Supporting your Muslim friends and colleagues during Ramadan
Author
Areeba Mahmood
Business Support Administrator, Scottish Engineering
2 minute read
Ramadan is here!!
In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, I would like to share the following information regarding the holy month of Ramadan for anyone who would like to support their Muslim friends and colleagues and learn more about it:
Ramadan is a special month for Muslims worldwide. It’s a time when we fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning we don’t eat or drink during that time. It’s a time for prayer, self-reflection, and getting closer to our faith. We break our fast each day with a meal called Iftar. Ramadan is important because it marks the revelation of the Quran to our Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. It’s a time for everyone to reset.
During Ramadan you can support your colleagues by checking in with them and having a chat about how they feel. This will help them have a break and keeps them busy during their lunch hour. Throughout Ramadan our sleeping schedule changes so sometimes having flexibility to work from home/changing hours if possible, is highly appreciated.
Please don’t hesitate to eat or drink in front of us, special treatment is not expected at all and we are happy for you to continue the way you like. Questions about Ramadan are always welcome, it is a great opportunity to share our traditional beliefs.
Depending on health conditions, sometimes people like to take a break from fasting or may not fast at all. However, they may take part in the holy month in other ways such as, feeding the poor, doing chores for others to make it easier for them, prayer and any act of kindness.
Fasting is for everyone. When fasting properly over a prolonged period of time, there are a lot of health benefits associated with the month some of these include; Lowers cholesterol. Detoxes the digestive system. Burns the harmful toxins in the fat deposits. Boosts metabolism and increases its efficiency which means nutrients are absorbed a lot better. Positive effects on mental health and spirituality. There’s an increase in the neurotrophic factor which causes the brain to produce more brain cells and increases the brain’s function. Reduction in cortisol/stress levels.
The end of Ramadan is marked by the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, a festive occasion where Muslims gather for prayers, exchange gifts, and enjoy special meals with family and friends.
