Carleton University accommodates students who, by reason of religious obligation, must miss a compulsory academic event such as an examination, test, assignment deadline, laboratory session. To assist members of the University community to meet our obligation to provide reasonable accommodation, Equity Services has prepared a list of holy days most commonly cited as conflicting with academic obligations and so require religious accommodation.
The list of holy days below is not intended to be exhaustive. For other dates of religious observance that might be cited, we have provided a link to an Interfaith Calendar.
If you have questions or wish to confirm the eligibility of a religious event or practice for purposes of academic accommodation, please contact Equity Services at (613) 520- 5622.
Dates of Religious Observances
May 2011 to August 2012
The dates listed below are the most commonly cited days on which a religiously observant person might be expected to refrain from classes, exams or other academic initiatives. Days of religious obligation which fall within the published final exam dates in Carleton’s academic year 2011 to 2012 are highlighted.
| June 8*-9 | Shavuot (Judaism) |
| August 1 (lasts for 29 or 30 days) |
Ramadan month of fasting (Islam). During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from the break of dawn to sunset. |
| August 31 | Eid Al Fitr (Islam) final determination for local dates is usually made at the last minute depending on the time and visibility of the new moon. |
| September 29*- 30 | Rosh Hashana (Judaism) |
| October 8* | Yom Kippur (Judaism) |
| October 13-19* | Sukkot (Judaism) (Primary Obligation Days Oct. 13-14) |
| October 21* | Simchat Torah (Judaism) |
| November 6 | Eid Al Adah (Islam) final determination for local dates is usually made at the last minute depending on the time and visibility of the moon. |
| April 7*-14 | Passover / Pesach (Judaism), an eight-day period the first 2 and the last 2 days of which are no work, no class days. |
| May 27*-28 | Shavuot (Judaism) |
| July 20 | Ramadan month of fasting (Islam). During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from the break of dawn to sunset. |
| August 19 | Eid Al Fitr (Islam) final determination for local dates is usually made at the last minute depending on the time and visibility of the new moon. |
A single asterisk* – The holy day starts at sunset the evening prior to the day listed.
Notes
Islam
- Ramadan – fasting means total abstinence from food and liquids from dawn to sunset during the entire month of Ramadan. Fast begins at dawn and is broken by consuming food at sunset. Students may need to eat during evening classes to break the fast.
- Daily prayers – (Salat): Muslims are required to perform five daily prayers. Muslims join together around noon on Fridays for a congregational prayer.
Judaism and The Seventh-Day Adventist Church
- Holy day of Sabbath – members cease from work on the Sabbath. The day begins at sunset on Friday evening and ends at sunset Saturday evening.
Resources
The Interfaith Calendar provides a list of the holy days as well as information on various faiths. Anyone who has questions or wishes to confirm the eligibility of a religious event or practice should contact Equity Services at (613) 520-5622 or email the department equity@carleton.ca.