The concept of sacred nights in other religions and faiths

LAHORE: While Muslims celebrate Shab-e-Mairaj on the 27th of the Islamic month of Rajab every year, the Shab-e-Barat on the 15th of Sha’ban annually and the holiest Layla-tul-Qadr on any one of the odd numbered days during the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan, a study of other religions and faiths reveals that they too seek the blessings of the Creator on their sacred nights. So, it was Quran in fact, which had revealed the speed of light a millennium-and-a-half ago and was later testified by Einstein (1879-1955), who is also deemed to be the father of the atomic bomb as his famous equation (e=mc2) had predicted that a huge amount of energy would be released if matter were converted into energy—-all of what turned out to be true with the invention of the atomic bomb. Deepawali or Diwali, meaning a “row of lights/lamps,” involves nighttime celebrations too. Devotees light up clay lamps, filled with oil, to signify the success of good over evil. During Diwali, Hindus wear new clothes, exchange sweets and go out partying with family members and friends amid firecrackers and illumination all around them. Most Indian businesses begin their financial year on the first day of Diwali. Many host bonfires and costume parties as well. The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages (period of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century), when poor people would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls’ Day (November 2). During the eight-day long Chanukah (festival of lights), which takes place in December, Jews light up candles on a Menorah every night for eight nights in the home, prepare their food in oil, and hold parties. A Menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum used in the temples of Jerusalem, is a symbol of Judaism since ancient times and happens to be the emblem of the state of Israel too.

Queen Elizabeth II Attends the Maundy Thursday Service on her 85th ...

Today, Queen Elizabeth II marked her 85th birthday by attending the traditional annual Maundy Thursday service which was held today at Westminster Abbey, the same place where she will celebrate the wedding of her grandson, Prince William, and Kate Middleton in just over a week’s time.

In a service commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus Christ and his twelve disciples and dating back over 800 years, the Queen carried out the traditional symbolic gesture of humility for the monarch: the distribution of gifts, or alms, to the deserving.

In Medieval and Tudor times, the monarch would also wash the feet of the poor but this tradition ended with the death of James II in 1701, however, the traditional alms-giving still takes place today. Accompanied by the Yeoman Guard carrying trays of the specially minted Maundy coins in purses, the Queen made her way down the Abbey to the general congregation and handed out the Maundy coins to 85 women and 85 men, the number matching her age as is customary.

You can find out more about Maundy Thursday in my article over at The Anne Boleyn Files – see Maundy Thursday and you can enjoy a BBC News video of the Queen attending the Maundy Thursday service at http://www.bbc.co.

Equal rites, lesbian and gay worship, ceremonies, and celebrations

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