The Multicultural Calendar serves as a resource for students, staff, and faculty to plan events, activities, meetings, retreats, and courses throughout the year. It is a resource for understanding religious and cultural observances.

Multicultural Calendar - March 2024

Nineteen Day Fast 

Baháʼí

Baháʼís Fast to be observed by adult Baháʼí's in good health, with no food or drink taken from sunrise to sundown.

February 29, 2024 - March 19, 2024 | Thursday, March 2, 2023 | February 28, 2025 - March 19, 2025 

Ramadan 

Islam

If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations (halal dietary restrictions apply).

Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur'an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur'an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind. The night that the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad is called Lailat ul Oadr, and standing in prayer this one night is thought to eclipse months of worship.

Significant

Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar. In addition, many Muslims also attend night prayers at Mosques. Muslims also believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during this month than any other time of the year, so almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan.

Dates are determined by the lunar calendar. The observed date marks the beginning of a thirty day observation.

March 10, 2024 - April 9, 2024 | Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | March 1, 2025 - March 30, 2025 

L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday 

Scientology

After establishing a career as a writer, becoming best known for his science fiction and fantasy stories, L. Ron Hubbard developed a system called Dianetics which was first expounded in book form in May 1950. He subsequently developed his ideas into a wide-ranging set of doctrines and practices as part of a new religious movement that he called Scientology.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | Monday, March 13, 2023 | Thursday, March 13, 2025 

Hamaspathmaidyem Gahambar 

There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This gagambar is not a seasonal festival in the technical sense, but rather celebrates mankind and commemorates the souls of the dead at the end of the religious year. It is better known as frawardigan.

Each Gahanbar is a period to focus on worship and those celebrating will perform only necessary work.

Friday, March 15, 2024 | Wednesday, March 15, 2023 

Saint Patrick's Day 

Christian

Christian celebration of Patrick who brought Christianity to Ireland in early days of the faith.

Sunday, March 17, 2024 | Friday, March 17, 2023 | Monday, March 17, 2025

Clean Monday 

Orthodox Christian first day of Lent† Liturgically, Clean Monday‚ and thus Lent itself begins on the preceding Sunday night at a special service called Forgiveness Vespers, which culminates with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness, at which all present will bow down before one another and ask forgiveness. In this way, the faithful begin Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love. 

The entire first week of Great Lent is often referred to as "Clean Week," and it is customary to go to Confession during this week, and to clean the house thoroughly.

Monday, March 18, 2024 | Monday, February 27, 2023 | Monday, March 3, 2025