Baháʼí Faith in Madagascar
Part of a series on the |
Baháʼí Faith |
---|
In 2020 it was estimated that 0.09% of the population of
Overview
The Baháʼí Faith in Madagascar begins with the mention by
Early history
Though a Baháʼí was in nearby Mauritius in 1910
O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to these regions, and, raising the call of Yá Baháʼu'l-Abhá in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings! This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may achieve it.…. Similarly, if possible, they should travel to the continent of Africa, (islands like) Mauritius, etc., and in those countries summon the people to the Kingdom of God and raise the cry of Yá Baháʼu'l-Abhá! They must also upraise the flag of the oneness of the world of humanity in the island of Madagascar.[2]
In 1953
Growth
In March 1960 the islands of Mauritius and Madagascar were swept by cyclone Carol. In both places some of the Baháʼís lost their homes, but it is reported they still kept the
By 1963 there was still one Baháʼí assembly in the country - in Antananarivo - but groups of Baháʼís lived in Ambohimanga, Juan de Nova Island, Mangatany, Nosy Be Island.[4]
In 1966 Arthur J. Gustave Ruggoo pioneered to the Seychelles for several years but occasionally he would undertake special projects promulgating the religion in Réunion and Madagascar.[17]
In late July 1967
In 1969 a youth committee was organized and operating in the country.
In 1972 the first national convention was gathered to elect the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Madagascar and Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir represented the Universal House of Justice at the proceedings.[3][9][20]
In March 1977 a regional conference on the progress of the religion on the island was held in Manakara.[21]
A Baháʼí refugee from the
Multiplication of involvements
Since its inception the religion has had involvement in
On September 10–15, 1986 Baháʼí youth participated in a national Youth Fair in Antananarivo and won first prize for their display and second prize for their musical event at this fair, whose theme was "Youth, Peace and Development."[28] From April 1989 Baháʼís in several communities organized a campaign to engage the awareness of governmental and neighborhood leaders with the religion. At these meetings books were presented and the Baháʼís described ways they had engaged in socio-economic development projects and asked what more they could do. Displays on the religion were set up and invitations were sent out for neighbors to attend prayer meetings at local Baháʼí centers. These events resulted in some 700 people joining the religion in a year's time.[29][30]
Modern community
At the 2003 50th anniversary of the arrival of the religion on the island celebrations were held and two ministers from the Malagasy government gave speeches praising the religion for its teachings of universal unity and peace. The media covered the events. Several newspapers published articles about the events, and the national television channel covered the closing ceremony.[3]
Demographics
By 2003 there were 33 local assemblies.[3]
The Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020 estimated that 0.09% of the national population were Baháʼís.[31]
See also
- History of Madagascar
- Religion in Madagascar
References
- ^ World Religion Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ ISBN 0-87743-233-3.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Four islands unite in celebrations". Baháʼí World News Service. Antananarivo, Madagascar: Baháʼí International Community. 21 December 2003. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
- ^ a b c "The Baháʼí Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963". Compiled by Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land. pp. 25, 101.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "'Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhiyyih Khánum Visits Sikkim, India, and Indian Ocean Islands; Mauritius, Reunion, Island of Madagascar". Baháʼí News (442): 5. June 1955.
- ^ "Most Baha'i Nations (2005)". QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions >. The Association of Religion Data Archives. 2005. Archived from the original on 2016-01-23. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
- ^ Windust, Albert R; Buikema, Gertrude, eds. (April 28, 1910). "The Mashrak-el-Azkar". Star of the West. 01 (3). Chicago, USA: Baháʼí News Service: 15. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ ʻAbbas, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá (April 1919). Tablets, Instructions and Words of Explanation. Mirza Ahmad Sohrab (trans. and comments).
- ^ a b c d National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of South Africa (1997). "Baháʼís in South Africa - Progress of the Baháʼí Faith in South Africa since 1911". Official Website. National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of South Africa. Archived from the original on 8 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ "International News; Great Britain; African Goals Achieved". Baháʼí News (267): 9. May 1953.
- )
- ^ Another source notes 1956:Major events of the Century of Light Archived 2008-05-17 at the Wayback Machine Prepared by Dr. Ahmadi
- ^ "World Crusade; Translations in African Languages". Baháʼí News (292): 12. June 1955.
- ^ Hassall, Graham. "Notes on Research on National Spiritual Assemblies". Research notes. Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ISBN 0-85398-350-X.
- ^ "Timeline Madagascar". TimelinesDb.com. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ )
- ^ "News Briefs (con.)". Baháʼí News (456): 9. June 1955.
- ^ "Hand of the Cause Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir; In East Africa". Baháʼí News (476): 7. October 1970.
- ^ "Malagasy Republic-First Annual Convention". Baháʼí News (499): 8. November 1972.
- ^ "Around the World; MAdagascar; Thirty deflare during conference". Baháʼí News (499): 12. June 1972.
- ^ Kaplan, David (May 10, 2007). "Family firm pulls through". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Newspapers. Retrieved 2010-06-19.
- ISSN 0195-9212.
- ISSN 0195-9212.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kingdon, Geeta Gandhi (1997). "Education of women and socio-economic development". Baháʼí Studies Review. 7 (1).
- .
- ISSN 0195-9212.
- ISSN 0195-9212.
- ISSN 0195-9212.
- ^ World Religion Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
External links
- Madagascar Baháʼí National Community
- On A Bahaʼi Perspective 12.15.2007 Baháʼí author, Gregory C. Dahl, is interviewed and mentions living in Madagascar.
- On A Bahaʼi Perspective 12.22.2008 Jack Gordon is interviewed - he joined the religion when he lived in Madagascar.