Few students submit religious observances absence requests for Eid al-Fitr
Three students used Syracuse University’s newly implemented religious observances policy to commemorate Eid al-Fitr.
The policy allows students to notify teachers of absences due to religious observances through the ‘My Religious Observances’ link on MySlice. Prior to the new system, students notified teachers in advance through writing.
Classes were held on Eid al-Fitr for the first time this year. Students will also attend class on Yom Kippur and Good Friday for the first time ever to extend Fall Break to a full week.
Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday commemorating the end of Ramadan, was the first religious holiday during the 2011-12 academic year.
Sandra Hurd, associate provost of academic programs at SU, said because the notification process is new and it is early in the year, campus officials did not anticipate many students to request Eid al-Fitr off.
Ismail Pathan, vice president of SU’s Muslim Students’ Association, said because Eid al-Fitr fell on the second day of school, not everyone was willing to request the day off.
‘The not-so-nice of it was, this year, it just so happened the first day you can actually submit was the first day of classes, the day before the holiday,’ Pathan said. ‘Many students have a lot of things going on.’
Still, Pathan, who did not utilize the policy himself, said he feels most professors were considerate of those who did not excuse themselves via MySlice.
Irfan Uraizee, a freshman broadcast journalism major, said he feels the notification system is effective.
‘It’s a more efficient way of informing our professors than to just email them because, then, emails can be lost,’ he said.
Uraizee said he decided to skip out on using the notification system to observe Eid al-Fitr because it was his first day of classes.
‘It was my first day of classes and I wanted to go to my classes, so I didn’t go to the prayer in the morning,’ said Uraizee, noting that he is skeptical of whether he will ever take advantage of the policy.
Yousra Aafer, an information computer science doctorate student, said she prefers the previous system rather than the new policy.
‘If I had something very important to attend, like a very important class, then I don’t think I would use it,’ Aafer said. ‘If the class is not very important, then I might just use it.’
Because there is no specific time during the day that Muslims have to observe Eid al-Fitr, she can commemorate the holiday later in the day, she said.
Because other religious holidays, such as Christmas, fall during vacations, Aafer said students should be given the day off for Eid al-Fitr instead of having a weeklong Fall Break.
Maisha Shahid, a sophomore international relations major, said she also prefers the previous system. Last year, classes were not in session on Eid al-Fitr, which allowed Shahid to return home and celebrate with her family.
This year, however, Shahid decided to stay on campus because of classes.
Shahid said: ‘With the new policy, even though I could get excused from classes, it’s the first week of classes, and it’s not a good idea to go home for it.’
Published on August 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Contact Debbie: dbtruong@syr.edu | @debbietruong
