The second Asian Baha’i Women’s Conference, India, October 1977

More than 1,000 Baha'i women from all over Asia, with observers and speakers from Europe and America, gathered at Vigyan Bhavan Auditorium in New Delhi, India, October 13-16, 1977 for the Asian Baha'i women's conference.The presence of the Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum as the most distinguished guest and principal speaker for the event was a source of great joy and happiness for the believers. Ruhiyyih Khanum shared with the gathering a cablegram, sent in December 1930 by Shoghi Effendi to the first Asian Women's Conference: “convey to Indian Asian women's conference behalf Greatest Holy Leaf and myself expression our genuine profound interest in their deliberations. May Almighty guide bless their high endeavour." 
(Baha’i News February 1978)

September 1976: Western Samoa king visits the resting place of Shoghi Effendi

His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa (third from the left), together with Hands of the Cause 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa and Dhikru'llah Khadem (second and third from the right) and the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom and othe Baha'is, visited the resting place of Shoghi Effendi, Great Northern London Cemetery, New Southgate, on September 12, 1976. (Baha'i News December 1976)

April 1967: Baha’i literature available in 397 languages and 311 territories opened to the Faith

As of April 1967, the list of those languages in which the Bahá'í literature is available reached 397, and the number of territories opened to the Faith increased to 311. 
(Adapted from the Ridvan 1967 message of the Universal House of Justice, ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

May 1, 1931: The first picture taken on the Chicago Temple steps after the completion of the superstructure

The first picture taken on the Chicago Temple steps after the completion of the superstructure, May 1, 1931.(Baha'i News February 1976)

Members of first Togo National Spiritual Assembly, 1975

The members of first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Togo assemble with the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, seated second from left. The Togo National Spiritual Assembly was elected at the first National Convention, April 1975. The members are, from left, Kawku Negble Attigah, vice chairman; Amevor Amernatchron; George Allen, secretary; and, standing, Yao Azikpati; Kodjo Honsou; Maylo Murday, treasurer; Komi Koussanta, assistant treasurer; Baban Soga Kamoe, assistant secretary; and Amru'llah Khelghati, chairman. (Baha'i News, October 1975)

First National Spiritual Assembly of Finland, April 1962

First National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Finland, elected April 1962. Left to right, seated: Mavlys Tulvenhumo, Gurun Opategaard (treasurer), Josephine Kruka, Sirkka Salmi (secretary), Greta Jankko. Standing: Maija Ravola (recording secretary), Mark Namdar (vice-chairman), Ghodrat Bidardel, K.H. Zalrhian (chairman) (Baha'i News, August 1962)

June 17, 1975: Excavation begins at site of Universal House of Justice Building

Joyfully announce commencement excavation site Universal House of Justice Building arc Mount Carmel. Contract removal forty thousand cubic meters rock and earth at cost approximately two hundred thousand dollars. Invite all believers contribute unstintingly building fund ensure uninterrupted progress historic undertaking.

Universal House of Justice

June 17, 1975

(Baha'i News, July 1975)

Work started on the construction of the Universal House of Justice Building in the heart of Mount Carmel. In the left background is the Archives Building and in the right background is the Shrine of the Bab.

As of 1966: The largest number of Baha’is ever to arise to pioneer beyond their homelands in any one year in the entire history of the Cause – was in 1965-1966

The Fiftieth Anniversary of the revelation by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, in March and April 1916, of the first Tablets of the Divine Plan, has witnessed the conclusion of a feat of pioneering unparalleled in the annals of the Cause. A year ago the call was raised for four-hundred-and-sixty-one pioneers to leave their homes within twelve months and scatter throughout the planet to broaden and strengthen the foundations of the world community of Bahá'u'lláh. There is every hope that with the exception of thirty-four posts whose settlement is dependent upon favourable circumstances all the pioneer goals will be filled by Ridvan or their settlement will be assured by firm commitments. The gratitude and admiration of the entire Bahá'í world go out to this noble band of dedicated believers who have so gloriously responded to the call. These pioneers, who have arisen for the specified goals, have been reinforced by a further forty-five believers who have settled in the goal territories, while sixty-nine more have left their homes to reside in twenty-six other countries already opened to the Faith. All told, in the course of the year, five-hundred-and-five Bahá'ís have arisen to pioneer beyond their homelands, the largest number ever to do so in any one year in the entire history of the Cause. 
(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1966 message)

Bahamas National Haziratu'l-Quds Acquired, January, 1975

Negotiations for the acquisition of a building which is considered a landmark by Bahamian citizens were completed in Nassau at the end of January [1975], during a visit by Glenford Mitchell, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States. The structure, built by a former prime minister of the country, will serve as the National Haziratu'l-Quds of the Bahamas. Ideally located in the heart of downtown Nassau, the building is situated on a spacious lot which also includes a number of smaller buildings. It is well-landscaped and attractive, with a covered archway leading along the side of the building from the front to the back area. The visit of Mr. Mitchell also provided an opportunity for extensive proclamation of the Faith, with a half-hour program taped by Carl Bethel, program director of the government-owned radio station, WZNS, and an hour-long visit with Leon Turnquest, editor of the Nasseu Guardian.(Baha’i News, February, 1975)

Chicago Temple Foundation Hall as it appeared in 1922-1930

Chicago Temple Foundation Hall as it appeared in 1922-1930 (Baha'i News, November, 1974)

In September/October, 1867, Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed His Message to the kings and rulers of the world -- "Never since the beginning of the world hath the Message been so openly proclaimed." (Baha’u’llah)

[Extract from a 1965 Ridvan message of the Universal House of Justice announcing plans for a befitting celebration of that historic event:]

The fourth challenge is to prepare national and local plans for the befitting celebration of the centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's proclamation of His Message in September/October, 1867, to the kings and rulers of the world, celebrations to be followed during the remainder of the Nine Year Plan by a sustained and well-planned programme of proclamation of that same Message to the generality of mankind.

A review of the historic proclamation by Bahá'u'lláh, as described by Shoghi Effendi in God Passes By, reveals that its "opening notes" were "sounded during the latter part of Bahá'u'lláh's banishment to Adrianople," and that, six years later, it "closed during the early years of His incarceration in the prison-fortress of 'Akká." These "opening notes" were the mighty and awe-inspiring words addressed by Him to the kings and rulers collectively in the Suriy-i-Mulúk, "the most momentous Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh." It was penned some time during the months of September and October, 1867, and was followed by "Tablets unnumbered ... in which the implications of His newly-asserted claims were fully expounded." "Kings and emperors, severally and collectively; the chief magistrates of the Republics of the American continent; ministers and ambassadors; the Sovereign Pontiff himself; the Vicar of the Prophet of Islam; the royal Trustee of the Kingdom of the Hidden Imam; the monarchs of Christendom, its patriarchs, archbishops, bishops, priests and monks; the recognized leaders of both the Sunni and Shí'ah sacerdotal orders; the high priests of the Zoroastrian religion; the philosophers, the ecclesiastical leaders, the wise men and the inhabitants of Constantinople -- that proud seat of both the Sultanate and the Caliphate; the entire company of the professed adherents of the Zoroastrian, the Jewish, the Christian and Muslim Faiths; the people of the Bayan; the wise men of the world, its men of letters, its poets, its mystics, its tradesmen, the elected representatives of its peoples; His own countrymen"; all were "brought directly within the purview of the exhortations, the warnings, the appeals, the declarations and the prophecies which constitute the theme of His momentous summons to the leaders of mankind ..." "Unique and stupendous as was this proclamation, it proved to be but a prelude to a still mightier revelation of the creative power of its Author, and to what may well rank as the most signal act of His ministry the promulgation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas." In this, the Most Holy Book, revealed in 1873, Bahá'u'lláh not only once more announces to the kings of the earth collectively that "He Who is the King of Kings hath appeared" but addresses reigning sovereigns distinctively by name and proclaims to the "Rulers of America and the Presidents of the Republics therein" that "the Promised One hath appeared." Such was the proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh to mankind. As He Himself testified, "Never since the beginning of the world hath the Message been so openly proclaimed." 
(The Universal House of Justice, ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963 to 1986’)

Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India and Burma

Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India and Burma, January, 1933 (The Baha'i World 1932-1934)

The number of centers worldwide where Bahá'ís reside increased by almost six thousand in one year -- April 1964 to April 1965

“The most spectacular of these is the increase in the number of centres where Bahá'ís reside from fifteen thousand one hundred and sixty-eight at Ridvan 1964 to twenty-one thousand and six at the present time, an increase of nearly six thousand in one year.” 
(The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1965 message)

First National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Trinidad and Tobago

Standing, left to right: Joel Caverly, Treasurer; Shamsi Sedaghat, Chairman; Nikou Amarsingh (Raoofian), Recording Secretary; Leopold Fraser, Secretary. Sitting, left to right: Ramdass Ramkissoon; Gloreen Richards; Laciford Rock, Vice Chairman; Alma Lyons; and Lavern Johnson, April, 1971. (Baha'i News, July 1971)

The Suriy-i-Mulúk (Tablet to the Kings) -- “the most momentous Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh”

“The Suriy-i-Mulúk, the most momentous Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh (Surih of Kings) in which He, for the first time, directs His words collectively to the entire company of the monarchs of East and West, and in which the Sultan of Turkey, and his ministers, the kings of Christendom, the French and Persian Ambassadors accredited to the Sublime Porte, the Muslim ecclesiastical leaders in Constantinople, its wise men and inhabitants, the people of Persia and the philosophers of the world are separately addressed …” (Shoghi Effendi, 'God Passes By')

The first full English translation of the Súriy-i-Mulúk, that was revealed in Adrianople, is included in the book: “The Summons of the Lord of Hosts”, published at the Baha’i World Center in Haifa.

First Message from the Universal House of Justice -- April 30, 1963: Presented by a member of the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is assembled in Royal Albert Hall, London

"All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honour, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power. Whomsoever Thou wiliest Thou causest to draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocean, and on whomsoever Thou desirest Thou conferrest the honour of recognizing Thy Most Ancient Name. Of all who are in heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation of Thy sovereign Will. From all eternity Thou didst rule the entire creation, and Thou wilt continue for evermore to exercise Thy dominion over all created things. There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the Most Exalted, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise."

Beloved friends:

On this glorious occasion, the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee, we raise our grateful thanks to Bahá'u'lláh for all His bounties showered upon the friends throughout the world. This historic moment marks at one and the same time the fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy, the Hundredth Anniversary of the Declaration of the Promised One of all ages, the termination of the first epoch of the Divine Plan of 'Abdu'l-Bahá designed to establish the Faith of God in all the world, and the successful conclusion of our beloved Guardian's world-encircling Crusade, enabling his lovers and loved ones everywhere to lay this glorious harvest of victory in his name at the feet of the Blessed Beauty. This Most Great Jubilee is the crowning victory of the lifework of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of God. He it was, and he alone, who unfolded the potentialities of the widely scattered, numerically small, and largely unorganized Bahá'í community which had been called into being during the Heroic Age of the Faith. He it was who unfolded the grand design of God's Holy Cause, set in motion the great plans of teaching already outlined by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, established the institutions and greatly extended the endowments at the World Centre, and raised the Temples of America, Africa, Australasia and Europe, developed the Administrative Order of the Cause throughout the world, and set the Ark of the Cause true on its course. He appointed the Hands of the Cause of God.

First Baha'i meeting-place in Australia

Mr. and Mrs. Dunn's first flat in Avoca Street, Randwick, Sydney, N.S.W. First Baha'i meeting-place in Australia. (The Baha'i World, 1932-1934)

May 22nd, 1844: The Báb Declares His Divine Mission to Mulla Husayn

The time was the hour before sunset, on the 22nd day of May, 1844. The participants were the Bab, a twenty-five year old siyyid, of pure and holy lineage, and the young Mulla Husayn, the first to believe in Him. Their meeting immediately before that interview seemed to be purely fortuitous. The interview itself was protracted till the hour of dawn. The Host remained closeted alone with His guest, nor was the sleeping city remotely aware of the import of the conversation they held with each other. No record has passed to posterity of that unique night save the fragmentary but highly illuminating account that fell from the lips of Mulla Husayn.

"I sat spellbound by His utterance, oblivious of time and of those who awaited me," he himself has testified, after describing the nature of the questions he had put to his Host and the conclusive replies he had received from Him, replies which had established beyond the shadow of a doubt the validity of His claim to be the promised Qá'im. "Suddenly the call of the Mu'adhdhin, summoning the faithful to their morning prayer, awakened me from the state of ecstasy into which I seemed to have fallen. All the delights, all the ineffable glories, which the Almighty has recounted in His Book as the priceless possessions of the people of Paradise -- these I seemed to be experiencing that night. Methinks I was in a place of which it could be truly said: 'Therein no toil shall reach us, and therein no weariness shall touch us;' 'no vain discourse shall they hear therein, nor any falsehood, but only the cry, "Peace! Peace!"'; 'their cry therein shall be, "Glory to Thee, O God!" and their salutation therein, "Peace!", and the close of their cry, "Praise be to God, Lord of all creatures!"' Sleep had departed from me that night. I was enthralled by the music of that voice which rose and fell as He chanted; now swelling forth as He revealed verses of the Qayyúmu'l-Asmá', again acquiring ethereal, subtle harmonies as He uttered the prayers He was revealing. At the end of each invocation, He would repeat this verse: 'Far from the glory of thy Lord, the All-Glorious, be that which His creatures affirm of Him! And peace be upon His Messengers! And praise be to God, the Lord of all beings!'"

First National Convention of the Baha'is of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei

Historic first National Convention of the Baha'is of Eastern Malaysia and Brunei held at he "Uma Orang Ulu", Kuching April 28-30, 1972. One hundred and seventy attended from Sabah, Brunei and Sarawak including Hand of the Cause of God Mr Jalal Khazeh representing the Universal House of Justice, Counsellor Dr. C.J. Sundram, and Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Grete Fozdar. (Baha'i News July 1972)

1969: Bahji from the air

Bahji from the air looking northeast, 1969 (Baha'i News April 1969)

circa 1932: Persian Baha'i Marriage Certificate

Baha'i Marriage Certificate adopted and enforced by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Persia. (The Baha'i World 1932-1934)

The Báb announces that “through” God’s “Most Great Name … the hidden secrets of God, the Most Exalted, were divulged and… the essence of all knowledge was revealed” to humanity

Glorified art Thou, O my God! I invoke Thee by Thy Most Great Name through which the hidden secrets of God, the Most Exalted, were divulged and the kindreds of all nations converged toward the focal centre of faith and certitude, through which Thy luminous Words streamed forth for the quickening of mankind and the essence of all knowledge was revealed from that Embodiment of bounty. May my life, my inmost being, my soul and my body be offered up as a sacrifice for the dust ennobled by His footsteps. 
(The Báb, Selections from the Writings of the Báb, p. 199)

First National Convention of the Baha'is of the Malagasy Republic

During Ridvan 1972, the historic first National Convention of the Baha'is of the Malagasy Republic was held. This is located to the east of Africa, the Island of Madagascar. The photographs were taken in fron of the national Haziratu'l-Quds in Tananarive. The Universal House of Justice was represented by Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhajir. Among those attending were: Continental Counsellor S. Fatheazam; Auxiliary Board member R. Thandrayen, E. Lutchmaya representing the mother Assembly, that of the Indian Ocean, and the Mother-Pioneer of the Island, Mrs. M. Munsif. (Baha'i News, November 1972)

Imperial Firman of Nasiri'd-Din Shah, 1265 A.H. (1844 A.D.) commanding Prince Mihdi-Quli Mirza to exterminate the Babis of Mazindaran, Persia

Imperial Firman of Nasiri'd-Din Shah, 1265 A.H. (1844 A.D.) with marginal note in his own hand, commanding Prince Mihdi-Quli Mirza to exterminate the Babis of Mazindaran, Persia. (Refer to The Dawn-Breakers, Ch. XIX.) (The Baha'i World 1932-1934)

First National Baha'i Convention of Nepal, April 1972

First National Baha'i Convention of Nepal, April 1972