Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Newsletter

Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Observing Ramadan.

Dear Golden Eagles,

In last month’s OEDI newsletter, I shared dates for some religious holidays taking place during the spring semester. There was an error, in the dates shared for Ramadan, February 17, to March 2, 2026. Ramadan begins on February 7, 2026, and concludes on March 19, 2026, with Eid-ul-Fitr.

The ninth most sacred month of the Islamic faith, Muslims will engage in a month of fasting, in observance of Allah sending an angel to the Prophet Muhammad to reveal the Q’uran.

So, what does this means for members of our community who will be fasting?

1. Practicing Muslims will fast (no food or water) from dawn until dusk (approximately 6:00 am – 8:00 pm).

2. Ramadan often involves prayers late into the night. It’s not uncommon for Muslims to be up past midnight for prayers and wake up before dawn to eat and pray. Time spent in prayer may increase during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

3. During this time Muslims may be hungry, tired, and dehydrated-especially when approaching the late afternoon hours.

If you’re interested in learning more about Ramadan and/or participate in scheduled events on campus, Brockport’s Muslim Association is hosting the following events:

      · Ramadan Goals and Preparation-Thursday, February 17, 2026, 4:30-6:00 pm, Seymour Union, 220.

     · Ramadan Iftar Dinner-Friday, February 20, 2026, 5:00-9:00 pm, Seymour Union, Ballroom.

Please visit the Brockport Muslim Association’s Instagram page, @brockportmsa, for more information.

In closing, I ask that we all keep this in mind, over this 30-day period as it relates to scheduled events, class assignments, exams, and work schedule. Especially when engaging with members of our community s who may not be able to participate in activities due to fasting or religious celebrations that are part of this holiday. For those observing Ramadan, please inform your faculty member and/or supervisor of your plans to observe the holiday and whether you will need an accommodation. For more information about religious accommodations, please visit the OEDI webpage for interfaith resources.

I wish you all the best for the rest of the semester.

Damita A. Davis, Ph.D. Chief Diversity Officer