Dear Baha'i friends,
For long centuries the African Continent, or rather that
great part of it which lies south of the Sahara, remained relatively isolated
from the rest of the world, untroubled and scarcely touched by the surging
conflicts of the nations to the north and east. Now, rapidly emerging into the
main stream of international interest, the African peoples, who were compared
by Baha'u'llah to the black pupil of the eye through which "the light of
the spirit shineth forth," are being swept by the heady enthusiasms of
new-found independence, torn by the conflicting forces of divergent political
interests, their vision obscured by the haze of materialism and the dust of
nationalistic passions and age-old tribal rivalries.
In the midst of the storm and stress of the battles of
selfish interests being waged about them, stand the followers of the Most Great
Name, their sight attracted to the rising Sun of God's Holy Cause, their hearts
welded together in a bond of true unity with all the children of men, and their
voices raised in a universal song of praise to the Glory of God and the oneness
of mankind, calling on their fellowmen to forget and forgo their differences
and join them in obedience and service to God's Holy Command in this Day.
The Army of the Cause, advancing at the bidding of the Lord,
to conquer the hearts of men, can never be defeated, but its rate of advance
can be slowed down by acts of unwisdom and ignorance on the part of its
supporters. We are writing you this letter to help in clarifying some of the
issues that have, in the past, blurred the vision of some of the believers, and
caused them to commit errors of judgement which have retarded the progress of
the Faith in their countries.
One of these issues, and by far the most important, is a
lack of appreciation of the implications of the Baha'i principle of
non-interference in political affairs. We find that 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi
Effendi have given us clear and convincing reasons why we must uphold this
principle. These reasons are summarized below for the study and deepening of
the friends. It is our hope that these observations will not only help the
friends to intelligently and radiantly follow the holy teachings on this
matter, but will help them to explain the Baha'i attitude to those who may
question its wisdom and usefulness:
The Faith of God is the sole source of salvation for mankind
today. The true cause of the ills of humanity is its disunity. No matter how
perfect may be the machinery devised by the leaders of men for the political
unity of the world, it will still not provide the antidote to the poison
sapping the vigour of present-day society. These ills can be cured only through
the instrumentality of God's Faith. There are many well-wishers of mankind who
devote their efforts to relief work and charity and to the material well-being
of man, but only Baha'is can do the work which God most wants done. When we
devote ourselves to the work of the Faith we are doing a work which is the
greatest aid and only refuge for a needy and divided world.
The Baha'i Community is a world-wide organization seeking to
establish true and universal peace on earth. If a Baha'i works for one
political party to overcome another it is a negation of the very spirit of the
Faith. Membership in any political party, therefore, necessarily entails
repudiation of some or all of the principles of peace and unity proclaimed by
Baha'u'llah. As 'Abdu'l-Baha stated:
"Our party is God's party -- -we don't belong to any party."
If a Baha'i were to insist on his right to support a certain
political party, he could not deny the same degree of freedom to other
believers. This would mean that within the ranks of the Faith, whose primary
mission is to unite all men as one great family under God, there would be
Baha'is opposed to each other. Where, then, would be the example of unity and
harmony which the world is seeking?
If the institutions of the Faith, God forbid, became
involved in politics, the Baha'is would find themselves arousing antagonism
instead of love. If they took one stand in one country, they would be bound to
change the views of the people in another country about the aims and purposes
of the Faith. By becoming involved in political disputes, the Baha'is instead
of changing the world or helping it, would themselves be lost and destroyed.
The world situation is so confused and moral issues which were once clear have
become so mixed up with selfish and battling factions, that the best way
Baha'is can serve the highest interests of their country and the cause of true
salvation for the world, is to sacrifice their political pursuits and
affiliations and wholeheartedly and fully support the divine system of
Baha'u'llah.
The Faith is not opposed to the true interests of any
nation, nor is it against any party or faction. It holds aloof from all
controversies and transcends them all, while enjoining upon its followers
loyalty to government and a sane patriotism. This love for their country the
Baha'is show by serving its well-being in their daily activity, or by working
in the administrative channels of the government instead of through party
politics or in diplomatic or political posts. The Baha'is may, indeed are
encouraged to mix with all strata of society, with the highest authorities and
with leading personalities as well as with the mass of the people, and should
bring the knowledge of the Faith to them; but in so doing they should strictly
avoid becoming identified, or identifying the Faith, with political pursuits
and party programmes.
So vital is this principle of non-interference in political
matters, which must govern the acts and words of Baha'is in every land, that
Shoghi Effendi has written that "Neither the charges which the uninformed
and the malicious may be led to bring against them, nor the allurements of
honours and rewards" would ever induce the true believers to deviate from
this path, and that their words and conduct must proclaim that the followers of
Baha'u'llah "are actuated by no selfish ambition, that they neither thirst
for power, nor mind any wave of unpopularity, of distrust or criticism, which a
strict adherence to their standards might provoke.”
"Difficult and delicate though be our task," he
continues, "the sustaining power of Baha'u'llah and of His Divine guidance
will assuredly assist us if we follow steadfastly in His way, and strive to
uphold the integrity of His laws. The light of His redeeming grace, which no
earthly power can obscure, will if we persevere, illuminate our path, as we
steer our course amid the snares and pitfalls of a troubled age, and will
enable us to discharge our duties in a manner that would redound to the glory
and the honour of His blessed Name."
The second issue which causes difficulties for the African
friends in these days is the matter of tribalism. As Baha'is they are convinced
that mankind is one and must be viewed as one entity, yet, as members of their
respective tribes, they find themselves expected by their non-Baha'i brothers
to give their first loyalty to, and even aggressively pursue the interests of
their tribe. They live, moreover, in an atmosphere which is only too often one
of mistrust, fear and even hatred against the members of other tribes.
The Baha'i attitude in such a situation is clearly set forth
in the Writings. As Baha'is we are attached to our tribes and clans, just as we
are to our families and, on a larger scale, to our nations, but we do not allow
this attachment to conflict with our wider loyalty to humanity. The followers
of the Faith, the Guardian has clearly stated , “will not hesitate to
subordinate every particular interest, be it personal, regional or national, to
the overriding interests of the generality of mankind, knowing full well that
in a world of interdependent peoples and nations the advantage of the part is
best to be reached by the advantage of the whole, and that no lasting result
can be achieved by any of the component parts if the general interests of the
entity itself are neglected."
In further elucidating this theme he has written: "Let
there be no misgivings as to the animating purpose of the world-wide Law of
Baha'u'llah. ... It does not ignore nor does it attempt to suppress the
diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, of history, of language and tradition,
of thought and habit, that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world.
It calls for a wider loyalty, for a larger aspiration than any that has
animated the human race. It insists upon the subordination of national impulses
and interests to the imperative claims of a unified world. It repudiates
excessive centralization on one hand, and disclaims all attempts at uniformity
on the other. Its watchword is unity in diversity ..."
In these days when tribal tensions are increasing in Africa
the friends should be vigilant lest any trace of prejudice or hatred, God
forbid, may enter their midst. On the contrary, they should endeavour to bring
into the Faith an ever-larger representation of the various tribes in each
country, and through complete lack of prejudice as well as through the love
that Baha'is have for each other and for their non-Baha'i neighbours,
demonstrate to their countrymen what the Word of God can do. They will thus
provide, for the scrutiny of the leaders and rulers of their countries, a shining
example of a unified community, working together in full concord and harmony,
demonstrating a hope that is attainable, and a pattern worthy to be emulated.
To discriminate against any tribes because they are in a
minority is a violation of the spirit that animates the Faith of Baha'u'llah.
As followers of God's Holy Faith it is our obligation to protect the just
interests of any minority element within the Baha'i community. In fact in the
administration of our Baha'i affairs, representatives of minority groups are
not only enabled to enjoy equal rights and privileges, but they are even
favoured and accorded priority. Baha'is should be careful never to deviate from
this noble standard, even if the course of events or public opinion should
bring pressure to bear upon them.
The principles in the Writings are clear, but usually it is
when these principles are applied that questions arise. In all cases where the
correct course of action is not clear believers should consult their National
Spiritual Assembly who will exercise their judgement in advising the friends on
the best course to follow.
It is the hope and prayer of the Universal House of Justice
that National Spiritual Assemblies in Africa will, in full collaboration with
the Continental Boards of Counsellors and Auxiliary Boards in their areas, act
as loving shepherds to the divine flock in that mighty Continent, protect the
friends from the evil influences surrounding them, guide them in the true and
right path, and assist them to attain a continuously deeper understanding, a
firmer conviction and a more consuming love for the Cause they are so devotedly
seeking to promote and serve.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
The Universal House of Justice
(‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986’)
