Briefing: Ramadan - essential religion or belief information for NHS staff - Midlands and Lancashire CSU

Briefing: Ramadan
– essential religion
or belief information
for NHS staff
Ensuring our working practices, information,
services and premises are fair and accessible
to all sections of our local communities

midlandsandlancashirecsu.nhs.uk                 1

Introduction
This Briefing sets out to share information to CCG and CSU staff to raise
awareness of Ramadan festival and providing support in the workplace
and in NHS healthcare.

Ramadan

In Islamic tradition Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, when the first
verses of the Koran/Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Observing
Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

When is Ramadan?
The dates of Ramadan change each year and commences on Wednesday 16 May in 2018,
although this can vary slightly depending upon regional customs and when the new moon is first
sighted. It lasts for 29-30 days and ends with the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr. The Islamic calendar is
lunar, which means that days start at sunset.
Ramadan in 2018 will start on approximately Wednesday, the 16th of May depending on the
sighting of the moon and will continue for 29 - 30 days until Thursday, the 13th- 14th of June.
Note that in the Muslim calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing
Muslims will celebrate Ramadan on the sunset of Tuesday, the 15th of May.

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What do people do during Ramadan?
Many Muslims will fast each day from sunrise to sunset. This includes not eating food, drinking
liquids or smoking. It is common to have one meal known as the suhoor just before sunrise and an
evening meal known as Iftar after sunset.
Ramadan is a time of prayer and self-reflection, where Muslims are encouraged to read the entire
Qur'an, during the period of Ramadan. Ramadan is also a time for charity-giving, which can
involve both making donations and participating in charitable events. Why do Muslims fast during
Ramadan?
Fasting (sawm in Arabic), is one of the five key pillars underpinning the Islamic faith:

“Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those
before you, that you may learn piety and righteousness.” (Al-Qur’an 2:183)

The others are prayer (salat), giving alms i.e. a percentage of your salary to charity (zakat) to the
poor and needy, making the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca (if financially able to do so) and a belief in
(shahadah) - there is no deity worthy of worship apart from God-Allah.
Fasting is seen as a way to purify spiritually as well as physically - a time to detach from material
pleasures and be closer to God. The act of fasting is also believed to increase Muslims' piety,
reminding them that others are less fortunate than themselves.
Fasting involves abstaining from all food, drink, smoking and having sex from sunrise to sunset.
Muslims will wake up before sunrise for morning prayer and to eat before the day's fast begins.
Most will break their fast alongside their families in the evening with a communal “Iftar” meal,
typically often started with dates.

How can employers support staff during Ramadan?
As the holy Islamic month of Ramadan begins, millions of Muslims across the globe will start a
month of fasting, foregoing food and drink between dawn and sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is
one of the five 'pillars' of Islam, and it's reasonable to expect employers to make appropriate
accommodations for believers, where their job allows. What sort of thing should they look out for?
It would be helpful if staff are made aware of when Ramadan is, how long it lasts, and what the
fasting entails. Few Muslims would expect their colleagues to abstain from eating and drinking in
front of them, particularly in workplaces where lunch is commonly eaten at one's desk. However if
colleagues want to move away from a fasting colleague to consume lunch then that is a personal
choice and may well be appreciated by fasting colleagues. On the other hand, working lunches,
meetings based around shared food, staff meals and away days are best avoided if possible, or
carried out with special arrangements for those who are fasting.
As part of a lunar calendar, the dates of Ramadan move forward by about 10-11 days every year.
When Ramadan falls in the summer, fasting Muslims in Britain avoid food and drink for more than
16 to 18 hours each day. As a result, energy levels may flag for some as the day develops.
Employers could offer support, where possible, by being flexible about working hours, work duties
and break times. Many Muslims may prefer to start earlier, miss or reduce lunch breaks, and get
home so they can end the day's fast with their families.
Ramadan is more than just avoiding food and drink when the sun is up; it's about cultivating
spiritual purity and a virtuous lifestyle. Smoking is also prohibited, and many Muslims appreciate it
if colleagues refrain from smoking in their presence when fasting. Many Muslims also wish to pray
more often during Ramadan, typically for a few minutes two or three times a day. Having a quiet
and private space to pray is often very much appreciated.

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Eid al-Fitr is a three-day festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Employers should expect Muslim
workers to seek annual leave at this time, though most will usually ask for leave for only the 1-2 of
the three days depending on the individual’s preferences. Employers should positively look to
accommodate such a leave request as it is a special time for Muslims who spend time with their
families. Schools up and down the country, voluntarily, allow Muslim children a day off to celebrate
Eid so employers should do all that is possible to grant leave to staff so that the day can be spent
with their families.

Key workplace considerations during Ramadan
• Observing Ramadan may be noticeable (for example not eating at lunchtime) and so it is often
  sensible for employees to inform their managers of the fact they are fasting.
• Fasting may affect people in different ways and some awareness from managers and
  colleagues can be helpful.
• The effects of fasting may be felt most strongly in the afternoon, so it can help to use the
  morning for meetings and intellectually challenging work and perform routine tasks later. Also,
  when Ramadan falls in the summer months it can be particularly challenging as the days are
  longer.
• Although breaks should be kept, a shorter lunch may make it easier for an employee to manage
  their workload if they wish to take time off to carry out additional (only in the evening called the
  tarawih which is carried out after the opening of the fast) prayer or worship.
• Colleagues may want to avoid the offer food and drink to those who fast if sharing food with
  other colleagues or eating during meetings.
• It would be helpful to avoid meeting / social events etc that ‘ALL staff must attend’ during
  Ramadan as it may have people would still be fasting.
• In certain years, a considerable portion of annual leave may be used by employees wishing to
  observe the Ramadan rules. Where the leave timings can be accommodated, it is also important
  to ensure an employee has adequate leave days available for these needs.
• Awareness and understanding of Ramadan and other religious festivals can be aided by posting
  information on staff notice boards or newsletters etc.
• Ramadan may offer an opportunity for closer team relations and teamwork – staff are
  encouraged to ask questions of fasting colleagues about the observance and what it entails.
  Don’t be afraid to have a conversation.
• Consider referring people to HR policies on flexible working and reasonable adjustments, as
  appropriate.

Links for further information:
Useful Question and Answer fact:
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthyramadan/Pages/faqs.aspx
Ramadan and Health information:
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthyramadan/Pages/fastingandhealth.aspx
Guide to healthy fasting – by Warwick University:
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/equalops/resources/a_guide_to_healthy_fasting.pdf
British Nutrition Foundation:
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/seasons/ramadan.html

Briefing developed by E&I BPs MLCSU, supporting CCGs April 2018

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