Universal House of Justice, Haifa

The Universal House of Justice is the supreme governing institution of the Bahá'í Faith, established in 1963 and headquartered in Haifa. It is responsible for the overall direction and administration of the worldwide Bahá'í community.

The Universal House of Justice is composed of nine members who are elected every five years by delegates from the National Spiritual Assemblies, the governing bodies of Bahá'í communities in each country. The members of the Universal House of Justice are chosen for their spiritual qualities and administrative abilities, and they serve without remuneration.

The Universal House of Justice is responsible for a wide range of activities, including guiding the spiritual and material progress of the Bahá'í community, promoting the unity and coherence of the Faith, establishing and coordinating Bahá'í institutions and projects, and representing the Bahá'í community to the world.

One of the most important functions of the Universal House of Justice is to interpret the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith and provide guidance on how to apply them in a changing world. The House of Justice also issues statements on important issues facing humanity, such as human rights, social justice, and the environment.

The Universal House of Justice is located in a building on Mount Carmel. The building also houses offices of the Bahá'í World Centre. It was constructed with 60 Corinthian columns around it to mirror the design of the International Archives. Designed by architect Hossein Amanat, it was completed in 1982 during the second stage of building on the Arc. The edifice is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is open to visitors who wish to learn more about the Bahá'í Faith and its governance.