Bahá’í communities across the Solomon Islands have convened for Regional Institutional Meetings to assess the progress of community-building efforts, consult on expansion plans, and ensure the systematic growth of the Faith in various regions.
In Western Province, seven Bahá’í communities from Noro, Kolombangara, Vella, and several Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA) communities in Gizo recently gathered for the largest Regional Institute Meeting ever held in the province.
The event took place on Saturday at the Bahá’í Centre on Jah Mountain, bringing together participants for a weekend of learning, reflection, and spiritual growth.
The gathering aimed to strengthen the Bahá’í community’s commitment to spiritual education, community building, and service to society. Such institute meetings are central to Bahá’í activities, providing believers with a space to deepen their understanding of the Faith’s teachings and explore ways to apply them in daily life.
Speaking to Solomon Star over the weekend, Auxiliary Board Member (ABM) for Protection, Rusa Kenoriona, who oversees clusters such as Honiara Urban, Central Western (WP), Choiseul, Isabel, and other provinces, highlighted the significance of the gathering.
“The National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) has divided the country into 15 clusters, which are further categorized into milestones. This meeting brings key resource people from within those clusters together to evaluate and advance the Faith’s growth and development within their milestones,” she explained.
ABM Rusa emphasized that the Central Western Cluster in Western Province is at the second milestone stage. “This gathering involved two clusters, the Central Western Cluster and the Eastern Western Cluster (Noro, New Georgia Islands). The approach of the Bahá’í Faith worldwide is to support cluster progress by fostering collaboration among Bahá’ís to drive transformation through four core activities: Devotional Gatherings, Children’s Classes, the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, and Study Circles,’’ she said.
She added that these activities not only focus on spiritual education but also promote social action and public discourse.
“It is about engaging with the wider community, including chiefs and government representatives, to explore ways of building a better society.”
Other regions, such as Malaita Province, also held their own meetings involving clusters from Temotu and Renbel Provinces.
Similarly, the Bahá’ís of Vanuatu hosted a National Regional Institutional Meeting over the weekend with the same objectives and focus.
The Regional Institute Meeting concluded yesterday on Monday with a renewed commitment from attendees to expand community-building efforts and promote the principles of love, justice, and unity.
The Bahá’ís of Western Province continue to actively contribute to the spiritual and social development of their communities, with more gatherings expected in the near future.
By Ulutah Gina
Solomon Star Gizo
