How a mostly-Muslim London school embraces Ramadan

Ramadan doesn't really change Nadia Amine's school day. 

"You might be a little thirsty and hungry by the end of the day, but it's the same as any regular day," the grade 7 student said. 

Nadia Amine is not alone — about 80% of the students at Rick Hansen Public School in White Oaks are Muslim, and many of them are fasting for Ramadan. That means no eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset. 

"Especially in the older grades, most of our students do observe Ramadan. Most students are fasting, most students are participating in the prayers each day," said principal Greg Moore. 

The school has spaces that are designated for praying and fasting, so Muslim students don't have to watch the other students eat. Teachers also take precautions during gym class for kids who aren't drinking water.

"It's about being compassionate and understanding, and providing those accommodations in good faith," Moore said. "We don't want it to feel like they're putting us out, or it's difficult. We try to make it business as usual."

That goes a long way with Grade 8 student Hasan Saud, who is also fasting during Ramadan. 

"You might think Ramadan is hard because you're fasting, and it is, but the school makes it very easy. They make us feel welcome, and like it's nothing new. They give us prayer rooms to pray in, which makes it feel even more welcome. We'd be more hungry is we saw people eating in front of us, that's a thing that I really appreciate," Saud said. 

His classmate Mohamad al-Assad feels the same way. 

"It's pretty simple. It's the same, but we're fasting which makes it a bit harder. But we have teachers and older people who help us, and make the day easier for us," he said.