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Religious awareness days this July and August

04 Jul 2024

Observing religious celebrations and traditions in July and August.

Religious celebrations

We recognise that many members of our University community will be observing a variety of religious traditions and celebrations in the coming weeks. They include:

Dharma Day (Sunday, 21 July) – Buddhism 

Marks the day the Buddha attained enlightenment and typically involves paying homage to his teachings, attending ceremonies at temples, and practising gratitude. 

Muharram – (Wednesday, 17 July) - Islam

The first month in the Islamic calendar marks a time of reflection, worship, and good deeds towards others.

Ashura (Tuesday, 16 to Wednesday, 17 July) – Islam 

The Day of Ashura falls on the tenth of Muharram that commemorates the day Noah left the Ark and the day God saved Moses from the Egyptians. For Shia Muslims, Ashura commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Fast of Tammuz (Tuesday, 23 July) – Judaism

The Fast of Tammuz is marked by the 17th day in the Hebrew month of Tammuz. This Jewish fast day commemorates the breach of Jerusalem’s walls before the destruction of the Second Temple.

Tisha B’Av (Monday, 12 to Tuesday, 13 August) – Judaism 

Tisha B’Av, the 9th day of the month of Av, is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar, on which Jewish people fast, deprive themselves and pray. It marks the destruction of both holy temples as well as other tragedies throughout history.

Obon (Tuesday, 13 to Thursday, 15 August) – Buddhism

The Buddhist Obon Festival honours the dead and the spirits of their ancestors across a three-day celebration. 

Raksha Bandhan (Monday, 19 August) – Hinduism 

This Hindu festival is dedicated to the god Krishna and celebrates the bond between siblings. Raksha Bandhan typically involves families celebrating together with an exchange of gifts between brothers, sisters, and other family members in modern day. 

Janmashtami (Monday, 26 August) – Hinduism 

The Krishna Janmashtami festival marks the birth of Krishna and is celebrated by families and friends sharing food, music, and dancing.

Following our 2024 EDI Diversity Calendar, we focus on the six major world faiths currently represented within our community – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. This does not mean we do not recognise that there are many more faiths equally as important. 

We also recognise that a large proportion of our community may have no religion or belief or observe other secular events.

More information 

We aim to take an integrated approach that celebrates individuals and their many identities to ensure that we are truly inclusive of all our community. This is set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Religion or belief (including no belief);

Support  

During this time of religious observance; you may be away from friends and family, University-wide support is available: