Cultivating a Proper Attitude toward Bahá’í Elections

14 March 1995

To a National Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá'í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 8 February 1995 and we have been asked to respond as follows.

The House of Justice does not feel that you should be inhibited from carrying out the functions specified for the National Spiritual Assembly at the National Convention through fear of being accused of electioneering. Through the performance of these assigned functions to the best of your ability, you will be able to find the appropriate balance between, on the one hand, an excessive prominence of the outgoing members, which could arouse concerns among delegates, and, on other hand, such disengagement from the Convention consultation and from presentation of National Assembly’s concerns and plans that the delegates could feel deprived of an important component in their deliberations.

Electioneering is principally a matter of attitude rather than of the extent of exposure of a believer indulging in such a deplorable form of conduct. As the believers grow in their powers of discernment, they can more accurately come to their own private conclusions about any Bahá'í who appears to be seeking to put himself forth in a desire to be elected to an administrative position. It should also be understood that, at this stage in the development of the Bahá'í community, it is not unusual for Assembly members to be subject to unwarranted accusations of electioneering from believers who may have a distorted impression of what a National Spiritual Assembly should do in the discharge of its functions; this should not cause you undue concern, and should not detain you from conscientiously taking those actions which you believe to be in the best interests of the Cause.

Release of a Compilation on Scholarship

10 February 1995

To selected National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to send you the enclosed copy of a compilation on scholarship prepared recently at its request by the Research Department at the Bahá’í World Center.

It is the hope of the House of Justice that a study of this compilation will serve as a stimulus and a guide in the further development of Bahá’í scholarship, and that the unique features of this vital aspect of Bahá’í activity will be clarified through a perusal of its contents.

The House of Justice calls upon the members of the community of the Greatest Name, young and old, men and women alike, to strive to develop and offer to humanity a new model of scholarly activity along the lines set out in this compilation, animated by the spirit of inquiry into the limitless meaning of the Divine Teachings. This scholarly endeavor should be characterized by the welcome it offers to all who wish to be involved in it, each in his or her own way, by mutual encouragement and cooperation among its participants, and by the respect accorded to distinguished accomplishment and outstanding achievement. The spirit and approach should be far removed from the arrogance, contention, and exclusiveness which have too often sullied the name of scholarship in the wider society, and which have created barriers to the sound development of this worthy pursuit.

It is left to your discretion to determine the use you should make of the enclosed material.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

Release of The Prosperity of Humankind

23 January 1995

To the National spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá ís throughout the world

Dear Friends,

As the twentieth century rapidly approaches its end, there is a marked acceleration in the efforts of governments and peoples to reach common understandings on issues affecting the future of humankind. The 1992 Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, the forthcoming March 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, to be followed in September by the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, are conspicuous indications of this acceleration. These events are as capstones to the myriad activities taking place in different parts of the world involving a wide range of nongovernmental organizations and networks in an urgent search for values, ideas and practical measures that can advance prospects for the peaceful development of all peoples. In this endeavor can be discerned the gathering momentum of an emerging unity of thought in world undertakings, the realization of which our sacred scriptures describe as one of the lights of unity that will illumine the path to peace. The Bahá’ís around the world are, of course, heartened by such hopeful trends and will continue increasingly to lend moral and practical support to them as opportunities allow.

In view of the intensive attention being given to the issues of social and economic development since the Earth Summit in Brazil, we requested the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information to prepare a statement on the concept of global prosperity in the context of the Bahá'í Teachings. This statement is now ready for distribution. We are therefore very pleased to send each of you herewith a copy of The Prosperity of Humankind and to commend it to your use as you pursue activities that enable you to interact with governments, organizations, and people everywhere.

Our confident hope is that the statement will assist you to foster understanding of this important topic among the members of your communities and thus vitalize their contribution to the constructive social processes at work throughout the planet.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Formation of Five New National Spiritual Assemblies

7 December 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

With joyful hearts we announce the formation next Ridván of five new National Spiritual Assemblies. One will be in Africa: Eritrea with its seat in Asmara; two in Asia: Armenia with its seat in Yerevan and Georgia with its seat in Tbilisi; and two in Europe: Belarus with its seat in Minsk and Sicily with its seat in Palermo.

The Regional Spiritual Assembly of Russia, Georgia and Armenia will then become the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Russian Federation, and the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova will become the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Ukraine and Moldova.

Moreover, a simultaneous occurrence will be the merging of the Bahá’í communities of Bophuthatswana, Ciskei, South Africa and Transkei under the one National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Africa, to reflect the recent political reunion of that region.

These thrilling prospects denote the quickening pace of the consolidation process in different parts of the world, making possible a further thrust in the evolution of the wondrous System originated by the Lord of the Age for ordering the affairs and ultimately guaranteeing the peace of the entire planet. In their contemplation of such impending victories, may the friends everywhere derive fresh encouragement to increase and accelerate their manifold efforts in spreading the Message of Bahá’u’lláh in all regions.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Progress of the Mount Carmel Project Fund

12 September 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has asked us to inform you of the progress being made towards raising the US$74,000,000 called for in contributions to the Mount Carmel Projects.

During the first year of the Three Year Plan, as a result of the self-sacrificing efforts of the friends throughout the world, a total of almost sixteen million dollars was contributed to the Arc Projects Fund, equivalent to nearly 1,800 units of nine thousand dollars each. During the course of the year the volume of contributions grew at a progressively increasing rate, showing the friends’ eager response to the letter of 31 October 1993 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice in which mention was made of units of $9,000.

A total of over $7,500,000 was contributed during the three months of February through April 1994. If the friends can maintain this level of devoted sacrifice during the remaining two years of the Plan, they will triumphantly raise the fifty-eight million dollars which remain to be provided to meet the goal.

The rate of contributions dropped considerably in the months of May and June, to only just over 40% of the needed monthly average. However, the early months of an administrative year often show a lower level of contributions, and it is the ardent prayer of the Universal House of Justice that the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in every land will keep the high importance and urgency of this great undertaking always in their thoughts and prayers, and will exert every effort to ensure that the goal is met and there will be no cause for a halt in the work.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

1994 World Forestry Charter Gathering in the presence of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and H.R.H. The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

7 August 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We take pleasure in sharing with you news of the highly successful World Forestry Charter Gathering held at St. James’s Palace, Thursday, 28 July, in the presence of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and H.R.H. The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who were the two principal speakers. Amatu’l-Bahá’s brief and radiant address on the spiritual dimensions of the environmental challenge, which cited words of Bahá’u’lláh as the inspiration for her own devotion to the environmental cause, was several times interrupted by the warm applause of her listeners. For his part, Prince Philip used the occasion to issue an urgent call for a legally binding international convention to halt reckless deforestation of the planet.

Among the more than two hundred distinguished guests at the luncheon and the reception that followed were ambassadors and other diplomats, representatives of major environmental protection organizations, and prominent personalities in government, business and the professions. The government of the United Kingdom participated through a statement from Prime Minister John Major, read by the Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs. Messages of support and encouragement were received from seventeen governments, the one from President Bill Clinton of the United States capturing succinctly the vision that animated the gathering, that, in the protection and sustainable management of the earth's forests, there are no borders.

Visit to the Bahá’í World Center by the President of the Seychelles

26 July 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá'í Friends,

We take great pleasure in sharing the news of the visit to the Bahá'í World Center on 22 and 23 July of His Excellency France Albert René, President of the Republic of the Seychelles. President René was welcomed by the members of the Universal House of Justice for consultations in the Council Chamber. These discussions, which he had requested, lasted just under two hours and dealt both with issues affecting global peace and important development challenges facing the Seychelles. They were marked by a spirit of candor and great cordiality.

Highly gratifying, too, was the presence at the World Center of His Excellency's wife, Sarah, their young daughter, Ella, and Mrs. René's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abdul Rahman Zarqani. The First Lady and her parents are Bahá'ís, and Mr. Zarqani is a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Seychelles islands.

During the course of the two days spent at the World Center, the presidential party was able to visit the Shrines of both Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb, as well as several other Bahá'í Holy Places. On the first evening, a formal dinner was offered in His Excellency’s honor in the Banquet Hall of the Seat of the House of Justice. In addition to our guests, who included the Mayor of Haifa and his wife, the dinner was graced by the presence of the Hands of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and Mr. ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan. On this occasion, as throughout the visit, President René expressed a lively appreciation of the relevance of the Bahá'í Teachings and of the contribution that the Seychellois Bahá'í community is making to his country.

This historic event brings perceptibly closer that future age envisioned by Shoghi Effendi when “embodiments of kingly power" from every part of the world will eagerly visit the World Center of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

The Universal House of Justice

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

Responsibility of Delegates to a National Convention

25 July 1994

To a National Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Universal House of Justice has received your letter of 28 June 1994 concerning the extraordinary behavior of one of the delegates at your recent National Convention.

How to deal with this situation would depend to some degree upon the believer in question; for example, whether he is a new and inexperienced Bahá’í or a long-time believer who would be expected to know better. This is a matter within your jurisdiction, but if you require any further advice from the Universal House of Justice on the specific case, you will need to provide it with more detailed information. In general it would, of course, be desirable for you to try to clarify the principles for this friend and help him to understand his responsibilities. At the same time you will wish to try to ascertain the reasons for his behavior so that you can assist him to overcome his problems.

To assist you in consulting with this friend, we enclose a few extracts from passages relating to the responsibilities of delegates to a National Bahá’í Convention.

Of all the responsibilities resting upon a delegate, that of voting for the members of the National Spiritual Assembly is clearly the most weighty. In carrying out this duty, the delegate must, prayerfully and conscientiously, vote for those whom he judges best fit the qualifications that the beloved Guardian has outlined for those who are to serve on Spiritual Assemblies and, in making this choice, he must be left free from every external influence by either individual believers or Bahá’í institutions. If he states that he has difficulty in thinking of nine Bahá’ís who measure up to the high standards mentioned, he could be referred to the following passage written on behalf of the Guardian to a National Spiritual Assembly on 24 October 1947:

Availability of Electronic Versions of Sacred Writings

31 May 1994

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

On 7 April 1994, it was announced to various computer user groups that electronic versions of a number of the Sacred Writings were available for downloading from a computer at the Bahá’í World Center.

Within the first three days of operation, over one thousand copies of the books in electronic format were transferred to computers around the world.

The system being used is known as FTP (File Transfer Protocol). It allows those with the appropriate programs on their own computers to connect via the Internet directly to the FTP Server at the Bahá’í World Center. They can then see a list of the Bahá’í books available electronically from the World Center, and copy them into their own computers.

The text files have been reduced to their simplest form (known as ASCII, an international standard format recognized by most computers), then “compressed” to save computer space and transmission time. When copied to another computer they are uncompressed and become basic, readable files. Other computer programs owned by the users can then be used to conduct word searches and similar functions on the text. . ..

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

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

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’)