The beginning of our new academic year coincides with some of the world’s major religions observing holy days. DePaul is and always has been a university that welcomes people of every faith to study and work. Our diverse and accepting environment is a key component of our university culture and Catholic, Vincentian mission.
Therefore, I ask the university community to remember our diverse heritage. Please help to facilitate a culture of respect, understanding and civility not only for these upcoming religious holidays but also for others throughout the year.
Please make appropriate accommodations to allow students, faculty and staff to fully express their faith. I ask you to allow some flexibility regarding class assignments and schedules during religious holidays. If you are a manager, make reasonable accommodations for the requests of your staff to take a vacation day, or for example, simply for a vacation hour at the end of the day in order to be home before sundown.
I encourage you to maintain this flexibility and understanding throughout the academic year. When planning your syllabus or choosing a date for an event, consider reviewing whether the dates you select may affect observant religious populations that may have restrictions around certain holidays. To help you plan, a calendar of all religious holidays is available here:
http://offices.depaul.edu/student-affairs/spirituality/Pages/religious-holidays.aspx .
The Division of Mission and Ministry has provided details below of the upcoming Jewish and Muslim services and activities available to the university community. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact Division of Mission and Ministry staff.
Thank you for your respect during this time and throughout the year.
DePaul Jewish Life and High Holidays
The DePaul Jewish Life office invites you to welcome the New Year at the annual DePaul High Holiday worship services.
Rosh Hashanah services will be held on the evening of Sept. 9 and the morning of Sept. 10. Yom Kippur services will take place on Sept. 18 and 19. All services will be in Room 120 of the Lincoln Park Student Center. As members of the DePaul community, we would be delighted if you and your families would join us on these special days of the Jewish calendar.
Please note, while there is no service on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, the holiday extends through sundown Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Observant students will take off both days, Sept. 9 and 10 as well as the full day of Yom Kippur on Sept. 19. Students may request a letter from DePaul Jewish life explaining the absences if necessary.
Services are provided free of charge to DePaul students, faculty and staff. However, due to capacity restrictions, participants should register for a ticket online in advance.
May you be inscribed and sealed in the Book of Life for a happy and healthy year.
L'Shana Tova,
Matthew Charnay
DePaul Jewish Life
Coordinator
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Muslim Life and Eid ul Adha
The Muslim community finished our holy month of fasting, Ramadan, in June this year. The end of the month was marked with the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday.
The other major holiday on the Muslim calendar, Eid ul Adha, was observed this year on August 21 and 22. Eid ul Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) commemorates the sacrifices made by the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) for the sake of God. It comes at the end of the Hajj season, when millions of Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca for the pilgrimage journey of their lifetimes.
Please join and celebrate with us Thursday, Sept. 13 from 4:30 to 6:30 on the 11th Floor of the DePaul Center as we welcome everyone back for the new academic year. We will also hold a Welcome Back Jumu'ah prayer outside in St. Vincent's Circle on the Lincoln Park Quad on Friday, Sept. 14 at 1:15 p.m.
Students, faculty and staff are always welcome to pray in the Muslim Life Center and prayer room in the Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 329, or on the Loop Campus in the Muslim prayer room in the CDM building, Room 436, or in the DePaul Center, Room 11008. Weekly Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer services are held at 1:15 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Muslim Life Center during the school year.
For inquiries about Muslim Life events at DePaul or questions Muslim students may have due to these holidays or anything else, please contact Abdul-Malik Ryan, the assistant director of the Religious Diversity who serves as Chaplain for Muslim Life, at mryan42@depaul.edu. You also may contact Abdul-Malik if you wish to learn about the weekly programs, classes and activities available for Muslim students or others interested in Islam or Muslims at DePaul.
Salaam,
Abdul-Malik Ryan
Assistant Director, Religious Diversity and Pastoral Care
Chaplain for Muslim Life
Division of Mission and Ministry