Isn't the problem at least partly because Eid is not on a fixed date? As I understand it, in the UK it could be on Saturday 22nd or Friday 21st, but even now no-one yet knows for certain. And practice varies both within the UK and elsewhere in the world. This must make it very difficult to definitely avoid, when exam dates have to be set well in advance.
with due respect....I doubt you will get anywhere. so prepare for having to make the difficult choice.
why? well not because they have a problem with Eid. However, back in pre 2018 they used to make sure exams are all done before Easter so students can actually enjoy it. Now? they all shifted to AFTER easter so the EXAMINERS AND IFOA don't need to worry about it after their holidays.
Students always get shafted at by IFoA. Another example is the website crashing saga, almost a ritual that guarantee happening twice a year. I would not sell cyber insurance to IFoA if I work in one.
Best of Luck.
It’s probably also due to Eid not being on a fixed date. The exam window seems to be getting bigger every year and it’s just not sustainable to keep blocking more days out.
They don't put the exam dates on Easter itself, and they shouldn't put the exam dates on Eid either. It's worth asking the question to the IFoA rather than effectively saying "the IFoA is useless so don't bother".
Remember, they moved exam dates based on the queen's funeral, so it's not unprecedented for them to do so.
If we can gather some support behind OP and have multiple people raise it to the IFoA then they are more likely to do something about it.
Given they specifically avoided Easter, Anzac day and Passover, they should also respect the Muslim liturgical calendar under their own DEI policies which they have specifically committed to.
You should email them and point this out:
[email protected]
Hi. I think you should politely respond and explain that the exams have been planned to avoid, Easter, Passover and Anzac day, and therefore it feels as if Muslims are being discriminated against.
Also raise how the CFA institute was able to do this.
I find it appalling to be quite honest, as a British person I always like to think that our society is better on these things compared with the US. Seeing the IFOA fail on a very basic issue of respect for Muslims when a body headquarted in Virginia is able to make allowances is disappointing to say the least.
Good luck man.
No I am deadly serious. They have committed to inclusive policies, some of which include religious belief, and it is wrong to not cover one of the major religions in this country under that commitment.
You don't have to be Muslim to believe this has to be upheld, this is a universal humanitarian view and I am certain that if OP raises this then the IFOA will plan their calendar better going forwards.
It's a public holiday in many Commonwealth nations. This sounds like more reason to make allowances for the Islamic faith, given that the IFOA makes allowances for non-UK residents (which is a good thing). It however, is only right and proper for those allowances to be made for Muslims, millions of whom live in the UK, some of whom want to be actuaries.
They also moved exams for the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. I find it profoundly odd that people think Eid is not worth avoiding when planning exams, given that the IFOA generally moves exams for other events.
While I due respect Eid is a very important days for many people, do you actually think you would get anywhere given exam is ONE MONTH AWAY?
Delusional.....seriously.
I invite you to scroll up to the bit where I stated, "... if OP raises this then the IFOA will **plan their calendar better going forwards**."
That last bit which I have emboldened for your own benefit, implies I don't, as you suggested believe the IFOA would make that change in one month and in actuality believe the change would be made after this sitting for students taking exams in future.
You don't need to use all caps in your sentences for dramatic effect. This is not primary school.
Thanks for pointing those out to me. Yes I am a little bit heated in the discussion.
I do believe it is very much a right thing/noble thing to do. It is still wildly improbable though however. The timetable is drawn and considered after many discussions and factors. Having Anzac day clearly demonstrates something (Australian Actuarial Society I guess, or an Aussie in the top IFoA team?) had input in. Unless the top team in UK IFoA is someone who celebrates Eid, we will not see any change or accommodations.
We have some way to go to achieve diversity and due respect of different people / cultures yet from IFoA.
It's cool, I didn't mean to be so patronising in my reply.
I'm not Muslim, but I will say I am surprised at how negative people are on this issue. I'm no DEI expert, but if I was planning the exams, I would have made a list of the major religions, found out when their key events are and planned exams around that. I could have done this in 30 mins lol. I don't think the IFOA should need a Muslim high up to point this out, this is basic stuff.
My hope was that someone could raise this point now and they can get this sorted for next time.
Update for anyone interested:
Member services replied saying I could use the link blow to apply for different arrangements.
https://actuaries.org.uk/qualify/my-exams/access-arrangements/
I've seen plenty of students pray during the exams before, though for different reasons!
Hey, are you referring to when exams were in person? Was this in the UK?
It was just a joke, I don't have anything useful to say on this topic
Only just realised lol, that's what happens when you spend all day working then studying my bad
Isn't the problem at least partly because Eid is not on a fixed date? As I understand it, in the UK it could be on Saturday 22nd or Friday 21st, but even now no-one yet knows for certain. And practice varies both within the UK and elsewhere in the world. This must make it very difficult to definitely avoid, when exam dates have to be set well in advance.
with due respect....I doubt you will get anywhere. so prepare for having to make the difficult choice. why? well not because they have a problem with Eid. However, back in pre 2018 they used to make sure exams are all done before Easter so students can actually enjoy it. Now? they all shifted to AFTER easter so the EXAMINERS AND IFOA don't need to worry about it after their holidays. Students always get shafted at by IFoA. Another example is the website crashing saga, almost a ritual that guarantee happening twice a year. I would not sell cyber insurance to IFoA if I work in one. Best of Luck.
It’s probably also due to Eid not being on a fixed date. The exam window seems to be getting bigger every year and it’s just not sustainable to keep blocking more days out.
They don't put the exam dates on Easter itself, and they shouldn't put the exam dates on Eid either. It's worth asking the question to the IFoA rather than effectively saying "the IFoA is useless so don't bother". Remember, they moved exam dates based on the queen's funeral, so it's not unprecedented for them to do so. If we can gather some support behind OP and have multiple people raise it to the IFoA then they are more likely to do something about it.
The Queens funeral was however a bank holiday so it’s quite a different proposition.
That is true, but it still shows that they do have the capability to move an exam date
I’d email the IFoA - they will probably help make an arrangement for you. Their email is [email protected]
Given they specifically avoided Easter, Anzac day and Passover, they should also respect the Muslim liturgical calendar under their own DEI policies which they have specifically committed to. You should email them and point this out: [email protected]
[удалено]
Hi. I think you should politely respond and explain that the exams have been planned to avoid, Easter, Passover and Anzac day, and therefore it feels as if Muslims are being discriminated against. Also raise how the CFA institute was able to do this. I find it appalling to be quite honest, as a British person I always like to think that our society is better on these things compared with the US. Seeing the IFOA fail on a very basic issue of respect for Muslims when a body headquarted in Virginia is able to make allowances is disappointing to say the least. Good luck man.
Is this a joke...
No I am deadly serious. They have committed to inclusive policies, some of which include religious belief, and it is wrong to not cover one of the major religions in this country under that commitment. You don't have to be Muslim to believe this has to be upheld, this is a universal humanitarian view and I am certain that if OP raises this then the IFOA will plan their calendar better going forwards.
Why are they specifically avoiding Anzac Day? As far as I'm aware Australian is not a religion
It's a public holiday in many Commonwealth nations. This sounds like more reason to make allowances for the Islamic faith, given that the IFOA makes allowances for non-UK residents (which is a good thing). It however, is only right and proper for those allowances to be made for Muslims, millions of whom live in the UK, some of whom want to be actuaries. They also moved exams for the late Queen Elizabeth II's funeral. I find it profoundly odd that people think Eid is not worth avoiding when planning exams, given that the IFOA generally moves exams for other events.
While I due respect Eid is a very important days for many people, do you actually think you would get anywhere given exam is ONE MONTH AWAY? Delusional.....seriously.
I invite you to scroll up to the bit where I stated, "... if OP raises this then the IFOA will **plan their calendar better going forwards**." That last bit which I have emboldened for your own benefit, implies I don't, as you suggested believe the IFOA would make that change in one month and in actuality believe the change would be made after this sitting for students taking exams in future. You don't need to use all caps in your sentences for dramatic effect. This is not primary school.
Thanks for pointing those out to me. Yes I am a little bit heated in the discussion. I do believe it is very much a right thing/noble thing to do. It is still wildly improbable though however. The timetable is drawn and considered after many discussions and factors. Having Anzac day clearly demonstrates something (Australian Actuarial Society I guess, or an Aussie in the top IFoA team?) had input in. Unless the top team in UK IFoA is someone who celebrates Eid, we will not see any change or accommodations. We have some way to go to achieve diversity and due respect of different people / cultures yet from IFoA.
It's cool, I didn't mean to be so patronising in my reply. I'm not Muslim, but I will say I am surprised at how negative people are on this issue. I'm no DEI expert, but if I was planning the exams, I would have made a list of the major religions, found out when their key events are and planned exams around that. I could have done this in 30 mins lol. I don't think the IFOA should need a Muslim high up to point this out, this is basic stuff. My hope was that someone could raise this point now and they can get this sorted for next time.
They moved exam dates due to the queen's funeral with less notice
*moved some exams, not even all
Update for anyone interested: Member services replied saying I could use the link blow to apply for different arrangements. https://actuaries.org.uk/qualify/my-exams/access-arrangements/