Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, is due to start on Thursday or Friday. I thought I’d do a quick thread offering advice from my experience for people who have Muslim colleagues. This thread is largely redundant because of the lockdown but it might be of use next year.

First off, Ramadan is a month when Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sex, from sunrise to sunset. You’re free to indulge in all those things from sunset until sunrise. In practice, that means no food or drink from roughly 4am - 8.30pm.

Given that we don’t eat during the day, most people will have a pre-dawn meal just before the fast starts at 4am. Others may eat earlier and choose to have proper sleep.
If we weren’t in lockdown, a significant part of Ramadan is a lengthy prayer at night called “taraweeh”.

In my experience, the lack of sleep is more difficult than the food. The first few days are the hardest as your body adjusts to the new sleeping and eating patterns. Bear with your colleagues if they’re not feeling great that first week.

Some people fast and some do not. If someone doesn’t want to fast, that’s a decision for them. Don’t ask them why they’re not fasting as it could be embarrassing.

Women on their period do not fast. So if you see your female Muslim colleague eating, don’t ask why she’s not fasting. Those with underlying medical conditions do not need to fast. If one of your Muslim colleagues isn’t fasting, don’t ask why.

The next few are for line managers. Ramadan is a month of spirituality and prayer. Your colleagues may spend some time away from their desk, particularly at lunchtime given that one of the five obligatory prayers is in the afternoon. Try and accommodate if possible.

The end of Ramadan is marked by the day of Eid. It is a day of celebration and feasting. The day of Eid is unknown atm because the Islamic calendar is based on the viewing of the moon. We don’t know what day Eid is until the evening before.

Some Muslims may want to take Eid as leave or wfh but won’t be able to tell you until late notice. Maybe have that convo beforehand? A key part of Eid is the congregational prayer. This takes place in the morning. At the very least try and accommodate that time for your colleague

If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to ask! My dms are open too