The seats of the Universal house of Justice are in Haifa, Mt. Carmel. The location of Haifa initially was chosen by Bah'u'lla'h during his years of exile in Akka. It took many years after the ascension of Baha'u'lla'h for his wishes to be fulfilled. The glorious building with magnificent designs became operational with the help of the several volunteer staff who came from different countries world wide. The work involved from secretarial to financial services, maintenance and also a public information office. The members were elected every five years through the international convention of all national assemblies of the world and normally where held in Haifa.  |
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The present honourable members of the International Baha'i house of Justice in Haifa. |
Following the activation of the first members of the house in 1963, the role of the elected Baha'i's and expansions changed and in 1964 the house announced there would not be any new hand of the cause but rather there would be a new institution to nominate continental board of chancellors to take over the job from the hands of the cause and give direction to auxiliary board members; these institution was established in 1968.
Adib Taherzadeh ----- (1921 -2000)Hooper DunbarAli Nakhjavani
He was born in 1919 in the city of Baku, Azerbajan, from an honourable Baha'i parents. In 1939, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Beirut, Lebanon. He went back to Tehran and started his Baha'i activities first in that city and then in Tabriz. When he was in Tehran in 1950 , he had been elected as member of the National Spiritual Baha'i Assembly of Iran.
Later his worldwide travel teaching started. He moved his family to Uganda and Cameroon. In Cameroon, he had been elected as a member of the National Spiritual Baha'i Assembly of Cameroon. Finally, in 1963, more good news came for him as he had been elected as a member of the Universal Baha'i House of Justice. He served in his position until 2003 with all his love and challenge for the future of this world based on the glorious message of Baha'u'lla'h for the unity of mankind and permanent peace in the globe.
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Honourable Members of the Universal Baha'i House of Justice in 1987 |
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David Hofman ----- (1908- 2003)
He was born in Poona, India and was educated in UK. He started his job initially as an actor in number of silent movies in Hollywood USA. Later, he moved to England and appeared as an actor in several acting roles in the West End of London. In 1938, he settled down gradually as a BBC presenter in televisions and radios.
As far as his Baha'i activities is concern, from 1930's, he associated with some Baha'i friends when he used to lived in Canada and learned about the teachings of Baha'u'lla'h. He also became friend with Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, the parents of Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, the wife of Shoghi Effendi. He happily joined the Baha'i faith and in his return to UK he extended his Baha'i communication. He was then elected as a member of the National Spiritual Baha'i Assembly of UK in which he served devotedly for twenty-seven years.
Later in 1963, a good news came for him, as he became elected as a member of the Universal Baha'i House of Justice and had been introduced in a special conference in Albert Hall, London along with other honourable members. He continued successfully in his Baha'i services with worldwide travel teachings and guidance to the Baha'i communities. Sadly, he resigned in 1988 and passed away in 2003. His established publishing company, George Ronalds, is still operating profoundly and producing Baha'i books.
David's first book, was titled, 'The Renewal of Civilization', for the introduction of the Baha'i faith. He dedicated his life for the promotion of Baha'u'lla'h's messages with all efforts and Baha'i love.
God Bless his soul.
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Honourable Mr. David Hofman & Mrs. Hofman |
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Charles Wolcott ------ (1906 - 1987)
He was born in Flint, Michigan, USA. After completing his education in Arts and Music. He moved from his home town to Hollywood, and he found himself a job in Walt Disney Studio as a music writer for the short cartoon and also later, for the feature films. He continued this work successfully until 1944. He then was promoted as a general music director of the same company, Walt Disney Studio. In 1958, a new opportunity arised for him to work for the MGM Company as a general music director.
As a Baha'i gentleman, he continued to work with his spiritual and social determination for the promotion of the Baha'i faith. In 1963, a very good news came for him as he became a member of the first formed Baha'i Universal House of Justice. An introduction had been made in magnificent conference in Albert Hall London which all the nine honourable members had all been introduced. He carried on this important spiritual challenges with all his knowledge and determination to introduce the Baha'i faith to the world.
Charles died peacefully in Haifa in January 1987. God bless his soul.
Peter Jamal Khan ----- (1936 - 2011)
He was born in New South Wales, Australia. He graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of Sidney, Australia. He started to work in his country. In 1963, he then found a better opportunity in USA with a new job and remained there until 1975. He returned to Australia and became a professor at the University of Queensland.
Peter's parents became Baha'is when he was twelve year old. Happily at that age, he initiated Baha'i activities with other young Baha'is. He became a popular Baha'i young speaker. At the age of twenty-one he was elected as a member of the National Spiritual Baha'i Assembly of Australia. He also became an author of several books about the Bah'i faith and other subjects.
In 1987, he received a good news from the Baha'i Centre in Haifa as he was appointed member of the Universal Baha'i House of Justice. He accepted delightfully this new work and continued his Baha'i services until 2010. Sadly, he had to resigned due to an illness. He passed away in 2011. His Baha'i love, knowledge and challenges to promote the Baha'i faith remained always.
God bless his soul.
Lutfu'llah Hakim------ (1888 - 1968)
He was born in Tehran, Iran. His granddad Hakim Masih became the first honourable Jewish man to join the Baha'i faith. He received his education in Iran and in United Kingdom. In 1911, during his studies in London, he joined with group of Baha'is who were waiting to welcome the arrival of Obtainable from Haifa to London. This visit took place joyfully, and Abdul-Baha communicated with them all, with spiritual joy and love.
Later, Abdul-Baha sent him several tablets and also invited him to come to Haifa, to initiate his services there for the faith. When he was in Haifa, Abdul-Baha sent Shoghi Effendi to London for a visit which was accompanied by him to that tour in the region.
Hakim's more Baha'i activities started in 1951, as he had been appointed by Shoghi Effendi as an International Baha'i Council. He then started his Baha'i travel teachings to many countries and he communicated with many Baha'i friends. More good news made him very happy in 1963, as he was elected as a member of the new formed organization that is the Universal House of Justice. He happily carried on this job until 1967. Sadly, Hakim passed away in 1968. He was a devoted Baha'i from a famous Baha'i family, with all the warmness and much human accomplishments, that made him to be remembered always.
God bless his soul.
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Lutfu'llah Hakim a great Baha'i |
His granddad, Hakim Masih was the first Jewish gentleman who joined the Baha'i faith. |
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The Baha'i Friends worldwide sitting comfortably in Albert hall, listening to the fantastic program that had been made to introduce the new elected members of the Baha'i House of Justice in 1963.
