HAIFA, Israel, May 7, 2003 (BWNS) – Two new members, Mr Hartmut Grossmann and Dr Firaydoun Javaheri, are among the nine recently elected to the Universal House of Justice. Both had been serving at the Bahá’í World Centre as Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre.

Mr Grossmann, born in Germany, has academic qualifications in the German and English languages. He served on the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Germany (1963 to 1969) and Finland (1977 to 1980). He was a university academic in Finland. Mr Grossmann was appointed a Continental Counsellor in 1980, advising Bahá’í communities throughout Europe in their growth and development.

Dr Javaheri, who was born in Iran, has a doctorate in agronomy. He lived for 27 years in Africa – Gambia then Zambia – where he was Chief Technical Adviser for the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. He served the Bahá’í communities there in the area of social and economic development. He was appointed a Continental Counsellor in 1995 after serving for 19 years as a member of its Auxiliary Board.

Other members of the Universal House of Justice are:

Dr Farzam Arbab, born in Iran, obtained his doctorate in physics at the University of California, Berkeley. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Colombia and a Continental Counsellor before being appointed to the International Teaching Centre. He was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1993.

Mr Kiser Barnes was born in the United States, and holds degrees in political science and law. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Benin, an Auxiliary Board member and a Continental Counsellor until appointed to the International Teaching Centre in 1993. He was elected to the Universal House of Justice in 2000.

Mr Hooper Dunbar, born in the United States, was a film actor in Hollywood before moving to Central and South America where he taught arts and English. He is an accomplished painter. He was first elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nicaragua in 1961. He later served as a Continental Counsellor before being appointed to the International Teaching Centre in 1973. He was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1988.

Dr Peter Khan, born in Australia, held professorial posts in electrical engineering at universities in the United States and Australia. He served as an Auxiliary Board member, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia, and a Continental Counsellor before being appointed to the International Teaching Centre. He was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1987.

Mr Douglas Martin, born in Canada, holds degrees in business administration and in history. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada, serving as its chief executive officer from 1965 to 1985 when he was appointed director-general of the Office of Public Information at the Bahá’í World Centre. He was elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1993.

Mr Glenford Mitchell, born in Jamaica, holds a Masters degree in journalism from Columbia University. He served as chief executive officer of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States from 1968 until elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1982.

Mr Ian Semple, born in England, holds a Master of Arts degree in the German and French languages and literature from Oxford University. He served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles. He was an Auxiliary Board member in Europe and was elected to the International Bahá’í Council in 1961. He was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1963.

With joyful hearts we announce the appointment of the Counsellor members of the International Teaching Centre for the five-year term beginning May 23, 2003: Rolf von Czekus, Violette Haake, Paul Lample, Joan Lincoln, Payman Mohajer, Rachel Ndegwa, Zenaida Ramirez, Shahriar Razavi and Penelope Walker. We are profoundly grateful to Lauretta King for her outstanding contribution, over fifteen years of devoted labour, to the development of the worldwide operation of this vital institution.

The Universal House of Justice

11th May, 2003

WE HAVE LEARNED, with sorrowing hearts, of the passing, in his ninetyfifth year, of our dearly loved former colleague, David Hofman, a vigorous promoter of the Faith for nigh on seven decades. From the moment of his acceptance of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh in Montreal, in July 1933, David served with exemplary zeal in Canada, the United States, the British Isles, the World Centre and, finally, to the last reserves of his strength, as a travelling teacher throughout the world. He will be remembered for an adamantine loyalty to the Cause, an unfailing response to the call and guidance of the Guardian and the Universal House of Justice, a central role in the advancement of the British Bahá’í community and the launching of the brilliant Africa Campaign, and his outstanding contributions to Bahá’í literature both as an author and a publisher. His life was crowned by twenty-five years of distinguished service as a member of the Universal House of Justice from 1963 to 1988.

We are offering ardent prayers at the Sacred Threshold that his valiant soul may be richly rewarded in the Abhá Kingdom and that the bounties of God may surround his beloved children and grandchildren and his wife, Kathleen. You are advised to hold memorial gatherings in his honour in all Houses of Worship and throughout the Bahá’í community.

The Universal House of Justice

9th June, 2003

Dearly loved friends,
The national memorial service for David Hofman will take place on Saturday, 20 September, 2003 at the Assembly Hall, Baden-Powell House, 65-67 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JS. The meeting will begin promptly at 4pm. The Universal House of Justice has also advised that memorial gatherings in Mr Hofman’s honour be arranged throughout the Bahá’í community and the National Assembly expects that local communities will organise such meetings in due course.

With loving Bahá’í greetings
National Spiritual Assembly