During my time as a headteacher and school leader, I have worked with many Muslim families and colleagues in the UK who observe the holy month of Ramadan. However, this is the first time I’ve lived and worked in a Muslim country, and I wanted to learn more about the importance of this special time of year - especially since The President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has declared 2025 as the Year of Community - and Ramadan is such an important time for the community.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and lasts for either 29 or 30 days. Because the Islamic year is slightly shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan moves forward by approximately 10 days each year in relation to the non-Muslim world. I found it fascinating to learn that over a 33-year cycle, this means Ramadan will have been observed at every point of the year and in all seasons.
I also discovered that, in Islamic tradition, it was during Ramadan - on Laylat al-Qadr, the "Night of Power" - that God revealed the Holy Qur’an to the Prophet as guidance for the people. While I already knew that Ramadan is a time of fasting for Muslims, I have been reminded that it is also a time of ṣalāt (reflection and spiritual connection), communal prayer, and reading of the Qurʾān. Some Muslims strive to read the entire Qur’an during Ramadan, which is a true act of self-discipline and faith.
This understanding was truly brought to life for me when Mai Mahmoud, our Head of Islamic Studies, spoke to us all at a recent staff briefing. She spoke with such passion about the significance of Ramadan and the special place it holds in her life. I believe that everyone in the room, whether Muslim or not, felt the importance of this time and was deeply moved by the emotion in her words.
Thank you, Mai, and I warmly invite you all to join us for our wonderful Community Iftar, which will be held on Thursday, 13th March, at 5:30 pm in the snug and basketball area.
John Dibdin
Head of Primary
It’s something I’ve believed for a long time — that learning isn’t predetermined by our genes. It’s about growing, persevering, and learning through the process. I was really mindful of this idea at this week’s wonderful Primary Summer Concert, after which I found myself reflecting on whether these amazing children have an innate talent, or whether they have achieved so much because of hard work and practice.
I believe it’s the latter. These children, their parents, and their teachers all seem to share the belief that by trying and working hard, they will get better at what they do. This is what we call a growth mindset.
This week at BIS Abu Dhabi, we have had the joy of celebrating both ends of the school journey and it has been a beautiful reminder of how we support our students to dream big and grow into their future selves.
As exam season unfolds, there's a special kind of stillness that settles over the school. In the quiet hum of the examination hall, behind the rustle of papers and the soft clicking of keyboards, is a profound truth: we are witnessing a moment that our students will carry with them forever. It is the culmination of years of learning, growth, and perseverance, a chapter closing and a new one ready to be written.
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