The injunction to avoid participation in political controversies, identification with political pursuits, or involvement in partisan political affairs is binding on all believers, whether they act as individuals or as representatives of the Baha’i community. Within those bounds, there is a wide range of possible activities open to them in participating with other groups which aim to promote measures entirely in accord with the Baha’i principles, such as improvement in race relations, the emancipation of women, conservation of the earth’s resources, the promotion of world peace, and so on. The institutions of the Faith are generally subject to a greater restriction in the issues with which they would choose to identify themselves, since their involvement will necessarily have a direct implication for the reputation of the Faith and for its possible misrepresentation by its adversaries.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 24 October 1990, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia; ‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)
