Supporting Students During Ramadan

Ramadan offers an opportunity for American University students to deeply connect with their faith amidst the pressures of academic life. As a community, embracing and respecting our Muslim members’ diverse traditions and practices is important, enhancing our collective experience and fostering a culture of inclusivity. To this end, a Ramadan Town Hall Meeting was held in mid-February 2024, which initiated crucial discussions about the distinct challenges of this holy month, highlighting the need for academic, physical, and spiritual support. Inspired by the insights and suggestions from the town hall, this guide sets forth practical steps to improve our support for Muslim students during Ramadan and beyond.

It’s essential to approach this period with compassion and curiosity, recognizing the unique needs of fasting students. Supports such as flexibility with deadlines, attendance, and participation can significantly impact students’ ability to observe Ramadan without undue stress or academic disadvantage. These practices can ensure that the observance of Ramadan does not become a barrier to academic success but rather a period of spiritual growth accompanied by academic achievement.

Please visit Kay Spiritual Life Center’s website for more information and resources for Ramadan. Note that Kay’s policy for academic accommodation requests states that students should seek to make arrangements with their professors first and are only expected to submit a request for religious accommodations if that effort fails. This resource and the guidance below aim to support faculty in making reasonable and equitable adjustments to their courses proactively.

When is Ramadan in 2024 and what happens during this time?

As the holy days for the various religions represented at American University approach, it is important to acknowledge the upcoming observance of Ramadan by our Muslim community. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, observed globally by Muslims as a time for fasting, prayer, and reflection. It marks the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad and serves as a period for spiritual renewal and community strengthening.

Ramadan is scheduled to begin on the evening of Monday, March 11, 2024, and conclude on the evening of Thursday, April 9, 2024. During this month, Muslims fast daily from dawn until dusk, abstaining from all food and beverages, including water. This month is dedicated to prayer, meditation, and daily fasting. For Muslims, Ramadan is an opportunity to draw closer to God, intensifying their worship and reading of the Qur’an. It’s a period for purifying the soul, practicing selflessness, focusing on the well-being of others, and encapsulating the virtues of empathy and charity. This spiritual journey is profoundly personal yet inherently communal, as shared iftars (the evening meal to break the fast) and prayers strengthen bonds within the Muslim community and beyond.

What impact might observing Ramadan have on students, and what can we do to support student well-being and academic success as they observe?

With its rigorous daily fast from dawn until sunset, observing Ramadan can pose significant physical and mental challenges for those participating, especially when balancing academic responsibilities. Altered eating and sleeping patterns can affect concentration, energy, and academic performance. Educational institutions like AU can implement thoughtful supports to recognize these challenges. These measures are not just about ensuring equity; they are about acknowledging and respecting religious observance and its impact on student well-being and academic success.

Rather than directly questioning students about their observance of Ramadan or other religious practices, we encourage educators to design classroom policies and structures with the assumption that Muslim students are present and may have specific needs related to their faith. This approach, aligned with Universal Design for Learning principles, addresses these needs without singling out individuals or compelling them to disclose their religious practices. It creates a classroom atmosphere where all students feel respected and are not put in a position where they feel obligated to reveal personal aspects of their identity.

Flexibility in Attendance and Participation

Creating a campus culture that values understanding and flexibility is essential to support students during Ramadan, and faculty members play a crucial role. They can support students by adjusting attendance policies to recognize the unique challenges fasting students may face, such as the need for rest or prayer during the day. In addition, faculty members are encouraged to be mindful of the need for occasional breaks during class, especially for those who need to hydrate or replenish their energy outside the traditional fasting hours. They can also show support by adjusting participation expectations to accommodate quieter or less frequent contributions without penalizing students.

Flexibility for Assignments and Exams

To mitigate the potential impact of fasting on academic performance, professors are encouraged to offer flexible scheduling options for exams and assignments during Ramadan. Understanding that energy levels and concentration might fluctuate, particularly in the afternoon, the institution can provide alternative exam times, preferably in the morning or late evening, when fasting students may feel more alert and focused. Similarly, flexibility in assignment deadlines can allow students observing Ramadan to manage their workload in harmony with their spiritual and physical needs during this month.

The timing of Ramadan, which moves around the Gregorian calendar, can occasionally be placed near the end-of-semester finals week. This overlap can particularly strain students as they prepare for significant academic milestones while observing their fast. As Eid-al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, occurs towards the end of the semester in 2024, we encourage understanding and flexibility toward students requesting scheduling adjustments and deadline flexibility for major assignments.

In summary, implementing flexible academic strategies that specifically address the needs of Muslim students observing Ramadan helps to ensure they are not disadvantaged academically for their religious observance. This commitment to academic flexibility and inclusion underscores our dedication to creating an equitable and supportive educational environment for all students, regardless of their religious beliefs and practices.