Spiritual and Religious Life

Accommodating Religious Observance

As a non-sectarian institution, Allegheny College affirms the variety of religious faiths represented within our community and supports individuals’ personal practice and expression of religion. We urge flexibility and consideration of religious practice in both curricular and co-curricular planning.

In addition to the chronological list below, we offer guidelines for faculty and academic departments and for programming offices to assist in honoring the religions represented within our community. Please contact the Spiritual and Religious Life Office for more assistance or with specific questions.

Religious Calendar for 2011-2012

Jewish holidays begin on sundown of the first day listed.

Aug. 1-30:  Ramadan (Islamic month of fasting)

Aug. 23-24:  Laylat al-Qadr (Islamic night of prayer during Ramadan)                        

Aug. 30-Sep. 1: ‘Id al-Fitr (Islamic three-day celebration at the end of Ramadan)

Sep. 28-30:  Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)

Oct. 7-8:  Yom Kippur (Jewish Day of Atonement)

Oct. 12:  Sukkot (Jewish week-long Festival of Booths)

Oct. 26:  Diwali (Hindu Festival of Lights)

Nov. 1:  All Saints Day (Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics)

Nov. 7-9:  ‘Id al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice; Islamic three-day celebration at the end of the hajj)

Nov. 27:  Advent (Christian season of preparation for the birth of Jesus; four Sundays prior to Christmas)

Dec. 5:  Ashura (Shi‘ite holy day commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn b. ‘Ali)

Dec. 8:  Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics)

Dec. 20:   Hanukkah (Jewish eight-day Festival of Lights)

Dec. 25:  Christmas (Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus)

Dec. 26-Jan. 1:   Kwanzaa (African American celebration of family, community, and culture)

Feb. 4:  Mawlid al-Nabi (Observance of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday)

Feb. 7:   Tu B’Shvat (Jewish Arbor Day)

Feb. 21:  Shrove Tuesday (Day before season of Lent begins, a.k.a. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday)

Feb. 22:  Ash Wednesday (Christian first day of Lent)

Feb. 22-Apr. 7:  Lent (Christian season of preparation before Easter)

Mar. 7:  Purim (Jewish Feast of Lots)

Apr. 1:   Palm Sunday (Christian observance of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem)

Apr. 5:  Maundy Thursday (Christian observance of Jesus’ Passover meal with disciples)

Apr. 6-14:  Passover (Jewish week-long observance of the Exodus from Egypt; rituals on first two days)

Apr. 6:  Good Friday (Christian observance of Jesus’ death and burial)

Apr. 8:  Easter (Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection)  Note:  Eastern Orthodox Easter falls on April 15.

Apr. 18:  Yom Hashoah (Jewish day of Holocaust remembrance)