Though Muslim students are a minority in many US school districts, they are still a major presence in some communities, prompting public schools to be more attentive to their needs during the holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan is a Islamic holy month, during which Muslims fast from dawn-to-sundown.
For instance, in Dearborn, Michigan with nearly half the 110,000 residents being of Arab descent, public school teachers and staff works to make things easier for students observing Ramadan.
“We allow students on their own to practice their faith as long as it’s not a disruption to the school day,” said 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, students are still required to complete all assignments, according to Mustonen, reported Associated Press.
On the other hand, St Paul, Minnesota, East African Elementary Magnet School has set aside space in the library where students who are fasting can spend the break doing other activities like reading, said principal Abdisalam Adam.
The school also aims to reinforce cultural and linguistic connections with Somalia and other East African countries. About 90% of the students are Somali Muslims, said Adam.
One climber miraculously survives deadly fall from mountain in Alaska’s Denali National Park
"Of course age is an issue. I'm a grown man, running against a six-year-old," says US president
Killer whale left alone after pregnant mother died in Vancouver Island
Argentine beauty pageant winner redefines expectations of age
Gold watch belonging to the wealthiest Titanic passenger likely to fetch record £150,000
Donald Trump's potential VP described the dog as "untrainable" and "dangerous"
