Event Date
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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 - July 2026
Maidyoshahem Gahanbar
Zoroastrian
Recommended Accommodation: Each Gahanbar is a period to focus on worship and those celebrating will perform only necessary work.
There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This "mid-summer feast‚" celebrates the summer solstice.
Monday, June 29 to Tuesday, July 3, 2026
Seventeenth of Tammuz
Jewish
A fast day commemorating the breach of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Martydom of the Bab
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time.
Ali Mohammed was executed in 1850 by Persian political and religious powers. He is commemorated at noon on Rahmat 17 of the Bahá'í calendar. It is one of nine Holy Days when work is suspended.
General Practices: Observed by abstaining from commerce and work. The commemoration is also associated with gathering and reading special prayers at noon, which is the time when the execution of the Bab took place in 1850.
Tuesday, July 9 to Wednesday, July 10, 2026
Saint Benedict Day
Roman Catholic
Recognition of the father of the The Benedictine Order. It was the first Order of the Western Church Monastic tradition and lived by the Benedictine Rule.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Imamat Day
Ismaili Muslim
Celebrated byIsmaili Shiʿi Muslimsto mark the anniversary to mark the anniversary of the day that their present Imam Aga Khan IV succeeded his predecessor to become the Imam of the Time. The recognition of the Imam of the Time is central to Ismailis faith and belief. Imamat Day provides occasion to reinforce this and to express gratitude to the Imam who, in keeping with the centuries-old tradition of leadership, provides guidance in matters of faith, and works to improve the quality and security of their lives. It is a day to reaffirm their spiritual allegiance to the Imam and renew their commitment to the ethics of their faith.
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Saint Vladimir the Great Day
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox Christian
Vladimir Sviatoslavich the Great was a prince of Novgorod, grand prince of Kiev, and ruler of Kievan Rus' from 980 to 1015.
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Tisha Ba'Av
Jewish
Recommended Accommodation: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting.
On the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, it is a solemn occasion because it commemorates a series of tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the years, such as the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem in 586 CE and the destruction of the second temple by the Romans in 70 CE. World War I and the beginning of the Holocaust are also associated with this day.
General Practices: Tisha B'av is observed with prayers and fasting. Shaving and the wearing of cosmetics and leather are banned, and people are also expected to refrain from smiles, laughter, and idle conversation. All ornaments are removed from synagogues and lights are dimmed. The ark (where the Torah is kept) is draped in black.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 to Thursday, July 23, 2026
Birthday of Emperor Haile Selassi
Rastafari
Observes the day on which Emperor Haile Selassie I was born in 1892. Haile Selassie I was Ethiopia's 225th and last emperor, whom Rastafarians believe to be divine. This is a celebration honoring the Rastafari founder.
General Practices: Nyabingi sessions are held to honor the date.
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Pioneer Day
Mormon
Mormon observation of arrival of the first settlers at Great Salt Lake, USA, and commemoration of the Mormon exodus from Illinois and crossing of the American continent.
General Practices: Each year celebrations are held in Utah’s cities (in addition to smaller observances held worldwide in Latter-day Saint congregations) to commemorate, with parades and reenactments, the entry of the first pioneers into Salt Lake.
Friday, July 24, 2026
Saint James the Great Day
Eastern Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic
Recognition of the martyrdom of the Apostle James in 44 CE.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Day of Ashura
Recommended Accommodation: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date.
Islam, Ismaili Muslim
An Islamic optional one-day fast commemorated annually. The Shia observance is based on the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Hussein/Hazrat Imam Husayn, martyred on this date in 683/684 AD at the battle of Kerbala/Karbala. Sunni observance is a recognition of Moses fasting in gratitude to Allah/God for liberation from oppression.
General Practices: The memory of this event is particularly poignant for Shia Muslims. In Shīʿite communities this is a solemn day. Plays re-enacting the martyrdom are often staged and many take part in mourning rituals. Some Sunni Muslims fast on this day based on narrations attributed to Muhammad.
Date Details: Begins at sundown on the first day.
Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, July 26, 2026
Guru Purnima / Poornima
Hinduism, Jainism, Bhuddism
Guru Purnima is a tradition dedicated to all the spiritual and academic Gurus, who are evolved or enlightened humans, ready to share their wisdom with very little or no monetary expectation, based on Karma Yoga. It is celebrated as a festival in India, Nepal and Bhutan by the Hindus, Jains and Buddhists.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026