MEMBERS of the Baha'i community in Kirklees, like their fellow Baha'is in thousands of places throughout the world, celebrated the start of the twelve-day festival of Ridvan.

Local Baha'i David South, said: “It is the anniversary of the time in 1863 when Baha'u'llah, the founder of our religion, first made his mission known.

“Since that time the Baha'i Faith has become the world's most widespread religion after Christianity and it continues to grow and spread”.

The event also saw the election of Baha'i Local Assembly, that will administer the community for the coming year.

Those elected were: chairman - Viv Crook; vice chairman - Janet Fozzard; secretary - Christine Deihim; treasurer - Parisa Hagan; Assembly - Dr Ruby Lagnado, Nicholas Morris, Abbas Soltani, Mrs Louise Marechal, David South.