2002 Muslim - Sufi Holidays

* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Anti Racism Information Service website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 1/20: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 2/13 eve to 3/14 eve: Dhu al-Hijjah--Muslim month of pilgrimage (the Hajj) to honor Allah, the one genderless universal Deity, at the holy shrine of the Kaaba Stone in Mecca. [Mecca was also the site of the Old Arabic shrine to God Al-Lah and his daughters, Goddesses Al-Lat, Al-'Uzza, and Manat. See Qur'an Surah 53, Vs. 19-20. See also summaries of scholarship on the "Daughters of Allah" from the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, from Wikipedia, from Sam Shamoun, and from Margi B. ] [a/k/a Zul-Hijjah]

* 2/22 eve to 2/23 eve: Eid al-Adha--Muslim day of sacrifice to the one universal Deity for the good of all. [This concludes the Hajj.] [a/k/a Eid-al-Adha, Id al-Adha, Eidul-Adha]

* 3/1: Day the production and use of landmines was outlawed world-wide (1999); day to mourn their victims. [Protocol on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices a/k/a Convention on Landmines a/k/a Mine Ban Treaty, amending the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: Treaty signed/adopted 10/10/1980; entered into force 12/2/1983; Protocol signed 12/3/1997; entered into force 3/1/1999.] [The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Syria, and Iran have not ratified the Protocol.] [There are between 60 and 70 million landmines in the ground of 70+ countries. Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 civilians each year, including 8,000 to 10,000 children. In the name of Allah, and for love of Allah, Muslims should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website; Adopt a Minefield website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 3/12: Day Pope John Paul II, in the name of the Catholic Church, asked Deity's forgiveness and apologized: to Christians of other denominations for intolerance to them, to Jews for anti-Semitism, to peoples of all non-Christian religions for intolerance and contempt for their religious traditions, to women for their humiliation and marginalization, and to the poor and the powerless for indifference to them (2000). [On the first Sunday in Lent in the Jubilee Year, as a part of the liturgy of the Mass inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Pope John Paul II made this public confession with the aid of seven cardinals and bishops. See Transcript of Confession and Request for Forgiveness.]

* 3/14 eve to 3/24 eve: Muharram/Muslim New Year (Year 1423) & A'ashurah. The Qur'an says: "O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct." [See Qur'an Surah 49 Vs. 13. And see the Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights. For scholarly discussions of human rights in Islam, see “Religious Human Rights in the Qur'an” by Riffat Hassan and “Human Rights in Islam” by 'Allamah Abu al-'A'la Mawdudi. See also the Islamic Human Rights Commission, an organization that advocates for justice for all. But see Human Rights Watch report: Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia is the center of Sunni Islam) and Human Rights Watch report: Iran (Iran is the center of Shi'a Islam).] [a/k/a Islamic New Year]

* 3/23 eve to 3/24 eve: A'ashurah--Day Shi'a Muslims mourn the death of Al-Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and the third Shi'a Imam, at the Battle of Karbala in 680. [While Shi'as consider Ali ibn Abi Tahib (Al-Hussain ibn Ali's father and the Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law), to be the legitimate successor of the Prophet Muhammad, Sunnis do not. Disagreement over the succession caused civil war and a schism in Islam.] [A'ashurah also commemorates the building of the Kaaba in Mecca in pre-Islamic times.] [A'ashurah is a fast day.] [a/k/a Ashura, Aashurah.]

* 3/26: Day production and use of biological weapons was outlawed world-wide (1975); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction a/k/a Biological Weapons Convention: signed 4/10/1972; entered into force 3/26/1975.] [Iran and Egypt are believed to currently possess biological weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Iraq, Syria, and Libya are believed to currently have biological weapons research programs in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Iran, Iraq, and Libya have ratified the Treaty; Egypt and Syria have not.] [In the name of Allah, and for love of Allah, Muslims should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention website; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]

* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.]

* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, or political opinion (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 4/29: Day production and use of chemical weapons was outlawed world-wide (1997); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons a/k/a Chemical Weapons Convention: signed 1/13/1993; entered into force 4/29/1997.] [Iraq, Iran, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, and Ethiopia are believed to currently possess chemical weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Iraq's Saddam Hussein is known to have used chemical weapons on Kurdish Iraqis and Iranian soldiers. Iran, Pakistan, and Ethiopia have ratified the Treaty; Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Egypt have not.] [In the name of Allah, and for love of Allah, Muslims should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons webpage; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Chemical Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 5/2: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. [Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. For text and information on the First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website. For domestic organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website and American Civil Liberty Union website. For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report; Human Rights Watch website; and Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief website.]

* 5/13 eve to 5/14 eve: Remembrance day for Rabi'a al-bint Isma'il 'Adawiya (717-801), Sufi saint and preacher; she loved Deity passionately. Sufis seek Truth through love, wisdom, and action. [Rabi'a lived in Iraq. She rejected worship motivated by the desire for heavenly reward or the fear of punishment; she insisted that love is the sole valid form of worship.] [a/k/a Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya al-Qaysiyya and Rabi'a al-Basri.] [Birthday & death day unknown] [See article on Rabi'a.]

* 5/24 eve to 5/25 eve: Mawlid al-Nabi--Day commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (570). He conceived Deity to be a compassionate, genderless unity. [While many Sufis consider Allah to be gender-inclusive, and some Muslims of all denominations consider Allah to be gender-neutral, most Muslims consider Allah to be exclusively male.] [a/k/a Mawlid an-Nabi, Milad-un-Nabi, Miladun-Nabi]

* 6/8: Death day of Prophet Muhammad (632), mystical Father of Islam. [Death commemorated on Safar 28.] [Born 570: exact date unknown]

* 6/17: Day a fatwa condemned "honor killings" as un-Islamic and banned the practice (2002). [An "honor killing" is the killing of a woman by her relatives because she has been raped, is suspected of sexual activity outside of marriage, is pursuing unauthorized courtship, has refused an arranged marriage, or is seeking a divorce.] [Sheikh Atiyyah Saqr, former head of the al-Azhar University Fatwa Committee said "Islam strictly prohibits murder and killing without legal justification. Allah, Most High, says, 'Whoso slayeth a believer of set purpose, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah is wroth against him and He hath cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.' (An-Nisa': 93) The so-called 'honor killing' is based on ignorance and disregard of morals and laws, which cannot be abolished except by disciplinary punishments...[P]eople are not entitled to take the law in their own hands, for it's the responsibility of the Muslim State and its concerned bodies to maintain peace, security, etc., and to prevent chaos and disorder from creeping into the Muslim society."] [Islamic fatwa condemning "honor killings" as un-Islamic (6/17/2002)] [For more information about "honor killings" see Islamic Research Foundation International (IRFI) article; United Nations Report on Honor Killings]

* 6/21 eve to 6/22 eve: Day commemorating the death of Abdul Qadir Jilani (1166), Sufi saint, who was renown for his compassion, particularly for the poor. [Jilani (Gilani) lived in Iraq, was founder of the Qadiri order, and was known as Ghauth al-'Azam, the "Great Helper". On this day annually, members of his order recite the Qur'an and distribute food to pilgrims and the poor in his honor. According to the Qadiris, he was "born of love, lived in a perfect way, and died having achieved the perfection of love."] [Born 1077; birth celebrated on Sha'ban 30 or Ramadan 1] [See articles on Abdul Qadir Jilani.] [a/k/a Abdul Qadir Jilani Urs]

* 6/30: Vigil for peace, democracy, religious freedom, ethnic equality, and the end of slavery in Sudan - now in the throes of civil war. [Since 1983, when Islamic law was adopted in Sudan, civil war has pitted Arab Muslims against African Christians and animists. As a result, over 2 million have died, most through forced starvation. Government troops have been accused of torture, rape, enslavement, and the murder of women and children. On 6/30/1989, a military coup by Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir brought authoritarian rule to Sudan. In 1991, Islamic law was imposed on non-Muslims in the areas within his control.] [For more information, see CNN website; Global Security website; Human Rights Watch report: Sudan.]

* 7/1: Day the world's nations committed to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968); vigil to protest the production and use of all nuclear weapons world-wide. [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970.] [Pakistan has developed nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition, and Iraq and Iran are believed to be attempting to do so. Pakistan has not ratified the Treaty; Iran has ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of Allah, and for love of Allah, Muslims should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; International Atomic Energy Agency(I.A.E.A.) website. See Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide for information on Pakistan's nukes & Iran's nukes] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]

* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]

* 7/8 eve to 7/9 eve: Celebration day for Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El-Arabi (d. 1240), Sufi saint who honored Deity as a unity manifested in all Nature, both genders, and countless forms. He theorized about divine immanence ("Allah is Nature, and Nature Allah"), divine transcendence ("Allah is above Nature, which Allah created"), and the unity of being. [El-Arabi lived in Spain and wrote "Bezels of Wisdom" and "Meccan Revelations".] [Birthday & death day unknown.] [See article on Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El-Arabi.] [For scholarly discussions of the obligation to preserve the environment in Islam, see “Towards an Islamic Jurisprudence of the Environment” by Prof. Mustafa Abu-Sway; “Islam and Ecology: A Bestowed Trust Inviting Balanced Stewardship” by Prof. Frederick M. Denny; “Ecology, Environment, and Islam” by Islam From Inside; “Islam and Ecology” by Marjorie Hope and James Young; and “Islam and the Environment” by Gar Smith. See also Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, an organization that advocates for environmental healing.] [a/k/a Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El-Arabi Wissal]

* 7/11: Day Srebrenica, Bosnia, fell to attacking Serbs (1995), beginning a massacre of thousands of civilians because of their ethnicity and religion; vigil for true peace, justice, religious tolerance, and respect for the human rights of all in the Balkans. [Though it was declared a U.N. "safe haven," Srebrenica, Bosnia, was attacked and fell to Christian Serb aggressors on 7/11/1995. 8,000-15,000 civilian Muslim Slavs were killed there from 7/12-7/17/1995 because of their ethnicity and religion. On 8/2/2001, Bosnian Serb General Radislav Krstic was convicted of genocide for his part in the massacre. Former Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic is now being tried for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity for his part in the massacre at Srebenica and the "ethnic cleansing" elsewhere in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo.] [For more information, see Report of the Secretary General Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 53/35 (1998); Human Rights Watch report: Serbia-Montenegro; Human Rights Watch report: Bosnia-Herzegovina; Human Rights Watch report: Croatia.]

* 8/15: Day India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, and Kashmir joined India over Pakistan's objection (1947); vigil for true peace, justice, and religious tolerance for all in South Asia. [India has a secular democratic government and its populace is largely Hindu. Pakistan has a military government and its populace is largely Muslim. Kashmir's population is largely Muslim, but its ruler chose to join India on 10/26/1947. The U.N. proposed a plebiscite to determine the Kashmiri people's preference on 1/5/1949, but it has never been held. India and Pakistan have fought 3 wars over Kashmir, and now have an uneasy peace. War almost broke out again following the Pakistani terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament in 12/2001. They currently have limited diplomatic relations.] [Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons and have threatened to use them. Both have also refused to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.] [For information on the nuclear problem, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) website: Indo-Pakistani Conflict; India's nukes; Pakistan's nukes. For information on the history of the conflict, see Jammu & Kashmir: The Complete Knowledge Base. For information on human rights, see Human Rights Watch report: India; Human Rights Watch report: Pakistan.]

* 8/17: Vigil for peace, justice, religious tolerance, and respect for the human rights of all in Indonesia--now struggling against religious terrorism. [Indonesia Independence Day is 8/17. Since 1/1/1999, due to forced conversions to Islam, there has been interreligious violence between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia.] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: Indonesia.]

* 8/25: Day to mourn the Iraqi attacks on civilian Kurds because of their ethnicity (1988); vigil for justice and respect for the human rights of the Kurdish people. [On 8/25/1988, the Iraqi government began the 4th Anfal campaign against the Kurds in Northern Iraq using chemical weapons. The Iraqi government first launched chemical weapons attacks against the Kurds in Northern Iraq on 3/16/1988. 60,000-100,000 Kurds were killed during these campaigns.] [See Human Rights Watch report: Genocide in Iraq.]

* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic] [See also website for the Parliament of the World's Religions.]

* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see WomenWatch: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 9/7 eve to 9/8 eve: Remembrance day for Sufi saint Haji Bektash (d. 1337). He initiated women into his order equally with men and advocated gender equality in Islamic society. [The Bektashi order is also open to all ethnicities, nationalities, and classes. See Bektashi Sufi Order website. All are equal, regardless of gender or ethnicity; nobility is shown by conduct alone. See Qur'an Surah 49 Vs. 13. ] [Birthday & death day unknown]

* 9/11: Day terrorists killed over 3,000 innocent civilians of many ethnicities and religions from 86 nations (2001); day to mourn all victims of terrorism. [Al-Qaeda terrorists, using passenger planes, struck the World Trade Center (in New York, N.Y.) and the Pentagon (near Washington, D.C.)] [All should cooperate with the International Criminal Court in prosecuting those who commit acts of international terrorism and crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court is a tribunal that is politically neutral and governed by international (and U.S.) standards of due process.] [See BBC Analysis: "September 11 in Context".] [For statements by Muslims around the world condemning the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 as horrific and un-Islamic, see Islamic Statements Against Terrorism and Muslims Condemn Terrorist Attacks.] [For international efforts against terrorism, see UN Action Against Terrorism.] [For incidents in which governments have used the fight against terrorism as an excuse to suppress civil liberties, see Human Rights Watch website.]

* 9/13: Day Israelis and Palestinians committed to peaceful coexistence (1993); vigil for true peace, justice, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in the Middle East. [Declaration of Principles was signed by Israel & the P.L.O. on 9/13/1993.] [The History of the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict]

* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.]

* 9/27: Vigil for the women and girls in Afghanistan [previously] banned from working and attending school - on the pretext of religion. [The Taliban took control of Kabul, Afghanistan on 9/27/1996, and imposed these bans. Following bombing by the Anti-Terrorist Alliance and ground-fighting between the Taliban and the Muslim Northern Alliance, the Taliban abandoned Kabul on 11/12/2001. On 12/7/2001, the Taliban surrendered Kandahar, their last stronghold. But Mullah Mohammed Omar and other Taliban leaders still remain at large. The Northern Alliance and the Anti-Terrorist Alliance have routed the al-Qaeda terrorist forces at the Tora Bora caves, but continue to search for Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders. Since liberation, some Afghani women have reportedly abandoned their burqas (the head-to-toe coverings mandated for women by the Taliban); others continue to wear them out of fear. Some women are returning to work and some girls are returning to school; others have no jobs or schools to return to. Women are demanding legal recognition of their rights and a part in the future government of Afghanistan. On 12/5/2001, under U.N. auspices, an agreement was reached, creating an interim Afghani government inclusive of, and representative of, all Afghani ethnic groups and women, effective 12/22/2001. A constitution will be drafted and democratic elections will follow. An international peace-keeping force helps keep the peace. Food, medicine, and shelters are immediately needed in Afghanistan. Rebuilding of infrastructure and de-mining of landmines is also desperately needed.]

* 9/30: Birthday of Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207), Sufi saint and poet. He believed the soul to be one with Deity, and thought ecstatic experience of Deity could be attained with music, whirling dance, and chanting Deity's holy names. [Rumi was born in Afghanistan, but later lived in Turkey, where he founded the Mevlevi Order, known as the "Whirling Dervishes".] [Death day 12/17/1273] [Wissal on Jumada II/Jamudi-ul-Akhir 5] [See article on Jalal ad-Din Rumi.]

* 10/3 eve: Laylat al-Mi'raj--Commemorates the night journey of Muslim Prophet Muhammad to heaven. [a/k/a Lailatul-Miraj, Isra Miraj, Miraj al-Nabi, Israa', Me'raj]

* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 10/21 eve: Nisfu Sha'ban--Muslim night of repentance for all harm done. [The following day, Allah determines the fate of all for the coming year.] [For views on attaining inner peace and world peace through Islam, see “Islam and World Peace - Explanations of a Sufi” by M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen and “The Qur’an and World Peace” by Dr. Israr Ahmad. See also Muslim Peace Fellowship, an organization that advocates use of nonviolent means to attain justice and positive social transformation.] [a/k/a Nisf Sha'ban, Nisf Shaban, Lailatul-Bara'at, Lailutul-Bara'at]

* 11/1: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 11/5 eve to 12/5 eve: Ramadan--Muslim month of purification by self-reflection, fasting from sunrise to sunset, peace-making, and helping those in need. The Five Pillars of Islam are confession, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage in honor of the one universal Deity.

* 11/14 eve to 11/15 eve: Remembrance day for Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (d. 619 or 623), Mother of Islam: first convert to Islam, partner of Prophet Muhammad in monogamous marriage, mother of Fatimah, and liberated businesswoman. [The Prophet Muhammad did not take a second wife during Khadijah's lifetime. She was known for her financial support of Islam and for her generosity to the poor.] [a/k/a Khadijah al-Kubra (the Great)] [Born in 555, 564, or 565. Some sources say she died on the 10th or 11th day of Ramadan.] [See article on Khadijah.]

* 11/21: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]

* 11/28: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.

* 12/1 eve: Laylat al-Qadr/Night of Power--Commemorates the first revelation of the Qur'an to Muslim Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Gabriel in 610 CE. The Qur'an says: "Let there be no compulsion in religion." [See Qur'an Surah 2 Vs. 256. For scholarly discussions of freedom of religion in Islam, see “Freedom of Religion and Belief in Islam” by Mohsen Kadivar and “Freedom of Religion in Islam” by Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ashrafuzzaman.] [a/k/a Lailatul-Qadr]

* 12/5 eve to 12/8 eve: Eid al-Fitr--Muslim festival celebrating the end of Ramadan. [a/k/a Eid-al-Fitr, Id al-Fitr, Eidul-Fitr]

* 12/8: Death day of Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1111), Sufi saint who taught about unity of the soul with the one universal Deity of 99 names and attributes. [al-Ghazali lived in Syria and wrote "Revival of Religious Sciences" and "Alchemy of Happiness".] [Urs celebrated on Jumada II/Jamadi-ul-Akhir 14] [Born 1058: exact date unknown]

* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III). See Text of Declaration. For more information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website. The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Human Rights Committee (see Human Rights Committee website; University of Minnesota Human Rights Library website) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (see Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website). The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights(see Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights website).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day]

* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website. For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.] [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day]

* 12/17: Death day of Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1273), Sufi saint who believed all people to be a part of Deity and, consequently, believed all should be respected. [Members of his Mevlevi order whirl in his remembrance on this night annually.] [Birthday 9/30/1207] [Wissal on Jumada II/Jamudi-ul-Akhir 5] [See article on Jalal ad-Din Rumi.]

* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]

* 12/28: Day an Islamic court ruled FGM to be un-Islamic and banned the practice (1997). [The State Council, Egypt's highest administrative court, also ruled that FGM is illegal unless medically necessary. See BBC News article.]

[The Muslim religion (Islam) is a universal religion founded in Saudi Arabia by the Prophet Muhammad, following the first revelation of the Qur'an (Koran) to him by the Angel Gabriel in 610. The Muslim holy scripture is the Qur'an. Muslim holy tradition is also reflected in the Hadith and the Sunnah, which recount the sayings and conduct of the Prophet Muhammad. The Muslim creed is: "There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger of God (Allah)." Muslims recognize the one Deity to have a multitude of names and attributes. They pray 5 times daily facing Mecca. Muslims also attend Mosques for Jum'ah prayer, Qur'anic readings, and Qur'anic interpretation on Fridays. Muslim denominations include the Sunni, the Shi'a, the Ahmadiyya (Ahmadi), and the Sufi. The main difference between the Sunnis and the Shi'ites relate to the recognition of different successors to the Prophet Muhammad. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (now the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement for the Propagation of Islam) was founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Sufism (Tasawwuf) is the mysticism of Islam. Sufis practice Dhikr, the invocation of Allah by repeating Allah's 99 names and attributes.]

[The Muslim calendar (Islamic calendar or Sufi calendar) year is a lunar year, not grounded in the solar year. The Islamic year and Islamic months begin at the first sighting of the New Moon. Islamic days begin and end at sundown. In calculating the beginning of the year, the months, and the holidays, some Muslims use the sighting of the New Moon at their own location; other Muslims use the sighting of the New Moon or the astronomical New Moon in Saudi Arabia. The months, on which the holidays in this Muslim calendar are based, are calculated using the expected first sighting of the New Moon in North America. Consequently, because Saudi Arabia is 8 hours earlier than North American Eastern Standard time, some Muslims may observe the holiday on the day before the date given here.]

[The Muslim holidays (Islamic holidays or Sufi holidays) in this Muslim calendar include holidays observed by all Muslim denominations, some holidays and events not universally observed, as well as dates commemorating the lives and teachings of Sufi mystics.]

[Please note: Because this calendar is an interfaith calendar, the term "God" is used only when referring to a male Deity. The term "Deity" is used to refer to a gender-neutral Deity or a Deity that encompasses both male and female characteristics.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The 99 Names and Attributes of Allah:

(1) Ar-Rehman (The Compassionate One, The Beneficent)
(2) Ar-Rahim (The Merciful)
(3) Al-Malik (The Sovereign)
(4) Al-Quddus (The Holy One)
(5) As-Salaam (The Source of Peace)
(6) Al-Mu'min (The Guardian of Faith)
(7) Al-Muhaymin (The Protector)
(8) Al-'Aziz (The Mighty, The Strong)
(9) Al-Jabbar (The Compeller)
(10) Al-Mutakabbir (The Majestic One)
(11) Al-Khaaliq (The Creator)
(12) Al-Bari' (The Evolver)
(13) Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner)
(14) Al-Ghaffar (The Forgiver)
(15) Al-Qahhar (The Subduer)
(16) Al-Wahhab (The Bestower)
(17) Ar-Razzaaq (The Sustainer, The Provider)
(18) Al-Fattah (The Opener, The Reliever)
(19) Al-'Alim (The All-Knowing)
(20) Al-Qaabid (The Constrictor, the Withholder)
(21) Al-Basit (The Expander, the Enlarger)
(22) Al-Khafid (The Abaser)
(23) Ar-Rafi' (The Exalter)
(24) Al-Mu'izz (The One Who Honors)
(25) Al-Muzill (The One Who Humbles)
(26) As-Sami' (The All-Hearing One)
(27) Al-Basir (The All-Seeing One)
(28) Al-Hakam (The Judge)
(29) Al-'Adl (The Just)
(30) Al-Latif (The Subtle One)
(31) Al-Khabir (The Aware)
(32) Al-Halim (The Forebearing One)
(33) Al-'Azim (The Great One)
(34) Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving One)
(35) Ash-Shakur (The Grateful One)
(36) Al-'Ali (The Most High)
(37) Al-Kabir (The Most Great)
(38) Al-Hafiz (The Preserver, The Protector)
(39) Al-Muqit (The Maintainer, The Guardian)
(40) Al-Hasib (The Reckoner)
(41) Al-Jalil (The Beautiful, The Sublime)
(42) Al-Karim (The Generous One)
(43) Ar-Raqib (The Watcher)
(44) Al-Mujib (The Responsive One)
(45) Al-Wasi' (The Vast, The All-Embracing One)
(46) Al-Hakim (The Wise, The Judge of Judges)
(47) Al-Wadud (The Loving One)
(48) Al-Majid (The Glorious One)
(49) Al-Ba'ith (The Resurrector)
(50) Ash-Shahid (The Witness)
(51) Al-Haqq (The Truth)
(52) Al-Wakil (The Trustee)
(53) Al-Qawi (The Most Strong)
(54) Al-Matin (The Firm One)
(55) Al-Wali (The Protecting Friend, The Supporter)
(56) Al-Hamid (The Praised One)
(57) Al-Muhsi (The Reckoner)
(58) Al-Mubdi' (The Originator)
(59) Al-Mu'id (The Restorer of Life)
(60) Al-Muhyi (The Giver of Life)
(61) Al-Mumit (The Destroyer of Life)
(62) Al Hayy ( The Living One)
(63) Al-Qayyum (The Self-Subsisting One)
(64) Al-Wajid (The Perceiver)
(65) Al-Majid ( The Glorious)
(66) Al-Wahid (The Unique)
(67) Al-Ahad (The One)
(68) As-Samad (The Eternal)
(69) Al-Qadir (The Able One)
(70) Al-Muqtadir (The Giver of Power)
(71) Al-Muqaddim (The Expediter)
(72) Al-Muta'akhkhir (The Delayer)
(73) Al-Awwal (The First)
(74) Al-Akhir (The Last)
(75) Az-Zahir (The Manifest)
(76) Al-Batin (The Hidden)
(77) Al-Wali (The Governor)
(78) Al-Muta'ali (The Most Exalted One)
(79) Al-Barr (The Source of All Goodness)
(80) At-Tawwab (The Accepter of Repentance)
(81) Al-Muntaqim (The Avenger)
(82) Al-Afuww (The Pardoner)
(83) Ar-Ra'uf ( The Indulgent)
(84) Malik ul-Mulk (Eternal Owner of Sovereignty)
(85) Dhu'l Jalal-wa'l-Ikram (Majesty and Bounty)
(86) Al-Muqsit (The Equitable One)
(87) Al-Jami' (The Gatherer)
(88) Al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient One)
(89) Al-Mughni (The Enricher)
(90) Al-Mani' (The Preventer)
(91) Ad-Darr (The Distresser)
(92) An-Nafi' (The Propitious One)
(93) An-Nur (The Light)
(94) Al-Hadi (The Guide)
(95) Al-Badi' (The Incomparable)
(96) Al-Baqi (The Everlasting One)
(97) Al-Warith (The Supreme Inheritor)
(98) Ar-Rashid (The Guide to the Right Path)
(99) As-Sabur (The Patient One)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:

Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2002
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2001 Page Two, Inc.
WheeloftheYear@BookArts.com
www.WheeloftheYear.com

All Gods and Goddesses
are aspects of
the One Deity

The One Deity
is reflected in
all Gods and Goddesses

The One Deity
is Deity of all

Deity is
male and female,
yet genderless

Deity is
all forms,
yet formless

Deity is
within all;
Deity is
beyond all

Deity is
all-embracing
love

With all that
is known by all
the world's sages,
with all that
is written in all
sacred books,
with all that
is experienced
in all
spiritual traditions,
we still cannot
know
the unknowable--

Deity is Mystery

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year... a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

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Year 2008 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

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Year 2008 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2008

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2008

Baha'i Holidays - 2008

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Hindu Holidays - 2008

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2008

Buddhist Holidays - 2008

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2008

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2008

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2008

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Meteor Showers - 2008

Visible Planets - 2008

Astrological Periods - 2008

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Year 2007 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2007

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2007

Baha'i Holidays - 2007

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Hindu Holidays - 2007

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2007

Buddhist Holidays - 2007

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2007

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2007

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Meteor Showers - 2007

Visible Planets - 2007

Astrological Periods - 2007

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Year 2006 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2006

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2006

Baha'i Holidays - 2006

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Hindu Holidays - 2006

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2006

Buddhist Holidays - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2006

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2006

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Meteor Showers - 2006

Visible Planets - 2006

Astrological Periods - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year...
a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

Year 2008
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2008
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2008

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2008

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2008

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2008

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2008

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Year 2007
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2007

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2007

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2007

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2007

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2007

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Year 2006
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2006

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2006

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2006

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2006

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2006

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Year 2005
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2005

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2005

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2005

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2005

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2005

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2005

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2005

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2005

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2005

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2005

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2005

Year 2004
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2004

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2004

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2004

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2004

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2004

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2004

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2004

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2004

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2004

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2004

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2004