Seven Iranian Baha’i leaders who have been jailed for a year without formal charge are facing grave new accusations that could result in the death penalty.

A message of congratulations from the Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, was read to guests at a reception prior to a special service marking the 75th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia.

More than 90 delegates from throughout Australia cast their secret ballots in an election conducted without nominations or campaigning, in accordance with Baha’i electoral procedures.

Among those attending will be delegates from throughout Australia who will have participated in the annual national convention of the Faith, to be held at the Sydney Baha’i Centre in Silverwater on 24-26 April.

The call by Australia’s peak interfaith body to the Government of Iran to respect the human rights of Baha’is has been welcomed by the Australian Baha’i community.

The service comes at a time when seven Baha’is in Iran look set to face trial on false charges in the Revolutionary Court of Iran.

The Australian Baha’i Community welcomes today’s statement by the Australian Government that it is “deeply concerned” at news of the charges laid against seven Baha’i leaders in Iran.

A special service dedicated to the victims of the disastrous Victorian bushfires will be held at the Sydney Baha’i House of Worship at Ingleside at 11 am on Sunday, 15 February 2009.

The Australian Baha’i Community is calling for the immediate release of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran, who reports indicate will be tried before the Revolutionary Court next week.

Madge Lilian Featherstone, who died in Brisbane this week aged 97, made historic contributions to the Australian Baha’i Community and also served the Faith throughout the Pacific and in many other countries around the world.