December 20, 2015
1946: National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany is reinstituted
December 16, 2015
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)
December 10, 2015
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)
December 5, 2015
‘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.
November 29, 2015
‘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)
November 22, 2015
1930: Tehran, Iran
A view of the city of Tehran in 1930 (Baha'i International Community's Media Bank)
November 15, 2015
November 10, 2015
Baha'u'llah's tent in Mazra'ih
November 5, 2015
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.
November 1, 2015
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.
October 31, 2015
June 7, 1972: The Construction of the Building for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice
(1984 Baha'i History Calendar)
October 30, 2015
'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’)
October 29, 2015
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’)
October 28, 2015
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’)
October 26, 2015
April 1983: Fifth Baha'i International Convention
October 22, 2015
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.
(Adapted from compilation: ‘Holy Places at the Baha’i World
Centre’, prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice)
October 20, 2015
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)
October 15, 2015
April 1952: First Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kampala, Uganda
October 11, 2015
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.
October 4, 2015
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
September 27, 2015
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)
September 13, 2015
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 6, 2015
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)
September 1, 2015
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)
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