Understanding Ramadan and Supporting Your Muslim Colleagues During Covid-19

Each year, Muslims eagerly anticipate the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan begins this year on April 23, 2020 – right in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is important to understand and acknowledge Ramadan. It is especially vital to be mindful and intentional during this challenging time, where additional stress and isolation will make observation of the month particularly challenging for your Muslim colleagues.

There are four things about the month of Ramadan that you need to know.

1. Fasting. For 30 days during the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from dawn to dusk. Muslims wake up about an hour and a half before sunrise to eat an early breakfast (known as suhoor). After dawn, they refrain from eating and drinking anything (including water) as well as abstain from other behavior (explicit language, gossip, etc.). At sunset, Muslims break their fast with a meal (known as iftaar). 

2. Prayer. Throughout the year, Muslims are expected to pray five times a day, facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. During the month of Ramadan, there is a heightened dedication to prayer and a recommitment to self-reflection. There are also a number of evening prayers that many Muslims observe and Muslims recite the Holy Quran more frequently during the month (as Ramadan was the month that the Holy Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed).

3. Charity. Muslims have a year-long dedication to charitable giving—it is one of the pillars of the religion. However, during Ramadan, Muslims increase their charitable giving in order to appreciate the blessings of the month. Many Muslims donate some or all of their annual charitable giving during this month alone. They also engage in acts of community service, including feeding the hungry and tending to the sick.

4. Community. Ramadan is a festive month and it is truly a community affair. Muslims spend a great deal of time with their family and with their community at their place of worship (masjid). The social component of Ramadan is tremendously important. It is common practice to pray together (standing shoulder to shoulder) and to break fast together.  

There are four things you can do to support your Muslim colleagues during Ramadan, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

1. Express Your Wishes. The simplest thing you can do during Ramadan to acknowledge your Muslim colleagues is to send them your wishes. You can wish them Ramadan Mubarak (have a happy Ramadan) or Ramadan Kareem (have a blessed Ramadan). This simple acknowledgment is powerful and signals to your colleagues that you understand the significance of the month.

2. Understand the Balancing Act. Muslims often end up burning the candle at both ends during this month, working a regular daytime schedule while fasting and then participating in prayers and festivities in the evening. During this pandemic when people are already having to manage blurred boundaries and competing obligations as a result of working remotely, homeschooling children, and caring for their elderly, Ramadan may present additional challenges for your Muslim colleagues. Be aware of this and lead with empathy.

3. Understand the Impact of Covid-19 Isolation. In the midst of physical distancing and mandated isolation, Muslims will end up observing Ramadan primarily from home, either in isolation or with their immediate family only. This is a dramatic shift from what Muslims are used to experiencing during Ramadan, similar to the shift in how people of other faiths have had to celebrate recent holidays, including Easter and Passover. Attending services at the masjid and attending celebrations with friends and family is engrained in Ramadan. While Ramadan is emotionally and spiritually rewarding, it is also a physically demanding month. Muslims find comfort and support in one another, whether that’s from extended family or the masjid community. 

4. Encourage the Observation of Eid-ul-Fitr. Ramadan concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr (Eid). Eid is commonly considered to be the most celebrated holiday for Muslims worldwide and marks the end of 30 days of prayer and reflection. In terms of comparison, it is as widely observed as Christmas or Hanukkah. On Eid, Muslims generally attend early morning prayers at the masjid and then spend the remainder of the day visiting and celebrating with family and friends. Those celebrations will be substantially impacted by physical distancing mandates and shelter-in-place orders. You should encourage your Muslims colleagues to still take the day off and celebrate the holiday – even if it is only in their own homes. You can also send your greetings—Eid Mubarak (have a happy Eid).