Baháʼí Faith in Africa explained

The history of the Baháʼí Faith in Africa dates back to the lifetimes of the three individual heads of the religion, Baháʼu'lláh, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, each of who was in Africa at least once. The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on World Christian Encyclopedia) lists many larger and smaller populations in Africa[1] with Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Zambia among the top ten numerical populations of Baháʼís in the world in 2005, and Mauritius highest in terms of percentage of the national population. There are Baháʼí Houses of Worship in Uganda, Kenya, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A plan for a House of Worship in Zambia was announced in 2023.

History

Baháʼu'lláh's lifetime

Among its earliest contacts with the religion came in Egypt. The Baháʼí Faith in Egypt begins perhaps with the first Baháʼís arriving in 1863.[2] Baháʼu'lláh, founder of the religion, was himself briefly in Egypt in 1868 when on his way to imprisonment in ʻAkká.[3] Nabíl-i-Aʻzam made several journeys on behalf of Baháʼu'lláh and was imprisoned in Egypt in 1868.[4] Robert Felkin was in Egypt circa 1880s and published a number of books -later he converted to the religion.[5] In 1892 two converts in Egypt embarked to the West intending to spread the religion and were the first Baháʼís to enter the United States where the first converts followed in 1894.[6] The first Egyptian converts had taken place by 1896.[7]

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's leadership

Mírzá Abu'l-Faḍl-i-Gulpáygání, often called Mírzá Abu'l-Faḍl, was the first prominent Baháʼí to live in Africa and made some of the first big changes to the community in Egypt. Abdu'l-Fadl first came to Cairo in 1894 where he settled for several years. He was the foremost Baháʼí scholar and helped spread the Baháʼí Faith in Egypt, Turkmenistan, and the United States.[7] In Egypt, he was successful in converting some thirty of the students of Al-Azhar University, the foremost institution of learning in the Sunni Muslim world. Abu'l-Faḍl also became friends with writers and magazine publishers, and many articles that he authored appeared in the Egyptian press. In 1896, when Nasiru'd-Din Shah was assassinated in Iran, an enemy of the Baháʼís, Zaʻimu'd-Dawlih, used the rumour that the assassination had been performed by Baháʼís, to cause a massacre of the Baháʼís in Egypt. When Abu'l-Faḍl stood up in defense for the Baháʼís and stated that he himself was a Baháʼí, his allegiance became public; then when his two books Fara'id and Al-Duraru'l-Bahiyyih were published in 1897-1900 the al-Azhar University decreed that Abu'l-Faḍl was an infidel.

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, head of the religion after Baháʼu'lláh, lived in Egypt for several years and several people came to meet him there: Stanwood Cobb,[8] Wellesley Tudor Pole,[9] Isabella Grinevskaya,[10] and Louis George Gregory, later the first Hand of the Cause of African descent, visited ʻAbdu'l-Bahá at Ramleh in 1911.[2] ʻAbdu'l-Bahá then embarked on several trips to the West taking an ocean liner for the first one on August 11, 1911.[11] He left on the next trip left March 25, 1912.[12] One of the earliest Baháʼís of the west and a Disciple of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, Lua M. Getsinger, died in 1916 and she was buried in Egypt[13] near Mírzá Abu'l-Faḍl.

ʻAbdu'l-Bahá 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 Tablets of the Divine Plan. The eighth and twelfth of the tablets mentioned Africa and were written on 19 April 1916 and 15 February 1917, respectively. Publication however was delayed in the United States until 1919—after the end of the First World War and the Spanish flu. The tablets were translated and presented by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab on 4 April 1919, and published in Star of the West magazine on 12 December 1919.[14] ʻAbdu'l-Bahá mentions Baháʼís traveling "…especially from America to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, and travel through Japan and China. Likewise, from Germany teachers and believers may travel to the continents of America, Africa, Japan and China; in brief, they may travel through all the continents and islands of the globe"[15] and " …the anthem of the oneness of the world of humanity may confer a new life upon all the children of men, and the tabernacle of universal peace be pitched on the apex of America; thus Europe and Africa may become vivified with the breaths of the Holy Spirit, this world may become another world, the body politic may attain to a new exhilaration…."[16]

Shoghi Effendi's leadership

Shoghi Effendi, who was appointed the leader of the religion after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá's death, travelled through Africa in 1929 and again in 1940.[17]

The history of the religion in Kenya has an interesting precursor. Before joining the religion, Richard St. Barbe Baker served in the country in 1920 under the Colonial Office as Assistant Conservator of Forests.[18] There he saw the wide scale deforestation[19] going on. While there he intervened in a case of a colonial officer against a Kikuyu worker - taking a blow aimed at the worker. The struggle would eventually alienate him from the service.[18] He developed a plan for re-forestation where food crops were planted between rows of young native trees. Because of lack of funds St. Barbe consulted with the Kenyans themselves, approaching the Kikuyu Chiefs and Elders, and together they arranged for three thousand tribal warriors to come to his camp and with the assistance of the Chiefs fifty were selected to be the first Men of the Trees. They promised before Ngai, the High God, that they would protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere. Immediately then leaving Kenya, St. Barbe offered a paper at a Congress of Living Religions in the Commonwealth about the Bantu religion following which he was introduced to the Baháʼí Faith because of "his genuine interest in another's religion struck a sympathetic chord with the Baháʼí principles."[18] [20]

At the other extreme of the continent the Baháʼí Faith in South Africa struggled with issues under the segregated social pattern and laws of Apartheid in South Africa. The Baháʼí community decided that instead of dividing the South African Baháʼí community into two population groups, one black and one white, they instead limited membership in the Baháʼí administration to black adherents, and placed the entire Baháʼí community under the leadership of its black population.[21] [22] [23] In 1997 the National Spiritual Assembly presented a Statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa which said in part:

Abhorring all forms of prejudice and rejecting any system of segregation, the Baháʼí Faith was introduced on a one to one basis and the community quietly grew during the apartheid years, without publicity. Despite the nature of the politics of that time, we presented our teachings on unity and the oneness of humankind to prominent individuals in politics, commerce and academia and leaders of thought including State Presidents.... [b]oth individual Baháʼís and our administrative institutions were continually watched by the security police.... Our activities did not include opposition to the previous Government for involvement in partisan politics and opposition to government are explicitly prohibited by the sacred Texts of our Faith.... During the time when the previous Government prohibited integration within our communities, rather than divide into separate administrative structures for each population group, we opted to limit membership of the Baháʼí Administration to the black adherents who were and remain in the majority of our membership and thereby placed the entire Baháʼí community under the stewardship of its black membership.... The pursuit of our objectives of unity and equality has not been without costs. The "white" Baháʼís were often ostracized by their white neighbours for their association with "non-whites". The Black Baháʼís were subjected to scorn by their black compatriots for their lack of political action and their complete integration with their white Baháʼí brethren.[21] [22] [23] [24]

To the west the Baháʼí Faith in Morocco began about 1946.[25] [26]

Wide-scale growth in the religion across Sub-Saharan Africa was observed to begin in the 1950s and extend in the 1960s.[27] In 1953 the Baháʼís initiated a Ten Year Crusade during which a number of Baháʼís pioneered to various parts of Africa following the requests of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá.[28] [29] It was emphasized that western pioneers be self-effacing and focus their efforts not on the colonial leadership but on the native Africans[30] - and that the pioneers must show by actions the sincerity of their sense of service to the Africans in bringing the religion and then the Africans who understand their new religion were to be given freedom to rise up and spread the religion according to their own sensibilities and the pioneers to disperse or step into the background.[30] Among the figures of the religion in Africa the most senior African historically would be Enoch Olinga. In 1953 he became the first Baháʼí pioneer to British Cameroon, (moving from Uganda) and was given the title Knight of Baháʼu'lláh for that country.[31] Ali Nakhjavani, and his wife along with Olinga and two other Baháʼís travelled from Uganda to Cameroon - the other Baháʼís were dropped along the way in other countries. As the number of Baháʼís grew in Cameroon new Baháʼís left the immediate region to pioneer in other surrounding areas, each becoming a Knight of Baháʼu'lláh including Ghana, and Togo. Because of the successive waves of people becoming Knights of Baháʼu'lláh, Enoch Olinga was entitled "Abd'l-Futuh", a Persian name meaning "the father of victories" by Shoghi Effendi.[32] He was appointed as the youngest[33] Hand of the Cause, the highest appointed position in the religion. A biography published in 1984 examined his impact in Cameroon and beyond.[34]

Under the Universal House of Justice

Troubles characterize the experience of the Baháʼís across the Saharan countries. In 1960 with a regime change in Egypt, the Baháʼís lost all rights as an organized religious community[35] by Law 263[36] at the decree of then-President Gamal Abdel Nasser[37] which specified a minimum sentence of six months' imprisonment or a fine for any organized activities of the Baháʼís.[2] All Baháʼí community properties, including Baháʼí centers, libraries, and cemeteries, were confiscated by the government except the cemetery Al-Rawda Al-Abadeyya. In obedience to the government is a core principal of the religion.[38] In 1963 the arrests of Baháʼís in Morocco had gotten attention from Hassan II of Morocco, US Senator Kenneth B. Keating[39] and Roger Nash Baldwin, then Chairman of the International League for the Rights of Man[40] and would echo in analyses of politics of Morocco for years to come.[41] [42]

South of the Sahara it was a different story. Wide-scale growth in the religion across Sub-Saharan Africa was observed to begin in the 1950s and extend in the 1960s.[27] The foundation stone of the Baháʼí House of Worship in Uganda was laid in January 1958, and it was dedicated on January 13, 1961. The building is more than 130 feet (39 m) high, and over 100 meters in diameter at the base. The green dome is made of fixed mosaic tiles from Italy, and the lower roof tiles are from Belgium. The walls of the temple are of precast stone quarried in Uganda. The colored glass in the wall panels was brought from Germany. The timber used for making the doors and benches was from Uganda. The 50acres property includes the House of Worship, extensive gardens, a guest house, and an administrative center.[43] Hand of the Cause Rúhíyyih Khanum and then chairman of the central regional National Assembly Ali Nakhjavani embarked on 15 days of visiting Baháʼís through Uganda and Kenya including seeing three regional conferences on the progress of the religion, staying in homes of fellow believers, and other events. She talked to audiences about the future of African Baháʼís and their role in the religion.[44] She visited Africa again on several trips from 1969 to 1973.[45] In Ethiopia she was received by Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia.[46] In the half hour interview she communicated how she had long admired him because of the way he had conducted himself in the face of the many trials and hardships of his life, and by the way he had overcome them. Selassie gave her a gold medal from his Coronation.[47]

These two regions - north and central Africa - interacted closely in the 1970s. As part of a sweep across several Sub-Saharan countries, the Baháʼí Faith was banned in the 1970s in several countries: Burundi 1974; Mali 1976; Uganda 1977; Congo 1978; Niger 1978. Uganda had had the largest Baháʼí community in Africa at the time.[48]

"This was principally the result of a campaign by a number of Arab countries. Since these countries were also by this time providers of development aid, this overt attack on the Baha'is was supported by covert moves such as linking the aid money to a particular country to the action that it took against the Baha'is. This was partially successful and a number of countries did ban the Baha'is for a time. However, the Baha'is were able to demonstrate to these governments that they were not agents of Zionism nor anti-Islamic and succeeded in having the ban reversed in all of these countries except Niger."[48] (Niger lifted their restrictions in the 1990s.[49])

The Baháʼí Faith is currently the third largest international religion in Chad[50] [51] and Kenya.[52]

More recently the roughly 2000[53] Baháʼís of Egypt have been embroiled in the Egyptian identification card controversy from 2006[54] through 2009.[55] Since then there have been homes burned down and families driven out of towns.[56] On the other hand, Sub-Saharan Baháʼís were able to mobilize for regional conferences called for by the Universal House of Justice 20 October 2008 to celebrate recent achievements in grassroots community-building and to plan their next steps in organizing in their home areas. Resulting conferences were held in:[57]

By country

Central Africa

Cameroon

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Cameroon. The Baháʼí Faith in Cameroon was established when the country was separated into two colonies – British and French Cameroon. The first Baháʼí in Cameroon was Enoch Olinga, who had left his homeland of Uganda to bring the religion to British Cameroon in 1953. Meherangiz Munsiff, a young Indian woman who had moved from Britain, arrived in French Cameroon April 1954 – both Olinga and Munsiff were honoured with the title Knight of Baháʼu'lláh.[31] Currently there are 40,000 adherents of the religion in the country.[67]

Chad

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Chad. Though the Baháʼí Faith in Chad began after its independence in 1960 members of the religion were present in associated territories since 1953.[68] The Baháʼís of Chad elected their first National Spiritual Assembly in 1971.[69] Through succeeding decades Baháʼís have been active in a number of ways and by some counts have become the third largest international religion in Chad with over 80300 members by 2000[70] and 96800 in 2005.[71]

Democratic Republic of the Congo

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Baháʼí Faith in Democratic Republic of the Congo begins after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá wrote letters encouraging taking the religion to Africa in 1916.[15] The first Baháʼí to settle in the country came in 1953 from Uganda.[72] The first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly of the country was elected in 1957. By 1963 there were 143 local assemblies in Congo.[73] Even though the religion was banned,[48] and the country torn by wars, the religion grew so that in 2003 there were some 541 assemblies.[72] The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying mostly on the World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated some 252,000 Baháʼís in 2005.[1] A Baháʼí House of Worship was opened in Kinshasa in 2023.

Equatorial Guinea

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Equatorial Guinea. The Baháʼí Faith in Equatorial Guinea begins after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá wrote letters encouraging taking the religion to Africa in 1916.[74] The first pioneer to Spanish Guinea was Elise Lynelle (then Elise Schreiber,) who arrived in Bata, Spanish Guinea (as it was called then), on 17 May 1954, and was recognized as a Knight of Baha'u'llah.[75] In 1968 the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Equatorial Guinea was elected in Santa Isabel, (later renamed Malabo).[76] The community has elected a National Spiritual Assembly since 1984.[76] [77] The community celebrated its golden jubilee in 2004.[75] The Association of Religion Data Archives estimated nearly 2500 Baháʼís in 2005.

East Africa

Burundi

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Burundi. The Baháʼí Faith in Burundi begins after 1916 with a mention by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, then head of the religion, that Baháʼís should take the religion to the regions of Africa.[78] The first specific mention of Burundi (Urundi) was in May 1953 suggesting the expanding community of the Baháʼí Faith in Uganda look at sending pioneers to neighboring areas like Burundi(Urundi) as part of a specific plan of action.[79] The first settlers of the religion arrived in the region by June.[80] By 1963 there were three Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assemblies in Burundi-Ruanda.[81] Through succeeding organizations of the countries in the region, the National Spiritual Assembly of Burundi was first formed in 1969[82] but was successively dissolved and reformed a number of times - most recently reforming in 2011.[83] Even though the religion was banned for a time,[48] and the country torn by wars, the religion grew so that in 2005 the Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated just about 6,800 Baháʼís in Burundi.[51]

Ethiopia

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Ethiopia. The Baháʼí Faith in Ethiopia begins after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá wrote letters encouraging taking the religion to Africa in 1916.[15] It is not known who the first Baháʼí was to settle in the country, but the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly of the country was elected November 1934 in Addis Ababa.[84] In 1962 Ethiopia Baháʼís had elected a National Spiritual Assembly.[85] By 1963 there were seven localities with smaller groups of Baháʼís in the country.[86] The Association of Religion Data Archives estimated some 27,000 Baháʼís in 2005.[1] The community celebrated its diamond jubilee in January 2009.[87]

Kenya

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Kenya. The Baháʼí Faith in Kenya began with three individuals. First, Richard St. Barbe Baker took a constructive engagement with the indigenous religion of Kenyans to a United Kingdom conference on religions, where, in sympathy with his efforts, he was presented with the Baháʼí Faith and became a convert. The second individual was Enoch Olinga who traveled to Kenya when he served in the British Royal Army Educational Corps. The third came twenty-one years after the first and marked the arrival of the Baháʼí Faith in Kenya. In 1945 Mrs. Marguerite Preston (née Wellby) arrived in Kenya. She had been a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom from 1939 through 1945 when she married a Kenyan tea grower and moved to Kenya where the couple had three children within two years and she was the only Baháʼí in the nation. The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated about 429,000 Baháʼís in Kenya in 2005. A local Bahá'í House of Worship was opened on Sunday, 23 May 2021 in Matunda Soy, Kenya.[88]

Madagascar

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Madagascar.

The Baháʼí Faith in Madagascar begins with the mention by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, then head of the religion, who asked the followers of the Baháʼí Faith to travel to Madagascar.[89] The first Baháʼí to pioneer to Madagascar arrived in 1953[90] and following native converts the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly was elected in 1955. By 1963 in addition to the one assembly there were groups of Baháʼís living in four other locations.[91] In late July 1967 Rúhíyyih Khanum became the first Hand of the Cause to visit the country.[92] In 1972 the Malagasy Baháʼís gathered to elect the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Madagascar.[90] By 2003 there were 33 local assemblies[90] and the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2005 estimated there were about 17,900 Baháʼís in the country.[1]

Rwanda

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Rwanda. The Baháʼí Faith in Rwanda begins after 1916 with a mention by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, then head of the religion, that Baháʼís should take the religion to the regions of Africa.[93] The first specific mention of Rwanda was in May 1953 suggesting the expanding community of the Baháʼí Faith in Uganda look at sending pioneers to neighboring areas like Ruanda.[79] The first settlers of the religion arrived in the region by July[94] 1953 when Baháʼís from the United States and Malawi arrived. By 1963 there were three Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assemblies in Burundi-Ruanda.[95] Through succeeding organizations of the countries in the region, the National Spiritual Assembly of Rwanda was formed in 1972.[96] Baháʼís, perhaps in the thousands, were among those who perished in the Rwandan genocide[97] Following the disruption of the Rwandan Civil War the national assembly was reformed in 1997.[98] The Baháʼís of Rwanda have continued to strive for inter-racial harmony, a teaching which Denyse Umutoni, an assistant director of Shake Hands with the Devil, mentions as among the reasons for her conversion to the religion.[99] Recent estimates[100] [101] place the Baháʼí population around 15,000.

Tanzania

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Tanzania. The Baháʼí Faith in Tanzania begins when the first pioneer, Claire Gung, arrived in 1950 in what was then called Tanganyika.[102] With the first Tanganyikan to join the religion in 1952[103] [104] the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly was elected in 1952 of Tanganyika in Dar es Salaam.[105] In 1956 a regional Baháʼí Assembly which included Tanganyika was elected.[106] [107] Later each of the constituent countries successively formed their own independent Baháʼí National Spiritual Assembly and Tanganyika, with Zanzibar, formed its own in 1964 and it and the country was renamed Tanzania.[108] Since 1986 the Baháʼís have operated the Ruaha Secondary School as a Baháʼí school.[109] [110] In 2005 Baháʼís were estimated at about 163,800 adherents.

Uganda

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Uganda. The Baháʼí Faith in Uganda started to grow in 1951 and in four years time there were 500 Baháʼís in 80 localities, including 13 Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assemblies, representing 30 tribes, and had dispatched 9 pioneers to other African locations.[111] Following the reign of Idi Amin when the Baháʼí Faith was banned and the murder of Baháʼí Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and his family,[112] the community continues to grow though estimates of the population range widely from 19,000 to 105,000 and the community's involvements have included diverse efforts to promote the welfare of the Ugandan people. There is a Baháʼí House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda's capital, which was completed in 1961.[113]

North Africa

Algeria

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Algeria. The Baháʼí Faith in Algeria dates from 1952.[114] Though the religion achieved some growth and organization through 1967 including converts,[2] the period of the independence of Algeria when the country adopted Islamic practices in rejection of colonial influences,[115] subsequently, the religion was effectively banned in 1968.[116] However, more recently the Association of Religion Data Archives and Wolfram Alpha estimated the population of Baháʼís at 3.3[117] –3.8[118] thousand Baháʼís in 2005 and 2010.

Egypt

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Egypt.

The Baháʼí Faith in Egypt has a history over a century old. Perhaps the first Baháʼís arrive in 1863.[119] Baháʼu'lláh, founder of the religion, was himself briefly in Egypt in 1868 when on his way to imprisonment in ʻAkká.[120] The first Egyptians were converts by 1896.[121] Despite forming an early Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly and forming a National Assembly, in 1960, following a regime change, the Baháʼís lost all rights as an organised religious community[35] by Law 263[122] at the decree of then-President Gamal Abdel Nasser.[123] However, in 1963, there were still seven organized communities in Egypt.[124] More recently, the roughly 2,000[53] Baháʼís of Egypt have been embroiled in the Egyptian identification card controversy from 2006[125] through 2009.[126] There have been homes burned down and families driven out of towns.[127]

Morocco

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Morocco.

The Baháʼí Faith in Morocco began about 1946.[128] [129] In 1953, the Baháʼís initiated a Ten Year Crusade during which a number of Baháʼís pioneered to various parts of Morocco – many of whom came from Egypt and a few from the United States including Helen Elsie Austin.[40] [130] By April 1955, the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly of Ceuta was elected.[131] By January 1958, the first Baháʼí summer school was held in Rabat.[132] By spring 1958, the Baháʼí population may have been 100 and there were six assemblies and a regional committee coordinated activities promulgating the religion.[26] In 1960, the first all-Moroccan local assembly was elected in Zaouiat Cheikh and most of its members were Berbers.[133] On 7 December 1961, an article in Al Alam laments the decline of Islam and attacks the Baháʼís.[29] During the year, Baháʼí homes are entered by police and literature of the religion is confiscated. On 12 April, four Baháʼís are arrested in Nador.[29] A regional National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa was organized which included Morocco in 1962.[134] In 1963, a survey of the community counted 10 Assemblies, 12 organized groups (between 1 and 9 adults) of Baháʼís.[135] In 1963, the arrests in Morocco had got attention from Hassan II of Morocco, US Senator Kenneth B. Keating[136] and Roger Nash Baldwin, then Chairman of the International League for the Rights of Man[29] and would echo in analyses of politics of Morocco for years to come.[137] [138] All Baháʼí meetings were prohibited in 1983 followed by arrests.[29] This time, the response emphasized the non-partisan and obedience to government principles of the religion.[139] 1992 estimates by the US Department of State counted some 150–200 Baháʼís.[140] while 2001 through 2009 estimates mention the Baháʼí community at 350 to 400 persons.[141] [142] However Association of Religion Data Archives and Wolfram Alpha estimated 30,000 Baháʼís in 2005 and 2010, the third largest religion in the country.[143] [144]

Tunisia

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Tunisia.

The Baháʼí Faith in Tunisia begins circa 1910[145] when the first Baháʼí arrives, possibly from Egypt.[146] [147] In 1956 at Ridván, a marked holy day of the religion and a day on which major elections are held, three new Regional Spiritual Assemblies were established including that of North-West Africa with the chairmanship of Enoch Olinga[148] [149] In 1963 a survey of the community counted 1 assembly and 18 organized groups (between 1 and 9 adults) of Baháʼís in Tunisia.[150] US State Department 2001 estimates mention the Baháʼí community at about 150 persons.[151] However Association of Religion Data Archives and several other sources point to over 1000 Baháʼís in the country.[152] [153] [154]

Southern Africa

Angola

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Angola. The Baháʼí Faith in Angola begins after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá wrote letters encouraging taking the religion to Africa in 1916.[155] The first Baháʼí pioneered to Angola about 1952.[156] By 1963 there was a Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly in Luanda and smaller groups of Baháʼís in other cities.[157] In 1992 the Baháʼís of Angola elected their first National Spiritual Assembly.[158] The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying mostly on the World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated some 1800 Baháʼís in 2005.[1]

Botswana

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Botswana. The Baháʼí Faith in Botswana begins after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá wrote letters encouraging taking the religion to Africa in 1916.[159] The first Baháʼís pioneered to Botswana about October 1954[160] where they befriended many Africans.[161] By 1963 there were two assemblies; seven groups, and one isolated member.[162] [163] The first election of Botswana's Baháʼí National Spiritual Assembly was in 1970.[164] The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying mostly on the World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated some 16000 Baháʼís in 2005.[165]

Malawi

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Malawi. The Baháʼí Faith in Malawi begins before the country achieved independence. Before World War I the area of modern Malawi was part of Nyasaland and ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, then head of the religion, asked the followers of the Baháʼí Faith to travel to the regions of Africa.[166] As part of a wide scale growth in the religion across Sub-Saharan Africa[27] the religion was introduced into this region[167] the same year it became known as the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1953. A decade later there were five Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assemblies.[168] By 1970, now in the country of Malawi, there were 12 Local Spiritual Assemblies and a National Spiritual Assembly. Between 2000 and 2003 there were estimates of 15[167] to 24,500[169] Baháʼís in Malawi.

Mozambique

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Mozambique.

The Baháʼí Faith in Mozambique begins after the mention of Africa in Baháʼí literature when ʻAbdu'l-Bahá suggested it as a place to take the religion to in 1916.[170] The first known Baháʼí to enter the region was in 1951–2 at Beira when a British pioneer came through on the way to what was then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.[171] [172] The Mozambique Baháʼí community participated in successive stages of regional organization across southern Africa from 1956[173] through the election of its first Mozambique's Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly by 1963[157] and on to its own National Spiritual Assembly was elected in 1987.[174] Since 1984 the Baháʼís have begun to hold development projects.[175] The Association of Religion Data Archives (relying on World Christian Encyclopedia) estimated just over 2,500 Baháʼís in 2005.[1]

South Africa

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in South Africa. The Baháʼí Faith in South Africa began with the holding of Baháʼí meetings in the country in 1911. A small population of Baháʼís remained until 1950 when large numbers of international Baháʼí pioneers settled in South Africa. In 1956, after members of various tribes in South Africa became Baháʼís, a regional Baháʼí Assembly which included South Africa was elected. Later each of the constituent countries successively formed their own independent Baháʼí National Spiritual Assembly. Then in 1995, after a prolonged period of growth and oppression during Apartheid and the homelands reuniting with South Africa, the Baháʼí National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa was formed. Following the end of Apartheid the South African Baháʼí community continued to grow; currently there are around of 250,000[176] Baháʼís in South Africa.[177]

Zambia

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Zambia. The Baháʼí Faith population of Zambia has been estimated at over 162,443, or 1.70% of the population.[178] Based on that data, Adherents.com ranks this as the sixteenth-highest national proportion of Baháʼís in the world. It also ranks Zambia's as the tenth-largest national Baháʼí community in the world in absolute terms, and the fourth-largest in Africa. The William Mmutle Masetlha Foundation, an organization founded in 1995 and run by the Zambian Baháʼí community, is particularly active in areas such as literacy and primary health care.[179] [180] The Maseltha Institute, its parent organization, was founded earlier in 1983.

Zimbabwe

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Zimbabwe. In 1916–1917 a series of letters by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, then head of the religion, asked the followers of the religion to take the religion to regions of Africa; these letters were compiled together in the book titled Tablets of the Divine Plan. In 1929 Shoghi Effendi, then head of the religion, was the first Baháʼí to visit the area.[181] In 1953 several Baháʼís settled in what was then South Rhodesia[182] as pioneers. Along with indigenous conversions in 1955 the Baháʼís formed the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in Harare.[181] By the end of 1963 there were 9 assemblies.[183] While still a colony of the United Kingdom, the Baháʼís nevertheless organized a separate National Spiritual Assembly in 1964.[82] Though Rhodesia declared independence in 1965, succeeding political developments and wars changed the status of the country and the National Assembly was reformed and has continued since 1970[182] while Zimbabwe regained independence in 1980. By 2003, the 50th anniversary of the Baháʼís in Zimbabwe, a year of events across the country culminated with a conference of Baháʼís from all provinces of Zimbabwe and nine countries. There were 43 local spiritual assemblies in 2003.[181]

West Africa

Liberia

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Liberia. The Baháʼí Faith in Liberia begins with the entrance of the first member of the religion in 1952[184] and the first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly in 1958 in Monrovia.[185] By the end of 1963 there were five assemblies[186] and Liberian Baháʼís elected their first National Spiritual Assembly in 1975.[18] Hosting various conferences through the '70's the community was somewhat disrupted by the First Liberian Civil War with some refugees going to Côte d'Ivoire in 1990[187] and the re-establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly in 1998.[188] Third parties invited the modern Baháʼí community into their dialogues in the country[189] [190] while Baháʼís have continued their work supporting a private Baháʼí school, the Baháʼí Academy[184] and a private radio station.[191] Almost 9,500 Baháʼís are believed to have been in Liberia in 2006.[192]

Niger

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Niger. The Baháʼí Faith in Niger began during a period of large-scale growth in the religion across Sub-Saharan Africa near the end of its colonial period. The first Baháʼís arrived in Niger in 1966[193] and the growth of the religion reached a point of electing its National Spiritual Assembly in 1975.[194] Following a period of oppression, making the institutions of the religion illegal in the late 1970s and 80's, the National Assembly was re-elected starting in 1992. The Baháʼí community in Niger has grown mostly in the south-west of the country where they number in the low thousands.

Nigeria

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Nigeria. After an isolated presence in the late 1920s,[18] the Baháʼí Faith in Nigeria begins with Baháʼí pioneers coming to Sub-Saharan West Africa in the 1950s especially following the efforts of Enoch Olinga who directly and indirectly affected the growth of the religion in Nigeria.[31] Following growth across West Africa a regional National Spiritual Assembly was elected in 1956.[195] As the community multiplied across cities and became diverse in its engagements it elected its own National Spiritual Assembly by 1979[196] and had 1,000 Baháʼís in 2001.[197]

Senegal

See main article: Baháʼí Faith in Senegal.

The Baháʼí Faith in Senegal begins after ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the religion, mentioned Africa as a place the religion should be more broadly visited by Baháʼís.[15] The first to set foot in the territory of French West Africa that would become Senegal arrived in 1953.[2] The first Baháʼí Local Spiritual Assembly of Senegal was elected in 1966 in Dakar.[198] In 1975 the Baháʼí community elected the first National Spiritual Assembly of Senegal. The most recent estimate, by the Association of Religion Data Archives in a 2005 report details the population of Senegalese Baháʼís at 22,000.[1] Baháʼís claimed there are 34 local assemblies in 2003.[198]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Most Baha'i Nations (2005) . QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions > . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2005 . 2009-07-04 . 2010-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp . dead .
  2. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Egypt: Baha'i history . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies: Baháʼí Communities by country . Baháʼí Online Library . c. 2000. 2009-05-24.
  3. Book: Smith, Peter . 2008 . An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-86251-6 . Cambridge . 26.
  4. Book: Balyuzi, H.M. . Hasan M. Balyuzi . 1985 . Eminent Baháʼís in the time of Baháʼu'lláh . 268–270. The Camelot Press Ltd., Southampton . 0-85398-152-3.
  5. http://bahai-library.com/zamir/indexes/aroindexetc.html Arohanui
  6. Book: Van den Hoonaard, Willy Carl . The origins of the Baháʼí community of Canada, 1898-1948 . Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press . 1996 . Waterloo, Ontario, Canada . 16 . 978-0-88920-272-6.
  7. Web site: Abu'l-Faḍl Gulpaygani, Mirza . Moojan . Momen . 2009-05-25 . 2002-03-04.
  8. Glimpsing Early Baháʼí Pilgrimages. Baháʼí News . October 1972 . 498 . 6 .
  9. Web site: Egypt: Baha'i history . Graham Hassall . 2006-10-01 . 2006-10-01.
  10. Hassall . Graham . Notes on the Babi and Baha'i Religions in Russia and its territories . Journal of Baháʼí Studies . 5 . 3 . 41–80, 86 . 1993 . 10.31581/JBS-5.3.3(1993). 2009-03-20. free .
  11. International Council Reviews Progress in Baha'i World Community. Baháʼí News . December 1961 . 369 . 6 .
  12. Book: ʻAbbas, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . Mirza Ahmad Sohrab . in Egypt . 1929 .
  13. Book: Sears, William . William Sears (Baháʼí) . Robert Quigley . The Flame . George Ronald Publisher Ltd. . 978-0-85398-030-8. 1972 .
  14. Book: ʻAbbas, ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . Mirza Ahmad Sohrab . Tablets, Instructions and Words of Explanation . April 1919 .
  15. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, IL . 0-87743-233-3 . 47–59 . 1916-17.
  16. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust. Wilmette, IL . 0-87743-233-3 . 82–89 . 1916-17.
  17. News: Baháʼí International Community . Generation expresses gratitude . BWNS . Baháʼí International Community . 2003-12-31 . 2008-03-19.
  18. Book: In Memoriam . The Baháʼí World . XVIII . Baháʼí World Centre . 619, 632, 802–4 and Table of Contents . 1986 . 0-85398-234-1.
  19. Ancient Coral Reef Tells The History Of Kenya's Soil Erosion . Science Daily . 2007-04-13 .
  20. United Kingdom; Richard St. Barbe Baker: 1889-1982 . Baháʼí News . October 1982 . 0195-9212 . 7. 619.
  21. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report . Regional Profile: Eastern Cape and Appendix: Statistics on Violations in the Eastern Cape . Volume Three - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report . 32, 146 . Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report . 1998-10-29 . 2008-03-19.
  22. Web site: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of South Africa . Statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission . Official Webpage . National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of South Africa . 1997-11-19 . 2008-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20080408202119/http://www.bahai.org.za/cm/node/19 . April 8, 2008.
  23. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa . various chapters . Volume Four - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa Report . paragraphs 6, 27, 75, 84, 102 . yes . Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa . 1998-10-29 . 2008-03-19.
  24. News: Reber . Pat . Baha'i Church Shooting Verdicts in . South Africa Associated Press . 1999-05-02 . 2008-03-19.
  25. News of Other Lands; Geneva Baháʼí Bureau . Baháʼí News . July 1946 . 183 . 9.
  26. Legal Recognition, Increase in Centers Reported in Morocco. Baháʼí News . May 1958 . 327 . 14.
  27. Web site: Overview Of World Religions . General Essay on the Religions of Sub-Saharan Africa . . 2008-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071209082606/http://philtar.ucsm.ac.uk/encyclopedia/sub/geness.html . 2007-12-09 .
  28. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Egypt: Baha'i history . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies: Baháʼí Communities by country . Baháʼí Online Library . c. 2000. 2009-05-24.
  29. Book: G. Cameron. W. Momen. 1996. A Basic Baháʼí Chronology. George Ronald. Oxford, UK. 0-85398-404-2. 301, 304–5, 306, 308, 328, 329, 331, 354–359, 375, 400, 435, 440–441.
  30. United States Africa Teaching Committee; Goals for this year . Baháʼí News . September 1954 . 10–11 . 283.
  31. News: Mughrab . Jan . Jubilee Celebration in Cameroon . Baháʼí Journal of the Baháʼí Community of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United Kingdom. 20 . 5. 2004.
  32. News: Baháʼí International Community. Cameroon celebrates golden time . Baháʼí World News Service. 2003-09-23 .
  33. Encyclopedia: Lee . Anthony A. . Enoch Olinga . 2005 . Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African-American Experience . Revised . Kwame Anthony. Appiah. Henry Louis. Gates Jr . 1. Oxford University Press . 278–279 .
  34. Enoch Olinga: The pioneering years. Baháʼí News . May 1984 . 0195-9212 . 4–9. 638.
  35. Web site: Baha'i community of Egypt . Official Website of the Baháʼís of Australia . National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Australia . https://web.archive.org/web/20090929110127/http://www.bahai.org.au/scripts/WebObjects.exe/BNO.woa/wa/pages?page=social_action%2Fegypt.html . 2009-09-29 . 2009-05-24 .
  36. Web site: Egypt: International Religious Freedom Report . 2004-09-15 . U.S. Department of State . Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor . 2006-10-20.
  37. Web site: Egypt: International Religious Freedom Report . 2001-10-26 . U.S. Department of State . Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor . 2006-12-28.
  38. Web site: Dhabihullah Mahrami: Prisoner of Conscience . Amnesty International . October 1996 . 2006-10-20 . AI INDEX: MDE 13/34/96.
  39. Book: Rabbani, R. (Ed.) . Rúhíyyih Khanum . 1992 . The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963 . Baháʼí World Centre . 0-85398-350-X . 414–419.
  40. Book: Cameron, G.. Momen, W.. 1996. A Basic Baháʼí Chronology. George Ronald. Oxford, UK. 0-85398-404-2. 301, 304–5, 306, 308, 328, 329, 331, 354–359, 375, 400, 435, 440–441 .
  41. Book: Cohen, Mark L.. Lorna Hahn . Morocco: old land, new nation . Frederick A. Praeger . 1966 . 141–146 .
  42. Book: Abdelilah, Bouasria . The other 'Commander of the faithful': Morocco's King Mohammed VI's religious policy . World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies . European Institute of the Mediterranean . http://wocmes.iemed.org/en/preorg-second-decade . 2010-06-07.
  43. http://www.ugpulse.com/articles/daily/homepage.asp?ID=491 UGPulse Uganda
  44. Hand of Cause Visits African Villages. Baháʼí News . May 1961 . 6–9 . 362.
  45. Web site: Greg Watson . transcript of talks given by Mr. Nakhjavani and his wife . Informal Talks by Notable Figures . Bahai-library.com . 2001 . 2009-08-30.
  46. Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . Madame Rúhíyyih Rabbáni, leading Baháʼí dignitary, passes away in Haifa . One Country . 11 . 4 . Baháʼí International Community . March 2000 . 2009-08-30.
  47. Book: Nakhjavani, Violette . The Great African Safari - The travels of RúhíyyihKhánum in Africa, 1969-73 . George Ronald Publisher Ltd. . 27–32 . 978-0-85398-456-6. 2002 .
  48. Smith . Peter . Peter Smith (Baháʼí) . Momen . Moojan . Moojan Momen . The Baha'i Faith 1957-1988: A Survey of Contemporary Developments . Religion . 19 . 1 . 63–91 . 1989 . 10.1016/0048-721X(89)90077-8 .
  49. Web site: compiled by Wagner . Ralph D. . NIGER . Synopsis of References to the Baháʼí Faith, in the US State Department's Reports on Human Rights 1991-2000 . Baháʼí Library Online . 2008-05-04.
  50. Encyclopedia: Country Profile: Chad . Religious Intelligence . https://web.archive.org/web/20071013150725/http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=122 . October 13, 2007. 2008-11-17.
  51. Web site: Most Baha'i Nations (2005) . QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions > . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2005 . 2009-07-04 . 2010-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp . dead .
  52. Web site: Kenya . National Profiles > > Regions > Eastern Africa > . Association of Religion Data Archives . 2010 . 2012-09-21 . 2020-01-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200105165733/http://www.thearda.com/internationaldata/countries/Country_121_2.asp . dead .
  53. News: El-Hennawy. Noha. The Fourth Faith?. Egypt Today . September 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20070113033939/http://www.egypttoday.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6918 . January 13, 2007.
  54. Web site: Government Must Find Solution for Baha'i Egyptians . 2006-12-16 . 2006-12-16 . Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights . eipr.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20070209221817/http://www.eipr.org/en/press/06/1612.htm . 2007-02-09.
  55. News: Gonn . Adam . Victory In Court For Egyptian Baha'i . Cairo, Egypt . AHN . 2009-02-24 . 2009-05-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110813222507/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014197753 . August 13, 2011 .
  56. News: Reuters . Baha'i Homes Attacked in Egypt Village . Egypt . Javno.com . 2009-04-03 . 2009-05-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091002084500/http://www.javno.com/en-world/bahai-homes-attacked-in-egypt-village_248428 . 2009-10-02 .
  57. Web site: Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan; November 2008–March 2009 . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  58. Web site: The Lusaka Regional Conference; 1–2 November 2008 . Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan. Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  59. Web site: The Nakuru Regional Conference; 8–9 November 2008 . Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  60. Web site: The Johannesburg Regional Conference; 8–9 November 2008. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  61. Web site: The Bangui Regional Conference; 15–16 November 2008. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  62. Web site: The Uvira Regional Conference; 15–16 November 2008. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  63. Web site: The Lubumbashi Regional Conference; 22–23 November 2008. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  64. Web site: The Yaoundé Regional Conference; 29–30 November 2008. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  65. Web site: The Abidjan Regional Conference; 3–4 January 2009. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  66. Web site: The Accra Regional Conference; 21–22 February 2009. Regional Conferences of the Five Year Plan . Baháʼí International Community . 2009 . 2012-03-21.
  67. News: Baháʼí International Community. Cameroon celebrates golden time . Baháʼí World News Service. 23 September 2003 .
  68. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Belgian Congo . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies – Country files . Baháʼí Library Online . 17 November 2008.
  69. Web site: Ahmadi . Major events of the Century of Light . A Study of the Book "Century of Light" . Association For Baháʼí Studies in Southern Africa . 17 November 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517111900/http://bci.org/bahaistudies/courses/light/time-line-bahai.htm . 17 May 2008 .
  70. Encyclopedia: Country Profile: Chad . Religious Intelligence . https://web.archive.org/web/20071013150725/http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=122 . 13 October 2007. 17 November 2008.
  71. Web site: Most Baha'i Nations (2005) . QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions > . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2005 . 4 July 2009 . 14 April 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp . dead .
  72. News: Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . 6 September 2003 . Double cause for celebrations . Baháʼí International News Service .
  73. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 25, 59–60. Hands of the Cause.
  74. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback. Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, IL . 0-87743-233-3 . 47–59 . 1916–17.
  75. News: Obstacles no match for pioneer spirit . Malabo, Equatorial Guinea . Baháʼí International Community . 21 August 2004. 30 July 2010.
  76. Web site: Dr. Ahmadi . Major events of the Century of Light . A Study of the Book "Century of Light" . Association For Baháʼí Studies in Southern Africa . 17 November 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517111900/http://bci.org/bahaistudies/courses/light/time-line-bahai.htm . 17 May 2008 .
  77. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Notes on Research on National Spiritual Assemblies . Research notes . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . 31 July 2010.
  78. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 0-87743-233-3 . 40–42 . 1916-17.
  79. Book: Effendi , Shoghi . The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community. Baha'i Publishing Trust. 1981. London, UK. 299. 978-0-900125-43-0.
  80. US Africa Committee. Baháʼí News . September 1953. 271 . 13 .
  81. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963. Hands of the Cause . 110. Hands of the Cause.
  82. Book: In Memorium. The Baháʼí World. XVIII. Baháʼí World Centre. 629. 1986. 0-85398-234-1. Universal House of Justice .
  83. News: Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . Spiritual solace in a recovering land . Baháʼí World News Service . 2005-02-02 .
  84. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Ethiopia . Research notes . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . 21 December 2008.
  85. Book: Rabbani . Ruhiyyih . 1992 . The Ministry of the Custodians 1957–1963 . Baháʼí World Centre . 398 . 0-85398-350-X . Rúhíyyih Khanum .
  86. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 28, 55. Hands of the Cause.
  87. Web site:
  88. News: Kenya: First Local Bahá'í temple in Africa opens its doors . 29 May 2021 . Bahá'í World News Service . 24 May 2021.
  89. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 0-87743-233-3 . 41–42 . 1916–17.
  90. News: Four islands unite in celebrations. Baháʼí World News Service . Antananarivo, Madagascar . Baháʼí International Community . 21 December 2003 . 19 June 2010.
  91. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 25, 101. Hands of the Cause.
  92. 'Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhiyyih Khánum Visits Sikkim, India, and Indian Ocean Islands; Mauritius, Reunion, Island of Madagascar . Baháʼí News . June 1955 . 442 . 5.
  93. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 0-87743-233-3 . 40–42 . 1916–17.
  94. Book: Effendi, Shoghi . 1971 . Messages to the Baháʼí World, 1950–1957 . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 162 . 0-87743-036-5 .
  95. Web site: 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 . 110.
  96. News: Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . Thriving community builds social unity . Baháʼí World News Service . 2 February 2005 .
  97. The Baháʼí Faith is gaining ground in Rwanda . Office of Rwandais Information . 2005 . 12 January 2009.
  98. Web site: House of Justice . Universal . Universal House of Justice . Ridván Letter, 1997 . Ridvan Messages from the Universal House of Justice . Baháʼí Library Online . 1997 . 12 January 2009.
  99. News: Baháʼí Community of Canada . Thriving community builds social unity . Canadian Baháʼí News Service . 10 October 2007 . 2013-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220015605/http://www.bahainews.ca/en/071010umutoni . 2012-02-20 .
  100. Web site: Republic of Rwanda. Operation World . Paternoster Lifestyle . 2001 . 12 January 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20081208025236/http://www.operationworld.org/country/rwan/owtext.html. 8 December 2008 . live.
  101. Web site: Most Baha'i Nations (2005). thearda.com. 2001. 4 December 2008. 14 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp. dead.
  102. News from Other Lands; Africa. Baháʼí News . April 1951 . 12 . 242 .
  103. Book: Effendi, Shoghi . Shoghi Effendi . Unfolding Destiny . UK Baháʼí Publishing Trust . 1981 . 1957 . Haifa, Israel . 266 .
  104. International News; Two New Territories Opened . Baháʼí News . September 1952 . 4 . 259.
  105. Web site: Ahmadi . Dr. . Major events of the Century of Light . homepage for an online course on the book "Century of Light" . Association for Baháʼí Studies in Southern Africa . 2003 . 5 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517111900/http://bci.org/bahaistudies/courses/light/time-line-bahai.htm . 17 May 2008 .
  106. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 25, 117, 118, 128. Hands of the Cause.
  107. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Notes on Research on National Spiritual Assemblies . Research notes . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . 21 December 2008.
  108. First National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania. Baháʼí News . April 1965 . 8 . 409 .
  109. Tanzania – Report on 'dynamic' Ruaha School. Baháʼí News . August 1988 . 13. 689.
  110. Web site: Academics . Official Website of Ruaha Secondary School . Ruaha Secondary School . 2007 . 15 July 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20130815144410/http://ruahasec.ac.tz/Academics.html . August 15, 2013.
  111. Web site: Hassall . Graham . References to Africa in the Baháʼí Writings . Asian/Pacific Collection . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . 26 August 2003 . 21 June 2008.
  112. Book: Francis, N. Richard . Enoch Olinga -Hand of the Cause of God, Father of Victories . 1998 . Baháʼí Faith Website of Reno, Nevada .
  113. Book: Hassall . Graham . 2012 . The Bahá'í House of Worship: Localisation and Universal Form . Cusack . Carol . Norman . Alex . Handbook of New Religions and Cultural Production . Leiden . Brill . Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion . 4 . 10.1163/9789004226487_025 . 599–632 . 978-90-04-22187-1 . 1874-6691.
  114. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Algeria: Baha'i history . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies: Baháʼí Communities by country . Baháʼí Online Library. c. 2000. 2013-04-23.
  115. Book: Taylor, Paul M. . Paul M. Taylor . Freedom of religion: UN and European human rights law and practice . Cambridge University Press . 2005 . 57 . 978-0-521-85649-2.
  116. Book: Cameron, G.. Momen, W.. 1996. A Basic Baháʼí Chronology. George Ronald. Oxford, UK. 0-85398-404-2. 309, 316, 330, 373, 380.
  117. Web site: Most Baha'i Nations (2005) . International > Regions > Northern Africa . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2005 . 2013-04-23 . 2010-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp . dead .
  118. Encyclopedia: Algeria religions. Wolfram Alpha . Online . Wolfram Alpha (curated data) . March 13, 2010 . 2013-04-23.
  119. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Egypt: Baha'i history . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies: Baháʼí Communities by country . Baháʼí Online Library . c. 2000. 24 May 2009.
  120. Book: Smith, Peter . 2008 . An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith . Cambridge University Press . 978-0-521-86251-6 . Cambridge . 26.
  121. Web site: Abu'l-Faḍl Gulpaygani, Mirza . Moojan . Momen . 25 May 2009 . 4 March 2002.
  122. Web site: Egypt: International Religious Freedom Report . 15 September 2004 . U.S. Department of State . Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor . 20 October 2006.
  123. Web site: Egypt: International Religious Freedom Report . 26 October 2001 . U.S. Department of State . Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor . 28 December 2006.
  124. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 22, 41, 46. Hands of the Cause.
  125. Web site: Government Must Find Solution for Baha'i Egyptians . 16 December 2006 . 16 December 2006 . Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights . eipr.org . https://web.archive.org/web/20070209221817/http://www.eipr.org/en/press/06/1612.htm. 9 February 2007.
  126. News: Gonn . Adam . Victory In Court For Egyptian Baha'i . Cairo, Egypt . AHN . 24 February 2009 . 24 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110813222507/http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014197753 . August 13, 2011 .
  127. News: Reuters . Baha'i Homes Attacked in Egypt Village . Egypt . Javno.com . 3 April 2009 . 25 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091002084500/http://www.javno.com/en-world/bahai-homes-attacked-in-egypt-village_248428 . 2 October 2009 .
  128. News of Other Lands; Geneva Baháʼí Bureau . Baháʼí News . July 1946 . 183 . 9 .
  129. Legal Recognition, Increase in Centers Reported in Morocco. Baháʼí News . May 1958 . 327 . 14 .
  130. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Egypt: Baha'i history . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies: Baháʼí Communities by country . Baháʼí Online Library . c. 2000. 24 May 2009.
  131. First Local Spiritual Assembly of Ceuta… . Baháʼí News . February 1956 . 300 . 7 .
  132. First Baháʼí Summer Schoot…. Baháʼí News . January 1958 . 323 . 12 .
  133. First Local Spiritual Assembly of Zaouiat Cheikh . Baháʼí News . January 1958 . 354 . 12 .
  134. Web site: Hassall . Graham . This note concerns references to Africa in the Baháʼí Writings . Asian/Pacific Collection . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . 26 August 2003 . 18 November 2008.
  135. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 25, 83, 103, 115. Hands of the Cause.
  136. Book: Rabbani. R. . Rúhíyyih Khanum . 1992 . The Ministry of the Custodians 1957–1963 . Baháʼí World Centre . 0-85398-350-X . 414–419.
  137. Book: Cohen, Mark L.. Lorna Hahn . Morocco: old land, new nation . Frederick A. Praeger . 1966 . 141–146 .
  138. Bouasria . Abdelilah . The other 'Commander of the faithful': Morocco's King Mohammed VI's religious policy . World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies . European Institute of the Mediterranean . 7 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100502065705/http://wocmes.iemed.org/en/preorg-second-decade. 2 May 2010 . live.
  139. The Baháʼí Faith 1957–1988: A Survey of Contemporary Developments . Peter . Smith . Momen. Moojan . Religion . 1989 . 19 . 63–91 . 10.1016/0048-721X(89)90077-8.
  140. Web site: U.S. State Department . Morocco Human Rights Practices, 1993 . The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affair . 31 January 1994 . 7 June 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100711172044/http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/democracy/1993_hrp_report/93hrp_report_nea/Morocco.html . 11 July 2010 .
  141. Web site: U.S. State Department . 2001 Report on International Religious Freedom – Morocco . The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affair . 26 October 2001 . 7 June 2010.
  142. Web site: U.S. State Department . 2009 Report on International Religious Freedom – Morocco . The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affair . 26 October 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091030002207/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127354.htm . 30 October 2009 . 7 June 2010.
  143. Web site: Morocco . International > Regions > Northern Africa . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2005 . 4 July 2009 . 11 April 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100411073024/http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_155_2.asp . dead .
  144. Encyclopedia: Morocco: Cultural properties . Wolfram Alpha . Online . Wolfram – Alpha (curated data) . 13 March 2010 . 6 June 2010 .
  145. Temple . Bernard . Persia and the Regenerations of Islam . Journal of the Royal Society of Arts . 58 . 2001. 652–665 . May 27, 1910. 2013-08-03.
  146. News: Khlifi . Roua . Tunisia's Spiritual Pluralism: The Baha'i Faith . Tunis is Alive . 26 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130306021729/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2013/02/26/tunisias-spiritual-pluralism-the-bahai-faith/ . 2013-03-06 . 2013-08-03 .
  147. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Egypt: Baha'i history . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies: Baháʼí Communities by country . Baháʼí Online Library. c. 2000. 2013-08-03.
  148. Book: Anthony Asa Lee. The Establishment of the Baha'i Faith in West Africa: The First Decade, 1952--1962. 20 July 2013. 2007. 978-0-549-40690-7. 116.
  149. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Baháʼí Communities by Country: Research Notes . Asian/Pacific Collection . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . 2003-08-26 . 2008-11-18.
  150. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963. Hands of the Cause . 118–119. Hands of the Cause.
  151. Web site: U.S. State Department . International Religious Freedom Report 2001: Tunisia . The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affair . September 14, 2001 . 2013-08-03.
  152. Web site: Most Baháʼí Countries . International > Regions > Northern Africa . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2010 . 2013-08-03 . 2022-04-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427001103/https://www.thearda.com/QL2010/QuickList_40.asp . dead .
  153. Web site: Tunisia: Treatment of Bahai's (or Baha'is) by non-Bahai's and Tunisian authorities; whether they have been targets of threats and/or violence; police attitude towards Bahai's, police response to complaints lodged by Bahai's and police protection available . Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada . 17 April 2003 . TUN41362.E . 2013-08-03.
  154. News: Khlifi . Roua . Tunisia's Spiritual Pluralism: The Baha'i Faith . Tunis is Alive . 26 February 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130306021729/http://www.tunisia-live.net/2013/02/26/tunisias-spiritual-pluralism-the-bahai-faith/ . 2013-03-06 . 2013-08-03 .
  155. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois . 0-87743-233-3 . 47–59 . 1916–17.
  156. Book: Effendi, Shoghi . Shoghi Effendi . 1971 . Messages to the Baháʼí World, 1950–1957 . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 0-87743-036-5 . 27 .
  157. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 25, 56. Hands of the Cause.
  158. Web site: Universal House of Justice . Universal House of Justice . Ridván Letter, 1992 . Ridvan Messages from the Universal House of Justice . Baháʼí Library Online . 1992 . 4 May 2008.
  159. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991. Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, IL . 0-87743-233-3 . 47–59 . 1916-17.
  160. Temple Land in Johannesburg. Baháʼí News . October 1954. 4 . 280. 0195-9212.
  161. News: Minister praises Baháʼí activities . Baha'i World News Service . Baháʼí International Community . 14 March 2005 . July 12, 2013.
  162. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Baháʼí Communities by Country: Research Notes . Essays and short articles and Research notes . Baháʼí Library Online . 2000 .
  163. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963. Hands of the Cause . 25, 59. Hands of the Cause.
  164. Progress Report of Botswana. Baháʼí News . March 1972 . 12–13 . 492. 0195-9212.
  165. Web site: Most Baháʼí Nations (2005) . QuickLists > Compare Nations > Religions > . The Association of Religion Data Archives . 2005 . 2009-07-04 . 2010-04-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414021730/http://www.thearda.com/QuickLists/QuickList_40c.asp . dead .
  166. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 0-87743-233-3 . 40–2, 57 86 . 1916–17.
  167. News: Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . Dramatic stories thrill Malawi golden jubilee . Baháʼí World News Service . 9 July 2003.
  168. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 19–20, 52. Hands of the Cause.
  169. Encyclopedia: Bahai Faith, continued... . Adherents.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20031010083709/http://adherents.com/Na/Na_57.html. usurped. October 10, 2003. 2008 . 12 November 2008 .
  170. Book: ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . ʻAbdu'l-Bahá . 1991 . Tablets of the Divine Plan . Paperback . Baháʼí Publishing Trust . Wilmette, Illinois, USA . 0-87743-233-3 . 43 . 1916–17.
  171. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 10, 103. Hands of the Cause.
  172. Notes from "Africa News" . Baháʼí News . April 1952 . 254 . 8 .
  173. Web site: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of South Africa . 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 . 1997 . 19 March 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080408202119/http://www.bahai.org.za/cm/node/19 . 8 April 2008 .
  174. Mozambique . Baháʼí News . September 1985 . 654 . 0195-9212 . 11 .
  175. Social/economic development – Number of projects growing rapidly; (section mentioning Mozambique) . Baháʼí News . March 1986 . 660 . 0195-9212 . 5 .
  176. https://web.archive.org/web/19991206072438/http://adherents.com/largecom/com_bahai.html Adherents.com: Largest Baha'i Communities
  177. Book: Religious Intelligence . 2008 . Country Profile: South Africa (Republic of South Africa) . Republic of South Africa . Religious Intelligence . https://web.archive.org/web/20090919025324/http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=158 . September 19, 2009.
  178. Web site: The Largest Baha'i Communities. https://web.archive.org/web/19991206072438/http://adherents.com/largecom/com_bahai.html. usurped. December 6, 1999. Adherents.com. 2007-10-29.
  179. Web site: About DLP . DL Publicaciones . 2007-10-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071012180746/http://devlp.com/dla.html . 2007-10-12 .
  180. Web site: William Mmutle Masetlha Foundation. Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Georgetown University. 5 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160205060537/http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/organizations/william-mmutle-masetlha-foundation. 5 February 2016.
  181. News: Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . Drumming and dancing in delight . Baháʼí International News Service . 12 December 2003 .
  182. Web site: History of the Zimbabwean Community . The Baháʼí Community of Zimbabwe . National Assembly of the Baháʼís of Zimbabwe . 29 November 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070808075439/http://www.bahai.co.zw/html/history.html . 8 August 2007 .
  183. Book: 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 . Peli – P.E.C. Printing World LTD. Ramat Gan . 1964 . Israel . 114.
  184. News: L. Holman . Donna . Focus on spirituality . The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, South Carolina . 4 August 2006 .
  185. Book: Locke, Hugh C. . http://bahai-library.com/books/bw18/773-800.html. In Memoriam . Baháʼí World, Vol. XVIII: 1979–1983 . 1983. 778–9, 624, 626, 629.
  186. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 50, 99–100. Hands of the Cause.
  187. Book: Holly Hansen . Baháʼí World, 1992–93 . Overview of Baháʼí Social and Economic Development . 229–245 . http://info.bahai.org/article-1-8-1-6.html . true . 2013-02-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080411185732/http://info.bahai.org/article-1-8-1-6.html . 2008-04-11 .
  188. Web site: Universal House of Justice . Universal House of Justice . Ridvan 1998 . Published Documents from the Universal House of Justice . Baháʼí Library Online . April 2000 . 15 November 2008.
  189. Supporting human rights and democracy . U.S. Department of State . 2005 . 15 November 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100527095255/http://monrovia.usembassy.gov/shumanright.html . May 27, 2010.
  190. News: BFF, UNHCR On Youth Integration In Jacob Town . The Analyst Newspaper . 1 May 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150610223229/http://www.analystliberia.com/grant_tax_waiver_on_ict_products_may01_07.html . June 10, 2015.
  191. http://bahai-library.com/oshea_hein_radio_ecuador Review of Radio Baha'i Ecuador
  192. Web site: Republic of Liberia . Operation World . Paternoster Lifestyle . 2006 . 15 November 2008.
  193. Web site: House of Justice . Universal . Universal House of Justice . Ridván Letter, 1966 . Ridvan Messages from the Universal House of Justice . Baháʼí Library Online . 1966 . 4 May 2008.
  194. Web site: Hassall . Graham . Notes on Research on National Spiritual Assemblies . Asia Pacific Baháʼí Studies . Baháʼí Library Online . 4 May 2008.
  195. Web site: The Baháʼí Faith: 1844–1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Baháʼí Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Hands of the Cause . 22, 46. Hands of the Cause.
  196. Web site: MacEoin . Denis . William Collins . Children/education (Listings) . The Babi and Baha'i Religions: An Annotated Bibliography . Greenwood Press's ongoing series of Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies . see entries 60–63, 80, 139 . 26 March 2008.
  197. Web site: Republic of Niger for August 29 . Operation World . Paternoster Lifestyle . 2001 . 18 May 2008.
  198. News: Baháʼí International Community . Baháʼí International Community . National communities celebrate together . Baháʼí International News Service . 28 December 2003 . https://archive.today/20130112122749/http://hfa01.news.bahai.org/story/283. 12 January 2013.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Baháʼí Faith in Africa".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.