The dog ate my homework! I left my books at home! Teachers are used to hearing the same tired-out excuses from their pupils.
One Saudi hashtag, however, is offering a whole new reason for students to get out of class. Already in its third day, “Ramadan is a month for piety not for studying”, has really taken off, as young people push for time off during the period of fasting.
The Islamic holy month will this year begin at the end of May, meaning that it will coincide with the examination period for many Saudi students. So, Twitter users are calling upon the Minister for Education Ahmed Aleissa to move the end-of-year tests to August instead.
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_2
— حنيّه . (@sali761) February 13, 2017
اتمنى من معالي الوزير ان يفكر بالعوايل اللي ماعندهم خدم ولاحشم يرجعون هلكانين وينتظرهم كرف عظيم!
I hope His Excellency the Minister will think about families who don't have servants or home help, who come home tired out to the great exhaustion which awaits them.
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_2
— العنود333 (@anooodh333) February 13, 2017
ليس هناك أي حرج في تقديم الاختبارات فكر بعمق وبمصلحة الطلبة والطالبات والهيئة التعليمية
إن كان منكم رجل رشيد!
There's no shame in pushing back the tests. Think deeply, and about the interests of the students and the educational cadre. If any of you are prudent men!
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_2
— العنود333 (@anooodh333) February 13, 2017
فكر أخي المسؤول بمن يداومون ف القرى النائية
الاختبارات تبدأ ١٠ص متى سيكون الانتهاء من التصحيح والعودة؟!
Think, my brother, about those who come to school from remote villages. The exams begin at 10am. When will they end, so the tests can be corrected and they can go home?!
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_2
— الـهنوف (@Saudi_arabia90) February 13, 2017
مادري ليش الوزير جالس يعاند؟!
ترى كلها إسبوعين مانبغى إجازة الربيع ولا الأسبوع الي بعده!
شكراً
I don't see why the Minister is being stubborn? It’s only two weeks, we don't require a spring break or the week after it! Thank you.
وزير التعليم ماخذ وضعية لا اسمع لا ارى لا اتكلم
— هانّ (@Hnosha1997) February 13, 2017
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_2
The Minister for Education has taken on the attitude: I don’t hear, I don’t see, I don’t talk.
Still, many have pointed out that devotion might not be the only intention behind the Twitter campaign:
نايمين وبغيبوبة للمغرب ويصحى قبل الاذان بخمس دقايق ويجي يقولك شهر الطاعة والعبادة ادرسوا حبايبي احسن لكم
— أبو متعب (@Abumetab111) February 14, 2017
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_3
They sleep until sunset in a coma, then they wake up five minutes before the call to prayer and try to tell you about a month of piety and servitude. Go study, my dears, it’s better for you!
#رمضان_شهر_للطاعه_لا_للدراسه_2
— . B A N D A R . (@B_FD1) February 13, 2017
السعي في طلب العلم النافع .. من أعظم الطاعات وأفضل القربات إلى الله.
:)
The quest to seek beneficial knowledge... is one of the greatest and best acts of worship to God.
The debate over Ramadan-exam clashes is one experienced worldwide.
Last year, a number of British tabloids published sensationalist stories suggesting that the authorities had plans to move high school exams to accommodate fasting students. However, ultimately the claim turned out to be made up and British Muslims had to take the tests during the holy month.
RA
