Humber Interfaith Calendar - Multifaith Holy Days & Festivals
September 2016
In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we provide the following Multifaith Holy Days & Festivals realizing that it is not exhaustive. Should you wish your faith’s days to be included, please contact the Chaplain at 416.675.6622 x4427 or chaplain@humber.ca for due consideration.
01 Thursday
New Moon The moon is at its least visibility.
September = Mdaamini Giizis / Genuuqwiikw (Aboriginal)
Mdaamini Giizis is also known as Corn Moon (Ojibwe). Genuuqwiikw is the season of mountrain trails and the fall hunt (Other).
First Parkash (Sikhism)
Commemorates the installation of the Adi Granth, the Sikh Scriptures’ first edition in the Golden Temple by the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev, in 1604 CE.
05 Monday
Labour Day (Canada/USA)
A national holiday to celebrate the contribution of labour to society by working persons.
Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism)
Honours Ganesh, a major deity, the elephant-headed God known as the “remover of all
06 Tuesday
Samvatsari (Jainism)
Dedicated to introspection, confession and Penance, especially for the Shvetambara sect.
Dashalakshani-Parva to Sep 15 (Jainism)
A ten-day celebration of one virtue each day by the Digambara sect, including: Humility; Honesty; Purity (Cleanliness); Forgiveness; Truthfulness; Self-restraint (Discipline); Ascetism; Study, Celibacy; Detachment.
08 Thursday
‘Izzat to Sep 26 (Baha’i)
‘Izzat, meaning Might, is the tenth month of the Baha’i year.
10 Saturday
Day of Hajj/Day at ‘Arafat (Islam)
Commemorates the concluding revelation to the Prophet at Mount ‘Arafat shortly before his death. Muslims on Hajj attend a service on the plains in front of Mount ‘Arafat.
11 Sunday
Eid-al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifice) (Islam)
The concluding act of pilgrimage. As Abraham offered his son, Ishmael, to God, Muslims offer sheep, goats and camels. They distribute the meat to the poor. Eid al-Adha is observed whether or not on pilgrimage.
12 Monday
Ghambar Paitishahem to Sep 16 (Zoroastrianism)
Celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.
15 Thursday
Ananta-chaturdasi (Jainism)
The Festival of Ten Virtues is the holiest day of Dashalakshani-parva for the Digambara sect.
16 Friday
Full Moon The moon is at its greatest visibility.
Lunar Eclipse (Prenumbral) The Sun, Earth and Moon align in an almost straight line and Earth blocks some of the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon.
Ksamavani (Jainism)
A day of universal forgiveness when Jains ask forgiveness of others for wrongs committed during the previous year and, likewise, forgive those who caused them suffering.
22 Thursday
September (Fall) Equinox Start of the Autumn (Fall) season.
Mabon / Harvest Home (Wicca)
Celebrates life’s encapsulation as a seed to survive the cold, barren winter and the Harvest of the Vine which, as wine, symbolizes the Goddess’ power to transform youth’s sweet nectar into old age wisdom and spiritual maturity.
27 Sunday
Mashiyyat to Oct 15 (Baha’i)
Mashiyyat, meaning Will, is the eleventh month of the Baha’i year.