How to support students doing Ramadan

This is an excerpt from the SBS Learn Teacher’s Resource: Observing Ramadan, where you can hear from some of our SBS Language editors and producers as they reflect on their own countries’ customs.

Every year during Islamic holy month, Muslims around the world observe a month of fasting and reflection. The start and end date of this period is determined by the first sighting of the crescent moon after it begins anew, and the first sighting of the next crescent moon a month later. Despite festivities, for Muslim students, this can be an isolating and lonely time as they engage in their communities’ activities and requirements. Luckily, teachers can support students during Ramadan.

1. Students do not need to announce their faith or religious observances.

Challenge: Although it may seem inclusive to mention your Muslim students in lessons this time of year or openly check in on them in front of their classmates on how they are going, this should be treated as confidential information. Not all students will wish to be exposed; for some, it makes them feel separated from their peers or unsafe. This is something they are working through personally with private support.

Solution: Move forward with lessons presuming there are Muslim students in your class and create supportive classroom policies around this presumption.

 2. Avoid activities focusing on food and/or drink.

Challenge: Muslims abstain from all food and drink from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. Depending on age and menstruation cycle, your Muslim students will probably be unable to partake.

Solution: Ensure it is not the main focus of the activity and that students are able to pass on the offering without feeling pressured, excluded, or drawing unwanted attention to themselves.

 3. This is not a time for ‘solidarity towards a cause’.

Challenge: Although some Muslims may feel a sense of support if the class fasted with them, keep in mind that Ramadan is a time of reflection in order to come closer to Allah. It is not a time of suffering, as some may presume due to the fasting period. Such a suggestion may create a feeling that Ramadan is unhealthy physically or mentally, or potentially insult the fasting student who is doing so as part of very specific purposes in order to achieve something important to them.

Solution: If you are aware of Muslim students in your class, privately ask them what they would find supportive during Ramadan. Encourage them to come back to you at any point with their realised suggestions as they go through this period; they don’t need to answer immediately, if at all.

 4. Reduce rigorous physical activities.

Challenge: Fasting can have significant impact on the body. Your Muslim students may be experiencing consequential symptoms or educing physical activity may cause them to arise. Consider avoiding activities that involves strenuous movement during Ramadan.

It is important to keep in mind that your students are getting their required nutrition and hydration after sundown so are safe, however asking them to partake in physically demanding activities may not be ideal for them. Some Muslim students will feel fine during fasting periods with physical activity, so avoid surprise or forcing them to not partake for their presumed safety.

Solution: If unavoidable, such as PE classes, have lower impact alternatives prepared or allow Muslim students to be quietly excused without any impact to their learning or drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.

 5. Offer a prayer space and the required time.

Challenge: Spiritual efforts are increased during Ramadan in order to reflect and turn towards God. This means precise times they are required to pray, and appropriate and private space needs to be available in order to do this at times they need to. This may mean them leaving during class time in order to do this. Muslim students should not be asked to complete an activity first, asked to pray at times more convenient to the class, or perform their prayers in front of others.

Solution: Your school may already have a dedicated prayer space and an awareness of the requirements for Muslim students during this time period. If not, this could be something you talk to your Principal about.

In your classroom, one way to avoid attention drawn to your Muslim students who need to go pray is to offer all your students ‘mindfulness breaks’. During this time, they could pray, meditate or even just quietly take some downtime. They could choose to do this quietly in their own space, or with a short walk. This is a relaxing classroom management tool and could be considered as a permanent offering for your students.

 6. Create a food-free area during Lunchtime.

Challenge: Although your Muslim students are encouraged to notice when they feel hungry or thirty throughout the day as part of their observances, sitting in a room filled with eating and aromas may be overwhelming.

Solution: Create an alternative space for student’s not eating, or for students once they have finished eating. This might be in the library area or asking students to eat outside only on nice days if suitable and allow others back into the classroom. Preparing some lunchtime games or fun activities will allow them to feel like they are not missing anything.

 7. Monitor students for additional support.

Challenge: A teacher will naturally notice if their students seem a little different or not themselves, which is possible due to a Muslim students change in routine during this time period and intense reflection. However, Muslim students may be more aware of loss, grief and feelings of loneliness during Ramadan. Adaptation to new homes for immigrants and awareness of any persecution can be even more difficult. Breaking fast at the end of the day with family can emphasis the loss of loved ones no longer there. A lack of awareness and understanding may cause a teacher to miss important red flags.

Solution: Keep an eye out for any behaviour that seems out of ordinary. Consider talking to parents/guardians about school guidance counselling if this month is seeming hard on them emotionally. Continue to offer them support however they need.

 8. Educate your students on Ramadan.

Challenge: There are a lot of myths and misconceptions around Muslims and their practices, as is unfortunately common with most religions. While your school may not encourage a particular practice to the take the spotlight over others to maintain equality, this is also an ideal time to educate your class on Islamic practices and build empathy towards those of the faith so students observing Ramadan feel safer and understood.

Solution: Get your class involved in the festive time of Ramadan through classes on the tradition. You might even want to encourage the decoration of your classroom with lanterns and Islamic inspired art.