Baha’is from throughout Australia have elected the members of the Faith’s national governing body, the National Spiritual Assembly, at the annual convention in Sydney.
The election by 95 delegates is the central focus of the National Baha’i Convention, being held from 25 April to 27 April at the Sydney Baha’i Centre in Silverwater.
As in all such Baha’i elections, it was conducted by secret ballot, after a period of prayer, with no nominations or electioneering involved.
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 international, national and local levels.
The Baha’i writings specifically encourage the election — with due regard for factors such as age distribution, diversity, and gender — of individuals with
- recognised ability
- mature experience
- a well-trained mind
- unquestioned loyalty
- selfless devotion.
Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were Arini Beaumaris, David Chittleborough, Jonathan Hancock, Anton Jones, Fiona McDonald, Fariborz Moshirian, 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, are discussing issues of concern to the Australian Baha’i Community.
These include plans for community development, educational programs for children and young teenagers, and working with other Australians to transform the neighbourhoods in which they live.
Festival
The convention is taking place during the twelve-day Ridvan Festival, in which Baha’is celebrate events associated with the announcement by Baha’u’llah of His spiritual revelation.