Month: August

FRAVARDIGAN / MUKTAD

05 August

5th – 14th August 2026 (Shahenshai)

11th – 20th March 2026 (Iranian Zoroastrian)

6th – 15th July 2026 (Kadmi)

Zoroastrian

The Fravardigan festival (the festival of the fravashis), popularly known as Muktad (All Souls), commences ten days before NoRuz and is the last festival of the old year. The Zoroastrian day commences at sunrise and not midnight, and so during sunrise on the first day of the festival the immortal souls, together with their fravashis (the guardian spirits of departed ancestors, artistically depicted as half man/half bird), are welcomed by name by the Zoroastrian Mobeds or Magi (priests).

For ten days they reside in the place of worship, hovering around a table full of metal vases, each specifically earmarked for an individual family and containing white flowers. They leave the physical world after the last ceremony, held on the tenth evening, but before the dawn of NoRuz. The designated priest – as a farewell gesture – will then empty the water from one of the metal vases, which he will also turn upside down, signifying that it is time for the immortal souls and the fravashis to return to the spiritual world.

Theologically Fravardigan is the most important Zoroastrian festival after NoRuz, and, since it deals with one’s departed ancestors, many Zoroastrians regard it to be their holiest festival. This linking of the past with the present and the future is typical of much of Zoroastrian life.

During these ten days Zoroastrians often take time off from work, pray extensively, recite the five Gathas (hymns composed by Zarathushtra) and ensure their houses are thoroughly cleaned. They prepare daily samples of sacred food enjoyed by their departed ancestors while still alive, and take these to the place of worship, to be tasted by them during the daily ceremonies. This ritually consecrated food, along with chosen fruits, is then shared by the living in the special Hamaspathmaidyem Gahambar, a communal feast celebrated after the ceremony is over.

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD’S BIRTHDAY / MILAD UN NABI (12th Rabi’ul-Awwal)

26 August

26th August 2026

Muslim (Sunni)

Observed by Sunni Muslims on 12th Rabi’ Al-Awwal, and by the majority of Shi’a Muslims five days later on 17th Rabi’ Al-Awwal (though Nizari Ismaili (Shi’a) Muslims, who are followers of the Aga Khan, celebrate this on the same date as Sunnis, whereas Dawoodi Bohra Ismailis celebrate at the same time as other Shi’a).

The day is widely celebrated within the Muslim world as in the UK to mark the birth of the Prophet, and is a public holiday in a number of Muslim countries. In the sub-continent of India and certain Arab countries like Egypt, the celebration starts with readings from the Qur’an, followed by discussion of the birth, life and message of the Prophet, and poetry and songs in his praise. There are also lectures and storytelling. The most important part of Eid Milad-un-Nabi is focusing upon the character of the Prophet, his bravery and wisdom, his teachings, sufferings, and how he forgave even his most bitter enemies.

In many cities of the Muslim world the day is marked with processions and flag waving under a huge decoration of lights. Those Muslims who celebrate this festival do so joyfully. Muslim parents tell stories of the Prophet’s life to their children. Some Muslims donate to charity. Families gather together, feasts are arranged and food is served to invited guests and to the poor.

There are only restricted festivities on Milad un-Nabi because the same day also marks the anniversary of the death of the Prophet. In the UK Muslims often celebrate at the mosque, but some refuse to observe the Prophet’s birthday, claiming that celebrating birthdays or death anniversaries is a non-Islamic innovation, never celebrated by the Prophet, but introduced more than 600 years after his death. Tradition is not clear as to the date of the Prophet’s birth.