Regarding the nineteen-day fast; its observance has been
enjoined by Baha’u’llah upon all the believers, once they attain the age of
fifteen and until they reach seventy. Children of all countries, nationalities
and classes, who are fifteen years old are under this obligation. It matters
not whether they mature later in one country than in another. The command of
Baha’u’llah is universal, irrespective of any variance in the age of maturity
in different countries and among different peoples. - Shoghi Effendi (From a letter written on
behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 9, 1937; compilation:
Lights of Guidance)
