Carleton University accommodates students and staff who, by reason of religious obligation, must miss a compulsory academic event such as an examination, test, assignment deadline, laboratory session or work related commitment. To assist members of the University community to meet our obligation to provide reasonable accommodation, Equity and Inclusive Communities has prepared a list of religious observance days most commonly cited as conflicting with academic obligations and so require religious accommodation.
The list of religious observance days below is not intended to be exhaustive and statutory holidays are not included. 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 and Inclusive Communities at (613) 520-5622.
Dates of Religious/Spiritual Observances
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.
Religious/Spiritual Observance |
2019 |
2020 |
| Ramadan month of fasting (Islam). During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from the break of dawn to sunset. | May 6 | April 24 |
| 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. | *June 5 | *May 24 |
| 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. | Aug. 12 | August 3 |
| Pesach / Passover (Judaism), an eight-day period the first 2 and the last 2 days of which are no work, no class days | *April 20-21 26-27 |
*April 9-15 |
| Shavuot (Judaism) | *June 9-10 |
*May 29-30 |
| Rosh Hashana (Judaism) | *Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 |
*Sept. 18-19 |
| Yom Kippur (Judaism) | *Oct. 9 | *Sept. 28 |
| Sukkot (Judaism) | *Oct. 14-15 |
*Oct. 3-9 |
| Simchat Torah (Judaism) | *Oct. 21-22 |
*Oct. 11 |
A single asterisk* – the observance 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
- For Sabbath – members cease from work on the Sabbath. The day begins at sunset on Friday evening and ends at sunset Saturday evening.
Notes
The Interfaith Calendar provides a list of the religious observance 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 the Department of Equity Services at (613) 520-5622 or email the department equity@carleton.ca.