DSE 2023: Muslim students in Hong Kong discuss fasting for Ramadan while studying for university entrance exams
- With exams beginning on April 21, many Muslim Form Six students are balancing this religious practice with the most important test in their academic lives thus far
- During the holy month, Muslims typically fast from morning until night, which can affect energy levels
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and requires people to fast from morning to night. Photo: ShutterstockAs Form Six students across Hong Kong bunker down in preparation for their university entrance exams at the end of the month, Muslim pupils have a bit more on their plates.
This year, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan began on March 23 in Hong Kong and is expected to end on April 21. During this time, observers fast during daylight hours, abstaining from food and drinks after the sun rises and until it sets.
With Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams beginning on April 21, many Muslim Form Six students are finding ways to balance this significant religious practice with the most important test of their academic lives thus far.
Fatima Asawir, a St Rose of Lima’s College student, plans on fasting for all of Ramadan. Her religion is connected to her worldly duties, including the DSE exam. “If I take out everything worldly and only focus on the spiritual, then that’s not OK. And at the same time, if I take out everything spiritual and only focus on worldly affairs, that’s also not OK. You have to have balance.”
Another Muslim Form Six student, Herah Nawaz Awan, also hopes to strengthen her faith while preparing for the DSE.
“In this month, I feel connected to God much more than anything, and it gives me a feeling of ease,” the St Teresa Secondary School student explained. “I feel so calm and confident about my DSEs due to the support of Allah.”
Benefits of fasting
Hong Kong has about 300,000 Muslims, about four per cent of the population. This holy period, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time for them to connect with God by building healthier habits.
Aesha*, 20, a Pakistani-Hongkonger studying at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), sat her DSE in 2021, when Ramadan overlapped with exam dates. But she shared that her spiritual practices helped her break bad habits and study more productively: “In Islam, it’s emphasised not to waste our time.”
Waking up for suhoor, the predawn meal before fasting begins, helped her focus while studying. “Since you’re forced to wake up so early, you have so much time during the day to study, to meditate, to … spend time on yourself.”
Ziya*, who also fasted during her DSE in 2021, agreed on the benefits of suhoor: “It gave me a boost of energy.”
“If you’re not fasting, your brain is focused on food. I’m way more focused [when fasting],” added the science student at HKU.
According to Dua Aldasouqi, a registered dietitian nutritionist in the United States and founder of the website “A Muslim Dietitian”, fasting for Ramadan can benefit teens when done appropriately.
“But they may have to plan ahead,” she stressed. “This could include skipping extracurriculars to focus on academics, taking afternoon naps to help refresh, and staying indoors to avoid the heat.”
The Muslim dietitian emphasised the importance of eating well. “Eating well at suhoor includes making sure they consume a balanced meal full of complex carbohydrates to give them the biggest boost of energy throughout the day. To build a filling suhoor, focus on four components: protein, whole grains, healthy fats [and] fruit or vegetables.”
Aldasouqi explained that proper hydration also included electrolytes – essential minerals for bodily function. “These can be obtained by drinking watered-down juices and sports drinks or creating your own ... one quart of water with half a lemon and a quarter teaspoon of mineral salt.”
Struggles with fasting
But fasting can have different physical effects on everyone. For example, Fathima Farheen Kanakka Pillai, 19, shared that when she took the DSE exam last year – during Hong Kong’s fifth wave of Covid-19 – she found it “difficult to study for long hours while fasting”.
“For me, the problem I had most often while fasting was headaches while studying, and I found that quite troublesome to handle as my energy levels weren’t at their peak,” explained the Tamil-Hongkonger studying science at HKU. “I chose to skip some fasts as I was worried I would tire my body out.”
Ummar Haryat Khan, who is now studying for his DSE exams, said he planned to fast for all of Ramadan but was concerned about not having enough energy.
“My energy levels are very low when I’m fasting … I had to do my oral exam while fasting, and I felt very tired,” said the Form Six student at Islamic Kasim Tuet Memorial College.
Aldasouqi said not to ignore the physical side effects of fasting. “If someone finds themselves getting dizzy or very weak during the day, this could be a sign that they are not eating enough, are dehydrated, or have a medical issue and should speak to a doctor.”
“It could be important to break one’s fast in certain circumstances.”
How can schools and parents support students during Ramadan?
To support students fasting for Ramadan, the nutritionist suggested that parents and schools allow them to rest during lunch and in the evenings. Aldasouqi added: “If the school has the capability to move exams, activities and extracurriculars around their fasting students’ schedules, that would truly be supportive.”
Aesha, a graduate of HKMA David Li Kwok Po College, agreed schools should educate staff and students about Ramadan. “Just so they could be more considerate when they’re eating. It’s hard for students, during lunchtime, to just sit in a room where everyone’s eating and you can’t.”
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Even though Fatima is studying at a Catholic school, she has enjoyed discussing her religion with her classmates and teachers. “Everyone’s really supportive and ... the curiosity they have is a positive attitude.”
She found support when she asked her school to designate a room for Muslim students to pray. “It’s a totally quiet, empty room. So during lunchtime, I go there and pray.”
Kanakka Pillai, who graduated from Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College, explained: “During fasting, some of the main practices are offering your five daily prayers and spending more time reading the Koran, and a prayer room allows us to do so.”
“Schools should at least provide a prayer room as it doesn’t require a lot of resources and ... allows Muslim students to carry out their practices comfortably during school.”
Fatima added that her sister’s school provided another useful accommodation for Muslim pupils: “They actually allowed the students to use the lift while they’re fasting because ... they may be more physically tired.”
*Full names withheld at interviewee’s request.