Bahá'í Recollections

TO AFRICA WITH LOVE

This is a story of love for the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh, His glorious Cause and Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, that was profoundly demonstrated by a band of believers who rose to serve as soon as the call came. It is unparalleled in its own way  in the history of the Faith in Malaysia.

The beloved Guardian termed the Ten-Year Crusade as the “Spiritual Conquest” of the planet, and the triumphant victory was at the First Bahá’í  World Congress held in London. The Universal House of Justice, the last refuge for a tottering civilization, that infallible body was elected in Riḍván in 1963. The first global plan of this Supreme Body was the Nine-Year Plan that from 1964 to 1973. Nine Year Plan to begin at Riḍván 1964, and to end with the one hundredth anniversary of the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in 1973. While most of the countries were still on the path towards fulfilling the goals of the Nine-Year Plan assigned to them, Malaysia was able to fulfill all its goals half way through the Plan.

While there was one more year to win the goals of the Nine-Year Plan, some African national communities felt they needed extra manpower to win their own goals. The goals for the African countries would lapse if not for emergency action. This was made known to Dr. Muhájir when he consulted with the Universal House of Justice in early 1972. From this consultation stemmed a plan that assisted in winning the goals of the Nine-Year Plan in Swaziland, Chad, the Cameroon Republic, and other African countries in need of assistance. It was decided that Dr. Muhájir should call for assistance to come from the communities in Iran, India, Philippines, and Malaysia.

Dr. Muhájir swung into action and visited Persia, India, Philippines, and Malaysia to raise a core of believers to rush to the assistance of the hard-pressed believers in East African countries in winning the remaining goals of the Nine-Year Plan in Africa. The response was overwhelming, with forty travel teachers arising from Persia, eleven from India, four from the Philippines and six from Malaysia. The delegation from the Philippines had one member of the National Spiritual Assembly and one member of the Auxiliary Board. Although not called upon to send teachers, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States expressed intention in sending manpower. Some came from Canada too. By June Dr. Muhájir had devised a special African Pioneering Programme and received the blessings of the Supreme Body, and it was executed in August 1972, with  several travel teachers of capacity leaving for various parts of Africa. The goal given to these travel teachers was to be in Africa initially for a six-month travel teaching and subsequently for long-term pioneering if at all possible.

Dr. Muhájir

He was confident in the unique capacities of  believers in these communities who would leave marks of distinction. Dr. Muhájir knew the Bahá’ís from these countries would never fail his expectations. Dr. Muhájir had already sent out several pioneers and travel teachers to several parts of the world from some of these countries. But here was yet another effort on the part of Dr.. Muhajir when  a new milestone was created in 1972, with Dr. Muhájir writing the script for a dramatic historical event that saw no parallel.  The teams from India, Iran, the Philippines and Malaysia had done outstanding services in Africa. This story is confined to the services of the travel teachers from Malaysia alone.

CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP

Dr. Muhájir wanted someone capable of giving all the encouragement to these travel teachers when they arrived in Africa. It was Counsellor S. Vasudevan, whom Dr. Muhájir had sent off from Malaysia as pioneer to India in 1967 who  also roped into this great enterprise. After Dr. Muhájir had met with the Supreme Body, he flew to Iran in May 1972. At this time there was a meeting of the Continental Board in Tehran. Vasudevan and his mother-in-law Mrs. Shirin Boman, also a Counsellor, were there for the meeting. Dr. Muhájir arrived in Tehran, carrying with him a mandate and a plan approved by the Universal House of Justice. Dr. Muhájir met Vasudevan first, even before addressing the other Persian friends, and explained the mission for him in Africa. He then urged Vasudevan to be in Kenya immediately after visiting the Holy Land en-route. Vasudevan’s love for Dr. Muhájir was so great that he immediately consented to enrol himself into this ambitious and all-pressing project to please Dr. Muhájir and the Supreme Body. Once Vasudevan consented to go to Africa, Dr. Muhájir had a series of meetings with the youths in Tehran.  Vasudevan flew out of Tehran into Africa, through the Holy Land. At that time his wife Sitara was expecting their second child. In view of the urgency of the situation, Vasudevan decided not to return to India to inform his wife. Instead, Vasudevan sent a note to his wife Sitara through his fellow Counsellor and mother-in-law Mrs. Shirin Boman, informing of the pressing need to proceed straight from Iran to Africa. In the Holy Land, Vasudevan received the encouragement of the  House of Justice.  Mr. Amoz Gibson, a member of the Universal House of Justice, produced out of his pocket a vial of rose attar from the Shrines  to be anointed on the remotely placed African believers.  Following that Vasudevan arrived in Nairobi on 9 June, ahead of the other travel teachers from the four other countries. He was there as a field worker  and to coordinate the teaching activities along with fellow Counsellors Aziz Yazdi and Continental Teaching Committee member Mr. Hassan Sabri.

Counsellor S. Vasudevan.

DRAMA UNFOLDS IN MALAYSIA

While Vasudevan was already in Africa, dramatic developments were taking place in Malaysia. In early June 1972, the National Spiritual Assembly was in session, going through the goals of the Nine-Year Plan. The national institution had every reason to feel proud that all its national goals were fulfilled but was concerned with the only goal of sending four pioneers to Tanzania that remained unfulfilled. Just then, a telegram from Dr. Muhájir to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia dated 31 May was received. The cable mentioned that the Universal House of Justice expected the Malaysian community to send ten Malaysian youth to travel teach for a term of six months or one year of service to East and Central Africa. The national institution had the impression that school leavers would be good enough and came out with fourteen names of youth from West Malaysia and one from Singapore, making a total of fifteen. All were school leavers who had not yet found permanent employment. The national institution immediately sent out letters to those on the list, explaining the field of service they would serve, that they were to prepare to depart for Africa as soon as possible, that the Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir would arrive in Malaysia any time to explain the details and expedite their departure, that they must come to Kuala Lumpur at short notice to meet the Hand of the Cause, that if they had any financial difficulties in coming to Kuala Lumpur to meet the Hand of the Cause they should contact the nearest National Spiritual Assembly member. Having done that the national institution immediately and happily drafted a cable and sent to Dr. Muhájir on Friday, 2 June at 6:00 pm, providing the potential youth selected and seeking advice on finance and the next move to be taken. Dr. Muhájir immediately cabled back saying he was coming to Malaysia and asked them to arrange for a special meeting of key believers in order to appeal to the Malaysian friends to pioneer to Africa. Dr. Muhájir flew into Kuala Lumpur on the evening of Tuesday, 13 June 1972 to consult with the National Spiritual Assembly, Auxiliary Board members and possible travel teachers to assist in the urgent need of manpower in Cameroon Republic, Chad, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Swaziland in Africa.

Mr. Sivasathiasilan Nadarajah popularly known as N. S. S. Silan, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, drove to the Subang International Airport that evening to receive Dr. Muhájir. On the way from the airport to Kuala Lumpur, Dr Muhájir asked Silan for the list of those the national institution had selected, which Silan passed to him. Dr. Muhájir looked at the names, smiled and said, “This is not what I want.” He then placed his right hand on the head of Silan and shook it. All Silan knew was that there was a message in that gesture on the part of Dr. Muhájir.

As soon Dr. Muhajir checked into his hotel,  the National Spiritual Assembly telephoned the potential travel teachers across the country to come to meet Dr. Muhajir in the National Bahá’í Centre the following evening of 14 June 1972. There was  intense excitement at the National Bahá’í Centre in Kuala Lumpur. At 5:00 pm, some twenty friends listened to the exciting talk by Dr. Muhájir and by 8:00 pm the crowd swelled to forty. He gave an outline on the historic opening of the Faith in Africa, the current status of the goals under the Nine-Year Plan and the needs of pioneers and travel teachers there. He began to talk about Africa, starting with its Bahá’í history and how the Guardian loved Africa, about her wonderful future, about her problems and needs. What was required, Dr. Muhájir said was very dedicated, mature believers who could be relied upon to address schools and universities, give press releases, radio, and TV interviews, be good public relations officers, and well versed in Bahá’í administration and at the same time be field workers, willing and able to move in difficult terrain under any circumstances. Most important of all these, the friends had to be humble and loving and be prepared to go to the villages to learn from the African believers, and not merely to go as teachers. The pioneers, he further said, had to be both generals and foot soldiers.

Dr. Muhájir had clearly set forth his plans in words and utterances of highest eloquence in that spiritually charged gathering. The National Spiritual Assembly hurriedly convened a special meeting with Counsellor Dr. Chellie John Sundram and Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Betty Fernandez for consultation at 9:30 pm on 14 June before meeting up with the Hand of the Cause.. As the national institution met with the Counsellor Dr. Sundram and Auxiliary Board member Betty, Dr. Muhájir kept speaking to the friends in the hall of the National Centre.

Then Dr. Muhájir entered the meeting room. The national institution was wondering where to get the kind of such supermen that Dr. Muhájir was looking for in the Malaysian community. The National Spiritual Assembly handed over the list of names of youth it had prepared to Dr. Muhájir and mentioned some background information on them. He looked at the list and asked the members of the National Spiritual Assembly directly, “Which of you are going to accompany the youth and guide them in their tasks in Africa?” The members of the national institution were stunned. Dr. Muhájir particularly wanted the members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Teaching Committee to go on a six-month teaching trip to Africa!

Dr. Muhájir further added that those who were originally selected by the national institution were not the names he was looking for and that he wanted the caliber of Vasudevan and Sabapathy who were already making waves in India. He urged the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia themselves to set example by taking leave and go for a short-term pioneering to Africa, a continent that was dearly loved by the Guardian. Inbum Chinniah (Secretary),   N. S. S. Silan, (Treasurer) and S. Bhaskaran, (member) who were serving the government arose to serve in Africa. Mr. Ravichandran Sinnathamby and Mr. Thanabalan Thambipillai from the National Teaching Committee were selected by the national institution, and Miss  Kamachee who was serving as an Administrative Assistant with the National Teaching Committee of Malaysia.

The following morning a hurried conference was held among some twenty-five key believers who had gathered in the National Bahá’í Centre in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Counsellors K. H. Payman from Indonesia and Chellie J. Sundram joined in this special conference. Inbum Chinniah then announced the names of the six members of the Malaysian community who were all set to leave for Africa. Silan, the national treasurer addressed the small group of the assembled friends made his moving pleas to support the teaching activities in Africa. The response was encouraging with those few believers that very morning at the gathering pledging to contribute over M$5,000.  The Local Spiritual Assembly of Petaling Jaya was very excited with this African plan of Dr. Muhájir. The community had already collected and kept aside M$6,000 to be used for purchasing its own Bahá’í Centre but the Local Spiritual Assembly decided to contribute M$1,800 from that amount for this project.

With three members of the National Spiritual Assembly resigning to go to Africa, one believer commented, “A by-election had to be held to replace the three members of the National Assembly, the most active believers were being released from Malaysia.” But another believer responded, “The House has called and when we give for Bahá’u’lláh, we give our best and rest assured that He will guide and protect us.”

Dr. Muhájir was most joyful that the challenge he threw to the community was met immediately by the valiant members of this community. Nothing would alter the course on which these dedicated believers, so attached and respectful to Dr. Muhájir, now pledged to undertake.

Things started to move fast, and several hurdles were miraculously cleared- getting the consent of their spouses or parents, applying for no pay leave for six months, making arrangements for their families to be financially self- sufficient while they were away in Africa, and visa arrangements were all cleared on time. Ravichandran was not given his no pay leave he immediately resigned his prestigious job with the Guthries Plantations and sold his Mini Cooper car. Believers throughout the country were pleasantly stunned by the dramatic developments that happened so quickly and yet so smoothly. The Malaysian Bahá’í community marvelled at the manner of their sacrifice and the virtue of their fortitude

They all boldly entered the arena of service in countries they had never been to before, with the single aim of assisting their sister communities in winning the remaining goals of the Nine-Year Plan and to please the heart of the Supreme Body. Their firmness and confidence stemmed from the assurance of the power of divine assistance. This enterprise was truly a test of their stamina, willpower, and the strength of the love and faith they had in Bahá’u’lláh.

Bhaskaran, Silan, T. Thanabalan, S. Ravichandran and Kamachee flew off on 15 August through Bangkok and Cairo and arrived in Nairobi Airport. Counsellor for Central and East Africa Mr. Aziz Ismayn Yazdi, and several other Bahá’ís gave a warm welcome and accommodated them in the Hill Top Guest House in the city. Next day, they all met Counsellor Yazdi who gave them three days to sort out their immediate needs and affairs. Inbum Chinniah flew in a few days later.

Miss Nargis Astani from Indonesia came to Kuala Lumpur in 1972 after her graduation from Indonesia, thinking that she could serve the Faith in Malaysia. When Nargis consulted with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia, she was requested to consider serving in Africa. Nargis agreed and arrived in Nairobi on 17 September 1972 and was assigned to Kenya.

Hill Top Hotel in Nairobi. Silan in dark glasses with Thanabalan to his right and Ravichandran at the extreme right.

Counsellor Aziz Yazdi informed the six Malaysians of their respective destinations in Africa and briefed them on the unachieved goals of the Nine Year Plan in those countries. He then remarked, “I have heard of the Malaysians. Now that you are all in Africa, I am confident you all are capable of conquering the entire continent.” The Pioneering Committee for Africa very ably disbursed the travel teachers according to need and suitability. The volunteers from the four countries were very ably assisted and deployed Counsellor Aziz Yazdi and Mr. Hasan Sabri, Secretary of the Continental Pioneering Committee for Africa. Inbum Chinniah was assigned Tanzania; Thanabalan, Bhaskaran and Kamachee were assigned Cameroon; Ravichandran was assigned Swaziland while Silan and Nargis were assigned Kenya. Throughout their stay in their posts, constant guidance came from the Counsellor and the National Spiritual Assemblies with Dr. Muhájir visiting them and encouraging them often.

REMARKABLE SERVICES

All these travel teachers were involved in a multitude of tasks such as daily visits to the villages to teach and open new areas, deepen new believers, organize teaching institutes, form teaching teams involving local believers, formation of new Local Spiritual Assemblies, and supporting the activities of the local institutions and committees. They all wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia from time to time, some of which were edited and published in the Malaysian Bahá’í News magazine.

Nairobi. L-R: Mrs. Isobel Sabri, N. S. S. Silan, Counsellor Aziz Yazdi, Miss Missaghiah Yaganagi, Miss Nargis Astani.

KENYA

Silan, Kamachee and other travel teachers immediately set to fulfil the goals of the Nine Year Plan for Kenya which were to open up 2,000 localities and establish 100 Local Spiritual Assemblies. Together with the youth they  enrolled 2800 believers in schools around Kenya, established at least one youth in each of more than 116 schools, some of which have over 100 believers, and have boosted enrolment in the correspondence course to over 1,000. They have formed many new youth committees in villages and schools around the country.

Arrival of Dr. Muhájir

In a hotel in Nairobi there was a Teaching Conference, which was graced by Dr. Muhájir and participated by the Counsellors, Kamachee, Silan, Nargis and some travel teachers from India, Iran and the Philippines who all gave reports of all their experiences. Dr. Muhájir gave an inspiring talk to the pioneers.

As the conference was in session, the exciting news reached Nairobi that Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum was on her way to Nairobi from Mombasa, Kenya, in the course of her Great African Safari undertaken with Mrs. Violette Nakhjavani. Some pioneers from other countries who had arrived in Nairobi were not reporting to their posts as they were keen to stay on and meet Amatu’l-Bahá before going to their respective posts. Dr. Muhájir was upset they were staying on. He met the travel teachers who had not left for their posts in the hotel lobby and distributed them to other African countries, with Counsellor Aziz Yazdi taking care of the logistics.

Kamachee went to see Dr. Muhájir in the hotel where he was staying. The concerned Hand told Kamachee, “What answer I will give Amatu’l-Bahá? The Nine-Year Plan is ending soon, and the travel teachers and pioneers must go to their allocated posts.” The following day Kamachee left for the Cameroons, and so did the other travel teachers to their assigned destinations while Silan and Nargis stayed on in their assigned post of Kenya. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Mrs. Violette Nakhjavani arrived in Nairobi for one week’s stopover in early October 1972. That week was packed with activities that added greatly to the publicity of the Faith.

During the course of Amatu’l-Bahá’s stay in Nairobi, Counsellor Aziz Yazdi hosted a lunch for the travel teachers and friends. She was informed of the presence of Malaysian travel teachers in some African countries. Amatu’l-Bahá mentioned that wherever she went there were lots of praises for the Malaysian and Filipino pioneers. She said the Malaysians especially had distinguished themselves as able, versatile, proactive, and diligent administrators and field workers needing least supervision. She added that they knew their goals and duties very well and that she was very happy with their services. Amatu’l-Bahá’s short stint in Nairobi and her words of encouragement boosted the spirit of the travel teachers. Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Mrs. Violette Nakhjavani flew off to Malawi on 11 October 1972.

Amatu’l-Bahá meeting some travel teachers at a lunch hosted by Counsellor Aziz Yazdi at his home. Mrs Viloette Nakhjavani is seated to the left of Amatu’l-Bahá. Standing at the extreme right is N. S. S. Silan. To Silan’s right is Mrs. Ashraf with her husband Board member Fuad Ashraf to her right. Standing at the back of Amatu’l-Bahá is Nargis Astani. Standing to the right of Amatu’l-Bahá is Mrs. Yazdi.

The team Nargis was assigned to was tasked to serve a town called Machakos. Her team went out daily to the villages to meet people outside their houses, and also give the Faith in schools and colleges. At the end of 6 months teaching, a Local Spiritual Assembly was formed in Machakos. At the end of February 1973, when the teaching project was over, the team went back to Nairobi and waiting for her next area of service. On the advice of Amatu’l-Bahá, Nargis went to the Netherlands. Holding an Iranian passport, she could not be employed in Netherlands, and so she returned to Indonesia.

Meanwhile the Supreme Body was most happy by response of the Malaysian Bahá’ís to the needs in Africa that in a letter written to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia dated 18 February 1973, the Supreme Body said, “Please assure these dear friends, as well as those who are in Africa, of our prayers on their behalf at the Holy Shrines.” The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia too had been sending letters of encouragement to the Malaysian travel teachers, urging them to get local employment if they could.

Silan in Kenya

Silan was busy, among others, traveling around Kenya activating the Area Teaching Committees, conducting training seminars and deepening classes for them, and teaching the Faith. He and his team were successful in opening several new localities and enrolling many students into the Faith. In October 1972 Silan also organised a teaching conference in Mathira Division, Karatina, with more than 100 friends participating. Dr. Muhájir graced the conference and expressed his pleasure with the way Silan served.

As the end of the six-month period was nearing Silan was making arrangements to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and he received a letter of approval from Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, member of the Supreme Body. Silan approached Counsellor Aziz Yazdi and informed him of his intention to return to Malaysia through the Holy Land after the pilgrimage. Mr. Yazdi told Silan to stay on in Kenya and help in completing the goals of the Nine-Year Plan. Silan, stunned, told him that staying back would require him to resign from his prestigious and stable government job, and had a family to look after. Mr. Yazdi told him to consider resigning himself to the needs of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. After praying and meditating over the weekend, Silan informed Mr. Yazdi of his decision to stay on in Africa. The happy Mr. Yazdi told Silan to inform the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia his decision and submit a letter of resignation to the Inland Revenue Department in Malaysia. Silan took a bold move and resigned from his government job in Malaysia and informed the national institution in Malaysia of the same. The news of his resignation shocked Silan’s family. His mother cried but his younger brother Sivalingam, a believer wrote to Silan telling him not to worry as he would manage the family. The Bahá’ís in Malaysia complimented Silan’s sacrificial efforts while his non-Bahá’í family, understandably, thought that Silan had gone insane!

Silan was moved to a coastal area in Mombasa and lived in the Bahá’í Institute in Kilifi. Here a team will travel and teach and invite participants to the Institute on the weekend. Deepening and children’s classes were held on Sundays. He had been praying for his fervent wishes to take up a professional course. His prayers were answered with a path opening for him to take up accountancy in the United Kingdom. Silan left Kenya for London in June 1973 , where he was attached to an accounting firm. On 6 July 1974, he married Tahereh Djafari, a Persian pioneer whom he met in Kenya. Today they live in Australia.

CAMEROON

Bhaskaran, Thanabalan and Kamachee were serving together in one locality at times and separately at other times. Bhaskaran and Thanabalan stayed in the home of Ms. Karen Bare, an American Bahá’í pioneer in Victoria town. The three were in Victoria for some time until Dr. Muhájir arrived. Noting that they were all accommodated in the same base, Dr. Muhájir allocated specific places. Bhaskaran and Kamachee were to be in different bases in the Victoria town while Thanabalan was to be in a town called Mamfe. After giving some words of encouragement, Dr. Muhájir left for his next destination. Cameroons had the goal of forming 86 more Local Spiritual Assemblies and opening 600 localities.

Cameroon. L-R:  Bhaskaran, Kamachee, Fred Ramirez from the Philippines, Parvin Behi from Iran and  Thanabalan.

S. Bhaskaran third from left and Thanabalan fifth from left with believers of Cameroon.

Thanabalan

Thanabalan was staying with a believer who was working as a Hospital Assistant in a leprosy centre in Mamfe, situated about 50 kilometers east of the Nigerian border. Thanabalan got along very well with the believer. It was  great sacrifice and adjustment to the culture shock on the part of Thanabalan in totally an alien territory hitherto unknown and unaccustomed to him. He went to the villages around Mamfe town and spent weeks in Tinto, Tali, Bakebe and Fotabe. He also sojourned in Bamenda suburbs. Most of the time he was involved in visiting the tribal villages where he presented the Faith to the simple people and taught both the adults and children. He was very popular and well loved by people of all ages. They took a tremendous liking for Thanabalan, who won their hearts by moving as one among them.

He had copied down some Bahá’í songs sung in Malaysia into his notebook which he taught to children who always flocked to him each time he was coming.  Thanabalan was not musically inclined, but he taught the children three of his own favourite and simple songs which he had painstakingly copied into his notebook while preparing to leave for Africa 1.) Will you give your heart to  Bahá’u’lláh, 2) Love is something that you give it away, and 3) Shine the Light on me,  Bahá’u’lláh. And the songs went very well among children and adults as well as the local people sang and danced as well to these songs. These villagers who had come from Christian background were trained in singing hymns in churches and so loved singing Bahá’í songs. He was very popular among the local people.

With the adults he would discuss on the Faith and at the same time bring much laughter. He would also offer to help the Bahá’í women when they were cooking in the kitchens. Having not met with such a lovable and loving Bahá’í, within the first few months, they appealed to Balan to settle in Africa for good. But Thanabalan explained that he had commitments at home and that he was only on a six month leave. Some local believers quietly went to meet Counsellor Dr. Mihdi Samandarí to persuade Thanabalan to remain or extend his stay longer in Cameroon. Counsellor Midhi replied that he would try, and he did speak to Thanabalan, and realised that Thanabalan had to return home.  The locals  were sad but had to resign to reality.  Yet Thanabalan saw the love the locals had for him, and the tremendous amount of work that he could do for the Cause in Cameroon. In one of his letters to Maureen, Thanabalan quietly asked if there was any possibility of she flying down to Cameroon where they could get married and settle down. But that was not possible on her part as well, and that chapter was closed.

At one-point Balan brought some 300 villagers into the Faith; he spent one whole day filling the declaration cards of a long line of locals. That was seen as a resounding success of the first kind for the Cameroons. News spread and when Thanabalan came for a visit to the home of Ms. Karen Bare in Victoria city many gathered to welcome him. On account of that one rare achievement, Thanabalan was given the master bedroom to sleep the night, the local way of honouring someone. Thanabalan was reluctant, but the believers pushed him into the room and locked the door from outside. After months it was only on that night that Thanabalan had a good sleep.

Life in Africa was extremely alien and difficult at times. Thanabalan wrote, “The spirit in the teaching fields was so strong that we felt we could do anything and everything. The credit goes to Dr. Muhájir and Counsellor Aziz Yazdi for igniting this flame in us with their noble words of encouragement always ringing in our years throughout our stay in that continent”.

Upon returning to Malaysia Thanabalan married Maureen, a believer from Christian background on 30 June 1974. The couple served the Cause effectively in their Petaling Jaya community. Thanabalan passed away on 26 September 2021.

Bhaskaran

Bhaskaran spent his first month in Victoria, preparing drawings for the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds building, a goal of the Nine-Year Plan. His task was also to deepen Bahá’ís in administration and Bahá’í conduct. Towards the end of the six months, wholly spent in the West Cameroon, Dr. Mihdi Samandarí arranged for Bhaskaran to obtain work visa to enable him to stay on in the Cameroons as long-term pioneer. A construction firm offered Bhaskaran a job of Building Engineer tasked to prepare structural design of buildings in East Cameroon. The excited Bhaskaran wrote to his wife Sarojini in Malaysia and informed her of the development and asked her to resign her job and go over to Africa with the children. His wife sent him a cable to say she would meet him after Naw-Rúz.

Meanwhile, Bhaskaran and Thanabalan returned together to Malaysia in January 1973. Bhaskaran came back in January 1973. Just before returning Bhaskaran and another Persian pioneer who had experience in building engineering designed the building for a national Bahá’í Centre. After Bhaskaran had done his part he flew back to Malaysia, while the Persian Bahá’í  took over the work of completing the building. This is the national Bahá’í  Centre that we see in West Cameroons today. Even on their way back Dr. Muhájir requested them to return through India so that they could join some youths and teach the Faith to students and staff of colleges in Bangalore and Mysore cities for the remaining days of their leave, which they did.

In Malaysia, Bhaskaran settled his bank loans and resigned from the government job, while his wife resigned as teacher in the Alor Gajah English School. They left as a family with three children – Vahid aged five, May Kala aged three and Suresh, a toddler aged two and arrived in French speaking East Cameroon on 6 June 1973. Thus, Bhaskaran’s family earned the distinction of being the first in Malaysia to have pioneered as a family. On learning of this Dr. Muhájir was very delighted. This was yet another distinction for the Malaysian Bahá’í community. They stayed in the Cameroons exactly for 7 years- i.e. 6 June 1973 to 6 June 1979. Bhaskaran and his wife Saro are today settled in Shah Alam and serving the Cause effectively.

At the front of the house of Bhaskaran in Douala, Cameroon in June 1975.L-R: Kamachee, Bhaskaran, Suresh, Mrs. Sarojini Bhaskaran, May Kala and and American pioneer John Johnson.

Kamachee

Arriving from Nairobi into Victoria at the end of September 1972, Kamachee had been helping with office work, visiting villages, and travelled to other parts of the region. The visit of Dr. Muhájir to Cameroon for the second time created an impact in Kamachee’s heart. Arriving from Nigeria, Dr. Muhájir stayed one night with Counsellor Dr. Mihdi Samandarí and Ursula Samandarí in Buea. The following day Dr. Muhájir attended a meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly in the next town of Victoria. Although the distance from Victoria to Buea was not far, Dr. Muhájir was too tired to make the return journey to Victoria that day itself. So, he decided to stay in the house in Victoria where Kamachee and Ms. Barazandi Farhadi Khanum, a cousin of Dr. Samandarí were staying. When Dr. Muhájir informed Dr. Samandarí that he was staying back in Victoria, the latter expressed concern that Dr. Muhájir did not have his night clothes, toothbrush, and other toiletries. Dr. Muhájir turned round to Kamachee and asked “Kamachee-jan, do you have a sarong?” She replied she had. And so, he slept at Kamachee’s residence that night! The excited Barazandi Farhadi Khanum prepared the meal for the night. Kamachee and Barazandi felt so happy and blessed to be of service to the Hand of the Cause of God.

That evening, Dr. Muhájir washed his clothes that he was wearing the whole day. When Barazandi offered to wash them, he politely declined the good offer. Just before dinner, Barazandi prepared the bath for Dr. Muhájir. She scrubbed the tub clean. In that old Victorian house, the sink and tub stoppers were all metallic. She had the misfortune to put the sink stopper and it was impossible to get it out. So, the drainage became impossible. She filled the tub with tap water and added hot water and requested Dr. Muhájir to have his bath. She told him she would scoop the water after he had taken his bath. Dr. Muhájir understood the difficulties and did not want to burden her. The kind-hearted Dr. Muhájir turned to Kamachee and requested her to place a bucket of water behind the house. Kamachee placed a bucket of water, small chair, slippers, and soap behind the house. Once that was done, he took his bath from the back of the house, tying the flowered sarong around his waist.

After dinner, he wore another flowered sarong that Kamachee had brought from Malaysia. Since he had washed the clothes, he did not wear a shirt. He had not brought along his clothes when he decided to stay in Victoria. By then some pioneers and friends came to know Dr. Muhájir was at Kamachee’s residence, and they rushed to visit him. Till midnight Dr. Muhájir spoke to those believers repeatedly and emphatically on the need to dedicate themselves to the Cause. He requested that all the windows where they were meeting to be opened. As midnight approached, he chanted a midnight prayer and asked the friends to go home. Once they left, Dr. Muhájir did not sleep straight away. He asked Kamachee if she had any Malaysian Bahá’í News magazines with her. Kamachee gave him ten issues. Kamachee did not know what time he actually slept. She however observed that at 4:00 am the light was still on.

Within that one day of his stay with Kamachee, Dr. Muhájir had taught her not in words, but with deeds. He was a great example of how a pioneer has to be humble, down to earth, and practical. He himself set great examples to pioneers.

Dr. Muhájir came for the third time to Cameroon in early 1973 to give encouragement to the pioneers. Since Kamachee had taken up a secretarial course while in Malaysia, the National Spiritual Assembly of Cameroon tasked her with administrative duties, including maintaining the library. Dr. Muhájir wanted her to be involved in the field teaching. He met with the National Spiritual Assembly and urged them to allow Kamachee to divide her time equally between administrative works and field service, a request the national institution obeyed. With that Kamachee was based in Douala, where Bhaskaran and his wife Sarojini were living.

Kamachee wrote, “Dr. Muhájir had a great liking for the Malaysian Bahá’ís as he felt they would do very well in the pioneering field. He considered them all-rounders and well-grounded in many aspects of the Bahá’í services. We all served with great enthusiasm in our pioneering posts … having Dr. Muhájir in our home or watching a movie with him, listening to stories of his travels he shared with us … all these bounties, words cannot truly relate.”

SWAZILAND

Ravichandran was assigned Swaziland. The National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia as soon as they received news that Malaysia would be sending a travel teacher to assist them, “… We are all so excited and happy about this … we have purchased tents to enable some of the teachers to go to remote areas. We hope some of your dear people will be able to enjoy this method of teaching, as we find it most successful.”

Ravichandran with local believers.

Ravichandran found teaching in Swaziland very interesting and enjoyed his stay there. He had the very great bounty of meeting beloved Amatu’l-Bahá as soon as he landed in Swaziland, which was in September 1972. He helped arrange meetings for Amatu’l-Bahá and listening to her inspiring words which were in his words, “So frank, so forceful and so loving.” At one meeting Amatu’l-Bahá noticed Ravichandran shivering in the cold and she gave him her own cardigan! Ravi wore the cardigan next at the Second Bahá’í World Congress in New York in November 1992. It is today treasured and kept by his family in Malaysia. Ravichandran was visiting as many villages as he could. In Swaziland, he moved with the local tribes as one of them, often choosing to dress in their traditional costumes, and eating their own food in their shelters.

Farewell for Amatu’l-Bahá and Mrs. Nakhjavani in September 1972, Swaziland. Ravi is seated third from left.

Ravichandran who had arrived with a six-month visa as a travel teacher converted his status to that of pioneer by extending his stay. He got a job in Swaziland as an Engineer in the Waterworks Department with the Government of Swaziland and returned to Malaysia in 1975 after a service of great success in the field. Ravichandran returned to Malaysia in 1975, and married Nargis who was serving in Kenya under the same teaching project, on Saturday, 26 July 1975.  He passed away on 10 June 2012, while his widowed wife Nargis remains one of the strong pillars in the Subang Jaya community.

TANZANIA

Inbum Chinniah first stayed in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Dar-es-Salaam. Inbum’s effectiveness was detected by the National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania, which had asked him to consider getting a job locally to stay longer in the country. He spent a week in Arusha with the National Teaching Committee meeting, and some proclamation work. He occasionally spoke in schools. On the request by the National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania to find a job there if possible, he applied for a teacher’s post at the International School. Inbum was elected on the National Teaching Committee of the Bahá’ís of Tanzania. A publicity sub-committee was formed to deal with press and radio publicity. Inbum Chinniah was one of the four members appointed. Inbum was also appointed on a special Teaching Campaign dealing with coastal areas of Tanzania. The National Teaching Committee appointed a sub-committee consisting, among others of Inbum Chinniah to provide a policy on Float fund for the Teaching Team. He lived a very simple life.

Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Dar-es-Salaam. Standing L-R:  Inbum Chinniah, Mrs. Belcher, Shanaz Furudi, Prosper, Hussain Akida. Kneeling L to R Missaghiah Yaganagi and Bahman Rowhani.

When in Tanzania not once did he introduce himself as the former Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, until Dr. Muhájir who visited Tanzania informed the national institution of that country. It was then that they saw what a humble person he was and realized his full potential and used his talents accordingly. During his time in Tanzania, they won all the goals of the Nine-Year Plan much ahead of time.

Inbum returned to Malaysia on the evening of 20 February 1973. He passed away on 5 February 1980. A book on Inbum Chinniah was written and published by the author in 2013 and was well received.

S. Vasudevan

Vasudevan was visiting Kenya, Uganda, Swaziland and Tanzania ahead of the arrival of the Malaysian travel teachers, to zealously carry out the task entrusted by Dr. Muhájir. When Vasudevan was in Swaziland on Friday, 18 August, the Ioas Teacher Training Institute was filled to capacity, with youth coming from Swaziland, South Africa and Rhodesia. Counsellors Mrs. Bahiyyih Ford and Mr. Shidan Fatheazam and two Board members were present. The great bounty was the arrival of Amatu’l-Bahá with Violette Nakhjavani. Amatu’l-Bahá gave every encouragement to those who had gathered to teach the Cause. Vasudevan gave an inspiring talk on winning the goals for Africa. After another inspiring talk by Amatu’l-Bahá, the entire youth group rose as one to volunteer for the teaching projects. When they returned from teaching the whole day, they came with 37 new enrolments. Although Ravichandran was in Swaziland and was aware of the coming of Amatu’l-Bahá for this meeting, he was away for field teaching, and Amatu’l-Bahá appreciated his gesture. Vasudevan next went to Mauritius for one week from where he left for India, reaching Mumbai on 5 October 1972.

Vasudevan himself set a personal example of loving cooperation with the believers. His main task was to move among the masses and get the friends and communities to teach among the villages and towns. His service in Africa was one of the greatest joys for him. He observed that all those recruited by Dr. Muhájir were deeply committed and served with a great passion. To him, what truly marked the entire trip was the devotion and spirit of the friends from Iran, Malaysia, Philippines, and India. As for the Malaysian believers, Vasudevan was not surprised to see them adjusting and accommodating immediately to the local situation and environment. He was convinced that they, as trained by Dr. Muhájir in Malaysia, would be at their very best. He passed away to the Abhá Kingdom in Pune, India, on 25 June 2024, while engaged in his field of service.

ACCOLADES IN ABUNDANCE

The six travel teachers from Malaysia, Vasudevan from India and Nargis from Indonesia, along with all others from other countries, were praised for their relentless services in the countries they were assigned. The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia had been praying for each of the workers at each of its meetings and sending out letters of encouragement to each of the teachers from Malaysia.

When Thanabalan, Kamachee and Bhaskaran were still in Cameroon, Dr. Muhájir had met with Counsellor Dr. Mihdi Samandarí, Auxiliary Board member Samuel Akaleh and the National Teaching Committees of East and West Cameroon in four different cities–Victoria, Yaounde, Mamfe and Douala. In all those meetings Dr. Muhájir had praised all the Malaysian travel teachers serving in Africa. Dr. Muhájir had mentioned that Bahá’ís must learn from the Malaysian believers on how to be committed and fully dedicated and become all-rounders in the field. Dr. Muhájir then told them some of the success stories of the Malaysian Bahá’í community.

The intrepid workers had been sending their reports not only to the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, but also to the respective National Spiritual Assemblies where they served, and the Continental Board of Counsellors in the region, who praised their laudable services.

Undaunted by any unfortunate turn of events, they all remained in their posts and welcomed adversities faced for the Cause with total resignation. They demonstrated such tenacity to solve their manifold hardships with composure and unwavering focus. The Malaysian Bahá’í community marveled at their sacrifice and their fortitude.

The impact of the services rendered by those valiant Malaysian souls who arose to fulfill the goals of the Nine-Year Plan that ended in Riḍván 1973, and even later was well remembered and admired for years to come. This has been further substantiated by what was told to Mr. Errol Seow Hoon Hin of Malaysia who went to the Bahá’í International Conference held in Paris from 3 to 6 August 1976. The conference was graced by the presence of the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Mr. Collis Featherstone, Mr. Dhikru’lláh Khádem, Mr. S̲h̲u‘á‘u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Dr. ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá, Mr. John Robarts and Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir. Among the Malaysian friends present were N. S. S. Silan, S. Ravichandran, Nargis Ravichandran, Koh Ai Leen, and Errol Seow. In that conference Hassan Sabri, in charge of the Pioneering Committee of Africa met Errol for the first time. By this time, the meritorious services of the Malaysian believers in Africa were already noised abroad quite widely by the institutions and others. Hassan Sabri’s spontaneous first words when introduced to Errol Seow were, “What Africa really needs for the progress are pioneers like Vasudevans, the Chinniahs, the Sabapathys, the Silans, the Thanabalans, the Ravichandrans, the Kamachees, the Bhaskarans, and many other Malaysians! Malaysians! Malaysians! They are the breed of pioneers who will walk from village to village, and wherever they are sent, they would live in straw huts, sleep on mud floors, eat from the same pots and mingle with the locals, hold firesides, deepening classes and teach administration. They would enlighten the waiting souls together with their hosts in different villages, very often moving entirely on their own to the goal areas. This is the kind of exemplifying pioneers that Africa urgently needs. This caliber of mature and capable pioneers who are ready to live and accept any condition without any fuss or complains of the hardship, and willing to endure in remote corners of Africa have come from Malaysia.”

Such were the glowing accolades placed on the Malaysian travel teachers. The African episode shall always be remembered as a crowning glory in the history of pioneering in Malaysia. The script-writing, directing and production of this episode goes to none other than the brilliance of Dr. Muhájir himself. They all delivered their services beyond the expectations of Dr. Muhájir. The instant and unquestioned obedience to Dr. Muhájir was a sign of maturity and a yardstick of love the Malaysian believers had for the venerable Hand of the Cause of God.

Those who went travel teaching to Africa won the love and admiration of the Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Malaysia and the National Spiritual Assembly of the receiving countries, and the Universal House of Justice itself who paid a great tribute to the indelible services of inestimable value of all involved in the African episode as follows, “Tribute must be paid to the host of Bahá’í youth from many countries whose travels in Africa hastened and ensured the success of the Nine Year Plan in that continent, and in particular to the international “rescue squad” of youth from Persia, India, the Philippines, Malaysia and other countries who in the closing hours of the Plan sealed its triumphant conclusion in Africa.”

And Dr. Muhájir remembered each one of them by name and showered his love on them as his own family members. They all earned his precious love. They all arose unquestionably when the call came and led the way, blazing an exemplary path, the likes of which has not been repeated. The African episode was a once in a lifetime enterprise for the participants. Their heroic exploits will certainly go down in history.

FOR THE LOVE OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Bahá’u’lláh has mentioned about His sufferings, “So great have been Our sufferings that even the eyes of our enemies have wept over Us, and beyond those of every discerning person.” Suffering in His path seems to be part and parcel of Bahá’í  life. Some of these friends who went to Africa had undergone some kind of suffering. As for S. Vasudevan, it was while in Kampala that he went for a medical check-up which revealed that he had contracted serious infective hepatitis. He was advised immediate rest and treatment. After about ten days the Rosts with whom he was staying in Uganda took him to Nairobi for a teaching conference and was placed under the care of an American pioneer couple in Egerton College. He was knocked off for some three weeks. Dr. Muhájir heard of his illness and sent a telegram that he should be given a certain injection. Dr. Maakuti, a pioneer who lived in the town immediately administered the injection and he recovered quickly.

When in Kikuyu area in Karatina, Silan started to adjust to local conditions, staying in a hut and with no electricity and water nearby. Maize, potatoes, and beans were his main food everywhere he went. Soon this food had an effect on him and lost weight rapidly. Auxiliary Board member Fuad Ashraf and his wife learnt of his situation. When visiting Silan, they brought him home cooked food in their weekly visits. Kamachee at one point was seriously ill, having been attacked by malaria and severe hepatitis.

In the first week of May 1974, a freak accident resulted in the loss of the right eye for Bhaskaran. He had to go to London for his eye treatment. Some Persian and American pioneers in Victoria, took turns to stay with Bhaskaran’s wife and family during the time that he was under treatment in the United Kingdom. Although Bhaskaran received possibly the best treatment at the Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London, the eye could not be saved due to the total detachment of the retina. Silan, who was already attached to an accountant firm in London was of great assistance to Bhaskaran during his convalescence there. Bhaskaran returned to Cameroons and continued his services.

Inbum Chinniah had serious diarrhea while in Tanzania and lost much weight, so much so that when he returned home, his wife could not recognize him. It was learnt later that Inbum almost lost his life from diarrhoea attack and requested his friends not to inform his family in Malaysia of his condition. He recovered and continued serving in Tanzania. And yet never did they complain. Their indomitable spirit amidst harsh difficulties was strikingly demonstrated. Within the sufferings they were able to feel an inner joy. It goes without saying that they would have remembered His days during their days of sufferings in Africa. Undaunted by those unfortunate turn of events, they all remained in their posts and welcomed all adversities faced for the Cause with total resignation. They demonstrated such tenacity to solve their manifold storms of adversity and hardship by acting with such composure and unwavering focus.

STILL AT POST  

Of the six travel teachers to Africa, Kamachee is the only one to have settled for good in that vast continent. It was at the home of Bhaskaran in Doula that Kamachee got engaged to Pierre Martel, a Canadian pioneer. In October 1976, she went from Cameroon to Senegal where she married Pierre Martel on 6 November that year. In 1981, they pioneered with Olinga, their first baby boy of 6 months to Cape Verde Islands, which is mentioned in the Tablets of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá. That was also a goal area for the National Spiritual Assembly of Senegal. A second child, a daughter, Rani Carmel was born during that period in Cape Verde. In September 1995, with Pierre’s job transfer, they went to Mozambique. In January 1996 they went to Lesotho and are still living there. Being the only lady among those who arose to go to Africa, someone told her to think twice and she had responded, “Pioneering is already in my veins, and nothing can change that.”

UNPRECEDENTED

These valiant soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh, noble and worthy of honor arose when the call came-  Inbum Chinniah,   N. S. S. Silan, S. Bhaskaran, Ravichandran Sinnathamby,  Thanabalan, Miss Kamachee,  and Nargis Astani from Indonesia have truly set an example of their sincere love for Bahá’u’lláh, His glorious Faith and the Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir. Theirs was a clear act of unswerving loyalty and devotion to the Cause. The beneficial and highly responsible activities they undertook in Africa have contributed to the fulfilment of the goals of the Nine-Year Plan, only to make the Supreme Body inexpressively happy. This African episode, with a dazzling record of service could easily be termed unprecedented, and may not stand to be repeated, given that different times call for different kinds of service. Yet this unique  act of these soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh shall forever be remembered in the history of the Faith. Since no prior period o age had witnessed such momentous happenings, it has to be made plainly clear that this African teaching mission has to be regarded in no other light except as the most dramatic event in the early history of the Faith in the country.   Indeed, it has to be rightly acclaimed as unparalleled in its own way  in the history of the Faith in Malaysia. The Blessed Beauty, in unmistakable language, has given  this promise to those who teach His Cause on this earthly plane:

“Make mention of Me on My earth, that in My heaven I may remember thee, thus shall Mine eyes and thine be solaced.”