Winter Festivals 2006 Dates and Descriptions

MSE_Martin

The Winter Festivals 2006

• Bhodi Day (or Rohatsu) (Buddist) is 8 December - See the Wikipedia description
  
  
• Chanucah (alternative spelling; Hanukkah) - The Festival of Lights (Judaism) Starts the evening of 16 December for eight days - See the Wikipedia description
  
  
• Christmas (Roman Catholic & Anglican Christians) is 25 December - See the Wikipedia description
  
  
• Eid-ul-Fitr (Islam) October 22/23 - See the Wikipedia description
• Eid-ul-Adha (Islam)December 31 to January 2, 2007 - See the Wikipedia description
  
  
• Diwali - The Festival of Lights (Hindu, Jain, Sikh and some Buddists) is 21 October - See the Wikipedia Description
  
  
• Yule (Pagan) the winter solstice is the 22 December - See the Wikipedia description

Martin

Suggestions for more additions welcome, just click reply

MrsTinks

Christmas in other countries are often celebrated on the 24th of December

Eid: Gregorian Date (2006) January 10 to January 12; December 31 to January 2, 2007

Chanucah (Festival of Lights) Evening 16 December for eight days

This site from the BBC shows multi faith celebrations (I've chosen December)

Edinburghlass_2

Diwali is 21 October

http://www.diwalifestival.org/

Biddyrolo

Glad to see Yule was there on the BBC

MrsTinks

Biddyrolo wrote:

Glad to see Yule was there on the BBC

Me too As one of the (if not THE) oldest celebrations it always annoys me when it's missed off In Denmark they celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December but it'sstill called Jul - The danish word for Yule And Santa or father christmas is called the Yuleman

MSE_Martin

I've now updated the first post with the dates and descriptions of major festivals - I hope people find it useful for presents/thoughts of friends of different faiths.

Martin

adnin1

There are two Eids per year - the first one is in a couple of weeks time, October 22/23 (depending on moon) to mark the end of Ramadan and the second is 30/31 December.

MSE_Martin

Adnin - do you know which one is the main celebration or are they both equal - how would you list it?

Martin

adnin1

The Eid in December (Eid-ul-Adha) is the 'major' festival and lasts for three days, although in this country most only celebrate the first day. This Eid is to commemorate the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in the Torah & Bible) to sacrifice his son for Allah (God). All Muslims either sacrifice an animal and distribute the meat amongst the poor. Those who do not sacrifice an animal must pay the cash amount to charity.

The Eid that's coming up (Eid-ul-Fitr), is the 'minor' festival but is celebrated with much more gusto as it brings to a close the month of fasting (which is currently running). On this day, Muslims are required to pay a set amount to charity for each member of the family (currently £3). Many also use this day to pay off their Zakat - that is 2.5% of their wealth - to charity.

Hope that helps. Eid Mubarak to all MSEers ('May the blessings of Eid be on you').

MSE_Martin

It's a good explanation adnin - but should i list both or just the December one

Careful_girl

Martin, I would list both as both are celebrated. As Adnin1 says the one coming up seems to be celebrated more, for example we send Eid cards to our Muslim friends at this Eid but not the other one.
I work in a school in an Islamic community, many of the staff and most of the children are Muslims.
Hope that helps a little.
CG.:beer: