Shavuot Culture/religion: Judaism Date: May 17-18 Shavuot is a two-day holiday celebrating the completion of the seven-week Omer counting period between Passover and Shavuot. The Torah was given by God to the Jewish people on Shavuot, and every year on the holiday the acceptance of God’s gift is renewed. In observance of Shavuot, candles are lit on the first and … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – May 17-23, 2021
Eid ul-Fitr Culture/religion: Islamic Date: May 13 Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and traditionally lasts for three days. The celebration is a time of charitable giving, focused and careful prayer and a season of month-long fasting during daylight hours. Greetings: Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid); Eid sa’id (Happy … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – May 10-16, 2021
Ridvan Festival Culture/religion: Bahá’í Date: April 20-May 1 Ridvan is a 12-day festival, celebrated as the most holy festival in the Bahai’ faith. The festival marks the anniversary of the days Bahá’u’lláh spent along the River Tigris in Baghdad. During those twelve days, in a garden he called “Ridvan,” meaning “paradise,” Bahá’u’lláh announced that he was God’s … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – April 19-25, 2021
Ramadan Culture/religion: Islamic Date: April 13-May 11 Ramadan occurs in the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and is one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude and compassion for those less … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – April 12-18, 2021
National Tartan Day Culture/religion: National observance Date: April 6 National Tartan Day was first recognized in the United States in 1997, but it was only a single-year U.S. Senate Resolution. In 1998, the day was given permanent recognition when the U.S. Senate passed a resolution marking April 6 as National Tartan Day. In 2005, the House of Representatives passed … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – April 5-11, 2021