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Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 67 – July 2010
Calendar of Religious Festivals
Multifaith Calendars are seldom complete, ours is made to fit on an A4 page – you may find more celebrations listed and explained online by following some of the addresses on our Resources page.
| 8 or 9 July | LAIL-UL-ISRA'WAL MI'RAJ (Muslim) The Prophet Muhammad journeyed in one night from Makkah to Jerusalem and through the heavens to the presence of God. On this journey the command to pray five times a day was given. The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem marks the rock from which the prophet ascended. |
| 9 July | ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB (Baha'i). The Bab was executed by firing squad in Tabriz, Iran, at noon on this day in 1850. At noon his death is celebrated with readings and prayers from the Baha'i scriptures. |
| 12 July | RATHA YATRA (Hindu). 'Chariot journey' celebrated most notably in Puri, India when huge wagons with statues of Krishna, his brother and sister are pushed by devotees. Known also as Jagannath 'Lord of the Universe', (from which the English word 'juggernaut' comes), this feast is celebrated in Britain chiefly by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON). |
| 15 July | CHOKOR/CHO KOR DU CHEN (Buddhist). Tibetan and Nepalese commemoration of the first teaching given by the historical Buddha. colourful processions of statues of the Buddha and copies of the scriptures with music and jollity are followed by picnics for all. |
| 20 July | TISHA B'AV (Jewish) A full day fast mourning the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies in Jewish history. The Book of Lamentations is read. |
| 23 July | BIRTHDAY OF HAILE SELASIE I (Rastafarian) One of the holiest days of the year. It is celebrated with Nyahbinghi drumming, hymns and prayers. |
| 26 July | ASALHA PUJA (Theravada Buddhist) – Dhammacakka day – Turning of the Wheel of teaching. Celebration of the First Proclamation by Gautama to five ascetics in the Deer Park near Benares. This taught the Middle Way, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Four Noble Truths. |
| 26 or 27 July | LAILAT UL-BARA'H (Muslim). On the 'Night of Forgiveness', two weeks before Ramadan begins, Muslims seek forgiveness for their sins. The night is spent in prayer, asking God's guidance and forgiveness. Some fast on the eve in preparation for this night. |
| 6 August | THE TRANSFIGURATION (Christian) Commemorates the time when three disciples saw Jesus transfigured talking with Moses and Elijah, and heard a voice saying 'This is my beloved Son, listen to him.' For many Christians this confirms the divine nature of Jesus. It is an important festival particularly for Orthodox Christians. |
| 10 – 19 August | FARVARDIGAN (Zoroastrian) The last ten days of the year, during which the Fravashis (souls of the departed) are welcomed and entertained. The five Gathas, hymns composed by Zarathustra are recited on the last five 'Gatha' days. |
| 12 August – 9 September | RAMADAN (Muslim). The month of fasting from dawn to sunset. It is an exercise in self-discipline and enables everyone to have some experience of deprivation. Travellers, the sick and women who are pregnant or menstruating are temporarily excused from fasting but make this up at another time. The Muslim year is based on a lunar calendar so Ramadan moves forward by ten or eleven days each year. |
| 13 – 16 August | O-BON (Japanese). A festival when the spirits of the dead are welcomed back home with feasting and dancing. Fires are often lit to illuminate their arrival and departure. Celebrations in rural areas may take place one month later. |
| 16 August | ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (Christian) This celebrates the 'taking up' of Mary, body and soul to heaven. Some Catholic communities celebrate with processions and fetes. Orthodox Christians keep this day as the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (i.e. the 'falling asleep'). |
| 20 August | NO RUZ (Zoroastrian) New Year's Day on the Shenshai calendar. |
| 24 August | KHORDAD SAL (Zoroastrian) The Birthday of Zarathustra on Shensai calendar. |
| 24 August | RAKSHA BANDHAN (Hindu) This festival is about brotherly protection. Sisters tie coloured thread amulets on to their brothers' wrists and give them an Indian sweet. The amulet symbolises protection from evil. In return, they are given gifts (usually of money). Cousins are often counted as brothers and sisters. |
