Ramadan Mubarak! Ramadan began in Australia on Tuesday 12th March 2024. This article explains more about what Ramadan is and provides some advice on how to support our Muslim colleagues at work as they observe this significant act of faith. Throughout the world, millions of Muslims will observe the month of Ramadan, and this will impact many Muslims at work.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered one of the most spiritual times of the year and signifies the time during which the Qur’an was revealed.
It recognises one of the 5 Pillars of Islam (the five tenets that uphold Islamic belief in practice) that practising Muslims observe: fasting.
It is important to be aware that not all Muslims will be in a position to fast but are just as valid in their expression of faith. They are still able to take part in observing Ramadan spiritually, through prayer, charity and community connection.
Fasting is a time of spiritual cleansing, introspection, a focused exertion on patience and prayer, a stillness of the mind to quell the desires of the body and feed the soul.
Many Muslims find Ramadan is a time to connect more with their faith than they do at other times of the year. This is part of a spiritual journey that employers should be sensitive to.
Supporting Muslims at work is about showing an understanding and considering how you can support them during this time.
Here are some ways for supporting Muslims at work during Ramadan:
Ask about how you can best support your people
As a group, Muslims are not a monolith. Everyone will have a different relationship and approach to their faith. Be mindful not to assume your employees’ needs – cultivate meaningful connections and provide opportunities where they can openly and safely discuss their needs with you.
Be flexible with working arrangements
Options for flexible working and time off are vital to supporting Muslims at work. Fasting will likely have an impact on energy levels, coupled with longer nights spent in community and worship. Colleagues can be supported with more frequent rest breaks and more inclusive meeting hours.
The last ten days of Ramadan are considered the most sacred of the month and so requests for leave should take this into consideration.
Be prepared for annual leave requests for Eid celebrations
Eid is the festival that marks the end of Ramadan. Managers should be aware that Muslims won’t know the exact date upon which Eid will fall, as this depends on the sighting of the new moon.
This means people may need to request time off at relatively short notice or may request a range of 2-3 days off to make sure they will be off work at the right time. A pragmatic approach and open dialogue with employees is the best way forward.
Awareness is a building block for an inclusive workplace. Raising awareness of what Ramadan is and making space for the importance of it and its impact on Muslim colleagues during this time is a great way to build inclusive and positive team connections. If you would like to know more, please contact the Multicultural Advisory Service Team or see https://icq.org.au/.
