The American Bahá’í

Calendar of events

Bosch Bahá’í School, Santa Cruz, CA; Green Acre Bahá’í School, Eliot, ME; Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, MI; Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, AZ: programs listed at https://www.bahai.us/centers-of-learning/programs-and-events/

Distance learning with Wilmette Institute: programs listed at wilmetteinstitute.org

2018 sessions of ‘Irfán Colloquium: Click here for sessions

JANUARY

13–15: Georgia Bahá’í School, Calvin Center, Hampton, GA; “Hope and the Family.” Registrar (Georgia-reg@nbs.usbnc.org); www.facebook.com/GeorgiaBahaiSchool/

FEBRUARY

2–5: Discourse seminar on Health at Louhelen Bahá’í School with Association for Bahá’í Studies Health Working Group; bahai-studies.ca/working-groups/seminars/

9–11: Discourse seminar on Law at Bosch Bahá'í School with Association for Bahá’í Studies Law Working Group; bahai-studies.ca/working-groups/seminars/

16–19: Discourse seminar on Media and Arts at Green Acre Bahá’í School with Association for Bahá’í Studies Media and Arts Working Groups; bahai-studies.ca/working-groups/seminars/

17–19: Florence Mayberry Bahá’í School, Jefferson City, MO. Registrar (florencemayberry-reg@nbs.usbnc.org); www.facebook.com/FlorenceMayberryBahaiSchool/

MAY

24–27: 110th Bahá’í National Convention, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, IL. For delegates and invited guests.

AUGUST

9–12: 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies–North America, Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta, GA. Deadline March 1 to submit proposals for breakout sessions; bahai-studies.ca

Rhythm of Bahá’í life

Year 174 B.E. (Bahá’í calendar)

Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days)

The days between 19 Mulk and 1 ‘Alá’ (from sunset February 24 through sunset March 1, 2018).

Bahá’ís are not required to suspend work these days, which are designated for spiritual preparation for the Fast, hospitality, charity and gift-giving. These days are not assigned to any month in the Bahá’í calendar. The name Ayyám-i-Há means “Days of Há”; the Arabic letter “Há” has several symbolic meanings, including reference to God or the “Essence of God.”

“‘We have ordained that these, amid all nights and days, shall be the manifestations of the letter Há, and thus they have not been bounded by the limits of the year and its months. It behoveth the people of Bahá, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name. …” — Bahá’u’lláh

Nineteen-Day Bahá’í Fast

1–19 ‘Alá (March 2–20, 2018)

Believers in sufficient health from age 15 until their 70th birthdays are to abstain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset. Those who are ill, pregnant, nursing or on a long journey are exempt.

Upcoming

Naw-Rúz, Bahá’í New Year

1 Bahá, 175 B.E. (March 21)

Festival of Riḍván

13 Jalál–5 Jamál, 175 B.E. (April 21–May 2)

Anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb

8 ‘Aẓamat, 175 B.E. (May 24)

First days of Bahá’í months

The day in the Bahá’í calendar begins at sunset of the earlier listed date in each case:

Sulṭán (Sovereignty), Jan. 17/18

Mulk (Dominion), Feb. 5/6

‘Alá’ (Loftiness), March 1/2

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