Another of the sacred duties incumbent upon the believers is
that of avoiding participation in political discussions and intrigues which
have become popular nowadays. What have the people of Baha to do with political
contention and controversy? With absolute certainty they must prove to the
world that Bahá'ís by virtue of their beliefs, are loyal citizens of whatever
country they reside in and are far removed from the machinations of
conspirators and the perpetrators of destruction and chaos. Their ideal is the
happiness of all the peoples of the world and sincere and wholehearted service
to them. In administrative positions they are obedient to their governments and
carry out their duties with the utmost honesty and trustworthiness. They regard
no faction as superior to another and prefer no individual above another. They
oppose no one, for the Divine Pen has prohibited sedition and corruption and
enjoined peace and harmony upon us.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a
message dated 10 February 1980, addressed to the Iranian believers resident in
other countries throughout the world, translated from Persian; ‘Messages from
the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)
