Does Your Family Celebrate Religious Holidays?

The question of how different families around the world celebrate religious holidays can be fascinating. For a Baha'i family, the way we mark these days is both an honor to our heritage and a unique way of sharing our beliefs with others. Living in England for the past 46 years, with my American family scattered across the United States, celebrating together has become even more significant.

The Birth of Baha'u'llah and Our Community Picnic

Tomorrow, we will be having a special picnic in a nearby park. It is a day of celebration for the Baha'i community, to commemorate the Birth of Baha'u'llah. This event is not only a time for the family to come together but also an opportunity to invite our friends and neighbors to join this celebration of faith.

Our observance includes prayers, readings, and a picnic where we share traditional food, strengthening our bonds with our community and expressing our faith. It's an opportunity for everyone to learn more about Baha'i beliefs and how we integrate our religious practices into our daily lives.

An Overview of Baha'i Holy Days

If you're curious about the specific Holy Days celebrated by the Baha'i faith, here is a breakdown of our important days:

Naw-Ruz (March 21) - The Bahá’í New Year First Day of Ridvan (April 21) - Commemorating the announcement of Bahá'u'lláh's mission Ninth Day of Ridvan (April 29) - The journey of Bahá'u'lláh from Baghdad to Constantinople Twelfth Day of Ridvan (April 29) - The enlightenment and return of Bahá'u'lláh to Baghdad Fifth Day of Jamál (May 2) - A day of thanksgiving Declaration of the Bab (May 23) - The declaration of the Báb as a messenger Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (May 29) - The passing of the central figure of the Baha'i Faith Martyrdom of the Báb (July 9) - The killing of the Báb Birth of the Báb (October 20) - Honoring the birthday of the Báb Birth of Bahá'u'lláh (November 12) - The birth of the central figure of the Baha'i Faith Day of the Covenant (November 26) - Remembering the covenant between Bahá'u'lláh and His followers Ascension of Abdul-Baha (November 28) - The passing of Baha'u'llah's son, who guided the Baha'i community

Sharing Our Faith with Others

Several years ago, we invited people from the park to join us in this celebration. It was a wonderful experience sharing our beliefs and traditions with others. We believe in welcoming all into our fold, and with each new participant, our community grows stronger.

Encouraging participation from those outside our faith is an essential aspect of the Baha'i teachings. We believe that unity and diversity can coexist harmoniously, and by extending an open invitation, we are fulfilling a significant part of our mandate as Baha'is.

Embracing Cultural and Religious Diversity

For my family, celebrating religious holidays is not just about following tradition; it is a way of bringing people together. Living in England allowed me to observe other religions and incorporate their practices into my life. However, my American family's displacement across the United States has made it challenging to gather as a collective. But we continue to find ways to celebrate together, whether it is at home or through video calls.

We celebrate Christmas with our Christian relatives, a time when we remember the birth of Jesus Christ. This blending of traditions enriches our understanding of different beliefs and strengthens our community’s bonds.

Conclusion

The beauty of celebrating religious holidays lies in the opportunity to reflect, share, and learn from each other. For our family, these celebrations are a chance to honor our heritage, connect with our community, and share the joy of faith with those around us.

Regardless of our background, we can all find common ground through the joy, love, and unity that religious holidays bring. If you are interested in learning more about Baha'i practices or other religious holidays, feel free to reach out or join us in our celebrations.