Uproar in Germany

School forced non-Muslims to eat Ramadan meals

Religious diversity in schools often causes discussion.(Bild: Malik Nalik – stock.adobe.com)

A letter from the Zuckmayer School in Berlin-Neukölln has caused outrage among parents. An event was planned to break the fast - in which non-Muslim pupils also had to take part.

The management invited all 7th grade students - including non-Muslims - to break the fast on March 28 from 5:30 to 8 pm. It is the last evening before the end of Ramadan. The letter said that attendance was compulsory because there would be no lessons elsewhere. Parents were furious!

Father: "Christmas is not celebrated either"
The children were supposed to bring their own food. Many parents reacted with incomprehension. "Christmas is not celebrated at school, nor is Easter," those affected told Bild. In fact, there is no compulsory event for any other Christian holiday. "But our children have to go to Ramadan. Where do we live?" the father, who does not belong to any religion, is quoted as saying. 

The Berlin Senate has since clarified that participation in religious events is voluntary and must not be at the expense of lessons. The school has been instructed to withdraw the invitation in this form. The authorities also emphasized that religious festivals are welcome, but never obligatory for everyone. The school management has not yet commented on the incident.