Supporting our diverse multi-faith community

​ As confirmed through the Designing DePaul dialogue process, our university community believes that we must show our demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all we do. As we begin our school year, which I hope is going well for each one of you, I ask our community to honor our values by embracing our diverse heritage.

For 125 years, DePaul has welcomed people of all faiths and ethnicities. Today, more than ever, we strive to create an accepting and nurturing environment where people of every faith and worldview feel at home, and indeed where all can find joy in their respective convictions. Supporting our diverse multi-faith community is a key component of our university culture and our mission. Every member of our community can help facilitate a culture of respect, understanding, and civility for all religious holidays throughout the entire year.

I encourage you to maintain 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 major religious holidays and suggested accommodations is available on the Mission and Ministry website.

If you would like guidance or have any questions, the Division of Mission and Ministry is happy to help. DePaul’s Religious Diversity staff has provided details about some major Jewish and Muslim holidays below, particularly timely as Jewish High Holidays always coincide with the beginning of a new school year.

Thank you for your respect and kindness as our diverse religious communities celebrate upcoming holidays and others throughout the year.

The Muslim holiday of Eid ul Fitr, which comes at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, and Eid ul Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) which comes at the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season, are determined by the lunar calendar and therefore the time in which they occur in our academic calendar shifts each year. The next Ramadan will begin in the Winter Quarter and Eid ul Fitr will be observed in the Spring Quarter. Eid ul Adha will take place in mid-June around the time of commencement.

DePaul Muslim Life staff and students are excited to start this new academic year with a full array of educational, spiritual, and social programs offered in person, as well as some options for online participation. Our Muslim community’s activities on campus include the Friday Jumu’ah prayer services on the Lincoln Park Campus, which take place throughout the academic year at 1:15 p.m. in the Muslim Life Center, Room 329 in the Lincoln Park Student Center. The annual Fast-a-thon, Ramadan and Eid ul Fitr celebrations in the spring are also centerpieces of Muslim Life at DePaul. All are invited to join in these celebrations.

Please contact Imam Abdul-Malik Ryan, the assistant director of Religious Diversity and Pastoral Care who also serves as chaplain for Muslim Life at mryan42@depaul.edu​ with regard to questions about religious accommodations, information about prayer spaces on campus and weekly programs, classes and activities available for Muslim students, or others interested in Islam or Muslims at DePaul.

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins on the evening of Sept. 15. DePaul will offer holiday services led by longtime Jewish partner organizations. Metro Chicago Hillel will be leading a Rosh Hashanah service on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 120A/B. All are welcome, and there are no tickets required. Chabad Lincoln Park will be conducting a Shofar Service on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. in the DePaul Lincoln Park Quad, followed by a procession to Lake Michigan for Tashlich Prayer at 5:30 p.m.  DePaul’s Jewish community invites all to attend these services as we reflect on this past year and gather strength and hope for the next. 

Yom Kippur begins the evening of Sunday, Sept. 24 and continues during the day on Monday, Sept. 25.  Mission and Ministry is planning a small Yom Kippur service for students, but are also encouraging people to join Chabad if they are seeking a Yom Kippur celebration. Details can be found here. Please note that observant community members take off Sept. 16 and 17 – as well as Sept. 25. 

DePaul’s Division of Mission and Ministry remains committed to providing on-going support and care to DePaul's Jewish community whether virtually or face to face. For more information on High Holidays, or for general questions regarding Jewish Life and the Jewish community at DePaul, please contact the Director of Religious Diversity and Pastoral Care, Rev. Dr. Diane Dardón at ddardon@depaul.edu.