There are nine Holy Days in the Bahá'í
calendar, when Bahá'ís are
encouraged to take up acts of service
and charity. Between March 2nd and March
20th each year, Bahá'ís
aged between 15 and 70 fast between sunrise
and sunset, when they abstain from food
and drink during daylight hours. After
sunset, Swindon Bahá'ís
often break the Fast together.
Holy
Day celebrations
are always events
for the whole family
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The day after the
Fast finishes is called Naw-Rúz. This is
the Bahá'í New Year, March 21st. In
Swindon, this is usually the occasion for a large,
public celebration, perhaps a party at a local community
hall. Children and youth are encouraged to contribute
to the programme, usually through the arts. Another
important celebration for Bahá'ís
is the Birthday of Bahá'u'lláh, founder
of the Bahá'í Faith, which falls on
November 12th. In 2002, celebrations started with
a beautiful Tranquillity Zone commemorating the
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh,
followed by poetry and a social gathering.
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