Power of Faith showcased throughout Australia as thousands celebrate Ayyam-i-Ha

Ayyam-i-Ha celebrations in cities and regional areas across the country have showcased the Baha’i Faith’s power in promoting vibrant, healthy and hopeful communities. 

Ayyam-i-Ha, also known as the intercalary days, is a four or five day festival that falls before the final month of the Baha’i year and is devoted to generosity, good cheer, and acts of service. 

In Sydney, at the Baha’i House of Worship, more than 30 people from the community of Lane Cove attended an Ayyam-i-Ha celebration and dinner. The festivities featured a special program at the Temple, followed by copious amounts of food, music, a sushi train and table where the children could craft gift boxes promoting their upcoming service project for the Food Bank.

The Food Bank food drive was organised in the spirit of the holy day, raising 687kg in supplies equating to 12,600 meals.

The drive was held at a public space which the community was able to secure for free after liaising with the local council, and was also able to print more than $200 in labels for free due to the charitable nature of the work. 

The community of Hornsby in Sydney’s north shore also held an Ayyam-i-Ha celebration on the Temple grounds. 

Around 45 friends from around Sydney attended the festivities which included shared food and a special program inside the House of Worship with Writings, prayers and chanting from the children. Tahereh Oskooi said it was a beautiful and meaningful occasion, offering a space for everyone to connect and deepen friendships.

“The children especially had the opportunity to strengthen bonds of friendship in a serene and inspiring setting,” she said.

In Ballarat, in Victoria’s western region, more than 60 people attended a celebration in the neighbourhood of Delacombe, with families enjoying an on-site jumping castle, face painting, pot-luck food, and collective singing. 

The neighbourhood also hosted its own children’s devotional space, and facilitated a project to raise donations for the local Kindness Initiative – a project where pantry items and necessities are provided to those in need at no cost.

Down the highway in the neighbourhood of Tarneit, in Melbourne’s west, a small group of youth gathered to mark the holy day, enjoying food, reflecting, sharing gifts and saying prayers. 

In Western Australia, a group of mothers in the Melville community who had formed a playgroup last year also came together to celebrate and invited other mothers in the local area to join. Ranging from newborn to four years old, the children played together and completed some art activities in a joyful atmosphere. 

In the rural town of Geraldton, one Baha’i marked the occasion at her workplace, placing a rose on the desks of all her colleagues with a heart-shaped chocolate in each lid. 

“People kindly shared how much they loved this little gift, and a week later some roses were still blooming beautifully,” she said. “I was able to let my colleagues know about Ayyam-i-Ha and how much I appreciate working with them, and their golden hearts.  

“In the staff room I placed an explanation and some chocolates. It was very simple but heartfelt and we all experienced the joy.”

In the neighbourhood of Elizabeth in Adelaide, an Ayyam-i-Ha celebration was organised as a part of the monthly community gathering typically organised on the first Saturday of the month. Sharing the meaning behind the festival, along with devotions and other activities such as games on the oval, the friends were able to share an evening of joy. 

In whatever settings the celebrations were held, big or small, metropolitan or regional, the festivities were characterised by joy, generosity, and acts of service, solidifying friendships and embracing more families into the capacity-building process unfolding in localities Australia-wide.