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Religious awareness days this April

02 Apr 2024

Observing religious celebrations this April

Religious Celebrations this April

This April we recognise that many members of our University community will be observing a variety of concurrent religious traditions and celebrations, including:

  • Monday, 1 April – Easter Monday (Bank holiday), a Christian festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, observed with religious services, egg hunts, and festive meals symbolizing renewal and rebirth;
  • Tuesday, 9/Wednesday, 10 April – Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with prayers, feasting, and giving of gifts;
  • Saturday, 13 April - Vaisakhi is a Sikh festival celebrating the formation of the Khalsa Panth, marked by processions, prayers, and communal meals, symbolising new beginnings and the harvest season;
  • Monday, 22 to Tuesday, 30 April – Passover is a major Jewish festival observed through rituals, storytelling, and a special meal called the Seder. 

Following our 2024 EDI Diversity Calendar, we focus on the six major world faiths currently represented within our community – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Sikhism. 

This does not mean we do not recognise that there are many more faiths equally as important. 

We also recognise that a large proportion of our community may have no religion or belief or observe other secular events.

More information 

We aim to take an integrated approach that celebrates individuals and their many identities to ensure that we are truly inclusive of all our community. This is set out in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy.  Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Religion or belief (including no belief);  

Support  

During this time you may be away from friends and family, University-wide support is available: