Nine Holy Days

The Bahá’í year includes nine holy days: the first, ninth and twelfth day of Ridvan (when Bahá’u’lláh declared himself a messenger of God, April 21-May 2); the anniversary of the Báb's declaration that he was the Promised One of Shi’ite Islam (May 23); the anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh (November 12); the anniversary of the birth of the Báb (October 20); the anniversary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (May 29); the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb (July 9); and the feast of Naw-Ruz (New Year, March 21). On these days Bahá’ís should suspend work. The various holy days are celebrated by a program of worship followed by cultural events and refreshments.