Faith & Football
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FAITH & FOOTBALL A CALENDAR OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS 2020/21 SEASON THETHETHE FOOTBALLFOOTBALL FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION && & KICKKICK KICK ITIT IT OUT’SOUT’S OUT’S CALENDARCALENDAR CALENDAR OFOFOF RELIGIOUSRELIGIOUS RELIGIOUS FESTIVALSFESTIVALS FESTIVALS 2017-182017-182017-18 Created by: Supported by: FOREWORD HOW TO USE THIS Faith and football have entered the field of play, hand in hand, since time immemorial. Far from being at odds with each other, they enrich each other, CALENDAR? bringing people of different faiths and those of none together through a This calendar is meant as a common language and educating those in the game about the cultures, guide to some of the most religions and beliefs of those whom they did not previous know. It is only prominent faith dates and through dialogue and these commonalities, like the beautiful game, that we festivals which could have can truly come together as communities. an impact on how people participate in and enjoy football. The calendar is by no means Rabbi Alex Goldberg Chair of The FA Faith and definitive, but more a general Football Network guide to some of the key facts which most people agree on. If you are involved in running the game, whether through a club, team, league or facility, we would always recommend speaking directly to people who may be of faith, about the way that they believe and practice their belief and how it may impact football for them. KEY RELIGIOUS DATES FOR THE 2020/21 SEASON 2020 2021 AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY 12 26 VESAK DAY/ BUDDHISM CHINESE BUDDHA NEW YEAR DAY 25 17-3 APRIL 2/4 2 GOOD ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY CHRISTMAS LENT FRIDAY, EASTER DAY EASTER SUNDAY SUNDAY 17-25 14 * 29 * 12 No one should be subject HINDUISM HINDU NEW to discrimination. We as NAVARATRI DIWALI HOLI YEAR humans should love each 18-20 /27-28 2-9/9-11 10-18 25-26 27-4 APRIL 16-18 other regardless of the SUKKOT/ ROSH CHANUKAH JUDAISM SHEMINI colour of ones skin, religion HASHANAH ATZERET & (HANNUKAH) PURIM PASSOVER* SHAVUOT* / YOM SIMCHAT KIPPUR TORAH or sexual orientation as in 30-3 Aug 12 April - 11 May/12 May unity there is strength. EID UL-ADHA ISLAM 21/30/21-18 Sept RAMADAN/ EID AL-FITR START OF AL-HIJRA/ ASHURA/MUHARRAM 14/30 20 14 Salma Mahamud DIWALI & Brentford Women’s FC BANDHI BIRTHDAY SIKH FAITH CHHOR OF GURU VAISAKHI DIVAS/ GOBIND BIRTHDAY OF SINGH GURU NANAK Some dates are provisional, based on the lunar calendar and/or sighting of the moon. The FA recognise that in the case of most of the faiths concerned there are various ways of spelling the same word. This is because of the range of languages (and alphabets) of the original terms. Some dates may also vary and the date of local celebrations may differ. We therefore recommend anyone using this calendar to arrange fixtures and events only after consultation with local representatives of the faith communities concerned. In this calendar we have only highlighted the six largest faiths in England by population and recognise there will be other faiths not mentioned. *All these festivals are observed for two days. All Jewish Festivals start the night before. GUIDANCE TO GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL AROUND FIXTURES AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION can only be confirmed by the sighting of the moon so are sometimes As part of The Football Association’s commitment expressed as two or three dates and confirmed nearer the time of the to providing equal opportunities for all to participate festival. Some dates also have alternative spellings. in football, Rule B5 was amended in order to include all religions. FAITH DATES BY RELIGION Buddhism Christianity RULE B5 FOOTBALL & • Chinese New year • Christmas Day RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE • Vesak/Buddha Day • Good Friday (a) A Participant cannot be compelled to play football on • Easter Sunday bona fide occasions where religious observance precludes Hinduism • Sundays unless the League is a such activity, save where the Participant: • Diwali (or Divali) Sunday League (Membership (i) has consented to do so on such occasions; • Navaratri – this is nine nights of or participation in Sunday As a professional player, I had or but usually finishes football could be taken as (ii) is registered as a player under written contract, which quite late, not ideal when consent to play on Sundays, many struggles both on and shall be taken as consent to play on such occasions unless playing matches except for example when off the pitch. When I found otherwise provided for in the contract. • Raksha Bandhan Christmas Day falls on a (b) Annually, when planning programmes, Competitions • Holi – Only for evening fixtures Sunday or on Easter Sunday. God and the church, it gave shall define and notify agreed dates of such occasions. as Holi is celebrated in late To avoid confusion, dialogue some sense of clarity, peace afternoon/evenings between players, their clubs and leagues is vital. Rule 5B and order to my life, I felt like GUIDANCE Judaism will always take precedent) I had literally seen the light. • Rosh Hashanah In order to support you with your planning this guidance has • Yom Kippur been written to provide you with the most significant dates • Passover – the first and last two Islam for religious observance together with some information days of the festival • Eid-al-Fitr (occurs at Linvoy Primus MBE on them. It is not intended that you avoid all these dates, • Sukkot – the first two days of the the end of Ramadan) Former player for Charlton Athletic, and the list is by no means exhaustive, but you are advised festival • Eid ul-Adha Barnet, Reading and Portsmouth to consult with your clubs and communities as to the most • Friday evening to Saturday evening • Al-Hijra/Muharram Trustee of Faith and Football relevant dates to consider for your locality as this will vary (Sabbath) unless the League is a considerably. Saturday League (membership of, Sikh Faith A calendar of these dates will be provided by The FA annually. or participation in, Saturday • Diwali (Divali or Bandi Chhor You should note that some religions work on a lunar calendar football shall be taken Divas) (10/11 months) rather than the Gregorian (12 months) which as consent to play on Saturdays • Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) means dates will vary from year to year. In addition some dates with the exception of significant • Birthday of Guru Nanak days of observance) EXPLANATION OF KEY RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES Al-Hijra/Muharram of exile of Lord Rama. Prayers are said for Goddess Laxmi Islamic New Year and the first of the month of for prosperity at the beginning of financial year. For Sikhs Muharram, where Muslims celebrate the Prophet this has a special significance because the sixth Guru was Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina. released from prison on Diwali. Sikhs also call this festival For Shi’as the first ten days are a period of mourning ‘Bandi Chhor Divas’. culminating in Ashura Day, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husayn. Easter Sunday Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Birthday of Guru Nanak Birthday of founder of Sikhism. This is one of the holiest of Eid-al-Adha the Sikhs which is celebrated over a three day period. This Muslim festival marks Day Three of Hajj (pilgrimage to The professional game can be stressful, Mecca) and also commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s even at Academy level, so creating willingness to sacrifice his own son Ishmael. Buddha Day an environment where people can be Birthday of the founder of the Sikh faith. This is one of the holiest Sikh festivals which is celebrated over a three day Eid-al-Fitr themselves and express their faith freely period. 2021 is the 552nd birth anniversary. This day marks the end of the month of fasting for Muslims helps to create happy players and high (Ramadan). The day is marked with prayers and festivity and performing players. Being the only Chinese New Year presents for children. Muslim Head of Academy at an English The most important day in the traditional Chinese calendar club, I am very open about my faith and and marks the beginning of the first Lunar month. Good Friday am more than happy to act as a role This day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. model for any young player.. Christmas Celebrates the birth of Jesus who Christians believe to be Hindu New Year the Son of God. Christians focus on the incarnation of God Often thought of as more important that Diwali, many becoming a man in this major festival. Hindus celebrate this in the spring but some on the day following Diwali. Sevvy Aslam Diwali (or Divali) – (Hindu/Sikh) Academy Manager Festival of Lights. Celebration of good over evil. Victory of Port Vale FC Lord Rama over demon Ravana and end of over 14 years EXPLANATION OF KEY RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES Holi Rosh Hashanah Spring Festival of Colours for Hindus which symbolises the Two-day religious observance that marks the start of the Jewish triumph of good over evil. The event celebrates the death of New Year. It is traditionally announced by blowing a shofar, a the evil demoness Holika who was consumed by fire while ram’shorn trumpet. It is the first of the high holy days, or ‘days her nephew Prahlad, who was a devotee of Vishnu, survived. of awe’, and celebrates the creation of the world, the repentance These days the event is signified by burning large bonfires, of sins, and the renewal of God’s relationship with the Jewish dancing and spraying coloured powder and water on each people.