Equalities and diversity calendar - February 2012
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT) History Month (sexual orientation)
4 World Cancer Day
World Health Organisation (WHO) joins the International Union Against Cancer to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. Preventing cancer, improving the quality of life for cancer patients and raising awareness of the impact of cancer are recurring themes.
4 Mawlid al-Nabi - Islam
Mawlid al-Nabi is a celebration of the birthday of the Prophet founder of Islam. The day is fixed at the twelfth day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal in the muslim calendar. Muhammad was born about A. D. 570 and died in A. D. 632. During his life, he established Islam as a religion.
6-12 World Orphan Week
World Orphan Week began in the UK in 2005. It is a week developed to raise awareness for the needs of orphaned and abandoned children around the world. World Orphan Week (WOW) is a week for groups and individuals to volunteer their time and fundraise to support programs that can support these children in need 6-12 February 2012.
8 and 15 Nirvana Day - Buddhism
Celebration to mark the final passing of the Buddha at the age of 80, believing he attained enlightenment and freedom from physical existence and suffering. Some Buddhists celebrate this day on 8 February.
14 Saint Valentine's Day - Christian
The festival has its origin from the February fertility festival celebrated in pagan times during mid-February. Later, the feast turned into a Christian celebration and named Valentine's Day to honour the date of the martyrdom of Saint Valentine.
20 Maha Shivaratri – Hindu
Hindu festival dedicated to deity Lord Shiva.
21 Shrove Tuesday - Christian
The day of preparation for Lent, traditionally marked by eating pancakes.
21 International Mother Language Day
This was proclaimed by UNESCO in November 1999, and observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
22 Ash Wednesday – Christian
The first day of Lent for Western Christian churches. Lent is the season marking the time Jesus spent in the wilderness.