Campus Colleagues,
This school year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins April 12th and ends May 11th. Ramadan involves a month of fasting, introspection, and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Muslims break their daily fasts by sharing meals (iftar) with family and friends, and the end of Ramadan is celebrated with a three-day festival known as Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s major holidays. Visit www.history.com/topics/holidays/ramadan for more information.
Those able to fast abstain from all food or drink (including water), and many more are involved in community events through the month–all of which can impact energy levels, attention spans and more, especially later in the day and cumulatively, later in the month. While there’s no need to presume or ask who’s fasting, please be mindful of this possibility in your classes, offices, meetings, and events. Visit the OTL Inclusive Teaching Practices module on Spiritual and Religious Diversity to learn tips and tricks on intentionally leading courses during this holiday.
The University’s commitment to inclusivity includes a commitment to accommodate the observance of religious holy days by all of its community members. We encourage you all to consult an interfaith calendar throughout the year and especially when designing syllabi.
Visit the Cultural Center and Spiritual Life Ramadan 2021 web page for more information and resources.
Students and employees should still make accommodation requests directly to their instructors/supervisors as noted in DU’s religious accommodation policy.
In community,
Valentina Iturbe-LaGrave, Ph.D.
Director for Inclusive Teaching Practices
University of Denver
Office of Teaching and Learning
*Photo by Ahmed Aqtai from Pexels
