How to support Muslim colleagues during Ramadan – and beyond

[aum]

Show some understanding (Picture: Getty)

 

We’re just over a week into Ramadan, but it’s never too late to think about how you can make the workplace a better environment for your Muslim colleagues.

 

Ramadan, a holy period for Muslims, is known for involving fasting – which presents many challenges on its own – but that isn’t all this period is about, nor is it the only thing Muslims want everyone else to take note of.

 

In a new survey for Hyphen, an online publication specialising in news, culture and lifestyle about Muslims in Britain and Europe, half (49%) of Gen Z Muslims said they’d experienced islamophobia in school or work. The majority (87%) also said they felt they should get time off work to celebrate Eid.

 

The latter is something businesses could do immediately to support Muslim peers. But if you’re not at the policy-making level of a company, you can still make a huge difference.

 

At a time when many of us have returned to office or hybrid working, it’s important to show more consideration at work. These are the things you should keep in mind.

Being flexible

Diana Alghoul, communications and public relations manager at Muslim Aid, says: ‘If you’re even considering wanting to make things easier for your Muslim colleagues, you’re on the right track.

 

‘We don’t need grandoise gestures, quite often vocalising your intention to make things easier is enough because you open the lines of communication that allow Muslim colleagues to express their needs.’

 

Common provisions that Muslims ask for might include starting work later and working from home.

 

Diana explains this is ‘so they can sleep in after waking up to eat suhoor, and prepare a healthy iftar’.

 

She adds: ‘Every year, the day of Eid is contingent of the sighting of the moon, which means we don’t know when Eid is exactly until a day or two before Ramadan ends, so being flexible with annual leave is always appreciated.’

 

It’s also worth checking basic facilities – is there a space for someone to privately pray?

Kindness and understanding

Every Muslim is different and their relationship with Ramadan is unique.

 

For this reason, Diana says: ‘It’s important to show that you care about their wellbeing. 80% of communication is non verbal, so the most important thing is to meet your fasting colleagues with a smile.

 

‘In fact, in Islam, smiling is considered charity. A simple nod during the day or asking them if they’re okay are very kind actions to take.

 

‘There’s a lot of talk about making sure you say the right thing, but realistically, your intention matters more than anything here.

 

‘If you respect Muslims for having enough discipline to fast, let them know and ask if they’re in the mood to answer a few questions if you’re curious about aspects of it. As long as your heart is in the right place, people around you will sense it.’

 

Showing understanding is vital (Picture: Getty Images)

Respecting boundaries

However, there are boundaries to keep in mind with your curiosities – and they need to be respected.

 

‘There are people who are unable to fast because of illness, menstruation, pregnancy and other reasons that they may not want to disclose,’ Diana adds.

 

‘Some people may be physically well but suffer from an eating disorder or a mental illness and are excused from fasting.

 

‘Asking a Muslim why they aren’t fasting means you’re putting them in a situation to potentially have to explain vulnerable details.

 

‘And on that note, making fun of someone who is fasting, bullying them and interrogating them about their faith is not only inappropriate – it’s Islamophobic.’

 

Trying to figure out if someone has gained or lost weight during the month is offensive, for example.

 

Diana wishes people understood that Ramadan is a time for reflection – a ‘spiritual reset’.

 

‘It’s about connection and battling your ego to uncover your true strength in mind, body and spirit,’ she says.

 

‘It’s not a time of self-torture and those who find fasting harmful to their bodies are commanded by God to break their fasts.

 

‘It’s a time for charity, blessings, family and prayer.’

 

And if people respect the gravity of those things for Muslims, the workplace is likely to be a much better environment for them.

 

Source

Edited March 31, 2023 by aum