Fifth International Convention
The Fifth International Convention held to elect the Universal House of Justice was held from April 29th to May 2nd, 1983.
Summary[edit]
591 delegates from 119 National Spiritual Assemblies, 57 Counselors, 4 members of the International Teaching Center, and 8 Hands of the Cause attended the Convention.[1] From the 26th to the 28th of April delegates were able to undertake pilgrimage to the Holy Shrines.[2]
The Convention began on April 29 with the first session being held in the reception concourse of the recently constructed Seat of the Universal House of Justice. It was opened by Rúḥíyyih Khánum reciting a newly translated prayer revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which she dedicated to the Bahá’í of Iran and the election of the Universal House of Justice by secret ballot took place. The National Spiritual Assembly of Iran could not be present at the Convention due to the persecution of the Faith in Iran however it did send 133 red roses to the Convention which were presented to the delegations of each National Spiritual Assembly present as the delegates cast their votes.[1]
The following three days consisted of plenary sessions dedicated to consulting on subjects such as reaching out to wider community leaders, expansion and consolidation of the Faith through the production and distribution of literature, more effective proclamation through the media, and how Bahá’í Institutions could assist social and economic development efforts in developing countries. The plenary sessions were held at the Haifa Auditorium and each session was facilitated by a Hand of the Cause.[2]
William Sears addressed the Convention in its closing session and returned to Canada afterwards however the other Hands of the Cause remained in the Holy Land and consulted with the International Teaching Centre and Counselors who had attended the Convention for another five days after the Convention ended.[3]
Election Results[edit]
- Hugh Chance
- Hushmand Fatheazam
- David Hofman
- Borrah Kavelin
- Glenford Mitchell
- Alí Nakhjavání
- David Ruhe
- Ian Semple
- Charles Wolcott
Outgoing Members[edit]
- Amoz Gibson, passed away in 1982.
Talks[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 461. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 462. View as PDF.
- ↑ The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1986). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 18 (1979-1983), Pg(s) 464. View as PDF.
