Ramadan

Specialties School

Published

Specializes in School Nursing, Ambulatory Care, etc..

Received this info from another nurse in my district and thought I'd pass it on. I know we have several Muslim families here at my school, and this is not something I've seen before.

Does anybody know if there is an age limit? I know for Catholics, children under a certain age are not expected to fast during Lent, but I don't know if there is a similar age limit for Muslims.

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3 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

So if you have a student who is hungry, tired, and dehydrated, especially late in the afternoon, do you a religion assessment to see if they are Muslim and participating in Ramadan to decide if some intervention is appropriate or inappropriate????

1 Votes

In my experience the children usually start fasting around middle school or 5th grade at the earliest. Our school organizes a room for fasting students to go to during lunch where they can play board games or on the computers. I've had a few students ask to rest during their break times because they're tired (from waking up to eat in the early morning hours).

8 Votes
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
11 minutes ago, OldDude said:

So if you have a student who is hungry, tired, and dehydrated, especially late in the afternoon, do you a religion assessment to see if they are Muslim and participating in Ramadan to decide if some intervention is appropriate or inappropriate????

No, but their declining water is probably a dead giveaway....

As with Judaism, you are obligated to take on a fast when you are considered an adult (in Judaism that's age 13ish). BUT you don't have to take on the obligation if there are health concerns. And a family is not supposed to force the obligation on a kid.

6 Votes
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i believe (though i am not positive) children who have not begun puberty or have not reached a certain age do not have to abide by these rules. I had a student observing Ramadan last year while we were on a class trip overnight to Boston. we discussed with Mom that it would be difficult for him to do the long walking tour with no water, not eating at the scheduled times. Mom allowed him to take a break from observing while he was on the trip so there were no issues.

4 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

All very good points...but it's not up to the state to separate those kids from any other kids based on their religious belief and it's not up to the "informed faculty" to initiate any action or inaction based on their religious belief.

I think the "Notice" is well intended but I think it facilitates and enables the discrimination of Muslims in an environment where there should be a "separation between church and state."

4 Votes
3 minutes ago, OldDude said:

All very good points...but it's not up to the state to separate those kids from any other kids based on their religious belief and it's not up to the "informed faculty" to initiate any action or inaction based on their religious belief.

I think the "Notice" is well intended but I think it facilitates and enables the discrimination of Muslims in an environment where there should be a "separation between church and state."

Just to clarify--our activity room for fasting students is completely optional. We would never force separation or assume a student is fasting. They can go if they don't want to be in the cafeteria.

9 Votes
Specializes in school nursing/ maternal/child hospital based.

This is very good information, Thank you.

2 Votes
Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
1 hour ago, OldDude said:

I think the "Notice" is well intended but I think it facilitates and enables the discrimination of Muslims in an environment where there should be a "separation between church and state."

Interesting thought.

1 Votes

There is definitely an exemption for children but definition of that may vary. While it might start at puberty, girls and women who are actively menstruating (pregnant or nursing) are often exempt as well although some might choose to fast rather than explain to male friends why they are snacking. As well as children or adults who are actually sick (again by variable definition, but hospitalized patients generally do not fast) Those with T1D will probably not fast. Some people push themselves or their family further than others. There are different rules about oral medication. Often anything that can be taken before or after fast is. Tylenol or zyrtec for a rash might be avoided during the day but an antibiotic or benadryl for hives would be taken! A culturally sensitive assessment is never out of line in nursing.

Like with Jewish fasts or lent, there is more than avoiding food so those who have exemptions to eat are still avoiding desserts, TV, video games, gossip, etc.

0 Votes
2 hours ago, OldDude said:

All very good points...but it's not up to the state to separate those kids from any other kids based on their religious belief and it's not up to the "informed faculty" to initiate any action or inaction based on their religious belief.

I think the "Notice" is well intended but I think it facilitates and enables the discrimination of Muslims in an environment where there should be a "separation between church and state."

Eh. Giving the option to sit away from temptation is kind. If a student is being singled out by other students because of fasting, it can become a learning opportunity for adults in the school to step in.

It's hard to say there's true separation of church and state when so many schools structure their schedule around Christian holidays.

5 Votes
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
17 minutes ago, kidzcare said:

...It's hard to say there's true separation of church and state when so many schools structure their schedule around Christian holidays.

Although there isn't any reference to Christ in this regard...

1 Votes
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