This article originally appeared in Humber Communique on July 5, 2016
In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, we provide the following Multifaith Holy Days & Festivals realizing that it is not exhaustive. Should you wish your faith’s days to be included, please contact the Chaplain at 416.675.6622 x4427 orchaplain@humber.ca for due consideration.
01 Friday
Canada Day (Canada)
Honours the establishment of Canada on July 01, 1867 by the British North America Act, which proclaimed “one Dominion under the name of Canada” and instituted Canada’s federal government. Formerly called Dominion Day, this holiday was officially named Canada Day by an act of Parliament on Oct 27, 1982.
July = Mskomini Giizis / Xmaay (Aboriginal)
Mskomini Giizis is also known as Raspberry Moon (Ojibwe). Xmaay is the
season of big berries (Other).
02 Saturday
Laylat-al-Qadr (Islam)
Commemorates the revealing of the Qu’ran to the prophet Muhammad in 610 CE.
04 Monday
New Moon
The moon is at its least visibility.
06 Wednesday
Eid-al-Fitr to July 08 (Islam)
The Breaking of the Fast is a 3-day feast to end Ramadan. Note: Those using eastern calendars may celebrate starting July 07.
09 Saturday
Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i)
Memorializes the death of the Bab and Baha’is suspend work on this day.
13 Wednesday
Katimat to July 31(Baha’i)
Katimat, meaning Words, is the seventh month of the Baha’i year.
19 Tuesday
Full Moon The moon is at its greatest visibility
Wassa / Wassana (Buddhism)
The beginning of the three-month 'Rains Retreat' for monks and nuns to devote themselves to self-examination through study, meditation and service and to celebrate the first teaching of the Buddha.
Guru Purnima (Hinduism, Jainism)
Disciples venerate and honour their spiritual masters (gurus).
24 Sunday
Pioneer Day (Mormonism)
Honours the pioneers who settled in Utah in 1847.
30 Saturday
Oh-Harai-Taisai (Shinto)
As an act of inner purification for sins and offenses during the first half of the year, Japanese worshippers walk through a large ring of woven grasses and reeds at the entrance to shrines as part of the Great Purification Festival. The ceremony is usually celebrated in July and occurs twice a year (and can be on June 30 and December 31). Inside each shrine, a vessel of water is used for ritual ablutions that include rinsing the hands and mouth (called ohairai) to restore internal balance to the body before approaching the kami (nature spirits).