The Muslim News

ODENSE, Denmark (Agencies):

Children and Youth Committee in the Danish city of Odense said they wanted to downgrade the number of schoolchildren fasting for the Muslim month of Ramadan, according to press reports.

"We know there some children who aren't eating during the day and it's not possible to learn on an empty stomach without being tired and rundown. That's why we want to stress to parents that it's not an acceptable behavior," Children and Youth Committee Chairwoman Jane Jegind said, according to The Copenhagen Post on Friday.

Principals at area schools are echoing the call for an end to such behaviors, yet are wary of any attempts to dissuade children from embracing their religion.

"I can see that it's sensible to send a signal to the parents in the form of an information campaign and tell them that their children need food to concentrate, but it should be a suggestion," Principal Carsten Hoyer told the Post.

"It can't be a decree because we have no possibility of sanctions. We can't suspend the children or punish the parents."

In Ramadan, which started September 1 for most Muslims, the faithful observe a dawn-to-dusk fasting, where they cannot eat or drink at all. It is a religious duty, but only for adults. Usually parents encourage their children to gradually start fasting, till noon or so, in a way to prepare them for the duty when the time comes.

Denmark has been the target of Muslim fury ever since Danish papers published insulting cartoons of Prophet Muhammad three years ago.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/09/13/56492.html

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