May 28, 2011

Queen Marie of Romania visits America in 1926

Queen Marie of Romania (second from left) and her royal family with U.S. Secretary of State Frank Kellog (with cane) and her government officials during the Queen's visit to America in 1926 (Baha'i News, November, 1973)

May 22, 2011

Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih Khanum with Swaziland Princess

Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, Princess Gcinaphi and Violette Nakhjavani dressed in the national costume of Swaziland before leaving the home of the princess to attend the traditional Reed Dance. (Baha'i News, July 1973)

May 21, 2011

Revealed healing prayers “apply both to physical and spiritual healing”

O handmaid of God! The prayers which were revealed to ask for healing apply both to physical and spiritual healing. Recite them, then, to heal both the soul and the body. If healing is right for the patient, it will certainly be granted; but for some ailing persons, healing would only be the cause of other ills, and therefore wisdom doth not permit an affirmative answer to the prayer.

O handmaid of God! The power of the Holy Spirit healeth both physical and spiritual ailments. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá’; The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. II, The Importance of Prayer, Meditation and the Devotional Attitude)

May 18, 2011

"The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh are the light of this age and the spirit of this century."

The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh are the light of this age and the spirit of this century. Expound each of them at every gathering.

The first is investigation of truth,
The second, the oneness of mankind,
The third, universal peace,
The fourth, conformity between science and divine revelation,
The fifth, abandonment of racial, religious, worldly and political prejudices, prejudices which destroy the foundation of mankind.
The sixth is righteousness and justice,
The seventh, the betterment of morals and heavenly education,
The eighth, the equality of the two sexes,
The ninth, the diffusion of knowledge and education,
The tenth, economic questions, and so on and so forth.

Strive that souls may attain unto the light of guidance and hold fast unto the hem of Bahá'u'lláh. ('Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 107)

May 15, 2011

One of the places Baha'u'llah stayed during His period of retirement

Takyiy-i-Mawlana Khalid in Sulaymaniyyih, Iraq, where Baha'u'llah stayed during His period of retirement. (The Baha'i World 1932-1934)

May 14, 2011

Entry by Troops - excerpt from a talk by Adib Taherzadeh

A brief explanation about the meaning of entry by troops is provided by Adib Taherzadeh at a gathering of the European Auxiliary Board Members, Italy, 1997.

May 7, 2011

Baha’u’llah delineates “the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men”

Whilst in the Prison of 'Akká, We revealed in the Crimson Book that which is conducive to the advancement of mankind and to the reconstruction of the world. The utterances set forth therein by the Pen of the Lord of creation include the following which constitute the fundamental principles for the administration of the affairs of men:

First: It is incumbent upon the ministers of the House of Justice to promote the Lesser Peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures. This matter is imperative and absolutely essential, inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity.

Second: Languages must be reduced to one common language to be taught in all the schools of the world.

Third: It behoveth man to adhere tenaciously unto that which will promote fellowship, kindliness and unity.

May 6, 2011

Martha Root and Marion Jack with Governor and Mayor of Adrianople

29 October 1933: Martha Root (front, third from the left) and Marion Jack (front, far right) with Governor and Mayor of Adrianople, Turkey.

May 2, 2011

The fundamental purpose of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh is the realization of the organic unity of the entire human race

If we allow prejudice of any kind [“racial, religious, political, economic, national, tribal, class, cultural, and that which is based on differences of education or age”] to manifest itself in us, we shall be guilty before God of causing a setback to the progress and real growth of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. It is incumbent upon every believer to endeavour with a fierce determination to eliminate this defect from his thoughts and acts. It is the duty of the institutions of the Faith to inculcate this principle in the hearts of the friends through every means at their disposal including summer schools, conferences, institutes and study classes.

The fundamental purpose of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh is the realization of the organic unity of the entire human race. Bearing this glorious destiny in mind, and with entire reliance on the promises of the Blessed Beauty, we should follow His exhortation:

“We love to see you at all times consorting in amity and concord within the paradise of My good-pleasure, and to inhale from your acts the fragrance of friendliness and unity, of loving-kindness and fellowship. ...” (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’) (The Universal House of Justice, ‘Messages 1963 to 1986)