Nottinghamshire school tells Muslim students fasting could damage exam results

From the Nottingham Post

Muslim students are being told to consider not fasting during Ramadan because it could affect their exam results.

Religious leaders, parents and schools have all said that because the holy month falls during exam season and the summer solstice, children taking part would not be able to eat or drink for around 18 hours every day.

Those who do take part may not perform as well in their GCSEs and A Levels in June as a result.

West Bridgford School has written to all parents at the Loughborough Road academy.

Principal Rob McDonough said: “For our Muslim community they have not faced anything like this for more than 30 years. We are not trying to tell them what to do but we want them to consider the challenge they face.

“If they do decide they want to fast they have to recognise that it is the time of the summer solstice and the length of daylight is extraordinary – unlike at Mecca for instance.”

In the letter sent to parents it states “Islam does not require a young person to harm themselves in fulfilling the fast but this is precisely what could happen with any underperformance in exams. Such underperformance could put a student’s future in jeopardy and have a profound impact upon their career aspirations.”

Dr Irfan Malik, general secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Nottingham, said: “It is very difficult for children to fast and prepare for exams and this is the first time I have heard of this message being given out here. We would say that it is not essential for children to fast if it is going to be detrimental to exams. . . some children will want to fast but these are important exams.”

Dad-of-four Jobraan Jalil, 38, of Nuthall, said: “There a few conditions where you don’t have to fast and I think this is included in this. It is also important to remember that the days that are missed could be made up after. This is sensible advice from teaching bodies and it goes to show that they do care about the future of Muslim children.”

That all sounds very reasonable and sensible – however what will the websites of the Blackburn and Green Lane Birmingham mosques say? Allah knows best.