Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding

08/24/2026

Mawlid Al Nabi: Honoring the Birth of Prophet Muhammad

​Observed on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal in the Islamic lunar calendar, Mawlid Al Nabi commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad. This year it falls on August 25th, with observance starting on the evening of August 24th.

For Muslim communities worldwide, it serves as a period of spiritual reflection, focusing on his life, teachings, and enduring legacy. ​The occasion is marked by scholarly lectures on the Seerah (biography) highlighting the Prophet's virtues of compassion, justice, and integrity. Devotional recitations of traditional poetry, including Qasidat al-Burda, take place alongside widespread charitable initiatives and community welfare distribution. Across the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa, civic landmarks and mosques are illuminated to observe the day. Recognized as a national holiday in numerous countries, Mawlid Al Nabi underscores a shared commitment to peace, unity, and service.

08/11/2026

Join us for the 41st Eastern Churches Seminar!

The Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at John Carroll University invite clergy, scholars, and laity from Orthodox, Byzantine Catholic, and Roman Catholic traditions to gather for learning, dialogue, and fellowship.

Featured Speaker: Fr. Dr. Radu Bordeianu (Professor of Theology, Duquesne University)

Schedule & Topics:
Evening Keynote (Sep. 25): "Yours or Mine: Why Do We Have Different Dates for Easter?"
Location: St. Francis Chapel (John Carroll University)
Details: Complimentary pizza reception to follow.

Morning Session (Sep. 26): "Virtual Community? The Parish in a Technological Age"
Location: St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church (Brecksville, OH)
Admission: FREE and open to the public.
Registration Link: www.jcu.edu/easternchurches

Support the Seminar:
Help underwrite this longstanding ecumenical program! Donors contributing $100 or more will be recognized in the seminar program and invited to the Eastern Churches Seminar Board luncheon.
Mail checks payable to: John Carroll University (Memo: "Eastern Churches Seminar")
Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding
John Carroll University
1 John Carroll Boulevard, University Heights, OH 44118

Sponsorship inquiries: Kenneth J. Kovach at (216) 704-7322 or [email protected]
General questions: [email protected]
Presented in partnership with St. Joseph Byzantine Catholic Church and the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

07/07/2026

06/16/2026

05/27/2026

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic holidays, commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Celebrated on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it also marks the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims around the world observe the holiday with special prayers, sermons, and the ritual sacrifice of an animal—typically a sheep, goat, or cow—as a symbol of devotion and gratitude. The meat is divided into three parts: one-third for the family, one-third for relatives and friends, and one-third for those in need. Eid al-Adha emphasizes faith, charity, and community, and is a time for festive gatherings, sharing meals, and caring for the less fortunate.
Eid al-Adha lasts for four days in most Muslim-majority countries, beginning on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and ending on the 13th day. However, the first day is the main day of celebration, marked by the Eid prayer and the ritual animal sacrifice.
The remaining days, known as the Days of Tashreeq, are also part of the holiday and are spent in continued celebration, prayer, and distribution of meat, as well as remembrance of God (dhikr). In some countries, the number of public holiday days may vary, but religiously, the festival is observed over this four-day period.

05/22/2026

Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the receiving of the Torah and the first harvest of the season. It is observed for one day in the Holy Land and two days in the diaspora. Celebrated 50 days after the Passover, it is also called Pentecost (but has no connection to the Christian holiday). In 2026, Shavuot begins at sundown on May 21 and ends at nightfall on May 24. Originally an agricultural festival, marking the beginning of the wheat harvest, the festival became associated with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai during Rabbinic times. However, the agricultural aspect of the holiday is still reflected in the custom of decorating the synagogue with fruits and flowers and in the names Yom ha-Bikkurim (“Day of the First Fruits”) and Ḥag ha-Qazir (“Harvest Feast”). Unlike most other Jewish holidays, Shavuot has no prescribed Torah commandments other than the traditional festival observances, such as having joyous feasts, special holiday prayers and abstention from work. Special customs that emerged in later times include the all-night Torah study called Tikkun Leil Shavuot, reading of the Book of Ruth, decorating homes with flowers and greenery, and consuming dairy food during this holiday.

05/21/2026

Ascension Day is a Christian feast celebrated 40 days after Pascha (Easter), commemorating the Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. In the Orthodox tradition, Ascension Day is called the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or simply The Ascension. It is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Orthodox liturgical year. The feast celebrates Christ’s glorious ascent into heaven, 40 days after His resurrection, and His exaltation at the right hand of the Father. It affirms both His divine nature and the promise of the Holy Spirit, which will be fulfilled at Pentecost. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the day is celebrated with a Divine Liturgy, special hymns, and readings that reflect Christ’s glory and promise to send the Holy Spirit. It is a joyful feast that emphasizes Christ’s divine kingship and prepares the faithful for the coming of Pentecost, ten days later.

04/24/2026

Join us for the live Turkish music concert tonight!

We invite you on a musical journey through Turkey. Tonight, our performers will guide you through a rich soundscape shaped by centuries of tradition, culture, and storytelling.

Our distinguished musicians are Zulal Sevkli from the Miami University Computer Science Department, Mert Bal from the Miami University Engineering Technology Department, and Mehmet Sevkli from the University of Dayton Business School. The concert consists of two parts. In the first part, these accomplished academics and self-taught musicians will perform beloved works from the Turkish Art Music repertoire, taking you from the elegance of the Ottoman court tradition to the present day. In the second half of the concert, they will share selections from Anatolian folk music, representing the rich musical heritage of different regions across Turkey.
The concert is free and open to the public. Light refreshments and snacks are included.

Friday, April 24, 7 pm.
DONAHUE AUDITORIUM, Dolan Science Center
John Carroll University

04/21/2026

Happening this week: 16th Annual Week of Islamic Art and Culture.
Free and open to the public.
No registration required.