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The Baha'i Faith, like other world religions has its own calendar. The Badi or Baha'i Calendar was introduced by The Bab. The Baha'i Era (BE) began with the Declaration of the Bab in 1844. A solar year has been adopted and the Baha'i Year is fixed astronomically and begins on the March equinox (March 21) each year with the Holy Day Naw Ruz (New year). In 2004, it will be the year BE 161.
The Baha'i year consists of 19 months of 19 days adding to 361. Four extra days are added (5 in leap years) to total 365 days of the solar year. These days are celebrated as a time of gift giving, hospitality, and preparing for the fast. The Fast is a period of one Baha'i month of 19 days during which Baha'is do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. It is a time of reflection, learning to be detached, and reliance on God. It is the last month of the Baha'i year, and ends with the Naw Ruz (new year) celebration.
On the first day of each Baha'i month (every 19 days) is a Feast. This is the major activity for the Baha'i community - a meeting when Baha'is get together for spiritual renewal, community consultation, and socialising.
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Months
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Arabic
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English
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Gregorian
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1
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Baha
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Splendour
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March 21
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2
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Jalal
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Glory
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April 9
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3
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Jamal
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Beauty
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April 28
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4
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'Azamat
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Grandeur
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May 17
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5
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Nur
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Light
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June 5
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6
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Rahmat
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Mercy
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June 24
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7
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Kalimat
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Words
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July 13
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8
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Kamal
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Perfection
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August 1
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9
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Asma'
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Names
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August 20
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10
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'Izzat
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Might
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September 8
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11
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Mashiyyat
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Will
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September 27
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12
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'Ilm
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Knowledge
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October 16
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13
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Qudrat
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Power
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November 4
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14
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Qawl
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Speech
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November 23
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15
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Masa'il
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Questions
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December 12
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