As a proud UCF Knight who is active within the Muslim Student Association as well as the Palestinian Student Association, advocacy is nothing new to myself and many of my peers. It is extremely common in western nations that organizations and institutions often fall short on recognition of national holidays and accommodations for respectful practices for Muslim students and employees. Right now Muslim Americans make up the third largest religious demographic in this country with over 3.5 million Muslims. According to Pew research by 2040 it is predicted that Muslims will replace Jews as the nation's second largest religious group after Christians and by 2050 the US Muslim population is projected to reach 8.1 million, or 2.1% of the nation’s total population. The University of Central Florida thrives on its growing nature of inclusivity recognizing students regardless of nationality, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and gender. There is a gap within the recognition of religious holidays and practices for Muslim students and staff that needs to be recognized and accommodated for.

There are two major celebrations within Islam that are celebrated amongst Muslims globally, these holidays are known as Eid Al- Fitr & Eid Al- Adha. These holidays are as sacred and important to Muslims as Christmas, Easter, and Yom Kippur are to those students affiliated with such religions. Every year for one month, Muslims globally fast from sunrise to sunset and dedicate prayer as part of their religion. This is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam and is known as the month of Ramadan. Following the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate with a large festivity & are active in congregational worship on the day of Eid Al- Fitr.

Currently the world relies on what we know as the Julian calendar, this is a solar calendar with a simple cycle of three normal years and one leap year, giving an average year that is 365 days long. However, the Islamic calendar bases its holidays on a lunar calendar that is based on the monthly cycles of the moon’s phases. Since each lunar cycle is approximately 29 and a half days, a lunar calendar is approximately 11 days shorter than our current standard calendar; thus as a result, holidays and important other dates change every year due to these differences. The date of Eid & precise timings vary within numerous countries due to their geographic location and time zone. A little over two months following Eid al- Fitr comes Eid Al- Adha which falls on the 10th day of the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. The government, related body, or court within an Islamic country decides the date of Eid which is dictated by moon-sighters to declare the start of Eid. Once this is solidified, Eid is announced amongst mass media & mosques.

There is a large demographic of Muslim students as well as faculty and staff here at UCF. There is a strong representation within the Muslim Student Association as well as other allies and partnered organizations on campus.

Spring Finals which are being held on May 2nd inflict a direct conflict between these testing times and religious obligations and practices. These dates directly impede on students, staff, and faculty’s ability to worship and practice specific tenants on this significant holy holiday. There should be no reason that those who identify as Muslim cannot receive accommodations for religious practices which highlight significant celebrations & observations within the Islamic faith. UCF, as a champion of diversity, should embrace this opportunity to listen, acknowledge, and amplify the rights of those on campus to seek and practice their faith as their religion dictates.

We, the co-signatories, call on the University of Central Florida to accommodate Muslim students, staff, and faculty so they may practice, celebrate, and worship on the religious holidays Eid Al- Fitr & Eid Al- Adha. We also call to work hand-in-hand with UCF leadership to visibly recognize, represent, and promote their support of the Muslim community on campus through testing accommodations, signage, and overall increased community awareness.

On behalf of all Muslims on UCF campus, we see ourselves as allies to other communities and would just like the equal support and representation from our community fellows that we give in return.

Unbought Power

The Muslim Women's Organization

Eid Orlando

Florida Student Power Network

African Student Association At UCF

American Cultured Desi- UCF

IDEAS For Us - UCF

NOW At UCF

CSA At UCF

Egyptian Student Association At UCF

Knights for Wildlife Conservation

Project Downtown Orlando at UCF

Asian Pacific American Coalition At UCF

Omani Student Association At UCF

College Democrats At UCF

Indian Student Association At UCF

Young Democratic Socialists of America At UCF

Islamic Center of Orlando