Four London schools 'ban Muslim students fasting for Ramadan'

[strivingobserver98]

I think they should be allowed to try fasting at least encourage children to fast. At what age is it obligatory for children to start fasting? This ban discourages fasting totally.

Narrations to encourage fasting for children.

It was narrated that al-Rubayyi’ bint Mu’awwidh ibn ‘Afra’ (may Allah be pleased with her) said: On the morning of ‘Ashoora’, the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sent word to the villages of the Ansaar around Madeenah, saying: “Whoever started the day fasting, let him complete his fast, and whoever started the day not fasting, let him complete the rest of the day (without food).”


After that, we used to fast on this day, and we would make our children fast too, even the little ones in sha Allaah. We would make them toys out of wool, and if one of them cried for food, we would give (that toy) to him until it was time to break the fast.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1960) and Muslim (1136).

‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to one who was drunk during Ramadan: “Woe to you! Even our children are fasting!” And he hit him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari in a mu’allaq report, Bab Sawm al-Subyaan (Chapter on the fast of children).

Source: http://islamqa.info/en/139252

Four London primary schools will reportedly prevent Muslim students from fasting during Ramadan.

Barclay Primary School, in east London, wrote a letter to students informing them of the ban on June 10.

The letter said the new rules would apply to students at schools "within the Lion Academy Trust," which includes four schools across the city.

It said the school had made the decision out of concerns for students' welfare.

"We fully appreciate that this is a very significant and special time of the year for our Muslim community and that from a very early age Muslim children learn to understand and practice adherence to the Five Pillars of Islam, of which the annual observance of Ramadan is one," the letter said.
"Whilst we are aware it is a special time, it is very much a time to spned with family and friends; many of our children wake up with their families as they open their fasts and stay up late to close the fast.

"Last year on occasion the period between opening and closing fasting was in excess of 18 hours. For a child this is a significant amount of time without sustenance or water."

Mr Wright said the school had sought guidance before making the decision.

"In Islamic law, children are not required to fast during Ramadan, only being required to do so when they become adults."

"The health of an individual is the first priority. Previously we have had a number of children who became ill and children who have fainted or been unable to fully access the school curriculum in their attempts to fast."

The other schools affected by the new rules are Sybourn Primary School, Thomas Gamuel Primary School and Brook House Primary School in Haringey.

Source

[crimsontide06]

I think they went the wrong route in their concern over "health". They could have had a meeting with parents, voiced concerns...etc but you cannot ban a religious tenant of someones faith. Are they going to force food down the kids throats at school?

I believe mandatory fasting starts when you hit puberty..