Dussehra Culture/religion: Hindu Date: October 5 Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami (“victory on the tenth day”) is one of the major Hindu festivals celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. The festival signifies good over evil, commemorating the victory of Lord Rama over the demon Ravana. Though observed for different reasons and celebrated in a variety of … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – October 3-9, 2022
Eid ul-Fitr Culture/religion: Islamic Date: May 2 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 2-8, 2022
Yom HaShoah Culture/religion: Judaism Date: April 28 Yom Hashoah, known by the full name of Yom Hashoah Ve-Hagevurah (“Day of (Remembrance of) Holocaust and the Heroism”), is a day of commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. The day is observed on the 27th day in the month of Nisan – a week after the seventh day of Passover. The date of Yom Hashoah was … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – April 25-May 1, 2022
Mawlid Culture/religion: Islamic Date: October 19 Mawlid commemorates the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad on 12 Rabi’ al-awwal, the twelfth day of the third month in the Islamic calendar. In predominantly Muslim countries, Mawlid al-Nabi is a public holiday. Many Muslims do not celebrate this holiday, as they feel it puts too much emphasis on the prophet as … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – October 18-24, 2021
Ashura Culture/religion: Islamic Date: August 19 Ashura, which literally means the “tenth” in Arabic, refers to the tenth day of Muharram and is a day of remembrance for Muslims. Muharram is a holy day and well-known because of its historical significance and mourning for the murder of Hussain ibn Ali, a 7th century revolutionary leader who was killed in The Battle of … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – August 16-22, 2021