Resources for UP Community Members during Ramadan

As part of our core mission to nurture faith and formation in all UP students, we provide this resource for members of the UP community during Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the revelation of the Qur’an and fast from food and drink during daylight hours. This is a period of spiritual focus and devotion for all practicing Muslims who are able to partake. From time to time, Ramadan may fall during the Last Week of Instruction or during Finals. This page is designed to assist students, faculty, and staff in navigating the campus during these busy times. 

Students observing Ramadan who are seeking accommodations should consult with their faculty members.

Schedule:

Additional Resources 

• Muslim Prayer Room
  • Since the 1990s the University has provided a Muslim Prayer Room in the lower level of Christie Hall. The room was designed and laid out in consultation with Dr. Khalid Khan of the School of Engineering and includes facilities for ritual ablution. 
  • The room may be accessed from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m.-2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and is open to all members of the university community. Students, staff, or faculty who would like to use the room during these hours can contact Veronicca Bathon in Campus Ministry at bathon@up.edu or 503.943.7463. You can also reach out to Veronicca with any questions. 
• Community resources for Muslims  
  • “The Muslim Educational Trust was founded in 1993 in response to the community's needs in the Portland area. These needs for education about Islam were generated by the Muslim community as well as the Non-Muslim community.” 
• Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) Educators guide to Ramadan
  • “Ramadan is a month of fasting in which Muslim students abstain from eating and drinking from break of dawn to sunset. This presents unique challenges to Muslim students especially in an educational environment,” said Faizan Syed, executive director of CAIR-MO. “Whether it’s finding accommodations for Muslim students during lunch, advice on whether students should participate in physical education, or how to deal with medication for fasting students, this short guide dives into these various topics.” 
  • This CAIR guide has an important tip regarding university finals: “In a college setting, exams could be offered to students earlier in the day... Educators may choose to offer this to all of their students and not just Muslim students. With this option, students may take their exams right when they start fasting…”
• Exams and Ramadan
  • “Tips to help you prepare yourself mentally and practically to deal with Ramadan and your exams and make sure you’re not stressing out about making the most of either of them”