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Sierra Leone

From Bahaipedia
 Sierra Leone
Participants at the Sierra Leone National Convention, 2003.
Location of Sierra Leone
National AssemblySierra Leone
Statistics:
Total Population
 -  UN 2021[1] 8,420,641
Bahá'í pop.
 -  Bahá'í source  
 -  Non-Bahá'í source 18,714
History:
Firsts
 -  Local Bahá'í Aaron B. Wellesley Cole 
 -  Local Assembly 1970, Freetown 
 -  National Assembly 1975 
Official Website https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/sierra-leone
Related media
Categories: Sierra Leone • People

The Republic of Sierra Leone is a coastal country in West Africa. English is the official language of the country, with Krio being the most widely spoken language, and Islam is the majority religion.

The region has been inhabited since at least 2,500 years ago. In the 15th century European nations establish trade posts in the area. In the 18th century Britain established a settlement for freed slaves which led to tensions with the local population. In 1896 Britain annexed the region as the Sierra Leone Protectorate. In 1960 an Independence Conference was held and in 1961 the United Kingdom granted the country independence.

The first Bahá'ís pioneered to Sierra Leone in the 1950's and a small community was established, however it was not until the late 1960's that the community began to grow in earnest with the first Local Spiritual Assembly being established in 1970. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the community rapidly and steadily increased in size. The modern Bahá'í community of Sierra Leone is involved in several community building activities.

History[edit]

Establishment of the Community[edit]

Some Bahá'ís of Freetown, Sierra Leone, 1970.

The first Bahá'í in Sierra Leone was barrister Aaron B. Wellesley Cole, also known as Arthur Cole. He was a native of Sierra Leone who had become a Bahá'í in England, and homefront pioneered to serve on a Local Spiritual Assembly there, before returning to Sierra Leone in June 1952,[2] however he was not active in teaching the Faith after returning. Another early pioneer was Joseph Hingston, also a native to Sierra Leone who had declared in Liberia in 1955, who pioneered to Wilberforce village in June 1958.[3] This brought the number of Bahá'ís in the country to two.[4]

The National Spiritual Assembly of West Africa was established in 1963 and given the responsibility of administrating the Faith in Sierra Leone.[5] As of 1963 there were thirteen Bahá'ís in the country living across five localities with a Bahá'í group existing in Freetown,[6] however Hingston was the only one actively teaching. In 1966 Shidan and Susan Kouchekzadeh pioneered to the country but were unable to establish contact with the Bahá'ís already resident in the country, nevertheless through their teaching work a Local Spiritual Assembly was established in Freetown in 1970.[7][8]

In 1971 Rúḥíyyih Khánum visited Sierra Leone from March 16 to 26. During her visit she met with Sir Banja Tejan-Sie, the Governor-General, for a half hour during which they discussed the Faith. She also met with the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, Dr. Siaka Stevens, and the Minister for Education. During her visit she gave talks at the University of Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Njala College, and Milton Margai Teachers' College. On Naw-Ruz she opened two villages to the Faith, visiting Lakka and Malekei, and also visited the villages Gbendembou and Goderich later. She was interviewed on television during the visit, and a teacher at a Methodist Boys' High School who had a Bahá'í student, who was mocked due to the obscurity of his religion, invited her to speak at the school after seeing it. She spoke at the school with the schools Vice-Principal acting as Chair of the gathering.[9]

In 1972 the National Assembly of West Africa sent Georgia Sanchez and Jamshid Fanniyan to Sierra Leone to represent the Faith at a Human Rights Week. Their visit received newspaper coverage and they were both interviewed on television, as was Shidan Kouchekzadeh, now an Auxiliary Board member.[10] In July 1972 S. I. Koroma, the Vice-President of Sierra Leone, was presented with Bahá'í literature at a festival in Liberia held to observe that countries Independence Day.[11]

Consolidation of the Community[edit]

In 1974 it was announced that establishing a National Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Leone was a goal of the Seven Year Plan.[12] In July 1974 a Bahá'í youth, Augustine Conteh, made a travel teaching trip to three communities, and in November 1974 youth visited Local Spiritual Assemblies as part of a project undertaken by the National Teaching Committee to stimulate enthusiasm. In February 1975 the first National Teaching Conference of Sierra Leone was held in Bo.[13] In 1975 the Universal House of Justice announced that the National Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Leone was to be established at Ridvan with its seat in Freetown,[14] and at Ridvan 1975 the first National Convention of Sierra Leone was held and the Assembly established with Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga in attendance.[15]

In 1976 the first woman was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Leone.[16] Also in 1976 a Teaching Conference was held in Magburaka at which Shidan Kouchekzadeh spoke.[17] In late 1976 Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir visited Sierra Leone and encouraged and participated in mass teaching projects.[18] The National Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Leone noted that media coverage of the Faith increased over 1976 with Bahá’í interviews in English, Krio, Mende, and Tenne being broadcast on radio at least twice.[19]

First Bahá'í Summer School in Sierra Leone, 1977.

In 1977 a Bahá’í exhibition was held at the Women Teachers College in Port Loko through the efforts of Judith Conteh, a Bahá’í student at the College. Twenty students and a lecturer declared as a result.[20] In April 1977 the first National Bahá’í Women's Conference of Sierra Leone was held at which various topics such as women and Bahá’í administration were discussed. The Conference received a cable from the Universal House of Justice.[21] In late April 1977 at the third Bahá’í National Convention of Sierra Leone concerns were raised by the fifteen delegates that there needed to be more Bahá’í material printed in local languages, that women's conferences and inter-community teaching continue, and that local Bahá’í centers be acquired. On the last day of the convention, May 1, some land was donated to serve as a Bahá’í Centre. The newly elected Assembly cabled the Universal House of Justice that Sierra Leone had met its Assembly goals for the Five Year Plan during the Convention.[22] In late 1977 another goal of Sierra Leone for the Five Year Plan was achieved when the book Prayers and Brief Selections from the Bahá’í Writings was translated into the Mende and Tenme languages.[23]

In July 1977 a deepening institute was held in Kambia at which Bahá’í history, principles, laws, and teaching were covered.[24] In October 1977 a Bahá'í exhibition was held in the District Council Hall of Kambia over a weekend which was attended by over sixty people. It was the first exhibition of its kind held by the Bahá'ís of Sierra Leone since 1975.[25] In December 1977 the first Bahá'í Summer School in Sierra Leone was held in Magburaka. It was attended by thirty-four. Bahá'ís of Sierra Leone had previously traveled to attend the Bahá'í Summer School of Liberia. During the Summer School teaching trips to Mayawlaw, Makump, and Masoko were made and a meeting for the public attended by seventy-five was held. Seven people declared during the Summer School.[26]

By the close of the Five Year Plan in 1979 Sierra Leone had 1,112 Bahá'ís[27] with twenty-five Local Spiritual Assemblies, ninety localities with a Bahá'í presence, two local Bahá'í Centres under construction, and the National Spiritual Assembly had been incorporated.[28] In early 1979 Bahá'ís Dorothy Hansen and Elsie Nicol were interviewed on television in Sierra Leone during which they invited the public to a fireside, and they were also interviewed on radio.[29]

By 1983 the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies in Sierra Leone had dropped to fourteen, however in the nine months from April 1983 to January 1984 twenty Assemblies were formed bringing the total to thirty-four with a large number of localities across the country being opened to the Faith and approximately five hundred people becoming Bahá'ís. This was due to teaching campaigns held during the period dedicated to the memories of the Hands of the Cause Enoch Olinga and Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir. A Bahá'í center was constructed in Vaama in 1983, just three months after the community had formed a Local Spiritual Assembly.[30] During the same period the Bahá'í community of Makeni rented a Centre from which it held regular meetings and the community also held deepening classes in neighboring villages and held an exhibit as part of a Makeni agricultural show.[31]

Expansion, Consolidation, and Social & Economic Development Efforts[edit]

In April 1984 a National Youth Conference attended by sixty-five Bahá'í youth was held in Freetown.[32] In 1985 a teaching campaign titled Project Olinga was held in Sierra Leone which concentrated on teaching in five areas of the country with participants attending a five-day training institute prior to teaching. By the close of the campaign twenty new Local Assemblies had been formed bringing the total number in the country to ninety-five.[33] Also during 1985 the Bahá'í community of Vaama began building a hostel for visiting Bahá'ís to stay at.[34]

Regional Centre of Pujehun, dedicated 1986.

In January 1986 the Regional Bahá'í Center of Pujehun was dedicated.[35] Also in 1986 a Chiefdom near Bo was opened to the Faith with Dr. Isatou Hyde-Forster introducing around one hundred people to the Faith including the Paramount Chief, Chiefdom Speaker, other chiefs, elders, and villagers. Other Bahá'ís who assisted in the teaching work were Alfred Modmodu and Martin Juana.[36] In October 1986 the Promise of World Peace, the peace statement by the Universal House of Justice, was presented directly to the President of Sierra Leone by a Bahá'í delegation.[37] As of 1987 the Faith had achieved tax exempt status in Sierra Leone.[38]

In August 1987 the tutorial school constructed by the Bahá'ís of Yikandor in 1984 received approval from the Sierra Leone Ministry of Education to operate as a primary school. A member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Sierra Leone who was a teacher moved to Yikandor in order to teach at the school. An opening ceremony was held in November 1987 which was attended by over one thousand people. After opening the school had five staff and one hundred and thirty-five students.[39]

As of 1992 there were sixty-seven Local Spiritual Assemblies in Sierra Leone.[40] In 1995 unrest across Sierra Leone threatened the safety of some delegates travelling to the National Convention who had to travel through some of the most dangerous areas of the country, nevertheless the Convention was held without incident.[41]

In 2000 the Bahá'í community of Sierra Leone held a project called Equal Wings which aimed to discuss the ways in which women could be encouraged to take an active role in community building,[42] and in August a Conference was held in Freetown which was attended by Auxiliary Board members, National Assembly members, National Teaching Committee members, and the Equal Wings project coordinator. One of the topics discussed at the conference was how to increase human resources in the country.[43] In 2001 the Sierra Leone National Convention, attended by thirty delegates, received some press coverage.[44]

In 2017 the Freetown commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh received press coverage.[45] In 2020 youth participating in Bahá'í educational programs in Sierra Leone produced a short film to promote health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.[46]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "World Population Prospects 2022". population.un.org. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ Baha'i News (1952). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 259, Pg(s) 4. View as PDF.
  3. ↑ Lee, A.A., The Baha'i Faith in Africa: Establishing a New Religious Movement, 1952-1962, 2011 Brill: Boston, p 102
  4. ↑ Baha'i News (1957). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 315, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
  5. ↑ Baha'i News (1963). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 393, Pg(s) 2. View as PDF.
  6. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1970). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 13 (1954-1963), Pg(s) 1016. View as PDF.
  7. ↑ Lee, A.A., The Baha'i Faith in Africa: Establishing a New Religious Movement, 1952-1962, 2011 Brill: Boston, p 103
  8. ↑ Baha'i News (1970). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 473, Pg(s) 22. View as PDF.
  9. ↑ Baha'i News (1971). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 486, Pg(s) 20-21. View as PDF.
  10. ↑ Baha'i News (1972). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 492, Pg(s) 24. View as PDF.
  11. ↑ Baha'i News (1972). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 499, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  12. ↑ Baha'i News (1974). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 517, Pg(s) 1. View as PDF.
  13. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1978). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 16 (1973-1976), Pg(s) 172. View as PDF.
  14. ↑ Baha'i News (1975). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 526, Pg(s) 3. View as PDF.
  15. ↑ Baha'i News (1975). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 530, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  16. ↑ Baha'i News (1976). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 544, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  17. ↑ Baha'i News (1976). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 544, Pg(s) 13. View as PDF.
  18. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 550, Pg(s) 6. View as PDF.
  19. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 551, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  20. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 552, Pg(s) 16. View as PDF.
  21. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 556, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  22. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 557, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
  23. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 561, Pg(s) 13. View as PDF.
  24. ↑ Baha'i News (1977). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 558, Pg(s) 13. View as PDF.
  25. ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 565, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  26. ↑ Baha'i News (1978). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 566, Pg(s) 3. View as PDF.
  27. ↑ Lee, A.A., The Baha'i Faith in Africa: Establishing a New Religious Movement, 1952-1962, 2011 Brill: Boston, p 102
  28. ↑ Baha'i News (1979). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 581, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
  29. ↑ Baha'i News (1979). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 584, Pg(s) 16. View as PDF.
  30. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 224. View as PDF.
  31. ↑ Baha'i News (1984). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 641, Pg(s) 10. View as PDF.
  32. ↑ Baha'i News (1984). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 644, Pg(s) 14. View as PDF.
  33. ↑ Baha'i News (1985). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 650, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  34. ↑ Baha'i News (1986). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 660, Pg(s) 5. View as PDF.
  35. ↑ Baha'i News (1987). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 679, Pg(s) 15. View as PDF.
  36. ↑ Baha'i News (1986). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 661, Pg(s) 17. View as PDF.
  37. ↑ Baha'i News (1988). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 683, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  38. ↑ Baha'i News (1987). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 676, Pg(s) 11. View as PDF.
  39. ↑ Baha'i News (1988). National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. No 685, Pg(s) 9. View as PDF.
  40. ↑ Lee, A.A., The Baha'i Faith in Africa: Establishing a New Religious Movement, 1952-1962, 2011 Brill: Boston, p 103
  41. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1997). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 24 (1995-1996), Pg(s) 108. View as PDF.
  42. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (2002). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 29 (2000-2001), Pg(s) 7. View as PDF.
  43. ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (2002). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 29 (2000-2001), Pg(s) 51. View as PDF.
  44. ↑ https://allafrica.com/stories/200105010128.html
  45. ↑ http://slconcordtimes.com/bahais-celebrates-birth-of-prophet-bahaullah/
  46. ↑ https://news.bahai.org/story/1412/


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