September 1. On this date in 1984, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Samoa was dedicated. Built at a cost of $6,500,000, it was one of the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.

 September 1. On this date in 1984, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Samoa was dedicated. Built at a cost of $6,500,000, it was one of the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.

August 14. On this date in 1995, Suhayl ‘Alá'í died. An early pioneer to Samoa, he served on LSAs in Samoa, the United States and Australia, on the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific, the NSA of Samoa, and as a Counsellor for Australasia. When Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa, became a Bahá'í in 1967, Suhayl served as the liaison between him and the Universal House of Justice

 

 

August 14. On this date in 1995, Suhayl ‘Alá'í died. An early pioneer to Samoa, he served on LSAs in Samoa, the United States and Australia, on the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific, the NSA of Samoa, and as a Counsellor for Australasia. When Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa, became a Bahá'í in 1967, Suhayl served as the liaison between him and the Universal House of Justice.

Suhayl Ahmad ‘Alá'í was born into a Bahá'í family in Tehran on January 5, 1927. His father was Ni'mat'u'lláh, brother of Shu'á'u'lláh, and his mother was Ghodsieh. His fathers parents were Nazimu'l-Hukama, a Bahá'í who served as physician at the court of the Shah, and Bibi Jan, and his mothers parents were Amín-i-Amín, third Trustee of Huqúqu'lláh, and Masoud Khanum. A prominent cousin was Gloria ‘Alá'í Faizi, daughter of Rahmatu'llah Khan 'Ala'i and wife of Hand of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qásim Faizi.

In his youth Suhayl was a member of the Tehran Bahá'í Youth Club, and he later served on several Bahá'í committees related to youth and publications. When he was nineteen his family pioneered to Afghanistan, however they were arrested and sent back to Iran after only nine months due to their religion.

After graduating from High School in May 1947 Suhayl began working in irrigation and water supply for the Ardakani Company until March 1950 when he moved to New Zealand to attend university. He studied sheep and dairy farming at Massey Agricultural College for four years, representing the College in basketball and soccer in addition to completing his Diploma in Agriculture. He also played for the All New Zealand Basketball Team for two years.

In December 1953 he met Lilian Wyss, an Australian Bahá'í briefly visiting New Zealand before pioneering to Samoa, at a Summer School in Auckland. Lilian Wyss became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Samoa Islands in 1954 and her brother, Frank Wyss, became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Cocos Islands in 1955. Suhayl ‘Alá'í married Lilian in Fiji in November 1954 and moved to Samoa with her where they had three children. Suhayl's parents, Ni'mat'u'lláh and Ghodsieh, also pioneered to Samoa living there for four years before moving to Hastings, New Zealand, at the suggestion of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1959 Suhayl was elected to the inaugural Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific. After His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa, became a Bahá'í in 1967 Suhayl served as the liason between him and the Universal House of Justice. In 1968 he was appointed as an inaugural Counsellor for Australasia for an indefinite term, and was reappointed in 1980 when the Universal House of Justice announced that Counsellors would serve five year terms. He was appointed for a second five year term in 1985, and was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa in 1993.

Suhayl assisted in the founding of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce, drafting its constitution, and was active in the United Nations Organization in Samoa. He helped the Faith by assisting in the purchase of the grounds that the House of Worship of Samoa was built on in 1984.

He died on August 14, 1995 and was buried within the grounds of the Samoan House of Worship with his grave being next the grave of Ugo Giachery. Malietoa Tanumafili II attended his funeral and the Universal House of Justice cabled the following after his passing:

DEEPLY DISTRESSED NEWS PASSING SUHAYL ‘ALA’I’ WHO RENDERED EXEMPLARY SERVICES PIONEER SAMOA MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, PLAYED VITAL UNFORGETTABLE ROLE PROPAGATION FAITH CONSOLIDATION INSTITUTIONS ENTIRE PACIFIC REGION, SERVED MEMBER FIRST NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY SOUTH PACIFIC, AND LATER OVER TWO DECADES BOARD COUNSELLORS AUSTRALASIA. RECALL WITH PROFOUND ADMIRATION HIS KINDNESS, LOVE PACIFIC PEOPLES, HIS SACRIFICIAL DEDICATION ADVANCEMENT THEIR INTERESTS, HIS ROLE CONSTRUCTION HOUSE OF WORSHIP SAMOA, HIS INVOLVEMENT WORK CAUSE TO LAST HOURS EARTHLY LIFE.

ADVISE HOLDING MEMORIAL SERVICES HOUSE WORSHIP, BAHA‘I COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SAMOA. ALSO REQUESTING NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF AUSTRALIA HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING HOUSE OF WORSHIP.

OFFERING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINE PROGRESS HIS LUMINOUS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. KINDLY CONVEY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HIS MOTHER, HIS WIFE, AND FAMILY.

July 5. On this date in 1989, Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa.

July 5. On this date in 1989, Hand of the Cause of God Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa.

Born into an aristocratic Italian family on May 13, 1896, Giachery became a Bahá'í while living in New York during the interwar period. Giachery moved back to Italy as a pioneer in 1947 and from 1948 onward he became the supplier of marble for the several structures at the Bahá'í World Centre, including the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh next to the Mansion at Bahji, the International Archives Building and the Shrine of the Báb, one of whose doors is named after him as Bab-i-Giachery.

Shoghi Effendi named him a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951 and a member of the International Bahá'í Council in 1952. He was elected chairman of the newly formed Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly in 1953.

May 11. On this date in 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II died. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

May 11. On this date in 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II died. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."

Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim...

"It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

May 7. On this date in 1973, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter "to the Bahá’ís of the World" publicly announcing the conversion of Malietoa Tanumafili II to the Bahá’í Faith, becoming to the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to do so.

May 7. On this date in 1973, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter "to the Bahá’ís of the World" publicly announcing the conversion of Malietoa Tanumafili II to the Bahá’í Faith, becoming to the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to do so.

The Universal House of Justice
7 May 1973
To the Bahá’ís of the World
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
It is now possible to share with you all the news of an event which crowns the victories with which Bahá’u’lláh has blessed His followers during the Nine Year Plan, an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come: a reigning monarch has accepted the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
Among those to whom The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented in 1967 was His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Head of State of the independent nation of Western Samoa in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. His Highness, who had already heard of the Faith, showed immediately that the sacred Words had touched his heart, and the Universal House of Justice thereupon asked the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, who had presented the book to him, to return to Western Samoa for further audiences with His Highness. Following this visit the Malietoa conveyed his acceptance of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to the Universal House of Justice and became the first reigning sovereign to enter beneath the shade of this Cause.
His Highness decided, with the full agreement of the Universal House of Justice, that it was not propitious to make his declaration public at that time. He has been visited from time to time by Hands of the Cause and other believers, and continual touch with His Highness has been maintained by the House of Justice through Mr. Suhayl ‘Alá’í, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors for Australasia. Gradually the Malietoa has let it be known to those around him that he has accepted Bahá’u’lláh. Now he has judged the time ripe to share this wondrous news with his fellow-believers in all parts of the world, by addressing to the International Bahá’í Convention the gracious and inspiring message of which a copy is enclosed with this letter.…
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
[signed: The Universal House of Justice]

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on February 19, 1968, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, became a Bahá'í.

Also, On April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."

Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim:

"It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

April 4. On this date in 1996, Robert ‘Pat’ E. Moul died. An America Baha’i who pioneered to Alaska, American Samoa and Hawa'ii, he served as the first Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. His nickname was Pat because he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

April 4. On this date in 1996, Robert ‘Pat’ E. Moul died. An America Baha’i who pioneered to Alaska, American Samoa and Hawa'ii, he served as the first Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. His nickname was Pat because he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

March 17. On this date in 1924, Robert ‘Pat’ E. Moul was born. An America Baha’i who pioneered to Alaska, American Samoa and Hawa'ii, he served as the first Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. His nickname was Pat because he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

March 17. On this date in 1924, Robert ‘Pat’ E. Moul was born. An America Baha’i who pioneered to Alaska, American Samoa and Hawa'ii, he served as the first Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. His nickname was Pat because he was born on St. Patrick's Day.

February 19. On this date in 1968, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, became a Bahá'í.

February 19. On this date in 1968, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, became a Bahá'í.

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."
Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim:

"It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

January 31. On this date in 1983, the Universal House of Justice officially occupied its permanent seat. The Seat of Universal House of Justice was designed by architect Hossein Amanat, who also designed the International Teaching Centre Building, the Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts, and the Bahá'í House of Worship in Samoa. Hossein Amanat is the brother of Abbas Amanat, the former Bahá'í who is Professor of History & International Studies at Yale University.

 

January 31. On this date in 1983, the Universal House of Justice officially occupied its permanent seat. The Seat of Universal House of Justice was designed by architect Hossein Amanat, who also designed the International Teaching Centre Building, the Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts, and the Bahá'í House of Worship in Samoa. Hossein Amanat is the brother of Abbas Amanat, the former Bahá'í who is Professor of History & International Studies at Yale University.

January 5. On this date in 1927, Suhayl ‘Alá'í was born. An early pioneer to Samoa, he served on LSAs in Samoa, the United States and Australia, on the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific, the NSA of Samoa, and as a Counsellor for Australasia. When Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa, became a Bahá'í in 1967, Suhayl served as the liaison between him and the Universal House of Justice.

January 5. On this date in 1927, Suhayl ‘Alá'í was born. An early pioneer to Samoa, he served on LSAs in Samoa, the United States and Australia, on the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific, the NSA of Samoa, and as a Counsellor for Australasia. When Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa, became a Bahá'í in 1967, Suhayl served as the liaison between him and the Universal House of Justice.

Suhayl Ahmad ‘Alá'í was born into a Bahá'í family in Tehran on January 5, 1927. His father was Ni'mat'u'lláh, brother of Shu'á'u'lláh, and his mother was Ghodsieh. His fathers parents were Nazimu'l-Hukama, a Bahá'í who served as physician at the court of the Shah, and Bibi Jan, and his mothers parents were Amín-i-Amín, third Trustee of Huqúqu'lláh, and Masoud Khanum. A prominent cousin was Gloria ‘Alá'í Faizi, daughter of Rahmatu'llah Khan 'Ala'i and wife of Hand of the Cause of God Abu'l-Qásim Faizi.

In his youth Suhayl was a member of the Tehran Bahá'í Youth Club, and he later served on several Bahá'í committees related to youth and publications. When he was nineteen his family pioneered to Afghanistan, however they were arrested and sent back to Iran after only nine months due to their religion.

After graduating from High School in May 1947 Suhayl began working in irrigation and water supply for the Ardakani Company until March 1950 when he moved to New Zealand to attend university. He studied sheep and dairy farming at Massey Agricultural College for four years, representing the College in basketball and soccer in addition to completing his Diploma in Agriculture. He also played for the All New Zealand Basketball Team for two years.

In December 1953 he met Lilian Wyss, an Australian Bahá'í briefly visiting New Zealand before pioneering to Samoa, at a Summer School in Auckland. Lilian Wyss became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Samoa Islands in 1954 and her brother, Frank Wyss, became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Cocos Islands in 1955. Suhayl ‘Alá'í married Lilian in Fiji in November 1954 and moved to Samoa with her where they had three children. Suhayl's parents, Ni'mat'u'lláh and Ghodsieh, also pioneered to Samoa living there for four years before moving to Hastings, New Zealand, at the suggestion of Shoghi Effendi.

In 1959 Suhayl was elected to the inaugural Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific. After His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, Head of State of Samoa, became a Bahá'í in 1967 Suhayl served as the liason between him and the Universal House of Justice. In 1968 he was appointed as an inaugural Counsellor for Australasia for an indefinite term, and was reappointed in 1980 when the Universal House of Justice announced that Counsellors would serve five year terms. He was appointed for a second five year term in 1985, and was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa in 1993.

Suhayl assisted in the founding of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce, drafting its constitution, and was active in the United Nations Organization in Samoa. He helped the Faith by assisting in the purchase of the grounds that the House of Worship of Samoa was built on in 1984.
He died on August 14, 1995 and was buried within the grounds of the Samoan House of Worship with his grave being next the grave of Ugo Giachery. Malietoa Tanumafili II attended his funeral and the Universal House of Justice cabled the following after his passing:

DEEPLY DISTRESSED NEWS PASSING SUHAYL ‘ALA’I’ WHO RENDERED EXEMPLARY SERVICES PIONEER SAMOA MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, PLAYED VITAL UNFORGETTABLE ROLE PROPAGATION FAITH CONSOLIDATION INSTITUTIONS ENTIRE PACIFIC REGION, SERVED MEMBER FIRST NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY SOUTH PACIFIC, AND LATER OVER TWO DECADES BOARD COUNSELLORS AUSTRALASIA. RECALL WITH PROFOUND ADMIRATION HIS KINDNESS, LOVE PACIFIC PEOPLES, HIS SACRIFICIAL DEDICATION ADVANCEMENT THEIR INTERESTS, HIS ROLE CONSTRUCTION HOUSE OF WORSHIP SAMOA, HIS INVOLVEMENT WORK CAUSE TO LAST HOURS EARTHLY LIFE.
ADVISE HOLDING MEMORIAL SERVICES HOUSE WORSHIP, BAHA‘I COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SAMOA. ALSO REQUESTING NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF AUSTRALIA HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
OFFERING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINE PROGRESS HIS LUMINOUS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM. KINDLY CONVEY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HIS MOTHER, HIS WIFE, AND FAMILY.

January 4. On this date in 1913, Malietoa Tanumafili II was born. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

 

January 4. On this date in 1913, Malietoa Tanumafili II was born. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."

Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim:

"It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

September 1. On this date in 1984, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Samoa was dedicated. Built at a cost of $6,500,000, it was one of the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.

September 1. On this date in 1984, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Samoa was dedicated. Built at a cost of $6,500,000, it was one of the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.

July 5. On this date in 1989, Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa. Born into an aristocratic Italian family, Giachery became a Bahá'í while living in New York during the interwar period. Giachery moved back to Italy as a pioneer in 1947 and from 1948 onward he became the supplier of marble for the several structures at the Bahá'í World Centre, including the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh next to the Mansion at Bahji, the International Archives Building and the Shrine of the Báb, one of whose doors is named after him as Bab-i-Giachery. Shoghi Effendi named him a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951 and a member of the International Bahá'í Council in 1952. He was elected chairman of the newly formed Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly in 1953.

July 5. On this date in 1989, Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa. Born into an aristocratic Italian family, Giachery became a Bahá'í while living in New York during the interwar period. Giachery moved back to Italy as a pioneer in 1947 and from 1948 onward he became the supplier of marble for the several structures at the Bahá'í World Centre, including the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh next to the Mansion at Bahji, the International Archives Building and the Shrine of the Báb, one of whose doors is named after him as Bab-i-Giachery. Shoghi Effendi named him a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951 and a member of the International Bahá'í Council in 1952. He was elected chairman of the newly formed Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly in 1953.

May 11. On this date in 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II died. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

May 11. On this date in 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II died. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."

Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim:

"It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

May 7. On this date in 1973, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter "to the Bahá’ís of the World" publicly announcing the conversion of Malietoa Tanumafili II to the Bahá’í Faith, becoming to the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to do so.

May 7. On this date in 1973, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter "to the Bahá’ís of the World" publicly announcing the conversion of Malietoa Tanumafili II to the Bahá’í Faith, becoming to the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to do so.

The Universal House of Justice
7 May 1973
To the Bahá’ís of the World
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
It is now possible to share with you all the news of an event which crowns the victories with which Bahá’u’lláh has blessed His followers during the Nine Year Plan, an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to come: a reigning monarch has accepted the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
Among those to whom The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented in 1967 was His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Head of State of the independent nation of Western Samoa in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. His Highness, who had already heard of the Faith, showed immediately that the sacred Words had touched his heart, and the Universal House of Justice thereupon asked the Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, who had presented the book to him, to return to Western Samoa for further audiences with His Highness. Following this visit the Malietoa conveyed his acceptance of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to the Universal House of Justice and became the first reigning sovereign to enter beneath the shade of this Cause.
His Highness decided, with the full agreement of the Universal House of Justice, that it was not propitious to make his declaration public at that time. He has been visited from time to time by Hands of the Cause and other believers, and continual touch with His Highness has been maintained by the House of Justice through Mr. Suhayl ‘Alá’í, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors for Australasia. Gradually the Malietoa has let it be known to those around him that he has accepted Bahá’u’lláh. Now he has judged the time ripe to share this wondrous news with his fellow-believers in all parts of the world, by addressing to the International Bahá’í Convention the gracious and inspiring message of which a copy is enclosed with this letter.…
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
[signed: The Universal House of Justice]

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on February 19, 1968, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, became a Bahá'í.

Also, On April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."

Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim:

"It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

February 19. On this date in 1968, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, became a Bahá'í.

February 19. On this date in 1968, Malietoa Tanumafili II, one of Samoa's four paramount chiefs, became a Bahá'í.

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."
 
Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter strongly disputes this claim...

It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith.

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

January 4. On this date in 1913, Malietoa Tanumafili II was born. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

January 4. On this date in 1913, Malietoa Tanumafili II was born. He was the first head of state and reigning constitutional monarch to convert to the Bahá’í Faith.

While the Administrative Order publicly eschews involvement in partisan politics, it has no reservations about routinely using its media outlets to proudly tout unelected royal leaders who are Bahá'í.

For example, on April 24, 2017, the Bahá'í World News Service published a story about Djaouga Abdoulaye, who "became a Baha’i in the 1980s when the Faith initially came to Benin." The news report states that he was enthroned High Chief in July of 2016, assuming a "position of moral and customary authority for the approximately 100,000 Fulani living in the area."

Interestingly, while Bahá'ís frequently refer to Queen Marie of Romania as "the first member of a royal family to embrace the Bahá’í Faith," Queen Marie's daughter disputes this claim: "It is perfectly true that my mother, Queen Marie, did receive Miss Martha Root several times.....She came at the moment when we were undergoing very great family and national stress. At such a moment it was natural that we were receptive to any kind of spiritual message, but it is quite incorrect to say that my mother or any of us at any time contemplated becoming a member of the Baha’i faith."

While rare and not promoted in the media outlets of the Administrative Order, there have been Bahá'ís who have been elected to office, such as Ted Livingston, who was the first Bahá’í in the United States to be the mayor of a city when he was elected Mayor of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

September 1. On this date in 1984, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Samoa was dedicated. Built at a cost of $6,500,000, it was one of the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.

September 1. On this date in 1984, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in Samoa was dedicated. Built at a cost of $6,500,000, it was one of the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.

July 5. On this date in 1989, Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa from his home in Monte Carlo.

July 5. On this date in 1989, Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa from his home in Monte Carlo.

Born into an aristocratic Italian family, Giachery became a Bahá'í while living in New York during the interwar period. Giachery moved back to Italy as a pioneer in 1947 and from 1948 onward he became the supplier of marble for the several structures at the Bahá'í World Centre, including the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh next to the Mansion at Bahji, the International Archives Building and the Shrine of the Báb, one of whose doors is named after him as Bab-i-Giachery. Shoghi Effendi named him a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951 and a member of the International Bahá'í Council in 1952. He was elected chairman of the newly formed Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly in 1953.

Ugo and his wife, Angeline, eventually moved to Monte Carlo. Angeline died in Monte Carlo on April 23, 1980.

May 13. On this date in 1896, Ugo Giachery, later a Hand of the Cause of God and member of the International Bahá'í Council, was born into an aristocratic Italian family in Palermo.

May 13. On this date in 1896, Ugo Giachery, later a Hand of the Cause of God and member of the International Bahá'í Council, was born into an aristocratic Italian family in Palermo.

Giachery became a Bahá'í while living in New York during the interwar period. Giachery moved back to Italy as a pioneer in 1947, and from 1948 onward he became the supplier of marble for the several structures at the Bahá'í World Centre, including the Tomb of Bahá'u'lláh next to the Mansion at Bahji, the International Archives Building and the Shrine of the Báb, one of whose doors is named after him as Bab-i-Giachery.

Shoghi Effendi named him a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951 and a member of the International Bahá'í Council in 1952. He was elected chairman of the newly formed Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly in 1953.

On July 5, 1989, Ugo Giachery died while visiting Samoa.