Is it permissible to celebrate the annual Cultural Day at the university where students showcase the cultures of their countries?
Recurring temporal occasions and celebrations fall into two categories:
The first category: When the day itself is intended for glorification and specialization. This falls under emulating the lawful 'Eids (festivals) and is considered a forbidden innovation (bid'ah), whether it is specialized with acts of worship or customs. Examples include celebrating the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid), the Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey and Ascension), or Mother's Day, due to the innovation and imitation of disbelievers inherent in it.
The second category: When the day itself is not intended for glorification, but rather chosen for organizational or coordinative purposes, such as Traffic Week or Health Day. No proximity to Allah is intended through it. These are not considered innovated 'Eids and there is no harm in them; rather, they are permissible.
A distinction is made between a day designated for a specific action—even if it recurs—and a day designated and glorified for its own sake. The first is a temporal setting for a permissible act, while the second is an 'Eid that emulates the lawful 'Eids.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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