Bahá í Holy Days and Anniversaries and significant events in the Bahá í calendar 2016 172-173 B.E. In the Bahá í calendar which consists of nineteen months, each nineteen days long, there are nine Holy Days, in addition to the Day of the Covenant and the Anniversary of the Passing of Abdu l-bahá. The last Bahá í month in the Bahá í calendar, called Loftiness ( Alá ), from March 1st - March 19th, is a period of fasting from sunrise to sunset, and is preceded by four-to-five days called Ayyám-i-Há or Intercalary Days in which Bahá ís are enjoined to devote these days to feasting, rejoicing, and charity, and concludes with the Bahá í New Year called Naw-Rúz. {Note: starting with Naw-Rúz 2015 Bahá í dates are set by the lunar calendar see pages 13-16.} See pages 10-11 The nine Holy Days for 2016, and a brief description, are: Naw-Rúz (March 20) ~ Celebration of the Bahá í New Year [page 12] Riḍván (April 20, 28, May 1) ~ Bahá u lláh s public declaration that He was a Messenger of God, in 1863 Declaration of the Báb (May 23) ~ Bahá u lláh s Forerunner announcing that He was a Messenger of God, in 1844; He came to prepared for the coming of Bahá u lláh Ascension of Bahá u lláh (May 28) ~ Commemoration of the passing of Bahá u lláh, in 1892 The Martyrdom of the Báb (July 9) ~ Commemoration of the execution of the Báb, in 1850 Birth of the Báb (November 1) ~ Anniversary of the Birth of the Báb, in 1819 Birth of Bahá u lláh (November 2) ~ Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá u lláh, in 1817 AND Day of the Covenant (November 25) ~ a day designated by Abdu l-bahá to celebrate the Covenant of God Ascension of Abdu l-bahá (November 27) ~ Commemoration of the passing of Abdu l-bahá, in 1921 Below is a brief explanation of each of the Holy Days, and starts with the four great festivals of the Bahá í year. The first is Riḍván the King of Festivals [ which commemorates Bahá u lláh s Declaration of His Prophetic Mission in the Garden of Riḍván in Baghdad during twelve days in April/May 1863 and is referred to by Him as the King of Festivals. ], and includes the First day (April 21 ), the Ninth Day (April 29 ) and the Twelfth Day (May 2 ), and the second is the Declaration of the Báb on May 23. These two Declarations were designated by Bahá u lláh as the two Most Great Festivals. The two other Festivals are the anniversaries of the births of Bahá u lláh and the Báb. In the Muslim lunar calendar these fall on consecutive days, the birth of Bahá u lláh on the second day of the month of Muharram 1233 A.H. (12 November 1817), and the birth of the Báb on the first day of the same month 1235 A.H. (20 October 1819), respectively. They are thus referred to as the Twin Birthdays and Bahá u lláh states that these two days are accounted as one in the sight of God. {Note: dates above & descriptions are from the original text according to the solar calendar}
Riḍván The festival of Riḍván commemorates Bahá u lláh s declaration in 1863 as a Manifestation of God and the bearer of a new revelation. The 12-day festival begins at sunset on April 19th and continues until sunset on May 1st. For Bahá ís it is the Most Great Festival, referred to by Bahá u lláh as the King of Festivals. Bahá u lláh s journey as a prisoner from Tehran, Persia to Haifa, Israel Whilst imprisoned in Tehran in 1852, Bahá u lláh received the Divine summons that He was the Manifestation or Messenger of God Who would unite the peoples of the world, as promised in the scriptures and traditions of all the great religions and particularly by His forerunner, the Báb. However, He did not reveal His station for ten years. After being released from imprisonment He was exiled with His family from Persia to Baghdad, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1863 the Persian ambassador demanded that He be exiled even further, from Baghdad to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). During the ten years He lived in Baghdad, Bahá u lláh had become a greatly respected figure in the city to high and low alike. Prior to His departure, Bahá u lláh took up residence in a garden next to the Tigris River in order to receive guests who wished to pay their respects and bid their farewells to so great a personage. Bahá u lláh designated the garden as the Garden of Riḍván. Riḍván means paradise. Bahá ís celebrate three Holy Days during this festival: the first day of Riḍván, when Bahá u lláh entered the garden; the ninth, day when His family joined Him; and the twelfth day, when He departed for Constantinople. During this time, Bahá u lláh announced His mission The Garden of Riḍván in Israel and station to a small group of His family and friends; He was, He told them, the Promised One foretold by the Báb, and by all the Holy Messengers of the past. He called this festival the King of Festivals and referred to it as the Day of supreme felicity and the Divine Springtime. This is the Day, He proclaimed, whereon naught can be seen except the splendours of the Light that shineth from the face of Thy Lord. On the twelfth and final day of His stay in the garden, Bahá u lláh mounted a fine roan stallion and, amidst displays of grief and affection from the general populace, He, His family and selected companions set out on their three-month journey to Constantinople. The elections for Bahá í local and national spiritual assemblies are held during the festival of Riḍván and are incorporated into the festivities.
About Riḍván Bahá u lláh wrote, Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of purification when, on that first day of Riḍván, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendours of Our most excellent Names and Our most exalted Attributes. This, verily, is a token of My loving providence, which hath encompassed all the worlds. Consort ye then with the followers of all religions, and proclaim ye the Cause of your Lord, the Most Compassionate; this is the very crown of deeds, if ye be of them who understand. ~ Bahá u lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book {of Bahá u lláh s Revelation}), p. 46 Declaration of the Báb May 23rd is one of the most important dates in the Bahá í calendar. On that day in 1844 a young Persian known as the Báb (Arabic for the Gate ) announced the birth of a new era in humanity s spiritual history. He declared that He was the bearer of a divine revelation, and the herald of another Messenger of God soon to appear, who would bring teachings for humanity s age of maturity. Bahá ís believe Bahá u lláh to be that promised Messenger and celebrate the anniversary of the Báb s declaration as a Holy Day. The Bahá í scriptures tell us this is a time for rejoicing, happiness and gladness and it is one of nine Holy Days throughout the year which Bahá ís are encouraged to take off work. All over the world local communities hold commemorative gatherings two hours after sunset on the evening of May 22nd, at the time the Báb made His announcement to a guest in the intimacy of His home. Beyond this there is no ritual, and communities are free to organize their own commemorations as they see fit, typically including prayers, music, reading from the Writings of the Báb and Bahá u lláh, stories of the Báb s life and, of course, time for socializing, fellowship and refreshments. The Báb made His declaration to Mullá Husayn, a young theological student. Aware of prophecies in Islamic traditions of One who shall arise, Mullá Husayn set out in search of this prophetic figure. After a period of fasting and seclusion he journeyed to Shiráz. Near the city gate he was approached by the Báb, who invited him to His house to refresh himself. Over the course of the evening the pair conversed. As the Báb answered His guest s questions, He chanted prayers and gave a commentary on a chapter of the Qur án. Mullá Husayn became the first to believe in Him and accept His station. These truths, Mullá Husayn wrote, which I had never heard before, seemed to be The room where the Báb declared His Mission The Shiráz gate that Mullá Husayn passed through to find the Báb
endowed with refreshing vividness and power... I sat enraptured by the magic of His voice and the sweeping force of His revelation... Excitement, joy, awe, and wonder stirred the depths of my soul. In a few short years the Báb s movement attracted tens of thousands of followers, spread throughout Persia, and provoked severe persecution, culminating in His execution in 1850. The Báb stressed that spiritual advancement rests on love and compassion, not on force and coercion. He taught His followers to purge The Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel your hearts of worldly desires and let angelic virtues be your adorning. Breaking with the orthodoxy of the time He encouraged scientific education and called on the leaders of Persian society to adopt the technological advances of the West. Above all, He focused attention on the imminent appearance of Him Whom God shall make manifest a promise fulfilled in 1863 when Bahá u lláh declared Himself to be the One foretold by the Báb. Ascension of Bahá u lláh Bahá u lláh passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of May 28th 1892. His son, Abdu l-bahá, sent a telegram to Sultan Abdu l-hamíd of Turkey with the news, The Sun of Bahá has set. In His will and testament Bahá u lláh appointed Abdu l-bahá as the Centre of His Covenant with all mankind and as the sole, authorized interpreter of His revealed Word. His father referred to Him as the Greatest Branch, the Mystery of God, and the Master, but following His father s ascension, the name He chose for Himself was Abdu l-bahá, i.e. the Room where Bahá u lláh passed away Servant of Bahá u lláh. The will and testament of Bahá u lláh is a unique document, as it leaves no doubt as to His successor, thus keeping the Faith free from sectarian divisions, contrary to what had happened with previous faiths. The Covenant, embodied in both the will and testament of Bahá u lláh and Abdu l-bahá, ensures the preservation of the Faith s unity and guards against corruption and the desire of self-seeking individuals for temporal power. Upon this rock of the Covenant, this firm and authoritative foundation, the world order of Bahá u lláh is built. Mansion of Bahji, resting place of Bahá u lláh Huge numbers of people came to mourn the passing of Bahá u lláh with the family. They included leading officials, clergymen and scholars from Akká and Haifa. They were of diverse backgrounds, faiths and nations, Druze, Sunní and Shí ih Muslims, Christians of various denominations, and
Jews. Tributes, poems and eulogies were received from cities as far afield as Damascus, Aleppo, Beirut and Cairo. Although the mourners were not followers of His new Faith, they nevertheless realized that a great being had left their midst. Bahá u lláh was officially still a prisoner of the Sultan at the time of His ascension, yet some of those same people who had scorned and vilified Him when He had arrived in the prison city of Akká 24 years before, now came to pay their respects and lament His loss. Many who initially reviled Him eventually became attracted to His radiance and Shrine of Bahá u lláh in Bahji majesty. Bahá u lláh was buried in a small house adjacent to the Mansion of Bahjí, situated outside the city of Akká, in what is now northern Israel. The Shrine is the holiest place on earth for Bahá ís and the place toward which they turn in prayer each day. The anniversary of Bahá u lláh s ascension is a Holy Day in the Bahá í calendar, a day of rest and reflection. It is usually observed by reading from the Writings of Bahá u lláh, reciting or chanting His prayers and recalling stories from His remarkable life. Martyrdom of the Báb The Holy Day of the Martyrdom of the Báb is commemorated on July 9th and marks the passing of the Báb meaning the Gate one of the three central figures of the Bahá í Faith. The Báb declared Himself as the bearer of a divine revelation and the herald of another Messenger of God soon to appear. It was through the Báb that the people of the world were alerted to the coming of Bahá u lláh. The Báb s name is indicative of His role, as He was indeed a gate to the Promised One. Fortress of Chihriq where the Báb was imprisoned Throughout much of His life, the Báb suffered continual exile and imprisonment. Despite His suffering, His spirit of love and friendliness towards everyone never diminished. There were many people who were greatly attracted to the presence of the Báb and the sacred message that He brought. The preaching of the Báb and His followers attracted the opposition of the Islamic clergy, and the Báb was detained in Shiráz in 1845. After a brief period of freedom in Isfahán, the Báb was arrested again and sent to Tabríz in the north west of Persia. Despite his imprisonment in Tabríz and two remote mountain fortresses, the Báb s popularity continued to grow. The House of the Báb where He declared His Mission
The Báb was questioned at an inconclusive trial in Tabriz in July 1848, attended by the Crown Prince and numerous local clergy. Despite pressure from the government for a lenient judgment, a prominent local cleric condemned the Báb to death. It wasn t until two years later that the Báb was brought back to Tabríz to be executed by firing squad. On the morning of July 9th 1850 the Báb was conversing with His amanuensis (secretary) in the prison cell where He had been held overnight when He was interrupted by guards who had come with orders to take Him out to be executed. The Báb told them that no earthly power could silence Him until He had finished what He needed to say to His secretary. Ignoring this, the guards took Him from His cell into the barrack square Hundreds of the citizens of Tabríz awaited the spectacle of His execution. The Báb and one of His followers, Anís, a young man who begged for the privilege of being martyred with Him, were suspended by ropes against a wall. A large firing squad of 750 Christian soldiers formed ranks in readiness The barrack square where the Báb was executed to shoot them; when the order to fire was given, each rank in turn opened fire. When the smoke cleared, to the crowd s amazement the Báb had disappeared, and Anís stood before them alive and untouched by the bullets. The guards found the Báb back in His cell, finishing His conversation with His secretary. This time He told the guards that He had finished His conversation and He was now ready to be taken back to the courtyard. The officer commanding the Christian soldiers refused to take part in the second attempt to execute the Báb and marched his regiment out of Tabríz. Instead a firing squad of Muslim soldiers lined up and fired. Now, when the smoke cleared, both the Báb and His companion were dead, their bodies mingled together. But despite the hail of bullets, the Báb s face was entirely untouched. Before He was martyred the Báb addressed the people in the courtyard: Had you believed in Me, O wayward generation, every one of you would have followed the example of this youth, who stood in rank above most of you, and willingly would have sacrificed himself in My path. The day will come when you will have recognized Me; that day I shall have ceased to be with you. On July 9th, at noon, every year Bahá ís meet in their communities to commemorate the life and martyrdom of the Báb. A special prayer of Bahá u lláh, called the Tablet of Visitation, is read, as are other prayers and readings. Often food and music are shared, and work is suspended on this sacred day. Prayer of the Báb Say: God sufficeth all things above all things, and nothing in the heavens or in the earth but God sufficeth. Verily, He is in Himself the Knower, the Sustainer, the Omnipotent.
The Birth of the Báb Bahá ís around the world celebrate the Birth of the Báb on November1st. The Báb, whose given name was Siyyid Alí-Muhammad, was born in the Persian city of Shiráz in 1819. He later adopted the title of the Báb, or the Gate. He was the herald of the Bahá í Faith and, in 1844, pro-claimed Himself to be the bearer of a divine message whose mission it was to prepare the way for the imminent coming of an even greater divine messenger, Him whom God shall make manifest. It was in 1863 that Bahá u lláh announced that He was the one foreshadowed by the Báb. Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel The Birth of the Báb is one of nine Holy Days on which Bahá ís suspend work. There is no prescribed ceremony for celebrating the anniversary of the Birth of the Báb, but Bahá ís often gather together on this day for devotional meetings and musical programs and recall stories from His early life. As a child, the Báb displayed an amazing wisdom and intelligence. He was raised by an uncle, who sent Him to school. On the first day the teacher asked Him a question about the meaning of a verse from the Qur án. Astonished by the clarity and insight of the Báb s answer, the teacher returned the child to His uncle and stated that he had nothing to teach such a gifted student. The uncle ordered the Báb to return to the class and observe silence and listen to the teacher. Nevertheless, the signs of the Báb s innate and splendid qualities were already being manifested from such a young age and were a prelude to His greater mission in life. Birth of Bahá u lláh On November 2nd Bahá ís all around the world commemorate the Birth of Bahá u lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá í Faith. Gatherings are held in local communities in homes, hired halls or Bahá í centres. It is an opportunity for Bahá ís and their friends to come together to share prayers, engage in artistic performances and enjoy refreshments. It is one of the nine Holy Days on which work is suspended to allow Bahá ís to dedicate the day to celebrating the birth of the most precious Being ever to draw breath on this planet. Bahá u lláh was born Mírzá Husayn- Alí on November 2nd 1817 in Tehran, the capital of Persia now Iran into a noble family. His father The city of Tehran, Iran, where Bahá u lláh was born
was a wealthy government minister. His son Abdu l-bahá said, From earliest childhood He was distinguished among His relatives and friends... In wisdom, intelligence and as a source of new knowledge, He was advanced beyond His age and superior to His surroundings. All who knew Him were astonished at His precocity. It was usual for them to say, Such a child will not live, for it is commonly believed that precocious children do not reach maturity. Despite not having received a formal education, Bahá u lláh became known for His learning and wisdom. The commemoration of Bahá u lláh s birth is a time to recall the new spiritual and social teachings that He brought for our modern age, teachings which are contributing to the progress of the world. Through His Writings, a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of humanity can be found. This, Bahá ís believe, is crucially needed for humanity s progress. The Day of the Covenant The Day of the Covenant falls on November 25th, and commemorates Bahá u lláh s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu l-bahá, as the protector of the Covenant of Bahá u lláh. With the passing of Bahá u lláh on May 28th 1892, the safeguarding of this Covenant was entrusted to Abdu l-bahá, as set out by Bahá u lláh in His will and testament, the Kitábi- Ahd ( Book of the Covenant ). The Covenant of Bahá u lláh mandates the succession of authority in relation to the interpretation of the sacred texts and the administration of the Bahá í Faith. It is unique in Portrait of Abdu l-bahá religious history. Abdu l-bahá writes: Were it not for the protecting power of the Covenant to guard the impregnable fort of the Cause of God, there would arise among the Bahá ís, in one day, a thousand different sects as was the case in former ages. In His humility, Abdu l-bahá instructed the Bahá ís not to observe May 23rd as His birthday; He writes No one must mention that day [May 23rd] except as the Day of the Declaration of His Highness the Báb. So to provide the Bahá ís with a day of remembrance, Abdu l-bahá instead chose November 25th, a day that falls six months after the Ascension of Bahá u lláh, and dedicated it to the Covenant of Bahá u lláh.
Unlike the nine major Holy Days, on the Day of the Covenant (and similarly on the Day of Ascension of Abdu l-bahá) Bahá ís have no obligation to cease work, but the days should still be observed by the friends coming together. The Ascension of Abdu l-bahá Abdu l-bahá was born in 1844 in Tehran, Persia, on the same night that the Báb, the herald of Bahá u lláh, declared His mission. He was the eldest son of Bahá u lláh, the Prophet- Founder of the Bahá í Faith. Although Abdu l-bahá is not considered a Prophet of God, He holds a unique station in the Bahá í Faith as the primary interpreter of His father s teachings and as the Perfect Exemplar of His Faith. His life was a living example of self-sacrifice, of preferring the good of others to one s own. Picture of Abdu l-bahá Abdu l-bahá spent most of His life exiled with His family successively to Baghdad, Constantinople, Adrianople, and finally to the prison city of Akká. The government and religious leaders of the Ottoman Empire tried to limit the spread and influence of His father s Faith, but over time, He and His father earned the utmost respect from the Governor of Akká and its populace. Shortly before the His passing in 1892, Bahá u lláh appointed Abdu l-bahá as His successor and as the Centre of His Covenant for His followers the Centre to which all Bahá ís should turn for guidance, thereby maintaining the unity of the Faith. After being released from imprisonment in 1908, and despite being advanced in age, Abdu l-bahá set out upon a number of major travels from 1911 to 1913 to the West, including to Great Britain, northern Europe and North America, to spread Bahá u lláh s teachings and strengthen the early Bahá í communities in these countries. He returned to Haifa before the start of the First World War. In 1920 the British government awarded Him a knighthood in recognition of His having distributed His stored grain during the war to prevent people from starving. At the age of 77, Abdu l-bahá passed away peacefully at His home in Haifa on November 27th 1921. The next day a funeral was held, Home of Abdu l-bahá the like of which Haifa had never before seen, as thousands of mourners of many ethnic and religious backgrounds gathered and nine speakers paid tribute to His life of service. To commemorate Abdu l-bahá s passing Bahá ís around the world come together to reflect upon the distinguishing aspects of His life, share prayers and seek inspiration to follow His example, walking a spiritual path with practical feet.
Ayyám-i-Há Beginning on February 26th, Bahá ís all over the world celebrate the four-day period (five-day in a leap year) known as Ayyám-i-Há (literally the Days of H Ha is the Arabic letter h 1 ) and which continues until sunset on February 29th. This intercalary period falls between the 18th and 19th months of the Bahá í calendar. The abjad numerical value of this Arabic letter is five, which corresponds to the potential number of intercalary days. The letter Ha has been given several spiritual meanings in the Holy Writings, among which is as a symbol of the Essence of God. 1. Bahá u lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 178 The Báb, who was the herald and forerunner to Bahá u lláh, designed a new calendar called the Badí calendar. It consists of 19 months made up of 19 days each, named after a divine attribute, such as Might, Loftiness, and Splendour. This adds up to 361 days, so the four or five days of the Ayyám-i-Há (also known as the Intercalary Days ) allow the Badí calendar to line up with the solar calendar [ Note: Now changed with the 10 July 2014 guidance; see pp. 13-16]. The calendar was later confirmed by Bahá u lláh, who adopted Naw-Rúz as the Bahá í New Year, and is used by the Bahá í community. Ayyám-i-Há provides a time for the particular practice of spiritual qualities, such as generosity and hospitality, as well as service to humanity. During this time Bahá ís are enjoined to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy. And Bahá ís also use this period to prepare for the subsequent month of fasting, which is a time of reflection, detachment and spiritual discipline. Bahá u lláh wrote: and when they end these days of giving that precede the season of restraint let them enter upon the Fast. share in peaceful fellowship. There are no particular practices prescribed in the Bahá í scriptures for the observance of Ayyám-i-Há. Bahá ís around the world show their generosity, friendship and hospitality in ways that reflect their own varied cultures. In many countries, Bahá ís tend to give gifts to one another, to gather together in their homes, and to invite their friends to As Ayyám-i-Há draw to a close the Fast draws near. Henceforth, 19 days later, the spiritual recuperation of fasting comes to an end with the celebration of the festival of Naw-Rúz (the Bahá í New Year) on March 20th the spring equinox, marking the end of winter and the beginning of springtime, the birth of new life.
The Bahá í Fast As has been the case with other revealed religions, the Bahá í Faith sees great value in the practice of fasting as a discipline for the soul. Bahá u lláh designated a nineteen-day period each year when adult Bahá ís fast from sunrise to sunset each day. This period coincides with the Bahá í month of Alá (meaning Loftiness), from March 1 to 19, inclusive. This is the month immediately preceding the Bahá í New Year, which occurs the day of the vernal equinox; and the period of fasting is therefore viewed as a time of spiritual preparation and regeneration for a new year s activities. Women who are nursing or pregnant, the aged, the sick, the traveler, those engaged in heavy labor, as well as children under the age of fifteen, are exempt from observance of the Fast. The fasting period, which lasts nineteen days starting as a rule from the second of March every year and ending on the twentieth of the same month, involves complete abstention from food and drink from sunrise till sunset. It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purpose are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires. 2 Fasting is the cause of awakening man. The heart becomes tender and the spirituality of man increases. This is produced by the fact that man s thoughts will be confined to the commemoration of God, and through this awakening and stimulation surely ideal advancements follow... Fasting is of two kinds, material and spiritual. The material fasting is abstaining from food or drink, that is, from the appetites of the body. But spiritual, ideal fasting is this, that man abstain from selfish passions, from negligence and from satanic animal traits. Therefore, material fasting is a token of the spiritual fasting. That is: O God! As I am fasting from the appetites of the body and not occupied with eating and drinking, even so purify and make holy my heart and my life from aught else save Thy Love, and protect and preserve my soul from self-passions... Thus may the spirit associate with the Fragrances of Holiness and fast from everything else save Thy mention. 3 2. Shoghi Effendi, Directives of the Guardian, pp. 27-28. 3. Abdu l-bahá, Star of the West, Vol. 3, p. 305. [Source: www. http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-7-2.html]
Naw-Rúz The festival of Naw-Rúz, which literally translated means new day, marks the first day of the Bahá í calendar and is joyfully celebrated as New Year in Bahá í communities all over the world. Naw-Rúz falls on March 20th in the month of Bahá the Arabic word which means glory, and is considered the Most Great Name or attribute of God. Originally the ancient Persian new year, Naw- Rúz, was adopted into the Bahá í calendar by Bahá u lláh, the Founder of the Bahá í Faith. Today Bahá ís celebrate it alongside people in many countries, notably Zoroastrians in Iran and India. The Holy Day coincides with the spring equinox a time in the earth s cycle when night and day are of equal length. Abdu l-bahá, son of Bahá u lláh, explained the significance of the equinox as symbolic of the Messengers of God who bring the light of God s teachings into the world: This sacred day when the sun illumines equally the whole earth is called the equinox and the equinox is the symbol of the divine messenger. The sun of truth rises on the horizon of divine mercy and sends forth its rays on all. Just as the earth is entering a time of rejuvenation, humankind is entering a day of renewal and transformation. Naw-Rúz also marks the end of the Bahá í month of fasting, a period of physical abstinence from food and of spiritual awakening and nourishment. The festival is celebrated in many different ways. Prayer and devotion are naturally a part of this sacred day as well as gathering together and visiting friends and family. However, no traditions or rituals are attached to it and people are free to celebrate according to their customs. Adapted from the United Kingdom s National Spiritual Assembly presentation, a compilation of short, clear explanations regarding each of the major holy days celebrated by Bahá ís. The four pages that follow are the 10 July 2014 Universal House of Justice letter, and 50 year calendar, announcing the regularization of Feasts and Holy Days worldwide commencing with the start of the 172nd year in the Bahá í calendar, or Naw-Rúz 2015. Revised from 2013 reformat version prepared by Roberto Ferguson, Prescott Valley, AZ 2016 revision according to implementation of Badí calendar Contact: hopehorizons@gmail.com February 2016
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE 10 July 2014 To the Baha'fs ofthe World Dearly loved Friends, The setting ofthe sun on 20 March 2015 will signalize the end ofthe year 171, the close ofthe ninth Val)id ofthe first Kull-i-Shay' ofthe Baha'i Era. We call upon the Baha'is ofthe East and West to adopt, on that auspicious occasion, the provisions that will unite them in the common implementation ofthe Badi' calendar. In keeping with the principle governing the gradual unfoldment and progressive application of the Teachings, the provisions of the Badf' calendar have been set forth over time. The Bab introduced the calendar and its broad pattern of periods and cycles, months and days. Baha'u'llah provided essential clarifications and additions. Aspects were elucidated by 'Abdu'1-Baha, and arrangements for its adoption in the West were put in place at the direction of Shoghi Effendi, as described in the volumes of The Baha 'i World. Still, ambiguities surrounding some Islamic and Gregorian dates, as well as difficulties in the correlation of historical observances and astronomical events with explicit statements in the Text, left certain issues unresolved. When responding to questions concerning the calendar, both 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi left these matters to the Universal House of Justice. Of its many features, three require clarification for the calendar's uniform application: the means for the determination ofnaw-ruz, the accommodation ofthe lunar character of the Twin Holy Birthdays within the solar year, and the fixing of the dates ofthe Holy Days within the Badi' calendar. "The Festival ofnaw-ruz falleth on the day that the sun entereth the sign of Aries," Baha'u'llah explains in His Most Holy Book, "even should this occur no more than one minute before sunset." However, details have, until now, been left undefined. We have decided that Tihran, the birthplace of the Ab ha Beauty, will be the spot on the earth that will serve as the standard for determining, by means of astronomical computations from reliable sources, the moment ofthe vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere and thereby the day ofnaw-ruz for the Baha'i world. The Festivals of the Twin Birthdays, the Birth of the Bab and the Birth ofbaha'u'llah, have, in the East, been traditionally observed according to their correspondence to the first and second days of Mul)arram in the Islamic calendar. "These two days are accounted as one in the sight of God", Baha'u'llah affirms. Yet, a letter written on behalf of the Guardian states, "In the future, no doubt all of the Holy Days will follow the Solar calendar, and provisions be made as to how the Twin Festivals will be celebrated universally." How to satisfy the intrinsic lunar character ofthese blessed Days within the context of a solar calendar has hitherto been unanswered. We have decided that they will now be observed on the first and the second day following the occurrence of the eighth new moon after Naw-Ruz, as determined in advance by Baha'i World Centre P.O. Box 155 3100101 Haifa, Israel Tel: 972 (4) 835 8358 Fax: 972 (4) 835 8280 Email: secretariat@bwc.org
To the Baha.'is ofthe World 2 10 July 2014 astronomical tables using Tihnin as the point of reference. This will result in the observance of the Twin Birthdays moving, year to year, within the months ofmashiyyat, 'Ilm, and Qudrat of the Badi' calendar, or from mid-october to mid-november according to the Gregorian calendar. Next year, the Birth ofthe Bab will occur on 10 Qudrat and the Birth ofbaha'u'llah on 11 Qudrat. With joy and eager anticipation, we look to the upcoming bicentennial anniversaries ofthe Birth ofbaha'u'llah and the Birth ofthe Bab, in 174 and 176 B.E., respectively, which the entire Baha'i world will celebrate according to a common calendar. The dates of the remaining Holy Days will be fixed within the solar calendar in accordance with explicit statements ofbaha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, and Shoghi Effendi; we have decided to set aside certain discrepancies in the historical record. The dates are: Naw-Ruz, 1 Baha; the Festival ofri<;lvan, 13 Jalal to 5 Jamal; the Declaration of the Bab, 8 'A~amat; the Ascension ofbaha'u'llah, 13 'A~amat; the Martyrdom ofthe Bab, 17 Ral).mat; the Day ofthe Covenant, 4 Qawl; and the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha, 6 Qawl. Unless specifically abrogated by these new provisions, previous guidance and clarifications pertaining to the calendar and the observance ofthe Nineteen Day Feast and Holy Days remain binding, such as the beginning of the day at sunset, the suspension of work, and the hours at which certain Holy Days are commemorated. In future, a change in circumstances may well require additional measures. It will be evident from the decisions delineated that Baha'is of both East and West will find some elements of the calendar to be different from those to which they have been accustomed. The alignment of the dates of the Badi' calendar with other calendars will shift depending on the occurrence ofnaw-ruz. The number of days of Ayyam-i-Ha will vary according to the timing of the vernal equinox in successive years; the year commencing on Naw-Ruz 172 B.E. will include four such days. A table prepared at the Baha'i World Centre that sets out the dates for Naw-Ruz and the Twin Holy Birthdays covering half a century will be provided to all National Spiritual Assemblies in due course. The adoption of a new calendar in each dispensation is a symbol of the power of Divine Revelation to reshape human perception of material, social, and spiritual reality. Through it, sacred moments are distinguished, humanity's place in time and space reimagined, and the rhythm of life recast. Next Naw-Ruz will mark yet another historic step in the manifestation ofthe unity ofthe people ofbaha and the unfoldment ofbaha'u'llah's World Order.
Bahá í Dates 172 to 221 B.E. Prepared by an ad hoc committee at the Bahá í World Centre using data provided by Her Majesty s Nautical Almanac Office in the United Kingdom. The point of reference for Ṭihrán is taken from the World Geodetic System 1984. A. Dates of Naw-Rúz, the Twin Holy Birthdays, and Ayyám-i-Há Bahá í Dates Naw-Rúz Gregorian Equivalent The Birth of the Báb and The Birth of Bahá u lláh Bahá í Dates Gregorian Equivalent Bahá í Dates Ayyám-i-Há Gregorian Equivalent 1 Bahá 172 21 Mar 2015 10, 11 Qudrat 13, 14 Nov 2015 1 4 26 29 Feb 2016 1 Bahá 173 20 Mar 2016 18, 19 Ilm 1, 2 Nov 2016 1 4 25 28 Feb 2017 1 Bahá 174 20 Mar 2017 7, 8 Ilm 21, 22 Oct 2017 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2018 1 Bahá 175 21 Mar 2018 6, 7 Qudrat 9, 10 Nov 2018 1 4 26 Feb 1 Mar 2019 1 Bahá 176 21 Mar 2019 14, 15 Ilm 29, 30 Oct 2019 1 4 26 29 Feb 2020 1 Bahá 177 20 Mar 2020 4, 5 Ilm 18, 19 Oct 2020 1 4 25 28 Feb 2021 1 Bahá 178 20 Mar 2021 4, 5 Qudrat 6, 7 Nov 2021 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2022 1 Bahá 179 21 Mar 2022 11, 12 Ilm 26, 27 Oct 2022 1 4 26 Feb 1 Mar 2023 1 Bahá 180 21 Mar 2023 1, 2 Ilm 16, 17 Oct 2023 1 4 26 29 Feb 2024 1 Bahá 181 20 Mar 2024 19 Ilm, 1 Qudrat 2, 3 Nov 2024 1 4 25 28 Feb 2025 1 Bahá 182 20 Mar 2025 8, 9 Ilm 22, 23 Oct 2025 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2026 1 Bahá 183 21 Mar 2026 7, 8 Qudrat 10, 11 Nov 2026 1 4 26 Feb 1 Mar 2027 1 Bahá 184 21 Mar 2027 15, 16 Ilm 30, 31 Oct 2027 1 4 26 29 Feb 2028 1 Bahá 185 20 Mar 2028 5, 6 Ilm 19, 20 Oct 2028 1 4 25 28 Feb 2029 1 Bahá 186 20 Mar 2029 5, 6 Qudrat 7, 8 Nov 2029 1 4 25 28 Feb 2030 1 Bahá 187 20 Mar 2030 14, 15 Ilm 28, 29 Oct 2030 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2031 1 Bahá 188 21 Mar 2031 2, 3 Ilm 17, 18 Oct 2031 1 4 26 29 Feb 2032 1 Bahá 189 20 Mar 2032 2, 3 Qudrat 4, 5 Nov 2032 1 4 25 28 Feb 2033 1 Bahá 190 20 Mar 2033 10, 11 Ilm 24, 25 Oct 2033 1 4 25 28 Feb 2034 1 Bahá 191 20 Mar 2034 10, 11 Qudrat 12, 13 Nov 2034 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2035 1 Bahá 192 21 Mar 2035 17, 18 Ilm 1, 2 Nov 2035 1 4 26 29 Feb 2036 1 Bahá 193 20 Mar 2036 6, 7 Ilm 20, 21 Oct 2036 1 4 25 28 Feb 2037 1 Bahá 194 20 Mar 2037 6, 7 Qudrat 8, 9 Nov 2037 1 4 25 28 Feb 2038 1 Bahá 195 20 Mar 2038 15, 16 Ilm 29, 30 Oct 2038 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2039 1 Bahá 196 21 Mar 2039 4, 5 Ilm 19, 20 Oct 2039 1 4 26 29 Feb 2040 1 Bahá 197 20 Mar 2040 4, 5 Qudrat 6, 7 Nov 2040 1 4 25 28 Feb 2041 1 Bahá 198 20 Mar 2041 12, 13 Ilm 26, 27 Oct 2041 1 4 25 28 Feb 2042 1 Bahá 199 20 Mar 2042 1, 2 Ilm 15, 16 Oct 2042 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2043 1 Bahá 200 21 Mar 2043 19 Ilm, 1 Qudrat 3, 4 Nov 2043 1 4 26 29 Feb 2044 1 Bahá 201 20 Mar 2044 8, 9 Ilm 22, 23 Oct 2044 1 4 25 28 Feb 2045 1 Bahá 202 20 Mar 2045 8, 9 Qudrat 10, 11 Nov 2045 1 4 25 28 Feb 2046 1 Bahá 203 20 Mar 2046 16, 17 Ilm 30, 31 Oct 2046 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2047 1 Bahá 204 21 Mar 2047 5, 6 Ilm 20, 21 Oct 2047 1 4 26 29 Feb 2048 1 Bahá 205 20 Mar 2048 5, 6 Qudrat 7, 8 Nov 2048 1 4 25 28 Feb 2049 1 Bahá 206 20 Mar 2049 14, 15 Ilm 28, 29 Oct 2049 1 4 25 28 Feb 2050 1 Bahá 207 20 Mar 2050 3, 4 Ilm 17, 18 Oct 2050 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2051 1 Bahá 208 21 Mar 2051 2, 3 Qudrat 5, 6 Nov 2051 1 4 26 29 Feb 2052 1 Bahá 209 20 Mar 2052 10, 11 Ilm 24, 25 Oct 2052 1 4 25 28 Feb 2053 1 Bahá 210 20 Mar 2053 9, 10 Qudrat 11, 12 Nov 2053 1 4 25 28 Feb 2054 1 Bahá 211 20 Mar 2054 18, 19 Ilm 1, 2 Nov 2054 1 5 25 Feb 1 Mar 2055 1 Bahá 212 21 Mar 2055 6, 7 Ilm 21, 22 Oct 2055 1 4 26 29 Feb 2056 1 Bahá 213 20 Mar 2056 6, 7 Qudrat 8, 9 Nov 2056 1 4 25 28 Feb 2057 1 Bahá 214 20 Mar 2057 15, 16 Ilm 29, 30 Oct 2057 1 4 25 28 Feb 2058 1 Bahá 215 20 Mar 2058 4, 5 Ilm 18, 19 Oct 2058 1 4 25 28 Feb 2059 1 Bahá 216 20 Mar 2059 4, 5 Qudrat 6, 7 Nov 2059 1 5 25 29 Feb 2060 1 Bahá 217 20 Mar 2060 11, 12 Ilm 25, 26 Oct 2060 1 4 25 28 Feb 2061 1 Bahá 218 20 Mar 2061 19 Mashíyyat, 1 Ilm 14, 15 Oct 2061 1 4 25 28 Feb 2062 1 Bahá 219 20 Mar 2062 19 Ilm, 1 Qudrat 2, 3 Nov 2062 1 4 25 28 Feb 2063 1 Bahá 220 20 Mar 2063 9, 10 Ilm 23, 24 Oct 2063 1 5 25 29 Feb 2064 1 Bahá 221 20 Mar 2064 8, 9 Qudrat 10, 11 Nov 2064 1 4 25 28 Feb 2065
B. Other Significant Bahá í Dates Bahá í Dates Gregorian Equivalent Other Holy Days In a year when Naw-Rúz is the same as 20 March In a year when Naw-Rúz is the same as 21 March First Day of Riḍván 13 Jalál 20 April 21 April Ninth Day of Riḍván 2 Jamál 28 April 29 April Twelfth Day of Riḍván 5 Jamál 1 May 2 May Declaration of the Báb 8 A amat 23 May 24 May Ascension of Bahá u lláh 13 A amat 28 May 29 May Martyrdom of the Báb 17 Raḥmat 9 July 10 July Day of the Covenant 4 Qawl 25 November 26 November Ascension of Abdu l-bahá 6 Qawl 27 November 28 November Feast Days Bahá (Splendour) 1 Bahá 20 March 21 March Jalál (Glory) 1 Jalál 8 April 9 April Jamál (Beauty) 1 Jamál 27 April 28 April A amat (Grandeur) 1 A amat 16 May 17 May Núr (Light) 1 Núr 4 June 5 June Raḥmat (Mercy) 1 Raḥmat 23 June 24 June Kalimát (Words) 1 Kalimát 12 July 13 July Kamál (Perfection) 1 Kamál 31 July 1 August Asmá (Names) 1 Asmá 19 August 20 August Izzat (Might) 1 Izzat 7 September 8 September Mashíyyat (Will) 1 Mashíyyat 26 September 27 September Ilm (Knowledge) 1 Ilm 15 October 16 October Qudrat (Power) 1 Qudrat 3 November 4 November Qawl (Speech) 1 Qawl 22 November 23 November Masá il (Questions) 1 Masá il 11 December 12 December Sharaf (Honour) 1 Sharaf 30 December 31 December Sulṭán (Sovereignty) 1 Sulṭán 18 January 19 January Mulk (Dominion) 1 Mulk 6 February 7 February Alá (Loftiness) 1 Alá (see below) (see below) The Fast The month of Alá 1 19 Alá The month of fasting begins when Ayyám-i-Há ends. The dates for Ayyám-i-Há are given in Table A. *** Note: The Bahá í day ends and a new one begins at sunset; consequenrtly, the day on which a Feast or Holy Day is observed begins at sunset of the day before the Gregorrian calendar dates given above.