ramadhan – advice and guidance

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referred to as the five pillars of Islam. For a Muslim, fasting involves .... Page 5 emphasis should be on encouraging children to engage in all activities as a way of.
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

RAMADHAN – ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

Education and Cultural Services Directorate Advisory Division In Partnership with the Lancashire Council of Mosques 2000

RAMADHAN ADVICE AND GUIDANCE Introduction Lancashire LEA has a long history of providing guidance and support to its schools in meeting the cultural and religious needs of the diverse communities we serve. Over this period, the LEA has welcomed the support of its many partners, in particular the Lancashire Council of Mosques (LCM). It was, therefore, a pleasure to respond to the invitation of the LCM to work together to produce this guidance. As is common practice in Lancashire, the document was produced by a Working Party. Membership was drawn from Officers and Advisers of the LEA, Headteachers and representatives from the Lancashire Council of Mosques.

The Context There are approximately 1.5 million Muslims in Britain, the majority of whom originate from the Indian Sub-continent. 90% of Lancashire’s minority ethnic communities follow the Islamic faith. In Arabic, ‘Islam’ means voluntary surrender to the will of Allah and obedience to his commands. Allah, also an Arabic word, is the name for God. Islam is a complete code of life, and explains the purpose of one’s creation, existence, ultimate destiny, one’s place amongst other creatures and provides guidance to lead a purposeful life, to be rewarded in the life hereafter. The Lancashire Muslim population originates from four main areas of the Indian Sub-continent:1. The Punjab in Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir. 2. Gujerat State in India 3. Bangladesh – the majority of Muslims from Bangladesh are from the Sylhet District 4. Muslims from Africa, East or Central. Originally from India Islam is a universal religion in that all Muslims accept the same religious tenets and follow similar rituals and religious practices. Islam is in many ways related to Judaism and Christianity. Much of the teaching of the Old Testament is shared by all three religions and many of the basic ideas are very similar. Muslims see Islam as the final and most perfect of all religions. The Prophet Mohammed’s message, recorded in the Holy Quran, is regarded as a direct message from God, written down without alterations. Ramadhan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, requires Muslims to fast between sunrise and sunset and to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse during daylight hours. The month culminates in the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr when Muslims celebrate and offer thanks for the month that has just ended. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is one of the highest forms of worship for Muslims and great emphasis is placed on its adherence. It is one of the basic duties of Islam, often referred to as the five pillars of Islam. For a Muslim, fasting involves changing the balance of one’s life, e.g. doing less of the ordinary daily activities in order to practise self-restraint and performing more of the spiritual, religious, moral and charitable activities to re-affirm and strengthen one’s faith. The Holy Month of Ramadhan therefore involves particular engagement in regular and extra prayers, in helping others, meditation etc. Muslims who are fasting are not only fulfilling a key element of the Islamic faith but are also deriving physical and moral strengths such as will-power, endurance, patience and self-control.

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Whilst fasting is obligatory for all Muslims over twelve years of age, there are some exceptions in recognition of possible hardship, e.g. women who are pregnant, breast feeding or menstruating, individuals who are old, ill, infirm or who are travelling.

Principles This document provides information, advice and guidance for schools on arrangements during Ramzan (the more accurate term for what is often called Ramadhan) which recognise and respect the traditions and requirements of Muslim parents whilst, at the same time, ensuring the safety and good education of pupils and the effective management of schools. We acknowledge that different schools will have different practical arrangements according to the age of children in the school, the type of school, the percentage of Muslim children and the resources (human and financial) available. We also recognise the right of each school and governing body to make its own detailed arrangements for Ramzan. However, we believe the principles below should apply to all schools. 1. Celebrating Diversity Schools should demonstrate through their practice that they recognise and value cultural and religious diversity and that they seek to promote racial equality and religious harmony. Pupils who fast and engage in extra prayers and charitable activities during Ramzan should be seen positively and their achievements should be recognised and celebrated, for example in assemblies. This will help to boost pupil confidence and promote a positive self-image.

2. Knowledge of Islam Staff and governors in Lancashire schools should have sufficient knowledge and understanding about the religious and cultural traditions of the communities they serve and should seek to support these traditions in their practice.

3. Developing Partnerships All schools work to ensure effective communication with parents and to understand and respect the needs of the particular communities they serve. Schools can enhance their understanding of Ramzan by engaging in active dialogue with the local Muslim community and Mosques, by sharing information and seeking to ensure that school practices are consistent with parental wishes and religious rules. If they organise parents' meetings to talk through the issues and share ideas, schools will be more likely to have the support of all parents for their particular policies in this area.

4. Rights and Responsibilities Religious freedom is a basic human right which should be afforded to all pupils in every school. Schools should work with parents and community groups to make sure that the right balance is struck between the rights of Muslim pupils to practise their religion and the responsibility of teachers and parents to ensure the good health, safety and educational progress of those pupils. Schools and parents have a particular responsibility to ensure that a child’s education does not suffer unduly because of his/her involvement in fasting. Ramzan is not just about fasting, it also promotes better behaviour, more effort, more charitable activities and is a time for strengthening spiritual and moral values. Experience in Lancashire schools would indicate that children usually cope well with fasting and many schools report extra effort, more co-operation and a greater awareness of the needs of those less fortunate during Ramzan.

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ADVICE AND GUIDANCE The following sections contain Advice and Guidance on good practice. Most of the recommendations are drawn from the practices to be found in Lancashire schools . FASTING Fasting during daylight hours is an essential element of Ramzan. It is compulsory for children after puberty and younger children are encouraged to take part whenever they and their parents feel it is appropriate. This will depend on the individual child, the wishes of the parent and the time of the year, e.g. when Ramzan is in winter and daylight hours are fairly short, more parents are likely to encourage their young children to fast than when it is in summer. Although fasting is compulsory for Muslims after the age of puberty, there are certain groups of people who are exempt. Amongst these are the very old, pregnant women and women during menstruation, people who are very sick or on 'important' medication (e.g. heart attack patients), and people embarking on long journeys. Wherever possible, Muslims will try to make up for missed days by fasting on extra days after Eid. Fasting involves changing the balance of one’s daily life, i.e. doing less of the ordinary daily activities to practice self-restraint and performing more of the spiritual, religious, moral and charitable activities to re-affirm and strengthen one’s faith. During a Roza (Fast) one must not eat, drink, chew, smoke, swear, sing or dance, bully or fight with others, engage in sexual activity and must generally refrain from anything which may be offensive to others. Some of these are obviously things that Muslims would not tolerate at any time but Ramzan reinforces the need to refrain from them. During Ramzan one must engage in regular and extra prayers, in helping others, in doing good deeds and in giving charity. A Roza starts at dawn and ends at sunset. Muslims are expected to start and finish the Roza on time. Many young children get a tremendous sense of achievement through completing the fast and will plead with their parents to let them keep a 'Roza' - parents have to weigh up the benefits of supporting their children's enthusiasm for their religion as against whether it will be too difficult for them. Children in Muslim countries continue to attend full-time education during Ramzan. Advice and Guidance • Be pro-active. Schools should agree in advance their policies in relation to fasting and participating in school activities. • Inform parents in good time of the school's support for Ramzan and any special arrangements that have been made to assist pupils who are fasting. • Schools should develop strategies for checking with parents whether the child is fasting or not. Schools can help parents of younger children by discussing which days are best for 'trying out fasting' e.g. choosing days that do not clash with swimming, games or outings. • Inform the catering staff that numbers of children requiring lunch may be lower than normal and, if there are appropriate facilities for the safe storage of food, make sure that any child who is entitled to a free school meal has the option of taking a packed lunch at the end of the school day. Where this is not practical, schools may prefer to ask children to collect their packed lunch at lunchtime. • Encourage staff to praise Muslim children who are fasting and to give them recognition in assemblies and tutor time. • Although the school may wish to excuse any child who is fasting from swimming or games, either because the child does not feel up to it, or because of parental wishes, the

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• • •

emphasis should be on encouraging children to engage in all activities as a way of demonstrating their commitment to Ramzan. Consider the possibility of setting rooms aside at lunchtimes for pupils who wish to pray or for those who just want to rest. Explore how the school might use fasting during Ramzan as a stimulus for exploring issues of wealth and poverty in the developed and developing world, with a focus on the rights of the child. Consider how the particular focus on charity during Ramzan might usefully be coordinated with a school charity appeal.

SUPERVISION AT LUNCHTIMES Schools should consider the best ways of managing the lunchtime during Ramzan. Every effort should be made to provide children who are fasting with a room for prayers, or a quiet area away from the dining area to rest if they wish. Advice and Guidance • Schools should consider sending a letter to all parents before Ramzan starts, outlining the school's policy on lunchtime supervision and the arrangements that are to be put in place. • Governors in schools with a high proportion of Muslim pupils may wish to consider a temporary shortening of the lunch period and a consequent earlier finish to the school day. PRAYER TIMES AND FACILITIES Ramzan is a time when Muslims try to spend more time in prayer and religious contemplation. The most important prayer for Muslims is the 'Jummah' prayer (major congregational prayer on Friday afternoon). This prayer is the mid-afternoon prayer which changes its time to reflect the different seasons - the exact time is set by each individual Mosque. In winter time this is likely to be between 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m., whilst in summer it is likely to be between 2.00 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.. During Ramzan, Muslims are expected to also offer extra prayers every evening (Trabee prayers). As Ramzan is the celebration of the giving of the Quran to the world, many Muslims will try to read the whole of the Quran during this month. The evening before the 27th Roza is especially important, as it is believed to be the very first day the Quran was revealed to the Prophet. Many Muslims, including children, will stay up very late saying prayers and reading the Quran. Advice and Guidance • Every effort should be made to set aside rooms for prayers and reading the Quran (preferably separate rooms for older boys and girls). Where possible, washing facilities should be available for pupils getting ready to say their prayers. • Schools should be sympathetic to pupils' desire to offer prayers at prescribed times and in particular to their need to read the Jummah prayers. • Schools might consider inviting the local Mosque to arrange for an Imam to lead Friday prayers in a specially designated room in school. • Some schools may wish to include reference to Ramzan during their assemblies. • Schools may consider linking Ramzan into the Religious Education Programme and encouraging teaching staff to use opportunities across the curriculum to develop knowledge and understanding of Islamic history, beliefs and traditions. THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR AND SCHEDULE OF SCHOOL EVENTS The Islamic Calendar is lunar and important dates, (e.g. Eid) are decided by sightings of the new moon. The Islamic year is approximately ten days shorter than the solar year used in western calendars - this means that Muslim festivals move 'back' approximately ten days each year. It is easy to predict the week in which any Muslim festival will fall in any year.

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The precise day is decided by the sighting of the new moon. Different Mosques have different mechanisms for deciding on when the new moon is visible, e.g. some Mosques have links with Saudi Arabia while others with Pakistan or India. Thus, the day 'chosen' may be different for different Mosques. Advice and Guidance • Although this might be difficult, schools should try to avoid organising major school events such as Parents’ Evenings, Open Nights, school tests and internal examinations during Ramzan and the week in which Eid falls. • It is suggested that schools take into account future dates of Ramzan and Eid when preparing their annual Diary of Events. A calendar for the next few years is included at the end of this document. PHYSICAL EDUCATION, SWIMMING AND AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES Pupils who are fasting are usually physically able to take part in most activities during Ramzan without putting themselves at risk. Fasting pupils will normally wish to take part in most activities during this period. Pupils who are fasting will need to break the Fast at the prescribed time. Deliberately doing anything which is prohibited (e.g. eating, drinking etc) will break the Fast. For Muslims, breaking the Fast is seen to be as bad or even worse than not fasting at all. Advice and Guidance • Schools should not ask fasting pupils to do anything which might be construed by them or their parents as breaking their Fast. For example, pupils who go swimming are very likely to swallow some water. It may be possible for swimming to be suspended during Ramzan. • Schools need to be aware of the fact that Muslim pupils may be unable to participate in extra-curricular activities during Ramzan because parents will want them home in time to break their Fast. It may be possible, for example, for sports practice sessions to be held before school starts or at lunchtimes during Ramzan. • The need for pupils to be in the home before sunset might also have implications for a school’s behaviour management practice, e.g. after-school detentions. Schools may wish to consider alternative sanctions during this period, including the use of lunchtime detentions. TIME OFF FOR EID FOR PUPILS AND STAFF Careful and sensitive consideration needs to be given to whether schools grant Muslim staff time off to celebrate the two Eids and whether this is to be paid or unpaid leave. It may be possible to allow Muslim staff time off in lieu with staff working the hours at other times, for example at Parents’ Evenings or for part-time staff to work on other days etc. It is suggested that the Governors’ decision regarding leave for Muslim staff to celebrate religious festivals should form part of the school’s Staffing Policy which should contain sections on attendance/leave of absence. Advice and Guidance • Wherever possible schools should consult with the local Mosques, or the Council of Mosques, to determine the exact days that children will be absent from school. • Schools will want to inform parents clearly and in good time so they know what is expected and what provisions have been made. • All centrally employed staff who work the school holiday pattern are given the option of having one or two day's leave without pay to celebrate Eid. This also applies to Muslim staff who work in nursery schools. • Some schools will attempt to choose an INSET day to coincide with Eid.

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Some schools with a high percentage of Muslim pupils will regroup the small number of non-Muslim pupils in school on the day of Eid and release staff to do home visiting. This has the effect of strengthening the links between the school and community and is an opportunity to visit homes and communities for a positive reason.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH PARENTS It is good practice to keep parents informed of the arrangements made for their children during Ramzan. The form/s of communication should be designed to be as accessible as possible, which may include the use of letters in community languages, where appropriate. Advice and Guidance • Plan early for Ramzan – explain carefully and clearly to parents what you intend to do emphasise your commitment to, and respect for, Muslim customs and religious traditions. It may be advantageous to explore strategies for gathering the views of parents and pupils. • Schools might consider sending out letters prior to Ramzan to explain detailed arrangements, including lunchtime supervision and to ask parents for information about when their children will be fasting.

Case Study 1

Primary School with a Nursery Class and a small percentage of Muslim pupils

Early Years Although the children do not fast during Ramzan, the staff are aware that the children’s sleep patterns may be disturbed by having to wake early to share in the family meal before dawn, or that they might be woken by the activity. The children sometimes stay up later than usual to eat with the family. Staff are able to make allowances for tiredness, etc. Key Stages 1 and 2 The parents of some Muslim pupils decide to take their children home for lunch during Ramzan, rather than allowing them to take a school meal. Some younger children fast for one day a week. A few children are fasting at the weekends only. Staff know the various patterns and use the opportunity presented to talk about fasting in different religions and to acknowledge children’s faith and achievements. Muslim parents appreciate the respect and consideration shown to them at a time of important religious significance. The school celebrates the end of Ramzan with an Eid assembly and parties.

Case Study 2

Secondary School with a high percentage of its pupils who are Muslim

This school serves a diverse community. It has a well-used community room in which community education and meetings take place throughout the day and in the evenings. The school reflects the community it serves. For example, Muslim artefacts are to be seen on display throughout the school. Muslim prayer times are observed during the school day; those pupils participating in the Fast during Ramzan are presented with certificates in recognition of their efforts. Some school policies are located within the teachings of the Hadith; for example, the Behaviour Policy contains a quote from the Hadith about the importance of good manners.

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CALENDAR The following dates are approximate as the actual dates are decided by sightings of the new moon.

YEAR

START OF RAMADHAN

2000/2001

November 27 2000

2001/2002

November 16 2001

2002/2003

November 6 2002

EID-UL-FITR

EID-UL-ADHA

th

December 26 2000

th

th

December 15 2001

th

th

th

December 5 2002

th

March 4 2001 February 22

nd

2002

th

February 12 2003

Further Advice and Support Schools which would like further advice and support on the issues raised in this document can contact the individuals and groups listed below.

GROUP Lancashire Council of Mosques

Advisory Division Education and Cultural Services Directorate Lancashire County Council Ethnic Minority Achievement Advisory Team

ADDRESS AND CONTACT NUMBER

KEY CONTACTS

Bangor Street Community Centre Norwich Street Blackburn Lancashire, BB1 6NZ Tel: 01254 692289 PO Box 61, County Hall Preston PR1 8RU Tel: 01772 261609

Mahmood Chandia

LPDS Centre Southport Road, Chorley Lancashire PR7 1NG Tel: 01257 516100

Denise Dent

Wayne Marland Carol McNulty

Ian Helvenstyn Sonia Ryan

Equal Opportunities Section Lancashire County Council

Resources Directorate PO Box 78 County Hall Preston PR1 8RJ Tel: 01772 263490

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Sue Sheppy Clive Giddings Charu Ainscough