American Baha'is Celebrate Holiest Period - Ridvan - April 21 to May 2
Wednesday, 08 April 2009 07:17
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From April 21 to May 2, the American Baha'i community celebrates Ridvan, considered the holiest period of the Baha'i calendar, which commemorates the Baha'i Founder's public declaration in 1863 of His mission as God's messenger for today.
Baha'i communities across the United States will hold gatherings for fellowship and devotions, as well as the annual elections for the faith's leadership at the national and local levels.
The election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States will take place at the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Ill., where 171 delegates from around the United States will gather from April 23 to 26 to cast their ballots and consult on the affairs of the national Baha'i community. Gatherings to elect Local Spiritual Assemblies will take place in more than 1,000 towns and cities across the United States where at least nine Baha'is reside.
Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, announced in 1863 that He was God's Messenger for today and the Promised One of all earlier religions. Baha'u'llah declared His mission to a small group of followers on an island on the Tigris river in Baghdad, where He pitched His tent for 12 days. The first, third and twelfth days of Ridvan (pronounced RIZ-von) are considered holy days on which Baha'is suspend work. After His declaration, Baha'u'llah was sentenced to perpetual confinement in the prison-city of Akka (now in Israel) where He passed away in 1892.
Baha'u'llah taught that in an age of universal education, there is no longer a need for clergy. Instead, he provided an administrative framework of elected, nine-member councils at the local, national and international levels. All Baha'i elections occur by secret ballot and plurality vote, without candidacies, nominations or campaigning. There are more than 180 National Spiritual Assemblies and 11,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies around the world. Baha'is 21 years of age or older are eligible to vote and be elected to serve on spiritual assemblies.
The Baha'i Faith is the youngest of the world's independent monotheistic religions and one of the fastest-growing with a significant presence throughout the United States. Baha'is view the world's major religions as part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals His will to humanity. Major Baha'i tenets include the oneness of humanity, equality of men and women, eradication of prejudice, harmony of science and religion, universal education and world peace. To learn more about the Baha'i Faith in America, check http://www.bahai.us.
Religion News Service
http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?/pressreleases/ american_bahais_celebrate_holiest_period_ridvan_april_21_to_may_2/
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