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Nineteen Day Fast (Ala)
Nineteen days of fasting at the end of the Baha'i year — prayer and purification before Naw-Ruz.
March 2 – 19 days
Why It Matters
The Nineteen Day Fast occurs in the final month of the Baha'i calendar before Naw-Ruz. From sunrise to sunset Baha'is abstain from food and drink — a time of spiritual rejuvenation and deep prayer.
How It Is Observed
Daily fasting sunrise to sunset, increased prayer, reading of Baha'i scripture, Nineteen Day Feast gatherings, charitable giving. Exempt: under 15, over 70, ill, pregnant, or traveling.
Sacred Text
“We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forebears.”
— Kitab-i-Aqdas, Baha'u'llah ↗