Universal House of Justice

The Universal House of Justice is the governing body of the Bahá'í Faith, located in a building on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Nine members direct the affairs of the faith from this institution, overseeing spiritual and administrative matters for followers worldwide.

This body began operations in 1963, establishing a new phase in Bahá'í administration following principles set by Bahá'u'lláh. The founding was based on instructions detailed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the central religious text that guides the faith.

The name reflects the highest governing authority in the Bahá'í Faith, centered at this location on Mount Carmel. Visitors can observe how this institution shapes the spiritual life and organization of communities across the globe.

The building sits on Mount Carmel overlooking Haifa and is accessible to visitors who wish to see the structure and surroundings. It is best to check ahead about visiting, as it remains an active administrative center.

A distinctive voting process elects the nine members every five years without nominations or campaigns, though only men can be elected to this specific role. This restriction stands in contrast to other leadership positions in the faith where women serve equally.

Location: Haifa

Inception: April 21, 1963

Address: Bahá'í World Centre, 16, Sderot Eliyahu Golomb, Haifa, 3339213, Israel

Website: https://alhedayat.org

GPS coordinates: 32.81167,34.98750

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:02