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The Day of Covenant, is a day of reflection for the Baha is. The Covenant is the uniting force of the Baha i faith. It is the agreement through which the Baha is on turning towards an appointed successor will receive constant divinely ordained guidance. The Baha is offer their thanks to God for His constant guidance extended to Humanity. Actually, it is the instructed day of Abdu l Baha, the son of Baha u llah, to be commemorated as the day of the Centre of the Covenant s appointment.

This is observed as a Holy Day by the Baha is and is held annually. The Day of Covenant was created by Abdu l Baha on the request of the Bahaais of America in the early 1900s, who were keen on celebrating his birthday. Now, Abdu l Baha was born on 23 May, the day of the Declaration of the Bab (another Holy Day of the Baha is). He felt, that day belonged particularly to the Bab and therefore he chose another date, 26 November to observe the Day of Covenant.

Bahaullah s oldest son, Abdul Baha was Bahaullah s appointed successor or the center of Baha u llah s Covenant along with His followers. He was also the authorized Interpretor of His Father s Writings and was also the perfect example of His Father s Teachings. In a contrast to the other Baha i Holy Days, this day does not demand refrain from work and neither is it compulsory to celebrate the day.

Though Abdu l Baha is no Prophet in His own right, such is His distinction that His writings are a vital part of the Bahai Holy Writings. The Baha is revere Him as the Master . Abdu l Baha did not want this Holy Day to be suspended from work as He never wanted to be on an equal level with Baha u llah. Moreover, He considered Himself to be His Father s servant.

The greatness of Abdu l Baha lies in the fact that He never sought honor for Himself, nor did he wish to achieve glory, but He always wished to be known as His Father s servant. His name, Abdu l Baha also implies the servant of Baha .

The Day of Covenant is a celebration of Abdu l Baha s life, but in a deeper sense it depicts the celebration of the establishment of the Covenant of the Baha u llah. The day marks a greater emphasis on the promise made by Baha u llah to His followers that in exchange of their obedience, He would ensure them their unity and also establish the Kingdom of God on Earth through them.

Baha u llah commanded His followers to turn to the Center of the Covenant, which is represented by Abdu l Baha, after His death. Therefore, the Master and the Covenant are inseparable and a celebration of one will automatically be a celebration for the other also.

However, in the Bahaai faith, the Day of Covenant and the anniversary of the Passing of Abdu l Baha are the only two Holy Days when work is not required to be suspended.

Declaration Of The Bab is an important day for the Bahais, when they venerate the Declaration of The Bab, the Promised person. The incident took place on 22nd May 1844, two hours and eleven minutes after the sunset. It is a renowned day, which marks he start of the Bahai Era in Iran.

The declaration actually is a testimony of Bab s omnipotence. Here He has declared that He is the founder of an independent religious sect, and a Prophet or the Messenger of God as well. He is the fellow who would bring peace and prosperity to His people. The Declaration carries this fundamental point of Bab, which is known as the Bayan .

During the contemporary era, Muslims were looking for a prophet or a leader to guide them forward. Bab declared Bahaullah the latest manifestation of God. Bahaullah is the true follower of Bab and the Prophet-Founder of the Bahai Faith.

The day of the Declaration is also considered as the day of Blessed Beauty , where Bahaullah represents the shining sun. In accepting Bahaullah as their leader and guide, the Persians have faced some difficulty. Some of them have been persecuted, jailed, and convicted. But, ultimately, they have overcome their ordeal with a lot of courage.

Behind the formation of the Declaration day, you have to go through the history first. Bab had previously been known as Siyyid Al Muhamm d. He had a generous heart and He spread His humanitarian views among the other people of His sect. Bab was very straightforward in His approach. He was a man of medium height and clear heart.

He preached that you should not be hesitant in breaking your pledge if necessary. He was a man of dignity and self-assurance. He always advised His followers to commit, but in the name of God. He had such a brilliant exterior, that even a layman can read through the Divine look, manifesting Godly brilliance.

Visiting the mosque daily was a must for Him. He used to say that all your approaches should be conditioned according to the Will of God. By following the Holy path of faith and spiritual clarity, Bab has turned the Bahais one of the most transparent religions of the world.

Declaration Of The Bab, the Holy Day thus brings into focus the prophetic brilliance and glory of Bahaullah.

The Martyrdom of the Bab, the founder of the Babi and the forerunner of the Baha i faith is observed on July 9, the day of the execution of the Bab. The day is mourned by Baha is all over the world and commemorated as a Holy Day. It is observed by the Baha is by suspending work on that day. The execution of the Bab or The Gate was carried out by the firing squad and remains one of the most dramatic stories of Baha i history.

The Bab went against Islam and therefore was called a heretic. Ultimately, this led to his execution engaging 2 different firing squads before the final sentence of the Bab s execution was carried out. The first firing squad failed due to the Bab disappearing into his cell to complete the work he had left unfinished. After finishing his work, the Bab returned to face the execution carried out by the second firing squad.

His Works

The greatest work of the Bab was the Bayan which was a replacement of the Muslim laws. The Bab also foretold of the advancement of Baha u llah, the next manifestation of God.

His Life

The Bab was gentle and kind in nature. When He declared his mission in 1844, he was only 25 years old. From the time He made the declaration He was tortured, imprisoned and ultimately was executed because of the claim He made to be a Messenger from God.

The Story of His Martyrdom

The guards took away the Bab s green turban and the sash which revealed that He was a descendant of Mohammed. He was forced to walk to the barracks where He would be executed. The people flooded the streets to get a glimpse of Him.

A young man from the crowd fell at the Bab s feet and implored Him to let him accompany Him, which the Bab allowed and named him Anis , which means companion . Two other followers also begged to accompany Him and they were all taken to the barracks and locked in a cell together.

Knowing that He would die, the Bab was filled with joy. On the next morning, when the Bab was speaking to His follower, He was interrupted and taken along with His follower Anis to the barracks square. They were tied with a rope and hung from a nail in the barracks wall. Watched by a great number of people, the Bab and Anis was shot by seven hundred and fifty riflemen in three lines.

After the shot, people found Anis smiling and standing beneath the broken rope. The Bab had disappeared and was later found in his cell finishing His interrupted conversation with His follower. It required the bringing of another regiment for their execution. The second firing squad fired at both Anis and the Bab with Anis resting his head on the Bab s chest. After the shot, the Bab s appeared to be unmarked and peaceful.

The Martyrdom of the Bab is one of the most important Baha i Holy Days.

The Birth of the Bab is celebrated by Baha is all over the world on October 20. Mirza Ali Muhammed or The Bab, as we know Him was born in 1819 in Shiraz, Persia. He was the founder of the Babi faith and also foretold the coming of the Promised One or the Baha u llah.

In 1844, when the Bab was only 25 years old, He declared Himself to be Bab ud-Din or the doorway to the Faith . He knew that His mission was to reform Islam and He also knew that He had to pave the way for a successor who would be capable of completing His work on Islam reformation. For this particular event, He has been compared to John The Baptist , who paved the way for Jesus Christ. The successor of Bab was Bahaullah, who was also the founder of the Baha i Faith.

Life of the Bab

The Bab being of the lineage of Prophet Muhammed was to become the Qa im, meaning the Promised One of Islam. The Bab s father died when He was still young and so He was taken care of by His maternal uncle, who later was a martyr to the Babi Faith. At school, He showed great intuitive knowledge of the Spirit, and astonished His teachers.

After school He joined His uncle in the family business and became a merchant. He later married His cousin and lost His only child shortly after the delivery. During the next six years of His life, He was imprisoned in a mountain and finally was executed at the barracks-square in Tabriz.

John the Baptist and the Bab

The life of the Bab often resembles that of John the Baptist. Other than making the way for Baha u llah, like John made the way for Christ, the Bab also became a martyr like John who became the first martyr to Christ. But, the Bab and Baha u llah never met in person unlike John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.

Celebration of the Birth of Bab

On October 20, the Baha is refrain from work. Being a Holy Day, it is part of the fellowship and the prayers. Readings from the Bab s writings, the Bible and the Quran are conducted. A formal dinner might also be hosted by some communities. Picnics and outdoor activities are also planned for the day. Non-Baha is interested to know about the Faith may also be invited to attend the holy day celebrations.

The birth of every Manifestation is a kind of rebirth for the Entire World. The Birth of the Bab is one of the eleven Holy Days in the Baha i calendar.

The Ascension of Abdu l Baha, Baha u llah s oldest son is the day of commemorating the death of the second leader of the Baha i Faith. Abdu l Baha died on November 28, 1921. He was 77 years old at that time. On this holyday, Baha is all over the world remembers the life of Abdu l Baha and tries to re-dedicate themselves to the Baha i doctrine.

Life of Abdu l Baha

One event that made a strong impact on Abdu l Baha was the imprisonment of His Father. His family was reduced to poverty and He was attacked by the other children on the streets.

Abdu l Baha married in 1873 and had nine children. Only four of His daughters managed to survive the infancy.

Three closely-related distinctions bestowed upon Him by Baha u llah were:

1. He was the appointed successor of Baha u llah and also the center of Baha u llah s Covenant with His followers.
2. He also had the honor of being the authorized interpreter of His Father s Writings.
3. Being the perfect exemplar of His Father s teachings He was emulated by all the Baha is.

Though, Abdu l Baha was not a Prophet in His own right, His writings form an integral part of the Baha I Holy Writings. The Baha is revere Him as the Master . Two of the Holy Days commemorated by the Baha is celebrate the life of the Abdu l Baha. Though, these are not days in which the Baha is are required to refrain from work.

He spent years in exile with His father and had remained imprisoned for the greater part of His life. He led the Baha i Community during His lifetime and also made some historic travels through North America and Europe in an effort to spread His Father s teachings. He was also knighted by Queen Victoria for His humanitarian services in Palestine at the time of the World War I.

Ascension Of Abdu l Baha

Abdu l Baha died on November 20th, 1920. After Baha u llah s death, the Will and Testament of Baha u llah stated that Abdu l Baha s half brother, Mirza Muhammad Ali should be the leader of the Faith. Thus, while most of the Baha is followed Abdu l Baha, a handful went on to follow Mirza Muhammad Ali.

Abdu l Baha is buried in the front room of the shrine where the Bab is also buried in Mount Carmel. Though there are plans to build a shrine for Abdu l Baha. His Will and Testament states His grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani as the selected Guardian of the Baha i Faith. The Ascension of Abdu l Baha is a celebration of the rising of Abdu l Baha s spirit to the heavenly dwelling for the Baha is.

Norooz or the New Day is a symbol of piety and godliness. The celebration starts on the eve of the last Wednesday also known as Red Wednesday of the year to be parted soon and it eventually progresses through the 13th day of the New Year. Norooz is an occasion to make merry the arrival of the departed souls of the family.

The New Day is a specialty of the culture of Iran and it is also an integral part of the Zoroastrian religion. Foods offered on this special day are significant as each item has its own symbolic implication. Apple, garlic, sprouts, vinegar, pudding, fruits of the Lotus tree and sumac berries all are special with unique significance. The Zoroastrians gaily celebrate the birthday of Zarthushtra on the sixth day of No Ruz. Amazingly, this festival falls on the day of vernal equinox each year.

The Persian point of view

According to a Parsi, the New Day or the New Year is a recurring f te of the spring equinox. Norooz is a tradition and a part of the cultures of ancient Mesopotamia, the Babylonians, the Akaddians and the Assyrians (people living in southwest and south central Asia), the Persians, the Medes, the Elamites, the Chaldeans and the Sumerians.

Norooz is a widespread religious celebration including territories, which have an extension from the Aral Lake and Indus River to the East, the Caspian Sea to the North, the Black and the Mediterranean Sea to the West and the Persian Gulf to the South. History also relates that the first day of spring was pragmatically followed by the Europeans during the middle ages. On the other hand, during the 18th century, the American pilgrims observed the first day of spring as the common New Year .

What do the followers of Norooz do on this special occasion?

They visit relatives and compeers, behave respectfully with the elders, try to give up antagonistic feelings and share cordiality with the enemies, pay visit to the resting place of the departed souls, and donate or contribute for the sake of the poor and the sick. The thirteenth day of the festival, ends on 1st April and on this day people feel great in receiving and offering gifts and presents of all sorts. On 1st April, all people jubilate throughout the day in their respective countries through dance, songs and plays.

Aficionados of the Fasli a variant of the Zoroastrian Calendar observes No Ruz as the first day of the New Year. The other derivatives of the Zoroastrian calendar celebrate Norooz two times each year. One is celebrated on 21st March as the beginning of the Spring season and it is usually regarded as Jamshedi Norouz. The other is celebrate either in the month of July or August and it is generally referred to as new year s eve or new year s day.

The concept of Norooz has lot to do with immortal Zoroastrian themes of good luck (light) and evil. According to an ancient Zoroastrian theme in epic, No Ruz is celebrated as a victory of the good over the evil.

In brief, Nu Roz or Norooz as it is better known as is significantly a celebration of life itself.

The first day of Ridvan falling on 21st April, is a very special historic day for the Baha is . The Day of Supreme Felicity as described by Bahaullah for the first day of Ridvan, marks the beginning of the 12-day festival of Ridvan. Ridvan is celebrated to commemorate the days of Bahaullah in the Garden of Ridvan after his exile from Baghdad. This is where he declared to some of the people gathered there that he was the messenger of God.

Though there is no particular ritual, most Bahai bodies hold elections for their governing bodies on the first day of Ridvan. This Holy Day is declared a holiday and the Bahai s are not expected to work on this day.

History of Ridvan

On 22nd April, 1863 Bahaullah left his house and moved to the Garden of Ridvan after he was exiled from Baghdad to Istabul. On the afternoon on which he entered the Garden he declared the Festival of Ridvan, which continued for 12 days including the days of his arrival (the first day), the arrival of his family (the ninth day) and his departure (the twelfth day). It was during his stay in the Garden of Ridvan he declared his mission to humanity and that he is the Promised one. After nearly 10 years later, The Kitab-I-Aqdas declared Ridvan as one of the Most Great Festivals . Since then this festival is celebrated every year by all the followers of Bahai Faith all around the World.

According to the Bahai s Calendar, the Festival is to begin on the 32nd day of the Bahai year, which usually falls on April 21. The festival starts two hours before the sunset, when Bahaullah entered the Garden of Ridvan.

All the three days, the first, the ninth and the twelfth day Bahai s do not work. People observe prayers, meetings and the celebrations include feasting, dining, giving gifts to friends and alms to the needy.

The Ridvan Garden

Ridvan means Paradise. Bahaullah renamed the Garden Najibiyyih, situated across the Tigris River as the Garden of Ridvan on his arrival there after his exile. Bahaullah compares his move from the Most Great House (his house in Baghdad) to the Garden of Ridvan, to Muhammad s travel from Mecca to Medina.

Bahaullah s Three Announcements

After his arrival in the Garden, Bahaullah claimed his prophet hood to his son Abdu l-Baha and four others. Apart from this, he made three announcements. The first announcement was abrogating religious war by the followers of Bahai faith, which was permitted in Islam and under certain conditions by the B b. The second was that there would not be another Manifestation of God for another 1000 years; the third was that all the names of God were fully manifest in all things.

The First day of Ridvan is thus not only the King of Festivals as referred by the Bahai s, it could also be said to have marked the beginning of the Bahai Faith.

The birth of Baha u llah, Prophet-Founder of the Baha i faith was on the 12th of November, 1817 in the city of Tehran. The Baha is commemorate this day. The Arabic word Baha u llah means the glory of God . Formerly named Husayn-Ali Nuri, Baha u llah was a sensitive, intellectual, humane and a wise person from his childhood. He was known for his moral conduct and devotion to religion.

The celebration of the birth of the Bahaullah is a part of the nine holy days in the Faith when all the Baha is refrain from working. Turning down a financially rewarding position in the government, Baha u llah became the follower of the Prophet Bab who foretold of the advent of a prophet greater than himself. Prophet Bahaullah had received a revelation from God that he was the chosen one.

Baha u llah professed the oneness of humanity, oneness of God and oneness of religion. He stressed on the equality of women and men, universal education and the need to live a life of virtue. The day Baha u llah declared that he was the one that Bab foretold about, marked the birth of the Bahaai faith or the first day of the Ridvan (Paradise).

Hand of the Cause of God, Ali Akbar Furutan compiled childhood stories of the Baha u llah in his book Stories of Bahaullah .

Baha u llah had a well-to-do upbringing and a noble education along with learning riding, calligraphy and Arabic. In his youth, he came to be known as the Father of the Poor for his generosity and charitable activities. He resolved problems which none were able to. He became a great follower of Bab and after Bab s execution, he was also imprisoned on false charges. His property was confiscated and he was even sent to an exile in Baghdad. However, the forty years of imprisonment could not affect the spiritual man.

Baha is celebrate the birth of Baha u llah by reading from the Bible, Bhagvad Gita or the Quran. In just about 160 years, there are more than 5 million people who are followers of the Bahaai faith all over the world. The birth of Baha u llah is celebrated by the Baha is just like Christmas is celebrated by the Christians.

Simchot Torah is the day when the annual cycle of reading of the Torah is completed and the new cycle begins. On Simchot Torah, the last passage of Deuteronomy is concluded and immediately the first passage of the Torah, the Genesis is read thus continuing an unbroken cycle of reading the Holy Book of Judaism.

The Date Of Simchot Torah

Simchot Torah is observed on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret which immediately succeeds the seven day holiday of Sukkot in the Autumn. In 2006 Simchot Torah took place on October 15.

The Festivities Of Simchot Torah

The festivities begin with the evening service. The Torah scrolls of the synagogue are removed from the ark and are carried around the synagogue in a series of seven circuits or processions known as Hakafot. Many people are given the chance to carry Torah in Hakafot. Though, Hakafot means only one round of the synagogue people often overflow the streets dancing and singing with the Torah.

The Orthodox and Conservative Jewish synagogues announces each circuit by invocations imploring to God to save us (Hoshiah Nah) and the circuit ends with the refrain answer us on the day we call (Annenuu Bayom Karenu). The traditional chants of the Orthodox synagogues include liturgical verses about the Torah, Biblical songs and verses about Torah, songs telling the story of the restoration of the House of David and the Temple in Jerusalem and the Messianic yearnings.

In many synagogues, drinking hard liquor on Simchot Torah is customary. Simchot Torah is one of the only two occasions (the other is Purim) when public drinking of liquor is allowed.

After Hakafot, the last Parsha of the Torah, the Deuteronomy is read. It has become customary to give all the members the honor of reciting the blessing of Torah. This honor is called Aliyah. Often the passages of the Torah are repeated until all the members have recited the blessings.

Children are encouraged to participate in the Simchot Torah ceremonies. As per custom, the children are given Simchot Torah flags to carry as they participate in the festivities of singing and dancing. According to custom they are given tasty candied apples as a symbol to remind them that they are surrounded by the sweetness of the Torah.

This day is also a fun day. People recite chants in funny accents, some sprays water on the Hazzan (reader) when he reads the prayer for rain, parodies of songs are sung, people steal items of the officious people and many more tricks are played on Simchot Torah.

Tisha B’av is a day of mourning, a day that is remembered for a number of gloomy events in Jewish history. On that very day, the First Temple was demolished in 586 BCE and so was the second temple in 70 CE. Again, this date also holds the start of the exclusion of the Jews from Spain. Tisha B Av is most significant amongst the other three days of mourning in relation to the destruction of the First and Second Temples.

The History

It is found that, it all starts with the Bein ha-Metsarim – a mourning period on the 17th of Tammuz, about three weeks before Tisha B Av. This was the day when the walls of Jerusalem were demolished before the Second Temple was put to pieces. Mourning practices as well as fasting are seen here on this day. No weddings and religious Jews indulge in cutting their hair or listening to music.

Like the Day of Atonement, this holy day stretches from sunset on the eve of the 9th of Av till sunset the next day. There are restrictions on physical pleasures on this day. There are other prohibitions as well like washing, wearing leather shoes, etc. Moreover, sleeping on the ground and sitting on a chair at daytime are to be done away with.

Reading the Book of Lamentations is required whatsoever. The book tells about the fed-up state of Jerusalem and the Jewish people after destruction. It also gives explanation for the diktat of destruction issued by God against the Jewish people s sins. The Lamentations are to be read being seated on the floor and by the candlelight.

The Jews mourn as they recall all their ancestors who were thrown out from the land of Israel. In fact, after the First Temple was destroyed, the Jews were exiled to Babylonia only allowing them to return to their homes some fifty years later. What followed then was the expulsion of the Jews, which was just after the Second Temple, was demolished.

It is observed that, before the holiday actually commences, having light dinner falls within the custom. And dinner takes in hard-boiled eggs and lentils. They are to be had on the days of mourning.

Thus, you will find that Tisha B Av is the day where the Jews demonstrate their grief dedicated to the myriad tragedies in Jewish history.