Supporting Students During Ramadan
Dear Faculty,
We are writing to remind you that Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, February 28 and end on the evening of Saturday, March 29. This month is followed by the Eid al-Fitr holiday on Sunday, March 30. For our Muslim students, faculty, and staff, Ramadan is a time of self reflection and a renewed engagement with Islam. Many students who observe Ramadan will observe a fast from dawn (approximately 5 a.m. in Boston) to sunset (approximately 5:30 p.m. in Boston at the beginning of Ramadan, and closer to 7 p.m. by the end of Ramadan due to Daylight Savings Time). Dates and times for fasting or celebrating Eid al-Fitr may vary according to denomination.
Students abstaining from both food and drink for 14 hours a day may have decreased levels of in-class participation, may ask to be excused from class at sundown in order to observe evening prayers and/or break the fast, and may ask for rescheduling of exams or assignments. We recognize that every class and its pedagogical structure differs, and some classes adapt more easily to these requests than others. Whenever possible, we ask that you support our students who are observing Ramadan.
For more information about how to support our Muslim students observing Ramadan and the diversity of practice and observance among them, please visit the Center for Spiritual Life’s Ramadan Information page.
Sincerely,
Carol A. Fierke, PhD’84, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jeffrey Shoulson, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Charles Golden, Dean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Kathryn Graddy, Dean, Brandeis International Business School
Maria Madison, Interim Dean, Heller School for Social Policy and Management