An explanation of Baha'i religious holidays

Bahá'i Faith & Calendar

Abdu'l-Baha, the Son of Bahá'u'lláh, wrote the following about the Bahá'i holy days:

"In the sacred laws of God, in every cycle and dispensation there are blessed feasts, holidays and workless days. On such days all kinds of occupations, commerce, industry, agriculture, classes, etc. should be suspended."

"All should rejoice together, hold general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness, unity and harmony may be demonstrated in the eyes of all."

The Bahá'i calendar includes nine holy days, which all have the significance of major feasts whose observance is required. Seven of them are joyful days celebrated by picnics or festal gatherings at which music, the reading of verses and tablets, and short addresses suitable to the occasion are contributed by those present. The anniversaries of the Martyrdom of the Báb and the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh are celebrated with solemnity by appropriate meetings and discourses, the reading of prayers and tablets. All Bahá'i holy days run from sundown to sundown.

The Birth of Bahá'u'lláh

The Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh is celebrated from sundown November 11 through sundown November 12. Bahá'is consider the birth of Bahá'u'lláh to be of most significance, regarding Bahá'u'lláh as the Prophet Founder of the Bahá'i faith and the Promised One of all of the Holy Scriptures of all of the major religions. He was born in Tehran on November 12, 1817. Bahá'is believe that the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh will unite all of mankind under one great religious movement and ultimately bring about world peace and justice.

Bahá'is celebrate this holy day by suspension of work, classes, and other obligations. They gather as a community and read from the history of the faith about Bahá'u'lláh's birth and early life. They also say prayers and take food together.

The Birth of the Báb

The Anniversary of the Birth of the Báb is celebrated from sundown October 19 through sundown October 20. The Báb was born on October 20, 1819. He declared himself to be a Prophet of God on May 23, 1844. Bahá'is consider the Báb to be the forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh and a manifestation of God who brought His own spiritual teachings that were independent of the Muslim religion. Without His preparing His followers for the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, there would have been great difficulty for Bahá'u'lláh to teach in Persia as openly as He did. Over 20,000 of the followers of the Báb lost their lives because of their belief in His religion. Bahá'is consider the Báb to be of the same station as Jesus and Mohammed. Bahá'is celebrate His birth with gatherings to read about His life, pray, and take food together.

How Does This Affect Students?

Because of the injunction that all kinds of occupations should be suspended, students observing the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh and the Birth of the Báb are not able to attend classes, take examinations, or perform other class requirements.

For further information about Bahá'i holidays and the Bahá'i faith, please see the Bahá'i Faith College Club at www.indiana.edu/~bahai or contact area Baha'is at P.O. Box 1004, Bloomington, IN 47402-1004, (812) 331-1863, bahai@indiana.edu or bahai@bloomington.in.us.

For further information about IU policy in regard to religious holidays, please contact the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs Affairs, (812) 855-2809 or vpfaa@indiana.edu.