Regarding the position of the Baha"i women in India and Burma, and their future collaboration with the men in the administrative work of the Cause, I feel that the time is now ripe that those women who have already conformed to the prevailing custom in India and Burma by discarding the veil should not only be given the right to vote for the election of their local and national representatives, but should themselves be eligible to the membership of all Baha"i a.s.semblies throughout India and Burma, be they local or national.
This definite and most important step, however, should be taken with the greatest care and caution, prudence and thoughtfulness. Due regard must be paid to their actual capacity and present attainments, and only those who are best qualified for membership, be they men or women, and irrespective of social standing, should be elected to the extremely responsible position of a member of the Baha"i a.s.sembly.
This momentous decision, I trust, will prove to be a great incentive to the women Baha"is throughout India and Burma who, I hope, will now bestir themselves and endeavour to the best of their ability to acquire a better and more profound knowledge of the Cause, to take a more active and systematic part in the general affairs of the Movement, and prove themselves in every way enlightened, responsible and efficient co-workers to their fellow-men in their common task for the advancement of the Cause throughout their country.
May they fully realize their high responsibilities in this day, may they do all in their power to justify the high hopes we cherish for their future, and may they prove themselves in every respect worthy of the n.o.ble mission which the Baha"i world is now entrusting to their charge.
(27 December 1923 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of India and Burma) [110]
111: Full rights have been accorded to Baha"i women residing in the cradle of the...
Full rights have been accorded to Baha"i women residing in the cradle of the Faith, to partic.i.p.ate in the membership of both national and local Baha"i Spiritual a.s.semblies, removing thereby the last remaining obstacle to the enjoyment of complete equality of rights in the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Persian Baha"i Community.
(April 1954, published in "Messages to the Baha"i World 19501957"
(Wilmette: Baha"i Publishing Trust, 1971), p. 65) [111]
113: That the members of this community, of either s.e.x and of every age, of...
That the members of this community, of either s.e.x and of every age, of whatever race or background, however limited in experience, capacity and knowledge, may arise as one man, and seize with both hands the G.o.d-given opportunities now presented to them through the dispensations of an all-loving, ever-watchful, ever-sustaining Providence, and lend thereby a tremendous impetus to the propelling forces mysteriously guiding the operations of this newly-launched, unspeakably potent, world-encompa.s.sing Crusade, is one of the dearest wishes which a loving and longing heart holds for them at this great turning point in the fortunes of the Faith of Baha"u"llah in the American continent.
(20 June 1954 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the United States, published in "Citadel of Faith: Messages to America 19471957" (Wilmette: Baha"i Publishing Trust, 1980), p. 132) [112]
Extracts From Letters and a Telex Written by the Universal House of Justice:
Concerning the point you raised in your letter ... that the women"s liberation movement in ... is a.s.suming extreme positions which are having some influence on impressionable Baha"i young women, we feel it would be helpful if your a.s.sembly were to stress the unique position that women occupy by being members of the Baha"i Faith particularly through partic.i.p.ation in the administration of its affairs on both a local and national scale.
(9 April 1971 to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the United States) [113]
114: "Abdu"l-Baha has pointed out that "Among the miracles which distinguish...
"Abdu"l-Baha has pointed out that "Among the miracles which distinguish this sacred dispensation is this, that women have evinced a greater boldness than men when enlisted in the ranks of the Faith." Shoghi Effendi has further stated that this "boldness" must, in the course of time, "be more convincingly demonstrated, and win for the beloved Cause victories more stirring than any it has as yet achieved." Although obviously the entire Baha"i world is committed to encouraging and stimulating the vital role of women in the Baha"i community as well as in society at large, the Five Year Plan calls specifically on eighty National Spiritual a.s.semblies to organize Baha"i activities for women. In the course of the current year which has been designated "International Women"s Year" as a world-wide activity of the United Nations, the Baha"is, particularly in these eighty national communities, should initiate and implement programs which will stimulate and promote the full and equal partic.i.p.ation of women in all aspects of Baha"i community life, so that through their accomplishments the friends will demonstrate the distinction of the Cause of G.o.d in this field of human endeavour.
(25 May 1975 to all National Spiritual a.s.semblies) [114]
115: PARTICULARLY CALL UPON BAHa"i WOMEN, WHOSE CAPACITIES IN MANY LANDS STILL...
PARTICULARLY CALL UPON BAHa"i WOMEN, WHOSE CAPACITIES IN MANY LANDS STILL LARGELY UNUSED, AND WHOSE POTENTIAL FOR SERVICE CAUSE SO GREAT, TO ARISE AND DEMONSTRATE IMPORTANCE PART THEY ARE TO PLAY IN ALL FIELDS SERVICE FAITH.
(24 March 1977 to all National Spiritual a.s.semblies) [115]
116: The youth have long been in the forefront of the teaching work, and now our...
The youth have long been in the forefront of the teaching work, and now our hearts rejoice to see the women, in so many lands where previously their capacities were largely left unused, devoting their capable services to the life of the Baha"i community....
(Ridvan 1978 to the International Baha"i Convention) [116]
117: At the heart of all activities, the spiritual, intellectual and community...
At the heart of all activities, the spiritual, intellectual and community life of the believers must be developed and fostered, requiring: the prosecution with increased vigour of the development of Local Spiritual a.s.semblies so that they may exercise their beneficial influence and guidance on the life of Baha"i communities; the nurturing of a deeper understanding of Baha"i family life; the Baha"i education of children, including the holding of regular Baha"i cla.s.ses and, where necessary, the establishment of tutorial schools for the provision of elementary education; the encouragement of Baha"i youth in study and service; and the encouragement of Baha"i women to exercise to the full their privileges and responsibilities in the work of the community-may they befittingly bear witness to the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the immortal heroine of the Baha"i Dispensation, as we approach the fiftieth anniversary of her pa.s.sing.
(Naw-Ruz 1979 to the Baha"is of the World) [117]
118: The equality of men and women is not, at the present time, universally applied....
The equality of men and women is not, at the present time, universally applied. In those areas where traditional inequality still hampers its progress we must take the lead in practising this Baha"i principle. Baha"i women and girls must be encouraged to take part in the social, spiritual and administrative activities of their communities....
(Ridvan 1984 to the Baha"is of the World) [118]
119: Calling upon local and national Baha"i communities to sponsor a wide...
Calling upon local and national Baha"i communities to sponsor a wide range of activities which will engage the attention of people from all walks of life to various topics relevant to peace, such as: the role of women...
(23 January 1985 to all National Spiritual a.s.semblies) [119]
Extracts From Letters Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice: