Your month ahead – dates for your diary (February)

9-15, Children’s Mental Health Week

Started by children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, this annual week raises awareness of the importance of good mental health in childhood. This year’s theme is ‘This is my place’, with a focus on creating a sense of belonging and recognising the value of having a safe place where you are included and loved. Find out more: About Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week

18, Ramadan, Islam

The Holy Month for Muslims will begin around 18 February, but the start is subject to sight of the hilal, or new crescent moon. During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast during daylight hours, abstaining from food and drink, including water. The elderly, children and those travelling or menstruating are excused from the fast. As well as fasting, Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to increase their donations to charity, reflect, pray and spend time with family.

February’s dates at a glance

Religious/cultural
1 –        Triodion begins, Orthodox Christian
1 –        Thaipusam, Hindu
2 –        Tu Bishvat, Judaism
2 –        Imbolc*/Candlemas Wicca and Pagan
3 –        Lailat Al Bara’ah, Islam
3 –        Setsubun-Sai, Shinto
8 –        Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Orthodox Christian
14 –      Saint Valentine’s Day, Christian
14 –      Saturday of Souls, Orthodox Christian
15 –      Meatfare Sunday, Orthodox Christian
15 –      Nirvana Day, Buddhist
15-16 – Maha Shivratri, Hindu
16 –      Shrove Monday, Christian
17 –      Shrove Tuesday, Christian
17 –      Lunar New Year, Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist
18 –      Ash Wednesday, Christian
18 –      Losar begins, Buddhist
18 –      Ramadan begins, Islam
21 –      Saturday of Souls, Orthodox Christian
22 –      Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Catholic Christian
22 –      Cheesefare Sunday, Orthodox Christian
23 –      Great Lent begins, Orthodox Christian
23 –      Phalguna Ashtahnika begins, Jain
25 –      Rohini Vrat, Jain
25 Feb-1 March – Intercalary Days, Baha’i
28 –      Saturday of Souls, Orthodox Christian
31 –      Guru Harrai Jayanti, Sikh

Awareness and Events

1 –      World Hijab Day
1-7 –   World Interfaith Harmony Week
4 –      World Cancer Day
5 –      Time To Talk Day
5-11 – UK Race Equality Week
6 –      International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation
9-15 – Children’s Mental Health Week
10 –    Safer Internet Day
11 –    International Day of Women and Girls in Science
12 –    Red Hand Day for Child Soldiers
15 –    International Childhood Cancer Day
17 –    World Human Spirit Day
20 –    World Day of Social Justice
21 –    International Mother Language Day