Two views of Baha'u'llah's ancestral home in Takur, in the district of Nur, where He usually spent His summers as a boy.
December 29, 2014
December 23, 2014
The Author of "the most colossal religious work written by the pen of a single Man" – 29 May 1992: “the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies met in solemn session to pay tribute to” Baha’u’llah
Iran's crisis of civilization will be resolved neither by
blind imitation of an obviously defective Western culture nor by retreat into
medieval ignorance. The answer to the dilemma was enunciated on the very
threshold of the crisis, in the clearest and most compelling language, by a
distinguished Son of lran Who is today honoured in every continent of the world,
but sadly not in the land of His birth. Persia's poetic genius captures the
irony: "I searched the wide world over for my Beloved, while my Beloved
was waiting for me in my own home." The world's appreciation of Baha'u'llah
came perhaps most explicitly into focus on 29 May 1992, the centenary of His
death, when the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies met in solemn session to pay
tribute to Him, to His teachings and to the services rendered to humanity by
the community He founded. On that occasion, the Speaker of the Chamber and spokespersons
from every party rose, successively, to express their profound admiration of
One who was described in their addresses as the Author of "the most
colossal religious work written by the pen of a single Man", a message
that "reaches out to humanity as a whole, without petty differences of
nationality, race, limits or belief”.
(The
Universal House of Justice, from a message dated 26 November 2003 to the ‘Followers
of Baha’u’llah in the Cradle of the Faith)
December 16, 2014
April 2003: The first time the International Baha'i Convention was cancelled and the election of the Universal House of Justice was conducted through mailed ballots
The
Universal House of Justice
4 April
2003
To all
National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear
Baha'i Friends,
We have
been following closely developments in the world as they affect
the Middle East, in the hope that the passage of
events would make it possible for the International Baha'i Convention to be
held as planned. However, for the sake of all concerned we can wait no longer. To our regret, current conditions are such that we feel compelled to cancel the holding of the International Convention, and we write to so inform
you.
This is
the first time we have had to implement
the provision of the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice that
states: "If at the time of an election the Universal House of Justice
shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to hold the International
Convention it shall determine how the election
shall take place." The ballots of the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies are arriving daily, and
we are arranging for the nineteen delegates chosen to be tellers to come to the
Holy Land to count the votes on the Ninth Day of Ridvan. Should circumstances
make it impossible for these friends to come, we shall adopt another means for the
discharge of this task.
National
Conventions should continue to be held in May, around the Anniversary of the
Declaration of the Báb, as currently planned.
We are
confident that the friends, surrounded by the confirmations of Baha'u'llah,
will pursue the aim of the Five Year Plan with undimmed zeal.
With
loving Baha'i greetings,
The
Universal House of Justice
December 6, 2014
1929: Certification of Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada
Certification of Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, 1929. (The Baha'i World 1940-1944)
November 29, 2014
Mulla Husayn miraculously finds Baha’u’llah in Tihran and delivers an excerpt from the Báb’s newly-revealed Writings
The glorious mission entrusted to Mulla Husayn was truly
enviable. Its nature was intimated to him by the Báb in assuring words:
"In this pilgrimage upon which We are soon to embark, We
have chosen Quddus as Our companion. We have left you behind to face the
onslaught of a fierce and relentless enemy. Rest assured, however, that a
bounty unspeakably glorious shall be conferred upon you. Follow the course of
your journey towards the north, and visit on your way Isfahan, Kashan, Qum, and
Tihran. Beseech almighty Providence that He may graciously enable you to
attain, in that capital [Tihran], the seat of true sovereignty. A secret lies hidden
in that city. When made manifest, it shall turn the earth into paradise. My
hope is that you may partake of its grace and recognize its splendour.”
When Mulla Husayn reached the capital, Tihran, he lived in
one of the rooms of a religious school. The leader of the Shaykhi community of
Tihran, who acted as an instructor in that institution was approached by Mulla
Husayn but failed to respond to his motivation to accept the Message of the
Báb. Mulla Husayn assured him that he had no intention of prolonging his stay
in Tihran, that his aim was in no wise to abase or suppress the teachings
inculcated by Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kazim.
During his stay in that capital Mulla Husayn did not appear
in public. He limited himself to confidential conversations with those who
visited him. He received a fair number of individuals and won over a large
number of enquirers. According to the French historian Comte de Gobineau, among
the people who showed interest in seeing him were the King, Muhammad Shah and his
Minister, Haji Mirza Aqasi. Mulla Husayn presented them with some of the
Writings of the Báb.
November 22, 2014
September 1994: Liberia's first National Baha'i Youth Conference
November 16, 2014
1942: First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
November 15, 2014
1966: Regional Spiritual Assembly of North Eastern Africa
November 12, 2014
November 1, 2014
Baha’u’llah reveals the Tablet of Maryam (Lawh-i-Maryam) soon after His return from Sulaymániyyih
--provisional translation available at: Baha’i Tablets
– provisional translations
Maryam was a cousin of Baha’u’llah. Her mother, Malik Nisá’
Khánum was a sister of Bahá’u’lláh’s father, Mírzá ‘Abbas, better known as
Mírzá Buzurg. Maryam was also Baha’u’llah’s sister-in-law because she had
married Mírzá Ridá-Qulí, a half-brother of Bahá’u’lláh, and also because her younger
sister Fátimih Khánum had become Bahá’u’lláh’s second wife in 1849 after she had
become a widow. Fátimih Khánum who is better known as Mahd-i-’Ulyá, the Most
Exalted Cradle, was the mother of Muhammad-‘Alí (1852 c.-1937), the unfaithful half-brother of ‘Abdu’l-Baha who rebelled against Him after the ascension of Baha’u’llah.
Maryam’s husband, Mírzá Ridá-Qulí was the son of Kulthúm
Khánum-i-Núrí, the third wife of Baha’u’llah’s father. None of her four
surviving children became a supporter of Bahá’u’lláh. Mírzá Ridá-Qulí, was a
physician, and therefore he was known as “Hakím.”
When Bahá’u’lláh was released from the Síyáh-Chál in Tihran,
Mírzá Ridá-Qulí hosted Him and His family in his house. Mírzá Ridá-Qulí had
inherited this house from his father, Mirza Buzurg when in the last years of
his life he was obliged to sell his complex of houses in Tihran, where he lived
with his whole family, to pay the expenses for the divorce from his last wife,
princess Sháh Begum, Díyá’u’s-Saltanih. Mírzá Ridá-Qulí’s mother also lived
with him in this house. Baha’u’llah, however, prior to His arrest and
imprisonment in the Siyah-Chal, lived in a rented house near the northern gate
of Tihran along with a number of the family members.
October 30, 2014
circa 1969: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Iran
October 26, 2014
Baha’u’llah’s paternal uncles
Bahá'u'lláh had four paternal uncles. Among those to whom He
taught the Faith of the Báb in Nur were these uncles. Two of them rejected the
Cause of God and actively rose up against it. These were Shaykh Aziz'u'llah and
Safi Quli Big. The other two, Mulla Zaynu'l-'Abidin and Karbila'i Zaman, became
ardent believers. The former accompanied Bahá'u'lláh to the fortress of Shaykh
Tabarsi, and when Bahá'u'lláh was bastinadoed in Amul, threw himself upon His
feet and was beaten so much that he fainted.
(Adib Taherzadeh, The Revelation
of Baha'u'llah vol. 2)
October 20, 2014
January 19, 2000: The Passing of Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum
The Universal House of Justice
Department of the Secretariat
26 January 2000
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
Further to its message of 19 January 2000 concerning the
passing of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, the Universal House of Justice has
asked us to convey the following.
On the afternoon of 23 January, in a light rain, the blessed
remains of Rúhíyyih Khánum were laid to rest in Haifa, following a funeral
service at the House of the Master and graveside prayers attended by more than
1100 believers. The interment took place in a plot of land which had been
converted into a garden by Shoghi Effendi, directly across the street from the
Master’s House. The participants came from near and far, and included 24
Continental Counselors, representatives of 76 National Spiritual Assemblies,
and pilgrims, as well as members of the institutions and volunteers serving at
the Bahá’í World Centre. Among them, too, were senior officials from the
Canadian and United States embassies, representatives of the Israeli
government, the mayors of ‘Akká and Haifa, and other prominent Israeli
citizens. 
The House of Justice is deeply gratified that such a wide
representation of believers was able to come to the Holy Land on very short
notice to pay final respects on behalf of all the friends throughout the world
who could not be present. Moreover, it warmly appreciates the various
expressions of sympathy and love received at the World Center through many
messages and gifts of flowers. It is also pleased that news of Rúhíyyih
Khánum’s passing and funeral has been given coverage by the world press and
electronic media.
Enclosed for your interest is a copy of the printed program
of the funeral service.
Without doubt, the memory of a life so inestimably precious,
so extraordinarily dynamic as that of Amatu’l-Bahá will infuse the Bahá’í
institutions and individual friends everywhere with renewed resolve and
redoubled energy.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
October 11, 2014
Membership of the Universal House of Justice: 1963-2013
Members of the Universal House of Justice 2003-2013
Members of the Universal House of Justice 1963-2003
(Prepared by Arjen Bolhuis and Sana Rezai; Baha'i Library Online)
October 1, 2014
Geographic expansion of the Baha’i Community during the Ten Year Crusade (1953 - 1963)
The number of countries within the pale of the Faith doubled
through the opening of:
- 43 in the Asiatic Continent
- 37 in the African Continent
- 21 in the European Continent
- 30 in the American Continent
September 20, 2014
As of Ridvan 1972 there were 113 National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world
Although the dissolution of the National Spiritual Assembly
of 'Iraq has, unhappily, resulted from the persecution of the Faith in that
land, the thirteen new National Spiritual Assemblies which will come into being
this Ridvan will bring the total number of these pillars of the Universal House
of Justice to 113.
(The Universal House of Justice, from a message dated Ridvan
1972; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)
September 10, 2014
circa 1944: National Haziratu'l-Quds of the Baha'is of Iran was completed
National Haziratu'l-Quds of the Baha'is of Iran, circa 1944 (The Baha'i World 1940-1944)
September 6, 2014
March 1972: The Mother Temple of Latin America is dedicated in Panama
Message from the Universal House of Justice:
19 March 1972
To the Beloved of God gathered in the Conference called on
the occasion of the Dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America
Dear Bahá'í friends,
With praise and gratitude to God the whole Bahá'í world
acclaims the dedication of the Mother Temple of Latin America, an edifice which
glorifies the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh at that point where, the beloved Master
asserted, "the Occident and the Orient find each other united through the
Panama Canal," where "The teachings, once established ..., will unite
the East and the West, the North and the South."
This historic project, in a hemisphere of infinite spiritual
potentiality, fulfils one of the most important goals of the Nine Year Plan,
and brings untold joy to the hearts of the friends in every land. Privileged
are they who share in the raising of this glorious Silent Teacher with deeds of
loving generosity and sacrifice. A crown to the labours of all those who have
striven to establish the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh in Latin America, this Mashriqu'l-Adhkar,
the rallying point for the Bahá'ís of those lands, whether they are of the
blessed Indian peoples or represent the other races whose diversity enriches
the nations of that hemisphere, will be a fountainhead of spiritual
confirmations, and this mighty achievement will endow the Bahá'í Community with
new and greater capacities, enabling the friends in Latin America, and particularly
in this privileged land of Panama, to win victories that will eclipse all their
past achievements.
August 31, 2014
circa 1941: Baha'i Youth Conference in Hamadan, Iran
Baha'i Youth Conference in Hamadan, Iran, circa 1941 (Andalib 2002)
August 25, 2014
Baha’u’llah during His youthful prime – explained by ‘Abdu’l-Baha
…from the beginning of the manifestation of the Báb there
was in Tihrán (which the Báb called the Holy Land) a Youth of the family of one
of the ministers and of noble lineage, gifted in every way, and adorned with
purity and nobility. Although He combined lofty lineage with high connection,
and although His ancestors were men of note in Persia and universally sought
after, yet He was not of a race of doctors or a family of scholars. Now this
Youth was from His earliest adolescence celebrated amongst those of the
ministerial class, both relatives and strangers, for single-mindedness, and was
from childhood pointed out as remarkable for sagacity, and held in regard in
the eyes of the wise. He did not, however, after the fashion of His ancestors,
desire elevation to lofty ranks nor seek advancement to splendid but transient
positions. His extreme aptitude was nevertheless admitted by all, and His
excessive acuteness and intelligence were universally avowed. In the eyes of
the common folk He enjoyed a wonderful esteem, and in all gatherings and
assemblies He had a marvelous speech and delivery. Notwithstanding lack of
instruction and education such was the keenness of His penetration and the
readiness of His apprehension that when during His youthful prime He appeared
in assemblies where questions of divinity and points of metaphysic were being
discussed, and, in presence of a great concourse of doctors and scholars loosed
His tongue, all those present were amazed, accounting this as a sort of prodigy
beyond the discernment natural to the human race. From His early years He was
the hope of His kindred and the unique one of His family
and race, nay, their refuge and shelter.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A traveler’s
Narrative’)
August 10, 2014
1944: First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bogota, Columbia
August 3, 2014
1924: The Faith is introduced to Reykjavík, Iceland
From a message of the Universal House of Justice to the “Friends
assembled in the North Atlantic Conference in Reykjavik”, September 1971:
“The famous island in which you are now gathered, so
strategically placed between the two great continents flanking the vast oceanic
area which surrounds it, to which the Teachings of Christ were brought a
millennium ago, and which, in this Dispensation, was mentioned by the Centre of
the Covenant in His Tablets of the Divine Plan, first heard the Name of
Bahá'u'lláh in 1924 when the Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins stopped briefly
in Reykjavik and made the acquaintance of Holmfridur Arnadottir who
subsequently became the first Bahá'í of Iceland. Eleven years later the beloved
Martha Root spent a month in this land which she loved so well. On that
occasion, with the help of Holmfridur, the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh was widely
proclaimed in the press, on the radio and from the lecture platform.”
(The
Universal House of Justice, ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice,
1963-1986) (To read the entire message please visit: Messages to the Baha’i World
Community – by the Universal House of Justice)
July 27, 2014
November 1957: Hands of the Cause of God
Hands of the Cause of God shortly after the passing of Shoghi Effendi
July 19, 2014
July 1, 2014
April 1942: First Spiritual Assembly in the Province of Manitoba, Canada
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