Religious Events in May
Islam: Qadr Night and Eid al-Fitr
The evening of 8 May 2021 is Qadr Night, or the Night of Power, one of the holiest nights of the year in the Islamic faith.
Qadr Night commemorates the delivery of the Islamic holy text, the Quran, from heaven to earth and first revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Also known as the Night of Decree, Qadr Night marks the annual event where Allah (God) sends his 'decrees' to earth through the angels, delivering the destiny for all of life and creation for the following year. Qadar, the concept of divine destiny, is one of the six articles of Islamic faith.
Qadr Night falls in the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan.
From 12-13 May, Ramadan will conclude with the holy holiday holiday of Eid al-Fitr, also known as the 'Festival of Breaking the Fast'. Eid al-Fitr is a celebration of Allah's mercy and forgiveness of sins celebrated through traditions of gift-giving, acts of good will and charity, family feasts, and special Eid worship at the mosque.
Glenferrie's local mosque is located in the Multi Faith Centre at Swinburne University.
Judaism: Shavuot
The Jewish celebration of Shavuot will take place from sunset on Sunday 16 May and last until Tuesday evening, 18 May.
Also called the Feast of Weeks, Shavuot originated as a pilgrimage festival in ancient Israel. The holy holiday celebrates the seasonal grain harvest and the sacred text of Judaism, the Torah, commemorating the delivery of the 10 Commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai after leading the Jewish exodus from ancient Egypt.
There are many special readings and prayers performed on Shavuot and it is customary to eat dairy products during the festival, which is largely a celebration of thanks and acknowledgement for the Torah and the divine relationship and covenant that it created between God and the Jewish peoples.
Glenferrie's local synagogue is the ARK Centre in Hawthorn East.
Christianity: Pentecost
On 23 May 2021 - 50 days after Easter, on the seventh Sunday - falls the Christian holiday of Pentecost.
The day celebrates the biblical event whereby the disciples of Jesus Christ gathered together to pray in Jerusalem during the Jewish pilgrimage festival of Shavuot, following Jesus' death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and gave them the gift of tongues, allowing them to preach and spread the word of Jesus to all in every language. Pentecost is a significant religious event in the Christianity, as it commemorates the event largely considered to be the birth of the Christian Church itself. Many Christian churches perform special liturgies for Pentecost.
Glenferrie's local churches include the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and St Columbs Anglican Church.
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