The Baha'is of Goodenough Island, Papua New Guinea,
celebrate the arrival of the Kitab-i-Aqdas by carrying it to the Baha'i Center
on a bed of flowers.
The central importance of the Baha'i sacred writings as the
basis for all community life was beautifully demonstrated in Papua New Guinea
when the first English translation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book) was
released. When the residents of the village of Medene were told of the imminent
arrival of the book, they prepared a temporary meeting house and a program of prayers,
readings and speeches of welcome. They constructed a dignified flower-decorated
bower beside the river two kilometers from the village where they knew those
carrying the Aqdas over the mountain would need to place it while they rested.
The footpath leading to the village was widened and decorated with palm fronds
and fragrant flowers. Baha'i youth composed songs in the local languages to
mark the occasion.
An entourage of 50 immaculately-dressed Baha'is carried one
copy of the Book over the mountain. One elderly woman bent with age insisted on
witnessing the historic occasion and made the journey even though she knew it
might be her last. When the procession finally arrived, the speeches reiterated
the theme that now the village would become a true Baha'i village functioning
in accordance with the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
Similar scenes could be witnessed in other regions of Papua New Guinea. In Mt. Brown, Central Province, roads were
cleared and decorated and special songs composed. More than 600 Baha'is
gathered, some traveling four days on foot to be present. A special center was
constructed to house a copy of the Aqdas. As additional copies were presented
to chairmen of Local Spiritual Assemblies in the area, each kissed the book and
placed it reverently over his or her head.
(The Baha’i World 1994-1995)
