Bahá’ís are required by the teachings of their Faith to refrain from involvement in partisan political activity and civil disorder. This is true whether such activity is a response to racial oppression, as is generally the case in South Africa, or to more widespread attempts to keep people divided and vulnerable such as the persecution of religious belief, the suppression of women, or the denial of political freedom. The hard-won experience of Bahá’ís under all these conditions convinces them beyond any doubt that humanity can learn to live as one family and that all the forces of contemporary history are rapidly impelling the race in this direction.
- The Office of Public Information at the Baha’i World Center (From a statement “Apartheid: A Bahá’í View”, approved by the Universal House of Justice and sent by the Department of the Secretariat to all National Spiritual Assemblies on 12 October 1986; ‘Messages from the Universal House of justice 1986-2001’)
