Bahai’s elect their national spiritual assembly |30 May 2018
Nineteen delegates from across Seychelles elected their national institution, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of Seychelles, for the coming year Baha’i Era 175.
The election took place last weekend at the National Bahá’í Centre, Roch Lane. It was their 47th annual convention.
The delegates coming from La Digue, Praslin and Mahé deliberated with the incoming National Spiritual Assembly on the development of the Faith and the ongoing activities in the communities such as children classes, junior youth programmes and community building programmes.
The Bahá’í election gives to each elector unfettered freedom to vote confidentially for those entirely of his or her own choosing among all the adults of the national community based on guidance regarding the combination of qualities looked for in such leadership.
The hallmark of leadership in the Baha’i Faith is one of loving servitude and a spirit of humility and selflessness. It is a democratic process that is sacred and dignified, free from personal ambition and partisanship.
During the three days, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Seychelles presented their annual activity and financial reports to the delegates and observers.
The delegates also put forward their recommendations for the development of the activities around Seychelles and also discussed how the Bahá’ís can transform themselves spiritually and the wider community through a devotional character and the educational process.
Bahá’ís around Seychelles came together on Friday in spirit of unity to view a film produced by the Universal House of Justice and celebrated with prayers, inspiring artistic presentations and socialising.
“Baha’is consider membership on Baha’i administrative institutions to be a position of service. Unlike other institutions, getting elected is not seen as a sinecure or a badge of honour or position. Instead, one’s entire orientation should be to aid others and to promote spiritual principles.
This requires an attitude of humility before God and deep respect for those whom the institutions serve. Their function is not to dictate, but to consult, and consult not only among themselves, but as much as possible with the friends whom they represent.
They should never be led to suppose that they are the central ornaments of the body of the Cause, intrinsically superior to others in capacity or merit, and sole promoters of its teachings and principles.
They should approach their task with extreme humility, and endeavour, by their open-mindedness, their high sense of justice and duty, their candour, their modesty, their entire devotion to the welfare and interests of the friends, the cause, and humanity, to win, not only the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they serve, but also their esteem and real affection.
They must, at all times, avoid the spirit of exclusiveness, the atmosphere of secrecy, free themselves from a domineering attitude, and banish all forms of prejudice and passion from their deliberations.
Let us also bear in mind that the keynote of the cause of God is not dictatorial authority but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation.
Nothing short of the spirit of a true Baha’i can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of freedom and submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand, and fellowship, candour, and courage on the other.”