Doing Good Deeds Fights Bullying, Says a QF Teacher

Bullying is often seen in schools especially among students entering adolescence. But of late, a new kind of bullying has emerged where non-fasting Muslim students get bullied during the Holy Month of Ramadan by students fasting for the first time.

And while bullying is an act associated with a show of power, there might be a way to steer the wheel of bullying toward positive competition.

Highlighting ways to address this phenomenon and the importance of emphasizing the moral purpose of fasting to students, Haya Al-Dosari, teacher of Islamic studies, Arabic language and Qatar history in Tariq Bin Ziyad school – a school under Qatar Foundation’s Pre-University Education – says: “The Holy Month of Ramadan is considered an opportunity to reinforce moral values ​​in the hearts of our children, and to instill in them the value of self-discipline.

“It is a time we live every year, in which the meanings of patience and abstinence are exemplified. Abstinence not only from food and drink but also clearing our intentions and being mindful towards people and the environment around us.

“And as teachers, we take advantage of this month to present practical ideas to our students to live out these values. We read stories from the biography of our prophet Muhammad (PBUH), which play an influential role in shaping a child's psyche, especially in the early years of education. This is done by introducing to them good role models who can strengthen their moral and behavioral values, such as honesty, perseverance, humility, and respect for others.”

Children in their primary years can be introduced to the concept and benefits of fasting during Ramadan, and this year Tariq Bin Ziyad School shared a questionnaire with parents to find out who would like to have their children trained to go through the experience of fasting.

Al-Dosari also highlighted the importance of efforts between the school and parents to educate students about fasting as one of the pillars of Islam. "Cooperation is essential between the school and parents to respond to the child's curiosity and answer their questions about Ramadan.

“We advise parents to talk to their children, be close to them, encourage them to perform acts of worship, and instill self-discipline appropriate to their age, capabilities and health, all of which will make it easier for them to perform the obligation of fasting when they reach the age that is required to fast.”

On how to manage bullying that may occur in school communities, Al-Dosari believes that dialogue is a key part of the solution. “I always tell my students that fasting is rewarded by God, and we are not entitled to judge others. On the other hand, it is necessary to understand the reasons that prompted a child to bully others by talking to him or her calmly with the aim of correcting their behavior, and not reprimanding them. Also, students attending classes with the school's social worker contributes to curbing such behaviors."

Al-Dosari also emphasized the possibility of utilizing the sense of competition among students and channeling it into positive activities, such as initiatives that focus on motivating students to do good deeds through which they can learn from their peers and promote positive competition supervised by teachers, and with the support of parents.

“Tariq Bin Ziyad School launched the ‘Say and Do’ initiative, which highlights the importance of matching our values ​​and principles with our actions. This initiative aims to consolidate faith and moral values ​​in the students' conscience, and invest the blessed days of the Holy Month of Ramadan in worshipping God and doing good deeds.”

The ‘Say and Do’ initiative includes a set of activities related to the Holy Month, including the Holy Qur'an competition that aims to spread the culture of memorizing the Qur'an among children, and holding zikr circles, which is a series of simplified lectures that discuss a specific moral value on a weekly basis. The school also hosts the ‘Charity Basket’, an activity during which students collect donations and aid for school workers in appreciation of their efforts throughout the year.

Showing their strong sense of advocacy in addressing acts of bullying, students from QF schools - starting with Qatar Academy Doha - embarked on an anti-bullying campaign titled Bullying Hurts Everyone, which will start rolling out on social media this week. The topic is one that the students chose to shine a light on, to emphasize its impact on the lives of young people across their schools and in the community.