Linda Lewins, METAS Manager, has issued a helpful letter about Ramadan to Colleagues, which is reproduced here for your information.

Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar and as such the end is marked by a celebration Eid Ul Fitr. Many schools find it helpful to avoid the month of Ramadan when planning parents’ evenings, trips, open days etc., as Muslims will almost certainly not attend such functions at this time.

 

This year however, the month of Ramadan is expected to begin on the second week of August 2010 and finish the second week in September, just after pupils have returned to school for the new academic year.

 

Most Muslims rely on the local physical sighting of the moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan, but some use the calculated time of the new moon or the Saudi Arabian declaration to determine the start of the month. Since the new moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, the beginning and end dates of Ramadan depend on which lunar sightings are received in each respective location. As a result, Ramadan dates vary in different areas, but usually only by a day or two.

 

Accordingly, I am writing to inform you that in 2010 the month of Ramadan will be from the 10th or 11th of August until 9th or 10th of September 2010. 

 

These dates allow for some uncertainty occasioned by the fact that the month does not start until the new moon is sighted.

 

I will Endeavour to confirm the dates with different mosques in different areas of the county and put these dates on the METAS website www.bucksgfl.org.uk/metas under ‘latest news’ as soon as I have clarification at the beginning of the new term.

Only one authorised day is allowed as a religious holiday – this has been agreed with Imams from the local Mosques. Hopefully schools will contact families and alert them to the expectations of the school, explaining that one day only will be authorised and asking them to identify which day they will be taking.

 

The next significant Muslim celebration that impacts on attendance will be Eid-ul-Adha, celebrating the end of the Hajj. This will be on Tuesday 16th of November. Again it should be explained to families that only one day should be taken as a holiday. Schools with high numbers of Muslim pupils may consider taking their inset day at this time.

 

I hope that you will find this information helpful in planning events for next term. Should you need any further information or guidance please do not hesitate to contact mevia email: llewins@buckscc.gov.uk

 

METAS ( Minority Ethnic and Traveller Achievement Service ) is a relatively small team with two resource bases that covers all schools and Early Years settings in the county. The bases are widely used by schools and settings for the borrowing of resources free of charge to promote cultural and religious inclusion through the curriculum.

 

Back to News & Articles