Dr K. M. Fozdar (1898-1958) and Mrs Shirin Fozdar (1905-1992), were the first to introduce the Baha’i Faith to Singapore when they settled here in 1950. Mrs Shirin Fozdar was well known

throughout Singapore and Asia for her work in the cause of women’s emancipation. Her arrival in Singapore had been been preceeded by an article in

The Straits Times on 15 September 1950 under the

heading “A Woman With A Message”.

Through the efforts of Dr and Mrs Fozdar, by 1952 there

were enough Baha’is in Singapore to form the first

Local Spiritual Assembly. The community has since grown

to over 2000 members and today there are five

Local Spiritual Assemblies in Singapore. They oversee

a wide range of activities including the education of

children, devotional services, study classes, discussion

groups, social functions, observance of holy days,

marriages and funeral services.

Baha’i marriage is recognised under the laws of Singapore and the solemniser is appointed by the Registrar of Marriages. The Baha’is have been provided with a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang since 1957 and the nine Baha’i Holy Days have been gazetted since 1972..

The five Local Spiritual Assemblies come under the jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Singapore, the national governing council which was established in 1972. The national

governing council also appoints the executive members of the various offices which plan and carry out social service projects and collaborate with government and non-government organisations.

The Baha’i teachings stress the importance of obedience to civil government and laws. While Baha’is may accept non-partisan government appointments, they do not engage in partisan political activity. The members firmly uphold the injunction of Baha’u’llah, that “they must behave towards the government with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness”.