SHOGHI EFFENDI'S CONSTITUTION FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL
FORMATION OF FIRST INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I COUNCIL
Proclaim National Assemblies of East and West weighty epoch-making decision of formation of first International Baha'i Council, forerunner of supreme administrative institution destined to emerge in fullness of time within precincts beneath shadow of World Spiritual Center of Faith already established in twin cities of Akka and Haifa. Fulfillment of prophecies uttered by Founder of Faith and Center of His Covenant culminating in establishment of Jewish State, signalizing birth after lapse of two thousand years of an independent nation in the Holy Land, the swift unfoldment of historic undertaking associated with construction of superstructure of the Bab's Sepulcher on Mount Carmel, the present adequate maturity of nine vigorously functioning national administrative institutions throughout Baha'i World, combine to induce me to arrive at this historic decision marking most significant milestone in evolution of Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in course of last thirty years. Nascent Institution now created is invested with threefold function: first, to forge link with authorities of newly emerged State; second, to assist me to discharge responsibilities involved in erection of mighty superstructure of the Bab's Holy Shrine; third, to conduct negotiations related to matters of personal status with civil authorities. To these will be added further functions in course of evolution of this first embryonic International Institution, marking its development into officially recognized Baha'i Court, its transformation into duly elected body, its efflorescence into Universal House of Justice, and its final fruition through erection of manifold auxiliary institutions constituting the World Administrative Center destined to arise and function and remain permanently established in close neighborhood of Twin Holy Shrines. Hail with thankful, joyous heart at long last the constitution of International Council which history will acclaim as the greatest event shedding luster upon second epoch of Formative Age of Baha'i Dispensation potentially unsurpassed by any enterprise undertaken since inception of Administrative Order of Faith on morrow of 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension, ranking second only to glorious immortal events associated with Ministries of the Three Central Figures of Faith in course of First Age of most glorious Dispensation of the five thousand century Baha'i Cycle. Advise publicize announcement through Public Relations Committee.
--Shoghi [Cablegram, January 9, 1951] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, pp. 7-8.
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL
Greatly welcome assistance of the newly-formed International Council, particularly its President, Mason Remey, and its Vice-President, Amelia Collins, through contact with authorities designed to spread the fame, consolidate the foundations and widen the scope of influence emanating from the twin spiritual, administrative World Centers permanently fixed in the Holy Land constituting the midmost heart of the entire planet.
--Shoghi [Cablegram, March 2, 1951] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, p. 8.
Process of the unfoldment of the ever-advancing Administrative Order accelerated by the formation of the International Baha'i Council designed to assist in the erection of the superstructure of the Bab's Sepulcher, cement ties uniting the budding World Administrative Center with the recently established state, and pave the way for the formation of the Baha'i Court, essential prelude to the institution of the Universal House of Justice...
--Shoghi [Cablegram, April 25, 1951] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, p. 13.
Forthcoming celebrations must be signalized through inauguration long anticipated intercontinental stage in administrative evolution of Faith marking its gradual development through successive phases of local, regional, national, international Baha'i activity. Initiation this highly significant measure further cementing Baha'i National Assemblies in five continents of globe will be acclaimed by posterity as counterpart to consolidation Faith at its World Center through recent formation International Baha'i Council in Holy Land...
--Shoghi [Cablegram, November 30, 1951] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, p. 17.
Creation of International Baha'i Council in precincts Holy Shrine, forerunner of International House of Justice, supreme legislative organ of nascent, divinely-conceived, world-encircling Baha'i Administrative Order. ...International Council destined to culminate in emergence of Universal House of Justice...
--Shoghi [Cablegram, December 24, 1951] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, pp. 19-20.
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The enlargement of the International Baha'i Council. Present membership now comprises: Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih, chosen liaison between me and the Council. Hands of the Cause, Mason Remey, Amelia Collins, Ugo Giachery, Leroy Ioas, President, Vice- President, member at large, Secretary-General, respectively. Jessie Revell, Ethel Revell, Lotfullah Hakim, Treasurer, Western and Eastern assistant Secretaries...
--Shoghi Effendi [Cablegram, March 8, 1952] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, p. 22.
The establishment of a Baha'i Court in the Holy Land, preliminary to the emergence of the Universal House of Justice...
--Shoghi [Cablegram, October 8, 1952] Messages to the Baha'i World, 1950-1957, p. 42.
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