19 DAY FEAST LETTER
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ'ÍS OF INDIA
23 June 2021
Rahmat (Mercy)
178 B.E.
“If ever it could be said that a religion belonged to the youth, then surely the Bahá'í Faith today is that
religion. The whole world is suffering, it is sunk in misery, crushed beneath its heavy problems. The task
of healing its ills and building up its future devolves mainly upon the youth.”
(Extracted from a message of Shoghi Effendi, 8 May, 1942)
Dearly loved friends,
To be young is not easy.
Youth have to navigate a complex world, face social pressure to conform to trends that may not be healthy
and make complex life choices about studies and profession. Junior youth – young persons between the ages
of 11 to 14yrs – in particular have special needs and immense potentialities, as they are between childhood
and youth with many changes occurring within them. In its Ridvan 2010 message the Universal House of
Justice reminded the world that: “While global trends project an image of this age group as problematic,
….the Bahá’í community - in the language it employs and the approaches it adopts - is moving decidedly in
the opposite direction, seeing in junior youth instead altruism, an acute sense of justice, eagerness to learn
about the universe and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world”
In India, the junior youth spiritual empowerment programme has been growing from strength to strength,
assisting young persons to develop their spiritual and intellectual powers to combat the moral forces of decay
and become active agents of social change. Today, there are over 5,500 junior youth groups in the country
with over 40,000 young people participating. The effectiveness of this programme can be seen in the form of
expressions springing from the hearts of these young persons. “I want to become a teacher. There are many
children whose parents are unable to educate them. These children are made to work at home and do labor
work. I want to help these children who are not able to study. I decided to become a teacher when I started
school and I was in the first grade. Now I am in 7th grade. I didn’t feel I could actually become a teacher but after studying this book (Breezes of Confirmation), I know if I make an effort, I will be able to do many
things, because God helps us”.
An important factor that has allowed junior youth to grow in their understanding has been the efforts made
toward the development of the capacities of animators. Animators are helped to gain a deeper understanding
of the concepts in the books of the junior youth programme, how these apply in one’s life and how to
facilitate the texts more effectively. Animators have also become more mindful of how the program is
impacting the thoughts and actions of these young persons. In this way, animators are becoming more
conscious of the process of transformation in junior youth and of their efforts to better their community. One
animator shared that the parents of some of the participants made alcohol, sold this for a living and the junior
youth helped their parents in making alcohol. After studying the books in the junior youth programme they
began to understand that what they are doing (making alcohol) isn't really able to contribute to the well-being
of their village. They began to observe how so many people were falling ill after consuming alcohol. The
youth raised awareness about the damaging effects of alcohol in a sensitive manner without directly pointing
to any individual. They prepared materials with relevant quotations from the Writings and then had
conversations with families in the village. These efforts over the past two years have led to all the families
except for one to stop the practice of brewing alcohol.
1
Another animator shared that after going through the books in the junior youth programme, participants
began to think of service projects as a natural way of helping their community. When they read prayers and
studied quotations of Abdu’l-Bahá in the book Spirit of Faith their thoughts began to evolve further. They
observed that there was tension and conflict in the village and suggested that prayers be offered for the
mitigation of these problems. Service projects have also played an important role in deepening the
understanding of junior youth and strengthening their conviction in the power of prayer.
In many instances parents have been surprised to see how junior youth are able to grasp complex concepts
such as confirmation – a concept that most adults struggle to fully understand. Now it is not uncommon to see
parents consult on an equal footing with junior youth about their future aspirations and hopes. Parents also
seek guidance from the animator on options for higher education of their children – such as which school or
college to enroll them in. An animator shared that one of the passages selected for study was from the book
Glimmerings of Hope where Kibomi (a young person) refuses to take revenge for the death of his parents.
The idea of deciding not to take revenge was interesting for the parents because for them it is normal to
avenge oneself for any wrongs done. Another resource person shared how a parent noted that despite
challenges faced by Kibomi, he continued to have hope in searching for his sister. The parent commented that
“this enthusiasm in Kibomi to persevere, to look for his sister, is commendable. If our junior youth can also
be filled with such eagerness - enthusiasm - filled with aspirations like Kibomi, who, in spite of his parents
getting killed, doesn’t forget the aim in his life - and even though doesn’t know where his sister is, goes on these are very important qualities for youth to develop. Kibomi’s hope stems from his trust in God and seeing
that God is helping him.’
The concepts in the junior youth text have influenced youth in a myriad ways. They are able to recognize
challenges that may confront them - like pressure from their families to earn or marry, or not knowing which
field of study to choose, or not knowing all options available to them. And they also recognize that while the
path ahead may not be easy and their spiritual qualities will be tested by the world - should they remain firm
on their chosen path and trust that doors will open – they will be aided and confirmed.
A recent study of the new junior youth text Wellspring of Joy has also inspired young people in the
programme to think of joy in a new way. They are able to differentiate between joy and excitement. Joy, they
said, comes from within, from our reliance on God and from our certainty of His love. Excitement however,
is a passing emotion that is often a result of external events or activities. When consulting on what helps
create a joyful environment, animators shared that when junior youth are able to help each other and their
community and when they see confirmation in their lives - then they experience joy. A coordinator shared “It
has taught us that no matter how much human beings suffer, we should never be afraid and we should trust in
God. We need to be confident that we will succeed. Spiritual qualities are like a light that should shine
brightly even in the midst of every challenge.”
With our assurance of prayers for your continued good health and confirmation of service
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF INDIA
***
Next meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly by videoconference is on 27th June, 2021
***
2