[AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION FROM PERSIAN]

Naw-Rúz 2015

To the Bahá’ís of Iran

We convey to each and every one of you our undying love, our boundless admiration, and our affectionate greetings on the occasion of Naw-Rúz and the start of the delightful season of spring.  It is our hope that, despite countless hardships, you may find opportunities during this soul-reviving time to spend some days in ease and comfort.  Praised be God that you have received the bounty of true joy, a spiritual condition that belongs to those who, irrespective of their material and social circumstances, strive to draw ever nearer to God and to understand and promote His Word; who are concerned with the prosperity of all people; who tread selflessly the path of justice and equity; and who allow no impediment, not even oppression or imprisonment, to deprive them of this inner joy.  It is this state of true joy that stirs the heart, makes the spirit soar, increases human powers, strengthens the mind, creates hope, and kindles the flame of longing to take purposeful action for the common good.  So it is that, for Bahá’ís, bringing joy to the hearts is among the most praiseworthy of deeds.  In the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “As much as ye can, bring joy and happiness to the hearts and seek felicity for all humankind.”

We hope that in the course of your traditional visits to one another in this blessed season you will, like the soul-refreshing breeze, perfume the nostrils of your compatriots and sow the seeds of hope and assurance in the garden of the heart.  Our Naw-Rúz greetings and those of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh everywhere are extended to you and, through you, to the noble people of Iran, and we will remember you in the Holy Shrines, supplicating that divine bounties and blessings may surround you ever more abundantly.

[signed:  The Universal House of Justice]