The second half of the religious ritual that is notoriously known to many as ‘fasting’ is a time where Muslims worldwide gather together to deter from materialistic needs to re-connect with religion. Alongside this holy celebration comes the approaching summer months and exam season. Amal Al Tauqi investigates just how this has an effect on the education system.
Ramadan this year falls between May 5 and June 4, just when the majority of university examinations and assignment deadlines arise.
Renowned for adapting to diverse cultures and religions, London is by far one of the most multicultural cities in the world that welcomes 3,372,966 Muslims, according to National Statistics. But the hours of fasting in the UK are longer than in other Middle Eastern regions, making observing Ramadan more difficult.
As a result, the time between sunrise to sunset can lead to a decline in the ability and standard of work. On an average fasting day, the morning meal (sehri/suhoor) has to be eaten by early hours of the morning, close to 3am and the fast can’t be broken with the evening meal (iftar) until after 9pm depending on the time of sunset. Additionally, the time each day increases by a minute or two as the days proceed longer.
Every able-bodied Muslim is expected to follow suit, as a way to sacrifice for their beliefs. The only exceptions are children, people who are ill, elderly, menstruating or pregnant.
As Ramadan is set by a lunar calendar, its date changes by 11 days every year meaning for the last few years, it has always fell into the same pattern of examination periods.
Fasting during the Islamic month doesn’t only mean resisting the temptation to eat: it also means no sexual intercourse, no smoking, no bitching, and no general bad behaviour in daylight hours. Instead, Muslims are encouraged to give to charity, love and be kind to others.
Although Ramadan brings both reward and a hell of a challenge, most education institutions take their Islamic students into consideration. London Metropolitan University on Holloway Road have designated a section of their website providing both non-Muslims and Muslims with information regarding the holy month. Stating key material on when Ramadan starts and ends, how students who are fasting can benefit from the services provided and the procedures of fasting during exams, the university has also ensured to add: “These are personal decisions that both staff and students should consider when talking with their Muslim peers.”
Hind, 23, is a teacher. Also fasting and working in the educational system, she was eager to explain her experience of fasting herself and teaching Muslim students in the time of both the month of Ramadan and examinations.
“You can definitely tell the lack of concentration from students. They find it difficult to balance the two,” says Hind, who still lives with her parents in their West London home. She has seen her students still make an attempt to work hard despite the long hours of fasting. Growing up doing the same, she shows empathy to those in a position that was similar to hers not long ago.
“My way to push them is to remind them that it’s a temporary situation, and they are improving themselves spiritually and educationally. Also reminding them they should be proud of themselves,” she said. “In fact, I had a student the other day who was staring at the floor for a good 10 minutes and I let him have the rest. When I asked if he was okay, he responded: ‘Miss, I’ll be honest. I was just thinking when Iftar is.’”
full interview here:
There’s no doubt that many Muslims slowly but surely find it hard to adapt to the long hours without food or water. But there are many tips provided to ensure they perform to the best of their ability.
Students from the Middle East who study in the UK have the struggle of adjusting to Greenwich Mean time. “In Dubai, it’s 15 hours a day, now it’s 18 hours,” says Millind, a Fashion Marketing student at London College of Fashion. “This year I have to do all my exams whilst fasting, you’re just hungry and you can’t really focus.”
“Fasting in London is possibly one of the hardest things ever.”
According to a medical investigation on the impacts that fasting has on students, scientists Abdolreza Gilavand and Jafar Fatahiasl revealed that: “Based on the results of 11 studied researches, it can be claimed that students’ fasting during Ramadan increases their mental health.”
A lot of research has been done on the effects of fasting on physical health. These effects include burning of fats, lowering blood pressure and weight control. It plays a huge part on a student’s performance and this can sometimes lower educational standards.
One student, who didn’t want to be named, said: “I love Ramadan. I find it so peaceful and it allows me to re-connect with my religion. Although it’s difficult to fast, I’ve somehow managed to find a way to balance out education and fasting. It’s not that bad if you find a way suitable to match your needs.”
With the last 10 days approaching of the holy month and exam season soon drawing to a close, most students have a whole five months of summer to look forward to after the window of constant examinations are over, kicking off the first segment of summer three days of celebration – the Eid al-Fitr. It just goes to show; it’s all worth it in the end despite the difficulties at the time.
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