Two members of Universal House of Justice leaving after years of service

April 23, 2013
Dr. Farzam Arbab (left) and Mr. Kiser Barnes (right).

HAIFA, Israel — Two members of the Universal House of Justice, the international governing body of the Baha'i Faith, are leaving after many years of service in the Holy Land.

The Universal House of Justice announced in November 2012 that it had permitted Dr. Farzam Arbab and Mr. Kiser Barnes to relinquish their membership, but they will continue serving until the election of the body which is scheduled for next week.

All nine members of the Universal House of Justice are elected at the International Baha'i Convention, which is held every five years. The 11th such convention is scheduled for 29 April to 2 May in Haifa, with an expected attendance of more than 1,000 delegates.

Dr. Arbab, 71, was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1993. Mr. Barnes, 70, was elected in 2000.