Holy days, festivals and asking for time off

Religious holidays and weekly holy days do not always fit a university calendar. Many universities have policies for religious observance, but most expect you to ask early and in writing.

How universities handle religious observance

• Many universities publish a religious observance or 'religion and belief' policy. Search your university's website for those words before term starts.
• The University of Westminster says it aims to avoid scheduling formal exams on dates in its Religious Observance Calendar, but cannot always do so because religious dates change.
• Westminster also lets students flag regular commitments, such as Sabbath observance, that may affect attendance at an exam or assessment.
• McGill University in Canada says students cannot be penalised for missing an exam or assessment that conflicts with their religious observance, and offers options such as rescheduling, an alternative assessment or reweighting.
• Policies vary widely between countries and institutions. Do not assume the rules from one university apply at yours.

Know the deadlines

• Deadlines are often weeks before the date itself. McGill requires students to tell their instructor at least two weeks before a conflicting regular assessment, and to submit a final exam conflict form at least four weeks before exams begin.
• At Westminster, requests for exams in exam periods must be submitted to the Student Centre by the end of Teaching Week 4 of that semester.
• At the start of each term, list every holy day and festival you expect to observe, then compare it with your timetable and assessment calendar on the same day.
• Set a phone reminder a week before each deadline for submitting a request.

How to ask: a template

• Write to the person your policy names (often your module leader or the exams office). Keep it short and factual.
• Example: 'Dear Dr Ahmed, I am in your Tuesday seminar group. On [date] I will be observing [festival], which means I cannot attend [class or assessment]. Under the university's religious observance policy, could we discuss an alternative arrangement? Thank you, [name, student number].'
• Attach or link the policy if it helps, and keep a copy of your email and the reply.
• For missed classes, ask how to catch up: slides, recordings or a classmate's notes.

If the answer is no

• Stay polite and ask what options do exist, such as attending a different session.
• Check the escalation route in your policy. At McGill, if a student and instructor cannot agree about a regular (non-final) assessment, the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for that faculty decides what reasonable accommodation is possible.
• Ask the chaplaincy or student advice centre for support. They know the policy and can help you put your request clearly.
• If you face a genuine clash with no accommodation, a qualified scholar or faith leader can advise you on your own situation. Do not make the decision alone and at the last minute.

Celebrating away from home

• UKCISA notes that national societies often mark occasions from their home cultures. Faith societies and chaplaincies also hold events for major festivals.
• Plan festival days like any important event: food, who you will see, a call home at a time that works across time zones.
• Invite friends who do not share your faith to join, and accept invitations to theirs if you are comfortable. Sharing festivals is one of the best parts of a diverse campus.
• The Cooking for Others and Hosting module covers hosting iftar and Eid gatherings in detail.