As of this morning, Muslims worldwide—myself included—will be fasting from sunrise to sunset for 30 days straight. With fasting being one of the five pillars of Islam, most Muslims take this month to fast, reflect and deepen their relationship with Islam.
Curious about how you can support your Muslim friends and co-workers if you're a non-Muslim? We put together six valuable ways you can do just that.
Learn Ramadan Greetings
Greet your friends and co-workers with Ramadan greetings instead of your usual "hello." "Ramadan Mubarak" (Blessed Ramadan) or "Ramadan Kareem" (Generous Ramadan) are the most common greetings. The end of Ramadan is marked by the first sighting of the crescent moon after the new moon, indicating the beginning of a new month—this is when Eid-al-Fitr begins, and you can congratulate your Muslim co-workers by wishing them an "Eid Mubarak."
Try to be more flexible
Ramadan is a spiritually rewarding month, and many Muslims look forward to the communion and community that they start (Suhoor, before sunrise) and end (Iftar, after sunset) their fasts with. But fasting—yes, not even water—can also mean lower energy levels by the end of the workday. If you can, be mindful of scheduling meetings and events and accommodate with flex hours or breaks.
Participate in observing Ramadan with them for a day
Not only can you show your support by fasting alongside your Muslim friends and co-workers, but you also stand to better understand what they go through, their practices and more. Drink water if you must, but showing up this way goes a long way.
Have Iftar with them
What better way to connect with your Muslim friends and colleagues than by breaking bread with them—plan an after-sunset team dinner with them!
Give back to the community
Ramadan is also known as "the month of giving," so if you're looking to give back, LaunchGood and Islamic Relief Canada are both wonderful (and reputable) options.
Learn more about Ramadan
You're already doing the right things by reading this post. Taking the time to learn is one of the best ways to show respect and solidarity with those in your life and community observing Ramadan. Put together by some friends, Not Even Water is an excellent resource for those looking to learn more.The diversity of our communities is what makes Canada such a special and vibrant place. Learning about our differences and similarities is the perfect way to bridge gaps and develop more profound, meaningful relationships with those around us.From myself and everyone here at Media Profile, Ramadan Mubarak!
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