By Angie Basiouny

Ramadan in America used to be a lonely time for Fozia, a Form 2 student, who is from Chad. When she attended a public school in suburban Atlanta, she didn’t know any other Muslim students who were observing the holy month of fasting and reflection.

But at Global Village Project, where many of the refugee students come from majority-Muslim nations, Fozia is never alone. 

“At my old school, I used to feel bad for myself because everybody was eating and I wanted to eat, too,” she said. “But here, when I see other girls fasting, it encourages me to keep my fast.”

Her biggest supporter at school is Monday Paw, also in Form 2, her best friend who is Christian. A native of Thailand, Monday Paw said she didn’t grasp much about Ramadan before attending GVP. Now she knows that her Muslim classmates don’t eat or drink – not even water – from sunrise to sunset.

“I’m more understanding now,” she said, giving Fozia a hug. “When Fozia wants to eat, I tell her, ‘No! It’s OK! You can make it to the end of the day!”

Ramadan resonates differently at GVP, where the entire school is involved in helping Muslim girls get through the month. During lunch, observant girls can take a nap, read a book, play on their laptops, or gather in an empty classroom for a cutthroat game of Uno. Teachers keep a watchful eye for students who may feel dehydrated or light-headed, and a few virtual learning days are scheduled to make the month a little easier. Some non-Muslim students will fast for a day or two in solidarity with their classmates. 

“This is a very supportive community where everyone is respected for their individuality,” science teacher Nazrene Alsiro said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever experienced this kind of environment. When I was a kid, I never had that opportunity.”

Alsiro is Palestinian Muslim on her father’s side and Filipino Christian on her mother’s side. She said she grew up observing Ramadan, but it was hard to keep the practice as an adult when co-workers weren’t fasting. All that changed when she came to work at GVP last fall. 

“It makes it easier to fast when the people around you are doing it. We all help each other, and it goes both ways,” she said.

People and Culture Manager Shaakira Silvera, who is in her third year at GVP, is Muslim and said the school is the first place she has ever worked where she can fully be herself.

“I can’t even express how grateful I am to be in an environment that lets me practice my faith. It’s a gift,” she said, adding that some Muslim students will watch her pray and ask her questions because she’s the first American Muslim they’ve known. Importantly, she said, there is no judgment at GVP. If a Muslim girl isn’t fasting or doesn’t pray or wear a hijab, nobody asks why or shames her for not doing so. 

“We are constantly learning from each other,” Silvera said.

Ramadan ended this year on March 19, so the following day was virtual to accommodate students celebrating Eid, the holiday marking the end of month. Fozia said she was excited to spend her holiday going to the masjid, seeing her cousins, and getting money from her parents. But she also had a special message for her bestie, Monday Paw.

“Thank you,” she said. “You always make me feel good, and you make me feel proud to be your friend.”