Ramadan 2024

For Ramadan

Are you worried you may not be able to perform your best while taking exams during Ramadan or Eid? Are you looking for ways to maintain your high academic standards while fasting? Hopefully you have already reached out to your professors and faculty members about Ramadan accommodations. Late requests reduce the chances of your accommodation request being approved. So talk to your professor today!

To ease the Ramadan accommodation request process, the CML worked with the Deans office to develop reasonable accommodations for fasting students. Every student, class, and professor has unique circumstances which may require further discussions to find solutions that work for all parties. However, here are some appropriate accommodations that you could request, as vetted and suggested by Academic Deans:

• Allowing 1.5 (time & 1/2) to take the exam
• Allowing the student to take the exam closer to their mealtimes (dawn / sunset )
• For exams starting near sunset, allowing the student to take a break for eating and prayer or allowing them to start the exam later
• Allowing online or testing center options 

Talk to your professor today to see if one of the above suggested accommodations will work.

Sample Email:

Dear Professor [],

I hope you're doing well. You may already be aware, but I wanted to email to let you know that Ramadan begins on sunset on March 10, and will end around sunset on April 9th. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink (including water) from pre-dawn until sunset each day. This observance coincides with the [exam/assignment] on the syllabus.

I would love to work with you to explore how I can meet the requirements of the exam while still honoring my religious practice. The Center for Muslim Life (CML) has worked with the academic deans office to develop appropriate accommodations. One of the vetted and suggested accommodation options is [accommodation option]. As such, I was wondering if it would be possible [accommodation request]. I'm happy to talk to you further and discuss any other suggestions you might have! I'm excited to make this work with you.

For Eid

Since absence from class due to observance of a religious holiday is excused according to University policy, no dean’s excuse is required. However, you must carefully read the instructions in the Religious Absence Policy and follow them accordingly. Particularly, you must do the following ASAP:

1. Notify all of your professors
2. Fill out the Religious Observance Notification Form

For Ramadan

We know it can be intimidating to ask your professor for accommodations or time off. Below is a sample email template adapted from Ithaca College to request accommodations.

Subject: Religious Accommodation for [Course Number] 

Dear Professor [last name], 

I am enrolled in your course [course number]. As you may be aware, Ramadan begins on March 11, 2024, and will end on or around sunset on April 9, 2024. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from pre-dawn until sunset each day. This observance coincides with [name of assignment] that is listed on the syllabus.  

I would like to work with you to explore how I can meet the requirements of your course while still honoring my religious practice in accordance with the college's attendance policy. One option that I would propose is [enter request]. I would also be open to any other suggestions that you might have. If it would be easier, I would be happy to talk with you about this further in person or by Zoom.

Should you have any questions about the reasoning or observance of this [name of religious holiday], please feel free to contact the Center for Muslim Life (dukecml@duke.edu). Thank you in advance for accommodating my request. 

Sincerely, 

[Name, email] 

For Eid

We know it can be intimidating to ask your professor for accommodations or time off. Below is a sample email template adapted from Ithaca College and the Council on Islamic Relations to request time off for Eid.

Subject: Religious Accommodation for [course number] 

Dear Professor [last name], 

I am enrolled in your course [course number]. As you may be aware, Ramadan will begin on March 11, 2024 and end on or around sunset on April 9, 2024. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from pre-dawn until sunset each day. At the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Eid al-Fitr is commemorated by millions of Muslims worldwide through congregational prayer, spending time with family, and in celebration according to their unique traditions.

Eid al-Fitr is expected to occur on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. This observance coincides with [name of assignment/class date]. As the Eid al-Fitr holiday will occur on a weekday, please be prepared to excuse my absence on that date. I would love to discuss what I can do ahead of time to make this as smooth as possible.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I will be happy to discuss them with you further. I look forward to hearing from you and I appreciate your immediate attention to this matter. Thank you!

Sincerely, 

For Eid

We know it can be intimidating to ask your boss for time off. Below is a sample email template adapted from the Council on Islamic Relations to request time off for Eid.

Subject: Eid Religious Accommodations Request

Dear [addressee],

My name is [insert full name]. I am [job title] at [employer or department]. As you may be aware, Ramadan will begin on March 11, 2024, and will end on or around sunset on April 9, 2024. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink from pre-dawn until sunset each day.

At the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Eid al-Fitr is commemorated by millions of Muslims worldwide through congregational prayer, spending time with family, and in celebration according to their unique traditions. Eid al-Fitr is expected to occur on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. As the Eid al-Fitr holiday will occur on a weekday, please be prepared to excuse my absence on that date. I would love to discuss what I can do ahead of time to make this as smooth as possible.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and I will be happy to discuss them with you further. I look forward to hearing from you and I appreciate your immediate attention to this matter. Thank you!

Sincerely,