, Croatia; Pula, Croatia first Bahá'í summer school to be held in Croatia
    1992 Sep
    199-    		 The establishment of the Townshend International School situated in the heart of Europe in Hluboká, South Bohemia, Czech Republic.
  • This private, non-affiliated, co-educational high school, accredited by the Ministry of Education with English as the teaching language, is a non-profit project and sponsors a number of students from its host country. [TIS Web Site]
    		•  - Bahá'í inspired schools; Bohemia, Czech Republic; Czech Republic; Hluboka, Czech Republic; Townshend International School, Czech Republic
    1992 2 Sep
    199-    		 The passing of Shirin Fozdar (b. 1 March 1905 in Bombay (now Mumbai)) in Singapore. She was an Indian Bahá'í of Zoroastrian descent who was, along with her husband Dr. K. M. Fozdar, the first Bahá'í pioneers to Singapore in 1950. She was an inaugural member of the National Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia elected in Djakarta in 1957.

    Shirin Fozdar was also notable for her work for women's rights founding the Singapore Council of Women which was responsible for the passing of the Women's Charter in the Singaporean Parliament in 1961.

    The Singapore Management University implemented The Shirin Fozdar Program in 2009. It has a scholarship and an annual lecture as well as community service projects. [Bahaipedia; Singapore Memory]

  • See the video Shirin Fozdar-a Bahá'í and a Champion of Women's Rights.
  • See Bahá'í Blog 20 February 2022.
    		• - Biography; - In Memoriam; Mumbai, India; Shirin Fozdar; Singapore
    1992 15 Sep
    199-    		 Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum was officially invited to open the Exhibition of Bahá'í Manuscripts at the British Museum in London. [VV134] Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum; British Museum and British Library; Exhibitions of Bahá'í manuscripts and relics; London, England; United Kingdom
    1992 17 Sep
    199-    		 The Bahá'í Professional Society of Hong Kong was inaugurated. [BINS292:8; BW92–3:129] Bahá'í associations; Hong Kong
    1992 20 Sep
    199-    		 The Landegg International University was formally registered by the cantonal and federal authorities of Switzerland as a private university. The evolution into a full-fledged university had been a gradual process. The 31-acre property overlooking Lake Constance had been acquired in 1982 by the Landegg International Foundation and operated under the aegis of the Bahá'í community of Switzerland which undertook the renovation of its main buildings and established it as a conference center. In the mid-1990s, it was decided that Landegg's role as a centre of learning should become formalized, and Landegg's functions were transferred to an independent board, whose charter stated that the university would be operated as an independent university directed by an international governing board. [One Country Jul-Oct 2001; One Country Oct-Dec 1997; BWNS138]

    A decision was taken to close the institution at the end of 2003 due to financial difficulties. By the time of its closing 1,116 students had earned degrees or graduate certificates from Landegg International University. [Bahaipedia]

    Dr. Hossain Danesh was the Rector of Landegg Academy from 1994. [H.B.Danesh/biography]

    		Hossain Danesh; Landegg International University; Switzerland; Wienacht, Switzerland
    1992 25 - 27 Sep
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í Youth Conference of Lithuania took places in Kaunas, attended by 32 Bahá'ís. [BINS281:1] Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Kaunas, Lithuania; Lithuania; Youth First Bahá'í Youth Conference of Lithuania
    1992 30 Sep
    199-    		 In its message to all National Spiritual Assemblies introducing the Three Year Plan (1993-1996) the Universal House of Justice reiterated the seven objectives that describe the interacting processes that must advance simultaneously over many decades. They were:
    1. Carrying the healing Message of Bahá'u'lláh to the generality of mankind;
    2. Greater involvement of the Faith in the life of human society;
    3. A worldwide increase in the translation, production, distribution and use of Bahá'í literature;
    4. Further acceleration in the process of the maturation of local and national Bahá'í communities;
    5. Greater attention to universal participation and the spiritual enrichment of individual believers;
    6. A wider extension of Bahá'í family life; and
    7. The pursuit of projects of social and economic development in well-established Bahá'í communities. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 30 September, 1992    		 - Bahá'í World Centre; Three Year Plan (1993-1996)
    1992 17 Oct
    199-    		 The passing of Helen Hornby, compiler of Lights of Guidance (1) and Lights of Guidance (2). - Biography; - In Memoriam; Helen Hornby
    1992 24 – 28 Oct
    199-    		 The first Bahá'í Autumn School of Central Asia was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, attended by more than 200 Bahá'ís and many others. [BINS284:2] Autumn schools; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Central Asia; Firsts, other; Kyrgyzstan
    1992 25 Oct – 11 Nov
    199-    		 Prince Alfred von Lichtenstein toured ten cities in Japan delivering memorial lectures celebrating the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW92–3:132] Alfred von Lichtenstein, Prince; Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Centenaries; Japan
    1992 22 – 23 Nov
    199-    		 The Bahá'í Faith was mentioned in the media of Mozambique for the first time with three write-ups in Notices, the only newspaper in Maputo, and announcements on Radio Maputo and Radio Mozambique. [BINS292:7] Maputo, Mozambique; Media (communication); Mozambique
    1992 23 – 26 Nov
    199-    		 The Second World Congress was held in New York City to commemorate the centenary of the passing of Bahá'u'lláh and the completion of the Six Year Plan. It was attended by some 28,000 Bahá'ís from some 180 countries. [BBD240; VV136-141; BW92-93p95-102, 136]
  • Nine auxiliary conferences were held in Buenos Aires, Sydney, New Delhi, Nairobi, Panama City, Bucharest, Moscow, Apia and Singapore. [BINS283:3-4]
  • For pictures see [BINS283:9-10], [BW92-3p100] and [VV136-141]
  • "New York will become a blessed spot from which the call to steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament of God will go forth to every part of the world." - 'Abdu'l-Bahá [AWH77-8 90-1 105-6]
  • On the 25th of November a concert was held in Carnegie Hall as a birthday tribute to Dizzy Gillespie called "Celebrating the Bahá'í Vision of World Peace". [VV141]
  • On the 26th of November Bahá'ís around the world were linked together by a live satellite broadcast serving the second Bahá'í World Congress, the nine auxiliary conferences and the Bahá'í World Centre and it was received by those with access to satellite dish antennas. [BINS283:1–5, 8; BINS286:10; BINS287:4]
  • For the message of the Universal House of Justice read on the satellite link see BW92–3:37–4.
  • For accounts of personal experiences by some of the attendees see In the Eyes of His Beloved Servants: The Second Bahá'í World Congress and Holy Year by J. Michael Kafes.
  • The film, 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Mission to America, made by Elizabeth Martin, was prepared for the World Congress program and also used in the Theme Pavilion. [HNWE45]
    		• - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Film; `Abdu'l-Bahá: Mission to America (film); Apia, Samoa; Argentina; Australia; Bahá'í World Congress, Second (1992); Bahá'u'lláh, Ascension of; Bucharest, Romania; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Carnegie Hall, New York; Centenaries; Conferences, Bahá'í; Dizzy Gillespie; Elizabeth Martin; India; J. Michael Kafes; Kenya; Moscow, Russia; Nairobi, Kenya; New Delhi, India; New York, USA; Panama; Romania; Russia; Samoa; Singapore; Sydney, Australia; United States (USA)
    1992 Dec
    199-    		 The Universal House of Justice announced its decision to establish an Office for the Advancement of Women at the headquarters of the Bahá'í International Community in New York. Support for UN efforts to improve the status of women, which had been carried out for twenty years by the United Nations Office, continued uninterrupted under the auspices of this new office. At annual sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, statements addressed appropriate topics on the agenda, such as partnership between women and men, the status of girl children, the participation of women in decision making, partnership for development, and the human rights of women. [VV29; 54; BIC Document #: 95-0228; BW92–3:136]
  • The Office for the Advancement of Women officially opened its doors on the 26th of May, 1993. [BINS296:2; BW93–4:83–9; VV29] For pictures see BW93–4:83, 86.
    		• - BIC statements; Bahá'í International Community (BIC); New York, USA; Office for the Advancement of Women; Social and economic development; United States (USA); Women
    1992 26 – 30 Dec
    199-    		 The first National Bahá'í Winter School of Bulgaria was held in Lovech, attended by 130 Bahá'ís. [BINS286:1–2] Bulgaria; First summer and winter schools; Lovech, Bulgaria; Winter schools
    1993 (In the year)
    199-    		 Vice President Ali Salim Al-Beidh quit Saleh's government and returns to Aden in southern Yemen and said he would not return to the government until his grievances had been addressed. These included northern violence against his Yemeni Socialist Party, as well as the economic marginalization of the south. Negotiations to end the political deadlock dragged on into 1994. The government of Prime Minister Haydar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, the former PDRY Prime Minister, became ineffective due to political infighting. Yemen; Yemen, Recent history
    1993 (In the year)
    199-    		 More than 10,000 people became Bahá'ís in Bangladesh. [BINS318:8; BINS319:1] Bangladesh; Mass conversion
    1993 (In the year)
    199-    		 The opening of the Bádi School with an enrollment of 12 students by the Torrez family members in Las Cumbres Villa Zaita, Panamá City, Republic of Panama. They rented a small, dismantled house from the Panama Social Security Agency, remodeled it and closed the garage in order to use it as a classroom.
  • Over the years, two more buildings were added to expand the facility and enrollment capacity to 3200 square meters and 156 students. Badi's first high school graduation was scheduled for 2004, when Badi Tutorial University was scheduled to open its door. [Bádi School , Wiki Bahá'í Faith in Panama]
    		•  - Bahá'í inspired schools; Badi School, Panama; Panama
    1993 (In the year)
    199-    		 The establishment of the Labranza Training Institute to complement the work of all the socio-economic development projects owned and operated by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Chile.
  • Located about 680 kms. south of Santiago, in the heart of the agricultural belt of the country, its main purpose was to serve the needs of the rural Mapuche population.
  • The operational costs were covered by a mix of contributions from individual Bahá'ís and Bahá'í institutions as well as the rental of its facilities for academic and vocational training to government agencies and Non Government Organizations (NGOs). Its staff were Bahá'í volunteers offering their services for determined periods of time.
  • The Bahá'í programs were focused on capacity building of the Mapuche population in order to allow for self-administration at the grass roots level, which included practical as well as spiritual content. It has often been used for government training programs in the areas of health, drug prevention, agriculture and rural education.
    		•  Chile; Labranza Training Institute, Chile; NSA; Social and economic development
    1993 (In the year)
    199-    		 EBBF (Ethical Business Building the Future) was registered in Paris as an official non-profit association. Its statutes provided that membership was open to Bahá'ís and non-Bahá'ís alike. [ebbf] Business; Ethical Business Building the Future (EBBF); European Bahá'í Business Forum (EBBF); France; Paris, France
    1993 Jan
    199-    		 In a commitment to education and the welfare of humanity, the Bahá'ís have setup 60 grassroots Bahá'í literacy schools and 30 Bahá'í primary health care workers were trained and deployed. The largest scale institution is the private school named the Bambino School in Lilongwe. A Bahá'í school started in January 1993 and in 2003 Bambino School had an enrolment of 1,100 from nursery level through secondary school and secretarial college and has high school graduation including taking the International General Certificate of Secondary Education.
  • See BWNS240 from 1963 for a recap of the early Bahá'í history of Malawi.
    		• - Bahá'í inspired schools; Bambino School, Malawi; Lilongwe, Malawi

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