Baha’is from throughout Australia have elected the members of the Faith’s national governing body at the annual convention in Sydney.
Conducted by secret ballot in a prayerful atmosphere with no nominations or electioneering, the election by 95 delegates is the central focus of the National Baha’i Convention, being held from 24 May to 26 May at the Sydney Baha’i Centre in Silverwater.
All adult Baha’is in Australia, men and women, are eligible to be elected to the nine-member National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia. The Faith has no clergy but is governed by elected councils at national and local levels.
Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were Arini Beaumaris, David Chittleborough, Anton Jones, Fiona McDonald, Fariborz Moshirian, Golshah Naghdy, Anisa Naraqi, Vahid Saberi and Bijan Samali.
Discussion
As well as participating in the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, the convention delegates, representing electoral units in all parts of Australia, discussed issues of concern to the Australian Baha’i Community.
These included plans for community development, educational programs for children and young teenagers, and working with other Australians to transform the neighbourhoods in which they live.
Service
The delegates will attend a special service at the Baha’i House of Worship in Mona Vale after the convention concludes tomorrow.