DEARBORN, Mich. — While Muslim students are uncommon in many U.S. school districts, they are a significant presence in certain communities, leading public schools to be more mindful of their needs during the holy month of Ramadan when fasting from dawn to sunset is an obligation of Islam.
For instance, in Dearborn, Michigan — where almost half of the 110,000 residents are of Arab descent — public school teachers and staff are working to make things more convenient for students observing Ramadan.
“We allow students to practice their faith independently as long as it’s not disruptive to the school day,” stated Dearborn Schools spokesperson David Mustonen. “We also try to find other spaces or activities in the school during lunch for those students who may be fasting.”
However, he emphasized that these students are still expected to complete all assignments.
In St. Paul, Minnesota, East African Elementary Magnet School has designated space in the library where fasting students who prefer not to be in the cafeteria can spend the break engaging in supervised activities like reading, according to principal Abdisalam Adam.
The 220-student school opened last autumn as part of St. Paul’s public school system, and shares the curriculum, but it also aims to reinforce cultural and linguistic ties with Somalia and other East African countries. Adam stated that about 90% of the students are Somali Muslims.
Adam, who has been with the district for almost 30 years, said he advises his staff that accommodating the observance of Ramadan aligns with an overall objective of looking after students.
“All needs are interconnected,” he said.
For school districts less familiar with Muslim traditions, there are resources available. For instance, Islamic Networks Group, a California-based nonprofit, offers, among other things, online information for educators about Ramadan and its importance to Muslims.
Many districts “don’t know much about Islam or any of our holidays,” remarked Maha Elgenaidi, the group’s executive director. “If they lack knowledge about it, they can’t provide much to students in terms of accommodation” until they gain more understanding and the parents actively request accommodations.
She suggests that fasting students may need to be excused from strenuous activities in gym class, and should be allowed to make up for missed tests due to absence for celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday that follows Ramadan.
“If they’re not accommodated at school or the school is unaware of this, they’re somewhat leading dual lives there.”
Fasting is not mandatory for young children, but many Muslim children choose to fast to participate in the month’s rituals and model the behavior of parents and older siblings, as per ING. Educators also need to be aware of the typical changes to Muslim families’ routines during Ramadan, like waking up for the pre-dawn “suhoor” meal and staying up late to possibly attend prayers in the mosque, Elgenaidi explained.
When Dr. Aifra Ahmed’s children were younger, the Pakistani American physician and her husband would share insight about Ramadan with their classmates, reading them a Ramadan story and giving out goodie bags with items such as dates.
Ahmed, who lives in Los Altos, California, realized that Muslim families in the school have to do a lot of education.
Moazzam Chaudry, Ahmed’s husband, said when educators offer a Ramadan greeting, it sends a message of inclusivity.
For immigrant families, the first thing that naturally comes to mind is, 'Are we integrated into this society? Does this society even accept us?' These little gestures make a huge impact.
Punhal, their daughter who attends a charter middle school, participates in physical education during Ramadan but avoids running while fasting because she would need water afterward.
She mentioned that a few non-Muslim friends expressed their interest in fasting with her in companionship.
Naiel, her brother who attends a public high school, was happy when a teacher talked to the class about Ramadan and offered him the option to take a nap if needed.
He wishes others would have a better understanding of why he fasts.
He explained, 'When I’m fasting, I just feel a lot more gratitude towards everyone around me and towards people who don’t have as much.'
In Dearborn, 14-year-old Adam Alcodray commended the faculty at Dearborn High for their understanding during Ramadan.
Alcodray, a 9th grader, said, 'A lot of the teachers are more lenient, allowing us to do less. They understand that we are hungry.'
Alcodray mentioned that he fasts from 6:20 a.m. until around 8 p.m.
He remarked, 'When you know you can’t eat, something in your brain clicks.'
Hussein Mortada, a 17-year-old senior at Dearborn High, emphasized the value of family solidarity during Ramadan.
He mentioned, 'In my family, everybody’s fasting. The whole month is meant for you to get closer to God and make your religion stronger.'
This year, Ramadan holds extra significance due to the hardships faced by people in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war, according to Mortada.
He expressed, 'All you can do is feel for them and pray for them.'
Alcodray echoed similar sentiments.
He said, 'When you look at what the children are eating in Gaza, you appreciate what your mom makes.'
At the East African magnet school in St. Paul, Marian Aden, who trains other teachers there, prioritizes Ramadan-related accommodations for fasting students.
Aden shared that her youngest daughter, 4-year-old Nora, woke up excited about Ramadan’s start on March 11 but her teachers in the suburb were unfamiliar with the occasion. She looks forward to Nora attending the magnet school next year.
Aden said, 'She’ll be celebrated for who she is.'
Minnesota has been home to growing numbers of refugees from war-torn Somalia since the late 1990s. Several school districts have recently made Eid a holiday.
In Washington, D.C., Abdul Fouzi has two daughters, ages 8 and 12, who have slowly learned the meaning and customs of Ramadan.
When he was growing up in Sierra Leone in the 1980s, Fouzi mentioned that he started fasting for a whole day at the age of 11. However, he hasn't forced his older daughter to do the same.
“They’re still pretty young so they’re not prepared to go the entire day without food or water,” he said. “They’re not capable of that.”
Nevertheless, he wants them to get used to the idea; this year, he wants them to try fasting for half a day.
According to Fouzi, what's more important than strictly following the rules at their age is their understanding of Ramadan’s significance and the importance of praying for peace.
“They create their own little rules and find ways to participate in and observe Ramadan in different ways, and that's okay with me,” he said.
