…from the time of its inception more than a century ago, the
Bahá’í world community has been characterized by the integration of the many
religious, racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic and national elements which it
comprises. Marriage between persons of different ethnic, and cultural
backgrounds, and particularly between black and white Bahá’ís, is warmly
encouraged in the Bahá’í scriptures. In order to make certain that those
members who suffer discrimination in society as a whole are not prevented from
full participation in the life of the community, the Bahá’í teachings contain
certain administrative principles which are designed to overcome the handicaps
created by social inequalities. For example, where a tie vote has been cast in
a Bahá’í community election or where two or more believers are equally
qualified for a particular office, priority is given as a matter of principle
to the one representing the disadvantaged or oppressed sector of society.
(From
“Apartheid: A Bahá’í View”, a statement prepared by the Office of Public
Information, approved by the Universal House of Justice and sent to all NSAs on
12 October 1986; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)
