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Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Date post: 07-Jul-2015
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A collection of quotes and photographs related to the Baha'i electoral process. Suitable for use at Electoral Unit Conventions or other Baha'i election events
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Some Meditations for Bahá’í Elections
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Page 1: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Some Meditationsfor

Bahá’í Elections

Page 2: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Shoghi Effendi used to compare the stages in the Administrative Order of the Faith to this monument, saying the platform of three steps was like the local Assemblies, the pillars like the National Assemblies, and the dome that crowned them and held them together like the Universal House of Justice, which could not be placed in position until the foundations and pillars were first firmly erected.

(from Prophet's Daughter, Janet Khan)

Monument of the Greatest Holy Leaf

Page 3: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Seat of the Universal House of Justice

Page 4: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

And now, concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it mustbe elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers.

(from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Members of the Universal House of Justice, elected Ridván 1963

Page 5: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in God’s faith and the well-wishers of all mankind.

(from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

Members of the Universal House of Justice, elected Ridván 2013

Page 6: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

… in all countries a secondary House of Justice must be instituted, and these secondary Houses of Justice must elect the members of the Universal one. (from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada

Page 7: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

The members of the Universal House of Justice shall be elected by secret ballot by the members of all National Spiritual Assemblies at a meeting to be known as the International Bahá'í Convention.

(from Constitution of the Universal House of Justice)

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Page 8: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

…the voting members of the Bahá'í community of that country or region shall … elect their delegates to their National Convention. These delegates shall, in turn, elect … a body of nine members to be known as the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of that country or region.

Irish National Convention

(from Constitution of the Universal House of Justice)

Page 9: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

It would be impossible at this stage to ... overestimate the unique significance of the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly ... Supreme is their position, grave their responsibilities, manifold and arduous their

duties. How great the privilege, how delicate the task of the assembled delegates whose function it is to elect such national representatives as would by their record of service ennoble and enrich the annals of the Cause! (Shoghi Effendi)

Spanish National Convention

Page 10: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

If we but turn our gaze to the high qualifications of the members of Bahá'í Assemblies, … we are filled with feelings of unworthiness and dismay, and would feel truly disheartened but for the comforting thought that if we rise to play nobly our part every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of His grace and power. (Shoghi Effendi)

Sarawak National Convention

Page 11: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Hence it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience.

(Shoghi Effendi)Azerbaijan National Convention

Page 12: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

In regard to your question about qualifications of delegates and Assembly members: the qualifications which he outlined are really applicable to anyone we elect to a Bahá'í office, whatever its nature. But these are only an indication, they do not mean people who don't fulfil them cannot be elected to office. We must aim as high as we can.

(from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

Unit Convention

Page 13: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Due regard must be paid to their actual capacity and present attainments, and only those who are best qualified for membership, be they men or women, and irrespective of social standing, should be elected …

(Shoghi Effendi)

Unit Convention

Page 14: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

To be able to make a wise choice at the election time, it is necessary for him to be in close and continued contact with all local activities, be they teaching, administrative or otherwise, and to fully and whole-heartedly participate in the affairs of the local as well as national committees and assemblies in his country.… Bahá'í community life thus makes it a duty for every loyal and faithful believer to become an

intelligent, well-informed and responsible elector, and also gives him the opportunity of raising himself to such a station.

(from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

Page 15: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

The strength and progress of the Bahá'í community depend upon the election of pure, faithful and active souls.

(from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

Page 16: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

As elections are by secret ballot, only the education of the electorate can bring about changes on assemblies which often stagnate from lack of fresh blood…

(from a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

Page 17: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

The electors ... must prayerfully and devotedly and after meditation and reflection elect faithful, sincere, experienced, capable and competent souls who are worthy of membership.

(Shoghi Effendi)

Page 18: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Let us recall His explicit and often-repeated assurances that every Assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is in truth appointed of God…

(Shoghi Effendi)

Page 19: Some Meditations for Baha'i Elections

Education of the electorate

Stagnate from lack of fresh blood


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