A national spiritual assembly is the national administrative body of the Baha'i Faith. Shoghi Effendi has outlined the election, work and responsibilities of the national spiritual assemblies:

"In countries where the local Baha'i communities had sufficiently advanced in number and in influence measures were taken for the initiation of National Assemblies, the pivots round which all national undertakings must revolve. Designated by 'Abdu'l-Baha in His Will as the "Secondary Houses of Justice," they constitute the electoral bodies in the formation of the International House of Justice, and are empowered to direct, unify, coordinate and stimulate the activities of individuals as well as local Assemblies within their jurisdiction. These Assemblies are elected, according to the principle of proportional representation, by delegates representative of Baha'i local communities assembled at an annual national convention."

(Shoghi Effendi: God Passes By, page 332. Rev. ed. Wilmette, Ill.: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1974. )

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Page last updated: August 25, 2001