GEORGE TOWN: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek's statement that school canteens would remain operational during Ramadan should not be politicised.
State PKR Wanita chief Nur Hidayah Che Rose said Muslims should refrain from politicising the issue.
"We believe that the decision to keep school canteens operational is the right decision.
"It not only teaches students tolerance, but also educates Muslim students on the true meaning of fasting, while alleviating the burden on mothers to prepare food for their children in the morning," she said today.
On Monday, Fadhlina said school canteens would remain operational during Ramadan.
She said it was a part of the standard operating procedures for schools every year during the holy month.
However, Pas voiced concern regarding the ministry's directive, criticising it as an excessive move that could spark unnecessary controversy among the public.
Pas Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya said the closure of school canteens during Ramadan was a customary practice to respect fasting Muslims, including students who are training themselves to fast.
Nur Hidayah, however, said Ahmad's statement was actually the one stirring controversy, and the ministry's decision had undergone thorough discussions.
"Perhaps Ahmad and his comrades are not sensitive to the fact that not all mothers have the time to prepare food for their children in the morning, in addition to other responsibilities and obligations that women bear nowadays.
"It is impossible for us to let these students go hungry if the school canteen is not open.
"Islam is a beautiful religion, it teaches us to be tolerant and care about the constraints faced by everyone, including the non-Muslim community," she added.