Letter from the delegates of the 75th National Convention to the Universal House of Justice

Letter from the delegates of the 75th National Convention to the Universal House of Justice.

To our Beloved Universal House of Justice,

This was a historic Convention. In a world overshadowed by deepening disintegration and the “gloom of a stormy sky”—marked by the fraying of relationships between nations, the coarse spirit of political contest, and the pervasive tides of apathy and materialism—we, the delegates gathered at the 2025 Canadian Bahá’í National Convention, were moved by the vibrating influence of a steady and radiant rhythm—souls building havens of peace, engaging in uplifting conversations that are knitting hearts together in love.

This rhythm became clearer and stronger as 158 delegates from coast to coast to coast drew on your stirring Riḍván message and shared insights, learning from one another in a rarefied atmosphere, poised to dive into the fourth year of the Nine Year Plan. Delegates offered reflections on the implications of building havens: learning to ask difficult questions, seeing the interconnected dynamics of crisis and victory, and building capacity to accept ambiguity and discomfort. Havens were described as places not for rest, but for purposeful action, spaces where spiritual and material transformation can occur through drawing on the Word of God. Inspired by questions posed by our cherished Counsellors, Dr. Borna Noureddin and Mr. Ayafor Ayafor and the loving comments by former House of Justice member Dr. Javaheri, delegates also considered the shift in mindset as communities align themselves with the expansive prospect of the sixth epoch of the development of the Faith. This new state of mind was evident in story after story of protagonists from the wider community who are playing their part in the unfoldment of the Divine Plan. Alive to the vision of Bahá’u’lláh, they are arising to problem-solve together, host activities, bring the Word of God to their own cultural contexts and make links with local institutions, such as schools and hospitals.

Surrounding our consultations were the heartfelt love and remembrance of the friends in Iran as well as a deep love for the institution of the Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly. The message of the Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh and the devotions they prepared for one of the sessions strengthened this sense of love and gratitude for Bahá’u’lláh, His institutions and His laws. The delegates were overjoyed to have 100% participation in the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, surrounded by the silent, loving prayers of a large group of observers, including many youth.

Signs of transformation were also perceptible throughout the delegate reflections: evident in the story of a group of young men in Toronto, Ontario, who drew on the March 19th letter of the Universal House of Justice to deepen their understanding of their role in their future families; in youth reflecting on the implications of the concept of coherence and having service at the centre of their lives; descriptions of the proliferation of “tranquility zones” in Coquitlam, British Columbia, inspired by a group of women recognizing the impact of having spiritual spaces for mothers and grandmothers; in the vibrant commemoration of Riḍván on Eskasoni First Nation and increased participation in elections there that followed a series of meaningful home visits, with fresh baked goods donated by a local baker who wanted to support the effort; and again in the stirring description of a junior youth group with Indigenous participants from Thunder Bay, Ontario, who have been building their own powwow drum through a grant from the local university, engaging Elders and raising the programme’s profile in the community, all while studying the junior youth text Breezes of Confirmation, with one youth stating, “We want to have our own drum because we want to help more people enter the program.”

In honour of the hundredth anniversary of the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, a digital portal was also established, bringing together the Canadian and American National Conventions. These national communities welcomed each other with abounding cheers, love, and joy. Upon such jubilant greetings, a prayer was sung in Lakota, accompanied by the deep rhythms of a hand drum—like one heartbeat across two nations reminding us of our interlinked spiritual destinies. An echo of prayers back and forth between both countries then flowed, with prayers from the Tablets of the Divine Plan addressed to our two countries offered in Spanish, French and English.

Finally, with yearning hearts, the friends long to see the physical manifestation of the House of Worship rise—an edifice whose spiritual foundations have already been laid through countless acts of service, unity, and prayer throughout Canada as elements of one divine project. The path is prepared: permits secured, city approvals granted, vital relationships forged, and the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty felt at every step. As 22,718 souls have gathered in over 7,000 devotional meetings, the light of faith shines brightly across the land, each home and heart becoming a beacon of divine love, beckoning others through the vibrating rhythms of community life.

Truly, this is a time unlike any other, a moment pregnant with promise, purpose, and profound spiritual significance. Yet, as we know “there is much to do” and “time is passing”. We now look eagerly to the months ahead, responding to the call in the Riḍván 2025 message that “efforts are needed now.” We pray that the lights of each of our efforts will grow steadily brighter, defying the encroaching gloom and heralding the inevitable emergence of a new civilization. We stand ready to advance our sacred charge to bring His light, and steady rhythm, to every corner of this vast land.

-Delegates to the 75th Canadian Bahá’í National Convention