Ramadan "tests" US Muslim students ...

Sitting with their classmates in the lunchroom but are unable to eat during daylight, the holy fasting month of Ramadan is testing the mettle of US Muslim students, the IslamOnline.net portal reported.
"The point of Ramadan is to challenge yourself," Noora Aljabi, a 15-year-old student at Evansville Day School in Tri-State area, told Evansville Courier & Press, which was quoted by the portal.
In its report published Saturday September 13, the newspaper said Noora's younger sister Nadia started fasting this Ramadan.
"It's a little harder here," said the 13-year-old. "But it shows we're strong."
Muslims are not required to observe Ramadan until they reach puberty but many Muslim children try fasting for short periods before that.
"There are seven or eight Muslim kids at my school that are fasting," said Romaze Akram, 15, who lives in Newburgh but goes to the Signature School in Evansville.
The news report estimated about 200 Muslim families in Tri-State region, which surrounds the New York City.
American Muslims, estimated between six and seven million, started fasting on Monday, September 1.
Muslim students say that fasting in Ramadan helps them feel the plight of the poor.
"We know we're going to be able to eat at the end of the day," said 16-year-old Amira Aljabi.
"Other people in the world, they never end it."
Many students seize on the holy month to answer questions about Islam by their non-Muslim colleagues.
Myeda Hussain recalls answering questions about her fast by her classmates when she was in elementary school.
"I was very proud of my parents' heritage," said Myeda, who is of Pakistani origin.
Students say that for the most part, their non-Muslim classmates are respectful and supportive.
"My best friend even fasted with me last time, just to support me," Noora said.
"She's Lutheran Christian."