Ramadan

Ramadan
Ramadam Kareem

What is Ramadan?  

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which Muslims across the world take as a month of fasting, prayer, internal reflection, and community. This month is believed to be the month when the first chapter of the Qur’an (Islam’s holy book) was revealed by Allah to the Prophet Muhammad. Observing Ramadan every year is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, that is the five obligations that every Muslim is expected to adhere to. As the Islamic calendar is based around the lunar cycle, the Holy month of Ramadan rotates by approximately ten days each year. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on Thursday 23 March 2023, depending on the sighting of the moon.

During Ramadan, fasting from dawn to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims. Exceptions are made for those who are unwell, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating. The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan. Ramadan is also intended to increase empathy for those who do not have regular access to food, and to remind believers that everything they have is a gift from God.

What do Muslims do during Ramadan?  

During the hours of fasting, Muslims not only refrain from all food and drink (including water), but also abstain from smoking, sex, and other behaviour such as gambling.

Ramadan is a time to reconnect with God, one’s community, and oneself.

During Ramadan, Muslims study the Quran, pray more than usual, spend a lot of time at the mosque, do extra charity work, and reflect on their blessings.

During Ramadan, meals are taken between sunset and sunrise. The meal that Muslims have before the sunrise is called the suhur and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar. Some Muslims time the sunrise and sunset by when the sunsets in Mecca (Islam’s holy city), but most go by their local sunset times meaning that the fast is held in different hours across the world.

What support can I give to students and colleagues who are observing Ramadan?  

Remember that those observing Ramadan may be more tired than usual - not only are their bodies weakened from fasting, they also spend most of the night awake breaking their fast, praying, and studying and therefore will get a lot less sleep than usual. Therefore, be patient if attention spans are a little shorter and productivity a little slower.

Be mindful of eating and drinking around those observing Ramadan. While most Muslims will not object, we all know the struggle of smelling a delicious meal or watching someone tuck into a tasty snack that you can’t have, so consider being more discreet with your meals to avoid temptation. Similarly, avoid offering them a snack or a drink – you may feel impolite not doing so, but it’s actually more considerate not to.

Where possible, be flexible with working patterns during Ramadan. Examples include being flexible with start and finish times to allow for breaking of fast, allowing for more rest breaks during the day or breaks for observing the five daily prayers, or allowing Muslims to work from home where possible to help with comfort and flexibility.

If you believe that someone has been observing Ramadan, but you see them eating during the day – don’t question it. There are many reasons that a person may need to break their fast, many of them sensitive health reasons, and they are unlikely to want to disclose these or feel ashamed for breaking their fast. Similarly, try not to ask questions which draw attention to how hungry or thirsty a person may be feeling – asking “surely you’re allowed some water” - is insensitive and unhelpful.

Be aware that Muslims may be less likely to partake in events, classes, or meetings which are scheduled for before or after sunrise, or that involve food or drink. This should not be taken as a sign of disengagement or impoliteness – it is just a practical necessity during Ramadan when fasting and spiritual endeavours take priority.

Simply wishing Muslims a Happy Ramadan (or Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, to use the traditional Arabic terms) is an easy and simple way to let them know that you’re aware that they are observing and to make them feel included and recognised.

Managers can do their best to accommodate annual leave requests and teachers can be lenient of a few days of absence, especially towards the end of Ramadan when Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr – the major Islamic holiday of the year. While Christians (and non-Christians alike) enjoy two weeks off for Christmas, Muslims usually have to accommodate their celebrations around their work schedule, so if possible help them to celebrate the end of the special month of Ramadan by approving any requests received.

If you are not sure how best to support your Muslim students or colleagues during Ramadan – ask them! For several reasons, Muslims may be hesitant to ask for special accommodations, so letting them know that you’re aware that Ramadan is approaching and that you’re open to any adjustments that can be made to support them, will be much appreciated.