The early years of the 20th c. were a time of persecution for the Baha’is of Nayriz, Iran. They bore an important fruit: the formation for the first Spiritual Assembly of Nayriz.
Baha’u’llah composed the administration of the Baha’i Faith of “Houses of Justice”. He left to those who would later guide the Faith to determine the details of governance. ‘Abdu’l-Baha foresaw their future establishment at the different levels of society.
Shoghi Effendi interpreted Abdu’l-Baha’ guidance to mean that there would be ‘secondary’ houses of justice at local and national levels. He used the term “spiritual assembly”, reserving the term “house of justice” for a time when the institutions and community had matured.
Talk on the nature and structure of the Baha’i administrative order
In Iran, Mirza Asad’u’llah, later the son-in-law of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, led the organization of the first Baha’i institution in response to the newly issued Kitab-i Aqdas, and it was called the ‘House of Justice’ following its appellation in the Sacred Text. Its functioning and meetings were kept entirely secret
He also helped found the House of Justice in Chicago but ‘Abdu’l-Baha changed the name to ‘House of Spirituality’ so that the authorities might not become suspicious that a court had been set up.
Given the strong proscription in both societies against women in public life much less as teachers of religion, women did not serve on these early versions of Baha’i Assemblies. There were, though, parallel all-women’s Baha’i groups at the same time.
The first woman elected to the Spiritual Assembly of Nayriz was Mrs. Nusrat Missaqi.
Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees, the first in-depth study in English of the lives of women closely related to the Bab and Baha’u’llah
The Assembly of Nayriz gained a reputation for wisdom and fairness such that Muslims sought it out its advice. It was also of great material assistance in times of need. During the terrible flooding of 1924 when most Nayrizis fled to higher ground for safety, the Assembly appealed to Shoghi Effendi for funds.
Shoghi Effendi asked the entire Baha’i world to send funds for relief. These were used to build a bathhouse and a dam, which were greatly appreciated by all Nayrizis, to erect a Baha’i center, and to buy land for a cemetery. The significant sum of $500 was sent by the Spiritual Assembly of New York City.
Vahid’s room in Fort Khajih outside of Nayriz was made into a shrine.
Vahid’s room at Ft. Khajih
With its renewed vigor and greater economic stability, the Baha’i community of Nayriz started two schools, one for boys and one for girls. Baha’i women played important roles as teachers and administrators, and the schools quickly became recognized by the authorities as the town’s best.