# Six-Year Plan, 1986-1992

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Universal House of Justice, Six-Year Plan, 1986-1992, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Six-Year Plan, 1986-1992
> 
> Universal House of Justice
> 
> 1986
> 
> Contents
> 
> page 1 ..... Report from Conference in the Holy Land — Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age Begins
> 
> page 3 ..... The Epochs of the Formative Age
> 
> page 11 .... The Six Year Plan
> 
> page 18 .... Naw-Ruz Message 1986 to the Bahá'ís of the United States
> 
> page 20 .... Ridvan Message 1986
> 
> page 22 .... Education of Bahá'ís in the Law of Huququ'llah
> 
> page 23 .... A Codification of the Law of Huququ'llah
> 
> page 27 .... The Development of the Institution for the Huququ'llah
> 
> page 31 .... Ridvan Message 1987
> 
> page 34 .... Completing the Arc on Mount Carmel
> 
> page 37 .... Ridvan Message 1988
> 
> page 40 .... Education of Bahá'ís in the Law of Huququ'llah
> 
> page 41 .... Talk by the Hand of the Cause of God Dr 'Ali Muhammad Varqa
> 
> page 50 .... Ridvan Message 1989
> 
> page 53 .... Commencement of Work on Projects on Mount Carmel
> 
> page 54 .... The Importance of Literacy
> 
> page 56 .... The Nineteen Day Feast
> 
> page 59 .... Compilation on Conservation of the Earth's Resources
> 
> page 60 .... Compilation on Sanctity and Nature of Bahá'í Elections
> 
> page 61 .... Progress on Projects on Mount Carmel
> 
> page 62 .... Subsidiary Two Year Teaching Plan for Eastern Europe and Asia
> 
> page 63 .... Ridvan Message 1990
> 
> page 69 .... Commencement of Work on Extension of Terraces on Mount Carmel
> 
> page 70 .... The Holy Year, 1992-1993
> 
> page 73 .... Compilation on Reaching People of Capacity and Prominence
> 
> page 74 .... Progress of Teaching Work in Eastern Europe and Projects on Mount Carmel
> 
> page 75 .... Compilation on Marriage
> 
> page 76 .... Call for Election of National Spiritual Assemblies of the U.S.S.R and Romania
> 
> page 77 .... Call for Election of National Spiritual Assembly of Czechoslovakia and Report on Projects on Mount Carmel
> 
> page 78 .... Ridvan Message 1991
> 
> [page 1]
> 
> Report from Conference in the Holy Land —
> Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age Begins
> 
> 2 January 1986
> 
> The Bahá'ís of the World
> 
> Dearly-loved Friends,
> 
> The eager expectation with which we welcomed to the World Centre, on
> 27 December, sixty-four Counsellors from the five continents to discuss,
> with the International Teaching Centre, the challenges and opportunities
> facing the Bahá'í world community, has, at the conclusion of their historic
> conference, been transmuted into feelings of deepest joy, gratitude and love.
> 
> Graced by the presence of the Hands of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Ruhiyyih
> Khanum, Ugo Giachery, 'Ali-Akbar Furutan, 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa and Collis
> Featherstone, the Conference was organized and managed with admirable
> foresight and efficiency by the International Teaching Centre, whose
> individual members watched over and served untiringly the needs of the
> participants and the progress of the Conference itself.
> 
> Convened in the concourse of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice as
> the Counsellors of the Bahá'í world entered upon their new five-year term of
> office, within months of the termination of the Seven Year Plan and the
> opening of the new Six Year Plan, its aura heightened by the spiritual
> potencies of the Holy Shrines and the euphoric sense of victory and blessing
> now pervading the entire Bahá'í world, the Conference attained such heights
> of consultative exaltation, spirituality and power as only those serving the
> Blessed Beauty can enjoy.
> 
> The organic growth of the Cause of God, indicated by recent significant
> developments in its life, becomes markedly apparent in the light of the main
> objectives and expectations of the Six Year Plan: a vast expansion of the
> numerical and financial resources of the Cause; enlargement of its status in
> the world; a world-wide increase in the production, distribution and use of
> Bahá'í literature; a firmer and world-wide demonstration of the Bahá'í way of
> life requiring special consideration of the Bahá'í education of children and
> youth, the strengthening of Bahá'í family life and attention to universal
> participation and the spiritual enrichment of individual life; further
> acceleration in the process of the maturation of local and national Bahá'í
> communities and a dynamic consolidation of the unity of the two arms of the
> Administrative Order; an extension of the involvement of the Bahá'í world
> community in the needs of the world around it; and the pursuit of social
> and economic development in well-established Bahá'í communities. These are
> some of the features of the Six Year Plan which will open on 21 April 1986
> and terminate on 20 April 1992.
> 
> [page 2]
> 
> Ridvan 1992 will mark the inception of a Holy Year, during which the
> Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh will be observed by commemorations
> around the world and the inauguration of His Covenant will be celebrated, in
> the City of the Covenant, by the holding of the second Bahá'í World Congress.
> 
> The beloved Counsellors, strengthened and enriched by their experience in
> the Holy Land, will, as early as possible, consult with all National Spiritual
> Assemblies on measures to conclude triumphantly the current Plan, and on
> preparations to launch the Six Year Plan. In anticipation of those
> consultations, National Spiritual Assemblies will receive the full
> announcement of the aims and characteristics of that Plan, so that together
> with the Counsellors they may formulate the national plans which will, for
> each community, establish its pursuit of the overall objectives.
> 
> This new process, whereby the national goals of the next Plan are to be
> largely formulated by National Spiritual Assemblies and Boards of Counsellors,
> signalizes the inauguration of a new stage in the unfoldment of the
> Administrative Order. Our beloved Guardian anticipated a succession of epochs
> during the Formative Age of the Faith; we have no hesitation in recognizing
> that this new development in the maturation of Bahá'í institutions marks the
> inception of the fourth epoch of that Age.
> 
> Shoghi Effendi perceived in the organic life of the Cause a dialectic of
> victory and crisis. The unprecedented triumphs, generated by the adamantine
> steadfastness of the Iranian friends, will inevitably provoke opposition to
> test and increase our strength. Let every Bahá'í in the world be assured that
> whatever may befall this growing Faith of God is but incontrovertible evidence
> of the loving care with which the King of Glory and His martyred Herald,
> through the incomparable Centre of His Covenant and our beloved Guardian, are
> preparing His humble followers for ultimate and magnificent triumph. Our
> loving prayers are with you all.
> 
> [page 3]
> 
> 5 February 1986
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> In the letter dated 2 January 1986 written by the Universal House
> of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the world, reference was made to the
> inception of the fourth epoch of the Formative Age. In response to questions
> subsequently put to the House of Justice about the periods related to
> the earlier epochs of that Age, the Research Department was requested to
> prepare a statement on the subject. This has now been presented, and a
> copy is enclosed.
> 
> Kindly share this material of topical interest with the friends,
> as you deem fit, so that it may be studied in their deepening classes,
> summer schools, conferences and similar gatherings.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> Enclosure
> 
> [page 4]
> 
> THE EPOCHS OF THE FORMATIVE AGE
> 
> Prepared by the Research Department
> of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> Introduction:
> 
> In disclosing the panoramic vision of the unfoldment of the Dispensation
> of Bahá'u'lláh, Shoghi Effendi refers to three major evolutionary stages
> through which the Faith must pass - the Apostolic or Heroic Age (1844-1921)
> associated with the Central Figures of the Faith; the Formative or
> Transitional Age (1921- ), the "hall-mark" of which is the rise and
> establishment of the Administrative Order, based on the execution of the
> provisions of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament; and, the Golden Age which
> will represent the "consummation of this glorious Dispensation". Close
> examination of the details of Bahá'í history reveals that the individual
> Ages are comprised of a number of periods - inseparable parts of one
> integrated whole.
> 
> In relation to the Heroic Age of our Faith, the Guardian, in a letter
> dated 5 June 1947 to the American Bahá'ís, specified that this Age consisted
> of three epochs and described the distinguishing features of each:
> 
> "...the Apostolic and Heroic Age of our Faith, fell into three
> distinct epochs, of nine, of thirty-nine and of twenty-nine years'
> duration, associated respectively with the Babi Dispensation and
> the ministries of Bahá'u'lláh and of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. This Primitive
> Age of the Bahá'í Era, unapproached in spiritual fecundity by any
> period associated with the mission of the Founder of any previous
> Dispensation, was impregnated, from its inception to its termination,
> with the creative energies generated through the advent of
> two independent Manifestations and the establishment of a Covenant
> unique in the spiritual annals of mankind."
> 
> The Formative Age, in which we now live and serve, was ushered in with
> the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Its major thrust is the shaping, development and
> consolidation of the local, national and international institutions of the
> Faith. It is clear from the enumeration of the tasks associated with the
> Formative Age that their achievement will require increasingly mature levels
> of functioning of the Bahá'í community:
> 
> "During this Formative Age of the Faith, and in the course of
> present and succeeding epochs, the last and crowning stage in the
> erection of the framework of the Administrative Order of the Faith
> of Bahá'u'lláh - the election of the Universal House of Justice -
> will have been completed, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Mother-Book of His
> Revelation, will have been codified and its laws promulgated, the
> Lesser Peace will have been established, the unity of mankind will
> have been achieved and its maturity attained, the Plan conceived by
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá Will have been executed, the emancipation of the Faith
> from the fetters of religious orthodoxy will have been effected, and
> its independent religious status will have been universally
> recognized,...'
> 
> [page 5]
> 
> The epochs of the Formative Age mark progressive stages in the evolution
> of the organic Bahá'í community and signal the maturation of its Institutions,
> thus enabling the Faith to operate at new levels and to initiate new functions.
> The timing of each epoch is designated by the Head of the Faith, and given the
> organic nature of evolutionary development, the transition from one epoch to
> another may not be abrupt, but may well occur over a period of time. This is
> the case, for example, in relation to both the inception of the Formative Age
> and the end of its first epoch. In relation to the former, the passing of
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the transitional event most often identified with the close of
> the Heroic Age and the beginning of the Formative Age. However, the Guardian
> also asserts that the Apostolic Age of the Faith concluded "more particularly
> with the passing [in 1932] of His well-beloved and illustrious sister the Most
> Exalted Leaf - the last survivor of a glorious and heroic age". With regard
> to the termination of the first epoch of the Formative Age, Shoghi Effendi has
> placed this between the years, 1944 and 1946.
> 
> Before describing the individual epochs of the Formative Age, it is
> important to comment on the use of the term "epoch" in the writings of the
> Guardian. In a letter dated 18 January 1953, written on his behalf to a
> National Spiritual Assembly, it is explained that the term is used to apply
> both to the stages in the Formative Age of the Faith, and to the phases in the
> unfoldment of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan. We are currently in the fourth
> epoch of the Formative Age and the second epoch of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine
> Plan. (The first epoch of the Divine Plan began in 1937 with the inception
> of the First Seven Year Plan of the North American Bahá'í community, and
> concluded with the successful completion of the Ten Year Crusade in 1963. The
> second epoch of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan commenced in 1964 with the
> inauguration of the Nine Year Plan of the Universal House of Justice.)
> 
> The primary focus of this statement is on the epochs of the Formative Age
> of the Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> The First Epoch of the Formative Age: 1921-1944/46
> 
> The first epoch of this Age witnessed the "birth and the primary stages in
> the erection of the framework of the Administrative Order of the Faith". The
> epoch was characterized by concentration on the formation of local and national
> institutions in all five continents, thereby initiating the erection of the
> machinery necessary for future systematic teaching activities. This epoch was
> further marked by the launching, at the instigation of the Guardian, of the
> First Seven Year Plan (1937-1944) by the American Bahá'í community. This Plan,
> drawing its inspiration from the Tablets of the Divine Plan, represented the
> first systematic teaching campaign of the Bahá'í community and inaugurated the
> initial stage of the execution of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan in the Western
> Hemisphere.
> 
> [page 6]
> 
> The Second Epoch of the Formative Age: 1946 — 1963
> 
> This epoch extended the developments of the first epoch by calling for the
> "consummation of a laboriously constructed Administrative Order", and was to
> witness the formulation of a succession of teaching plans designed to
> facilitate the development of the Faith beyond the confines of the Western
> Hemisphere and the continent of Europe. This epoch was distinguished, in
> the first instance, by the simultaneous and often spontaneous prosecution of
> Bahá'í national plans in both the East and the West. For example, in a letter
> written at Naw-Ruz 105 B.E. to the Bahá'ís in the Fast, the beloved Guardian
> listed the specific plans undertaken by the United States, British, Indian,
> Persian, Australian and New Zealand, and 'Iraqi National Spiritual Assemblies,
> and indicated that this concerted action signalized the transition into
> the second epoch of the Formative Age. The internal consolidation and
> the administrative experience gained by the National Assemblies was utilized
> and mobilized by the Guardian with the launching of the Ten Year World Crusade
> a crusade involving the simultaneous prosecution of twelve national plans.
> The plans derived their direction from 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan, and the
> goals were assigned by Shoghi Effendi from the World Centre of the Faith.
> A second distinguishing feature of this epoch was the "rise" and "steady
> consolidation" of the World Centre of the Faith.
> 
> The second epoch thus clearly demonstrated the further maturation of the
> institutions of the Administrative Order. It witnessed the appointment
> of the Hands of the Cause, the introduction of Auxiliary Boards, and
> the establishment of the International Bahá'í Council. The culminating
> event of the epoch was the election of the Universal House of Justice in
> 1963. It further demonstrated the more effective and co-ordinated use of
> the administrative machinery to prosecute the goals of the first global
> spiritual crusade, and the emergence in ever sharper relief of the World
> Centre of the Faith.
> 
> The Third Epoch of the Formative Age: 1963-1986
> 
> In addressing the British National Spiritual Assembly in 1951, the
> Guardian foreshadowed "world-wide enterprises destined to be embarked upon,
> in future epochs of that same [Formative] Age, by the Universal House of
> Justice". In announcing the Nine Year Plan, "the second of those world-
> encircling enterprises destined in the course of time to carry the Word of
> God to every human soul", the Universal House of Justice embarked upon the
> process anticipated by the Guardian and proclaimed the commencement of the
> third epoch of the Formative Age, an epoch which called the Bahá'ís to a yet
> more mature level of administrative functioning, consistent with the expected
> vast increase in the size and diversity of the community, its emergence as a
> model to mankind, and the extension of the influence of the Faith in the world
> at large. The House of Justice, in a letter dated October 1963, stated:
> 
> "Beloved friends, the Cause of God, guarded and nurtured since
> its inception by God's Messengers, by the Centre of His Covenant,
> and by His Sign on earth, now enters a new epoch, the third of
> the Formative Age. It must now grow rapidly in size, increase its
> spiritual cohesion and executive ability, develop its institutions,
> 
> [page 7]
> 
> and extend its influence into all strata of society. We, its
> members, must, by constant study of the life-giving Word, and by
> dedicated service, deepen in spiritual understanding and show to
> the world a mature, responsible, fundamentally assured, and happy
> way of life, far removed from the passions, prejudices, and
> distractions of present-day society.'
> 
> The period of the third epoch encompassed three world plans, involving all
> National Spiritual Assemblies, under the direction of the Universal House of
> Justice, namely, the Nine Year Plan (1964-1973), the Five Year Plan (1974-
> 1979), and the Seven Year Plan (1979-1986). This third epoch witnessed the
> emergence of the Faith from obscurity and the initiation of activities
> designed to foster the social and economic development of communities. The
> institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors was brought into existence
> leading to the establishment of the International Teaching Centre. Assistants
> to the Auxiliary Boards were also introduced. At the World Centre of the
> Faith, the historic construction and occupation of the Seat of the Universal
> House of Justice was a crowning event.
> 
> The Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age: 1986 -
> 
> In a letter dated 2 January 1986 written by the Universal House of Justice
> to the Bahá'ís of the World, the Supreme Body announced the inception of the
> fourth epoch of the Formative Age. It highlighted the significant developments
> that have taken place in the "organic growth of the Cause of God" during the
> course of the recently completed third epoch, by assessing the readiness of the
> Bahá'í community to begin to address the objectives of the new Six Year Plan
> scheduled to begin on 21 April 1986, and, outlined the general aims and
> characteristics of this new Plan. Whereas national plans hat previously
> derived largely from the World Centre, in this new epoch the specific goals
> for each national community will be formulated, within the framework of the
> overall objectives of the Plan, by means of consultation between the
> particular National Spiritual Assembly and the Continental Board of
> Counsellors. As the Universal House of Justice states:
> 
> "This new process...signalizes the inauguration of a new stage in the
> unfoldment of the Administrative Order. Our beloved Guardian anticipated
> a succession of epochs during the Formative Age of the Faith; we have no
> hesitation in recognizing that this new development in the maturation of
> Bahá'í institutions marks the inception of the fourth epoch of that
> Age."[44]
> 
> Future Epochs
> 
> The tasks that remain to be accomplished during the course of the
> Formative Age are many and challenging. Additional epochs can be anticipated,
> each marking significant stages in the evolution of the Administrative Order
> and culminating in the Golden Age of the Faith. The Golden Age, itself, will
> involve "successive epochs' leading ultimately to the establishment of the
> Most Great Peace, to the World Bahá'í Commonwealth and to the "birth and
> efflorescence of a world civilization".
> 
> Enclosure: Source Materials
> 
> [page 8]
> 
> SOURCE MATERIALS
> 
> "Citadel of Faith" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1980), pp. 4-5.
> Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American Bahá'ís.
> 
> "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust,
> 1974), p. 98. Letter dated 8 February 1934.
> 
> "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", p. 156. Letter dated 8 February 1934.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 5. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", p. 156. Letter dated 8 February 1934.
> 
> "God Passes By" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1970), p. xv.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", pp. 4-5. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", p. 98. Letter dated 8 February 1934.
> 
> "God Passes By", p. xiv.
> 
> "God Passes By", p. 324.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 6. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "God Passes By", p. xiv.
> 
> "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", p. 98. Letter dated 8 February 1934.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 5. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957" (Wilmette: Bahá'í
> Publishing Trust, 1971), p. 89. Cablegram dated 23 August 1955. See also
> letter dated 18 January 1953 written on behalf of the Guardian to the
> National Spiritual Assembly of the United States (reference cited in 16.
> below).
> 
> "Bahá'í News", no. 265, March 1953, p. 4. Letter dated 18 January 1953
> written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of
> the United States.
> 
> Letter dated 2 January 1986 written by the Universal House of Justice to
> the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> "Wellspring of Guidance" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1969),
> p. 25. Letter dated Ridvan 1964 from the Universal House of Justice to
> the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> [page 9]
> 
> "Bahá'í News", no. 265, p. 4. Letter dated 18 January 1953 written on
> behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United
> States.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 5. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", p. 19. Cablegram dated
> 24 December 1951.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 5. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 6. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 6. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", p. 13. Cablegram dated
> 25 April 1951.
> 
> "Tawqi 'at-i-Mubarakih, 102-109 B.E." (Tihran: Bahá'í Publishing
> Trust, 125 B.E . ), pp. 99-188. Letter dated Naw-Ruz 105 B.E. to the
> Bahá'ís in the East.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 140. Letter dated 20 August 1955 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", pp. 151-153. Letter dated
> 4 May 1953.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", p. 13. Cablegram dated
> 25 April 1951.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", p. 13. Cablegram dated
> 25 April 1951.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", pp. 18-20. Cablegram dated
> 24 December 1951.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", p. 44. Cablegram dated
> 8 October 1952. And, pp. 127-128. Letter dated October 1957.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", pp. 7-8. Cablegram dated
> 9 January 1951.
> 
> "Unfolding Destiny" (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1981), p. 261.
> Guardian's postscript to a letter dated 25 February 1951, written on his
> behalf to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles.
> 
> "Wellspring of Guidance", p. 14. Letter dated October 1963 written by the
> Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> [page 10]
> 
> "Wellspring of Guidance", pp. 17-18. Letter dated October 1963 written
> by the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> Letter dated 19 May 1983 written by the Universal House of Justice to the
> Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> Letter dated 20 October 1983 written by the Universal House of Justice to
> the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> "Wellspring of Guidance", p. 139. Cablegram dated 21 June 1968 from the
> Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> Letter dated 8 June 1973 written by the Universal House of Justice to the
> Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> Letters dated 8 June 1973 written by the Universal House of Justice to the
> Continental Board of Counsellors, and, 7 October 1973 to the Bahá'ís of
> the World.
> 
> Telex dated 1 February 1983 written by the Universal House of Justice to
> the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> Letter dated 2 January 1986 written by the Universal House of Justice to
> the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> Letter dated 2 January 1986 written by the Universal House of Justice to
> the Bahá'ís of the World.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 6. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> "Messages to the Bahá'í World, 1950-1957", p. 155. Letter dated 4 May
> 1953.
> 
> "Citadel of Faith", p. 6. Letter dated 5 June 1947 to the American
> Bahá'ís.
> 
> [page 11]
> 
> 25 February 1986
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The Six Year Plan
> 
> On 2 January 1986, on the closing day of the Counsellors' Conference, the
> Universal House of Justice announced certain features of the Six Year Plan
> and the methods by which the national goals were to be worked out in
> consultation between the Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies.
> Before Ridvan you will receive a message from the Universal House of Justice
> to the entire Bahá'í world and also one addressed specifically to the Bahá'ís
> within the jurisdiction of each National Spiritual Assembly.
> 
> In the meantime the House of Justice wishes you to begin your consultations
> on the goals of the Six Year Plan for your country. The preliminary
> steps in goal-setting have already been taken, namely the assessment of each
> country's strengths and weaknesses which the National Spiritual Assemblies
> recently made at the request of the Universal House of Justice, and which will
> undoubtedly be of great assistance to each one of you as you enter the next
> stage of the process.
> 
> The House of Justice has instructed us to send you the following additional
> guidelines together with the enclosed statement of the Major Objectives
> of the Plan at the national level, which includes some suggestions for
> specific goals to provide a basis for your consultations. You should not,
> however, confine yourselves to these suggestions.
> 
> A special characteristic of the Six Year Plan is that the conceiving of
> the detailed national goals is itself to be one of the tasks of the Plan, but
> this fact should not hold up in any way the activities of your communities.
> With this letter you are being acquainted with the Major Objectives of the
> Plan and every believer, every Local Spiritual Assembly, and all the national
> committees can pursue immediately, with increasing vigour, many projects
> towards their attainment, both projects already in process and others which
> will be newly conceived, so that when the specific national goals for each
> community are announced they will be received by a united company of devoted
> followers of Bahá'u'lláh already in the full flood of activity.
> 
> It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that each National
> Assembly will be able to meed before Ridvan with a representative of the
> Continental Board of Counsellors so that from this initial consultation a
> basis will be laid for consultation on the goals at the National Conventions.
> 
> [page 12]
> 
> Other consultations will no doubt continue following the Ridvan Festival.
> Their duration will depend on the condition of each national community, its
> size and the complexity of its circumstances. As soon as specific goals have
> been formulated and agreed they should be immediately sent to the World Centre.
> They will then be considered by the Universal House of Justice and the
> International Teaching Centre and, as soon as possible, the National Assembly
> will be informed of the approval or modification of its proposal. Each
> submission will be considered on its arrival; the earlier they arrive the
> better, and in no case should 8 submission reach the World Centre later
> than 1 November 1986.
> 
> Among the elements of the Plan which are not covered by the list of Major
> Objectives are the goals for international assistance including pioneering,
> resident teaching projects, travelling teaching, assistance for development
> projects, and for the acquisition of properties and vehicles. Notes relating
> to these elements have been provided to the Continental Boards of Counsellors
> who will share them with National Assemblies during the process of
> consultation. Since they are international in nature, these goals will have
> to be consolidated and approved at the World Centre before being generally
> announced.
> 
> Though the institutions of the Faith are responsible for planning the
> goals and activities of the Cause, for stimulating and encouraging the
> believers to arise, and for supporting and unifying them in their services,
> it is, in the final analysis, through the spiritual decisions and actions
> of the individual believers that the Faith moves forward on its course to
> ultimate victory. It is the ardent hope of the Universal House of Justice
> that every faithful follower of Bahá'u'lláh will search his or her heart and
> turn with full attention and loving self-sacrifice to the consideration of
> the goals of the Six Year Plan, and determine how to play a part in their
> achievement.
> 
> The prayers of the Universal House of Justice and the International
> Teaching Centre at the Sacred Threshold will surround the institutions of the
> Faith in every continent and nation as you assume your weighty task of
> conceiving the goals which will guide the national communities of the Faith
> through the next six years.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> Department of the Secretariat
> Enclosure
> 
> [page 13]
> 
> THE SIX YEAR PLAN
> 
> 143-149
> 
> 1986-1992
> 
> The Major Objectives
> 
> The major objectives of the Six Year Plan include: carrying the healing
> Message of Bahá'u'lláh to the generality of mankind; greater involvement of
> the Faith in the life of human society; a worldwide increase in the
> translation, production, distribution and we of Bahá'í literature; further
> acceleration in the process of the maturation of national and local Bahá'í
> communities; greater attention to universal participation and the spiritual
> enrichment of individual believers; a wider extension of Bahá'í education to
> children and youth and the strengthening of Bahá'í family life; and the
> pursuit of projects of social and economic development in well-established
> Bahá'í communities.
> 
> * * *
> 
> Set out below are suggestions for possible ways of achieving the above
> objectives to act as a basis for consultation and a stimulus for thinking.
> National Assemblies should not confine themselves to these points if they
> feel that there are other matters which deserve attention.
> 
> 1. Carrying the healing Message of Bahá'u'lláh to the generality of mankind
> 
> Increase the number of believers from all strata of society,
> identifying as goals of the plan those specific sectors, minority
> groups, tribal peoples, etc. which are at present under-represented
> in the Bahá'í community and which will, therefore, be given special
> attention during the Plan.
> 
> Increase the number of localities where Bahá'ís reside, opening, in
> the process, virgin states, provinces, islands or other major civil
> sub-divisions of the country.
> 
> Seize teaching opportunities by planning projects in areas where
> receptivity is found, aiming at large-scale enrolment and entry by
> troops where possible.
> 
> Be alert to opportunities for international collaboration with other
> Bahá'í communities in the promotion of the Faith through: border
> teaching projects; the sending of travelling teachers; and the
> teaching of special groups such as those temporarily abroad for study or
> work, particularly those from countries which are difficult of
> access, such as China or countries in Eastern Europe.
> 
> [page 14]
> 
> Raise up homefront pioneers and travelling or resident teachers to
> assist in the fulfilment of teaching goals and plans.
> 
> Utilize mass media systems for greater proclamation.
> 
> Make use of drama and singing in the teaching and deepening work and
> in Bahá'í gatherings, where advisable.
> 
> 2. Greater involvement of the Faith in the life of human society
> 
> Develop the proper understanding and practice of consultation among
> members of the Bahá'í community and in the work of Bahá'í institutions,
> and foster the spirit of consultation in the conduct of human
> affairs and the resolution of conflicts at all levels of society.
> 
> Foster association with organizations, prominent persons and those in
> authority concerning the promotion of peace, world order and allied
> objectives, with a view to offering the Bahá'í teachings and insights
> regarding current problems and thought.
> 
> Train suitable Bahá'ís to undertake public relations activities.
> 
> Foster appreciation of the Faith in scholarly and academic circles by
> developing Bahá'í scholarship, by endeavouring to have the Faith
> included in the curricula and textbooks of schools and universities,
> and by other means.
> 
> Encourage Bahá'í youth to move towards the front ranks of those
> professions, trades, arts and crafts necessary to human progress.
> 
> Promote the establishment of Bahá'í clubs in universities and other
> similar educational institutions.
> 
> Foster the practice of the equality of the sexes both in the life of
> the Bahá'í community and in society as a whole and, for this purpose,
> hold special conferences and training programs for women and for men.
> 
> 3. A worldwide increase in the translation, production, distribution and use
> of Bahá'í literature
> 
> Foster the use of Bahá'í literature, especially in local languages,
> supplemented as need be by tape recordings and visual aids.
> 
> Improve the distribution of Bahá'í literature by taking specific
> steps, such as the establishment of regional depots where necessary,
> and the education of Local Spiritual Assemblies in their
> responsibilities to acquaint the friends with Bahá'í literature and ensure
> its easy availability.
> 
> Produce greater supplies of Bahá'í literature in accordance with
> well-thought-out plans of translation, production and distribution.
> 
> [page 15]
> 
> Produce, where required for translations into vernacular languages,
> simplified versions of the Sacred Scriptures, the writings of the
> Guardian and the statements of the Universal House of Justice.
> 
> Establish Bahá'í lending libraries.
> 
> 4. Further Acceleration in the process of the maturation of local and
> national Bahá'í communities
> 
> Adopt specific programmes to assist and encourage the development of
> isolated centres into groups, and groups into communities with Local
> Spiritual Assemblies, resulting in a steady increase of such
> Assemblies.
> 
> Adopt specific goals and programmes to consolidate and strengthen
> Local Spiritual Assemblies, so that they will:
> 
> Hold regular meetings with harmonious and productive
> consultation,
> 
> Properly organize and conduct the work of their Secretariat and
> Treasury,
> 
> Appoint and coordinate the work of local committees for special
> aspects of their work, such as teaching, child education, youth
> activities, literature distribution, etc.,
> 
> Win the respect and confidence of their local communities so
> that the believers will turn to them for the resolution of
> problems and advice in their services to the Cause,
> 
> Where appropriate, acquire and develop the use of Local Centres,
> 
> Obtain incorporation or equivalent recognition as a legal
> entity,
> 
> Exercise their responsibilities in relation to marriages and
> funerals,
> 
> Maintain registers of declarations, births, transfers of
> membership, marriages and deaths.
> 
> Adopt specific goals and programmes to consolidate communities with
> Local Spiritual Assemblies so that the believers will be encouraged
> to:
> 
> Attend regularly Nineteen Day Feasts and the observances of
> Bahá'í Holy Days, and enhance the spiritual quality of such
> gatherings,
> 
> Pursue local teaching and deepening activities,
> 
> Foster the realization of the equality of men and women,
> 
> [page 16]
> 
> Develop local activities for children and youth,
> 
> Support the fund,
> 
> Carry out extension teaching projects.
> 
> Develop the functioning of National Spiritual Assemblies, adopting
> specific plans and programmes to:
> 
> Improve their standard of united, productive, loving
> consultation,
> 
> Develop efficiently functioning national secretariats,
> 
> Enhance the standard of the functioning of national treasuries
> and promote the goal of financial independence of the national
> Bahá'í community,
> 
> Appoint strong national committees to carry out, under the
> general supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly, the
> many specialized aspects of the work of the Cause, including
> the detailed planning and prompt execution of the work necessary
> to achieve all the goals of the Six Year Plan.
> 
> Acquire, where needed and feasible, national and local properties,
> such as Haziratu'l-Quds, teaching institutes, summer schools,
> Bahá'í cemeteries, etc. and ensure their proper care and
> maintenance.
> 
> Obtain where legally possible, official recognition for Bahá'í
> marriage and Holy Days and exemption from the payment of taxes on
> Bahá'í institutions and their activities.
> 
> Ensure the rapid and regular dissemination of news to all believers.
> 
> Hold regular, well-planned and well-run summer and winter schools and
> conferences at costs and in localities which will permit the largest
> attendance.
> 
> Encourage collaboration between or amongst Local Spiritual Assemblies
> in mutually agreed projects.
> 
> Develop and administer correspondence courses for teaching and
> deepening.
> 
> 5. Greater attention to universal participation and the spiritual enrichment
> of individual believers
> 
> Promote universal participation in the life of the Faith and an
> increased sense of their Bahá'í identity among children, youth
> and adults.
> 
> Encourage, where feasible, the practice of dawn prayer.
> 
> [page 17]
> 
> Encourage individual believers to adopt teaching goals for
> themselves.
> 
> Carry out activities designed to deepen the believers in both a
> spiritual and intellectual understanding of the Cause.
> 
> Encourage the believers to make greater use of Bahá'í literature.
> 
> Encourage the believers to enhance their command of language to
> assist them to understand the Bahá'í writings ever more clearly.
> 
> Develop and foster Bahá'í scholarship and lend support to the
> Associations for Bahá'í Studies.
> 
> Foster obedience to the Bahá'í laws of personal behaviour such as
> abstention from the drinking of alcoholic beverages and from the
> taking of habit-forming drugs, and inspire the believers to follow
> the Bahá'í way of life.
> 
> 6. A wider extension of Bahá’í education to children and youth, and the strengthening of Bahá'í family life
> 
> Encourage the holding of regular classes for the Bahá'í education
> of children.
> 
> Develop systematic lesson plans and other materials for the Bahá'í
> education of children.
> 
> Train believers to teach Bahá'í children's classes.
> 
> Establish a programme for the guidance of parents, especially mothers,
> in the care and training of Bahá'í children.
> 
> Sponsor institutes on Bahá'í marriage and family life.
> 
> Encourage community activities involving Bahá'í families.
> 
> 7. The pursuit of projects of Social and Economic Development in well-
> established Bahá'í communities
> 
> Encourage Local Spiritual Assemblies and the rank and file of the
> believers to consider ways in which they can advance the social and
> economic development of their communities.
> 
> Establish tutorial schools and pre-schools where needed and feasible.
> 
> Encourage and sponsor adult literacy programmes where needed,
> especially for women.
> 
> Foster collaboration with other agencies involved in social and
> economic development in areas where the Bahá'í communities can
> contribute to the work.
> 
> [page 18]
> 
> Naw-Ruz Message 1986 to the
> Bahá'ís of the United States
> 
> Naw-Ruz 1986
> 
> To the Bahá'ís of the United States
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> This new year marks the seventieth anniversary of the Tablets of the
> Divine Plan, that sublime series of letters addressed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the
> North American Bahá'ís and which, constituting one of the mighty Charters of
> His Father's Faith, have inspired your highly prized community to achieve
> during the first three epochs of the Formative Age what no mind can fully
> assess, nor tongue adequately praise. Now, at the inception of the fourth
> epoch of that Age, your National Spiritual Assembly, working in close
> collaboration with the Continental Board of Counsellors and drawing upon
> the advice of the delegates to your National Convention and of your Local
> Spiritual Assemblies, has the inestimable privilege of devising the plans
> that will chart your course during the next six years to the eve of the
> Holy Year when you will join your sister communities in commemorating the
> centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh and host, in the City of the
> Covenant, the second Bahá'í World Congress.
> 
> The performance of the American Bahá'í Community during the Plan now
> coming to a close has indeed enhanced by its monumental success in various
> fields the splendour of its past accomplishments. Although it is yet too soon
> to sum up the results of your seven-year-long efforts, the highlights of the
> outstanding array of achievements finally to be reported will undoubtedly
> include: the astonishing progress of your relations with your national
> government, particularly in defense of our oppressed brethren in Iran; the
> remarkable campaign you have mounted to diffuse the Peace Statement to all
> ranks of American society, beginning with the presentation to your Head of
> State; the resounding conference and accompanying activities which marked your
> observance of International Youth Year; the early attainment of your Local
> Assembly and locality goals; the enormous output of your human and material
> resources for international pioneering and traveling teaching; and the
> inauguration of your radio station, WLGI. Indeed, the primacy invested
> in your community by the beloved Master remains intact.
> 
> In a sense, the imminent launching of the Six Year Plan, with all the
> special features it will entail, is a salute to your immortal triumphs as
> "spiritual descendants of the Dawn-breakers" and a fresh reminder that you
> possess the vast, largely unrealized potential of a community blessed by
> Bahá'u'lláh with a unique destiny in the unfoldment of His mighty World Order.
> We appeal, therefore, to each and every one of you, whether or not you occupy
> 
> [page 19]
> 
> any position in the Bahá'í Administration, to respond wholeheartedly to the
> call of your National Spiritual Assembly to assist in meeting the goals to be
> set. As the beloved Guardian repeatedly stated in his letters to the American
> believers, it is the individual who has the power to act, and on whom, "in the
> last resort, depends the fate of the entire community." Onward, then, with
> your inescapable but glorious tasks!
> 
> Our prayers will be offered at the Holy Threshold for your guidance and
> the further success of your mighty endeavours.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 20]
> 
> Ridvan Message 1986
> 
> To the Bahá'ís of the World
> 
> Dearly-loved Friends,
> 
> The Divine Springtime is fast advancing and all the atoms of the earth are
> responding to the vibrating influence of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation. The
> evidences of this new life are clearly apparent in the progress of the Cause
> of God. As we contemplate, however momentarily, the unfolding pattern of its
> growth, we can but recognize, with wonder and gratitude, the irresistible power
> of that Almighty Hand which guides its destinies.
> 
> This progress has accelerated notably during the Seven Year Plan,
> witnessed by the achievement of many important enterprises throughout the
> Bahá'í world and vital developments at the heart of the Cause itself. The
> restoration and opening to pilgrimage of the southern wing of the House of
> 'Abdu'llah Pasha; the completion and occupation of the Seat of the Universal
> House of Justice; the approval of detailed plans for the remaining edifices
> around the Arc; the expansion of the membership and responsibilities of the
> International Teaching Centre and the Continental Boards of Counsellors; the
> establishment of the offices of Social and Economic Development, and of Public
> Information; the dedication of the Mother Temple of the Pacific, and dramatic
> progress with the building of the Temple in India; the expansion of the
> teaching work throughout the world, resulting in the formation of twenty-three
> new National Spiritual Assemblies, nearly 8,000 new Local Spiritual Assemblies,
> the opening of more than 16,000 new localities and representation within the
> Bahá'í community of 300 new tribes; the issuing of 2,196 new publications,
> 898 of which are editions of the Holy Text and the enrichment of Bahá'í
> literature by productions in 114 new languages; the initiation of 737 new
> social and economic development projects; the addition of three radio
> stations, with three more soon to be inaugurated - these stand out as
> conspicuous achievements in a Plan which will be remembered as having set
> the seal on the third epoch of the Formative
> Age.
> 
> The opening of that Plan coincided with the recrudescence of savage
> persecution of the Bahá'í community in Iran, a deliberate effort to eliminate
> the Cause of God from the land of its birth. The heroic steadfastness of the
> Persian friends has been the mainspring of tremendous international attention
> focussed on the Cause, eventually bringing it to the agenda of the General
> Assembly of the United Nations, and, together with world-wide publicity in all
> 
> [page 21]
> 
> the media, accomplishing its emergence from the obscurity which characterized
> and sheltered the first period of its life. This dramatic process impelled the
> Universal House of Justice to address a Statement on Peace to the Peoples of
> the World and arrange for its delivery to Heads of State and the generality
> of the rulers.
> 
> Paralleling these outstanding events has been a remarkable unfoldment of
> organic growth in the maturity of the institutions of the Cause. The
> development of capacity and responsibility on their part and the devolution
> upon them of continually greater autonomy have been fostered by the
> encouragement of ever closer co-operation between the twin arms of the
> Administrative Order. This process now takes a large stride forward as
> the National Spiritual Assemblies and Counsellors consult together to
> formulate, for the first time, the national goals of an international
> teaching plan. Together they must carry them out; together they must
> implement the world objectives of the Six Year Plan as they apply in
> each country. This significant development is a befitting opening
> to the fourth epoch of the Formative Age and initiates a process which will
> undoubtedly characterize that epoch as national communities grow in strength
> and influence and are able to diffuse within their own countries the spirit of
> love and social unity which is the hallmark of the Cause of God.
> 
> The goals to be achieved at the World Centre include publication of a
> copiously annotated English translation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas and related
> texts, education of the Bahá'í world in the law of the Huququ'llah, pursuit of
> plans for the erection of the remaining buildings on the Arc, and the
> broadening of the basis of the international relations of the Faith.
> 
> The major world objectives of the Plan have already been sent to National
> Spiritual Assemblies and Continental Boards of Counsellors for their mutual
> consultation and implementation.
> 
> Dear friends, as the world passes through its darkest hour before the
> dawn, the Cause of God, shining ever more brightly, presses forward to that
> glorious break of day when the Divine Standard will be unfurled and the
> Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 22]
> 
> 25 March 1987
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> In furtherance of the goal of the Six Year Plan to educate the friends
> throughout the world in the Law of Huququ'llah the Research Department has
> prepared a simple codification of the law. A copy of this codification is
> enclosed for you to share, as you judge appropriate, with the friends under
> your jurisdiction. It is based largely on a codification produced
> spontaneously by some friends in Australia and on another written under the
> auspices of the United States National Spiritual Assembly. References
> throughout the document are to the sections of the compilation on Huququ'llah
> which has already been sent to you.
> 
> To help the friends increase their understanding of the significance of
> this Law of God, the Research Department was also requested by the Universal
> House of Justice to prepare a brief history of the development of the
> Institution which has been associated with the Law since the early years
> of its operation. This is also enclosed and is based on an article in Persian written
> by the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. 'Ali Muhammad Varqa, apart from the final
> section about Dr. Varqa himself, which has been added by the Research
> Department.
> 
> It ls hoped that National Spiritual Assemblies will use this material as
> extensively as possible to educate the friends and deepen their understanding
> of this vital law of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> Enclosures
> 
> [page 23]
> 
> CODIFICATION OF THE LAW OF HUQUQU'LLAH
> 
> March 1987
> 
> Prepared by the Research Department
> 
> at the request of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> I. PREAMBLE
> 
> Huququ'llah (The Right of God) is a great law (7) and a sacred institution
> (72). Laid down in the Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas), it is one of the key
> instruments for constructing the foundation and supporting the structure of
> the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. It has far-reaching ramifications that
> extend from promoting the welfare of the individual, to buttressing the
> authority and extending the activity of the Head of the Faith. In providing
> a regular and systematic source of revenue for the Central Institution of
> the Cause, Bahá'u'lláh has assured the means for the independence and
> decisive functioning of the World Centre of His Faith.
> 
> By identifying this law as "The Right of God" Bahá'u'lláh has re-emphasized
> the nature of the relationship between human beings and their Creator as a
> Covenant based on mutual assurances and obligations; and, by designating the
> Central Authority in the Cause, to which all must turn, as the recipient of
> this Right, He has created a direct and vital link between every individual
> believer and the Head of his Faith that is unique in the structure of His World
> Order. This law enables the friends to recognize the elevation of their
> economic activity to the level of divine acceptability, it is a means for the
> purification of their wealth and a magnet attracting divine blessings. The
> computation and the payment of Huququ'llah, within the general guidelines set
> forth, are exclusively a matter of conscience between the individual and God
> (8, 104); demanding or soliciting the Huququ'llah is prohibited (8, 9, 38, 71,
> 96, 104), only appeals, reminders and exhortations of a general nature, under
> the auspices of the institutions of the Faith, are permissible (38, 70, 99,
> 104, 107). That the observance and enforcement of this law, so crucial to the
> material well-being of the emerging Bahá'í commonwealth, should thuR have been
> left entirely to the faith and conscience of the individual, gives substance to
> and sheds light on what the beloved Master calls the spiritual solution to
> economic problems. Indeed, the implications of the law of Huququ'llah for the
> realization of a number of the principles of the Faith, such as the elimination
> of extremes of wealth and poverty, and a more equitable distribution of
> resources, will increasingly become manifest as the friends assume in ever
> greater measure the responsibility for observing it.
> 
> The fundamentals of the law of Huququ'llah are promulgated in the
> Kitab-i-Aqdas. Further elaborations of its features are to be found in
> other Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, in Tablets from 'Abdu'l-Bahá and in
> letters from Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice, mostly
> in response to questions raised by the friends. All these major references
> have been compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of
> Justice and separately published. A study of that compilation makes it
> clear that the application of the law has been progressive, and will
> continue to be so, as its ramifications and subsidiary rulings are elucidated.
> 
> ____
> 
> 1. The numbers in brackets refer to the paragraphs of the compilation on
> Huququ'llah issued by the House of Justice.
> 
> [page 24]
> 
> I. (cont'd)
> 
> The following is a preliminary attempt at codifying the information in the
> Writings on the subject of Huququ'llah. It should be emphasized, however,
> that the friends should not attempt to read into it an element of rigidity or
> total comprehensiveness. The questions put to Bahá'u'lláh, the Master and
> Shoghi Effendi were from friends residing in places and times with infinitely
> simpler economic systems and relationships than those which obtain today.
> What can be learned from them are clear guiding principles whose application
> to changing and more complex conditions must be considered. The subject will
> undoubtedly occupy the Universal House of Justice in evolving legislation, as
> necessary, for a long time to come. As the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age
> of our Faith unfolds before the eyes of an increasingly watchful humanity, the
> universal assumption of the obligation of Huququ'llah by the friends will be
> a clear sign of attaining to a new level of spiritual maturity by the
> community of the Greatest Name throughout the world.
> 
> II. A BOUNTY GRANTED BY GOD
> 
> God, while being wholly independent of all created things, has in His bounty
> given us this law (7, 10, 63), for the progress and promotion of the Cause
> depend on material means (1). Obedience to this law enables the believer to
> be firm and steadfast in the Covenant (63), provides a reward in every world
> of the worlds of God (7), and is a unique test of true faith (62).
> 
> The Huququ'llah is to be offered joyfully and without hesitation (2, 9, 32).
> When the Huququ'llah is offered in this spirit it will impart prosperity and
> protection to the friends, purify their worldly possessions (20, 31, 42, 46,
> 48, 100), and enable them and their offspring to benefit from the fruits of
> their endeavours (48).
> 
> III . DETERMINING THE HUQUQU'LLAH
> 
> Everything that a believer possesses, with the exception of certain specific
> items, is subject once and only once to the payment of Huququ'llah.
> 
> A. Exempt from assessment to Huququ'llah are:
> 
> The residence and its needful furnishings (11).
> 
> The needful business and agricultural equipment which produce income
> for one's subsistence (12, 67, 68).
> 
> B. Payment falls due:
> 
> Huququ'llah is payable as soon as a person's assessable possessions
> reach or exceed the value of 19 mithqals of gold (18, 19, 30). [19
> mithqals equals approximately 2.2 troy ounces, or approximately 69.2
> grammes (87, 105, 110). At the present time - March 1987 - this is
> equivalent to some US$914.]
> 
> ____
> 
> 2. See III.C.l.
> 
> [page 25]
> 
> III.B.l (cont'd)
> 
> The amount to be paid is 19% of the value of the assessable
> property (10, 14).
> 
> The payment is due on whole units of 19 mithqals of gold (15).
> 
> 2. Huququ'llah is payable on further units of 19 mithqals of gold
> when subsequently acquired possessions, after the deduction of the
> annual expenses, raise the value of the assessable property
> sufficiently. Among the expenses to be deducted are:
> 
> The general expenses of living (65, 66, 69, 78).
> 
> Losses and expenses incurred on the sale of possessions (103).
> 
> Sums which are paid to the State, such as taxes and duties (78).
> 
> 3. When a person receives a gift or bequest it is to be added to his
> possessions and augments the total value in the same way as does an
> excess of annual income over expenditure (111).
> 
> 4. If a property increases in value, Huququ'llah is not payable on
> that increase until it is realized, e.g. on the sale of the property.
> 
> 5. If possessions decrease, such as through the expenses of a year
> exceeding the income received, Huququ'llah falls due again only
> after the loss has been made good and the total value of one's
> assessable possessions is augmented (15-19, 30, 65-68, 78, 108, 111).
> 
> 6. The payment of debts takes precedence over the payment of Huququ'llah
> (22).
> 
> 7. The payment of Huququ'llah is dependent on the person's financial
> ability to meed his obligations (24).
> 
> 8. On the death of a believer, the completion of his payment of
> Huququ'llah is accomplished in the following manner:
> 
> The first charge on the estate is the expense of burial (22).
> 
> Secondly, the debts of the deceased must be paid (13).
> 
> The Huququ'llah still due on the property should then be paid.
> In establishing the value of the property on which Huquq has not
> already been paid, the following are among the deductions to be
> made:
> 
> expenses of burial (22),
> 
> debts of the deceased (13),
> 
> loss of value of the assets when realized (103) and
> 
> expenses incurred in realizing the assets (103).
> 
> [page 26]
> 
> III. (cont'd)
> 
> C. Further notes on determining Huququ'llah:
> 
> 1. It is left to the discretion of the individual believer to decide what
> is "needful" for himself and his family (104-106, 112).
> 
> 2. Although references are made to annual payments of Huququ'llah the
> time and method of payment are left to the discretion of the individual
> believer. There is therefore, no obligation to liquidate one's assets
> in haste in order to fulfil one's current obligations to Huququ'llah
> (103).
> 
> 3. Husband and wife are free to decide whether they want to honour their
> Huququ'llah obligations jointly or individually (109, 110).
> 
> 4. The account of Huququ'llah should be kept separate from other
> contributions, inasmuch as the disposition of the funds of the Huququ'llah
> is subject to decision by the Central Authority in the Cause to which
> all must turn, whereas the purposes of the contributions to other Funds
> may be determined by the donors themselves.
> 
> 5. Payment of the Huququ'llah has priority over making contributions to
> other Funds of the Faith (78, 79, 97, 100), as well as over the cost of
> pilgrimage (31). It is, however, left to the discretion of the
> believer whether or not he treats his contributions to the Fund as an
> expense when arriving at the value of the annual accretion to his
> property for the purpose of calculating the Huququ'llah that he is due
> to pay (105).
> 
> IV. APPLICABILITY OF THE LAW OF HUQUQU'LLAH
> 
> The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh can be enforced only gradually because the time
> must be ripe if the desired results are to be attained (84-86). Thus hitherto
> the Law of Huququ'llah has been applied only to the believers from Iran and
> other countries of the Middle East. The other believers have been encouraged
> to support their local and national funds in its place but, although the law
> is not yet binding on them, they are and have been free to offer the
> Huququ'llah if they wish to do 80 (82, 93, 102, 103, 109, 110).
> 
> V. PAYMENT OF HUQUQU'LLAH
> 
> The Huququ'llah is normally paid to the Trustee of Huququ'llah his Deputies,
> or their appointed Representatives (35, 58). These persons issue receipts
> and forward the funds to the World Centre (56).
> 
> VI. MANAGEMENT OF THE HUQUQU'LLAH
> 
> Decisions on the necessary ordinances concerning Huququ'llah (81, 100), as
> well as on it disposition, lie within the sole jurisdiction of the Central
> Authority in the Cause. The Huququ'llah can be employed for charitable
> purposes (62, 65, 75), or for other purposes useful to the Cause of God (77,
> 78).
> 
> [page 27]
> 
> THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTION FOR THE HUQUQU'LLAH
> 
> March 1987
> 
> Prepared by the Research Department
> 
> at the request of the Universal House of Justice
> 
> In one of His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh refers to this Law as ranking in
> importance immediately after the two great obligations of recognition of God
> and steadfastness in His Cause, and yet the introduction and implementation of
> this Law are characterised by kindness, forgiveness, tolerance and magnanimity.
> Although it deals with the material things of this world, it is placed among
> those spiritual obligations resting on the individual soul, such as prayer and
> fasting, the fulfilment of which is a direct responsibility of each believer
> towards God, not subject to the sanctions or impositions of His institutions
> in this world. It is, indeed, a clear expression of the priorities with
> which Bahá'u'lláh views the duties of mankind. First comes the spiritual,
> and then the material - however important in practice the latter may be.
> 
> After the Kitab-i-Aqdas had been revealed in response to the pleas of the
> friends, Bahá'u'lláh withheld it from publication for some time and even then,
> when a number of devoted Bahá'ís, having learned of the law, endeavoured to
> offer the Huququ'llah the payment was not accepted. The Tablets of
> Bahá'u'lláh show His acute consciousness of the way in which material wealth
> has been permitted to degrade religion in the past, and He preferred the
> Faith to sacrifice all material benefits rather than to soil to the slightest
> degree its dignity and purity. Herein is a lesson for all Bahá'í institutions
> for all time.
> 
> However, as the beloved Guardian explained, funds are the life-blood of
> the Cause. God Himself, as Bahá'u'lláh stated, has made achievement
> dependent on material means. Therefore, as the awareness of the friends grew,
> He permitted the Huququ'llah to be accepted, provided the donor made the
> offering willingly with joy and awareness.
> 
> To receive the Huququ'llah Bahá'u'lláh brought into being one of the
> great Institutions of the Faith, the Trusteeship of Huququ'llah.
> 
> The first to be honoured with appointment as Trustee of Huququ'llah was
> Jinab-i-Shah Muhammad from Manshad, Yazd, who eventually received from the
> Blessed Beauty the title of Aminu'l-Bayan (Trustee of the Bayan). Haji
> Shah Muhammad had embraced the Faith in its early years and had the bounty of
> entering the presence of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdad. The fire of love kindled
> in his heart made him impatient to offer his services to the Threshold of his
> Beloved, and this undertaking he followed until the last moment of his life,
> surrendering all material belongings in the path of service. Encompassed by
> hardship, danger and lack of means, this trusted servant of Bahá'u'lláh, in
> journey after journey, would carry the friends' donations of Huququ'llah and
> their petitions to the Sacred Threshold and, in return, bring them news and
> Tablets from the Blessed Perfection.
> 
> One of the most sacred tasks entrusted to Aminu'l-Bayan was to go to
> Iran to receive the Remains of the Bab from their custodian, the devoted and
> valiant Hand of the Cause of God Jinab-i-Haji Akhund, and to transfer them
> 
> [page 28]
> 
> through innumerable dangers to a safe hiding place in the Mosque of the
> Imamzadih Zayd in Tihran, where they lay concealed until the time when, at
> the behest of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, they were transferred to the Holy Land to be
> laid in their permanent resting place on the slopes of Mount Carmel.
> 
> The attention of Jinab-i-Shah Muhammad was drawn to the rare qualities
> of nobility and detachment of one of the believers, Haji Abu'l-Hasan Ardakani,
> who was also from Yazd. The bond of fellowship between them became so strong
> that they became the closest of companions. Jinab-i-Shah Muhammad chose Haji
> Abu'l-Hasan to be his assistant and confidant in his services as the Trustee
> of Huququ'llah. They were among the first group of pilgrims who, after
> encountering grave hardships and difficulties, were able to visit Bahá'u'lláh
> in 'Akka. On their return to Iran they decided to make numerous journeys
> together, and on one of these journeys, in 1881, they were attacked and caught
> during a Kurdish revolt, and Jinab-i-Haji Shah Muhammad was seriously
> wounded. Bahá'u'lláh instructed that, following the passing of Jinab-i-Shah
> Muhammad, the office of Trustee of Huququ'llah should be conferred upon his
> loyal assistant and companion, Jinab-i-Haji Abu'l-Hasan, who was subsequently
> entitled Amin (the Trusted One) or Jinab-i-Haji Amin.
> 
> Jinab Haji Amin was a shining star who served the Cause for forty-seven
> years with eagerness and zeal, showing magnanimity, courage and incredible
> steadfastness. During the Ministry of Bahá'u'lláh he was imprisoned twice, by
> order of Nasiri'd-Din Shah and his son, Kamran Mirza. In the course of his
> second imprisonment, in the prison of Qazvin, referred to as Sijn-i-Matin
> (the Mighty Prison) by Bahá'u'lláh in the opening verses of the Tablet of the
> World, he was together with the Hand of the Cause Haji Akhund. Here, Jinab-
> i-Amin suffered gravely, his legs in fetters and a chain around his neck. His
> jailers, in order to torment him, would add castor oil to his food. With
> manifest resignation and submission, he would neither complain nor refuse the
> food, eating as though nothing were amiss. He was a symbol of magnanimity and
> detachment. He had no worldly possessions, no home or shelter of his own. His
> habitation was in the hearts and souls of the Bahá'í friends who would receive
> and entertain him with warmth and love. Each one would impatiently await his
> arrival, to enjoy the sweet melody of his prayers and chanting of the Tablets,
> the glad-tidings and encouragement he would bring. Every day he would bid
> good-bye to one family to spend the night in another household, illumining
> another gathering with his presence. He was continually on the move,
> travelling to most Iranian cities and being the trusted adviser of many
> Bahá'í friends in their personal affairs.
> 
> Among the countless journeys that Haji Amin made was one to Paris where
> he attained the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. During his long life he witnessed
> the last eleven years of the Ministry of Bahá'u'lláh, the twenty-nine years of
> the Ministry of the Centre of the Covenant, and seven years of the Guardianship
> of Shoghi Effendi. Towards the end of his life he became ill and frail and was
> confined to bed, living in the home of his friend and assistant, Haji Ghulam
> Rida, who, at the express desire of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, had been appointed his
> successor as Trustee of Huququ'llah. Upon his passing in 1928, Haji Amin was
> named by the beloved Guardian a Hand of the Cause of God.
> 
> The third Trustee of Huququ'llah h, Jinab-i-Ghulam Rida, was entitled
> Amin-i-Amin (Trustee of the Trustee). This distinguished soul was born into
> the wealthy merchant class of Tihran and was brought up to enjoy the
> comfortable life associated with it. During his youth, the urge to discover
> spiritual realities led him to the study of comparative religion and, while
> 
> [page 29]
> 
> engaged in his business, he ventured to search out and associate with followers
> and leaders of religion. Disappointed in what he found, he sought more
> information about the Bahá'í Faith which had been introduced to him by his
> secretary. This enquiry soon developed into a serious study of the sacred
> Tablets and Writings and his heart was illumined with the light of faith.
> After embracing the Cause, Jinab-l-Haji Ghulam Rida engaged in Bahá'í
> activities and, at the age of 32, he gave up trade to devote himself fully
> and freely to the service of the Faith. He developed a special attachment
> to Jinab-i-Amin and became his constant assistant. In due course he received
> a Tablet from 'Abdu'l-Bahá urging him to emulate Jinab-i-Amin and appointing
> him as Trustee of Huququ'llah. While ever mindful of the responsibilities
> of his new position, he took the utmost care of Jinab-i-Amin for the
> remainder of his life.
> 
> Jinab-i-Ghulam Rida held the rank of Trustee of Huququ'llah for eleven
> years. His home became a centre for the gatherings of the friends and for
> the administration of the affairs of the Faith. It was during his
> Trusteeship that initial steps were taken for the registration of Bahá'í
> properties and endowments in Iran, and he was assiduous in doing his utmost
> for their protection and preservation. In 1938 he fell ill and passed away.
> 
> The fourth Trustee of Huququ'llah appointed to this position by the
> beloved Guardian, was Jinab-l-Valfyu'llah Varqa, the third son of Varqa the
> martyr. He was born in Tabriz and, after the martyrdom of his father and
> brother, he was brought up from early childhood by his grandmother, a staunch,
> powerful and fanatical Muslim. She did her utmost, until his early youth, to
> sow the seeds of enmity to the Faith in his heart. When he was sixteen, his
> uncle, surnamed Akhu'sh-Shahid (the Brother of the Martyr), managed to
> remove him from this agonizing atmosphere of prejudice and took him to his home
> in Miyandu'ab. There he introduced him to the Bahá'í Faith and its teachings,
> opening a new world to Jinab-i-Varqa. So afire did he become with love for the
> Faith that, without any preparations, he decided to go on pilgrimage in the
> company of a close friend. However, his Local Spiritual Assembly tit not
> approve of this, and guided him, instead, to go to Tihran to join his elder
> brother Jinab-i-'Azizu'llah Varqa.
> 
> After his schooling in Tihran, Jinab-i-Varqa's longing to make his
> pilgrimage was fulfilled, and he then attended the American University in
> Beirut, deepening his knowledge of the Bahá'í teachings under the guidance
> of 'Abdu'l-Bahá during his summer vacations. During this time he made a
> journey to Iran at the behest of the Master, and later accompanied Him on His
> historic journey to Europe and America, as an interpreter. Upon the completion
> of this journey, he returned to Iran and rendered invaluable services on the
> Local Spiritual Assembly of Tihran, in many Bahá'í administrative agencies,
> and ultimately on the National Spiritual Assembly. His loyal and dedicated
> service as Trustee of Huququ'llah was to follow, occupying him for seventeen
> years, during which time the observance of the Law of Huququ'llah was spread
> throughout Iran, so that ever more of the friends fulfilled their obligations,
> offering large sums and many properties. In order to devote his full time to
> this sacred enterprise, Jinab-i-Varqa resigned from the work in which he was
> employed.
> 
> In 1951 Jinab-i-Valiyu'llah Varqa was among the first contingent of
> eminent believers elevated by Shoghi Effendi to the rank of Hand of the Cause
> of God. This opened new opportunities for him to meed with the friends and
> cheer their hearts with news of the victories being achieved in the teaching
> work, especially during the Ten Year Crusade, which opened at Ridvan 1953.
> These
> 
> [page 30]
> 
> memorable services culminated in the fulfilment of his long-cherished desire
> to visit the beloved Guardian.
> 
> On his return to Iran from pilgrimage, a previous ailment grew worse, and
> Jinab-i-Varqa was forced to go to Tubingen in Germany for hospital treatment
> and an operation. The treatment, alas, was unsuccessful, and, in November 1955
> his noble life drew to a close.
> 
> In the cable announcing the passing of Valfyu'llah Varqa, Shoghi Effendi
> included the words: "His mantle as Trustee Huquq now falls on 'Ali Muhammad,
> his son.... Newly appointed Trustee Huquq now elevated rank Hand Cause."
> 
> Just two years following the appointment of Jinab-i-'Ali-Muhammad Varqa
> to this onerous task, he and his fellow Hands of the Cause of God were
> confronted with the heart-breaking and soul-stirring events associated with
> the passing of the beloved Guardian, and carried the entire Bahá'í world to
> the victorious conclusion of the Ten Year Crusade, bringing into being, at
> Ridvan 1963, the Universal House of Justice.
> 
> The following twenty-three years have seen storms of tribulation and
> persecution afflicting the Bahá'í community in Iran, causing immense problems
> to be wrestled with in relation to the safeguarding and sale of properties
> donated for the Huququ'llah as well as a multitude of other historic tasks
> that have fallen to the lot of Jinab-i-Varqa in his capacity as a Hand of the
> Cause of God.
> 
> The successive teaching plans caused an outflow of pioneers from Iran to
> all corners of the world, requiring the Trustee of Huququ'llah to appoint
> Deputies and Representatives in many countries beyond the borders of Iran
> until, at this time, the Institution is represented in every continent of the
> earth. Not only do the friends from Middle Eastern countries continue to obey
> the law of Huququ'llah in their adopted countries, but, increasingly, other
> friends have been moved to offer the Huquq.
> 
> A new stage, therefore, has now been opened in the development of this
> Institution, a stage that will for ever be associated with the opening of the
> Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith and the emergence of the Bahá'í
> community from obscurity into the arena of world affairs.
> 
> [page 31]
> 
> Ridvan Message 1987
> 
> Ridvan 1987
> 
> Dearly-loved Friends,
> 
> The launching of the Six Year Plan at Ridvan 1986 coincided with the
> opening of a new epoch — the fourth — in the organic unfoldment of the
> Formative Age of our Faith. The administrative institutions of this growing
> Cause of God had already begun to show signs of an increasing maturity, while
> at the same time emerging from the protective obscurity of their early days
> into the larger arena of public notice. These twin processes were signalized
> by a development of far-reaching consequence to the internal life of the
> Bahá'í community and by an outward activity of a magnitude unprecedented
> in its entire history.
> 
> The former was a devolution of responsibility whereby all national
> communities, through their National Spiritual Assemblies, in consultation with
> Counsellors, Local Spiritual Assemblies and the generality of believers, were
> requested to formulate, for the first time, their own objectives for
> achievement during the new Plan. This expectation of maturity challenging
> the national communities was matched by their formulation of national plans
> submitted to the World Centre for coordination into the world-embracing Six
> Year Plan.
> 
> The latter was a united uprising of the entire Bahá'í world community to
> distribute the statement, "The Promise of World Peace", issued in October 1985,
> to the peoples of the world. Heads of State, large numbers of the members of
> national governments, diplomats, teachers, trade unionists, leaders of
> religion, eminent members of the judiciary, the police, legal, medical and
> other professions, members of local authorities, clubs and associations, and
> thousands of individuals have been presented with the statement. It is
> estimated that more than a million copies, in some seventy languages, have so
> far been distributed. These two activities alone have heavily reinforced the
> growing strength and maturity of the Bahá'í world community and given it a
> more clearly defined and readily recognizable public image.
> 
> Other factors have contributed greatly to the rapid entrance of the Faith
> onto the world stage. Indeed it appears that every activity of the widespread
> Army of Life is now observed or commented upon by some section of the public,
> from the General Assembly of the United Nations to small and even remote local
> communities.
> 
> The steadfastness of the sorely-tried Persian believers continues to be
> the mainspring of this world-wide attention increasingly being focussed upon
> the Faith. While the brutal executions of heroic martyrs are now less
> frequent, the harassment and deprivations, vilification and plundering of the
> long-persecuted community continue — more than 200 are still in prison —
> giving the representatives of the Bahá'í International Community at the United
> Nations firm grounds for strong and persistent appeals, which have aroused the
> concern of the General Assembly itself, and resulted in representations to the
> Iranian Government on behalf of the defenceless Bahá'ís by the Commission on
> Human Rights, and by many powerful nations including the various governments
> constituting the European Community.
> 
> [page 32]
> 
> All this has kept our beloved Faith under international observation, an
> interest increased not only by the circulation of the Peace Statement but also
> by the rapidly expanding activities in the field of economic and social
> development, ranging from the inauguration and operation of radio
> stations — of which there are seven now broadcasting — to schools, literacy
> programmes, agricultural assistance and a host of small but valuable
> undertakings at village level in many parts of the world.
> 
> National Bahá'í communities have organized and successfully conducted
> inter-religious conferences, peace seminars, symposiums on racism and other
> subjects on which we have a specific contribution to make, often achieving
> widespread publicity and the interest of highly-placed leaders of society.
> Bahá'í youth, inspired and uplifted by the vision and idealism of "the new
> race of men" have, through their many gatherings, attracted large numbers of
> their compeers and galvanized their own members to direct their lives
> towards service in the many fields in which a rich harvest awaits the
> dedicated Bahá'í worker.
> 
> Added to this rapidly burgeoning association of our fellowmen with Bahá'í
> activities, has been one outstanding magnificent achievement, the completion
> and dedication of the wondrous Bahá'í Temple in New Delhi, which received,
> within the first thirty days of its dedication to the worship of God, more than
> 120,000 visitors. This symbol of purity, proclaiming the Oneness of God and
> His Messengers in that land of myriad diverse religious beliefs, befittingly
> marks the power and grandeur with which these portentous days in the life of
> God's Holy Cause have been endowed.
> 
> The stage is set for universal, rapid and massive growth of the Cause of
> God. The immediate and basic challenge is pursuit of the goals of the Six Year
> Plan, the preliminary stages of which have already been initiated. The all-
> important teaching work must be imaginatively, persistently and sacrificially
> continued, ensuring the enrolment of ever larger numbers who will provide the
> energy, the resources and spiritual force to enable the beloved Cause to
> worthily play its part in the redemption of mankind. To reinforce this process
> the international goals of the Plan have been adopted, calling for the
> undertaking of many hundreds of inter-assembly assistance projects, the
> re-formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Zaire at Ridvan 1987 and
> the establishment, in the course of the Plan, of new National Spiritual
> Assemblies, of which those of Angola, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Macau have
> already been approved. During the first year of the Six Year Plan 338
> pioneers, guided by the needs set forth in previous plans, have already arisen
> and settled in 119 countries. A new appeal is now being prepared, details of
> which will be announced shortly. The promotion and facilitation of service
> projects for Bahá'í youth in the emergent countries of the world are now
> called for. National Spiritual Assemblies are asked to arrange, in
> consultation with each other and with the assistance of the Continental Boards
> of Counsellors, the best means of ensuring the effective service of those
> who respond.
> 
> Preparations for the Holy Year 1992, when the 100th Anniversary of the
> Ascension of the Blessed Beauty and the inception of the Covenant will be
> commemorated, have already begun. It is fitting, then, that the Covenant of
> Bahá'u'lláh, which links the past and the future with the progressive stages
> towards the fulfillment of God's ancient Promise, should be the major theme of
> the Six Year Plan. Concentration on this theme will enable us all to obtain a
> deeper appreciation of the meaning and purpose of His Revelation
> — "A Revelation," in the words of the Guardian, "hailed as the promise
> and crowning glory
> 
> [page 33]
> 
> of past ages and centuries, as the consummation of all the Dispensations within
> the Adamic Cycle, inaugurating an era of at least a thousand years' duration,
> and a cycle destined to last no less than five thousand centuries, signalizing
> the end of the Prophetic Era and the beginning of the Era of Fulfilment,
> unsurpassed alike in the duration of its Author's ministry and the fecundity
> and splendour of His mission...". The questions that such concentrated study
> should answer will undoubtedly include the meaning of the Bahá'í Covenant, its
> origin and what should be our attitude towards it.
> 
> Ever present in our contemplation of these profound questions is the
> magnetic figure of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Centre of the Covenant, the Mystery of
> God, the perfect Exemplar, Whose unerring interpretation of the Holy Texts and
> luminous examples of their application to personal conduct shed light on a way
> of life we must strive diligently to follow. During the course of the Six Year
> Plan the 75th anniversary of His visit to the West will be observed with
> befitting celebrations and proclamation activities. Simultaneously, there
> will be observed the 50th anniversary of the first Seven Year Plan in the
> Americas, launched in 1937 at the instigation of Shoghi Effendi, and which, in
> setting in motion the systematic execution of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's grand design
> for the spiritual conquest of the planet, marked the opening of the first
> epoch of the Divine Plan.
> 
> Great and wonderful tasks challenge us as never before. They demand
> equally great and wonderful sacrifice, dedication and single-minded devotion
> from every one of us. At present, the Bahá'í International Fund is utterly
> inadequate to support the tremendous expansion now required in all the
> multitudinous activities of the Bahá'í world community. The record of the
> Seven Year Plan, just completed, stands witness to our ability to meed the
> growing demands of the Cause. The heroism of the beloved friends in Iran,
> the eager response of 3,694 dedicated pioneers to the call raised for this
> essential service, the unceasing activity of teachers, administrators, local
> communities and individual believers throughout the entire organism of the
> embryonic world order, have endowed this growing Army of Life with new
> strengths and capacities. As we stride forward into the future we may be
> fully assured of His ever present bounty and the final victory of our efforts
> to establish His Kingdom in this troubled world.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 34]
> 
> Completing the Arc on Mount Carmel
> 
> 31 August 1987
> 
> To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the world
> 
> Beloved Friends,
> 
> Nigh on one hundred years ago, Bahá'u'lláh walked on God's Holy Mountain
> and revealed the Tablet of Carmel, the Charter of the World Centre of His
> Faith, calling into being the metropolis of the Kingdom of God on Earth.
> Through decades of oppression and expansion, persecution and emancipation,
> His followers have successfully laboured to carry His message to the remotest
> regions of the earth, to erect the structure of His Administrative Order, and
> to proclaim to mankind the divinely-prescribed cure for all its ills. In the
> past eight years the agonies suffered by His lovers in Iran have awakened the
> interest of a slumbering world and have brought His Faith to the centre of
> human attention.
> 
> On this same Mount Carmel 'Abdu'l-Bahá, with infinite pains, raised the
> Mausoleum of the Bab on the spot chosen by His Father, and laid to rest within
> its heart the sacred remains of the Prophet Herald of the Faith, establishing a
> Spiritual Centre of immeasurable significance. In accordance with the same
> divine command, Shoghi Effendi embellished the Shrine with an exquisite shell
> and then, under its protecting wing, began the construction of the
> Administrative Centre of the Faith, to comprise five buildings in a harmonious
> style of architecture, standing on a far-flung Arc centering on the Monuments
> of the Greatest Holy Leaf, her Mother and Brother. The first of these five
> buildings, the International Archives, was completed in the beloved
> Guardian's lifetime. The second, the Seat of the Universal House of Justice,
> now stands at the apex of the Arc. Plans for the remaining three were prepared
> in fulfilment of a goal of the Seven Year Plan, and are now being detailed.
> 
> As indicated in our letter of 30 April 1987, the way is now open for the
> Bahá'í world to erect the remaining buildings of its Administrative Centre,
> and we must without delay stride forward resolutely on this path.
> 
> Five closely related projects demand our attention: the erection of the
> three remaining buildings on the Arc and, added now to these, the construction
> of the terraces of the Shrine of the Bab and the extension of the
> International Archives Building. A brief description of each of these will
> convey an impression of their significance for the Faith.
> 
> [page 35]
> 
> The Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab. In His plans for the
> development of Mount Carmel, 'Abdu'l-Bahá envisaged nineteen monumental
> terraces from the foot of the mountain to its crest, nine leading to the
> terrace on which the Shrine of the Bab itself stands, and nine above it.
> These plans were often referred to by Shoghi Effendi, and he completed in
> preliminary form the nine terraces constituting the approach to the Shrine
> from the central avenue of the former German Templar Colony.
> 
> The International Teaching Centre will be the seat of that institution
> which is specifically invested with the twin functions of the protection
> and propagation of the Cause of God. The institution itself, referred to
> by the beloved Guardian in his writings, was established in June 1973,
> bringing to fruition the work of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in
> the Holy Land and providing for the extension into the future of functions
> with which that body had been endowed.
> 
> The Centre for the Study of the Texts. This building will be the seat
> of an institution of Bahá'í scholars, the efflorescence of the present
> Research Department of the World Centre, which will assist the Universal
> House of Justice in consulting the Sacred Writings, and will prepare
> translations of and commentaries on the authoritative texts of the Faith.
> 
> The International Archives Building. We have decided to construct,
> westwards, an extension to the basement of the present Archives Building
> to provide accommodation for the central office of the ever-growing
> Archives at the World Centre. This institution is charged with
> responsibility for the preservation of the Sacred Texts and Relics and the
> historic documents of the Cause of God.
> 
> The International Bahá'í Library. This Library is the central
> depository of all literature published on the Faith, and is an essential
> source of information for the institutions of the World Centre on all
> subjects relating to the Cause of God and the conditions of mankind. In
> future decades its functions must grow, it will serve as an active centre
> for knowledge in all fields, and it will become the kernel of great
> institutions of scientific investigation and discovery.
> 
> It is impossible at this stage to give an accurate estimate of the cost of
> these projects. All that we can now say is that in the immediate future two
> objectives have to be met: to accumulate rapidly a reserve of fifty million
> dollars on which plans for the construction can realistically begin to be
> implemented, and to provide an income of between twenty and twenty-five million
> dollars for the Bahá'í International Fund for each of the next ten years. As
> the work proceeds, contracts are signed and costs can be accurately determined,
> further information will be announced.
> 
> The great work of constructing the terraces, landscaping their
> surroundings, and erecting the remaining buildings of the Arc will bring
> into being a vastly augmented World Centre structure which will be capable
> of meeting the challenges of coming centuries and of the tremendous growth
> of the Bahá'í community which the beloved Guardian has told us to expect.
> Already we see the
> 
> [page 36]
> 
> effect of the spiritual energies which the completion of the Seat of the
> Universal House of Justice has released, and the new impulse this has given to
> the advancement of the Faith. Who can gauge what transformations will be
> effected as a result of the completion of each successive stage of this great
> enterprise? The Faith advances, not at a uniform rate of growth, but in vast
> surges, precipitated by the alternation of crisis and victory. In a passage
> written on 18 July 1953, in the early months of the Ten Year Crusade, Shoghi
> Effendi, referring to the vital need to ensure through the teaching work a
> "steady flow" of "fresh recruits to the slowly yet steadily advancing army of
> the Lord of Hosts", stated that this flow would "presage and hasten the advent
> of the day which, as prophesied by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, will witness the entry by
> troops of peoples of divers nations and races into the Bahá'í world". This
> day the Bahá'í world has already seen in Africa, the Pacific, in Asia and in
> Latin America, and this process of entry by troops must, in the present plan,
> be augmented and spread to other countries for, as the Guardian stated in this
> same letter, it "will be the prelude to that long-awaited hour when a mass
> conversion on the part of these same nations and races, and as a direct result
> of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic in nature, and which
> cannot as yet be even dimly visualized, will suddenly revolutionize the
> fortunes of the Faith, derange the equilibrium of the world, and reinforce a
> thousandfold the numerical strength as well as the material power and the
> spiritual authority of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh". This is the time for which
> we must now prepare ourselves; this is the hour whose coming it is our task to
> hasten.
> 
> At this climacteric of human history, we are called upon to rise up in
> sacrificial endeavour, our eyes on the awe-inspiring responsibilities which
> such developments will place upon Bahá'í institutions and individual believers
> in every land, and our hearts filled with unshakable confidence in the
> guiding Hand of the Founder of our Faith. That our Beloved Lord will arouse
> His followers in every land to a mighty united effort is our ardent prayer at
> the Sacred Threshold.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 37]
> 
> Ridvan Message 1988
> 
> Ridvan 1988
> 
> To the Bahá'ís of the World
> 
> Dearly-loved Friends,
> 
> At this resplendent, festive season, we greet you all in a spirit of
> renewed hope.
> 
> A silver lining to the dark picture which has overshadowed most of this
> century now brightens the horizon. It is discernible in the new tendencies
> impelling the social processes at work throughout the world, in the evidences
> of an accelerated trend towards peace. In the Faith of God, it is the growing
> strength of the Order of Bahá'u'lláh as its banner rises to more stately
> heights. It is strength that attracts. The media are giving increasing
> attention to the Bahá'í world community; authors are acknowledging its
> existence in a growing number of articles, books and reference works, one
> of the most highly respected of which recently listed the Faith as the most
> widely spread religion after Christianity. A remarkable display of interest
> in this community by governments, civil authorities, prominent personalities
> and humanitarian organizations is increasingly apparent. Not only are the
> community's laws and principles, organization and way of life being
> investigated, but its advice and active help are also being sought for the
> alleviation of social problems and the carrying out of humanitarian
> activities.
> 
> A thrilling consequence of these favourably conjoined developments is the
> emergence of a new paradigm of opportunity for further growth and consolidation
> of our worldwide community. New prospects for teaching the Cause at all
> levels of society have unfolded. These are confirmed in the early results
> flowing from the new teaching initiatives being fostered in a number of
> places as more and more national communities witness the beginnings of that
> entry by troops promised by the beloved Master and which Shoghi Effendi said
> would lead on to mass conversion. The immediate possibilities presented
> by this providential situation compel us to expect that an expansion of the
> Community of the Most Great Name, such as has not yet been experienced, is,
> indeed, at hand.
> 
> The spark which ignited the mounting interest in the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh
> was the heroic fortitude and patience of the beloved friends in Iran, which
> moved the Bahá'í world community to conduct a persistent, carefully
> orchestrated programme of appeal to the conscience of the world.
> This vast undertaking, involving the entire community acting unitedly
> through its Administrative Order, was accompanied by equally vigorous
> and visible activities of that community in other spheres which
> have been detailed separately. Nonetheless, we are impelled to
> mention that an important outcome of this extensive exertion is
> our recognition of a new stage in the external affairs of the Cause,
> characterized by a marked maturation of National Spiritual Assemblies
> in their growing relations with governmental and non-governmental
> organizations and with the public in general.
> 
> [page 38]
> 
> This recognition prompted a meeting in Germany last November of national
> Bahá'í external affairs representatives from Europe and North America, together
> with senior representatives of the Offices of the Bahá'í International
> Community, intent on effecting greater coordination of their work. This was a
> preliminary step towards the gathering of more and more National Spiritual
> Assemblies into a harmoniously functioning, international network capable of
> executing global undertakings in this rapidly expanding field. Related to
> these developments vas the significant achievement of international recognition
> accorded the Faith through its formal acceptance last October into membership
> of the Network on Conservation and Religion of the renowned World Wide Fund for
> Nature.
> 
> At one of the darkest periods in the prolonged oppression of the dearly-
> loved, resolutely steadfast friends in Iran, Shoghi Effendi was
> moved to comfort them in a letter of astounding insight. 'It is
> the shedding of the sacred blood of the martyrs in Persia he wrote,
> which, in this shining era, this resplendent, this gem-studded
> Bahá'í age, shall change the face of the earth into high heaven
> and, as revealed in the Tablets, raise up the tabernacle of the
> oneness of mankind in the very heart of the world, reveal to men's
> eyes the reality of the unity of the human race, establish the Most
> Great Peace, make of this lower realm a mirror for the Abha Paradise,
> and establish beyond any doubt before all the peoples of the world
> the truth of the verse: '...the day when the Earth shall be changed
> into another Earth.'" Reflections like these, in adducing such
> wondrous future consequences from the horrific suffering to which
> our Iranian friends are subjected, illuminate the opportunity and
> the challenge facing us all at this crucial moment in the fortunes
> of the Cause.
> 
> The great projects already launched must be pursued to their completion.
> The terraces below and above the Shrine of the Bab and the Arc on Mount Carmel
> must be completed, fulfilling the glorious vision of the efflorescence of God's
> holy mountain; the second World Congress must be held in the City of the
> Covenant to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of that
> Covenant; the steadily advancing work on the translation and annotation of the
> Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, must be brought to publication; the interest
> shown by the friends in the Law of Huququ'llah must be cultivated; the pioneers
> and travelling teachers must go forth; the expenses of the Cause must be met;
> all objectives of the Six Year Plan must be achieved.
> 
> But the paramount purpose of all Bahá'í activity is teaching. All that
> has been done or will be done revolve around this central activity, the "head
> corner-stone of the foundation itself", to which all progress in the Cause is
> due. The present challenge calls for teaching on a scale and of a quality, a
> variety, and intensity outstripping all current efforts. The time is now, lest
> opportunity be lost in the swiftly changing moods of a frenetic world. Led it
> not be imagined that expedience is the essential motive arousing this sense of
> urgency. There is an overarching reason: it is the pitiful plight of masses
> of humanity, suffering and in turmoil, hungering after righteousness, but
> bereft of discernment to see God with their own eyes, or hear His Melody with
> their own ears". They must be fed. Vision must be restored where hope is
> lost, confidence built where doubt and confusion are rife. In these and other
> respects, "The Promise of World Peace" is designed to open the way. Its
> delivery to national governmental leaders having been virtually completed, its
> contents must now be conveyed, by all possible means, to peoples
> everywhere from all walks of life. This is a necessary part of
> the teaching work in our time and must be pursued with unabated vigour.
> 
> [page 39]
> 
> Teaching is the food of the spirit; it brings life to unawakened souls and
> raises the new heaven and the new earth; it uplifts the banner of a unified
> world; it ensures the victory of the Covenant and brings those who give their
> lives to it the supernal happiness of attainment to the good pleasure of their
> Lord.
> 
> Every individual believer — man, woman, youth and child — is summoned to
> this field of action; for it is on the initiative, the resolute will of the
> individual to teach and to serve, that the success of the entire community
> depends. Well-grounded in the mighty Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh, sustained by
> daily prays and reading of the Holy Word, strengthened by a continual striving
> to obtain a deeper understanding of the divine Teachings, illumined by a
> constant endeavour to relate these Teachings to current issues, nourished by
> observance of the laws and principles of His wondrous World Order, every
> individual can attain increasing measures of success in teaching In sum, the
> ultimate triumph of the Cause is assured by that "one thing and only one thing"
> so poignantly emphasized by Shoghi Effendi, namely, "the extent to which our
> own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects
> the splendour of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh".
> 
> Beloved Friends — you who are addressed by the Best Beloved, the Blessed
> Beauty, as "the solace of the eye of creation , as "the soft-flowing
> waters upon which must depend the very life of all men" — we urge
> you, with all earnestness from the utter depths of our conviction
> as to the ripeness of the time, to lay aside your every minor concern
> and direct your energies to teaching His Cause — to proclaiming,
> expanding and consolidating it. You can approach your task in full
> confidence that this clear field of progress outstretched before
> you derives from the operation of that God-born Force" which "vibrates
> within the innermost being of all created things" and which, "acting
> even as a two-edged sword, is, under our very eyes, sundering, on
> the one hand, the age-old ties which for centuries have held together
> the fabric of civilized society, and is unloosing, on the other,
> the bonds that still fetter the infant and as yet unemancipated Faith
> of Bahá'u'lláh"
> 
> Have no fear or doubts The power of the Covenant will assist you and
> invigorate you and remove every obstacle from your path "He, verily,
> will aid everyone that aideth Him, and will remember everyone that
> remembereth Him".
> 
> You have our abiding assurance of ardent and constant prayers for you all.
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 40]
> 
> Education of Bahá'ís in the Law of Huququ'llah
> 
> 7 July 1988
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> One of the important topics addressed during the Sixth International
> Convention was that of the education of the believers in the Law of
> Huququ'llah. Thus far the progress towards this goal of the Six Year Plan
> has been encouraging and heartwarming, both in the East and in the West.
> The letters received at the World Centre from many of the friends have shown
> a profound understanding of the spiritual significance of this law and a joy
> in being able to obey its precepts.
> 
> The Universal House of Justice has asked us to send to you the enclosed
> copy of the address that was given by the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. 'Ali
> Muhammad Varqa in one of the plenary sessions of the Convention, and to
> suggest that you share this with the friends in your community in such manner
> as you deem most effective. It points out that the worldwide education of the
> believers in the Law of Huququ'llah will require sustained efforts by the
> institutions of the Faith and, to assist you in this, we enclose a list of
> available publications on Huququ'llah which you can order directly from the
> Publishing Trusts or through the appropriate National Spiritual Assemblies.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> Enclosures
> 
> [page 41]
> 
> TALK GIVEN BY THE HAND OF THE CAUSE OF GOD DR. 'ALI MUHAMMAD VARQA
> 
> Sixth International Convention, 1 May 1988
> 
> Dearly loved friends,
> 
> At the inception of the Six Year Plan of the Universal House of Justice, which
> coincided with dramatic changes in many aspects of society, a new arena for
> rapid development of the Faith of God has been attained and the purpose and aim
> of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation have been unveiled before the very eyes of
> Government Authorities, Heads of States and Scholars who were not even aware
> of its existence.
> 
> At this rightful time the Universal House of Justice has emphasized the
> importance of acquiring knowledge of the laws and ordinances revealed by
> Bahá'u'lláh, and adopted the translation of the most Holy Book, the Kitab-i-Aqdas, into English as one of the sublime goals of this new plan.
> 
> Among the commandments and decrees revealed in this sacred Book is the law of
> Huququ'llah, previously applicable only to the friends in the East. The
> Western friends became aware of this law with the dissemination of the
> compilation of the Holy text and the Sacred writings prepared by the Research
> Department of the Universal House of Justice.
> 
> Huququ'llah is an Arabic word composed of two words, "Huquq" meaning "Rights"
> and "Allah" meaning "God". Therefore, Huququ'llah means "The Rights of God",
> a part of the individual's possessions and income offered at the Threshold of
> the Lord.
> 
> In a Tablet addressed to Jinab-i-Zayn referring to Huququ'llah, Bahá'u'lláh
> states that the progress and the promulgation of the Faith of God, depend on
> material means, therefore, the expansion and the advancement of God's
> Revelation and the establishment of a new order and a new world civilization
> cannot be achieved without material means.
> 
> The embryo of this sacred law was established, by the Beloved Bab in the Bayan
> where, for the first time, the word Huququ'llah was mentioned by Him.
> Bahá'u'lláh brought some modifications in its contents and accepted it as one
> of the executive ordinances of His Revelation.
> 
> Although Huququ'llah is one of the most significant laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas,
> we should not take the word "Law" in its rigid and literal meaning, defined in
> the encyclopedia as "the obligatory rule promoted by a sovereign authority".
> It is not a law which is enforced with pressure, but rather a spiritual
> obligation based on the love of the believer who is eager to obey the will
> of his Beloved. In this ordinance there is no room for pressure or
> intimidation. Obedience is a reflection of the highest degree of love and
> ardent desire.
> 
> Huququ'llah, by its special and unique characteristic, combines might and
> humility, power and humbleness. It is one of the fundamental ordinances of the
> Bahá'í Faith, like prayer and fasting. Its importance has been manifested by
> these words of Bahá'u'lláh:
> 
> "Say: O people, the first duty is to recognize the one true God —
> magnified be His glory — the second is to show forth constancy in
> His Cause and, after these, one's duty is to purify one's riches
> and earthly possessions according to that which is prescribed by
> God...." (31)*
> 
> [page 42]
> 
> By studying the writings revealed by Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá regarding ,
> Huququ'llah four essential points emerge:
> 
> First, in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, Bahá'u'lláh states:
> 
> "Should a person acquire one hundred mithqals of gold, nineteen
> mithqals thereof belong unto God, the Creator of earth and heaven.
> Take heed, O people, lest ye deprive yourselves of this great
> bounty....n (10)*
> 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá emphasizes that Huququ'llah is payable on whatever is left over
> after deducting the yearly expenses.
> 
> The payment of Huququ'llah is based on the calculation of the value of one's
> income in respect of the gold unit. Whenever the annual income of the
> individual, after the deduction of his complete year's expenses, reaches
> nineteen mithqals of gold value, (equivalent to 2.22456 ounces or 69.19112
> grams), 19% of this amount is the Right of God and should be submitted to the
> Focal Point of the Faith. The calculation of sustaining means of livelihood
> which are exempted from Huququ'llah depends on the spiritual maturity of every
> believer and his innermost conscience. No criterion can be established for
> this purpose, for it varies according to the living conditions and social
> status of each believer, and the degree of his spiritual attachment and
> material detachment.
> 
> The second point is that the payment of the Right of God is like a magnet,
> which attracts divine blessings and, confirmation. It is the mainspring of
> God's mercy and compassion. Bahá'u'lláh, in His writings, showers His
> limitless benediction upon those who observe this law.
> 
> Again, in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Pen of Glory decrees:
> 
> "...and whoso fulfilleth the things he hath been commanded, divine
> blessings will descend upon him from the heaven of the bounty of his
> Lord, the Bestower, the Bountiful, the Most Generous, the Ancient of
> Days...." (10)*
> 
> In another Tablet we read:
> 
> "They that have kept their promises, fulfilled their obligations,
> redeemed their pledges and vows, rendered the Trust of God and His
> Right unto Him — these are numbered among the inmates of the all-
> highest Paradise...." (26)*
> 
> In a Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, we find:
> 
> "Those who have observed this weighty ordinance have received
> heavenly blessings and in both worlds their faces have shone
> radiantly and their nostrils perfumed by the sweet savours of
> God's tender mercy...." (62)*
> 
> The third factor is that just as the payment of Huququ'llah would attract
> divine bounty and blessings, its negligence or failure causes deprivation and
> is interpreted as tantamount to treachery to a Fund rightfully belonging to
> God.
> 
> [page 43]
> 
> This Fund is to be spent on whatever is of benefit for the promulgation of the
> Faith under the complete and absolute decision of the authority "to which all
> must turn." (96)* Only this authority and none other, not even the donor, has
> the right to interfere in its management.
> 
> In the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Pen of Glory warns those who neglect the payment of
> Huququ'llah:
> 
> "O people! Act not treacherously in the matter of Huququ'llah
> and dispose not of it, except by His leave...." (10)*
> 
> And He continues:
> 
> "Whoso dealeth dishonestly with God will in justice be exposed,
> and whoso fulfilleth the things he hath been commanded, divine
> blessings will descend upon him from the heaven of the bounty of
> his Lord, the Bestower, the Bountiful, the Most Generous, the
> Ancient of Days...." (ibid)
> 
> Therefore, withholding the payment of Huququ'llah or spending it on other
> concerns, no matter how charitable their nature, would be interpreted as
> misappropriation of the fund belonging to God, and an act of dishonesty. Any
> donation for charity and beneficent purposes such as contributions to the
> various funds should be made after the contributor is free of his debt to God.
> 
> And finally, God Almighty has decreed that the payment of the Right of God
> is conducive to prosperity, and assists the progress of the human soul in the
> spiritual realms of the Everlasting world.
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh says:
> 
> "...the treasures laid up by kings and queens are not worthy of
> mention, nor will they be acceptable in the presence of God.
> However, a grain of mustard offered by His loved ones will be
> extolled in the exalted court of His holiness and invested with
> the ornament of His acceptance...." (39)*
> 
> The high station of Huququ'llah and its exceptional rank among the
> commandments of Bahá'u'lláh is endowed with great veneration and respect.
> 'Abdu'l- Bahá, referring to the words of Bahá'u'lláh says:
> 
> "...the utmost honesty hath to be observed in matters related to
> the Huquq. The Institution of Huquq is sacred." (72)*
> 
> In order to respect its sanctity, Bahá'u'lláh strongly forbids soliciting
> Huququ'llah. No individual or institution is authorized to demand it.
> Whenever it is necessary to bring the importance of this obligation to the
> attention of the believers, it should be mentioned as a general reminder.
> Spiritual maturity must stir the conscience of the believers and, nothing else. In a
> Tablet addressed to Haji Amin the second Trustee of Huququ'llah, Bahá'u'lláh
> says:
> 
> "No one should demand the Huququ'llah. Its payment should
> depend on the volition of the individuals themselves...n (51)*
> 
> [page 44]
> 
> And again:
> 
> "...Ye may relinquish the whole world but must not allow the
> detraction of even one jot or tittle from the dignity of the
> Cause of God. Jinab-i-Amin — upon him be My glory — must
> also refrain from mentioning this matter, for it is entirely
> dependent upon the willingness of the individuals themselves.
> They are well acquainted with the commandment of God and are
> familiar with that which was revealed in the Book. Led him who
> wisheth observe it, and led him who wisheth ignore it...." (8)*
> 
> The concept of Huququ'llah is an evolutionary process subject to great
> changes, dependent on our spiritual growth, and our deepening of the Holy
> writings.
> 
> Most of the friends believe Huququ'llah is a way for fund raising, and its
> aim is to strengthen the material potential of the Faith.
> 
> Indeed the payment of Huququ'llah contributes to a large extent to the needs
> of the Cause. It is an important instrument for building and strengthening the
> structure of the edifice of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, and when it is
> fully established there will be an ever-flowing source of revenue at the
> disposal of the Focal Point of the Cause of God to promote the Faith and to
> meed the growing needs of establishing a new world order. But, in fact, the
> purpose and aim of Huququ'llah is far beyond that and much greater and more
> spiritual than we imagine.
> 
> In 1978/79, following the Iranian upheaval, when the most important source of
> revenue of the Faith stopped functioning, I asked the Universal House of
> Justice if it was time for the implementation of Huququ'llah in some of the
> Western countries. The Universal House of Justice replied that Huququ'llah is
> a very important law, and its implementation needs time and consultation in the
> future. At the time, I could not comprehend the wisdom of what had been
> stated. It was after studying the Holy writings with more depth, that I have
> realized that Huququ'llah which could be interpreted as the material aspect
> of the Covenant of God, in reality is a spiritual and learning process, a way
> of strengthening the link of love and dedication between man and God, and its
> implementation needs studying and deepening.
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitab-i-Aqdas says:
> 
> "Indeed there lie concealed in this command, mysteries and benefits
> which are beyond the comprehension of anyone save God, the All-
> Knowing, the All-Informed...." (10)*
> 
> Therefore, we cannot expect to comprehend the essence and the wisdom hidden in
> this sacred law. They are kept in the treasury of God's knowledge and are
> related to the evolution and progress of the human soul in the world of God.
> What we can conceive by our human understanding is that the payment of
> Huququ'llah is the sign of our love and obedience, a proof of our firmness and
> steadfastness and a symbol of our trustworthiness in the Covenant of
> Bahá'u'lláh. It creates and develops our spiritual quality which leads us
> towards perfection; it harmonizes and balances our material endeavour,
> protects us from excessive desire which is born in our human nature, and when
> unleashed turns into a preventive element for our spiritual growth. When man
> realizes that a
> 
> [page 45]
> 
> his life in a Just and legitimate manner in order that his offering may deserve
> to be spent in the path of God.
> 
> It is important to note that although there is some similarity between
> Huququ'llah and the other donations, and that all are the marvelous fruits of
> love, enthusiasm and devotion of the believers to the Faith, there are four
> major differences between them:
> 
> 1. The payment of Huququ'llah has priority over all other contributions
> because it belongs to God. The contribution of the believers to the funds
> should be made from their possessions and not from what belongs to the Lord.
> 
> 2. The payment of Huququ'llah according to the explicit text of the Kitab-i-
> Aqdas is an obligation subject to specific laws and ordinances, whereas other
> donations are not considered as a law. They are rather an indication of the
> sacrifice, generosity, detachment and magnanimity of the contributor to meet
> the needs of the administration of the Cause.
> 
> 3. Huququ'llah is determined precisely on accurate calculation, whereas
> there are no rules related to the frequency or the amount of the contribution
> to the funds.
> 
> 4. The disposal of the Huququ'llah is left solely to the Focal Point of the
> Faith, and none other, whereas the disposal of the other contributions can
> depend on the purpose for which the contribution has been earmarked.
> 
> Undoubtedly, the awareness of the friends about Huququ'llah will raise many
> questions, including those related to its calculation and the appraisal of that
> part of one's belongings which is subject to exemption. One should consider
> that what is revealed in the Kitab-i-Aqdas about Huququ'llah is only the
> fundamental basis of this injunction, and the approach of the Blessed Beauty is
> confined to these guiding lines and general principles. He has not set any
> special rules or legislation. In all His writings related to this matter,
> God's self-sufficiency and independence of all things has been manifested, and
> the fragrance of His compassion, generosity and mercy is inhaled. According to
> the letter written in 1878 by His secretary to an early believer, for the first
> time the acceptance of Huququ'llah was granted to those Persian friends who
> had the desire to contribute, therefore, during five years after the revelation
> of the law, Bahá'u'lláh did not accept Huququ'llah and on many occasions
> the offering of the friends was returned to them. It could be assumed that
> since He, Himself, as the Central Figure of His Revelation, is the only
> recipient of Huququ'llah, He did not want to go into details, but left them,
> in conformity to the Will of God, to the Universal House of Justice, the Body
> which has the power to enact laws that are not precisely given in the Book.
> 
> When the Kitab-i-Aqdas reached Iran and as the friends became aware of its
> contents, a consultative body, which could be the nucleus of our actual Local
> Spiritual Assemblies, was formed in Tihran. In their minutes we notice that
> the dissemination of the knowledge of Huququ'llah was one of the goals set by
> that body 101 years ago.
> 
> [page 46]
> 
> The growing eagerness of the believers for the execution of God's injunction
> led them to ask Bahá'u'lláh for elucidation regarding Huququ'llah and this was
> given to them in various Tablets. The most important guidance was revealed —
> in response to Jinab-i-Zayn's request — as an annex to the Kitab-i-Aqdas in
> the form of questions and answers. More guidance from the Beloved Master, the
> Guardian, and in recent decades from the Universal House of Justice has shed
> light on Huququ'llah which we can find in the compilation issued by the World
> Centre.
> 
> With the increasing awareness of the Bahá'ís and the fast growing complexity
> of the social and economic system of society, the Bahá'í community will witness
> the establishment of rules and guidance on Huququ'llah by the Supreme
> Authority of the Faith. Meanwhile, according to the Universal House of
> Justice s letter of March 1, 1984, in the absence of explicit text and Holy
> writings on Huququ'llah, the friends are free to honour the obligation of
> Huququ'llah based on their own judgement and conscience.
> 
> Indeed, while the establishment of rules and directions can explain the
> different aspects of Huququ'llah, the ideal functioning and efficiency of
> these legislations depend on the spiritual advancement of the friends and
> their deepening in the Holy Writings.
> 
> That is why the Universal House of Justice has, as one of its major goals of
> the Six Year Plan, adopted the education of Huququ'llah as a priority,
> preparing the way for the implementation of the law of God in the Bahá'í
> world, and has asked the fervent collaboration of the major institutions of the
> Faith, such as the National Spiritual Assemblies and the Continental Boards of
> Counsellors to share this important task with the Institution of Huququ'llah in
> promoting the education of God's injunction to the Bahá'í community at large.
> 
> During the last two years, some of the National Spiritual Assemblies — in
> particular the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and Canada
> and a few others in other parts of the world — offered remarkable assistance
> for this sublime goal and it is hoped many more will join in the future to
> assist with this task.
> 
> As a result of the effort of such National Spiritual Assemblies, a number of
> Western friends are contributing to Huququ'llah even before its formal
> implementation. This leads us to hope that education on this subject will
> become more widespread and that, by the end of the Six Year Plan, the Bahá'í
> world will have attained a higher level of flourishing spiritual advancement.
> 
> *Refers to number of excerpt in compilation on Huququ'llah compiled
> June 1985 by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.
> 
> [page 47]
> 
> The Huququ'llah Compilation prepared by the Research Department of the
> Universal House of Justice in June 1985 is available in the following languages
> from Bahá'í agencies indicated:
> 
> English
> 
> Bahá'í Canada Publications, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand, Auckland, New
> Zealand
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Oakham, England
> 
> Huququ'llah the right of God
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
> 
> The Law of Huququ'llah
> [abridged version]
> 
> Arabic
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> Chinese
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust Committee, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
> 
> Hu ku qu la qu qui
> 
> French
> 
> Maison d'Editions Bahá'íes, Brussels, Belgium
> 
> Huququ'llah ou le droit de Dieu
> 
> German
> 
> National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Germany, Hofheim-Langenhain, Germany
> 
> Huququ'llah: die Kronende Zier aller Ernten der Welt
> 
> Italian
> 
> Casa Editrice Bahá'í, Rome, Italy
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> Persian, Arabic
> 
> The Hand of the Cause of God 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
> 
> Maju'i'i az nusus-i-mubarakih va dastkhatthay-i-Baytu'l-Adl-i
> Azam-i-Ilahi dar bariy-i-huququ'llah
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Karachi, Pakistan
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> Spanish
> 
> Editorial Bahá'í de Espana, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
> 
> El Huququ'llah y 108 fondos Bahá'ís
> 
> [page 48]
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust Committee, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
> Hukukulla
> 
> Urdu
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Karachi, Pakistan
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> The compilation "A Codification of the law of Huququ'llah" prepared by the
> Research Department of the Universal House of Justice 1987 is available in
> the following languages from Bahá'í agencies indicated:
> 
> English
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
> 
> A Codification of the law of Huququ'llah
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, Wilmette,
> Illinois, U.S.A.
> 
> A Codification of the law of Huququ'llah
> 
> Gen an
> National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Germany, Hofheim-Langenhain, Germany
> 
> Systematische Darstellung tes Huququ'llah-Gesetzes: tie Entwicklung ter
> Institution fur das Huququ'llah
> 
> Spanish
> 
> E.B.I.L.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina
> 
> Una Codificacion de la ley del huququ'llah
> 
> The compilation "The Development of the institution for the Huququ'llah"
> prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice in 1987
> is available in the following languages from Bahá'í agencies indicated:
> 
> English
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
> 
> The Development of the institution for the Huququ'llah
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, Wilmette,
> Illinois, U.S.A.
> 
> The Development of the institution for the Huququ'llah
> 
> French
> 
> Maison t'Editions Bahá'íes, Brussels, Belgium
> 
> Huququ'llah, historique ed codification
> 
> Spanish
> 
> E.B.I.L.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina
> 
> El Desarrollo te la institucion tel Huququ'llah
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
> 
> El Desarrollo de la institucion del Huququ'llah
> 
> [page 49]
> 
> The compilations "The Development of the-institution for the Huququ'llah" and "A
> Codification of the law of Huququ'llah" prepared by the Research Department of
> the Universal House of Justice in 1987 are available in one publication in the
> following languages from Bahá'í agencies indicated:
> 
> English
> 
> Bahá'í Publishing Trust Committee, Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Transkei, Umtata, Transkei
> 
> The law of the Huququ'llah: codification and other documents
> 
> Other works on the Huququ'llah are available in the following languages from
> Bahá'í agencies indicated:
> 
> French
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Gabon, Libreville, Gabon
> 
> Huququ'llah, le droit de Dieu
> 
> Persian
> 
> Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom, London,
> United Kingdom
> 
> Huququ'llah
> 
> 'Andalib, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
> 
> Matalib va nikatf chand dar bariy-i-Huququ'llah, v.S no.19 (summer 1988)
> 
> [page 50]
> 
> Ridvan Message 1989
> 
> Ridvan 1989
> 
> To the Bahá'ís of the World
> 
> Dearly loved Friends,
> 
> The spiritual current which exerted such galvanic effects at the
> International Bahá'í Convention last Ridvan has swept through the entire world
> community, arousing its members in both the East and the West to feats of
> activity and achievement in teaching never before experienced in any one year.
> The high level of enrollments alone bears this out, as nearly half a million
> new believers have already been reported. The names of such far-flung places
> as India and Liberia, Bolivia and Bangladesh, Taiwan and Peru, the Philippines
> and Haiti leap to the fore as we contemplate the accumulating evidences of the
> entry by troops called for in our message of a year ago. These evidences are
> hopeful signs of the greater acceleration yet to come and in which all nations
> communities, whatever the current status of their teaching effort, will
> ultimately be involved.
> 
> We look back with feelings of humble gratitude and heightened expectations
> at the stupendous developments which have taken place in so brief a period.
> One such development has been the adoption of the architectural design
> conceived by Mr. Fariburz Sahba for the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab,
> which launches a new stage towards the realization of the Master's and the
> Guardian's vision for the path along which the kings and rulers will ascend the
> slopes of Mount Carmel to pay homage at the resting place of Bahá'u'lláh's
> Martyr-Herald. Other developments include: the approval by the central
> authorities in Moscow of the application submitted by a number of Bahá'ís in
> 'Ishqabad to restore the Local Spiritual Assembly of that city; the initiation
> of steps to open a Bahá'í Information Centre in Budapest, the first such agency
> of the Faith in the Eastern Bloc; the establishment of a branch of the Bahá'í
> International Community's Office of Public Information in Hong Kong in
> anticipation of the time when the Faith can be proclaimed on the mainland of
> China.
> 
> Also outstanding among these developments have been the successful
> co-sponsorship by the Bahá'í International Community of the "Arts for Nature"
> programme in London held to benefit the work of the World Wide Fund for Nature;
> the signing of an agreement in Geneva establishing formal working relations
> between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bahá'í International
> Community; the official approval of a Bahá'í curriculum for public schools in
> New South Wales, Australia; the immense stream of visitors to the Temple in
> New Delhi, swelling to some four million since that edifice's inauguration
> in December 1986, and including an unusual number of high government officials
> and other prominent persons from many lands, among them China, the Soviet
> Union and countries of the Eastern Bloc. These, added to numerous other
> highlights of this single year, merge with the overall record of
> accomplishments thus far in the Six Year Plan, presenting a dynamic picture
> of accelerated activity throughout the Bahá'í World.
> 
> No reference to such marvelous progress could fall to acknowledge the
> spiritual and social impact effected by the decade-long episode of persecution
> inflicted with such cruel excesses on our Iranian fellow-believers. Only in
> 
> [page 51]
> 
> the future will the full consequence of their sacrifice be known, but we can
> clearly recognize its influence on the extraordinary success in proclaiming the
> Faith and in establishing good relations with governmental authorities and
> major non-governmental organizations around the world. It is therefore with
> profound thanksgiving and joy that we announce the release of the vast majority
> of Bahá'í prisoners in Iran. Even as we rejoice we cannot forged that there
> remain to be realized the full emancipation of the Iranian Bahá'í community and
> the assurance of the human rights of its members in all respects.
> 
> In the gladness of the moment, we extend a warm welcome to the two National
> Spiritual Assemblies being formed this Ridvan: one in Macau in Southeast Asia,
> the other in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa.
> 
> Through the shadow of confusion deranging present-day society, there is a
> far glimmer, yet so faint but discernible, of an approach, slow but definite,
> towards the culmination of the three collateral processes envisaged by the
> beloved Guardian, namely: the emergence of the Lesser Peace, the construction
> of the buildings on the Arc on Mount Carmel and the evolution of National and
> Local Spiritual Assemblies. Indeed, throughout the Six Year Plan, during this
> fourth epoch of the Formative Age, and particularly during the year just ended,
> this glimmer, still so distant, has drawn closer. For who could have imagined,
> even at the beginning of this Plan, the sudden changes of attitude moving
> political leaders in some of the most troubled spots on the planed to break
> away from seemingly intractable positions — changes which in recent months
> have prompted editorial writers to ask: "Is peace breaking out?"? To any
> observer conscious of the divine Source of such occurrences, this development
> must certainly be encouraging, although the precise circumstances attending
> the establishment of the Lesser Peace are not known to us; even its exact
> timing is concealed in the Major Plan of God.
> 
> The two other processes, however, are directly influenced by the degree
> to which the followers of Bahá'u'lláh fulfill their clearly delineated tasks.
> There is good reason to take heart. For have not the architectural concepts
> for the remaining buildings on the Arc been adopted and the detailed
> specifications which will effect their realization as splendid monumental
> structures been undertaken? Have we not witnessed the increasing strength of
> National and Local Spiritual Assemblies in their ability to conceive and
> execute plans, in their capacity to teal with governmental authorities and
> social organizations, to respond to public calls upon their services and to
> collaborate with others in projects of social and economic development? Are
> these Assemblies not reinforced by the alert, loving support of the Continental
> Counsellors, the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants, all of whose
> burgeoning energies are being skillfully coordinated by the International
> Teaching Centre — an institution whose augmented membership has already
> displayed a verve, a vision and a versatility evocative of warm admiration?
> 
> Tempting as it may be to dwell upon the positive features of our progress,
> better that we should be spurred on by them than that we should rest on our
> achievements. Led us continue, therefore, undeflected and confident, to seize
> the magnificent possibilities which the mix and blend of these ongoing
> processes and events allow for actualizing the immediate interests of our
> sacred Cause. These interests, to be sure, are identified in the major
> objectives of the Six Year Plan, on the second half of which we are now
> embarked, fully conscious of the not-too-distant approach of the Holy Year,
> 1992-1993, and its significant commemorations.
> 
> In conjunction with the ever-widening thrust of teaching, we must proceed
> by every possible means with projects of the most critical importance. Work
> is continuing on the preparation for publication in English of the
> Kitab-i-Aqdas,
> 
> [page 52]
> 
> the Mother Book of the Bahá'í Revelation. Arrangements must now be made for
> a befitting commemoration in the Holy Land of the Centenary of the Ascension
> of Bahá'u'lláh. The plans for the World Congress in 1992 in New York must
> continue to advance on schedule. Moreover, further systematic attention needs
> to be given to the eventual elimination of illiteracy from the Bahá'í
> community, an accomplishment which would, beyond anything else, make the
> Holy Word accessible to all the friends and thus reinforce their efforts to
> live the Bahá'í life. Similarly, assisting in endeavors to conserve the
> environment in ways which blend with the rhythm of life of our community must
> assume more importance in Bahá'í activities.
> 
> Regarding the projects on Mount Carmel, the Office of the Project Manager
> has been established, and a technical staff is being assembled. Geological
> testing at the sites of the designated buildings on the Arc is about to begin
> — a step preliminary to the ground breaking anticipated by the entire Bahá'í
> world. Hence, we seize this opportunity to apprise you of the urgency for the
> required funds both to initiate construction and to sustain this work once it
> has begun.
> 
> All these requirements must and will surely be med through reconsecrated
> service on the part of every conscientious member of the Community of Bahá,
> and particularly through personal commitment to the teaching work. So
> fundamentally important is this work to ensuring the foundation for success
> in all Bahá'í undertakings and to furthering the process of entry by troops
> that we are moved to add a word of emphasis for your consideration. It is not
> enough to proclaim the Bahá'í message, essential as that is. it is not enough to
> expand the rolls of Bahá'í membership, vital as that is. Souls must be
> transformed, communities thereby consolidated, new models of life thus
> attained.
> 
> Transformation is the essential purpose of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh, but it
> lies in the will and effort of the individual to achieve it in obedience to
> the Covenant. Necessary to the progress of this life-fulfilling
> transformation is knowledge of the will and purpose of God through regular
> reading and study of the Holy Word.
> 
> Beloved Friends: The momentum generated by this past year's achievements
> is reflected not only in the opportunities for marked expansion of the Cause
> but also in a broad range of challenges — momentous, insistent and varied —
> which have combined in ways that place demands beyond any previous measure upon
> our spiritual and material resources. We must be prepared to meed them. At
> this mid-point of the Six Year Plan, we have reached a historic moment pregnant
> with hopes and possibilities — a moment at which significant trends in the
> world are becoming more closely aligned with principles and objectives of the
> Cause of God. The urgency upon our community to press onward in fulfillment of
> its world-embracing mission is therefore tremendous.
> 
> Our primary response must be to teach — to teach ourselves and to teach
> others — at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further
> delay. The beloved Master, in an exhortation on teaching, said it is "not
> until the candle is lit that it can shed the brightness of its flame; not until
> the light shineth forth that its brilliance can dispel the surrounding gloom".
> Go forth, then, and be the "lighters of the unlit candles".
> 
> Our abiding love, unabating encouragement, constant, fervent prayers
> accompany you wherever you may go, whatever you may do in service to our
> beloved Lord.
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 53]
> 
> Commencement of Work on Projects
> on Mount Carmel
> 
> 28 April 1989
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> On Thursday and Friday, 27 and 28 April 1989, the Universal House of
> Justice transmitted by electronic means the following message to selected
> National Spiritual Assemblies.
> 
> REJOICE ANNOUNCE COMMENCEMENT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ESSENTIAL
> PRELIMINARY STEP IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS MOUNT CARMEL. THIS
> STEP SHARPENS NEED SPEEDY ACCUMULATION FIFTY MILLION DOLLAR
> RESERVE CALLED FOR PERMIT INITIATION MAJOR WORKS, OF WHICH
> ONE THIRD 50 FAR CONTRIBUTED. URGE SHARE INFORMATION FRIENDS.
> 
> THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
> 
> The House of Justice has requested that in forwarding this message each
> National Spiritual Assembly be asked to ensure that the friends in its area
> of jurisdiction become aware of these urgent financial needs of the Faith in
> a manner best suited to its community.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 54]
> 
> The Importance of Literacy
> 
> 10 July 1989
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The Holy Word has been extolled by the Prophets of God as the medium of
> celestial power and the wellspring of all spiritual, social and material
> progress. Access to it, constant study of it and daily use of it in our
> individual lives are vital to the inner personal transformation towards which
> we strive and whose ultimate outer manifestation will be the emergence of that
> divine civilization which is the promise of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> The blessings which flow from the Word of God are implicit in this
> instruction of Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitab-i-Aqdas", the Mother Book of His
> Revelation: "Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may
> unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in
> its depths." Again in the same book, He bids us recite the "verses of God
> every morning and evening". An astonishing insight as to the sublime influence
> of the revealed Word is conveyed in this further instruction gleaned from one
> of His Tablets: "Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been
> received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the
> sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of
> all men. Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed
> by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the
> fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of
> every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of
> its effect, yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner
> or later exercise its influence upon his soul."
> 
> The most immediate access to the dynamic influence of the sacred word is
> through reading. The ability to read is therefore a fundamental right and
> privilege of every human being. Bahá'u'lláh promotes this right in His
> command to parents to ensure the instruction of their sons and daughters in
> the "art of reading and writing". For this essential reason, in our last
> Ridvan message we called attention to the need for systematic attention to be
> given to eventually eliminating illiteracy from the Bahá'í community. This
> matter must assume its proper importance as a continuing objective of that
> community.
> 
> Let each National and Local Spiritual Assembly, according to necessity and
> circumstance, address itself to this objective, conscious that even where total
> achievement is not immediately possible, opportunities must be sought to make
> steady progress. Led each be confident that the shining example set by Iran,
> the mother community of the Bahá'í world, under the inspiration of
> Bahá'u'lláh's teachings and the urging of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi,
> upholds a standard all can follow. In the earliest years of this century,
> when no systematic, overall plan of education existed in Iran, the Bahá'ís
> seized their chance and organized a widespread programme of education. Its
> teachers were distinguished for their ability to foster child, youth and adult
> education, which led to significant self-improvement among the Iranian Bahá'ís.
> The emergence of a literate Bahá'í community was an outstanding result.
> 
> [page 55]
> 
> Some local or national Bahá'í communities may wish to follow the example
> of those who have already instituted their own literacy projects and are
> achieving notable success; others may wish to participate in literacy
> programmes organized by governmental or non-governmental organizations Each
> community will have to determine whether to engage in one or the other, or to
> do both. Progress will depend not only on the initiatives of Bahá'í
> institutions in relation to children, but also on the active interest of
> adult believers who want to learn to read Such friends should definitely
> be encouraged and assisted to achieve, with dignity, their heart's desire.
> Certainly, the willing participation of the friends in an undertaking of such
> importance to the upliftment of individuals and the consolidation of the
> Bahá'í community as a whole will attract divine favours and confirmations.
> 
> The United Nations has declared 1990 to be International Literacy Year so
> as to mobilize an all-out, ongoing effort to eradicate illiteracy around the
> world The literacy projects already in progress in the Bahá'í community, and
> those which are yet to be adopted, will surely lent support to this noble and
> necessary effort Therefore, we commend the purpose of this special year to
> the attention of the entire Bahá'í world The Bahá'í International Community's
> United Nations Office will send National Assemblies information concerning
> activities associated with International Literacy Year and how Bahá'í
> communities may become involved Moreover, agencies at the Bahá'í World
> Centre having a special interest in literacy programmes will offer helpful
> advice as necessary, but Spiritual Assemblies need not wait to hear from them
> before proceeding with their own plans.
> 
> We look forward with confident expectation to your achievements toward
> the ultimate fulfilment of this objective which is so essential to the
> progress of the Bahá'í community and indeed all humanity. And we assure you,
> as ever, of our continuing prayers at the Holy Shrines for your success.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 56]
> 
> The Nineteen Day Feast
> 
> 27 August 1989
> 
> To the Followers of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The Nineteen Day Feast, its framework, purpose and possibilities, have in
> recent years become a subject of increasing inquiry among the friends. It
> occupied much of the consultation at the Sixth International Bahá'í Convention
> last year, and we feel the time has come for us to offer clarifications.
> 
> The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh encompasses all units of human society;
> integrates the spiritual, administrative and social processes of life; and
> canalizes human expression in its varied forms towards the construction of a
> new civilization. The Nineteen Day Feast embraces all these aspects at the
> very base of society. Functioning in the village, the town, the city, it is
> an institution of which all the people of Bahá are members. It is intended to
> promote unity, ensure progress, and foster joy.
> 
> "If this feast be held in the proper fashion," 'Abdu'l-Bahá states, "the
> friends will, once in nineteen days, find themselves spiritually restored, and
> endued with a power that is not of this world." To ensure this glorious
> outcome the concept of the Feast must be adequately understood by all the
> friends. The Feast is known to have three distinct but related parts: the
> devotional, the administrative, and the social. The first entails the
> recitation of prayers and reading from the Holy Texts. The second is a general
> meeting where the Local Spiritual Assembly reports its activities, plans and
> problems to the community, shares news and messages from the World Centre and
> the National Assembly, and receives the thoughts and recommendations of the
> friends through a process of consultation. The third involves the partaking
> of refreshments and engaging in other activities meant to foster fellowship
> in a culturally determined diversity of forms which to not violate principles
> of the Faith or the essential character of the Feast.
> 
> Even though the observance of the Feast requires strict adherence to the
> threefold aspects in the sequence in which they have been defined, there is
> much room for variety in the total experience. For example, music may be
> introduced at various stages, including the devotional portion; 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> recommends that eloquent, uplifting talks be given; originality and variety in
> expressions of hospitality are possible; the quality and range of the
> consultation are critical to the spirit of the occasion. The effects of
> different cultures in all these respects are welcome factors which can lend
> the Feast a salutary diversity, representative of the unique characteristics
> of the various societies in which it is felt, and therefore conducive to the
> upliftment and enjoyment of its participants.
> 
> [page 57]
> 
> It ls notable that the concept of the Feast evolved in stages in relation
> to the development of the Faith. At its earliest stage in Iran, the individual
> friends, in response to Bahá'u'lláh's injunctions, hosted gatherings in their
> homes to show hospitality once every nineteen days and derived inspiration from
> the reading and discussion of the Teachings. As the community grew, 'Abdu'l-
> Bahá delineated and emphasized the devotional and social character of the event.
> After the establishment of Local Spiritual Assemblies, Shoghi Effendi
> introduced the administrative portion and acquainted the community with the
> idea of the Nineteen Day Feast as an institution. It was as if a symphony,
> in three movements, had now been completed.
> 
> But it is not only in the sense of its gradual unfoldment as an
> institution that the evolution of the Feast must be regarded; there is a
> broader context yet. The Feast may well be seen in its unique combination of
> modes as the culmination of a great historic process in which primary elements
> of community life — acts of worship, of festivity and other forms of
> togetherness — over vast stretches of time have achieved a glorious
> convergence. The Nineteen Day Feast represents the new stage in this
> enlightened age to which the basic expression of community life has evolved.
> Shoghi Effendi has described it as the foundation of the new World Order,
> and in a letter written on his behalf, it is referred to as constituting "a
> vital medium for maintaining close and continued contact between the believers
> themselves, and also between them and the body of their elected representatives
> in the local community."
> 
> Moreover, because of the opportunity which It provides for conveying
> messages from the national and international levels of the administration and
> also for communicating the recommendations of the friends to those levels,
> the Feast becomes a link that connects the local community in a dynamic
> relationship with the entire structure of the Administrative Order. But
> considered in its local sphere alone there is much to thrill and amaze the
> heart. Here it links the individual to the collective processes by which a
> society is built or restored. Here, for instance, the Feast is an arena of
> democracy at the very root of society, where the Local Spiritual Assembly
> and the members of the community meed on common ground, where individuals are
> free to offer their gifts of thought, whether as new ideas or constructive
> criticism, to the building processes of an advancing civilization. Thus it
> can be seen that aside from its spiritual significance, this common institution
> of the people combines an array of elemental social disciplines which educate
> its participants in the essentials of responsible citizenship.
> 
> If the Feast is to be properly experienced, beyond an understanding of
> the concept must also be the preparation of it and the preparation for it.
> Although the Local Spiritual Assembly Is administratively responsible for the
> conduct of the Feast, it often calls upon an individual or a group of
> individuals to make preparations — a practice which ls consonant with the
> spirit of hospitality so vital to the occasion. Such individuals can act as
> hosts and are sometimes concerned with the selection of the prayers and
> readings for the devotional portion; they may also attend to the social
> portion. In small communities the aspect of personal hospitality is easy to
> carry out, but in large communities the Local Spiritual Assemblies, while
> retaining the concept of hospitality, may find it necessary to devise other
> measures.
> 
> [page 58]
> 
> Important aspects of the preparation of the Feast include the proper
> selection of readings, the assignment, in advance, of good readers, and a
> sense of decorum both in the presentation and the reception of the devotional
> programme Attention to the environment in which the Feast is to be held,
> whether indoors or outdoors, greatly influences the experience. Cleanliness,
> arrangement of the space in practical and decorative ways — all play a
> significant part Punctuality is also a measure of good preparation
> 
> To a very large extent, the success of the Feast depends on the quality of
> the preparation and participation of the individual. The beloved
> Master offers the following advice: "Give ye great weight to the
> Nineteen Day gatherings, so that on these occasions the beloved
> of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful may turn their faces
> toward the Kingdom, chant the communes, beseech God's help, become
> joyfully enamoured each of the other, and grow in purity and holiness,
> and in the fear of God, and in resistance to passion and self.
> Thus will they separate themselves from this elemental world, and
> immerse themselves in the ardours of the spirit."
> 
> In absorbing such advice, it is illuminating indeed to view the Nineteen
> Day Feast in the context in which it was conceived. It is ordained
> in the "Kitab-i-Aqdas in these words: "It hath been enjoined upon
> you once a month to offer hospitality, even should ye serve no more
> than water, for God hath willed to bind your hearts together, though
> it be through heavenly and earthly means combined". It is clear,
> then, that the Feast is rooted in hospitality, with all its implications
> of friendliness, courtesy, service, generosity and conviviality
> The very idea of hospitality as the sustaining spirit of so significant
> an institution introduces a revolutionary new attitude to the conduct
> of human affairs at all levels, an attitude which is critical to
> that world unity which the Central Figures of our Faith laboured
> so long and suffered so much cruelty to bring into being. It is
> in this divine festival that the foundation is laid for the realization
> of so unprecedented a reality.
> 
> That you may all attain the high mark set for the Feast as a "bringer
> of joy", the "groundwork of agreement and unity", the "key to affection
> and fellowship will remain an object of our ardent supplications at
> the Holy Threshold.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 59]
> 
> Compilation on Conservation of the
> Earth's Resources
> 
> 26 October 1989
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> We enclose a copy of a new compilation entitled "Conservation of the
> Earth's Resources" which was prepared by the Research Department at the
> instruction of the Universal House of Justice for the purpose of assisting
> the friends in responding to the call, in the Ridvan message, for an increase
> in Bahá'í activities aimed at supporting endeavours to protect the environment.
> 
> The compilation was assembled, primarily, to deepen the believers'
> appreciation of the Bahá'í concept of nature and to enhance their
> understanding of both man's relationship to nature and his responsibility to
> preserve the world's ecological balance. It could also serve as a valuable
> tool for use with non-Bahá'ís who have some knowledge of the Bahá'í Faith and
> its approach to the solution of pressing social problems.
> 
> It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that the National
> Spiritual Assemblies will make the material in the compilation available to
> the believers and that, armed with increased knowledge of this important
> subject, the friends will be inspired to lend their assistance to those who
> are striving to make this world "an earthly paradise".
> 
> With great pleasure the House of Justice takes this opportunity to
> announce the establishment of an Office of the Environment, which will conduct
> the external relations of the Bahá'í International Community with regard to
> environmental matters. Thus it will foster relations with the World Wide Fund
> for Nature and other like-minded non-governmental organizations and will work
> in collaboration with the Office of Social and Economic Development. The new
> Office operates alongside the other offices of the Bahá'í International
> Community in New York, namely, the United Nations Office and the Office of
> Public Information.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 60]
> 
> Compilation on Sanctity and
> Nature of Bahá'í Elections
> 
> 10 December 1989
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The Universal House of Justice feels it is timely to release a compilation
> on Bahá'í elections as a useful tool to help National Spiritual Assemblies to
> increase the understanding of the believers regarding the nature and sanctity
> of these elections, and to prepare themselves for the expected rapid increase
> in the number of believers. A compilation entitled "The Sanctity and Nature
> of Bahá'í Elections" has been prepared by the Research Department, and a copy
> is attached.
> 
> The study of this compilation will require careful and sustained
> planning by the National Spiritual Assemblies and Local Spiritual Assemblies,
> and it should become part of the ongoing programme for the deepening of the
> friends in the fundamentals of Bahá'í administration. The House of Justice
> urges all National Spiritual Assemblies to discuss the implementation of such
> a programme with the Counsellors, so that the rank and file of the believers,
> with the whole-hearted support of the Auxiliary Board members and their
> assistants, will appreciate the importance of adhering to Bahá'í principles in
> this regard, and carry out all Bahá'í elections, on the national as well as
> the unit and local levels, in an exemplary manner, in full harmony with the
> spirit of purity and sanctity which must characterize them.
> 
> The Universal House of Justice wishes to stress at this point how
> important it is for all delegates allocated to the National Convention to be
> elected And the desirability of having all the elected delegates attend this
> vital national event. It has been noticed that, although attendance at most
> National Conventions is gradually improving, in several countries every year
> not all delegates are being elected, and in numerous instances, even when
> elected, they do not participate either in person or by sending in their
> ballots.
> 
> Be assured of ardent prayers in the Holy Shrines that your resolute
> efforts to improve the record of devoted and enthusiastic participation in
> delegate elections, National Conventions and Local Assembly elections will
> attract the assistance and blessings of the divine Concourse.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 61]
> 
> Progress on Projects on Mount Carmel
> 
> 23 January 1990
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> KINDLY CONVEY ALL BELIEVERS NEWS PROGRESS HISTORIC MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS.
> 
> FOLLOWING STRENUOUS DETAILED Negotiations, TOWN PLANNING SCHEME ESSENTIAL
> FOR INITIATION OP PROJECTS WAS OFFICIALLY APPROVED BY LOCAL TOWN PLANNING
> COMMITTEE AND CITY COUNCIL OF HAIFA ON 11 OCTOBER 1989, CONFIRMING GOOD WILL
> TOWARDS PROJECTS EXPRESSED BY CITY COUNCIL AT TIME INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION.
> SCHEME IS NOW BEFORE DISTRICT TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
> THIS PLAN INCLUDES CANCELLATION TWO ROADS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED TO CROSS BAHA'I
> LANDS AND LOWERING LEVEL MAIN THOROUGHFARE,THUS PERMITTING CONSTRUCTION
> TERRACES LINKING GARDENS SURROUNDING SHRINE BAB WITH THOSE ADJACENT ARCHIVES
> BUILDING. GRANTING OF APPROVALS INVOLVES OUR COMMITMENT IMMEDIATELY START
> WORK.
> 
> GEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ANNOUNCED RIDVAN MESSAGE, REQUIRED FOR DESIGN
> FOUNDATIONS BUILDINGS ARC, NOW COMPLETED.
> 
> BUILDING PERMIT DRAWINGS FOR ARCHIVES BUILDING EXTENSION AND CENTRE FOR
> THE STUDY OF THE TEXTS SUBMITTED, ENABLING CONSIDERATION APPLICATION BUILDING
> PERMIT RUN CONCURRENTLY LAST STAGE APPROVAL TOWN PLANNING SCHEME.
> 
> OF $50,000,000 CALLED FOR AS ESSENTIAL RESERVE FOR INITIATION
> CONSTRUCTION, APPROXIMATELY $26,000,000 SO FAR CONTRIBUTED. REMAINING SUM
> NOW URGENTLY NEEDED.
> 
> EXECUTION STUPENDOUS COLLECTIVE UNDERTAKING GATHERING MOMENTUM,
> PARALLELING EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENTS WORLD SCENE, ACCELERATION
> CONVERSION PEOPLES CAUSE GOD, WIDER DIFFUSION MESSAGE BAHA'U'LLAH REMAINING
> AREAS GLOBE. SUPPLICATING BLESSINGS ALMIGHTY REINFORCE EVERY EFFORT HIS
> DEVOTED FOLLOWERS ACCOMPLISHMENT VITAL TASKS.
> 
> [SIGNED — THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE]
> 
> [page 62]
> 
> Subsidiary Two Year Teaching Plan for
> Eastern Europe and Asia
> 
> 8 FEBRUARY 1990
> 
> TO THE FOLLOWERS OF BAHA'U'LLAH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
> 
> FAR-REACHING EVENTS BEING ENACTED WORLD STAGE, PARTICULARLY IN EASTERN
> EUROPE AND Soviet UNION, ON THRESHOLD FINAL FATE-LADEN DECADE CENTURY OF LIGHT,
> PROVIDE FURTHER DRAMATIC EVIDENCE RESISTLESS OPERATION OF GOD'S MAJOR PLAN FOR
> TRANSFORMATION OF HUMAN SOCIETY. RAPID UNFORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS NECESSITATE
> CORRESPONDING PARALLEL ACCELERATION IN LIFE-GIVING ENTERPRISES BEING PURSUED
> BY INHERITORS BAHA'U'LLAH'S RESPLENDENT REVELATION.
> 
> REJOICE THEREFORE ANNOUNCE LAUNCHING AT RIDVAN OF SUBSIDIARY TWO YEAR
> TEACHING PLAN FOR VAST REMAINING REACHES EASTERN EUROPE AND ASIA. MOMENTOUS
> STEP INVOLVES FURTHER SYSTEMATIC UNFOLDMENT PROVISIONS TABLETS MASTER-PLAN OF
> 'ABDU'L-BAHA ALREADY IN ADVANCED STAGE OF OPERATION OTHER AREAS PLANET.
> REGIONAL ENTERPRISE, CONCEIVED IN CONSULTATION INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE,
> DESIGNED SIGNIFICANTLY REINFORCE CURRENT SIX YEAR GLOBAL PLAN. OBJECTIVES
> INCLUDE ATTRACTION NUMEROUS NEW SUPPORTERS FAITH, GREAT INCREASE TRANSLATION,
> PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION BAHA'I LITERATURE IN REQUISITE LANGUAGES ENTIRE
> 
> AREA, AND EXTENSION BENEFICENT INFLUENCE DIVINELY APPOINTED ADMINISTRATIVE
> ORDER THROUGH ERECTION FRAMEWORK LOCAL NATIONAL BAHA'I INSTITUTIONS IN AS
> MANY EASTERN COUNTRIES AS POSSIBLE UP TO AND INCLUDING RIDVAN 1992.
> 
> CALLING UPON THOSE NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES EUROPE, ASIA AND AMERICA WHICH BEAR
> PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR INDIVIDUAL NATIONS INVOLVED, TO CONSULT WITH
> COUNSELLORS AND FORMULATE DETAILS SPECIFIC GOALS INCORPORATING
> AND SUPPLEMENTING THOSE ALREADY ADOPTED AND IN PROCESS ACCOMPLISHMENT
> UNDER SIX YEAR PLAN. MOVED PAY TRIBUTE PRESENT HOUR REMARKABLE UNSUNG
> ACHIEVEMENTS THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS PRESENTLY
> LABOURING ADVANCEMENT CAUSE IN EASTERN EUROPE AND Soviet UNION,
> ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH HAVE BLAZED TRAILS FOR COMING LARGE-SCALE INITIATIVE.
> CALL UPON BAHA'I WORLD ARISE SUPPORT DIFFUSION WORLD-REDEEMING MESSAGE
> FAITH GOAL AREAS THROUGH SETTLEMENT PIONEERS AND THROUGH DESPATCH STEADY
> FLOW TRAVELLING TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH KNOWLEDGE LANGUAGES
> COUNTRIES AND REPUBLICS EASTERN BLOC.
> 
> CONCOMITANT THESE MEASURES, VITAL ONGOING PROCESS CHINESE TEACHING
> RECEIVING FURTHER IMPETUS.
> 
> BROAD VISTAS NOW OPEN TO FAITH GOD PROVIDE UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITIES
> WIN FRESH VICTORIES AS WORTHY OFFERING SACRED THRESHOLD BLESSED BEAUTY
> OCCASION COMMEMORATION FIRST CENTENARY HIS ASCENSION COMING HOLY YEAR.
> IMPLORING ABUNDANT OUTPOURING DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS PARTICIPANTS ALL FACETS
> HISTORIC SIX YEAR CAMPAIGN.
> 
> [SIGNED — THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE]
> 
> [page 63]
> 
> Ridvan Message 1990
> 
> To the Bahá'ís of the World
> 
> Dearly loved Friends,
> 
> Having ended a year of momentous achievements, we stand at the threshold
> of the last decade of this radiant twentieth century facing an immediate future
> of immense challenges and dazzling prospects. The swiftness of events during
> the past year is indicative of the acceleration, as the hundredth anniversary
> of Bahá'u'lláh's Ascension approaches, of the spiritual forces released with
> the advent of His revolutionizing mission. It is an acceleration which, in its
> suddenness and wide transformational impact on social thought and on political
> entities, has aroused feelings of delight as to its immediate effects and of
> bewilderment as to its real meaning and destined outcome, prompting the
> astonished editors of an outstanding newspaper, finding themselves bereft of
> explanations, to attribute it to the workings of an "Invisible Hand".
> 
> For the followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the world there can be no
> doubt as to the Divine Source and clear intention of these extraordinary
> happenings. Led us rejoice, therefore, in the wondrous signs of the
> beneficence of God's abounding grace. The high level of teaching and
> enrolments reported last Ridvan has been sustained, and new fields of
> teaching have been opened from Eastern Europe to the China Sea. With the
> settlement in recent weeks of two Knights of Bahá'u'lláh in Sakhalin Island,
> the last remaining territory named by Shoghi Effendi in his Ten Year Global
> Plan entered the Bahá'í fold. The re-creation last Ridvan of the Local
> Spiritual Assembly of 'Ishqabad, the recent election of that of Cluj in
> Romania, the first new Assembly in the "East Bloc", the re-establishment and
> formation this Ridvan of Local Spiritual Assemblies in other parts of the
> Soviet Union and in other countries of Eastern Europe — all these
> achievements and immediate prospects affirm our arrival at a significant
> milestone in the fourth epoch of the Formative Age. The Administrative Order
> now embraces a community of wider diversity than ever before. It is such
> prodigious developments that prompted our recent announcement of a subsidiary
> Two Year Teaching Plan, now formally launched, to which we commend your
> urgent and active attention.
> 
> [page 64]
> 
> How staggering, how far-reaching have been the activities which propelled
> the community in one short year towards this stage in its evolution! As we
> reflect on the wonders of Bahá'u'lláh's confirmations, our hearts turn with
> love and appreciation to the Hands of the Cause of God everywhere, who, as the
> standard-bearers of that community, have ever upheld its bright emblems against
> the darkness of the times. With an indomitable spirit they persevere in
> fulfilling, under all circumstances and wherever they may be, their God-given
> tasks to stimulate, edify, and advise its widely scattered, rapidly multiplying
> members. In the face of the new situation in the Bahá'í world, we take joy in
> mentioning some instances in the past year of association of Hands of the Cause
> with the developments in Europe and Asia. Amatu'l-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, in an
> extended journey to the Far East, represented the Universal House of Justice at
> the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Macau; spent time with the
> Knight of Bahá'u'lláh in Mongolia where subsequently the first native declared
> her belief in Bahá'u'lláh; and devoted much attention to the friends in
> different parts of the People's Republic of China, where her film "The Green
> Light Expedition" has been shown on television. Mr. Collis Featherstone
> focused much energy on reinvigorating the long-suffering friends in war-ravaged
> Vietnam. At this very moment, Mr. 'Ali-Akbar Furutan is visiting the USSR,
> which he was forced to leave during the persecution of the Faith there; now he
> has returned in triumphant fulfilment of a wish expressed to him by our beloved
> Guardian some sixty years ago.
> 
> Nor have the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre been
> slow in responding to opportunities to foster the climate of progress now
> evident in all quarters of the globe. Through the unified vision of growth to
> which they have called the Continental Boards of Counsellors and their able,
> hardworking and self-sacrificing auxiliaries, a new vitality can be felt in the — '
> expansion and consolidation of the Faith throughout the world. The Continental
> Counsellors deserve the deep gratitude of the entire Bahá'í community as they
> approach the close of their current five-year term, distinguished for their
> outstanding services.
> 
> Just as the community has extended its ramifications internally, it has
> also expanded its relations, influence and appeal externally in a variety of
> ways, some astonishing in their breadth and potential. A few examples will
> suffice: Through the newly established Office of the Environment, the Bahá'í
> International Community, on its own initiative and in collaboration with other
> environmental organizations, re-instituted the annual World Forestry Charter
> Gathering founded in 1945 by the renowned Richard St. Barbe Baker; since then
> the Office of the Environment has been invited to participate in important
> events sponsored by international organizations concerned with environmental
> questions. The Bahá'í International Community has been involved in the work of
> the Task Force for Literacy under the aegis of UNESCO and was invited to
> participate in the World Conference on Education for All held in Thailand,
> where its representative was asked to assume a variety of highly visible and
> important tasks which gave prominence to the Bahá'í community. Steps were
> taken, with the encouragement of a Fijian senior Government official, to open
> in Suva a branch of the Bahá'í International Community's United Nations Office
> for the Pacific region. The University of Maryland in the United States
> announced its decision to establish "The Bahá'í Chair for World Peace" in its
> Center for
> 
> [page 65]
> 
> International Development and Conflict Management, which will give rise to a
> great increase in academic efforts to examine the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. At
> almost the same time the National Spiritual Assembly of India announced that
> an agreement had been reached to establish a Chair for Bahá'í Studies at the
> University of Indore.
> 
> The continuing efforts to secure the emancipation of the Bahá'ís of Iran
> evolved to a new stage. For the first time, a United Nations representative
> was able officially to meed on Iranian soil with a representative of the
> proscribed Bahá'í community. The result was recorded in a report to the United
> Nations Commission on Human Rights, at whose recent session in Geneva a
> resolution on Iran mentioning the Bahá'ís was again adopted. In a corollary
> action of far-reaching importance the United States House of Representatives
> unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the emancipation of the Iranian
> Bahá'í community and outlining steps to be taken by the United States
> Government towards this end; a similar resolution is before the Senate.
> 
> In the Holy Land, preparations for the execution of the building projects
> on Mount Carmel received a definite boost. It is a cause of deep satisfaction
> that, on the eve of Naw-Ruz, the District Town Planning Commission, after
> delicate and complex negotiations, decided to approve the plan submitted by the
> Bahá'í World Centre. This paves the way for the ultimate issuance of building
> permits.
> 
> Beloved Friends: Merely two years separate us from the conclusion of the
> Six Year Plan and the beginning at Ridvan 1992 of the Holy Year, that special
> time when we shall pause to appreciate the tumultuous record of events which
> will have brought us to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh and to
> reflect with due solemnity upon the redemptive purpose of the life of the most
> precious Being ever to have drawn breath on this planet.
> 
> In anticipation of this high watermark in Bahá'í history, plans have been
> set in motion for two major world events: One, the gathering in the Holy Land
> of a wide representation of believers from around the globe to participate in a
> befitting commemoration of that poignant consummation in the vicinity of the
> Most Holy Shrine. A component of this commemoration, symbolic of the
> transcendent and victorious influence of Bahá'u'lláh's liberated Spirit, will
> be the depositing beneath the floor at the entrance door of His Shrine of a
> receptacle containing the illuminated Roll of Honour of the Knights of
> Bahá'u'lláh, a listing initiated by Shoghi Effendi during his Ten Year Plan
> of those intrepid souls who arose to conquer in the Name of their Lord virgin
> territories mentioned in that Plan. This will have brought to a fitting
> conclusion, after nearly four decades, an intention expressed by the beloved
> Guardian himself. The living Knights of Bahá'u'lláh will be invited to witness
> this occurrence.
> 
> The other event will be the Bahá'í World Congress to celebrate the
> centennial of the inauguration of the Covenant bequeathed to posterity by
> Bahá'u'lláh as the sure means of safeguarding the unity and integrity of His
> world-embracing Order. It is to be convened in November 1992 in New York, the
> place designated as the City of the Covenant by Him Who is its appointed Centre
> and Who anticipated that "New York will become a blessed spot from which the
> call to steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament of God will go forth to
> every part of the world".
> 
> [page 66]
> 
> Related events at the local and national levels will combine with these
> two primary occasions to give vent to the innermost sentiments of the Bahá'ís
> and to impress on the public the profound fact of the appearance in the world
> of the Lord of the Covenant and the aims and achievements of His sublime
> mission. Indeed, plans are in progress to mount an intensive campaign to
> emblazon His Name across the globe.
> 
> The friends everywhere must now orient themselves to the significance of
> these twin anniversaries. They must be spiritually prepared through prayer and
> study of the Teachings to obtain a deeper appreciation of the station and
> purpose of Bahá'u'lláh and of the basic meaning of His mighty Covenant. Such
> preparation is at the very core of their striving to effect a transformation
> in their individual and collective lives. Led all the friends — every man,
> woman and youth — demonstrate through the high quality of their inner life
> and private character, the unified spirit of their association one with
> another, the rectitude of their conduct in relation to all, and the excellence of
> their achievements, that they belong to a truly enlightened and exemplary
> community; that their Best Beloved, whose Ascension they will commemorate,
> had not suffered His life on earth in vain. Led these requisites be the
> standard of their efforts to teach His Cause, the hallmark of their homage to
> the King of Kings.
> 
> Our dear and valued Co-workers: It is at such a time of profound
> anticipation for us that world society finds itself in a critical phase of
> its transition to the character envisioned for it by the Lord of the Age. The
> winds of God rage on, upsetting old systems, adding impetus to the deep
> yearning for a new order in human affairs, and opening the way for the
> hoisting of the banner of Bahá'u'lláh in lands from which it has hitherto
> been barred. The rapidity of the changes being wrought stirs up the
> expectations which inspire our dreams in the closing decade of the twentieth
> century. The situation is equally a bright portent and a weighty challenge.
> 
> It is portentous of the profound change in the structure of present-day
> society which attainment to the Lesser Peace implies. Hopeful as are the
> signs, we cannot forged that the dark passage of the Age of Transition has not
> been fully traversed; it is as yet long, slippery and tortuous. For
> godlessness is rife, materialism rampant. Nationalism and racism still work
> their treachery in men's hearts, and humanity remains blind to the spiritual
> foundations of the solution to its economic woes. For the Bahá'í community
> the situation is a particular challenge, because time is running out and we
> have serious commitments to keep. The most immediate of these are: One, to
> teach the Cause of God and build its divinely ordained institutions throughout
> the world with wisdom, courage and urgency; and two, to complete on Mount
> Carmel the construction of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab and the
> remaining buildings on the Arc of the World Administrative Centre of the Faith.
> The one calls for resolute, sustained and confident action on the part of the
> individual believer. The other requires a liberal outpouring of funds. Both
> are intimately related.
> 
> [page 67]
> 
> Over the last two years, almost one million souls entered the Cause. The
> increasing instances of entry by troops in different places contributed to that
> growth, drawing attention to Shoghi Effendi's vision which shapes our
> perception of glorious future possibilities in the teaching field. For he
> has asserted that the process of "entry by troops of peoples of divers nations
> and races into the Bahá'í world ... will be the prelude to that long-awaited
> hour when a mass conversion on the part of these same nations and races, and
> as a direct result of a chain of events, momentous and possibly catastrophic
> in nature, and which cannot as yet be even dimly visualized, will suddenly
> revolutionize the fortunes of the Faith, derange the equilibrium of the world,
> and reinforce a thousandfold the numerical strength as well as the material
> power and the spiritual authority of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. We have
> every encouragement to believe that large-scale enrolments will expand,
> involving village after village, town after town, from one country to another.
> However, it is not for us to wait passively for the ultimate fulfilment of
> Shoghi Effendi's vision. We few, placing our whole trust in the providence of God
> and regarding as a divine privilege the challenges which face us, must proceed
> to victory with the plans in hand.
> 
> An expansion of thought and action in certain aspects of our work would
> enhance our possibilities for success in meeting our aforementioned
> commitments. Since change, ever more rapid change, is a constant
> characteristic of life at this time, and since our growth, size and external
> relations demand much of us, our community must be ready to adapt. In a
> sense this means that the community must become more adept at accommodating
> a wide range of actions without losing concentration on the primary objectives
> of teaching, namely, expansion and consolidation. A unity in diversity of
> actions is called for, a condition in which different individuals will
> concentrate on different activities, appreciating the salutary effect of the
> aggregate on the growth and development of the Faith, because each person
> cannot do everything and all persons cannot do the same thing. This
> understanding is important to the maturity which, by the many demands being
> made upon it, the community is being forced to attain.
> 
> The Order brought by Bahá'u'lláh is intended to guide the progress and resolve
> the problems of society. Our numbers are as yet too small to effect an
> adequate demonstration of the potentialities inherent in the administrative
> system we are building, and the efficacy of this system will not be fully
> appreciated without a vast expansion of our membership. With the prevailing
> situation in the world the necessity to effect such a demonstration becomes
> more compelling. It is all too obvious that even those who rail against the
> defects of the old order, and would even tear it down, are themselves bereft of
> any viable alternative to put in its place. Since the Administrative Order is
> designed to be a pattern for future society, the visibility of such a pattern
> will be a signal of hope to those who despair.
> 
> Thus far, we have achieved a marvellous diversity in the large numbers of
> ethnic groups represented in the Faith, and everything should be done to
> fortify it through larger enrolments from among groups already represented
> and the attraction of members from groups not yet reached. However, there is
> another category of diversity which must be built up and without which the
> Cause will not be able adequately to meed the challenges being thrust upon it.
> Its membership, regardless of ethnic variety, needs now to embrace
> increasing numbers
> 
> [page 68]
> 
> of people of capacity, including persons of accomplishment and prominence in
> the various fields of human endeavour. Enrolling significant numbers of such
> persons is an indispensable aspect of teaching the masses, an aspect which
> cannot any longer be neglected and which must be consciously and deliberately
> incorporated into our teaching work, so as to broaden its base and accelerate
> the process of entry by troops. So important and timely is the need for action
> on this matter that we are impelled to call upon Continental Counsellors and
> National Spiritual Assemblies to devote serious attention to it in their
> consultations and plans.
> 
> The affairs of mankind have reached a stage at which increasing calls will
> be made upon our community to assist, through advice and practical measures, in
> solving critical social problems. It is a service that we will gladly render,
> but this means that our Local and National Spiritual Assemblies must adhere
> more scrupulously to principle. With increasing public attention being focused
> on the Cause of God, it becomes imperative for Bahá'í institutions to improve
> their performance, through a closer identification with the fundamental
> verities of the Faith, through greater conformity to the spirit and form of
> Bahá'í administration and through a keener reliance on the beneficial effects
> of proper consultation, so that the communities they guide will reflect a
> pattern of life that will offer hope to the disillusioned members of society.
> 
> That there are indications that the Lesser Peace cannot be too far
> distant, that the local and national institutions of the Administrative Order
> are growing steadily in experience and influence, that the plans for the
> construction of the remaining administrative edifices on the Arc are in an
> advanced stage — that these hopeful conditions make more discernible the
> shaping of the dynamic synchronization envisaged by Shoghi Effendi, no honest
> observer can deny.
> 
> As a community clearly in the vanguard of the constructive forces at work
> on the planet, and as one which has access to proven knowledge, led us be about
> our Father's business. He will, from His glorious retreats on high, release
> liberal effusions of His grace upon our humble efforts, astonishing us with the
> incalculable victories of His conquering power. It is for the unceasing
> blessings of such a Father that we shall continue to supplicate on behalf of
> each and every one of you at the Sacred Threshold.
> 
> [page 69]
> 
> Commencement of Work on Extension
> of Terraces on Mount Carmel
> 
> 24 May 1990
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> WITH FEELINGS OF PROFOUND JOY ANNOUNCE TO FOLLOWERS OF BAHA'U'LLAH IN
> EVERY LAND THAT ON MORNING OF TWENTY-THIRD MAY, ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SIX
> YEARS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF THE BAB WORK ON EXTENSION TERRACES COMMENCED.
> THIS HISTORIC OCCASION MARKED BY VISIT HIS SHRINE AND SHRINE OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA
> BY THE HANDS OF THE CAUSE OF GOD AMATU'L-BAHA RUHIYYIH KHANUM AND 'ALI-AKBAR
> FURUTAN, THE MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE AND COUNSELLOR MEMBERS
> OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTRE WITH FARIBURZ SAHBA, ARCHITECT OF
> TERRACES AND MANAGER OF ARC PROJECT, TO PRAY FOR DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS ENABLE
> UNINTERRUPTED PROSECUTION THIS MAJESTIC ENTERPRISE. SUBSEQUENTLY DETAILED
> PLANS WERE VIEWED FOR LENGTHENING EASTERN WING OF MAIN TERRACE OF SHRINE,
> MAKING IT EQUAL TO EXISTING WESTERN WING.
> 
> GLORIOUS UNDERTAKING CREATION BEFITTING RESTING PLACE MARTYR-HERALD FAITH
> WAS ENVISAGED BY BAHA'U'LLAH HIMSELF, WAS SOLEMNLY INITIATED BY 'ABDU'L-BAHA,
> WHO RAISED WITH INFINITE PAINS ORIGINAL STRUCTURE AND PLACED WITHIN IT THE
> SACRED REMAINS OF THE BAB, WAS VIGOROUSLY PURSUED BY SHOGHI EFFENDI, WHO
> COMPLETED CENTRAL EDIFICE, EMBELLISHED IT WITH BEAUTEOUS SUPERSTRUCTURE AND
> CONNECTED IT WITH MAIN AVENUE TEMPLAR COLONY THROUGH CONSTRUCTION FIRST NINE
> TERRACES, IS NOW ENTERING UPON CULMINATING PHASE ITS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH
> EXTENSION BEAUTIFICATION NINE EXISTING TERRACES AND CONSTRUCTION NINE MORE TO
> REALIZE MONUMENTAL CONCEPT REACHING FROM FOOT TO CREST HOLY MOUNTAIN.
> 
> CALL UPON FRIENDS EVERY LAND RALLY SUPPORT THIS SACRED ENTERPRISE NOW
> INSEPARABLY LINKED WITH ARC PROJECT EXPRESS BEFITTINGLY THEIR AWARENESS
> MAGNITUDE BOUNTY CONFERRED UPON MANKIND BY MINISTRY AND SACRIFICE BLESSED
> BAB, DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO BAHA'U'LLAH'S CALL IN TABLET OF CARMEL
> TO ESTABLISH UPON THAT MOUNTAIN SEAT GOD'S THRONE AND FULFIL, THROUGH THEIR
> GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS, 'ABDU'L-BAHA'S AND SHOGHI EFFENDI'S VISION OF
> EFFLORESCENCE MIGHTY INSTITUTIONS FAITH ON MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD.
> 
> [page 70]
> 
> The Holy Year, 1992-1993
> 
> 1 June 1990
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The Holy Year, 1992-1993
> 
> In its Ridvan 1990 message, the Universal House of Justice described the
> nature of the major events that will highlight the observance of the Holy Year
> beginning on 21 April 1992 and ending on 20 April 1993. We have now been
> directed by it to convey information concerning practical preparations for
> these events.
> 
> Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> The activities relating to this commemoration in the Holy Land will
> involve two days, 28-29 May 1992, and will include:
> 
> A ceremony at Bahji on the morning of Thursday, 28 May for the
> placement of the Roll of Honour of the Knights of Bahá'u'lláh at the
> entrance of the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> A devotional programme and related activities in the vicinity of
> the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, on the night of 28-29 May, to mark the
> hundredth anniversary of His passing.
> 
> Ascent to and circumambulation of the Shrine of the Bab, visit to
> the Arc and subsequent viewing of the portrait of Bahá'u'lláh at the
> Seat of the Universal House of Justice on the afternoon of Friday,
> 29 May.
> 
> Regarding attendance, as it will not be possible to accommodate at the
> World Centre as many friends as might wish to attend, the House of Justice has
> decided to authorize the attendance of believers, in addition to the Knights of
> Bahá'u'lláh, on the basis of quotas: 19 from each National Spiritual Assembly
> jurisdiction and 9 from every other country as will be specified in due course
> by the House of Justice. Each National Spiritual Assembly is therefore
> requested to do the following:
> 
> Devise a fair basis for selecting 19 attendees, bearing in mind
> the overall expectation of the House of Justice of the widest
> possible ethnic and indigenous representation.
> 
> Send the names of those selected to the World Centre no later than
> 30 June 1991.
> 
> [page 71]
> 
> The friends should plan to spend up to four nights in the 'Akka-Haifa area
> and should depart before sunset of the fifth day, but may visit other parts of
> Israel for an additional period of 10 days, before or after their stay in the
> 'Akka-Haifa area.
> 
> Further details concerning hotel and other living accommodations and
> travel will be sent to you at a later date.
> 
> Bahá'í World Congress
> 
> This event will mark the Centenary of the Inauguration of the Covenant
> of Bahá'u'lláh and will take place in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits
> Convention Centre. The main programme of the Congress will occur on Monday,
> 23 November through Thursday, 26 November 1992. However, pre-Congress
> activities and orientation will commence on Saturday, 21 November, and the
> friends are encouraged to attend.
> 
> Communications. The House of Justice has appointed two agencies to
> administer the affairs of the Congress, namely:
> 
> The Bahá'í World Congress Programme Committee, which ls responsible
> for planning and executing the programme as approved by the House of
> Justice. The Programme Committee operates from the Office of the
> Bahá'í International Community in New York.
> 
> The Bahá'í World Congress Logistics Office, which is responsible
> for the physical arrangements (i.e., travel, hotel accommodations,
> Congress facilities) and for registration. The Logistics Office
> operates from the Bahá'í National Centre in Wilmette, Illinois.
> 
> These two agencies have been authorized to communicate with National Spiritual
> Assemblies and others concerning their work, and you are requested to cooperate
> with them in every possible way.
> 
> Travel and accommodations. By authorization of the Universal House of
> Justice, the United States National Spiritual Assembly has engaged the services
> of a travel agency to deal with travel and hotel accommodations connected with
> the Congress and to obtain the lowest possible rates and group discounts.
> Kindly await and follow the advice of the Logistics Office on these matters.
> You are requested to ask the friends in your communities not to contact the New
> York area hotels either individually or in groups as this could jeopardize the
> delicate negotiations for low rates.
> 
> Registration. Registration for the Congress will open by April 1991 and
> close one year later. It is hoped to accommodate 32,000. In assisting the
> World Centre to arrive at an estimated attendance, a number of National
> Spiritual Assemblies have already submitted lists of names of those definitely
> planning to attend. However, when registration opens, all the friends who wish
> to attend, without exception, should be sure to complete the registration forms
> which will be supplied by the Logistics Office, so as to be guaranteed seats at
> the Congress.
> 
> [page 72]
> 
> Attendance. Kindly note that non-Bahá'í spouses will be permitted to
> attend the Congress; but regarding children, attendance will be limited to
> those who have passed their twelfth birthday, as it will be impossible to
> provide, in New York City at the time of the Congress, facilities and care for
> children under 12.
> 
> Your keen attention to these matters as they are amplified in further
> communications from the Programme Committee and Logistics Office, as well as
> from the World Centre, will ensure success of the activities of the Holy Year
> and a rich, befitting and memorable experience for the entire community. The
> House of Justice assures you of its ardent prayers that you may be guided,
> assisted and confirmed by the Blessed Beauty.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 73]
> 
> Compilation on Reaching People of
> Capacity and Prominence
> 
> 28 September 1990
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The Universal House of Justice draws to your attention that portion of
> the most recent Ridvan message in which the friends throughout the world are
> asked to focus on the need to attract people of capacity and prominence to the
> Faith. Because of the emphasis the House of Justice wishes the friends to
> place on this matter, the Research Department was asked to prepare a
> compilation of texts on the subject. The compilation ls now ready and a copy
> is enclosed.
> 
> It is the ardent prayer of the House of Justice that careful study of the
> passages included will assist the believers to appreciate the importance of
> fostering cordial relations with accomplished and distinguished figures, with
> people of capacity and with those occupying prominent positions in society.
> The alm of the believers should be to make of them friends of the Faith,
> dispelling any misconceptions they may have and unfolding before their eyes
> the vision of world solidarity and peace enshrined in the teachings of
> Bahá'u'lláh. The friends should be confident that the spiritually minded and
> receptive souls among such people will eventually accept the truth of the
> Bahá'í Revelation and join the ranks of its active supporters.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 74]
> 
> Progress of Teaching Work in Eastern Europe
> and Projects on Mount Carmel
> 
> 12 November 1990
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> The following message has been sent electronically to selected National
> Spiritual Assemblies.
> 
> TO THE FOLLOWERS OF BAHA'U'LLAH THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
> 
> SEVEN MONTHS AFTER LAUNCHING SUPPLEMENTARY TWO YEAR PLAN REJOICE
> ANNOUNCE FOURTEEN LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES IN Soviet UNION, PLUS
> SIX IN ROMANIA WHERE THERE ARE NOW OVER 600 BELIEVERS, AND ONE LOCAL
> SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY EACH IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY AND YUGOSLAVIA.
> DEVELOPMENT FAITH IN ALL THESE COUNTRIES AS WELL AS IN ALBANIA,
> BULGARIA, MONGOLIA AND POLAND GOING FORWARD WITH EXTRAORDINARY SPEED,
> FORMATION MORE LOCAL ASSEMBLIES IN PROCESS OR EXPECTED SHORTLY.
> 
> IN HOLY LAND WORK ON TERRACE OF SHRINE OF THE BAB PROGRESSING.
> RESERVE REQUIRED FOR COMMENCEMENT WORK ON ARC NOW REACHED $45,000,000:
> $29,000,000 FROM EARMARKED CONTRIBUTIONS, $16,000,000 THROUGH
> TRANSFERS MADE FROM CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUQUQU'LLAH AND THE BAHA'I
> INTERNATIONAL FUND. IMPERATIVE FULFIL INITIAL GOAL $50,000,000
> FORTHWITH, AND ENSURE ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION $20,000,000 FOR MOUNT CARMEL
> PROJECTS TO ENABLE WORK PROCEED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.
> 
> CONFIDENT INVINCIBLE SPIRIT BAHA'U'LLAH WILL ENABLE HIS FOLLOWERS
> EVERY LAND MEEd CHALLENGE WORLD-WIDE EXPANSION CAUSE AND INTERNATIONAL
> NEEDS OF THE FAITH AT WORLD CENTRE.
> 
> THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
> 
> Kindly ensure that this important message reaches the believers in your
> community with dispatch.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 75]
> 
> Compilation on Marriage
> 
> 10 December 1990
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> A number of communications received recently indicate a lack of
> appreciation of the sanctity of Bahá'í marriage. We therefore decided
> to request the Research Department to make a special study concerning
> the pressing need for safeguarding the sacred marriage tie in the spirit
> of the Teachings.
> 
> Accordingly a memorandum has been prepared, a copy of which is
> enclosed, together with a compilation of extracts from the Bahá'í Writings
> and the letters of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice on
> preserving Bahá'í marriages. Reading the memorandum in conjunction with
> the appropriate extracts in the compilation will enhance the efficacy of a
> study of the material presented.
> 
> We hope that this additional measure to acquaint the believers with
> the significance of the institution of Bahá'í marriage will lead to a deeper
> appreciation of individual and community responsibility in taking action to
> fulfil the true function for which it has been ordained.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> [page 76]
> 
> Call for Election of National Spiritual Assemblies
> of the U.S.S.R. and Romania
> 
> 9 January 1991
> 
> To all National Spiritual Assemblies
> 
> Dear Bahá'í Friends,
> 
> Under today's date, the Universal House of Justice has sent by electronic
> means to selected National Spiritual Assemblies the following message.
> 
> REJOICE ANNOUNCE DECISION ESTABLISH AT RIDVAN 1991 TWO NEW
> NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES: ONE FOR THE USSR WITH ITS SEAT IN
> MOSCOW, AND ONE FOR ROMANIA WITH ITS SEAT IN BUCHAREST. OFFERING
> PRAYERS BOUNDLESS GRATITUDE TO BAHA'U'LLAH FOR OUTPOURING HIS
> DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS.
> UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
> 
> Kindly share this exciting news with the members in your community in
> whichever manner you teem most expedient.
> 
> With loving Bahá'í greetings,
> 
> Department of the Secretariat
> 
> [page 77]
> 
> Call for Election of National Spiritual Assembly
> of Czechoslovakia and Report on Projects
> on Mount Carmel
> 
> 20 February 1991
> 
> TO THE FOLLOWERS OF BAHA'U'LLAH IN EVERY LAND
> 
> OUTSTANDING PROGRESS TEACHING WORK CZECHOSLOVAKIA MOVES US CALL
> FOR ELECTION COMING RIDVAN NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY THAT COUNTRY
> WITH SEAT IN PRAGUE. WITH FORMATION NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES USSR AND
> ROMANIA ALREADY ANNOUNCED, AND THAT OF WEST LEEWARD ISLANDS WITH ITS
> SEAT IN BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NUMBER OF PILLARS UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF
> JUSTICE WILL BE RAISED TO ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE.
> 
> WORK MOUNT CARMEL PROJECTS CONTINUING WITH UTMOST SPEED IN SPITE
> OF REPERCUSSIONS TROUBLED CONDITIONS MIDDLE EAST. REJOICE ANNOUNCE
> INITIAL GOAL FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS FUND THIS PURPOSE NOW ACHIEVED.
> URGE FRIENDS ALL LANDS CONTINUE FLOW VITALLY NEEDED CONTRIBUTIONS
> ENABLE THESE HISTORIC PROJECTS PROCEED WITHOUT ABATEMENT DURING MONTHS
> AND YEARS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD.
> 
> IRRESISTIBLE ADVANCE CAUSE GOD DURING CURRENT CRISES STRIKING
> EVIDENCE UNINTERRUPTED DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS. PRAYING FERVENTLY HOLY
> SHRINES CONTINUING BESTOWALS BLESSED BEAUTY HIS LOVED ONES EVERY LAND.
> 
> [SIGNED — THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE]
> 
> [page 78]
> 
> Ridvan Message 1991
> 
> Ridvan 1991
> 
> To the Bahá'ís of the World
> 
> Dearly loved Friends,
> 
> No earthly tongue can voice the gratitude we feel for the extraordinary
> bestowals vouchsafed by the Blessed Beauty to His world-wide community and
> to the-World Centre of His Faith during the year just ended. We bow our
> heads in humility before the striking evidences of His sustaining grace and
> all-compelling might.
> 
> The overwhelming danger which, as a result of the turmoil in the Middle
> East, enveloped the Holy Land during the latter part of the year receded
> without halting or even seriously hampering the operation of the Bahá'í
> administration. The situation was a poignant reminder of the contrast between
> the unobtrusive, steadily developing, distinctly integrative System of
> Bahá'u'lláh and the turbulent character of the Age of Transition, "whose
> tribulations", Shoghi Effendi avers, "are the precursors of that Era of
> blissful felicity which is to incarnate God's ultimate purpose for all
> mankind". It was another of the ominous signs simultaneously proclaiming
> the agonies of a disintegrating civilization and the birth pangs of that
> World Order — that Ark of human salvation — that must needs arise upon its
> ruins".
> 
> The forces which united the remedial reactions of so many nations to the
> sudden crisis in this region demonstrated beyond any doubt the necessity of
> the principle of collective security prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh more than a
> century ago as a means of resolving conflict. While the international
> arrangement envisioned by Him for the full application of this principle
> is far from having been adopted by the rulers of mankind, a long step towards
> the behaviour outlined for the nations by the Lord of the Age has thus been
> taken. How illuminating are Bahá'u'lláh's words foreshadowing the future
> reorientation of the nations: "Be united, O concourse of the sovereigns
> of the world," He wrote, "for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled
> amongst you, and your peoples find rest. Should any one among you take
> up arms against another, rise ye all against him, for this is naught but
> manifest justice."
> 
> Indeed, from whatever direction we gaze, the power of Bahá'u'lláh's
> Revelation is visibly at work in the world. In the call for a new world order,
> which has issued like a refrain from the statements of political leaders and
> influential thinkers, even when they themselves were incapable of defining their
> own meaning, can be discerned the slow awakening of humanity to the principal
> purpose of His Revelation. That such a call should have come so insistently
> from the head of that republic which is destined, in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's words, to
> be "the first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement"
> and to "lead all nations spiritually", is an indication of the efficacy and the
> acceleration of two simultaneous processes, one operating outside and one
> inside the Cause, which Shoghi Effendi tells us are destined to culminate
> "in a single glorious consummation".
> 
> [page 79]
> 
> Within the Cause, the signs of overwhelming achievements for the Six
> Year Plan, though not necessarily as projected at the outset, are abundant.
> Arresting examples are evident in the wake of the phenomenal changes occurring
> in the Soviet Union and its former satellite countries. Just one year since
> the re-establishment of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Moscow, a National
> Spiritual Assembly of the Soviet Union is to be formed. Similarly, little
> more than a year since the revolutionary political changes in Romania, the
> Government has recognized the Bahá'í community as a religious association
> with the right to spread the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh; here, too, a National
> Spiritual Assembly is to be formed this Ridvan. Rapid expansion of the Faith
> in Czechoslovakia compelled the decision taken only in recent weeks also to
> establish a National Spiritual Assembly there. At the same time, in the
> Caribbean area, the National Spiritual Assembly of the West Leeward Islands
> will be formed as a result of the division of the Leeward Islands group into
> two regional administrative units. With these four very welcome formations,
> the number of National Spiritual Assemblies reaches 155.
> 
> We are happy to say that three Hands of the Cause of God will represent
> the Universal House of Justice at these historic events: Amatu'l-Bahá
> Ruhiyyih Khanum in Romania, Mr. 'Ali Akbar Furutan in the Soviet Union, and
> Dr. 'Ali-Muhammad Varqa in Czechoslovakia. Counsellor Ruth Pringle will be
> the representative in the West Leeward Islands.
> 
> Another illustration of the rising authority of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh
> in the public mind emerges from Germany, where the Federal Constitutional
> Court, the highest legal authority in the land, rendered a decision of capital
> importance to the recognition of the Faith. A series of lower courts had
> refused to register the by-laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly on the grounds
> that the authority granted to the National Spiritual Assembly in that document
> violated the legal principle requiring the autonomy of all legally incorporated
> associations. The issues involved are indeed complex and cannot be elaborated
> here. Suffice it to say that the Federal Constitutional Court upheld the
> appeal of the Local Spiritual Assembly in a long, closely-reasoned decision
> in which, among other things, it affirmed the right of the Bahá'í community
> to gain legal capacity in the very shape ordained in the scriptures of the
> Bahá'í Faith and stated that its nature as a recognized religion was
> unquestionably confirmed by its inherent character, by public knowledge, and
> by the testimony of scholars of comparative religion. So significant was
> the verdict in the Court's own estimation that it took the rare step of
> issuing a statement to the press explaining its decision. This
> outstanding act will have implications for the Bahá'í community far beyond
> the borders of a united Germany.
> 
> Yet another instance of the growing public appreciation for the
> penetrating perspectives of the Cause involves the Republic of South Africa,
> where the National Spiritual Assembly, taking advantage of the initiatives
> of the Government towards resolving the decades-long problem of apartheid,
> decided to submit its views for the drafting of a new constitution for the
> country. The President of the South African Law Commission, the judge acting
> on behalf of the Government, who received the National Spiritual Assembly's
> submission from a delegation appointed by it, commented that the Bahá'ís
> were the only group thus far whose ideas had provided a spiritual and moral
> foundation for a constitution.
> 
> Whatever may be the individual effects of any one of these aforementioned
> developments — and of such others as the appearance of a representative of
> the Bahá'í International Community as the only non-Buddhist speaker invited to
> address a public meeting held in conjunction with the Asian Buddhist Conference
> for Peace in Mongolia; the specific mention of the Bahá'ís by Pope John Paul II
> 
> [page 80]
> 
> at a reception during his recent visit to Burundi; the official listing of
> the Bahá'í Faith as one of the common religions in Tuvalu; the International
> Exposition on Education for Peace sponsored by the Brazilian National Spiritual
> Assembly with the participation of 23 embassies and educational institutions
> — one thing is abundantly clear: the cumulative impact across the globe
> affirms the emergence of the Faith from obscurity. Such marks of increasing
> public recognition of the true character and rich potentialities of the
> Bahá'í community are a distinctive feature of the advancement of the Faith
> in the fourth epoch of the Formative Age.
> 
> In contemplating these marvellous signs and portents, we cannot resist
> the impulse to express our profound love and appreciation to the Continental
> Counsellors, and to their Auxiliary Boards, who stimulate and buttress efforts
> which make possible the accomplishment of such stupendous developments as have
> already been cited and whose ministrations, more especially, spur the dynamic
> thrust of the teaching work, which is fundamental to all of the community's
> successes. We are delighted and encouraged beyond measure by the vigorous
> beginning which the Boards of Counsellors have made as they entered the new
> term of their indispensable and highly appreciated services to the Bahá'í
> world. The fresh initiatives to which, with the whole-hearted encouragement and
> splendid support of the International Teaching Centre, they now bent their
> energies augur well for a gratifying completion of the Six Year Plan. May
> their exertions be greatly bolstered by the increase, as of the Day of
> the Covenant this year, in the number of Auxiliary Board members to 846 — 90
> more than exist at present. The world-wide community will certainly welcome
> the strength which this action will bring to the scope and quality of the
> spiritual duties assigned to the Auxiliary Board members and their assistants,
> whose operation at the grass roots is a guarantee of the continued expansion
> and consolidation of our glorious Faith.
> 
> The magnificent progress of the Six Year Plan brightens our spirits and
> exalts our hopes. All but one of the years of that Plan have passed and a
> mighty advance toward achieving its seven major objectives has been made. Our
> community has changed dramatically from what it was at the Plan's beginning in
> 1986. It has greatly expanded and developed. It is more diverse,
> more dynamic, more distinctive. As we enter the closing year of
> the Six Year Plan, a horizon of thrilling prospects stands before
> us all:
> 
> The preparation of the long-expected, annotated English
> translation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the Book of Laws, the Most Holy Book,
> the Mother Book of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation, will be completed —
> a monumental achievement which alone and of itself will usher in a
> new stage in the evolution of the Bahá'í world and thus crown the
> accomplishments of the Six Year Plan.
> 
> Earthwork on the lower Terraces of the Shrine of the Bab and
> excavation for the Centre for the Study of the Texts and the Annex
> to the International Archives Building will commence, initiating a
> new phase of these mighty and incalculably significant enterprises
> on God's Holy Mountain.
> 
> The Plan's end will mark the beginning of the Holy Year, 1992-
> 1993, a conscious year-long pause to allow His followers to pay
> befitting regard to the Centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh
> and of the inauguration of His world-unifying Covenant. As has
> already been announced, major observances are being planned to
> reflect the distinctive character and world-shaking importance of
> the two occasions.
> 
> [page 81]
> 
> The one: the gathering of representatives of the Bahá'í world,
> along with Knights of Bahá'u'lláh, at Bahji in the precincts of the
> Mansion, from whence Bahá'u'lláh's liberated Spirit repaired to the
> throne of His heavenly sovereignty, and in the vicinity of the Most
> Holy Shrine, wherein the Roll of Honour of the Knights of Bahá'u'lláh
> will be deposited as a gesture indicative of the response of His lovers
> to His call to spread His teachings throughout the earth. There at
> Bahji this gathering will engage in a solemn act of worship, the sacred
> readings for which will soon be shared with Bahá'í communities
> everywhere for use in their own commemorations, so as to unify the
> devotional experience of the entire Bahá'í world during this centennial
> observance.
> 
> The other: the World Congress scheduled to be held on 23-26 November
> 1992 in New York City, where the beloved Master revealed the implications
> of His station as the appointed Centre of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and
> which He designated as the City of the Covenant. Throughout the world,
> Bahá'í communities will hold appropriate auxiliary events to magnify the
> Congress's purpose, which is to celebrate the centenary of the
> inauguration of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and to proclaim its alms
> and unifying power. A corollary to these activities will be the wide
> distribution of a statement on Bahá'u'lláh, prepared at our request by
> the Office of Public Information, which will serve both as a source of
> study and inspiration for the Bahá'ís themselves and as an informative
> publication for presentation to the public. In these and other ways
> the community of the Greatest Name will endeavour to blazon the Name
> of Bahá'u'lláh across the globe, to make it a known eminence in the
> consciousness of peoples everywhere.
> 
> Such an exceptional confluence of imminent achievements — the publication
> of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the progress of the building projects on Mount Carmel,
> the conclusion of the Six Year Plan, the inception of the Holy Year — animates
> the expectations of the Bahá'í world, sets the stage for mightier endeavours
> than have already been attempted, and points us all to the opening of a new
> phase of history. It seems fitting, then, that the sacred law which enables
> each one to express his or her personal sense of devotion to God
> in a profoundly private act of conscience that promotes the common
> good, which directly connects the individual believer with the Central
> Institution of the Faith, and which, above all, ensures to the obedient
> and the sincere the ineffable grace and abundant blessings of Providence,
> should, at this favourable juncture, be embraced by all who profess
> their belief in the Supreme Manifestation of God. With humility
> before our sovereign Lord, we now announce that as of Ridvan 1992,
> the beginning of the Holy Year, the Law of Huququ'llah, the Right
> of God, will become universally applicable. All are lovingly called
> to observe it.
> 
> Our very dear brothers and sisters: Witness how the Beloved One has
> answered our entreaties. See how He has enriched our lives with new brethren
> and new institutions in lands hitherto closed to His healing Word. Consider
> with what potency His divine prescriptions are being affirmed as guide-lines
> for the behaviour of nations large and small. Surely such abounding
> benedictions have imbued you with indomitable courage and with confidence
> to face a challenging but brilliant future. Indeed, you have embarked on
> this auspicious year poised for the ultimate triumph of the Six Year Plan.
> 
> May you continue, through your selfless deeds in His service, to be
> blessed from the inexhaustible treasury of His love and tender care.
> 
> [signed — The Universal House of Justice]
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views25119 views since posted 1999; last edit 2026-04-10 01:17 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../uhj_six-year_plan_1986;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
> Language
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> Permission
> © BIC, public sharing permitted. See sources 1, 2, and 3.
> History
> Scanned 1995 by Duane Troxel; Formatted 2012-12-28 by Jonah Winters; Proofread 2012-12-27 by Jonah Winters.
> Share
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> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/882
> Citation: ris/882
> 
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> — *Six-Year Plan, 1986-1992 (Used by permission of the curator)*