Festival of Ridván marks beginning of Baha'i faith - (April 21, 1863 – 2015) |21 April 2015

Bahá’ís all around the globe are celebrating the 12-day Festival of Ridván from April 21 to May 2.
The Festival of Ridván marks the public announcement by Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith, of his prophet hood to his companions and family.

Bahá’u’lláh, who was born into a noble Persian family in 1817 in Iran, had dedicated His life to improving the world and helping others. His character, wisdom, and deep spiritual insight affected all who came into contact with Him. He became one of the foremost followers of the Báb (Forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh), for which He was imprisoned, tortured and banished from His native land.

After spending 10 years in exile in Baghdad, his growing influence prompted the authorities to seek to move him to another place. Baghdad was an important crossroads at that time, and it was feared that the new religion might be spread far and wide if he was permitted to stay there, coming into contact with travelers from all quarters. Arrangements were therefore made to transfer Bahá'u'lláh and his party to Constantinople. The love and admiration of the people for Bahá'u'lláh were fully demonstrated on the day of his departure from his 'Most Great House' in Baghdad. Then his majesty and greatness were evident to both friend and foe.

The news of his forthcoming departure for Constantinople had spread rapidly among the inhabitants of Baghdad and its neighbouring towns, and large numbers wished to attain his presence and pay their last tributes to him. But soon it became apparent that his house was too small for the purpose. When Najib Pasha, one of the notables of the city of Baghdad heard of this, he immediately placed his garden, at the disposal of Bahá'u'lláh. This beautiful garden, designated by his followers as the Garden of Ridván, Garden of Paradise, was situated on the outskirts of Baghdad, across the river from Bahá'u'lláh's house. He spent 12 days there in preparation for the long journey ahead. Guests flowed into the garden, rich and poor, powerful and lowly, all paying respects to the great personage whose influence had touched them all. As his followers gathered around him, Bahá’u’lláh announced that he was the Promised One of all earlier religions. His declaration marked the beginning of the Bahá’í Faith. Many years later, Bahá'u'lláh would designate the he most holy Bahá'í festival – Festival of Ridván – as ‘the Most Great Festival’.

Throughout Ridván, Bahá’ís gather for devotions and attend social gatherings. It is also during this time that elections take place for Bahá’í governing bodies. The Bahá'í administrative year now begins on the first day of Ridván (April 21) with the election of local spiritual assemblies and the election for national spiritual assemblies happen later during the festival. Baha’u’llah taught that in an age of universal education, there was no longer a need for a special class of clergy. Instead, he provided a framework for administering the affairs of the faith through a system of elected councils at the local, national and international levels. All Baha'i elections occur through secret ballot and plurality vote, without candidacies, nominations or campaigning.
Thus, the elections that renew the Bahá’í administrative order become part of the Ridván festivities.

In Seychelles, around 18 local communities in Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, where Baha'is reside, elect their local spiritual assemblies on the first day of Ridván.

As for the election of the national institution, the representatives of the Baha'is from the islands will gather in Victoria from April 30 to May 2 for the national convention where the national spiritual assembly will be elected.

Baha’i faith – Seychelles