Cincy MultiFaith Calendar

Ashura (Muslim)
2020-08-29
This day marks the migration Prophet Muhammad took from the cities of Mecca to Medina to protect the faith of Islam. This commemorates the Islamic New Year.

Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu)
2020-08-22
The festival celebrates the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed god. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesh clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stages) with ornate statues. The festival ends on the tenth day with a public procession and immersion of the idols and statues; in Mumbai alone, it is estimated that around 150,000 statues are immersed annually.

Al-Hijra (Muslim)
2020-08-20
Al-Hijra is the Islamic New Year and the first day of the month of Muharram. It marks the Hijra in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina. The Muslim calendar counts dates from the Hijra, which is why Muslim dates have the suffix A.H. (After Hijra).

Paryushana (Jain)
2020-08-16 - 2020-09-23
Most important annual holy events for Jains. It lasts 8-10 days. Jains increase their level of spiritual intensity, often with fasting and prayer/meditation. The five main vows are emphasized during this time.
Students may be fasting.
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Feast of the Assumption (Catholic)
2020-08-15
The feast day of the Assumption of Mary celebrates the Christian belief that God assumed the Virgin Mary into Heaven following her death.
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Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
2020-08-03
On this day, the bonds between sisters and brothers are celebrated. Sisters of all ages tie an amulet, called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility for the well-being of the sisters.
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Eid al-Adha (Muslim)
2020-07-31
This holiday marks the completion of the Hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca and is observed by Muslims to commemorate the faith of Abraham. Students will miss school to attend congregational prayers at the mosque and celebrate the holiday with their families/friends.
More Information:
Eid al-Adha 101
Islamic Networks Group
Holiday Greeting: “Eid Mubarak! (Happy Eid)”

Waqf al Arafa (Muslim)
2020-07-29
This is the 9th day of the pilgrimage to Mecca, where pilgrims gather on the mountain plain of Arafa to pray for forgiveness and be thankful for their blessings. Muslims who are not at the pilgrimage will fast from sunrise to sunset this day.
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Students may be fasting this day.

Pioneer Day (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
2020-07-24
Pioneer Day commemorates the day the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Festivities include a parade (Days of ’47), games, concerts, speeches, rodeos, etc.
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Holiday Greeting: Happy Pioneer Day
State holiday in Utah

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin (Catholic)
2020-07-14
Informally known as Lily of the Mohawks. First Native American saint in the United States. It is said that after her death, the marks on her face from her smallpox faded away. St. Kateri Tekakwitha is the patroness of ecology and the environment, as well as people in exile and Native Americans.
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Asalha Puja (Buddhist)
2020-07-05
Asalha Puja means to pay homage to the Buddha on the full moon day of the 8th lunar month (approximately July). It commemorates the Buddha’s first teaching: the turning of the wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics at the Deer Park (Sarnath) near Benares city, India. Where Kondanna, the senior ascetic attained the first level of enlightenment (the Sotapanna level of mind purity).
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Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul (Catholic)
2020-06-29
Feast celebrating the martydom of two of the most important apostles, the founders of the Christian Church.
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Sacred Heart of Jesus (Catholic)
2020-06-19
It is a Solemnity – a Feast of the highest rank in the Catholic Church – celebrating the love of Christ for all humankind. It is celebrated the Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday.
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Martydom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh)
2020-06-16
Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh Guru and the first Sikh martyr who gave the ultimate sacrifice standing for freedom. In 1606, the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, ordered that Guru Arjan Dev be tortured and sentenced to death after he refused to renounce his faith. He fearless shared the message of Oneness of all Creation as revealed by Guru Nanak. During Guru Arjan’s leadership, thousands began adopting the path of spirituality following the lifestyle and principles of Sikhi, which threatened the Mughal Empire. By compiling the Adi Granth, Guru Arjan Dev created open access to religion which also led to increased rivalries and jealousy. In late May of 1606, Guru Arjan Dev was arrested and tortured for five days. He sacrificed his life for the freedom of religion and planted the seed of giving your own life to protect humanity.
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Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Catholic)
2020-06-14
It is a Solemnity, also known as Corpus Christi – a Feast of the highest rank in the Catholic Church – honoring the Holy Eucharist, with a special emphasis on the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It is celebrated the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.
More Information:
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Corpus Christi

Trinity Sunday (Catholic)
2020-06-07
Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Battle of Amritsar (Sikh)
2020-06-04
The Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, ordered a military assault of one of the most significant and historic sites, the Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple). Prior to the attacks, the Indian military deployed 100,000 troops across Punjab. This Indian military operation attacked innocent civilians who had gathered at the Harminder Sahib complex to commemorate the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev in the early days of June. All communications and phone lines were disabled, roads were blocked, and journalists were not allowed to be present in Punjab. Hundreds of bullet holes were counted on the various buildings in the complex and eyewitness accounts witnessed the deaths of nearly 8,000 while the official government record is less than 500. During this attack, many historic records and manuscripts were destroyed, the library was burned down, and the complex was looted. This military operation is more widely known as Operation Bluestar. Within the next decade, more than 70,000 Sikhs were detained were terrorism charges and hardly one percent of those were eventually convicted of a crime.
More Information:
8 Invasions of Siri Harmandir Sahib
June 1984
June 1984 Ghallughara Lies List Light
Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Pentecost Sunday (Catholic)
2020-05-31
Pentecost is the Church’s birthday. The word Pentecost is Greek and it means “50th day.” Fifty days after Easter Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and their followers, and the beginning of their Earthly ministry to make disciples of all nations.
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Eid al-Fitr (Muslim)
2020-05-23 - 2020-05-24
This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the fasting month. It is a time of celebration and thankfulness of the self control practiced during the month.
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Holiday Greeting: “Eid Mubarak! (Happy Eid)”
Students will miss school to attend congregational prayers at the mosque and celebrate the holiday with their families/friends.

Ascension of the Lord (Catholic)
2020-05-21
40 days after Easter, one of the great solemnities in the Christian liturgical calendar, and commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven.

Laila tul Qadr (Islam)
2020-05-19
Translated as the “Night of Power” and is observed on any of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Muslims believe that the holy book, Quran, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in this holy month. It is marked with special late night prayers.
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Some students may miss school the next day or arrive a few hours late.

1746 Chhota Ghallughara (Sikh)
2020-05-17
The Chhota Ghallughara was the first massacre of Sikhs targeted to wipe out the entire population. Around 7,000 Sikhs were killed, 3,000 were captured and later beheaded, and the persecution lasted several decades. Gurdwaras were destroyed and scriptures were burnt. Anyone caught saying the word “Guru” was sentenced to death.
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Students and/Co-Workers may visit their local Gurdwara at some point during the day

Ramadan (Muslim)
2020-04-24 - 2020-05-23
This marks the the holy month where Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days abstaining from food and drinks.
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Holiday Greeting: Ramadan Mubarak
There are evening prayers that some students may attend at the mosque during this month. Mostly middle and high school students will be fasting.

Resurrection Day (Christian)
2020-04-21
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Vaisakhi (Sikh)
2020-04-14
On Vaisakhi in 1699, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, established the initiated community of Sikhs, the Khalsa, through the Amrit ceremony and became initiated himself too. Vaisakhi holds great significance in the history of the community. Sikhs acquire their formal, distinct identity from this day onward. The identity includes the unique physical appearance and the names of Singh and Kaur. This new community of equals were to dedicate their lives to the service of others and pursuit of justice for all faiths. Vaisakhi has a deep spirit of equality, unity, identity, and commitment for the Sikhs. Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi by organizing religious services, martial arts exhibitions, parades, etc.
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Holiday Greeting: “Vaisakhi di Lakh Lakh Vadhaaiaa Ji” – Infinite Congratulations for Vaisakhi
Students and Co-Workers may be absent this day to celebrate at home with their family and with the entire community at their local Gurdwara

Easter Monday (Christian)
2020-04-13

Easter Sunday (Christian Protestant/ Catholic/ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
2020-04-12
Easter is the Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Christ died on the cross, His body was placed in a sepulchre, where it remained, separated from His spirit, until His Resurrection, when His spirit and His body were reunited

More information from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Easter (Christian)
2020-04-12
A festival and holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead three days after his crucifixion. It is the most important day of the Christian calendar.
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Holiday Greeting: Happy Easter

Good Friday (Christian)
2020-04-10
Good Friday is the day on which Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
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A day of fast and abstinence from meat for Catholics over the age of 14.

Holy Thursday/Maundy (Christian)
2020-04-09
Christian: Holy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, when he established the sacrament of Holy Communion prior to his arrest and crucifixion. Later that evening he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
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