Today@Dal

Each year the Dalhousie Office of Human Rights, Equity & Harassment Prevention (HREHP) develops a mosaic calendar of religious holidays and cultural dates for faculty, staff and students.
See below for a sample of October dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The calendar is available on the website.
All Jewish and Islamic Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the first date shown.

OCTOBER
Mi’kmaq History Month
Treaty Day (October 1st) marks the beginning of Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia as proclaimed in 1993 by then Premier John Savage and Mi’kmaq Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy. Its purpose is to promote public awareness about the Mi’kmaq culture and heritage for all citizens of Nova Scotia. It is celebrated annually by the Nova Scotia Government and the Mi’kmaq community to renew peace and friendship
Women’s History Month
Proclaimed by the Government of Canada in 1992, Women’s History Month provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn about the many and significant contributions of girls and women to our society - and to the quality of our lives. To honour the girls and women in Canada, past and present, who have gone first, who opened doors for others to follow.

OCTOBER 2
International Day of Non-Violence (UN)
October 2nd marks the birth anniversary of Human Rights Activist, Mahatma Gandhi .

OCTOBER 3
Dassehra (HI)
(Vijay Dasami) celebrates the victory of good over evil: of Lord Rama over the demon Ravan, and the Goddess over a demon. It follows the nine-day celebration of Navaratri (nine nights) and Durga Puja (worship) when other Goddesses are worshiped
Day of Hajj/Day of ‘Arafat
Commemorates the last revelation to the Prophet at Mount ‘Arafat shortly before his death. Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the greatest religious observances in Islam. Muslims on Hajj attend a service on the plains in front of Mount ‘Arafat.

OCTOBER 4
Yom Kippur/ Day of Atonement (JU)
Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri. The name “Yom Kippur” means “Day of Atonement”, and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to “afflict the soul”, to atone for the sins of the past year. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends.

OCTOBER 4-7
Eid-al-Adha (IS)
or the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice, is observed after the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. It is the second of the two major Muslim holy days. The other is Id al-Fitr which follows Ramadan -- a lunar month of partial fasting

OCTOBER 5
World Communion Sunday
On World Communion Sunday congregations can experience Holy Communion as a global faith community.

OCTOBER 7
International Association of Scientologists Day
This day celebrates the founding of the International Association of Scientologists, the membership organization responsible for safeguarding and ensuring the continuity and expansion of the Scientology religion.

OCTOBER 12-16
Ghambar Ayathrem (ZO)
Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.

OCTOBER 13
Thanksgiving (Canada)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

OCTOBER 15-18
Id-al-Adha (IS) or the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice, is observed after the Hajj -- the annual pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. It is the second of the two major Muslim holy days. The other is Id al-Fitr which follows Ramadan -- a lunar month of partial fasting

OCTOBER 16
Annual Mi'kmaq Pow Wow
Dalhousie hosts its fifth-annual Mawio'mi (or "pow wow"), a celebration of aboriginal heritage and Mi'kmaq culture that's one of the most colourful campus events.
16th Annual Mosaic for Mental Health
The 16th Annual Mosaic for Mental Health is an art exhibition and sale all in support of the mental health programs of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Halifax-Dartmouth branch. Hosted at the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing, this annual fundraiser will open on October 18th, 2014 and have hundreds of works of Mosaic art tiles (6” x 6”) which will be offered for sale.
Information: CMHA 902-455-5445 www.cmhahaldart.ca

OCTOBER 17
The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (UN)
Is celebrated every year on October 17 throughout the world. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1992, but the first commemoration of the event took place in Paris, France in 1987. When the General Assembly, by resolution 47/196, designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries - a need that has become a development priority

OCTOBER 18
Persons Day (WO)
The day commemorates the case of Edwards v. Canada (Attorney General), more commonly known as The Persons Case–a famous Canadian constitutional case decided on October 18, 1929 by the Judicial Committee of the Imperial Privy Council, at that time the court of last resort for Canada, which held that women were eligible to sit in the Canadian Senate.
While not a civic holiday, several women's groups across Canada make significant note of the day, including The Women's Legal Education and Action Fund and The Canadian Voters Congress.

OCTOBER 20
Birth of the Bab (BA)
On October 20th, Baha’is around the world celebrate the Birth of the Báb, one of the founders of this faith. The Báb is often referred to as the Herald of the Baha’i Faith, because it was His mission to prepare the way for Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith
Installation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (SI)
It is revered as an eternal Guru, a sacred conduit for wisdom and guidance. Guru Gobind Singh named the text Granth Sahib as his successor, terminating the line of human Gurus. From that point on, the text remained not only the holy scripture of the Sikhs, but is also regarded by them as the living embodiment of the Ten Gurus. The role of Guru Granth Sahib, as a source or guide of prayer, is pivotal in worship in Sikhism

OCTOBER 23
Mahavira Nirvana (JA)
On this day, (6th century BCE), the 24th Tirthankara, attained nirvana and release from the cycle of rebirth (moksha).
Deepavali/diwali (HI JA SI)
Diwali, or Deepavali, is an official public holiday in many parts of India and is part of a five-day Hindu observance known as the ‘Festival of Lights’. Diwali is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November in the western calendar, depending upon the lunar cycle for that year.
The Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a colourful and happy celebration. Families prepare their homes and themselves for the special festivities that symbolise the victory of spiritual goodness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. Firecrackers are set off to drive away evil, oil lamps are lit, flower garlands are made, candles float in bowls of water outside homes and sweets are shared as part of the festivities.
The burning of these diyas is considered to be the lighted pathway of a person’s expression of happiness and also a manner of paying obeisance to God, the Supreme power for attainment of health, prosperity, knowledge, financial security and peace in one’s life.
Bandhi Chhor Divas (SI)
Bandi Chhor Diwas and Diwali are separate festivals and the events actually fall on different days; however, commonly in the popular calendars, they are celebrated on the same day. For this reason, many people often think of these events as if they are the same.
The sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib was imprisoned by Emperor Jahangir because he seemed to be afraid of the Guru’s growing following and power. The sixth Guru Nanak had agreed to his own release on the condition that the other fifty-two detainees would also be released. He was therefore known as the ’Bandi Chhor’. He arrived at Amritsar on the day of Diwali and the Golden Temple was also lit with hundreds of lamps. Thereafter day came to be known as the ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’ (the day of freedom).

OCTOBER 25
Al-Hijira New Year (IS)
Islamic New Year. Marks the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina
The First of Muharram (IS)
Celebrates the Hijra (migration) of Muharram and his followers in 622 CE, from Mecca to Medina, where they established the first Islamic community.

OCTOBER 28
Jnana Panchmi (JA)
Some Jains celebrate transcendent wisdom by fasting for 36 hours. Others perform rituals and pray for right knowledge.

OCTOBER 30
Pavarana (BU)
Pavarana marks the end of the Rains Retreat for the Ordained. (Theravada/ North America)

OCTOBER 31
Samhain (WICCA)
Samhain is the word for November in a few Gaelic languages. The Festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is generally regarded as ‘The Celtic New Year’
Halloween
The modern holiday of Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, where the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them.