Canadian school sparks uproar after 'banning food at lunchtime' during Ramadan

The policy was intended to show solidarity with students undertaking the religious fast, which prohibits eating or drinking during daylight hours.

Ramadan began on February 17 and concludes on March 18 this year.

But the decision quickly drew backlash on social media, with many questioning the logic behind the approach.

The email, dated to the day after the start of Ramadan, outlined that the cafeteria would become a "No Food Space" during the first half of lunch for children in Grades Four to Six.

Pupils in Grades Seven to Nine faced stricter measures, with eating banned in their lunch room for the entire hour-long break.

The email said: "To support students who may be fasting, we will be providing designated No Food Spaces during lunch."

It added: "On days of bad weather, the learning commons will be a no-food space for all students. Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering an inclusive and caring school community."

Where non-fasting students could eat instead remained unclear.

Critics online swiftly challenged the rationale behind the policy.

"Literally no Muslims care if you eat in front of them while we fast," one social media user wrote.

Another jabbed: "The true common sense solution would have been for the fasting students to avoid the cafeteria area."

One user questioned: "Why would a fasting child have a need to go to the lunchroom? Wouldn't they be the ones avoiding it and occupying other areas of the school?"

They added: "Seems cruel to put all the fasting kids in the lunchroom where they once ate."

Another argued: "The entire point of a religious fast, no matter the religion, is for it to be difficult, and that includes being around food and people who eat food. This is an absolute joke."

The Calgary Board of Education defended the measures in a statement posted on Instagram.

"During special cultural and religious observances, schools are able to make accommodations to support students, both in and out of classroom activities. This could include accommodations when students are fasting during Ramadan," it stated.

The board added: "CBE has a duty to accommodate students practicing their religion in schools."

However, the statement also claimed "no changes have been made to these designated lunch areas," despite acknowledging the email had been sent to parents.

Comments were disabled beneath the CBE's post.