Moreover, the House of Justice feels that there are number of cases in which Iranian Muslims could be considered for enrolment as Bahá’ís; for example, in cases where the Muslim spouse of a Bahá’í has shown his or her interest and sincerity and has never engaged in opposing the Cause. Another example is when an Iranian is a permanent resident of the United States or Canada and apparently has no ulterior motives, such as assuming Bahá’í membership to resolve his visa problems. Proposed enrollments should be referred to the House of Justice for approval so that, if necessary, the matter can be taken up with the Iranian National Assembly. Of course, even in the cases cited enrolment cannot always be immediately effected. Considerations must be given to other factors: the reaction of relatives in Iran could be explained to them that although they have accepted the Faith in their hearts and are regarded as Bahá’ís in belief, their enrolment must be postponed because of the situation in Iran. Meanwhile, the Bahá’ís should maintain friendly contacts with them, deepen them in their knowledge of the Faith.
Moslems - Teaching
The House of Justice feels that the friends; and sometimes that Bahá’í institutions, tended to over-react to the instructions given from time to time about contacting and teaching Muslims from Iran and other places in the Middle East, and they often take to extremes the cautions given in such instructions. The friends sometimes think they should shun such people entirely of that any contact with them is considered a breach of Bahá’í Law. We are asked to point out that the House of Justice has never forbidden the friends to contact Iranian Muslims, as such a general prohibition would be contrary to the spirit of the Faith. However, given the history and the current situation of the Faith in Iran, it has urged the friends in the West to act toward these people with wisdom and caution.
The instructions of the beloved Guardian regarding teaching orientals from the Middle East are to be upheld, even more so at this time because of the present situation in Iran. Iranian Muslims in particular should not be sought out in order to teach them the Faith. It cannot be categorically said, however, that the friends should have no contact with Iranian Muslims. Some of the Bahá’ís have relatives who are Iranian Muslims, some have close Iranian Muslim friends who happen to reside in the West, and they should not relinquish these friendships. At the same time it should be stressed to the Iranian Bahá’ís that while they should not cut themselves off from their Muslim relatives and friends -- a step which could create animosity and turn them against the Faith -- they should not normally seek out Iranian Muslims in order to initiate friendly contacts with them or teach them the Faith.
