RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2016
This instruction applies to:-
Reference:-
Prisons
NOMS Headquarters
Issue Date
PSI 34/2015
AI 22/2015
Expiry Date
11 December 2015
Issued on the
authority of
For action by
Effective Date
Implementation Date
1 January 2016
1 January 2017
NOMS Agency Board
All staff responsible for the development and publication of policy and
instructions
NOMS HQ
Public Sector Prisons
Contracted Prisons*
NOMS Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs)
Governors
Heads of Groups
* If this box is marked, then in this document the term Governor also applies to
Directors of Contracted Prisons
Instruction type
For information
Provide a summary of
the policy aim and the
reason for its
development / revision
service specification support
All prison staff, IMB, Faith Advisers, Catering Managers, Chaplaincy
Teams.
This Instruction is issued annually to notify prisons of the dates of
religious festivals for the coming year - 2016
Kishwar Ahmed
[email protected]
Chaplaincy Headquarters
0300 047 5178
PSI 51/2011 - Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners
Associated
PSI 44/2010 – Annex B - Catering Operating Manual
documents
Service Specification for Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners
See the NOMS directory of service specifications
Replaces the following documents which are hereby cancelled: PSI 45/2014 – Religious
Festival Dates for 2015 (as at 1 January 2016)
Contact
Audit/monitoring: Mandatory elements of instructions must be subject to management checks
(and may be subject to self or peer audit by operational line management), as judged to be
appropriate by the managers with responsibility for delivery. In addition, NOMS will have a
corporate audit programme that will audit against mandatory requirements to an extent and at a
frequency determined from time to time through the appropriate governance. Chaplaincy HQ will
also monitor compliance through the annual Assurance and Compliance visit to each prison by a
Chaplaincy HQ Adviser.
Introduces amendments to the following documents: None
Notes: All Mandatory Actions throughout this instruction are in italics and must be strictly
adhered to.
PAGE 1
CONTENTS
Hold down “Ctrl” and click on section titles below to follow link.
Section
Subject
Applies to
Section 1
Executive Summary
All prison staff
Section 2
Guidance on Food for Religious Festivals
All prison staff
Annex A
Bahá’í Religious Festival Dates
Bahá’í prisoners
Annex B
Buddhist Religious Festival Dates
Buddhist prisoners
Annex C
Christian Religious Festival Dates
Christian prisoners
Annex D
Hindu Religious Festival Dates
Hindu prisoners
Annex E
Jain Religious Festival Dates
Jain prisoners
Annex F
Jewish Religious Festival Dates
Jewish prisoners
Annex G
Muslim Religious Festival Dates
Muslim prisoners
Annex H
Pagan Religious Festival Dates
Pagan prisoners
Annex I
Rastafarian Religious Festival Dates
Rastafarian prisoners
Annex J
Sikh Religious Festival Dates
Sikh prisoners
Annex K
Zoroastrian Festival Dates
Zoroastrian prisoners
Annex L
Chronological summary of all dates
All prison staff
PSI 34/2015 – AI 22/2015
11/12/2015
ISSUE DATE
PAGE 2
1.
Executive Summary
1.1
The Prison Service is committed to ensuring that prisoners from all religious faiths are given
the opportunity and facilities to practise their religion. This instruction provides information
to ensure staff are aware of the key religious dates, and their requirements, for the main
faiths. Some of these festivals require prisoners to be excused from work or to fast.
Details are provided in the attached annexes.
Background
1.2
This Instruction sets out the dates in 2016 of the main religious festivals for the Bahá’í,
Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Pagan, Rastafarian and Zoroastrian
faiths.
1.3
It also sets out the principles and some guidance for providing food at religious festivals.
Desired outcomes
Text in shaded boxes indicates specification requirements within the Service Specification for
Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners.
Service Element: Religious Provision
Output 6: Recognised religious feasts, fasts and festival are observed
1.4
This instruction aims to ensure that prisons have the necessary information to
religious festivals to be marked in an appropriate and equitable way.
enable
1.5
If establishments require advice or information in relation to any faith tradition not
mentioned in this instruction, please contact Chaplaincy HQ.
Application
1.6
Section 2 provides guidance on planning and providing food for religious festivals. All staff
involved in the planning and preparation for religious festivals should consider this. The
annexes provide the religious dates for each faith. NOMS Chaplaincy HQ are responsible
for the development of the policy in this PSI with input from relevant NOMS Heads of
Groups.
Mandatory actions
1.7
Governing Governors and Directors of Contracted prisons must ensure that relevant staff,
including Chaplains of all faith traditions, Race Equality Officers/ Diversity Officers and
Catering Managers, are aware of this Instruction.
Multi faith year planner
1.8
As in previous years, a year planner setting out the main festivals listed in the PSI is being
produced by Chaplaincy HQ. Copies will be sent to the Chaplaincy team at each prison
during December.
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PAGE 3
Resource Impact
1.9
None. This Instruction is issued annually to notify prisons of dates for the year ahead.
(Signed)
Digby Griffith
Director of National Operational Services, NOMS
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PAGE 4
2.
Guidance on Food for Religious Festivals
Planning for the year ahead
2.1
Arrangements for the provision of food for religious festivals for 2016 should be discussed
at the earliest opportunity by the Managing Chaplain, or Chaplaincy line manager in those
prisons without a Managing Chaplain, together with members of the Chaplaincy team, and
other key stakeholders such as the Catering Manager. The Chaplaincy Council and the
Chaplaincy HQ team strongly recommend that following these discussions and
within one month of the issue of the PSI, that the Managing Chaplain/Line Manager
creates an action plan setting out the arrangements for marking the festivals for the
year ahead.
Appropriate food items
2.2
Relevant faith chaplains can provide details of appropriate food; this should be prepared inhouse except in the circumstances described in paragraphs 3.43 – 3.48 of the Catering
Manual (see below). Faith Advisers can provide any further information about appropriate
food, as needed. It is hoped to include further information on appropriate food items for
festivals on the Chaplaincy website during the year. Provision for Langar should be
prepared in house for the six main Sikh festivals, as set out in the guidance on Sikh meals
and Langar issued through the Senior Leader’s Bulletin in June 2012.
Marking the festival with food
2.3
In most prisons the festival is marked by the prisoners from that faith tradition sharing
together in an appropriate meal or food item(s). In some prisons festivals have been
marked by a main menu item available for the whole prison to help raise awareness of the
festival more broadly.
2.4
There is real significance for the prisoners marking the festival to have an opportunity to
share food together communally as a faith group. This can help engender being part of a
community, and encourage sharing and pro social behaviour. Where there is a main menu
option to mark the festival, the prisoners from the tradition should still be able to share
together some small appropriate symbolic food items, communally as a faith group (in the
place where the corporate worship/meditation takes place). The sort of items that may be
appropriate for particular festivals include dates, cakes, cream eggs, hot cross buns,
savoury snacks, samosas, sweets, but the relevant faith chaplain can provide more specific
advice. Where a meal is provided to the prisoners celebrating the festival, this will be in
house and be provided in place of the appropriate prison meal option of the day. .
What is equitable?
2.5
One group of prisoners should not be advantaged over another and all prisoners should
have the same opportunity to mark their festivals together; it would not be appropriate for
instance to allow only one faith group to share food/snacks together and all others to have
the festival marked only by a main menu choice. In other words if one faith group has the
opportunity to mark the festival together communally with food or snacks, all other traditions
should be afforded the same opportunity. However, equity does not mean the same, and
what is provided to mark each festival may vary in the light of what is appropriate for the
particular festival and the advice received from the faith chaplain and Faith Advisers.
2.6
Some prisons, in attempting to provide equitable provision, have decided to mark two
festivals for each faith with food. This is not acceptable, nor compliant, and the main festival
dates across all faiths (those on which prisoners are excused from work) should be marked
appropriately.
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PAGE 5
Costs
2.7
It is important prisons know the costs of meals they provide. The cost of food for festivals,
in whatever form it takes, should be from within the agreed food budget for each prison and
represent the average cost of equivalent main menu meals served. It is recognised the
cost per person for each faith may not be the same as the cost of particular ingredients,
(e.g. meat as opposed to vegetables) will differ.
Summary
2.8
The arrangements should be planned in advance by the team as at 2.1 above, together
with the Catering Manager. Each chaplain should advise what would be appropriate for
their faith and how this can best be marked. At the same time the team should take
collective responsibility to ensure that the provision is equitable.
Food for Religious Festivals
2.9
Information on this is set out in the Catering Manual at Annex B of PSI 44/2010, and the
relevant extract is below. NB: References to Co-ordinating Chaplain should now be
read as Managing Chaplain or Chaplaincy Line Manager:
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PAGE 6
Extract from Annex B of PSI 44/2010 (Catering Manual)
“3.43 The dates of the main religious festivals are set out annually in a PSI issued by Chaplaincy
HQ.
3.44
Governors and Directors of contracted prisons, together with Co-ordinating Chaplains, must
ensure equitable provision, as far as practicable, across the faiths in terms of food for
religious festivals. Food for religious festivals should always be provided in consultation
with the relevant Faith Chaplain and should be provided at a communal gathering.
3.45
Where food is provided at public expense for religious festivals, this must be prepared in
the prison kitchens. It should only be necessary to purchase food from outside sources in
the event of an operating failure of kitchen equipment or for Kosher prepared meals. The
cost of food must be proportionate to the number of prisoners involved and consistent with
the cost per prisoner incurred in other religious festivals for other faiths. If the prison
believes there are other exceptional circumstances requiring the food for a religious festival
to be purchased from outside the prison, this should only be done in consultation with Coordinating Chaplain(s), the relevant Faith Chaplain and other key stakeholders such as the
Catering Manager and Security Department. Governors and Chaplains should seek further
advice from the relevant Faith Adviser, Chaplaincy HQ and Regional Catering Manager if
necessary. The final approval of the Regional Custodial Manager must be obtained.
3.46
Faith communities may offer to donate food for religious festivals, but this should normally
be prepared in-house. Subject to the agreement of the Governor, donations of additional
small items of food such as dates for Ramadan, sweets for Diwali, sweets/hot cross buns
for Christmas/Easter may be allowed. Prasad (a blessed sweetmeat from the Gurdwara),
which Sikh Chaplains are permitted to bring in for religious services, must also be allowed
for festivals.
3.47
The Governor (food business proprietor) remains responsible for ensuring that all food
served is fit for consumption and is not injurious to health. Exceptionally, therefore, if
Governors wish to allow refreshments to be donated by faith groups, it is strongly advisable
to limit these refreshments to items that have been purchased in sealed packaging and
brought in unopened. Hot food and food requiring re-heating must not be brought in.
3.48
Governors and Chaplains should seek further advice from the relevant Faith Adviser,
Chaplaincy HQ and Regional Catering Manager as necessary.”
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Annex A
BAHA’I FESTIVALS – 2016
BAHA’I PRISONERS SHOULD BE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXCUSED FROM
WORK ON A MAXIMUM OF FOUR OF THE DATES BELOW
20 March
Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year)
20 April
First Day of Ridván
28 April
Ninth Day of Ridván
1 May
Twelfth Day of Ridván
23 May
Declaration of the Báb
28 May
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
9 July
Martyrdom of the Báb
1 November
Birthday of the Báb
2 November
Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh
There is a Bahai month of fasting leading up to the Bahai New Year. The Bahai Fast starts at
sunrise and ends sunset each day.
In 2016, the Bahai Fast will start 1st March until 19th (inclusive). A Bahai month is 19 days.
Further information may be obtained from:
Mike Hainsworth
Address:
Chaplaincy Coordinating Team
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the UK
27 Rutland Gate
London SW7 1PD
Tel:
E-Mail:
0207 584 2566
[email protected]
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Annex B
BUDDHIST FESTIVALS – 2016
DATES ON WHICH BUDDHIST PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
20 May
Buddha Day
19 July
Dhamma Day
16 October
Sangha Day
N.B. Buddhism mostly follows a lunar calendar, therefore these dates will be different every year.
Buddhist prisoners must be allowed to be together for as much of the day as possible, with
vegetarian food provided for a shared meal, and if the Buddhist Chaplain is not available a
knowledgeable Buddhist prisoner may lead the observance. See also paragraphs 4.22 - 4.23 of
part 1 of PSI 51/2011, which provides instructions and guidance on corporate worship where the
relevant faith chaplain is not available.
Buddhism encompasses a range of traditions and a spread of social and cultural phenomena that
cluster around and generally derive from and promote Buddhist teaching and training. Therefore, at
festival times Buddhists may celebrate in a variety of ways but it is common that whatever happens
will be guided by the Buddhist principles of Giving, Virtue and Cultivation. Giving and sharing
usually involves food, symbolic offerings on the Shrine as well as eating together. Virtue will mean
more careful observance of moral precepts with kind, tolerant and virtuous conduct. Cultivation
should include meditation, listening to a sermon or teachings, and perhaps discussing Buddhist
principles. Buddhist festivals should be expressive of loving-kindness and support in the Buddhist
life and training, therefore, as well as ceremonies and formal observances there should be a
relaxed and social dimension to the day.
Further Information
Religious Consultative Service for Buddhist matters:
Venerable Ajahn Khemadhammo (Chao Khun Bhavanaviteht), OBE
The Buddhist Adviser to the Prison Service.
Angulimala, the Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy Organisation,
The Forest Hermitage
Lower Fulbrook
Warwickshire
CV35 8AS
Tel:
01926 624385
Mobile: 07941 013319
Email: [email protected] or
[email protected]
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Annex C
CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS – 2016
DATES ON WHICH CHRISTIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
25 March
Good Friday
27 March
Easter Day
25 December
Christmas Day
For some Orthodox prisoners only:
7 January
Christmas Day
29 April
Great Friday
1 May
Easter Day/Pascha
15 August
Dormition
OTHER CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
Other Christian dates when Services may be provided
6 January
2 February
10 February
Epiphany
(may be celebrated 3 January)
Theophany – Orthodox
prisoners
Candlemas
24 March
Ash Wednesday
(Beginning of Lent)
Maundy Thursday
26 March
Holy Saturday
25 -28 April
Great and Holy Week –
Orthodox prisoners
Ascension Day
Ascension Day – Orthodox
prisoners
Pentecost
Pentecost – Orthodox prisoners
Corpus Christi
5 May
9 June
15 May
12 June
26 May
29 June
15 August
PSI 34/2015 – AI 22/2015
11/12/2015
SS Peter and Paul
Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
In Addition Roman Catholic Holy
Days of Obligation
6 January
8 May
15 May
29 May
29 June
14 August
ISSUE DATE
PAGE 10
1 November
All Saints
2 November
All Souls
1 November
Holy Days of Obligation: are days on which Roman Catholics have to attend Mass; prisoners do
not have to be released from attending work, other than for the time of the Mass. Other Christian
prisoners may also attend chapel for services on these days.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Holy Fast of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter.
On 2 days each year, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, many Christians will wish to fast and/or
abstain from eating meat (a vegetarian or fish dish would be required). For Roman Catholics, it is
a requirement on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, to fast and abstain from eating meat (a
vegetarian or fish dish is required)
On all Fridays throughout the year Roman Catholics, and some other Christian denominations, are
encouraged to abstain from meat, so a vegetarian or fish dish is needed.
Orthodox Christians follow a vegan diet on all Wednesdays and Fridays and for the whole of Lent
and Advent and before the Feast of the Dormition.
Further information
For further information on Christian festival dates, please contact

Reverend Canon Mike Kavanagh, Head of Chaplaincy and Anglican Advisor
Tel: 0300 047 5182,
Email: [email protected]

Reverend Monsignor Roger Reader, Catholic Bishops’ Prisons Adviser
Tel:0207 901 4857
Email: [email protected]

Reverend Bob Wilson, Free Church Adviser
Tel: 0207 529 8138
Email: [email protected]

The Very Revd. Archimandrite Philip Hall – Orthodox traditions
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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Annex D
HINDU FESTIVALS – 2016
DATES ON WHICH HINDU PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
7 March
23 March
15 April
18 August
25 August
30 October
Maha Shivaratri
(day of fasting)
Holi
(Festival of colours)
Shri Ram Navami
Rakhee/
Raksha Bandhan
Shri Krishna Janmashtami
Diwali
(Festival of lights)
OTHER HINDU FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
15 January
Makar Sankranti
13 April
1 October
Tamil New Year
(celebrated by Tamil Hindu community)
Navaratri begins
9 October
Durgashtami
11 October
Vijayadashami – Navaratri ends
Further information
For further information on Hindu festival dates please contact:
Bhadresh Trivedi (Hindu Chaplain/ London prisons and Hindu Faith Adviser - NOMS)
Email: [email protected]
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Annex E
JAIN FESTIVALS – 2016
DATES ON WHICH JAIN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
20 April
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
18 August
(The Lord Mahavira’s Birthday)
Rakhee/ Raksha Bandhan
(Commemorates the sacred relationship between brothers and sisters)
5 September
Samvatsary
30 October
(This is the last day of Paryushan – see below) A day of fasting.
Lord Mahavir's Nirvan (Diwali)
(A celebration of the attainment of moksha (enlightenment) by
Mahavira. This is the last day of the year)
(Celebrated with prayers and feast)
31 October
New Year
(This day is celebrated by special prayers and feast)
OTHER JAIN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
29 August - 5 September
Paryushan (A period of eight days of religious austerity/fasting
and forgiveness)
The degree of fasting and period of fasting depends on the
individual, but is considered obligatory to fast on the last day of
Paryushana. The fast may vary from giving up one or two
specific foods or having restricted number of meals to a complete
fast. Drinking water is to be boiled and then cooled. Jain inmates
can observe Paryushana within the establishment routine.
Further guidance may be obtained from:
Chairman NCVA: Manhar Mehta
Address:
The National Council of Vanik Associations (UK) [NCVA]
37 Howberry Road,
Edgware
Middlesex HA8 6SS
Tel:
E-mail:
Website:
Phone 020 8952 1165
[email protected]
www.ncva.co.uk
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Annex F
JEWISH FESTIVALS – 2016
Sabbath
1.
The Jewish Sabbath extends from sunset on Friday to nightfall (i.e. one hour after sunset) on
Saturday. Jewish prisoners should not be required to work from half an hour before sunset on
Fridays.
2.
Jewish prisoners must be released from work on the days preceding the festivals by at
least one hour before commencement.
3.
Catering arrangements for the special diet for the days of Passover (22 April to 30 April
inclusive) must begin after breakfast or not later than 10.30am on Friday 22 April.
4.
Most Jewish prisoners can work on the interim days of Passover (April 25, 26, 27, 28) and
Tabernacles (October 19 - 23). They must however be able to eat special Passover food in
the intervening days at Passover. Some Orthodox Jews may not be able to work on these
intervening days (or may not be able to undertake certain sorts of work). Please consult your
Jewish Chaplain, or the Jewish Faith Adviser, for further advice or if there are difficulties.
Start
Finish
Festival
22 April
sunset
24 April
nightfall
Passover (Pesach)
28 April
sunset
30 April
nightfall
Passover (Pesach)
11 June
At termination of Sabbath
13 June
nightfall
Pentecost (Shavuot)
2 October
sunset
4 October
nightfall
New Year (Rosh Hashanah)
11 October
sunset
16 October
sunset
12 October
nightfall
18 October
nightfall
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
(Day of fast))
Tabernacles (Sukkot)
(includes Sabbath)
23 October
sunset
25 October
nightfall
Rejoicing of the Law
(includes Sabbath)
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PAGE 14
OTHER JEWISH FESTIVALS (not excused from work)
24 January 2016
nightfall
23 March
dawn
23 March
nightfall
24 July
dawn
13 August
sunset
5 October
dawn
24 December
night fall
8 January 2017
dawn
25 January 2016
nightfall
23 March
nightfall
24 March
nightfall
24 July
nightfall
14 August
Nightfall
5 October
nightfall
1 January 2017
nightfall
8 January 2017
nightfall
New Year For Trees
Fast of Esther
(minor fast)
Purim
Fast of Tammuz
(minor fast)
Fast of Av
(major fast)
Fast of Gedaliah
(minor fast)
Festival of Dedication
(Lights/ Chanukah)
Fast of Tevet
Further information
For further information about Jewish festival dates please contact the Religious
Consultative Service for the Jewish faith:
Reverend Michael Binstock MBE
Jewish Visiting,
United Synagogue
305 Ballards Lane, London N12 8GB
Email: [email protected]
Visitation Committee Office, Michelle Minsky
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0208 343 5669
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Annex G
MUSLIM FESTIVALS AND THE FAST OF RAMADHAN - 2016 (AD) 1437/1438 (AH).
DATES ON WHICH MUSLIM PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
(NOTE: * Dates are based on the Lunar Calendar and may vary by a day)
GREGORIAN DATE
(CE)
* 6 July
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Eid-Al-Fitr (Festival marking the
completion of Ramadhan)
LUNAR MONTH (AH)
1 Shawwal 1437
(Muslim prisoners worship in
congregation led by a Chaplain – it is a
day of celebration and prayer)
* 11 September
Eid-Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
10 Dhul-Hijjah 1437
(Muslim prisoners worship in
congregation led by a Chaplain – it is a
day of celebration and prayer)
* 11 October
Yaum Ashura
For 3 days, beginning
from the day before this
(10th to 12th October
inclusive), there is
recommended fasting not compulsory
* 11 December
Excused from work day - only for Shi’a
Muslim prisoners who wish to
commemorate this
Mawlid An-Nabi (Celebration of the birth
of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh))
10th Muharram 1438
12 Rabi-Al-Awaal 1438
(Communal programme for those Muslim
prisoners who wish to celebrate this day)
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OTHER MUSLIM FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
20 or 21 March
20 April
3 May
Night
21 May
Night
6 June
24 June
26 June
1 July
Night
(Some Muslims may also
add to this the 25th, 27th,
29th June & 3rd July
nights)
10 September
2 - 11 September
2 October
2 - 11 October
Nawruz - Persian & Kurdish
Festival (some Shi’a Muslims)
Wiladat (birthday) of Imam Ali (pbuh)
Especially for Shi’a Muslims
Laylat Al Israa Wal-Miraj (Night of
journey to Heavens)
Where possible Muslim prisoners
who wish to may be allowed to
worship collectively in the evening.
Laylat Al –Baraat (Night of Salvation)
Where possible Muslim prisoners
who wish to may be allowed to
worship collectively in the evening,
some may fast.
Ramadhan begins
Month of Fasting
Commemoration of Imam Ali (pbuh)
(Shi’a Muslims)
Shahadat (martyrdom) of Imam Ali
(pbuh)
(Shia Muslims)
13 Rajab 1437
Evening after 26 Rajab 1437
Evening after 14 Sha’ban 1437
1 Ramadhan 1437
19 Ramadhan 1437
21 Ramadhan 1437
Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of power)
Where possible Muslim prisoners
who wish to may be allowed to
worship collectively in the evening.
Evening after 26 Ramadhan
1437
Yaum Al-Arafah
9 Dhul - Hijjah 1437
Hajj Day (Pilgrimage)
No special requirements
First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah
(the month of Hajj)
Islamic New Year 1438
(No special requirements)
Ashura
(10 days of religious merit for all
Muslims)
For Shia Muslims 10 days of
mourning
1-10 Dhul - Hijjah 1437
1 Muharram 1438
1st - 10th Muharram 1438
(pbuh – peace be upon him) (CE – Common Era) (AH – After Hijrah, Islamic year)
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THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN
1.
The date of the start of Ramadhan and the dates of all other festivals are subject to the
(physical) sighting of the new moon and hence may be out by a day or so. The dates
given are those when the moon is expected. This is to enable appropriate arrangements to
be set in hand by governors and their staff. More locally accurate timetables are available
from your Muslim Chaplain or the Muslim Adviser.
2
It should be noted that the fast of Ramadhan starts approximately 10 to 12 days earlier
each year (in 2017 it will begin around 27th May).
Further information
Further information on Muslim festival dates or any other Muslim matter, may be obtained
from:
Ahtsham Ali
Muslim Adviser
Chaplaincy Headquarters
Floor 4, Clive House
70 Petty France
London SW1H 9EX
Tel: 0300 047 5179
Mobile: 07976 450 995
Email: [email protected]
For any further information regarding specifically Shi’a matters please contact:
Yousif Al-Khoei
The Khoei Foundation
The Stone Hall, Chevening Road
London NW6 6TN
Tel: 0207 372 4049
Email: [email protected]
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Annex H
PAGAN FESTIVALS – 2016
Most Pagans celebrate the 8 festivals set out below, but depending on the particular tradition
would attach particular significance to certain days. Because of variations in emphasis between
different Pagan Traditions it has been agreed with the Pagan Federation that prisoners may
choose four festivals on which they should not be required to work. All others may be observed
within normal routines.
The date of the solstices and equinoxes may vary by a day or two each year
PAGAN PRISONERS MAY CHOOSE FOUR DATES FROM THE FOLLOWING FESTIVALS
WHERE THEY MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
1 February
Imbolc
20 March
Ostara - Spring Equinox
1 May
Beltane
20 June
Litha - Midsummer-Summer Solstice
1 August
Lammas or Lughnasadh
22 September
Mabon - Autumn Equinox
31 October
Samhain
21 December
Yule – Winter Solstice
Further Information:
The Pagan Federation
Helene Mobius
PO Box 1318
Bagshot
GU19 5YN
E-mail: [email protected]
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Annex I
RASTAFARIAN FESTIVALS – 2016
The Rastafarian year is based on the Ethiopian calendar, which begins a new
year on 11 September and has 13 months, the last of which has only six days.
DATES ON WHICH RASTAFARIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
Ethiopian Christmas
7 January
5 May
23 July
2 November
Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ
The victorious return in 1941 of His Imperial Majesty Haile
Selassie 1 to the Throne in Ethiopia after the time of exile
in Britain
The Earthday/Birthday of HIM Haile Selassie 1
Marked as a day of celebration, prayer reading and spiritual
gatherings
The anniversary of the Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie 1
and HIM Empress Menen
OTHER RASTAFARIAN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
3 April
21 April
Empress Menen Earthday/Birthday
Groundation Day
25 May
Commemoration of the visit of HIM Haile Selassie 1 to
Jamaica in 1966
African Liberation Day
16 June
Leonard Howell Earthday /Birthday
17 August
Marcus Garvey Earthday/Birthday
11 September
Ethiopian New Year
Further Information
Rastafari Heritage: [email protected]
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Annex J
SIKH FESTIVALS – 2016
DATES WHEN SIKH PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
5 January
The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh
14 April
Baisakhi/ Vaisakhi
16 June
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev
30 October
Bandi Chor (Diwali)
14 November
The birthday of Guru Nanak
24 November
Commemoration of Guru Teg Bahadur
OTHER SIKH FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
1 September
First reading of Guru Granth Sahib
20 October
Formal installation of Guru Granth Sahib as guidance for
Sikhs
Further information
For further information on Sikh festival dates, please contact:
Sikh Chaplaincy Service:
Gagandeep Singh: [email protected] or
Inder Singh Chawla: [email protected]
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Annex K
ZOROASTRIAN FESTIVALS – 2016
DATES WHEN ZOROASTRIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
21 March
Jamsheedi NoRuz
26 March
(Iranian Zoroastrian New Year)
Khordad Sal
17 August
(Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the
Iranian Zoroastrian calendar)
Shenshai Navroze
22 August
(Parsee Zoroastrian New Year)
Khordad Sal
(Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the
Parsee Shenshai calendar)
Further information may be obtained from:
Secretary:
Address:
Tel:
Email:
Website:
Dorab Mistry
Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
Zoroastrian Centre
440 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 9TL
0208 866 0765
[email protected]
www.ztfe.com
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Annex L
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS – 2016
Bold - Dates Prisoners must be excused from work
January
5 January - The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, Sikh
6 January (maybe celebrated on 4th) - Epiphany, Christian and Roman Catholic Holy Day of
Obligation
6 January – Theophany, for some Orthodox prisoners only
7 January - Christmas Day, for some Orthodox prisoners only
7 January - Ethiopian Christmas, Rastafarian
15 January - Makara Sankranti, Hindu
24-25 January - New Year for Trees, Jewish
February
1 February - Imbolc, Pagan
2 February - Candlemas, Christian
10 February - Ash Wednesday, Christian
March
7 March - Maha Shivaratri, Hindu
20 or 21 March - Nawruz – Persian & Kurdish festival, Shi’a Muslim
20 March - Spring Equinox, Pagan
20 March - Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year), Bahá’í
21 March - Jamsheedi NoRuz (Iranian Zoroastrian New Year), Zoroastrian
23 March - Holi, Hindu
23 March - Fast of Esther, Jewish
23-24 March - Purim, Jewish
24 March - Maundy Thursday, Christian
25 March - Good Friday, Christian
26 March - Holy Saturday, Christian, Catholic
26 March - Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian
27 March - Easter Day, Christian
April
3 April - Empress Menen Earthday/Birthday, Rastafarian
14 April - Baisakhi/ Vaisakhi, Sikh
13 April – Tamil New Year , Hindu
15 April - Shri Ram Navami, Hindu
20 April - First Day of Ridván, Bahá’í
20 April - Birthday Imam Ali, Shi’a Muslims
20 April - Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jain
21 April - Groundation Day, Rastafarian
22 -24 April - Passover (Pesach), Jewish
25-28 April – Great and Holy Week for some Orthodox prisoners only
28 April - Ninth Day of Ridván, Bahá’í
28-30 April - Passover (Pesach), Jewish
29 April - Great Friday, for some Orthodox prisoners only
May
1 May - Easter Day / Pascha, for some Orthodox prisoners only
1 May - Beltane, Pagan
1 May - Twelfth Day of Ridván, Bahá’í
3 May (Night) - Laylat Al Israa Wal-Miraj, Muslim
5 May - Victorious return in 1941 of HIM Haile Selassie 1 to Throne, Rastafarian
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5 May – Asscension Day, Christian
8 May - Ascension Day, (Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation)
15 May - Pentecost, Christian, and Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
20 May - Buddha Day, Buddhist
21 May (Night) – Laylat Al Baraat, Muslim
23 May - Declaration of the Báb, Bahá’í
25 May - African Liberation Day, Rastafarian
26 May - Corpus Christi, Christian
28 May - Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í
29 May - Corpus Christi, (Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation)
June
6 June - Ramadhan Fast begins - Month of Fasting, Muslim
9 June - Ascension Day, for some Orthodox prisoners only
11-13 June - Pentecost (Shavuot), Jewish
12 June - Pentecost, for some Orthodox prisoners only
16 June - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, Sikh
16 June - Leonard Howell Earthday /Birthday, Rastafarian
24 June - Commemoration of Imam Ali (AS), Shi’a Muslims
26 June - Martyrdom of Imam Ali, Shi’a Muslims
20 June - Litha – Summer Solstice, Pagan
29 June - SS Peter and Paul, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
29 June - SS Peter and Paul, Christian Holy Day of Obligation
July
1 July (Night) - Laylat Al-Qadr, Muslim
6 July - Eid-Al-Fitr, Muslim
9 July - Martyrdom of the Báb, Bahá’í
19 July - Dhamma Day, Buddhist
23 July - Earthday/Birthday of HIM Haile Selassie 1, Rastafarian
24 July - Fast of Tammuz, Jewish
August
1 August - Lammas, Lughnasadh Pagan
13-14 August - Fast of Av, Jewish
14 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian Holy Day of Obligation
15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dormition, for some Orthodox
prisoners only
17 August - Marcus Garvey Earthday/Birthday, Rastafarian
17 August - Shenshai Navroze (Parsee Zoroastrian New Year), Zoroastrian
18 August - Rakhee/Raksha Bandhan, Hindu
18 August - Rakhee/Raksha Bandhan, Jain
22 August - Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the Parsee
Shenshai calendar), Zoroastrian
25 August - Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu
29 August – 5 September - Paryushan, Jain
September
1 September - First reading of Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh
2-11 September – First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, Muslim
5 September - Samvatsary (This is the last day of Paryushan), Jain
10 September - Yaum al Arafat (Event during Hajj, Muslim)
11 September - Eid-Al-Adha, Muslim
11 September - Ethiopian New Year, Rastafarian
22 September - Autumn Equinox, Pagan
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October
1 October - Navaratri begins, Hindu
2 October - Islamic New Year 1438
2-4 October - New Year (Rosh Hashanah), Jewish
2-11 October - Ashurah 10 days mourning, Shia Muslims
5 October - Fast of Gedaliah, Jewish
9 October - Durgashtami, Hindu
11 October - Vijayadashmi, Hindu
11 October - Yaum Ashurah, Muslim
11-12 October - Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Jewish
16 October - Sangha Day, Buddhist
16-18 October - Tabernacles (Sukkot), Jewish
20 October - Formal installation of Guru Granth Sahib as guidance for Sikhs.
23-25 October - Rejoicing of the Law, Jewish
30 October - Lord Mahavir's Nirvan (Diwali), Jain
30 October - Bandi Chor, Sikh Diwali
30 October - Diwali, Hindu
31 October - New Year, Jain
31 October - Samhain, Pagan
November
1 November - Birthday of the Báb, Bahá’í
1 November - All Saints, Christian
1 November - All Saints, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
2 November - Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í
2 November - All Souls, Roman Catholic
2 November - All Souls, Christian
2 November - Anniversary of Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie 1 and HIM Empress Menen,
Rastafarian
14 November - The birthday of Guru Nanak, Sikh
24 November - Commemoration of Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, Sikh
December
11 December - Mawlid An-Nabi, Muslim
21 December - Yule, winter Solstice, Pagan
24 December – 1 January 2017 - Festival of Dedication (Lights/ Chanukah), Jewish
25 December - Christmas Day, Christian
N.B. Although none of the Bahá’í or Pagan dates are shown in bold, Bahá’í and Pagan
prisoners may choose up to 4 of their festival days on which to be excused from work.
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