On Feb. 5, Athletic Director Kyle Hummel announced in the UniWeek newsletter that students observing Ramadan during P.E. now have the option to be moved to Study Hall.
“Uni High Physical Education department is aware that Ramadan will be occurring from March 10 – April 9,” Hummel wrote. “If a student wishes to be removed from P.E. and placed into study hall during that period of religious fasting we support that decision.”
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide. During the month, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, pray, spend time with their communities, and strengthen their relationship with God.
The Ramadan fast involves a pre-sunrise meal and a feast after sunrise. Throughout the day, Muslims avoid eating or drinking anything, including water.
In the past, Uni students taking P.E. while observing Ramadan have had the option to do modified exercises.
Every year, Uni P.E. students train for the Illinois Marathon 5K — which usually takes place in late April — by running during P.E. class. Ramadan has fallen when students train for the 5K within the last few years. During this time, students observing Ramadan have had the option to walk instead of running.
Regarding the change, Hummel emphasized the safety of students who observe Ramadan.
“We wanted to have safety for all kids. If they’re fasting, if they have no food or drink for a lengthy period, our main concern is always their safety,” says Hummel. “So we just wanted to give that option where you can still be in P.E., but if you have to be in study hall, we’re totally fine with that.”
Hummel says the change was brought about this year because “[Illinois] legislation passed a law that require[s] us to provide the students with an offer to do that.”
The bill Hummel refers to, HB01060, was an amendment to School Code section 27-6.
It required that “a pupil shall be excused from engaging in any physical activity components of a physical education course (rather than from engaging in a physical education course) during a period of religious fasting.”
Hummel says he’s happy to make the changes.
“In the past, [the Uni Physical Education Department] didn’t even think about that … but now since the legislation passed a law that you have to legally offer that to kids, we just said, ‘That makes sense,’ and we started to offer it,” he says.
“We’re always looking to adapt and make sure we have the safety of the students and kids,” Hummel says. “That’s always our number one priority.”
