The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to be able to share with you Ridvan greetings it has received from the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Their messages have been sent on the occasion of the annual reception of the All-Party Parliamentary Friends of the Bahá’í group, being held at the House of Commons on Tuesday 22 April.
"I would like to express my respect and admiration to those attending this reception, and the wider Bahá'í community which makes an important contribution to British life. I very much recognise and welcome those of the Bahá'í faith as a distinguished and valuable part of our rich and multi-cultural society.
The Bahá'í community has a long, proud and respected tradition and contributes much to today’s Britain. Your faith includes a clear obligation to work towards religious tolerance and respect for other faiths, an aim shared by both myself and a wide range of different communities across Britain.
I commend you for promoting an understanding and exploration of your faith to wider British society. The Bahá'í community can be proud of its success in working to foster cohesive and integrated communities."
"I am delighted to send my best wishes to everyone attending the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Bahá’ís Group reception to mark the festival of Ridvan. I would like to take this opportunity to also send my best wishes to the wider Bahá'í community in the UK.
Not only is Ridvan an important time for communal prayers and celebration, and for electing local governing councils, but it can also be a time for reflection on the principles which the Bahá'í community holds dear. These principles include unity, the promotion of social justice, a belief in the importance of family life, and a concern for the environment. I know that you will also be thinking of your coreligionists elsewhere who may be facing persecution because of their beliefs.
May I once again send my good wishes to you and your families at this time."
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