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’)

Message to the Bahá’í Publishers’ Conference, London

26 October 1987

To Bahá'í Publishers' Conference (London)

WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THIS TIMELY CONFERENCE ON ENGLISH-LANGUAGE BAHÁ‘I PUBLISHING, THE FIRST OF THIS NATURE SINCE THAT HELD IN MONTREAL FOLLOWING THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SEPTEMBER 1982. WE COMMEND BOTH THE INITIATIVE TAKEN BY THE UNITED KINGDOM PUBLISHING TRUST IN INAUGURATING THE PRESENT HISTORIC GATHERING AND THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE IT GENERATED AMONG NATIONAL COMMUNITIES EUROPE AND BEYOND WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH THE VITAL QUESTIONS IT WILL CONSIDER. THIS DEGREE OF RESPONSE BETOKENS RECOGNITION ON PART OF PARTICIPANTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE SIX YEAR PLAN SET OUT IN OUR LETTER OF 25 FEBRUARY 1986 CALLING FOR A WORLDWIDE INCREASE IN THE TRANSLATION, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF BAHÁ‘I LITERATURE. AS YOU BEGIN YOUR DELIBERATIONS WE HASTEN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE VALUE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ROLE BAHÁ'I PUBLISHING AGENCIES PLAY IN FULFILLING THIS GOAL AS WELL AS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION AND THE INCREASED PRODUCTION OF LITERATURE. WE LOOK FORWARD EAGERLY TO THE REPORT OF YOUR GATHERING AND PARTICULARLY YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF THE BAHÁ‘I WRITINGS WHOSE CAPACITY TO UPLIFT, HEAL, INSPIRE AND DIRECT IS THE VERY BEDROCK OF ALL OUR TEACHING EFFORTS.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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

Arrest of Six Bahá’ís in Iran

22 October 1987 

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

WE CONVEY WITH PROFOUND SADNESS NEWS OF THE ARREST IN TEHRAN ON 20 OCTOBER OF SIX BAHÁ’IS. OUR DISTRESS IS DEEPENED BY FACT THAT TWO OF THESE, MR. JAMÁLU’D-DIN KHÁNJÁNÍ AND MR. HASAN MAHBÚBÍ, WERE MEMBERS OF THE FORMER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY, AND THAT THE ARRESTS OF SUCH PERSONS HAVE COME SO SOON AFTER THE EXECUTION ON 28 SEPTEMBER OF TWO OTHER FORMER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS.

THE OTHER FOUR INCLUDED IN THE ARRESTS ARE MR. CHANGÍZ FANÁ’ÍYÁN, MR. SUHRÁB HÁJÍYÁN, MR. BAHMAN SAMANDARÍ AND HIS WIFE, MRS. RUZÍTÁ SAMANDARÍ ALL SIX WERE TOGETHER IN A PRIVATE HOME WHEN THEY WERE ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION. . . .

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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

Release of a Compilation on Crisis and Victory

11 October 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We enclose a copy of a new compilation entitled Crisis and Victory, which was prepared by the Research Department at our instruction. The purpose of this compilation is to orient the believers to the processes, within and without the Faith, that will accompany its progressive emergence on the world stage.

Tribulations attend and fuel the unfoldment of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. In describing the sweep of Bahá’í history, the beloved Guardian identified a pattern of growth which is characterized by "a series of pulsations, of alternating crises and triumphs, leading it [the Faith] ever nearer to its divinely appointed destiny."

As the stature of the Cause of God increases in the eyes of the world, the 

process of its emergence into the limelight of public attention, resulting, in large part, from the indescribable sacrifices of the beloved friends in Iran, is accelerated, and the Faith, gradually and inevitably, is projected into the next stage of its divinely propelled development.

The shelter of its relatively imperceptible expansion enabled the foundations of the Faith to be established and consolidated, and the community to attain a level of stability. Now, with the entrance of the Faith on the world scene, we call upon the believers everywhere not to allow themselves, even for one moment, to be perturbed by any increase in opposition to the Cause. Rather let them deepen their understanding of the creative interaction between crisis and victory in the evolution of the Faith, and increase their awareness of the power inherent in the Cause to surmount all obstacles that threaten its progress. Armed with this knowledge, let them seize the opportunities that arise and embrace the God-given challenges, confident in the invincibility of the Faith and the steady onward march of its institutions.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Execution of Two Bahá’ís in Iran

1 October 1987 

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

WITH PROFOUND SORROW AND DEEP SENSE OUTRAGE WE CONVEY REPORT JUST RECEIVED AT WORLD CENTER THAT ON 28 SEPTEMBER TWO BAHÁ’IS WERE EXECUTED IN TEHRAN. MR. ARDISHÍR AKHTÁRÍ AND MR. AMÍR-HUSAYN NÁDIRÍ WERE FORMER MEMBERS OF NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF IRAN. BOTH HAD BEEN IN PRISON SINCE 12 SEPTEMBER 1984. DEATH SENTENCES WERE PASSED WHILE SECRETARY GENERAL OF UNITED NATIONS WAS VISITING IRAN.

MESSRS. AKHTÁRÍ AND NÁDIRÍ, AS WELL AS MR. SURÚSH JABBÁRÍ AND MR. ABUL-QÁSIM SHÁYIQ WHO WERE EXECUTED ON 3 MARCH 1987, WERE AMONG GROUP OF 14 BAHÁ‘I PRISONERS WHOSE FATE HAS BEEN SOURCE ACUTE CONCERN TO BAHÁ’ls IRAN SINCE BEGINNING THIS YEAR. ...

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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

Support of Bahá’í Funds exclusively by believers

20 August 1987 

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of 22 July 1987 has been received by the Universal House of Justice, which has asked us to respond as follows.

The provisions set out in the letter of 17 July 1978 written to your National Spiritual Assembly on behalf of the House of Justice remain applicable, including the principle that it is improper for Bahá’ís to solicit funds from non-Bahá’ís in the name of the Faith for any purpose.

The following passage from the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh: "It would be impossible to conceive any act more contemptible than soliciting, in the name of the one true God, the riches which men possess" clearly indicates what the attitude of the Bahá’ís should be.

There is, however, a wide range of fundraising activities in which Bahá’ís may engage. For example, Bahá’í institutions are free to approach governments or institutions which hold themselves out as wishing to fund charitable activities, to apply for grants to assist in specific humanitarian projects. A Bahá’í school which has both Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í pupils is free to raise funds for its own development by such activities as concerts, etc., or by appeals to parents; in this instance, a humanitarian institution is clearly identified, and the funds are being collected in its name rather than in the name of the Faith. Another example is that of a Bahá’í who wishes to sell an item he owns to the general public for a fair market price; he is free to use the proceeds for any purpose he wishes, including contributing them all, or in part, to the Bahá’í Fund, provided he does not represent to the public that the sale is being conducted for the benefit of the Faith.

There would be no objection to the Bahá’í community’s joining with others to give a concert or undertake some other similar activity to raise funds for a deserving charity. Such activities or even the making of donations to humanitarian work should be, and should be seen to be, acts of sincere assistance and cooperation. In choosing to engage in such fundraising, a Bahá'í community would need to ensure that assisting the charity would not have partisan political implications or support purposes contrary to the interests of the Faith. It would need to watch carefully that its involvement in such activities does not divert its energies from the vital work of teaching the Faith and consolidating its institutions.

With loving Bahá'í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Passing of Knight of Bahá’u’lláh ‘Azíz Navídí

6 August 187 

To all National Spiritual Assemblies in Africa

GRIEVED PASSING DEVOTED DEDICATED SERVANT CAUSE KNIGHT BAHÁULLÁH AZÍZ NAVIDÍ. HIS FEARLESS DEFENSE OPPRESSED BAHÁ’IS CRADLE FAITH HIGHLY PRAISED BY BELOVED GUARDIAN. HIS CONTINUOUS SERVICES PIONEERING FIELD CROWNED BY OUTSTANDING SUCCESSES GAIN RECOGNITION FAITH BY MANY AFRICAN COUNTRIES OBTAINED THROUGH HIS UTTER RELIANCE BAHÁ’ULLÁH AND HIS INDEFATIGABLE RESOURCEFULNESS SACRIFICIAL EFFORTS, ALL SHED LUSTER UPON HIS LOVING MEMORY. REQUESTING NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY UGANDA HOLD MEMORIAL SERVICE MOTHER TEMPLE AFRICA RECOGNITION UNIQUE SERVICES THAT CONTINENT. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM. ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING LONDON.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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

Functioning of an Executive Committee of a National Spiritual Assembly

15 July 1987 

To a National Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has studied carefully the information conveyed in your minutes about the functioning of your Executive Committee. It has asked us to convey the following on its behalf.

It is entirely appropriate for your Assembly to appoint an Executive Committee and to authorize it to take action between National Spiritual Assembly meetings. While a committee of this type can be of considerable value to your Assembly, great care and close monitoring is required to guard against its becoming a source of difficulties which could ultimately weaken the authority of the Assembly.

Such a committee may be authorized to handle emergency matters which legitimately cannot await consultation by the full membership of the National Assembly, or matters which are of a routine nature and which can be dealt with through straightforward application of existing policy. Care is needed to ensure that the Executive Committee does not stray inadvertently beyond these bounds, and the functioning of the Committee should be a matter of careful review by the Assembly periodically.

The National Assembly has the responsibility to select the Assembly members who are to comprise the Committee. Valid meetings of the Executive Committee can take place only when all of its appointed members are duly notified. All members of the Assembly who have taken no part in the Executive Committee meeting should be informed of the decisions and actions taken, as soon after the meeting as practicable. This will afford them the opportunity to express the view as to whether the matter considered by the Committee should properly await a full meeting of the National Assembly. There may, of course, be instances when the urgency of a matter is such that a Committee decision has to be implemented before the other Assembly members can be informed; such instances are likely to be rare, and the Committee should be prepared to explain to the next meeting of the Assembly why it felt it necessary to proceed with such speed.

Furthermore, the matters considered by the Executive Committee should be placed on the agenda for the next full meeting of the National Assembly for ratification or otherwise. The House of Justice does not feel that it is sufficient to regard Executive Committee minutes as being "approved in principle" in the course of subsequent National Assembly consultation, nor does it feel that it is correct to delay submission of a full report of Executive Committee decisions to other than the next Assembly meeting.

Requirements for Membership in the Bahá’í Community

28 June 1987

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand 

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of 25 May 1987 concerning Mr. ... has been received by the Universal House of Justice, which has directed us to reply as follows.

In considering the status of believers such as Mr…, it is necessary to review the requirements for membership in the Bahá’í community. The basic considerations are set out by the Guardian in his statement:

“...I would only venture to state very briefly and as adequately as present circumstances permit the principal factors that must be taken into consideration before deciding whether a person may be regarded a true believer or not. Full recognition of the station of the Forerunner, the Author, and the True Exemplar of the Bahá’í Cause, as set forth in Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our Beloved’s sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present day Bahá’í administration throughout the world—these I conceive to be the fundamental and primary considerations that must be fairly, discreetly and thoughtfully ascertained before reaching such a vital decision. ... (Bahá'i Administration, p. 90, October 24, 1925)

This specification was restated by the Universal House of Justice in addressing the issue of acceptance of new believers, when it wrote:

Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the teachings, and touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey. (From a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, 13 July 1964)

The Bahá’í Role in Promoting World Peace

21 June 1987

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Finland

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

. . . The outstanding success of the peace conference in Finlandia Hall which your community sponsored last autumn remains one of the high-lights among the various Bahá’í peace events held throughout the world since the issuance of The Promise of World Peace. The House of Justice is happy to know of your continuing effort to keep the subject of world peace before the Finnish people; however, it advises you to be careful in choosing what such follow-up efforts should be and offers the following comments on your specific question about promoting the idea of a world conference of government leaders.

It is not advisable for Bahá’í institutions or individuals to initiate actions designed to prod government leaders to urge their governments or the leaders of other governments to convene the world conference called for by Bahá’u’lláh and echoed in The Promise of World Peace. Two points should be borne in mind in this regard: (1) Because of the political gravity of the decisions implied by this call and the differing political attitudes which it evokes, such actions on the part of the Bahá’í community would embroil the friends in partisan politics. There is quite a difference between identifying, as does the Peace Statement, the need for a convocation of world leaders and initiating the political processes towards its realization. (2) In the writings of the Faith (e.g., the closing passages of The Promised Day Is Come), it is clear that the establishment of the Lesser Peace, of which the conference of leaders will be a related event, will come about independently of any direct Bahá’í plan or action.

The following reply was written on behalf of the beloved Guardian in a letter dated 14 March 1939 to an individual believer:

Conduct of a National Convention

19 June 1987

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany 

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has considered your letter of 10 June 1987 and has instructed us to send you the following reply.

The House of Justice was very pleased to know how fruitful you have found the consultation at your recent National Conventions to have been.

The Convention is, of course, free to decide that every suggestion made by a delegate be recorded and conveyed to the National Spiritual Assembly. Beyond this, the National Assembly members who are present are always free to note down for their own interest and further discussion any points that are made. It is by no means necessary to have a formal consultation and vote on every recommendation. It is important to remember, however, that the National Convention is not a conference, it is a consultative institution of the Faith; therefore, consultation and formal voting on recommendations should not be ruled out altogether. There may, for example, be disagreement among the delegates on certain proposals put forward, and it would be fruitful for the matter to be discussed and voted upon so that the National Spiritual Assembly will know the recommendation of the Convention as a whole on those issues.

Detailed aspects of Convention procedure which are not defined in the National Bahá’í Constitution, being secondary in nature, are within the discretion of each National Spiritual Assembly to decide. The House of Justice feels that it is generally advisable not to be rigid and to leave it to the discretion of the Convention officers, or the Convention itself, to decide which recommendations need to be discussed and voted upon and which may be recorded without more ado. A distinction should be made in the record between recommendations of the entire Convention and those which are merely the proposals of individual delegates.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Bahá’í Education of Children

6 June 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Among the Six Year Plan goals for collaboration between national communities, are those concerned with the Bahá’í education of our children. The goals set out in the attached statement are of three kinds: goals for systematic teacher training, for the preparation of lesson plans for all age groups, and for the creation of teaching materials to support the educational process.

The group of national communities summoned to this vital and long overdue program of collaboration are those who are already known to be advanced in providing systematic child education, but also include some few now asked to make a positive contribution to this cooperative venture.

The Universal House of Justice will offer fervent prayers for the success of your labors in carrying out this collaborative project of utmost importance.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

International Collaboration Goals

5 June 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

On behalf of the Universal House of Justice, we send herewith the international collaboration goals for the Six Year Plan, based on your own considerations and on consultations with the International Teaching Center.

The goals are devised not only to achieve objectives, but to encourage mutual cooperation and sharing of ideas between National Spiritual Assemblies, processes which will strengthen the unity of the Bahá’í world community and enable it to present to mankind the pattern of a truly organic, universal, diversified but united society.

The House of Justice will offer its fervent prayers at the Holy Shrines that God may guide you in your devoted labors and enable you to carry out the tasks at hand with steadfastness and perseverance to achieve ultimate victory.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, 

Department of the Secretariat

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

Recitation of the Prayer for the Dead

22 May 1987

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In response to your letter of 15 April 1987 enclosing a letter from Miss. . . concerning the Prayer for the Dead, the Universal House of Justice instructs us to reply as follows.

The Prayer for the Dead should be read in its entirety by one person, while all others stand in silence. It is not the practice for those present to repeat any part of the prayer in unison.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Pioneer Goals for Remainder of Six Year Plan

14 May 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to send this list of pioneer goals, which represents the minimum need for pioneers to settle within the next two years of the Six Year Plan. The goals for the Eastern European countries and the USSR are envisioned to cover the entire period of the Plan.

Formulated in consultation with the International Teaching Center, this first pioneer call has taken into consideration the requests for pioneers set forth by National Spiritual Assemblies. As the Bahá’í community grows and matures, its needs become more specialized and this call reflects the degree to which pioneers are needed for specific regions and to perform specific functions once they arrive at their posts.

While the settling of international pioneers is imperative, the House of Justice also wishes to emphasize the importance of homefront pioneering, which, in the majority of countries, is one of the most effective means of promoting and consolidating the Cause. You should feel free to seek assistance from the Continental Boards of Counselors, other National Spiritual Assemblies, and the Continental Pioneer Committees towards the realization of your pioneer goals.

The Universal House of Justice wishes to express its appreciation of the sacrificial services rendered by both international and homefront pioneers throughout the world. It looks forward to seeing the results of further achievements in the pioneering field and will offer prayers in the Holy Shrines for the successful fulfillment of these sacred responsibilities.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, 

Department of the Secretariat

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

Codification of the Law of Huqúqu’lláh

25 March 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

In furtherance of the goal of the Six Year Plan to educate the friends throughout the world in the Law of Huqúqu’lláh, the Research Department has prepared a simple codification of the law. A copy of this codification is enclosed for you to share, as you judge appropriate, with the friends under your jurisdiction. It is based largely on a codification produced spontaneously by some friends in Austria and on another written under the auspices of the United States National Spiritual Assembly. References throughout the document are to the sections of the compilation on Huqúqu’lláh which has already been sent to you.

To help the friends increase their understanding of the significance of this Law of God, the Research Department was also requested by the Universal House of Justice to prepare a brief history of the development of the Institution which has been associated with the Law since the early years of its operation. This is also enclosed and is based on an article in Persian written by the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Alí Muhammad Varqá, apart from the final section about Dr. Varqá himself, which has been added by the Research Department.

It is hoped that National Spiritual Assemblies will use this material as extensively as possible to educate the friends and deepen their understanding of this vital law of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Election of New Member of Universal House of Justice

20 March 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

WARMLY WELCOME NEWLY ELECTED MEMBER HOUSE JUSTICE PETER KHAN.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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

Bahá’í Education of Children

6 June 1987

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Among the Six Year Plan goals for collaboration between national communities, are those concerned with the Bahá’í education of our children. The goals set out in the attached statement are of three kinds: goals for systematic teacher training, for the preparation of lesson plans for all age groups, and for the creation of teaching materials to support the educational process.

The group of national communities summoned to this vital and long overdue program of collaboration are those who are already known to be advanced in providing systematic child education, but also include some few now asked to make a positive contribution to this cooperative venture.

The Universal House of Justice will offer fervent prayers for the success of your labors in carrying out this collaborative project of utmost importance.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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