The period 20 April – 1 May is observed by the Bahai Community as the Festival of Ridvan. This is the Baha’i commemoration of the twelve-day period that Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i faith, spent in the Garden of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Baghdad, and publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger for this age. The first, ninth and twelfth days are celebrated as holy days. The Prime Minister has sent one message to the Baha’i community in Australia.
South Australia
Baha’is throughout the world strive, both individually and collectively, to become involved in the life of society, working shoulder to shoulder with diverse groups to contribute to the advancement of material and spiritual civilisation.
The Baha’is of South Australia are actively engaged in neighbourhood community development activities that are open to all, regardless of faith or background.
This includes providing spiritual empowerment programs for junior youth aged 11-14, spiritual education classes for children, gatherings that strengthen the devotional life of the community, and study circles on spiritual themes.
There are Baha’is throughout metropolitan Adelaide and in many regional areas of the State. Twenty Local Spiritual Assemblies coordinate Baha’i activities in various urban and regional localities.
The Baha’i Centre of Learning for South Australia is located at 275 Flinders Street, Adelaide.
Formerly the Flinders Street School of Music, this restored heritage building also provides a venue for educational and community building activities and other events. It was established for the benefit of the people of South Australia.
The first South Australian Baha’is were Pearce and Maysie Almond, who joined the Baha’i Faith in Adelaide after meeting Clara and Hyde Dunn, who had brought the Faith to Australia in 1920. The first Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Adelaide was formed in December 1924.
Hilda Brooks, an early South Australian Baha’i, was the first secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia and New Zealand. For the first decade of its existence, the national secretariat for the Australian Baha’i community was based in her home in Adelaide, before moving to its permanent seat in Sydney in 1944.
Contact
Baha’i Centre of Learning
279 Flinders St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Tel: (08) 8232 6002
The festival of Ridvan
Presenter: Mahboobeh Aryanpad
Focus:Text with strong emphasis Baha’i faith practices and rich topics, covering: (the Holiest festival for the Baha’is); celebrating 100 years of arrival of the Baha’i Faith in Australia and the launching ‘Creating an Inclusive Narrative’ on Social Cohesion.
Date and time: 28 April, 5.45 for 6 pm
Venue: Baha’i Centre of Learning, 275 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Welcome to invite others 😊RSVP by 25 April to assist our chef, Gulala, in catering for all.
Meal: $10 – 15 per person and a gold coin donation in recognition of hospitality.
RSVP: Liellie McLaughlin Community Connections Facilitator e: liellie@ozemail.com.au
