Religious observances which may impact on university activities in 2024/25
This is to advise of the dates of various key religious festivals which are likely to be observed by both staff and students in the course of this academic year. As always, this is not meant to be an exhaustive or complete list of all religious activities, but it concentrates on those where religious obligations may have an impact on aspects of our life and activities together.
The agreed policy is that any requests from students to be absent during term-time for necessary religious observance should be considered by Departments/Faculties as they arise, although the position is that the university is happy to consider such requests for absence for religious reasons as long as they are made sufficiently in advance, and appropriate alternative arrangements should be made to ensure that students are not disadvantaged by their religious observance (see the Timetable Policy at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/governancezone/Assets/Teaching/Timetable-Policy.pdf). Staff members are advised to inform their line managers as soon as possible in advance if they are likely to need leave for religious reasons at any point in the year.
August 2024
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Arbaeen (Shia Muslim): evening of Sunday 25 August to the evening of Monday 26 August. Work should be avoided so time off may be requested the Monday (although it is a UK bank holiday, so those observing may be off anyway).
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Janmashtami (Hindu): Monday 26 August. Those observing may fast during the day, and/or may request time off (although this is not required)
October & November 2024
The first two festivals occur during the first few weeks of the new academic year, when it will be difficult for new students to make requests in advance if the need for absence is in their first few weeks at King’s, so some flexibility and understanding will be required.
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Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year festival): sunset on Wednesday 2 October to nightfall on Friday 4 October (at which point Shabbat begins, as usual). Work and travel must be avoided, so those observing will request time off for the Thursday and Friday, and possibly also Wednesday afternoon (to be home by sunset).
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Yom Kippur (holiest Jewish festival): sunset on Saturday 12 October to nightfall on Sunday 13 October. Work and travel must be avoided, so those observing will request time off.
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Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah (Jewish): sunset on Wednesday 16 October to nightfall on Friday 25 October. Work and travel must be avoided for the days at the start and end of the festival, so those observing may request time off either for 16-18 October and 23-25 October, or for the whole period.
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Diwali (Hindu, Jain Festival of Lights)/Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikhi): Thursday 31 October to Friday 1 November. Time off for observance may be requested, but is not required (for some Faculties, this will be during Reading Week, so those observing may take annual leave as appropriate).
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Birthday of Guru Nanak (Sikhi): Friday 15 November. Time off for observance should not be required.
December 2024
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Rohatsu/Bodhi Day (Buddhist): Sunday 8 December. Observance may involve overnight meditation and/or fasting, which may affect those observing.
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Christmas (Christian): Wednesday 25 December. King’s will close for the holiday break at the end of the day on Monday 23 December and re-open on Thursday 2 January.
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Hanukkah (Jewish): sunset on Wednesday 25 December to nightfall on Thursday 2 January. Work does not need to be avoided, but in any case the majority of the days to be observed fall within the time when King’s is closed; those observing may request Thursday 2 January as annual leave.
February & March 2025
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Ramadan (Muslim holy month): on or around Friday 28 February to on or around Sunday 30 March. Work does not need to be avoided, but those observing may be fasting during daylight hours, which may particularly affect those on placement. Friday prayers are especially important, which will therefore affect 28 February, and 7, 14, 21 and 28 March.
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Purim (Jewish): sunset on Thursday 13 March to nightfall on Friday 14 March. Work and travel should be avoided, so time off for observance may be requested.
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Holi (Hindu): Friday 14 March. Time off for observance should not be required.
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Eid al-Fitr (Muslim, end of Ramadan): on or around Sunday 30 March, depending on sighting of the moon. Time off for observance may be requested.
April 2025
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Pesach (Jewish): sunset on Saturday 12 April to nightfall on Sunday 20 April. Work and travel must be avoided on the first two days and the last two days (12 and 13 April, and 19 and 20 April). Since this falls within the vacation period, those observing may take annual leave as appropriate.
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Vaisakhi (founding Sikhi festival): Monday 14 April. Time off for observance may be requested.
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Easter (Christian): Sunday 20 April. Due to the Easter Monday bank holiday on Monday 21 April, the summer term will start on Tuesday 22 April.
If there are instances where observance of a religious festival coincides with exams or with teaching which may still be happening (for instance in the Medical or Dental Faculties), please advise such clashes to Faculties/Departments and the Examinations Office AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY, copying in the relevant Chaplain, so that appropriate alternative arrangements can be made:
Buddhist: Hogets Baerndal
Jewish: Rabbi Dr Harrie Cedar
May 2025
June 2025
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Shavuot (Jewish): sunset on Sunday 1 June to nightfall on Tuesday 3 June. Work and travel must be avoided, so those observing will request time off for the Monday and Tuesday; Exam Period II formally ends the previous Friday, so there should be less disruption to exams than in previous years.
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Eid al-Adha (Muslim): Friday 6 June to Saturday 7 June. Those observing may request time off for the Friday.
July 2025