25 Oct A Focus on Muslims & Ramadan

This month’s feature introduces the Islamic tradition of Ramadan through an interview between Catherine England, M. Ed., a Muslim American, and Lee Mozena, M.A. Catherine and Lee co-present on seminars about Islam specifically designed to increase cross-cultural knowledge and skills at work.

What is Ramadan?

Lee: Like many non-Muslim North Americans I didn’t used to know anything about Ramadan. It seems that since 9/11, Ramadan has been in the press and awareness has increased among the general public. For those of us who don’t know about Ramadan, can you tell give me a brief overview?

Catherine: Ramadan is the name for the month of fasting. The Ramadan fast is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s an important and very special time for most Muslims around the world. In addition to fasting, most Muslims also try to read the entire Quran during this month. Extra prayers are made after the nighttime prayer and in the early morning hours.

Fasting is a spiritual exercise but during Ramadan Muslims have the opportunity to deepen their connection to Islam, their family, their community and the world. In addition to the spiritual aspect, Muslims believe that fasting is a chance for us to experience, however briefly, the suffering that the truly poor experience on a daily basis.

Muslims fast from sun up to sun down during Ramadan. This includes not drinking fluids. In addition to abstaining from food and drink, Muslims also ‘fast’ from any form of bad behavior – anger, gossip, etc. We get up before the morning prayer at sunrise to eat and drink enough to sustain us throughout the day. Children, the elderly, sick, or pregnant women are not required to fast.

Why do you fast during Ramadan?

Lee: Like other religions, fasting is one way to deepen a commitment to God or reach a higher spiritual place. Depriving ourselves of earthly pleasure brings clarity. Is fasting the only obligation during Ramadan?

Catherine: Zakat, or Zakah means charity. This is another pillar of Islam that is emphasized during Ramadan. People who have no food can go to the masjid, (mosque) nightly during the month to break their fast. It’s a community celebration, especially at the beginning and end of Ramadan. Before the month ends, those who are financially able make a charitable contribution for each member of their household. These contributions are distributed to the poor before the month ends.

Lee: Fasting and late nights would be hard on me. Is it fair to say my Muslim friends and co-workers are more stressed during Ramadan?

Catherine: Yes, Ramadan can be quite a challenge, especially in the Northwest when the days are long. Ramadan begins and ends based on the lunar calendar so it’s slowly moving towards the summer months. For those farther north, exceptions are made and they fast according to the nearest, normalized location.

Lee: I’ve heard about ‘Ramadan Burnout’ . Can you elaborate?

Catherine: Every observant Muslim knows about ‘ Ramadan Burnout’ , but we don’t complain about it! It’s similar to what our Christian friends experience by New Years or the end of Lent. While there is a stronger emphasis on familial and social obligations during Ramadan, families vary a great deal as to how much they participate outside the home. Some Muslims will go to the masjid most nights during Ramadan. They will break fast with a group meal that goes on for many hours. It can mean a lot of socializing (a wonderful but sometimes tiring aspect). You can imagine, with getting up before dawn, the lack of sleep takes a toll.

Lee: I have so much respect for people who party without alcohol! What kinds of issues should non-Muslim managers or personnel be aware of during Ramadan?

Catherine: The point of Ramadan is inward worship, not to call attention to how hungry and tired you are. Muslim employees may not ask for accommodations around Ramadan, but you might want to consider the additional demands on their time outside of work. It could be helpful, for example, to give more notice on deadlines, or just check in with them to see how they are doing.

Some practical things to think about are: not putting someone on the spot about food or drink (water, coffee, etc.) if you know they are fasting. Be aware of office potlucks or business luncheons. Not having meetings or calling Muslim employees at sundown as they are about to break fast is another. Hold critical meetings first thing in the morning when you know they are more refreshed.

Lee: It may be hard for an American, who views religion as highly personal, to understand the increased pressures and obligations towards family and community that a devout Muslim employee might be experience during Ramadan. For instance, I had a highly-assimilated, normally non-observant Muslim friend who would not drink alcohol during Ramadan. To her, this was respecting Ramadan.

Catherine: That’s an example of how broad the degree of adherence to Islam is in the world-wide Muslim community. Alcohol is prohibited in Islam. However, to think that all Muslims believe or act in one particular way is not a realistic view of human nature. There are Muslims who only ‘show up’ once a year, just like the Christians who only attend church at Christmas and Easter or Jews who only attend temple for Roshashana or Passover. But when those holidays roll around, priorities may shift. Even less observant Muslims may have more family commitments or do a partial fast.

Lee: How and when does Ramadan end?

Catherine: With the sighting of a new moon we break fast and hold a celebration called Eid-el-Fitr. Eid is an all community event celebrating the completion of Ramadan. We gather for a final prayer. While exact numbers are hard to pin-down, estimates put as many as 75,000 Muslims in the Puget Sound area – and that number is growing fast. Eid used to be held in local masjids and now even Qwest Field (Seattle’s football stadium) is not big enough!

Lee: I assume that to some extent, Muslims also celebrate like most people–with open wallets. Is there an Islamic equivalent to the Christmas shopping season?

Catherine: No, but businesses should get on board about this one. While not quite as commercialized yet, most Muslims celebrate Eid with new clothes and gifts. And, considering the strains of fasting, shopping is often put off to the last minute. If malls stayed open until midnight on Eid they would make a ton of money!

Lee: Thanks for such wonderful information. It sounds tacky to say “Happy Ramadan” – is there an Islamic way to end our discussion?

Catherine: “Happy Ramadan” is perfectly welcome! We might also hug and say, “I hope to see you again, my friend, ‘In- shall-ah’” (God- willing!). The essence of Islam is peace, so we greet and depart with a version of the word, “Salaam ”.

To schedule a seminar or consultation contact Ms. Mozena at 206/368-9608 or mozena13@hotmail.com.

Copyright 2007 All rights reserved.

Photo credit Dima Sharif.