Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims observe fasting from sunrise to sunset and is regarded as the holiest month of the year for Muslims, as it was the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) on the night of Laylat Al Qadr-one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. It can be a difficult month for many to get through, especially students who have to go through a normal school day without eating or drinking. This year (2018) Ramadan is said to begin in the evening of May 15 th , when many schools have yet to finish for the summer. For schools, it’s important to provide an environment for students where they feel safe to practice their religion, but maybe more importantly, one that ensures their well-being during the school day.
The question is how can we as students be supportive towards those students who are fasting? There are several ways to do this and they are:
1. Space- Break is probably one of the most difficult periods to endure while fasting. Many students will tell you that they don’t care if you eat in front of them, and chances are that might be true. However, hunger often worsens when you’re in a room full of people eating. It might help to have a comfortable space for those students to go to instead of the designated lunchroom during lunchtime as well as try not to drink water in front of them.
2. Understanding- Students must understand that fasting is a hard thing to do especially during this hot summer months, hence we as students should not bother those who are fasting by asking too many questions as it could make them even more tired and lose some energy they have inside them. 3. Support- We as students and friends must appreciate what these students are doing. We must stand beside them and support the students who are fasting by appreciating and by considering this seriously. We shall or rather must follow these important points mentioned above.
Once again, let us all be mindful about these important points and respect Ramadan in our area, school and in the country. And finally, I would like to end this article by stating one of Mahatma Gandhi’s quotes- “Let us respect other religions even as we respect our own, mere tolerance thereof is not enough.”
Written by Devin Fernando (9-C) Compiled by Aryan V Changrani (9-C)