Events of the Month

2003-NOVEMBER

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Note:

Among the most socially significant observances in November are:

• The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Nov. 9, and
• Quds Day on NOV-29 when Muslims observe a time of solidarity with oppressed Muslim people.

Since the most serious recent mass murders and genocides of Christians have been by Muslims, and the most serious mass murders and genocides of Muslims have been by Christians, it is a pity that the two religions cannot join forces and have a common day of remembrance for all victims of religious hatred, mass murder and oppression -- regardless of their faith. ₁

Events during 2003-November:

• NOV-1: National American Indian Heritage Month begins today. It was established by Congress in 1990 to honor the important contributions made by America's Aboriginal peoples. ₂
• NOV-1: All Saints' Day (a.k.a. All Hallows' Day) is a holy day when Christians in the west recall the lives of the saints. The Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate All Saints Day in the springtime -- the Sunday after Pentecost.
• NOV-2: All Souls' Day (a.k.a. the Day of the Dead). This is a Roman Catholic day for prayer and almsgiving in memory of ancestors who have died. Catholics pray for the souls of the dead, in an effort to hasten their transition from Purgatory to Heaven.
• NOV-4: This is Election Day in many states of the U.S.
• NOV-9: The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is held yearly so that Christians can pray for fellow believers who live in lands were there is little religious freedom. ₃
• NOV-11: This is Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in Canada - a time to recall the sacrifices made by our soldiers during wartime and, more recently, during peacekeeping duties. ₄
• NOV-12: Members of the Baha'i Faith celebrate the Birthday of Baha'u'llah. He is regarded as the divine messenger and the founder of the Baha'i faith.
• NOV-15: This begins a 40 day period of fasting (Advent) in preparation for Christmas in the Christian Orthodox churches. In Eastern countries, believers abstain from meat and dairy products; only one meal a day is eaten.
• NOV-17 is World Peace day. Don Morris, a.k.a. Peaceguy, conceived of this observance in 1997. ₆ At least eight other peace days have been proposed for various days throughout the year. ₇
• This is the second annual Day of Peace -- "a special day of Light, Healing and Prayer for World peace." It is sponsored by "Spirit Circle, in accordance with it's mission of uniting spiritual people from all walks and paths..." ₈
• NOV-23 to 30: National Bible Week in the U.S. The Bible is considered to be the inerrant Word of God by conservative Christians Liberal Christians generally consider it to contain the spiritual yearnings of its authors, along with some material that opposes the will of God. The Bible remains the most purchased book in North America. ₅
• NOV-25: Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev.
• NOV-26: Members of the Baha'i Faith observe the Day of the Covenant -- the day that Baha'u'llah's son Abdul-Baha became the Center of the Covenant.
• NOV-26: This is the most probable date on which Muslims observe Eid al-Fitr, the last day of the holy month of Ramadan. The interval recalls the gift of the Holy Qur'an to humanity. The actual date is determined when the new moon becomes visible. ₉
• NOV-27 to 29: Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. 
• NOV-28: Members of the Baha'i Faith observe the day of Ascension of Abdu'l-Baha, recalling the death of Abdul-Baha.
• NOV-21: This is Quds Day among Muslims -- a time of solidarity with oppressed Muslim people.
• NOV-30: Christians celebrate St. Andrew's Day.
• NOV-30: This is the first Sunday in Advent a period of reflection leading up to the day chosen to remember the birth of Yeshua of Nazareth, Jesus Christ.

Important observances coming in 2003-DEC:

• DEC-20 to 27: Jews observe Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. An eight-candle menorah is lit in many homes. The observance begins at sundown on DEC-19.
• DEC-22: This is the Winter Solstice, the day with the longest nighttime and shortest daytime of the year. Many faith groups and secular groups celebrate on or near this day: Atheists, Druids, Native Americans, Wiccans and other Neopagans.
• DEC-25: This is Christmas, the day in which Christians celebrate the birth of Yeshua of Nazareth, a.k.a. Jesus Christ.

References:

1. See our essays on:
   • Current wars motivated in part by religion
   • Genocides, mostly religiously motivated
2. National American Indian Heritage Month at: http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/naihm.html
3. The National Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is at: http://www.persecutedchurch.org/
4. The U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs has a Veterans Day home page is at: http://www.va.gov/pubaff/vetsday/
5. National Bible Week at: www.nationalbible.org/nbw/
6. Don Morris, "World Peace Day," at: http://www.peaceday.org/
7. Other peace days are listed at: http://www.peaceday.org/
8. Spirit Circle's web page is at: http://www.spirit-circle.org/

9. "Ramadan, Eid-al-Fitr & Eid-al-Adha 1423 AH," at: http://moonsighting.com/ramadan.html

Copyright © 2003 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Essay prepared on 2003-OCT-15
Latest update: 2003-OCT-15
Compiled by B.A. Robinson

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