To commemorate Ayyám-i-Há, students and their families received flowers at School. For the Bahá'í faith, flowers represent hope and happiness. Ayyám-i-Há begins on the evening of February 24 and goes through March 1, a time during which Bahá´ís dedicate themselves to preparing spiritually for a month of fasting.
To all, we wish you a Happy Ayyám-i-Há!
Ayyám-i-Há and Bahá’í Fasting
The Bahá'í calendar is composed of nineteen months, each composed of nineteen days, and are named after the attributes of God. Nineteen months, multiplied by nineteen days add up to 361 days. The additional four days (five in leap years) needed to close the period of a full year are called the Festival of Ayyám-i-Há.
This Festival precedes the period of the Bahá'í fast, a time of prayer, meditation, and spiritual rejuvenation, which takes place during the last month of the Bahá'í calendar, when Bahá’ís aged 15 and older suspend their consumption of food and water from sunrise to sunset for 19 days until the celebration of Naw-Ruz (New Year). This period of fasting serves as spiritual symbolism of detachment and one’s nearness to God.
During the Ayyám-i-Há, Bahá’ís throughout the world devote their time to their communities by socializing, being hospitable, giving generously to the poor and those in need, and serving others while preparing for the upcoming month of fasting.
To understand more about the Baha’i Faith, please visit www.bahai.org
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