Nineteen days of fasting will culminate in welcoming the Bahá’í Naw Ruz , or New year on the eve of March 21 , Naw-Ruz ,which means “new day” in Persian , is one of nine Bahá’í holy days on which Bahá’ís suspend work and school.

The Bahá’í calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days each (361 days), with the addition of “Intercalary Days” (four in ordinary and five in leap years) between the 18th and 19th months to adjust the calendar to the solar year.

Naw-Ruz occurs on the Spring Equinox or March 21, the approximate date of the equinox . At its most basic, it is a celebration of renewal and the coming spring. Bahá’ís see it as a time of spiritual development , a time of reaffirming and strengthening commitment in one’s personal transformation.
Naw-Ruz is also a time for gatherings, visiting each other’s homes and sitting down in large groups for a communal meal and inviting friends from other faiths to join the celebrations. In the true spirit of unity and oneness , Malaysian Bahá’ís usually celebrate this holy occasion with the traditional ‘open house’ for their relatives , neighbors and friends.

Celebrations of this Holy Day vary by community. Some Celebrate it in a grand manner with festive dinners in hotels , restaurants and community halls with elaborate programmes involving the old and young in songs and music, performances and games while others especially in smaller communities , the celebration is scaled down to smaller groups and less elaborate activities , but the joyous and intimate atmosphere are no less festive and significant with food, prayers and enjoyment of each other’s company.

While much festivities and enjoyment are going on , Bahá’ís also remember their comrades and friends  who are not as fortunate , in their prayers ,especially those affected by natural calamities,and their Bahá’í brethrens in Iran who have in recent years suffered extreme oppressions from their government.

Happy Naw-Ruz