"The reign of divine
love, justice and wisdom in the world under and in conformity
of the Divine Law"
(Shoghi Effendi, Guidance for Today and Tomorrow,
Baha'i Publishing Trust, London, UK, 1973, p 110)
"The Administrative Order of Baha'u'llah
is destined to evolve into the Baha'i World Commonwealth
which is, both in theory and in practice, not only unique
in the entire history of political institutions, but can
find no parallel in the annals of any of the worlds recognized
religious systems" 1
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme
institution of the Baha'i Faith and is responsible for its
affairs world-wide. It is the only institution on the face
of the planet which has the authority to interpret the Writings
of the Bab, and Baha'u'llah. The seat of the Universal House
of Justice, in fulfillment of Biblical and other prophecies,
has its seat on Gods Holy Mountain, Mt. Carmel, in Haifa,
Israel. The Baha'i World Centre is a marvelous and extraordinarily
beautiful complex, including the Shrine of the Bab, the
Arc, and many other beautiful and functional buildings and
gardens.
Having neither priesthood or ritual the
Baha'i Faith relies on a pattern of local, national, and
international administration created by Baha'u'llah. Each
locality, comprised of nine or more adult Baha'i's, twenty-one
or older, on April 21 annually elects a council known as
the Local Spiritual Assembly. All Baha'i elections take
place by secret ballot, with no nominations or electioneering.
At present there are over twenty thousand Assemblies throughout
the world.
National Assemblies are elected annually
by regionally elected delegates who come together in an
annual national convention. There are currently about one
hundred eighty National Spiritual Assemblies formed to date.
Once every five (5) years, at an international convention,
these National Spiritual Assemblies gather to elect The
Universal House of Justice, the supreme institution of the
Baha'i Faith. The first election of The Universal House
of Justice was held in 1963. Here too, all elections take
place by secret ballot, with no nominations or electioneering
permitted.
With regards to the election process Shoghi
Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause, has stated that the
believers must do all in their power to prayerfully ascertain
the qualifications of those whom they elect for service.
"It is incumbent to consider without the least trace
of passion and prejudice, the names of only those who can
best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty,
of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized
ability and mature experience." 2
Among the most outstanding and sacred duties
incumbent upon those who have been called to initiate, direct
and coordinate the affairs of the Cause of God as members
of its Spiritual Assemblies are: to win by every means in
their power the confidence and affection of those whom it
is their privilege to serve; to investigate and acquaint
themselves with the considered views and the personal convictions
of those whose welfare is their solemn obligation to promote;
to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of
their affairs of self-contained aloofness, the suspicion
of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness
and of every word and deed that may savor of partiality,
self-centredness and prejudice; and while retaining the
sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite
discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice and foster
the sense of interdependence and copartnership between themselves
and all other Baha'i's" 3
Appointed institutions also exist in the
Baha'i world community. Among them are the Hands of the
Cause of God, Continental Board of Counselors and Auxiliary
Board Members and their assistants. Members of these institutions
have no authority but rather serve to educate, inspire and
protect the unity of the Baha'i community.
1. Shoghi Effendi, Guidance for Today and
Tomorrow, Baha'i Publishing Trust, London, UK, 1973, pp
7, 91
2. Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Administration,
The Baha'i Publishing Trust, Wilmette, IL, 1953, p.88
3. The Universal House of Justice, Constitution
of the Universal House of Justice, Baha'i World Centre,
Haifa, 1972, p. 10
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