HUMBER INTERFAITH CALENDAR
MULTIFAITH HOLY DAYS & FESTIVALS
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 x4427 or chaplain@humber.ca for due consideration.
01 Thursday
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- Labour Day (Canada/USA) A national holiday to celebrate the contribution of labour to society by working persons.
- Ananta-chaturdasi (Jainism) The Festival of Ten Virtues is the holiest day of Dashalakshani-parva for the Digambara sect.
- Full Moon The moon is at its greatest visibility.
- 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.
- ‘Izzat to Sep 26 (Baha’i) ‘Izzat, meaning Might, is the tenth month of the Baha’i year.
- Ghambar Paitishahem to Sep 16 (Zoroastrianism) Celebrates the creation of the earth and the harvesting of the summer crop.
- New Moon The moon is at its least visibility.
- Rosh Hashana to September 22 (Judaism) Rosh Hashana is considered the anniversary of the creation of the world and begins at sundown on the previous day. It is the first of the Ten Days of Awe (or Repentance) ending with Yom Kippur and is celebrated with prayers and religious observances. Reform Jews celebrate for one day and others for two.
- Hijra or First of Muharram to October 19 (Islam) The start of a ten day festival to celebrate the Islamic New Year and the Hijra (migration) of Mohammed and his followers from Mecca to Medina, where the first Islamic ummah (community) was established in 622 CE.
- Navratri to September 29 (Hinduism) Nine nights starting on the new moon and ending on Dussehra are dedicated to the goddess Durga who had 9 incarnations and has the power of good to destroy demons.
- 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.
- Shuki Sorei Sai (Shinto) Japanese peoples honour family ancestors with reunions & visits to ancestral grave sites.
- Mashiyyat to Oct 15 (Baha’i) Mashiyyat, meaning Will, is the eleventh month of the Baha’i year.
- Durga Puja to Sarawati Puja October 13 (Hinduism) Celebrates the divine creative force of the universe and honours the 10-armed goddess Durga, wife of Shiva, and the destroyer of demons.
- Yom Kippur (Judaism) The holiest day of the year in Judaism begins at sundown and is a day of fasting. To seek oneness with God, Jews ask forgiveness and forgive others. They then can confess their sins and ask God's forgiveness.
- Ashura (Islam) Commemorates the martyrdom of Husain (Prophet Mohammad’s grandson) observed by Shi’ites on the 10th day of Muharram.
- Dussehra or Vijay Dasami(Hinduism) Celebrates the victory of good over evil (Lord Rama over the demon Ravan, the Goddess Durga over a demon) and follows the celebration of Navaratri (9 nights) and Durga Puja (worship) when other Goddesses are also worshipped.