Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination

14 January 1988

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Mariana Islands

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of 25 November 1987 to the United Nations Office of the Bahá’í International Community concerning the issues of “indigenous rights" and “self-determination” was passed to the Universal House of Justice, which has instructed us to convey the following reply.

With the coming of Bahá’u’lláh and the emphasis that His Revelation gives to the oneness of mankind, it is inevitable that peoples in all parts of the world who once seemed dormant or who have suffered discrimination would rise to assert their place in society. As with so many fundamental social issues, those concerning “indigenous rights" and “self-determination” find, for Bahá’ís, their proper expression and resolution within the context of the principle of the oneness of mankind. However, as is often the case, such issues are expressed in political forms which are unacceptable to Bahá’ís, who conscientiously avoid partisanship, subversion, and the corrupt attitudes and involvements associated with politics. At the same time, it is recognized that important issues of society fall within the province of government and perforce engage political processes currently in practice. Increasingly, as the Faith emerges from obscurity the Bahá’í community will find itself compelled to assist in finding solutions to the social problems afflicting humanity; it will have to be wise in its actions to avoid the pitfalls of politics.

Generally, the wisest course for the Bahá’í community in controversial situations is to remain uninvolved; however, at times when primary Bahá’í principles are at the heart of an issue, the decision of the National Assembly concerned should not necessarily be to observe silence but, rather, to take action which rises above the partisan political manifestations of the controversy. The Assembly may, for instance, present its own statement to the authorities, setting forth its views on essential issues on the basis of principle, letting the circumstances determine how the principle is best to be applied. If you feel that such action would be appropriate in the situation you face with respect to the issues raised in your letter, you may wish to draft such a statement, but before releasing it, kindly check with the World Center.

Release of a Compilation on the Covenant

25 December 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We enclose a copy of a new compilation entitled The Covenant, which was prepared by the Research Department at our instruction.

The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, the 100th anniversary of the inception of which will be commemorated in 1992, must be the subject of sustained and concentrated study. Instituted by the Revealer of God’s Word in this Day to direct and canalize the forces released by His Revelation, the Covenant in essence guarantees the continuation of divine guidance after the ascension of the Manifestation through the presence in the world of an institution to which all the friends must turn.

So important for the development of the Faith at this time is the understanding of the Covenant in all its aspects that it has been designated as a major theme of the Six Year Plan. It is our earnest hope that the new compilation, consisting of extracts which convey essential elements of the Covenant, will serve not only to deepen the understanding and love of the believers for the Covenant, but also to increase their level of conviction, and their loyalty to the Cause and its Institutions. To this end you will undoubtedly wish to arrange for the compilation to be made available to the friends and, if translation is required, to have it translated in full into the main language or languages used in the areas under your jurisdiction. Should it be necessary to translate the text into vernacular languages of limited usage, you are free of course to prepare an abridged form by selecting extracts from the compilation.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001)

Activities of Bahá’ís in Relation to Governments

14 December 1987

To selected National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

At the conference of representatives for external affairs held in Lan- genhain last month, a question was raised about Bahá’í relations towards governments and the principle of noninvolvement in politics. The repre- sentative of the Universal House of Justice referred to a letter dealing with this question which was sent to an individual at the direction of the House of Justice. We have now been requested to send to each of you for your information a copy of that letter dated 23 June 1987. It is enclosed.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

23 June 1987

To an individual Bahá’í

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Universal House of Justice received your letter . . . inquiring about permissible activities of the Bahá’ís in relation to governments. .. . We have been asked to convey the following.

Your letter touches upon a subject which, as time passes, will increasingly engage the attention of the House of Justice in accordance with its responsibilities as explicitly assigned in the Holy Texts. For instance, Bahá’u’lláh states:

“According to the fundamental laws which We have formerly revealed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and other Tablets, all affairs are committed to the care of just kings and presidents and of the Trustees of the House of Justice. (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 93)

Elsewhere He states:

Resignation of Two Members of the Universal House of Justice

17 November 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Beloved Friends,

In view of the steadily increasing burden of work resting upon the members of the Universal House of Justice, which will undoubtedly grow still heavier during the years immediately ahead, Mr. David Hofman and Mr. Borrah Kavelin, after prayerful consideration as to the best interests of the Cause of God, have, in light of their advanced ages, requested permission to relinquish their membership on this body in accordance with Article V.2.(c) of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice.

The House of Justice has regretfully accepted the resignation of these beloved members, who have rendered a quarter of a century of continuous and highly valued service in the Holy Land. They will thus be able to continue their services to the Cause of God free from the inexorable pressure of work at the World Center. Since, however, the next international election is so near, we have requested them to remain in office until that time, and this they have readily agreed to.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001)

Joining the Network on Conservation and Religion

3 November 1987 

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE THAT DURING OCTOBER BAHÁ’I FAITH BECAME SIXTH WORLD RELIGION TO JOIN THE NETWORK ON CONSERVATION AND RELIGION WHICH WAS FORMED SEPTEMBER 1986 AT EVENT IN ASSISI, ITALY, TO MARK 25TH ANNIVERSARY FOUNDING WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF) WHICH IS WORLDS LARGEST PRIVATE NATURE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION. BAHÁ’IS WERE INVOIVED IN SERIES OF RELATED EVENTS BETWEEN 3-5 OCTOBER 1987. AMONG THESE WAS CEREMONY IN WINCHESTER, ENGLAND, IN WHICH BAHÁ‘I INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ISSUED OFFICIAL BAHÁ‘I STATEMENT ON NATURE AND FORMALLY ENTERED NETWORK, SIGNALING NEW LEVEL COLLABORATION BETWEEN BAHÁ‘I COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTEREST GROUPS. BBC WORLD SERVICE BROADCAST NEWS THIS DEVELOPMENT SEVERAL TIMES. HIGHLIGHT THESE EVENTS WAS SPECIAL MEETING 5 OCTOBER IN GLAND, SWITZERLAND, WORLD HEADQUARTERS WWE, WHEN HRH THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH, PRESIDENT OF WWF, RECEIVED COPY BAHÁ‘I STATEMENT ON NATURE FROM AMATUL-BAHÁ RÚHÍYYIH KHÁNUM WHO HEADED BAHÁ‘I DELEGATION TO MEETING. PRINCE PHILIP RESPONDED WITH PARTICULAR INTEREST TO COMMENTS BY AMATUL-BAHÁ RÚHÍYYIH KHÁNUM ON IMPORTANCE OF INVOLVING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CONSERVATION AT VILLAGE LEVEL.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

(‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)

Further Information on Baha’is Arrested in Iran

30 October 1987 

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

RE OUR MESSAGE OF 21 OCTOBER ANNOUNCING ARREST OF SIX BAHÁ'IS IRAN, WE NOW HAVE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.

FIVE OF THE SIX HAVE BEEN FOUND EVIN PRISON. THEY HAVE BEEN VISITED BY FRIENDS AND APPEAR TO BE WELL

WE HAVE LEARNED THAT MRS. RUZÍTÁ SAMANDARÍ HAD NOT ACTUALLY BEEN ARRESTED. ANOTHER BAHÁ'I WOMAN, A RELATIVE OF ONE PRISONER, WAS ARRESTED SHORTLY AFTER ARREST FIVE MEN AND SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED.

FATE FORMER MEMBERS NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY GREATLY FEARED AS INDICATED OUR PREVIOUS MESSAGE.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

(’Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)