Knowledge is the key to diversity.

October

Sukkot Celebration

Sukkot is a weeklong Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection G‑d provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. We celebrate Sukkot by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah) and by taking the “Four Kinds” (arba minim), four special species of vegetation.

Mental Health Day

It is important to take care not only of your physical, but also mental health. Research shows that 40% of Flemish youngsters do not feel well (Flemish Youth Council, 2016). Everyone has a dip once in a while, but many psychological problems develop at a young age, usually between 12 and 25 years. Adolescence is therefore a period in which young people get a lot on their plate. In addition, the taboo surrounding mental well-being appears to be still strongly present in this age group. Whether the young person feels good about himself, has a dip now and then or is struggling with psychological problems, every young person can certainly use a helping hand.

United Nations Day

The UN is marking its 75th anniversary at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis with severe economic and social impacts.

You CAN make an impact!

• Take our one-minute survey and share it widely: www.un75.online 
• Check out the UN75 toolkit with guidelines on how to join, and inspire conversations and amplify voices through channels and communities for people to talk and be heard.We will be adding more information on online dialogues in the coming days
• Follow @JoinUN75 and #UN75  on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and add your voice to the testimonials from people who have already taken part

The Prophet’s Birthday

Muhammed was born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of his birth is unclear. However, Sunni Muslims observe Muhammed’s birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal, while Shi’a Muslims mark it on the 17th day of this month. The 17th day of Rabi’ al-awwal commemorates the birth of the sixth Shi’a iman, Ja’far al-Sadiq.

The term Mawlid is used in Egypt and Sudan to refer to the birthdays of both Muhammed and local Sufi saints. 

Halloween

Halloween is a holiday celebrated each year on October 31, and Halloween 2020 will occur on Saturday, October 31. The tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.