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Abstract: Summary of this letter, in outline format. |
Ridván 1996:
Outline
1996
1. Summary Outline
I. Three Year Plan "Background of Heartening Developments" ( ¶1-15)
- A. Abundant manifestations of His grace (¶1)
- B. Mount Carmel Project (¶2-3)
- C. Signs of Progress (¶4-15)
II. Four Year Plan ( ¶16-33)
- A. Backdrop
- B. Aims at one major accomplishment: A significant advance in the process of entry by troops (¶17)
- C. Concepts: (¶18)
- D. Three constituents (¶20-26)
- E. Institutes (¶27-31)
- F. World Centre Goals (¶32-33)
III. Bahá'í World ( ¶34-35)
- A. Formation of two National Spiritual Assemblies (¶34)
- B. Two National Spiritual Assemblies cannot be elected (¶34)
- C. Number of NSAs worldwide remains at 174 (¶34)
- D. "Century of Light" (¶35)
IV. World at Large ( ¶36-39)
- A. A period of accelerating transition (¶36)
- B. Twin processes (¶36)
- C. Recent world developments (¶37)
- D. Establishment of Lesser Peace (¶38)
- E. Opposition (¶40)
V. The Devine Tasks Set Before Us ( ¶41)
- A. "spreading far and wide the knowledge of the redemptive power of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh" (¶41)
- B. "enlisting fresh recruits in the ever-swelling army of His followers" (¶41)
- C. Those of us who are alive to the vision of the Faith are particularly privileged to be consciously engaged in efforts intended to stimulate and eventually enhance such processes (¶41)
- D. May you all... (¶42)
- E. The advise of our infallible guide, Shoghi Effendi (¶42)
2. Detailed Outline
I. Three Year Plan "Background of Heartening Developments" ( ¶1-15)
A. Abundant manifestations of His grace (¶1)
B. Mount Carmel Project (¶2-3)
C. Signs of Progress (¶4-15)
- 1. Expansion and Consolidation (¶5-8)
- a. Arena of teaching (¶5)
- i. there was general increase of activities
- ii. twelve new National Spiritual Assemblies
- iii. veritable flood of traveling teachers
- b. International Teaching Centre (ITC) (¶6)
- i. spirit of enterprise shown by ITC
- ii. constant direction and encouragement of CBC
- iii. new methods for the deployment of pioneers
- iv. unflagging attention to the educational needs of
- a) the community
- b) new believers
- c) children's teachers
- v. efforts to establish training institutes
- c. Indigenous believers (¶7)
- i. notable rise in assumption of responsibility
- ii. have shown an admirable capacity for administering the affairs of the Cause
- iii. upsurge of vigor, courage and creativity in Bahá'í island communities
- iv. heightened commitment to the teaching work
- v. growing maturity
- d. Youth (¶8)
- i. outstanding contributions
- ii. invested immense amount of time, energy and zeal in the teaching work
- iii. stimulated hundreds of new enrolments and...
- iv. the formation of many Local Spiritual Assemblies
- v. music and art distinguished their exertions
- vi. dance and drama workshop was particularly effective
- vii. participation in external affairs
- viii. commitment to year of service widely demonstrated
- ix. increase in formal training and achieving academic, professional and vocational excellence
- 2. Social and Economic Development (¶4, 9-10)
- a. In the field of education (¶9)
- i. e.g. managing seven public schools
- ii. farming projects in Africa
- iii. improving status of women
- iv. the Bahá'í International Community's Office for the Advancement of Women emerged
- b. To improve health (¶10)
- i. significant Bahá'í participation in government-sponsored programs
- ii. Bahá'í groups initiated and carried out such programs
- c. Firm establishment of a number of projects (¶10)
- d. Three projects begun in a literacy campaign (¶10)
- e. Resulted in proclamation of the Faith (¶10)
- 3. External Affairs (¶4, 11-14)
- a. Exceeding all previous records (¶11)
- b. Boosted the proclamation of the Cause (¶11)
- c. Board lines of progress (¶11)
- i. the ease with which the Bahá'í communities sponsored and participated in public events
- ii. the emergence of Bahá'ís as a force in society
- iii. wide coverage... was beyond calculation
- d. Specific developments that stood out (¶12)
- i. the frequency with which high public officials would invite Bahá'ís
- ii. the successful initiatives of Bahá'ís in influencing government action
- iii. the establishment of Bahá'í academic programs
- iv. the adoption of curricular material for public schools
- v. the use of arts in proclamation events
- e. Two major United Nations events (¶13)
- i. the World Summit for Social and Development, Copenhagen
- a) 250 friends from more than 40 countries involved
- b) acquainted the participants and NGOs with the Teachings
- c) "The Prosperity of Humankind" produced by BIC's OPI
- ii. the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijin
- a) more than 500 Bahá'ís attended in addition to the official delegation of the BIC
- f. 50th anniversary of United Nations
- i. "Turning Point for All Nations" by BIC's UN Office
- ii. containing proposals for the development of UN
- g. Prominent participation of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (¶14)
- i. headed the delegation to the Summit on the Alliance between Religions and Conservation
- ii. the keynote speaker at the Fourth International Dialogue on the Transition to Global Society
- 4. Other significant marks of the period (¶15)
- a. the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in the original Arabic was published
- b. the Law of Huqúqu'lláh became more deeply rooted
- c. the Trustee of Huqúqu'lláh took up residence in the Holy Land
- i. this significant step means that all three Hands are now residing at the World Centre
- ii. bringing inspiration to pilgrims, visitors, and staff
II. Four Year Plan ( ¶16-33)
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