The month of May can be an especially stressful time for students, as they must balance homework with increased studying and extracurriculars. However, the Muslim student body must also incorporate faith and fasting to their already packed schedules.
For the past three years, Ramadan coincided with SOLs, finals and this year, with IB exams testing. Since Ramadan begins 10 days earlier every day, the window in which it occurs decreases every year.
Students and teachers said they have differing perspectives on the coincidental overlap between the testing days and Ramadan .
Muslim Student Association sponsor and math teacher Abeer El-Baz said she does not think fasting drastically affects the results of exams as long as students create a strategy that works for themselves. She said she supports those who choose to fast, regardless of the overlap of end-of-year testing.
“I would encourage [fasting] because it will help [students] organize their time and prioritize,” El-Baz said. “Pace yourself very wisely and use your energy in only important things; this is one of the goals of Ramadan.”
El-Baz said from the religious point of view, Muslims have been fasting all year round because they follow the lunar calendar. At the time of the Prophets and early Muslims, the people fasted while fighting battles and during their daily lives. El-Baz said fasting during a test should not be difficult, especially if students are determined and prepared.
“The first couple of days will be hard, but that’s why it is a good idea to practice now while you don’t have exams in the month of Shaban, so that when Ramadan comes, you’re ready,” El-Baz said. “Shaban is the month that comes before Ramadan so some people are fasting now to train their system.”
Senior and president of the Muslim Student Association Club Zainub Qureshi also said fasting during Ramadan is a benefit rather than a disadvantage. Qureshi said fasting allows her to experience what others less fortunate than her have to undergo on a regular basis.
“It makes you a better person if you’re fasting and shows you what other people go through if they don’t have food,” Qureshi said. “[Fasting] might feel like it is bringing you down in the beginning but once you get used to it, it’s a lot better.”
Qureshi said even though fasting is hard at times, it does not affect her exam scores because it allows her to concentrated more on the assessment rather than her hunger.
“[Fasting] relies on focus,” Qureshi said. “If you are not eating or drinking you put more focus into work because you need to do something to stop yourself from thinking about fasting.”
Freshman Yasmin Mohran said even though the purpose and actual process of fasting has a positive effect, they are also down sides to it, such as distraction during the testing environment and unexpected results.
“It is hard to take an exam while fasting since I don’t get to eat breakfast right before the exam and I’m constantly focused on how hungry I am,” Mohran said. “But, it gives you patience and it helps put you in other people’s shoes who do not have food.”
Freshman Amelia Magee said although fasting seems difficult, she praises Muslims who are able to do it while encountering all of the obstacles.
“It’s seems tough because I really like food and I don’t know whether I would be able to give that up, but I really admire them and their ability to stay true to their faith in that way,” Magee said. “If I were devoted to a religion like that and I felt that it would be a good representation of my faith, then maybe I would [fast].”
2018-05-16