The Bahá’í community in Samoa will hold a special devotional service on Sunday in honour of a former Head of State, the late Malietoa Tanumafili II.

A press release issued on Friday by the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs, on behalf of the Bahá’í Community of Samoa and American Samoa, said 4 January 2023 marked the the 110^th anniversary of the birth of Malietoa Tanumafili II. Malietoa was the the first reigning monarch at that time to have embraced the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith.

The special devotional service devotional service this Sunday will start at 10am and members of the public are welcome to attend, according to the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs.

The events leading up to the acceptance of the Bahá’í Faith by Malietoa began in early 1968, following a decision of the Universal House of Justice, the supreme governing council of the worldwide Bahá’í community, to present a deluxe edition of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the reigning monarchs and heads of state of the day. 

The late Malietoa was one of 141 world leaders to receive this book, re-stating Bahá’u’lláh’s own announcement to the kings and rulers of his day 100 years earlier. 

On 19 February 1968, the Malietoa wrote to the Universal House of Justice expressing appreciation for “the beautiful and precious volume containing some letters addressed by Bahá’u’lláh, the exalted Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, to the rulers of His time…”

“This gift is immensely appreciated because it has assisted me in better understanding…the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, which I have fully and wholeheartedly accepted. 

"I do consider myself a member of the Bahá’í Faith, even if at this time I do not deem it necessary to make a public declaration, but I do hope that your prayers at the Holy place of our Faith will attract upon me the divine assistance needed to carry on my duties and to increase my spiritual powers which will make of me a just and honoured ruler…”

In response, the Universal House of Justice replied: “That the first ruling monarch should declare his wholehearted acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh during the centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s  proclamation brought great happiness to our hearts. 

"Our souls are filled with feelings of awe and wonderment as we contemplate the fulfillment, in this day, of some of the prophecies of Bahá’u’lláh regarding the kings and rulers of the world.

To the Bahá’í of Samoa and indeed to countless people throughout the world, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II is fondly remembered. 

"The former Head of State was the world's third longest serving living head of state at the time of his passing in May 2007 and occupies a very special place in the hearts and minds of the Bahá’í." 

The Bahá’í Office of External Affairs added that the late Malietoa is remembered for his many attributes and was the first reigning monarch to embrace the cause of Bahá’u’lláh, an act recognised as one of the most significant events in the evolution of the formative age of the Bahá’í Era. 

"That he did so as the Head of State of an island nation in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean calls to mind the prophecy of Bahá’u’lláh about His Revelation that should they attempt to conceal its light on the continent, it will assuredly rear its head in the midmost heart of the ocean, and, raising its voice, proclaim: ‘I am the life-giver of the world!"

Upon the passing of the late Malietoa in May 2007, the Universal House of Justice wrote: “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.