2007 Muslim-Sufi Holidays

* 12/21 eve to 1/19 eve: Dhu al-Hijjah--Muslim month of pilgrimage to honor the one universal Deity at the Ka'bah Stone in Mecca (site of the Old Arabic shrine to God-Goddess Allah-Allat). [a/k/a Zul-Hijjah]

* 1/1: Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [World Peace Day; Universal Hour of Peace: 7:00-8:00 a.m. EST.]

* 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.]

* 1/9 eve to 1/10 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]

* 1/19 eve to 1/29 eve: Muharram/Muslim New Year (Year 1428) & A'ashurah. [a/k/a Islamic New Year]

* 1/21: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 1/28 eve to 1/29 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 Talib (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.] [A'ashurah is a fast day.] [a/k/a Ashura, Aashura]

* 2/6: Day to mourn all the women and girls who have been subjected to female genital mutilation. [Female Genital mutilation is also known as "FGM" and "female circumcision". FGM results in severe pain, bleeding, disfigurement, urine retention, recurrent infections, painful menstruation, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and complications in childbirth.] [International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting established on 2/6/2003 by the Inter- African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC).] [Islamic fatwa ruling that female circumcision is not a prescribed ritual of Islam (8/28/2002)] [Islamic fatwa prohibiting the removal of the clitoris as part of female circumcision (2/7/2004)] [For more information about FGM, see Amnesty International website; Female Genital and Sexual Mutilation - Bibliography.

* 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]

* 3/8: International Women's Day--Day to mourn victims of gender-based oppression and misogyny (past and present), make peace, and celebrate women's empowerment.[For information on International Women's Day, see United Nations website; A history of International Women's Day.]

* 3/9: Day slavery was outlawed world-wide (1927); day to mourn its continued existence. [Convention to Suppress the Slave Trade and Slavery: signed/adopted 9/25/1926; entered into force 3/9/1927.] [Text of Convention] See also the Protocol Amending the Slavery Convention. [Text of Protocol]

* 3/12: Day Pope John Paul II, in the name of the Catholic Church, asked Deity's forgiveness and apologized: to Jews for anti-Semitism, to Muslims for the Crusades, to peoples of other religions for forced conversions to Christianity, to Christians of other denominations for intolerance to them, to dissenters for the Inquisition, 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. The Pope also forgave the sins of other religions against Catholics and other Christians.]

* 3/18: Day the first woman served as imam, leading a public, mixed-gender, Muslim congregation in Jum'ah prayer, and delivering the sermon (2005). [Dr. Amina Wadud is an Islamic scholar, feminist, and professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Wadud is the author of "Qur'an and Women: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective," the first interpretive reading of the Qur'an by a woman. Dr. Wadud says that the Prophet Muhammad approved the practice of women leading mixed-gender prayer.] [Since 3/18/2005, other women have served as imams for mixed-gender congregations.]

* 3/19 eve to 3/20 eve: Remembrance day for Rabi'a al-'Adawiya (d. 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.] [Birthday & death day unknown]

* 3/20: Vigil for peace, justice, and respect for the human rights of all in Iraq. [On 11/8/2002, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 1441, which required Iraq to destroy all of its weapons of mass destruction and to cooperate with weapons inspectors searching for these weapons. The Iraqi government claimed to have already destroyed these weapons. As of 3/17/2003, Chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix had found no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and Chief I.A.E.A. Weapons Inspector Mohamed ElBaradei had found no evidence that Iraq had resumed its nuclear program. The U.S. claimed to have knowledge of the location of these weapons, but the weapons inspectors searched the alleged locations and found nothing. On 3/3/2003, the U.S., the U.K., and Spain introduced a resolution asserting that Iraq was in material breach of Resolution 1441. It proposed to authorize use of force if Iraq failed to prove disarmament by 3/17/2003. France, Russia, Germany, China, and Syria indicated that they would oppose this resolution and any authorization of force. They proposed to continue weapons inspections and to use U.N. peacekeepers to aid the inspectors. (France and Russia also threatened to veto any authorization of force.) Failing to gain the support of a majority of the Security Council, the resolution was withdrawn on 3/17/2003. On 3/17/2003, President Bush declared his intent to invade Iraq in 48 hours. Following this, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan ordered weapons inspectors to leave Iraq. On 3/20/2003, U.S. forces began an aerial assault, targeting leadership compounds in Baghdad in an attempt to kill Saddam Hussein. U.S. and U.K. forces also began a ground invasion of Iraq. Iraq resisted, using guerrilla war tactics, shooting missiles at Kuwait, and torching some of its oil fields. The U.S. and the U.K. claimed that more than 44 countries supported this war, but only Australia and the Iraqi Kurds sent military forces. Muslim "holy warriors" from other Arab countries have aided Iraq, answering the call to "Jihad." During this war, civilians were used as human shields and were unintended victims of military attacks. Burning oil has also caused environmental damage to the entire region. By 4/11/2003, the Iraqi government had collapsed, the leadership had disappeared, much of the military surrendered or was defeated, and most of the country was under Coalition control. However, sporadic fighting continued throughout the country, developing into an insurgency. "Liberation" brought anarchy, including mass looting and destruction of property. Coalition forces failed to keep civil order in areas under their control. They failed to stop ethnic violence and looting of hospitals. In spite of Coalition promises to safeguard Iraqi museums and archeological sites, the Baghdad Antiquities Museum and other museums and archeological sites were looted of their antiquities. Even nuclear sites were allowed to be looted. Civilians also suffered from lack of food, water, and medical care. However, no weapons of mass destruction have ever been used or found. This war against Iraq without U.N. Security Council authorization and made in "anticipatory self defense" was not justified under international law and sets a dangerous precedent undermining international law and security.] [Text of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1441] [For information on the human rights situation, see Human Rights Watch report: Iraq.] [For more information on issues relating to Iraq, see the Global Policy Forum website.] [Though Coalition forces continue to fight the insurgency in Iraq, Iraqi sovereignty has been returned to Iraqis: Civil governing authority was initially vested in an Iraqi Governing Council on 7/13/2003. An Interim Constitution was adopted on by this council on 5/8/2004, and an Iraqi Interim Government was vested with full sovereignty on 6/30/2004. An Iraqi Transitional Government was elected on 1/30/2005. A permanent constitution is expected to be adopted by 10/15/2005, and a new government is expected to be elected pursuant to that constitution by 12/31/2005.]

* 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. Syria and Libya are believed to currently have biological weapons research programs in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Iran and Libya have ratified the Treaty; Egypt and Syria have not. On 4/16/2003, Syria proposed making the Middle East a region free of all weapons of mass destruction.] [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]

* 3/30 eve to 3/31 eve: Mawlid al-Nabi--Day commemorating the birth of Muslim Prophet Muhammad (570). [a/k/a Mawlid an-Nabi, Milad-un-Nabi, Miladun-Nabi]

* 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.]

* 4/12: Day Saudi Arabia's top Islamic authority condemned forced marriage as un-Islamic and banned the practice (2005). [Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, who heads the Council of Senior Ulema (Scholars), said forced marriage is against Islamic law and those responsible for it should be jailed. He said: "Forcing a woman to marry someone she does not want and preventing her from wedding that whom she chooses...is not permissible" under Islamic law. "Anyone who insists on forcing a woman...to marry against her will is disobeying God and His Prophet (Muhammad)."] [See Middle East Online 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.]

* 4/27 eve to 4/28 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] [a/k/a Abdul Qadir Jilani Urs] [See articles on Abdul Qadir Jilani.]

* 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.] [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. On 4/16/2003, Syria proposed making the Middle East a region free of all weapons of mass destruction.] [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]

* 5/3: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government throughout the world. [For an overview of U.S. Supreme Court cases on freedom of religion under the U.S. Constitution, see First Amendment Cyber-Tribune.] [For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report; Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief.] [For the text and more information on the Constitution's First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website.] [For information on organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website; American Civil Liberty Union website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 5/14 eve to 5/15 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. [El-Arabi lived in Spain and wrote "Bezels of Wisdom" and "Meccan Revelations". 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.] [Birthday & death day unknown] [a/k/a Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El-Arabi Wissal] [See article on Muhyi ad-Din Ibn El-Arabi.]

* 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]

* 6/30: Vigil for peace, democracy, religious freedom, ethnic equality, and the end of slavery and genocide in Sudan. [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. Since February 2003, in the Darfur region, the government-supported Janjaweed militia has been terrorizing the African population, many of whom are Muslims. Over 100,000 civilians have been killed there, 405 villages have been destroyed, and 1.2 million have been displaced. Many have been tortured and raped. Crops and livestock have been stolen or destroyed. The Janjaweed militia is also blocking aid from reaching refugee camps, so those in the camps are starving. Though a ceasefire was signed on 4/9/2004 between the government and the two rebel groups, and though a peace accord was signed on 1/9/2005 between the government and the main rebel group, the Janjaweed militia's violence against civilians continues unabated. On 9/9/2004, the U.S. accused the Sudanese government of genocide and, on 2/2/2005, the U.N. conceded that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed. On 3/31/2005, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution to prosecute those who have committed such crimes before the International Criminal Court.] [For more information, see CNN website; Global Security website; Human Rights Watch report: Sudan; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: 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 Iran is believed to be attempting to do so. Pakistan has not ratified the Treaty; Iran has ratified the Treaty. On 4/16/2003, Syria proposed making the Middle East a region free of all weapons of mass destruction.] [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.]

* 7/11: 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.] [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; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: Serbia-Montenegro; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: Bosnia-Herzegovina; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: Croatia.]

* 7/15 eve to 7/16 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.] [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] [See Bektashi Sufi Order website.]

* 8/10 eve: Laylat al-Mi'raj--Commemorates the night journey of Muslim Prophet Muhammad to heaven. He conceived Deity to be a compassionate, genderless unity. [a/k/a Lailatul-Miraj, Isra Miraj, Miraj al-Nabi, Israa', Me'raj]

* 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.] [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.] [On 4/10/2003, India threatened to attack Pakistan for allowing Pakistani terrorists to attack the Indian Parliament in 12/2001 and for allowing continuing attacks on Kashmiri India. India asserted the same right to preemptive war as asserted by the U.S. and the U.K. in attacking Iraq. However, on 4/19/2003, India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called for peace talks with Pakistan and offered to normalize relations. Pakistan's Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has indicated an interest in peace talks and agreed to normalize relations.] [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; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: India; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: Pakistan.]

* 8/17: Vigil for peace, justice, religious tolerance, and respect for the human rights of all in Indonesia. [Since 1/1/1999, due to forced conversions to Islam, there has been interreligious violence between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia. Indonesia Independence Day is 8/17.] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: Indonesia; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2004: 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. Saddam Hussein is being tried for genocide for these attacks.] [See Human Rights Watch report: Genocide in Iraq.]

* 8/27 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.] [a/k/a Nisf Sha'ban, Nisf Shaban, Lailatul-Bara'at, Lailutul-Bara'at]

* 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]

* 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.]

* 9/11: 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 (outside Washington, D.C.)] [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.] [Al-Qaeda terrorists have struck other targets, including a nightclub in Bali, Indonesia, on 10/12/2002; trains in Madrid, Spain, on 3/11/2004; trains in London, England, on 7/7/2005; and a resort in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on 7/23/2005.] [See list of Al-Qaeda's terrorist attacks.] [Fatwas (religious edicts) condemning terrorism have been issued by Muslim clerics. Saudi Arabia's leading Islamic authority (the Permanent Committee of Religious Research and Ifta) issued a fatwa against terrorism on 6/7/2004, contending that terrorism is forbidden under Islam and constitutes a severe form of injustice. The Spanish Islamic Commission issued a fatwa condemning terrorism on 3/11/2005, and called Osama bin Laden an apostate. Britain's Sunni Council issued a fatwa against terrorism on 7/17/2005, indicating that killing others is a sin and that suicide bombers will go to hell. The British Muslim Forum issued a fatwa condemning terrorism on 7/18/2005, indicating that terrorist acts are crimes against humanity and contrary to Islam. The Fiqh Council of North America, representing North American Muslims, issued a fatwa against terrorism on 7/28/2005, indicating that all terrorist acts targeting civilians are forbidden in Islam. The Fatwa Bank has also posted a fatwa condemning all terrorism, indicating that Islam doesn't permit aggression, violence, injustice, or oppression.] [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.]

* 9/12 eve to 10/11 eve: Ramadan--Muslim month of purification by self-reflection, fasting from sunrise to sunset, peace-making, and helping those in need.

* 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 United Nations website; International Day of Peace website; International Day of Peace Vigil website.]

* 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/Jamadi-ul-Akhir 5] [See article on Jalal ad-Din Rumi.]

* 10/8 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 Prophet Muhammad is the Father of Islam. [a/k/a Lailatul-Qadr]

* 10/11 eve to 10/14 eve: Eid al-Fitr--Muslim festival celebrating the end of Ramadan. The Five Pillars of Islam are confession, prayer, alms-giving, fasting, and pilgrimage. [a/k/a Eid-al-Fitr, Id al-Fitr, Eidul-Fitr]

* 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.]

* 11/2: 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.

* 11/6: Day a Muslim woman first defied a ban on women entering the mosque by the front door and praying in the main hall (2003). [In the Morgantown, West Virginia, mosque, as in many mosques in the United States and elsewhere, women are required to enter by a back door and pray in a separate room.] [Asra Nomani, the author of "Standing Alone in Mecca", has begun a movement to desegregate mosques throughout the United States. Members of her mosque are attempting to ban her from the mosque because of her efforts to desegregate it.] [See Charleston Gazette article reprint.]

* 11/10 eve to 11/11 eve: Remembrance day for Khadijah (d. 619), Mother of Islam: transcriber of the Holy Qur'an, partner of Prophet Muhammad in monogamous marriage, mother of Fatimah, and liberated businesswoman. [Birthday & death day unknown] [Khadijah was the first convert to Islam. The Prophet Muhammad did not take a second wife during Khadijah's lifetime.]

* 11/15: 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.]

* 11/22: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.

* 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.] [For information on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, see Human Rights Watch website.]

* 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).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day] [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.]

* 12/10 eve to 1/8 eve: Dhu al-Hijjah--Muslim month of pilgrimage to honor the one universal Deity at the Ka'bah Stone in Mecca (site of the Old Arabic shrine to God-Goddess Allah-Allat). [a/k/a Zul-Hijjah]

* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day] [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.]

* 12/17: Death day of Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1273), Sufi saint who believed all people to be 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/Jamadi- 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.]

* 12/19 eve to 12/20 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]

* 12/26: Day to mourn all those killed in the Asian tsunami (2004) and to aid those who survived.

* 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 female genital mutilation 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.]

[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, and the Sufi. The main difference between the Sunnis and the Shi'ites relate to the recognition of different successors to the Prophet Muhammad. 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 first sighting of the New Moon at their own location. Other Muslims use the first sighting of the New Moon in Saudi Arabia; still others use the first sighting of the New Moon anywhere on Earth. The dates in this calendar are calculated by the Fiqh Council of North America. They now use the global means of calculating visibility. Dates based on actual sighting in North America or in Saudi Arabia may differ from these dates.]

[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.]

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)

[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.]

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

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 2007
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2006 Page Two, Inc.
info@WheeloftheYear.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

±±±±±±±±±±

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 Holidays: Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition - 2008

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2008

Baha'i Holidays - 2008

±±±±±±±±±±

Hindu Holidays - 2008

Buddhist Holidays - 2008

±±±±±±±±±±

Asian Holidays: Zoroastrian - Sikh - Jain - Taoist - Shinto - 2008

Native American - Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2008

African Holidays: Santeria - Old Egyptian - 2008

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2008

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles & Eclipses - 2008

Meteor Showers - 2008

Visible Planets - 2008

Astrological Periods - 2008

±±±±±±±±±±

Environmentalist - Deep Ecology Dates - 2008

Feminist - Human Rights - Social Justice Dates - 2008

Peace - Disarmament Movement Dates - 2008

±±±±±±±±±±

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±

Year 2007 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2007

Christian Holidays: Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition - 2007

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2007

Baha'i Holidays - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Hindu Holidays - 2007

Buddhist Holidays - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Asian Holidays: Zoroastrian - Sikh - Jain - Taoist - Shinto - 2007

Native American - Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2007

African Holidays: Santeria - Old Egyptian - 2007

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles & Eclipses - 2007

Meteor Showers - 2007

Visible Planets - 2007

Astrological Periods - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

Environmentalist - Deep Ecology Dates - 2007

Feminist - Human Rights - Social Justice Dates - 2007

Peace - Disarmament Movement Dates - 2007

±±±±±±±±±±

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±

Year 2006 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2006

Christian Holidays: Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition - 2006

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2006

Baha'i Holidays - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Hindu Holidays - 2006

Buddhist Holidays - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Asian Holidays: Zoroastrian - Sikh - Jain - Taoist - Shinto - 2006

Native American - Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2006

African Holidays: Santeria - Old Egyptian - 2006

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles & Eclipses - 2006

Meteor Showers - 2006

Visible Planets - 2006

Astrological Periods - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Environmentalist - Deep Ecology Dates - 2006

Feminist - Human Rights - Social Justice Dates - 2006

Peace - Disarmament Movement Dates - 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...

Christian Holidays:
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition - 2008

Native American -
Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2008

Environmentalist -
Deep Ecology Dates - 2008

Year 2007
Calendar
By Tradition...

Christian Holidays:
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition - 2007

Native American -
Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2007

Environmentalist -
Deep Ecology Dates - 2007

Year 2006
Calendar
By Tradition...

Christian Holidays:
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition - 2006

Native American -
Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2006

Environmentalist -
Deep Ecology Dates - 2006

Year 2005
Calendar
By Tradition...

Christian Holidays:
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition - 2005

Native American -
Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2005

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2005

Environmentalist -
Deep Ecology Dates - 2005

Year 2004
Calendar
By Tradition...

Christian Holidays:
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition - 2004

Native American -
Meso American - Hispanic Holidays - 2004

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe & the Middle East (Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Egyptian, etc.) - 2004

Environmentalist -
Deep Ecology Dates - 2004