Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

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Date 1963-04, descending — sort earliest first

date event tags firsts
1963 30 Apr
196-		 The members of the Universal House of Justice were presented to the World Congress and the first statement of the House of Justice was read by David Hofman. [BW14:68]
  • For the text of the statement see BW14:431–2 and WG1–3.
    		• David Hofman; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Bahá'í World Congress, First (1963); London, England; United Kingdom first statement of UHJ
    1963 28 Apr - 2 May
    196-    		 The first Bahá'í World Congress, the 'Most Great Jubilee', was held in London to celebrate the centenary of the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh. The beloved Guardian had wanted this long-planned gathering to take place in Baghdad, but the situation did not allow the gathering to take place there. In 1961, the Hands of the Cause of God residing at the Holy Land decided to hold the Congress in London, which would also enable the participants to visit the resting place of the Guardian. [BW14:57]
  • For a detailed account and many pictures see BW14:57–80.
  • For the programme of speakers see BW14:60–1.
  • Some 6,000 Bahá'ís attend.
  • The closing talk at the Bahá'í world congress by Hand of the cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi.
    		• Conferences, Bahá'í; Most Great Jubilee (1963); Bahá'í World Congress, First (1963); Centenaries; Bahá'u'lláh, Declaration of; - First conferences; - Basic timeline, Expanded; London, England; United Kingdom first Bahá’í World Congress
    1963 23 Apr
    196-    		 The State funeral of Izhak Ben Zvi, second President of Israel was attended by two Hands of the Cause and two members of the Universal House of Justice. [BW14:92–3]
  • This was the first official act of the Universal House of Justice. [BW14:92–3]
    		• Izhak Ben Zvi; Israel first official act of UHJ
    1963 22 Apr
    196-    		 The results of the election of the Universal House of Justice were announced at the close of the morning session of the International Convention: Charles Wolcott, 'Alí Nakhjavání, H. Borrah Kavelin, Ian Semple, Lutfu'lláh Hakím, David Hofman, Hugh Chance, Amoz Gibson and Hushmand Fatheazam. [BBD231–3; BBRSM131; BW14:425 MoC425; SS50; VVXI-XII]
  • For a picture of the Hands of the Cause of God with the Universal House of Justice see ZK123.
    		• Charles Wolcott; `Alí Nakhjavání; H. Borrah Kavelin; Ian Semple; Lutfullah Hakim; David Hofman; Hugh Chance; Amoz Gibson; Hushmand Fatheazam; Universal House of Justice, Election of; Elections; Conventions, International; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Firsts, other; Haifa, Israel; * Bahá'í World Centre Mr Amos Gibson was the first black member of the Universal House of Justice
    1963 21 – 23 Apr
    196-    		 The First International Convention was convened in Haifa. [MoC424]
  • For programme see MoC424–5.
  • For details of the Convention and pictures see BW14:425–30.
    		•  Conventions, International; First conventions; Haifa, Israel; * Bahá'í World Centre first International Convention
    1963 21 Apr
    196-    		 Establishment of the Universal House of Justice
  • The Universal House of Justice was elected for the first time. [BW14:427; MoC424]
      Those elected were: Charles Wolcott, ‘Alí’ Nakhjavani, H. Barrah Kavelin, Ian Semple, Luṭfu’lláh Ḥakím, David Hofman, Hugh Chance, Amoz Gibson, and Ḥushmand Fatheazam. [BW14p425]
  • The election was held at 9:30 in the morning at the home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 7 Haparsim Street, Haifa. [BW14:427; MoC425]
  • Ballots were received from all 56 national spiritual assemblies. [BW14:427]
  • 288 members of 51 national spiritual assemblies were present at the election. [BW14:427]
  • For a list of the electors see MoC406–13.
  • For details of the election see BW14:425–9 and MoC20–1.
  • The election marked the end of the Second Epoch during which time the Faith had spread globally. The Third Epoch began.
    		• Universal House of Justice, Election of; Conventions, International; Elections; - Basic timeline, Condensed; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Firsts, other; Appointed arm; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; Covenant; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; Ages and Epochs; Formative Age; Haifa, Israel; * Bahá'í World Centre; Charles Wolcott; Amoz Gibson; Hushmand Fatheazam; Hugh Chance; Borah Kavelin; Ian Semple; Lutfullah Hakim; David Hofman; `Alí Nakhjavání first Universal House of Justice elected.
    1963 20 Apr
    196-    		 The number of believers in East and Central Africa numbered well over 40.000 with half of these in the Congo. Similar growth could be seen in countries like British Cameroons, Ethiopia, and Northern Rhodesia. Bahá'ís now resided in well over 30 countries and territories, and consisted largely of tribal peoples that had entered the Faith through the combined efforts of international and native pioneers. The end of the Ten Year Crusade left Africa spiritually and politically transformed. Devoted individuals, operating in daunting conditions, had succeeded in establishing the Faith on the continent while preparing for the next phase in its advancement—continued large-scale expansion would be accompanied by the formation and strengthening of the foundational institutions of the Faith. [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p6-7] Statistics; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; - Africa; Congo, Democratic Republic of; British Cameroon; Ethiopia; Northern Rhodesia
    1963 20 Apr
    196-    		 The Ten Year Crusade was successfully completed. The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah's Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.
  • For a summary of achievements during the Crusade see BW13:459–60.
  • For countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith during the Crusade see BW13:461–2. (259)
    • During the Ten Year Crusade the Faith had expanded to 93 more countries and major territories. bringing the total to 259. [Patheos website]
  • For number of localities in which Bahá'ís reside in different parts of the world see BW13:462. (from 2,000 to more than 11,000)
  • For languages into which Bahá'í literature has been translated see BW13:462–4.
  • For races represented in the Bahá'í world community see BW13:464.
  • For national spiritual assemblies at the end of the plan see BW13:468–9. (from 12 to 56)
  • See The Bahá'í Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Bahá'í Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963 compiled by the Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land.
  • See also Addenda to Statistical Information Published by the Hands of the Cause of God Residing in the Holy Land in Ridván 1963. This publication shows the countries and territories opened by the Faith as well as "supplementary accomplishments".
    		• Ten Year Crusade; Most Great Jubilee (1963); Conventions, International; Growth; Statistics; - Teaching Plans; - Basic timeline, Expanded; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; - Worldwide; * Bahá'í World Centre; London, England; United Kingdom
    1963 9 Apr
    196-    		 The sixth Conclave of the Hands of the Cause of God was convened at Bahjí.
  • For the agenda see MoC404.
  • For cabled message from the Conclave see MoC420.
    		• * Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Hands of the Cause, Conclaves; Bahji, Israel; Akka, Israel
    1963 4 Apr
    196-    		 The Custodians issued a statement of information to the national spiritual assemblies of the United States and Europe regarding the Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco and under threat of death, reminding them that clemency or a pardon are not sufficient, as the condemned Bahá'ís cannot be pardoned for a crime they did not commit. [MoC414]
  • For text of statement see MC414–20.
    		•  Persecution, Morocco; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Human rights; Custodians; National Spiritual Assembly; Morocco
    1963 2 Apr
    196-    		 King Hassan II of Morocco made a public statement promising that if the Supreme Court upheld the decision condemning three Bahá'í prisoners to death, he would grant them a royal pardon. [MoC416] King Hassan II; Persecution, Morocco; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Human rights; Morocco
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