KUALA LUMPUR – PAS has accused the Education Ministry of triggering an “unnecessary polemic” and “wasting time” after minister Fadhlina Sidek ordered public schools’ canteens to remain open during the fasting month of Ramadan.
The party’s ulama wing chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya alleged that Fadhlina is being disrespectful of the Ramadan month and Muslim students who need to be “nurtured” into fasting from a young age.
He also said that the closing of school canteens during the fasting month is a norm among citizens as a way of showing respect to fasting Muslims, stressing that non-Muslim students can also “appreciate the importance” of fasting without the practice being forced on them.
“This can happen harmoniously without an instruction for (school) canteens to be open during the Ramadan month,” Ahmad, who is also Pokok Sena MP, said in a statement today.
“It’s not that we want to prevent non-Muslim students from eating during the day, but it’s just a form of education so that they learn to respect the Ramadan month from early on during their schooling days.”
He also suggested that non-Muslim students bring their own packed food from home and eat in “permitted areas,” adding that it is “quite excessive” for school canteens to be directed to remain open.
In reiterating the directive yesterday, Fadhlina said that the matter has been repeatedly conveyed to school administrations.
“Educating the students on awareness and mutual respect is important in the context of Ramadan. The teachers are experienced in handling such matters if they arise,” the minister said. – March 12, 2024