Messages posted in chronological order…
Messages to Baha'i World Community
12/25/16
Formation of Seven National Spiritual Assemblies during Ridvan 1971
12/18/16
Release of a Compilation on the Local Spiritual Assembly
As the Baha'i Administrative Order rapidly expands throughout the world it behoves everyone associated with it to familiarize himself with its principles, to understand its import and to put its precepts into practice. Only as individual members of Local Spiritual Assemblies deepen themselves in the fundamental verities of the Faith and in the proper application of the principles governing the operation of the Assembly will this institution grow and develop toward its full potential.
12/10/16
Call for Pioneers
12/5/16
Ninety-Four National Spiritual Assemblies; Three additional Counsellors; Forty-five additional Auxiliary Board Members
11/25/16
Commemoration of the Centenary of the Martyrdom of Mirza Mihdi, the Purest Branch
11/15/16
The Spirit of Baha'i Consultation
7/11/16
Attainment of Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
6/30/16
Non-Interference in Political Affairs
6/24/16
Release of a Compilation on Baha'i Funds
6/15/16
Acquisition of Property Adjacent to Bahji
6/9/16
Work of Continental Boards of Counsellors and Their Auxiliary Board Members
5/28/16
Formation of an Additional National Spiritual Assembly during Ridvan 1970
5/20/16
New Appointments to Continental Boards of Counsellors
5/8/16
Guidance on Self-Defense
6 May 1969
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
We have reviewed your letter of April llth, asking about the teachings of the Faith on self-defense and any guidance on individual conduct in the face of increasing civil disorder in North American cities.
From the texts you already have available it is clear that Bahá’u’lláh has stated that it is preferable to be killed in the path of God’s good pleasure than to kill, and that organized religious attack against Bahá’ís should never turn into any kind of warfare, as this is strictly prohibited in our Writings.
A hitherto untranslated Tablet from ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, however, points out that in the case of attack by robbers and highwaymen, a Bahá’í should not surrender himself, but should try, as far as circumstances permit, to defend himself, and later on lodge a complaint with the government authorities. In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, he also indicates that in an emergency when there is no legal force at hand to appeal to, a Bahá’í is justified in defending his life. In another letter the Guardian has further pointed out that the assault of an irresponsible assailant upon a Bahá’í should be resisted by the Bahá’í, who would be justified, under such circumstances, in protecting his life.
The House of Justice does not wish at the present time to go beyond the guidelines given in the above-mentioned statements. The question is basically a matter of conscience, and in each case the Bahá’í involved must use his judgment in determining when to stop in self-defense lest his action deteriorate into retaliation.
Of course the above principles apply also in cases when a Bahá’í finds himself involved in situations of civil disorder. We have, however, advised the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that under the present circumstances in that country it is preferable that Bahá’ís do not buy nor own arms for their protection or the protection of their families.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice
(Online Baha’i Reference Library of the Baha’i World Center)
5/5/16
Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Tarazu'llah Samandari
4/28/16
Passing of Dr. Lutfu'llah Hakim, Member of the Universal House of Justice
4/20/16
Passing of the Hand of the Cause of God Hermann Grossmann
4/16/16
Response to message received from first National Youth Conference in the United States
26 June 1968
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
WARMLY ACKNOWLEDGE CONFIDENT JOYOUS MESSAGE FROM BAHA'I YOUTH GATHERED PRECINCTS MOTHER TEMPLE WEST. MOVED THEIR DETERMINATION SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES SERVE BELOVED FAITH CALL ON THEM BOLDLY CHALLENGE INVITE CONFUSED CONTEMPORARIES ENTRAPPED MORASS MATERIALISM TO EXAMINE PARTAKE LIFE-GIVING POWER CAUSE JOIN ARMY BAHA'U'LLAH CONFRONT NEGATIVE FORCES OF A SOCIETY SADLY LACKING SPIRITUAL VALUES. ASSURE YOUTH ARDENT PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES GUIDANCE CONFIRMATION THEIR COURAGEOUS EFFORTS.
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)
4/12/16
First appointments to Continental Boards of Counsellors
24 June 1968
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baha'i friends,
We list below the names of those who have been appointed to the first Continental Boards of Counsellors for the Protection and Propagation of the Faith:
North-western Africa
Husayn Ardikani (Trustee, Continental Fund), Muhammad Kebdani, William Maxwell.
Central and East Africa
Oloro Epyeru, Kolonario Oule, Isobel Sabri, Mihdi Samandari, 'Aziz Yazdi (Trustee, Continental Fund).
Southern Africa
Seewoosumbur-Jeehoba Appa, Shidan Fat'he-Aazam (Trustee, Continental Fund), Bahiyyih Ford.
North America
4/6/16
Announcement of decision to establish eleven Continental Boards of Counsellors
3/21/16
Message to National Conventions
3/11/16
Election of the Universal House of Justice Ridvan 1968
3/3/16
Safeguarding the Letters of Shoghi Effendi
2/26/16
Plans for Commemorating the Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Birth of Baha'u'llah at the First Oceanic Conference, Palermo, Sicily
2/15/16
Extracts on Teaching the Masses
2/5/16
Selection of Travelling Teachers
1/26/16
Laying of the Foundation Stone of the Panama Temple
1/20/16
Assumption by the Universal House of Justice of Representation of the Baha'i International Community at the United Nations
1/15/16
Announcement of the Resignation of Dr Lutfu'llah Hakim from the Universal House of Justice
(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963 to 1986)