Baháʼí Faith in Brazil

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The Baháʼí Faith in Brazil started in 1919 with

pioneers from the United States finding national Brazilian converts and in 1961 an independent national Baháʼí community was formed. During the 1992 Earth Summit, which was held in Brazil, the international and local Baháʼí community were given the responsibility for organizing a series of different programs, and since then the involvements of the Baháʼí community in the country have continued to multiply. The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated some 42211 Baháʼís in 2005.[2]

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

Star of the West magazine on December 12, 1919.[4]

His Holiness

Watling Island...Haiti and Santo Domingo...the islands of Bermuda... the republics of the continent of South America—Colombia, Ecuador, 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. Likewise the city of Bahia, situated on the eastern shore of Brazil. Because it is some time that it has become known by this name, its efficacy will be most potent.[5]

Following the Tablets and about the time of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's passing in 1921, a few Baháʼís began moving to or at least visiting Latin America.

Local Spiritual Assemblies around the world and a 1928 count listed Brazil having one of the 85 local Spiritual Assemblies worldwide.[8]

Seven Year Plan and succeeding decades

Shoghi Effendi 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.[1] 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.[9]

Following the May 1 cable, another cable from Shoghi Effendi came on May 19 calling for permanent

Local Spiritual Assemblies began to form in 1938 across the rest of Latin America. After a lapse of some years the assembly of Bahia was re-elected in 1940.[10] By October 1941 Brazilian converts in Bahia included Donna Antonia, and Mr. and Mrs. Worley.[11] Other pioneers in Brazil by 1946 included Jean Silver, Vivian Wesson,[12] Virginia Orbison, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bode,[13] and Mr. and Mrs. Edmund J. Miessler.[14] In 1946 the first assembly of Rio de Janeiro was elected.[10] By June 1947 Brazil had three assemblies.[15]

Following the election of the Regional Baháʼí Spiritual Assembly of South America in 1950, in 1957 this Assembly was split into two - basically northern/eastern South America with the Republics of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, in Lima, Peru and one of the western/southern South America with the Republics of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Brasilia, Cachoeira Dourada and Poços de Caldas. In 1977 the first of the Macushi people join the religion.[10]

Baháʼí educational institutions

In 1980 the

bilingual (English-Portuguese) internationalist Baháʼí school was founded in Brasília. During the 1990 International Literacy Year the school cooperated with several communities on projects, one of which included sponsorship by the Secretary of Education of the Federal District.[18]
In 2007 this school had approximately 610 students enrolled and 90 teachers on the staff including assistants.

In the late 1980s and 1990s the Associação Monte Carmelo was formed as a community of educators, families, their children, and support staff forming a social and economic development non-governmental organization by the Ayvazian family who donated an 84,000 square metres (900,000 sq ft) rural property they owned near Porto Feliz to the Baháʼí community so that it might be used to serve the needs of Porto Feliz and its vicinity. After careful assessment and consultation with local leaders and authorities, it was established that the best use for the property would be to turn it into a center for the material, human and spiritual education of (currently 120) children and adolescents of all religious backgrounds and ethnic groups from low income families.[19]

1992 Earth Summit

The international Baháʼí community was approached to help in the preparation for the 1992 Earth Summit that was held in Brazil. In August 1991, for example, the community was approached by Mr. Warren Lindner, Co-Chairman of the Global Forum, for assistance in setting up the Global Forum offices in Rio de Janeiro. "We were able to offer to the Forum the full-time assistance of Ms. Amanda Gurney, a Brazilian Baháʼí who is fluent in both English and Portuguese, as an assistant to Mr. Lindner," said Mr. Arturo. "Our hope was that early involvement by Baháʼís would help to infuse a unifying spirit to the Forum, and we believe this was accomplished."[20] The Baháʼí International Community followed up several times to the Earth Summit efforts despite dwindling interest and pledged support around the world.[21][22]

During the Earth Summit the Baháʼí International Community addressed the Global Forum which ran alongside the governmental meetings as well as playing a major role in ancillary activities including the Peace Monument itself - commissioned by the Baháʼí International Community and came to be viewed as the symbol of the Earth Summit which is located in the green areas of Goiânia.[20][23] The Baháʼís in Brazil and beyond also aided in the preparation and production of a book of artwork and essays by children from around the world about the need for greater environmental protection and for peace. This book, entitled Tomorrow Belongs to the Children, was sent to all heads of state in 1993. The Baháʼís sponsored a day-long symposium, held at the Global Forum, on "Values and Institutions for a Sustainable and Ever-Advancing World Civilization." The Baháʼís were also given the responsibility for organizing a series of evening music and cultural programs for the 1992 Global Forum. The "Evening Series in the Park" took place every night during the Global Forum in the Flamengo Park Amphitheater.

Current demographics

In 1990 the first assembly entirely composed of indigenous people in Brazil was elected from the

Santo André, São Paulo, São Sebastião, and Vila Velha.[25] The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated some 42211 Baháʼís in 2005.[2]

Diverse involvements

Since its inception the religion has had involvement in

socio-economic development beginning by giving greater freedom to women,[26] promulgating the promotion of female education as a priority concern,[27] and that involvement was given practical expression by creating schools, agricultural coops, and clinics.[26] The religion entered a new phase of activity when a message of the Universal House of Justice dated 20 October 1983 was released.[28] 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. Worldwide 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. The modern Brazilian Baháʼí community has members and activities and external interests in issues affecting the religion. And the community continues programs of outreach. In 1986 the Brazilian Society of Physicians for Peace was formed on the initiative of a number of Baháʼí physicians (some 120 medical professionals attend the convocation.)[10] In 2002 the National Spiritual Assembly prepared a list of some 44 names of national religious leaders, theologians, and religious academics, and then sent the letter Letter to the World's Religious Leaders out by mail or personal delivery. As a second step, some 330 copies of the letter were sent to the local Spiritual Assemblies in Brazil, for distribution to local religious leaders. "In Brazilian society, religious divisions are a problem," said Roberto Eghrari, secretary of external affairs for the Brazilian National Spiritual Assembly. "There are tensions between evangelical groups and other Christian denominations, and between Christians and Afro-based religious groups. So we believe the distribution of this message is very timely, that it has the potential to bring new understandings." Mr. Eghrari said religious leaders have acted with much appreciation. Several groups had indicated a desire for some kind of collaboration or follow-up on the message with the Brazilian Baha'i community. "It is not just a matter of people reading the message. They want to put it into action."[24]

People

There are artists and academics and professionals who are Baháʼís - award-winning

Baháʼí Esperanto-League. Through the 1990s Baháʼí Roland Zwicker has been a mime and theatre actor in Brazil, France, and the United States.[33] In 1992 Siron Franco, who first declared his belief in Baháʼu'lláh during a live radio interview broadcast throughout Brazil,[20] designed the Peace Monument for the Earth Summit and has continued to work in painting, ceramics, sculpture.[34][35] From 2002 Albertina Lourenci has been a sustainability software architect and Baháʼí, a post-doctorate researcher under the supervising of Professor João Antonio Zuffo of University of São Paulo[36][37] 2007 Brazilian television personality Shideh Granfar uses the positive attitude of the Baha'i teachings as her inspiration of her style.[38]

Other Baháʼí organizations

Baháʼís and Baháʼí institutions have founded or established a number of organizations promoting service to the community. In 1985, the South American branch of the Association of Baháʼí Studies first me in Brazil.[10] In 1990 the Brazilian Society of Educators for Peace, founded by Baháʼís, was recognized by the Amaxonas State government. In January 2002 the Ninth Congress of the Baha'i Youth Movement of the Americas with 600 youth from 15 countries met at the Soltanieh Baháʼí Educational Center outside Mogi Mirim.[39]

ADCAM

The Associacao para o Desenvolvimento Coesivo da Amazonia (The Association for the Cohesive Development of the Amazon - ADCAM) started in 1984 organized by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís from Brazil.[40] ADCAM began serving in two different areas: in the agricultural area, through its Djalal Egrhari Polytechnical Agricultural Institute– IPRAM, in Iranduba, which provides formal education in its Elementary School and in the urban area, ADCAM established what became the Mansrour Vocational Institute, in the east zone of Manaus, the only such home in the city, inaugurated on September 7, 1989. The Brazilian Ministry of Education made a grant, equivalent to some US$850,000 in 2001 to the Manrour Vocational Institute to expand it to serve 4000 students.[41] In 2003, because of the new law LDB 9394/96, regulating the Graduate Status for Teaching, ADCAM with the authorization of Ministry of Education inaugurated the Táhirih College with a B. A. course in Pedagogy to graduate teachers who will become engaged in social development. In November 2005 Táhirih College received its official accreditation as a College.

External interests in the religion

On May 28, 1992, the

UN High Commissioner for Refugees.[44] Since the initial arrest of members of the leadership of the Baháʼís in Iran in March 2008[45] Brazilian Congressmen have been speaking out: Luiz Couto - 13 March,[46] Fernando Ferro - 8 April,[47] Luiz Couto again - 3 July,[48] Boy Alencar - 13 August,[49] Bullet Rocha - 13 August,[50] Luiz Couto again - 8 October,[51] Geraldo Resende - 16 October[52] and Pompeo de Mattos[53] and Carlos Abicalil[54] November 19. The issue was raised again in Brazil 17 February 2009 when de Mattos released an open letter to the legal authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran through the Brazilian Congress' Commission for Human Rights and Minorities.[55] See Persecution of Baháʼís
.

See also

Further reading

  • da Silva Paiva, Cirlei Izabel (2008). A Ação Social dos Baha'is no Brasil (Thesis) (in Portuguese). Catholic University in São Paulo.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Lamb, Artemus (November 1995). The Beginnings of the Baháʼí Faith in Latin America:Some Remembrances, English Revised and Amplified Edition. West Linn, OR: M L VanOrman Enterprises.
  2. ^ a b "Most Baha'i Nations (2005)". QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions >. The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2005. Archived from the original on 2010-04-14. Retrieved 2012-09-11.
  3. ^ Allmar, Husayn (2007). "Martha Root's Journey to Chile". The Chilean Temple Initiative. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2008.
  4. ^ ʻAbbas, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (April 1919). Tablets, Instructions and Words of Explanation. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab (trans. and comments).
  5. ISBN 0-87743-233-3
    .
  6. ^ a b Baháʼí International Community (1996). "Brazilian parliament honors leading Baháʼí dignitary". OneCountry. 8 (2).
  7. ^ "Work of National Committees". Baháʼí News. No. 4. April 1925. p. 3.
  8. ^ The Baháʼí World: A Biennial International Record, Volume II, 1926-1928 (New York City: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1928), 182-85.
  9. OCLC 5806374
    .
  10. ^
    ISBN 0-85398-404-2
    .
  11. ^ "Inter-America News". Baháʼí News. No. 147. October 1941. p. 4.
  12. ^ "This Crucial Year". Baháʼí News. No. 157. November 1942. p. 2.
  13. ^ "Latin-American News". Baháʼí News. No. 102. September 1946. p. 7.
  14. ^ "Latin American News". Baháʼí News. No. 103. October 1946. p. 7.
  15. ^ "Latin America Has Arisen With a Will". Baháʼí News. No. 196. June 1947. p. 14.
  16. Hands of the Cause
    Residing in the Holy Land. 1963. pp. 22, 46.
  17. ^ 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. 55–128.
  18. ^ "Activities in Support of International Literacy Year - 1990". Organizational Report to the seventh meeting of the International Task Force on Literacy (PDF). Bonn, Germany: Baháʼí International Community. 1991-02-04. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2001-11-25. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
  19. ^ Segato, Antonio Rafael (2008). "Associação Monte Carmelo". Official Webpage. Associação Monte Carmelo. Archived from the original (web) on 2007-09-25. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  20. ^ a b c "Baháʼí Involvement at the Earth Summit". Baháʼí Topics. Baháʼí International Community. Archived from the original on 22 March 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2008.
  21. ^ Baháʼí International Community (July 2002). "In Johannesburg, a shift in emphasis on sustainable development". OneCountry. 14 (2). Johannesburg: Baháʼí International Community. Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  22. ^ Dahl, Arthur Lyon (19–21 October 2001). From Stockholm via Rio to Johannesburg: Thirty Years of International Action on Environment and Sustainable Development. 5th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum. Hluboka nad Vltavou, Czech Republic. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  23. ^ Anello, Eloy (14 June 1992). "Values, Institutions, and Leadership for a Sustainable Future: Towards a Framework for Developing Moral Leadership". a symposium sponsored by the Baháʼí International Community at the Global Forum. Baháʼí International Community. Archived from the original on 22 March 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2008.
  24. ^ a b Baháʼí International Community (April 2002). "Worldwide, the Baha'i community issues an appeal for religious tolerance". OneCountry. 14 (1). New York, NY: Baháʼí International Community. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  25. ^ "Links". Website of the National Assembly of the Baháʼís of Brazil. National Assembly of the Baháʼís of Brazil. August 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  26. ^ a b 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.
  27. ^ Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi (1997). "Education of women and socio-economic development". Baháʼí Studies Review. 7 (1).
  28. doi:10.1016/0048-721X(89)90077-8
    .
  29. ^ "Flora Purim and Airto". Biography. Berkeley Agency. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  30. ^ Melt2000 (2003–2006). "Melt2000: Flora Purim (bio)". Good Web Marketing. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2008-03-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ Richardson, Beatrice. "Flora Purim - Queen of Brazilian Jazz". Jazz Review. JazzReview.com. Archived from the original on 2007-07-14. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  32. ^ "Flora's Bio". Artist professional Website. A-Train Management. Archived from the original on 20 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  33. ^ Roland, Zwicker; Kerkhoff, Sonja van (2007). "Roland Zwicker mime, theatre, Brazil / France / U.S.A." BAFA Newsletter. Baháʼí Association for the Arts & Arts Dialogue.
  34. ^ Siron, Franco (2007). "Siron Franco painting, ceramics, sculpture, Brazil". BAFA Newsletter. Baháʼí Association for the Arts & Arts Dialogue.
  35. ^ "Siron Franco - Artista" (web). UOL - O melhor conteúdo. 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  36. ^ Lourenci, Albertina (2007). "Albertina Lourenci architect, Brazil". BAFA Newsletter. Baháʼí Association for the Arts & Arts Dialogue. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  37. ^ Lourenci, Albertina (2008). "Albertina Lourenci". Laboratório de Sistemas Integráveis, Escola Politécnica - Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil. Archived from the original (web) on 2007-08-15. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  38. ^ "In Brazil, positive spin spells TV success". Bumenau, Brazil: Baháʼí International Community. 2007-06-24. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  39. ^ Baháʼí International Community (2002-03-08). "Baháʼí Youth Conference in Brazil focuses on preparing young people to become agents of global change". BWNS. Baháʼí International Community. Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  40. ^ "History". Official Webpage. ADCAM. 2006. Retrieved 2008-03-11.[dead link]
  41. ^ Baháʼí International Community (2001-11-16). "Baha'i-inspired NGO receives grant for vocational training in the Amazon". BWNS. Baháʼí International Community. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
  42. ^ Baháʼí International Community (2006). "Who Is Writing the Future? Reflections on the Twentieth Century". Baháʼí International Community. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2008.
  43. ^ "Baháʼí Postal Stationery". Baháʼí Library. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  44. ^ "Brazil takes in threatened Iran families". 2001-01-17. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  45. ^ CNN (2008-05-16). "Iran's arrest of Baha'is condemned". CNN. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-17. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  46. ^ "Comments of Luiz Couto" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  47. ^ "Comments of Fernando Ferro" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  48. ^ "Comments of Luiz Couto" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  49. ^ "Comments of Boy Alencar" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  50. ^ "Comments of Bullet Rocha" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  51. ^ "Comments of Luiz Couto" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  52. ^ "Comments of Geraldo Resende" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  53. ^ "Comments of Pompeo de Mattos" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  54. ^ "Comments of Carlos Abicalil" (PDF) (Press release). Brazilian Chamber of Deputies. 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2009-03-01.[permanent dead link]
  55. ^ this ref might be good enough but should be better Open Letter to the Legal Authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran - For the Freedom of Baháʼí Citizens Imprisoned in Iran

External links

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