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.
Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia are: Ms Arini Beaumaris (QLD), Mrs Fiona McDonald (WA), Professor Fariborz Moshirian (NSW), Dr Golshah Naghdy (NSW), Ms Kath Podger (NSW), Dr Vahid Saberi (NSW), Professor Bijan Samali (NSW), Ms Tessa Scrine (ACT), and Mr John Walker (NSW).
All nine members served on the previous National Spiritual Assembly elected in May last year.
75th anniversary
Keynote speakers at a commemorative evening tonight to mark the 75th anniversary of the national governing body of the Australian Baha’i Community will be two former members of the National Spiritual Assembly, husband and wife Dr Peter Khan and Dr Janet Khan.
Dr Peter Khan is a member of the international governing body of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice. Dr Janet Khan is an author and a member of the Research Department at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel.
The convention, being held at the Sydney Baha’i Centre in Silverwater, continues tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow afternoon, delegates will participate in a special public service for the 75th anniversary at the Baha’i House of Worship in Mona Vale, Sydney at 3.30pm.
Keynote speakers at a reception to be held prior to the service will be Dr Peter Khan and the Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services, the Hon. Laurie Ferguson MP.