Our community includes people from many different religious and cultural backgrounds. We make American University a place of belonging for all, in part, by honoring the observance of the holidays and meaningful days of the traditions represented here. Throughout the remainder of the semester, many of our religious and cultural communities have significant observances that may require some accommodation as they include fasting and/or cessation of regular activities.  

Of particular note this year given an alignment to the academic calendar, our Muslim community will soon begin the observance of the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on the evening of April 1 and continues through May 1. Persons observing Ramadan will abstain from all food and drink (including water) during the daylight hours, and there are additional periods for prayer. Community members observing the holiday may request allowances to break the fast and time for the additional devotional life obligations.  The Muslim community celebrates the conclusion of Ramadan with a celebration, Eid-al-Fitr, on May 2. Eid-al-Fitr occurs during Spring Semester finals this year. Muslim community members can reasonably request alternative testing arrangements for finals that may fall on this date. 

Each person engages their religious life differently, so each person may need something different to meet the expectations of their traditions. More information about accommodations for religious and/or cultural holidays for students can be found at https://www.american.edu/ocl/kay/request-for-religious-accommodation.cfm. Procedures for religious accommodation for faculty and staff are outlined at https://www.american.edu/policies/au-community/upload/discrimination-and-non-title-ix-sexual-misconduct-policy-procedures-for-requesting-religious-accommodation-06102021.pdf.

You can find a list of the major religious and cultural holidays that AU community members are more likely to observe and for which they may require accommodation at: https://www.american.edu/ocl/kay/major-religious-holy-days.cfm. The observances occurring throughout the remainder of the semester are listed below.

Students who have questions about religious accommodations or observances may contact the Office of the University Chaplain at kslc@american.edu. Faculty and staff should be in touch with HR employee relations at employeerelations@american.edu. 

The way we honor the traditions and expressions of cultural identity that make up our diverse American University community speaks to the value we place on each person. Thank you for your thoughtful care and attention to the religious and spiritual needs of our wider community. 

Spring 2022 Observances

Date*	Holy Day	Religion
March 2 – April 16	Lent	Christianity
March 7 – April 23	Orthodox Lent	Orthodox Christianity
April 1	Lunar New Year/Yugadi	Hinduism
April 2 – May 1	Ramadan	Islam
April 13	Solar New Year/Vaisakhi	Hinduism
April 15	Good Friday	Christianity
April 16 & 17	First Two Days of Passover	Judaism
April 16	Holy Saturday	Christianity
April 17	Easter	Christianity
April 21	First Day of Ridvan	Baháʼí
April 22	Good Friday	Orthodox Christianity
April 22 & 23	Last Two Days of Passover	Judaism
April 24	Pesach/Easter	Orthodox Christianity
April 29	Ninth Day of Ridvan	Baháʼí
May 2	Eid-al-Fitr	Islam
May 2	Twelfth Day of Ridvan	Baháʼí

*For Jewish and Islamic holidays, one should consider the observance beginning at sundown on the day before the holiday.  Jewish holidays end one hour after sunset of the concluding day. Islamic and Hindu holy days may also vary depending on the sighting of the moon.