During Ramadan, Attending Class on an Empty Stomach

To go without food or water from sunrise to sunset for an entire month is already hard to fathom for many of us – to be expected to focus and participate in school at the same time seems downright impossible. For Muslim students during Ramadan, however, it is not only possible, it is part of their religion.

Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, charity and prayer, is observed at different times every year, as it follows the lunar calendar. But it often falls while school is in session.

This year Ramadan began Aug. 1 and will end Aug. 29. Many Muslim students in Elk Grove will start school within the next couple of weeks – which means they will still be fasting while attending classes.

“There are good things and bad things about this,” said 15-year-old Belal Ahmad who starts 10th grade at on Monday. “It’s easier to focus on school work than focusing on the fact that you can’t eat. But sometimes it’s hard to focus when you’re too hungry.”

Nabilah Fareed, a 21-year-old Elk Grove resident and student at Sacramento State University, agreed attending school while fasting can be challenging. She said because she attended St. Francis High School, a private high school in Sacramento, she may have had an easier time than public school students.

“My teachers would excuse me from P.E. during this month. I’m not sure if public schools do that,” Fareed said.

According to spokesperson Elizabeth Graswich, Elk Grove public schools also pay attention to the needs of students fasting for Ramadan. 

“Schools try to be very aware of it and sensitive of it [Ramadan]. During that time period they try to monitor the students, but they may or may not know which students are observing Ramadan,” she said. That's why it is important for students or parents to inform school staff of their needs, she said.

Muslim tradition only requires people who have reached puberty to fast during Ramadan, but some younger children also choose to participate, sometimes fasting for just part of the day.

Mohammad Aladra, president of the  in Elk Grove, has two children in Elk Grove public elementary schools and works with a large number of high school students at the youth center.

“Last year my wife went to school and did a presentation about Ramadan in a storytelling way," said Aladra. "They also prepared some Ramadan tunes and songs and played [them] at the classroom in the morning. It happens on an individual basis like that – so parents will tell teachers or principals about Ramadan and it is usually accepted.”

One of the main concerns is how well fasting students will be able to endure physical education classes, Graswich said.

“P.E. is the area they [teachers] are particularly sensitive about,” she said. “They will typically try to do something modified, maybe less aerobic or not out in the sun as much.”

Charlotte Phinizy, principal of , said students are excused from P.E. without penalty if they bring a note from their parents.

“One of the things we really try to do here at Franklin High School is respect diversity – we’re centered around relationships with kids and acceptance of kids,” Phinizy said. “We haven’t had any complaints from students saying teachers made them do something against their religious beliefs.”

Phinizy noted that Franklin High also works with Muslim students to accommodate other needs such as prayer.

Sarah Ahmad, 20, graduated from Franklin High in 2009. While she said she had a generally good experience with teachers, she never expected them to fully understand her religion or its practices.

“I don’t expect people to know about Ramadan. It’s our job to let people know and not expect them to cater to us,” she said. “I tell people when they ask – I’ll bring articles and try to let the class know a little more.”

Ahmad now attends Sacramento State with Fareed. The two girls both expressed relief that the semester starts on the last day of Ramadan this year. However, they both also pointed out that fasting is always difficult, whether you're in school or not.

“I never say that it’s easy – if it were easy there would be no point to it,” Ahmad said. “But it does get easier with time.”

While fasting from food and water during the day is a major part or Ramadan, Muslims also give up many other things during this period such as gossip and vulgarity. Muslims also participate in charity during the month – often donating a percentage of their earnings or volunteering time to a good cause.