History of Local Baha'i Council of Sialkot

A spiritual assembly was elected for the first time in Jammu in 1946. Baháʼís from Karachi were among those to help elect the local spiritual assemblies in Sukkur and Rawalpindi in 1948. Further local assemblies were formed in Sialkot in 1949, Multan, Chittagong, and Dhaka in 1950, Faisalabad in 1952, Sargodha in 1955, and Abbottabad, Gujranwala, Jahanabad, Mirpurkhas, Nawabshah, and Sahiwal by 1956 thus raising the number of local spiritual assemblies to 20.

In 1960 Mason Remey declared himself to be the successor of Shoghi Effendi,[51] as he became the second Guradian of the Bahai Faith . Charles Mason Remy excommunicated all the Hands of Cause and expelled them from the Baháʼí faith. And declared them as a covenant-breaker.[52]

The second Guardian Charles Mason Remey announced in 1964 that almost all the Baháʼís in Pakistan accepted him as the successor to Shoghi Effendi.[54] Encyclopædia Iranica

A newsletter published by Baháʼís loyal to Remey announced in 1964 that almost all the Baháʼís in Pakistan accepted Charles Mason Remey as the successor to Shoghi Effendi.

Almost the entire Baha’i community of Sialkot accepted the Guardianship of Second Guardian Charles Mason Remy. Today also there are a number of Orthodox Baha’i in Sialkot. One very prominent Orthodox Baha’i was Mr. C. Saleem. He passed away few years ago but his whole family including, children and grandchildren are now carrying the banner of matter of continuation of Guardianship.

Letter to the National Bahai Council of Sialkot for Recognition of Local Orthodox Bahai Council of Sialkot

To,

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF ORTHODOX BAHAIS OF SIALKOT

Dear Esteemed Members of our National Council,

Allah-O-Abha

We are extremely pleased to announce that the Local Council of Orthodox Baha’is is formed in Sialkot  As we have received nine declarations. This is nothing but the Blessing of Bahaullah that now we are following the true faith of Bahaullah, otherwise we were following an organization which was devoid of a living Guardian.

The formation of this council was not easy and had its own share of challenges. We successfully overcame all the hurdles in the way and we accepted the true faith. We are sure there are many more waiting to be relieved from the clutches of the man made institution the universal house of Justice.

Our journey began during a National convention when two of our duly elected members were disqualified and their voting rights taken by the UHJ based on false information of Mr. Ramin Nabilzadeh and Bijan Farid who was observer appointed for the National convention.

The disgracing campaign was initiated By Ramin Nabilzadeh, Prof. Mehrdad (Because he was not elected that year) and Mr. Shamsher. They accused the duly elected member of being 

1- Involved in Gambling

2- Electioneering in the Election i.e. influencing the delegated to vote for him

3- Involvement in the financial bungling of Baha’i Funds

4- Involvement of illicit sexual relationship

In fact somewhere of the opinion that all the nine members were involved in influencing the delegates but then the accusation were levelled only against two people. The main man involved behind was Prof. Mehrdad who has been influencing the Baha’i election and expecting some favors from Mr. Foad Rehani and the UHJ. His activity and faith both are under question. He is now in contact with Mr. Farsheed Rohani the master planner and if in future some calamity befalls on Newday school we should not be surprised.

Anyhow after these defaming campaign and humiliation we searched and contacted our friend in many other countries and we came to know that everywhere the situation is same whether India, Bangladesh or Malaysia. Only those members are on NSA whom the UHJ wants. The other members are asked to resign and if they don’t do so, they are threatened to face the consequence of losing the voting rights or even to be declared as a covenant breaker. These ‘Selection” of the UHJ in the name of “Election” and many other things forced us to restart our “Independent investigation of Truth” which resulted that the Baha’i Faith should have a living Guardian.

Shoghi Effendi, writing in “The Dispensation of Baha’u’llah” stated that, “divorced from the institution of the Guardianship the World Order of Baha'u'llah would be mutilated…”.

The first Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi, declared that the Most Holy Book revealed by Baha'u'llah, the AQDAS, and the WILL AND TESTAMENT of `Abdul Bahá “mutually confirm one another, and are inseparable parts of one complete unit.”

With our Independent search of the truth, we found that Orthodox Baha’i Faith is the True Baha’i Faith. Although we accepted the Faith some years back but now we have established the Local Council of Sialkot

Please acknowledge and recognized us. We will be looking forward for the Guidance.

Secretary of the Local Baha’I Council of Sialkot

Dr. Z.

2 February 2024

Recent activities in Sialkot

Today the Orthodox Bahais are scattered in areas like THIKRIAL, KHANWAR, JARWAL, SAMBHRIAL, NAROWAL of Sialkot. 

They are carrying out their duty of teaching the Faith and the message of continuation of Guardianship through various study group

Orthodox Baha’i Faith in Sialkot

THE LINE OF SUCCESSION IN TRUE BAHA’I FAITH

1-Bahá’u’lláh:

As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Baha'u'llah, a specific teaching: It is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant. By this appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion of God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to create a new sect or faction of belief. To ensure unity and agreement He has entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world, including the interpreter and explainer of His teachings, so that no one may interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual understanding of the divine Words.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

2-BAHÁ’U’LLÁH APPOINTS ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ AS CENTER OF THE COVENANT

When the Mystic Dove will have winged its flight from its Sanctuary of Praise and sought its far-off goal. its hidden habitation, refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the Book to Him Who hath branched from this mighty Stock.

Baha'u'llah

Kitáb-i-Aqdas

lt is incumbent upon the Aghsán [His sons], the Afnán [the Báb’s kindred] and My kindred to turn, one and all, their faces toward the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book: ‘When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root.’ The object of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch (‘Abdu’l-Bahá). Thus have We graciously revealed unto you our potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious. the All-Powerful.

Baha'u'llah

Kitáb-i-‘Ahd

3-‘ABDU’L-BAHA APPOINTS SHOGHI EFFENDI AS FIRST GUARDlAN

O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsán (Branches), the Afnán (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote-tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi-the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,-as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the Aghsán the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the expounder of the words of God and after him will succeed the first-born of this lineal descendents.

[S]hould the firstborn of the guardian of the Cause of God not manifest in himself the truth of the words:- “The child is the secret essence of its sire,” that is, should he not inherit of the spiritual within him (the guardian of the Cause of God) and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must he, (the guardian of the Cause of God) choose another branch to succeed him.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Will &Testament

4-SHOGHI EFFENDI APPOINTS MASON REMEY AS SECOND GUARDIAN

O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the guardian of the Cause of God to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor, that differences may not arise after his passing.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Will &Testament

Proclaim National assemblies of East and West weighty epoch-making decision of formation of first International Bahá’í Council…this first embryonic International Institution, marking its development into officially recognized Bahá’í Court, its transformation into duly elected body, its efflorescence into Universal House of Justice…

Greatly welcome assistance of the newly-formed International Council, particularly its President, Mason Remey…

Shoghi Effendi

Cablegrams

(This embryonic Universal House of Justice was retained in an inactive status during the ministry of Shoghi Effendi, but upon its emergence into active functioning life, as would be the case in its second stage as an International Court, would automatically be presided over by Shoghi Effendi’s appointee, Mason Remey. As Presidency of the Universal House of Justice (including presidency of its several preliminary and successive active states) and Guardianship are synonymous terms, according to the Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the person appointed to this supreme position by Shoghi Effendi could be no other than his chosen successor- the second Guardian of the Faith.)

5-MASON REMEY APPOINTS JOEL B. MARANGELLA AS THIRD GUARDIAN

December 5, 1961

Dear Joel:

This is to tell you to tell the Baha'i World that I appoint you to be the third Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith according to the Will and Testament of the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

[Charles ] Mason [Remey],

Guardian of the Baha'i Faith

Sealed Letter

(Mason Remey also appointed Joel, President of the second International Bahá’í Council)

6-The third Guardian of the Baha’i Faith Joel Bray Marangella in his Proclamation of 22 September 2006 in which he appointed the Third International Baha’i Council, announced: The appointment of Nosratullah Bahremand as fourth Guardian of Baha’I Faith.

Huquq'ullah is the right of the Guardian only

A-The bogus sans Guardian organization collects Huquq, which according to the Will and Testament of Abdu’l Baha goes only to the Guardian of the Cause of God, “that it may be expended for the diffusion of the Fragrances of God and the exaltation of His Word, for benevolent pursuits and for the common weal.” But the money that they take undeservedly and without having any authority is being used in opposition to “what God hath decreed” and is spent to make opposition and animosity against the Guardian of the Cause of God. The recent court case by the Wilmette NSA against the TRUE FAITH OF BAHAULLAH is witness to it.

The Master in his Will and Testament says:

“O friends of ‘Abdu’l-Baha! The Lord, as a sign of His infinite bounties, hath graciously favored His servants by providing for a fixed money offering (Huquq), to be dutifully presented unto Him, though He, the True One and His servants have been at all times independent of all created things, and God verily is the All-Possessing, exalted above the need of any gift from His creatures. This fixed money offering, however, causeth the people to become firm and steadfast and draweth Divine increase upon them. It is to be offered through the Guardian of the Cause of God, that it may be expended for the diffusion of the Fragrances of God and the exaltation of His Word, for benevolent pursuits and for the common weal”.

And the first Guardian emphasized:

“There is a difference between taxes and spiritual offerings. The House of Justice has certain revenues such as inheritance shares, fees and fines. These are the taxes, which, according to the Aqdas, go directly not to the Guardian but to the House of Justice. According to the Master’s Will which complements the Aqdas, the Huquq goes only to the Guardian.”

(To Mr. George O. Latimer, Portland, Oregon, dated Haifa, June 17, 1933.) (Shoghi Effendi, Extracts from the USBN)

B-What the corrupt House of Justice says

V. PAYMENT OF HUQÚQU’LLÁH

Until the passing of the Hand of the Cause of God appointed to act as Chief Trustee, the) Huqúqu’lláh was paid to the Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, the Deputies or their appointed Representatives (86, 88, 103). The body of the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, appointed by the House of Justice, acts in place of the Chief Trustee (101, 102, 104). This Institution appoints the members of the Regional and National Boards of Trustees and supervises the work of the Deputies and Representatives. It utilizes the services of the Office of Huqúqu’lláh at the Baha'i World Centre in performing such functions as issuing receipts (102).

VI. MANAGEMENT OF HUQÚQU’LLÁH

Decisions on the necessary ordinances concerning Huqúqu’lláh (52, 55), as well as on its disposition, lie within the sole jurisdiction of the Central Authority in the Cause. The Huqúqu’lláh can be employed for charitable purposes (24, 26, 46) or for other purposes useful to the Cause of God (110, 111, 113).

(A CODIFICATION OF THE LAW OF HUQÚQU’LLÁH

Prepared by the Research Department of the Baha'i World Centre in 1987, and revised in 2007, at the request of the Universal House of Justice)