Odense City Council wants to discourage Muslim schoolchildren from fasting during Ramadan

Odense City Council is issuing a recommendation to schools in the district, to discourage children from fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan.

The Children and Youth Committee wants public school officials in the Odense area to encourage their pupils not to fast, over fears for the health and wellbeing.

‘We know there some children who aren’t eating during the day, and it’s not possible to learn on an empty stomach without being tired and rundown. That’s why we want to stress to parents that it’s not an acceptable behaviour,’ said Jane Jegind, the head of the committee.

Fasting from sunrise to sunset is one of the main requirements for practicing Muslims during Ramadan. Those who are sick, elderly, pregnant or nursing are exempt from fasting, as are pre-pubescent children.

The principal at Kragsbjerg school, Peter Hyldebrandt, said many of the children and young students fast to show solidarity with their parents and religion. It is unknown exactly how many students at Odense schools are fasting.

However, inquiries at the 10 Odense schools with the highest number of Muslim students showed a broad support for the plan by school officials, reports Fyens Stiftstidende newspaper.

Johnny Rasmussen, principal at the Rising school, said that parents need to take responsibility for their children choosing to fast.

‘They must know that it isn’t good for the child’s health and that it presents them with problems in school.’

Fellow principal Carsten Høyer of Seden school agreed with Rasmussen, but said that the authorities cannot force the issue.

‘I can see that it’s sensible to send a signal to the parents in the form of an information campaign and tell them that their children need food to concentrate, but it should be a suggestion. It can’t be a decree because we have no possibility of sanctions. We can’t suspend the children or punish the parents.’

School inspector Jørgen Schaldemose will inform the principals of the committee’s position at a meeting on 18 September. (kr)