Baháʼí Faith in Guyana

The Baháʼí Faith in Guyana was first mentioned in Baháʼí sources as early as 1916,[1] the first Baháʼís visited as early as 1927[2][3] but the community was founded in Guyana in 1953 with the beginning of the arrival of coordinated pioneers and from Guyanese converts. The community elected the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly in 1955 and an independent National Spiritual Assembly in 1977.[4] The country has experienced large migrations[5] and the size of the Baháʼí community has also dramatically changed. In the most recent cycle the 2002 national census showed about 0.1%, or 500, Baháʼís mostly in three of its Regions though Baháʼís were noted in every Region.[6] However, by 2005 the Association of Religion Data Archives estimated there were some 13,000 Baháʼís.[7] Baháʼís are now widely distributed across Guyana and are represented in all major racial groups and regions.[8] The Baháʼí community, while relatively small, is well known for its emphasis on unity, non-involvement in politics and its work in issues such as literacy and youth issues.[9][10]

Early Phase

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's Tablets of the Divine Plan

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the religion, wrote a series of letters, or tablets, to the followers of the religion in the United States in 1916–1917; these letters were compiled together in the book titled Tablets of the Divine Plan. The sixth of the tablets was the first to mention Latin American regions and was written on April 8, 1916, but was delayed in being presented in the United States until 1919 — after the end of World War I and the Spanish flu. The first actions on the part of Baháʼí community towards Latin America were that of a few individuals who made trips to Mexico and South America near or before this unavailing in 1919, including Mr. and Mrs. Frankland, and Roy C. Wilhelm, and Martha Root. Root's travels to Latin America began in the summer of 1919.[11] The sixth tablet was translated and presented by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab on April 4, 1919, and published in Star of the West magazine on December 12, 1919.[12]

"His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to the East and to the West of the world and summon the people to the Kingdom of God. ... the republic of Mexico ... to be familiar with the Spanish language ... Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the seventh country Belize ... Attach great importance to the indigenous population of America ... Likewise the islands of ... Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, ... Bahama Islands, even the small Watling Island ... Haiti and Santo Domingo ... the islands of Bermuda ... the republics of the continent of South America—Colombia, Ec­or, Peru, Brazil, the Guianas, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela; also the islands to the north, east and west of South America, such as Falkland Islands, the Galapagòs, Juan Fernandez, Tobago and Trinidad. ..."[1]

Following the release of these tablets and then ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's death in 1921, a few Baháʼís began moving to or at least visiting Latin America. In 1927 Leonora Armstrong made public mention of the religion in the capital city of Georgetown of what was then British Guiana.[2]

Seven Year Plan and succeeding decades

Shoghi Effendi, who was named ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's successor, wrote a cable on May 1, 1936 to the Baháʼí Annual Convention of the United States and Canada, and asked for the systematic implementation of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's vision to begin.[13] In his cable he wrote:

"Appeal to assembled delegates ponder historic appeal voiced by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá in Tablets of the Divine Plan. Urge earnest deliberation with incoming National Assembly to insure its complete fulfillment. First century of Baháʼí Era drawing to a close. Humanity entering outer fringes most perilous stage its existence. Opportunities of present hour unimaginably precious. Would to God every State within American Republic and every Republic in American continent might ere termination of this glorious century embrace the light of the Faith of Baháʼu'lláh and establish structural basis of His World Order."[14]

Following the May 1st cable, another cable from Shoghi Effendi came on May 19 calling for permanent pioneers to be established in all the countries of Latin America. The Baháʼí National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada was appointed the Inter-America Committee to take charge of the preparations. In 1936 Dudley M. Blakely, after becoming a Baháʼí in 1920, embarked with Elsa, his wife, on worldwide travels to promote the religion and traveled to Guyana for several weeks to promulgate the religion.[2][3] During the 1937 Baháʼí North American Convention, Shoghi Effendi cabled advising the convention to prolong their deliberations to permit the delegates and the National Assembly to consult on a plan that would enable Baháʼís to go to Latin America as well as to include the completion of the outer structure of the Baháʼí House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.[13] In 1937 the First Seven Year Plan (1937–44), which was an international plan designed by Shoghi Effendi, gave the American Baháʼís the goal of establishing the Baháʼí Faith in every country in Latin America. With the spread of American Baháʼís communities and assemblies began to form in 1938 across Latin America.[13]

Establishment of the community

The first Baháʼí to settle in Guyana was Dr. Malcolm King, a Jamaican, who traveled from his home in the United States in 1953[2] via Trinidad.[15] In 1955 the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly was elected in Guyana in Georgetown.

Following the election of the regional National Spiritual Assembly of South America in 1950, in 1957 this assembly was split into two - basically northern/eastern South America and one of the western/southern South America.[16] In 1963 smaller groups of Baháʼís were known in Campelville, Kitty and Lodge Village (now suburbs of Georgetown), Grove and Providence (both in Demerara-Mahaica in East Bank Demerara), and MacKenzie (now part of Linden).[16]

In August 1965 the Baháʼís of Georgetown hosted a regional conference with Hand of the Cause Jalál Kházeh and Baháʼís from British, French and Dutch Guiana, northern Brazil, eastern Venezuela and Trinidad attending.[17] In early February, 1968 Hand of the Cause Rúhíyyih Khanum visited giving public talks, visiting a school for the blind, and civic leaders.[18]

In 1970 the Baháʼís of Guyana, Surinamé and French Guiana first elected a regional National Spiritual Assembly.[13] Rúhíyyih Khanum represented the Universal House of Justice at the convention to elect the assembly.[19] There were 54 delegates representing at least 10 assemblies in Guyana, 3 in Surinamé and 3 in French Guiana. The members elected were Jamshid Ar-jomandi; Henry Dolphin; August Holland; Cheryl Plerre; Ellen Widmer; Mr. Rivadavia da Silva, Eileen Hill, Ivan Fraser, and Daisy Hahnfeld. While there Rúhíyyih Khanum again spoke to the public press and civic leaders this time including then President Arthur Chung. Her comments dwelt on the Baháʼí teachings of the oneness of humanity and ending racial prejudices.[20]

The first regional Baha'i Youth Conference was held in Paramaribo, December 29 through 31, 1972.[21] The Conference was especially for Baha'i youth of Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana. A sixth youth conference was held in 1979.[22] Meanwhile, in 1975 the National Assembly asked for guidance from the Universal House of Justice on the approach to respond to requirements of national service which advised such service for agriculture was approved while trying to minimize the chances of service requiring combat.[23] Early in 1976 the first members of the Macushi and Wai Wai tribes joined the religion.[24] In December 1976 the assembly was able to officially incorporate.[25] In 1977 the Surinamé and French Guiana communities organized their own national assembly and Guyana elected an independent assembly. The elected members of the first National Assembly of Guyana were Sheila Dolphin, Henry Dolphin, Ellen Widmer, Frank Sheffey, Ivan Fraser, Eileen Hill, David Morris, Rooplall Doodnauth, and Krishna Seegopaul.[4] Meanwhile, pioneers continue to arrive in Guyana.[26] In July and August 1980 Shanaz Furudi, a Baháʼí from India toured Guyana and addressing the public and offering training for Baháʼí institutions. Guyanese residents of Asian Indian extraction learned of the religion's situation there. While she was there the first Baháʼí of the Arecuna (see Pemon) converted.[27]

Guyanese citizens have also moved to other countries where some have become Baháʼís as well.[28]

Modern community

Since its inception the religion has had involvement in socio-economic development beginning by giving greater freedom to women,[29] promulgating the promotion of female education as a priority concern,[30] and that involvement was given practical expression by creating schools, agricultural coops, and clinics.[29]

In Guyana in 1980 saw the first Baháʼí women's conference. A main topic through the conference was the role of women in religion as well topics dealing with life in the tropics.[31] In April 1981 more than 60 artists attended a workshop set up by five Baháʼí artists which presented workshops emphasizing spiritual issues and introduced Baháʼí sand-painter David Villasenor to the Guyanese.[32]

The religion entered a new phase of activity when a message of the Universal House of Justice dated 20 October 1983 was released.[33] Baháʼís were urged to seek out ways, compatible with the Baháʼí teachings, in which they could become involved in the social and economic development of the communities in which they lived. World-wide in 1979 there were 129 officially recognized Baháʼí socio-economic development projects. By 1987, the number of officially recognized development projects had increased to 1482. In the 1980s the Guyanese Baháʼí community's established an Office of Social and Economic Development which consulted with rural communities on a needs assessment which focused on the issue of literacy.[34] In 1984 Baháʼí Frank Fernandes, a native of Guyana, was the guest of honor at a dinner of civic leaders followed by a piano recital at, and a fundraiser for,[35] the National Cultural Centre for an audience of 250.[36] One response of the community was to contact the Baháʼí communities in Canada, the US, and the UK. Together they made arrangements for 40,000 reading books which became the basis of libraries in 65 villages. Training workshops were organized with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education which were developed in the context of the Macushi and Wapashana languages. As recently as 2000 Baháʼís were noted contributing to the training of 1500 teachers for this project.[37] Also in the 1980s some Baháʼís opened a private school - the School of the Nations in Guyana, an all age private Baháʼí inspired school. There are 650 full-time students (representing 22 nationalities) and 300 adults who pursue the International General Certificate of Secondary Education in the evenings.[38][39][40]

In 1988 represented a year of multiple events.[41] In April an inter-Guyana conference of Baháʼís was held. In May Baháʼí youth mobilized for activities from which over 200 converted. In June two Baháʼí physicians from Great Britain visited Guyana for two weeks to conduct lectures and work at Georgetown Public Hospital and then toured the country at Baháʼí events. In 1992 the government of Guyana honored the Baháʼís by releasing stamps overprinted noting the Baháʼí Holy Year in 1992.[42] In 1999 the national assembly contributed to the dialogue on the reform of the Constitution of Guyana.[43]

In the 2000s Baháʼí organizations cooperated with projects to fight the spread of poverty[44] and AIDs among youth - as well as studies on the effectiveness of religion in motivating people to deal with social ills.[45] In 2002 the Baháʼís collectively and individually contributed to the Guyana Peace Education Institute at its inauguration[46] and to discussions on reform held at the Muslim Youth Organization office.[47] Youth workshops were noted in 2006 presenting patterns for change to cycles of social ills like alcoholism and family violence[48] and participated in national discussions and exhibitions on ethnic relations by the National Commission on Ethnic Relations in 2006[49] and dialogues on religious tolerance.[50] The Baháʼí community was also noted for its support for inter-religious activities through the Inter-Religious Organization (IRO), a nongovernmental umbrella organization for Christian, Hindu, Islamic, and Baháʼí organizations, and the Ethnic Relations Commission.[51]

Demographics

Baháʼís sources state there were 110 members in 1969 and that by 1989 there were 22,000 (with 11,000 joining the religion in a three-month period in 1989.)[52] C. 1990–1996 there are claims of the Baháʼís population being over 5% of the population.[53][54] Large migrations,[5] including many Baháʼís, left Guyana for other places, especially New York and Toronto.[38] By the time of the 2002 national census the Baháʼí population had ebbed to about 0.1%, or 500, Baháʼís mostly in Regions 3, 4, and 6 though Baháʼís were noted in every Region.[6] However, by 2005 the Association of Religion Data Archives (relying mostly on the World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated some 13,000 Baháʼís.[7] More recently the National Assembly mentioned adding assemblies in Lethem, Corentyne and Essequibo.[2] Baháʼís are now widely distributed across Guyana and represent all major racial groups and regions.[8] The Baháʼí community, while relatively small, is well known for its emphasis on unity, non-involvement in politics and its work in issues such as literacy and youth issues.[9]

See also

• Religion in Guyana
• History of Guyana
• Baháʼí Faith in Suriname
• Baháʼí Faith in French Guiana

References

1. ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (1991) [1916-17]. Tablets of the Divine Plan (Paperback ed.). Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Baháʼí Publishing Trust. pp. 31–32. ISBN 0-87743-233-3.
2. "A brief history". Official Webpage of the National Assembly of the Baha'is of Guyana. National Assembly of the Baha'is of Guyana. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
3. prepared under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice. (1986), "In Memoriam", The Baháʼí World, Baháʼí World Centre, XVIII: 733–736, 809–811, ISBN 0-85398-234-1
4. "Six pillars added to House of Justice; Surinam and Fr. Guiana". Baháʼí News. No. 555. June 1977. pp. 8–9.
5. Beaie, Sonkarley Tiatun (2007-09-19). "Chapter I - National Populations Trends: Size, Growth, and Distribution" (pdf). Population and Housing Census. Bureau of Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
6. Beaie, Sonkarley Tiatun (2007-09-19). "Chapter II - Population Composition" (pdf). Population and Housing Census. Bureau of Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
7. "Most Baha'i Nations (2005)". QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions >. The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2005. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
8. "Population and Housing Census 2002 Census" (PDF). Statistics Bureau. 2002. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
9. "Independent Evaluation of Youth Can Move the World". Varqa Foundation. July 2000. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
10. "Religion can help fight AIDS, says study" (PDF). One Country. Dec 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
11. Allmar, Husayn (2007). "Martha Root's Journey to Chile". The Chilean Temple Initiative. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United State. Archived from the original on 2008-03-23. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
12. ʻAbbas, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (April 1919). Tablets, Instructions and Words of Explanation]. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab (trans. and comments).
13. Lamb, Artemus (November 1995). The Beginnings of the Baháʼí Faith in Latin America:Some Remembrances, English Revised and Amplified Edition. 1405 Killarney Drive, West Linn OR, 97068, United States of America: M L VanOrman Enterprises.CS1 maint: location (link)
14. Effendi, Shoghi (1947). Messages to America. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Baháʼí Publishing Committee. p. 6. OCLC 5806374.
15. "The History of the Baháʼí Faith in Trinidad and Tobago". Official Webpage of the National Assembly of the Baha'is of Trinidad and Tobago. National Assembly of the Baha'is of Trinidad and Tobago. 2009-05-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
16. Compiled by Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land. "The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963". pp. 22, 46, 70.
17. "Regional teaching Congress held: in Georgetown". Baháʼí News. No. 416. November 1965. p. 5.
18. "Surinam and Guiana Greet Hand of the Cause of God". Baháʼí News. No. 450. September 1968. p. 6.
19. "First National Baha'i Convention of the Baha'is of Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana". Baháʼí News. No. 476. November 1970. p. 13.
20. "The Great Safari of Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih Khanum; Conventions in Ec­or and Georgetown". Baháʼí News. No. 483. June 1971. pp. 16–17.
21. "International Youth Conference, Paramaribo, Surinam". Baháʼí News. No. 506. May 1973. p. 7.
22. "Around the World". Baháʼí News. No. 577. April 1979. p. 18. ISSN 0043-8804.
23. Baháʼu'lláh; ʻAbdu'l-Bahá; Effendi, Shoghi; Helen Hornby (1988). Lights of Guidance - A Baháʼí Reference File. New Dehli: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1999. pp. 409–10. ISBN 978-81-85091-46-4.
24. "Around the World; Ties strengthened with three tribes". Baháʼí News. No. 544. July 1976. p. 8.
25. "National Assembly incorporated". Baháʼí News. No. 551. February 1977. p. 14.
26. "Around the World; Scotland". Baháʼí News. No. 574. January 1979. p. 19.
27. "Around the World; Guyana". Baháʼí News. No. 598. January 1981. p. 11. ISSN 0195-9212.
28. "Ramsharran, Benjamin W.", The Hartford Courant, 2001-02-11, retrieved 2009-09-05
29. Momen, Moojan. "History of the Baha'i Faith in Iran". draft "A Short Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith". Bahai-library.com. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
30. Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi (1997). "Education of women and socio-economic development". Baha'i Studies Review. 7 (1).
31. "Around the World; Guyana". Baháʼí News. No. 602. May 1981. p. 15. ISSN 0195-9212.
32. "Around the World; Guyana". Baháʼí News. No. 602. November 1981. p. 12. ISSN 0195-9212.
33. Momen, Moojan; Smith, Peter (1989). "The Baha'i Faith 1957–1988: A Survey of Contemporary Developments". Religion. 19: 63–91. doi:10.1016/0048-721X(89)90077-8.
34. Pamela O'Toole; Brian O'Toole (1997). Lynch, James; Modgil, Sohan (eds.). Education and development: tradition and innovation, Volume 3. Continuum International Publishing Group. pp. 180–1. ISBN 0-304-32888-X.
35. "Around the World; Guyana". Baháʼí News. No. 648. March 1985. p. 15. ISSN 0195-9212.
36. "Around the World; Guyana". Baháʼí News. No. 602. February 1985. p. 16. ISSN 0195-9212.
37. Universal House of Justice (2000). "Ridván Letter, 2000". Ridvan Messages from the Universal House of Justice. Baháʼí Library Online. Retrieved 2009-08-30.
38. O'Toole, Brian (September 2005), "Brian O'Toole - Guyana", Pioneer-Post UK, 18 (05), archived from the original on 2011-09-05, retrieved 2009-10-15
39. "Why Baha'i - Ted Taylor". Why Baha'i. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. 2007-12-07. Archived from the original on 2009-02-05. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
40. Baháʼí International Community (2004-05-05), "One World Cafe puts unity on the men", Baha'i World News Service, retrieved 2009-05-05
41. "Around the World; Guyana". Baháʼí News. No. 691. October 1988. p. 15. ISSN 0195-9212.
42. maintained by Tooraj, Enayat. "Baháʼí Stamps". Baháʼí Philately. Baháʼí Library Online. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
43. "Submission to the Constitution Reform Commission". The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Guyana. April 1999. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
44. "Guyana". Areas of Work → Poverty. Baha'i International Community. Archived from the original on 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
45. Baháʼí International Community (2007-04-24), "Religion could help fight AIDS, says study", Baháʼí World News Service, retrieved 2009-09-05
46. "Report on inaugural general meeting". Peace Education Institute. 2002-05-08. Archived from the original on September 4, 2003. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
47. "Contents of The Guyana Peace Education Institute - Report on Symposium". The Guyana Peace Education Institute. 2002-01-26. Archived from the original on 2005-02-20. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
48. Baháʼí International Community (2006-03-09), "Guyana youth try to "move the world"", Baháʼí World News Service, retrieved 2009-09-05
49. "Statement of the MSF National Religious Leaders Conversation" (pdf). Publications. Ethnic Relations Commission. 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
50. "Guyana's religious tolerance can be a role model for the world" (Press release). Guyanese Federal Government. 2008-11-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
51. U.S. State Department. "International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Guyana". The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affair. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
52. "On cutting edge of 'entry by troops'". Baháʼí News. No. 709. May 1990. p. 8. ISSN 0195-9212.
53. Robert H., Stockman; Winters, Jonah (1997). "The Baháʼí Faith - A Short Introduction". Research Office of the Baháʼí National Center of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States. Retrieved 2009-09-05. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
54. Universal House of Justice (1992). "Ridván Letter, 1992". Ridvan Messages from the Universal House of Justice. Baháʼí Library Online. Retrieved 2009-08-30.

External links

• Official Webpage of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Guyana