Ramadan began on 4/2/22. Here is some information provided by the Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY Old Westbury:
Dear Colleagues,
As you may or may not be aware, the Islamic month of Ramadan begins tomorrow, Saturday, April 2. To educate my campus community on what Ramadan is and how to support students and campus community members during this time, I have sent the following email to my campus. I am providing it to you as a resource in case you are considering ways to help students and staff during this month of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection. If I can be of any assistance to you all in this matter, please let me know. The email that I sent is as follows:
Dear Old Westbury Community,
I greet you all with the Islamic greeting of peace: Assalamu Alaykum! Peace be upon you!
Ramadan marks the Islamic month of fasting and the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The month is 29 or 30 days depending on the sighting of the moon. During this month, Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking (including water) from dawn until sunset. This is a time marked by worship, spiritual reflection, and community. Ramadan 2022 is expected to commence on the evening of Friday, April 1 and end on the evening of Sunday, May 1 (exact dates may vary by 1 or 2 days depending on the sighting of the moon).
In support of the Muslim members of our community, a few things to keep in mind are:
- Practicing Muslims will fast from dawn until dusk.
- Fasting means no food and no water.
- Ramadan celebration often involves prayers late into the night and it is not unusual to be up past midnight and get up around 5am to eat and pray before dawn.
- Muslim students may be hungry, tired, and dehydrated by the afternoon that may impact their academic performance.
- Consider giving students options or accommodations for exams that place or are due in the afternoon or at dusk.
- If an evening class falls during the time of iftar (breaking of fast at sunset), please consider providing a short break for Muslim students to be able to eat and drink at that time.
- Recognize that Muslims are a very heterogeneous group and therefore not all Muslims observe Ramadan the same way. There is no one-size-fits-all response to supporting Muslim students and staff. When unsure, just ask.
- At the end of the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid Al Fitr and are entitled to a holiday. Please accommodate requests for missing classes or time off from work.
As a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive institution of higher education, Old Westbury has always taken pride in supporting all members of its community. Please take this opportunity to continue to uphold our social justice mission by help supporting the Muslim members of our community
Dr. Usama M. Shaikh
Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Title IX Officer and Ombuds
Campus Center – Room H-417
(516) 876-3080