Members of incoming National Spiritual Assembly elected during festival of Ridvan

The nine members of the incoming national governing body for the Baha’is of Australia, the National Spiritual Assembly, have been elected at this year’s National Convention. 

Held at the Sydney Baha’i Centre of Learning, the convention brings together delegates from across Australia to elect the members who will serve on the national institution for the upcoming year as well as to consult on community affairs and make recommendations and suggestions to the National Spiritual Assembly. 

The Baha’i election process gives each delegate freedom to vote confidentially for those of his or her own choosing among all the adults of the national community. It is a democratic process that is sacred and dignified, free from nomination or campaigning. 

The nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly are Shayan Ta’i, Natalie Mobini-Kesheh, Kia Manouchehri, Anton Jones, Tina Janamian, Lalomilo Tauveve, Christopher Heggie, Saloomeh Mohebbaty and Fiona Scott.

The election took place during the Baha’i festival of Ridvan. Known as the Most Great Festival or the King of Festivals, Ridvan is a 12-day festival celebrated this year from 21 April to 2 May. It marks the time when the founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, publicly declared His mission and the unifying mandate of the Faith. The declaration took place in the Garden of Ridvan, from which the Holy Day takes its name.