By Welcome, baddies, to #AllyGroupChat!
Throughout the month of Ramadan, we’ll be crowdsourcing answers to the most burning questions our non-Muslim brothers and sisters have about our Holy Month, and we’ll be summarizing the best of the best right here, every Friday!
So keep an eye out, because you never know what you’ll learn in Muslim Girl’s #AllyGroupChat!
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Q: “As a teacher, what can I do during Ramadan to make it easier on my students?”
A: “As a former teacher myself, I think that simply asking Muslim students/the class this question can make a big difference: ‘Is there anything I can do to continue to help you succeed while you observe the month of Ramadan?’ It shows that you are aware and conscious of this month and its possible implications, and expresses a desire to help in general. It can make students feel comfortable and welcome. Students are more likely to turn to teachers who make them feel supported, and like they have a safe space to just be themselves. In an environment like this, they will therefore ask for what they need, whether it be a space to pray, a place to sit during lunch time away from the cafeteria, or anything else.”
– Anonymous.
A: “Always remember that they are less energized than other kids. If they seem to avoid contact with people, then let them be.”
– Areej, 17, Pennsylvania.
A: “Let them know where they can pray. Excuse them from physical activity. Let them know where they can hang out during lunch. Do your research on what Ramadan is — being bombarded with religious questions at a young age when you don’t know the answer can get stressful. Don’t discourage fasting. Be patient and lenient with the students fasting; they don’t have much in their stomachs, and they may not have gotten enough sleep. Don’t assign homework for Eid, or near Eid. Give students extensions so they can relax during their religious holiday. Some students may not want to listen to music. Ask if they mind before playing. Don’t make them feel like the odd one out. Ramadan Mubarak!”
– Tamanna, 15, Abu Dhabi.
“If you’re a gym teacher, for the love of everything good, please don’t force your students to run laps or participate in heavy exercise. The thirst gets REAL.“
A: “Don’t yell at tired students!!”
– Yasmina, 16, France.
A: “If you’re a gym teacher, for the love of everything good, please don’t force your students to run laps or participate in heavy exercise. The thirst gets REAL. Maybe putting up Ramadan decorations and talking about the importance of Ramadan/Eid. We always hear about Christian holidays, which is really educational, but I’d love for someone to acknowledge Muslims, too.”
– Shukria Yusuf, 18, Toronto.
A: “Let them have 10 minutes off to pray when they need to :).”
– Ka, 25, NYC.
A: “Give fewer assignments and projects to be done at home so we have time to pray and focus on Islam for this month.”
– Tooba, 15, Houston.
A: “I’m a student, but I feel that teachers can lighten the homework and classwork load. Right now, one of my teachers is mad at me for forgetting to do my homework, even though she’s Muslim. I know that everyone isn’t perfect, and forgetting is part of being human. But basically, they [the teachers] can be nicer and lighten up on homework and classwork.”
– Maryam, 12, Delaware.
A: “Not too much homework, and make the lesson as easy as possible to follow. Avoid complex content. Maybe group projects will also help, or something different than the daily school routine to get their focus and full attention.”
– Belkisa, 24, Munich.
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Editor’s note: Tryna to get those good deeds in for Ramadan? We’ve got you, bae!