Members of the Baha’i Faith from Samoa and American Samoa elected its National Governing Council during the Faith’s 45th National Convention held in Samoa.
Known as the National Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is of Samoa, the Convention was at Tiapapata from 24th to 26th April.
The annual convention has a two-fold purpose; the election of nine individuals who will serve for a year as members of its governing body, and consultations on issues and programs for the development and well-being of the people and communities of both countries.
There are no nominations or campaigning in the Baha’i elections, but delegates to the convention are free to vote by secret ballot for any nine members of their choice from all the adult Baha’is in the two countries.
The nine members who received the highest votes got elected to serve in the national governing council for one year until the next convention.
<!-- Large SkyAd -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="5623196827"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}
The council then elect its chairperson and other officers. According to the newly elected chairman of the council, Fepulea’i Afoa Titi Nofoagatoto’a, “the aim of every Baha’i believer is to serve the progress of humanity in any kind of praiseworthy service.”
As such, “the purpose of consultations at the convention was to consider effective ways, to increase the capacities of individuals and Baha’i institutions, to serve the social and spiritual development of our two nations.”
Other members elected to the council this year are Karen Te’o, Bill Gordon, Lemalu Lea’ana Si’omia Auvele, Tofilau Taefu Tepa Suaesi, Alesi Taofiga, Taitu’uga Fia Papali’i, Auimatagi Bob Ale and Khosrow Si’isi’ialafia.
The special guest to this year’s convention was Counsellor U’ileiuluwehi Pimental from Hawaii, who gave the opening address. A message from the International Governing Body of the Baha’i Faith in Haifa, Israel known as the Universal House of Justice was read during the opening day of the convention.
The message stressed the need for the Baha’is to live by its teachings so that they can become role models to the community.
On early Sunday morning, the delegates offered prayers at the resting place of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II in Mulinu’u.
His Highness was the first reigning monarch who embraced the Baha’i teachings. Malietoa was well respected and dearly loved by the more than seven million Baha’is around the world.
The Baha’i Faith first arrived in Samoa in 1954, and this year marks it’s 60th anniversary.
<!-- samoa_observer.ws -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="5306335075"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}