When creating faith-based partnerships or organizing for interfaith work, there are several characteristics of various religions to consider. The best rule of thumb is simple: be sensitive!  Communicate with the various communities during the planning of the event. If possible, have a representative from the participating faith groups on your steering committee. This will assist you in planning an event in which people from different religious traditions are all comfortable participating.
This guide will serve as your first step in considering religious sensitivities that may influence your planning.  Do note, though, that people follow religions differently, and not all items we have included may apply for your participants.
For more detailed information about the belief structures of minority faiths and lesser prevalent faith traditions, visit: http://www.pluralism.org/resources/tradition/index.php

General Tips

• When planning weekend events, many organizers find Sunday after early   church services the best option. Jews who observe the Sabbath are not   available to participate on Saturdays until after sundown.
  
• Some religious holidays do not preclude attendance at events, but many   do. Check the calendar to be sure dates you have selected would not   limited participation of your group of attendees. For example, just as you   would not schedule a workshop on Christmas, you would avoid the dates   for Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) or Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).   For more information and the date for holidays that shift, please visit   www.interfaithcalendar.org
  
• If the event will begin with an invocation, speak with the member of the   clergy or the individual selected to make the invocation to keep it simple   and inclusive for a diverse group.
  
• Dress modestly even if the event does not involve a religious activity.
  
• Use appropriate language. Do not swear or use ethnic or religious slurs.
  
• When doing activities, always leave a right to pass for those who feel   uncomfortable participating or are restricted from participating by their   customs.
  
• Refrain from speaking of another tradition in your religion’s terms. For   example, do not call a synagogue a Jewish church.
  
• Do not state “we all believe in God” as a means of finding common   ground as not all religious people believe in God.
  
• Contact houses of worship before you go to check whether visitors are   allowed and what conduct is appropriate.
  
• How to Be a Perfect Stranger by Stuart M. Matlins offers more etiquette   specifically on visiting houses of worship for various events.

Overview of Faith Practices

• Beliefs: Baha’is believe that science and religion are in fundamental agreement about the cosmos, since God would not have given humanity two conflicting systems that attempt to explain existence.
  
• Customs: Baha’is follow the Ten Commandments and seek to avoid such activities as gambling, gossip and backbiting.
  
• Holidays: Festival of Ridvan takes place from March 2-20. During this time Baha’is aged 15-70 generally abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset in order to focus on love of God and spiritual matters. During this time, believers take certain days off of work and regular activity to celebrate. The Declaration of the Bab (May 23), Birth of the Bab (October 20), Birth of Baha’u’llah (November 12) are also holidays.
  
• Dietary restrictions: Alcohol is forbidden when taken as a drink as well as in cooking, but may be used for medicinal purposes. Baha’is believe that living a simple life, abstaining from the use of alcohol and mind-altering drugs is beneficial to spiritual development, greatly reduces illness and has a good effect on character and conduct. There is no reason why Baha’is may not serve alcoholic refreshment to their guests.

Buddhism

• Beliefs: Buddhists do not believe in God. Buddhism transcends a personal God and avoids dogmas and theology. It is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity ~Holidays: Nirvana Day, Hanamatsuri Day (Buddha Day), Bodhi Day; the dates for these holidays change. In Mahayana Buddhism, the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha are three common festivals in which feasting takes place (dates differ by regional calendar). In Theraveda Buddhism all three days are unified into the single holiday of Vesak.
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Many Buddhists are vegetarians or vegans. Buddhist monks fast on the days of the new moon and full moon each lunar month; they also avoid eating any solid food after noon. Some do not eat onions, leeks or garlic.
  
• Gender Issues: Many prefer no physical contact including handshakes or hugs in order to maintain purity. In the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, monks are not allowed to be alone in a room with one woman. They must be joined by at least one other person.
  
• Other: Many monks and nuns do not handle currency and some Buddhists are not allowed to dance. It is considered rude to point at the toes or the soles of the feet of any person, but especially a monk. In Westernized temples, this is not such a hard and fast rule, but check with the leadership of the temple to avoid offending anyone.

Christianity

• Beliefs: Christian theology differs significantly according to denomination. However, all Christians believe in God and most believe that Jesus was immaculately conceived, is the Son of God, died to save humankind from their wrongdoings and was resurrected.
  
• Customs: Mormon temples are not open to the public, but other Mormon places of worship may be open. Many conservative Christian denominations are not allowed to dance.
  
• Holidays: Most Christians observe Sabbath on Sunday. Seventh Day Adventists observe Saturday as Sabbath. Christmas (December 24-25), Easter, Good Friday, Catholic Days of Obligation (January 1, August 15, November 1, December 1, Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter). The dates for Good Friday and Easter change each year.
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Many Catholics do not eat meat (fish is allowed) on Fridays during Lent. Some refrain from eating meat on Wednesdays during Lent as well. Many Catholics also fast at times during Lent, which starts forty days prior to Easter. Seventh Day Adventists and Latter-day Saints often refrain from alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Some fast or abstain only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is usually for spiritual reasons, such as teaching control of fleshly desires, as a penance for sin, or to express solidarity with the poor. Some Christians now advocate vegetarianism during Lent.  Fasting in not a major part of the Protestant or Reformed traditions.
  

• Beliefs: Many forms of Hinduism recognize a single deity and view other Gods and Goddesses as manifestations or aspects of that supreme God. Hinduism has no founder, single teacher, nor prophets and is considered a way of life rather than a "religion." Hindus believe in a universal soul or God called Brahman who is recognized as the eternal origin who is the cause and foundation of all existence. Hinduism is among the world’s oldest faith traditions along with Zoroastrianism and Judaism, having originated more than three thousand years ago.
  
• Customs: Wearing jewelry of other religious traditions is not allowed in Hindu worship spaces. Also, jewelry with signs of the zodiac and pendants with faces, heads, animals or people are discouraged in worship spaces. Shoes must be removed before entering Hindu temples.
  
• Holidays: Diwali (changes yearly but around October, November), Holi (changes yearly but around March), Saal Mubarak (after Diwali), Raksha Bandhan (around August/September)
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Meat, fish, poultry and eggs are forbidden in Hinduism; and many Hindus are vegetarians or vegans. Although some Hindus will occasionally eat meat, almost all avoid beef out of respect for the cow, which is considered holy. Some Hindus do not eat onions, garlic, mushrooms, alcohol or caffeine.
  
• Fasting: Fasts are intended to enhance concentration during meditation, worship or as a tool for purification. Fast days include Sundays, the day of the new moon, the full moon, the 10th and 11th day of each month, the Feast of Sivaratri, the 9th day of the month of Cheitra, the 8th day of Sravana, and days of eclipses, equinoxes, solstices, and conjunction of the planets. Some Hindus also fast on the anniversaries of the deaths of their mothers and fathers.

• Beliefs: Muslims believe in one God who is called Allah in Arabic. The Qur’an is the divine book revealed through the prophet Muhammad as God’s final revelation to humanity. Muhammad, the central Muslim prophet, was born in Mecca, a city in present-day Saudi Arabia, in 570. The five pillars of Islam are salat (prayer), zakat (almsgiving), hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), belief in one God and the finality of Muhammad’s prophecy, observance of the Ramadan fast and other fast days.
  
• Customs: Muslims will often say “peace be upon Him” or “Salallahu alayhi wa sallam” after the name of a prophet or a highly respected individual is spoken. The Muslim holy book (Qur’an) must not be placed on the ground, below any one, or by the feet.
  
• Prayer: Many Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca. In the US, this is generally east. Make sure you have private prayer space available and that your schedule of events allows for Muslims to observe prayer times.
  
• Holidays: Muharram (Islamic New Year), Mawlid an-Nabi (Muhammad's Birthday), Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr (end of Ramadan), Hajj, Eid ul-Adha. Dates for Muslim holidays change depending upon the lunar calendar. A holiday begins the day before, after sunset. Friday is the special day of worship. Between 12-2 pm, the main prayer service (Jummah) occurs. This time is not always the same as it is based on solar patterns. Many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Some Muslims also fast every Monday and Thursday. It would not be appropriate, therefore, to schedule a luncheon during Ramadan if Muslims are to be included.
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Muslims often follow Halal (meaning 'permissible') guidelines, which permit or prohibit certain food and drink. Forbidden foods include pork, lard or any porcine substance, meat that is not slaughtered in the prescribed Islamic way, meat coming from a lawful animal which died before slaughter, carnivorous animals, birds of prey, animal blood (direct or indirect), and any food or drink with alcohol,
  
• Gender Issues: Many Muslims do not allow members of the opposite sex to touch. This includes shaking hands.  Always allow the other person to initiate a handshake. Although not as common in the United States as it is elsewhere, some Muslims also avoid eye contact between genders. A respectful greeting is a bow of the head, upper body to members of the opposite sex. Members of the opposite sex must pray in separate spaces. Many Muslim gatherings will seat genders on opposite sides. Some Muslim women prefer not to come into direct contact with any men. For example, when breaking up into small groups, same sex groups should be available.
  
• Dress: Women should cover their hair with a scarf to enter Muslim prayer spaces. Both genders should not wear revealing clothes. It is best to cover up one’s arms with at least short sleeves and legs. Clothing should not have pictures of animals or alcoholic beverages on them. Also, shoes must be removed when entering a prayer space. Wearing jewelry of other religious traditions is not allowed in Muslim worship spaces. Jewelry with the signs of the zodiac and pendants with faces or heads of animals or people are discouraged in Muslim worship spaces.
  
• Music: Muslims have different preferences when it comes to music. Most will allow songs that use drums or percussion instruments only. Other instruments (string, wind, etc.) are generally not allowed. A cappella (purely vocal music) is widely accepted by Muslim communities. Some Muslims will not listen to music performed by women.

• Beliefs: Jain beliefs have their historical roots in Hinduism, but there are many distinctive differences between the two traditions.  Jains believe that the universe and everything in it is eternal.  Nothing that exists now was ever created, nor will it be destroyed.  The universe consists of three realms: the heavens, the earthly realm and the hells.
  
• Behavior: Jains take off shoes and all leather objects before entering a temple. Some Jains will not eat in restaurants that serve meat or alcohol. Often Jains will not use cloth whose production hurts or kills animals or humans. Jains are not allowed to do jobs that cause harm, such as those involving furnaces or fires, those in which trees are cut, those involving fermentation, trading in meat products, honey or eggs, trading in silk or leather, selling pesticides, selling weapons, digging, circus work involving animals, or zoo work.
  
• Prayer: Jains should meditate uninterrupted for at least 48 minutes daily.
  
• Holidays: Festivals (called Parva) are special days dedicated to worship, penance, ancient ritual and the soul. The Parva has special rites that increase merit in the future and help the soul to its future births. The festivals include Diwali festival, Gyan Panchami, Maun Ekadashi, Posh Dashami festival, Meru Trayodashi, Chaumasi Parva, the rituals of Kartaki Purnima, Navpadji-Oli, Akshaya Trutiya, and Paryushana Parva.
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Strict Jains are vegetarian or vegan and will not eat before sunrise or after sunset. Forbidden foods include meat, fish, eggs, honey and figs. Strict Jains do not eat root vegetables, garlic or onions.
  
• Fasting: Fasting is very common in Jain spirituality and is a feature of most festivals. The type of fasting depends on the individual and ranges from skipping certain meals, to a full fast of up to eight days. It is not sufficient for a Jain simply to abstain from eating when fasting; they must also stop desiring nourishment. If they continue to desire food, the fast is pointless. Even water drunk must be boiled and consumed in limited quantities between the hours of sunrise and sunset. 
  
• Gender Issues: Some Jains will refrain from hugging or kissing as a greeting.

• Beliefs: Judaism is one of the oldest religions still existing today. The Jewish calendar counts nearly 5800 years since the exodus from Egypt. Despite thousands of years of suffering, persecution and dispersion, it has continued to be a profoundly influential religion and culture.  Faith practices and the degree of observance vary greatly among Jews depending on their affiliation with the major movements (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and other subdivisions within these).  Jews believe in a single all-powerful God.  A core Jewish principle is that actions, not beliefs are the most important aspect of Jewish religious life.
  
• Customs: When entering a synagogue, a head covering called a yarmulke or kippah or a hat is required of all men. Kippot are usually available at the entrance to the main sanctuary. Women may choose to cover their heads. When entering Orthodox synagogues, modest clothing should be worn to cover the arms and knees.
  
• Holidays: Sabbath is observed Friday from sundown through Saturday at sundown. In order to avoid all work and to ensure that Shabbat is special, all activities like working with technology, shopping, cleaning, and cooking are prohibited. There are seven fast days per year. The dates change each year according to the semi-lunar calendar. Holidays which would preclude participation at community events include Rosh HaShanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the first two and last two days of Passover and Sukkot, and Shavuot.
  
• Prayer: Many Jews pray three times a day. The times of prayer are adjusted according to the season and daylight.
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Some Jews keep kosher. Kosher refers to guidelines on what food can be consumed, how the food must be prepared, what type of separation between foods and utensils are required and what combinations of food are allowed.  For example, shellfish and pork are not to be eaten, dairy and meat may not be eaten at the same meal, and food preparation must follow specific standards. Different pots, crockery, cutlery and washing equipment are used for meat and for dairy products. Different traditions dictate the length of time one must wait between consumption of dairy and meat. If you have participants who keep kosher, offer vegetarian, fish (tuna or salmon), or dairy alternatives. Local kosher restaurants or the kosher deli section of a supermarket might offer take-out selections. Some Jewish holidays also have dietary restrictions or customs. For example, leavened products (bread or cake and the like) and a number of other foods are prohibited during the eight days of Passover, and it is customary to enjoy dairy foods on Shavuot.
  
• Gender Issues: Many Orthodox Jews do not allow members of the opposite sex to touch. This can include shaking hands. Some Jews do not listen to music performed by women. (?)

• Beliefs:  Sikhism is monotheistic, strongly emphasizing the belief in one true God.  Sikhism forbids the representation of God in images and the worship of idols.  Sikhism believes in the Hindu doctrine of samsara or rebirth based on karma.  Sikhs aim for a life of balance in work, worship and charity.
  
• Behavior: A Sikh is not allowed to cut hair from any part of the body. Sikh women are just as forbidden to cut any body hair or even trim their eyebrows, as Sikh men are forbidden to trim their beards. Sikh music must not be thrown away or touch the ground. If Sikhs are playing it, they must be on a stage so the music is above the heads of those listening.
  
• Holidays: Birthdays of the ten gurus (these change yearly), Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev (around November, changes yearly), Baisaikhi (around April 13), Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (changes yearly), and Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (changes yearly).
  
• Dietary Restrictions: Forbidden foods include kosher meat, halal meat and alcohol. Some Sikhs will not drink coffee or tea and will not smoke.
• Dress: The most observable Sikh practice is the wearing of a turban.  Both men and women must wear a head covering and remove shoes to enter a Sikh temple (a gurdwara).