Seattle: In a beautiful gesture symbolic of accommodating religious sentiments, a professor at the University of Washington offered to conduct examinations after sunset for his Muslim students, who are fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.
This decision was taken Bryan White, a biology professor at the aforementioned university after learning of a student's dip in concentration due to the lack of food intake.
Owing to religious norms, the student, who has been fasting, was not able to concentrate on her studies, and therefore saw a dip in her grades.
Upon confrontation, her professor, Dr. White, decided to conduct the examination in two batches-one in the morning for his regular students and the second one post sunset, thus giving his Muslim students a chance to have a meal before appearing for their examination.
"To me, this was a very simple thing. It's not uncommon for me to be at work until midnight anyway. I want them (the students) to think, 'this class really cares about each other," The Independent quoted Dr. White saying to the Seattle Times.
This move has been largely lauded by the Muslim students, as it is believed to have instilled a greater sense of confidence in them.
Following this move, two other professors have the university have also offered to conduct two separate sessions.
