The House of Justice has not prescribed any set forms to be
adopted in a Holy Shrine, whether it be in prayer, meditation or reading of the
Holy Scriptures, as long as the practices followed do not disturb the devotions
of others who are in the Shrine. It does not favour the adoption of the
practice of songs being sung with musical accompaniment in close proximity to
the Shrines. As you can well understand, such singing could well disturb those
who, within the Shrines, are engaged in their devotions.
There are, of course, special occasions, such as the
commemoration of Holy Days at the Bahá'í World Centre, when prayers and
devotional readings are recited at a gathering held near a Shrine, and the
Tablet of Visitation chanted. A devotional programme, with soloists and
orchestral accompaniment, is also planned at the entrance to the Terraces
adjoining the Shrine of the Báb, in May 2001.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 6 November 2000, written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to a Local Spiritual Assembly; Compilation ‘Selected Guidance
concerning Devotional Gatherings)
