What Baha’i leaders say:

1-“… we Baha’is should remember that we stand above politics. That field does not interest us; that we attribute importance to things of the spirit, that we await salvation to come from the Faith that burns in our hearts.” [The Light of Divine Guidance, Vol. 1, p 311]  

2-'Abdu'l-Bahá, is even more specific on this subject: “Speak thou no word of politics; thy task concern the life of the soul, for this verily lead to man's joy in the world of God.   Except to speak well of them, make thou no mention of the earth's kings, and the worldly governments thereof.   Rather, confine thine utterance to spreading the blissful tidings of the Kingdom of God, and demonstrating the influence of the Word of God, and the holiness of the Cause of God. ” [Selections from the Writings of 'Abdul Bahá, p. 92]  

3-So if the subject directly comes up, how should we react? By following ‘Abdul-Baha’s guidance:

“… confine thine utterance to spreading the blissful tidings of the Kingdom of God, and demonstrating the influence of the Word of God, and the holiness of the Cause of God.   Tell thou of abiding joy and spiritual delights, and godlike qualities, and of how the Sun of Truth hath risen above the earth's horizons:  tell of the blowing of the spirit of life into the body of the world.”

4-For, as the Universal House of Justice reminds us (12 January 2003),:

“As you are aware, it is not the practice of Baha’i institutions or individuals to take positions on the political decisions of governments. One of the greatest obstacles to progress is the tendency of Baha’is to be drawn into the general attitudes and disputes that surround them. The central importance of the principle of avoidance of politics and controversial matters is that Baha’is should not allow themselves to be involved in the disputes of the many conflicting elements of the society around them. The aim of the Baha’is is to reconcile viewpoints, to heal divisions, and to bring about tolerance and mutual respect among men, and this aim is undermined if we allow ourselves to be swept along by the ephemeral passions of others.” 

What Baha’i leaders actually do:

See the Message of UHJ dated 24 May 2016, which is absolutely contradicting what they say to Baha’is in public platforms:

“You are asked, through your Offices of External Affairs, to meet with your governments, contacts, appropriate non-governmental organizations, and individuals of influence and bring to their attention the recent action taken by the authorities in Iran against the largest non-Muslim religious minority in the country. They should become fully aware of the extent to which a widespread, coordinated, and systematic attack has been orchestrated by the Iranian authorities against a segment of its own citizens. They can be asked to consider whatever action they deem appropriate—from making a public statement to privately contacting the government of Iran, or any other action that they might consider would ameliorate the situation. While the media will not be the focus of your endeavors, those whose support you seek will naturally be free to make approaches as they wish. This campaign to incite religious hatred against the Baha’is has originated from the highest offices in that land. It is of added concern that the month of the Muslim fast will begin soon, a time in which religious fervor can be more easily aroused in Iran. Background materials that may be of use in its work will soon be supplied directly to your Office of External Affairs.

Alongside your own efforts, the Baha’i International Community United Nations and Brussels Offices will be undertaking complementary initiatives at the international level.

Kindly keep the Universal House of Justice and the Baha’i International Community United Nations Offices apprised of the outcome of your efforts in this matter. The House of Justice will offer prayers in the holy shrines on your behalf for bountiful confirmations from Bahaullah on all your endeavors.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

Department of the Secretariat

cc: International Teaching Centre Baha’i International Community,

United Nations Office, New York and Geneva

Baha’i International Community, Brussels Office

Offices of External Affairs of the National Assemblies of 

Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada (Ottawa and Toronto), France,

Germany, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The United Kingdom and the United States”.

https://thebahaitruth.com/