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To download the Religious Holidays Calendar, click here.
June 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
All Saints Day (Orthodox Christian)
This holiday honors known and unknown saints.
July 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
*Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha'i)
In 1850 C.E. at the age of 31, the
Bab was executed by a firing squad
in Tabriz. This event is observed
at noon and all work and commerce
cease on this day.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
**Isra' & Mi'raj (Muhammad's
Ascension) (Islam)
This day commemorates Muhammad's
two-part journey, which he made in
one night. Isra is the Arabic word
referring to Muhammad's night journey
from Mecca
to the site of Masjid
al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. Mi'raj is
the Arabic word referring to the second
part of the journey, Muhammad's ascension
from Masjid
al-Aqsa to the heavens.
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August 2008
Thursday, August 28,
2008
**Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
The birth of Lord Krishna and his
rescue from death by the demon Kasna
are celebrated on this day.
Born in a prison, Lord Krishna was
carried by his father to another village
and exchanged with the daughter of
a cow herder for his safety.
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September 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
**First Day of Ramadan (30
days) (Islam)
This is the holiest period in the
Islamic Year. This period acknowledges
the Prophet Mohammad's receiving of
the divine revelations, and is observed
by fasting between sunrise and sunset
during the entire month, reading the
Qur'an, and worshipping in the mosque
or home.
Wednesday, September
3, 2008
**Ganesh-Chaturthi (Hindu)
This day commemorates the god Ganesh,
one of Hindu's major deities.
Ganesh is known as the 'Remover of
All Obstacles', and is called upon
at the start of all new undertakings.
Monday, September 29,
2008
St. Michael and All Angels
(Christian)
This feast, also known as Michaelmas,
is associated with the beginning of
autumn
and the shortening of days because
it falls near the equinox.
St
Michael is one of the principal
angelic warriors and was seen as a
protector against the dark of night.
Tuesday-Wednesday, September
30-October 1, 2008
*ROSH HASHANAH (New Year)
(Jewish)
This holiday begins the Jewish New
Year, which commemorates the creation
of the world. Like all Jewish holidays,
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown the
night before (erev) and ends
ten days later with Yom Kippur.
In Hebrew, the holiday means, "head
of the year".
For student absences:
http://www.muhillel.org/JewishLife06/ClassHolidaysLetter07.pd
Tuesday, September 30,
2008
**Navaratri (Hindu)
This translates as 'nine nights',
starting on the new moon and ending
on Dussehra. This celebration
is dedicated to the goddess of Durga
who had nine incarnations and has
the power to destroy demons.
Tuesday, September 30,
2008
**Eid-al-Fitr (End of the
Ramadan Fast) (Islam)
This is celebrated for three days
and marks the end of Ramadan.
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October 2008
Wednesday, October 8,
2008
**VIJAYA DASAMI (Last day
of Navaratri)
This festival is celebrated on the
tenth day of the Hindu month, Ashwina,
and is the last of the 10-day annual
festival of Navaratri.
The festivities celebrate the victory
of the forces of Good over Evil. It
is also considered a day to begin
new things in life.
Thursday, October 9,
2008
*YOM KIPPUR (Day of Atonement)
(Jewish)
The Day of Atonement is the holiest
and most solemn day in the Jewish
year that includes fasting and cessation
from work.
For student absences:
http://www.muhillel.org/JewishLife06/ClassHolidaysLetter07.pdf
Tuesday-Wednesday, October
14-15, 2008
*Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
(Jewish)
Sukkot celebrates both the harvest,
as well as the 40 years that the children
of Israel wandered in the desert.
Sukkot
is one of the three major holidays,
together known as the Shloshet
ha-Regalim (three pilgrim
festivals), and represents historically
when the Jewish traveled to the Temple
in Jerusalem.
Saturday, October 20,
2008
*BIRTH OF THE BAB (Baha'i)
Born as Sayyid 'Ali Muhammad in southwestern
Iran, the Arabic title, "Bab" means
'the gate'. There is no work on this
day, and Baha'is come together for
prayer and festivities.
Tuesday, October 21,
2008
*Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
Wednesday, October 22,
2008
*Simchat Torah (Jewish)
This joyful holiday, "rejoicing the
Torah" marks the beginning of the
year-long reading of the Torah.
The Torah, which is also known as
the Five Books of Moses, means "teaching,"
"instruction,"
or "law"
in Hebrew.
Tuesday, October 28,
2008
**DEEPAWALI (Diwali) (Hindu,
Sikh, Jain)
This is the start of the Hindu New
Year. It symbolizes the victory of
good over evil. It is also known as
the "Festival of Lights", where lamps
are lit to symbolize hope for humanity.
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November 2008 Saturday, November 1,
2008
All Saints Day (Christian)
This day honors known and unknown
saints.
Wednesday, November
12, 2008
*BIRTH OF BAHA'U'LLAH (Baha'i)
Born as Mirza Husayn' Ali, into one
of the leading noble families of Persia
in 1817. His Arabic title means 'The
Glory of God'.
Sunday, November 30,
2008
Advent (First Sunday) (Christian)
The Christian Church year begins with
advent (meaning coming or arrival),
which is also a time when Christians
prepare to celebrate the birth of
Christ.
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December 2008
Monday, December 8,
2008
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) (Buddhism)
This day commemorates the date of
Siddhartha Gautama's realization and
presentation of the Four Noble Truths.
Monday, December 8,
2008
**Eid-al-Adha (Feast of the
Sacrifice) (Islam)
Including the Hajj, this three-day
festival celebrates Abraham's test
of obedience to Allah (God) when he
was asked to sacrifice his son Ismael.
At the last minute, Allah replaced
Ismael with a lamb.
Monday-Monday, December
22-29, 2008
*Hanukkah (Fest of Lights)
(Jewish)
In approximately 164 B.C, the Maccabees,
a small group of Jews fighting for
religious freedom, won victory over
the Syrians. Upon returning to the
Temple, they found only one jar of
oil to light the eternal light. In
spite of the shortage of oil, the
eternal light stayed lit for eight
days. A special eight-branched candelabrum
known as a menorah is lit over this
period to celebrate the eight day
miracle.
Thursday, December 25,
2008
Christmas Day (Christian)
On this day, Christians honor the
birth of Jesus Christ over 2000 years
ago. This is the most widely
observed Christian festival of the
year. People celebrate it by
exchanging gifts, decorating homes
and communities with lights and ornaments,
and attending parties and meals.
Thursday, December 25,
2008
Eastern Orthodox Christmas
(Eastern Orthodox)
Members of the Eastern Orthodox Christian
Church celebrate the birth of Jesus
of Nazareth on this day
Friday-Thursday, December
26-January 1, 2008-2009
Kwanzaa (African/Interfaith)
Wanting to encourage African-Americans
to celebrate and honor their rich
heritage, Professor Maulana Karenga
founded Kwanzaa in 1966. The holiday,
which means 'first fruit' in Swahili,
is made up of seven principles: unity,
self-determination, working together,
sharing, purpose, creativity, and
faith. Seven basic symbols and
two supplemental ones: mazao (crops),
mkeka (mat), kinara (candle holder),
muhindi (corn), mishumaa Saba (seven
candles), kikombe cha umoja (unity
cup), zawadi (gifts), bendera (flag),
nguzo saba poster (poster of the seven
principles) communicate these values.
Candles are lit on each consecutive
night in a seven-branched candelabrum;
each lighting represents the seven
principles of Kwanzaa. Black, red
and green symbolize Kwanzaa.
Black represents the people, red signifies
their struggle, and green stands for
the future and the hope that emanates
from the struggle.
Monday, December 29,
2008
**Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
(Islam)
This observance takes place on the
first day of Muharram, the month that
Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina
in 622 CE (the Hijra). This holiday
is also known as Muharram.
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January 2009
Tuesday, January 6,
2009
Epiphany (Christian)
For Christians, this holiday commemorates
the revelation of God to mankind in
human form as Jesus.
This day may also be called the Twelfth
Day, as it is the twelfth day after
Christmas
Wednesday, January 7,
2009
**Ashura (Tenth of Muharram) (Islam)
Ashura in Arabic means "ten", signifying the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar and marks the climax of the Remembrance of Muharram.
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February
2009 Wednesday, February
25, 2009
Ash Wednesday (Christian)
This is the first day of Lent, marking the 46th day before Easter. In the Catholic Church, the priest puts black ashes in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of the observers who keeps them on the whole day and washes them off after sundown. The symbolism of throwing ash over one's head signifies repentance before God.
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March 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
**Milad un-Nabi (Islam)
This is the celebration of the birthday
of the Muslim prophet, Muhammad. Various
mosques and Muslim organizations will
celebrate at various times and places
throughout the month by holding Processions,
decorating houses and mosques, charity
and food is distributed, stories about
the life of Muhammad are narrated,
and poems are recited by children.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
*Purim (Jewish)
This holiday celebrates the Jews'
deliverance from Haman's
plot to annihilate all the Jews
of the Persian
Empire Public recitation
of the Book of Esther, giving mutual
gifts of food and drink, giving charity
to the poor, and a celebratory meal
(Esther 9:22) are characteristics
of this holiday. The festival of Purim
is known as the festival of hidden
miracles. Based on the Biblical Book
of Esther, Purim celebrates the profound
reversal of fortune when the Jewish
community of Persia was rescued by
the heroic intervention of Esther
and Mordecai. It is a holiday that
is known for its pageantry, frivolity
and generosity to friends and the
needy.
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April 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday (Christian)
This observance occurs on the Sunday
before Easter. It commemorates the
entry of Jesus
into Jerusalem
in the days before his crucifixion
as reported by all four Canonical
Gospels: Mark
, Matthew
, Luke and John. Early Christians
used the palm branch to symbolize
the victory of the faithful over enemies
of the soul.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday (Christian)
This is also called Holy Thursday
or Great Thursday. It is the
holy day on the Thursday
before Easter
that commemorates Jesus Christ's last
supper with the Apostles (12 men chosen
from a group of students or disciples
that followed Jesus' teaching). The
last supper was a Passover seder (see
below). Simon, Andrew, James,
John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas,
Matthew, James (James The Younger),
Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Matthias
are the 12 apostles.
Thursday-Friday, April
9-10, 2009
*PESACH (Passover) (Jewish)
Passover commemorates the flight of
the Israelites
from ancient
Egypt. As described in the Book
of Exodus,
Passover marks the "birth"
of the Children
of Israel who become the Jewish
nation, as the Jews' ancestors were
freed from being slaves of the Pharaoh.
The holiday is celebrated by the reciting
of the Haggadah, which recounts the
story of liberation at a seder meal
that takes place on the first and
last two days of the eight day holiday.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday (1:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
(Christian)
This observance takes place on the
Friday before Easter,
which always falls on a Sunday. It
commemorates the crucifixion
and death
of Jesus
at Calvary.
In the Bible, this is around the time
that Christ is said to have died,
and is honored in those countries
where Good Friday is a public holiday.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter (Christian)
This holiday celebrates the resurrection
of Jesus, which Christians believe
occurred on the third day of his death
by crucifixion
some time in the period AD 27 to 33.
It is considered the most important
religious feast
of the Christian
liturgical
year, observed at some point between
late March and late April each year
or early April to early May in Orthodox
Christianity.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Palm Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
This observance occurs on the Sunday
before Easter. It commemorates
the entry of Jesus
into Jerusalem
in the days before his crucifixion
as reported by all four Canonical
Gospels: Mark
, Matthew
, Luke and John. Early Christians
used the palm branch to symbolize
the victory of the faithful over enemies
of the soul.
Wednesday- Thursday,
April 15-16, 2009
*PESACH (Passover last two
days) (Jewish)
During the last two days of Passover,
as during the first two days, observers
participate in a Passover seder.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian)
This observance takes place on the
Friday before Easter,
which always falls on a Sunday. It
commemorates the crucifixion
and death
of Jesus
at Calvary.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Easter Sunday (Orthodox Christian)
For members of the Orthodox Christian Church, Easter Sunday is celebrated on this date and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred on the third day of his death by crucifixion some time in the period AD 27 to 33. It is considered the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed at some point between late March and late April each year or early April to early May in Orthodox Christianity.
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May 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
*Ascension of Baha'u'llah
(Baha'i)
The holiday commemorates the anniversary
of the death of the founder of the
Baha'i faith, Baha'u'llah.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Pentacost (Christian)
The word "pentecost" means "fiftieth
day." In most Christian traditions,
Pentecost Sunday is celebrated on
the 50th day after Easter
Sunday (counting Easter Sunday since
it is the first day of the week).
Those 50 days span seven Sundays
after Easter, so Pentecost is the
seventh Sunday after Easter (7 weeks
times 7 days = 49 days, plus Pentecost
Sunday). It emphasizes the empowerment
of the Holy Spirit to enable the people
of God to witness Jesus the Christ.
Dates with an asterisk (*) indicate holy days beginning at sundown the day before this date
Dates with two asterisks (**) indicate that regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of this date.
Dates in UPPER CASE and RED indicate that abstinence from all secular activity is required. These dates fall under the abstinence policy adopted by the University Senate and the Board of Trustees. While the other religious holidays listed may not necessarily require abstinence from all secular activity, one should be sensitive to certain other observations that may involve fasting, a dietary change, or special celebrations that may occur during the day or in the evening.
Other information: Jewish and Islamic days begin at sundown of the day preceding the date shown and end at sundown on Saturday to observe Shabbat (Sabbath). Other religious traditions include similar practices. For example Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.
Ashley Adkins, Center for American and World Cultures research assistant, researched information about the holidays; the Interfaith Calendar, www.interfaithcalendar.org was used to identify the holidays and their dates.
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