2003 Mar 27, Participation in Anti-War Demonstrations

The Universal House of Justice
Department of the Secretariat
27 March 2003
Dear Bahá'í Friend,

Your email message of 4 March 2003 has been received at the Bahá'í World

Centre, and we can reply as follows. You state that there are large-scale

demonstrations arising in your community and in communities around the

world, and you inquire about the appropriateness of Bahá'ís participating in

demonstrations for peace. It is important to keep in mind that while these

activities are generally carried out in the name of peace, such occasions

are motivated by highly political and controversial sentiments at a time of

turmoil and confusion in the world. Not only would it be contrary to the

Bahá'í principle of non-involvement in politics for individual believers, or

Bahá'í institutions, to become associated with such activities, it could

also be harmful to the interests of the Faith internationally. The point to

bear in mind here is that current demonstrations are not intended to promote

peace in principle but are focused on a specific dispute among governments.

As you can no doubt understand, Bahá'í participation in public

demonstrations involving controversial issues would undermine the Faith's

essential purpose of promoting unity in all aspects of human affairs, and

your desire to remain focused on the essential work of the Faith is deeply

appreciated.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
c.c. National Assembly of the United States