Administrative Order 5 June 2007

CENTRAL FIGURES: The Báb Siyyid `Alí Muhammad Báb means “Gate” Prophet-founder of the Bábí Faith Forerunner to Bahá’u’lláh Born 20 October 1819 in Shíráz Descendant of Muhammad Qayyúmu’l-asmá’ is the Báb’s declaration of His mission

CENTRAL FIGURES: The Báb Ministry: 9 years from 1844 to 1853 Titles: Remembrance of God Gate of the Hidden Imám Mahdí Primal Point Qá’im

CENTRAL FIGURES: Twin Manifestations of God Bahá'u'lláh The Báb

CENTRAL FIGURES: Twin Manifestations of God Bahá'u'lláh The Báb Ministry 1844 – 1853Ministry 1853 – 1892 Bayán

CENTRAL FIGURES: Bahá'u'lláh Mírzá Husayn-`Alí Bahá'u'lláh means “Glory of God” Prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith Born 12 November 1817 in Tehran Descendant of Abraham & Zoroaster The Báb’s Bayán is the book that spoke of Bahá’u’lláh’s appearance

CENTRAL FIGURES: Bahá'u'lláh Ministry: 39 years from 1853 to 1892 Titles: Sadratu'l-Muntahá Blessed Beauty Him Whom God Shall make Manifest

CENTRAL FIGURES: Twin Manifestations of God Bahá'u'lláh The Báb Ministry 1844 – 1853Ministry 1853 – 1892 Bayán Kitáb-i-‘Ahd Abdu'l-Bahá Ministry 1892 – 1921

CENTRAL FIGURES: Abdu'l-Bahá ‘Abbás Effendí Bahá’u’lláh’s eldest son and successor Bahá’u’lláh appoints Him as His successor in the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd (the Book of the Covenant) Role: Interpreter of the Writings

CENTRAL FIGURES: Abdu'l-Bahá Ministry: 29 years from 1892 to 1921 Titles: The Master The Mystery of God The Most Great Branch Limb of the Law of God

CENTRAL FIGURES: Bahá'u'lláh The Báb Ministry 1844 – 1853Ministry 1853 – 1892 Bayán Kitáb-i-‘Ahd Abdu'l-Bahá Ministry 1892 – 1921 Will & Testament Guardian Ministry 1921 – 1957

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Shoghi Effendi Shoghí Effendí Rabbání Gaurdian of the Cause of God and interpreter of its teachings First and only Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith Eldest grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Shoghi Effendi Appointed as Guardian in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Ministry: 36 years from 1921 to 1957 Title: Sign of God

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: The Universal House of Justice Guardianship Ministry 1921 – 1957 Ministry 1963 – present

CENTRAL FIGURES: Bahá'u'lláh The Báb Ministry 1844 – 1853Ministry 1853 – 1892 Bayán Kitáb-i-‘Ahd Abdu'l-Bahá Ministry 1892 – 1921 Will & Testament Guardian The Universal House of Justice Ministry 1921 – 1957 Ministry 1963 – present

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Universal House of Justice Composed of 9 men Commonly referred to as: the House or UHJ Elected by secret ballot by the members of each National Spiritual Assembly every 5 years during Ridván at International Convention

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Universal House of Justice Established in 1963 by the 56 existing National Spiritual Assemblies at that time The Universal House of Justice has no officers (i.e. secretary, chairperson, treasurer)

Hands of the Cause Created by Bahá’u’lláh Formally defined and established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Function elucidated and elaborated on by Shoghi Effendi Period of service: Lifetime appointment Role: Propagation & Protection, came to authority in 1957 after the passing of Shoghi Effendi and acted as “Custodian” until the election of the Universal House of Justice

Hands of the Cause Age specific: none specified Number: 50 Bahá’u’lláh appointed 4 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá named 4 posthumously Shoghi Effendi named 10 posthumously Shoghi Effendi appointed 32 others

Administrative Order Universal House of Justice International Teaching Centre

Established: June 1973 Created by: Universal House of Justice Commonly referred to as: ITC Period of service: 5 years on the ‘3 and ‘8 on the Declaration of the Báb Age specific: 21 years or older

International Teaching Centre Role: Liaison between the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Universal House of Justice Number: 9 International Counsellors and the remaining Hand of the Cause

Administrative Order Universal House of Justice International Teaching Centre Continental Board of Counsellors

Established: June 1968 created by the Universal House of Justice to perpetuate the function and role of the Hands of the Cause Commonly referred to as: CBC Period of service: 5 years on the ‘0 and ‘5 on the Day of the Covenant

Continental Board of Counsellors Role: Propagation & Protection Age specific: 21 years or older Number: 81 Africa: 19 Americas: 19 Asia: 19 Australasia: 11 Europe: 13

Administrative Order Universal House of Justice International Teaching Centre Continental Board of Counsellors Auxiliary Board Members

Auxiliary Board Member Established: April 1954 created by Shoghi Effendi but appointed by the Hands of the Cause Commonly referred to as: ABM Period of service: 5 years on the ‘1 and ‘6 on the Day of the Covenant

Auxiliary Board Member Role: They are the deputies, assistants and advisers to the Continental Board of Counsellors. Either Propagation OR Protection Age specific: 21 years or older Number: 990 Africa: 234 Americas: 234 Asia: 288 Australasia: 108 Europe: 126

Administrative Order Universal House of Justice International Teaching Centre Continental Board of Counsellors Auxiliary Board Members Assistant to the Auxiliary Board Members

Assistant to Auxiliary Board Member Established: June 1973 Commonly referred to as: Assistant Period of service: Very short to a few years

Assistant to Auxiliary Board Member Role: Assist the Auxiliary Board Member in specific acts of service Age specific: Can be youth Number: 1000s

Administrative Order Universal House of Justice International Teaching Centre Continental Board of Counsellors Auxiliary Board Members Assistant to the Auxiliary Board Members Guardian Abdu'l-Bahá The BábBahá'u'lláh

Institutions of the Rulers Direction & Administration

National Spiritual Assembly 9 members Elected by secret ballot by the delegates from the National Convention every year during Ridván National Committees: Such as the National Teaching Committee, National Youth Committee, etc. Appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly

Regional Councils 9 members Elected by secret ballot by the members of each Local Spiritual Assembly every year

Local Spiritual Assembly 9 members Elected by secret ballot by the members of each locality where more than 9 adult believers reside ever year on the 1st Day of Ridván (21st April) Local Committees: Feast Committee, Holy Day Committee, etc. Appointed by the Local Spiritual Assembly

Present Structure of Bahá'í Administration Agencies: Bahá'í’ International Community, etc. National Spiritual Assemblies ELECTEDAPPOINTED The Universal House of Justice Supreme Administrative Body of the Bahá'í Faith And sole recipient of infallible divine guidance International Teaching Centre comprises the Hand of the Cause and a number of Counsellors Continental Board of Counsellors Auxiliary Board Members for Propagation & Protection of the Faith Departments: Secretariat, Research and other departments Assistants to the Members of the Auxiliary Board Local Spiritual Assemblies Local Committees National Committees Institutions of the Rulers Direction & Administration Institutions of the Learned Advice & Encouragement It is helpful to use the Shrine of the Greatest Holy Leaf (background image) as a model of the Administrative Order. The dome (1) represents the Universal House of Justice. The pillars (2) symbolize the National Spiritual Assemblies which support the Dome; and the base represents Local Spiritual Assemblies (3)