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Christians, Jews, Muslims, Quakers and Scientologists are invited to gather under the Clearwater sky with their families and friends at the 20-acre Clearwater Garden of Ridvan (Paradise) in Clearwater, Florida. The multi-faith group can eat together, tour the pristine garden and enjoyed each others company – all in the name of peace. Musical groups such as the Flag Band from the Church of Scientology and 963 Rising from the Clearwater Baha’i have performed for visitors.
Kamran Rouhani, a member of the Pinellas County Baha’i community and owner of the garden said, “Peace and unity are needed more than ever today. That is why we ask our religious brothers and sisters to come together here – to send the message that we, from a variety of faiths, can come together in perfect harmony.”
Rouhani cited statistics from the May 2022 United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) factsheet which gives a global overview of refugees fleeing religious persecution:
“As of 2021, over 82 million people were displaced worldwide 27 million of those displaced are considered refugees [and] two-thirds of these refugees are from five countries including three with systematic, ongoing and egregious persecution of various religious communities.”
Educator and Scientologist, Sharon Hillestad, who attended one of the picnics at the Garden of Rivdan, pointed to The Way to Happiness book by L. Ron Hubbard as her guide for building tolerance and peace. In the book, L. Ron Hubbard said simply: “Respect the religious beliefs of others.”
For more information, contact Pat Harney 727-467-6860.
Photo Caption: Members of various religious groups enjoy the Flag Band at the Garden of Rivdan in Clearwater.