‘Don’t fast for Ramadan’ advice brings heat on Spanish school headteacher

The headmaster of a primary school in the Spanish city of Melilla, which is attended mostly by Muslims, has advised children not to fast during Ramadan, as it may be bad for pre-teens’ health. Some parents did not welcome the message at all.

Alfonso García Zafra, the head teacher of the Juan Caro public primary school in Melilla, one of the two Spanish enclaves in North Africa, sent an advisory letter to the parents of the pupils, who began fasting as Ramadan started last week, according to Mundo Deportivo newspaper.

READ MORE:Making kids attend Christian worship at school violates their human rights – UN

In the letter, Zafra warned the parents of possible cases of fainting, migraines and heatstroke during school sports activities and games that could result from “dehydration or lack of sustenance," El Faro Digital News said.

The headmaster recommended that the parents do not let their children fast and attached a missive written by Islamic studies teacher Dris Mohamed Haddu to his letter. The letter said that “students who have not reached puberty – and all who study here are under 12 – are exempt from fasting under Islamic teaching,” The Local reported.

"So I advise – and am supported by the Islam teacher – that parents follow this recommendation because of the host of activities planned until the end of term, and because of the heat," Zafra said in his letter.

http://www.rt.com/news/346581-ramadan-spain-teacher-fasting/

Melilla
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melilla/

Oooh.. Boy!

I have mixed feelings about this.

On one hand, I don't like the idea of a child (under 19, still growing), going hungry anywhere for any reason.
But I see nothing wrong, with an adult fasting for spiritual reasons.

On the other hand, I am a firm believer in 'separation of church & state', so I don't think a teacher or school or district or state, should be interfering with ANY religion of a child in public school.

Only the parents can & should make religions/ spiritual decisions for a child (or a private school, of the parents choosing).*The USA & the UK & probably other places, have been having teachers, schools, districts interfere as well... especially in the last 4-5 yrs.. many threads on this topic*

I agree with you Sassy. The school system here in the States is in shambles and because of our government's handling, has created Nanny states.

If it is a religious reason, the school should have made the adjustments. Not the Muslim families.
Class,
Any one celebrating Ramadan?

Ok, let me write your names down. The list is given to administration. These children are given a permission to be excluded from exercise classes and strenuous activities till Ramadan is complete. Wow that wasn't hard. Maybe I should move to Spain and run this school. Note to self,,, um Rob, that is cray cray..okeydokey..

I think those Euros are trying to copy the States. Someone please tell them that our system is a horrible mistake. On a side note, Spain has a high Muslim concentration going back to the Ottoman empire. Why are they attacking Ramadan???

I know I ain't fasting!

maybe Spain has some bad Memories concerning the Moorish Occupation!

Ok, let me write your names down. The list is given to administration. These children are given a permission to be excluded from exercise classes and strenuous activities till Ramadan is complete. Wow that wasn't hard. Maybe I should move to Spain and run this school. Note to self,,, um Rob, that is cray cray..okeydokey..


Exactly
They should of notified the parents.
And given a multiple choice question. Excuse my child or not.

Or had a meeting, prior to Ramadan, especially if the majority of students are Muslim.

Simple solutions. Why complicate it?
Why try to control it?
Why put the children at risk of being punished!?
ACH! Those running the school are as@holes!

yeah, logic isn't as strong as emotionalism though,,,