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)

My reply to comments posted by dear Brent Poirier and Dr. Kavian S. Milani.

Your comment lacked sincerity and humbleness. It was devoid of Baha’i moral and Ethics. You cannot hurt the feelings of a fellow believer. You are unaware about the behavior of Central figures of the Faith certainly not of Beloved Shoghi Effendi. You have not seen the sincerity and humbleness of the Members of House of Justice. You are unaware of Baha’i way of consultation. Before commenting on any of my posting, I would advise you to follow Ethics of Internet.

Here I am compelled to answer your comment just because you claim yourself to be a Baha’i.

You claimed to be a self appointed spokesman on behalf of the Baha’is of Jewish background claming to know the Jew mentality very well. I am sure you are not authorized for it. It was not proper at all. The Jews whether “Baha’is” or “Not yet Baha’is” are the most soft spoken, sincere and humble people on earth.

You have done a thorough spell check of my bog and questioned me whether spell checks are not available on Iranian computers? Well the answer to your allegation is that I am REALLY unaware about the Iranian computers and its working but with absolute certainty I can say that spell checks are available on every American computer and must be available on the computers of followers of Mason Remy as well. Be assured I have not gone through your SITES and will never go, even for spell checks. We shun the Covenant Breakers.

I would advise you that next time when you log on to any Baha’i site do not go for spell checks but go for understanding the content

You very well tried to put a doubt, regarding Infallibility of the HOUSE in the minds of Baha’is under the grab of "misspell". I assure you that none of the Baha’is will fall in your trap. They will continue to believe that the Noble body is Infallible.

In Baha’i Faith we do not have preferences of Nationalities. Our two members of International Centre are Persian. Four members of the infallible body are Persian. We have a large number of Counselors and ABMs who are Persian. What more 10 out of 26 Hands of Cause were Persian. Mind it 26 and not 27.

In fact in every NSA we have at least one member who is Persian usually the Treasurer or the Secretary.

Regarding the Concept of A cluster producing 1000 converts, I would say, please update your knowledge about Baha’i Plans. Let me remind you that ENVITY is bad. In future when ENTRY BY TROOPS will begin, we will have more than 1000 converts in a year.

Well your enmity was reflected most in your last sentence calling “Anti Baha’i”. I fail to understand that if the Teaching is permitted in the Holy Land, how it can be termed as Anti Baha’i. Are you aware that in the present world only two types of people exist “Baha’is” and “Not Yet Baha’is”? It clearly points out that a day will come when the whole world will be following Baha'u'llah, that includes Jews as well.

Gathering for Baha'is of Jewish Descent in NYC

The Regional Bahá'í Council is delighted to announce this gathering to the believers in the region.

Gathering for Baha'is of Jewish Descent
New York City Baha'i Center 53 East 11th Street Between University Place and Broadway in Manhattan
Saturday, November 27th , from 4:30pm to 7:30pm second floor, front room with Baha'u'llah's announcement that the Promised One of Judaism has come, that the Burning Bush which spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai has now appeared, thousands of Jews have accepted His Faith and became Jewish - Baha'is. With such a decision come untold blessings, challenges and responsibilities.
If you or your ancestors are of Jewish heritage, you are invited to an inaugural meeting for Baha'is of Jewish descent. The purpose of this meeting and the activities that will hopefully spring from are to facilitate the integration of Jewish Believers into the Baha'i community and to strengthen their grasp of the Covenant of Baha'u'llah.

The Department of the Secretariat, responding recently on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, has said that this is indeed a worthy intention. At this meeting we will come together to broaden our understanding of the Baha'i Writings as they relate to Judaism and the Jewish people, and to consult as to how to translate those Words into deeds.

Appeal of Jewish background Baha'is to the State of Israel.

Dear Sir,
We the Baha'is of the Jewish background plead you to please lift this restriction/ban from teaching this Most Divine, the Most Peace loving and the Newest religion to the citizens of Israel.

Dear Sir,
Let us make Local Spiritual Assembelies in all the different cities of Israel and a National Spiritual Assembely of the State of Israel. Let the Counsellors of the International teaching centre make yearly plans for the spread of Bahai Faith in Israel. Let the Israeli children attend Bahai moral classes , let the Bahai youth start intensive programme of Growth for the Israeli citizen, let these young pure souls sign the Bahai youth card.

Dear Sir,
Let us group the various local spiritual Assembelies in Israel into different clusters like A, B, C, D. Let us make plans to have more and more “A” clusters as we are trying in other countries. Dear Sir, by ‘A’ cluster we mean there are 1000 convert in a year and a cluster which can launch intensive programme of Growth (IPG) for the spread of Bahai Faith.

Dear Sir,
Let the Israeli citizen after accepting the Bahai Faith donate generously to the Bahai Fund and pay their Huququllah (The Right of God) . Dear sir, please do not deprive your citizens of this spiritual bounty, Because donation in the Bahai Faith is considered as a spiritual Bounty given only to the Bahais and we do not accept it from Non Bahais.

Dear Sir,
Let our Infalliable ‘House of Justice’ issue special Messages to the Bahais “How to Teach Jew Youths”.

Dear Sir,
By now we have nine Temples or the Houses of Worship in countries like Australia, India, Germany, Panama, Samoa, Etc. We have purchased lands in more than 120 countries for building our future House of Worship. Dear Sir, please give us permission to purchase a land for constructing the House of Worship in Israel also.

Dear Sir,
We do not take part in politics, it is prohibited to a Baha'i. Moreover we never go against the Law of any Government, we promise that we will abide by this Law.

Dear Sir,
Baha’u’llah is the Promised One of all religions: the return of Christ to the Christians, the Messiah to the Jews, Shah Bahram to the Zoroastrians. Al Qaem for the Muslims.

Dear Sir,
Whenever our Honorable members of ‘House of Justice’ visit different countries they make a covenant with the Bahais. The covenant is ‘they will pray in the Holy Shrines on our behalf and the Bahais should propagate the Bahai Faith on their behalf’. As staying in Israel as they are deprived of the bounty of teaching the Bahai Faith. Dear sir, We plead you to please lift this ban, let them get this bounty of teaching. After all, these nine members are the one that when God looked at the earth, the first nine member which he selected to serve his Faith were these Members of the House of Justice.

Dear Sir,
All the religions like Judaism, Chritanity, Islam Buddhism, Hindiusm are rusted and their followers are spiritually dead as they have failed to recognise Baha’u’llah, infact these religions are Kindergarden and Bahai Faith is a Graduate School.

Dear Sir,
Let the Israelis accept the Bahai Faith and make a spiritual progress in Abha Kingdom. Dear Sir please do not deprive your people of the progress of their soul in Abha Kingdom.

Dear Sir,
Christianity has become a spiritual desert, Islam has been taken over by hallucinating ayatollahs, likewise all other religions have been rusted as they have been taken over by superstitions. It is the Bahai Faith which has all its full Glory and Honour.

Dear Sir,
Bahai Faith has become the second most widespread religion on earth and it has the fastest conversion rate. It is the most comfortable religion but such a religion is not allowed to preach and propagate to the Israeli is just a matter of great concern to us.

The problems of the Citizen of the State of Israel

1-However, in keeping with a policy that has been strictly followed since the days of Bahá'u'lláh, We Bahá'ís do not teach the Faith in Israel. Likewise, the Faith is not taught to Israelis abroad if they intend to return to Israel. When Israelis ask about the Faith, their questions are answered, but this is done in a manner which provides factual information without stimulating further interest."
(Ref: The Universal House of Justice, 1995 Jul 23, Teaching Israelis)

2-"Whenever an Israeli citizen living in the West, irrespective of his background and religious affiliation, declares his belief and interest in becoming a member of the Bahá'í community, he is informed that the Faith is not taught in Israel and that there is no Bahá'í community there apart from those who are associated with the Bahá'í World Center. He cannot be accepted into the Bahá'í community if he is planning to return to Israel to reside there.

3-"If he plans to continue to reside outside Israel, his enrollment can be accepted, but he will then be subject to the same restrictions about travel to Israel as any other Bahá'í, in that he could do so only with the express permission of the Universal House of Justice. In any event, the Universal House of Justice should be informed of any such declaration.
(Ref: Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated October 20, 1994, to several National Spiritual Assemblies.")

(Compilations, NSA USA - Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities)

Co-operation between the State of Israel and Baha’i Faith

1-Bahai Faith is officially recognized in State of Israel.

2-All their possessions and properties are being exempted from Government taxes and duties and even for their necessary imports the Baha'is enjoy exemption of custom duties.

3-The publication of Bahai news and information in Israeli news paper and their broadcast over the Israeli radio is permissible and moreover radio Israel sometimes congratulates the Baha'is on their festivals

4-Mrs. Ruhiya Rabbani in one newspaper where she had said "I prefer that the youngest religion i.e. Bahai Faith grows and expands in the most newly country in the world i.e. Israel. we belong to this place and have attachment to each other and in fact it must be said that the future of us and Israel is like the rings of one chain connected to each other."

5-When a Baha'i from other country wants to visit State of Israel, the Israel security exempts the Baha'is from rigorous questioning, if he shows the letter from the UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE.

6-We acknowledge the periodical visits of Israeli Prime Ministers, Presidents and other high ranking officials at our World Centre. The Kind and the good words which they spoke for our Faith cannot be easily forgotten. The last which we heard was former Prime Minister Mr. Arien Sharon.

7-The Government officials in Israel have access to factual information about the Faith, its history and general principles. Books concerning the Faith are available in libraries throughout the State of Israel, and Israelis are welcome to visit the Shrines and the surrounding gardens.

The Support of State of Israel to Baha'i Faith

(a) The Israeli president and his wife Mrs. Ben Zoy paid a scheduled visit to the holy sites of Mount Carmel, following the reception given in their honor at the home of His Holiness Abdul-Baha.”

(b) “The Israeli Government’s relations with His Holiness Vali Amrollah and the international Bahai delegation are friendly and sincere. It is a pleasure that successes have been achieved in recognition of the faith in the holy land.”

(c) 12th November 1952, Contract was signed with the Development Authority of the State of Israel whereby the Bahá’í Community secured some 40 Acres of land surrounding the sacred Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

(d) January 1954,(On the behalf of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi) The President of the International Bahá’í Council (Charles Mason Remey who later on was declared a Covenant Breaker) and Secretary General (Leroy Ioas), asked permission to call on the President of the State of Israel to greet him officially.

(e) Many years ago, the following statement appeared in the official Bahai publication “We are very proud and pleased to announce to the Baha'is the expansion and development of relations between the Bahaism and the officials of the Israeli Government.”

(f) Dr. Lutfullah Hakim, a member of the Universal House of Justice in Israel, in a letter to the Bahai community, wrote:
“ These days the Israeli newspapers, whether in Hebrew, Arabic or English, publish detailed articles on the Bahai religion and His Holiness.”

(g) Amatul Baha Mrs. Roohieh Khanum in a press conference, said:
“ I prefer to have the youngest religion, Bahaism germinate in the newest country of the world, Israel. We belong to, and depend on this country, Israel. Indeed, I should say that ours and Israel’s future are interlinked like a chain.”

(h) The Bahai representatives had meetings with Ben Gorivan the then Prime Minister of Israel in which they expressed their gratitude and appreciation towards Israeli Government and also spoke about sincere feelings and affections of the Bahais for the progress and fate of the Israeli government.

(i) Our Beloved Guardian of the Bahai Faith Shoghi Effendi had a meeting with Master Benzavi of the ex-President of Israel, He told him “I hope that the world Bahai centre in Israel will in an ever- increasing manner be always effectual in progress and lofty position of the country and in the welfare of its citizens."

(j) The official visit of the former president of Israel, Mr. Zalman Shahzar to the Bahai centre on 7th april 1964 and heartly exchanges of compliments between them to the sign of intense connection and cooperation between the Bahai's and the Jews.

The Baha'i Role in creation of Holy Land of Israel

At a time when the international community of the World were pleading to the United Nations to give official status to their government of Israel, Our Beloved Guardian Shoghi Effendi (grandson of Abbas Effendi), in a letter to the United Nations on behalf of the Palestinians, emphasized his sincere relationships with the Jews and supported their plans for establishment of Holy Land of Israel.

The Declaration of the First Jew of City of Hamadan

The declaration of the first Jews of Hamadan were equally unexpected. In 1877 a Jewish physician Hakim Aqa Jan was called upon to treat the malaria stricken wife of Muhammad Baqir, a prominent Bahá'í of Hamadan. Accidentally, Aqa Jan gave her strychnine pills instead of quinine. When she nearly died, Aqa Jan became panic stricken, expecting violent repercussions, not only for himself but towards the entire Jewish community as well. Seeing his consternation, Muhammad Baqir assured him that he would not hold him responsible for what was obviously a mistake. The wife recovered, but Aqa Jan was so impressed by Muhammad Baqir's kindness that he assumed Baqir could not be a Muslim and asked him regarding his religion. Muhammad Baqir then informed him that "a new religion has appeared in the world by the name of Bahá'í". Aqa Jan made a thorough investigation of the tenets of the Bahá'í religion and eventually embraced it along with some forty friends and family members, including his father, a leading rabbi of the town.
(quoted in Sulaymani, Masabih-i 4:452-53).

Mr. Lutfullah Hakim
He was the member of the first Universal House of Justice formed in 1963 and was from Jewish background.