All - Leep Calendar

Dhu al-Hijjah is the 12th and last month in the Islamic Calendar, the final of four sacred months, and the month of Hajj. Performing Hajj occurs between the 8th - 12/13th of the month and is one of Islam's five pillars or fundamental acts that define the faith. Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca that devout Muslims endeavor to do at least once in their lifetime. When performed during the first 8-12/13 days of the Islamic month of Duh al-Hijjah, it is called Hajj, and when practiced at other times of the year, it is called Umrah. The following is a general description of Hajj al-Tamatt'u, the most common pilgrimage. Each year during Hajj, millions of people from around the world descend on the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca to perform the rituals of Hajj. One of the first places visited is the black box, the Kaaba. Muslims walk around counterclockwise seven times, three separate times during the pilgrimage. The word for this encircling is "tawaf." The Kaaba marks where Muslims believe Adam and Eve built the first house of worship, and Abram (hereafter referred to as Abraham (Ibrahim)) rebuilt it thousands of years later. In the Muslim faith, they refer to this as "the first house of the only true God." It is the Kaaba that Muslims face when they pray. Muslims believe it was here that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael.* The Kaaba is believed to be the same size as Abraham's original temple. Performing Hajj is a 5-6 day process representing one of Islam's five pillars. FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Charity. Testimony of faith. Praying five times a day. Fasting during the month of Ramadan. Performing Hajj. All acts of devotion during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are highly rewarded and blessed. Fasting on the 9th day is known as al Nisai and Abu Dawud. Fasting on this day removes one's sins for the next two years. How is Hajj performed? Day 1) Commences on the 8th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Step 1) Muslims change from everyday wear to ceremonial clothing called "ihram" upon arriving. Often in the airports around Saudi Arabia, you will see pilgrims flying in traditional clothing before arrival. Step 2: Dressed in their ihram, pilgrims perform "tawaf," circling the Kaaba seven times (3 times running, four times walking) counterclockwise. Step 3) After performing the first tawaf, pilgrims walk between the two hills of Safa and Marwa several times to the town of Mina, where they spend the night. The hills are where Hagar ran back and forth seven times, looking for water for Ishmael, and God took pity and created a spring for her. Pilgrims replicate the running back and forth through this ritual called "masa." The spring Muslims believe God created for Hagar is called Zamzam. Mina, where the day's journey ends, is the location of the three pillars (Jamrat al-Aqaba, Jamrat al-Wusta & Jamrat al-Sughra), representing the three times the devil tempted Abraham. Day 2: Performed on the 9th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Step 1) This day is about walking from Mina to Arafat, approximately 6 miles; it is called the "waqf," or day of vigil. Pilgrims stand from noon until sunset in Arafat as part of Hajj, and Arafat is where the prophet Mohammed delivered his last sermon in 632 AD. Step 2) Leaving Arafat after nightfall, pilgrims walk to Muzdalifa, about 4 miles, and collect 49 stones along the way. They spend the night in Muzdalifa under the stars, and most pilgrims will fast on this day. Day 3: Eid al-Adha, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. Step 1) Pilgrims walk from Muzdalifa to Mina and throw stones at the devil, represented by the largest of the three pillars (Jamrat al-Aqaba). Day three is a day of celebration. Step 2) Pilgrims walk to Mecca from Mina to perform the second tawaf, walking seven times around the Kaaba. Step 3) They walk again between the hills of Safa and Marwa, returning to Mina. Step 4) Animals are sacrificed. The meat is cooked and distributed to commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God and God's acceptance of a sheep instead. A vast feast follows, with large portions going to the poor. Unlike sacrifices in other faiths, in Islam, the gift of an animal's life is not done to please God. It is performed to remember Abraham's obedience and for charity. One sheep or goat equals one person, and a camel or cow's sacrifice equals seven people. Only those who can afford to make a sacrifice will do so, often paying for those without funds. Days 4-6: the 11th - 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah On each day of this final period (2 or 3 days), pilgrims return to the three pillars representing the devil and stone them in a specific order. This uses up the remaining stones of the 49 collected on the second day. On the final day of Hajj, pilgrims change clothes, replacing the "iharm" with their standard attire to perform their third and final tawaf around the Kaaba. Upon completing Hajj, Muslims may now refer to themselves as 'alhaji' (male) or 'alhaja' (female). Like confirmation in Christianity or Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Judaism, this is a title of accomplishment in the Islamic faith. _________ *NOTE: The son referenced in this story is an area where Islam, Judaism, and Christianity differ in scripture. Christians and Jews believe it was Isaac, the son of Abraham's first wife, Sara. Muslims believe it was Ishmael, the son of Sara's handmaid Hagar, Abraham's second wife. _________

Africa

Jun

Fiddlers' Contest & Festival (US-ID): June 19-24

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Old Time Fiddlers' Contest and Festival is a citywide event in Weiser, Idaho. First run in 1953, this is the largest fiddling and folk festival in the United States. Enjoy the free outdoor entertainment stage, shop at the booths, visit the beer garden, partake in the carnival, and enjoy the family atmosphere in one place. Highlights include the Fireman's Hose Competition and Battle of the Bluegrass Bands right after the parade. Daily entertainment from 10 a.m. until closing each day of the event. See the website for camping and lodging information. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are only a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Jun

FreeBSD Day: June 19

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FreeBSD is an open-source operating system (as opposed to Windows or iOS) for computers, servers, and embedded systems. It works in millions of applications and programs people use every day, from video streaming to social media. It's used to develop new products by technology companies and ISPs for improved delivery and research by educational institutions and individuals. In 2017 FreeBSD Foundation launched an annual day commemorating this accessible technology source. FreeBSD was first released in November 1993 and originated from UC Berkley.

Africa

Jun

Garfield the Cat Day, Intl. (1978): June 19

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June 19th, 1978, Garfield the Cat came to life, thanks to his creator Jim Davis. The Garfield comic strip holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most syndicated comic strip, appearing in over 2500 publications with over 17 million followers on Facebook. Image: Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, pictured with Odie the dog and Garfield the Cat. © Paws. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.

Africa

Jun

Healthcare Risk Management Week, Ntl.: June 19-23

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National Healthcare Risk Management Week seeks to save lives and prevent patient harm. Organized by Risk Authority Stanford, the week honors the work of risk managers and patient safety professionals and their unyielding care for their patients.

Africa

Jun

Jagannath Rath Yatra (H): June 19

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Lord Jagannath, the day's namesake, is an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Rath Yatra is a colorful festival in Odisha, India. Each year during the monsoon season, the images of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, the deities enshrined in the Jagannath Temple at Puri, are carried in colorful processions at twilight for 21 days. People gather at Puri in Odisha to pull the Rath or Cart of Lord Jagarnatha to get his blessing. He comes out of his sanctum to give darshan to all devotees belonging to all sects and communities. Hindus believe that those participating in this festival earn their passage to heaven. The chariots used in the rituals are recreated annually per strict and ancient specifications and are pulled by several thousand devotees at a time. PLEASE NOTE: We use the Indian civil calendar, the official holiday calendar in India. The Hindu faith has many calendars, each specific to different regions and tribes, with dates and celebrations marked by differing positions of the sun, moon, and stars. Names of months and holidays and the corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar may vary widely from one calendar to the next. Determine the proper calendar before attending local events.

Africa

Jun

Juneteenth (1865): June 19

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Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in the United States. It is the day when the slaves of Galveston, Texas, finally learn of their release from slavery. A reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and the singing of traditional African American songs continue the public celebrations. Juneteenth is a national holiday in the United States.

Africa

Jun

Learning Disabilities Week (UK): June 19-25

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A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability that can translate to everyday difficulties. These activities can include but are not limited to household tasks, socializing, and/or managing money. Learning Disabilities Week in the United Kingdom seeks to reach government, business owners, and leaders through the voices of people with a learning disabilities. Their objective is to make the United Kingdom a better place for people with learning disabilities, their families, and their caregivers.

Africa

Jun

Martini Day, Ntl.: June 19

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National Martini Day celebrates the iconic cocktail, the martini. In 1911 Martini di Arma di Taggia mixed a cocktail with gin, orange bitters, and vermouth, then garnished it with olives to create the iconic drink we know today.

Africa

Jun

Meow Monday, Take Your Cat to Work Day: June 19

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Meow Monday is held annually by Pet Sitters International in the US and encourages Americans to bring their cats to work for the day. It also kicks off National Take Your Pet to Work Week, which concludes with Fido Friday—Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Africa

Jun

Organic Act Day, (VI): June 19

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Organic Act Day celebrates the June 22, 1954, issuance of the Revised Organic Act defining the governance of the US Virgin Islands. This state holiday occurs on the third Monday in June.

Africa

Jun

Pet, Take Your Pet to Work Week, Ntl.: June 19-23

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Take Your Pet to Work Week is held annually by Pet Sitters International in the US and encourages Americans to bring their animal friends to work during this time.

Africa

Jun

Refugee Week (UK): June 19-25

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Refugee Week is a collection of sponsored events around the United Kingdom that celebrate the nation's rich diversity of refugees and their contributions to society. There are three general classifications: Asylum seekers, refugees, and economic migrants. The British Red Cross defines a refugee as follows: ASYLUM SEEKERS Asylum seekers flee their homes and arrive in another country, whichever way they can. Makes themselves known to the authorities Submits an asylum application Have a legal right to stay in the country while waiting for a decision. In 2018, the UK received applications for asylum for 37,453 people (including dependents), while Germany received 162,000, France 110,000, Greece 65,000, and Italy 49,000. REFUGEES Refugees have proven that they'd be at risk if they returned to their home country. The government accepts their asylum claim. They can now stay long-term or indefinitely. Refugees have a right under UK and international law to bring their immediate family members to join them. ECONOMIC MIGRANTS An economic migrant has moved to another country to work. They may be living there legally or illegally, depending on how they entered the country; May or may not have a legal work permit.

Africa

Jun

Ride Motorcycles and Scooters to Work Day, Intl.: June 19

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Ride Motorcycles to Work Day emphasizes the need to recognize motorcycling as a mode of transportation. Created in 1992 and sponsored by the Minnesota-based charity of the same name, Ride Motorcycles to Work Day is considered the largest organized motorcycle event in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Israel.

Africa

Jun

Sauntering Day, World: June 19

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World Sauntering Day encourages people to stop and smell the roses, that is, slow the pace of life and enjoy it. It is believed that World Sauntering Day started in the Grand Hotel in Mackinac, Michigan, in 1979, the hotel with the longest porch in the world. W.T. Rabe created the event as a response to the increasing popularity of joggers in the area to encourage appreciation of the world around us by taking things slow. World Sauntering Day is currently unsponsored.

Africa