Once again, the red-green state government of Rhineland-Palatinate is ensuring the exact opposite of integration and the privileging of minorities with maximum potential for division and resentment: as reported by ” Tichys Einblick” (TE), Muslim pupils can be granted exemption from school lessons during Ramadan on certain occasions – “exams, written exams, performance tests”. So practically all the time. “Free on Eid… Schools should organise class tests and sports lessons in such a way that they harmonise with Ramadan… Malu Dreyer’s Rhineland-Palatinate is adapting to the requirements of the Islamic month of fasting,” comments TE.
In a leaflet published by the state government entitled “Muslim children and young people at school”, the approach to religious holidays such as Ramadan is presented in the “usual euphemistic singsong”, writes the magazine: “Modern democracies are characterised by the diversity of cultures, tolerance, the exchange of experiences and the willingness to trust one another”. And the authors qualify the standard-setting character of their writing: “The suggestions … are intended as a basis and guide for developing solutions that teachers … pupils and parents must work out together for their school.”
As a further example of a fundamentally misunderstood tolerance, which manifests itself not only in proactively “halal” canteen food, in appeals (recently made in North Rhine-Westphalia) for non-Muslim pupils to refrain from drinking during Ramadan or in the cheering of headscarves as a sign of alleged “diversity”, but also in the ingratiation with religious and traditional everyday rules, a policy of submission is once again presented here, which above all sends out a message: Muslims, do what you want here and when you want… we will not put obstacles in your way for ANYTHING! Rules that apply to everyone are suspended for you in case of doubt! Whatever you want and demand, we say yes to everything and no more amen and refrain from doing anything so that you can live here according to the prophet! But please, please, please don’t think of us as being racist or discriminatory!
Of course, the special circumstances should not only be taken into account by completely suspending compulsory schooling during the month of fasting, but also in school sports: “The workload in sports lessons should also be adapted to these conditions.”
The Ministry of Education in Mainz formally informs TE that there is no complete and continuous exemption for the 30-day Ramadan; however, firstly, there are almost always ” tests to be passed” and secondly, special restraint should be exercised in case of doubt. In addition, according to the brochure for schools, “when planning school trips and organising work placements, school festivals and the like, schools should also take Ramadan into account where possible.” TE summarises the result of this supposed recommendation for action presented in a brochure: ultimately, Dreyer’s state government is putting pressure on schools to adapt to Ramadan – even if it disguises this with its wording.