Saturday, June 30, 2018

June 29. On this date in 1995, the Universal House of Justice received an email asking whether "the policy of not teaching Israelis applies" to contact with an Israeli via an "interactive relay chat" (IRC) connection."

 https://i.redd.it/s83qw7o4vy611.png

June 29. On this date in 1995, the Universal House of Justice received an email asking whether "the policy of not teaching Israelis applies" to contact with an Israeli via an "interactive relay chat" (IRC) connection."
The Universal House of Justice has received your email message dated 29 June 1995 and we have been asked to respond.
You have asked how the policy of not teaching Israelis applies in the situation in which you have contact with an Israeli via an "interactive relay chat" (IRC) connection. The House of Justice has not asked the friends to avoid contact with Israelis. When you discover that a person you are in contact with via IRC is an Israeli, you should feel free to maintain friendly contact, but you should not teach the Faith to him. If he has already developed a personal interest in the Faith and seeks more information, you should refer him to the Offices of the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa.
For your information, the people in Israel have access to factual information about the Faith, its history and general principles. Books concerning the Faith are available in libraries throughout Israel, and Israelis are welcome to visit the Shrines and the surrounding gardens. However, in keeping with a policy that has been strictly followed since the days of Bahá'u'lláh, Bahá'ís do not teach the Faith in Israel. Likewise, the Faith is not taught to Israelis abroad if they intend to return to Israel. When Israelis ask about the Faith, their questions are answered, but this is done in a manner which provides factual information without stimulating further interest.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat

June 29. On this date in 1850, during the Bábi uprisings in various parts of Iran, the leader of the uprising in Neyriz, Yahya Vahid Darabi, was killed.





June 29. On this date in 1850, during the Bábi uprisings in various parts of Iran, the leader of the uprising in Neyriz, Yahya Vahid Darabi, was killed.

On March 20, 1848, Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i, who in 1844 had become the first person to become a follower of the Báb, visited the Báb at Maku prison, where the Báb was incarcerated. Subsequent to his visit, Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i became involved in the Bábi uprisings. Under instructions from the Báb, Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i unfurled a Black Standard in Mashhad, fulfilling an Islamic prophecy, and began a march with other Bábis. They were rebuffed at Barfurush and therefore made defensive fortifications at the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsí. Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i would die at the battle of Shaykh Tabarsí on February 2, 1849, and the siege at the fort ended on May 10, 1849. The Báb was later executed on July 9, 1850.

Friday, June 29, 2018

June 28. On this date in 1954, a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria told pioneers "that pioneers entering the pioneer field should realize that they are going there to represent the Cause, in fact, to be the Cause. Their minds and their hearts should be centered in their new tasks and in their new environment. The should not be thinking of when they can return home, or when they can go somewhere else. Only when the Faith is firmly established should they give any thought to moving, and then, only in consultation with the National Assembly."




June 28. On this date in 1954, a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria told pioneers "that pioneers entering the pioneer field should realize that they are going there to represent the Cause, in fact, to be the Cause. Their minds and their hearts should be centered in their new tasks and in their new environment. The should not be thinking of when they can return home, or when they can go somewhere else. Only when the Faith is firmly established should they give any thought to moving, and then, only in consultation with the National Assembly."
1953. Pioneers Entering Pioneer Field Should Realize They Go as National Spiritual Assembly Representatives--To Represent the Cause
"...The principle is that pioneers entering the pioneer field should realize that they are going there to represent the Cause, in fact, to be the Cause. Their minds and their hearts should be centered in their new tasks and in their new environment. The should not be thinking of when they can return home, or when they can go somewhere else. Only when the Faith is firmly established should they give any thought to moving, and then, only in consultation with the National Assembly."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, June 28, 1954)

Thursday, June 28, 2018

June 27. On this date in 1933, Shoghi Effendi wrote Adelbert Mühlschlegel a letter about Bahá'í orthorgraphy, telling him "In regard to the transliteration of Oriental names and words into German he wishes me to inform you that the system of transliteration actually in use in the Bahá'í world has been adopted and approved with only slight changes by a general Orientalist Congress representative of world's greatest orientalists including some outstanding German authorities in various branches of Oriental history and literature. As you see, therefore, it is a highly recommendable system of transliteration and this is why the Guardian is so emphatic about its univeral adoption by the Bahá'ís the world over. Any departure from that system, he strongly feels, may lead to incalculable difficulties and misunderstandings in the future. He would certainly urge you to adopt it yourself and then advise our German friends to do the same in all their official Bahá'í publications and particularly in the forthcoming issues of the "Sonne der Wahrheit" wherein some chapters of the "Dawn-Breakers" are going to be published."






June 27. On this date in 1933, Shoghi Effendi wrote Adelbert Mühlschlegel a letter about Bahá'í orthorgraphy, telling him "In regard to the transliteration of Oriental names and words into German he wishes me to inform you that the system of transliteration actually in use in the Bahá'í world has been adopted and approved with only slight changes by a general Orientalist Congress representative of world's greatest orientalists including some outstanding German authorities in various branches of Oriental history and literature. As you see, therefore, it is a highly recommendable system of transliteration and this is why the Guardian is so emphatic about its univeral adoption by the Bahá'ís the world over. Any departure from that system, he strongly feels, may lead to incalculable difficulties and misunderstandings in the future. He would certainly urge you to adopt it yourself and then advise our German friends to do the same in all their official Bahá'í publications and particularly in the forthcoming issues of the "Sonne der Wahrheit" wherein some chapters of the "Dawn-Breakers" are going to be published."
27 June 1933
Dear Dr. Muhlschlegel:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your letter dated May 11th, 1933, together with the enclosed Program of the Bahá'í meetings held in Stuttgart and Esslingen, all of which he has carefully read and deeply appreciated.
In regard to the transliteration of Oriental names and words into German he wishes me to inform you that the system of transliteration actually in use in the Bahá'í world has been adopted and approved with only slight changes by a general Orientalist Congress representative of world's greatest orientalists including some outstanding German authorities in various branches of Oriental history and literature. As you see, therefore, it is a highly recommendable system of transliteration and this is why the Guardian is so emphatic about its univeral adoption by the Bahá'ís the world over. Any departure from that system, he strongly feels, may lead to incalculable difficulties and misunderstandings in the future. He would certainly urge you to adopt it yourself and then advise our German friends to do the same in all their official Bahá'í publications and particularly in the forthcoming issues of the "Sonne der Wahrheit" wherein some chapters of the "Dawn-Breakers" are going to be published.
Concerning the date of the anniversary of the Báb's declaration the Guardian feels that it would be preferable to postpone the consideration of this problem until the Universal House of Justice is established. In the meantime he would advise you to follow the system actually in use in the Bahá'í world, i.e. (year 9.) even in Germany. According to this system the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of the Faith should be celebrated in May of the year 101, that is when we enter the second Bahá'í century. By year 90 we should not mean that 90 years have elapsed since the declaration of the Báb but that we are in the 9th year. But whether it is preferable to adopt this system or that suggested by you and which, you remark, is in use among Christians and Moslems, the future House of Justice has to decide.
Touching the Bahá'í funeral service the Guardian would like you to know that it is of an extreme simplicity, consisting as it does of a congregational prayer which has not yet been translated into any western language but which Shoghi Effendi is planning to have it translated and circulated among the friends. The friends and relatives of the deceased who are unwilling to attend the service should not be forced to do so.
In closing may I extend to you the loving greetings of the Guardian....
In the Guardian's own handwriting:
Dear and valued co-worker:
This is to assure you how glad and gratified I feel to learn that the German believers are taking so active a part in the international activities of the Cause. Their thoroughness, ability, patience and open-mindedness highly qualify them to assume such responsibilities and undertake so great a task. I trust that the letters you will soon be sending to the British High Commissioner for Palestine will be a prelude to the brilliant services you are destined to render to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Bahá'í orthography is peculiar for a several reasons. Despite a purported purpose of systematizing pronunciation, Bahá'í orthography fails to accomplish this goal for the very name of the religion itself. While the accent and phonemic diacritic marks in the word "Bahá'í" indicate a three syllable pronunciation as [bæhɒːˈʔiː], the official pronunciation guide of the Bahá'í World News Service gives a two syllable pronunciation of "Ba-High," /bəˈhaɪ/. Amin Banani's A Bahá'í Glossary and Pronunciation Guide notes that the exact realization of the English pronunciation varies. The Oxford English Dictionary has /bæˈhɑːiː/ ba-HAH-ee, Merriam-Webster has /bɑːˈhɑːiː/ bah-HAH-ee, and the Random House Dictionary has /bəˈhɑːiː/ bə-HAH-ee, all with three syllables.
For many common names, the Bahá'í orthographic transliteration can often differ markedly from more common standard transliterations presently in use.
Bahá'í OrthographyStandard TransliterationPersian pronunciationArabic pronunciationPerso-Arabic Spelling
ÁdhirbáyjánAzerbaijan[ɒzeɾbɒːjˈdʒɒːn][ʔæðeɾbiːˈdʒæːn]آذربایجان
FátimihFatima[fɒːteˈme][fɑːˈtˤɪmæ, ˈfɑːtˤɪmæ]فاطمه
ShoghiShawki[ˈʃoːɣi][ˈʃæwʔi, ˈʃɑwqi]شوقی
SiyyidSayyid[sejˈjed][ˈsæjjɪd]سید

June 27. On this date in 1996, the Universal House of Justice published a document titled "Monogamy, Sexual Equality, Marital Equality, and the Supreme Tribunal."



June 27. On this date in 1996, the Universal House of Justice published a document titled "Monogamy, Sexual Equality, Marital Equality, and the Supreme Tribunal."

Monogamy, Sexual Equality, Marital Equality, and the Supreme Tribunal

by / on behalf of Universal House of Justice

1996-06-27
Contents
    1. The Bahá'í Law Concerning Monogamy
    1.1 Understanding Statements in the Bahá'í Writings
    1.2 General Principles
    The Principle of Progressive Revelation
    The Covenant and the Kitab-i-Aqdas
    Progressive Implementation of Laws
    1.3 Specific Questions
    2. The Law of Monogamy and its Practice
    3. Sexual Equality
    4. Martial Equality
    4. The Supreme Tribunal
M E M O R A N D U M To: The Universal House of Justice
From: Research Department At the instruction of the Universal House of Justice, the Research Department has studied the questions on the above-mentioned topics that were raised by Miss xxxx in her email message of 24 April 1996 to the House of Justice. Miss xxxx explains that her questions arise from her desire "to understand the Bahá'í concept of equality of the sexes in light of some Bahá'í laws and history which 'appear' to undermine it". We provide the following response.1. The Bahá'í Law Concerning MonogamyMiss xxxx asks how to reconcile certain statements on monogamy made by Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and how such statements accord with the attitudes and practices exemplified within the Bahá'í community during the ministries of Bahá'u'lláh and the Master.1.1 Understanding Statements in the Bahá'í Writings With regard to the Bahá'í law on monogamy, Miss xxxx cites the statement in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, [[paragraph]]63:
Beware that ye take not unto yourselves more wives than two. Whoso contenteth himself with a single partner from among the maidservants of God, both he and she shall live in tranquillity.
She refers to a Tablet revealed by Abdu'l-Bahá, published in "Amr va Khalq", vol. 4, pp. 175-76, which appears to give a believer permission to take a second wife. This same Tablet indicates that the law concerning taking no more than two wives cannot be abrogated; that taking a second wife is conditional upon justice, a condition that is virtually impossible to fulfill; and that Abdu'l-Bahá did not prevent believers from marrying a second wife when they stated that they would act with justice. Miss xxxx contrasts the statements in this Tablet with the excerpt from a Tablet quoted in note 89 of "The Kitab-i- Aqdas", which states:
Know thou that polygamy is not permitted under the law of God, for contentment with one wife hath been clearly stipulated. Taking a second wife is made dependent upon equity and justice being upheld between the two wives, under all conditions. However, observance of justice and equity towards two wives is utterly impossible. The fact that bigamy has been made dependent upon an impossible condition is clear proof of its absolute prohibition. Therefore it is not permissible for a man to have more than one wife.1
------------------------
1. "The Kitab-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1993), p. 206.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 2 She asks how to resolve the contradictions that appear in these two Tablets. Miss xxxx also notes that Shoghi Effendi indicates that the Aqdas "prescribes monogamy". She wonders how this interpretation can be reconciled with the wording of the text of the Aqdas and with the Tablet from Abdu'l-Bahá in "Amr va Khalq", and she asks:
How then can Shoghi Effendi ignore the literal reading of the text and how it had been historically understood by all Bahá'ís up to his time, and abrogate this law?
1.2 General Principles By way of introduction, we wish to consider a number of principles which, when taken together, will help to provide a framework within which the passages from the Bahá'í Teachings referred to by Miss xxxx might be understood. These include:The Principle of Progressive Revelation Bahá'u'lláh, in His Writings, sets out the principle of progressive revelation, both in relation to the advent of successive Manifestations of God and to the gradual unfoldment and implementation of the revelation within the ministry of each individual Prophet. He explains:
Know of a certainty that in every Dispensation the light of Divine Revelation hath been vouchsafed unto men in direct proportion to their spiritual capacity. Consider the sun. How feeble its rays the moment it appeareth above the horizon. How gradually its warmth and potency increase as it approacheth its zenith, enabling meanwhile all created things to adapt themselves to the growing intensity of its light. How steadily it declineth until it reacheth its setting point. Were it, all of a sudden, to manifest the energies latent within it, it would, no doubt, cause injury to all created things.... In like manner, if the Sun of Truth were suddenly to reveal, at the earliest stages of its manifestation, the full measure of the potencies which the providence of the Almighty hath bestowed upon it, the earth of human understanding would waste away and be consumed; for men's hearts would neither sustain the intensity of its revelation, nor be able to mirror forth the radiance of its light. Dismayed and overpowered, they would cease to exist.2
The Covenant and the Kitab-i-Aqdas The institution of the Covenant has a direct bearing on the implementation of the laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas. It calls for the appointment of authorized interpreters, in the persons of Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian, to provide authoritative statements on the intent of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation; and for the Universal House of Justice to legislate on matters that are not covered explicitly in the Sacred Text and to elucidate matters that are obscure------------------------
2. "Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1983), sec. XXXVIII, pp. 87-88.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 3 or causing confusion. The function of the divinely appointed interpreters is evident in the progressive disclosure and clarification of the details of the Bahá'í Teachings concerning monogamy. In this regard, the following extract from a letter dated 23 March 1975 written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice sheds light on the process by which this occurs. The House of Justice states:
The Kitab-i-Aqdas appears to allow bigamy. This is explained in Note 17 on page 59 of the "Synopsis and Codification":3 "The text of the `Kitab-i-Aqdas' upholds monogamy, but as it appears also to permit bigamy, the Guardian was asked for a clarification, and in reply his secretary wrote on his behalf: `Regarding Bahá'í marriage: in the light of the Master's Tablet interpreting the provision in the "Aqdas" on the subject of the plurality of wives, it becomes evident that monogamy alone is permissible, since, as `Abdu'l-Bahá states, bigamy is conditioned upon justice and as justice is impossible, it follows that bigamy is not permissible, and monogamy alone should be practised.'" This is an authoritative interpretation, and as an interpretation states what is intended by the original text, it is correct to say that the Kitab-i-Aqdas prohibits plurality of wives. This method of establishing monogamy as the law of the Faith is one example of the process referred to in the introduction to the "Synopsis and Codification" whereby there is a progressive disclosure of the full meaning of the laws of the Faith as the Dispensation unfolds.
Progressive Implementation of Laws Bahá'u'lláh has provided for the progressive application of Bahá'í law. He states:
Indeed, the laws of God are like unto the ocean and the children of men as fish, did they but know it. However, in observing them one must exercise tact and wisdom... Since most people are feeble and far-removed from the purpose of God, therefore one must observe tact and prudence under all conditions, so that nothing might happen that could cause disturbance and dissension or raise clamor among the heedless. Verily, His bounty hath surpassed the whole universe and His bestowals encompassed all that dwell on earth. One must guide mankind to the ocean of true understanding in a spirit of love and tolerance. The Kitab-i-Aqdas itself beareth eloquent testimony to the loving providence of God.4
The progressive clarification of the details of the laws of the Faith has been accompanied by a gradual implementation of their provisions. This principle is exemplified in relation to the law of monogamy. ------------------------
3. "A Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book of Bahá'u'lláh" (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1973).
4. Cited in Introduction to "The Kitab-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book", p. 6.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 4 It should be noted that the gradual introduction and application of certain laws which require followers to abandon their time-honored laws and practices to which they have been accustomed is not new in this Dispensation. This gradual introduction of laws may be found also in earlier religions. For example, the consumption of alcohol was common among the Arabs during the days of Muhammad. The Qur'an decrees prohibition of drinking alcohol in stages. Muhammad introduced the prohibition of alcohol in a progressive manner. At first, He said that there are advantages and disadvantages in drinking, but that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages (see Qur'an 2:219). Some time later, He counselled His followers not to perform obligatory prayers if they were intoxicated (see Qur'an 4:43), and finally, when people became accustomed to these restrictive measures, He forbade drinking altogether (see Qur'an 5:89).1.3 Specific Questions It is suggested that the above-mentioned principles will provide a framework which will assist Miss xxxx to gain a deeper understanding of the statements of Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi on the Bahá'í Teachings on monogamy. As stated in note 89, the fact that Bahá'u'lláh
...left His followers with an infallible Interpreter of His Writings enabled Him to outwardly permit two wives in the Kitab-i-Aqdas but uphold a condition that enabled Abdu'l-Bahá to elucidate later that the intention of the law was to enforce monogamy.5
2. The Law of Monogamy and its Practice Miss xxxx refers to the narrative of Bahiyyih Khanum concerning the marriage of Abdu'l-Bahá published in Myron Phelps's "Life and Teachings of Abbas Effendi" (New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, The Knickerbocker Press, 1903), pp. 90-94. In this narrative, the Greatest Holy Leaf mentions that the believers in the Holy Land strongly urged Abdu'l-Bahá to take a second wife, in part because He had no living son, and since they, personally, were desirous of taking a second wife. She reports that Bahá'u'lláh wished to lead the believers gradually to monogamy rather than force them to observe it, which they felt constrained to do by Abdu'l-Bahá's example, and, because the friends greatly desired Abdu'l-Bahá to have a son, Bahá'u'lláh exempted Abdu'l-Bahá from the application of His advice concerning monogamy, leaving the Master free to take a second wife if He so chose. While Abdu'l-Bahá expressed a willingness to obey, should Bahá'u'lláh command Him to take a second wife, such a command was never issued. Based on her reading of this narrative, Miss xxxx raises a number of questions about the attitudes of the believers in the Holy Land during this early period of Bahá'í history. She is particularly concerned about their continued desire to take more than one wife, and the fact that they felt constrained to follow the example of Abdu'l-Bahá rather than to obey the law ------------------------
5. ibid., pp. 206-207.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 5 in the Aqdas or act on the strength of belief in the equality of the sexes. Given the historical account, she asks how Shoghi Effendi could have deduced that the Aqdas "prescribes monogamy". Concerning the practice of bigamy in the Bahá'í community, it is true that during the ministry of Bahá'u'lláh, and also during that of Abdu'l-Bah a, bigamy was practiced to some degree in the Bahá'í communities of the East. It is important to consider that Bahá'u'lláh was revealing His Teachings in the milieu of a Muslim society where the practice of polygamy was entrenched. He, therefore, introduced the question of monogamy gradually in accordance with the principles of wisdom and the progressive unfoldment of His purpose. It is suggested that the events in the narrative might well be understood within this context, and that the attitudes of the early believers would appear simply to reflect the degree of their understanding of the new Revelation. The principles outlined in the above section have application to the question concerning how Shoghi Effendi deduced that the Aqdas "prescribes monogamy". Finally, it is useful to note that, while of great interest, Bahiyyih Khanum's narrative, as reported in Phelps's book, is to be regarded as a pilgrim's note and thus does not have the authority of the revealed Text or the interpretations of Shoghi Effendi and the elucidations of the Universal House of Justice. 3. Sexual Equality Miss xxxx expresses concern about what she perceives to be a sexual double standard in the Bahá'í Writings and in the literature written by Bahá'ís about the Faith.6 Reference is made to Questions and Answers 47 and the relevant sections in the Synopsis and Codification of the Kitab-i-Aqdas concerning the provisions that apply when a marriage is made conditional on virginity.7 She enquires whether this law applies ONLY if the marriage is conditioned on virginity and she wishes to know whether it applies mutatis mutandis. The following extract from a letter dated 2 February 1982, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, addresses these issues:
It is apparent from the Guardian's writings that where Bahá'u'lláh has given us a law as between a man and a woman it applies mutatis mutandis between a woman and a man unless the context should make this impossible. For example, the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas forbids a man to marry his father's wife (i.e. his step-mother), and the Guardian has indicated that likewise a woman is forbidden to marry her step-father.
------------------------
6. John Ferraby's "All Things Made New" (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1975), p. 119, is taken as an example of the latter. As Miss xxxx indicates, Mr. Ferraby states that "Bahá'u'lláh enjoins all to be chaste, especially women." In addition, it should be pointed out that Ferraby cites a general passage from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh which underlines the importance of each person leading "a chaste and godly life".
7. "The Kitab-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book", p. 120, and p. 150.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 6
It should also be borne in mind that Bahá'u'lláh envisages the possibility for specific conditions to be laid down and agreed upon by the parties prior to their marriage. This means that in addition to the spiritual covenant the parties become committed to, they are permitted by the Author of our Faith to enter into a form of contract, if they choose, with defined conditions and provisions binding on both parties. In one of these cases you cite, for example, that of a wife who is found by her husband not to have been a virgin, the dissolution of the marriage can be demanded only "if the marriage has been conditioned on virginity"; presumably, therefore, if the wife wishes to exercise such a right in respect to the husband, she would have to include a condition as to his virginity in the marriage contract.
With regard to Miss xxxx's specific questions about the application of this law, the Research Department has not been able to locate any references in the Bahá'í Teachings that shed light on her questions. We note, however, that this particular law is one that is not currently binding on the believers in the West. No doubt, when the appropriate time for its application comes, the Universal House of Justice will provide the necessary elucidations and any supplementary legislation that might be required in order for the law to be applied with justice. 4. Marital Equality Miss xxxx enquires about the meaning of a statement from a Tablet by Abdu'l-Bahá concerning the obedience of wives to husbands, contained in a letter from the Universal House of Justice.8 She indicates that she is aware that the House of Justice has indicated that the Master's statement is not to be construed as a "legal definition giving the husband absolute authority over his wife" and that, in decision-making, the Guardian has specified that there are times when the husband should defer to his wife, and vice versa. Never- theless, she believes that this Tablet "seems to be making the husband the chief authority in the relationship and enforcing traditional roles". She is, therefore, puzzled about how His statement is to be understood. While the letter of the Universal House of Justice referred to by Miss xxxx would appear to set out the context in which the extract from the Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá might be understood, it is suggested that Miss xxxx might also find it useful to broaden her appreciation of Abdu'l-Bahá's attitude towards women by examining other passages from His Writings that relate to the role of women in the family. See, for example, extracts 172 and 178 in the compilation on "Bahá'í Marriage and Family Life". In addition, we provide the following extract from a letter dated 11 January 1988 written on behalf of the House of Justice to an individual in response to a question about the role of the husband in the family: ------------------------
8. Letter dated 28 December 1980 to a National Spiritual Assembly, published in "Bahá'í Marriage and Family Life" (National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, 1983), pp. 57-60.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 7
As you point out in your letter, the Universal House of Justice has stated that, by inference from a number of responsibilities placed upon him, the father can be regarded as the "head" of the family. However, this term does not have the same meaning as that used generally. Rather, a new meaning should be sought in the light of the principle of the equality between men and women, and of statements of the Universal House of Justice that neither husband nor wife should ever unjustly dominate the other. The House of Justice has stated previously, in response to a question from a believer, that use of the term "head" "does not confer superiority upon the husband, nor does it give him special rights to undermine the rights of the other members of the family". It has also stated that if agreement cannot be reached following loving consultation, "there are times ... when a wife should defer to her husband, and times when a husband should defer to his wife, but neither should ever unjustly dominate the other"; this is in marked contrast to the conventional usage of the term "head" with which is associated, frequently, the unfettered right of making decisions when agreement cannot be reached between husband and wife.
4. The Supreme Tribunal Miss xxxx enquires whether women will be allowed to serve as members of the future Supreme Tribunal. Her question derives from her reading of a statement by Abdu'l-Bahá which indicates that its membership will consist of men,9 and of a letter dated 17 June 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi which states:
The Universal Court of Arbitration and the International Tribunal are the same. When the Bahá'í State will be established they will be merged in the Universal House of Justice.
By way of introduction, we wish to call attention to the fact that the translation of the statement from the Tablet of Abdu'l-Bahá was revised in 1985. This revised translation will appear in subsequent editions of "Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá". The amended translation was published in the compilation on "Peace" and is cited below for ease of reference:10
...the national assemblies of each country and nation -- that is to say parliaments -- should elect two or three persons who are the choicest of that nation, and are well informed concerning international laws and the relations between governments and aware of the essential needs of the world of humanity in this day. The number of these representatives
------------------------
9. See "Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá" (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre, 1982), p. 306.
10. See "The Compilation of Compilations" (Maryborough, Victoria, Australia: Bahá'í Publications Australia, 1991), vol. II, pp. 159-160.
Monogamy, Sexual Equality, etc.       27 June 1996       Page 8
should be in proportion to the number of inhabitants of that country. The election of these souls who are chosen by the national assembly, that is, the parliament, must be confirmed by the upper house, the congress and the cabinet and also by the president or monarch so these persons may be the elected ones of all the nation and the government. The Supreme Tribunal will be composed of these people, and all mankind will thus have a share therein, for every one of these delegates is fully representative of his nation....
While the Research Department has not been able to find any statements in the Bahá'í Writings which explicate how the Supreme Tribunal will "merge" with the Universal House of Justice or which specify how these institutions will relate to each other, the following extract from a letter dated 31 May 1988 from the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly pertains to the membership of these bodies:
With regard to the status of women, the important point for Bahá'ís to remember is that in face of the categorical pronouncements in Bahá'í Scripture establishing the equality of men and women, the ineligibility of women for membership of the Universal House of Justice does not constitute evidence of the superiority of men over women. It must also be borne in mind that women are not excluded from any other international institution of the Faith. They are found among the ranks of the Hands of the Cause. They serve as members of the International Teaching Centre and as Continental Counsellors. And, there is nothing in the Text to preclude the participation of women in such future international bodies as the Supreme Tribunal.

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

June 26. On this date in 1912, a newspaper headline introduced "'Abdu’l-Bahá, the Persian religious leader and spiritual and temporal head of the fourteen millions of Bahá’ís scattered throughout the world."



June 26. On this date in 1912, a newspaper headline introduced "'Abdu’l-Bahá, the Persian religious leader and spiritual and temporal head of the fourteen millions of Bahá’ís scattered throughout the world."
'Abdu’l-Bahá, the Persian religious leader and spiritual and temporal head of the fourteen millions of Bahá’ís scattered throughout the world, will not return to his native land. 'Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the Bahá’í sect came to America to address the Lake Mohonk peace conference and the American congress of Bahá’ís in Chicago, expecting to leave this month on the return journey to Persia. The venerable prophet has been so pleased with his reception in America that he has decided to stay, and will today take up his home at 11 Bradford place, Montclair, N.J. There are about fifty Bahá’ís in the Jersey suburb. The venerable prophet has spent forty of his seventy years in prison because of his religious beliefs, which inculcate the spirit of universal brotherhood and the unity of all religions, without having any specific creed.

June 26. On this date in 1956, Shoghi Effendi told the NSA of Canada to apply "the sanction of suspension of voting rights to people who marry without the consent of parents...not a question of the child not knowing the present whereabouts of its parents...if the parents are alive, they must be asked."



June 26. On this date in 1956, Shoghi Effendi told the NSA of Canada to apply "the sanction of suspension of voting rights to people who marry without the consent of parents...not a question of the child not knowing the present whereabouts of its parents...if the parents are alive, they must be asked."
1243. If Parents Are Alive, Consent Must Be Obtained
"Regarding your question of applying the sanction of suspension of voting rights to people who marry without the consent of parents, this should be done from now on. The law of the Aqdas is explicit and not open to any ambiguity at all. As long as the parents are alive, the consent must be obtained; it is not conditioned on their relationship to their children. If the whereabouts of the parents is not known legally, in other words, if they are legally dead, then it is not necessary for the children to obtain their consent, obviously. It is not a question of the child not knowing the present whereabouts of its parents, it is a question of a legal thing--if the parents are alive, they must be asked."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, June 26, 1956: Bahá'í News, No. 335, January 1959, p. 2)

June 26. On this date in 1936, a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, "Regarding your question as to the meaning of Jin or Genii referred to in the Qur'an, these are not beings or creatures that are actually living, but are symbolic references to the power of men of evil and may be likened to evil spirits. But the point to bear in mind is that these have no positive existence of any kind."



June 26. On this date in 1936, a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, "Regarding your question as to the meaning of Jin or Genii referred to in the Qur'an, these are not beings or creatures that are actually living, but are symbolic references to the power of men of evil and may be likened to evil spirits. But the point to bear in mind is that these have no positive existence of any kind."
1667. Meaning of "Jin" or "Genii"
"Regarding your question as to the meaning of Jin or Genii referred to in the Qur'an, these are not beings or creatures that are actually living, but are symbolic references to the power of men of evil and may be likened to evil spirits. But the point to bear in mind is that these have no positive existence of any kind."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, June 26, 1936: Bahá'í News, No. 105, p. 1, February 1937)

Monday, June 25, 2018

June 25. On this date in 1961, the International Bahá'í Council, as a duly elected body, held its first full meeting in Haifa.

















June 25. On this date in 1961, the International Bahá'í Council, as a duly elected body, held its first full meeting in Haifa.

In 1951, Shoghi Effendi, as Guardian, appointed members to the International Bahá’í Council, naming Mason Remey as the Council's President and describing it as an embryonic international House of Justice.

When Shoghi Effendi passed away in 1957 without having appointed a successor Guardian, as confirmed by a "Unanimous Proclamation of the 27 Hands of the Cause of God", the Hands of the Cause of God elected from among their own nine individuals who would serve as Custodians to help lead the transition of the International Bahá’í Council, into the Universal House of Justice.



In 1961 the International Bahá’í Council was changed to an elected body, with members of all National Spiritual Assemblies voting.

In 1963, the first Universal House of Justice was elected, and its members are elected every five years by members of each Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly in the world. In practice, the Bahá’í electoral system most closely resembles council democracy as it still exists in Cuba, wherein individuals elect Local Spiritual Assemblies, who then elect National Spiritual Assemblies, who then elect the Universal House of Justice. With no politicking or partisanship allowed, there is little turnover in leadership and Universal House of Justice members almost invariably serve until retirement or death. New members are currently generally elected from the appointed institutions of the Bahá’í administration, particularly the International Teaching Centre. In fact, all of the current members of the Universal House of Justice previously served as members of the International Teaching Centre. In council democracies, these career bureaucrats were known as the nomenklatura.

With the eventual passing of the individual Hands of the Cause of God appointed by Shoghi Effendi and without a Guardian to appoint additional Hands, the Universal House of Justice saw the need for developing an institution for the purpose of performing the Hands' function of protection and propagation of the Faith.

In 1968 the Continental Board of Counselors was formed. The Counselors appoint Auxiliaries collectively referred to as Auxiliary Boards in smaller regional areas, who in turn appoint their own Assistants to work in localities.

Auxiliary Board Members for Protection are charged with watching over the security of the Bahá’í Faith, and Auxiliary Board Members for Propagation are responsible for working with the grassroots on the global Plans established by the Universal House of Justice. Originally, members of the Auxiliary Boards were appointed by and served under the Hands of the Cause of God who directed their efforts worldwide. The first members of the Auxiliary Boards were appointed in 1954, and they were divided into five distinct geographical regions

In 1973 the administrative branch called the Institution of the Counselors was formed. Also in 1973, the International Teaching Centre was first formed by the Universal House of Justice, and originally consisted of the 17 Hands of the Cause still living at that time, plus three Counsellor members. The number of Counsellor members was raised to four in 1979, to seven in 1983, and finally to the current nine in 1988. The Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre are appointed by the Universal House of Justice to five-year terms that begin shortly after the International Convention and election of the Universal House of Justice.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

June 24. On this date in 1968, the Universal House of Justice outlined in a letter to the Continental Board of Counsellors the steps to take "when a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors learns of any incipient Covenant-breaking."



June 24. On this date in 1968, the Universal House of Justice outlined in a letter to the Continental Board of Counsellors the steps to take "when a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors learns of any incipient Covenant-breaking."
1083. The Authority of Expulsion and Reinstatement Exercised by the Hands of the Cause
"The authority of expulsion and reinstatement will be exercised by the Hands of the Cause of God, subject in each instance to the approval of the Universal House of Justice. When a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors learns of any incipient Covenant-breaking, the matter should be reported without delay to a Hand of the Cause available in the area, who will deal with the matter. A copy of the report should be sent to the Hands in the Holy Land and to the other members of the Board. Should no Hand of the Cause be available in the area, the report should be sent to the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land, with copy to the other members of the Board, in which case the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land will deal with the matter. Such reports should contain full details of actions already taken.
"Reinstatement of Covenant-breakers will follow similar procedures."
(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the Continental Boards of Counsellors, June 24, 1968)

June 24. On this date in 1926, Enoch Olinga was born. Declared a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for his pioneering work in the British Cameroons, Shoghi Effendi entitled Olinga "Abd'l-Futuh", an Arabic name meaning "the father of victories" for the successive waves of people becoming Knights of Bahá’u’lláh in Africa after him. A close associate of Ugandan President Idi Amin, who was deposed and exiled on April 11, 1979, Enoch Olinga, his wife, and three of his five children were murdered by unknown gunmen on September 16, 1979, during the administration of President Milton Obote when people affiliated with the Amin regime were being systematically targeted. Denis MacEoin touches on this topic in his 1979 Letter on Bahá'í attitudes towards politics and scholarship.



June 24. On this date in 1926, Enoch Olinga was born. Declared a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for his pioneering work in the British Cameroons, Shoghi Effendi entitled Olinga "Abd'l-Futuh", an Arabic name meaning "the father of victories" for the successive waves of people becoming Knights of Bahá’u’lláh in Africa after him. A close associate of Ugandan President Idi Amin, who was deposed and exiled on April 11, 1979, Enoch Olinga, his wife, and three of his five children were murdered by unknown gunmen on September 16, 1979, during the administration of President Milton Obote when people affiliated with the Amin regime were being systematically targeted. Denis MacEoin touches on this topic in his 1979 Letter on Bahá'í attitudes towards politics and scholarship.

Born to a Christian family of the Iteso ethnic group in Uganda, Enoch Olinga became a Bahá’í in Kampala in 1952. In 1953 he became the first pioneer to British Cameroon, and was given the title Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for that country. As the number of Bahá’ís grew in Cameroon new Bahá’ís left the immediate region to pioneer in other surrounding areas, each becoming a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh including Ghana, and Togo. Because of the successive waves of people becoming Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, Enoch Olinga was entitled "Abd'l-Futuh", a Persian name meaning "the father of victories" by Shoghi Effendi.

In October 1957 Shoghi Effendi appointed him as a Hand of the Cause of God. Olinga chaired the opening session of the first Bahá’í World Congress (in 1963) which announced the election of the first Universal House of Justice after which he travelled all over the world.

On September 16, 1979, Enoch Olinga was killed. A close associate of Ugandan President Idi Amin, who was deposed and exiled on April 11, 1979, Enoch Olinga, his wife, and three of his five children were murdered by unknown gunmen on September 16, 1979, during the administration of President Milton Obote when people affiliated with the Amin regime were being systematically targeted. Denis MacEoin touches on this topic in his 1979 Letter on Bahá'í attitudes towards politics and scholarship.

One day after his murder, on September 17, 1979, Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum wrote a poem, "On Hearing of Enoch's Murder."
The sunlight is black
The sunlight is black
What raven wing
Covered my sun at noonday?
In my mouth is the salt of tears
I cannot swallow so much salt . . .
Blood is so beautiful
Blood is so pure
Why do the people let blood
Run in the street?
So long it took
To make this man
Noble and good
His mind and his soul
Expanded like sunlight
At noonday.
Why did you kill him?
Are you pleased at this riddled shell,
This mangle of bone and flesh?
Did you think your deed in the dark
Was a bright light?
Everything is pulsing,
Throbbing and throbbing!
There is no answer
And the sunlight is black.
Go Enoch go!
Go to Musa on the hill
Go to your Master
Go to your Guardian
Go to the Kingdom of Light!
But ask not of us
Nor of your people
Who have plucked a sin
Big enough and dark enough
To blot out the noonday sun!
Woe to Africa!
Weep as you have not wept before,
Weep on your knees,
Weep your eyes blind,
You have murdered Abu'l-Futœh,
The Father of Victories is dead
At your hand, at your hand!
Your jeweled crown
page laced by God on your head
Is rolled into the grave---
Weep, weep, weep your heart away.

June 24. On this date in 1947, Shoghi Effendi stated "The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines--various ones in various creeds--which we as Bahá'ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception."



June 24. On this date in 1947, Shoghi Effendi stated "The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines--various ones in various creeds--which we as Bahá'ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception."
530. Bahá'ís Must Have No Affiliation with Churches
"...we, as Bahá'ís, must not have any affiliations with churches or political parties. But he feels certain that when you meditate on this matter you yourselves will see the wisdom of it. We, as Bahá'ís, can never be known as hypocrites or as people insincere in their protestations and because of this we cannot subscribe to both the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh and ordinary church dogma. The churches are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ; we believe He has come again in the Glory of the Father. The churches teach doctrines--various ones in various creeds--which we as Bahá'ís do not accept; such as the bodily Resurrection, confession, or, in some creeds, the denial of the Immaculate Conception. In other words, there is no Christian church today whose dogmas we, as Bahá'ís, can truthfully say we accept in their entirety--therefore to remain a member of the Church is not proper for us, for we do so under false pretences. We should, therefore, withdraw from our churches but continue to associate, if we wish to, with the church members and ministers.
"Our belief in Christ, as Bahá'ís, is so firm, so unshakeable and so exalted in nature that very few Christians are to be found now-a-days who love Him and reverence Him and have the faith in Him that we have. It is only from the dogmas and creeds of the churches that we dissociate ourselves; not from the spirit of Christianity."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Bahá'ís of Vienna, June 24, 1947)

June 24. On this date in 1968, the Universal House of Justice announced the "Appointment of Continental Boards of Counselors" given that with the absence of a Guardian, "the Universal House of Justice sees no way in which additional Hands of the Cause of God can be appointed...the Hands residing in the Holy Land will act as liaison between the Universal House of Justice and the Continental Boards of Counselors, and will also assist the Universal House of Justice in setting up, at a propitious time, an international teaching center in the Holy Land, as anticipated in the Guardian's writings."

 



June 24. On this date in 1968, the Universal House of Justice announced the "Appointment of Continental Boards of Counselors" given that with the absence of a Guardian, "the Universal House of Justice sees no way in which additional Hands of the Cause of God can be appointed...the Hands residing in the Holy Land will act as liaison between the Universal House of Justice and the Continental Boards of Counselors, and will also assist the Universal House of Justice in setting up, at a propitious time, an international teaching center in the Holy Land, as anticipated in the Guardian's writings."


Appointment of Continental Boards of Counselors
The majestic unfoldment of Bahá'u'lláh's world-redeeming administrative system has been marked by the successive establishment of the various institutions and agencies which constitute the framework of that divinely created Order. Thus, more than a quarter of a century after the emergence of the first national spiritual assemblies of the Bahá'í world the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God was formally established, with the appointment by the beloved Guardian, in conformity with the provisions of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament, of the first contingent of these high-ranking officers of the Faith. Following the passing of the Guardian of the Cause of God, it fell to the House of Justice to devise a way, within the Administrative Order, of developing "the institution of the Hands of the Cause with a view to extension into the future of its appointed functions of protection and propagation," and this was made a goal of the Nine Year Plan. Much thought and study has been given to the question over the past four years, and the texts have been collected and reviewed. During the last two months, this goal, as announced in our cable to the national conventions, has been the object of prolonged and prayerful consultation between the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause of God. All this made evident the framework within which this goal was to be achieved, namely:
The Universal House of Justice sees no way in which additional Hands of the Cause of God can be appointed.
The absence of the Guardian of the Faith brought about an entirely new relationship between the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause and called for the progressive unfoldment by the Universal House of Justice of the manner in which the Hands of the Cause would carry out their divinely conferred functions of protection and propagation.
Whatever new development or institution is initiated should come into operation as soon as possible in order to reinforce and supplement the work of the Hands of the Cause while at the same time taking full advantage of the opportunity of having the Hands themselves assist in launching and guiding the new procedures.
Any such institution must grow and operate in harmony with the principles governing the functioning of the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God.
In the light of these considerations the Universal House of Justice decided, as announced in its recent cable, to establish Continental Boards of Counselors for the protection and propagation of the Faith. Their duties will include directing the Auxiliary Boards in their respective areas, consulting and collaborating with national spiritual assemblies, and keeping the Hands of the Cause and the Universal House of Justice informed concerning the conditions of the Cause in their areas.
Initially eleven Boards of Counselors have been appointed, one for each of the following areas: Northwestern Africa, Central and East Africa, Southern Africa, North America, Central America, South America, Western Asia, Southeastern Asia, Northeastern Asia, Australasia, and Europe.
The members of these Boards of Counselors will serve for a term, or terms, the length of which will be determined and announced at a later date, and while serving in this capacity will not be eligible for membership on national or local administrative bodies. One member of each Continental Board of Counselors has been designated as trustee of the Continental Fund for its area.
The Auxiliary Boards for Protection and Propagation will henceforth report to the Continental Boards of Counselors, who will appoint or replace members of the Auxiliary Boards as circumstances may require. Such appointments and replacements as may be necessary in the initial stages will take place after consultation with the Hand or Hands previously assigned to the continent or zone.
The Hands of the Cause of God have the prerogative and obligation to consult with the Continental Boards of Counselors and national spiritual assemblies on any subject which, in their view, affects the interests of the Cause. The Hands residing in the Holy Land will act as liaison between the Universal House of Justice and the Continental Boards of Counselors, and will also assist the Universal House of Justice in setting up, at a propitious time, an international teaching center in the Holy Land, as anticipated in the Guardian's writings.
The Hands of the Cause of God are one of the most precious assets the Bahá'í world possesses. Released from administration of the Auxiliary Boards, they will be able to concentrate their energies on the more primary responsibilities of general protection and propagation, "preservation of the spiritual health of the Bahá'í communities" and "the vitality of the faith" of the Bahá'ís throughout the world. The House of Justice will call upon them to undertake special missions on its behalf, to represent it on both Bahá'í and other occasions, and to keep it informed of the welfare of the Cause. While the Hands of the Cause will, naturally, have special concern for the affairs of the Cause in the areas in which they reside, they will operate increasingly on an intercontinental level, a factor which will lend tremendous impetus to the diffusion throughout the Bahá'í world of the spiritual inspiration channeled through them — the Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth.
With joyful hearts we proclaim this further unfoldment of the Administrative Order of Bahá'u'lláh and join our prayers to those of the friends throughout the East and the West that Bahá'u'lláh may continue to shower His confirmations upon the efforts of His servants in the safeguarding and promotion of His Faith.
June 24, 1968

June 24. On this date in 1949, Shoghi Effendi addressed a letter to an individual believer regarding the form of prayer, noting that "Bahá’u’lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute minimum in His Faith."




June 24. On this date in 1949, Shoghi Effendi addressed a letter to an individual believer regarding the form of prayer, noting that "Bahá’u’lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute minimum in His Faith."
He would advise you to only use the short midday Obligatory Prayer. This has no genuflections and only requires that when saying it the believer turn his face towards 'Akka where Bahá’u’lláh is buried. This is a physical symbol of an inner reality, just as the plant stretches out to the sunlight — from which it receives life and growth — so we turn our hearts to the Manifestation of God, Bahá’u’lláh, when we pray; and we turn our faces, during this short prayer, to where His dust lies on this earth as a symbol of the inner act. Bahá’u’lláh has reduced all ritual and form to an absolute minimum in His Faith. The few forms that there are - like those associated with the two longer obligatory daily prayers, are only symbols of the inner attitude. There is a wisdom in them, and a great blessing, but we cannot force ourselves to understand or feel these things, that is why He gave us also the very short and simple prayer, for those who did not feel the desire to perform the acts associated with the other two.
(24 June 1949)

June 23. On this date in 1895, Leonora Holsapple Armstrong, the first Bahá’í to arrive in Brazil and the "Spiritual Mother of the Bahá’ís of Latin America," was born in Hudson, New York.

 https://i.redd.it/d5arx179jq511.jpg

June 23. On this date in 1895, Leonora Holsapple Armstrong, the first Bahá’í to arrive in Brazil and the "Spiritual Mother of the Bahá’ís of Latin America," was born in Hudson, New York.

June 23. On this date in 2009, in the wake of protests subsequent to the June 12 Iranian presidential elections, the Universal House of Justice addressed the Bahá’ís of Iran reminding them that the Bahá'í Faith "strictly prohibits any involvement in partisan political activity by individual Bahá’ís or by Bahá’í institutions."




June 23. On this date in 2009, in the wake of protests subsequent to the June 12 Iranian presidential elections, the Universal House of Justice addressed the Bahá’ís of Iran reminding them that the Bahá'í Faith "strictly prohibits any involvement in partisan political activity by individual Bahá’ís or by Bahá’í institutions."

Saturday, June 23, 2018

June 22. On this date in 1866, "The Nation" published an article titled "A New Religion" which concluded "Babism is much more in harmony with the subtle and imaginative genius of the Persian people than the Shiite Mohammedanism. The growing spirit of nationality makes their present religion and the present dynasty, both of which was imposed on them by foreign conquest, less and less acceptable every year. The hour when the Bab [sic] shall send word from Baghdad that the time has come for the Babists to take up arms again will be a very critical one for the present dynasty of Persia and for Shiite Mohammedanism."

 Image result for "the nation" 1866The Nation magazine cover May 3 2010.png

June 22. On this date in 1866, The Nation published an article titled "A New Religion" which concluded with the following assertion...
Babism is much more in harmony with the subtle and imaginative genius of the Persian people than the Shiite Mohammedanism. The growing spirit of nationality makes their present religion and the present dynasty, both of which was imposed on them by foreign conquest, less and less acceptable every year. The hour when the Bab [sic] shall send word from Baghdad that the time has come for the Babists to take up arms again will be a very critical one for the present dynasty of Persia and for Shiite Mohammedanism.

June 22. On this date in 1923, a letter addressed on behalf of Shoghi Effendi by `Azizu'lláh S. Bahádur to a Bahá'í in New Zealand describes pioneers as "pure souls," "stars," "chosen people," and "like candles which, through their sacrificial efforts, are weeping their lives away in order to give light to the world and establish the purpose of their Lord and Saviour, which purpose is the salvation of mankind."

 https://i.redd.it/o0nj9w9ipj511.jpg

June 22. On this date in 1923, a letter addressed on behalf of Shoghi Effendi by `Azizu'lláh S. Bahádur to a Bahá'í in New Zealand describes pioneers as "pure souls," "stars," "chosen people," and "like candles which, through their sacrificial efforts, are weeping their lives away in order to give light to the world and establish the purpose of their Lord and Saviour, which purpose is the salvation of mankind."
22 June 1923
Miss. Margaret B. Stevenson, Clunie, Cowie Road, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
My dear Bahá'í sister,
Your beautiful letter of April 3rd written to the beloved Guardian of the Cause of God, our dear Shoghi Effendi was received. He was much impressed and charmed with the spirit of your letter which indicated deep devotion to and absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit of the beloved Master, `Abdu'l-Bahá.
He instructed me with a heart overflowing with love to answer your letter, conveying to you his high estimation for the beauty of the faith of the New Zealand friends and deep appreciation towards the splendid services of our dear Mr. and Mrs. Dunn who are so wonderfully blessed and assisted by the power of the Holy Ghost. He loves you all and prays for your happiness and spiritual growth.
It is true that your group is now still small, but he assures you that your group will before long grow larger and larger day by day. It has been always the case with the growth of every religion. Some pure soul or souls go to some land and sow the seeds of the heavenly teachings in the hearts of few who are most pure and so most receptive. The seeds will germinate and grow in them. The fruits of those seeds appear in the regeneration of the lives of those primary adherents. These primary adherents share the bounties they have received with other souls who through them obtain new life and light and in turn illumine other people.
The primary adherents are the stars of great magnitude in every land in the firmament of the Kingdom of God. They are the chosen people. They are like candles which, through their sacrificial efforts, are weeping their lives away in order to give light to the world and establish the purpose of their Lord and Saviour, which purpose is the salvation of mankind. Reflect upon the time of that great Saviour of mankind, His Holiness Jesus Christ! See how small the group of His disciples was! No matter how few the number of the disciples was, yet they through His power illumined the world. Our Era is similar to that, but through the development of humanity it is greater and through the evils of the material civilization and negligence of mankind our sacrifices must be greater. Divine light must make itself manifest in our daily life deeds.
In the early days of the appearance of our Saviour virtue was to save ourselves. When we are once established in our faith, then virtue is to save others. The three mottoes of education hold true in our case too.
First grow, then become and then contribute. We have developed; we have established ourselves; and now it is time to contribute to others. We have inexhaustible capital. The candles of our spiritual lives constantly weep away their lives in shedding light to the world, but they never become exhausted. For there is connection between our lives and that of Bahá'u'lláh and our beloved `Abdu'l-Bahá.
It cannot be described how much we long to see our dear New Zealand brethren and sisters. We hope the day will come when they can come to us and we to them. Meanwhile, we are praying at the Holy Threshold of our beloved Master for your success and happiness. We hope you will pray for us too. The effect of the prayers of the pure hearts is tremendously great.
Our dear Shoghi Effendi wants you not to look at your own capacity, but at the power of the Holy Ghost of God. He sends you all his loving greeting and tender affection.
With warm wishes and Bahá'í love I remain,
Your humble brother in His love, `Azizu'lláh S. Bahádur.

Friday, June 22, 2018

June 21. On this date in 1935, Shoghi Effendi wrote a letter to Edward Keith-Roach, governor of Jerusalem under the British Mandate of Palestine, as reported on page 281 of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum's "The Priceless Pearl", in the chapter titled The Rise of the World Centre.



June 21. On this date in 1935, Shoghi Effendi wrote a letter to Edward Keith-Roach, governor of Jerusalem under the British Mandate of Palestine, as reported on page 281 of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum's The Priceless Pearl, in the chapter titled The Rise of the World Centre.
In another letter, dated 21 June 1935, Shoghi Effendi, in calling Keith-Roach's attention to matters connected with a court case, says: "Any assistance you can find it possible to extend in this respect would, I am sure, be deeply appreciated by me no less than by the various Bahá'í Assemblies whose interests I represent." Throughout his ministry Shoghi Effendi always let it be known very clearly to officials that, although he was the Head of the Faith, behind him stood a great concourse of Bahá'ís in many countries, ready to back up, with all the power they possessed, his claims and demands; and in expressing his thanks, he very often included their sentiments of gratitude and appreciation along with his own.

June 21. On this date in 1845, the Báb returned to Shiraz after having completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with Quddús (Mullá Muḥammad ‘Alí-i-Bárfurúshí), who was the eighteenth believer in the Báb, and a black slave named Mubarak.



June 21. On this date in 1845, the Báb returned to Shiraz after having completed the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with Quddús (Mullá Muḥammad ‘Alí-i-Bárfurúshí), who was the eighteenth believer in the Báb, and a black slave named Mubarak.

On March 20, 1848, Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i, who in 1844 had become the first person to become a follower of the Báb, visited the Báb at Maku prison, where the Báb was incarcerated. Subsequent to his visit, Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i became involved in the Bábi uprisings. Under instructions from the Báb, Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i unfurled a Black Standard in Mashhad, fulfilling an Islamic prophecy, and began a march with other Bábis. They were rebuffed at Barfurush and therefore made defensive fortifications at the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsí. Quddús arrived at the Shrine and became the commander of the Bábís upon his arrival. Mullá Ḥusayn-i-Bushru'i would die at the battle of Shaykh Tabarsí on February 2, 1849. Quddús himself became a prisoner and was being escorted to Tehran when, in Barfurúsh, the local population lynched him. The Báb was later executed on July 9, 1850.

June 21. On this date in 1968, the Universal House of Justice sent a message to all National Spiritual Assemblies announcing the creation of the Continental Board of Counselors.



June 21. On this date in 1968, the Universal House of Justice sent a message to all National Spiritual Assemblies announcing the creation of the Continental Board of Counselors.
The Universal House of Justice
21 June 1968
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
REJOICE ANNOUNCE MOMENTOUS DECISION ESTABLISH ELEVEN CONTINENTAL BOARDS COUNSELORS PROTECTION PROPAGATION FAITH THREE EACH FOR AFRICA AMERICAS ASIA ONE EACH FOR AUSTRALASIA EUROPE. ADOPTION THIS SIGNIFICANT STEP FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH HANDS CAUSE GOD ENSURES EXTENSION FUTURE APPOINTED FUNCTIONS THEIR INSTITUTION. CONTINENTAL BOARDS ENTRUSTED IN CLOSE COLLABORATION HANDS CAUSE WITH RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTION AUXILIARY BOARDS AND CONSULTATION NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES. HANDS CAUSE GOD WILL HENCEFORTH INCREASE INTERCONTINENTAL SERVICES ASSUMING WORLDWIDE ROLE PROTECTION PROPAGATION FAITH. MEMBERS AUXILIARY BOARDS WILL REPORT BE RESPONSIBLE TO CONTINENTAL BOARDS COUNSELORS. HANDS CAUSE RESIDING HOLY LAND IN ADDITION SERVING LIAISON BETWEEN UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE AND CONTINENTAL BOARDS COUNSELORS WILL ASSIST FUTURE ESTABLISHMENT INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER HOLY LAND FORESHADOWED WRITINGS BELOVED GUARDIAN. DETAILS NEW DEVELOPMENTS BEING CONVEYED BY LETTER. FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING HOLY THRESHOLD DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS FURTHER STEP IRRESISTIBLE UNFOLDMENT MIGHTY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
In 1951, Shoghi Effendi, as Guardian, appointed members to the International Bahá’í Council, naming Mason Remey as the Council's President and describing it as an embryonic international House of Justice.

When Shoghi Effendi passed away in 1957 without having appointed a successor Guardian, as confirmed by a "Unanimous Proclamation of the 27 Hands of the Cause of God", the Hands of the Cause of God elected from among their own nine individuals who would serve as Custodians to help lead the transition of the International Bahá’í Council, into the Universal House of Justice.

In 1961 the International Bahá’í Council was changed to an elected body, with members of all National Spiritual Assemblies voting.

In 1963, the first Universal House of Justice was elected, and its members are elected every five years by members of each Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly in the world. In practice, the Bahá’í electoral system most closely resembles council democracy as it still exists in Cuba, wherein individuals elect Local Spiritual Assemblies, who then elect National Spiritual Assemblies, who then elect the Universal House of Justice. With no politicking or partisanship allowed, there is little turnover in leadership and Universal House of Justice members almost invariably serve until retirement or death. New members are currently generally elected from the appointed institutions of the Bahá’í administration, particularly the International Teaching Centre. In fact, all of the current members of the Universal House of Justice previously served as members of the International Teaching Centre. In council democracies, these career bureaucrats were known as the nomenklatura.

With the eventual passing of the individual Hands of the Cause of God appointed by Shoghi Effendi and without a Guardian to appoint additional Hands, the Universal House of Justice saw the need for developing an institution for the purpose of performing the Hands' function of protection and propagation of the Faith.

In 1968 the Continental Board of Counselors was formed. The Counselors appoint Auxiliaries collectively referred to as Auxiliary Boards in smaller regional areas, who in turn appoint their own Assistants to work in localities.

Auxiliary Board Members for Protection are charged with watching over the security of the Bahá’í Faith, and Auxiliary Board Members for Propagation are responsible for working with the grassroots on the global Plans established by the Universal House of Justice. Originally, members of the Auxiliary Boards were appointed by and served under the Hands of the Cause of God who directed their efforts worldwide. The first members of the Auxiliary Boards were appointed in 1954, and they were divided into five distinct geographical regions

In 1973 the administrative branch called the Institution of the Counselors was formed. Also in 1973, the International Teaching Centre was first formed by the Universal House of Justice, and originally consisted of the 17 Hands of the Cause still living at that time, plus three Counsellor members. The number of Counsellor members was raised to four in 1979, to seven in 1983, and finally to the current nine in 1988. The Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre are appointed by the Universal House of Justice to five-year terms that begin shortly after the International Convention and election of the Universal House of Justice.