Ramazan for non-Muslims: An etiquette guide
You can score some points if you follow these tips
You can eat in front of us. Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking for the next 30 days but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry on business as usual. PHOTO: Reuters
Around 1.6 billion people of the seven billion in the world will be fasting from sunrise to dawn, every day, for an entire month.
Ramazan is the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. But if you’re not a Muslim, is there anything you should do so you don’t come across as insensitive to your fasting friends?
The answer is no. But you can score some points if you follow these tips:
Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking for the next 30 days but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry on business as usual.
If you host a lunch, don’t feel bad if your Muslim co-worker skips it.
4 delicious ways to use dates this Ramazan
You can if you want to know how it feels like but if you don’t then it won’t hurt our feelings.
You should come and attend our big joint meal. Iftar is the breaking of the fast after sundown.
The month of Ramazan bounces around because the Islamic calendar is lunar. It begins when the new moon is seen.
We have to physically see the moon in order to decide when Ramazan is beginning. That’s why if your co-worker says “Starting tomorrow, can I start work early so I can leave sooner”, try to understand and accommodate.
Ramazan moon not sighted, fasting month to commence from Sunday
Yes we can’t drink but can accompany you for a walk if you want to take a break.
The reason we stand a foot away is because of halitosis.
Your Muslim co-worker will appreciate the thoughtfulness.
One of Ramazan’s side effects is obesity.
This article originally appeared on BBC.
Ramazan is the holiest month of the Muslim calendar. But if you’re not a Muslim, is there anything you should do so you don’t come across as insensitive to your fasting friends?
The answer is no. But you can score some points if you follow these tips:
- You can eat in front of us
Muslims around the world will abstain from eating and drinking for the next 30 days but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry on business as usual.
- Try not to schedule a work lunch
If you host a lunch, don’t feel bad if your Muslim co-worker skips it.
4 delicious ways to use dates this Ramazan
- You don’t have to fast with us
You can if you want to know how it feels like but if you don’t then it won’t hurt our feelings.
- You can join us for iftar
You should come and attend our big joint meal. Iftar is the breaking of the fast after sundown.
- You don’t need to know when it begins
The month of Ramazan bounces around because the Islamic calendar is lunar. It begins when the new moon is seen.
- Please be a little flexible
We have to physically see the moon in order to decide when Ramazan is beginning. That’s why if your co-worker says “Starting tomorrow, can I start work early so I can leave sooner”, try to understand and accommodate.
Ramazan moon not sighted, fasting month to commence from Sunday
- We’ll still go for coffee with you
Yes we can’t drink but can accompany you for a walk if you want to take a break.
- We may keep our distance
The reason we stand a foot away is because of halitosis.
- You can say Ramazan Mubarak
Your Muslim co-worker will appreciate the thoughtfulness.
- Please don’t say, “I should fast, too. I need to lose weight”
One of Ramazan’s side effects is obesity.
This article originally appeared on BBC.