While you’re not acquainted with the sentiment and the that means behind Ramadan, it may be arduous to know easy methods to navigate the conversations round it, particularly once you’re round colleagues and associates who shall be observing.

If you wish to be supportive with out unintentionally coming throughout as insensitive – I’d say that’s already an excellent begin to start with. On behalf the Muslim group, I’m right here to advise you on precisely easy methods to help these round you which might be observing in the course of the holy month of Ramadan.

The excellent news is that Ramadan, amongst different spiritual observances, is not “a taboo” subject to speak about – be it in knowledgeable setting or an informal chat amongst associates. Fortunately, we’ve moved previous the instances when there was barely any celebration or visibility on what might be the largest occasion in each Muslim’s calendar. With this in thoughts, you’re undoubtedly greater than welcome to convey up or have interaction in conversations round Ramadan, with out having it look “bizarre” or “misplaced.” And that’s precisely why the next ideas are of the utmost significance:

Present curiosity

Don’t be afraid to ask your Muslim colleague or a pal about Ramadan and what it means to them, you’d be stunned at simply how glad they’d be after they’re introduced with a chance to share one thing so close to and expensive to their coronary heart. Attempt to do that with a relaxed strategy and don’t bombard them with a sequence of probably insensitive questions and feedback like, “Why would you place your physique via this voluntarily?” or: “that is wild, I’d by no means signal as much as this.” As an alternative, attempt to begin with one thing easy to provide them a chance to open up, for instance: “What does Ramadan imply to you?”

Don’t really feel “sorry for them”

As a Muslim, I can’t inform you what number of instances I’ve heard one thing alongside the strains of: “I’m sorry you need to undergo this,” or “I really feel so dangerous for you,” or “you poor factor.” Having spoken to some of my Muslim associates, we’ve all agreed that though we don’t actually are likely to take these feedback to coronary heart, it actually turns into a bit irritating after they pile up over time. Let’s clear this up as soon as and for all: Ramadan is just not a torturous job.

Quite the opposite, Muslims very a lot stay up for it yearly. It’s a time for celebrating group, household, self-reflection, mindfulness and a lot extra. All of this really places us in a really optimistic mindset – so you may think about how listening to such “sorry” feedback could be de-motivating, and at instances, irritating. Granted, I’m not right here to disclaim the truth that going with out ingesting and consuming isn’t arduous, however what many individuals don’t know is that Islam really exempts some individuals from fasting who wouldn’t have the ability to deal with it in addition to others, together with these on their interval, pregnant or in poor health.

Actionable acts of help

Whether or not your goal is to help your colleague or a pal to indicate that you simply’re genuinely there for them, there are undoubtedly various actions that you could begin with.