better race relations in Bermuda were honoured by the Baha'i Faith this weekend.

At an awards ceremony held at the Belmont Hotel on Saturday night the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bermuda presented awards in three distinct areas.

Minister of Human Affairs and Information the Hon. Jerome Dill was presented with an award for outstanding services by a group or organisation in creating the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE).

Dr. Eva Hodgson was given the outstanding services by an individual award for her untiring efforts in the fight against racial injustice in Bermuda and for promoting the need to legislate against this practice.

And Mr. Glen Fubler was presented with an award for his outstanding service on an international level, raising the cry against Apartheid in South Africa and his continuous support of like-minded organisations such as Amnesty International.

Chief administration officer for the Baha'i International Community United Nations Office Dr. Wilma Ellis arrived in Bermuda last week to take part in the presentation.

She told the audience that she predicted that "Jerome Dill will go down in history as the father of race unity efforts in Bermuda''.

On receiving his award Mr. Dill said though he did not know much about the Baha'i faith he did know that "it emphasises on brotherhood and unity.'' Dr. Hodgson told The Royal Gazette : "I am humble and I am very pleased about receiving this award, but I am slightly embarrassed because there is still such a long way to go.

"We have made progress with Government's acknowledgement of a problem by setting up the Human Affairs ministry but that is just the beginning of what will probably be a long and difficult struggle.'' Dr. Hodgson also said: "I perceive that there is still a very strong resistance to genuine dialogue between whites and blacks who have had very different experiences, therefore, very different perceptions of reality.'' Mr. Fubler said he hoped that his receiving an award "stimulates other people to be involved in the continuing global struggle to transcend racism''.

He added: "I intend to do work that has more implications for Bermudians in terms of issues of race and gender.'' At the end of the presentations the audience was serenaded by Baha'i musicians and singers Richard Quinn and Christine Frith-Quinn.