Holistic education should include religious tolerance

Many times when you are filling in forms of any kind, there is a field for religion. Imagine being in a Catholic founded school and yet you are a Muslim. Right now Muslims around the world are observing the holy month of Ramadhan. However some of them are in school right now. Education Times this week went around establishing how our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the holy month of Ramadhan be it in Muslim founded schools or Christian founded schools. Religion is a very fundamental aspect of our lives and students cannot be left out when it comes to this. Observance of the month of Ramadhan is an obligation for every Muslim since it is one of five pillars of Islam. Therefore schools in Rwanda should make an effort to facilitate students who observe the Muslim faith to do what is expected of them during this period. Schools are supposed to provide a holistic education and this of course includes observing of religious obligations of their members. After all the Rwanda constitution guarantees freedom of expression so there is no need for schools to infringe on this right. As long as the practice of our religions does not in any way compromise the academic performance of students then there is no reason to worry about one doing what is required by a particular religion. Christian based schools cannot rationalise denying a Muslim from practicing and observing Ramadhan yet they knew from the time the student was admitted that indeed he was a Muslim. More importantly if our children can learn about religious diversity and respect then we shall ensure that we have a better society in the days to come. Ramadhan Kareem