April 17. On this date in 1995, the Universal House of Justice wrote an NSA "Response of Bahá’í Community to Believer Suffering from AIDS"

 April 17. On this date in 1995, the Universal House of Justice wrote an NSA "Response of Bahá’í Community to Believer Suffering from AIDS"

Response of Bahá’í Community to Believer Suffering from AIDS

17 APRIL 1995

To a National Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of 10 January 1995 to the Universal House of Justice was received by fax only on 14 February. It has asked us to convey to you that it was deeply saddened to learn that a member of your Bahá’í community has been diagnosed as being infected with the AIDS virus. If it will not be distressing to this friend to know that the news has been shared with the House of Justice, then you are asked to kindly extend to him (or her) its loving sympathy, and the assurance of its fervent prayers at the Sacred Threshold, beseeching Bahá’u’lláh to shower this servant of the Cause with His tender mercies and protection.

You ask if there is any guidance on this matter. It is not clear from your letter whether the situation of this believer is commonly known in the Bahá’í community. If it is, then the House of Justice hopes you will encourage the Local Spiritual Assembly involved, and the friends in the community, to turn to non-Bahá’í agencies specializing in dealing with AIDS for information and counseling as appropriate or needed. Furthermore, all should draw inspiration and guidance from the peerless example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whose compassion, loving understanding and sincere concern for the welfare of others exemplified the Bahá’í attitude to those who are suffering.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT