Ways to support your students during Ramadan

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims worldwide start fasting. Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic year and an Islamic event of fasting, prayer, reflection and community and is celebrated as a commemoration of Muhammad’s (pbuh) first revelation. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts just under a month from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims unless they are exempt due to certain circumstances like illness and pregnancy etc. During the day, they will not be able to eat or drink and will take the time to control their lives by learning to exercise self-restraint and practice self-discipline. All Muslims will break their fast at sunset with their iftar which is their first meal after sunset. They will also have a meal referred to as suhoor which is the last meal they eat just before sunrise before they start their fast again.

Ways to support your students this Ramadan

The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied throughout Ramadan, the Quran states that Ramadan should be a month of guidance for Muslims. Fasting can be difficult for many Muslims so assisting them in whatever ways we can is important. Some ways that you can support your students during Ramadan are:

• Start off by wishing your Muslim students a ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ which means a blessed Ramadan or ‘Ramadan Kareem’ which means a generous Ramadan.
• Allow students who are fasting to sit out of overexerting PE lessons. During Ramadan, some students may experience low blood sugar, weakness, tiredness or other symptoms which can make certain PE activities more challenging. Allowing them to sit out will help them throughout their fast.
• Teach your class about Ramadan traditions and Islam. During Ramadan, this is an excellent time to educate your students on the topic and will be a great way to help make your Muslim students feel included and seen whilst they fast. Doing this will also help students who are uneducated on the matter understand why their peers are fasting and what they can do to help!

We wish everyone observing the month of Ramadan a Ramadan Mubarak, we hope you have a blessed month.