Baha'is to elect Universal House of Justice
HAIFA, Israel
22 April 2008 (BWNS)

A global election process that began with people in 100,000 cities and villages around the world will culminate on 29 April when delegates gather here to elect the international governing body of the Baha'i Faith.

Representatives of some 170 nations will cast ballots for the nine members of the Universal House of Justice, which has its seat at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa. The election is held every five years.

Baha'i elections are distinctive in that there are no nominations, no campaigning, and no discussion about which individuals should be elected.

The delegates to the International Baha'i Convention - members of all the Baha'i national governing bodies around the world - vote by secret ballot for the nine people they believe best suited for membership on the supreme institution of their Faith.

The Baha'i writings state that voters should try to choose people "of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience."

For Baha'is, the Universal House of Justice is the highest religious authority. It guides the worldwide Baha'i community in its development and in its response to changing world conditions, provides for Baha'i pilgrimage, holds in trust and maintains the Baha'i holy places, and administers international Baha'i funds.

Any male age 21 and over is eligible for election to the Universal House of Justice. Both women and men serve on all other Baha'i institutions-international, continental, national and local.

The election process began well over a year ago when Baha'is in some 100,000 localities around the world began meeting in district conventions to elect delegates to their own national conventions. At those gatherings, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of each country is elected.

The members of those national councils gather as electors at the global level for the International Baha'i Convention, to be held from 29 April to 2 May in Haifa.

About 1,200 delegates are expected to attend the convention. Those unable to attend send ballots by mail.

The establishment of the institution of the Universal House of Justice was called for by Baha'u'llah Himself, the founder of the Baha'i Faith.

__________________
"it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
- Johannes Kepler

BAHA'IS ELECT UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

HAIFA, Israel, 30 April 2008 (BWNS) -- The results of the election of
the nine members of the Universal House of Justice, the governing body
of the Baha'i Faith, have been announced.

Delegates to the Tenth International Baha'i Convention cast ballots
yesterday for membership in the council that serves as the head of the
religion.

Those elected are Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Peter Khan, Hooper
Dunbar, Firaydoun Javaheri, Paul Lample, Payman Mohajer, Shahriar Razavi, and
Gustavo Correa.

Members are elected for five-year terms.

The Universal House of Justice has its permanent seat at the Baha'i
World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Membership requires residence in Haifa.

Any Baha'i male age 21 and over is eligible for election. Both women
and men are eligible for election or appointment to all other Baha'i
institutions.

In His teachings, Baha'u'llah provided for the elected institution of
the Universal House of Justice, which gives a continuing source of
divine authority to guide the worldwide Baha'i community and to legislate on
matters not spelled out in the Baha'i sacred writings.

The delegates that voted in the election are themselves members of
national Baha'i governing bodies from around the world. They were chosen in
earlier elections in their own countries.

The Baha'i Faith, which has more than 5 million followers, is
established in almost every nation.



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Bahá'Ã* World News Service - Bahá'Ã* International Community

__________________
"it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
- Johannes Kepler