wfn.org | BWNS --Spiritual solace in a recovering land

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Baha'i World News Service
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Spiritual solace in a recovering land
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, 2 January 2005 (BWNS) -- In a country that has
endured many years of harrowing conflicts, members of the Baha'i
community have found an occasion to celebrate.

The golden jubilee of the establishment of the Faith in the country was
a time to reflect on principles of unity that show a way out of the
difficulties that have saddened Burundi in recent times.

The country has suffered terribly from the sustained violence that
erupted in 1993.

Baha'is have been among those killed during the fighting, and many
others have fled to neighboring countries.

The community suffered in other ways, such as the destruction of
regional Baha'i centers in Bubanza, Carama, and Cibitoke.

Despite the difficulties, the Baha'is of Burundi have been active in
organizing prayer gatherings, children's classes, and study circles.
They have opened these activities to the wider public, providing
participants with spiritual solace, a respite from their sorrows, and a
vision of a united, peaceful future.

In a message to the Baha'is of Burundi on the occasion of the jubilee,
the Universal House of Justice expressed its wish that "this historic
gathering may be a source of inspiration to the friends as they endeavor
to further advance the Cause of God in Burundi."

Other congratulatory messages arrived from a former member of the
Universal House of Justice, Mr. Ali Nakhjavani, and his wife, Violette,
and from the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa.

During the celebrations, held at the national Baha'i center in
Nyakabiga, Bujumbura, on 27-28 August 2004, a member of the Continental
Board of Counsellors in Africa, Ahmad Parsa, spoke about the important
role the Burundi Baha'i community has played in this region.

"Despite all the difficulties in Burundi, the Baha'is could keep their
ideals and continue working for all the people of the country without
any distinction," Mr. Parsa said.

"People are often looking for material assistance that will help the
country to come out of its problems," he said.

"In reality the biggest need is education to a new and spiritual
mentality that will assist the people to understand that they are
members of the same family -- this is what the Baha'is have done and are
doing in Burundi," he said.

Mr. Parsa said many residents of Burundi who were originally from Rwanda
and the Congo region became Baha'is in Burundi and then returned to
their homelands where they have contributed to the Baha'i communities
and wider societies there.

The jubilee gathering was a time to hear about the history of the Faith
in the country.

The Faith came to Burundi in 1953 when Mary and Reginald (Rex) Collison
from the United States and Dunduzu Chisiza, a young Baha'i from Malawi
(then Nyasaland), arrived in Ruanda-Urundi (now the independent
countries of Rwanda and Burundi).

The Collisons, a retired couple, had previously rendered many services
in their Baha'i community in New York, through extensive travels in the
United States, and in Uganda.

Mr. Chisiza was their interpreter in Ruanda-Urundi. Government policies
required the Collisons and Mr. Chisiza to leave the country some 18
months after their arrival but by the time of their departure, there
were about 20 Baha'is in the country. The first person to accept the
Baha'i teachings there was Selemani Bin Kimbulu, of Congolese origin
from Bukavu.

For establishing the Baha'i community in Ruanda-Urundi, the head of the
Faith, Shoghi Effendi, awarded Mr. and Mrs. Collison and Mr. Chisiza the
accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah.

At the jubilee celebrations, one of the first Baha'is of Burundi, Fidele
Simwakira, 75, spoke about his recollections of the early days of the
Faith in the country.

Mr. Bin Kimbulu, the county's first Baha'i, who now lives in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, was unable to attend the festivities
because the border was closed. However, his grandson, Sylvestre Kitenge,
was present as a member of the choir that entertained jubilee
participants.

Others who addressed the jubilee gathering about the history of the
community were Zuruzuru Ezekiel, Barbara and David Sunstrum, and Jean
Baptiste Habimana.

Jubilee participants also enjoyed some artistic presentations. A member
of the Baha'i community recited some of his poetry on peace and
presented a sketch about the principle of unity, and a group from Kinama
performed traditional dances.