As you may be aware, this year most Muslims around the world will start Ramadan tomorrow and as the lunar month lasts for 29 or 30 days the exact date for Eid will depend on the next new moon.
What is Ramadan?
Every year Muslims all around the world observe fasting for 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a lunar cycle which means the exact dates of Ramadan change every year. In 2021, it is expected that Ramadan will begin today or tomorrow and will end on 11th or 12th May 2021. Muslims can follow different Muslim countries so there can be variation by a day.
In the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset. They begin their fast with a pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and end it with another meal (Iftaar), directly after sunset. This is a time for increased spirituality, personal reflection and religious observance. Besides abstaining from food and water. Muslims also utilise this month to purify their mind and body. It is a time for increased spirituality as fasting allows each individual to work on personal growth. It ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr known as the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’ which marks the end of Ramadan. In 2021, this will be celebrated on either Wednesday 12th May or Thursday 13th May depending on the moon sighting.
Share your pictures and stories
If you are celebrating Ramadan, we would love to hear more about your experiences and celebrations.
We will be sharing colleague’s experience throughout the month with the first one from Soni Zaman, Marketing Intelligence Officer, so keep your eyes peeled. If you have any pictures or would like to share your story please email EDI@growthco.uk.
What can you do to support your colleagues during Ramadan?
- Be flexible with working hours – we are already working more flexibly due to the ongoing challenges of the Covid pandemic and we know that some roles allow more flexibility than others, however, please where possible allow colleagues to be flexible with working hours for prayer times. With this in mind, you should also anticipate different levels of productivity, availability and speed in response at different times of the day.
- Avoid holding training or meetings that finish late to help Muslims celebrating Ramadan manage their time.
- Expect more colleagues to be on annual leave, especially in the last 10 days of Ramadan to include Eid. The last 10 days of Ramadan are considered most sacred. In Ramadan, Muslims generally perform night prayers but during the last 10 days, they may worship more at night and use the day to rest.
- Be mindful that Ramadan will be celebrated differently again this year due to the pandemic and the impact that this may have on your colleagues. With COVID lockdown easing still ongoing, 2021 Ramadan will be a different experience for British Muslims than pre-pandemic. Whilst restrictions will be more relaxed compared to 2020, many of the usual practices normally observed such as going to the mosque for iftar and visiting friends and family indoors will sadly still not be possible this year.
- For guidelines, advice and signposting resources to help Muslims in Britain make the most of the blessed month, as well as friends, neighbours and colleagues of Muslims, whilst staying safe and supporting the fight against the virus, visit The Muslim Council of Britain website. You could always try and complete a fast during the month to experience it for yourself.
Introducing the new Religion Network
Through discussions with the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) members and Leads, we decided that the areas of Race and Religion would be better served if they had their own specific networks as these two areas are very different requiring their own objectives. Therefore, we are splitting the Race and Religion Network into the Race Network (known as EmbRace) and introducing the Religion Network. If you are interested in joining and/or leading the Religion Network then please contact the EDI Group on EDI@growthco.uk.
To find out more about the EDI networks, network lead role and membership, please read our terms of reference. If you would like further information or would like to join please email EDI@growthco.uk.
Ramadan Mubarak.