On the 20th to the 21st of Septermber, The Partners of Peace organized a celebration of the International Day of peace, and the Baha’i Community of Taiping was invited to take part in an exhibition, focusing on the role of the Baha’i Faith in promoting world peace. The occasion was launched by YABhg Dato’ Seri Dr Hj Wan Mohd. Isa bin Dato’ Seri Wan Ahmad, Orang Besar Jajahan Larut Matang dan Selama. The Baha’i booth had a display of books, magazines and pamphlets, including a video highlighting the global role Baha’is play in promoting world peace. The booth was visited by many members of the community, where a lot of them were given opporunities to ask about the Baha’i Faith. The Chairman of the Taiping LSA, Mr Sukumaran was also invited to sign the Peace Declaration 2008.

Visit the Taiping LSA homepage at http://taipinglsa.googlepages.com

ENGLISH: On the 3rd of August 2008, 22 friends from the Padawan community including 3 children and 2 junior youths met at Mr. Bonaventure’s home to learn more about the recent Ridvan Message 2008. The discussion was initially called a “Retreat” but according to the day’s facilitator ABM Cikgu Bunsie Tunton, not enough criteria were met for it to be called a “Retreat”. Nevertheless, the discussion went ahead and began at 10:00 AM lasting 5 hours until 3:00 PM. The turnout was encouraging as not only did 9 members of the local Majlis Rohani attend, but AJKs from every sector in the Padawan area were also present. Most of the information that was shared by the ABM was in line with the 27 Dis messages that outlined the role of the MRT in the development of the clusters. Padawan’s MRT later agreed to hold more similar activities in order to deepen the knowledge within the community which will later serve to boost the spirit of the friends to serve the faith.

BAHASA MALAYSIA: Pada 3hb Ogos 2008, seramai 22 orang dari komuniti Padawan termasuk tiga orang kanak-kanak dan dua orang belia muda telah berkumpul di kebun salah seorang Bahai iaitu En. Bonaventure Ho di Jalan Batu Kitang untuk mendalami berkenaan Mesej Ridvan 2008. Perbincangan tersebut pada awalnya adalah “RETREAT” tetapi mengikut Fasilitator pada hari tersebut ABM Cikgu Bunsie Tunton mengatakan perjumpaan ini tidak boleh dikatakan sebagai “RETREAT” kerana criteria adalah tidak ditepati, walau bagaimanapun perbincangan tetap dijalankan dari Jam 10.00 pagi sehingga Jam 3.00 petang. Selain daripada 9 orang ahli Majlis Rohani Tempatan yang hadir, AJK dari tiap-tiap sector di kawasan Padawan juga hadir. Kebanyakkan malumat yang dikongsikan oleh ABM adalah berkenaan mesej 27 Dis yang menjuruskan kepada peranan MRT dalam perkembangan klaster. MRT Padawan telah bersetuju supaya ada lagi aktiviti seperti ini akan dijalankan untuk mendalami pengetahuan di kalangan komuniti yang mana akan membakar semengat mereka untuk berkhidmat kepada akidah.

A certificate was presented to representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Vietnam at a ceremony on 25 July.

It was the final act in a series of steps that included the election four months ago of the Baha’i Assembly – itself a landmark event in that it was the first time in many years that elections for the governing council were held. Government representatives were on hand to observe the balloting.

The head of the central government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, Nguyen The Doanh, officiated at last week’s ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City.

The official government news agency reported the event and referred to comments by the chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is, Mr. Nguyen Thuc: “(He) said the Government’s recognition of the Baha’i religion ‘charts a new course of development for the entire Baha’i community’ and motivates followers to make more contributions to social and humanitarian activities and to drive to preserve traditional spiritual values.”

The Baha’i Faith was established in the country in 1954, and the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Vietnam was elected 10 years later. In the mid-1970s, formal activities of the community were suspended.

The Vietnam News Agency said last week’s ceremony means that “the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs has recognized the Baha’i Community of Vietnam as a religious organization able to operate on an equal footing with other religions.”

Baha’is of Vietnam are now working on consolidating their community, gathering accurate statistics, and expanding social projects to serve the people of Vietnam, particularly in the area of education.

Nelson Évora made a name for himself by winning the gold medal in the Triple Jump event at the recent Beijing Olympics 2008. Born in Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where his parents had come to live from Cape Verde, Nelson relocated to Portugal when he was five years old. He still holds the Cape Verdean records in both the long jump (7.57 metres) and the triple jump (16.15 metres).

Nelson’s family moved into an apartment that happened to be on the floor above Nelson’s future coach, trainer and mentor, Joao Ganco, who was also a member of the Portuguese Baha’i community. João Ganço, was the former Portugal record-holder and the first man in Portugal to pass over 2m in the high jump. David Ganço, one of João Ganço’s three sons had became Évora’s best friend. One day, João Ganço, seeing them playing in the street, suggested Nelson to start practicing athletics. That was the start of a booming career in sports and João Ganço became Nelson’s first coach.

Mr. Ganco, who introduced Mr. Evora to the Baha’i Faith, describes the young star as a talented athlete and as responsible, humble, good-humored, and helpful. After the Olympics, Mr. Evora will study in the faculty of management at the University of Lisbon.

The meeting stressed on new cultures for the Baha’i communities which include the culture of learning, community prayers, sharing the glad tidings of Baha’u'llah, children and junior youths to be given universal educations, service to humanity regardless of races, religous believe and colours.

The target for the next six months before Ridvan 2009 was also set up. All present were very enthusiatics and committed in carrying forward the plan.

1st photo - View of the Baha’i Centre

2nd - Arrival of Encik Frederick Bayoi

3rd - Welcoming dance by the local Baha’is

4th - Mr. Yong Kiong Choon showing the the Baha’i books to Encik Frederick Bayoi.

5th - Baha’i Friends from having dinner at the long house.

6th - Mr. Yong Kiong Choon Presenting the Terrace Book to Encik Frederick Bayoi

The election is a common feature throughout the worldwide Baha’i communities in more than 150 countries where Baha’is reside. Casting of ballots was by delegates who were elected in their respective localities.

The duly elected 9-member body oversees the affairs of the Baha’is. Its members elected in this convention are: Mr. Yong Kiong Choon ( Chairman), Mr. Chin Chia Chau ( Vice Chairman), Tipik Ladi ( Secretary), Mr. Dajai Mancha ( Treasure), Mr. Nelson Narong, Mr. Robert Ting, Mr. Terence Tinggi , Ms Kong Ah Fah and Mdm. Marilyn Lee

Besides election, the delegates also consulted on matters related to the growth of the Baha’i Faith in Sarawak, in particular, on efforts being made to reach out to the wider communities to share the unifying teachings of Bah’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith.

Day One – 20th December 2007

We left Kota Kinabalu for Labuan at 8 in the morning. Everyone was excited and full of spirit to teach. Some were revising their flipchart. We were greeted by Mr. Goh Kok Kyiu in Labuan ferry terminal and was treated lunch too. Thanks to Mr. Goh for being so hospitable. Also thanks to Mr. Naysan Lee for assisting in printing of the Iban flipcharts. Upon arrival to Limbang by ferry, we were greeted by Mr. Kong Siew Moi, Dr. Johun Teh, Mrs. Jubang and a few youth. They brought us straight to Mendamit Bahá’í Centre which is 45 minutes from Limbang Town using two cars and a school bus. There at Mendamit Bahá’í Centre, we met Mr. Sumbang and Mdm. Rata, Mr. Changgau and Mdm. Sema, Mr. Suili and his brothers – Richie and Junaidi, and other youth. After dinner, we introduced ourselves, get to know the Tanah Merah & Mendamit Friends and sang a few songs to break the ice. After prayers, made plans for teaching.

Day Two – 21st December 2007

As an early morning exercise and to save cost for food, we took a boat to a riverside 10 minutes from the Centre to collect ‘paku-pakis’ for lunch and dinner. Suili, Richie and Junaidi led the team. For most of us, that was the first time we pluck ‘pakis’. After that, we met about 20 Bahá’ís from Kg. Tanah Merah & Mendamit, mostly youth. They came for the flipchart training. After prayers and singing a few songs together, ABM Kang explained the importance of direct teaching and sharing success stories of how the tool “Anna’s presentation” flipchart has brought victories across the globe. Next, Ridvan demonstrated the first part of the flipchart and how to invite friends to become Bahá’ís, followed by group role-plays as a practice for the Iban Friends. The plan was to go out in teams and teach, but the weather did not allow us to go as it was raining heavily, so we stayed back at the Centre to cut, paste and compile the Iban flipchart. Thus, the Limbang Friends was fortunate to be the first Bahá’ís to use the Iban flipchart in Sarawak.

Day Three – 22nd December 2007

We woke up early and prepared to leave for Kg. Tanah Merah. We arrived Rumah Jubang (longhouse) in Tanah Merah after a 5-minute boat ride and 20 minutes muddy walk. We were surprised to see that Rumah Jubang is a modern longhouse. It is cement-built and decorated with tiles at the “ruai” (veranda). The longhouse has 41 rooms (homes) of which 31 rooms are resided by Bahá’ís. We met Mr. Alfred Kandau and his son, Faribuz. After that we separated into two teams: one to visit and say prayers in Bahá’í rooms, another to go teaching. The teaching group led by Anyssa were so enthusiastic that within the first hour of arrival, they have taught the Faith to an adult and he became a Bahá’í. I love the spirit of the Bahá’í youth! In the afternoon, the youth gathered the children for a children’s class where they said prayers and played games. In the evening, more than 50 Bahá’ís gathered at the ‘ruai’ to say prayers. Then, ABM Kang spoke about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels to the West, that even at an old age, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá still arise to spread Bahá’u'lláh’s Cause. Then, Ridvan and Anyssa led the youth and presented the musical fireside based on Anna’s presentation. Many Friends bought the Greatest Name symbol rings to wear.

Day Four – 23rd December 2007

Before leaving Tanah Merah, we managed to visit a few more Bahá’í rooms to say prayers. After lunch, we headed back to Mendamit Bahá’í Centre. After washing up, teams were formed naturally and went out teaching while the Area Growth Committee of Limbang had a meeting with ABM Kang Eng Soo. One team taught the Faith to a Chinese cook, another team went to invite 6 Indonesians for fireside, and another team went to the ferry terminal to teach. The 6 youth who went to the ferry terminal to teach were so enthusiastic in teaching that they unknowingly went into a logging area. They were threatened by some people that Sabahans were killed there not long ago. With the assistance and aid from Bahá’u'lláh, the youth were not harmed. Around 6 p.m., we were expecting the 6 Indonesians to come. Instead, 21 Indonesian workers came and they all heard about the Faith and asked many questions. A few showed keen interested and even borrowed the flipchart home to study and promised to return it the next day.

Day Five – 24th December 2007

11 of us left for Kg. Entakong, which was situated very far from Mendamit. 4 from our team stayed back because of medical reason and no parental consent. The boat ride was not as dangerous as we expected because no rainfall. Thank God we arrived Entakong safely after an hour and a half by 3 boats. There were more than 10 local youth and adults from Tanah Merah who came along with us and made our trips more exciting. The longhouse (Rumah Bala) in Entakong was the traditional type and after a tour, we were served with dozens of durian. A children’s class was held and by the evening, more than 50 Bahá’ís gathered at the ‘ruai’ for prayers. According to the Bahá’í Friends, 12 years ago the inhabitants of the whole longhouse were Bahá’ís. And we were shocked that this longhouse has not been visited by Bahá’ís since 1995, yet there were houses where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s picture is still pasted on the front doors. And the people there still recites “Allah’u’Abhá” as their prayers. After introduction and prayers, we presented ‘Anna’s presentation’ in Bahasa Malaysia and Iban to the Bahá’ís gathered. After that, our team went to sit among the Entakong Friends and deepened them about the Faith, such as about prayers, Bahá’u'lláh, greatness of this Day, and so on. Mr. Ramlee from Tanah Merah managed to re-register 101 inhabitants who still identify themselves as Bahá’ís.

The Entakong Friends requested for Iban prayer books, new photos of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, posters of Holy Land and Baha’i calendar. They requested that they be given a Baha’i identity card each so that they can show to the Christians who always come to challenge their faith and steadfastness. They also requested that their own Local Spiritual Assembly be elected this coming Ridvan with the assistance of the Tanah Merah Friends. Mdm. Rata promised to revisit them in February and April. The Local Spiritual Assembly of Tanah Merah has agreed to take care and assist Entakong.

A touching story was told of an old man who passed away recently. Before his last breath, he said “Allah’u’Abha” three times. Such great firmness and faith after 12 years of our failure to visit and consolidate them!

Day Six – 25th December 2007

After arriving Mendamit Bahá’í Centre from Entakong, we packed and took a bus to Limbang Town where we were brought to Bahá’í homes to rest. We gathered for dinner in Mr. Kong Siew Moi’s place and did some sharing of the experiences in Mendamit. Then, Huey Chyn and Yen Nie shared how to use the flipchart as the teaching tool in Mandarin. And the next day on 26th, we left Limbang back to Kota Kinabalu. During our stay in Limbang, we really enjoyed the hospitality of the Bahá’ís there. We hope that this trip won’t be the last trip for us as we are very optimistic to visit Limbang again in the near future.

Some insights during our trip:

The Iban Friends in Tanah Merah & Mendamit need to move out to teach and consolidate others. Then, only will the spirit of teaching and serving bring back the unity and love in Tanah Merah itself. The Friends have too long dwelled on each others’ shortcomings and slight disunity and estrangement have crept into the community. (This is the main reason why the trip to Entakong was still pursued even though we were advised that it was unadvisable to travel over an hour’s boat ride. Seeing the unity of the Tanah Merah Friends in securing 3 boats for free and the excitement of going teaching and visiting even tough many of them fear for their safety as they could not swim, we decided not to cancel the trip and kill the enthusiasm. Mr. Kong Swee Moi sponsored the 10 gallons of petrol. We needed 5 gallon for each boat. As a reward for our determination and trust in Him, Baha’u’llah blessed us with 101 souls waiting for us.)

Below are some inspired words by the inspired youth in our team:

During my trip to Limbang, I have learned lots of new things. One of it is fellowship which makes us felt at home. The locals are really friendly people as if they have known us for a very long time. I have also learned hardship. We have to travel from one longhouse to another by boat which is the only suitable transportation for travel. Lastly, I learned that although we are from different religious backgrounds, we could still stay under the same roof. This is what we call unity!
Danish Krishnan, 20 years old

The trip to Limbang would be one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life. It was truly challenging both physically and spiritually. To me, the whole journey was worth the time and energy spent. I’ve learnt more about the culture, the value therein and the spiritual energy gained thereof from a mere one week visit. I love the people, the greenery and the enthusiasm I witnessed.
Kang Fairuz, 20 years old

I have learned a lot about the use of flipchart. I was only taught how to use it but never taught anyone to use it. This is my first time gathering with Sarawakians and going to longhouses. Now I am not afraid to go on boat rides. I have learnt about their culture, which is different from Aslis and Sabahans. I hope to come back, especially to Entakong, because I realized they need human resources to deepen them in the Faith. They believe in Bahá’u'lláh but still don’t know what are the true meaning and practices of Bahá’ís.
Lua Preethy Mari, 21 years old

I realized that teaching the Faith is not an easy job, you will face all kinds of obstacles but everything pays off in the end. It was a great trip, full with joy and laughter and I am looking forward to come back. The joy of teaching cannot be explained in words.
Shanti Thangavelu, 18 years old

During this trip, I learnt and realized the beauty of service and sharing the Teachings of the Bahá’u'lláh. The Friends in Mendamit, Tanah Merah and Entakong were very friendly and like to give us all the assistance to make us feel comfortable and happy. I have met a few aunties and uncles in Entakong who wants to know the ways of praying. The thing that touches my heart is that they really love Bahá’u'lláh’s teachings and steadfast in the covenant even though some youth were diverted because they have limited knowledge about the Faith. I want to go back there to serve them as soon as possible.
Anyssa Rani Thangavelu, 17 years old

During the whole period, I felt fortunate because I had a chance to learn better the use of flipchart and my confidence in sharing the Teachings with others also became stronger. Regarding the friends in Mendamit, Entakong and Tanah Merah, I think they were all kind, friendly, and generous. Only Bahá’u'lláh knows how steadfast they are.
Wody Basri, 24 years old

Limbang is the first place I went teaching in Sarawak. This was also the first time I teach in longhouses. My heart was so glad when I met Bahá’í Friends who readily receive our visit. The longhouses which were not empty made me more enthusiastic to share the Teachings of Bahá’u'lláh. When I was in Mendamit Bahá’í Centre, I felt that the place was very suitable to organize Bahá’í activities because it has active Bahá’í families. The Friends in Tanah Merah is the main resource for consolidation and expansion in other longhouses such as Entakong because it has large number of Bahá’í youth. Entakong Friends which was not visited for 12 years, touched my heart because they still claim that they are still Bahá’ís. That which made me glad was when I saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s picture pasted in their front doors and never taken down. I felt sad when I had to leave the longhouse because I didn’t spend much time with them. For sure I will come back to visit and teach when there is an opportunity.
Boonny Masumboh, 27 years old

The trip to Limbang had made me learnt many things. I learnt to be more courageous in facing obstacles in life such as teaching to others, adapting to new environment and having to travel to villages such as Entakong which can only be reached by boat ride of one and a half hour. I have also learnt to use the flipchart better and work together with other youth. Throughout this trip, I realized that taking up responsibility in teaching is a must for everybody because it is important to teach other people clearly about the Bahá’í Faith. Indeed, teaching is the dominating passion of our lives.
Jayanti Mages, 18 years old

This trip to Limbang really helped me understand the meaning of perseverance. I learnt that how lonely you feel or sometimes no one visits us, gives us motivation, we must never lose our faith to Bahá’u'lláh. Just like how this longhouse in Entakong. For 12 years no connecton woth other Bahá’ís from other place and with lack of reading materials, their faith in Bahá’u'lláh still burning in them till today.
Huey Chyn, 23

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During the visit of Counsellor G. Soraya to Miri on 18-19 August 2007, two rural communities had the honour of hosting a gathering held in conjunction with the visit. The first visit was to Sungai Nipa in Bakong cluster and the second to Rumah Tambi, in Niah cluster. In both gatherings, the focus is on increasing the number of tutors for study circles and having more children’s classes and junior youth groups.

Some Tips for “Advanced” clusters
During the retreat held at Soon Hup Villa, Jalan Sungai Rait, Bakam, Miri on 18-19 August 2007, the Regional Council learned a few tips on what to do prior to launching IPG in each cluster. In the remaining years of the current Five Year Plan, cluster Niah, Bakong and Limbang are enlisted for the program. Foremost in the category of human resources required in IPG are the tutors. Following the study of Ridvan Message, there was a workshop on “Accompanying the Tutors”; to increase their capacity by having “refresher course” and visiting them. Maintaining and keeping accurate statistical information is also emphasized. Teaching approaches need to focus on certain locality or populations and provided with appropriate materials. Teaching teams should be formed and assisted in making plans prior to the actual launching of IPG. Once an IPG is launched, a “full-time” cluster development facilitator and an office is required. Sarawak is entering in its early stage of IPG; there is plenty of room for improvement as we tread the path of service.

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