April 1

The same applies to the participation of the friends in charitable, scientific, and literary associations. The friends must, with wisdom and moderation, after careful consultation, and according to their capacity and means, assist any association that sincerely aims to contribute to the common weal and to the best interests of the world of humanity. They should participate to the extent possible, but must refrain from the least involvement in politics, whether in their deeds, hearts, or words, and must shun and avoid any association with malevolent and contending parties.

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated September 1926 written to the Bahá’ís of the East—translated from the Persian; compilation: ‘Social Action’, Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice, August 2020)