Lets Talk: Ramadan

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is an important holy month for most Muslims around the world. This means there is a good chance someone you know will be observing Ramadan.

During the month of Ramadan, many Muslims fast during the hours of daylight. This means no eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which form the basis of how we live our lives. The other pillars are faith, prayer, giving charity, and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Fasting allows us to devote ourselves to our faith. It also allows each Muslim to express self-discipline and gratitude, by reminding us of the pain and suffering of millions around the world who live their lives in poverty and famine.

For many Muslims, including myself, Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, good deeds, and spending time with family and friends.

During Ramadan, it is common to have one meal (known as the suhoor), just before sunrise, and another (known as the iftaar), directly after sunset. The end of Ramadan is marked by Zakat (charity) donations and Eid al-Fitr, which is often celebrated with loved ones. Eid is an amazing time of feasting and celebration for Muslims, with gifts exchanged between family and friends.

Did you know?

• Ramadan falls on the ninth lunar month in the Islamic Calendar. The lunar calendar means the start of each month is based on various factors, such as the sighting of the moon. Therefore, like all Islamic months, the month of Ramadan rotates every year.
• The month of Ramadan is believed to be the month in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a guidance for all mankind.
• Eating dates is a popular way to break the fast, and it is said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used dates to break his fast with.

How can your colleagues support you?

Personally, there are several things colleagues can do to support me and others through this period:

• Firstly, be patient with us. Some days can be tough for many Muslims, especially in the summer months. Your colleagues may be tired and not seem themselves due to a lack of food, water and sleep.
• Secondly, we may prefer to work slightly different hours for the month to open and close our fasts and pray. It would be helpful for colleagues to accommodate this wherever possible.
• Whilst I don’t mind if people eat in front of me, other people might be less comfortable. If you’re uncertain, just ask them about their preference.

What is Ramadan?

In Islam, Ramadan is seen as the holy month when you will fast. Fasting is where you must stop eating and drinking after sunrise, and you cannot eat until dawn/sunset. In sunlight hours, you are not allowed to eat nor drink. Ramadan is more than fasting, it is where many Muslims try to make changes in their lives, and this may be like starting to pray 5 times a day. Ramadan also makes us grateful for the things God has given us, and gives us a chance to reflect on things.  In addition, to give us a feel and understanding of how people who are less fortunate have to live their lives, and helps us appreciate what God has given us.

Why Ramadan is important to you?

Ramadan is important to me, as I feel it helps me get closer to God. And it is a reminder of the things which we should be doing as Muslims, such as praying five times a day. It is also a time when the Muslim community comes together at the mosque to pray and celebrate.

How can your colleagues support you?

For me individually, I do not feel there is much support needed during the holy month. I tend to try to get on with things that are normal, and this makes it a little easier for me. I tend to go about my everyday routine as normal, just missing out the lunch break and cups of tea throughout the day.

Things that you may find difficult at work during Ramadan

I don’t feel like there will be many difficulties during Ramadan during working hours. Initially, the first couple of days maybe hard, as your routine will be changing, and you may start to feel more tired towards the back end of the day.  For example, you are not used to waking up at 5am to eat and then go back to sleep, so you may feel a little tired for the first few days. However, your body starts to adapt to this, and you could say it becomes normal!

What is Ramadan to you?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time for spiritual reflection and self-improvement for 1.9 billion Muslims across the globe. The goal of Ramadan is to reconnect with God and become more God conscious.

We fast (as part of the Five Pillars) from dawn until sunset, abstaining from food and drink. I start my day at 03:45, where I have a light breakfast, taking on plenty of fluids to keep me well fuelled for the day ahead. I then have a few hours to sleep before I start my working day.

I break my fast at around 19:55 with dates, samosas, spring rolls, kebabs, onion bhajis, lamb/chicken biryani and even pasta or lasagne when my wife wants to mix it up! Which is why I’ll probably end up putting on weight during Ramadan!

It helps Muslims empathise with billions of people around the world who are living in poverty and barely have enough to have one square meal a day. This in turn encourages Muslims to donate money to charity (which is another Pillar of Islam) and help the less fortunate. Those Muslims who are financially stable tend to donate a minimum of 2.5% of their wealth annually during Ramadan.

Furthermore, Ramadan is more than just fasting; Muslims try to get into good habits by avoiding: lying, swearing, backbiting, etc. The idea is to take these good habits forward and apply them into our daily life well after Ramadan finishes.

Did you know?

The dates of Ramadan change every year by around 11 days. For example, in 2021 Ramadan commenced on 12th April, whereas in 2022 it started on 1st April. This is because the Islamic calendar is lunar, meaning each month begins with the new astronomical moon. Typically, each month is 29 or 30 days. Contrastingly, the Gregorian/Solar calendar (commonly followed in the west) has 30 or 31 days a month.

Doctors agree that fasting is beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels and has several other health benefits. Fasting is a means of purifying the body and is a natural detox.

How can your colleagues support you?

• Check in on your colleagues who are fasting, they may not be themselves due to lack of water, food and even sleep.
• Accommodate working hours/breaks to allow them to do their Zuhr prayer (roughly at 13:15). It only takes 10 minutes.
• Feel free to eat in front of us. Most Muslims do not mind, and we do not expect you to change your natural behaviours for us.
• Ask questions about Ramadan, most Muslims love talking about it!