Many of the first Iranian and Hungarian Baha’i were of Jewish origin

Bahá'u'lláh's writings addressed Christians more than any other non-Muslim religious groups and addressed them at an earlier date. Yet Christian response to the Bahá'í revelation was negligible.

The sudden conversion of Jews to the Bahá'í Faith occurred almost surprisingly, even the Bahá'ís did not, at first, make any concerted efforts to reach Jew. The actual conversions took many Bahá'ís by surprise.

Jews conversion to Baha’i Faith in Iran
1-The Jewish conversion movement began in Hamadan around 1877, and by 1884, according to the historian of Persian Jewry Habib Levy, involved some one hundred and fifty of the eight-hundred Jewish households there (Levy, Tarikh-i-Yahud-i-Iran 657).

2-From Hamadan, the Bahá'í Faith spread to the Jewish communities of other Iranian cities, including Kashan (where half of the Bahá'í community was of Jewish origin), Tehran, Isfahan, Bukhara, and Gulpaygan (where seventy-five percent of the Jewish community was said to have converted) (Curzon, Persia 500).

3-According to the Bahá'í historian Hasan Balyuzi, Táhirih was instrumental in converting a number of Jews to the Babí Faith in Hamadan (Balyuzi, The Báb 165). It should be noted however, that of all the Babí leaders, Táhirih was the most outspoken in departing from Islamic norms.

Jews conversion to Baha’i Faith in Hungary
The history of the Hungarian community reaches back to the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1913, 'Abdu'l-Baha, the eldest son of Baha'u'llah, visited Budapest and met a number of dignitaries and academics. Among them was the renowned orientalist Professor Arminius Vambery who, in a letter addressed to 'Abdu'l-Baha, pledged his allegiance to the Baha'i faith and is considered the first Hungarian Baha'i.

During his nine-day stay in Budapest, 'Abdu'l-Baha delivered a number of speeches to the public as well as to dignitaries of the Parliament and the Academy. He also expressed his hope that in the future Budapest would become the center for the unification of the East and the West. "I am happy to have been able to visit Hungary," 'Abdu'l-Baha said in 1913, "because this is the country where the culture of the West and the warm hospitality of the East meet and merge into one."

The Baha'i community grew slowly in the inter-war years. Several times during the country's dictatorial rule in the 1930s and 40s, it was dispersed. Many of the first Hungarian Baha'is were of Jewish origin, and most of them were deported to concentration camps. After World War II, the community also faced restrictions when the Communist government banned religious gatherings.

With the end of Communist rule in the late 1980s, religious freedom increased and the community began to flourish again. In 1990s, the Baha'is in Budapest were able to again elect their Local Spiritual Assembly, the local governing body that stands at the base of the Baha'i administrative order.

This is a well known fact that Jews are lover of justice and peace. In many countries the Jews are accepting Baha’u’llah as the Manifestation of our Age. Then why this Great Bounty is deprived to the Jews residing in Israel.

Remembering Amatu’l Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum and small gesture of the State of Israel at her funeral

The Widow of Guardian of the Baha’i Faith
Hand of Cause of God

On March 24, 1937 aged 26 she married the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith, Shoghi Effendi, and it was at this time that she was given the name "Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khanum" by Shoghi Effendi. ("Amatu'l-Bahá" means "Handmaiden of Glory".) Almost immediately after their marriage, she served as the Guardian's secretary, and then in 1941 until 1957 she served as Shoghi Effendi's principal secretary in English. In 1951 she was appointed to the International Bahá'í Council, which was an administrative institution of the Bahá'í Faith created as a precursor to the Universal House of Justice, to act as a liaison between the Council and Shoghi Effendi. Later on March 26, 1952, she was appointed to the office of Hand of the Cause of God — a distinguished rank in service to the religion — for which she attended to issues related to the propagation and protection of the religion.

Shoghi Effendi and Ruhiyyih Khanum did not have any children; therefore, when Shoghi Effendi passed away unexpectedly in 1957, Ruhiyyih Khanum not only had a personal crisis to manage, but also had to deal with the earth shattering devastation that occurred within the world wide Baha’i community. Shoghi Effendi had died without a will, and without a designated successor as Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. Ruhiyyih Khanum and the other Hands of the Cause of God also had to deal with the anxiety and confusion that this circumstance created. There was a risk of a schism because of what was happening, but Ruhiyyih Khanum was a true leader in these dark times, helping to steer the Baha’is toward a democratically elected governing institution, preordained by Baha’u’llah in the Kitab-i-aqdas, which represented the entire Baha’i community: the Universal House of Justice.

In 1963, more than 4 years after Shoghi Effendi’s passing, the first Universal House of Justice was elected. Ruhiyyih Khanum, rather than take a vacation continued to work often to the point of exhaustion in service to the Baha’i Faith. She visited communities in North America, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.

Ruhiyyih Rabbani died in January 19, 2000 in her home in Haifa, Israel. She was 90. Haifa, (January 23) — She was buried in Haifa, Israel, in a garden facing the home where she lived since 1937.

About 1000 people attended the funeral, including Mr. Chris Greenshields, Minister-Counsellor of the Canadian Embassy; Mrs. Marsha Von Duerckheim, Consul-General of the US Embassy; Mr. Ariel Kenet of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Roman Bronfman, Member of the Knesset; Mr. Amram Mitzna, the Mayor of Haifa; and Mr. Shmaryahu Biran, the Mayor of Acre. Dr. Nissim Dana of the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs represented the Israeli Government.

Message of THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Bahá’í World Centre • P.O. Box 155 • 31001 Haifa, Israel
Tel: 972 (4) 835 8358 • Fax: 972 (4) 835 8280 • Email: secretariat@bwc.org

12 May 2008

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

As the worldwide Bahá’í community proceeds with a unified and coordinated endeavour to advance the process of entry by troops, developments of far-reaching significance at the Bahá’í World Centre, foreshadowed in our message of Ridván 2006 to the Bahá’ís of the world, are now occurring.

The way has been opened to further beautification of the environs of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, the Qiblih of the people of Bahá, described by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the “luminous Shrine” and “the place around which circumambulate the Concourse on high”. After negotiations over several years, agreement has been reached with the Israeli government for the acquisition of a rectangular plot of land 90,000 square metres in area, located between Bahjí and the main road, which is currently being used by the government.

The property in the possession of the Faith has been further augmented by the conclusion, after negotiations which extended over some twenty years, of a land exchange with the Israel Land Administration, by which a portion of the land bequeathed to the Faith in the Ein Sara neighbourhood of Nahariya, north of ‘Akká, is being exchanged for an additional 100,000 square metres to the east of the Mansion of Bahjí, an area of about 32,000 square metres adjoining the island at the Ridván Garden, and the caravanserai adjacent to the Mansion of Mazra‘ih. Discussions are continuing with the authorities for a further exchange, using more of the Ein Sara land to acquire additional property in close proximity to the Bahá’í Holy Places in the ‘Akká area required to protect the sanctity and tranquillity of these places in the face of the rapid urbanization of the region.

Measures are now being taken to formulate a comprehensive plan for the development of these Holy Places in the years immediately ahead, in a manner which will preserve the distinctive characteristics evident when Bahá’u’lláh blessed them with His presence, while providing facilities for the growing number of pilgrims and visitors. Work has also been completed on the restoration of the Junayn Gardens, a small farmhouse and orchard north of Bahjí visited occasionally by Bahá’u’lláh, which was subsequently donated to the Faith. An extensive project is now under way for the restoration of the Ridván Garden to its condition when visited by Bahá’u’lláh at the termination of His nine-year confinement within the walls of the prison-city of ‘Akká. Described by Him as “Our Verdant Isle” and as the “New Jerusalem”, Bahá’u’lláh rejoiced in the tranquillity of the setting, “its streams flowing, and its trees luxuriant, and the sunlight playing in their midst.” Included in the work being carried out here is the construction of a circulating water system, which will recreate the island frequented by Bahá’u’lláh, and the restoration of an antique flour mill, which was in use during His time. No less significant is the work being carried out on Mount Carmel. The International Archives Building, constructed over fifty years ago at a time of limited resources in the Holy Land, is being extensively renovated and its facilities developed. This edifice, described by the Guardian as “the permanent and befitting repository for the priceless and numerous relics associated with the Twin Founders of the Faith, with the Perfect Exemplar of its teachings and with its heroes, saints and martyrs”, is being strengthened structurally; provisions are being made to render it accessible to the disabled; the method of display of its relics is being improved; a comprehensive security system is being provided; the exterior stonework is being restored; and its interior is being enhanced through installation of a granite floor.

Detailed plans have been prepared for the renovation of the Shrine of the Báb, the “majestic mausoleum” extolled by Shoghi Effendi as “the Queen of Carmel enthroned on God’s Mountain, crowned in glowing gold, robed in shimmering white, girdled in emerald green, enchanting every eye from air, sea, plain and hill.” This work will include installation of earthquake-resistant reinforcement not visible to pilgrims or visitors; preparation of the three chambers not previously available for meditation or worship; repair of the dome; and replacement of its tiles, which have become worn and discoloured, to return them to their pristine lustre.

The work being carried out at the World Centre of the Faith represents far more than repair, renovation, and beautification of buildings and gardens of historic significance. It can best be assessed by reference to Bahá’u’lláh’s designation of Mount Carmel as “the seat of God’s throne” and by recognition of His followers that the Qiblih is the holiest spot on the surface of the planet, while the places in which He found respite are forever sanctified by His presence. From that perspective those who participate in this endeavour, either through their dedicated labours or through their sacrificial contributions of funds, are privileged to an extent far beyond their capacity to comprehend.

The Universal House of Justice

Baha'is buy military base to unblock view of Bahji compound in Acre

By Jack Khoury

The Baha'i World Center recently bought an old military base blocking the view of its sacred Baji compound in Acre. It plans to create an open vista, making the compound's landscaped gardens visible from the north.

The center paid the Defense Ministry some NIS 40 million for the 90-dunam base, with structures dating back to the pre-state British Mandate era.

The deal was completed several months ago after around two years of negotiations. A source close to the deal said the talks focused mainly on the price, and that the sum was not particularly high for that part of Acre.

The Bahji gardens are the Baha'is' holiest site. They are the home of the founder of the faith, Baha'u'llah, who was exiled from Persia because of his beliefs to what was in those days isolation the land of Israel. He lived under house arrest in Acre, where his home became a pilgrimage site. This and another structure housing his tomb are surrounded by magnificent wide gardens.
The army is supposed to evacuate the base by August 2009. The Baha'is intend to clear the area, removing the obstacles to the compound's gardens, although they have not yet decided whether to expand the gardens to cover the new space.

http://www.haaretz/ .com
Fri., October 03, 2008

The only way of salvation for Jews is to accept the Bahá'í Faith

The only way of salvation for Jews is to accept the Bahá'í Faith. (The Guardian of the Bahai Faith - Shoghi Effendi)

The Bahá'ís should certainly Endeavour to establish further contacts with your Jewish fellow-citizens, as their spiritual destiny is assuredly very bright. The age-long sufferings and tribulations which the Jews all over the world have so cruelly experienced will be terminated during the Bahá'í era, as they will be gradually led to embrace the Faith which, indeed, constitutes the only means of salvation to their race." (Letter of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, September 22, 1937)

When Baha'u'llah first proclaimed himself, the Jewish communities in the East converted en mass overnight because they saw that Baha'u'llah was that they had been eagerly awaiting.

The Baha'i Faith was favorably received by large sections of the Persian peoples, it was hailed by Persian Jews as their salvation...Persian Jews were seized by a profound enthusiasm and admiration for [Baha'u'llah and] their new faith...

The Jewish populations of Hamadan, Isfahan, Tehran, Kashan and 75% or more of the Jews of Gulpaygan converted into the Baha'i Faith en masse having recognized Baha'u'llah as the New Manifestation of our age.

During one of the Talks at pilgrim house in Haifa the Late Hands of Cause Mr. Ali Akbar Furutan said to the pilgrims that “not teaching to the Jews in the Holy Land is only a temporary measure very soon full scale teaching will start."

Failing to Recognize Bahá'u'lláh by Jews is their “spiritual blindness”

When Christ appeared, twenty centuries ago, although the Jews were eagerly awaiting His Coming, and prayed every day, with tears, saying: "O God, hasten the Revelation of the Messiah," yet when the Sun of Truth dawned, they denied Him and rose against Him with the greatest enmity, and eventually crucified that divine Spirit, the Word of God, and named Him Beelzebub, the evil one, as is recorded in the Gospel....

(J. E. Esslemont, "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era", 5th rev. ed. (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1987), p. 6)

A Bahá'í asked : "How do I respond when a Jew says we are anti-Semitic because we believe the Jews crucified Christ?" He notes that Jews defend Judaism by saying that the Romans, not the Jews, crucified Christ.

In responding to such a criticism it would be helpful to point out that followers -- and the clergy in particular -- of all the religions have opposed the coming of the succeeding Manifestation. The Bahá'í writings point out the crucifixion of Jesus to emphasize not the criminal act itself but the spiritual blindness of a people who rejected the very Messiah they sought, for although the Romans committed the actual act of crucifying Christ, the crucifixion was caused by the rejection of Jesus by the Jews and their accusation of Him before Pontius Pilate.

Such spiritual blindness has not been limited to the Jews, but has been witnessed in every Dispensation. Thus, in the following extract Bahá'u'llah addresses the Jews as the crucifiers of Jesus, and similarly addresses the followers of the Christian, Islamic and Bábí Faiths. It is not the Jews in particular who have failed to recognize the Manifestations of God, but all of humanity throughout the Dispensations of the Prophetic Cycle. It is not the actual crime that is emphasized, but the relationship between the people and the promised Manifestation of God, and not the material aspect of the rejection but its more fundamental spiritual significance.

O Jews! If ye be intent on crucifying once again Jesus, the Spirit of God, put Me to death, for He hath once more, in My person, been made manifest unto you. Deal with Me as ye wish, for I have vowed to lay down My life in the path of God. I will fear no one, though the powers of earth and heaven be leagued against Me. Followers of the Gospel! If ye cherish the desire to slay Muhammad, the Apostle of God, seize Me and put an end to My life, for I am He, and My Self is His Self.

Do unto Me as ye like, for the deepest longing of Mine heart is to attain the presence of My Best-Beloved in His Kingdom of Glory. Such is the Divine decree, if ye know it. Followers of Muhammad! If it be your wish to riddle with your shafts the breast of Him Who hath caused His Book the Bayán to be sent down unto you, lay hands on Me and persecute Me, for I am His Well-Beloved, the revelation of His own Self, though My name be not His name. I have come in the shadows of the clouds of glory, and am invested by God with invincible sovereignty. He, verily, is the Truth, the Knower of things unseen. I, verily, anticipate from you the treatment ye have accorded unto Him that came before Me. To this all things, verily, witness, if ye be of those who hearken. O people of the Bayán! If ye have resolved to shed the blood of Him Whose coming the Báb hath proclaimed, Whose advent Muhammad hath prophesied, and Whose Revelation Jesus Christ Himself hath announced, behold Me standing, ready and defenseless, before you. Deal with Me after your own desires.

("Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh" (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing ,Trust, 1983), sec. 47, pp. 101-2)

Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust

References in the Baha'i Writings to Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust
by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
1998-09-24

In an email message of 8 July 1998, Mr. xxx asks for "any and all available references to anti-Semitism" in the Bahá'í Writings, especially in the correspondence of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice. Furthermore, he asks if there are any references to the Holocaust in the Bahá'í Writings. We reply as follows.

We have been able to find very few references specifically dealing with anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. However, we share with Mr. xxx the attached compilation entitled "The Holocaust and the Greater Plan of God", [on line here] which was prepared in response to a question as to whether the Holocaust was part of the Greater Plan of God. In a letter on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer dated 3 February 1988, we read that the "Bahá'í attitude to the Holocaust and the massive sufferings inflicted on mankind by the World Wars is clearly set forth by Shoghi Effendi in The Promised Day is Come...." Extracts 3 and 8 of the attached compilation are such references taken from The Promised Day is Come. Further, Mr. xxx may be interested in the following two extracts from letters written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice regarding the Jewish people:

"It would be impossible for any community, much less the Bahá'í community, to forget the suffering of the Jewish people throughout a long period of history. As you know, Bahá'u'lláh, like the Prophets before Him, stated in His Writings that the Jews would return to their homeland, and this fulfillment of their heart's desire has taken place. Moreover, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has confirmed that the travail of the Jewish people is now to be ended. He wrote in a Tablet: "... The ignominy which Israel has suffered for well-nigh twenty-five hundred years will now be changed into eternal glory, and in the eyes of all, the Jewish people will become glorified to such an extent as to draw the jealousy of its enemies and the envy of its friends.

"However, beyond this lies the supreme reality that the Manifestation of God for our age spent the latter part: of His life in that area of the world in which the Jews have today established a State. The Centre of our Faith, its Shrines and administrative headquarters are established there. From these two distinct points of view, you can see that it is impossible for the Jews to be forgotten in a Bahá'í context. The blessings which will be conferred upon them for what has occurred in the Holy Land in this new dispensation will become increasingly evident." (2 January 1992, to an individual believer)

It is important to bear in mind that in the Writings it is not, Judaism, per se, which is criticized. On the contrary, like the other great religions of the world, Judaism is a divinely revealed system, albeit as with all previous dispensations it has been overtaken by an ineluctable superannuation. As recounted in the Book of Certitude, it is principally the clerics who, from age to age, have misled their followers and contributed to confusion and lack of true understanding. This benighted condition, induced by the leaders of religion, has never been limited to a single people. It prevails at the advent of each of God's Messengers and is the primary cause of their persecution.

Accordingly, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá speak against the spiritual blindness which led the Jews to denounce Christ to Pontius Pilate, leading to His crucifixion. The purpose is mainly didactic, to illustrate the ever-recurring patterns enacted in the dialogue between mankind and the successive Messengers of God.

However, in our time, it is the followers of Muhammad, not the Jews, whose malevolence subjected the Supreme Manifestation of God to incalculable suffering and who are thus the object of divine judgement.

by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
1998-09-24

Abdu'l-Bahá predicted the formation of Israel

Abdu'l-Bahá revealed a tablet in 1897 forecasting about formation of Holy Land of Israel.

Perhaps you are familiar with the following Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá published on page 5, number 250 of "Bahá'í News", cited December 1951; and it provides a perspective in which to view your [Jewish] heritage from the Bahá'í standpoint.

"You have asked Me a question with regard to the gathering of the children of Israel in Jerusalem, in accordance with prophecy. "Jerusalem, the Holy of Holies, is a revered Temple, a sublime name, for it is the City of God... The gathering of Israel at Jerusalem means, therefore, and prophesies, that Israel as a whole, is gathering beneath the banner of God and will enter the Kingdom of the Ancient of Days. For the celestial Jerusalem, which has as its center the Holy of Holies, is; a City of the Kingdom, a Divine City. The East and West are but a small corner of that City. "Moreover, materially as well (as spiritually), the Israelites will all gather in the Holy Land. This is irrefutable prophecy, for the ignominy which Israel has suffered for wellnigh twenty-five hundred years will now be changed into eternal glory, and in the eyes of all, the Jewish people will become glorified to such an extent as to draw the jealousy of its enemies and the envy of its friends." (Abdu'l-Bahá revealed this tablet in 1897 to a Jewish community in the Orient)
The Jewish people have suffered enormously during centuries of exile, and those who sought to justify their evil actions have at different times victimized them by appeals to religion. We Bahá'ís sympathize deeply with the victims of that suffering.

At the same time, Bahá'ís accept that the Jews were responsible for the fate met by Jesus Christ, because this is what the Writings indicate, and we accept that, as with all people who fail to recognize the Manifestation of God at the appointed hour, their destiny as a people has been shaped by the consequences of their failure to recognize and accept Him. This is hardly a radical view. The drama of the Old Testament is largely the story of the travails and victories of the Israelites as they responded or not to the Covenant of God. We also believe, as stated by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the passage quoted above, that Providence is delivering the Jews from their historical abasement and lifting them into a glorious condition.

[References in the Baha'i Writings to Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust]
by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
1998-09-24

Our Beloved Guardian Says :

"The translation and publication of Bahá'í literature in the European and American Indian languages, allocated to your Assembly and its European Teaching Committee under the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan, is yet another objective of this second phase of this World Crusade, a task that must be resolutely pursued and speedily consummated in order to facilitate the intensive teaching activity which, at a later stage, must be conducted for the purpose of converting a considerable number of the minority races in both Europe and America to the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh."

(Shoghi Effendi, Citadel of Faith, p. 129)

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE

30 April 1987

To the Baha'is of the World

Dearly-loved Friends,

This Ridvan, after decades of unabated effort involving prolonged, delicate negotiations, the Government of the State of Israel and the Baha'i World Centre signed an international agreement whose implications—spiritual, historical, and practical—are inestimable for the rapidly evolving World Order of Baha'u'llah.

Approved by unanimous vote of the Cabinet of the National Unity Govern­ment, the Agreement states as reasons for the Government's concurrence in it the "friendly relations between the Baha'i world community and the State of Israel" and the "desire of the Government of Israel to give effect to this relationship, and to its recognition of the special status of the Baha'i World Centre". These friendly relations trace their foundation to the inspired initiatives of 'Abdu'1-BahS Himself, particularly during the period following the Revolution of the Young Turks in 1908 when a general amnesty was effected for religious and political prisoners held under the old regime. The pres­tige acquired by the Faith through the dynamic force of the Master's unique spirit was demonstrated after His release from imprisonment in the actions He took to establish His residence in Haifa at the foot of Mount Carmel, to inter the sacred remains of the Bab in the mausoleum which had been erected by Him on the spot designated by Baha'u'llah Himself, and to travel extensively in the West. Subsequent to these travels, it was more conspicuously illustrated through the excellent relations He forged with high and low alike, the social impact of His liberal ministrations to the needs of the people in the Holy Land, and the conferring of a knighthood upon Him by the British Crown.

This legacy of prestige was evident in the recognition accorded Shoghi Effendi as Head of the Faith by the authorities of the British Mandate. The extent of the Guardian's energetic exertions to achieve recognition of the independent status of the Faith, whose permanent spiritual and administrative centres are in the Holy Land, is beyond the scope of this letter and must, in due time, be afforded full treatment in the work of future historians. Let it suffice to reaffirm here that what he was able to accomplish during the years of the Mandate, in securing custody of Baha'i properties and in obtaining official protection of the Holy Places, recognition of the Baha'i marriage certificate and of Baha'i Holy Days, and relief from certain taxes, combined to reflect a status for the Faith which was accepted by the new Government when the State of Israel was established in 1948. Writing on Shoghi Effendi's behalf to a National Spiritual Assembly on 30 May 1952, his secretary stated that "All the Baha'i properties and imports are exempt from taxation and customs, and the status of the Faith as a religion, recognized". However, the letter pointed out that "At present, we are planning to clarify our legal position with the Government, and get it on a more concrete footing". It is precisely in fulfilling the need for such clarification and more concrete foot­ing that the instrument recently signed in Jerusalem represents a distinctive stage in the relations of the Baha'i World Centre with the Government of this country.

In a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry on 22 April 1987, the second day of Ridvan, the Agreement, comprising an exchange of letters, was signed by Mr. Shimon Peres, Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister, on behalf of the Govern­ment of Israel, and Mr. Donald Barrett, Secretary-General of the Baha'i Inter­national Community, on behalf of the Baha'i World Centre, in the presence of other high-ranking government officials and Mr. Ronald Bates, Deputy Secretary-General of the Baha'i International Community. Among its contents are the following statements of recognition:

The Government of Israel recognizes the members of the Baha'i Faith as a recognized religious community in Israel in accordance with Article 2 of the Palestine Order in Council, 1922-1947, and confirms that the Baha'i World Centre is the world spiritual and administra­tive centre of the Baha'i world community and that the Universal House of Justice in Haifa is the Head of the Baha'i Faith and its Supreme Institution in accordance with its constitution.

The Government of Israel recognizes that the holiest places of the Baha'i Faith, in accordance with the Baha'i Sacred Scriptures, are located in Israel, and confirms that the Universal House of Justice is the Trustee of the Baha'i International Community over the Holy Places of the Baha'i Faith in Israel and over the Baha'i endowments in Israel.

From such clearly stated recognition flow privileges and benefits befitting the spiritual and administrative centre of a world Faith. These provisions of the Agreement are defined in terms that are renewable or renego-tiable at certain intervals, lending a flexibility and extension to the Agree­ment that are among its salient features. The Agreement can thus be regarded as the culmination of a series of preliminary measures of official recognition variously granted by sundry governmental authorities over a span of decades, now confirmed, amplified, extended, and defined in an instrument which places the operation of the Baha'i World Centre on a solid basis in its relations with the Government of Israel and in its other external relations. It thus launches a new phase in the development of the administration of the Faith at its World Centre.

Of unusual importance—and fraught with implications for the future dealings of the Baha'i community everywhere as the Faith passes through the stages of its evolution until its stature is fully acclaimed by the nations—is the nature of the final negotiations, which engaged our representatives in extensive consultations with highly-placed officials, and from which emerged the procedure for sealing the Agreement. For it is a singular fact that the representative of a sovereign government, in the person of its Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister, and the representative of what was justifiably acknowledged as the "world centre of a recognized international non-governmental organiza­tion" sat down together to sign an "International Agreement", the first such occurrence in the history of the Cause of Baha'u'llah.

That this should have taken place in the Holy Land, to which only some 120 years ago the Founder of that Cause was banished as a prisoner, evokes in us feelings of wonderment and astonished joy. That the Government which was party to so unprecedented an act happens to be that of a people who have only recently returned, after many centuries of exile, to their homeland bespeaks a token of divine favour of incalculable spiritual and historical importance for the Jewish people.

Dear Friends, the Status Agreement now achieved makes an indelible mark on the Formative Age of our Faith, assuming a special place among the swiftly accumulating evidences of the divine confirmations which have thus far distin­guished the opening period of the fourth epoch of that Age. These accompanying signs of God's abounding grace clearly include:

• The Conference of Continental Counsellors at the World Centre at the close of which on 2 January 1986 was announced the opening of the fourth epoch.

• The establishment in Jerusalem of an Office of Representation for the Baha'I International Community to facilitate the relations of the World Centre with the Government of Israel.

• The successful conclusion of the Seven Year Plan, unforgettable for the stature the Cause of Baha'u'llah attained betokening its emergence from obscurity—an emergence resulting largely from the indescribable sacrifices of the beloved friends in Iran.

• The completion of the distribution of "The Promise of World Peace" to heads of state and the outstanding events associated with the promulgation of its contents.

• The launching of the Six Year Plan which incorporated the feature of planning involving the consultation of Continental Counsellors with National Spiritual Assemblies, and to a large extent, consultation at the grass roots of the national Baha'i communities, leading to the choice of goals for their countries by these National Spiritual Assemblies.
  

• The first visit of a head of government to the World Centre to consult with the Universal House of Justice on issues raised in its Peace Statement.

• The participation of Baha'i publishers in an International Book Fair in the capital of the People's Republic of China.

• The dedication of the Mother Temple of the Indian sub-continent, an event which opened new opportunities for the Faith to be proclaimed in the Soviet Union, Eastern bloc countries, and China, and which has induced the visits of high-ranking officials from these and other countries to the Temple.

• The establishment in Liberia of the first Baha'i radio station on the continent of Africa.

• The adoption of the design created by Mr. Husayn Amanat for the complex of edifices remaining to be constructed on the Arc on Mount Carmel.

One practical and spiritually confirming effect of the signing of the Status Agreement is that it brings us within reach of the realization of the beloved Guardian's vision for the Arc on God's Holy Mountain. For with the Agreement in hand formidable obstacles to the execution of the Arc Project have been removed. The conjunction of the completion of the architect's design and the favourable action of the Government thus signals the ripeness of the time to pursue the obligation acutely felt by the' entire Baha'i world to bring to fruition, as soon as possible, the work begun by Shoghi Effendi in the erection of the Archives Building and carried forward in the completion four years ago of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. The plans to be made and the material requirements for so extraordinary an undertaking will, of course, be communicated to the friends in due course. In the meantime, we are happy to announce that the architect of the Indian Temple, Mr. Fariburz Sahba has been assigned the task of designing the Terraces to be situated below and above the Shrine of the Bab; he has also been appointed Project Manager to execute the design already adopted for the three remaining buildings on the Arc.

We rejoice to know that the entire company of Baha'u'llah's loved ones joins us in prayers of thanksgiving for the manifold blessings He is showering In such profusion on the humble efforts being made in His glorious Name.

The Universal House of Justice

"Holy Land" is so very holy to Baha'is also!

My Dear Brent Poirier,

Your both the comments can be termed as "SELF PRAISED" & "Ego boosting stuff "
You called yourself to be SINCERE, a defender of Islam and Muslims & a Crusader of Baha’i Faith.

A possessor of these qualities need not shout from roof tops.

I still fail to understand that if a Baha’i wishes to teach the Faith in Israel also, what doom has he brought to the Faith? what harm has he done? Which law of Kitab-i-Aqdas he has trampled?

The fact is that why only “YOU” are perturbed about it. We have received 65 mails mostly praising our efforts. Some of them have appreciated the idea but asked us to take the prior permission from the Universal House of Justice.

A true Baha'i does not always condemn “Iranian Muslims”, Here are two examples, those who are aware about the true Baha'is spirit will understand :

In 1982 when Baha'i persecution in Iran was at its peak, in one of the deepenings conducted by Late Mrs. Gloria Faizi (Wife of Late Hand of Cause Mr. Abul Qasim Faizi) an Iranian Baha'i said some unpleasant things about the Iranian Muslims. The same moment Mrs. Faizi reprimanded the Baha’is about his comment and said, “it is not proper to blame the Iranian Muslims for the persecution, but the Iranian officials are responsible for it”. She even asked the gathering to refrain from BACKBITTING. Those who know the Baha’i culture will understand the essence of Baha’i Faith in this incidence.

You have even embarrassed the Noble House. Is it not that the beloved house had thanked and appreciated the step taken by Mrs. Shirin Ebadi for taking up the issue of YARAN. Although she is a staunch Iranian Muslim.

These two points are enough to let the readers of the blog understand, who is ANTI BAHA’I
Dear Mr. Brent I will give you a final answer, If you had a slightest doubt that I had some evil intention, then the Baha’i culture says, “leave that individual”. It is clear that you are unaware of this Baha’i culture.

Regarding reading of the Holy writings it was a good reminder that you are reading, “An Epistle to the son of Wolf”, the other recommended readings for you are “Covenant” by Mr. Adib Taherzadeh & “Mason Remy and Those who followed him” (An article by International Teaching Centre).

I do not need a certificate from the followers of Mason Remy to certify my efforts.

(Above image : Funeral of Abdul baha in Haifa, Israel)