Administrative Order5 June 2007

CENTRAL FIGURES: The BbSiyyid `Al Muhammad

Bb means Gate

Prophet-founder of the Bb FaithForerunner to Bahullh

Born 20 October 1819 in ShrzDescendant of Muhammad

Qayymul-asm is the Bbs declaration of His mission

CENTRAL FIGURES: The BbMinistry: 9 years from 1844 to 1853

Titles: Remembrance of GodGate of the Hidden ImmMahdPrimal PointQim

CENTRAL FIGURES: Twin Manifestations of God Bah'u'llhThe Bb

CENTRAL FIGURES: Twin Manifestations of God Bah'u'llhThe BbMinistry 1844 1853Ministry 1853 1892Bayn

CENTRAL FIGURES: Bah'u'llhMrz Husayn-`Al Bah'u'llh means Glory of GodProphet-founder of the Bah FaithBorn 12 November 1817 in TehranDescendant of Abraham & ZoroasterThe Bbs Bayn is the book that spoke of Bahullhs appearance

CENTRAL FIGURES: Bah'u'llhMinistry: 39 years from 1853 to 1892

Titles:Sadratu'l-MuntahBlessed BeautyHim Whom God Shall make Manifest

CENTRAL FIGURES: Twin Manifestations of God Bah'u'llhThe BbMinistry 1844 1853Ministry 1853 1892BaynKitb-i-AhdAbdu'l-BahMinistry 1892 1921

CENTRAL FIGURES: Abdu'l-BahAbbs EffendBahullhs eldest son and successor

Bahullh appoints Him as His successor in the Kitb-i-Ahd (the Book of the Covenant) Role: Interpreter of the Writings

CENTRAL FIGURES: Abdu'l-BahMinistry: 29 years from 1892 to 1921

Titles:The MasterThe Mystery of GodThe Most Great BranchLimb of the Law of God

CENTRAL FIGURES:Bah'u'llhThe BbMinistry 1844 1853Ministry 1853 1892BaynKitb-i-AhdAbdu'l-BahMinistry 1892 1921Will & TestamentGuardianMinistry 1921 1957

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Shoghi EffendiShogh Effend Rabbn

Gaurdian of the Cause of God and interpreter of its teachings

First and only Guardian of the Bah Faith

Eldest grandson of Abdul-Bah

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Shoghi EffendiAppointed as Guardian in the Will and Testament of Abdul-Bah

Ministry: 36 years from 1921 to 1957

Title:Sign of God

TWIN INSTITUTIONS:The Universal House of JusticeGuardianshipMinistry 1921 1957Ministry 1963 present

CENTRAL FIGURES:Bah'u'llhThe BbMinistry 1844 1853Ministry 1853 1892BaynKitb-i-AhdAbdu'l-BahMinistry 1892 1921Will & TestamentGuardianThe Universal House of JusticeMinistry 1921 1957Ministry 1963 present

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Universal House of JusticeComposed of 9 men

Commonly referred to as: the House or UHJ Elected by secret ballot by the members of each National Spiritual Assembly every 5 years during Ridvn at International Convention

TWIN INSTITUTIONS: Universal House of JusticeEstablished in 1963 by the 56 existing National Spiritual Assemblies at that time The Universal House of Justice has no officers (i.e. secretary, chairperson, treasurer)

Hands of the CauseCreated by Bahullh

Formally defined and established by Abdul-Bah

Function elucidated and elaborated on by Shoghi Effendi

Period of service: Lifetime appointment

Role: Propagation & Protection, came to authority in 1957 after the passing of Shoghi Effendi and acted as Custodian until the election of the Universal House of Justice

Hands of the CauseAge specific: none specified Number: 50 Bahullh appointed 4 Abdul-Bah named 4 posthumously Shoghi Effendi named 10 posthumouslyShoghi Effendi appointed 32 others

Administrative OrderUniversal House of JusticeInternational Teaching Centre

International Teaching CentreEstablished: June 1973 Created by: Universal House of Justice Commonly referred to as: ITCPeriod of service: 5 years on the 3 and 8 on the Declaration of the BbAge specific: 21 years or older

International Teaching CentreRole: Liaison between the Continental Board of Counsellors and the Universal House of Justice

Number: 9 International Counsellors and the remaining Hand of the Cause

Administrative OrderUniversal House of JusticeInternational Teaching CentreContinental Board of Counsellors

Continental Board of CounsellorsEstablished: June 1968 created by the Universal House of Justice to perpetuate the function and role of the Hands of the CauseCommonly referred to as: CBCPeriod of service: 5 years on the 0 and 5 on the Day of the Covenant

Continental Board of CounsellorsRole: Propagation & Protection Age specific: 21 years or older Number: 81 Africa: 19 Americas: 19 Asia: 19 Australasia: 11 Europe: 13

Administrative OrderUniversal House of JusticeInternational Teaching CentreContinental Board of CounsellorsAuxiliary Board Members

Auxiliary Board MemberEstablished: April 1954 created by Shoghi Effendi but appointed by the Hands of the Cause Commonly referred to as: ABM Period of service: 5 years on the 1 and 6 on the Day of the Covenant

Auxiliary Board MemberRole: They are the deputies, assistants and advisers to the Continental Board of Counsellors. Either Propagation OR Protection Age specific: 21 years or older Number: 990 Africa: 234 Americas: 234 Asia: 288 Australasia: 108 Europe: 126

Administrative OrderUniversal House of JusticeInternational Teaching CentreContinental Board of CounsellorsAuxiliary Board MembersAssistant to the Auxiliary Board Members

Assistant to Auxiliary Board MemberEstablished: June 1973 Commonly referred to as: Assistant Period of service: Very short to a few years

Assistant to Auxiliary Board MemberRole: Assist the Auxiliary Board Member in specific acts of service Age specific: Can be youth Number: 1000s

Administrative OrderUniversal House of JusticeInternational Teaching CentreContinental Board of CounsellorsAuxiliary Board MembersAssistant to the Auxiliary Board MembersGuardianAbdu'l-BahThe BbBah'u'llh

Institutions of the RulersDirection & Administration

National Spiritual Assembly 9 members Elected by secret ballot by the delegates from the National Convention every year during Ridvn National Committees: Such as the National Teaching Committee, National Youth Committee, etc. Appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly

Regional Councils9 members Elected by secret ballot by the members of each Local Spiritual Assembly every year

Local Spiritual Assembly 9 members Elected by secret ballot by the members of each locality where more than 9 adult believers reside ever year on the 1st Day of Ridvn (21st April)

Local Committees: Feast Committee, Holy Day Committee, etc. Appointed by the Local Spiritual Assembly

Present Structure of Bah' AdministrationAgencies:Bah' International Community, etc.National Spiritual AssembliesELECTEDAPPOINTEDThe Universal House of Justice Supreme Administrative Body of the Bah' FaithAnd sole recipient of infallible divine guidanceInternational Teaching Centre comprises the Hand of the Cause and a number of CounsellorsContinental Board of CounsellorsAuxiliary Board Members for Propagation & Protection of the FaithDepartments:Secretariat,Research and other departmentsAssistants to the Members of the Auxiliary BoardLocal Spiritual AssembliesLocal CommitteesNational CommitteesInstitutions of the Rulers Direction & Administration123Institutions of the Learned Advice & EncouragementIt is helpful to use the Shrine of the Greatest Holy Leaf (background image) as a model of the Administrative Order. The dome (1) represents the Universal House of Justice. The pillars (2) symbolize the National Spiritual Assemblies which support the Dome; and the base represents Local Spiritual Assemblies (3)