Major Religious Observances

Major Religious Observances

Examples of Dates of Relevance for 2019-20

Many of the relevant dates for the 2019-20 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 2019 to June 2020
Ramadan* Begins at sunset on May 5, 2019 and ends on June 4, 2019. 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 4, 2019 and ends on June 7, 2019
Shavuot Begins at sunset on June 8, 2019 and ends at nightfall on June 10, 2019
National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2019
Tish’a B’av Begins at sunset on August 10, 2019 and ends at nightfall on August 11, 2019
Eid-al-Adha* Begins at sunset on August 11, 2019 and ends on August 15, 2019
Rosh Hashanah Begins at sunset on September 29, 2019 and ends on October 1, 2019
Yom Kippur Begins at sunset on October 8, 2019 and ends on October 9, 2019
First Two Days of Sukkot Begins at sunset on October 13, 2019 and the second day ends at nightfall on October 15, 2019
Shemini Atzeret Begins at sunset on October 20, 2019 and ends at nightfall on October 21, 2019
Simchat Torah Begins at sunset on October 21, 2019 and ends at nightfall on October 22, 2019
Diwali October 27, 2019
Hanukkah Begins at sunset on December 22, 2019 and ends at nightfall on December 30, 2019
Epiphany January 6, 2020
Feast of the Nativity(Orthodox) January 7, 2020
Lunar New Year January 25, 2020
Ash Wednesday February 26, 2020
Purim     Begins at sunset on March 9, 2020 and ends at nightfall on March 10, 2020
Norooz March 20, 2020
First two days of Passover Begins at sunset on April 8, 2020 and ends at nightfall on April 10, 2020
Maundy Thursday April 9, 2020
Last two days of Passover Begins at sunset on April 14, 2020 and ends at nightfall on April 16, 2020
Holy Friday (Orthodox) April 17, 2020
Easter (Orthodox) April 19, 2020
Ramadan* Begins at sunset on April 23, 2020 and ends on May 23, 2020. 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 May 23, 2020 and ends on May 26, 2020
Shavuot Begins at sunset on May 28, 2020 and ends at nightfall on May 30, 2020
National Indigenous Peoples Day June 21, 2020
* 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.  

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