News

Muslims across the globe are celebrating the Holy month of Ramadan this March. Ramadan began in Canada on March 1, 2025, and many members of the University of Waterloo Muslim community are observing this month of fasting and prayers.

What is Ramadan/ Ramzan about?

Ramadan/ Ramzan is a sacred month for the Muslim faith, where those observing it refrain from any food and water from dawn to sunset. This would translate to 12.5-hour to 14-hour-long fasts (accounting for the varying sunrise and sunset times throughout the course of this month). Muslims dedicate the month (which can be 29 or 30 days long) to fasting, charity, spiritual reflection, seeking forgiveness and bonding with community. They often engage in long late-night prayers. Most people understand that Muslims may be a little low on energy during the day, but most don’t know that they might also often be sleep-deprived.

What is the Eid al-Fitr holiday?

The month-long observance of Ramadan is followed by the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, a joyous time when Muslims celebrate by wearing beautiful clothes, enjoying delicious food with friends and family, and exchanging gifts. The celebration lasts up to three days.

It is important to note that since Muslims follow a lunar calendar, the start of a new month depends on the sighting of the new moon, which means Ramadan can be either 29 or 30 days long. This means that the exact day of Eid al-Fitr isn’t always known in advance. While some Muslim communities, especially in the West, use astronomical calculations to predict the date of Eid, many still follow the traditional practice of waiting until the new moon is physically sighted before confirming the day of celebration. This means that different communities — even within the same region — may celebrate Eid on different days, reflecting the rich diversity of Muslim traditions and practices.

Fostering belonging and inclusion for Muslim community on campus

In keeping with the University of Waterloo’s values of inclusivity and working together, here are some practices that foster the feeling of belonging within the Muslim community on campus.

• Flexibility/ Accommodations– Allowing flexible work and learning schedules can go a long way in accommodating the needs of Muslim students and colleagues during this month. Consider offering flexibility in dates for deadlines or presentations to help accommodate fluctuating energy levels and altered schedules during Ramadan. Shorter meetings can also make it easier for those fasting to stay focused.
• Be mindful of Eid – If a test or exam falls on Eid, consider offering Muslim students the option to take it on an alternate date. Similarly, Muslim employees may need time off to observe Eid as part of their religious practice.
• Plan inclusive gatherings – Scheduling office lunches or potlucks for after Ramadan ensures that everyone can join in and feel included.
• Create prayer-friendly spaces – In addition to the multi-faith prayer spaces around campus, if existing prayer spaces are far from work or study areas, consider setting up temporary prayer areas closer.
• Support flexible break times – Allow Muslim students and employees to adjust their break schedules to accommodate prayer times and energy levels.
• Just ask! – Proactively asking Muslim students and colleagues on how to best support them during this month removes the labor of ‘requesting accommodations’ from them. However, avoid prying questions on why they are or not fasting- the reasons could be deeply personal, and while some might like to talk about their experiences and choices, others might not.
• Check the list: It is always a good idea to check the University’s list of Religious and Spiritual Days of Observances before planning and scheduling events.
• Learn something new: Learning about the traditions and terminology around Ramadan helps contextualize the experience of Muslims in the community. It also helps bond over shared understanding of the rituals and practices. Here are two simple guides for FAQs around Ramadan: A simple illustrated guide to Ramadan and About Ramadan.

Today marks International Pronouns Day, an annual event that raises awareness on the importance of respecting and using individuals' chosen pronouns. Observed on the third Wednesday of October each year since its inception in 2018, the day encourages the proper use of pronouns and their role in affirming identities to create an inclusive society. 

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism are hosting sessions for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff with special attention for those who identify as Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming (2STNBGNC+). These insights will play a vital role in shaping the new Trans & Queer Equity Strategy for our University.

On International Women's Day, the call is extended to all of us: To inspire inclusion by openly embracing diversity irrespective of race, age, ability and gender. 

UWaterloo's dedication to fostering an inclusive campus necessitates addressing the systemic barriers around gender equity. On this International Women's Day, it is essential that we actively engage in understanding these challenges to collectively build an institution that fosters a community valuing diversity and respect for everyone, mitigating the impact of gender inequity on our campus. 

On January 18, the Princess Twin Cinema became the stage for an interactive screening of Stephen King’s 'Carrie,' marking a unique approach to sparking conversations around menstruation and challenging societal taboos. The event was hosted by the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti Racism, the Women’s Centre and Changing the Flow, and was a captivating intersection of horror cinema and societal discourse. 

Are you a Black graduate student registered full-time in a doctoral program at UWaterloo? The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism is accepting applications for the “Black Graduate Students EDI-RO Award” until January 15, 2024. To access the application and for details on eligibility please visit our web page. 

You can also forward your questions to  sankofa@uwaterloo.ca.

From September 25, 2023, to November 24, 2023, the UWaterloo’s Sankofa Network for Transformative Community Research (SNTCR), in collaboration with the University of Waterloo Library, embarked on a mission to enrich the Sankara Pan-African Library. The resounding success of our Book Drive was made possible by the generous contributions and collective efforts of our vibrant community. We are thrilled to share that a total of 48 books were donated to this initiative.

The impact of these contributions extends far beyond the pages of a single book. By supporting the Sankara Pan-African Library, we are participating in a movement that strengthens communities and amplifies subaltern voices while pursing the decolonization of knowledge.

This season of the Amplify Podcast is a dedicated platform for University of Waterloo students to openly discuss the challenges they face in navigating academia while holding marginalized identities. This space is one to honour their journeys, discover supports and allow those of us at the margins to see our stories centered.

This year’s Employee Equity Census (previously known as the Equity Survey) has launched in Workday. 

The goal of the census is to continue an ongoing confidential collection of socio-demographic data to better understand the composition of the UWaterloo community and to inform equity initiatives across the institution. Data from this year’s census will begin to be compiled in September 2023. 

The first survey was launched in June 2021 via email to almost 50,000 students, faculty, and staff, and achieved a 26 per cent student participation rate and a 46 per cent employee participation rate. The census will be administered to employees via Workday.  

“Data from the previous census resulted in impactful changes, proving that data-focused initiatives like this inform the direction of our institution and bring us closer as a community,” Associate Vice-President, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Anti-Racism Christopher Taylor and Interim Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Hollis wrote in a recent communication to leaders. “The Cluster Hiring Initiative, tuition waiver, and the integration of pronouns into the University data systems are all positive outcomes of the information collected from the previous census.” 

The Employee Equity Census will take only a few minutes to complete. Please participate at your earliest convenience because data collection for this year’s annual report will close on October 31, 2023. 

Learn more about the Employee Equity Census on the Equity Data Strategy website. If you have any questions about the census, its methodology and how its data is used, you can email analysis@uwaterloo.ca. 

Watch this short video on how to access the Employee Equity Census in Workday or follow the steps below. 

1. Click the link that was sent to you in the UWaterloo’s Employee Equity Census email or click the link below: 

https://wd3.myworkday.com/uwaterloo/d/task/2997$12683.htmld 

2. Login to Workday.

3. The Create Request textbox will appear. Click on the Request Type drop- down menu.

4. Select All.

5. Select Employee Equity Census and then click OK.

Learn more about the Employee Equity Census on the Equity Data Strategy website. If you have any questions about the census, its methodology and how its data is used, you can email analysis@uwaterloo.ca.