Major Religious Observances

Major Religious Observances. Banner. Two students sitting outside in a grass field.

Examples of Dates of Relevance for 2017-18

Many of the relevant dates for the 2017-18 academic year are outlined in the table appended below. These dates are provided to assist instructors and those planning academic activities to anticipate when students might choose to seek accommodations for religious observances. Additional dates of religious observances may be found in the Interfaith Calendar. (www.interfaith-calendar.org)

It is important to note that there are many holy days associated with various faiths, and that the absence of such dates on this list should not be interpreted to mean that there should be no accommodation for students who observe those holy days. Also, some observances are based on an interpretation of the lunar calendar, and thus may vary by one or two days, depending on the interpretation relevant to a student's faith tradition.
 
For assistance in interpreting the Policy, and for support in the development of divisional or departmental procedures which are consistent with the Policy, please contact Meredith Strong, Director, Office of the Vice-Provost, Students and Student Policy Advisor by phone at (416) 978-4027, or by e-mail at meredith.strong@utoronto.ca. 
 

May 2017 to June 2018

Ramadan*

Begins at sunset May 26, 2017 and ends on June 25, 2017. Muslims may fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Examinations scheduled in the evening may pose a special burden.

Eid-al-Fitr*

Begins at sunset on June 25, 2017 and ends June 28, 2017

Eid-al-Adha*

Begins at sunset on August 31, 2017 and ends September 4, 2017

Rosh Hashanah

Begins at sunset on September 20, 2017 and ends on September 22, 2017

Yom Kippur

Begins at sunset on September 29, 2017 and ends on September 30, 2017

First Two Days of Sukkot

Begins at sunset on October 4, 2017 and the second day ends at nightfall on October 6, 2017

Shemini Atzeret

Begins at sunset on October 11, 2017 and ends at nightfall on October 12, 2017

Simchat Torah

Begins at sunset on October 12, 2017 and ends at nightfall on October 13, 2017

Diwali (Deepavali)

October 19, 2016

Hanukkah

Begins at sunset on December 12, 2017 and ends at nightfall on December 20, 2017.

Epiphany

January 6, 2018

Christmas (Orthodox)

January 7, 2018

Lunar New Year

February 16, 2018

Ash Wednesday

February 14, 2018
Purim    

Begins at sunset on March 10, 2018 and ends at nightfall on March 11, 2018

Norouz

March 21, 2018

First two days of Passover

Begins at sunset on March 30, 2018 and ends at nightfall on April 1, 2018

Maundy Thursday

March 29, 2018

Holy Friday (Orthodox)

April 6, 2018

Easter (Orthodox)

April 8, 2018

Last two days of Passover

Begins at sunset on April 5, 2018 and ends at nightfall on April 7, 2018

Ramadan*

Begins at sunset on May 15, 2018 and ends on June 15, 2018. Muslims may fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Examinations scheduled in the evening may pose a special burden.

Shavuot

Begins at sunset on May 19, 2018 and ends at nightfall on May 21, 2018

Aboriginal Day of Prayer

June 21, 2018

Eid-al-Fitr*

Begins at sunset on June 15, 2018 and ends on June 17, 2018

* Some observances are based on the lunar calendar, and thus may vary by one or two days.

** Information regarding the Hajj Pilgrimage is articulated in Accommodation for the Hajj Pilgrimage.

Note: This information was obtained from UofT's Office of the Vice-Provost, Students & First Entry Divisions.  

Back to the top of page