http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoAuYkZaVUY&feature=player_embedded
The above video is a delightful interview with Ardavan Mofid and his loving, charming, and unifying insight about the beauty and uniqueness of the festival of Ridvan.
The festival of Ridvan marks the historic occasion of Baha’u’llah’s declaration as a divine messenger of God for this age ushering the age of oneness of all humanity, the oneness of God and the oneness of all religions amongst many other new teachings that indeed was to liberate humanity from the clutter and burdens of the divisive traditions of the past.
The location of this declaration is outside of the city of Baghdad in the garden of Najib Pasha where Baha’u’llah called it Ridvan; meaning paradise. This historic religious occasion gave a new meaning to the concept of paradise and associated it with the beauty of nature, roses, nightingales and Baha’u’llah’s night and day remembrance of God and sharing the love of God by sending roses to say farewell.
In the meantime the heart of His followers and friends were torn by hearing the sad news of Baha’u’llah’s deparutre and exile once again by His Ottoman captors after 10 years of residing in Baghdad. This ongoing persecution born out of ignorance and malice was to be washed away with an ocean of glad-tidings of the news of His declaration of His divine mission and the radiance of His love towards all humanity. The contrast was dazzling. Indeed a new concept of heaven and hope much different from what humanity had pictured in the past was ushered in by the new Revelation.
Today, all over the world the festival of Ridvan is celebrated by Baha’i communities of all background in unity and love. The Baha’is of Iran are delighted to see these celebration reflected through the means of Internet. The Baha’i children of Iran especially take much delight in knowing that they are part of a most loving global community that continues to teach the message of peace and humanity to all.
Happy Ridvan
Keyvan
