With London’s West End recently illuminated by 30,000 lights to mark the holy month of Ramadan, its importance in England has become more apparent than ever before! Visitors can see the lights from 5pm to 1am for the whole 30 days of Ramadan.
Muslims around the world will be celebrating Eid Al – Fitr on the evening of April 21st which is known as the festival of “breaking the fast”. Therefore, we are writing this blog for those who may not know what it is, or want to learn more how to support your Muslims colleagues, friends or staff.
What is Ramadan?
Millions of Muslims around the world engage in the holy month of Ramadan. Regardless of the significance of the month to each individual, it’s a time of personal reflection and engaging with their faith. They do this by fasting between sunrise, as well as increasing their donations towards charity (and no, not every Muslim has to fast).
‘Does this mean that some Muslims can’t eat OR drink during the day?!’
Yes, this is true. But bear in mind that Islam is a religion of 1.58 billion followers, so this practice is normal worldwide – try not to seem too shocked or see it as a weird thing. The whole practice is a beautiful experience, especially when you have more of an appreciation for food and drink at sunset.
How do I support your fasting, friends, colleagues?
Great question!
Don’t take things personally.
Sometimes it’s better to just ask! Everyone is different, and the answer isn’t always the same. But from personal experience, don’t tiptoe around them and act too differently when it comes to eating and drinking. Be considerate – that person may be tired and/or cranky from lack of sleep, food, and water – try not to take it too personally.
If you’re an employer …
If you’re a manager or a supervisor, it would be kind and wise to talk to your employees about flexible work hours that may contribute to altered eating, sleeping or prayer schedules. You can do this by allowing them to come in slightly later so they can get extra rest in the morning, or potentially be open to a few extra breaks to help them get through the day – being especially conscientious if the job includes high energy tasks.
Don’t stare.
People who fast may also pray during the five allotted times per day. Try to be mindful of this, and allocate a separate room for them to pray. If this isn’t possible, however, don’t stare. Washing is often part of the ritual of prayer, and getting stared at while doing so can be incredibly awkward.
Ramadan Kareem! And Eid Mubarak!
Ramadan Kareem means blessed Ramadan, and it’s something you can say to any Muslim during this celebration to show love and support. At the end of Ramadan there is a three-day celebration of joy and gratitude for the blessings of everyday life, called Eid. Eid could be considered the Islamic Christmas, as it is celebrated with an exchange of food, going to big markets, and giving food to the less fortunate. In this case, you would show appreciation and support by saying ‘Eid Mubarak’.
Eid Mubarak from SAMS to all our Muslim students and customers – we hope you enjoy your celebration with your friends and family, and lots of food!