The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Canada and some 120 specially invited guests were received at a luncheon reception in Ontario’s Provincial Legislature, known as “Queen’s Park”, on the occasion of the Ninth Day of Ridvan, 29 April 2010.
The historic event took place in the elegance of one of the main committee rooms in the Legislature Building. The building is one of the most prominent landmarks in the centre of Toronto, the capital city of Canada’s most populous province. Four cabinet ministers, the Speaker of the House, and a dozen other Members of the Provincial Parliament attended the reception celebrating the Ridvan Festival. The luncheon included remarks by the Speaker of the House, and representatives of each of the three provincial political parties, the Liberals, Conservatives and New Democratic parties. The Secretary-General of the Baha’is of Canada, Karen McKye, spoke, and presented the Speaker with a number of Baha’i books. The program was chaired by Susanne Tamas, Director of Governmental Relations for the Baha’i Community of Canada.
Dr. Reza Moridi, Member of the Provincial Parliament for the riding of Richmond Hill, conceived of the event, and facilitated the invitation extended to the National Spiritual Assembly and more than a hundred other Baha’i guests.
House Speaker Steve Peters, Norm Miller of the Conservative Party, Michael Prue of the New Democractic Party, and Dr. Moridi each spoke movingly of the significance the Ridvan Festival and the importance of the Baha’i Community in the life of Canada, Ontario and Toronto. Dr. Moridi’s talk anchored the program. He spoke directly, accurately and with historical detail of the announcement of Baha’u’llah of His Mission and Teachings, ending his remarks by pointing out that, although not himself a Baha’i, he could not help but feel the significance of Baha’u’llah and the Baha’i teachings in his heart. These references were echoed in the positive remarks of the other speakers, and included touching references to the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran.
Following the luncheon, the Baha’i guests were welcomed to Legislative Assembly, and introduced from the floor of the Legislature. The eight National Spiritual Assembly members present were welcomed to a special seating area on the floor of the Legislature. Dr. Moridi made a statement, entered into the public record of the House proceedings, in which he again accurately, directly and with great dignity explained the significance of Baha’u’llah, His community, and His teachings.
For more pictures of the event, please visit our Flickr site.
Below is a transcript (as recorded) of Dr. Moridi’s statement:
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Festival of Ridvan
Member‘s StatementReza Moridi, MPP Richmond HillQueen’s ParkApril 29, 2010
Mr. Speaker:
Allah-u-Abha …
Today is the 9th day of Ridvan, a 12 day festival observed by Baha’is around the world. It marks the declaration of the prophet and founder of the Baha’i faith in 1863.
His Holiness Baha’u’llah announced that He is the latest in a series of divine Messengers that have appeared throughout human history. His essential message is one of unity. He taught the oneness of God, the oneness of the human family and the oneness of religion.
For Baha’is, these twelve days are a spiritual springtime, a time of rejoicing. This also marks the beginning of the Baha’i administrative year. On the first day of Ridvan, Baha’is elects their Local Spiritual Assemblies, a consultative body that serves their communities. Every year, during the Ridvan Festival, Baha’i delegates in 184 countries gather in national conventions to elect their National Spiritual Assemblies. On April 30th, Canadian Baha’i delegate will meet in Toronto to elect and consult with their National Spiritual Assembly.
His Holiness Baha’u’llah’s teachings have attracted more than five million followers around the world. They live in more that 100,000 locations and come from nearly every nation, ethnic group, culture, profession and social or economic background. 12,000 Baha’is live in Ontario.
Mr. Speaker:
The Baha’i community of Canada hosted a reception at Queen’s Park today to celebrate Ridvan. Please join me in wishing them a festive and happy Ridvan.
Thank you!