1.8 billion people around the world are celebrating the Islamic month Ramadan right now. Worldwide, Muslims celebrate it as a time of reflection, prayer, fasting, and community. It started this year on April 12 and will conclude on May 12, with a holiday of celebration called Eid. While it is a month of happiness and spirituality, some students are feeling stressed right now. Many exams, including SATs, PSATs, and AP exams, fall during the month, leaving many overwhelmed. “Well, because of in-person learning, I have a lot less time to do homework at home. So, with that being said, I also have less time because of Ramadan. My parents want to spend the time [together]. So, my grades have taken a bit of a hit,” said Mouhamed Benbelkacem(9).

Benbelkacem isn’t the only one feeling the heat. Many other Muslim students have been feeling pressure to perform the same academically as they did before, despite all of the schedule and routine changes happening with them right now. “I wake up at like, 4:30 to eat, and then go back to sleep at 5:00, if I even can. And I, in general, sleep at midnight or past midnight every day, like many others, and then I go to school, spend an 8 hour day at school, with no food or water, and then I come back home completely drained,” said Freshman Danya Kurani.

At the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate one of their two holidays, Eid-Al-Fitr. They hold community prayers, meet family and friends, and dress up. Most years, however, this particular day lands on a school day, leaving students to decide what they prioritize more; their religion or their grades. “I feel like, you know, disrespected because, like, every other holiday of theirs, it’s like a full week off. But when it’s time for us, we don’t get anything,” said Benbelkacem. Muslim students and families have been calling for a change in school calendars for years. While some school districts have given days off for the two Eids should they land on school days, most of them have not. “I get this is a Christian-majority country. But I also feel like it’s a very diverse country that should acknowledge other people and other people’s beliefs, including at least one day off for Eid,” said Kurani.