Important events and celebrations this month include:
1 New Years Day/Hogmanay
The start of the new Gregorian (Western) calendar year. In Scotland new year (Hogmanay) celebrations traditionally last from new year’s eve until the morning of the 1 January.
5 Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Sikh celebration honouring the birthday of the 10th and last human Guru, who instituted the five Ks and established the Order of the Khalsa. Celebrations include readings from the scriptures and processions of flags from Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples).
6 Epiphany
Christian celebration of the visit of the wise men (Magi) to the infant Jesus bringing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
7 Orthodox Christmas Day
Most Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas 13 days later, using the Julian version of the Western Calendar.
10 Al Hijra - Islamic New Year
Marks the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers from Makkah (Mecca) to Medina.
18 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
20 World Religion Day
Baha’i sponsored day dedicated to the unity and oneness of all world religions.
22 Mahayana Buddhist New Year
27 Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day commemorates all who suffered as a result of the Holocaust and Nazi persecution; Jews, Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), East Europeans, Russian prisoners of war, trade unionists, communists, political opponents, disabled people, Jehovah’s Witnesses, gay men, lesbians and Black Germans. The day also considers more recent atrocities. “IMAGINE… remember, reflect, react” is the theme for 2008, which challenges us all to imagine the unimaginable.
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