Four primary schools in London, run by the Lion Academy Trust, announced the controversial ban in a letter to parents earlier this week. Barclay Primary School in Leyton said that pupils have "fainted” and "became ill” after fasting for 18 hours in previous years. The school added: "We are reliably informed that in Islamic Law, children are not required to fast during Ramadan, only being required to do so when they become adults.”
The other schools affected by the ban are Sybourn Primary School in Waltham Forest, Thomas Gamuel Primary School in Walthamstow, and Brook House Primary School in Tottenham. The move has been slammed by the Muslim community, including the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), which said there are "sufficient and stringent rules within Islam” protecting those who are too young to fast. The group added: "MAB ascertains that the final choice of whether or not to fast should be the right of the parents, who should in turn encourage their children to fast without forcing them to do so.” Last year the Express revealed that the timing of GCSE, A-level and university exams could be brought forward under controversial plans so they do not clash with the Islamic month of Ramadan.
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