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.baha'i.org.
