BURNSVILLE, Minnesota — At Gideon Pond Elementary School in Burnsville, Principal Salma Hussein is mindful of building a community where all students and staff feel seen.
"I know that majority of Minnesotans want to do the right thing for our students and might not have access to that information of what it is that they can do right away to ensure that Muslim students feel seen," Hussein said.
It's why Hussein took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to write her thoughts on how educators can best support students and staff during Ramadan.
"Ramadan is a very special month. We believe that it will start either Monday or Tuesday, depending on the sighting of the new moon. It really is a month of reflection, a month of charity, a month of prayer, a month of community and family. It is a time that we, as Muslims, really look inward and work on that relationship that we have with our creator God," Hussein said.
Ramadan marks the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and includes abstaining from food and drink, including water, from dawn until sunset.
Fifth graders Azhar Nunde and Salma Aziz are getting ready for Ramadan.
"We fast because of many, many reasons... we fast because of how the homeless, starving, sick people out there have nothing and we should appreciate what God has given us," explained Aziz.
Nunde added, "After Maghrib, or sunset, we pray and then most people break their fasts with dates or water."
Keeping fasting in mind, Hussein recommends educators offer students an alternative space during lunch. Aziz and Nunde agree.
"I don't think we should go to the lunch room and watch the other kids eat. I think we should go to the... conference room or something," Nunde said.
Becca Buck, the K-5 music teacher at Gideon Pond, said she's also had some students approach her saying they are not only abstaining from food and water during Ramadan but music, too.
"As a non-Muslim, then I will ask my Somali cultural liaison to reach out to those parents and make sure to connect and have those conversations. Because one important part is that there is diversity within diversity. So not all Muslims are going to observe the exact same way. So just having those conversations and making sure there's that really strong home-to-school connection so that the parents are the primary decision-makers. Just making sure that they feel heard and they have all the information in order to make those decisions," Buck said.
Hussein said they also coordinate with parents, saying, "We don't make the assumption that all Muslim students will pray. We really believe in that partnership between home and school."
At Gideon Pond, students and staff have access to a quiet, clean space for prayer. They also provide prayer rugs. This space is available not only during Ramadan but throughout the entire school year and is supervised by staff while in use. Breaks are coordinated so kids do not miss out on academics during this time either.
"You do not have to be Muslim or Somali in order to accommodate your students. We have to know that we have a responsibility to accommodate all of our students," Hussein said. "When we think about social and emotional learning, we have to also consider religion and the role that religion plays. In the Muslim community. our SEL is connected to prayer."
Buck added, "I think the number one thing, especially for non-Muslims, is just talking to the students about it and learning more. I like to incorporate opportunities for my students to share within the space. So I try to find books about Ramadan and find ways that I can link it to music or having the students share their experiences with Ramadan."
Aziz said, "No matter who you are and where you're from, you should always make everybody feel welcome."
Once throughout Ramadan, ISD 191 Community Education, in partnership with the Muslim Student Association, puts on a community Iftar. This year's will take place March 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Burnsville High School. Everyone is welcome. Tickets are $15 and you can RSVP, here.
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