(Abdul Baha. Star of the West, Vol. 5, p. 7.)
recognize as friends your enemies
(Abdul Baha. Star of the West, Vol. 5, p. 7.)
House of Justice (UHJ), New World Order (NWO), Personal Observations
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House of Justice (UHJ), Personal Observations, Shoghi Effendi
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Covenant, House of Justice (UHJ), Personal Observations, Will & Testament
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There was much interest in the new religion and the new teachings, and it did not please the divines. They became worried, and above all afraid that they would lose their influence over the people of Karbila. That must definitely not happen. Angry, the mullas complained to the authorities. But Tahirih did not let it stop her. Not even during Ashura, the day on which Shia Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn every year. Everyone wears robes of mourning on that day, and mourns the death of Imam Husayn. However, according to the Muslim calendar, the Birth of the Bab falls on the same day. While everyone was wearing robes of mourning, Tahirih publicly bedecked herself in festive clothes. How incredibly brave would you have to be to dare to do that! You can be very sure that you will then find yourself in trouble. And, predictably, that happened. The local authorities ordered her to be arrested.
(The Herald and His Heroes: Stories about the Báb by Hitjo Garst)
Baha'i Law, Baha'u'llah, House of Justice (UHJ), Loyalty, Personal Observations
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Baha'u'llah, Independent Investigation of Truth, Personal Observations
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The first time you visit an area, teach. The second time you visit, teach again. This teaching is, in itself, deepening.(Dr. Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Baha'u'llah, by Írán Furútan Muhájir, BPT London, p. 104)
It is good to ask one of the visitors to preside at public meetings.
When youth accept the Faith, it is good if their parents are visited so that the Faith can be explained to them. If they are angry, do not worry. Once they learn about the Faith they will not mind their children being Baha’is.
Everywhere that there are new Baha’is, organize children’s classes, prepare a programme of Baha’i education, help the Baha’is learn how to conduct an Assembly meeting, assist them to build a centre and visit their homes to say prayers.
When you visit the homes of new believers, avoid giving speeches. Talk to them and listen to them.
…concentrate in one area, teach 1000 people, train 100 youth and 100 children and the next year add to the number of pioneers and literature and expand the teaching to 2000 people.(Dr. Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Baha'u'llah, by Írán Furútan Muhájir, BPT London, p. 120)
Dr Muhajir loved village Baha’is and they loved him in return. A rapport was always immediately established. He would say: ‘Friends, I was born in a mud hut like you. My grandfather was poor but wanted to give a university education to his children. He wrote to ‘Abdu’l-Baha and asked what to do. ‘Abdu’l-Baha replied, ‘Contribute to the Fund.’ He obeyed and all of us got a university education.’ Of course the friends loved it.(Dr. Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Baha'u'llah, by Írán Furútan Muhájir, BPT London, p. 108)
The June issue of Nairobi Baha’i News reports that when he visited the community he ‘shared his ideas of a progressive teaching plan which aims at teaching families, house by house, and thus building a unit of community. This ensures that consolidation and expansion go together.’ He also urged the Baha’is to teach the children, as one way to get their parents interested. He explained that these methods had been tried in West Africa with great success.(Dr. Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Baha'u'llah, by Írán Furútan Muhájir, BPT London, p. 140)
He encouraged those friends who had used such methods in other countries to travel and pioneer to Africa. He also encouraged the Iranian Baha’is to pioneer there.
Encourage them to read Nabil’s Narrative and The New Garden. Then encourage them to share what they have learned so as to show their understanding. Children must be taught the Faith the same way that others are taught, and when going out teaching, children should be taken along. This is how they learn to be teachers themselves ... Teach whole villages and families, teach everyone, so that all people are represented within the Baha’i community and we can build a solid foundation for the unity of mankind.(Dr. Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Baha'u'llah, by Írán Furútan Muhájir, BPT London, p. 147)
Converting People, Entry by Troops, House of Justice (UHJ)
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Dissimulation, Guardianship, Islam, Palestine, Shoghi Effendi
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House of Justice (UHJ), New World Order (NWO), Personal Observations
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Covenant-Breakers, Dissimulation, Personal Observations, Shoghi Effendi
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Adultery, Converting People, Personal Observations
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Abuse, Azali, Baha'u'llah, Censorship, Covenant-Breakers
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Baha'u'llah, Dissimulation, Juan Cole, Subh-i-Azal
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Baha'u'llah, Covenant-Breakers, Juan Cole, Subh-i-Azal
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Abuse, Censorship, Independent Investigation of Truth, Personal Observations
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Abdul-Baha, Adultery, Muhammed Ali (Ghusn), Women
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When Bahá'u'lláh was imprisoned in Tihran, the Russian Ambassador went about twenty times to the Shah to plead in His behalf, saying, "This man has no fault. He is faultless. Why do you imprison Him?" The Shah answered that Bahá'u'lláh must be punished because He had ordered the attack on his life (see history). The Ambassador said, "That is not a reasonable supposition; for, if He had ordered such an attempt, He would have ordered a bullet put in the gun instead of merely powder and small shot." The Shah acknowledged this reasoning but was determined to hold Bahá'u'lláh responsible so as to have a pretext for keeping Him in prison.
Again and again the Russian Ambassador went to talk with the Shah about the matter, and at last the Shah confessed that he was afraid of the influence of Bahá'u'lláh, and that if he should set Him free, it would create a great tumult among the people.
The Ambassador answered, "If, then, you fear Him so much, why keep Him in Tihran? Would it not be better to exile Him to Baghdad?" This was accordingly done, and an escort furnished of Cossack and Russian horsemen to protect Him from the Persian horsemen.
THE PICTURE OF BAHA'U'LLAH
The privilege of viewing the pictures of the Holy Bab and Bahá'u'lláh was accorded us just before we left Akka.
This remarkable photograph of the Blessed Beauty is the only one in existence. How perfectly that noble Face and Form embody the Words, "The King has come! The Kingdom and Power, the Glory and Majesty are His! He is the Lord of mankind, the Ruler of the Throne and of the dust!" and at the same time express with such Power the utmost Gentleness and Love.
I learned a lot about the history of the Baha'i faith in that region. The Guardian of the Baha'i faith once wrote a letter to the United Nations as a Palestinian. However, today, the only Palestinian Baha'is are labeled as "covenant breakers." It seems that the Baha'i community has taken a side in this conflict. I encourage you to read more about the history of the Baha'i faith in Israel; it can be quite enlightening.
I know some Baha'is who want an end to the violence in the region. However, I have also heard some Baha'is speak about Palestinians in a way that dehumanizes them. This shows that not everyone in the Baha'i community thinks the same way as the Universal House of Justice (UHJ). There is a diversity of opinions among us. Nonetheless, as an organization, a significant decision was made to fully support Israel. Throughout my life, I was told that we needed to ensure the safety of those who are exiled, particularly Persians and those working in Haifa, which justified our alignment with Israel. Yet, seeing many Israelis and American Jews advocate for the rights of Palestinians and call for peace without apartheid makes me realize how naive I was when I accepted everything as an unquestioning Baha'i.
Both Baha'u'llah and Abdul Baha wrote extensively about "covenant breakers." They believed that such individuals should be removed from the community, stripped of their land, and their descendants now identify as Palestinian. Reading their writings is both sad and shocking to me.
While Baha'is often share quotes about the need for Zionists to live in peace, they tend to overlook the strong language of hatred directed towards their own family members. I wish I had taken the issue of "covenant breakers" more seriously in the past. It makes me question why it is acceptable to sever ties with family in such a manner and still call it a religion.
The reason the Baha'i faith does not publicly speak out against Israel is clear: their holy sites exist with the permission and cooperation of the Israeli government, so they cannot criticize them. While that might be understandable, I have witnessed many Baha'is in my American community go beyond that and express outright hatred.