2011 Baha'i Holidays
* 1/1: World Peace Day--Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [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] [The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) monitors implementation of the Convention. For more information, see Human Rights Watch website.] [Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Article 2 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) also prohibit discrimination on account of race.] [The U.N. has designated 3/21 to 3/27 Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.]
* 1/12: Day genocide was outlawed world-wide (1951); day to mourn all victims of genocide. [Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: signed/adopted 12/9/1948; entered into force 1/12/1951.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see Prevent Genocide International website.]
* 1/16: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects. [a/k/a World Religion Day]
* 1/19: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Sultan - Sovereignty. Baha'is believe in the oneness of Deity.
* 2/7: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Mulk - Sacred Dominion. Baha'is believe in the oneness of all humanity.
* 2/26 to 3/1: Ayyam-i-Ha--Baha'is prepare for the Fast with festivities, gift-giving, and helping those in need. [a/k/a Days of Ha, Intercalary Days]
* 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.] [Text of Convention] [The U.S. and Iran have not ratified the Protocol.] [Landmines maim and kill civilians, including children. Those that survive endure a lifetime of hardship.] [In the name of Baha'u'llah, and for love of Baha'u'llah, Baha'is should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website.] [The U.N. has designated 4/4 International Day for Mine Awareness.]
* 3/2 to 3/20: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as 'Ala' - Loftiness, followed by the Fast - time of purification by fasting from sunrise to sunset. ['Ala' Truce (through Naw Ruz): Time to cease all forms of conflict (at least temporarily), extend a greeting to your adversary, and share an evening meal for peace.] [a/k/a 'Ala' Fast, Period of the Fast]
* 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. [See U.N. website on International Women's Day; A history of International Women's Day.]
* 3/21: Naw Ruz--Baha'i New Year (Year 167) and feast honoring the one Deity as Baha - Splendor. [a/k/a Feast of Naw Ruz]
* 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.] [Text of Convention] [Iran is believed to currently have a biological weapons program in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Iran has ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of Baha'u'llah, and for love of Baha'u'llah, Baha'is should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on Biological Warfare. See also U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (U.N.O.D.A.) website; Federation of American Scientists (F.A.S.) Biological and Chemical Weapons Main Page.]
* 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.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]
* 4/9: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Jalal - Glory.
* 4/21 to 5/2: Ridvan--Baha'i celebration of Baha'u'llah's declaration identifying himself as the New Prophet. [Ridvan Truce: Time to cease all forms of conflict (at least temporarily), extend a greeting to your adversary, and share a meal for peace.] [a/k/a Twelve Days of Ridvan]
* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [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.] [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day]
* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (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 (U.N.H.C.R.) website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 4/28: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Jamal - Beauty.
* 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.] [Text of Convention] [Iran is believed to currently possess chemical weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Iran has ratified the Treaty. The U.S. is currently in the process of destroying its chemical weapons in compliance with the Treaty.] [In the name of Baha'u'llah, and for love of Baha'u'llah, Baha'is should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on Chemical Warfare. See also U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (U.N.O.D.A.) website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (O.P.C.W.) webpage; Federation of American Scientists (F.A.S.) Biological and Chemical Weapons Main Page.] [a/k/a Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare] [See U.N. website on Chemical Warfare Victims Remembrance Day.]
* 5/5: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government 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. For domestic organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website; 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; Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief website.]
* 5/17: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as 'Azamat - Grandeur. Baha'is believe in the oneness of all religions.
* 5/22 eve: Night Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad announced his identity as the Bab (1844). The Bab foretold the coming of Baha'i Prophet Baha'u'llah. [a/k/a Declaration of the Bab]
* 5/29: Death day of Baha'i Prophet Baha'u'llah (1892). Baha'u'llah believed Deity to be male, female, and beyond gender. [Birthday 11/12/1817] [a/k/a Ascension of Baha'u'llah]
* 6/5: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Nur - Light. Baha'is recognize ethnic equality.
* 6/24: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Rahmat - Mercy.
* 6/26: Day torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment were outlawed world-wide (1987); day to mourn their continued existence. [Torture is an illegal, immoral, and ineffective means of interrogation and punishment. All officials have a legal duty and moral obligation to refuse an order to commit torture and to prevent it from occurring. Anyone who attempts, conspires, or commits torture is legally culpable. All acts of torture should be investigated, prosecuted, and punished. Neither war nor civil strife nor emergency justifies torture.] [Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: adopted 12/10/1984; signed on 2/4/1985; entered into force 6/26/1987.] [Text of Convention] [The Committee Against Torture monitors implementation of the Convention. For more information, see U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website.] [Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Article 7 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) also guarantee freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.] [See U.N. website on Torture Victims' Day.] [a/k/a International Day in Support of Victims of Torture]
* 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.] [Text of Convention] [The U.S. used 2 atomic bombs on Japan in 8/1945: over 270,000 civilians died from the bombs and radiation. The original nuclear powers have failed to destroy their nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's requirement that they work towards disarmament. Iran is believed to be attempting to develop nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition; Iran has ratified the Treaty. 9 countries are known to currently possess nuclear weapons, and other countries (including Iran) are believed to be attempting to develop or acquire them.] [In the name of Baha'u'llah, and for love of Baha'u'llah, Baha'is should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [For more information, see Wikipedia article on Nuclear Warfare. See also U.N. Office for Disarmament Affairs (U.N.O.D.A.) website; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website. And see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide for information on Iran's nukes.]
* 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.]
* 7/2: Day discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, gender, and religion was prohibited in public accommodations, employment, and education (1964). [The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.] [Pub. L. 88-352, 78 Stat. 241, 42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.] [Text of statute] [Title II prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, Title III and Title VI prohibit discrimination by local governments, Title IV and Title IX prohibit discrimination in education, and Title VII prohibits discrimination in employment.] [For information on fighting discrimination based on "race" and "color", see U.S. E.E.O.C. website, and for information on fighting discrimination based on national origin, see U.S. E.E.O.C. website. For information on fighting discrimination based on gender (including sexual harassment), see U.S. E.E.O.C. website. For information on fighting discrimination based on religion, see U.S. E.E.O.C. website.]
* 7/9: Death day of the Bab, Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad (1850). [Birthday 10/20/1819] [a/k/a Martyrdom of the Bab]
* 7/11: Baha'i Rights Day--Vigil for the end of persecution of Baha'is in Iran. In Iran, Baha'is are prohibited from practicing or teaching their religion, are arbitrarily arrested and detained for long periods, are excluded from universities, and have their property confiscated. [The Baha'i Faith was founded in Iran by an Iranian, and many Baha'is are Iranian and reside in Iran. Some Muslims consider Baha'is to be Muslim apostates and refuse to recognize their religion.] [See Baha'i website and Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights website documenting mistreatment of Baha'is in Iran.] [Articles 2 and 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Articles 2 and 18 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) guarantee freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination on account of religion.]
* 7/13: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Kalimat - Sacred Words. Baha'is pray, meditate on sacred scripture, and act in service to the community.
* 8/1: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Kamal - Perfection.
* 8/1: Day the production and use of cluster munitions was outlawed world-wide (2010); day to mourn their victims. [The Convention on Cluster Munitions a/k/a C.C.M.: Treaty adopted 5/30/2008, signed 12/3/2008; entered into force 8/1/2010.] [Text of Convention] [See Cluster Convention website; Wikipedia article on Convention on Cluster Munitions.] [See also U.N. Charter Article 26, which gives the U.N. Security Council authority to regulate armaments.] [Text of U.N. Charter, chapter V, article 26 ] [The treaty was opposed by countries that produce or stockpile significant quantities of cluster munitions, including the U.S.] [Cluster bombs disperse smaller bomblets over a wide area. They are inherently inaccurate, making civilian casualties more likely. Unexploded cluster bombs remain a life-threatening hazard for civilians long after conflict ends.] [See Wikipedia article on Cluster Munitions.] [In the name of Baha'u'llah, and for love of Baha'u'llah, Baha'is should renounce the production and use of cluster munitions, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing cluster munitions.]
* 8/20: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Asma' - Sacred Names.
* 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.]
* 8/31: Remembrance day for Tahirih (d. 1852) - feminist, poet, scholar, and preacher of the nascent Baha'i Faith. Baha'is recognize gender equality. [Born in 1917; died in 1852 between 8/16 & 8/31.]
* 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] [The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) monitors implementation of the Convention. For more information, see U.N. Women: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.] [Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Text of Declaration) and Article 2 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) also prohibit discrimination on account of gender.]
* 9/8: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as 'Izzat - the Almighty.
* 9/15: International Day of Democracy--Day to celebrate democratic systems of government throughout the world, bound by rule of law, principles of human rights, and civilian control. Day to affirm democracy's compatibility with all peoples, all cultures, and all religions. [In a democracy, both military and police are subject to rule of law and subordinate to civilian government. The military exists to protect the lawful civilian government and civilians; the police exists to enforce the law and protect people from criminals.] [See U.N. website on International Day of Democracy.] [a/k/a Democracy Day]
* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [Peace can be realized where there is recognition of sovereignty/autonomy, compliance with just law, respectful behavior, responsible sharing of resources, cooperation to attain common goals, and reasonable compromise to enable all to meet lawful goals.] [See International Day of Peace website; International Day of Peace Vigil website.]
* 9/27: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Mashiyyat - Divine Will.
* 10/16: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as 'Ilm - Knowledge.
* 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.]
* 10/20: Birthday of the Bab, Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad (1819). [Death day 7/9/1850] [a/k/a Birth of the Bab]
* 10/21: Day military attacks on civilians were outlawed world-wide (1950); day to mourn all civilian victims of war. [All soldiers have a legal duty and a moral obligation to refuse an order to attack a noncombatant. Anyone who plans, orders, or carries out such an act is legally culpable. All attacks on noncombatants should be investigated, prosecuted, and punished.] [Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War a/k/a Fourth Geneva Convention: signed 8/12/1949; entered into force 10/21/1950.] [Text of Convention] [See Wikipedia article on Fourth Geneva Convention.]
* 11/4: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Qudrat - Divine Power.
* 11/4: 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.
* 11/12: Birthday of Mirza Husayn Ali Baha'u'llah (1817), mystic and founder of the Baha'i Faith. [Death day 5/29/1892] [a/k/a Birth of Baha'u'llah]
* 11/16: Tolerance Day--Day to promote harmony in diversity through mutual respect and understanding of all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, nationality, or economic status. [Despite international and domestic laws providing for equal rights, freedoms, and protections, members of minority groups are still harassed and discriminated against because of societal intolerance arising from fear and ignorance.] [Intolerance often results from projection of "collective guilt": it is immoral to blame an entire group for the acts of a member unless the entire group empowered the member who acted or endorsed the acts.] [See U.N. website on International Day for Tolerance; Wikipedia article on Declaration of Principles on Tolerance.] [a/k/a International Day for Tolerance]
* 11/17: 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.]
* 11/23: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Qawl - Sacred Speech.
* 11/24: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.
* 11/26: Day of the Covenant--Day 'Abdu'l-Baha was appointed to lead the Baha'is.
* 11/28: Death day of 'Abdu'l-Baha (1921), leader of the Baha'is. [a/k/a Ascension of 'Abdu'l- Baha]
* 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.]
* 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).] [Text of Declaration] [For 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: all countries are required to respect the rights within it. 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. The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. For more information, see U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website; Amnesty International website.] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day]
* 12/12: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Masa'il - Mystery.
* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the U.S. 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: 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 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website; Endangered Species Coalition website on endangered species preservation; EarthJustice website.]
* 12/31: Baha'i feast honoring the one Deity as Sharaf - Honor.
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[The Baha'i Faith (Baha'ism) is a universal religion founded by Mirza Husayn Ali Baha'u'llah in Iran in 1863. The writings of Baha'u'llah form the holy scriptures of the Baha'i Faith. The most important books are: the Kitab al-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), the Kitab-i Iqan (The Book of Certitude), Haft Wadi (The Seven Valleys), and al-Kalimat al-Maknunah (The Hidden Words). Baha'is believe the one Deity is a unitary unknowable essence, yet manifested in a variety of ways. They believe the one Deity has been manifest in the Jewish Prophets, Jesus, Muhammad, and Baha'u'llah. Baha'ism has roots in Islam and Babism.]
[The Baha'i calendar (Badi' calendar) of the Baha'i Faith was devised by the Bab, Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad. It is a solar calendar reflecting a year of 19 months. Each month consists of 19 days and is named to reflect an attribute of the One Deity. Four intercalary days (during ordinary years) or five intercalary days (during leap years) harmonize the calendar with the solar year. The Badi' year begins on March 21. The calendar dates from the year 1844. The Baha'i holidays reflect events in the life of Baha'u'llah, the Bab, and other Baha'i leaders.]
[Please note: Because this calendar is a multifaith 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.]
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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 2011
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2010 Marija Miovski
www.WheeloftheYear.com
