Bahá’í World/Volume 16/The Universal House of Justice

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[Page 381]

PART FOUR

THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH

[Page 382][Page 383]I THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

1. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Declaration of Trust

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE ONE, THE INCOMPARABLE, THE ALL-POWERFUL, THE ALL-KNOWING, THE ALL-WISE.

The light that is shed from the heaven of bounty, and the benediction that shineth from the dawning-place of the will of God, the Lord of the Kingdom ofNames, rest upon Him Who is the Supreme Mediator, the Most Exalted Pen, Him Whom God hath made the dawningplace of His most excellent names and the day—spring of His most exalted attributes. T hrough Him the light ofunity hath shoneforth above the horizon Ofthe world, and the law of oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiantfaces, have turned towards the Supreme Horizon, and acknowledged that which the Tongue Of Utterance hath spoken in the kingdom of His knowledge: 'Earth and heaven, glory and dominion, are God’s, the

Omnipotent, the Almighty, the Lord ofgrace abounding! ‘

WI T Hjoyous and thankful hearts we testify to the abundance of God’s Mercy, to the perfection of His Justice and to the fulfilment of His Ancient Promise.

Bahá’u’lláh, the Revealer of God’s Word in this Day, the Source of Authority, the Fountainhead of Justice, the Creator of a new World Order, the Establisher of the Most Great Peace, the Inspirer and Founder of a world civilization, the Judge, the Lawgiver, the Unifier and Redeemer of all mankind, has proclaimed the advent of God’s Kingdom on earth, has formulated its laws and ordinances, enunciated its principles, and ordained its institutions. To direct and canalize the forces released by His Revelation He instituted His Covenant, whose power has preserved the integrity of His Faith, maintained its unity and stimulated its world-wide expansion throughout the successive ministries of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. It continues to fulfil its life-giving purpose through the agency of the Universal House of Justice whose

fundamental object, as one of the twin successors of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is to ensure the continuity of that divinely appointed authority which flows from the Source of the Faith, to safeguard the unity of its followers, and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its teachings.

The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and HiLv Religion, declares Bahá’u’lláh, is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit aflove and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source ofdissension and discard, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovablefoundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure.

Unto the Most Holy Book, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá declares in His Will and Testament, every one must turn, and all that is not expressly recorded

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therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice.

The provenance, the authority, the duties, the sphere of action of the Universal House of Justice all derive from the revealed Word of Baha’u’llah which, together with the interpretations and expositions of the Centre of the Covenant 'and of the Guardian of the Cause—who, after ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is the sole authority in the interpretation of Bahá’í Scripture—constitute the binding terms of reference of the Universal House of Justice and are its bedrock foundation. The authority of these Texts is absolute and immutable until such time as Almighty God shall reveal His new Manifestation to Whom will belong all authority and power.

There being no successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, the Universal House of Justice is the Head of the Faith and its supreme institution, to which all must turn, and on it rests the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the unity and progress of the Cause of God. Further, there devolve upon it the duties of directing and co-ordinating the work of the Hands of the Cause, of ensuring the continuing discharge of the functions of protection and propagation vested in that institution, and of providing for the receipt and disbursement of the Ḥuqúqu’lláh.

Among the powers and duties with which the Universal House of Justice has been invested are:

To ensure the preservation of the Sacred Texts and to safeguard their inviolability; to analyse, classify, and co-ordinate the Writings; and to defend and protect the Cause of God and emancipate it from the fetters of repression and persecution;

To advance the interests of the Faith of God; to proclaim, propagate and teach its Message; to expand and consolidate the institutions of its Administrative Order; to usher in the World Order ofBaha’u’llah ; to promote the attainment of those spiritual qualities which should characterize Bahá’í life individually and collectively ; to do its utmost for the realization of greater cordiality and comity amongst the nations and for the attainment of universal peace; and to foster that which is conducive to the enlightenment and illumination of the souls of men and the advancement and betterment of the world;

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To enact laws and ordinances not expressly recorded in the Sacred Texts; to abrogate, according to the changes and requirements of the time, its own enactments ; to deliberate and decide upon all problems which have caused difference; to elucidate questions that are obscure; to safeguard the personal rights, freedom and initiative of individuals; and to give attention to the preservation of human honour, to the development of countries and the stability of states;

To promulgate and apply the laws and principles of the Faith; to safeguard and enforce that rectitude of conduct which the Law of God enjoins; to preserve and develop the Spiritual and Administrative Centre of the Bahá’í Faith, permanently fixed in the twin cities of ‘Akká and Haifa; to administer the affairs of the Bahá’í community throughout the world; to guide, organize, co-ordinate and unify its activities; to found institutions; to be responsible for ensuring that no body or institution within the Cause abuse its privileges or decline in the exercise of its rights and prerogatives; and to provide for the receipt, disposition, administration and safeguarding of the funds, endowments and other properties that are entrusted to its care;

To adjudicate disputes falling within its purview; to give judgement in cases of violation of the laws of the Faith and to pronounce sanctions for such violations; to provide for the enforcement of its decisions; to provide for the arbitration and settlement of disputes arising between peoples; and to be the exponent and guardian of that Divine Justice which can alone ensure the security of, and establish the reign of law and order in. the world.

The members of the Universal House of Justice, designated by Baha’u’llah ‘the Men of Justice’, ‘the people of Bahá who have been mentioned in the Book of Names’, ‘the Trustees of God amongst His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries’, shall in the discharge of their responsibilities ever hear in mind the following standards set forth by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause of God:

‘In the conduct of the administrative affairs

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of the Faith, in the enactment'of the legislation necessary to supplement the laws of the Kitz'zb-i-Aqdas, the members of the Universal House of Justice, it should be borne in mind, are not, as Bahá’u’lláh’s utterances clearly imply, responsible to those whom they represent, nor are they allowed to be governed by the feelings, the general opinion, and even the convictions of the mass of the faithful, or of those who directly elect them. They are to follow, in a prayerful attitude, the dictates and promptings of their conscience. They may, indeed they must, acquaint themselves with the conditions prevailing among the community, must weigh dispassionately in their minds the merits of any case presented for their consideration, but must reserve for themselves the right of an unfettered decision. God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth, is Bahá’u’lláh’s incontrovertible assurance. They, and not the body of those who either directly orindirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance

Hugh E. Chance Hushmand Fatheazam Amoz. E‘ Gibson David Hofman

Ht Borrah Ka\elin

Ali Nztkhjayani

David S. Ruhe

Ian Ct Semple

Charles Wolcott

Signed in the City of Haifa on the fourth day of the month of Quwl in the one hundred and twenIy-ninth year of the Bahá’í Era, Corresponding to the twenty-sixth day of the month of November in the year 1972

according to the Gregorian calendar.

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which is at once the life-blood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation.’

The Universal House of Justice was first elected on the first day of the Festival of Riḍván in the one hundred and twentieth year of the Bahá’í Era,l when the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies, in accordance with the provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and in response to the summons of the Hands of the Cause of God, the Chief Stewards of Bahá’u’lláh’s embryonic World Commonwealth, brought into being this ‘crowning glory’ of the administrative institutions of Bahá’u’lláh, the very ‘nucleus and forerunner’ of His World Order. Now, therefore, in obedience to the Command of God and with entire reliance upon Him, we, the members of the Universal House of J ustice, set our hands and its seal to this Declaration of Trust which, to gether with the By-Laws hereto appended, form the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice.

121 April 1963 A.D.

Facsimile afsignatures 0n the Constitution Ofthe Universal House of Justice ; 26 Nov. 1972.

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“l .

The members of the Universal House QfJustice, elected at Riḍván 1973. Left to right: Mr. Ian Semple, Mr. Hugh Chance, Mr. Charles Wolcott. Mr. ‘Ali Nafihjavdm', Mr. David quman, Mr. Amoz Gibson, Dr. David S. Ruhe, Mr. H. Borrah Kave/in, Mr. Hufimand Fatheazam.

Partial view of the Bahá’ís gathered in Beit Harofe, Haifa during the Ihird International Canvention for the election of'the Universal House of Justice; Riḍván 1973. Seen standing is Dr. William Maxwell, Jr. of the Continemal Board Q/‘Counsellors in North-western Afl'ica.

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By-Laws

PREAMBLE

TH E Universal House of J usticeis the supreme institution of an Administrative Order whose salient features, whose authority and whose principles of operation are clearly enunciated in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Faith and their authorized interpretations. This Administrative Order consists, on the one hand, of a series of elected councils, universal, secondary and local, in which are vested legislative, executive and judicial powers over the Bahá’í community and, on the other, of eminent and devoted believers appointed for the specific purposes of protecting and propagating the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh under the guidance of the Head of that Faith.

This Administrative Order is the nucleus and pattern of the World Order adumbrated by Baha’u’llah. In the course of its divinely propelled organic growth its institutions will expand, putting forth auxiliary branches and developing subordinate agencies, multiplying their activities and diversifying their functions, in consonance with the principles and purposes revealed by Baha’u’llah for the progress of the human race.

1. MEMBERSHIP IN THE Bahá’í COMMUNITY

The Bahá’í Community shall consist of all persons recognized by the Universal House of J ustice as possessing the qualifications of Bahá’í faith and practice.

1. In order to be eligible to vote and hold elective office, a Bahá’í must have attained the age of twenty-one years.

2. The rights, privileges and duties of individual Bahá’ís are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.

II. LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

Whenever in any locality the number of Bahá’ís resident therein who have attained the age of twenty-one exceeds nine, these shall on

the First Day of Riḍván convene and elect a local administrative body of nine members to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of that locality. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive First Day of Riḍván. The members shall hold office for the term of one year or until their successors are elected. When, however, the number of Bahá’ís as aforesaid in any locality is exactly nine, these shall on the First Day of Riḍván constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration.

l. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.

2. A Local Spiritual Assembly shall exercise full jurisdiction over all Bahá’í activities and affairs within its locality, subject to the provisions of the Local Bahá’í Constitution.1

3. The area of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be decided by the National Spiritual Assembly in accordance with the principle laid down for each country by the Universal House of Justice.

111. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

Whenever it is decided by the Universal House of Justice to form in any country or region a National Spiritual Assembly, the voting members of the Bahá’í community of that country or region shall, in a manner and at a time to be decided by the Universal House of Justice, elect their delegates to their National Convention. These delegates shall, in turn, elect in the manner provided in the National Bahá’í Constitution2 21 body of nine members to be known as the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of that country or region. The members shall continue in office for a period of one year or until their successors shall be elected.

lBy-Laws ofa Local Spiritual Assembly‘ See p. 479. 2 Declaration 01‘ Trust and By-Laws for a National Spiritual Assembly. See pp. 451,455.

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1. The general powers and duties of a National Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.

2, The National Spiritual Assembly shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs of the Bahá’í Faith throughout its area. It shall endeavour to stimulate, unify and co-ordinate the manifold activities of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Bahá’ís in its area and by all possible means assist them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall furthermore represent its national Bahá’í community in relation to other national Bahá’í communities and to the Universal House of Justice.

3. The area ofjurisdiction of a National Spiritual Assembly shall be as defined by the Universal House of Justice.

4. The principal business of the National Convention shall be consultation on Bahá’í activities. plans and policies and the election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly, as set forth in the National Bahá’í Constitution.

(a) If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to hold the National Convention, the said Assembly shall provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the Convention may be conducted.

(b) Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by correspondence or in any other manner decided by the National Spiritual Assembly.

IV. OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS OF SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate, direct and co-ordinate the affairs of the Cause of God as members of its Spiritual Assemblies are: to win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their privilege to serve; to

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investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self-contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word and deed that may savour of partiality, selfcentredness and prejudice; and while retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice and foster the sense of interdependence and co—partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Bahá’ís.

V. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The Universal House of Justice shall consist of nine men who have been elected from the Bahá’í community in the manner hereinafter provided.

1. ELECTION

The members of the Universal House of

J ustice shall be elected by secret ballot by the

members of all National Spiritual Assemblies

at a meeting to be known as the International

Bahá’í Convention.

(a) An election of the Universal House of Justice shall be held once every five years unless otherwise decided by the Universal House of Justice, and those elected shall continue in office until such time as their successors shall be elected and the first meeting of these successors is duly held.

(b) Upon receiving the call to Convention each National Spiritual Assembly shall submit to the Universal House of Justice a list of the names of its members. The recognition and seating of the delegates to the International Convention shall be vested in the Universal House of Justice.

(c) The principal business of the International Convention shall be to elect the members of the Universal House of Justice, to deliberate on the affairs of the Bahá’í Cause throughout the world, and to make recommendations and suggestions for the consideration of the Universal House of Justice.

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(d) The sessions of the International Convention shall be conducted in such manner as the Universal House of Justice shall from time to time decide.

(e) The Universal House of Justice shall provide a procedure whereby those delegates who are unable to be present in person at the International Convention shall cast their ballots for the election of the members of the Universal House of Justice.

(f) 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.

(g) On the day of the election the ballots of all voters shall be scrutinized and counted and the result certified by tellers appointed in accordance with the instructions of the Universal House of Justice.

(h) If a member of a National Spiritual Assembly who has voted by mail ceases to be a member of that National Spiritual Assembly between the time of casting his ballot and the date of the counting of the ballots, his ballot shall nevertheless remain valid unless in the interval his successor shall have been elected and the ballot of such successor shall have been received by the tellers.

(i) In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full membership of the Universal House of Justice is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be held on the persons tied until all members are elected. The electors in the case of additional ballots shall be the members of National Spiritual Assemblies in office at the time each subsequent vote is taken.

2. VACANCIES IN MEMBERSHIP

A vacancy in the membership of the Universal House of Justice will occur upon the death of a member or in the following cases:

(3) Should any member of the Universal House of Justice commit a sin injurious to the common weal, he may be dismissed from membership by the Universal House of Justice.

(b) The Universal House of J ustice may at its discretion declare a vacancy with respect to any member who in its judgement is unable to fulfil the functions of membership.

(c) A member may relinquish his membership on the Universal House of Justice only with the approval of the Universal House of Justice.

. BY-ELECTION

If a vacancy in the membership of the Universal House of Justice occurs, the Universal House of Justice shall call a byelection at the earliest possible date unless such date, in the judgement of the Universal House of J ustice, falls too close to the date of a regular election of the entire membership, in which case the Universal House of Justice may, at its discretion, defer the filling of the vacancy to the time of the regular election. If a by-election is held, the voters shall be the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies in office at the time of the by—election.

4. MEETINGS

(a) After the election of the Universal House of Justice the first meeting shall be called by the member elected by the highest number of votes or, in his absence or other incapacity, by the member elected by the next highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the same highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members. Subsequent meetings shall be called in the manner decided by the Universal House of Justice.

(b) The Universal House of Justice has no officers. It shall provide for the conduct of its meetings and shall organize its activities in such manner as it shall from time to time decide.

(c) The business of the Universal House of Justice shall be conducted by the full membership in consultation, except that the Universal House of Justice may from time to time provide for quorums of less than the full membership for specified classes of business.

[Page 390]390 5. SIGNATURE

The signature of the Universal House of Justice shall be the words ‘The Universal House of Justice’ or in Persian ‘Baytu’l-‘Adli-A‘zam’ written by hand by any one of its members upon authority of the Universal House of Justice, to which shall be affixed in each case the Seal of the Universal House of Justice.

6. RECORDS

The Universal House of Justice shall provide for the recording and verification of its decisions in such manner as it shall, from time to time, judge necessary.

VI. BAHA’l ELECTIONS

In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Bahá’í elections the practices of nomination 0r electioneering, or any other procedure or activity detrimental to that character and purpose shall be eschewed. A silent and prayerful atmosphere shall prevail during the election so that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection inspire him to uphold.

1. A11 Bahá’í elections, except elections of officers of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies and committees, shall be by plurality vote taken by secret ballot.

2. Election of the officers of a Spiritual Assembly or committee shall be by majority vote of the Assembly or committee taken by secret ballot.

3. In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full membership of an elected body is not determined 0n the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all members are elected.

4. The duties and rights of a Bahá’í elector may not be assigned nor may they be exercised by

proxy.

VII. THE RIGHT OF REVIEW

The Universal House of J ustice has the right to review any decision or action of any Spiritual Assembly, National or Local, and to approve, modify or reverse such decision or action. The Universal House of Justice also has the right to

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intervene in any matter in which a Spiritual Assembly is failing to take action or to reach a decision and, at its discretion, to require that action be taken, or itself to take action directly in the matter.

VIII. APPEALS

The right of appeal exists in the circumstances, and shall be exercised according to the procedures, outlined below:

1. (a) Any member of a local Bahá’í community may appeal from a decision of his Local Spiritual Assembly to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or refer it back to the Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. If such an appeal concerns the membership of a person in the Bahá’í community, the National Spiritual Assembly is obliged to take jurisdiction of and decide the case.

(b) Any Bahá’í may appeal from a decision of his National Spiritual Assembly to the Universal House of Justice which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.

(c) If any differences arise between two or more Local Spiritual Assemblies and if these Assemblies are unable to resolve them, any one such Assembly may bring the matter to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of the case. If the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly thereon is unsatisfactory to any of the Assemblies concerned, or if a Local Spiritual Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of its National Spiritual Assembly are affecting adversely the welfare and unity of that Local Assembly’s community, it shall, in either case, after seeking to compose its difference of opinion with the National Spiritual Assembly, have the right to appeal to the Universal House of Justice, which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.

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2. An appellant, whether institution or individual, shall in the first instance make appeal to the Assembly whose decision is questioned, either for reconsideration of the case by that Assembly or for submission to a higher body. In the latter case the Assembly is in duty bound to submit the appeal together with full particulars of the matter. If an Assembly refuses to submit the appeal, or fails to do so within a reasonable time, the appellant may take the case directly to the higher authority.

IX. THE BOARDS OF COUNSELLORS

The institution of the Boards of Counsellors was brought into being by the Universal House of Justice to extend into the future the specific functions of protection and propagation conferred upon the Hands of the Cause of God. The members of these boards are appointed by the Universal House of J ustice.

1. The term of office of a Counsellor, the number of Counsellors on each Board, and the boundaries of the zone in which each Board of Counsellors shall operate, shall be decided by the Universal House of Justice.

2. A Counsellor functions as such only within his zone and should he move his residence out of the zone for which he is appointed he automatically relinquishes his appointment.

3. The rank and specific duties of a Counsellor render him ineligible for service on local or national administrative bodies. If elected to

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the Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a Counsellor.

X. THE AUXILIARY BOARDS

In each zone there shall be two Auxiliary Boards, one for the protection and one for the propagation of the Faith, the numbers of whose members shall be set by the Universal House of J ustice. The members of these Auxiliary Boards shall serve under the direction of the Continental Board of Counsellors and shall act as their deputies, assistants and advisers.

l. The members of the Auxiliary Boards shall be appointed from among the believers of that zone by the Continental Board of Counsellors.

2. Each Auxiliary Board member shall be allotted a specific area in which to serve and, unless specifically deputized by the Counsellors, shall not function as a member of the Auxiliary Board outside that area.

3. An Auxiliary Board member is eligible for any elective office but if elected to an administrative post on a national or local level must decide whether to retain membership on the Board or accept the administrative post, since he may not serve in both capacities at the same time. If elected to the Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a member of the Auxiliary Board.

XI. AMENDMENT

This Constitution may be amended by decision of the Universal House of Justice when the full membership is present.

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2. THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE ELECTION OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Riḍván 1973

F ROM the far corners of the earth, sixteen Hands of the Cause of God, thirty-eight members of Continental Boards of Counsellors and 412 members of National Spiritual Assemblies gathered in the Holy Land during the Riḍván festival to attend the third'International Bahá’í Convention. Itwas a thrilling sight to see the wide diversity of nations and races represented. Many were heard to comment that this was, perhaps, one of the most representative gatherings of believers ever held.

The three days immediately preceding the Ninth Day of Riḍván were set aside to give the friends an opportunity to visit the Shrines, the other holy places and the International Archives. They were taken by bus in small groups to the Prison in ‘Akká and then to Bahjí where they visited the Shrine of Baha’u’llah and the Mansion. The Shrines of the Báb and the Master were kept open during the morning, afternoon and evening of each day so that delegates might have the opportunity to meditate and pray as much as they wished in preparation for the discharge of their most important duty, the casting of their ballots in the election of the members of the Universal House of Justice.

During this same period the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause of God held meetings to consult on the affairs of the Cause, including consideration of new institutions to deal with the anticipated rapid expansion of the Faith in the years immediately ahead.

The three-day convention period was officially opened on the morning of the Ninth Day of Riḍván when the delegates assembled at Beit Harofe in Haifa to cast their ballots in the election of the Universal House of J ustice. The Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum presided. Prayers were recited or chanted in several languages. Silently, deliberately and prayerfully the ballots were marked and sealed in their envelopes. When all had finished,

the roll was called of National Spiritual Assemblies, one hundred and thirteen of them, a process which was frequently punctuated with spontaneous applause in recognition of some special fact or circumstances attaching to a particular delegation.

Circumstances beyond their control prevented fourteen National Spiritual Assemblies from being represented in person, but there was at least one delegate from each of the remaining ninety-nine, and the entire membership of five National Spiritual Assemblies—Canada, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom—was present. It required approximately one hour and thirty minutes for the chief tellers to call the names of the 1,017 members of National Spiritual Assemblies. Ballots sent by mail were cast by the tellers during the roll call. Finally the last ballot was placed in the box and the nineteen tellers retired to the Master’s House to begin counting the votes, an arduous task which lasted through the night into the early hours of the morning.

The Feast in observance of the Ninth Day of Riḍván was held in the precincts of the Shrine of the Báb. Seating was provided in the courtyard in front of the Pilgrim House, extending more than half-way up the long drive toward the entrance gate. After the opening prayer, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, on behalf of the Universal House of J ustice, announced that the first ruling monarch ever to embrace the Faith, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili 11, Head of State of Western Samoa, had declared himself a Bahá’íl shortly after being presented, in 1967, by the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, with the special edition of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh. She related the circumstances of his declaration and spoke of its historical significance, citing several passages from the Writings. She then read the beautiful

1 See ‘First Head ofStute Embraces the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh’, The Bahá’í World, vol. XV. p. 180,

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Bahá’ís gathered in the precincts Of the Shrine of the Bábfor the observance of the Ninth Day of

Ricjvdn during the third International C onventian ,' Ridvrin I 973. Amatu’l-Bahá’ Rúḥíyyih

Lhdtiuni is seen reading 10 the assembled fi'iemls the message from His Highness Malietoa

Tanumafili II of Western Samoa, attesting his faith in Bahá’u’lláh (see ‘First Head of State Embraces the C ause ofBahd’u’l/(ih‘, The Bahá’í World, vol. X V. pp. 1807 [83.)

letter2 written by the Malietoa to the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause of God, the members of Continental Boards of Counsellors and the delegates attending the third International Convention.

A committee was appointed by the Universal House of Justice to draft an official reply from the convention to His Highness, and this was signed by the members of the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause, Counsellors and delegates and given to members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa for presentation to the Malietoa when they returned to their country.

In the evening following the Feast the friends reassembled in the convention hall to hear the Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga read the Riḍván message of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world, a message recounting the victories of the Nine Year Plan which had just been concluded. A slide programme entitled ‘Entry by Troops’ produced 2 See The Bahá’í World. vol. XV, p. 183‘

for the convention by the Audio-Visual Department at the World Centre visually supplemented the written report on the Nine Year Plan. That same evening copies of A Synopsis and Codification Of the Laws and Ordinances Of the Kithb-i-Aqdas and of The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice were made available to those attending the convention.

The proceedings for the second day of the convention were opened by a visit to the site above the are on Mount Carmel where the building for the permanent seat of the Universal House of Justice was to be erected in the near future. Prayers were said on that spot, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke of the significance of the developments on the arc, and the Tablet of Carmel was read. J ust before the friends departed for Beit Harofe, the official convention photograph was taken.

Rúḥíyyih Khánum addressed the convention on the theme, ‘What are the major challenges to the Bahá’í world during the next decade and how are they to be met?’ She spoke of the

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paramount importance of unity in promoting the growth of the Faith, of the need for the feeling of oneness at all levels and in the relationship of the institutions of the Faith to each other. She drew frequently from her experiences in travelling and teaching in Africa, speaking of her meetings with Heads of State and other important people, and stating that during the latter part of her trip to Africa1 she had begun to speak much more directly to such leaders about the spiritual aspects of the Cause but at the same time avoiding a direct confrontation in presenting the teachings.

At the conclusion of Rúḥíyyih [Khánum’s talk, the chief tellers were called to the platform to announce the result of the election for the members of the Universal House of J ustice. One by one, as their names were called, the newlyelected members went forward and stood before the huge assembly:

‘Ali Nak_hiavani Hushmand Fathea’zam 1 See “The Travels of Amatu’l—Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum dur ing the Nine Year Plan: The Great Safari‘. The Bahá’í World, vol. XV, p. 594.

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Amoz Gibson

Ian Semple

David Hofman

Charles Wolcott

Borrah Kavelin

David Ruhe

Hugh Chance

During the afternoon and evening hours the delegates were divided into groups to discuss the theme of the convention. Reports were assembled, condensed and correlated so that all the friends could be provided with an overview of all the discussions, and during the last day of the convention two plenary sessions were held, providing the delegates with a further opportunity to consult on the convention theme. Opening the final session the Hand of the

Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery alluded to the great celebration of the centenary of the revelation of the Kz'tr'Ib-i-Aqalas2 which was to be held the following day. He introduced the Hand of the Cause William Sears who closed the convention with an eloquent and inspiring address on the

z See ‘The Centenary of the Revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas’, The Bahá’í World, vol. XV, pp. 87—105.

4E 1.; Mr. Asfaw Tessema, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa, casting

his ballot for the election of the Universal House of Justice, April 1973, while Amatu’l—Bahd Rdhz'yyih Lhdmlm (centre) and the chief tellers look on.

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395

Hands of the Cause and members of the Universal House of Justice are seen above entering the

House of ‘Abbzld for prayers as part of the observance of the centenary of the revelation by

Bahá’u’lláh Of the Kitab-i-Aqdas; April 1973. The observance was held on the Twerth Day of Riḍván.

need for co-operative effort in the advancement of the Cause. He said that frequently he had travelled great distances just to meet with one Continental Board of Counsellors or a National Spiritual Assembly, but that most of them were represented here and he could address them all at once. He spoke of the great need for these two exalted institutions to combine their efforts.

To the strains of ‘Alláh-u-Abhá’ the friends slowly dispersed from the hall, remembering what the Hand of the Cause John Robarts had said earlier: ‘None of us will ever be the same again. We must take all of the blessings to our own communities. If we do, the Faith will go ahead as never before.’

The Twelfth Day of Riḍván was entirely given over to the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the revelation of Baha’u’llah’s Most Holy Book, the Kitáb-iAqdas. The friends visited the very room in the House of ‘Abbt’ld where it was revealed, and in the afternoon assembled in the Ḥaram—i-Aqdas at Bahjí for the Feast. The Hands of the Cause and the members of the Universal House of J ustice were the last to visit the House of ‘Abbl’ld and to offer prayers in that holy spot, and then they joined the other believers at Bahjí. The final act of the observance was the visitation to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

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The commencement of the excavation of the site for the Seal of the Universal House of Justice was announced on 17 June 1975 ; its completion, at Naw-Rúz 1976. The above photograph shows the work in progress in July 1975.

968

CI'IIIOAA I(V/HVH EIHJ.

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397

3. THE GREATEST SINGLE UNDERTAKING OF THE FIVE YEAR PLAN

Announcement by the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the World of the Imminent Initiation of the Construction of the Permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice

June 5, 1975

To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the World

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

As the Five Year Plan gathers momentum in all parts of the world, with the followers of the Blessed Perfection firmly embarked on the course that will lead to victory, the time has come for us to contemplate, in preparation for its imminent initiation, the project which will rank as the greatest single undertaking of that Plan, the construction of a befitting seat for the Universal House of J ustice in the heart of God’s holy mountain.

Nearly thirty—six years ago, after overcoming a multitude of difficulties, the beloved Guardian succeeded in transferring to Mount Carmel the sacred remains of the Purest Branch and Navvab, interring them in the immediate neighbourhood of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, and alluded, in these words, to the ‘capital institutional significance’ that these events constituted in the unfoldment of the World Centre of the Faith:

‘For it must be clearly understood, nor can it be sufficiently emphasized, that the conjunction of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf with those of her brother and mother incalculably reinforces the spiritual potencies of that consecrated Spot which, under the wings of the Báb’s overshadowing Sepulchre, and in the vicinity of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which will be reared on its flank, is destined to evolve into the focal centre of those world-shaking, world-embracing, world-directing administratiile institutions, ordained by Baha’u’llah and anticipated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and which are to function in consonance with the principles that govern the twin institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Then, and then only, will this momentous prophecy which illuminates the concluding pas sages of the T ablet of Carmel be fulfilled: Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee (Carmel), and will manifest the people of Bahz'z who have been mentioned in the Book ofNames.

‘To attempt to visualize, even in its barest outline, the glory that must envelop these institutions, to essay even a tentative and partial description of their character or the manner of their operation, or to trace however inadequately the course of events leading to their rise and eventual establishment is far beyond my own capacity and power. Suffice it to say that at this troubled stage in world history the association of these three incomparably precious souls who, next to the three Central Figures of our Faith, tower in rank above the vast multitude of the heroes, Letters, martyrs, hands, teachers and administrators of the Cause of Baha’u’llah, in such a potentially powerful spiritual and administrative Centre, is in itself an event which will release forces that are bound to hasten the emergence in a land which, geographically, spiritually and administratively, constitutes the heart of the entire planet, of some of the brightest gems of that World Order now shaping in the womb of this travailing age.’

The first of the majestic edifices constituting this mighty Centre, was the building for the International Archives of the Faith which was completed in the summer of 1957 as one of the last major achievements of Shoghi Effendi’s Guardianship and which 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 are on the slope of Mount Carmel. In the eighteen years since that achievement, the community of the Most Great Name has grown rapidly in size and influence: from twenty-six National Spiritual Assemblies to one hundred and nineteen, from some one thousand to seventeen thousand Local Spiritual Assemblies, and from four thousand five hundred

[Page 398]398

localities to over seventy thousand, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the volume of the work carried on at the World Centre of the Faith and in the complexity of its institutions. It is now both necessary and possible to initiate construction of a building that will not only serve the practical needs of a steadily consolidating administrative centre but will, for centuries to come, stand as a visible expression of the majesty of the divinely ordained institutions of the Administrative Order of Baha’u’llah.

Faced, like the Archives building, with stone from Italy, and surrounded by a stately coll onnade of sixty Corinthian columns, the seat for the Universal House of Justice will contain, in addition to the council chamber of the House of Justice, a library, a concourse for the reception of pilgrims and dignitaries, storage vaults with air—purification for the preservation of original Tablets and other precious documents, accommodation for the secretariat and the many ancillary services that will be required. Conceived in a style of enduring beauty and majesty, and faced with stone that will weather the centuries, the building in its interior arrangements will be very simple and capable of adaptation in the generations ahead to whatever

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technological advances will be made by the rapid growth of human knowledge.

The erection of this building which, comprising five and a half storeys, far surpasses in size and complexity any building at present in existence at the World Centre presents a major challenge to the Bahá’í community, whose resources are already too meagre in relation to the great tasks that lie before it. But the spirit of sacrifice has been the hallmark of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh of every race and clime and as they unite to raise this second of the great edifices of the Administrative Centre of their Faith they will rejoice at having the inestimable privilege of taking part in a ‘vast and irresistible process’ which Shoghi Effendi stated is ‘unexampled in the spiritual history of mankind’, a process ‘which will synchronize with two no less significant developments—the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of Bahá’í national and local institutionsthe one outside and the other within the Bahá’í world—will attain its final consummation, in the Golden Age of the Faith, through the raising of the standard of the Most Great Peace, and the emergence, in the plenitude of its power and glory, of the focal Centre of the agencies constituting the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.’

Architectural drawing of the front elevation of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice.

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399

4. THE PERMANENT SEAT OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

HUSAYN AMANAT1

Call out to Zion, 0 Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come! His all—conquering sovereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing splendour is revealed. Beware lest thou hesitate 0r halt . . . Verily this is the Day in which both land and sea rejoice at this announcement, the Day for which have been laid up those things which God, through a bounty beyond the ken of mortal mind or heart, hath destined for revelation. Ere long will Godsail H is Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Bahá who

have been mentioned in the Book ofNames.

IN his letter written in Persian to the Bahá’ís of the East at Naw—Rfiz 111 (1954 A.D.), Shoghi Effendi stated:

‘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

Shoghi Effendi referred to the Universal House of Justice as that institution ‘which posterity will regard as the last refuge of a tottering civilization]2 and stated that its permanent seat would be built on the slopes of Mount Carmel in the vicinity of the Shrine of the Báb and close to the resting places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Purest Branch and Navvab. In anticipation, the beloved Guardian developed beautiful gardens in the shape of an are ‘around which the edifices, destined to serve as the seat of the future Bahá’í World Com Bahá’u’lláh, T ablet of Carmel

monwealth, are to be erected.’3 In this connection he further stated:

‘These Edifioes will, in the shape of a far-flung arc, and following a harmonizing style of architecture, surround the resting-places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, ranking as foremost among the members of her sex in the Bahá’í Dispensation, of her brother, offered up as a ransom by Bahá’u’lláh for the quickening of the world and its unification, and of their mother, proclaimed by Him to be His chosen “consort in all the worlds of God.” The ultimate completion of this stupendous undertaking will mark the culmination of the development of a world-wide divinely-appointed Administrative Order whose beginnings may be traced as far back as the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith.’4

After studying the various references of the Guardian to the institutions that were to function from Mount Carmel, the Universal House of Justice decided that there would be five buildings on the arc: the International Archives

1 The texts of the cablegrams of the Universal House of J ustice announcing the appointment of Husayn Aménat as architect of the permanent seat of the Universal House of Justice (18 September 1973) and the acceptance of his design and the decision to proceed with the negotiation of contracts for construction of the edifice (7 February 1974) may be seen in ‘International Survey ofCurrent Bahá’í Activities’, p. 133.

2 Shoghi Effendi. ‘America and the Most Great Peace‘, (The World Order quahd’u’lla’h), p. 89.

3 Shoghi Effendi, Messages to the Bahá’í World, 19504957, p. 79.

“ ibid., p. 74.

[Page 400]400 THE Bahá’í WORLD

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a-“ l.“ Plan of the members’ office floor of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. The Council

C hamber, which is on the floor below, rises through two storeys and thus can be seen in the centre of the plan.

[Page 401]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH

building which was completed in 1957, the seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Centre, a Centre for the Study of the Texts and an International Bahá’í Library. In view of the importance attaching to the Universal House of Justice as the Supreme Institution in the Faith—the Guardian had referred to it as the ‘apex of the administrative order’ and ‘the supreme organ of the Bahá’í World Commonwealth’—it became evident that the building which was to serve as its permanent seat should be more prominent, more imposing and larger than the other buildings, but should compose with them a harmonious and beautiful precinct. In the light of Shoghi Effendi’s allusion to the Universal House of Justice as the crowning institution of the administrative order it seemed in conformity with the spirit of the writings to consider the building as a majestic crown adorning the great institutions around the are on Mount Carmel. Such a building would have to be not only

401

functional but should also reflect the heavenly manifestations of the World Order of Baha’u’llah; that is to say, that while serving all the purposes normally required of an administrative centre, it should suggest in its architecture something of the spiritual importance and majesty of the supreme administrative institution of Baha’u’llah’s World Order which it houses. On seeing the building one should feel more than an aesthetic response; the structure should convey intimations of the beauty and majesty of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

The beloved Guardian had stated that the buildings around the arc were to follow a harmonizing style of architecture, a style which he himself established by building the International Archives in the classical Ionic order. This demanded that the architecture of the remaining buildings be classical, or of a contemporary style incorporating principles of classical architecture; and since the building for the Universal House of Justice had to be more

Sketch showing the siting of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice above the arc on Mount Carmel.

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Preparing a full—scale model at Industria dei Marmi Vicentini. Chiampo, Italy, Of the capitals of the columns for the Seat oftlze Universal House Qf’JLzslice; April 1976. M r. Husayn Aménat is seen at the extreme left in dark jacket.

[Page 403]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH

imposing, larger and more majestic than the other edifices to be built around the arc, it was felt appropriate to adopt the Corinthian order. Initially in the schemes proposed to the Universal House of Justice were included a design in the modern style with consideration given to classical proportions and principles, and one of pure classical style, which was accepted.

It would seem that the air of tranquillity and peace so apparent in the gardens and sacred precincts of the Holy Places would require the buildings to be erected in the area to have some degree of detail and fine work. The poetry and delicacy incorporated in the fine details of the Corinthian Order seemed to be an appropriate answer inspired by the existing atmosphere.

This building is to be situated on the axis of the arc at its highest and most prominent point, the main facade and the entrance looking out across the bay towards the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. Its relationship in importance to the other buildings on the arc will be clearly stated by its location as well as by architectural details and by its size and height. Tall fluted Corinthian columns will adorn the arcade which surrounds the building. At the point of the axis of the arc, at the entrance to the building, there will be a portico projecting forward from the colonnade, supported by six additional columns. From this portico a flight of wide steps will lead down to the arc and to the path going to the International Archives. The proportion of this six—columned portico is the deciding factor establishing the relationship of harmony and proportion with the International Archives building. At the same time the depth and height of the portico will recall similar porticos in Persian architecture, and the space it provides will give the impression of inviting all to enter. Above the main door through which guests and pilgrims will enter, is the spacious window of the room in which the House of Justice will meet. This Council Chamber also faces towards the Shrine of Baha’u’llah; it is the heart of the whole building and is crowned by the dome. Like many domes in eastern architecture, the dome of this building is based on an octagon in the heart of the building itself with an interesting system of integration with the geometry of the length and breadth of the building.

The building will be faced with white marble, and the columns and dome will be of the same kind ofmarble. The geometrical design, in terms

403

of proportion and size, was considered in relation to the existing structures as well as to the surrounding gardens. The building covers an area of sixty-eight by thirty-six metres, with eighteen columns on each long side and ten on each of the others. The height of the building is about fourteen metres, and from the base to the top of the dome will be twenty—five metres. The dome is deliberately not designed in a more prominent form in order not to compete with the beautiful dome of the Shrine of the Báb. The roof will have green glazed tiles similar to those used on the International Archives building, and will offer harmonious glimpses from the gardens above.

The interior of the building is essentially simple. The structural design has provided for installation in the future, as may become necessary, of new technological requirements ; in other words, if advanced technology requires the installation of any particular piece of new machinery or equipment in the building, this can be done without alteration or dilficulty.

In addition to the Council Chamber of the House of Justice, a reception hall for pilgrims and important visitors, a conference room, and space for the immediate secretariat of the House of Justice have been provided.

The slope of the mountain made it possible to build a basement and a sub-basement between the foundations and the main ground floor; therefore the building will have five and a half storeys, with a total surface of 11,000 square metres. One of these lower storeys will provide a secondary service entrance which will be used daily by those who work in the building. In the other there is adequate space to build a vault to safeguard original Tablets and manuscripts; airconditioning and other scientific devices for the preservation of documents will be provided.

Once the design had been approved, studies began for the execution of the work. The first problem was the choice of the stone and its carving. After a very detailed study it was decided that Pentelikon marble from Greece, quarried near Athens, was the best possible stone for this building; this is the same stone as that used in the Acropolis. The blocks of marble from Greece were shipped to Italy where they were carved and cut and then re—shipped to Haifa.

The structural core or skeleton of the building is to be of reinforced concrete. The latest

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electric lighting and air-conditioning systems will be installed.

A parking area is designed to the east of the building, out into the slope of the mountain in such a way that it will be hidden by the gardens, and no automobiles will be seen around the building. Access to this parking area as well as to the service entrance is from a road which touches the boundary of the Bahá’í land on the east, and all trafiic to the building will be from

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this eastern road. Thus the serenity of the beautiful arc gardens will not be disturbed.

It is visualized that the building will be completed in approximately three years. It is the second of the complex of buildings which is to be erected around the are by the end of this century, a period that will synchronize with the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the comprehensive growth of local, national and international Bahá’í institutions.

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Ornamental urn in the Bahá’í gardens on Mount Carmel.