Sensitivity During Ramadan
Author: Lone Bendixen Goulani, University of Kurdistan – Hewler, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Review/editing: Aaron Rotsinger, University of St Andrews
Situation: Lena is from Sweden, and is a new lecturer at an English medium university in Iraq. One day, she walks into a classroom to teach academic reading. It is a hot afternoon on the first day of Ramadan, and some students have put their heads down for a nap at their desks and wake up when she starts teaching. One of the slides in her presentation shows a woman reading a book while drinking coffee. The text on the slide reads “How do you feel about reading?” The students groan and start talking to each other in their local language. Some students say in English that they need coffee or do not enjoy reading, while other students explain they like to read the news or the Quran. As the students talk, Lena grabs her water bottle on the desk and takes a drink. Again, the students groan loudly, and some of the students look annoyed. Lena is surprised of their reaction and asks what is wrong.
Question: Why do you think the students were tired, groaned loudly and looked annoyed during the lesson? How could Lena/the students have behaved differently in this situation?
The students were tired in the afternoon because of the heat.
The students were fasting and were reminded of their thirst when they saw Lena drink water.
The students had a headache from not drinking coffee during the day.
The students considered it inappropriate that Lena drank water in front of them.
It was the first day of Ramadan, and Lena did not know that most of the students were fasting.
Does it bother you when someone eats or drinks in front of you?
How do you feel when people ask about your religion?
Should teachers and students bring drinks to the classroom?
Should students speak in their local language in an English medium classroom?
Should universities cater for students’ religious practices?