The Bahá'í World Congress is a large gathering of Bahá'ís from across the world that is called irregularly by the Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the Bahá'ís. There have only been two conferences of this nature; in 1963 and 1992.
Contents
1963: First Bahá'í World Congress
The first Bahá'í World Congress was held in Royal Albert Hall in London, England and approximately 6,000 Bahá'ís attended. It was called to announce and present the election of the first Universal House of Justice, elected by the participation of over 50 National Spiritual Assemblies. Enoch Olinga, last of the named Hands of the Cause, chaired the main meeting of the Congress.
Issam Tahan was in London during treatment for heart problems he later died from. He was the small boy who, while his father was in prison in Morocco that had risen to public pressure on Morocco, chanted a prayer before the audience of the Congress.
Mrs. Ruthy Tu, the first woman citizen of Taiwan to become a Bahá'í, was able to attend the first Congress, as did the first Bahá'í convert outside the mainland of Scotland - Lilian McKay. O. Z. Whitehead, actor in Grapes of Wrath movie and writer also attended.
1992: Second Bahá'í World Congress
The Second Bahá'í World Congress from November 23–26, 1992 took place in order to pay homage to the 100th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. 30,000 Bahá'ís attended the event in the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, United States, for four days of commemoration in the form of music, speeches, artistic performances and social gathering.
The Congress participants represented the diversity of the Bahá'ís from over 180 different nations. The purpose of this World Congress was to "celebrate the Centenary of the inauguration of the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh and to proclaim its aims and unifying power."
Program
The main sessions of the World Congress took place two hours each day at the Jacob Javits Center.