For anyone wanting to know more about Ramadan, you can download our fact sheet below, to help to support your friends and colleagues during a very different Ramadan during Covid-19.
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Alternatively, you can read the factsheet below:
A) What is Ramadan?
The month of Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year as this was when the Qua’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammed.
Muslims around the world fast during daylight hours although there are a few exceptions such as the old or sick. Muslims also increase spiritual devotional acts such as prayer and strengthening family ties.
B) What is the reason for Fasting?
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Fasting plays an important role in many major religions and is a central feature in all the Abrahamic faiths; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Islam, Muslins are asked to fast during Ramadan and other times of the year too.
A key objective of fasting is to engender a sense of gratitude, self-discipline, and self-improvement as well as the closeness to God. This is called taqwa. The breaking of fast meal at sunset encourages families and local communities to share their meals. This is called iftar.
C) Ramadan at home
Ramadan will be a very different experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of there being taraweeh prayers at the mosque or outside homes, these may be done online either pre-recorded or live. Virtual iftars with loved ones and community members may take place.
Remember to take regular breaks from work, perhaps around salaah (prayer) times. You may be able to start work earlier so you can have some downtime prior to iftar.
D) Advice for Employers and Managers
- Some employees will be abstaining from food and drinks for up to 17 hours so may experience mild dehydration, causing headaches, tiredness, and a lack of concentration.
- Be aware and open to discussing Ramadan and do not assume all employees want to be treated differently because they are fasting.
- Be accommodating around annual leave requests, especially toward the end of Ramadan to celebrate Eid (holiday marking the end of Ramadan).
- Allow workers to have regular breaks for afternoon prayers as needed (Dhuhr and Asr) if requested.
E) Useful Links
For more information about Ramadan, visit mcb.org.uk/ramadan,
About COVID-19, visit mcb.org.uk/coronavirus