“24th of May – the Queen's birthday, if we don't get a holiday, we'll all run away!”

How well I remember chanting that as a child together with my school friends back in the day. “The 24th of May” – as we Bermudians endearingly and simply called that long-anticipated date – marked the unofficial start of summer. It was the day of our first dip in the ocean, because, as the elders would say, “the sun had crossed the line,” whatever that was meant to mean!

As time inevitably brought change, the holiday that had once traced its roots to Queen Victoria’s birthday – first known as Empire Day, and later Commonwealth Day – was transformed into Bermuda Day.

The first Bermuda Day Heritage Parade was held on May 24, 1979, “to celebrate Bermudian culture and promote civic pride”. And thus, Bermuda Day was born.

But what exactly are we celebrating?

Heritage and culture are often spoken of together, but they are not quite the same.

Heritage is what we inherit – our traditions, values, beliefs, and accomplishments passed down through generations. It is the story of who we are and where we come from.

Culture, on the other hand, is how we live that heritage in the present. It is the expression of our identity through customs, dress, music, food, language, and behaviour.

In a sense, then, heritage is the root, and culture is the fruit. One grounds us; the other blossoms in how we move, speak, and relate to one another.

And so, I believe heritage is more than a costume or a float in a parade – it’s the spirit of perseverance that Bermudians have carried through hardship and triumph.

Our culture, shaped by that heritage, has long reflected values of modesty, dignity, resilience, and community pride. This is the heritage I draw from, and the culture I remember.

Bermuda Day, in all its colour and joy, serves a powerful purpose: it brings us together. It unites us, if only for a moment, in shared celebration. In that unity alone, its objective is fulfilled.

The Koran speaks beautifully about the importance of community and family in the following verses from Surah Aal-E-Imran [The Family of Imran], verses 103 to 105:

“Hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah stretches out for you, and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favour on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brethren; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it.

“Thus does Allah make His signs clear to you, that you may be guided. Let there arise out of you a group inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain success. Be not like those who are divided and fall into disputes after receiving clear signs – for them is a dreadful punishment.”

May the spirit of Bermuda Day – with its love, unity, and celebration of who we are – remain with us for the next 364 days. For it is this spirit that has carried us this far, and it is this spirit that will carry us farther – not merely to where fate may take us, but to where our love, tolerance, respect, and unity as Bermudians lead us.

But with love for our culture also comes a sense of responsibility. As I look at how Bermuda Day is celebrated today, I find myself concerned. Our culture is changing – and not always in ways that honour the heritage we came from.

In recent years, I’ve witnessed a rise in public displays that seem far removed from the values of our elders. Nudity in full display, hyper-sexualised dancing in the streets, and a disregard for modesty do not reflect the Bermuda I knew – where dignity and self-respect were foundational to our celebrations.

Call me a prude, but I believe modest dress was once a key expression of our cultural identity. It symbolised pride, not repression. And as far as I know, laws around public decency are still on our books.

If that’s the case, I find myself wondering: when did our culture decide that these laws could be set aside for one day? Is the celebration of culture now an excuse to abandon the very values that define it?

This is not a question of religion or personal expression alone – it’s a question of cultural consistency. If we are to honour our heritage and nurture a healthy, respectful culture for future generations, we must not lose sight of the principles that shaped us.

I say this not in judgment, but in deep reflection. Culture is not static – it evolves. But let it evolve with intention and wisdom. Let our Bermuda Day celebrations uplift not only our spirits but also our standards. Let our joy be full, but never at the expense of our dignity.

Let us remember: we do not celebrate just to feel good, but to be good – together.

Let us celebrate Bermuda Day in the spirit of old – a time of love, family, connection, and peace.

Let us remember the Bermuda we cherish: where community mattered, generations gathered, and dignity defined our joy.

As we celebrate, let us not forget our fellow human beings around the globe – those whose heritage is under fire, whose homes are in rubble, whose voices are silenced beneath the sound of war.

Let us raise our voices in unity, not only for Bermuda, but for humanity.

Let us continue to call for an immediate ceasefire.

Let us urge the powers that be to choose peace over power, mercy over might.

May Bermuda Day inspire not only celebration, but compassion.

Let love lead. Let dignity return. Let humanity prevail.

Happy Bermuda Day!

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam