Getting to Know You: Emrah Gokce

Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, beginning on the evening of Saturday 2 April and ending on the evening of Sunday 1 May. In our latest Getting to Know You interview, Emrah Gokce, IT Service and AV Manager of Wilmington plc has kindly shared an insight into what Ramadan means to him and how he personally observes Ramadan – including how he is supported during his working day:

“Muslims all over the world are currently observing Ramadan, so I thought I'd share more about what happens during this month:

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.?This year Ramadan began on the?evening of Saturday 2 April and will end on the evening of Sunday 1 May. Muslims follow the lunar calendar, so the exact start and end dates depend on the sighting of the moon, so these dates can vary slightly. Ramadan is followed by the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, a celebration to mark the end of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims and so are encouraged to increase their good deeds in Ramadan. From giving to charity to increasing good values such as generosity, patience and forgiveness, with the intention that they strive to maintain these model values throughout the year.?It is considered that the reward of good deeds during this month are multiplied several fold.?

Fasting

During Ramadan, from dawn until sunset, Muslims are obliged to abstain from all forms of food, drink (including water), smoking and sexual intercourse. Most Muslims will wake before dawn for a meal before the start of their fast (known as Suhoor), and break their fast (known as Iftar) with dates and water at sunset, and then a meal.

Eid-ul-Fitr

This is the festival which marks the end of Ramadan, and this year is due to?take place on Monday 2 May and will last?for three days. It is a joyous occasion and a day of true thanksgiving for Muslims.

How I observe Ramadan - My Typical Day

04.00?- I wake up and have the pre-dawn meal called?Suhoor?- arguably the most important element of a successful day’s fast!

04.45?- Fajr (morning)?prayer, which is the remembrance of God

06.02?- Sunrise. From here I don't eat or drink anything (not even water)

13.06 - Dhuhr (midday) prayer,?again to remember God and seek His guidance.

16.49 - Asr (late afternoon) prayer to?take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of life.

20.00 - Iftar. The breaking of the fast, traditionally broken with dates and water.

20.15 - Magrib (sunset) prayer

20.30 - Iftar continued with lots of good wholesome food and plenty of water

21.15 - Isha (evening)?prayer, taking the time?to remember God's presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness.

23.00?- More healthy snacks and water before retiring for the night

These times are just an example of one day.?The prayer times themselves are dictated by the position of the sun.

What Ramadan means to me

Having?fasted every year since my early teens, I have always looked?forward to the month of Ramadan. I find the journey of limiting?the?'physical' self nourishes the 'spiritual' self and I always end the month on a spiritual high. Ramadan is?a time of self-reflection and?helps me develop?self-discipline, break unhealthy habits and, of course,?focus on my?relationship with God.?

It is also about family, friends and the community as everyone comes to together to break their fast, pray and collectively do good deeds such as helping the needy and?raising money for charities?and good causes.?

I also find that fasting brings with it many health benefits and it is a natural detox for the body.

How I am supported in the workplace

• If I'm in an office, being able to use a?prayer room or any quiet space to pray?is a huge benefit. I'm based at Wilmington’s Whitechapel office where we have a dedicated multi-faith room, which also has access to washing facilities, meaning I can also perform wudu (ablution) which is a ritual cleansing before offering prayers.?
• Flexibility to take breaks to rest and spread out my working day is also a benefit and?not having to use my lunch break to eat?means that I can easily do this without much disruption.
• ?Time to go to the Mosque on Fridays for?Jum’a (congregational prayer at midday). Again, this is usually done in my lunch break.
• ?Colleagues often ask if eating or drinking in front of me is an issue while I'm fasting - absolutely not!?I'm on a spiritual journey during Ramadan so people eating and drinking doesn't affect me in a negative?way.?

?Ramadan is different for everyone, and people observe it differently. But I hope sharing how I observe Ramadan provides some insight into this special month. If you have colleagues observing Ramadan, check in with them and ask how they are, ask what they are doing with family and friends or at their Mosque.”

Emrah Gokce

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If you would be interested in taking part in a future Getting to Know You Q&A, do please contact?Esther Osborn FCIPD.

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