‘History Of The Bahá’í Faith In Bermuda’
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Bermuda announced the launch of a newly published book ‘In Search of Kull-i-Shay, History of the Baha’i Faith in Bermuda, 1948-1958′.
A spokesperson said, “A book launch for a local publication, “In Search of Kull-i-Shay, The History of the Bahá’í Faith in Bermuda 1948 – 1998” occurred on Friday, May 21st with the presentation of copies of the book to the Bermuda National Library.
“Local author, Wayne P. Symonds presented copies of his biographical work to the Director of the Bermuda National Library and Archives, Ms. Joanne Brangman.
Ms. Daurene Aubrey, Senator Owen Darrell representing the Minister of Education, Director of Library and Archives, Ms. Joanne Brangman, Author, Wayne P. Symonds and Mr. Read Currelly, representing the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Bermuda
“Also attending the presentation were Mr. Read Currelly, representing the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Bermuda which sponsored the project, and Ms. Daurene Aubrey, former Bermuda College Librarian and current Bookstore Manager at the Baha’i National Centre on Brunswick Street.
“The book is a comprehensive history of the development of the Bahá’í Faith in Bermuda, and covers the period 1948-1998. According to the author, who spent well over a decade researching the information, the primary purpose of this history was to compile, in chronological order, the names of all Bahá’ís who have served as adult members of the community.
“From the first Bahá’í “pioneer” to live in Bermuda and publicly identify herself with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, this account of the growth of the Faith names and numbers each adult Bahá’í and places them in sets of nineteen [Váh͙id].
“Each chapter consists of nineteen names, except the last. A Váh͙id literally means Unity and also has a numerical value of 19. Kull-i-Shay’ literally means “All Things” and it has a numerical value of 361 [19x19].
“There are more than sixty biographical sketches included in this study, starting in 1948 with the first lone Pioneer, Mrs. Pauline Campbell. The short stories open a window of time and allow the reader to capture a glimpse of the past that although not too far distant, encompasses an era that was vastly different from present day society.
“These stories tell of the challenges and the victories of people who were not satisfied to just follow the religious teachings of their forefathers but were willing to explore their own spiritual path, and take a leap of Faith into a new way of life. Many of the stories align well with the Heritage Month theme, “Bermudian Resilience”.
“The Bermuda which Mrs. Pauline Campbell travelled many miles, and under trying conditions to reach, was not the thriving, cosmopolitan, technologically advanced, community that exists today.
“Neither was it openly receptive to the Bahá’í teachings, which advocate remedies to cure the problems that afflict Bermuda and the rest of the world. In Bermuda in 1948 there were no poles upon which the banner of the “Oneness of Humanity” could be hung; neither were there any receptive arms to embrace the concept of the Essential “Oneness of Religion”, the central concepts of the Bahá’í Faith.
“During this Heritage Month, it is encouraging to note that the island and the world have come a long distance in terms of accepting diversity, although admittedly, there is still far to go before we celebrate all ethnicities, cultures, and religions and begin to see ourselves in each other.
“Copies of In Search of Kull-i-Shay can be ordered by contacting the Baha’i Bookstore: bookstore@bermudabahai.org.”
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