This week’s teaching tips provide insights into the upcoming celebration of Ramadan. First, we hope you will begin by watching the video above created by the UTLC in collaboration with students from the Muslim Students Association. Please keep the following strategies in mind throughout the month of Ramadan each year!
- Learn about Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is anticipated to take place from March 22-April 21, 2023 ending in the celebration of Eid al Fitr on April 21-22 (dates may vary slightly based on lunar sightings). See the local Greensboro calendar for daily prayer and fasting times during Ramadan 2023. It is important to remember that the dates for Ramadan change by approximately 11 days on the Gregorian calendar each year. Ramadan includes many traditions and practices in addition to fasting (abstaining from any food or drink including water) from sunup to sun down, so take a moment to learn more about how Ramadan and Eid al Fitr are observed and celebrated.
- Acknowledge Ramadan. Acknowledgement of the holiday and that some of our students may be fasting can go a long way. Sending an announcement or beginning class by saying Ramadan Mubarak or Happy Ramadan to all students is a great and simple way to raise awareness about the holiday. It is important to not single any one student out, but acknowledging that now is a time of fasting and worship for many members of our campus and surrounding community is a way to show support and educate others. You may also consider using this time to share information about Ramadan and adding the dates of Ramadan to a course calendar as a way to counter Islamophobia.
- Be Flexible during Ramadan. Ramadan features many traditions that can impact students in your class who observe this holy month. For example, fasting during hours of sunlight can affect students’ energy levels, and students may need to leave or adjust their class times due to prayer. As Lasell University notes, students have different thresholds when fasting so you may want to consider when projects are due or exams take place. This may include reaching out to the University Proctoring Lab to see how you can offer alternative times for testing during Ramadan, and/or extending assignment deadlines to 11:59 pm. You may also notice that students are more tired or less engaged in class discussion than normal, especially during late afternoon or evening classes. It can be helpful to provide alternative ways to contribute to class discussions when students are experiencing fatigue, and you may notice that a lot of your students like having this option!
Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate!
Keywords: Inclusive Teaching