The culture that surrounds me in this grand city is intriguing. Many different people cohesively bring different beliefs, traditions and practices to one place, where we have the freedom to do and believe what we want. This week, there are few religious celebrations occurring that I find interesting and worth knowing about, as they are important to the people who take part in them.

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Durga Puja will begin on October 1. This is the annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates the worship of the Hindu Goddess Durga. This date marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. This celebration commences the victory of good versus evil.

Kim Kippur, more knowingly referred to, as Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. It will fall on October 3 of this week. Yom Kippur translates to ‘Day of Atonement,’ and the themes that are present during this day are atonement and repentance. This Day also completes Rosh Hashanah with a 25-hour period of fasting and intense prayer. Most Jewish people spend the entire day inside their synagogue, worshipping.

Another interesting religious celebration taking place this week, also falls on October 3. Eid ul- Adha is the festival of sacrifice but is known by many different names, such as: Feast of Sacrifice, Major Festival, The Greater Eid, Kurban Bayram, Eid e Qurban. This is the second of two religious holidays celebrated by the Muslim religion and people. It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his young first-born son Ishmael as an act of submission to God’s command before God intervened to provide Abraham with a lamb to sacrifice instead. Eid ul- Adha lasts four days, which are considered days of remembrance singled out in the hadith (traditions).

Regardless of what you believe in, or who you know. Take some time to respect the beliefs of others, wish them joy as they commemorate the holidays.