In 2006 the Hong Kong Bahá'í Community celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Hong Kong.

 

On 20 March 2006, the Spiritual Assembly hosted a Chinese banquet at the Metropole Hotel to celebrate Naw Ruz as well as the 50 th Anniversary of the establishment of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Hong Kong.

 

The banquet was attended by 179 people, of whom 73 were guests.   Dignitaries who attended included the Deputy Consul General of Israel, Mr. Gil, and his wife, and three representatives of the Central People's Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong.  A number of messages were received from VIPs who were unable to attend, including Mr. C. P. Ho, Secretary for Home Affairs, the minister in charge of religious affairs in Hong Kong.   Mr. Ho's message was as follows:

 

"Founded in 1844, the Bahá'í Faith is among the youngest and fastest-growing religions in the world. Advocating unity and peace in the global neighbourhood, the followers of the Bahá'í Faith come from all walks of life. In Hong Kong, the Bahá'í community has flourished and co-existed in harmony with the followers of other religions over the years. It also signifies the religious freedom and social inclusiveness of Hong Kong.

 

On the occasion of the 50 th Anniversary of the establishment of the first local administrative institution of the Bahá'í Faith in Hong Kong, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Hong Kong and wish them every success in their future endeavours."

 

Ms. Elsie Tu (2 March 2006), a former Urban Councilor, sent the following message:

 

"…I first became acquainted with the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís over forty years ago, when a manager of my school and a voluntary teacher of our under privileged children, Len Lewis, became a member of the Hong Kong Assembly. He told us a great deal about it and I have always had the greatest respect for the Assembly, having subsequently met other members and watched its rapid growth.

 

What I most admire is the tolerance of the Bahá'ís for all good spiritual beliefs, and continuous efforts for peace. In this troubled and dangerous world, peace is surely our greatest need, and I know that you will strive for that. May you spread your message of peace farther and wider. With deep respect and congratulations on your 50 th anniversary."

 

Special overseas guests included Mrs. Datwani, who, with her husband, pioneered to Hong Kong in 1954.   Mr. Datwani was a member of the first Local Spiritual Assembly, and both Mr. and Mrs. Datwani were members of the first National Spiritual Assembly.  Also present was Mr. Nari Sherwani, who now lives in Ireland, and who was a member of the first Local Assembly.  Mr. Chiu, one of the early Hong Kong believers, was also present.   Other overseas guests included Anny Vai Man Ung Clegg (Ireland), T.K. Lee and Chong Boo H aw and family (Malaysia).

 

Rosalie Tran and Meena Datwani spoke on the achievements of the Hong Kong Bahá'í community in the last 50 years, highlighting achievements, such as the fact that the Assembly was formally incorporated by Ordinance in 1989, and the licensing of the Bahá'í Hall as a place of public worship, so that Bahá'í marriages conducted in the Hall have legal recognition.   The institute process, it was noted, was graining momentum with increased participation by non-Bahá'ís.  Khalil Fong, a rising pop star in Hong Kong, entertained the guests with three songs.   A children's group sang a couple of Bahá'í songs.  There was a PowerPoint presentation which visually demonstrated the growth of the Faith in Hong Kong over the last 50 years.   A proclamation folder with a Bahá'í pamphlet and the Bahá'ís magazine was given to all non-Bahá'ís' attending.

 

Messages were received from CBC Asia, many National Spiritual Assemblies and individuals.   The Universal House of Justice sent the following message to the gathering:

 

"Kindly extend our loving greetings to all those who will gather together for the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Hong Kong.   We cherish the hope that your reflections on the dedicated efforts of the friends in your community over the past five decades will galvanize the present generation to new heights of service.   The people of your region long to achieve harmony between their material progress and spiritual aspirations, and we pray that the believers in Hong Kong will exert every effort to ensure that the divine Teachings reach their family members, friends, co-workers and acquaintances, as well as other receptive souls found through earnest striving and persistent search.   May you be confirmed in your endeavours to contribute your share towards attaining the worldwide goal of establishing in no less than 1,500 clusters intensive programmes of growth during the coming five years."