We are pleased to share with you the results of voting at this year’s 109th Bahá’í National Convention, along with the names of the National Spiritual Assembly’s officers for the year.
David F. Young, Chair
Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, Vice-Chair
Kenneth E. Bowers, Secretary
Juana C. Conrad, Treasurer
Muin Afnani
Fariba Aghdasi
S. Valerie Dana
Robert C. Henderson
Kevin Trotter
The National Assembly shared this information in a letter to the local and regional institutions of the Faith, and added: “We feel sure you will wish to join the National Spiritual Assembly in prayers for the success of our richly blessed national community in this second year of the Five Year Plan.”
Hello. My name is Annan Bowlby. I am from Seattle, WA. The purpose of this message is to implore you to reach out to 2020 Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, who’s vision for America is consistent with the Baha’i teachings, and ask him to bridge the cultural divide in America. By reaching out to American’s, specifically the defenders of the 2nd Amendment, who are rightfully fearful of large government, due to the potential attack on US citizens by the US military, made legal by the Insurrection Act of 1807 and all legislation associated with the act in the years since it’s creation, Bernie Sanders will be validating legitimate fears of American’s from all demographics. Please bring the American Baha’i Community into American Politics in 2020, and allow the Baha’i Community to continue it’s spiritual guidance on the US government.
To see and hear how the Bernie Sanders movement is consistent with the Baha’i teachings, please view Congress Woman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, at a campaign rally in Minneapolis, by fast forwarding to 1:55:11. Thank you so much, please hurry, the Democratic Primary begins February 3, 2020!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtwSKiuUW9g
While we do vote as individuals, Baha’is do not participate in partisan political activities, nor do we register with political parties. Our faith is founded on unity; partisan politics is inherently divisive. Having Baha’is registered in or actively supporting one political party over another, or being asked to view the other party as an enemy runs counter to the teachings of our faith.
However, we are encouraged both to vote and to participate in the public discourse with regard to social issues. We also lend our support to such nonpartisan activities as will contribute to the ideal of a well-informed electorate. We sincerely desire a unified country where the dignity and well being of every person living here is a shared goal, so bridging the gap, as you put it, is something we are urged by our institutions to do.
You should know that there is no mechanism by which any individual Baha’i can “bring the American Baha’i Community into American Politics” on behalf of Bernie Sanders or any other candidate. Voting is a choice left entirely up to the individual.
We do have outreach institutions at the local, national and global levels that communicate directly with the appropriate government agencies as needed.
Hi Annan,
I’m not a Baha’i, and was raised Muslim. However, I’m not sure if you’re aware that Bernie Sanders has a really questionable history of unaddressed questions regarding Baha’is. In 2006, he was a no vote on a bipartisan measure to condemn the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. Further, his campaign volunteers in San Jose, as well as a speaker at an event in Oakland (Hoda Katebi) have blocked multiple people who have asked for minorities including Baha’is to be included in discussions of human rights in Middle East which is part of the topics for the event.
https://twitter.com/AzadiBardya/status/1228033683128373248
The Sanders campaign needs to address these serious questions instead of aggressively campaigning by shouting instead of listening.