Opinion : While many look forward to their long holiday weekend, and go about arranging family get-togethers, parties and braais to escape the humdrum of work and study, let us not forget the deep religious significance of this auspicious period.
Most people have traditionally referred to this time of the year as the Easter weekend, but it has enormous meaning and significance for all the major faiths whose followers will gather for a range of prayers and celebrations from Thursday.
For those of the Christian faith, it is customary for worshippers to gather for services at churches all over the country on Good Friday, to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus.
Once again, the Diakonia Council of Churches will host its annual ecumenical Good Friday service at dawn at the Durban Exhibition Centre where thousands are expected to gather in prayer, before joining a procession to the city hall.
It is a well-established tradition that will focus this year on the theme, “Do Not Fear, Stand Firm”, which has compelling relevance for South Africans at this time in our history.
This will be followed by Easter Sunday services to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion.
For members of the Hindu faith, hundreds of devotees will honour the Hindu Goddess Draupadi in Pietermaritzburg on Friday for the annual fire-walking ceremony to demonstrate their faith in this Mother Goddess.
Thousands are also expected at traditional religious gatherings at temples in Mount Edgecombe and Isipingo.
Another popular occasion is the annual Durban Festival of Chariots, an extravaganza of music, dance, food and fashion which traditionally attracts thousands to the beachfront from Friday until Monday.
Not to be missed is the colourful Jagannatha chariot procession on Friday. An on-site temple with the deities of Lord Jagannath will be erected at the festival site where devotees can worship.
In the local Muslim community, much interest will be focused on the celebration of Urs Mubarak and Meelad Un Nabi at the Habibia Soofie Darbaar on Alpine Road in Durban.
The four-day event marks the death anniversary of servants and lasts from Thursday to Sunday.
In a country of such wide religious diversity, this weekend is a time when we should focus very strongly on the concept of religious harmony and tolerance.
People of all religions have a responsibility to uphold peace and justice in our country and should work harder at encouraging mutual understanding and empathy through dialogue.