Canada's Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, released a public statement on the occasion of Ridván, a twelve-day festival observed by members of the Bahá’í Faith from April 20 to May 1, 2024.
Ridván, meaning “paradise” in Arabic, marks the twelve-day period during which Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, resided in the lush garden of Ridván along the Tigris River in Baghdad, Iraq. During this period, Baha’u’llah declared his mission as a Messenger of God. These days hold special significance as reminder of the founding principles and teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, such as peace, justice and unity.
The festival's first, ninth, and twelfth days are observed as joyous Bahá’í Holy Days. During this period, members of the community also come together to elect their local and national governing institutions. These elections are conducted without nominations or campaigns.
Members of the Bahá’í community continue to face persecution and discrimination in some parts of the world, notably in Iran, as highlighted in Prime Minister Trudeau's statement. As the Prime Minister's statement reiterates, Canada remains committed to advocating for the rights of all minorities, including the Bahá’í community, and will continue to raise awareness about the challenges they face. The statement also recognizes the many Baha’is who have found refuge in Canada after fleeing decades of persecution. The occasion of Ridván is a time to reflect on the values of unity and justice, which are essential to building a more peaceful and harmonious world.