No. 24: Ramadan

Ramadan

Ramadan is considered the holiest month of the year for Muslims.  In Ramadan, Muslims fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate.  Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation focusing on devotion.  It is seen as an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual improvement.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar which is based on the lunar calendar of 354 days. This means that this festival is not fixed to the Western calendar but occurs approximately 11 days earlier every year. So, when Ramadan takes place in the summer months it could mean that fasting will last for up to 19 hours a day. The month traditionally begins and ends based on the sighting of the first crescent of the new moon.

In schools, pupils of all ages may attempt to fast by going half a day without eating and drinking, or by attempting a full day’s fast. While children are not obligated to fast at a young age, this is a personal decision made by each individual and family.

During Ramadan Muslims wake up before sunrise for Suhoor: to eat, drink, pray and then potentially return to bed. This may have some implications for your students.  They will travel to school and be expected to participate in strenuous activities, watch their peers eat and drink and get on with their normal lives.  They will then go home to do their homework and chores but will need to wait until it gets dark to eat and drink (Iftar).  After fasts are broken, they may also attend night prayers (Taraweeh) at their mosque, which could go on until midnight.

Things school leaders should know

• Muslim students should only fast when they are physically and emotionally mature i.e. undergone puberty (this could be Primary aged pupils)
• Students should not do anything that will intentionally damage their health.
• Students are expected to uphold their education and try their utmost in school.
• In years when Ramadan occurs during GCSE/SATS timetable, students who have an exam may be able to miss the fast and make up for it at a later date.
• Young children may fast for part of the day to help them to practice and build up a tolerance for the experience.  Primary pupils are not expected to fast, but it is up to the parents to make this decision.  Schools cannot decide whether or not a child should fast, unless, as per DoE guidance, it is having a significant damaging effect on the child.

How schools can support children during Ramadan

• Talk to the parents and encourage them not to keep their children up late during school night encouraging weekend prayers.
• Show the students you understand about their faith and about this obligatory pillar of Islam.  This could be done via RE or PSHE lessons, assemblies, displays (this will also inform other students) this may be led by the students using their own work.
• During this period Muslims are encouraged to be especially charitable so school could consider a food drive or fundraiser for those less fortunate.
• Provide space for and identify a Support group leader (voluntary).  Consider linking with the local Imam for Sunni Muslims.
• Make alternative arrangements for them, dedicated spaces away from other students who are eating and drinking during lunch and break times.
• Encourage students to break their fast only if it is a risk to their health and wellbeing, not merely because you feel bad for them.  You may want to identify a mentor to encourage monitoring of the students.
• When responding to enquiries regarding the allocation of intensive swimming time, any request for withdrawal from swimming should be considered carefully by schools.
• Consider sharing Ramadan with them.  You could try to keep a fast and share your experiences with your students. 
• Ask students to talk to their parents if they feel their education is being affected.  It might be that this conversation is between the school pastoral staff and the parent.
• Plan ahead.  Special events in school should be timetabled not to take place during this period e.g. school fetes, awards evenings or lunches, sports day.
• Ensure that rooms are at the right temperature (remember fasting also includes water), especially exam halls.
• Remember you may also have staff who are fasting.
• Safeguarding is paramount so if you feel that the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm normal procedures should be adhered to.

Further information

Islamic Network Group:

Explore curriculum – https://ing.org/educators-academics-administrators/ 

FAQ – https://ing.org.ings-frequently-asked-questions/

www.mind.org.uk – The Qur’an & Emotional Health: An Introduction

muslimcommunityhelpline.org.uk

BBC Bitesize: What is Ramadan? Videos and resources