Response to Concerns Raised by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly

19 May 1994

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States

Dear Baha’i Friends,

We recall with much joy and deep gratitude to Bahá'u'lláh your presence in the Holy Land only a short while ago during the month of the Fast. Your urgent request to which we acceded by meeting with all nine of your members in intensive consultations over a period of three days—a new fact of history in itself—initiated another phase in the evolution of your Assembly and reinforced the bonds that bind the American Baha’i community to the World Center of the Faith. Our hearts were touched by the candor, courage, and sincerity with which your members presented your concerns, as well as by the spirit of optimism you displayed despite the overwhelming challenges and burdens which prompted your request for a meeting with us.

Having considered the various points and queries you raised, we are now able to respond to those which fall under the broad categories of teaching, relations between your National Spiritual Assembly and the Continental Counselors, and the functioning of your Assembly.

******

Regarding your "Vision in Action" initiative, you reported evidences of a tremendous response, some movement, and some expansion; furthermore, the stimulus of the recent Atlanta conference spearheaded by the Continental Counselors caused a marked acceleration of activities. In sum, the friends have seldom been more visibly active, but growth is slow; you feel the community has for some time been on the threshold of a breakthrough which remains elusive. The degeneration of society, as manifested by the breakdown of moral standards and the alarming increase of violence, you feel, is exerting a debilitating effect on the individual believer. You yearn for a way to free the teaching potential which to a large extent is locked up in the individual in the face of these dreadful circumstances.

Appointment of New Continental Counselor

7 April 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

After more than four years of highly valued service on the Continental Board of Counselors in Africa, Mr. Gilbert Robert has resigned for compelling health reasons. We are confident that he will continue to serve the Cause with great devotion in other ways, and assure him of our loving prayers.

To fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Robert’s resignation, we announce the appointment of Mr. Eddy Lutchmaya of Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius, to the membership of the Continental Board of Counselors in Africa for the remainder of the current term.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Murder of Three Iranian Pioneers to South Africa

28 March 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

With much sorrow, the Universal House of Justice has asked us to share with you certain details relevant to the murder of three Iranian Bahá’í pioneers to South Africa for the information of the friends throughout the world.

As you may have learned from the wide publicity which the incident received, on 13 March Mr. Houshmand Anvari, Dr. Shamam Bakhshandegi and Mr. Riaz Razavi were shot to death by gunmen who burst into the Bahá’í Center at Mdantsane, Ciskei, where some adults and children had gathered for meetings. Mr. Anvari, who served as caretaker of the Bahá’í Center, had been painting a portion of the building when four young gunmen ordered him to go inside at a time when children’s classes were ending and the friends were preparing for a meeting concerning the International Year of the Family. Mr. Razavi, Auxiliary Board member for Ciskei, and Dr. Bakhshandegi had been invited especially to consult with the friends at this meeting. The gunmen ordered the "whites," these three Iranian friends, to stand apart from the others, lined them up against the wall with their hands above their heads, searched them, and then fired at them with automatic weapons as their fellow believers looked on in utter shock. The gunmen fled immediately, using Mr. Razavi’s car to get away. Mr. Razavi and Mr. Anvari were killed instantly; Dr. Bakhshandegi died upon arrival at a hospital in Mdantsane.

Passing of Dorothy Ferraby, Former Continental Counselor

24 March 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies in Europe

HEARTS GRIEVED PASSING DEARLY LOVED STALWART MAIDSERVANT BAHÁ’ULLÁH DOROTHY FERRABY WHOSE DISTINGUISHED SERVICES CAUSE GOD EXTENDED OVER MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY SHE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY ADMINISTRATION FAITH AS MEMBER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BRITISH ISLES AND FIRST AUXILIARY BOARD EUROPE, PLAYED VITAL PART HISTORIC AFRICA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI, SERVED WORLD CENTER DURING CUSTODIANSHIP HANDS CAUSE, AND LATER AS MEMBER CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELORS EUROPE THESE SERVICES, AS WELL AS HER INDEFATIGABLE LABORS AND STERLING QUALITIES, HER TENACITY, PERSEVERANCE AND UNFLINCHING LOYALTY HAVE ENRICHED ANNALS FAITH BRITISH ISLES AND SET WORTHY EXAMPLE.

ARDENTLY PRAYING HOLY SHRINES PROGRESS HER NOBLE SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM. ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS COMMUNITIES UNITED KINGDOM. REQUESTING NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF GERMANY HOLD A MEMORIAL SERVICE MOTHER TEMPLE EUROPE ALSO ADVISING EUROPEAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES HOLD COMMEMORATIVE GATHERINGS COMMUNITIES THEIR COUNTRIES.

CONVEY OUR LOVING SYMPATHY HER BELOVED DAUGHTER, OTHER MEMBERS HER FAMILY.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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

Significance of the Building Projects on Mount Carmel

4 January 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

As construction work commences on the first of the monumental Edifices which must be raised on Mount Carmel to complete the World Administrative Center of the Bahá’í Faith, it seems appropriate to review the significance of this vast project and to reflect on its basic purpose.

The projects under way on this mountain are of profound significance. They represent much more than the erection of buildings to meet the expanding needs of the Bahá’í World Center. The call for contributions to the Arc Projects Fund, far from being a diversion of resources which might otherwise be used to help relieve the distress of mankind, offers the followers of Bahá’u’lláh a providential opportunity to participate in an endeavor which is central to the work of the Faith in eradicating the causes of the appalling suffering now afflicting humanity.

The Bahá’í community encourages and supports the manifold efforts being made by people of goodwill to better the condition of humankind and promote unity and harmony among the peoples and nations of the earth. However, the believers should never, for even one moment, lose sight of the fact that the crisis now engulfing every part of the planet is essentially spiritual. "That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world," Bahá’u’lláh emphatically states, "is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith." Our acute awareness of the magnitude of the misery which so many groups and individuals are experiencing should spur us on to ever-greater exertions, inspired and animated by an abiding consciousness that only through the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh can the multitudinous problems burdening humanity be resolved.

Appointment of New Continental Counselor

26 December 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

For compelling personal reasons, Mrs. Elisabeth Mühlschlegel has resigned from the Continental Board of Counselors in Europe after more than five years of highly valued services. We are sure that she will continue to serve the Cause with great devotion in other ways, and assure her and her family of our loving prayers.

To fill the vacancy thus caused, we announce the appointment of Mrs. Larissa Grigorjevna Tsutskova of Perm, Russia, to the membership of the Continental Board of Counselors in Europe for the remainder of the current term.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Commencement of Construction of the Center for the Study of the Texts

24 December 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

We are delighted to announce that on the afternoon of Sunday 19 December 1993 the Agreement for the General Contract for the construction of the Center for the Study of the Texts and the Archives’ Extension was signed, to be followed by immediate nomination of subcontractors for electrical work, plumbing, lifts, air-conditioning and, later, for all finishing works.

Work has already commenced.

We supplicate Bahá'u'lláh for confirmation of this historic step.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Formation of Seven New National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies

26 November 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

The gathering momentum now evident in the continual teaching successes, notably in lands recently opened to the Faith, impels us to announce that conditions make it ripe for the formation next Ridván of seven new National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies.

There will be established in Asia: the National Spiritual Assemblies of Cambodia, with its seat in Phnom Penh; Kazakhstan, with its seat in Alma-Ata; Kyrgyzstan, with its seat in Bishkek; Mongolia, with its seat in Ulaan Baatar; Tajikistan, with its seat in Dushanbe; Uzbekistan, with its seat in Tashkent; and in Europe: the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Slovenia and Croatia, with its seat in Ljubljana. The Regional Spiritual Assembly of Central Asia will become the National Spiritual Assembly of Turkmenistan, with its seat in ‘Ishqábád.

With these tidings, we express the urgent hope that the followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the world, encouraged not only by the accretion of new victories but particularly by the opportunities for teaching which multiply daily as a consequence of rampant social disorder, will concentrate their energies on spreading the redemptive Message of Bahá’u’lláh with dispatch and resolve. May they ever draw courage and strength from the manifest confirmations of the Blessed Beauty.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Release of a Compilation on Entry by Troops

9 November 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Beloved Friends,

In the message sent last Ridvan, we drew the attention of the Baha’i world to the critical need for a massive expansion of the Baha’i community in the years immediately ahead. The growing receptivity of the peoples of the world to Bahá'u'lláh's Message reinforces our conviction that entry by troops will soon become an established pattern for the growth of the Faith in country after country.

To assist the National Spiritual Assemblies and all the friends to understand, welcome, initiate and sustain this process, we are enclosing a compilation entitled Promoting Entry by Troops and a covering statement prepared by the Research Department. Whoever studies these illuminating passages will perceive that entry by troops is not merely a stage of the progress of the Cause destined to occur in its own good time, dependent on the receptivity of the population as a whole—it is a phenomenon which the Baha’i communities, by their own activities, can prepare for and help to bring about. It is also a process which, once started, can be sustained. By a wise allocation of resources and the energetic pursuit of simultaneous plans of expansion, deepening and consolidation, the process of entry by troops should bring about a rapidly increasing supply of active believers, soundly based local communities, and steadily evolving local and national Baha’i institutions.

Relative Priority of the Various Baha’i Funds

31 October 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

It has come to the attention of the Universal House of Justice that the believers would benefit from a further clarification of the relative priority of the various funds of the Faith, as any confusion in this regard could inhibit the fulfillment of their wish to contribute towards the work of the Cause. It has, therefore, instructed us to send you the following comments, which you are asked to share with the friends under your jurisdiction in ways you feel would be most efficacious.

The fixing of priorities is dependent on many factors, relating both to the Cause as a whole and to each individual in his or her own circumstances.

As far as the Cause is concerned, all the work must be kept going; all the funds need to be supported, both directly by the believers, and also by the making of contributions by Baha’i institutions from one fund to another, which do not take the place of contributions from individuals—the source of the life-blood of the Cause.

At the level of the individual believer, attention to the needs of the funds of the Faith parallels the principles which govern other multiple loyalties. The first loyalty of a Baha’i is to the whole of mankind, for the benefit of the part is best achieved through the welfare of the whole. But this widest loyalty does not eliminate the lesser loyalties of love for one’s country, for the area in which one lives, or for one’s family. They all constitute a network of interdependent and mutually beneficial loyalties. So it is with the individual believer’s relationship to the International, Continental, National and Local Funds.

Reformat of The Bahai World Series

28 October 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has decided that The Bahá’i World should have a new format and be published annually. Such frequency of appearance was intended by Shoghi Effendi when the publication was founded, but circumstances made it impossible to produce it so regularly. The first volume of the new annual series is scheduled to be published by the end of December 1993 and will focus on the Holy Year.

Beginning in 1926 as Baha'i Year Book, this publication has remained a major record of Baha’i activities and achievements. Assuming the title The Baha'i World, each volume from the second to the tenth appeared biennially; subsequent volumes until the nineteenth covered longer periods of varying lengths; volume XX, currently in preparation, will be the last of the old series and will cover the period of the Six Year Plan. The issuance of the first volume in the new series will precede the production of that extensive record.

The disclosure of current information about the Faith to the public in such a publication was an expectation that won Shoghi Effendi’s unstinting support and encouragement. He himself provided much of the material for each volume and supervised its development. His attitude was expressed in a letter dated 12 December 1929 written by his secretary on his behalf and which, describing The Baha'i World as “destined mainly for the non-Baha’is,” said, “he has tried to attract through its pages the attention of educated and enlightened people and especially leaders in every country, with a view to acquainting them with the broad and fundamental principles of the Faith and to winning their consideration of the Movement as a growing force for good and for peace throughout the entire world. . . . Indeed Shoghi Effendi has made it a point to send copies to as many leading men as possible. . . . "

Recitation of the Prayer for the Dead

13 September 1993

Maison d’Éditions Bahá’íes

Dear Baha’i Friends,

We regret that we cannot answer your fax of 26 August 1993 in French, as requested, but we enclose a French translation of this letter in the hope that it will assist you.

The correct way of reciting the Prayer for the Dead is as follows:

Alláh-u-Abhá (once)

We all, verily, worship God (19 times)

Alláh-u-Abhá (once)

We all, verily, bow down before God (19 times)

Alláh-u-Abhá (once)

We all, verily, are devoted unto God (19 times)

Alláh-u-Abhá (once)

We all, verily, give praise unto God (19 times)

Alláh-u-Abhá (once)

We all, verily, yield thanks unto God (19 times)

Alláh-u-Abhá (once)

We all, verily, are patient in God (19 times)

Local and National Spiritual Assemblies and private initiatives

2 September 1993

To a National Spiritual Assembly

...As a national community grows, the activities undertaken by its members also increase in number and diversity. Some of these activities will be initiated and administered by the Bahá’í institutions. Others will fall in the realm of private initiative. When an initiative is in the form of a private business venture undertaken by an individual or group, the institutions of the Faith have little reason to interfere with their daily affairs. Only if difficulties arise among the friends involved in such an enterprise, if their activities could damage the good name of the Faith, or if they misrepresent their relationship to the Faith, would a Local or National Spiritual Assembly intervene. Bahá’í institutions, of course, applaud any effort by these private ventures to apply the Teachings to their operations and to use their position in society to further the interests of the Faith. Spiritual Assemblies would do well to offer them guidance, as requested or as circumstances require, and to help them develop their potential for the advancement of the Cause.

The private initiatives of believers need not, however, be limited to business ventures. The laws of most societies allow for the establishment of non-profit organizations which, while private, are subject to special regulations and enjoy certain privileges. Customarily a board of trustees is responsible for all the affairs of such an organization and must ensure that its income is spent for the purpose stipulated in its by-laws. This board also oversees the functioning of the projects of the organization and the work of those who are in charge of them. An increasing number of believers around the world are taking advantage of this possibility and creating organizations dedicated to the application of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings to the analysis and resolution of important social and economic issues. The House of Justice looks with keen interest on this growing phenomenon in the Bahá’í world. It only cautions the friends that in establishing such organizations they should exercise care not to become a burden on the institutions or unduly divert the contributions of the believers from the essential and primary tasks of supporting the Funds of the Faith and the activities of the institutions. It expects them to conduct their affairs according to Bahá’í moral and ethical principles.

Preservation of Original Sacred Text

23 August 1993

To all National Spiritual AssembliDear Baha’i Friends,

We are forwarding to you a copy of a leaflet concerning the preservation and safeguarding of the original Sacred Texts which was distributed to all delegates and guests at the seventh International Baha’i Convention. It is requested that you bring the information conveyed in the leaflet to the attention of the members of your community in whatever way you consider to be the most effective.

In one of His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh has revealed the following:

“Thou shouldst alert the company of the faithful to the need for all to exert every effort and to spare no pains in preserving and honoring the Tablets and Holy Writings. Blessed the regions in which the fragrance of the Pen of the Most High is spread abroad. The preservation of the peerless, incomparable and blessed Tablets is highly requisite and beloved in the sight of God, lest either the pages of which they are composed or the ink in which they are inscribed should lose their pristine quality. Do thou guide and instruct the friends in the method of preservation. . . . Blessed be those who do His bidding.”

It is hoped that those friends who have original Tablets, or letters of the beloved Guardian, in their possession will thereby be reminded of the utmost importance of preserving these precious and sacred documents. They are encouraged to consider giving either the originals, or clear photocopies of them, to the International Baha’i Archives.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Pioneer Needs for the Three Year Plan

30 June 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

The pioneer call raised by the Universal House of Justice on 27 June 1993 apprised the Baha’i world of the new pattern that has been adopted for the Three Year Plan to facilitate the swift and effective movement of international pioneers and traveling teachers. To assist in this process, the attached document, consisting of brief descriptions of the pioneer needs in various countries and territories, has been prepared by the International Teaching Center based on information received from National Spiritual Assemblies and Continental Counselors. For ease of reference, the list of the four categories of countries and territories included in the pioneer call is also attached.

As you will see, the document is not a complete listing of pioneer needs. Only those countries and territories for which some information was available at the time of preparation are included. However, the document will be periodically updated and National Spiritual Assemblies are urged to send a statement of their needs to the Baha’i World Center. It is also hoped that, as conditions change and needs are met, the World Center will be notified accordingly.

Visit to the Baha’i World Center of Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

25 June 1993

To All National Spiritual Assemblies

DELIGHTED INFORM FRIENDS VISIT BAHÁ'I WORLD CENTER 12 JUNE 1993 SIR JULIUS CHAN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER PAPUA NEW GUINEA. ACCOMPANIED BY LADY CHAN DURING COURSE OFFICIAL VISIT ISRAEL HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT THAT UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE MET WITH SIR JULIUS CHAN IN RESPONSE HIS REQUEST FOR CONSULTATION ON FUTURE ROLE PAPUA NEW GUINEA AS EMERGING NATION AND ON DESTINY PACIFIC REGION. MEETING HELD COUNCIL CHAMBER FOCUSSED POTENTIAL PACIFIC NATIONS SET EXAMPLE UNITY. MUTUAL COOPERATION, SIR JULIUS EXPRESSED APPRECIATION ACHIEVEMENTS BAHÁ'I COMMUNITY AND ADMIRATION BAHÁ’I APPROACH PERSONAL, SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION. MEETING WITH SIR JULIUS CHAN, FOLLOWING EARLIER MEETINGS PRIME MINISTER COOK ISLANDS AND PRESIDENT MARSHALL ISLANDS, FURTHER EVIDENCE REMARKABLE RESPONSE PACIFIC LEADERS PRINCIPLES BAHÁ’I FAITH. HARBINGER FUTURE APPLICATION BY WORLD STATESMEN PRESCRIPTION DIVINE PHYSICIAN HEALING MANIFOLD ILLS HUMANITY.

Universal House of Justice

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

Appointment of Four New Continental Counselors

16 June 1993

To All National Spiritual Assemblies

JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE APPOINTMENT FOLLOWING CONTINENTAL COUNSELORS TO

FILL VACANCIES CREATED BY RECENT APPOINTMENTS TO INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER: IN AFRICA KOBINA FYNN, IN THE AMERICAS STEPHEN BIRKLAND AND FARHAD SHAYANI, IN ASIA NOBUKO IWAKURA.

Universal House of Justice

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

Confiscation of Baha’i Properties in Iran

20 May 1993

To selected National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha’i Friends,

This is in reference to our circular letter dated 30 September 1992 concerning the confiscation of Baha’i properties in various cities of Iran. A copy of that letter is being forwarded herewith to all National Spiritual Assemblies marked with an asterisk, as they have not previously received it.

We are instructed to draw your attention to the fact that the confiscations of the properties of the Baha’is in Yazd are of a different nature than those taking place elsewhere in the country. In Yazd, they are based on a religious edict issued by the late Áyatu’lláh Sadúqí, former Imam of Yazd. This edict is now being invoked by the authorities in Yazd to justify their decision that no Baha’i in that city may possess any property or engage in any transactions involving properties.

The confiscation of properties and the prohibition of Baha’is to be engaged in any property transactions clearly constitute religious persecution, as the individuals concerned are not being punished for any wrongdoing, but are deprived of their properties on the basis of belonging to a particular religious community.

In the meantime, the Baha’is of Saysán and Ilkhchi have reported confiscations of their properties on the grounds that they are members of the Baha’i community. . .

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Appointment of International Teaching Center Members

13 May 1993

To All National Spiritual Assemblies

WITH JOYFUL HEARTS WE ANNOUNCE APPOINTMENT COUNSELOR MEMBERS INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER FOR FIVE-YEAR TERM BEGINNING 23 MAY 1993: MR. KISER BARNES, MR. HARTMUT GROSSMANN, MRS. LAURETTA KING, MRS. JOAN LINCOLN, MR SHAPOOR MONADJEM, MR DONALD ROGERS, MR. FRED SCHECHTER, MRS. KIMIKO SCHWERIN, MRS. JOY STEVENSON. PROFOUNDLY GRATEFUL MR MASÚD KHAMSÍ AND MR. PETER VUYIYA FOR ILLUSTRIOUS RECORD YEARS DEVOTED LABORS IN DEVELOPMENT WORLDWIDE OPERATION THIS VITAL INSTITUTION.

Universal House of Justice

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

Applicability of the Laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas

9 May 1993

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In the introduction to the English translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas it is stated that its publication does not increase the number of laws which are binding on Bahá’ís. As an assistance to those friends who may not have a clear understanding of the matter, the Universal House of Justice has instructed us to send you the attached copy of a letter which it wrote to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Iceland, on 9 June 1974, to identify those laws which were not then universally applicable. The law of Huqúqu’lláh was applied universally at Ridván 1992. In due course, the Universal House of Justice will announce further applications of the laws when the friends have had the opportunity of familiarizing themselves with the Most Holy Book and when it is propitious to do so.

National Spiritual Assemblies are asked to share this letter and its enclosure with the friends under their jurisdiction.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Election of the Universal House of Justice — Ridván 1993

30 April 1993

To All National Spiritual Assemblies

ANNOUNCE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS UNIVERSAL HOUSE of JUSTICE ALI NAKHJIAVÁNÍ, GLENFORD MITCHELL, ADIB TAHERZADEH, IAN SEMPLE, PETER KHAN, HUSHMAND FATHEAZAM, HOOPER DUNBAR, FARZAM ARBAB, DOUGLAS MARTIN.

Universal House of Justice

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

Establishment of an Office for the Advancement of Women

10 December 1992

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We take pleasure in announcing the decision to establish an Office for the Advancement of Women, which, as an agency of the Bahá’í International Community, will promote the principles of the Faith through its interaction with international entities concerned with matters affecting the rights, status and wellbeing of women. It will also advise National Spiritual Assemblies regarding programs and projects in which the involvement of the community can encourage efforts towards the realization of the equality of men and women.

The establishment of this Office now is largely a consequence of two gratifying developments, namely: the great extent to which the work of our United Nations Office concerning women’s issues has expanded in recent years; and the rising stature for the Bahá’í community which this work has achieved in international circles. We are delighted that, for instance, the Bahá’í International Community has been serving since 1988 as the convener of Advocates for African Food Security, a coalition of nongovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies and intergovernmental bodies formed in 1986 to raise awareness of women as producers of most of the domestic food in Africa; that our United Nations representative who specializes in women’s issues is a member of the Steering Committee which is planning the Non-Governmental Organizations Forum to be held in Beijing in 1995 at the time of the Fourth World Conference on Women; and that she chairs the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York, a position of great prestige in the UN/NGO community. Furthermore, the relations of the Bahá’í International Community with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) have fostered a mutual confidence that has encouraged UNIFEM to collaborate with the Bahá’í International Community in the launching in three countries of projects aimed at promoting change in attitudes between men and women. All three projects involve the Bahá’í community at international, national and local levels.

Resignation of Two Members of the Universal House of Justice

11 November 1992

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Beloved Friends,

Conscious of the increasing burden of advancing years and the effect of this on the services they can render, Mr. Hugh E. Chance and Dr. David S. Ruhe have, after prayerful consideration of the best interests of the Cause of God, requested permission to relinquish their membership on the Universal House of Justice, in accordance with Article V.2.(c) of its Constitution.

The House of Justice has regretfully accepted the resignation of these beloved members, who have rendered highly valued services in the Holy Land, since 1963 in Mr. Chances case, and since 1968 in that of Dr. Ruhe. 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. In view, however, of the imminence of the next international election, we have requested them to remain in office until that time, and to this they have readily agreed.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Confiscation of Bahá’í Properties in Iran

30 September 1992

To selected National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We are instructed to convey to you the following disturbing news which was just received from the friends in Iran.

During the past few weeks, Iranian Islamic revolutionary institutions in Yazd, Tehran, and Isfahan have confiscated a considerable number of private homes and other property belonging to Bahá’ís. The Bahá’ís concerned are neither prominent believers nor were they engaged in Bahá’í administrative activities.

The friends in Iran explained that, in Yazd, these confiscations are based on a religious edict issued to the Judiciary by the late Áyatu’lláh Sadúqí, former Imam of Yazd, on the strength of which the members of the Imam Khomeini Foundation are seizing the homes of Bahá’ís and are harassing the occupants. The late Áyatu’lláh, in turn, had taken this action on the instigation of a certain Mr. Kashmírí, who had played an active role in the oppression of the Bahá’ís in Yazd and was keenly interested in their properties. The details are as follows.

Yazd

In Yazd, 11 families are presently affected by such confiscations. Mr. Dáryúsh Dahmúbidí s family, residing in Taft, was already forcefully evicted and their house with all its furnishings was taken over by the Imam Khomeini Foundation.

Formulating Goals for the Three Year Plan

30 September 1992

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Holy Year is approaching its midway point and the time is ripe for all National Spiritual Assemblies to consult with the Counselors to formulate national goals for the Three Year Plan which will be launched next Ridván.

The experience you gained in formulating and then carrying out the goals of the Six Year Plan can now enable you to refine the process in relation to the Three Year Plan. The main theme for the Bahá’í community during the Three Year Plan will be to pursue three closely related developments which can be summarized as enhancing the vitality of the faith of individual believers, greatly developing the human resources of the Cause, and fostering the proper functioning of its local and national institutions.

We are asking the Counselors to make a special point of consulting with each National Spiritual Assembly on how this challenge can best be met through the instrumentality of goals based on the seven major objectives set forth in 1986, which still provide a valid framework for your planning, and to ensure that no essential element of your community’s development is overlooked.

Each National Spiritual Assembly is to formulate specific goals towards the attainment of the objectives in light of the present conditions and opportunities in each country—goals that match the urgent needs and that can be achieved in the short space of three years. No doubt each country will require its specific emphasis among these objectives, and your consultations with the Counselors will be invaluable in assisting you to focus the endeavors of the friends in each of your communities.