1. n.d.. Twenty-four Questions and Answers in Bahá'í Administration. Author unknown, comp. The role of institutions within the Bahá'í Faith; their necessity, uniqueness; and guiding principles; the relationship between spiritual teachings and administrative principles; distinctions between Bahá'í and other religious and political systems. Compilations-personal.
2. 2025-04-21. Women and Social Progress: Building Communities Based on Dynamic Partnership. Bahá'í World. Highlights the Bahá’í principle of gender equality, showing its spiritual basis and global application through education, leadership, and community action. Articles.
3. 2025-04-21. Evolving Administrative Order, An. Bahá'í World. The Bahá’í administrative order, evolving globally, fosters unity, decentralization, and social transformation, offering a cooperative model of governance rooted in Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of humanity’s collective maturity. Articles.
4. 2025. Bahá'í Literature in Urdu. Compilation of links to Bahá'í sacred writings, introductory books, and PDFs in Urdu. Writings.
5. 2024-12-23. Bahāʾī Faith. The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopedia.
6. 2024-03. Even as the Waves of One Sea: Bahá'í Consultation's Implicit Cultural Support for the Clash of Differing Opinions. Whitney White Kazemipour. A letter from Shoghi Effendi introduces some cultural dynamics which underlie Bahá'í consultation; disagreement can precede collective understanding and is not a sign of failure; the prayer to open meetings gives a moral motivation and ethos of tolerance. Articles.
7. 2023-07. Democracy Built on Communicative Action, A: Bahá'í Political Practice as a Prefigurative Resource for Institutional Effectiveness, Accountability, and Inclusivity. Michael Sabet. Habermas' mode for coordinating society grounded in deliberation; the critical role of prefigurative politics; the Bahá'í community demonstrates effective norms and practices; Articles.
8. 2021. Light of the World: Selected Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Abdu'l-Bahá. Tablets of ‘Abdul-Bahá describing aspects of the life of Bahá’u’lláh including the tribulations He suffered, events in His homeland, the purpose and greatness of His Cause, and the nature and significance of His Covenant. Writings.
9. 2018. Power and the Bahá'í community. Moojan Momen. While Bahá'í social teachings may have sounded new and exciting a century ago, that is no longer the case today. The problem the world faces is not in the principles that would lead to a better society, but in their application. Articles.
10. 2014. Fifty Bahá'í Principles of Unity: A Paradigm of Social Salvation. Christopher Buck. World religions are systems of salvation, liberation, or harmony, in direct response to the perceived human predicament. To Baha’is, this predicament is profound estrangement and the solution is world unity, from family to international relations. Articles.
11. 2012-11-07. Electoral Process, Bahá'í: Clarifications, and Three Way Tie. Universal House of Justice. How to resolve a 3-way tie when 2 parties are minorities; when voting, should one consider age distribution, diversity, and gender. UHJ-letters.
12. 2011-09-19. NSA staff members answering correspondence; prayers of Abdu'l-Baha. Universal House of Justice. Two topics: the use by National Spiritual Assembly staff members to handle correspondence, and the authenticity of a prayer attributed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá "O Lord! Open Thou the door, provide the means, prepare the way, and make safe the path..." UHJ-letters.
13. 2011. Preparing Bahá'í Communities in the East and West to Embrace Gender Equality. Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani. The way Abdu'l-Bahá dealt with the matter of gender equality, some of his writings revealed in honor of the Bahá’í women in Iran and North America, and the practical ways he educated Bahá'í men to accept women as their equals. Articles.
14. 2010. Measuring Success: An Exploratory Study of United States Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assemblies and the Five Year Plan. Armin J. Jezari. Applied research project on what degree a typical Local Spiritual Assembly in the United States is adopting elements of effective public administration based on the Five Year Plan (2006-2011). Articles-unpublished.
15. 2009-04. Administration, Bahá'í. Glenford Mitchell. On the international system governing the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith; a framework based on elected councils that hold legislative, executive, and judicial authority and on appointed individuals whose role is to protect and advise. Encyclopedia.
16. 2007-03-25. Electoral Process, Bahá'í. Universal House of Justice. Refers to the responsibility of individual Bahá'ís in participating in Bahá'í elections and mentions the permissibility of discussing qualifications of membership without reference to personality UHJ-letters.
17. 2006-05. Bahá'í Electoral Process, The: Servant Leadership or New Paradigm?. Vickie Hu Poirier. Exploratory survey of the unique electoral and leadership model which exists in the Bahá’í community, and the extent of servant and transformational leadership in the Bahá’í model, its conceptual basis, and participation of women and minorities. Theses.
18. 2006. Learning to Respond to Emerging New Realities: Messages from the Universal House of Justice. Universal House of Justice. Two letters to the US NSA dealing with expansion and administration, and a document prepared by the International Teaching Centre, "Impact of Growth on Administration Processes." UHJ-documents.
19. 2005. Present Structure of Bahá'í Administration. Duane Troxel. One-page illustration showing the full structure of the Bahá'í Institutions and their inter-connections. Visual.
20. 2005. Democratic Elections without Campaigns? Normative Foundations of National Baha'i Elections. Arash Abizadeh. Article on the philosophical foundations and core values of Baha’i elections, with particular attention to its relation to democratic theory. Articles.
21. 2005. Stewardship and Development. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, comp. . Deepening tool for understanding the spiritual nature of giving, and a reference tool for use by NSAs and their treasurers. Includes previously-untranslated passages. Books.
22. 2003-07. Paradox of Protest in a Culture of Contest, The. Michael Karlberg. In our culture, political and legal institutions are structured as contests and reform is characterized as protest. This leads to injustice and unsustainability. Bahá'í models of elections and decision-making offer a practical alternative. Articles.
23. 2002. Counsellors, Board Members, and Assistants: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. An explanation of the ‘Appointed Arm’ of the Faith. Essays.
24. 2002. Roman Catholic Priesthood and Bahá'í Administration, The. Kevin Brogan. Helping Bahá’ís understand the theology and function of Roman Catholic Priesthood and helping Catholics understand how the elements of its priesthood (Leadership, Teaching, and Sacrament) are in many ways fulfilled in the Bahá’í Administration. Articles.
25. 2001-01-29. Institution of the Counsellors. Universal House of Justice. Detailed discussion of the history and function of the highest level of the "Institution of the Learned." UHJ-documents.
26. 2000-08-13. Administrative Order, Bahá'í. Universal House of Justice. A number of questions about the functioning of the Bahá'í Administrative Order. UHJ-letters.
27. 2000. National Convention, The. Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
28. 2000. Guidance for Bahá'í Groups. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. The purpose, organization, functioning, limitations, privileges and responsibilities of Bahá'í groups; guidance for individuals about application of Bahá'í laws, such as marriage and divorce; and guidance for Assemblies that have reverted to group status. NSA-documents.
29. 2000. Community Functioning, Issues Concerning: Fostering the Development of Bahá'í Communities. Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Extensive guidance on community development. Includes extracts from letters written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi on fostering the evolution of Bahá'í communities. UHJ-letters.
30. 2000. Elections: Sanctity and Nature of Bahá'í Elections. Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
31. 2000. Spiritual Institutions: The Foundation for Oneness. National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, comp. Annotated compilation on the structure and functioning of the Bahá'í administrative order. NSA-letters.
32. 1999. Creating a New Mind: Reflections on the Individual, the Institutions, and the Community. Paul Lample. On the influence of the human mind in shaping human reality, and three vehicles for changing reality: the individual, the institutions, and the community at large. Two versions of book included. Books.
33. 1999. Elections, Bahá'í: Defining a "Minority" for the Purpose of Resolving a Tie for Ninth Place. Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
34. 1998. Extracts from Letters Written by or on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi Regarding the Absence of Clergy in the Baha'i Faith. Shoghi Effendi. Compilation included with a memorandum from the House of Justice from 1998/02/11 regarding the abolition of the priesthood. Compilations.
35. 1997-05-30. Establishment of Regional Councils: Introduction. Universal House of Justice. Nature, functioning, and establishment of the administrative bodies known as Regional Bahá'í Councils. UHJ-letters.
36. 1997-05-30. Establishment of Regional Bahá'í Councils in Certain Countries, Their Characteristics and Functions, The. Universal House of Justice. Outline of various policies governing the formation and functioning of Regional Bahá'í Councils. UHJ-letters.
37. 1997-05-30. Establishment of Regional Bahá'í Councils in the United States. Universal House of Justice. Announcement of the historic event of the founding of a new administrative level in the United States, the "Bahá'í Councils." UHJ-letters.
38. 1996. Three Ages of Man, The: Are They Integrated?. Viva Rodwell. Childhood, adulthood, old age, and family integration in contemporary culture. Essays.
39. 1993. Administration, Bahá'í: Warwick Leaflets. Warwick Bahá'í Bookshop. Introduction to the Bahá'í administration. Essays.
40. 1993. Removal of Administrative Rights. Universal House of Justice, Universal House of Justice, Research Department, comp. . Compilations.
41. 1992-12. National Convention, The. Universal House of Justice. UHJ-letters.
42. 1991. Elections, Baha'i. Shoghi Effendi. Compilations.
43. 1990-03. International Bahá'í Council. Duane L. Herrmann. History of the International Bahá'í Council. Articles.
44. 1989. Bahá'í Conventions. Moojan Momen. Brief article, short enough to qualify as "fair use." Encyclopedia.
45. 1988-12-29. Individual Rights and Freedoms. Universal House of Justice. An important and often-quoted letter about rights and freedom of expression in the Bahá'í community, as contrasted with those in American civil society. UHJ-documents.
46. 1988. Lights of Guidance: A Bahá'í Reference File. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Universal House of Justice, Helen Bassett Hornby, comp. . The classic Bahá'í reference book. This is its first online edition. Compilations-personal.
47. 1986. National Spiritual Assembly, The. Universal House of Justice, Horace Holley. Includes Holley's brief overview of the nature of an NSA and the history of Bahá`í Temple Unity, NSA by-laws and a list of new NSAs as of 1980-1983. Compilations.
48. 1976. Spiritual Assembly's Growing Pains, A. Rúhíyyih Khánum. A play, in 28 pages, showing "some of the workings of a Bahá'í Spiritual Assembly: some of the blunders, some of the problems; how certain types of people fit better into one office and others into another." Fiction.
49. 1974 [1928]. Bahá'í Administration. Shoghi Effendi. Excerpts from 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament, and letters from Shoghi Effendi 1922-1932. Writings.
50. 1972/1999/2009. Trustees of the Merciful: An Introduction to Bahá'í Administration. Adib Taherzadeh. The spirit that animates the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh; spiritual attitudes that characterize members of the institutions of the Cause; unfoldment of the Administrative Order during the first 50 years of the Formative Age; statistical info. Books.
51. 1971. Covenant and Administration, The. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, Hands of the Cause, United States Bahá'í Publishing Trust, comp. . Compilations-NSA.
52. 1961. Principios de Administración Bahá'í (Una compilación). Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi. Spanish translation of Principles of Bahá'í Administration Compilations-NSA.
53. 1957 (?). Spiritual Reinforcement: Study Questions, Compilation, and Quiz. Author unknown, comp. Questions and quizzes for individual study and group discussion, on "what every Bahá'í should know" about the Covenant and the Bahá'í way of living. Study.
54. 1952-12. Pilgrim's Note on Teaching and Administration, A. Beatrice Ashton. Statements made to the National Spiritual Assembly after Ashton's return from pilgrimage to Haifa, which ties the Tablet of Carmel to the Guardianship. Pilgrims.
55. 1950/1973. Principles of Bahá'í Administration. Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom, comp. . A guide to procedure in the life and organic activity of the Bahá'í community, prepared from three main sources by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom: Bahá'í Administration, Bahá'í Procedure, and Bahá'í Community. Compilations-NSA.
56. 1947/1963. Bahá'í Community, The: A Summary of Its Organization and Laws. Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, comp. . An early manual and compilation on Bahá'í administration, community, and laws. Compilations-NSA.
57. 1937. Bahá'í Procedure. Shoghi Effendi, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. Instructions from Shoghi Effendi and procedures and rulings adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly, compiled from the Guardian's letters, Bahá'í News, and minutes and records of the National Spiritual Assembly, for the information of American Bahá'ís. Compilations-NSA.
58. 1912/1947/1974. "Easy Familiarity," Explanations of. Rúhíyyih Khánum, Ann Boylan, John B. Cornell, Universal House of Justice. Statements on displays of affection (hugging and kissing) between members of the opposite sex. Also questions on assembly infallibility, and whether one with a minority opinion should vote against his conscience. Guardian.
59. Bahá'í Teachings on Economics. John Ferraby . Overview of Bahá'í-inspired themes on creating a world economy, economic justice, efficient ways to industrialize society, and fair division of capital and labour. Articles.

1. 1922-03-05 — Shoghi Effendi wrote to the American Bahá'ís calling for the establishment of local assemblies wherever nine or more believers reside and directing that all activities be placed under the authority of the local and national assemblies. [BA17-25; BBRSM120-1; CB300]
2. 1923-03-00 —
   An article entitled `Bahai Organization: Its Basis in the Revealed Word' was published in Star of the West. [SW13, 12:323-8]
   • The purpose of the article was to convince those who were opposed to a structured form of Bahá'í administration. [BBRSM123]
3. 1923-03-12 —
   Shoghi Effendi wrote to Bahá'ís in America, Great Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and Australasia about Bahá'í administration, outlining the process for annual elections of assemblies and calling for the establishment of local and national funds. [BA34-43; PP330]
   • See ER223-4 for the response of the British Bahá'ís.
   • In the same letter, as a Post Script, he included a list of the best known and most current Bahá'í terms transliterated with a recommendation that this be adopted as standard for all Western Bahá'ís with a promise that the Haifa Spiritual Assembly would provide a supplement. The transliteration scheme was mostly based on a standard adopted by the Tenth International Congress of Orientalists which took place in Geneva in September 1894. [BA43; PG208-209]
   • From the June 1923 issue of Star of the West, attempts were made to introduce the voting system although these are at first very patchy. The first books that appeared to be trying to put the system into use are Esslemont's Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era and Herrick's Unity Triumphant (the latter not entirely consistently), both published in 1923. Although some books appearing in 1924 did not follow the system, from this time on, books and other printed material published under Bahá'í auspices have followed it. [Transliteration by Mojan Momen]
   • A list of transliterated terms appeared in BW1p131 and expanded lists appeared in subsequent volumes.
4. 1925-04-10 — Shoghi Effendi wrote to the American National Spiritual Assembly indicating that the word 'assembly' was to apply only to the elected body of nine believers in each locality or to the national assembly, not to the believers as a whole. They had been using the term to mean the community of Bahá'ís. [BA83; SBBH258]
5. 1937-04-20 —
   In the period from the inception of the Guardianship to 1937 Shoghi Effendi laid the foundation of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh in conformity with the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Some of the major accomplishments were:
   • Continued the translation work that began while he was still an assistant to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and later as a student at Oxford.
   • Explained the principles and structure of the Administrative Order.
   • Developed the constitutional structure of the local and national spiritual assemblies.
   • Clarified the relationships of these assemblies with the community of believers and elucidate the manner of their election and operation.
   • Emphasized that the Administrative Order was the channel through which the spirit of God would flow and instructed that they be ever watchful lest "the means supersede the end". [Pg209]
   • Imparted the vision of the new world order through his letter which have become to be know as "The World Order Letters". [PG209-215]
     • 27 February, 1929: The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh
     • 21 March, 1930: The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh Further Considerations
     • 28 November, 1931: The Goal of the New World Order
     • 21 March, 1931: Golden Age of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh
     • 21 April, 1933: America and the Most Great Peace
     • 8 February, 1934:The Dispensation of Bahá'u'lláh consisting of:
       • Bahá'u'lláh
       • Báb
       • Abdu'l‑Bahá
       • Administrative Order
     • 11 March, 1936: The Unfoldment of World Civilization
   • 1980-10-26 — Publication by the Universal House of Justice of the compilation on Attendance at National Spiritual Assembly Meetings. [MUHJ63-86p404]
   • 1985-07-21 — Prior to this time, some national communities elected their delegates to the National Conventions on the basis of areas that had Local Spiritual Assemblies, while in other larger national communities, delegates were elected on the basis of electoral units in which all adult believers had the vote. From this time forward, all were to use the Electoral Unit system. There would be no change in the number of delegates elected to attend the National Convention.

     When establishing the electoral unit basis for the election of delegates, a National Spiritual Assembly should divide the territory under its jurisdiction into electoral units, based on the number of adult Bahá'ís in each area, in such a way that each unit will be responsible for electing preferably one delegate only.

     Given the wide variety of geography in the Bahá'í world, each National Spiritual Assembly was directed to establish the most effective means for the election of the delegates to its National Convention and for providing for an opportunity for consultation among the electors.

     "It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that the implementation of [the electoral unit method of electing delegates to the National Convention] will promote Bahá'í solidarity, broaden the basis of representation at National Conventions and that thereby the work of the Faith in each country will be characterized by greater efficiency and enhanced harmony." [21 July 1985]

   • 1988-12-29 — The Universal House of Justice issued a letter to the Bahá'ís in the United States published as Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh. [Mess86-01p60]
   • 1997-04-21 — The Universal House of Justice restricted the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies to the first day of Riḍván. This measure had the effect anticipated; there was a decrease in the number of these institutions but the fall was not drastic. [Message from the Universal House of Justice Ridván 2000]
     "As of Riḍván 1997, all Local Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world will have to be elected on the First Day of Riḍván." (31 December 1995 – To the Bahá'ís of the World)

     "This development was related to the fact that, while believers from outside a locality could assist with the electoral process, the primary responsibility for electing any Assembly and maintaining its operations rests with the Bahá'ís of that place" (30 December 2021 – To the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors)

   • 1997-05-30 —
     In its message of 30 May 1997 the Universal House of Justice announced that they have authorized the formation of "State Bahá'í Councils" or "Regional Teaching and Administrative Committees" to be called "Regional Bahá'í Councils. Their intention was to provide a balance between centralization and decentralization. This structure had been in place in some countries, notably India, for some years prior to this time. See 23 May 1986. [TP87-90]

     It was described as "a new element of Bahá'í administration, between the local and national levels".

     This decision was guided by the principles of Bahá’í administration set forth by Shoghi Effendi and was a response to the “expansion of the Bahá’í community and the growing complexity of the issues which are facing National Spiritual Assemblies in certain countries."

     Regional Councils are “responsible largely for overseeing the execution of the global Plan in the territories under their jurisdiction, in collaboration with the Counsellors and their deputies, ensuring that the two complementary movements central to its progress steadily unfold.”. [Message 31 August 2007]

     Accompaniment of cluster agencies and strengthening of the training institute are two of the key means by which Regional Bahá’í Councils oversee execution of the Plan. Councils are responsible for appointing members of Area Teaching Committees and also “guide and assist cluster agencies as they learn to support” the efforts of individuals and teams to advance the Plan at the grassroots of each cluster.

     Regional Bahá’í Councils also support the training institute, both by appointing members of Regional Institute Boards and through maintaining “a close working relationship” with the Board as they execute their plans. “Systematic” support of Local Spiritual Assemblies and mobilisation of pioneers for both homefront and international destinations are also responsibilities of Bahá’í Councils. Finally, other responsibilities include: ensuring that organisational structures are in place to provide financial support; receiving contributions and distributing Bahá’í literature; rapidly disseminating learnings between clusters, including by organising institutional meetings and; regularly communicating with the body of believers regarding the “progress of the plans for the region”. [Australian Cluster Map and Explainers]

     For a synopsis of the letter see The Establishment of Regional Bahá'í Councils in Certain Countries, Their Characteristics and Functions.

     The distinguishing effects of the establishment of Regional Bahá'í Councils were the following:

     • It provided for a level of autonomous decision making on both teaching and administrative matters, as distinct from merely executive action, below the National Assembly and above the Local Assemblies.
     • It involved the members of Local Spiritual Assemblies of the area in the choice of the members of the Council, thus reinforcing the bond between it and the local believers while, at the same time, bringing into public service capable believers who were known to the friends in their own region.
     • It established direct consultative relationships between the Continental Counselors and the Regional Bahá'í Councils.
     • It offered the possibility of forming a Regional Bahá'í Council in an ethnically distinct region which covered parts of two or more countries. In such a situation the Council was designated to work directly under one of the National Assemblies involved, providing copies of its reports and minutes to the other National Assembly.
     • The greater degree of decentralization involved in the devolution of authority upon Regional Bahá'í Councils required a corresponding increase in the capacity of the National Spiritual Assembly itself to keep fully informed of what was proceeding in all parts of the territory over which it had ultimate jurisdiction.
   • 2005-07-00 —
     The publication of Impact of Growth on Administration Processes by the International Teaching Centre on behalf of the Universal House of Justice.
     • The PDF for Learning to Respond to Emerging New Realities: Messages from the Universal House of Justice can be found here. The document Impact of Growth on Administration Processes is part of that document.
     • See also TP397.

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