Understanding Ramadan and Supporting Your Muslim Colleagues

Note: I wrote this piece three years ago to help colleagues navigate Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic. I've updated it for 2023.

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 March 22, 2023.?As part of your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is important to understand and acknowledge Ramadan.?

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

1. Fasting.?For 30 days during the month of Ramadan, most 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 (not even water!) as well as abstain from other behavior (explicit language, gossip, etc.).?At sunset, Muslims break their fast with a meal (known as?iftaar).?Don't assume, however, that all Muslims fast or are fasting on any given -- there are several reasons why one may not fast.

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 at least three things you can do to support your Muslim colleagues during Ramadan.

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.?This can be challenging. Be aware of this and lead with empathy.

3. 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.?You should encourage your Muslims colleagues to still take the day off and celebrate the holiday.?You can also send your greetings—Eid Mubarak?(have a happy Eid).