In reply to your letter of November 8th we feel that all
friends, whatever their circumstances, should be encouraged to observe the
Nineteen Day Feast. Obviously it can only be an official administrative
occasion where there is a Local Spiritual Assembly to take charge of it,
present reports to the friends, and receive their recommendations. But groups,
spontaneous gatherings of friends, and even isolated believers should certainly
remember the day and say prayers together. In the case of a group it may well
hold the Feast in the manner in which a Local Spiritual Assembly would do so,
recognizing of course that it has no official administrative standing.
As to visitors to a Nineteen Day Feast, Bahá'ís from
anywhere in the world should of course be warmly welcomed, and may take part in
consultation. However, only members of the local community can vote on
recommendations to the Local Spiritual Assembly.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 1 December 1968 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
British Isles; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, The Nineteen Day Feast)
