Let pupils use school canteens during Ramadan

The real issue that needs a permanent solution: canteens out of bounds to non-Muslim children

COMMENT

By Ravinder Singh

Nothing has been said about the school canteens that have been out-of-bounds for years to non-Muslim children during the fasting month. This is the real issue that needs a permanent solution.

A ministerial directive should be issued to all Sekolah Kebangsaan (as other schools don’t have this problem). Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, Deputy Minister of Education, should get this done by her boss. What is the problem to issue such a Ministerial directive?

Is it true that eating or drinking in the presence of Muslims in the fasting month is something disrespectful? Did the Prophet say such a thing? Those who are telling the non-Muslim children in schools to hide themselves in the toilets to eat and drink – are they following the true teachings of the Prophet? No one seems to have the guts to pull them up and teach them what the Prophet said about treating non-believers with dignity.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education are, by their silence, openly encouraging the growth of racism in schools. What is the hidden agenda? In stark contrast, the PM quickly shot down a minister’s proposal to restrict the opening hours of the 24-hour eateries!

Whether one is disrespectful or insensitive when eating or drinking in the presence of Muslims who are fasting depends on how it is done, and not by the mere act of eating or drinking. It would be rude, impolite and disrespectful if the person fasting mockingly asks to join you to eat or drink; or if by your body-language you try to show how delicious the food is; or if you actually offer a plate of food or a cup of drink.

If you must eat or drink in the company of fasting persons (Muslim or non-Muslim), it is only proper that you politely ask to be excused before doing so. I have done this many a time and never have the fasting persons ever indicated verbally or by body-language that they are offended or don’t want me to eat in their presence. They always say ‘please carry on’ or words to that effect. They respect my need to have my food, while I acknowledge that they are fasting.

When we are with friends, it is normal to invite them to join us for a meal or a drink. We may not know if anyone is fasting, (e.g. Hindus, Christians and Chinese also fast), but the person fasting never gets offended. He will sit together chit-chatting while you have your meal. He doesn’t walk away, offended that you still want to have your meal in front of him knowing he is fasting.

Why are some Sekolah Kebangsaan making such a fuss? What moral and religious values are they teaching the children? The rise of the mullahs in schools is proof of the total failure of two subjects taught from year one, i.e. religious studies and moral education. Race relations were superb when these subjects were not in the curriculum.

Racism in schools did not come about overnight. It has been creeping in little by little. If the Sekolah Kebangsaan cannot have some respect for the non-Muslim children in the holy month of Ramadan, then just don’t take any of them in. Don’t make Ramadan an excuse to practice racism. Don’t abuse the holy month of Ramadan.

The extremists in schools have “rebranded” fasting to make it appear that it is about not eating, or denying the body food, or crudely to starve the body. This is far from the truth.

Fasting is a rescheduling of eating times such that food is not consumed during the normal mealtimes, but at different times. The body is not deprived of its daily quota of nutrients. In fact there are some who feast in the month of fasting.

I have asked fasting adults and children whether they feel hungry during daytime meal hours and they all say no. I have experimented and find this to be true. It is the first two or three days that you have to discipline yourself to maintain the new meal times for the body to re-adjust its clock.

The body is not being starved such that it cannot stand the sight and smell of food during the daylight hours. It is much ado about nothing by some bigots who are hijacking Ramadan simply to “hantam” the non-Muslims. It is about feigning ‘sensitivity’ to show “ketuanan” learnt in BTN courses while safely hiding behind the curtain of Ramadan.

So what’s all the big fuss about eating discreetly in the fasting month when Muslims are around? The non-Muslims should have the good sense to be courteous and tactful. This is what Moral Education should be teaching non-Muslim school children.  Agama lessons should be teaching Muslim children to be humble and forgiving, to respect the non-Muslims who may be eating their normal meals in their sight and within smelling distance.

I hope Mary Yap will be able to convince her boss that racism in schools is real, that it is a very dangerous thing to allow it to go on, that children indoctrinated with racism in schools, directly or indirectly cannot be re-habilitated in adult life; that the interests of the nation must come before that of any individuals or political parties.

Is it the fear of losing votes that keeps the PM and Education Minister mum?

What use will all the wealth of the nation be if there is no peace and harmony? Slogans will not achieve peace and harmony. Firm, consistent action is needed.

Mary Yap, please come out of the denial mode that such cases are isolated or simply “misinterpretations and misunderstanding” of good intentions or jokes. Do not allow any excuses to be given why school canteens cannot be used by non-Muslim children to have their meals during the fasting month. Remember, where there is a will, there is a way. We want to see the will, not hear excuses and apologies.

Ravinder Singh is an FMT reader