BAHA'IS TO CELEBRATE FESTIVAL OF RIDVAN
by Source staff
April 20, 2001 – The Baha'is of the Virgin Islands will observe the annual
Festival of Ridvan (pronounced Rizwan) over a 12-day period beginning April
21 that includes social gatherings, devotional services and election of their
local and national administrative bodies.
The festival celebrates the proclamation of Bahaullah, the
Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, to his followers that he was God's
messenger. Bahaullah made his public proclamation during his stay in a
garden in Baghdad, Iraq, which he called the "garden of Ridvan" which means
"paradise" in Persian. He stayed in the garden from April 21 to May 2, 1863.
In Baha'i communities where there are nine or more adults, members hold
the annual election of their local administrative body on the first day of
Ridvan (April 21). During other times during the festival – especially on
the ninth and 12th days of Ridvan – -Baha'is hold social gatherings and
devotional services.
Bahaullah's teachings focus on the oneness of God, the oneness of
religion and the oneness of humankind. Baha'is teachings also include the
equality of men and women, a spiritual solution to the world's economic
problems, the urgent need to eliminate of all forms of prejudice and
universal education. The World Center of the Baha'i Faith is on Mount Carmel
in Haifa, Israel. For more information on the Baha'i Faith please call
340-776-3468 or email:nsa@vi.bahai.org
or visit the website at
www.bahai.org.
©Copyright 2001, St. Thomas Source
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