If any discrimination is at all to be tolerated, it should
be a discrimination not against, but rather in favor of the minority, be it racial
or otherwise ... every organised community enlisted under the banner of
Bahá'u'lláh should feel it to be its first and inescapable obligation to
nurture, encourage, and safeguard every minority belonging to any faith, race,
class, or nation within it. So great and vital is this principle that in such
circumstances, as when an equal number of ballots have been cast in an
election, or where the qualifications for any office are balanced as between
the various races, faiths or nationalities within the community, priority
should unhesitatingly be accorded the party representing the minority, and this
for no other reason except to stimulate and encourage it, and afford it an
opportunity to further the interests of the community ...
- Shoghi Effendi (From
a letter dated 25 December 1938, published as "The Advent of Divine
Justice"; The Compilation of Compilation, Vol. III, Sanctity and Nature of
Baha’i Elections)
