Today@Dal

Each year the Dalhousie Office of Human Rights, Equity & Harassment Prevention (HREHP) develops a mosaic calendar of religious holidays and cultural dates for faculty, staff and students. See below for a sample of April dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The full calendar is available on the website.

All Jewish and Islamic Holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the first date shown.

May 1 – 31st
Asian Heritage Month
This acknowledges the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada. It also provides an opportunity for Canadians across the country to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of Asian Canadians to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1979. Over the past decade, many Asians in Canada have begun to celebrate their heritage during the month of May. In December 2001, the Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada.

MAY 24-25
Shavuot - JU
Shavuot, also spelled Shavuos Ashkenazi “[Feast of] Weeks”, is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (corresponding to late May/early June). It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer and the day the Torah was given at Mount Sinai. It is one of the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals (shalosh regalim) mandated by the Torah. This counting of days and weeks expresses anticipation and desire for the Giving of the Torah. At Passover, the Jewish people were freed from being slaves to Pharaoh; at Shavuot they accepted the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.

MAY 25
Memorial Day – U.S.
It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women, who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

Africa Day
Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), which was in July 2002 succeeded by the present African Union, while amalgamating with the African Economic Community (AEC), but kept the date and name of Africa Day

MAY 27
Mi`raj al-nabiy (IS)
Commemorates the ascension (al-Miraj) of the Prophet to heaven. Muslims interpret the event literally or symbolically. The festival begins in the evening.

MAY 29
Ascension of Baha’u’llah (BA)
Baha’i Faith - On May 29 all over the world, Baha’is will suspend from work in this observance of the Ascension of Baha’u’llah, it is a Holy Day. It marks the day back in 1892, when Baha’u’llah the Manifestation of God for this day passed away quietly at the age of 75. He was still a prisoner but was allowed to live outside of the walls of Akka.

International Day of United Nations Peace Keepers – United Nations
Created to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in the United Nations Peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace

MAY 31
Trinity Sunday
Is a celebration of the Christian understanding of God in Three Persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). It comes one week after Pentecost. (Western Churches).