Special Dates

September 23-24, 2006 - Rosh Hashanah (Judaism)

	Jewish New Year Period
	prayers for a sweet, peaceful, joyous New Year

September 24, 2006 - Ramadan Begins (Islam)

	lasts for 1 month
	Muslins fast from sunrise to sunset (do not eat or drink during the day)
	annual ritual to build character and good qualities such as honesty and sympathy for people
	ends with the three-day Eid-al-fitr - time of feasting and visting
	some students will feel the affects of fasting during the day

October 2, 2006 - Yom Kippur (Judaism)

	begin 24 hour fast at sunset on Kol Nidre
	fast continues on Yom Kippur until sunset
	24 hour period -a time to atone for one's sins.

October 21, 2006 - Diwali (Hinduism)

	known as the Festival of Lights, it is dedicated to the Goddess Kali in Bengal and to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth
	Diwali is associated with the destruction of evil by Vishnu in one of his many manifestations (also called Deepvali)
	Diwali is probably the most widely celebrated Hindu festival
	the diwas (clay pots filled with oil and a wick) will herald the start of the new year and symbolize the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness
	for many Hindus, November 2, New Year's Day, is also very important

October 24, 2006 - Eid-al-Fitr - Ramadan (Islam)

December 16-23, 2006 - Chanukah (Jadaism)

	also known as "Festival of Lights"
	Chanuakah lasts for 8 days

December 25, 2006 - Christmas (Christian)

	Christmas is the Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is The Son of God.
	The holiest of calendar days in the church year for Christians, as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

December 26, 2006 - January 1, 2007 - Kwanzaa (Black American)

	black Americans celebrate family unity
	Kwanzaa lasts for 7 days

January 20, 2007 - Hijra - New Year (Islam)

February 16, 2007 - Maha Shivaratri (Hinduism)

	this festival is dedicated to Shiva, one of the major Hindu deities
	celebrants fast during the day and hold vigil at night
	also called Shivaratri or "Great Shiva Night"

February 18, 2007 - Chinese/Vietnamese New Year

celebration of this New Year lasts 1 week

March 4, 2007 - Holi (Hinduism)

	Holi is the colourful festival that welcomes the spring and celebrates the energy and new life of the season
	the myths, customs and rituals associated with Holi vary considerably from place to place

March 27, 2007 - Ramanavami (Hinduism)

on this day Lord Rama the 7th incarnation of God Vishnu is said to have been born

April 3-10, 2007 - Passover (Judaism)

	Jewish 8-day celebration of the deliverance of the News from slavery in Egypt
	the story of the Exodus is retold through the special meal, a sedar
	the celebration also focuses on the ongoing struggle of all people from freedom

April 6, 2007 - Good Friday (Christian)

	A holy day celebrated by Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha.
	Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus.

April 8, 2007 - Easter (Christian/Orthodox Christian)

	Celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus as the basis for the salvation of humankind.
	Observed by most Christians, although many non-Christians observe secular practices, especially in Australia, Canada, UK and the US.

June 21, 2007 - National Aboriginal Day

a special day to celebrate the unique heritage, cultures and contributions of First National, Inuit and Métis people in Canada

August 28, 2007 - Raksha Bandhan (Hinduism)

	definition "to tie protection on "
	this is a celebration where girls and married women tie an amulet on the right wrists of their brothers to ward off evil influences

September 4, 2007 - Sri Krishna Jayanti (Hinduism)

	this is also known as "Janmashtami"
	celebration of Lord Krishna's birthday
	according to Hindu epcis, Krishna was the eighth incarnation of the God Vishnu
	his purpose was to destroy the demon Kansa who was responsible for the increase of evil in the world

Muslim Prayer Schedule

This is the Muslim Prayer Schedule. The time that affects Muslim students while in school is the column titled "Duhr" or noon. Prayers are usually no longer than 10 minutes. Students may request a private place to pray.

If there are any other special dates or celebrations that you would like to be seen listed on this site please e-mail
Mala Carriere, P.D. Clerk

carriere@wsd1.org

Please send comments to: islotin@wsd1.org