1966: Italy's National Spiritual Assembly is incorporated

22 December 1966

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

JOYFULLY ANNOUNCE INCORPORATION ITALIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE PROCESS RECOGNITION FAITH HEART CHRISTENDOM.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

('Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986')

The Old Western Pilgrim House on Haparsim Street, Haifa, Israel, circa 1925

1946: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany is reinstituted

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany, reinstituted April 7, 1946 at Stuttgart (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

1945: Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is incorporated

Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Atlanta, Georgia, USA, incorporated December 11, 1945 (The Baha'i World 1944-1946)

November 1999: Worldwide, nearly 100,000 Baha’is benefitted directly from institute training courses

Reports indicate that the number of believers benefiting directly from training courses has climbed to nearly 100,000. Without question, the capacity of the worldwide community to develop its human resources has been distinctly enhanced. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 26 November 1999 addressed to the Baha’is of the World)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablet to the First Universal Races Congress, held in London, England July 26-29, 1911

When travelling about the world we observe an air of prosperity in any country, we find it to be due to the existence of love and friendship among the people. If, on the contrary, all seems depressed and poverty-stricken, we may feel assured that this is the effect of animosity, and of the absence of union among the inhabitants.

Notwithstanding that such a state of things is obvious to the passing traveller, how often the people themselves continue in the sleep of negligence, or occupy themselves in disputes and differences, and are even ready to slaughter their fellow-men!

Consider thoughtfully the continual integration and disintegration of the phenomenal universe... Unification and constructive combination is the cause of Life. Disunion of particles brings about loss, weakness, dispersion, and decay.

Consider the varieties of flowers in a garden. They seem but to enhance the loveliness of each other. When differences of colour, ideas, and character are found in the human Kingdom, and come under the control of the power of Unity, they too show their essential beauty and perfection.

Rivalry between the different races of mankind was first caused by the struggle for existence among the wild animals. This struggle is no longer necessary: nay, rather interdependence and co-operation are seen to produce the highest welfare in nations. The struggle that now continues is caused by prejudice and bigotry.

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Tablet to the President of the First Universal Races Congress, held in London, England July 26-29, 1911

To the President, First Universal Races Congress.

My Dear Friend: Your letter of invitation has been received, and I am much obliged for it. It is my utmost desire to be present at such a gathering, for I am thoroughly confident that beneficial results shall surely follow these meetings, and that they will become the means of establishing friendship and love among the world's different races. Thus the basis of enmity may be destroyed and the tent of unity of the world of humanity be raised throughout all regions.

I regret much that circumstances may prevent me from attending, but I will endeavour as much as lies in my power to attend. Failing to do so, pray excuse me.

With a sincere heart I supplicate at the Divine Threshold that this congress may be successful in founding a noble institution which shall be permanent and everlasting; that it may ignite a candle from which a heavenly light shall beam, and plant a tree whose fruit may be friendship, love and unity between all the children of men, so that conflict and warfare may be abolished, and patriotic, racial, religious and political prejudices become unknown. Peace should replace strife, enmity be superseded by love, estrangement annihilated, and unity established. Then what has been spoken of in the heavenly books will become well rotted in the hearts of all, and the glad-tidings of the sacred writings be fulfilled. In conclusion I offer my utmost appreciation and respect to such a blessed congress.

(Signed) Abbas

(Star of the West,  vol. 2, no. 9, August 20, 1911)

1930: Tehran, Iran

A view of the city of Tehran in 1930 (Baha'i International Community's Media Bank)

1911: Baha'i Temple Unity Convention, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Baha'u'llah's tent in Mazra'ih

The tent which was pitched in the garden of Mazra'ih, near 'Akka, for Baha'u'llah (The Baha'i World 1936-1938)

1863: Baha’u’llah reveals the Lawh-i-Fitnih (Tablet of the Test) in honor of Princess Shams-i-Jihan (granddaughter of Fath-'Ali Shah, the King of Persia)

The Lawh-i-Fitnih (Tablet of the Test) is another of Bahá'u'lláh's Arabic Tablets revealed in Baghdad, in honour of Princess Shams-i-Jihan. She was a granddaughter of Fath-'Ali Shah, and was known by the designation Fitnih. Her interest in the Faith began when she came in contact with, and became a close friend of Tahirih.

Shams-i-Jihan came to Baghdad, attained the presence of Bahá'u'lláh, recognized His station and became a devoted believer. The Pen of the Most High has revealed several Tablets for her and bestowed upon her the title of Varaqatu'r-Ridvan (The Leaf of Paradise).

The Lawh-i-Fitnih, as its title indicates, is all about tests and trials which are associated with the Day of God. In it Bahá'u'lláh alludes to His own Revelation and states that through His advent the whole creation will be tried; no soul will be exempt. All those who are the embodiments of piety and wisdom, of knowledge and virtue, every accomplished man of learning, the servants of God and His sincere lovers, the angels that enjoy near access to God, the Concourse on high, every righteous man of discernment, every mature embodiment of wisdom, even the realities of the Prophets and Messengers of God -- all will be tested.

1985: The Universal House of Justice addressed a statement to the peoples of the world on the theme of peace

On October 24, 1985, the Universal House of Justice, the supreme governing body of the Baha'i Faith, addressed a statement to the peoples of the world on the theme of peace.

June 7, 1972: The Construction of the Building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice

(1984 Baha'i History Calendar)

'Abdu'l-Bahá visited Paris three times

'Abdu'l-Bahá visited Paris three times. The first visit lasted nine weeks, 3 October through 2 December 1911; the second was 21 January through 30 March 1913; the third was early May through 12 June 1913. 

(Footnotes to a message dated August 1976 from the Universal House of Justice to the ‘Friends assembled at the International Teaching Conference in Paris’; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

First attempts to teach the Faith in Alaska

As early as 1915, however, we see a first wave of itinerant teachers and short-time settlers directing their steps towards Alaska in an attempt to open it to the light of Bahá'u'lláh. This was followed by a second wave of determined pioneers and spiritual conquerors who, ever since the first Seven Year Plan, [1937-1944] demonstrated their exemplary enthusiasm and caused "the breezes ... of the love of God" to "Perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants" of that "vast country." 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated July 1976 addressed to the friends assembled at the International Teaching Conference in Anchorage; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

Martha Root – “the foremost Hand raised by Bahá'u'lláh since 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing”; “the first, finest fruit which the Formative Age of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh has as yet produced”; “that archetype of Bahá'í itinerant teachers”

Martha's unnumbered admirers throughout Bahá'í world lament with me the earthly extinction of her heroic life. Concourse on high acclaim her elevation to rightful position in galaxy of Bahá'í immortals. Posterity will establish her as foremost Hand which 'Abdu'l-Bahá's will has raised up in first Bahá'í century. Present generation of her fellow-believers recognize her to be the first, finest fruit which the Formative Age of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh has as yet produced. Advise hold befitting memorial gathering in Temple to honor one whose acts shed imperishable lustre on American Bahá'í community. Impelled share with National Assembly expenses of erection of monument in symbolic spot,[1] the meeting-place of East and West, to both of which she unsparingly dedicated the full force of her mighty energies.

- Shoghi Effendi  (Cablegram October 3, 1939, ‘Messages to America’)

[1 Honolulu]

To Martha Root, that archetype of Bahá'í itinerant teachers and the foremost Hand raised by Bahá'u'lláh since 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing, must be awarded, if her manifold services and the supreme act of her life are to be correctly appraised, the title of Leading Ambassadress of His Faith and Pride of Bahá'í teachers, whether men or women, in both the East and the West. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

April 1983: Fifth Baha'i International Convention

Ridvan 1983 - The Hands of the Cause of God, Members of the Universal House of Justice and Delegates to the Fifth Baha'i International Convention in front of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

Baha’u’llah’s time in the Holy Land: August 1868 to May 1892

The journey of Bahá'u'lláh and His companions from Gallipoli to Haifa took place between August 21 to 31, 1968, lasting 11 days.

• Bahá'u'lláh and His party were then transferred from the steamer carrying them to Haifa, to a sailing vessel, which arrived in 'Akká on the afternoon of August 31, 1868. The time they spent in Haifa was a few hours.

• Baha’u’llah spent 2 years, 2 months and 5 days in the Prison Barracks of Akka.

• From the Prison, Bahá'u'lláh was transferred directly to the House of Málik, thence to the Houses of Khavvám and Rabí'ih. This lasted 10 months.

• The final House in Baha’u’llah was transferred to was the House of 'Abbúd where He stayed for approximately 7 years. During that time He made occasional visits to the Garden of Ridvan.

• Baha’u’llah then moved to the Mansion of Mazra'ih and stayed there for about 2 years.

• The last 12 years of Baha’u’llah’s earthly life were spent in the Mansion of Bahjí.

• Towards the end of this period Bahá'u'lláh visited Haifa four times. His last visit to Haifa lasted three months.

The total period of the sojourn of Bahá'u'lláh in the Holy Land was 24 years: from August 31, 1868 to May 29, 1892.

(Adapted from compilation: ‘Holy Places at the Baha’i World Centre’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)

April 2005: Creation of International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh

New developments have, likewise, taken place at the World Centre. We have decided that the time is propitious to bring into being an International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh to guide and supervise the work of Regional and National Boards of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh throughout the world. It will operate in close collaboration with the Chief Trustee, the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, and will be able to benefit from his knowledge and counsel in carrying out its duties. The three members now appointed to the International Board of Trustees are Sally Foo, Ramin Khadem, and Grant Kvalheim. Their term of office will be determined at a later date. The members of the Board will not transfer their residence to the Holy Land but will utilize the services of the Office of Huqúqu’lláh at the World Centre in performing their functions. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (Ridván 2005 Message to the Bahá’ís of the World)

April 1952: First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kampala, Uganda

First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kampala, Uganda, British East Africa, formed April 21, 1952 (The Baha'i World 1950-1954)

circa 1869: The first Bahá'í from the outside world to be able to meet Bahá'u'lláh in 'Akká

Hand of the Cause Mulla Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikani, surnamed Amin, Apostle of Baha'u'llah, the Trustee of Huququ'lláh

Mulla Abu'l-Hasan-i-Ardikani, who is known as Haji Amin or Amin-i-Ilahi (Trusted of God), was born in about the year AH 1232 (AD 21 November 1816 -- 10 November 1817) in Ardikan, a small town near Yazd. At seventeen years of age he married into a family of Bábís of the town. He was persuaded to investigate the new religion and eventually, shortly after the martyrdom of the Báb, he declared his belief. When news of the Declaration of Bahá'u'lláh came, he accepted immediately and travelled throughout Iran meeting other Bábís and teaching them of the advent of Bahá'u'lláh. After a time he became the assistant of Haji Shah-Muhammad Manshadi, Aminu'l-Bayan, who was the Trustee of the Huququ'lláh.[1] He would travel about the country, earning his living by trading and also by acting as a writer for those who could not write. At the same time he collected the Huququ'lláh and any letters that the believers wished to forward to Bahá'u'lláh, and also distributed Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh when these were received. He came to 'Akká while Bahá'u'lláh was still imprisoned in the citadel and succeeded in establishing contact with the exiles. He was the first Bahá'í from the outside world to be able to meet Bahá'u'lláh in 'Akká (in the Public Baths). He returned to 'Akká on several further occasions. When Haji Shah-Muhammad Manshadi was killed in 1880, Haji Abu'l-Hasan was appointed Trustee (Amin) of the Huququ'lláh. In 1891 he was imprisoned with Haji Akhund for three years in Tihran and Qazvin. In the time of 'Abdu'l-Bahá he continued his travels, visiting 'Akká and Haifa on several occasions. Towards the end of his life he resided in Tihran and Haji Ghulam-Rida, Amin-i-Amin, was appointed his assistant. He died in 1928 and was posthumously named a Hand of the Cause of God by Shoghi Effendi.

– Balyuzi  (‘Eminent Baha’is in the Time of Baha’u’llah’)

[1] The 'Right of God' -- a payment by believers instituted in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.

July 2015: The Universal House of Justice transmits three new Tablets of Baha'u'llah (English) - Commemoration of Twin Birthdays

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARIAT

6 July 2015

Transmitted by email

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

This November will witness the first universal observance of the Twin Holy Birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh according to the Badí‘ calendar. In anticipation of this special occasion, the Universal House of Justice is pleased to present you with three Tablets from the forthcoming volume Days of Remembrance, a collection of Writings from the Supreme Pen revealed specifically for, or which otherwise pertain to, nine Holy Days, to be published in English translation. As it is expected that the book will only be available after mid-2016, to assist the friends in their preparations for this year’s historic commemoration of the Twin Birthdays the House of Justice has asked that one Tablet concerning the Birth of the Báb and two concerning the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh be sent to you in advance, so that arrangements can be made for their translation into various languages. French, Russian, and Spanish translations will be sent to the relevant National Spiritual Assemblies in due course.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

Enclosure

1976: First National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Tonga

Members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Tonga, 1976. (Baha'i World News Service)

Baha’u’llah addresses a most weighty Epistle to Pope Pius IX

To Pope Pius IX, the undisputed head of the most powerful Church in Christendom, possessor of both temporal and spiritual authority, He, a Prisoner in the army barracks of the penal-colony of 'Akká, addressed a most weighty Epistle, in which He announces that "He Who is the Lord of Lords is come overshadowed with clouds," and that "the Word which the Son concealed is made manifest." He, moreover, warns him not to dispute with Him even as the Pharisees of old disputed with Jesus Christ; bids him leave his palaces unto such as desire them, "sell all the embellished ornaments" in his possession, "expend them in the path of God," abandon his kingdom unto the kings, "arise ... amidst the peoples of the earth," and summon them to His Faith. Regarding him as one of the suns of the heaven of God's names, He cautions him to guard himself lest "darkness spread its veils" over him; calls upon him to "exhort the kings" to "deal equitably with men"; and counsels him to walk in the footsteps of his Lord, and follow His example. 

- Shoghi Effendi  ('God Passes By')

September 2014: Colombian Temple's design unveiled

The design for the local Baha'i House of Worship in the Norte del Cauca region of Colombia was unveiled Sept. 14 at a meeting held at the site designated for its construction in the small community of Agua Azul. Eduard Lopez, speaking on behalf of the team of architects working on the project, told an audience of 500 that over the previous several months in Norte del Cauca, the team had visited communities and groups, listened to their ideas and thoughts about the House of Worship, striven to understand their aspirations, and participated in their community-building activities. They also studied the natural surroundings and the architecture of homes in the region. "People tell us that we are designing this House of Worship. But it is actually all of you who have designed it, and we are channeling your ideas," he said.  

The presentation was preceded by a traditional Colombian dance and a number of songs performed by the community. "It was a moment we have been waiting for months," explained Nilma Aguilar Vilas, who was born on the outskirts of Puerto Tejada, few miles from the Temple land. 

(The American Baha’i, November-December 2014)

Writings of Shaykh Ahmad -- one of the two forerunners of the Báb

A.L.M. Nicolas, in Chapter 5 of his book, “Essai sur le Shaykhisme,” gives a list of no less than ninety-six volumes as representing the enrire literary output of this prolific writer. Among them, the more important are the following:

l. Commentary on the Ziyaratu’l Jami’atu’l-Kabirih of Shaykh Hadi.

2. Commentary on the verse “Qu’l Huvallah-u-Ahad.”      

3, Risaliy-i-Khaqaniyyih, in answer to Fath-‘Ali Shah’s question regarding the superiority of the Qa'im over His ancestors.  

4. On dreams.

5. Answer to Shaykh Musay-i-Bahrayni regarding the position and claims of the Sahibu’z-Zaman.                     

6. Answer to the Sufis.

7. Answer to Mulla Mihdiy-i-Astirabadi on the knowledge of the soul.   

8. On the joys and pains of the future life.  

9. Answer to Mulla 'Ali-Akbar on the best road to the attainment of God.

10. On the Resurrection.

- Shoghi Effendi  (Footnotes to Dawn-Breakers, section on Shaykh Ahmad)

1911: Some of the prominent individuals who visited ‘Abdu’l-Baha in England and Scotland

Among those who called on Him during the memorable days He spent in England and Scotland were the Reverend Archdeacon Wilberforce, the Reverend R. J. Campbell, the Reverend Rhonddha Williams, the Reverend Roland Corbet, Lord Lamington, Sir Richard and Lady Stapley, Sir Michael Sadler, the Jalálu’d-Dawlih, son of the Zillu’s-Sultán, Sir Ameer Ali, the late Maharaja of Jalawar, who paid Him many visits and gave an elaborate dinner and reception in His honor, the Maharaja of Rajputana, the Ranee of Sarawak, Princess Karadja, Baroness Barnekov, Lady Wemyss and her sister, Lady Glencomer, Lady Agnew, Miss Constance Maud, Prof. E. G. Browne, Prof. Patrick Geddes, Mr. Albert Dawson, editor of the Christian Commonwealth, Mr. David Graham Pole, Mrs. Annie Besant, Mrs. Pankhurst, and Mr. Stead, who had long and earnest conversations with Him. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

1911: ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s varied speaking engagements in Britain

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s first public appearance before a western audience significantly enough took place in a Christian house of worship, when, on September 10, 1911, He addressed an overflowing congregation from the pulpit of the City Temple. Introduced by the Pastor, the Reverend R. J. Campbell, He, in simple and moving language, and with vibrant voice, proclaimed the unity of God, affirmed the fundamental oneness of religion, and announced that the hour of the unity of the sons of men, of all races, religions and classes had struck. On another occasion, on September 17, at the request of the Venerable Archdeacon Wilberforce, He addressed the congregation of St. John the Divine, at Westminster, after evening service, choosing as His theme the transcendental greatness of the Godhead, as affirmed and elucidated by Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Íqán. “The Archdeacon,” wrote a contemporary of that event, “had the Bishop’s chair placed for his Guest on the chancel steps, and, standing beside Him, read the translation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address himself. The congregation was profoundly moved, and, following the Archdeacon’s example, knelt to receive the blessing of the Servant of God—Who stood with extended arms—His wonderful voice rising and falling in the silence with the power of His invocation.”

Circa 1845: The Shah of Persia sends “one of the most erudite, eloquent and influential of his subjects” to independently investigate the claims of the Báb

Muhammad Shah
1834-1848

The commotion [in Shiraz] had assumed such proportions that the Sháh, unable any longer to ignore the situation, delegated the trusted Siyyid Yahyáy-i-Darábí, surnamed Vahíd, one of the most erudite, eloquent and influential of his subjects — a man who had committed to memory no less than thirty thousand traditions — to investigate and report to him the true situation. Broad-minded, highly imaginative, zealous by nature, intimately associated with the court, he, in the course of three interviews, was completely won over by the arguments and personality of the Báb.

Their first interview centered around the metaphysical teachings of Islám, the most obscure passages of the Qur’án, and the traditions and prophecies of the Imáms. In the course of the second interview Vahíd was astounded to find that the questions which he had intended to submit for elucidation had been effaced from his retentive memory, and yet, to his utter amazement, he discovered that the Báb was answering the very questions he had forgotten. During the third interview the circumstances attending the revelation of the Báb’s commentary on the súrih of Kawthar, comprising no less than two thousand verses, so overpowered the delegate of the Sháh that he, contenting himself with a mere written report to the Court Chamberlain, arose forthwith to dedicate his entire life and resources to the service of a Faith that was to requite him with the crown of martyrdom during the Nayríz upheaval. He who had firmly resolved to confute the arguments of an obscure siyyid of Shíráz, to induce Him to abandon His ideas, and to conduct Him to Tihrán as an evidence of the ascendancy he had achieved over Him, was made to feel, as he himself later acknowledged, as “lowly as the dust beneath His feet.” Even Husayn Khán, [the governor of Fárs] who had been Vahíd’s host during his stay in Shíráz, was compelled to write to the Sháh and express the conviction that his Majesty’s illustrious delegate had become a Bábí. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

The collection of the Sacred Writings at the Baha’i World Center – as of June 2013

…the Research Department… notes that the collection and collation of the Sacred Writings is an ongoing process, and the numbers are continually being revised. The estimates of the numbers of unique works can be given as follows:

• For Bahá’u’lláh, nearly 20,000 unique works have been identified. Most of these Writings have been collected; however, 865 are known to have been revealed, but the texts are not available. Close to 15,000 of the collected works have been authenticated by the Archives Office to date.
• For the Báb, over 2,000 unique works have been identified. Most of these Writings have been collected; however, 74 are known to have been revealed, but the texts are not available. Nearly 1,600 of the collected works have been authenticated.
• For ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, over 30,000 unique works have been identified. All of these Writings have been collected and over 27,000 of them have been authenticated.
• For Shoghi Effendi, over 22,000 unique works have been identified. All of these documents have been collected and the majority of them have been authenticated.

It is estimated that approximately ten per cent of the documents described above are in photocopied form. A fraction of the total numbers of unique works have been published in the original languages or translated into Western languages. However, citing exact numbers would be misleading since much of the unpublished and untranslated material consists of day-to-day correspondence and personal guidance and encouragement, which is less likely to be of general interest. The World Centre is actively pursuing a publication programme for the as yet unpublished major works of the Central Figures of the Faith and Shoghi Effendi. 
- The Universal House of Justice  (From a letter dated 6 June 2013 written by the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice to and individual believer)

The International Archives on Mount Carmel

...the International Archives of the Faith… was completed in the summer of 1957 as one of the last major achievements of Shoghi Effendi's Guardianship and… set the style for the remaining structures which, as described by him, were to be raised in the course of time in the form of a far-flung arc on the slope of Mount Carmel. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 5 June, 1975; Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986’)

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s enormously varied speaking engagements in USA in 1912

They included presentations… in synagogues and churches; the International Peace Forum and various peace societies; Columbia, Howard, and Stanford Universities; the Reading Room for the Blind in San Francisco; the Chicago Athletic Association; theosophical societies; Esperantist groups; the Green Acre Institute in Maine; the Commercial Club in Minneapolis; the Japanese YMCA in Oakland; the Persian-American Society in Washington; the Bethel Literary and Historical Society; the Bowery Mission; and the Atheist’s Club in San Francisco. He was the featured speaker for the Unitarians’ national conference; shared the platform with Samuel Gompers, President of the American Federation of Labor, at the D.A.R. Continental Memorial Hall in Washington, D.C.; and addressed gatherings in the Town Hall in Fanwood, New Jersey, in the Persian Embassy and the Turkish Embassy in Washington, and in hotel assembly rooms and banquet halls across the country. He visited William Jennings Bryan’s home in Lincoln, Nebraska, to repay a visit Bryan had tried to make to ‘Abdu’l-Baha in ‘Akka, and had tea with Mrs. Bryan and her daughter. He was invited by Admiral Peary, then recently acknowledged as discoverer of the North Pole, to address the Unity Club in Brooklyn; was sought out by former President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt; was honored with a farewell breakfast by the Treasurer of the United States, Lee McClung; and visited the home of another official who “took Him [‘Abdu’l-Baha] in his embrace and wept for joy and happiness.” (Mahmud’s Diary) 

- Allan Ward  (‘Abdu’l-Baha: Speaking in America; World Order magazine, Winter 1971-72)

1912: The effect of the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Washington D.C.

Such was the effect of ‘Abdu’l-Baha that a noted columnist of the day, Elbert Hubbard, later wrote (New York American, 1 Mar. 1915), “When he went to Washington and swept through the Capitol even the Supreme Court of the United States saw fit to adjourn; the House the same, and the Senate, for a while, at least, forgot matters of investigation.” 

- Allan Ward  (‘Abdu’l-Baha: Speaking in America’; World Order magazine, Winter 1971-72)

“…nothing in the Texts to indicate that the election of the Universal House of Justice could be called only by the Guardian.”

The friends should realize that there is nothing in the Texts to indicate that the election of the Universal House of Justice could be called only by the Guardian. On the contrary, 'Abdu'l-Bahá envisaged the calling of its election in His own lifetime. At a time described by the Guardian as "the darkest moments of His [the Master's] life, under 'Abdu'l-Hamid's regime, when He stood ready to be deported to the most inhospitable regions of Northern Africa," and when even His life was threatened, 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote to Haji Mirza Taqi Afnan, the cousin of the Báb and chief builder of the 'Ishqabad Temple, commanding him to arrange for the election of the Universal House of Justice should the threats against the Master materialize. The second part of the Master's Will is also relevant to such a situation and should be studied by the friends. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 9 March 1965; Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

Tablet of Carmel is “the Charter of the World Spiritual and Administrative Centres of the Faith”

Shoghi Effendi called the Tablet of Carmel "the Charter of the World Spiritual and Administrative Centres of the Faith". ('Messages to the Baha’i World’) In a message dated Naw-Ruz 111 (1954) to the Baha’is of the East, Shoghi Effendi wrote:

In this great Tablet [of Carmel] which unveils divine mysteries and heralds the establishment of two mighty, majestic and momentous undertakings -- one of which is spiritual and the other administrative, both at the World Centre of the Faith -- Bahá'u'lláh refers to an "Ark", whose dwellers are the men of the Supreme House of Justice, which, in conformity with the exact provisions of the Will and Testament of the Centre of the Mighty Covenant, is the body which should lay down laws not explicitly revealed in the Text. In this Dispensation, these laws are destined to flow from this Holy Mountain, even as in the Mosaic Dispensation the law of God was promulgated from Zion. The "sailing of the Ark" of His laws is a reference to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice, which is indeed the Seat of Legislation, one of the branches of the World Administrative Centre of the Bahá'ís on this Holy Mountain .... 

(Naw Ruz 111-1954 to the Bahá'ís of the East -- translated from the Persian; published in "The Bahá'í World", vol. XIV, p. 438; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Establishment of the Universal House of Justice)

1873: Baha’u’llah revealed the Lawh-i-Ru'ya (Tablet of the Vision)

This Tablet was revealed “on the anniversary of the birth of His Forerunner [the Báb]” “nineteen years” before His ascension in 1892. (Shoghi Effendi, ‘God Passes By’)

In the Lawh-i-Ru'ya Bahá'u'lláh describes His vision of a Maiden dressed in white and illumined with the light of God. She entered the room in which Bahá'u'lláh was seated upon His throne of Lordship. She displayed an indescribable enthusiasm and devotion, circled around Him, was enraptured by the inebriation of His Presence, was thunderstruck at His Glory. And when she recovered, she remained in a state of bewilderment. She longed to offer up her life for her Beloved and finding Him captive in the hands of the unfaithful, she bade Him leave 'Akká to its inhabitants and repair to His other dominions 'whereon the eyes of the people of names have never fallen', words which found their fulfilment nineteen years later with the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh. In the absence of a translation it is not possible to convey the beauty of the verses and the mystery of the subject revealed in the Lawh-i-Ru'ya. The theme of this Tablet is as enchanting as it is unfathomable and mysterious. 
- Adib Taherzadeh  (‘The Revelation of Baha'u'llah vol. 3)

Please visit ‘Baha’i Tablets – provisional translations’

“For a space of three years Bahá’u’lláh continued to extol in His writings the heroism of” Badi

Áqá Buzurg of Khurásán, the illustrious “Badí” (Wonderful); converted to the Faith by Nabíl; surnamed the “Pride of Martyrs”; the seventeen-year old bearer of the Tablet addressed to Násiri’d-Dín Sháh; in whom, as affirmed by Bahá’u’lláh, “the spirit of might and power was breathed,” was arrested, branded for three successive days, his head beaten to a pulp with the butt of a rifle, after which his body was thrown into a pit and earth and stones heaped upon it. After visiting Bahá’u’lláh in the barracks, during the second year of His confinement, he had arisen with amazing alacrity to carry that Tablet, alone and on foot, to Tihrán and deliver it into the hands of the sovereign. A four months’ journey had taken him to that city, and, after passing three days in fasting and vigilance, he had met the Sháh proceeding on a hunting expedition to Shimírán. He had calmly and respectfully approached His Majesty, calling out, “O King! I have come to thee from Sheba with a weighty message”; whereupon at the Sovereign’s order, the Tablet was taken from him and delivered to the mujtahids of Tihrán who were commanded to reply to that Epistle—a command which they evaded, recommending instead that the messenger should be put to death. That Tablet was subsequently forwarded by the Sháh to the Persian Ambassador in Constantinople, in the hope that its perusal by the Sultán’s ministers might serve to further inflame their animosity. For a space of three years Bahá’u’lláh continued to extol in His writings the heroism of that youth, characterizing the references made by Him to that sublime sacrifice as the “salt of My Tablets.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

1900: The "Board of Counsel" of the Baha'i Assembly of New York City

Seated left to right: Orosco C. Woolson, Howard MacNutt, Arthur P. Dodge, Charles E. Sprague. Standing, left to right: Anton F. Haddad (honorary), Frank E. Osborne, Hooper Harris, William H. Hoar, Andrew Hutchinson, and Erwin A. Putnam. (The Baha'i World 1940-1944)

The “miracle associated with the Báb’s execution” and comparisons of His Mission and the forces of opposition He encountered with those of Christ

It should be remembered, however, that apart from the miracle associated with the Báb’s execution, He, unlike the Founder of the Christian religion, is not only to be regarded as the independent Author of a divinely revealed Dispensation, but must also be recognized as the Herald of a new Era and the Inaugurator of a great universal prophetic cycle. Nor should the important fact be overlooked that, whereas the chief adversaries of Jesus Christ, in His lifetime, were the Jewish rabbis and their associates, the forces arrayed against the Báb represented the combined civil and ecclesiastical powers of Persia, which, from the moment of His declaration to the hour of His death, persisted, unitedly and by every means at their disposal, in conspiring against the upholders and in vilifying the tenets of His Revelation. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

The martyrdom of the Báb: “the most heroic phase of the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation”; “unparalleled in the annals of the lives of all the Founders of the world’s existing religious systems.”

Thus ended a life which posterity will recognize as standing at the confluence of two universal prophetic cycles, the Adamic Cycle stretching back as far as the first dawnings of the world’s recorded religious history and the Bahá’í Cycle destined to propel itself across the unborn reaches of time for a period of no less than five thousand centuries. The apotheosis in which such a life attained its consummation marks, as already observed, the culmination of the most heroic phase of the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation. It can, moreover, be regarded in no other light except as the most dramatic, the most tragic event transpiring within the entire range of the first Bahá’í century. Indeed it can be rightly acclaimed as unparalleled in the annals of the lives of all the Founders of the world’s existing religious systems. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

Passages in the Kitab-i-Aqdas translated by the Guardian – identified by the Universal House of Justice

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh:

Sections XXXVII, LVI, LXX, LXXI, LXXII, XCVIII, CV, CIV, CLIX, and CLXV

The Promised Day is Come:

pp. 26 (1st para.), 36-37 (until the end of 2nd para.), 40 (2nd para.), and 84-85 (until the end of 1st para.)

The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour [1]:

pp. 16-17 (until the end of 1st para.)

Bahá'í Administration:

p. 21 (1st para.)

The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh:

p. 134 (2nd para.)

The Bahá'í Community (1963 edition):

p. 4 (2nd & 3rd paras)

Star of the West, XIV:

pp. 112-14

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 6 December 1965; Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986)

[1] This message of Shoghi Effendi was later published in Citadel of Faith, pp. 4-38; the passage from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas appears on pp. 18-19 (see also PB, p. 63)

Before “the election of the Universal House of Justice there was no knowledge that there would be no Guardian.”

The friends should clearly understand that before the election of the Universal House of Justice there was no knowledge that there would be no Guardian. There could not have been any such foreknowledge, whatever opinions individual believers may have held. Neither the Hands of the Cause of God, nor the International Bahá'í Council, nor any other existing body could make a decision upon this all-important matter. Only the House of Justice had authority to pronounce upon it. This was one urgent reason for calling the election of the Universal House of Justice as soon as possible. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 9 March, 1965; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

1941: Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Pasadena, California, USA

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Pasadena, California, USA, 1941 (The Baha'i World 1940-1944)

Badí carries the Epistle of Baha’u’llah to the King of Persia – ‘Abdu’l-Baha describes

During the latter days [passed] in Adrianople Bahá’u’lláh composed a detailed epistle setting forth all matters clearly and minutely. He unfolded and expounded the main principles of the sect, and made clear and plain its ethics, manners, course, and mode of conduct: He treated certain political questions in detail, and adduced sundry proofs of His truthfulness: He declared the good intent, loyalty, and sincerity of the sect, and wrote some fragments of prayers, some in Persian, but the greater part in Arabic. He then placed it in a packet and adorned its address with the royal name of His Majesty the King of Persia, and wrote [on it] that some person pure of heart and pure of life, dedicated to God, and prepared for martyr-sacrifice, must, with perfect resignation and willingness, convey this epistle into the presence of the King.

A youth named Mírzá Badí, a native of Khurásán, took the epistle, and hastened toward the presence of His Majesty the King. The Royal Train had its abode and station outside Tihrán, so he took his stand alone on a rock in a place far off but opposite to the Royal Pavilion, and awaited day and night the passing of the Royal escort or the attainment of admission into the Imperial Presence. Three days did he pass in a state of fasting and vigilance: an emaciated body and enfeebled spirit remained. On the fourth day the Royal Personage was examining all quarters and directions with a telescope when suddenly his glance fell on this man who was seated in the utmost respectful attitude on a rock. It was inferred from the indications [perceived] that he must certainly have thanks [to offer], or some complaint or demand for redress and justice [to prefer].

The oppressive treatment received by ‘Abdu’l-Baha from the Ottoman Sultan ‘Abdu’l-Hamid

When the deposed Sultán of the Ottoman Empire, 'Abdu'l-Hamíd, arose in tyranny and oppression, 'Abdu'l-Bahá was incarcerated in the prison of 'Akká and was surrounded with the utmost surveillance of police, detectives and men of the Secret Service. The door of communication was entirely closed and the means of correspondence was prevented. If any soul approached the house he was searched; nay, rather, threatened with dire persecution. The affairs reached to such a degree that, not being satisfied with these restrictions, the Sultán sent an oppressive investigating Commission, so that with all kinds of wiles, simulations, slander and fabrication of false stories they might fasten some guilt upon 'Abdu'l-Bahá in order that he might crucify Him, or cast Him into the sea, or banish Him into the heart of the distant and unknown Sahara of Feyzan [Africa]. That oppressive investigating Commission exercised its rights with tyranny and passed the sentence that 'Abdu'l-Bahá merited all kinds of persecution. Finally they decided to send Him to Feyzan, and when they cabled this decision to the palace of 'Abdu'l-Hamíd, an answer was received that the matter of Feyzan was approved by the Imperial Order. Then that unjust investigating Commission returned to Constantinople. They were in the midst of the sea when the cannon of God boomed forth before the palace of 'Abdu'l-Hamíd, a charge of dynamite was exploded, a number of people were killed, 'Abdu'l-Hamíd fled into the interior of his residence, difficulties and trials surrounded him, and incidents and events developed rapidly. Therefore he did not find the opportunity to oppress 'Abdu'l-Bahá; public revolution was started, which ended in his deposition, and the Hand of Divine Power released the neck of 'Abdu'l-Bahá from the chains of the prison of Joseph and the fetters and manacles were placed around the unblessed neck of 'Abdu'l-Hamíd. Be ye admonished, O ye people of insight! 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 4, May 17, 1911)

Hands of the Cause of God -- Their “strict self-discipline… absolute loyalty and… complete self-abnegation” following the passing of Shoghi Effendi has “no comparable record” in the “entire history of religion”

From the very outset of their custodianship of the Cause of God the Hands realized that since they had no certainty of divine guidance such as is incontrovertibly assured to the Guardian and to the Universal House of Justice, their one safe course was to follow with undeviating firmness the instructions and policies of Shoghi Effendi. The entire history of religion shows no comparable record of such strict self-discipline, such absolute loyalty and such complete self-abnegation by the leaders of a religion finding themselves suddenly deprived of their divinely inspired guide. The debt of gratitude which mankind for generations, nay, ages to come, owes to this handful of grief-stricken, steadfast, heroic souls is beyond estimation. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 9 March 1965; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

London 1902: Wedding of May Bolles and Sutherland Maxwell

February 1965: Creation of Continental Pioneering Committees

The National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia, the British Isles, Germany, Persia and the United States were requested by the Universal House of Justice to each appoint a Continental Pioneer Committees for their respective continent. Please see February 8, 1965 message from the Universal House of Justice.

The Universal House of Justice later assumed responsibility for appointing the members of Continental Pioneer Committees and transferred responsibility for directing their work to the International Teaching Centre (please see message dated 19 May 1983 in ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963 to 1986’)

November 1964: Auxiliary Board Members were freed from administrative responsibilities

Members of Auxiliary Boards should be freed from administrative responsibilities including serving on Committees and as delegates to conventions. In the event of any member of a National Assembly accepting appointment to a Board, the National Assembly should accept this as valid reason for that member's resignation from the Assembly; should a Board member be elected to a National Assembly, he must choose on which body he will serve. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message dated November 1964 to the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Baha’i world; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

2015: The standing and position of the Bahá’í community in the world today

• More than 5 million Bahá’ís reside in virtually every country and territory around the world, in well over 100,000 localities.
• Three National Assemblies have been re-formed in recent years in the Muslim world: those of Egypt, Indonesia and Iraq.
• There are 182 National Spiritual Assemblies operating around the world. Over 40 percent of the membership of these national councils are women.
• National Spiritual Assemblies in countries with extended areas of jurisdiction have all established Regional Bahá’í Councils.
• The number of Continental Counselors has reached 81, with 990 Auxiliary Board members serving under them.
• The number of countries where Bahá’í marriage certificates are recognized has reached 60.
• Bahá’í literature is available in 802 languages.
• Over 27,000 classes for the spiritual and moral education of children and junior youth, open to children of Bahá’ís and those belonging to other denominations or groups, are conducted by Bahá’í communities on a regular basis.
• More than 600 Bahá’í elementary schools, mostly in rural areas where formal schools do not exist, are operating throughout the world.
• Seven continental Bahá’í Houses of Worship have been established in virtually all the continents of the globe—all open for prayers and readings for the spiritual upliftment of Bahá’ís and interested friends. The eighth and last continental Temple is being built in Santiago, Chile.
• Plans for the construction of two national and five local Bahá’í Houses of Worship have been set in motion.
• Countless devotional gatherings all over the world are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in Bahá’í homes. These are open to the believers and to the public as well.
• In all such meetings, whether in Bahá’í Temples or in informal devotional gatherings, Bahá’í prayers and readings are offered as well as appropriate extracts of scriptures of other revealed religions.

(Data prepared by the Statistics Department of the Bahá’í World Center and provided to Mr. Nakhjavani for his article on: “Theninth cycle of the Bahá’í calendar and its relationship to the teaching work”)

The Shrine of Baha'u'llah in the time of 'Abdu'l-Baha

The Shrine of Baha'u'llah in the time of 'Abdu'l-Baha

circa 1968: Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga in Colombia

Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga with some Baha'is in Colombia, circa 1968

Tribulations sustained by Baha’u’llah until His arrival in Baghdad – a summary by Shoghi effendi

Was it not He Who, at the early age of twenty-seven, spontaneously arose to champion, in the capacity of a mere follower, the nascent Cause of the Báb? Was He not the One Who by assuming the actual leadership of a proscribed and harrassed sect exposed Himself, and His kindred, and His possessions, and His rank, and His reputation to the grave perils, the bloody assaults, the general spoliation and furious defamations of both government and people? Was it not He—the Bearer of a Revelation, Whose day “every Prophet hath announced,” for which “the soul of every Divine Messenger hath thirsted,” and in which “God hath proved the hearts of the entire company of His Messengers and Prophets”—was not the Bearer of such a Revelation, at the instigation of Shí’ih ecclesiastics and by order of the Sháh himself forced, for no less than four months, to breathe, in utter darkness, whilst in the company of the vilest criminals and freighted down with galling chains, the pestilential air of the vermin-infested subterranean dungeon of Tihrán—a place which, as He Himself subsequently declared, was mysteriously converted into the very scene of the annunciation made to Him by God of His Prophethood?

The first public persecution

Mullá Sádiq-i-Khurásání, impelled by the injunction of the Báb in the Khasá’il-i-Sab‘ih to alter the sacrosanct formula of the adhán,[call to prayer] sounded it in its amended form before a scandalized congregation in Shíráz, and was instantly arrested, reviled, stripped of his garments, and scourged with a thousand lashes. The villainous Husayn Khán, the Nizámu’d-Dawlih, the governor of Fárs, who had read the challenge thrown out in the Qayyúmu’l-Asmá, having ordered that Mullá Sádiq together with Quddús and another believer be summarily and publicly punished, caused their beards to be burned, their noses pierced, and threaded with halters; then, having been led through the streets in this disgraceful condition, they were expelled from the city. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

The speed of the revelation of divine verses by the Báb

…Mullá ‘Alíy-i-Bastamí, one of the Letters of the Living, “the first to leave the House of God (Shíráz) and the first to suffer for His sake…had audaciously asserted that from the pen of his new-found Master within the space of forty-eight hours, verses had streamed that equalled in number those of the Qur’án, which it took its Author twenty-three years to reveal… 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘God Passes By’)

1941: First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of San Jose, Costa Rica

Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of San Jose, Costa Rica, 1941 (The Baha'i World 1940-1944)

Naw-Ruz 1974: The Third Global Plan is launched by the Universal House of Justice

“The Five Year Plan to which this community is now summoned is the opening campaign of these critical years. It is the third global plan embarked upon by the Army of Light in its implementation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan, that world-encompassing programme disclosed in His perspicuous Tablets and described by the Guardian of the Cause of God as the Charter for the propagation of the Faith throughout the world.” 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message to the Baha’is of the world, Naw-Ruz, 1974)

The other two global Plans were the Ten Year Crusade, 1953 to 1963, and the Nine Year Plan, 1964 to 1973.

Ridvan 1943: India's First Baha'i Youth Conference

First Baha'i Youth Conference of India, Ridvan 1943 (The Baha'i World 1940-1944)

April 1974: 115 National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the planet

The victories of that crusade implanted the banner of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the planet and the following Nine Year Plan reinforced and extended the bastions of the Faith and raised the number of National Spiritual Assemblies -- the supporting pillars of the Universal House of Justice -- to one hundred and thirteen, a number increased to one hundred and fifteen by the formation at this Ridvan of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Hong Kong and South East Arabia. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a message tothe Baha’is of the world, Naw-Ruz, 1974)

May 1963: Hands of the Cause decided that Auxiliary Board members should be free of administrative responsibilities – The Universal House of Justice approved

The Hands of the Cause at their London Conclave last May decided that Auxiliary Board members should be free of administrative responsibilities in order to devote their full energies to their work as Board members. Those Board members serving on National Assemblies were therefore requested to decide, before Ridvan 1964, in which capacity they could best serve the Cause…

… Should Board members still be elected on National Assemblies after the above explanation, it should rest with each Board member to decide which of the two functions he feels best suited to perform. The Universal House of Justice, therefore, approves the request made by the Hands of the Cause to their Board members that they choose between the two functions. 

- The Universal House of Justice  (from a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies dated 25 November 1963; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

1934: First Annual Convention of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand

The first Annual Convention of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand was held at Sydney, May 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1934. Details of this meeting, so significant in the unfoldment of the Baha'i world order, are made available in reports issued by the National Spiritual Assembly formed by that Convention:

"A little more than a decade after the landing in Sydney of those two indefatigable Baha'i pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn, has seen the outward and visible consummation of their labors in the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand. This was the outstanding achievement of the Cause in these southern lands in 1934, and itself bears witness to the sincerity, enthusiasm and faith of the believers.

1934: First Annual Convention of the Baha'is of Iran

The first Annual Convention of the Baha'is of Iran was held at Tihran during eight days commencing April 26, 1934. As in North America, ninety-five delegates had been assigned proportionately to the national community, and of these eighty-one were present at the first session, eighty-four at the later sessions. On account of the vast Baha'i population of Iran, the ninety-five delegates were elected proportionately by the believers through twenty administrative divisions rather than through their separate local Baha'i communities.

The members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran were: Valiyu'llah Varqa, Shu'a'u'llah 'Ala'i, Dr. Yunis Afrukhtih, Jinab-i-Fadil-i-Maizindarani, Amin-Amin, Ahmad Yazdani, 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, 'Inayatu'llah Ahmadpur, and Mahmud Badi'i. The Baha'i affairs of Iran had previously been directed and coordinated nationally by the former "Central Assembly" at Tihran. 

(Adapted from ‘The Baha’i World 1934-1936’)