89. Passing of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II
Messages from the Universal House of Justice– 2001–2022, The Fifth Epoch of the Formative Age · The Universal House of Justice · 285 words
89
Passing of His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II
To all National Spiritual Assemblies
89.1 The Universal House of Justice has asked us to provide you with a copy of the following message it sent today to the National Spiritual Assembly of Samoa.
We share deeply in the sorrow of your bereaved nation at the passing of His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II and extend to all its citizens our heartfelt condolences. His service to the people of Samoa as Head of State was distinguished by the high principles, genuine compassion and personal humility that characterized the constancy of his concern for the welfare of all. As the first reigning sovereign to accept the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, he set a record that will forever illumine the annals of our Faith, one that future generations will increasingly extol. His great interest for well-nigh four decades in the Faith’s progress was reflected in the enthusiastic affirmation of his belief whenever the opportunity presented itself and in the abiding joy with which he regarded the construction in 1984 of the Mother Temple of the Pacific Islands in Samoa, in the dedication of which he participated.
You are asked to hold a commemorative service in his name in your Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and memorial gatherings throughout Samoa. Kindly convey to the members of his family our wholehearted sympathy and the assurance of our prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his radiant soul in the worlds beyond.
89.2 National Spiritual Assemblies of countries in which a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is located are asked to hold there a commemorative service in honour of His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,