Abaineh Merhatsion
Abaineh Merhatsion | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 12, 1939 Arbegona, Sidamo, Ethiopia |
| Died | February 9, 2000 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| NSA member | Ethiopia ???? - ???? |
| Counsellor | Africa 1995 - 2000 |
Abaineh Merhatsion (September 12, 1939 - February 9, 2000) was an Ethiopian Bahá’í who served as a Continental Counsellor for Africa.
Biography[edit]
Merhatsion was born in Arbegona, Ethiopia, in 1939. In his professional career he became a civil engineer and worked in the private and public sector ultimately working with the Ministry of Urban Development and becoming the Head of the Department of Civil Engineering in Addis Ababa. In his personal life he married Almaz Mitiku in 1970 and they had three children.[1]
Merhatsion was introduced to the Bahá’í Faith in his youth, declaring in 1959, and he was an active member of the community hosting visiting travel teachers in his home. He served on the Local Spiritual Assembly of Addis Ababa and the National Spiritual Assembly of Ethiopia.[2] In 1985 he represented the Bahá’í International Community at a session of the Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa.[3]
In 1995 Merhatsion was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa and in 1996 he was appointed as a Trustee of Huququllah.[4] He passed away before completing his first term as Counsellor and the Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after his passing:
The untimely passing of much-loved and highly admired Abaineh Merhatsion has filled our hearts with sorrow. His self-effacement, wisdom and patience combined to leave after him a record of exemplary service, including his membership on the National Spiritual Assembly of Ethiopia, and subsequently on the Continental Board of Counsellors for Africa. Kindly convey to his dear family the assurance of our fervent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his noble soul in the Abha Kingdom.
We advise you to hold memorial gatherings in his honour throughout Ethiopia, and are requesting all National Spiritual Assemblies on the African Continent to hold similar meetings. The National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda is being asked to hold a memorial service at the Mother Temple of Africa.[5]
References[edit]
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (2001). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 28 (1999-2000), Pg(s) 306. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (2001). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 28 (1999-2000), Pg(s) 306. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1994). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 19 (1983-1986), Pg(s) 391. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (2001). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 28 (1999-2000), Pg(s) 306. View as PDF.
- ↑ http://bahai-library.com/newspapers/2000/021000-4.html
