Part 13 (1/2)

Regarding the position of the Baha'i women in India and Burma, and their future collaboration with the men in the administrative work of the Cause, I feel that the time is now ripe that those women who have already conformed to the prevailing custom in India and Burma by discarding the veil should not only be given the right to vote for the election of their local and national representatives, but should themselves be eligible to the members.h.i.+p of all Baha'i a.s.semblies throughout India and Burma, be they local or national.

This definite and most important step, however, should be taken with the greatest care and caution, prudence and thoughtfulness. Due regard must be paid to their actual capacity and present attainments, and only those who are best qualified for members.h.i.+p, be they men or women, and irrespective of social standing, should be elected to the extremely responsible position of a member of the Baha'i a.s.sembly.

This momentous decision, I trust, will prove to be a great incentive to the women Baha'is throughout India and Burma who, I hope, will now bestir themselves and endeavour to the best of their ability to acquire a better and more profound knowledge of the Cause, to take a more active and systematic part in the general affairs of the Movement, and prove themselves in every way enlightened, responsible and efficient co-workers to their fellow-men in their common task for the advancement of the Cause throughout their country.

May they fully realize their high responsibilities in this day, may they do all in their power to justify the high hopes we cherish for their future, and may they prove themselves in every respect worthy of the n.o.ble mission which the Baha'i world is now entrusting to their charge.

(27 December 1923 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of India and Burma) [110]

111: Full rights have been accorded to Baha'i women residing in the cradle of the...

Full rights have been accorded to Baha'i women residing in the cradle of the Faith, to partic.i.p.ate in the members.h.i.+p of both national and local Baha'i Spiritual a.s.semblies, removing thereby the last remaining obstacle to the enjoyment of complete equality of rights in the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Persian Baha'i Community.

(April 1954, published in ”Messages to the Baha'i World 19501957”

(Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1971), p. 65) [111]

113: That the members of this community, of either s.e.x and of every age, of...

That the members of this community, of either s.e.x and of every age, of whatever race or background, however limited in experience, capacity and knowledge, may arise as one man, and seize with both hands the G.o.d-given opportunities now presented to them through the dispensations of an all-loving, ever-watchful, ever-sustaining Providence, and lend thereby a tremendous impetus to the propelling forces mysteriously guiding the operations of this newly-launched, unspeakably potent, world-encompa.s.sing Crusade, is one of the dearest wishes which a loving and longing heart holds for them at this great turning point in the fortunes of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in the American continent.

(20 June 1954 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the United States, published in ”Citadel of Faith: Messages to America 19471957” (Wilmette: Baha'i Publis.h.i.+ng Trust, 1980), p. 132) [112]

Extracts From Letters and a Telex Written by the Universal House of Justice:

Concerning the point you raised in your letter ... that the women's liberation movement in ... is a.s.suming extreme positions which are having some influence on impressionable Baha'i young women, we feel it would be helpful if your a.s.sembly were to stress the unique position that women occupy by being members of the Baha'i Faith particularly through partic.i.p.ation in the administration of its affairs on both a local and national scale.

(9 April 1971 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the United States) [113]

114: 'Abdu'l-Baha has pointed out that ”Among the miracles which distinguish...

'Abdu'l-Baha has pointed out that ”Among the miracles which distinguish this sacred dispensation is this, that women have evinced a greater boldness than men when enlisted in the ranks of the Faith.” Shoghi Effendi has further stated that this ”boldness” must, in the course of time, ”be more convincingly demonstrated, and win for the beloved Cause victories more stirring than any it has as yet achieved.” Although obviously the entire Baha'i world is committed to encouraging and stimulating the vital role of women in the Baha'i community as well as in society at large, the Five Year Plan calls specifically on eighty National Spiritual a.s.semblies to organize Baha'i activities for women. In the course of the current year which has been designated ”International Women's Year” as a world-wide activity of the United Nations, the Baha'is, particularly in these eighty national communities, should initiate and implement programs which will stimulate and promote the full and equal partic.i.p.ation of women in all aspects of Baha'i community life, so that through their accomplishments the friends will demonstrate the distinction of the Cause of G.o.d in this field of human endeavour.

(25 May 1975 to all National Spiritual a.s.semblies) [114]