On April 7, the UMB Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion released this letter about the celebration of Ramadan:
Dear UMB Community,
Ramadan Mubarak!
On April 2, the holy month of Ramadan began for our Muslim friends and colleagues, and it continues through May 2. It is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Muslim students, faculty, and staff at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) join others worldwide to observe Ramadan, which occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and involves prayer, reflection, and fasting from sunrise to sunset.
The act of fasting for Muslims is a reminder of those who are less fortunate and is intended to bring the faithful closer to God by abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and other behaviors and habits. During the fast, before the sun rises, the day may begin with a light meal, a drink of water, and the taking of necessary medications. At the end of day, after the sun sets, there is a meal to break the fast. A customary greeting during Ramadan is “Ramadan Mubarak,” which essentially means “Have a blessed Ramadan.” Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.
As UMB continues to foster an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment, we seek to understand and affirm the diverse members of our University community. In support of our Muslim colleagues, faculty, staff, and students who are observing Ramadan, please consider the following:
- Avoid planning food-centric events during Ramadan (the beginning and end dates vary from year to year because the Islamic calendar is lunar)
- Learn more about Ramadan
- Offer time and space for prayer
- Be flexible and accommodating
Please feel free to read more information about Ramadan at this link.
In partnership and collaboration,
Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President