Universal House of Justice
(Supreme Institution of the Baha'i Faith)
Located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel
As stipulated by Baha'ullah, the Seat of the Universal House of Justice is located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel,in close proximity to the resting places of the Bab and Baha'u'llah.
The Baha'i Faith Universal House of Justice was instituted in 1963 and has more than 5 to 6 million adherents from virtually every nation and ethnic group on earth.
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme institution of the Baha'i Faith to which all Baha'i s turn, came into existence in 1963 instituted by Baha'ullah as the supreme legislative body of the Baha'i s administrative order.
Its nine members are elected by the Baha'i National spiritual Assemblies of the World.
The election of the Universal House of Justice takes place every five years in the same atmosphere of spirituality and dedication. The process of election is much the same as for Local and National Spiritual Assemblies: there are no nominations, campaigning is forbidden, and the nine individuals who receive the most votes are elected. As with local and national elections, voters are expected to consider only individuals of recognized ability and spiritual capacity.
The entire election process is a powerful expression of democratic ideals. Although it is an international institution, the Universal House of Justice is nevertheless surprisingly close to the grassroots.
The final election of the Universal House of Justice is just three steps away from the local level: every adult Baha'i is eligible to participate in the election of a "district" delegate; district delegates in turn elect the members of their respective National Spiritual Assemblies; and the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies around the world in turn elect the Universal House of Justice.
Baha'u'llah Himself established the institution of the Universal House of Justice, the first election was held in 1963, and it occupies a unique position in the Baha'i administrative order. Baha'is understand that its decision making is unerringly guided by God.
The teachings of Baha'u'llah are the foundation of Baha'i belief and practice. However, the Universal House of Justice has the authority both to legislate on all matters which Baha'u'llah Himself did not explicitly address and also to repeal or change its own legislation as conditions change. This provides Baha'i law with an element of flexibility. If, for example, the development of some future technology poses a moral question which was unknown at the time of Baha'u'llah, the Universal House of Justice would determine how to address that question. In this way, Baha'is believe, the Baha'i Faith will continue to be guided by God until such time as the next Manifestation of God appears - an event which Baha'u'llah said will not occur before the passing of at least a thousand years.
Like members of National and Local Assemblies, members of the Universal House of Justice have no power or authority on their own. It is the institution of the Universal House of Justice, not its individual members, that is considered to be divinely inspired.
The House of Justice directs the spiritual and administrative affairs of the Baha'i International Community, in the light of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith and guides the entire Baha'i World. It serves, as well, as custodian and trustee of the Baha'is Holy Places and other properties in the Holy Land.
Endowed by Baha'u'llah with the authority to legislate on all matters not specifically laid down in the Baha'i scriptures, the House of Justice is the Institution that keeps the Baha'i community abreast of an ever-changing world.
Bahai National Spiritual Assembley Members 2008
Source: The Bahai FaithBaha'i Publishing Trust
