As Muslims around the world prepare themselves for the holy month of Ramadan, it is a good time for us all to reflect on how we approach diversity in our school settings.

There is no doubt that schools need to be culturally aware spaces, which cater to the backgrounds of all community members.

So, how can schools help support their Muslim students, teachers and parents during Ramadan?

Ramadan: How schools can support Muslim students

Based on the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is set to begin mid-April and will continue for 29 or 30 days into May. The exact dates are dependent on Moon sightings and can vary from place to place. At the end of the month, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which translates to the Festival of the Feast and spans over three days.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset, abstaining from food and drink until they break their fast in the evening. And yes, that means no water.

But the fasting element is just one aspect of this holy month. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time for self-improvement, prayer, charity and increased worship, among other things. In addition to the usual five daily prayers, night prayers called Taraweeh are held at mosques and can continue late into the evening. As well as staying up late at night to pray, Muslims wake up before sunrise for Suhoor, which is a chance to eat and pray before the sun rises.

While this may all seem like no easy feat, this is a time of year that many Muslims yearn for, as it brings with it benefits greater than the sacrifices made.

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 family.

It is important that we create inclusive school environments for Muslim students, staff and families during the month of Ramadan. Here are some things to consider:

Educate and communicate

Creating dialogue about Ramadan among the school community can help to create cohesion and understanding. Students may not inform their teachers that they are fasting for fear of being judged or misunderstood. By communicating openly about this, the fear of being different is lessened.

Discussing Ramadan in staff meetings, school assemblies or newsletters can be a good way to start the conversation. This can be complemented by PSHE lessons about diversity, and even inviting pupils or parents to speak about the importance of this holy month.

Staff should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to support their learners during the fasting month.

Make adjustments

In schools, we make adjustments for students based on a variety of factors. In Ramadan, you may consider some of the ways that you can accommodate Muslim students and staff.

For students, waking up early to eat and sleeping later due to night prayers may impact their ability to remain focused for long periods of time. This may mean allowing for extra breaks throughout the day or giving them the option of skipping physical activity when they are fasting.

If lockdown taught us anything, it is the power of technology. Allowing staff to attend after-school meetings from home through an online platform can help them prepare to break their fast at home, rather than rushing home later in the afternoon.

The best way to know what will work in your context is to ask those involved. If students are fasting, it is a good idea for the school to be aware. Consider sending out a questionnaire to parents asking them how the school can best support their child during this time. Student voice is another great avenue to explore in order to make reasonable and beneficial adjustments.

Events

Community events are important in building connectedness within schools. From parent-teacher conferences to celebrations and awards ceremonies, bringing people together to enhance the student experience is vital. But in Ramadan, these events may be difficult for Muslims to attend for a number of reasons.

Where possible, consider if the dates and times of these are inclusive for all members of your community. If it is unavoidable due to your school’s calendar, offer alternative timings and be flexible to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be involved. Live-streaming events or recording these can be another way to make them accessible.

Create inclusive spaces

During Ramadan, students and school staff may wish to take some time out of their busy classrooms. This could be for a quick moment of peace, or to complete their afternoon prayer. Like mindfulness or meditation, prayer requires a quiet and private space.

It may be an easy option to create a prayer room in a busy hallway or by the noisy school gym. However, by choosing unsuitable locations, staff and students will find it difficult to focus during their prayers. The location of the school prayer space is important, as it sends a clear message about the value of diversity.

The most important thing we can do, as educators and school leaders, is to be open-minded and honest with ourselves. Nobody is expected to have all the answers, but asking questions, learning and creating dialogue about matters that impact our community, like Ramadan, can lead to a more respectful and inclusive environment for all. 

Marym Elagha is the Year 5 Leader at Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur