Calgary middle school bans food in cafeteria for Ramadan

From Juno News, thanks to RH for pointing me to this story. Ramadan should end tomorrow, but the story is still relevant.

A social media post has gone viral showing that a Calgary public school is forcing students who are not fasting for Ramadan to stop eating in lunch rooms calling the shared space a “No Food Space” to accommodate Muslim students.

The Board has told Juno News that “no changes have been made” to designated lunch areas but that “accomodations” were made for Ramadan.I

The post shows an email to parents from Fairview School which notifies them of lunch rooms being designated “No Food Spaces” in an effort to be more “inclusive.”

It said that students in Grades 4–6 will not be permitted to eat in the cafeteria for the first half of lunch. Students in Grades 7–9 face an even broader restriction: Their lunchroom will be a “No Food Space for the entire lunch hour.”

“Ramadan is a month of reflection, prayer, generosity, and community,” the message states. The school also thanks parents for helping foster “an inclusive and caring school community.”

In a statement to Juno News, the Calgary Board of Education said schools may make “accommodations” during religious observances. . .The board added that during Ramadan “alternative foodless spaces are available for fasting students so they are not around others who are eating.”

“The school does not provide cafeteria food services,” they said.