Muslim Ramadan fast not healthy
ISLAMIC religious leaders have asked schools to spare hungry Muslim students homework and give them “time out’’ at school while they fast during Ramadan.
The move follows reports that a Sydney public school has excused its male Muslim students from having to shake hands with women.
And it comes as the Australian Medical Association yesterday warned that hungry and thirsty children who fasted for Ramadan were in danger of fainting in class.
Australian Medical Association vice-president Dr Tony Bartone warns children need regular meals and water. Picture: Josie Hayden
The Islamic Special Religious Education, which teaches Islamic scripture to 20,000 students in
NSW public schools, has advised teachers that Muslim students “may appear to be more tired or inattentive’’ while they fast from dawn to dusk.
In a “Ramadan guide for schools’’, the ISRE says fasting is required of all Muslims who have reached the age of puberty — which can be as young as nine — unless they have a medical condition.
“You can help by allowing teachers to grant concessions to fasting students where possible, such as requests for time out, flexible schedules and lighter homework assignments, or less strenuous playground activities, especially towards the latter half of the day,’’ the guide states.
AMA vice-president Tony Bartone said growing children need regular meals and water.
“This is a very difficult conversation because of the issues around religion,’’ Dr Bartone told The Daily Telegraph.
The Australian Medical Association warned that hungry and thirsty children who fasted for Ramadan were in danger of fainting in class.
“But the average adolescent can have hunger pangs every couple of hours, especially when they’re going through a growth spurt. They’re going to be struggling with hunger, concentration and attention if they’re missing out on essential nutrients and energy.”
The ISRE guide for schools states that fasting involves abstaining from all food and drink from dawn to sunset. “Fasting is required of all Muslims who have reached the age of puberty, and who are physically able to do so,’’ it states.
But Dr Bartone said students would suffer dehydration if they did not drink regularly. “That could create episodes of fainting in the classroom,’’ he said. “Physical activity like sport or PE lessons while fasting in the heat would be a real no-no.’’
He suggested Islamic families consult a doctor before imposing fasting on children.
The NSW Teachers’ Federation declined to comment, and ISRE did not return calls.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...n/news-story/95048f44bcf0453d8a28e067a3372bb1
If a parent makes their children fast from dawn to dusk for a month is that not what we call child abuse in Australia?