Ramadan question re music at school

[NCembarassed]

I work in a school. One of our students has told me she cannot be in music lessons during Ramadan.

My faith (Christian) is really important to me, and I want to support our students in any way I can. If possible, I don't want them to feel compromised.

As a TA, I don't have much influence on the decision, as it is up to the teacher. What can I suggest to help?

Also, we have quite a few Muslim students, so we wouldn't need to accommodate one student, but a small group.

Yes, listening to music breaks the fast. Learned this yesterday as my daughter said that in her music lesson some of the kids covered their ears and “sir” reminded them that parents had had a letter about arrangements and Ramadan not disrupting lessons. I assume any objections the kids need to sit out therefore respecting the fast but not stopping others having the lesson.

Sorry that is ridiculous, music is part of the curriculum therefore there's no issue. If a parent wants a separate Muslim oriented education they need to send to a Muslim school. I have several Muslim friends and never heard of such a request

Seems some people are trying to be deliberately disruptive to their children's education - fasting (food) isn't even compulsory

If you're in a secondary, speak to the head of year - they will be best placed to advise.

School should be able to accommodate the pupils, surely? They could have library time instead?

One of our students has told me she cannot be in music lessons during Ramadan.

Do the parents know she is requesting this? Or is she chancing her luck? I'd have thought this kind of thing should be coming from the parents, not a student. How old is she?

Sorry but that is nonsense.

The curriculum is the same for everyone, regardless of religion.

Kids don't even have to follow fasting rules during Ramadan and there is no agreement anyway about whether listening to music is not permissible.

As far as I am concerned you leave your faith at the school entrance door and follow the requirement of the official curriculum.

or you can choose to send your child to a faith school.

Personally, I'm against faith schools and think it's important for every child to be respected within a diverse society.
It doesn't take much to make adjustments to suit everyone.
Your opinions about someone else's faith or culture aren't some universal shared perspective. They are your personal ideas. You make choices for yourself and let others make reasonable choices for themselves.

Having just read the AMA on Ramadan I learned 2 things. 1) fasting starts at puberty, 2) music is indeed banned.

The school should have a policy on Ramadan, and music lesson arrangements should be agreed by parents (attend, attend with ear defenders, go elsewhere).

DD's school had policies on religious things which included things like Henna being agreed in advance.

We have lots of Muslim staff in our school and they don't sit out of the collective worship or music lessons. How old is the student?

I'd hope the library could be an option. I am surprised if there are several pupils who are Islamic that this is the first occasion it has been mentioned.

I suspect there are issues about how 'observant' someone wishes to be and also whether they want to take advantage of any permitted relaxations.

This is a genuine Islamic thing just because some may find it silly, it is still in their religious belief. Parents should respond to a letter about this something like: happy ramadan! if your children require any adjustments during ramadan please let us know. The school should have a list of who is muslim as religion is asked about on school record and send it to them specifically.

Some children sit and read or do homework if they opted out of RE so the same can be done with music, have them go to library pr sit in the classroom and read with someone supervising.

Likewise. I've been teaching for almost a decade and never once encountered a staff member or any of the thousands of Muslim students sitting out of music lessons for this reason. What is the reasoning behind it?

It doesnt matter if your muslim cousin or friend sits through music, that's irrelevant... if this is what these students belief then that's it. There are different sects of Islam and different levels of observing the rules some are only culturally muslim never pray never fast have extra marital sex... some are very strict and some are relaxed but in ramadan they become extra strict.

Secondary aged children would fast during Ramadan.

It's musical instruments that are forbidden in some extreme interpretations (wahabi muslims), generally. Voice (singing, chanting) is permitted though, and there is nothing to stop them doing music theory.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4769162-ramadan-starts-tonight

What happens if it would impact an exam?

Fascinating, I've learnt something today!

Exactly this is such a
minimal issue. If it’s a school with several/many Muslim children then really they should be catering better to their needs. It’s hardly a massive disruption. Not like they can’t hold a pen or something.

This. It’s literally as simple as this.

It depends on what sect you follow. Not all Muslims have this rule or are this extreme.

But those complaining that music is part of the curriculum and Muslim students / parents have to either accept or find a different school, how is this different to parents who don’t want their children to go to sex education classes or gender identity, when it’s part of the school’s curriculum?

I don’t get why if it’s someone’s religion it can’t be accommodated - surely they can just be allowed to wear headphones it won’t damage their education missing out on a few music lessons.
And it’s not true other religions are not accommodated - the whole school calendar revolves around the Christian faith - Easter break or Christmas holidays anyone?