Bahá’í World/Volume 18/The Universal House of Justice

←Previous

The Bahá’í World Volume 18

Next→

[Page 451]

PART FOUR

THE WORLD ORDER OF Bahá’u’lláh

[Page 452][Page 453]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 ofbounty, and the benediction thatshineth from the dawning-place Ofthe will of God, the Lord Ofthe Kingdom ofNames, rest upon Him Who is the Supreme Mediator, the Most Exalted Pen, Him Whom God hath made the dawning-place of His most excellent names and the day-spring of His most exalted attributes. Through Him the light ofunity hath shone forth above the horizon Ofthe world, and the law 0 f oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiant faces, 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!’

WITH joyous 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 J ustice, 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 J ustice whose fundamental object, as one of the twin suceessors 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 GodandHisReligion,declares Bahá’u’lláh, is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit 0 f love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source ofdissension and discord, ofhate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. 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 therein must be referred to the Universal House ofjustice.

The provenance, the authority, the duties, the sphere of action of the Universal House of Justice all derive from the revealed Word of Bahá’u’lláh which, together with the interpretations and expositions of the Centre of the

453

[Page 454]454

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 t0 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 Huqfiqu’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 of Bahá’u’lláh; 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;

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

THE BAHA’l WORLD

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 Administratiye 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 t e 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 Bahá’u’lláh ‘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 bear in mind the following standards set forth by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause of God:

‘In the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Faith, in the enactment of the legislation necessary to supplement the laws of the Kitáb-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

[Page 455]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U’LLAH

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 or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance which is at once the lifeblood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation.’

Hugh E. Chance Hushmand Fatheamm

Amoz E. Gibson

David Hofman

Ht BorrahKaxelin Ali Nakhjavani David S. Ruhe Ian C. Semple

CharIes Wolcou

Signed in the City of Haifa on the fourth day of the month onawl in the one hundred and lwenty-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.

455

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 Justice, set our hands and its seal to this Declaration of Trust which, together with the By-Laws hereto appended, form the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice.

‘ 21 April 1963 A.D.

Facsimile of signatures on the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice; 26 November 1972.

[Page 456]456

THE BAHA'I WORLD

By-Laws

PREAMBLE

THE Universal House of Justice is 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 Bahá’u’lláh. 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 Bahá’u’lláh for the progress of the human race.

I. MEMBERSHIP IN THE Bahá’í COMMUNITY

The Bahá’í Community shall consist of all persons recognized by the Universal House of Justice 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’í’s 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’í’s 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.

1. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly 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.

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.

III. 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 a 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.

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 J ustice. ‘ By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly. See p. 564. 2 Declaration of Trust and By-Laws for a National Spiritual Assembly. See pp. 538. 541.

[Page 457]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH

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 of jurisdiction 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 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 gen 457

eral 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, ,self—centredness 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’í’s.

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 Justice 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 eontinue 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 J ustice alist Ofthe names ofitsmembers.The recognition and seating of the delegates to the International Convention shall be vested in the Universal House of J ustice.

(c) The principle 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 J ustice.

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

(e) The Universal House of Justice shall

[Page 458]458

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 J ustice.

(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 J ustice.

(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:

(a) 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 member THE Bahá’í WORLD

ship on the Universal House of Justice only with the approval of the Universal House of Justice.

3. 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 Justice, 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 Assemlies in office at the time of the by-election'.

. MEETINGS

(a) After the election of the Universal House of Justices 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 J ustice.

(b) The Universal House of J ustice 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.

. SIGNATURE

The signature of the Universal House of J ustice shall be the words ‘The Universal House of Justice’ or in Persian ‘Baytu’l‘Adl-i-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.

[Page 459]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U'LLAH 459

6. RECORDS

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

VI. BAHA’I ELECTIONS

In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Bahá’í elections the practices of nomination or 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. All 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 on 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 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 communtiy, 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 01' leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.

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.

[Page 460]460

IX. THE‘ BOARD 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 Justice.

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 ineligble for service on local or national administrative bodies. If elected to 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

THE BAHA't WORLD

propagation of the Faith, the numbers of whose members shall be set by the Universal House of Justice. The members of these Auxiliary Boards shall serve under the direction of the Continental Board OfCounsellors and shall act as their deputies, assistants and advisers.

1. 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 alloted 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 J ustice when the full membership is present.

The members of the Universal House of Justice elected at Riḍván 1983. Left to right: Mr. Hugh Chance, Mr. Charles Wolcott, Mr. Borrah Kavelin, Mr. David Hofman, Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Dr. David S. Ruhe, Mr. Ian Semple, Mr. Hushmand Fatheazam, Mr. ‘Ali Nakbjavdm’.

[Page 461]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA‘U’LLAH

461

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

Riḍván 1983

It is a time for rejoicing. The Sun of Bahá’u’lláh is mounting the heavens, bringing into ever clearer light the contrast between the gloom, the despair, the frustrations and bewilderment Of the world, and the radiance, confidence, joy and certitude of His lovers. Lift up your hearts. The Day of God is here.

THESE concluding words of the Riḍván message of the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world were read by Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum when she opened the first consultative session of the fifth International Bahá’í Convention on Saturday, 30 April 1983. Simultaneously translated into Spanish and French through headphones which had been made available to the delegates, the message infused the deliberations with an observable tone of optimism.

The initial session was held the previous day at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 29 April, in the permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice. The reception concourse was filled to capacity with five hundred and ninety delegates from one hundred and nineteen National Spiritual Assemblies. Also present were eight Hands of the Cause of GodAmatu’l-Bahá Rfihl’yyih Khánum, Dr. Ugo Giachery, ‘Ali-Akbar Furfitan, lllikru’lláh Ifilédem, Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqé, William Sears, John Robarts and Collis Featherstone—the members of the Universal House of Justice, and fifty—seven Counsellors including the four Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre. A temporary dais had been constructed at the base of the lower steps of the main staircase to accommodate the balloting procedure. An enormous urn filled with hundreds of red and white spring flowers graced the dais. The programme for the day provided for the election of the Universal House of Justice, the taking of the official Convention photograph and the celebration of the Ninth Day of Riḍván. In the evening there was screened an audio-visual presentation on the progress of the Seven Year Plan.

The Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá R11hiyyih Khánum presided, opening the session with a newly-translated prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s which had been distributed throughout the Bahá’í world in order that it might be recited on 28 April on behalf of the Iranian believers in special gatherings held in all communities.1

After additional prayers in French, Spanish and Persian had been read or chanted, delegates representing one hundred and thirtythree National Spiritual Assemblies participated, either in person or by mail, in electing the nine members of the Universal House of Justice who will serve for the next five years. The members elected were: Mr. ‘Ali Nalgiavéni, Mr. Hushmand Fatheazam, Mr. ‘Ian Semple, Dr. David S. Ruhe, Mr. Glenford Mitchell, Mr. David Hofman, Mr. Borrah Kavelin, Mr. Charles Wolcott and Mr. Hugh E. Chance.

Powerful emotions stirred the believers when the name of the National Spiritual Assembly of Tran was announced. The entire assemblage arose as one body and stood with dignity and reverence while the first Chief Teller, Judge Dorothy Nelson, called out the names of the members of the Spiritual 'Assembly of train and the ballots which they had mailed were cast. All remained standing for a further minute of silent tribute. The National Spiritual Assembly of Tran had sent one hundred and thirty—three red roses as its gift to its sister National Assemblies, and one rose was presented to each delegation as they left the dais.

Of the one thousand one hundred and

1 The text of this prayer appears on p. 290.

[Page 462]462 THE Bahá’í WORLD

Delegates to the International Convention from Benin.

Delegates to the International Convention from New Caledonia.

Delegates to the International Convention from Bophuthatswana and Gambia.

Delegates to the International Convention from Thailand.

[Page 463]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA‘U'LLAH

twenty-nine ballots cast, only three were invalid. The nine members of the Universal House of Justice were elected by over seven thousand out of the ten thousand one hundred and thirty-four individual votes cast.

For three days—from 30 April to 2 Mayplenary sessions of the Convention were held at the Haifa Auditorium. Each session was presided over by a Hand of the Cause of God and was marked by the obvious joy of the delegates in being present at this significant event in the history of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. The Hands of the Cause suffused the proceedings with humour, fervour and spiritual vitality. The subjects discussed during these general meetings included ways and means to acquaint governments, media, leaders of thought and the general public with the aims and purposes of the Faith; the need to assist and stimulate the Bahá’ís to attain newand higher levels of spiritual understanding and devotion; the growing importance of expansion, consolidation and proclamation of the Faith through a greater variety and a larger volume of Bahá’í literature, and a wider and more effective use of the media, particularly of radio, in broadcasting the divine message; what the institutions of the Cause can do to assist and encourage the development of the economic and social life of the countries of the third world despite the limited resources of the Bahá’í community; and identifying the challenging needs and opportunities of the Faith during the remaining and concluding years of the century.

In addition to the plenary sessions more than one hundred consultative sessions were held in the evening hours between and among delegations that share common problems and interests. These gatherings sometimes lasted until past 11:00 pm. and involved as many as six or seven national delegations. One evening was devoted to continental meetings, each of the five separate sessions being chaired by a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors.

The opening days of the delegates’ stay in Haifa, 26—28 April, were devoted -to visits to the Holy Places in ‘Akká and Haifa and included the first-ever visits to the restored house of ‘Abdu’lláh Pasha where the first pilgrims from the West were received by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The delegates displayed re 463

spect and appreciation for the meticulous work of restoration and admiration for the scrupulously faithful furnishing which had been accomplished under the careful supervision of Amatu’l-Bahá Rfihfyyih IKhánum. A highlight of the three days was a tour of the magnificent new Seat of the Universal House of Justice which stood in the full splendour of the spring gardens covering the Bahá’í properties on Mount Carmel. The Shrine of the Báb, the Seat of the House of Justice, the International Archives building and the Monuments of the Holy Family were each illuminated by night and stood in beautiful contrast against the dark mountain.

Two Holy Days were observed during the Convention period. The Ninth Day of Riḍván was celebrated in the courtyard and gardens of the Pilgrim House in the vicinity of the Shrine of the Báb, and the Twelfth Day of Riḍván in the Ḥaram-i-Aqdas at Bahjl’ where Bahá’u’lláh is entombed. Prayers and chants uttered in nine languages included heartfelt supplications on behalf of the suffering Bahá’ís Of Tran. On each of the two Holy Days more than nine hundred Bahá’ís circumambulated the Holy Tombs after the respective Tablets of Visitation had been read.

A moving moment occurred at the opening of the observance of the Ninth Day of Riḍván when a special message from His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili [1, dated 6 April 1983, was read by Amatu’l-Bahá Rfihl’yyih Khánum:

‘Precious Members of the Universal House of Justice, Beloved Hands of the Cause, Respected Counsellors, Esteemed Delegates attending the 5th International Bahá’í Convention ‘My dear spiritual Brothers and Sisters,

‘While our hearts turn with sorrow and grief t0 the events engulfing our fellow believers in the cradle of the Faith and witness with profound admiration their exemplary steadfastness and spiritual strength, our grateful hearts turn to Bahá’u’lláh in thanksgiving for the many victories that have come to the Bahá’í World.

‘The completion of the magnificent permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the simultaneous rising of the two Houses of Worship in Asia and the Pacific,

[Page 464]464

the unprecedented support and recognition of the Cause by many distinguished leaders of Governments, are but a few historic milestones our generation has been fortunate to witness.

‘A new momentum, a new spirit is felt in this part of the world. In Samoa we witness a new surge of enthusiasm, activity and devotion by the believers and recognition and respect by the friends of our precious Faith. Our grateful appreciation goes to the Universal House of Justice who chose this small nation to be the recipient of that wonderful gift—the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Pacific. We are equally gratified by the support of the friends of God all over the world, even the smallest and remotest villages in all continents, that are giving for the completion of this enterprise.

‘May this historic convention be a source of joy and solace to your hearts. Our most sincere prayers and good wishes are with you during the course of your deliberations.’

THE BAHA’!’ WORLD

Through the spontaneous and devoted efforts of two members of the World Centre staff, the Hands of the Cause and the Counsellors received the gift of a cassette recording of the address of Amatu’l—Bahzi Rúḥíyyih Khánum which opened, and that of William Sears which closed, the plenary sessions, and were thus able to share with the National Conventions they were scheduled to attend a remembrance from the Holy Land. The address of Mr. Sears was also made available to all National Assemblies in Africa.

The Hands of the Cause, with the exception of Mr. Sears who returned to Canada after addressing the closing session of the Convention, remained in Haifa for another five days to consult with the fifty-three visiting members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and the International Teaching Centre. The members of the House of J ustice participated in the consultations. On the final day the House of Justice entertained the visitors at a farewell luncheon at Mazra‘ih.

Friends gathered at Pilgrim House, Haifa, for the observance during the International Convention, 1983, of the Ninth Day of Riḍván. Seen seated is Amatu’l—Bahd Ruht’yyih Khánum; standing, the Hand of the Cause llhikru’lláh Ifltddem.

[Page 465]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA‘U'LLAH 465

3. THE COMPLETION OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING FOR THE SEAT OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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 allencompassing splendour is revealed. Beware lest thou hesitate or 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 God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Bahd who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.

Bahá’u’lláh, Tablet of Carmel

ON 5 June 1975 the Universal House of Justice announced to all National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world that ‘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 Bahá’u’lláh’. The building, the House of Justice explained, would be faced ‘with stone from Italy, and surrounded by a stately colonnade of . . . Corinthian columns’. It would 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’. The design, classically beautiful and majestic, was that of Mr. Husayn Amanat whose appointment as architect was announced on 18 September 1973.

On 10 January 1977 the House of Justice announced that an agreement had been signed with a general contractor for the erection of the building. ‘The erection of this building which, comprising five and a half storeys,’ the House of Justice wrote, ‘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 secondl 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” and which 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”.‘

Excavation Of the site on the slopes of Mount Carmel began on 17 June 1975 and construction proceeded without interruption. On 29 April 1978, assisted by the architect and Mr. ‘Aziz Qabipfir, the resident construction engineer, the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, during the fourth International Convention, placed a casket containing Dust from the Holy Shrines of the Faith in a niche above the front entrance of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, in the outer wall of the council chamber.

Despite the outbreak of the persecution of the Bahá’í community in the cradle of the Faith and the instigation of repressive measures which resulted in virtually crippling the capacity of the believers in Tran to make financial contributions, heroic compensatory sacrifices were made by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in every land which enabled the construction of the edifice—the greatest single undertaking of the Five Year Plan—to proceed without halt, and by Riḍván 1983 all was in readiness for the fifth International Convention.

‘ The first of the majestic edifices constituting this mighty the Faith which was completed in the summer of 1957 Centre. was the building for the International Archives of i 1 .‘ (Universal House 01~ Justice).

[Page 466]

The Permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice being landscaped in April 1983 for the fifth International Bahá’í Convention.

9917

(I’lHOM J‘vaa EIHJ,

[Page 467]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA‘U‘LLAH 467

Aerial photograph taken in April I 979.

Completing entablature; July 1979.

Placingfirst pre-cast sections of terrace walls; 16 October 1979.

[Page 468]468 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

Placing marble sections on dome; 6 December I 979.

Placing marble steps leading to the front entrance; 13 December I 979.

Completion of exterior marble; J une I 980.

[Page 469]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U’LLAH 469

Laying of granite tiles in reception concourse; 25 November 1980.

Commencement of roof tiling; 2 February 1981.

View of roof from Mount Carmel, showing tiling in process; 3 February 1981.

[Page 470]5

470 THE BAHA 1’ WORLD

‘ The Seat of the House of Justice viewed from the air; 9 May I 981.

Erection of rubbed walnut balustr'ades at eastern end of reception concourse; 15 July 1981.

Completed decorative, domed ceiling of the Council Chamber; 15 J uly 1981.

[Page 471]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA'U‘LLAH 471

The World Centre observance of the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, during which a seminar on her life was held in the reception concourse, served as a fitting inauguration of the building;

I 7 J uly I 982.

Erection of main gates; December I 982.

World Centre staff)" are seen assisting in moving office equipment and files from the temporary seat of the House of Justice, 10 Haparsim Street, Haifa, into the new building; 28 January 1983.

[Page 472]472 THE BAHA’I’ WORLD

Reference library with view of banquet hall below; April 1983.

Seating area off reception

concourse with furniture in place; April I 983.

Smiling delegates to the fifth International Bahá’í Convention are seen leaving the Permanent Seat of the Universal House of Justice after casting their ballots; April 1983.