School activities build on Ramadan spirit
FROM CHARITY DRIVES AND WORKSHOPS TO PRESENTATIONS ON SIGNIFICANCE OF FASTING, STUDENTS ENGAGE IN DIVERSE INSPIRED ACTS
Schools in the UAE have started holding a slew of Ramadanthemed activities such as presentations on the month of fasting, acts of kindness and Quran recitals, among others.
At Jumeira Baccalaureate School (JBS), Dubai, students on Tuesday morning (first day of Ramadan) were shown a Ramadan presentation by various staff members, said principal Richard John Drew. “In our Islamic Studies lessons this month, work will be very special and each class will be creating presentations that we will share in virtual assemblies, including students reciting the Quran. Presentations will be done in Arabic and English to cater to all our students,” he added.
Joining national drive
JBS is joining the UAE’s ‘100 Million Meals’ Ramadan campaign, which at the school will be led by the student council via the head boy and head girl so the school can “engage in the spirit of giving”.
This year, JBS is joining the UAE’s ‘100 Million Meals’ Ramadan campaign, which at the school will be led by the student council via the head boy and head girl so the school can “engage in the spirit of giving” that is characteristic of Ramadan, the principal added.
American Academy for Girls (AAG), Dubai, had already been hosting Ramadan-themed events this week, even before Ramadan started, as part of the preparations for the occasion. For example, AAG hosted a Ramadan assembly on Sunday, which included recitations from the Quran and customs to follow during Ramadan.
Learning while giving
Moving forward, during AAG’s Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies classes, students will learn the historical context and religious significance of Ramadan. “While we cannot gather food and money for donating collectively, our families are encouraged to donate through Emirates Red Crescent and other organisations such as ‘Stop and Help Kindness Exchange’, which provides grocery support for needy families,” said Lisa Johnson, principal of AAG.
At the school, the Ramadan spirit even extends to a dining area organised for students and staff who are not fasting, which is not visible to the fasting community members. “We do have a very large number of fasting students and staff, including non-Muslim staff members. This is a good opportunity for a shared sense of community while learning discipline and a way to become more compassionate to those in need,” Johnson added.
Wonders of the UAE
Meanwhile, Dubai British School Jumeirah Park is also organising diverse activities for Ramadan, although in a more limited format because of precautions for the Covid-19 pandemic, said Rebecca Coulter, the school’s vice-principal. “We are marking the holy month at Dubai British School Jumeirah Park in various ways. We have invited our community to celebrate the ‘Wonders of the UAE’ through a themed photography competition, with a different focus for each week of Ramadan,” she added.
“In addition, weekly Quran recitals are taking place, with our students broadcasting these via our school radio station, so we can listen as a whole school. We have invited our community to contribute to our nominated charities and we are also supporting the ‘Rice Collection Drive’ organised by Emirates Red Crescent.”
30-day challenge
At GEMS Founders School — Al Mizhar, students are learning more about Ramadan through special assemblies, webinars and competitions, said CEO and principal Akram Tarik.
“Embodying the values of Ramadan is encouraged through our GFM Ramadan 30-day challenge, where we challenge and reward all our children to complete an act of kindness, empathy, helpfulness and respect as part of our Jewel of Kindness Values Education Programme.”
Virtual iftar
Mahmoud Ali, director/ coach of Arabic and Islamic Studies at GEMS Metropole School, said: “For our Muslim and non-Muslim students, [Ramadan] is an excellent opportunity for them to think about self-discipline and consideration of other people.” Activities include Ramadan educational videos; hosting a virtual iftar for all GEMS Metropole community as well as many acts of kindness to help others during this holy month, Ali added.
Charity initiative
Karim Murcia, Principal/CEO, GEMS Al Barsha National School, said among the Ramadan activities at the school is a partnership with a charity organisation to facilitate community giving, a Quran competition, a virtual iftar for students and families to share the “special moment”, as well as parent workshops delivered by experts on various topics related to Ramadan.
Webinars for parents
Gillian Hammond, Principal, Repton Abu Dhabi, said: “Our Reptonians will be engaged in different Ramadan activities during their Islamic lessons with creative links to other curriculum areas. To include our wider Repton family, Simsar Haq, Head of Islamic Studies, is conducting two Ramadan webinars for parents, where he will share great insights into the importance of Ramadan.”
Giving Challenge
David Cook, headmaster, Repton School Dubai and CEO for the Repton Family of Schools, said among other Ramadan programmes, the school has launched ‘The Giving Challenge’ where students and staff can post on a Padlet link acts of giving that they have done or witnessed. The winner of the most ‘giving’ House will be announced at the end of the month.