John Overton High School in South Nashville is providing religious accommodations for Muslim students during the month of Ramadan, including designated prayer time and food-free classroom spaces.

The school allows participating Muslim students to leave class for 15-minute prayer periods in the afternoon. Students who signed up for the accommodation receive electronic hall passes that permit them to use a reserved space on campus for daily prayers.

In addition to prayer accommodations, the school has established food-free classrooms to support students who are observing the Ramadan fast. During Ramadan, practicing Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset.

The accommodations are being provided at the public high school located in South Nashville. Students must sign up in advance to participate in the prayer time program.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. The religious observance requires daily fasting during daylight hours and includes increased prayer and spiritual activities.