Ridvan Part 1
How many days does the Ridván Festival last?
12 days
What significant journey did Bahá'u'lláh begin after leaving the Garden of Ridván?
His exile to Constantinople (Istanbul)
How many votes does a delegate have during the NSA election?
9 votes (they vote for 9 individuals).
On what special date are Local Spiritual Assembly elections held?
On the First Day of Ridván (April 21)
Who elects the Universal House of Justice?
Members of all National Spiritual Assemblies around the world.
Which days of the Ridván Festival are especially considered Holy Days (when work should be suspended)?
The 1st, 9th, and 12th days
What animal was used to help transport Bahá'u'lláh’s belongings to the Garden?
Mules,
البغال
What international body oversees the activities of all National Spiritual Assemblies?
The Universal House of Justice.
How often are Local Spiritual Assemblies elected?
Every year.
Who authorized the creation of the Universal House of Justice? In what book?
Bahá'u'lláh, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas.
What special elections often take place during the Ridván period in Bahá'í communities?
Election of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies
True or False: The Ridván Garden still exists today in Baghdad.
False (it has been lost to history, though its location is roughly known).
What is the gathering called where delegates elect the NSA?
National Convention.
True or False: A Local Spiritual Assembly has authority to pass religious laws.
False — they administer and apply Bahá’í law, but cannot create new laws.
True or False: The Universal House of Justice can add laws that are outside Bahá’í laws written by Bahá'u'lláh.
True
What year did the first Ridván take place?
1863
What physical feature of the Garden caused Bahá'u'lláh to nickname it "The Garden of Ridván"?
Its beauty and abundance of roses and nightingales
Where was the first National Spiritual Assembly formed?
In the United States and Canada (in 1923).
How are decisions made in a Local Spiritual Assembly?
Through collective consultation and majority vote.
How often are elections for the Universal House of Justice held?
Every five years.
Which three important announcements did Bahá'u'lláh make during Ridván?
(1) abrogating religious war (2) that there would not be another Manifestation of God for another 1000 years (3) that all the names of God were fully manifest in all things
What river bordered the Garden of Ridván?
The Tigris River
نهر دجلة
In what year did Shoghi Effendi formally outline the functions of the National Spiritual Assembly?
1927.
What happens if an LSA cannot form because there aren’t enough Bahá’ís?
The area remains under the care of the National Spiritual Assembly until enough believers reside there.
In what year was the Universal House of Justice first elected?
1963.