Students Have No Energy: Fasting Month Ramadan Causes Conflicts at Vienna Schools

The family reunification of asylum seekers brings additional topics of discussion to Vienna schools, as reported by "Zeit im Bild" on Monday. A particular issue is the adherence to strict fasting rules during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

A sports teacher at the elementary school in Vienna-Brigittenau expresses concern: "Suddenly I notice children who normally have a lot of energy, after a round of running around, they suddenly sit on the side and have no energy left." The reason for this: Due to the fasting rules, they are not allowed to eat a snack or drink water. In the case of the school in Vienna-Brigittenau, this affects about 40 percent of the students.

All-Day Fasting for Children "Actually Even Forbidden According to the Quran"

Tugrul Kurt, an Islam expert at the University of Vienna, explains that the children actually do not have to fast. "I would even go so far as to say that it is actually forbidden according to the Quran for children who have not yet reached the age of religious maturity to fast." This age is considered to be between 12 and 15 years, depending on interpretation, but for those under twelve, fasting, especially all day, is definitely forbidden.

Problems with Fasting: Between "Losers" and Islamophobia

The situation is exacerbated by influencers who instill the opposite in the children. Additionally, there is pressure from some teachers to make the children break their fast. Kurt refers to this as a "narrative of Islamophobia."

A Vienna elementary school principal also reports a worrying dynamic among the children, where those who cannot manage to fast all day are seen as "losers." Her school now has a new rule: Anyone who is barely able to sit and has no energy must be picked up by their parents immediately. If this does not work, the police and youth welfare office are informed. The regulation is bearing fruit: According to initial feedback, Muslim children are increasingly bringing a snack and something to drink - and they are fitter.

(Red)

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