BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE

 

New pilgrim facility on Hatzionut Avenue

 

In its Ridván Message of 156 BE, the Universal House of Justice conveyed its decision to increase the size of pilgrimage groups from 100 to 150 people. A newly acquired building situated across the way from the resting place of the Greatest Holy Leaf has been completed for use as a pilgrim hall. It has seating capacity for up to 350 people, with kitchen, lounge, dining and other facilities for the administration of an expanded pilgrimage programme.

The property, which is comprised of  two beautiful structures, previously served as medical laboratories until a few years ago. The larger of the two, built during the time of the British Mandate, functioned as a hospital. The second, smaller in size, has a distinctly Middle Eastern flavour to its architecture with beautifully patterned ceramic floors and stone arches.

A pedestrian bridge has been built to connect the two structures. Finishing work has been completed, furniture is due to arrive shortly and landscaping around the complex is under way.

Messages from the Universal House of Justice

 

11 May 2000

Dear Bahá'í Friends,

We were delighted to receive the message from the delegates to your National Convention sharing the heart-warming news of their renewed commitment to carrying forth the teaching work in the Twelve Month Plan, and the dedication of the Plan to the memory of beloved Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.  We were also pleased to learn of the emphasis placed on children and youth in their consultations. Our ardent prayers will be offered in the Holy Shrines on behalf of the Bahá'í community of the United Kingdom and its National Spiritual Assembly that they may be confirmed and blessed in all their endeavours in service to Bahá'u'lláh.

The Universal House of Justice

Dear Bahá'í Friends,

Receipt of your e-mail dated 22 March 2000, in which you report the successful public launch of the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Bahá'ís, is warmly acknowledged. The account of the launch was presented to a meeting of the Universal House of Justice, which noted it with much satisfaction. Reports of future activities of the Friends of the Bahá'ís are looked forward to with eager anticipation.

With loving Bahá'í greetings, Department of the Secretariat

 

Views of the new pilgrim house on Hatzionut Avenue. Photos  from "Mount Carmel Projects Update", Bahá 157 BE/March 2000 AD

 

Mr Manuchihr Khulusi

We are pleased to be able to inform you that the Universal House of Justice has just been notified by the Friends in Iran that Mr Manuchihr Khulusi, who had been held in Mashhad under sentence of death, has been released. It is not clear what gave rise to his release nor the status of the verdict against him.

At the time of his arrest on 9 June 1999, Mr Khulusi was visiting Birjand for a meeting with the responsible Friends of that town. About six days later he was moved to a prison in Mashhad, where he was held in solitary confinement for some time, and his interrogation involved beating. The charges brought against Mr Khulusi are not known, but it is clear that they related to his being a Bahá'í. His trial took place in Branch 3 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mashhad on 7 and 8 September 1999, and the death sentence was announced on 3 February 2000. Mr Khulusi was not permitted to meet with his lawyer, and his attempts to submit an appeal against the verdict within the 20-day period allowed were denied. His wife succeeded in submitting a statement to Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Courts, and sent a copy by post to Branch 3 of the Supreme Court.

The House of Justice is delighted at Mr Khulusi's release, and prays that it will presage similar treatment for the eleven other dear friends known to be unjustly held in Iranian prisons by reason of their Faith, and particularly for the five under sentence of death.  The House of Justice also wishes to express its warm appreciation to those National Spiritual Assemblies in the forefront of the defence of the Bahá'í community in Iran, and asks them to maintain their vigilance and activity in relation to their governments until the emancipation of the believers in the Cradle of the Faith, including the re-establishment of the Bahá'í institutions, is fully achieved.

With loving Bahá'í greetings, Department of the Secretariat