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The Football Association Calendar of Religious Festivals

The Football Association Calendar of Religious Festivals

The Football Association 2015 Calendar of Religious Festivals

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Buddhism 19 4 CHINESE BUDDHA DAY

Christianity 18 3/5 25 BeginninG of Lent Sunday DAY 6/21 29 13-21 11 /Hindu RAKSHA New Year BANDHAN Judaism 4-5 3-11 23-25 13-15/22-23 5-6 6-14 27-29 simchat PURIM shavuot / chanukah Sukkot torah 18 June - 17 23 15/24 12/13 17 JULY Eid-­Ul-Fi­ tr START OF MARKS THE end EID-UL-ADHA MUHARRAM/ END OF of ramadan MUHARRAM

Sikhism 14 22 11 25 Shahidi of Arjun DIWALI BIRTHDAY OF Dev GURU NANAK

Some dates are provisional, based on the lunar calendar and/or sighting of the moon and all Jewish dates will start the evening before. 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.

Guidance to County FAs and Leagues on League Fixtures and Religious Observance

The Football Association dates for religious observance together • Sundays unless the League is a Islam As part of The Football Association’s with some information on them. It is not Sunday League (membership of • Eid-ul-Fitr (occurs at the end of Ramadan) commitment to providing equal intended that you avoid all these dates, or participation in Sunday football • Eid-ul-Adha opportunities for all to participate in and the list is by no means exhaustive, shall be taken as consent to play on • Al-Hijra/Muharram football, Rule B5 was amended at the but you are advised to consult with Sundays, except when Christmas Day 2005 AGM in order to include your clubs and communities as to the be on a Sunday) all religions. most relevant dates to consider for your • Diw (Divali or Bandi locality as this will vary considerably. Hinduism Chhor Divas) • Diwali (or Divali) • Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) Rule B5 Football & A calendar of these dates will be • Na varatri – this is nine nights but • Birthday of Guru Nanak Religious Observance provided by The FA annually. You should usually finishes quite late, not ideal (a) A Participant cannot be compelled note that some religions work on a when playing matches to play football on bona fide occasions lunar calendar (10/11 ) rather • Explanation of KEY where religious observance precludes than the Gregorian (12 months) which • Holi – Only for evening fixtures Religious Observances such activity, save where the Participant: means dates will vary from year to year. as Holi is celebrated in late (i) has consented to do so on such In addition some dates can only be afternoon/evenings Muharram/Ashura occasions; confirmed by the sighting of the moon and the 1st of the or so are sometimes expressed as two or Judaism of Muharram, where Muslims celebrate (ii) is registered as a player under three dates and confirmed nearer the • Rosh Hashanah the Prophet ’s migration from written contract, which shall be taken time of the festival. Some dates also • Yom Kippur Mecca to Medina. For Shi’as the first ten as consent to play on such occasions have alternative spellings. • P assover - the first two and last two days are a period of mourning culminating unless otherwise provided for in days of the festival in Ashura Day, commemorating the the contract. • Sha vuot - the first two days of martyrdom of Imam Husayn. (b) Annually, when planning the festival programmes, FAITH DATES BY RELIGION • Sukkot / Shemini Atzeret / Simchat Birthday of Guru Nanak Competitions shall define and notify Buddhism Torah - the first and last two days of Birthday of founder of Sikhism. This is agreed dates of such occasions. • the festival the holiest festival of the Sikhs which is • Buddha Day • Frida y evening to Saturday evening celebrated over a three day period. (Sabbath) unless the League is a Guidance Christianity Saturday League (membership of, Buddha Day In order to support you with your fixture • Christmas Day or participation in, Saturday football Buddha Day or Wesak celebrates planning this guidance has been written • Good Friday shall be taken as consent to play on the Buddha’s birth and for some to provide you with the most significant • Easter Sunday Saturdays) marks his enlightenment and death. Guidance to County FAs and Leagues on League Fixtures and Religious Observance

Christmas Good Friday Passover Vaisakhi (Baisakhi) Celebrates the birth of Jesus who This day commemorates the crucifixion A Jewish festival recalling the Exodus of Founding of Khalsa (Sikhism) order Christians believe to be the Son of God. of Jesus. the Israelites from Egypt and celebrating of the Guru by - he Christians focus on the incarnation of God the barley harvest. Unleavened bread is baptised five disciples known as the Five becoming a man in this major festival. Hindu New Year eaten with a special meal (Sedar), with Beloved Ones. The day following Diwali and more food, prayers, games and song. Diwali (or Divali) - (Hindu/Sikh) important than it. Yom Kippur Festival of Lights. Celebration of good Raksha Bandhan Day of Atonement (Jewish). The last over evil. Victory of Lord over Holi Sisters tie holy thread onto brothers day of 10 days of repentance and the demon and end of over 14 years Spring Festival of Colours for wrists for protection. Brothers in return holiest day of the year with of exile of Lord Rama. Prayers are said which symbolises the triumph of good give sisters presents and also offer the and prayer. for Laxmi for prosperity at the over evil. The event celebrates the sisters protection. beginning of financial year. For Sikhs this death of the evil demoness Chinese New Year has a special significance because the who was consumed by fire while her Ramadan The most important day in the sixth Guru was released from prison nephew Prahlad, who was a devotee of The Islamic month of fasting from traditional Chinese calendar and marks on Diwali. , survived. These days the event before dawn to sunset every day, the beginning of the first Lunar month. is signified by burning large bonfires, normally 30 days ending with Eid-ul-Fitr. Easter Sunday dancing and spraying coloured powder The Football Association Christians celebrate the resurrection of and water on each other. Rosh Hashanah Wembley Stadium Jesus from the dead. Two-day religious observance that PO Box 1966 Lent marks the start of the Jewish New Year. London Eid-ul-Adha A period of preparation including It is traditionally announced by blowing SW1P 9EQ This Muslim festival marks Day Three prayer, fasting and reflection lasting six a shofar, a ram’shorn trumpet. It is the of Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and also weeks up to Easter Sunday. first of the high holy days, or ‘days of Telephone 0844 980 8200 commemorates the Prophet Abraham’s awe’, and celebrates the creation of the Email [email protected] willingness to sacrifice his own Navaratri world, the repentance of sins, and the Visit TheFA.com son Ishmael. Nine days of dance (Garba) and renewal of God’s relationship with the celebration when the Goddess Laxmi Jewish people. Eid-ul-Fitr is worshipped by Hindus. This day marks the end of the month of Sukkot fasting for Muslims (Ramadan). The day Jewish harvest festival commemorating is marked with prayers and festivity and the forty years spent in the wilderness on presents for children. the way to freedom in the Promised Land.

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