'Abdu'l-Bahá visited Egypt three time

The Master visited Egypt first during circa August/September 1910 through 11 August 1911, then during circa December 1911 through 25 March 1912, and finally during 17 June 1913 to 2 December 1913. 

(Explanatory footnote to a message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 September 1976; ‘Messages of the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)

27 September 1967: Marking the centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation of Suriy-i-Mulúk (Tablet to the Kings) in Adrianople

At the request of the Universal House of Justice, Hands of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, Ugo Giachery, Tarazu'llah Samandari, 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, Paul Haney, and Abu'l-Qasim Faizi visited the site of the House of Baha’u’llah in Adrianople on 27 September 1967 to mark Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation of His Tablet to the Kings (Suriy-i-Mulúk), referred to by Shoghi Effendi as "the most momentous Tablet revealed by Bahá'u'lláh". (God Passes By) 

(Adapted from the explanatory footnotes in ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’; see 17 March 1967 message) 

1967: World Centre of the Faith – Its needs, developments and undertakings pursued by the Universal House of Justice

Since the Universal House of Justice came into being in 1963, its primary concern at the World Centre of the Faith has been with the basic, minimum essentials of undertaking repairs to the Holy Places; establishing its administrative offices; reorganizing the accommodation of pilgrims; gathering its staff, developing a suitable housing programme for the Hands of the Cause and their families, the members of the House of Justice and their families, and all other believers serving at the World Centre; formulating plans for the expansion of the Gardens and taking the first steps in their initiation; collating the Sacred Texts and the letters of Shoghi Effendi and indexing them; and fostering relations with the Government of the State of Israel and with the United Nations.

The increased burden which these essential steps have imposed upon the International Fund we have endeavoured to keep at a minimum so that, in the early stages of the Plan, the maximum resources could be utilized in the teaching work throughout the world.

However, we must now embark upon certain major undertakings vital to the future progress of the Cause. Extensive beautification of the sacred endowments surrounding the Holy Shrines in Bahji and Haifa, as well as at the site of the future Mashriqu'l- Adhkar on Mount Carmel must be undertaken, both for its own sake and for the protection of these lands which are situated within the boundaries of rapidly expanding cities; the work of classifying and codifying the Holy Texts must be urgently prosecuted; the arrangements for pilgrimage may have to be greatly expanded to provide for the ever-increasing number of applications from East and West; the Intercontinental Conferences and the International Convention must be held and paid for; and the auxiliary institutions of the Universal House of Justice must begin to unfold so that the ever-growing and increasingly complex work of the World Centre of the Faith may continue to be efficiently discharged. Moreover, the vital assistance given by the International Fund to the work of the Hands of the Cause and National Spiritual Assemblies must be maintained.

- The Universal House of Justice  (From a message dated 7 March 1967 addressed to all National Spiritual Assemblies; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)

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