Generally, the wisest course for the Bahá’í community in
controversial situations is to remain uninvolved; however, at times when
primary Bahá’í principles are at the heart of an issue, the decision of the National
Assembly concerned should not necessarily be to observe silence but, rather, to
take action which rises above the partisan political manifestations of the
controversy. The Assembly may, for instance, present its own statement to the
authorities, setting forth its views on essential issues on the basis of
principle, letting the circumstances determine how the principle is best to be
applied. If you feel that such action would be appropriate in the situation you
face with respect to the issues raised in your letter, you may wish to draft
such a statement, but before releasing it, kindly check with the World Centre.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, dated
January 14, 1988; compilation: ‘Involvement in Political Protests and
Demonstrations”, prepared by the Office of Public Affairs of US National
Spiritual Assembly)
