Ramadan:
Guidelines for College Tutors and Staff
Content
Introduction
Page 3
Background:
-Ramadan & Fasting
Page 3
-Ramadan & Prayer
Page 4
-Ramadan & Eid-ul-Fitr
Page 4
-Ramadan & Worship
Page 5
Meeting needs during Ramadan
Page 6-7
College Provision during Ramadan
Page 8
Future Dates
Page 9
Contacting the Chaplaincy
Page 10
Acknowledgements
Page 11
Further Reading & Information
Page 11
Notes
Page 12
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Introduction
Observing the fast of Ramadan is a highly important aspect of the Islamic
calendar year and as a religious responsibility it is important that all students
and staff are supported while continuing with normal college life. These
guidelines are intended to assist tutors and staff in offering the appropriate
support and practical arrangements during the month of Ramadan and the
festival of Eid-ul-Fitr that follows. Built upon established good practice in
schools, colleges and LEAs both nationally and locally these guidelines are
intended to offer some brief background information as well as practical
advice and suggestions for tutors and staff to consider.
Background:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be
the holiest of the twelve. The Islamic calendar itself is calculated according to
the lunar cycle so Ramadan officially begins when a new moon is sited. As a
result Ramadan starts and finishes at different times each year. For a rough
idea of future dates please see the guide on page 9 of this document.
Ramadan is of particular religious importance to Muslims because it involves
important religious observances of which fasting is a main obligation and one
of the five pillars of Islam. During this time all healthy Muslims over the age of
puberty are required to fast from sunrise to sunset. The Month of Ramadan is
also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a
guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation"
Ramadan & Fasting
Fasting is an important act of worship and its purpose is to encourage all who
participate to overcome feelings of greed and selfishness and to display selfcontrol and discipline. It entails total abstinence from food, water, smoke or
anything else that may be inhaled or passed through the lips. As well as
physical things the actions of lying, slandering, denouncing, back biting, anger
and such are also to be abstained from. Ramadan is a time when Muslims
concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their
everyday lives. It is a time of worship, purity and contemplation.
Each fasting day begins with a pre-dawn meal (Sehri) and at the end of the
day the fast is broken traditionally with either dates or water and then followed
with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is
customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is
resumed the next morning
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Ramadan & Prayer
Muslims are required to pray five times daily. This is another one of the five
pillars of Islam. The essential times for prayer are:
Prayer Name
Time
Fajr
Between dawn and sunrise
Zuhr
Between midday and afternoon
Asr
Between mid-afternoon and sunset
Maghrib
Immediately after sunset
Isha
Between nightfall and dawn
If it is not possible to make the prayers at their appointed times they can be
made as soon as possible afterwards. Colleges can therefore be flexible
around their own timetable when agreeing times available for prayer.
Appointed rooms are set aside on each of the main college sites for prayer
(ask reception for details). Where there are no such rooms one will be made
available where possible (please contact the Chaplain for your site).
Muslims do not generally require a leader to make the prayers, although
normally there would be a leader at the Mosque. Congregational prayers are
preferred but are not essential. Such prayers would not require the whole of
the lunch break and where large numbers are involved it is usually possible to
allocate slots over the breaks. It is usual for males and females to pray
separately but if not convenient they may pray together but in separate
groups. Senior pupils or Muslim staff may be happy to help with the
organisation of prayers. For more information the Chaplain for your site
should be contacted to put you in contact with the appropriate person.
During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) and
spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five
daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer after the
regular Isha prayer called the Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of
this prayer is usually 2-3 times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims
spend the entire night in prayer. Prayers are often performed in a
congregation, particularly in the evening but it is not essential.
During the last ten nights of Ramadan, Muslims customarily increase their
evening worship and prayer. On the evening of Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of
Power) it is believed that on this night Muhammad first received the revelation
of the Holy Quran. This can fall on the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 27th
evening of Ramadan. When the fast ends (the first day of the month of
Shawwal) it is celebrated for three days in a holiday called Eid-ul-Fitr (the
Feast of Fast Breaking).
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Ramadan & Eid-ul-Fitr
Eid-ul-Fitr is the festival that takes place to mark the end of Ramadan and
celebrates breaking the month of fasting. For rough dates of the festival
please see the guide on page 9 of this document noting that all dates are
subject to the sighting of a new moon. The first day of Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated
by dressing in new clothes and attending special congregational Eid prayers
at the Mosque. Such is the importance of this festival that a special charity,
Zakat-ul-Fitr, is paid to make sure that the poor can also take part in the
celebrations. Muslims greet one another by saying, Eid Mubarak, which
essentially means happy Eid or Eid greetings/blessings. Eid celebrations
usually last up to 3 days and are an occasion to visit close friends and
relatives, eat special meals and give one another gifts. The nights before,
women in particular traditionally decorate their hands with Henna (Mehndi) in
preparation for the festivities.
Ramadan & Worship
Observing the fast during Ramadan is one of the highest forms of worship
(ibadah) and if the fast is performed with the sincere aim and heart to please
God it is much more than a physical endurance test. For many Muslims,
Ramadan signifies an enriching act of utmost spiritual dedication and a time of
heightened sense and consciousness of Allah (taqwa). The hours of fasting
and dedication are seen to aid the worshipper physically and spiritually as
they direct their lives focus to God through prayer, reading the Qur’an and
abstaining from wrong doings and negative actions.
Through fasting Muslims also have the opportunity to share in the experience
of hunger and poverty experienced by the poor and destitute in the world.
Material possessions are often shared with the needy during this time and
financial welfare offered (Zakah). These are all experiences that promote
increasing generosity of living and a sense of personal gratitude for all the
gifts of life.
In addition to the very personal benefits of endurance, compassion and selfdiscipline which Ramadan confers, there is also the large communal benefit to
the Muslim community as a whole. Muslims throughout the whole world
observe the festival of Ramadan at the same time in the calendar year, in the
same manner and with the same motives. So Ramadan in also about a
heightened sense of community and belonging both within the local family and
within the worldwide Muslim community as a whole.
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Meeting Needs during Ramadan
The following section has been included in order to give college staff and
tutors the best guidance possible in order sensitively to meet the needs of
Muslim staff and pupils during Ramadan. All guidance offered is based on
authentic information from Islamic educational sources:
•
As fasting is a responsibility as well as an obligation in Islam it is
important that students and staff are supported whilst continuing with
normal college life. It is equally important that students realise that
Ramadan is not an opportunity to try and gain special individual rights
within the college.
•
Staff and Tutors should avoid giving the impression that fasting is ‘a
nuisance, disruptive to college routine and work’, but should view it as
something positive. Fasting is an intensely spiritual activity and
Ramadan is a critical time during which to demonstrate the college’s
commitment to equal opportunities and to valuing each other’s beliefs
and practices.
•
All staff, including non teaching staff, would benefit from being more
aware of the issues surrounding Ramadan included in these guidelines
as well as knowing which students and staff around them are fasting
and what this includes so they can offer empathy, support and
encouragement.
•
College departments may wish to recognise and celebrate the
importance of Ramadan with their Muslim students and staff through
the curriculum, collective events, displays, notices, presentations,
visits, staff training or other opportunities.
•
All staff need to be aware that the effects of prolonged dawn to dusk
fasting can cause sleepiness, mood swings and headaches. A family’s
sleep time alters dramatically during Ramadan and those fasting may
begin to feel particularly susceptible by the mid afternoon and as such
could be reluctant to take part in strenuous activity. Sports staff
especially may want to use their discretion regarding physical activity
during Ramadan by for example, re-scheduling strenuous practical
lessons, tournaments, physical examinations or by making alternative
arrangements for Muslim students.
•
Avoidance of swimming during Ramadan is also generally advisable
since no water should enter the mouth during fasting, except for
performing ritual washing (ablutions). Note: If liquid is swallowed
inadvertently the fast is not broken as the intention was not to drink.
•
Any oral medicine or injection cannot be taken by a person who is
fasting. Such medications can be taken after the fast is over. In serious
conditions advice should be sought from the one’s GP and Imam.
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•
During Ramadan students and staff may want to familiarise themselves
with the arrangements and facilities available for prayers on their site.
Everyone should know where prayer rooms are and if indeed a suitable
room is available for use. Students will require access to washing
facilities and males and females generally pray and wash separately.
•
Sites may consider making special provision during Ramadan over the
lunch breaks for those who are fasting, for example by making
available a quiet room where Muslim staff and students may pray, rest
and avoid having to watch others eat if they so choose.
•
As Islam is based on the lunar calendar that moves each year it is
inevitable that some examinations and practicals may clash with
Ramadan. Staff should be aware that some pupils may find the rigour
of preparing for an examination whilst fasting difficult and at least may
not perform to their best ability. Please see the section on future dates
for appropriate planning.
•
Fasting is difficult for both adults and young people and the timing of
the fast, from dawn to dusk, means that all food preparation and
consumption must take place over a few hours every evening or very
early in the morning. This makes it difficult for parents and students to
attend meetings or other functions in the evenings during Ramadan. If
it is possible to avoid evening meetings or events during Ramadan
while continuing to provide close and effective home-college relations
the benefits are considerable.
•
College should be aware that Muslim students and staff are likely to be
on authorised absence to celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. For the
rough future dates of this please see the guide on page 9 of this
document. For more information the college HR or Personnel
department should be contacted.
•
Where food is involved, as a matter of respect it is good practice to try
to avoid, where reasonable, working lunches, events with food and
drink or generally eating around those who are fasting (within reason).
•
Try to use Ramadan as a platform for greater cross cultural
communication. Be creative and open to ideas about sharing good
practice and maybe even throw an event after Eid-ul-Fitr to celebrate
the end of Ramadan which both students and staff can attend. For
example, see the section about the Chaplaincy T42 event under the
College Provision during Ramadan section (page 8).
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College Provision during Ramadan
The Manchester College Chaplaincy makes a number of plans and
arrangements each year to support Muslim students and staff during the
festival of Ramadan. A number of these are highlighted below as examples of
good practice:
•
Prayer Rooms are available during Ramadan on each of the main
college sites. For directions please ask at the main reception for your
site. Each room contains space to pray, prayer mats, Qurans and the
direction of prayer should be marked quite clearly. Where rooms are
not available the Chaplaincy should be contacted to make
arrangements. Mats, compass and Qurans can be made available
upon request.
•
For communal Friday Prayers a number of sites have alternative
arrangements to use a larger room or sports hall. For details of the
arrangements for your site please contact the Chaplaincy.
•
Each year the Chaplaincy celebrates the festival year through a
calendar of Displays on a number of our college sites. Ramadan
display will generally celebrate the festival using information, posters,
poetry and pictorial images. Look out for the display on your site and
those wishing to add or comment on the displays should contact the
Chaplaincy. Other sites of The Manchester College desiring to arrange
their own displays are encouraged to do so and may also contact the
Chaplaincy for ideas and materials.
•
Each year the Manchester College Chaplaincy holds its T42 Unity
Event. This is a simple event that encourages both students and staff
to invite someone they don’t know from a different faith, culture or
background to a free lunch. T42 events are generally and when
possible tied into the end of Ramadan and will run at various sites. For
dates, times and details please contact the Chaplaincy or look out for
promotional posters and flyers. Other sites wishing to run a T42 or
similar event should contact the Chaplaincy for support, advice and
materials.
•
During Ramadan the Chaplaincy is happy to support staff and students
who want to know more by organising Tutorials, Talks and Visits.
The Chaplaincy has a number of Islamic faith contacts and materials
for loan which it would be happy to pass on to interested groups. The
Openshaw LRC also hosts a large Chaplaincy collection of books and
materials for further reading and tutorials including a comprehensive
Islamic artefacts box and lesson plan. For further details please contact
the Chaplaincy or the Openshaw LRC.
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Future Dates
The following dates for Ramadan are subject to moon sighting in the lunar
calendar (see www.moonsighting.com) and may vary slightly:
Year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
1st Ramadan
Lailatul-Qadr
Eid-ul-Fitr
(Fasting Begins) (Night of Power) (End of Ramadan)
September 1st
September 26th
October 1st
August 22nd
September 16th
September 20th
August 11th
September 05th
September 10th
August 01st
August 26th
August 30th
July 20th
August 14th
August 19th
July 09th
August 03rd
August 08th
June 28th
June 23rd
July 28th
June 18th
July 13th
July 17th
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Contacting the Chaplaincy
Directions and information about Chaplaincy may be found on each main
campus and in each Chaplaincy room. For further information or to contact us
please use the details below or pass on a message via Reception, the
Guidance Service or by First Class e-mail.
In an emergency the Chaplaincy can be contacted via the Chaplaincy mobiles
(details below) or through Centre Managers, Switchboards or Receptions.
There is usually a Chaplain available at The Manchester College during both
term time and college holidays.
We offer pastoral care, support for those wishing to explore their own
spirituality and faith, links to outside faith communities and agencies, maintain
Chaplaincy rooms for prayer and contemplation, facilitate faith meetings and
events and co-ordinate a variety of resources such as display materiel and
tutorial materials.1
Scott Fellows
Jamie
[email protected]
Mobile: 0791 765 8872*
Mackenzie
[email protected]
Mobile: 0791 739 6457*
* Please note that the Chaplaincy mobile numbers are NOT available to be
used or given out to students except by the chaplains themselves or with
permission of the Chaplaincy.
1
For a full description of services offered by The Manchester College Chaplaincy please refer to the
Chaplaincy Statement of Service available on request or through the college intranet under the Support
for Students Folder/ Chaplaincy.
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Acknowledgements
The Manchester College Chaplaincy would like to acknowledge the following
documents and resources used to create this guide:
Guidelines for North Lincolnshire Schools on making arrangements for Muslim
pupils during the month of Ramadan- North Lincolnshire Council
Muslim pupils in Hertfordshire Schools during the month of fastingHertfordshire County Council
Guidance to schools on arrangements for Muslim pupils during the month of
Ramadan- Hounslow Lea and Hounslow Central Mosque
Advice to schools on Ramadan- Hackney SACRE
Muslims, Ramadan and the Workplace- Kwintessential Ltd
Shap Calendar of Religious Festivals
Further Reading & Information
For more information and resources see:
Meeting the Needs of Muslim Pupils
Publisher: IQRA Trust
Fasting in Islam
Publisher: IQRA Trust
Islam: Faith and Practice
Publisher: The Islamic Foundation (Publications Unit)
The Muslim Guide
Publisher: The Islamic Foundation (Publications Unit)
Faith Communities Toolkit: www.faithregenuk.org
Multi faith Resources and Materials: www.articlesoffaith.co.uk
General info: www.bbc.co.uk/religion/islam
General info: www.islamonline.net/english/index.shtml
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Notes
Please note that this document has been produced by The Manchester
College Chaplaincy and should not be reproduced or used without
expressed permission. For further copies or information please contact
us:
The Manchester College Chaplaincy, Openshaw Campus, Ashton Old Road,
Openshaw, M11 2WH
[email protected]
[email protected]
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