UNCLASSIFIED
RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2013
This instruction applies to:
Reference:
Prisons – Prison Service Instruction (PSI)
Issue Date
16 November 2012
Issued on the
authority of
For action by
(Who is this
Instruction for)
Instruction type
For information
Provide a summary
of the policy aim
and the reason for
its development
Effective Date
Implementation Date
1 January 2013
PSI 35/2012
Expiry Date
1 January 2014
NOMS Agency Board
All staff responsible for the development and publication of policy and
instructions
NOMS HQ
All prisons
High Security Prisons only
Contracted Prisons*
Probation Trusts
Governors
Heads of Groups
Contract Managers in Probation Trusts
Probation Trust Chief Executives
* If this box is marked, then in this document the term Governor also
applies to Directors of Contracted Prisons
Delete as appropriate - service specification support
All prison staff, IMB, Faith Advisers
This Instruction is issued annually to notify prisons of the dates of religious
festivals for the coming year - 2013
Contact
Kishwar Ahmed
Kishwar.ahmed@noms.gsi.gov.uk
Chaplaincy Headquarters
0300 047 5178
Associated
Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners PSI 51/2011
documents
Catering Operating Manual at Annex B of PSI 44/2010.
Replaces the following documents which are hereby cancelled : PSI 66/2011 (not until
January 2013)
Audit/monitoring:
Deputy Directors of Custody, Commissioners and Controllers will monitor compliance with the
mandatory actions set out in this Instruction. (Self Audit)
Introduces amendments to the following documents: None
UNCLASSIFIED
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CONTENTS
Section
Executive
Summary
Annex A
Annex B
Annex C
Annex D
Annex E
Annex F
Annex G
Annex H
Annex I
Annex J
Annex K
Annex L
1.
Subject
General Information/food at festivals
Applies to
All prison staff
Bahá’í Religious Festival Dates
Buddhist Religious Festival Dates
Christian Religious Festival Dates
Hindu Religious Festival Dates
Jain Religious Festival Dates
Jewish Religious Festival Dates
Muslim Religious Festival Dates
Pagan Religious Festival Dates
Rastafarian Religious Festival Dates
Sikh Religious Festival Dates
Zoroastrian Festival Dates
Chronological summary of all dates
Bahá’í prisoners
Buddhist prisoners
Christian prisoners
Hindu prisoners
Jain prisoners
Jewish prisoners
Muslim prisoners
Pagan prisoners
Rastafarian prisoners
Sikh prisoners
Zoroastrian prisoners
All prison staff
Executive summary
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
1.1
This Instruction sets out the dates in 2013 of the main religious festivals for the Bahá’í,
Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Pagan and Zoroastrian faiths.
In addition this year, we have included the dates for the Rastafarian festivals.
It also sets out the principles for providing food at religious festivals.
1.2
Desired outcomes
Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners
(Output 6: Recognised religious feasts, fasts and festivals are observed)
This instruction aims to ensure that prisons have the necessary information to enable
religious festivals to be marked in an appropriate and equitable way.
Application
1.3
Arrangements for provision for food for religious festivals for 2013 should be discussed
at the earliest opportunity by the Co-ordinating Chaplain(s), together with members of
the Chaplaincy team, and other key stakeholders such as the Catering Manager and
Security Department. Relevant faith chaplains can provide details of appropriate food;
this should be prepared in-house except in the circumstances described in paragraphs
3.43 – 3.48 of the Catering Manual (see 1.4 below).
PSI 35/2012
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As in 2012, 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.
If establishments require advice or information in relation to any faith tradition not
mentioned in this instruction, please contact Chaplaincy HQ.
Mandatory actions
1.4
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.
Food for Religious Festivals
Information on this is set out in the Catering Manual at Annex B of PSI 44/2010, and
the relevant extract is below:
“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
Co-ordinating 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.
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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.”
Resource Impact
1.5
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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Annex A
BAHA’I FESTIVALS – 2013
BAHA’I PRISONERS SHOULD BE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE EXCUSED
FROM WORK ON A MAXIMUM OF FOUR OF THE DATES BELOW
21 March
Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year)
21 April
First Day of Ridván
29 April
Ninth Day of Ridván
2 May
Twelfth Day of Ridván
23 May
Declaration of the Báb
29 May
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
9 July
Martyrdom of the Báb
20 October
Birthday of the Báb
12 November
Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh
Further information may be obtained from:
Pete Hulme
Address:
Tel:
E-Mail:
PSI 35/2012
Pastoral Care Sub-Committee
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the UK
27 Rutland Gate
London SW7 1PD
0207 584 2566
peter.hulme@bahai.org.uk
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Annex B
BUDDHIST FESTIVALS - 2013
DATES ON WHICH BUDDHIST PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
24 May
Buddha Day
22 July
Dhamma Day
19 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: ajahn.khemadhammo@angulimala.org.uk or
ajahn.khemadhammo@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
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Annex C
CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS – 2013
DATES ON WHICH CHRISTIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
29 March
Good Friday
31 March
Easter Day
25 December
Christmas Day
For some Orthodox prisoners only:
7 January
Christmas Day
18 March
First Day of Lent
3 May
Holy Friday
5 May
Easter Day/Pascha
OTHER CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
Other Christian dates when Services may be provided
In Addition Roman
Catholic Holy Days of
Obligation
6 January
6 January
Epiphany
2 February
Candlemas
13 February
Ash Wednesday
28 March
Maundy Thursday
30 March
Holy Saturday
13 April
Good Friday – Orthodox prisoners
9 May
Ascension Day
19 May
Pentecost
24 May
Ascension Day – Orthodox
prisoners
30 May
3 June
Corpus Christi
Pentecost – Orthodox prisoners
2 June
29 June
SS Peter and Paul
30 June
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15 August
1 November
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary
All Saints
2 November
All Souls
Page 7
15 August
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
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 (August 15th).
Further information
For further information on Christian festival dates, please contact

Reverend Canon Mike Kavanagh, Anglican Advisor
Michael.kavanagh@noms.gsi.gov.uk

Monsignor Malachy Keegan, Catholic Bishops’ Prisons Adviser 0207 901 4857, e
mail: Malachy.keeganprisonsadviser@cbcew.org.uk

Reverend Bob Wilson, Free Church Adviser, 0207 529 8138, e mail:
Bob.Wilson@cte.org.uk
0300 047 5182,
e mail:
Reverend Philip Hall – Orthodox traditions, e mail: Philip.Hall2@hmps.gsi.gov.uk or
Fr.Philip@gmx.com
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Annex D
HINDU FESTIVALS – 2013
DATES ON WHICH HINDU PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
9 March
27 August
Maha Shivaratri
(day of fasting)
Rakhee/
Raksha Bandhan
Shri Krishna Janmashtami
8 September
Shri Ganesha Pooja
13 October
Vijayadashami – Navaratri ends
2 November
Diwali
20 August
OTHER HINDU FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
14 January
Makara Sankramana
26 March
Holi
11 April
Yugadi/Gudi Parva
14 April
19 April
Baisakhi
(celebrated in the Punjabi community)
Shri Ram Navami
22 July
Guru Poornima
18 September
Shraddha Paksha begins
5 October
Navaratri begins
12 October
Durgashtami
Further information
For further information on Hindu festival dates please contact:
Bhadresh Trivedi (Hindu Chaplain/ London prisons)
E-mail: bhadresh.trivdedi@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
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Annex E
JAIN FESTIVALS – 2013
DATES ON WHICH JAIN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
23 April
Mahavir Janma Kalyanak
9 September
(The Lord Mahavira’s Birthday)
Samvatsary
3 November
(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)
4 November
New Year
(This day is celebrated by special prayers)
OTHER JAIN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
2 – 9 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:
Manhar Mehta
Chairman NCVA
Address:
The National Council of Vanik Associations (UK) [NCVA]
37 Howberry Road,
Edgware
Middlesex HA8 6SS
Tel:
E-mail:
Website:
Phone 020 8952 1165
chairman@ncva.co.uk
www.ncva.co.uk
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Annex F
JEWISH FESTIVALS - 2013
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 8 days of Passover (25 March to 2 April
inclusive) must begin after breakfast or not later than 10.40am on Monday 25 March.
4.
Most Jewish prisoners can work on the interim days of Passover (March 29, 30, 31) and
Tabernacles (September 22 – 25). 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
25 March
sunset
28 March
nightfall
Passover (Pesach)
31 March
sunset
2 April
nightfall
Passover (Pesach)
14 May
sunset
16 May
nightfall
Pentecost (Shavuot)
4 September
sunset
7 September
nightfall
New Year (Rosh Hashanah)
13
September
sunset
18
September
sunset
14 September
nightfall
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
(Day of fast))
21 September
nightfall
Tabernacles (Sukkot)
(includes Sabbath)
25
September sunset
28 September
nightfall
Rejoicing of the Law
(includes Sabbath)
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OTHER JEWISH FESTIVALS (not excused from work)
25 January
nightfall
21 February
dawn
23 February
nightfall
25 June
dawn
15 July
sunset
8 Sept
dawn
27 November
night fall
13 December
dawn
26 January
nightfall
21 February
nightfall
24 February
nightfall
25 June
nightfall
16 July
nightfall
8 Sept
nightfall
5 December
nightfall
13 December
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
Visitation Committee,
United Synagogue
305 Ballards Lane, London N12 8GB
E mail: Revbinstock@btinternet.com
Visitation Committee Office, Michelle Minsky
E mail: admin@jvisit.org.uk
Tel: 0208 343 5669
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Annex G
MUSLIM FESTIVALS AND THE FAST OF RAMADHAN - 2013 (AD) 1434/1435.
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)
24 January 2013
FESTIVAL INFORMATION
LUNAR MONTH (AH)
Mawlid-Al-Nabi - The Prophet
Mohammad’s (pbuh) birthday
celebration
12 Rabi-Al-Awaal 1434
(Holiday, festival food and communal
programme for those Muslim
prisoners who wish to celebrate the
Prophet's (pbuh) birthday)
8 August 2013
Eid-Al-Fitr (Festival marking the
completion of Ramadhan)
1 Shawwal 1434
(Holiday, Muslim prisoners worship in
congregation led by a Chaplain – it is
a day of celebration, festival food and
prayer)
15 October 2013
Eid-Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice)
10 Dhul-Hijjah 1434
(Holiday, Muslim prisoners worship in
congregation led by a Chaplain – it is
a day of celebration, festival food and
prayer)
14 November 2013
Yaum Ashurah
For 3 days, beginning
from the day before
this (13t to 15th
November inclusive),
there is recommended
fasting - not
compulsory.
Important day for all Muslims but
especially for Shia Muslims.
PSI 35/2012
10th Muharram 1435
Holiday for Shia Muslim prisoners who
wish to commemorate this
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OTHER MUSLIM FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work)
21 March
24 May
5 June
Night
Nawruz - Persian & Kurdish
Festival
(some Shi’a Muslims)
Wiladat (birthday) Imam Ali (pbuh)
(especially for Shi’a Muslims)
Laylat Al Israa Wal-Miraj (Night of
journey to Heavens)
9th Jumadul Ula 1434
13 Rajab 1434
Evening after 26 Rajab 1434
Where possible Muslim prisoners
who wish to may be allowed to
worship collectively in the evening.
23 June
Night
9 July
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
Evening after 14 Sha’ban 1434
1 Ramadhan 1434
27 July
Commemoration of Imam Ali (pbuh)
(Shi’a Muslims)
19 Ramadhan 1434
29 July
Shahadat (martyrdom) of Imam Ali
(pbuh) (Shia Muslims)
21 Ramadhan 1434
3 August
Night
(Some Muslims may
also observe the 28th,
30th July and 1st, 5th
August nights)
14 October
Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of power)
Evening after 26 Ramadhan
1434
Where possible Muslim prisoners
who wish to may be allowed to
worship collectively in the evening.
Yaum al Arafat
9 Dhul - Hijjah 1434
During Hajj (Pilgrimage)
No special requirements
5 November
5 – 14 November
Islamic New Year 1435
(No special requirements)
10 days mourning for Shia Muslims
1 Muharram 1435
1st - 10th Muharram 1435
(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 2014 it will begin around 28th June).
Further information
3.
Further information on Muslim festival dates, may be obtained from:
Ibrahim Mehtar,
Acting Muslim Adviser at Chaplaincy Headquarters:
Tel: 0300 047 5192,
e mail: ibrahim.mehtar@noms.gsi.gov.uk
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Annex H
PAGAN FESTIVALS - 2013
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
2 February
Imbolc
20 March
Eostre - Spring Equinox
1 May
Beltane
21 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: helene.mobius2@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
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Annex I
RASTAFARIAN FESTIVALS - 2013
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
Empress Menen Earthday/Birthday
21 April
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
Chaplaincy Headquarters – 0300 047 5178/5181
(pending finalisation of guidance on Rastafarian practice in prison)
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Annex J
SIKH FESTIVALS - 2013
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
3 November
Bandi Chor (Diwali)
17 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
20 October
Formal installation of Guru Granth as guidance
for Sikhs
Further information
For further information on Sikh festival dates, please contact:
Gagandeep Singh: gagandeep.singh@hmps.gsi.gov.uk or
Inder Singh Chawla: inder_singh_chawla@yahoo.co.uk
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Annex K
ZOROASTRIAN FESTIVALS - 2013
DATES WHEN ZOROASTRIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK
21 March
Jamsheedi NoRuz
26 March
(Iranian Zoroastrian New Year)
Khordad Sal
18 August
(Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the
Iranian Zoroastrian calendar)
Shenshai Navroze
23 August
(Parsee Zoroastrian New Year)
Khordad Sal
(Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the
Parsee Shenshai calendar)
Further information may be obtained from:
Dorab Mistry
Secretary
Address:
Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe
Zoroastrian Centre
440 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 9TL
Tel:
0208 866 0765
E-mail:
secretary@ztfe.com
Website:
www.ztfe.com
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Annex L
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS – 2013
Bold - Dates Prisoners must be excused from work
January
5 January - The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, Sikh
6 January - Epiphany, Christian and Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
7 January - Christmas Day, for some Orthodox prisoners only
7 January- Ethiopian Christmas, Rastafarian
14 January - Makara Sankramana, Hindu
24 January - Mawlid Al Nabi, Muslim
25-26 January - New Year for Trees, Jewish
February
2 February - Imbolc, Pagan
2 February - Candlemas, Christian
13 February - Ash Wednesday, Christian
21 February - Fast of Esther, Jewish
24 February - Purim, Jewish
March
9 March - Maha Shivaratri, Hindu
18 March - First Day of Lent, for some Orthodox prisoners only
20 March - Spring Equinox, Pagan
21 March - Nawrooz – Persian & Kurdish festival, Shi’a Muslim
21 March - Jamsheedi NoRuz (Iranian Zoroastrian New Year), Zoroastrian
21 March - Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year), Bahá’í
25- 28 March - Passover (Pesach), Jewish
26 March - Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian
26 March - Holi, Hindu
28 March - Maundy Thursday, Christian
29 March - Good Friday, Christian
30 March - Easter Day, Christian
30 March - Holy Saturday, Christian
31 March - 2 April - Passover (Pesach), Jewish
April
3 April - Empress Menen Earthday/Birthday, Rastafarian
11 April - Yugadi/Gudi Parva, Hindu
13 April – Good Friday, for some Orthodox prisoners only
14 April - Baisakhi/ Vaisakhi, Sikh
14 April - Baisakhi, Hindu
19 April - Shri Ram Navami, Hindu
21 April - First Day of Ridván, Bahá’í
21 April - Groundation Day, Rastafarian
23 April - Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jain
29 April - Ninth Day of Ridván, Bahá’í
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May
1 May - Beltane, Pagan
2 May - Twelfth Day of Ridván, Bahá’í
3May- Holy Friday, for some Orthodox prisoners only
5 May - Easter Day / Pascha, for some Orthodox prisoners only
5 May - Victorious return in 1941 of HIM Haile Selassie 1 to Throne, Rastafarian
9 May - Ascension Day, Christian
12 May - Ascension Day, (Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation)
14 - 16 May - Pentecost (Shavuot), Jewish
19 May - Pentecost, Christian
23 May - Declaration of the Báb, Bahá’í
24 May - Ascension Day, for some Orthodox prisoners only
24 May - Buddha Day, Buddhist
24 May - Birthday Imam Ali, Shi’a Muslims
25 May - African Liberation Day, Rastafarian
29 May - Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í
30 May - Corpus Christi, Christian
June
2 June - Corpus Christi, (Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation)
3 June – Pentecost, for some Orthodox prisoners only
5 June (Night) - Laylat Al Israa Wal-Miraj, Muslim
16 June - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, Sikh
16 June - Leonard Howell Earthday /Birthday, Rastafarian
23 June (Night) – Layat Al Baraat, Muslim
25 June - Fast of Tammuz, Jewish
21 June - Midsummer – Summer Solstice, Pagan
29 June - SS Peter and Paul, Christian
30 June – SS Peter and Paul, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
July
9 July - Ramadhan Fast begins - Month of Fasting, Muslim
9 July - Martyrdom of the Báb,
16 July - Fast of Av, Jewish
22 July - Dhamma Day, Buddhist
22 July - Guru Poornima, Hindu
23 July- Earthday/Birthday of HIM Haile Selassie 1, Rastafarian
27 July - Commemoration of Imam Ali (AS), Shi’a Muslims
29 July - Martyrdom of Imam Ali, Shi’a Muslims
August
1 August - Lammas, Pagan
3 August (Night) - Laylat Al-Qadr, Muslim
8 August - Eid-Al-Fitr, Muslim
15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christian and RCHDO
17 August - Marcus Garvey Earthday/Birthday, Rastafarian
18 August - Shenshai Navroze (Parsee Zoroastrian New Year), Zoroastrian
20 August - Rakhee/Raksha Bandhan, Hindu
23 August - Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the Parsee
Shenshai calendar), Zoroastrian
27 August - Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu
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September
1 September - First reading of Guru Granth, Sikh
2 – 9 September - Paryushan, Jain
4 – 7 September - New Year (Rosh Hashanah), Jewish
8 September - Shri Ganesha Pooja, Hindu
8 September - Fast of Gedaliah, Jewish
9 September - Samvatsary (This is the last day of Paryushan), Jain
11 September - Ethiopian New Year, Rastafarian
13 - 14 September - Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Jewish
18 - 21 September - Tabernacles (Sukkot), Jewish
18 September - Shraddha Paksha begins, Hindu
22 September - Autumn Equinox, Pagan
25 - 28 September - Rejoicing of the Law, Jewish
October
5 October - Navaratri begins, Hindu
12 October - Durgashtami, Hindu
13 October -Vijayadashmi, Hindu
14 October - Yaum al Arafat (Event during Hajj, Muslim)
15 October - Eid-Al-Adha, Muslim
19 October - Sangha Day, Buddhist
20 October - Formal installation of Guru Granth as guidance for Sikhs.
20 October - Birthday of the Báb, Bahá’í
31 October - Samhain, Pagan
November
1 November - All Saints, Christian and Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation
2 November - All Souls, Christian
2 November - Diwali, Hindu
2 November - Anniversary of Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie 1 and HIM Empress
Menen, Rastafarian
3 November - Bandi Chor, Sikh Diwali
3 November - Lord Mahavir's Nirvan (Diwali), Jain
4 November - New Year, Jain
5 November - Islamic New Year 1435
12 November - Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í
14 November - Yaum Ashoorah, Muslim
5 - 14 November - 10 days mourning, Shia Muslims
17 November - The birthday of Guru Nanak, Sikh
24 November - Commemoration of Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, Sikh
27 November - 5 December - Festival of Dedication (Lights/ Chanukah), Jewish
December
13 December- Fast of Tevet, Jewish
21 December -Yule, winter Solstice, Pagan
25 December - Christmas Day, Christian
NB. 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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Stage 1 – initial screening EIA
Religious Festival Dates 2013
The first stage of conducting an EIA is to screen the policy to determine its relevance to the
various equalities issues. This will indicate whether or not a full impact assessment is required
and which issues should be considered in it. The equalities issues that you should consider in
completing this screening are:
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Race
Gender
Gender identity
Disability
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
Age (including younger and older offenders).
Marriage and civil partnership
Maternity and Pregnancy
Aims
What are the aims of the policy?
The yearly published Religious Festival dates PSI provides information to establishments on the
dates of the important religious festivals for the main faiths for the year ahead. This is to enable
them to plan ahead to meet the religious needs and observances of those faiths.
Effects
What effects will the policy have on staff, offenders or other stakeholders?
Staff will be aware of the main Festival Dates to ensure smooth running of faith
activities. Prisoners will be able to attend and observe/worship religious festivals.
Evidence
Is there any existing evidence of this policy area being relevant to any equalities issue?
Identify existing sources of information about the operation and outcomes of the policy, such as
operational feedback (including local monitoring and impact assessments)/Inspectorate and other
relevant reports/complaints and litigation/relevant research publications etc. Does any of this evidence
point towards relevance to any of the equalities issues?
No
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Stakeholders and feedback
Describe the target group for the policy and list any other interested parties. What contact
have you had with these groups?
The target group are prisoners registered under a particular faith who wish to observe
the festival dates. Interested parties will be Chaplaincy teams, Catering teams,
Diversity officers, Security staff and Faith Advisers to the prison service. The
Religious Festival Dates PSI has been produced in consultation with input from the
key stakeholders and is used as a source of information.
Do you have any feedback from stakeholders, particularly from groups representative of
the various issues, that this policy is relevant to them?
All main Faith Advisers have been consulted on the needs of prisoners for religious
observation of special Festival Days.
Impact
Could the policy have a differential impact on staff, prisoners, visitors or other stakeholders
on the basis of any of the equalities issues?
No
Local discretion
Does the policy allow local discretion in the way in which it is implemented? If so, what
safeguards are there to prevent inconsistent outcomes and/or differential treatment of
different groups of people?
There is local discretion by chaplaincy teams and Governors in the way that major
religious festivals are observed and celebrated. They are required to meet to discuss the
management of their budget and resources to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the
different faiths and to discuss arrangements with key stakeholders e.g. Catering and
security department. All Governors are aware of their duty under the Equality Act
2010 to ensure equal access to religious observance for prisoners across the faiths.
Summary of relevance to equalities issues
Strand
Race
Gender (including
gender identity)
Disability
Religion or belief
Sexual orientation
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Yes/No
Rationale
No
No
No
No
No
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Strand
Age (younger offenders)
Age (older offenders)
Yes/No
Page 24
Rationale
No
No
If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the equalities issues, a full impact assessment must be completed.
Please proceed to STAGE 2 of the document.
If you have answered ‘No’ to all of the equalities issues, a full impact assessment will not be required, and
this assessment can be signed off at this stage. You will, however, need to put in place monitoring
arrangements to ensure that any future impact on any of the equalities issues is identified.
Monitoring and review arrangements
Describe the systems that you are putting in place to manage the policy and to monitor its
operation and outcomes in terms of the various equalities issues.
Chaplaincy Teams for every prison may raise any concerns and problems which arise
with Chaplaincy HQ’s senior management team. These matters are discussed as
necessary with Faith Advisers at Chaplaincy Council meetings to seek resolution. The
main monitoring is done locally by Governors who have to ensure compliance with the
PSI. The PSI is published yearly and will be amended to take into account any issues
which have arisen during the year for the next PSI.
State when a review will take place and how it will be conducted.
Policy lead
Head of group
PSI 35/2012
Name and signature
Date
Kishwar Ahmed
14/11/ 2012
Revd Canon Michael Kavanagh
14/11/2012
UNCLASSIFIED
Issue date 16/11/2012