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The Holy month of Ramadan is indeed a special time for the UAE and Muslim communities across the world. For all of our families celebrating, we wish you a blessed month at this time of reflection and spending special moments with families and friends.
For those who are not Muslim, it is a privilege for many of us to live in an Islamic country and also experience the culture and religion with our families. Having lived in the UAE for 15 years, this is a time I look forward to also, but for many who have recently joined the school, it may be helpful to share some information in order that everyone observes the true spirt of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic year has twelve lunar months totalling 355 days, with each month starting on a new moon. Once the new moon is sighted, Ramadan is called as it was at the beginning of April. As a general rule, Ramadan begins ten days earlier each year compared to the Gregorian calendar used in the West. The Islamic New Year also advances by 10 days per year.
During Ramadan, Muslim friends will fast each day from dawn until sunset. This means that people will not eat or drink during daylight hours. Faithful believers rise early in the morning and take a meal called Suhoor before dawn and the first prayer call. The next meal is called Iftar and is taken after the sunset meal. Families and friends often get together to share food in each others company during the evenings with a reflection upon prayer and charity. For those families who are not Muslim, we should respect the Islamic culture and refrain from eating or drinking in public places during the day. Also during Ramadan, we should refrain from playing loud music and dress conservatively at all times. Ramadan is also a month of peace and serenity, so showing patience and tolerance is very important. Many of these points obviously apply throughout the year but especially during the Holy month.
For those families who have recently joined us, I hope that you enjoy your first experience of this special time in the UAE. For our families who are observing Ramadan, we wish you Ramadan Kareem!
A few weeks ago, as part of our IB DP Language programme, Year 12 students in the French Ab Initio and French B classes united to celebrate Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday). Originally a catholic event welcoming the ritual fasting of Lent, Mardi Gras is celebrated in France with festive parades and sumptuous public celebrations.
At BIS Abu Dhabi, students came together to not only recognize the festivity but rejoice at the opportunity to share and learn about the international traditions fostered within our community. With the help of Monsieur Depose and Mademoiselle Merchadier, the French DP classes baked tasty treats, including crepes, waffles, brownies, and traditional beignets!
As a teacher at BIS Abu Dhabi, I have the privilege of watching students grow — not just academically, but as young people finding their path in a complex world. One thing I’ve learned time and again is this: success doesn’t come from rare moments of brilliance — it comes from the quiet power of habits.
Research tells us that up to 40% of what we do each day is driven by habit, not active decision-making. That means the routines our students form — the way they begin their morning, how they handle a setback, whether they choose to read or scroll — are shaping who they become.
I was really touched by Áine’s newsletter piece last week, posing the question: ‘What would I tell my younger self?’
I spent some time afterwards thinking about my own parenting journey, and what it’s all been about, now that my two are adults and have ‘flown the nest’. Parenting isn’t easy for any of us, and that’s true even if you’re an experienced school leader – at home, I’m just Dad.
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