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Bahá'í Faith Delegation to attend Convention in Israel

Eight members of the Bahá'í Faith National Governing Council for Samoa and American Samoa, known as the National Spiritual Assembly, are leaving this week for the Holy Land to attend the Eleventh International Baha’i Convention to be held in Haifa, Israel from 25 April – 03 May, 2013.

 

According to the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly Mr. Afoa Fepulea’i Titi Nofoagatoto’a of Ili’ili who is one of the members of the delegation, the Faith’s International Convention is held every five years and there will be about 1,350 delegates participating representing more than 150 countries.

 

The main purpose of the convention is to elect the Bahá'í Faith nine member international governing council known as the Universal House of Justice, with its seat on Mount Carmel in Haifa. Bahá'í elections forbid any nominations or campaigning, but delegates will secretly vote for nine names of their choice from Baha’is all over the world, and whoever gets the highest votes will be the nine members to serve in the Faith’s Supreme Body until the next convention in 2018.

 

Mr. Nofoagatoto’a said that in addition to the election of the Universal House of Justice, delegates will also consult about issues that can help transform the lives of the people all over the world, so that this earth can become a better and peaceful place to live.He said, “This is why Bahá'ís are working so hard on programs to pursue definite goals to achieve these ends. Among those programs are classes to meet the spiritual needs of children, and training to empower junior youth and youth to channel their energies into worthwhile purposes, and enable them to contribute positively to the development of our country and the world in the future.”

 

The Bahá'í Faith, which has more than 7 million followers worldwide claims that the teachings brought by its Prophet Founder Bahá'u'lláh for this age, will help resolve the crises facing humanity, and are needed to fully develop the spiritual and social potentials of the human race.

 

The Samoa delegation will also visit and offer prayers at the Bahá'í Holy Places in Akka, Bahji & Mt. Carmel in Haifa. Other members of the delegation include Mrs. Ruta Fiti-Sinclair, Ms. Masina Pomale, Mrs. Karen Te’o, Mrs Alesi Taofiga, Mr. Bill Gordan, Mr Peseta Fogaseuga Taofiga & Mr. Tofilau Taefu Tepa Suaesi.

 

Source: National Spiritual Assembly media release