RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2015

Transcription

1 RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL DATES FOR 2015 This instruction applies to:- Reference:- Prisons PSI 45/2014 Issue Date Effective Date Expiry Date Implementation Date 4 December January January 2016 Issued on the authority of For action by Instruction type For information Provide a summary of the policy aim and the reason for its development / revision Contact Associated documents NOMS Agency Board All staff responsible for the development and publication of policy and instructions NOMS HQ Public Sector Prisons Contracted Prisons* Governors Heads of Groups * If this box is marked, then in this document the term Governor also applies to Directors of Contracted Prisons service specification support All prison staff, IMB, Faith Advisers, Catering Managers This Instruction is issued annually to notify prisons of the dates of religious festivals for the coming year Kishwar Ahmed kishwar.ahmed@noms.gsi.gov.uk Chaplaincy Headquarters Tel: PSI 51/ Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners PSI 44/2010 Annex B - Catering Operating Manual Service Specification for Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners See the NOMS directory of service specifications Replaces the following documents which are hereby cancelled: PSI 33/2013 Religious Festival Dates for 2014 (as at 1 January 2015) Audit/monitoring: Deputy Directors of Custody and Controllers will monitor compliance with the mandatory actions set out in this Instruction. This will also be looked at as part of the annual Assurance and Compliance visit to each prison by a member of the Chaplaincy HQ team Introduces amendments to the following documents: None Notes: All Mandatory Actions throughout this instruction are in italics and must be strictly adhered to.

2 PAGE 1 CONTENTS Hold down Ctrl and click on section titles below to follow link. Section Subject Applies to Section 1 Executive Summary All prison staff Section 2 Guidance on Food for Religious Festivals All prison staff Annex A Bahá í Religious Festival Dates Bahá í prisoners Annex B Buddhist Religious Festival Dates Buddhist prisoners Annex C Christian Religious Festival Dates Christian prisoners Annex D Hindu Religious Festival Dates Hindu prisoners Annex E Jain Religious Festival Dates Jain prisoners Annex F Jewish Religious Festival Dates Jewish prisoners Annex G Muslim Religious Festival Dates Muslim prisoners Annex H Pagan Religious Festival Dates Pagan prisoners Annex I Rastafarian Religious Festival Dates Rastafarian prisoners Annex J Sikh Religious Festival Dates Sikh prisoners Annex K Zoroastrian Festival Dates Zoroastrian prisoners Annex L Chronological summary of all dates All prison staff

3 PAGE 2 1. Executive Summary Text in shaded boxes indicates specification requirements within the Service Specification for Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners. 1.1 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 1.2 This Instruction sets out the dates in 2015 of the main religious festivals for the Bahá í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Pagan, Rastafarian and Zoroastrian faiths. 1.3 It also sets out the principles and some guidance for providing food at religious festivals. Desired outcomes Output 6: Recognised religious feasts, fasts and festival are observed 1.4 This instruction aims to ensure that prisons have the necessary information to enable religious festivals to be marked in an appropriate and equitable way. 1.5 If establishments require advice or information in relation to any faith tradition not mentioned in this instruction, please contact Chaplaincy HQ. Application 1.6 Section 2 provides guidance on planning and providing food for religious festivals. All staff involved in the planning and preparation for religious festivals should consider this. The annexes provide the religious dates for each faith. Mandatory actions 1.7 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. Multi faith year planner 1.8 As in previous years, 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 during December Resource Impact 1.9 None. This Instruction is issued annually to notify prisons of dates for the year ahead (Signed) Digby Griffith Director of National Operational Services, NOMS

4 PAGE 3 2. Guidance on Food for Religious Festivals Planning for the year ahead 2.1 Arrangements for the provision of food for religious festivals for 2015 should be discussed at the earliest opportunity by the Managing Chaplain, or Chaplaincy line manager in those prisons without a Managing Chaplain, together with members of the Chaplaincy team, and other key stakeholders such as the Catering Manager. The Chaplaincy Council and the Chaplaincy HQ team strongly recommend that following these discussions and within one month of the issue of the PSI, that the Managing Chaplain/Line Manager creates an action plan setting out the arrangements for marking the festivals for the year ahead. Appropriate food items 2.2 Relevant faith chaplains can provide details of appropriate food; this should be prepared inhouse except in the circumstances described in paragraphs of the Catering Manual (see below). Faith Advisers can provide any further information about appropriate food, as needed. It is hoped to include further information on appropriate food items for festivals on the Chaplaincy website during the year. Provision for Langar should be prepared in house for the six main Sikh festivals, as set out in the guidance on Sikh meals and Langar issued through the Senior Leader s Bulletin in June Marking the festival with food 2.3 In most prisons the festival is marked by the prisoners from that faith tradition sharing together in an appropriate meal or food item(s). In some prisons festivals have been marked by a main menu item available for the whole prison to help raise awareness of the festival more broadly. 2.4 There is real significance for the prisoners marking the festival to have an opportunity to share food together communally as a faith group. This can help engender being part of a community, and encourage sharing and pro social behaviour. Where there is a main menu option to mark the festival, the prisoners from the tradition should still be able to share together some small appropriate symbolic food items, communally as a faith group (in the place where the corporate worship/meditation takes place). The sort of items that may be appropriate for particular festivals include dates, cakes, cream eggs, hot cross buns, savoury snacks, samosas, sweets, but the relevant faith chaplain can provide more specific advice. Where a meal is provided to the prisoners celebrating the festival, this will be in house and be provided in place of the appropriate prison meal option of the day.. What is equitable? 2.5 One group of prisoners should not be advantaged over another and all prisoners should have the same opportunity to mark their festivals together; it would not be appropriate for instance to allow only one faith group to share food/snacks together and all others to have the festival marked only by a main menu choice. In other words if one faith group has the opportunity to mark the festival together communally with food or snacks, all other traditions should be afforded the same opportunity. However, equity does not mean the same, and what is provided to mark each festival may vary in the light of what is appropriate for the particular festival and the advice received from the faith chaplain and Faith Advisers. 2.6 Some prisons, in attempting to provide equitable provision, have decided to mark two festivals for each faith with food. This is not acceptable, nor compliant, and the main festival dates across all faiths (those on which prisoners are excused from work) should be marked appropriately.

5 PAGE 4 Costs 2.7 It is important prisons know the costs of meals they provide. The cost of food for festivals, in whatever form it takes, should be from within the agreed food budget for each prison and represent the average cost of equivalent main menu meals served. It is recognised the cost per person for each faith may not be the same as the cost of particular ingredients, (e.g. meat as opposed to vegetables) will differ. Summary 2.8 The arrangements should be planned in advance by the team as at 2.1 above, together with the Catering Manager. Each chaplain should advise what would be appropriate for their faith and how this can best be marked. At the same time the team should take collective responsibility to ensure that the provision is equitable. Food for Religious Festivals 2.9 Information on this is set out in the Catering Manual at Annex B of PSI 44/2010, and the relevant extract is below. NB: References to Co-ordinating Chaplain should now be read as Managing Chaplain or Chaplaincy Line Manager:

6 PAGE 5 Extract from Annex B of PSI 44/2010 (Catering Manual) 3.43 The dates of the main religious festivals are set out annually in a PSI issued by Chaplaincy HQ 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 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 Coordinating 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 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 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 Governors and Chaplains should seek further advice from the relevant Faith Adviser, Chaplaincy HQ and Regional Catering Manager as necessary.

7 PAGE 6 Annex A BAHA I FESTIVALS 2015 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 24 May Declaration of the Báb 29 May Ascension of Bahá u lláh 10 July Martyrdom of the Báb 13 November Birthday of the Báb 14 November Birthday of Bahá u lláh Further information may be obtained from: Mike Hainsworth Address: Chaplaincy Coordinating Team National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha is of the UK 27 Rutland Gate London SW7 1PD Tel: ssc@bahai.org.uk

8 PAGE 7 Annex B BUDDHIST FESTIVALS 2015 DATES ON WHICH BUDDHIST PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK 1 June Buddha Day 30 July Dhamma Day 26 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 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: Mobile: ajahn.khemadhammo@angulimala.org.uk or ajahn.khemadhammo@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

9 PAGE 8 CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS 2015 Annex C DATES ON WHICH CHRISTIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK 3 April Good Friday 5 April Easter Day 25 December Christmas Day For some Orthodox prisoners only: 7 January Christmas Day 23 February First Day of Lent 10 April Great Friday 12 April Easter Day/Pascha OTHER CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work) Other Christian dates when Services may be provided 6 January Epiphany (may be celebrated 4 January) 6 January Theophany Orthodox prisoners 2 February Candlemas In Addition Roman Catholic Holy Days of Obligation 6 January 18 February Ash Wednesday 2 April 9 April 4 April 11 April 14 May 21 May Maundy Thursday/ Holy Thursday Orthodox prisoners Holy Saturday Holy Saturday Orthodox prisoners Ascension Day Ascension Day Orthodox prisoners Pentecost Pentecost Orthodox prisoners 14 May 24 May 24 May 31 May 4 June Corpus Christi 7 June 29 June SS Peter and Paul 28 June 15 August 15 August Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Dormition Orthodox 16 August

10 1 November All Saints 1 November 2 November All Souls PAGE 9 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 Holy Fast of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter. 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. Further information For further information on Christian festival dates, please contact Reverend Canon Mike Kavanagh, Head of Chaplaincy and Anglican Advisor Tel : , e mail: Michael.kavanagh@noms.gsi.gov.uk Reverend Father Roger Reader, Catholic Bishops Prisons Adviser Tel : , e mail: roger.reader@cbcew.org.uk Reverend Bob Wilson, Free Church Adviser, Tel : , e mail: Bob.Wilson@cte.org.uk Reverend Philip Hall Orthodox traditions, e mail: Philip.Hall2@hmps.gsi.gov.uk or Fr.Philip@gmx.com

11 PAGE 10 Annex D HINDU FESTIVALS 2015 DATES ON WHICH HINDU PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK 17 February Maha Shivaratri (day of fasting) 5 March Holi (Festival of colours) 28 March Shri Ram Navami 29 August Rakhee/ Raksha Bandhan 4 September Shri Krishna Janmashtami 11 November Diwali (Festival of lights) OTHER HINDU FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work) 14 January Makar Sankranti 14 April Tamil New Year (celebrated by Tamil Hindu community) 13 October Navaratri begins 20 October Durgashtami 22 October Vijayadashami Navaratri ends Further information For further information on Hindu festival dates please contact: Bhadresh Trivedi (Hindu Chaplain/ London prisons) bhadresh.trivdedi@hmps.gsi.gov.uk

12 PAGE 11 JAIN FESTIVALS 2015 Annex E DATES ON WHICH JAIN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK 2 April Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (The Lord Mahavira s Birthday) 17 September Samvatsary (This is the last day of Paryushan see below) A day of fasting. 11 November Lord Mahavir's Nirvan (Diwali) (A celebration of the attainment of moksha (enlightenment) by Mahavira. This is the last day of the year) 12 November New Year (This day is celebrated by special prayers) OTHER JAIN FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work) 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: Chairman NCVA : Manhar Mehta Address: The National Council of Vanik Associations (UK) [NCVA] 37 Howberry Road, Edgware Middlesex HA8 6SS Tel: Phone chairman@ncva.co.uk Website:

13 PAGE 12 Annex F JEWISH FESTIVALS 2015 Sabbath 1. The Jewish Sabbath extends from sunset on Friday to (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 days of Passover (3 April to 11 April inclusive) must begin after breakfast or not later than 10.30am on Friday 3 April. 4. Most Jewish prisoners can work on the interim days of Passover (April 6, 7, 8, 9) and Tabernacles (September 30 October 4). 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 3 April sunset 9 April sunset 23 May At termination of Sabbath 13 September sunset 22 September sunset 27 September sunset 4 October sunset 5 April 11 April 25 May 15 September 23 September 29 September 6 October Passover (Pesach) Passover (Pesach) Pentecost (Shavuot) New Year (Rosh Hashanah) Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) (Day of fast)) Tabernacles (Sukkot) (includes Sabbath) Rejoicing of the Law (includes Sabbath)

14 PAGE 13 OTHER JEWISH FESTIVALS (not excused from work) 3 February 4 March dawn 4 March 5 July dawn 25 July sunset 16 September dawn 6 December night fall 22 December dawn Further information 4 February 4 March 5 March 5 July 26 July 16 September 14 December 22 December 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 For further information about Jewish festival dates please contact the Religious Consultative Service for the Jewish faith: Reverend Michael Binstock MBE Jewish Visiting, 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:

15 PAGE 14 Annex G MUSLIM FESTIVALS AND THE FAST OF RAMADHAN (AD) 1436/1437 (AH). 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 FESTIVAL INFORMATION (CE) * 3 January Mawlid An-Nabi (Celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)) (Communal programme for those Muslim prisoners who wish to celebrate this day) * 17 July Eid-Al-Fitr (Festival marking the completion of Ramadhan) LUNAR MONTH (AH) 12 Rabi-Al-Awaal Shawwal 1436 (Muslim prisoners worship in congregation led by a Chaplain it is a day of celebration and prayer) * 23 September Eid-Al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) 10 Dhul-Hijjah 1436 * 23 October (Muslim prisoners worship in congregation led by a Chaplain it is a day of celebration and prayer) Yaum Ashura 10 th Muharram 1437 For 3 days, beginning from the day before this (22 nd to 24 th November inclusive), there is recommended fasting - not compulsory. Excused from work day - only for Shi a Muslim prisoners who wish to commemorate this * 23 December Mawlid An-Nabi (Celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)) 12 Rabi-Al-Awaal 1437 (Communal programme for those Muslim prisoners who wish to celebrate this day)

16 PAGE 15 OTHER MUSLIM FESTIVAL DATES (not excused from work) 20 or 21 March Nawruz - Persian & Kurdish Festival (some Shi a Muslims) 2 May Wiladat (birthday) Imam Ali (pbuh) Especially for Shi a Muslims 15 May Night 1 June Night Laylat Al Israa Wal-Miraj (Night of journey to Heavens) Where possible Muslim prisoners who wish to may be allowed to worship collectively in the evening. 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. 18 June Ramadhan begins Month of Fasting 6 July Commemoration of Imam Ali (pbuh) (Shi a Muslims) 8 July Shahadat (martyrdom) of Imam Ali (pbuh) (Shia Muslims) 13 July Night Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of power) Where possible Muslim prisoners who wish to may be allowed to worship collectively in the evening. (Some Muslims may also add to this the 7 th, 9 th, 11 th & 15 th July nights) 22 September Yaum Al-Arafah During Hajj (Pilgrimage) No special requirements September First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah (the month of Hajj) 14 October Islamic New Year 1437 (No special requirements) 13 Rajab 1436 Evening after 26 Rajab 1436 Evening after 14 Sha ban Ramadhan Ramadhan Ramadhan 1436 Evening after 26 Ramadhan Dhul - Hijjah Dhul - Hijjah Muharram October Ashura 1 st - 10 th Muharram 1437 (10 days of religious merit for all Muslims) For Shia Muslims 10 days of mourning (pbuh peace be upon him) (CE Common Era) (AH After Hijrah, Islamic year)

17 PAGE 16 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 2016 it will begin around 6 th June). Further information Further information on Muslim festival dates or any other Muslim matter, may be obtained from: Ahtsham Ali Muslim Adviser Chaplaincy Headquarters Floor 4, Clive House 70 Petty France London SW1H 9EX Tel: Mbl: Ahtsham.Ali@noms.gsi.gov.uk For any further information regarding specifically Shi a matters please contact: Yousif Al-Khoei The Khoei Foundation The Stone Hall, Chevening Road London NW6 6TN Tel: Yalkhoei@hotmail.com

18 PAGE 17 Annex H PAGAN FESTIVALS 2015 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 Ostara - Spring Equinox 1 May Beltane 22 June Litha - Midsummer-Summer Solstice 1 August Lammas or Lughnasadh 23 September Mabon - Autumn Equinox 31 October Samhain 22 December Yule Winter Solstice Further Information: The Pagan Federation Helene Mobius PO Box 1318 Bagshot GU19 5YN prisons@paganfederation.co.uk

19 PAGE 18 Annex I RASTAFARIAN FESTIVALS 2015 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 7 January 5 May 23 July 2 November Ethiopian Christmas 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 Commemoration of the visit of HIM Haile Selassie 1 to Jamaica in May African Liberation Day 16 June Leonard Howell Earthday /Birthday 17 August Marcus Garvey Earthday/Birthday 11 September Ethiopian New Year Further Information Rastafari Heritage: info@rastafariheritage.com

20 PAGE 19 Annex J SIKH FESTIVALS 2015 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 11 November Bandi Chor (Diwali) 25 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 Sahib 20 October Formal installation of Guru Granth Sahib as guidance for Sikhs Further information For further information on Sikh festival dates, please contact: Sikh Chaplaincy Service: Gagandeep Singh: gagandeep.singh@hmps.gsi.gov.uk or Inder Singh Chawla: inder_singh_chawla@yahoo.co.uk

21 PAGE 20 Annex K ZOROASTRIAN FESTIVALS 2015 DATES WHEN ZOROASTRIAN PRISONERS MUST BE EXCUSED FROM WORK 21 March Jamsheedi NoRuz (Iranian Zoroastrian New Year) 26 March Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the Iranian Zoroastrian calendar) 18 August Shenshai Navroze (Parsee Zoroastrian New Year) 23 August Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the Parsee Shenshai calendar) Further information may be obtained from: Secretary: Dorab Mistry Address: Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe Zoroastrian Centre 440 Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex HA2 9TL Tel: secretary@ztfe.com Website:

22 PAGE 21 Annex L CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS 2015 Bold - Dates Prisoners must be excused from work January 3 January - Mawlid An-Nabi, Muslim 5 January - The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, Sikh 6 January (maybe celebrated on 5 th ) - Epiphany, Christian and Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation 6 January Theophany, for some Orthodox prisoners only 7 January - Christmas Day, for some Orthodox prisoners only 7 January- Ethiopian Christmas, Rastafarian 14 January - Makara Sankranti, Hindu February 2 February - Imbolc, Pagan 2 February - Candlemas, Christian 3-4 February - New Year for Trees, Jewish 17 February - Maha Shivaratri, Hindu 18 February - Ash Wednesday, Christian 23 February - First Day of Lent, for some Orthodox prisoners only March 4 March - Fast of Esther, Jewish 4-5 March - Purim, Jewish 5 March - Holi, Hindu 20 or 21 March - Nawruz Persian & Kurdish festival, Shi a Muslim 20 March - Spring Equinox, Pagan 21 March - Jamsheedi NoRuz (Iranian Zoroastrian New Year), Zoroastrian 21 March - Naw-Rúz (Bahá í New Year), Bahá í 26 March - Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra), Zoroastrian 28 March - Shri Ram Navami, Hindu April 2 April - Maundy Thursday, Christian 2 April - Mahavir Janma Kalyanak, Jain 3 April - Good Friday, Christian 3 April - Empress Menen Earthday/Birthday, Rastafarian 3-5 April - Passover (Pesach), Jewish 4 April - Holy Saturday, Christian, Catholic 5 April - Easter Day, Christian 9 April Holy Thursday, Orthodox 9-11 April - Passover (Pesach), Jewish 10 April - Great Friday, for some Orthodox prisoners only 11 April Holy Saturday, Orthodox 12 April - Easter Day / Pascha, for some Orthodox prisoners only 14 April - Baisakhi/ Vaisakhi, Sikh 14 April Tamil New Year, Hindu 21 April - First Day of Ridván, Bahá í 21 April - Groundation Day, Rastafarian 29 April - Ninth Day of Ridván, Bahá í May 1 May - Beltane, Pagan 2 May - Twelfth Day of Ridván, Bahá í

23 PAGE 22 2 May - Birthday Imam Ali, Shi a Muslims 5 May - Victorious return in 1941 of HIM Haile Selassie 1 to Throne, Rastafarian 14 May - Ascension Day, (Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation) 14 May Asscension Day, Christian 15 May (Night) - Laylat Al Israa Wal-Miraj, Muslim 21 May - Ascension Day, for some Orthodox prisoners only May - Pentecost (Shavuot), Jewish 24 May - Declaration of the Báb, Bahá í 24 May - Pentecost, Christian, and Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation 25 May - African Liberation Day, Rastafarian 29 May - Ascension of Bahá u lláh, Bahá í 31 May - Pentecost, for some Orthodox prisoners only June 1 June - Buddha Day, Buddhist 1 June (Night) Laylat Al Baraat, Muslim 4 June - Corpus Christi, Christian 7 June - Corpus Christi, (Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation) 16 June - Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, Sikh 16 June - Leonard Howell Earthday /Birthday, Rastafarian 18 June - Ramadhan Fast begins - Month of Fasting, Muslim 22 June - Midsummer Summer Solstice, Pagan 28 June - SS Peter and Paul, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation 29 June - SS Peter and Paul, Christian Holy Day of Obligation July 5 July - Fast of Tammuz, Jewish 6 July - Commemoration of Imam Ali (AS), Shi a Muslims 8 July - Martyrdom of Imam Ali, Shi a Muslims 10 July - Martyrdom of the Báb, 13 July (Night) - Laylat Al-Qadr, Muslim 17 July - Eid-Al-Fitr, Muslim 23 July - Earthday/Birthday of HIM Haile Selassie 1, Rastafarian 26 July - Fast of Av, Jewish 30 July - Dhamma Day, Buddhist August 1 August - Lammas, Pagan 15 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dormition, Christian Holy Day of Obligation 16 August - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation 17 August - Marcus Garvey Earthday/Birthday, Rastafarian 18 August - Shenshai Navroze (Parsee Zoroastrian New Year), Zoroastrian 23 August - Khordad Sal (Birth anniversary of prophet Zarathushtra as per the Parsee Shenshai calendar), Zoroastrian 29 August - Rakhee/Raksha Bandhan, Hindu and Jain September 1 September - First reading of Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh 4 September - Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu September - Paryushan, Jain 11 September - Ethiopian New Year, Rastafarian September - New Year (Rosh Hashanah), Jewish 16 September - Fast of Gedaliah, Jewish 17 August - Samvatsary (This is the last day of Paryushan), Jain 22 September - Yaum al Arafat (Event during Hajj, Muslim) September - Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), Jewish 23 September - Autumn Equinox, Pagan

24 PAGE September - Eid-Al-Adha, Muslim September - Tabernacles (Sukkot), Jewish October 4-6 October - Rejoicing of the Law, Jewish 13 October - Navaratri begins, Hindu 14 October - Islamic New Year October - Ashurah 10 days mourning, Shia Muslims 20 October - Formal installation of Guru Granth Sahib as guidance for Sikhs. 20 October - Durgashtami, Hindu 22 October -Vijayadashmi, Hindu 23 October - Yaum Ashurah, Muslim 26 October - Sangha Day, Buddhist 31 October - Samhain, Pagan November 1 November - All Saints, Christian 1 November - All Saints, Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation 2 November - All Souls, Roman Catholic 2 November - All Souls, Christian 2 November - Anniversary of Coronation of HIM Haile Selassie 1 and HIM Empress Menen, Rastafarian 11 November - Bandi Chor, Sikh Diwali 11 November - Diwali, Hindu 11 November - Lord Mahavir's Nirvan (Diwali), Jain 12 November - New Year, Jain 13 November - Birthday of the Báb, Bahá í 14 November - Birthday of Bahá u lláh, Bahá í 24 November - Commemoration of Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur, Sikh 25 November - The birthday of Guru Nanak, Sikh December 6-14 December - Festival of Dedication (Lights/ Chanukah), Jewish 22 December -Yule, winter Solstice, Pagan 22 December - Fast of Tevet, Jewish 23 December - Mawlid An-Nabi, Muslim 25 December - Christmas Day, Christian N.B. 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.