Note from editor: It is not entirely clear to me what is meant by an "e-mail domain address," as a domain has the same name whether it forms part of a URL or part of an email address. It appears, though, that the account name is intended, i.e. the part of an email address preceding the @ sign. For example, it would appear that, in accordance with this guidance, one could have an email address like johnsmith@bahai.com, but only an institutional agency could have an email address like bahai@johnsmith.com. -J.W.

Use of appropriate domain names by Bahá'í on the Internet

A letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom
Published in the UK Bahá'í Journal, March/April 1997, p.1


The National Spiritual Assembly has received queries, and expressions of concern, from Bahá'ís about the use of "Bahá'í" words in e-mail addresses World Web [sic] URLs. It sought the views of the Universal House of Justice, and having received them shares this guidance with the community.

The House said that "Your concern that email names and URL addresses selected by individuals should in no way appear to diminish the dignity of the Faith is legitimate, and while there is no specific policy on this issue, you should not feel restrained in assisting the friends to exercise good judgement when choosing domain names."

In the light of this, the National Spiritual Assembly has decided that individuals should not use e-mail domain addresses containing the name of the Faith, or of the Central Figures of the Faith, or variations on any of these.

Institutions and agencies of the administration remain free to use the word Bahá'í (Bahai, bahai) as part of their official e-mail domain name.

The Assembly recognises that the word Bahá'í, in various forms, is often an essential part of World Wide Web URLs, and without it these sites may not be found by those searching the Web. Individuals are therefore still free to use it in Web URLs.

National Spiritual Assembly documents
Home ][ Sacred Writings ][ Bulletin board
Primary sources ][ Secondary sources ][ Resources
Links ][ Personal pages ][ Other sites
 

Google distinguishes accents, e.g. "Babi" and "Bábí"
return different results. See more search tips.