South Side’s Praying Program Ensures That Muslim Students Do Not Miss Their Daily Prayers
By Roshiana Mohamad
March 31, 2023
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South Side’s Praying Program Ensures That Muslim Students Do Not Miss Their Daily Prayers
By Roshaina Mohamad (10)
roshaina.mohamadnurzaman@fwcsstudents.org
March 31, 2023
This is the main praying room. This room is art gallery J112 and this is where all the praying is done. (Photo by Roshaina Mohamad)
This is the guidance conference room G103. In here you can sit and read Qur'an. Qur'an is the holy book of Islam. (Photo by Roshaina Mohamad)
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar also known as the holy month. During Ramadan, Muslims participate in fasting, which is the act of not eating or drinking anything, Muslims usually pray five times a day, and one of the prayer times is during noon, while children are in school.
Currently in Indiana, Fort Wayne, there are about 6,000 muslim living right now, and there are plenty of Muslim children that attend South Side High School. Parents take praying very seriously and demand to have a place for the kids to pray during school. Since most kids have to go to school during Ramadan, those kids are unable to get their praying done. For that reason South Side High School made a program for kids that would like to pray during school in Ramadan.
“The program began years ago when we started to receive more and more Burmese students and students from Yemen. They were of a strong muslim faith and the parents asked to have a place for the kids to pray so I said yes we can provide,” South Side’s coordinator, Christina McKinnis said.
Some students are aware of the program, but are afraid to attend it during the prayer time because they are scared that they might be marked tardy or absent. However, that is not the case, and students are actually able to leave class and still have it excused.
“The staff is informed that the Ramadan is officially here and we are the school that allowed the students to leave the class, it is an excuse to practice their religious belief,” McKinnis said.
This program is very beneficial to so many people because most schools don’t have this type of program and it is difficult for kids during Ramadan to find a place to pray without other kids making fun of them.
This is guidance counselor director Christina McKinnis who is in chart of the program. if you every want to pray or read Qur'an, you can go to her. (Photo by Roshaina Mohamad)
“It was quite nice because there are less people and I get my prayer in without other kids making fun of me,” Sofia Binti Harun (9) said.
Many Muslim students here are afraid of getting made fun of for their religion, so having this confined area is extremely beneficial. Not only can it be beneficial for praying, but also if students need a break from school work.
“Yes I think it can be beneficial to others because you can get a break from school work to focus on your religion,” Shabnam Binti, Mohammad Ali (10) said.
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This program is extremely unique to South Side High School, and is one of the best programs out there. South Side is also working on spreading this program to other schools for kids that want to practice their religious beliefs.
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