how to support someone during ramadan

Unless a Muslim adult is absent-minded (forgetful) or not fully intent on observing the fast, we generally know how to restrain ourselves. Ramadan can still be honored by making up fasting days later or through charity. In Islam, intention supersedes everything. Read more about that here. Theres ample opportunity for non-Muslims to support and stand in solidarity with observing Muslims beyond joining them in the fast. This year, the first day of Ramadan's sunrise-to-sunset fasting began at sunrise on Thursday, March 23, and lasts until the evening of Thursday, April 20. Ive seen this happen in majority Muslim countries like Senegal and more religiously diverse African countries like Cte dIvoire and Nigeria. Supporting Muslim colleagues during Ramadan | TUC However, my family and I always try to be mindful of portions, as our cultural foods can be very oily and heavy. They will try to spend time with family and friends and help people in need. I can assure you that your Muslim colleagues will appreciate this very simple gesture. The most well-known organisations are Islamic Relief Australia, Muslim Aid and Sadaqa Welfare Fund. Dear Karen, thats wonderful! Ramadan 2023: How to support employees, friends and colleagues in the It can be as short as 12 hours in southern countries like New Zealand or as long as 18 hours, in places like Iceland. Again, it may not seem like much, but it really does go a long way in offering genuine support. But if you ask, most Muslims will tell you Ramadan is their favorite month and that they readily take in all the challenges in excitement and good faith. It will be more useful to have conversations, explore the significance of Ramadan practices, discuss ideas and principles, than simply judging people based on what we see on the outside. Fasting during Ramadan is a faith practice and spiritual experience, not about weight management. Raising awareness of what Ramadan is and its impact on Muslim colleagues can also foster . It is a time when Muslims come together and support each other on the holy fast, before breaking it when the sun comes down with an iftar. This can affect energy levels and memory. In addition, you can create awkward situations for both that person and yourself. Effect of pre-meal water consumption on energy intake and satiety in non-obese young adults. Each person will have a specific preference of how they want to work during Ramadan. What Can Allies Do: How to Support Colleagues During Ramadan - LinkedIn Use the time before sunrise and after sunset as an opportunity to rehydrate and meet the recommended water intake. "In a world where multiculturalism is growing rapidly, educating others is part of creating a welcoming culture of diversity and inclusion both in and outside the workplace," Baig, a Muslim employee with the financial services company Earnest, wrote in a But we now depend 100% on reader support to keep going. Observing Muslims know this and we prepare our minds and bodies to do exactly that. Over 3.45 million Americans celebrate the Islamic holy month - here are a few tips to get you acquainted! It can also cause people to feel sick, according to Its not always easy, and yes, towards the end of our fast our stomachs are usually gurgling but feel free to tuck into your lunch in front of us. Wake up to the day's most important news. Ramadan at work: HR best practice | HRZone Fasting During Ramadan: Rules and Customs - Learn Religions So lets focus on the true purpose, shall we? This is a time when Muslims connect more deeply with their religion, reflect on themselves, and give back to their community. Many people know Friday is important to the Muslim community and hence, make accommodation when scheduling Friday meetings for example. Religious observers honor the month by fasting during daylight hours and devoting themselves to spiritual rejuvenation through reading the Qur'an . Stay energized and healthy with these expert fasting tips. In saying that, if youre making plans to go out and eat, try not to pressure your Muslim friend or co-worker to join you. He sees intent, while we do not. So, Ill be honest. Kids Are Balancing Fasting and School During Ramadan. How to Support Them The actual significance of this month and how one engages with it will vary person to person, as it should because experiences of faith and spirituality are intensely individualized, even if we engage in religious practices shared by nearly 1.6 billion Muslims around the world. Doing so can help us move past tolerance and into genuine friendship and understanding. This is especially important during Ramadan. Good nutrition. Ramadan can be paralleled with Lent or Yom Kippur, and you dont really hear folks wishing people a Happy Lent or Happy Yom Kippur. The month-long observancewhich likely begins the evening of March 22 in 2023sees Muslims fasting from dawn to sunset, reciting verses from the Quran and attending prayer sessions. Instead, she recommends eating whole grains paired with healthy fats and proteins as well as fruits and veggies. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Muslims believe that God is very forgiving and that people are especially receptive to His forgiveness during the month of fasting. Eda Uzunlar Enlarge this image Over 3.45 million Americans celebrate the Islamic holy month - here are a few tips to get you acquainted! Please dont make lunch plans this month, but were always up for a late dinner! - Emaan Moosani, Program Director, Muslim Community Network, Rather than quizzing Muslims about dealing with everything they cannot do, ask them about what Ramadan means to us. This comment once again reduces fasting to being an experience solely around abstaining from food and drink instead of seeing it as a time for personal reflection through this abstinence. How to Wish Someone a Happy Ramadan | Time Thanks, Jemila! Providing a space to pray, even if its a meeting room, is one way to truly show support during Ramadan. "This has been one of the most meaningful acts of inclusion I've ever felt at any job," she said. Similar to Christmas and Easter wishes, Ramadan has its own greeting. Non-Muslims visiting an Islamic nation are not expected to fast, but they are expected to refrain from eating and drinking in public spaces to respect those around them. May we all enjoy the blessings of this auspicious month of Ramadan! For one thing, many Muslims and mosques organise fundraising drives in their various communities, like Circumspectes 2014 Ramadan Fundraiser. If its to show others in your Facebook feed how much you know about Islam, then perhaps you can instead repost articles that share knowledge about Islam and Ramadan like this one! InshAllah, you will get the full blessings of your efforts. Give children prayer cards so they can leave class to complete all of their daily prayers. Consider providing food or clothes for the needy or vulnerable (orphans, impoverished, and so on). While co-workers may be uncomfortable eating around their Muslim colleagues, Mitchell said they shouldn't feel this way. The end of Ramadan is marked by the festival of Eid-al-Fitr. Every year, Muslims pay zakat an obligatory form of charity that requires us to donate 2.5% of our total wealth to the people who need it most. The answer wont be the same across the board. All rights reserved. } If you notice a coworker who normally fasts but is abstaining, it's best not to nudge them unless they bring it up themselves. HuffPost posed these questions to a few Muslims in our network. var currentLocation = getCookie("SHRM_Core_CurrentUser_LocationID"); Heres what you need to know about Ramadan, which is considered the holiest month in Islam. It is a time for prayer and good deeds. Not to mention the fact that not all Muslims observe the fast for any number of reasons being sick, being pregnant or breastfeeding, elderly feeling too weak, needing to take medicines, managing a health situation which requires a specific lifestyle, women being on their period, travellers switching time zones. We're an independent feminist media site led entirely by people of color. A big part of the Ramadan fast is abstaining from food, drink and water during daylight hours. by Neil Payne A best-practice guide for HR professionals on how to support employees observing Ramadan in 2023. "Ramadan is much more than abstaining from food and drink," said Haroon Imtiaz, communications coordinator for the Islamic Center of North America. Suhoor: Fibre, protein, carbs. The pre-dawn meal is called the suhoor, while the fast is broken at dusk with the iftar, traditionally starting with a few sips of water and some dates. It is also a time of joy and for spending time with ones family, and giving to charity and those in need. Iftar is the name of the meal with which Muslims break their fast at sunset. Plus, there are many other reasons why Muslims don't fast, like during illness or travel. This might seem like nothing, but it goes a long way. Again, try not to organise meetings that revolve around food and drink something easier said than done, especially in countries like Ghana where most social events revolve around food. This article investigates the differences between purified, distilled and regular water to find out which one is the best choice for hydration. } I love the traditional foods offered at gatherings during special religious holidays such as Eid and Navroz. It is a month of reflection and spiritual devotion as well as a time to gather with family and friends. Leave a comment below. "Employers should be willing to accommodate.". Kids are balancing fasting and school during Ramadan. How to support 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Here are some simple, but meaningful ways you can do so especially if you work or live in religiously diverse contexts. Lost your password? Ramadan is precisely about returning to Allah and reigniting our connection with our Maker. (2013). Purified vs Distilled vs Regular Water: Whats the Difference. For about 2 billion Muslims around the world almost a quarter of humanity it's Ramadan, the holiest period in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is the holy month of fasting in Islam and we believe thats the month the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad and mankind. Ramadan is usually a time of community, so many may feel the isolation a bit more since mosques are closed. We make an intention each day to adhere to the fast despite urges to do otherwise. As guidance, try to schedule meetings in the morning to early afternoon when many Muslims still have energy from the dawn meal (suhoor) and preferably not at a restaurant or food joint and yes, in the era of COVID-19, that includes virtual meetings. Muslims mark the holy month by fastingconsidered to be one of the five pillars of Islamduring sunlight hours. The next few weeks are a moment to reflect and work on character development. Below, we've gathered 5 pointers on how to best the best support system you can be with your Muslim friends and co-workers during this holy month. Whilst sunset is relatively late in April (around 8pm), if you are with colleagues who are fasting (for example at an overnight event or conference), then you may wish to consider opening the fast together. Fasting during Ramadan is unique. Liska D, et al. Some things to keep in mind include the following: We may be tired and/or cranky (even hangry) from lack of sleep, food, and water. If you find yourself in this situation, Qureshi recommends trying out intermittent fasting and ensuring that you hydrate throughout the day. This might sound curious, but also, please dont tell us how bad you feel for eating or drinking in front of us. And yes, there are exceptions encoded into Islamic practice regarding Ramadan and fasting. What's the best way to show your support during the month, as an ally? Use the time before sunrise and after sunset as an opportunity to rehydrate and meet the recommended water intake. Take in the new information, but try not to dramatize this norm of ours. Theres a difference between appreciation and appropriation. There are only two opportunities to eat during Ramadan: in the early morning before sunrise (Suhoor) and after sunset in the evening (Iftar). 1. By midday to late afternoon or early evening, our energy levels tend to dip. Operating in solidarity with Muslims is not a simple or easy task, especially with the violent Islamophobic rhetoric espoused within mainstream media and by leading politicians. Mild dehydration affects mood in healthy young women. However, it can be easy to falter as you try to maintain your health while fasting and balancing your regular day-to-day responsibilities. Dont ask why people arent fasting. But how do you stay hydrated when you cant drink water between sunrise and sunset? (2012). You wont feel like youre starving, and youre less likely to overeat, Qureshi explains. How do you wish someone a Happy Ramadan? Flexibility is particularly important during Eid ul-Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan. Though you may be trying to convey admiration or awe, it can be awkward when were simply practicing our religion. "At a time when being an openly practicing Muslim in the United States can be dangerous, Earnest has made our space warm, inviting, and adaptable to all my needs.". This was going to be the first suggestion on how we can better support Muslim friends and colleagues observing Ramadan. She has been with us a month and Ive been very surprised at some of the things Ive learned and Its been a wonderful experience. If you are fasting, do not skip suhoor, the morning meal before the fast begins. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market. For one thing, Muslims believe that the very first man Adam was created on a Friday. But simple carbohydrates will not provide long-term energy.. Fridays are very special for Muslims. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. However, the time you take them should be adjusted to fit the fasting schedule of the evening meal and morning meal. If anything, youre helping us test those self-restraint muscles were building. And, those who are menstruating dont fast either. Connect with her on LinkedIn. I took one bite and it tasted strange, so I stopped. Alternatively, you can wish someone a blessed Ramadan in your own words; a former professor once wished me a peaceful Ramadan, which felt authentic and heartfelt. And be sure to serve a couple of dates with the meal Muslims break their fast . Again, we generally know how to restrain ourselves. How to best support colleagues during Ramadan - Protocol An alternative is to schedule meetings after the iftar meal when Muslims break the fast. Nonetheless, I still even encourage asking what your Muslim friend (or colleague) prefers. Buy them basic items to start and break their fast with: dates, tea, milo, bread, tinned milk, sugar, water, and fruits always come in handy. Dear supportive (non-Muslim) friends, family, and coworkers. When Ramadan falls during the summer and the period from dawn to sunset is much longer, Muslims can fast from about 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. A little understanding from managers and co-workers. They said ok, please come down at 2.30 am. Muslims don't expect any extra accommodation, but "it really feels nice and good to be recognized when people try to do something extra for you," said Nasr. This is especially useful when you cant eat for the entire day! Ramadan is a holy month we observe through fasting and prayer, and Eid-ul-Fitr is the holiday we celebrate. Some will wake up at sunrise for suhoor (a meal pre-fast) and start work then. Mitchell has noticed that some non-Muslim employees feel bad for their Muslim co-workers who are fasting and give them fewer job responsibilities. Try not to call or text during sundown, because theyll most likely want some quality time with their family during Iftar. Magazines, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Your Complete Guide to Ramadan, Including the Proper Greeting and When It Starts. if(currentUrl.indexOf("/about-shrm/pages/shrm-china.aspx") > -1) { Traditional foods are very important for Muslims, especially during Ramadan. For instance, Ramadan may not be the best time for moving office furniture or for a work happy hour at a bar. This by far has been the most consistent response from non-Muslims whenever Ramadan rolls in. Is it okay to eat in front of a friend who is fasting? It can also be helpful to pay attention to the foods youre eating. Totally different wavelength. Being open about Ramadan can also help employees plan their meetings during the morning, when fasting Muslims have more energy. During this special month, which began on May 26 this year, Muslims are encouraged to fast from food and water during the daylight hours. It can also feel incredibly invalidating and/or painful when a Muslim person doesnt know the answers to questions about Islam and/or Ramadan because the questioning sets the expectation that the person should know just because they are Muslim, and that not knowing means the person is not Muslim enough.. While breaking the fast is a celebration, eating traditional foods every evening may not be the best idea. Fasting will likely have an impact on energy levels, coupled with longer nights spent in community and worship. Companies can support Muslim employees in simple ways. The occasion also involves prayer, acts of charity and introspection. var temp_style = document.createElement('style'); Learn how SHRM Certification can accelerate your career growth by earning a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. All Rights Reserved. Thank you for reading till the end! Above all, Alsabaggh encourages an open and communicative relationship with your healthcare professional to ensure that its safe for you to fast. Selima currently serves asAssociateDirector of the NYU Center for Multicultural Education and Programs and as Adjunct Faculty in the NYU Silver School of Social Work. But learning more about the occasion and explicitly showing support to Muslim workers can make this group feel a sense of belonging. As a rule, I always ask what meat is part of a meal, since Muslims dont eat pork, ham or bacon (and its products). Youre welcome Jasmine, glad you enjoyed it! Lifestyle Kids are balancing fasting and school during Ramadan. This is marked by dressing up and . And that implies we are not perfect I know Im not. In the U.S., Ramadan begins around March 22, 2023 and ends around April 21, 2023 with Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking Fast. 1. Companies can support Muslim employees in simple ways. Oh, so you are fasting. Trans & GNC This is a very thorough and detailed piece. I hope that we will all flex our critical lenses in reflecting on our intentions as well as our actions in order to best support Muslims during the month of Ramadan and beyond. In addition, twisting it to be about weight supports a culture of thinspiration and fatphobia that is harmful and destructive, especially if you dont know an individuals history. Granted, Muslims are expected to maintain responsibilities throughout Ramadan and cautioned against being lazy, but the reality is our bodies are on a different rhythm, and sometimes even clock, during Ramadan. They could be your student, teacher, colleague or friend. Check in (with Google or people) around when Eid-ul-Fitr may fall to ensure that important work meetings or events are not scheduled at the same time, especially if your colleagues/employees will take time off. Some employers are leveraging the new holiday to educate and raise awareness about racial barriers that continue to exist today. Ramadan is a particularly important period for charity because the essence of Ramadan involves recognising the blessings one has and showing gratitude by supporting those who are in need or have less. Its not as hard as it sounds! Nakamura Y, et al. It is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar and this year, it extends from Monday, May 6th through Monday, June 3rd. Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Because most Muslims are thinking about the hurdles and spiritual challenge they are about to undertake they literally have to earn the feast. Can you enable the team to work the hours that suit them best . Maybe someone else can do physical lifting or moving of items because a fasting person may be low on energy. Please enable scripts and reload this page. This might seem like nothing, but it goes a long way. academic.oup.com/jn/article/142/2/382/4743487, headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2004.04014.x, headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2005.05143_3.x, bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-015-0366-3, e-cnr.org/DOIx.php?id=10.7762/cnr.2018.7.4.291, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6356561/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4207053/, Everything You Want to Know About Dry Fasting, Diarrhea During Fasting and Other Side Effects, 8 Health Benefits of Fasting, Backed by Science, 6 Surprising Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes. Loved this. If Everyday Feminism has been useful to you, please take one minute to keep us alive. Special thanks to Dee Mandiyan for their help with this article! Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. If not, then we need to figure out who we are actually serving, and what benefits we ourselves gain from our own actions. Not to mention the fact that Muslims always seem to be extending invitations to feast during religious occasions; we hardly get an invitation and it can feel quite one-sided by way of inter-faith respect and tolerance. At the same time, don't make things awkward by apologizing if you eat in front of them. Even though it tastes amazing, I feel exhausted and tired the next day if I overdo it.

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