Today@Dal
» Go to news mainMulitfaith Observances & Holidays
See below for a sample聽of dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university聽community. The full calendar is available on the website,
Sunday, April 1:聽CHRISTIANITY-Easter
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost.
Sunday, April 1:聽JUDAISM-Second Day of Pesa岣
(Until April 6 for Reform Jews; Until April 7 for Orthodox and Conservative Jews) Pesa岣 commemorates the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. It is the first of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Shavuot and Sukkot). The evenings of the first and second days begin with Seders (festive meals and the telling of the Passover story).鈥
Monday, April 2:聽UN OBSERVANCE / EVENT-World Autism Awareness Day (UN)
This Day鈥檚 objective is to increase people鈥檚 awareness about individuals, especially children, with autism. It often features educational events for teachers, health care workers and parents, as well as exhibitions showcasing work created by children with autism.
Thursday, April 5:聽JAINISM-Shrimad Rajchandra Dehvilay
A prominent Jain philosopher and scholar, this observance marks the day of His emancipation (1901).鈥
Sunday, April 8:聽EASTERN / OLD / ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY-Pascha (E)
(Easter for those Christians who follow the Julian calendar.) Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. It initiates the fifty-day period culminating in Pentecost.
Sunday, April 8:聽BUDDHISM-Buddha鈥檚 Birth date
Anniversary of the historical Buddha鈥檚 birth. (Mah膩y膩na) Japan, North America
Monday, April 9:聽BAHA鈥橧 FAITH-Jal谩l
Jal谩l (Glory) is the second Bah谩鈥櫭 month.
Thursday, April 12:聽JUDAISM-Yom HaShoah
Held in memory of the six million Jews who died as victims of Nazi atrocities (World War II). Observance begins at sundown of the previous day, April 11.
Friday, April 13:聽BUDDHISM-Saka New Year
Observed over two days, the Saka calendar鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 Day is a religious and cultural celebration for Sinhalese, Indians, Burmese, Kampucheans, Laotians and Thais. (Therav膩da)鈥
Friday, April 13:聽ISLAM-Lailat al Mi鈥榬膩j
Lailat al Mi鈥榬膩j (or Isra and Mi鈥榬膩j commemorates the ascension (al-Mi鈥榬膩j) of the Prophet to heaven. Muslims may attend special prayer services at a mosque, or they may commemorate the holiday privately at home by telling the story to children or reciting special nighttime prayers. (Special worship, including prayers, fasting and other observances begin at sunset of the previous day, April 12.)
Saturday, April 14:聽HINDUISM-Vaisakhi (Solar New Year)
The first day of the solar year, Vaisakhi celebrates the harvest. It is especially important in North India. Vaisakhi, as a Hindu festival, is celebrated in several different ways across different countries.