Please note the following dates, understanding that students and colleagues may request temporary absence or request annual leave or adjustments to their schedules to accommodate religious observance. All holidays marked with * begin the prior evening. Many religious festivals dates are based on the lunar cycle and therefore some dates below are yet to be confirmed.
May
12 May: Vesak (Buddhist) Vesak (also known as Wesak or Buddha Day) celebrates the Buddha's birthday, the central figure of Buddhism. For some Buddhists, the day also marks his enlightenment and death. Some Buddhists will choose to go to their local temple throughout the day and night of the full moon.
23 May: Anniversary of the Declaration of the Bab* (Baha’i) The Bab was co-founder of the Baha’i faith. He inaugurated the Baha’i calendar which numbers itself from the year of this declaration. Baha’is celebrate by gathering together to share prayers, stories, and reflections. It is one of the nine holy days in the Bahá'í Faith on which Baha’i do not work.
June
2-3 June: Shavuot* (Jewish) Shavuot (also known as the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost) celebrates the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and the first harvest season in Israel.
16 June: Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh) The fifth Guru was executed on this day. Guru Arjan made the first compilation of the Sikh Scriptures, called the Adi Granth, and supervised the completion of what is now the Golden Temple in Amritsar. A gurpurb is held on this day, including an Akhand path.
6-10 June: Eid-ul-Adha* (Muslim) This major festival, also known as the festival of sacrifice or al-Eid al-Kabir, commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son. Muslims gather for prayers and festivities with family and friends. Depending on the sighting of the moon, this date is subject to change.
21 June: World Humanist Day This day is a time for Humanists to gather socially to promote the positive values of Humanism. Ways to celebrate vary depending on the group.
July
5-6 July: Ashura (Muslim) For Sunni Muslims Ashura is a minor fast observed by the Prophet Muhammed. Shi‘a Muslims recall a great tragedy that took place in AH 61 (680 CE). The Imam Husayn (son of Ali and Fatimah and therefore grandson of the Prophet Muhammed) was attacked and killed at Karbala (now in Iraq) along with his family and followers by the troops of the Caliph Yazid. Some Muslims may choose to fast. Depending on the sighting of the moon, this date is subject to change.
9 July: Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab* (Baha’i) The Bab was executed by firing squad in Tabriz, Persia, at noon on this day. The Bab’s death is commemorated at noon with readings and prayers from the Baha’i Scriptures.
August
9 August: Raksha Bandhan (Hindu / Jain) Raksha-‘protection’, bandhan-‘to tie’. Girls and women tie a rakhi on the right wrists of their brothers, wishing them protection from evil influences. Gifts are often exchanged.
15 August: Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu) Birthday of Krishna. Many Hindus fast until midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth. In the temples, Krishna is welcomed by singing, dancing, and sweets. In some homes and temples, an image of the newborn Krishna is put in a cradle.
27 August: Samvatsari (Jain) The International Forgiveness Day for Jains is the last day of Paryushana. It is the holiest day of the Jain calendar. Many Jains observe a complete fast on this day. The whole day is spent in prayers and contemplation.
September
23-24 September: Rosh Hashanah* (Jewish) Jewish New Year - a time of celebration and reflection. No work permitted.
22 September - 1 October: Navratri (Hindu) ‘Nav’-nine; ‘Ratri’-nights in celebration of the goddess Durga, ending with Dusshera, a commemoration which celebrates goodness overcoming evil. Some devotees may choose to fast from certain foods during this festival. For further information, please read 'Returning Students, Navratri and Me' by Rakhee Patel.
October
2 October: Yom Kippur* (Jewish) The holiest day in the Jewish calendar. A day of prayer and fasting. No work is permitted.
7-13 October: Sukkot* (Jewish) Celebrates the gathering of the harvest and God’s protection of Jewish people in the escape from Egypt, as in the book of Exodus). The first two days of this festival are considered the most holy with no work permitted, and may result in requests for absence.
14-15 October: Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah* (Jewish) A celebration of the significance of the Torah, the Jewish Bible.
20 October: Diwali/Deepavali (Hindu) Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali through different stories: (Hindu) Festival of Lights which celebrates the triumph of goodness over evil; (Sikh) Bandi Chor, the day of liberation; (Jain) marks the end of the year and the day of liberation of the soul.