MIDWEEK MUSINGS: RIDVAN

 MIDWEEK MUSINGS this week is extra special on my path of learning more about world religions, which unite us all... Yesterday I was invited to join a program of readings, music, movement and of course, food at Central Arkansas's Bahá'í Center as part of their 12 days of celebrating Ridvan from April 21st to May 2nd.

Ridvan is the holiest and most joyous of the Bahá'í faith as it marks when Baha'u'llah declared his mission as G-d's messenger. 

Slides and readings shared the story of beautiful rose gardens with bird song as perhaps Baha'u'llah had seen and heard near Baghdad's Tigiris River and named Ridvan  (Paradise). This holiday's first, ninth, and twelfth days are especially holy as believers don't go to work on those days

.

Although the community is much smaller in Little Rock now than in the '70's when this Bahá'í community began here, in larger cities like Chicago's suburb of Wilmette, there's a huge Temple which has 9 sides. But the size of their lovely gathering place here in Hillcrest is welcoming as its believers' with large hearts,  welcoming to all.

There were 6 of us visiting from our international film class. What a treat!  I so appreciate being able to spend time enjoying their holiday on the first day of Ridvan.

                               Thank you so much for sharing...