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’)
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’)
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’)
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’)
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’)
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.
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’)