- Muslims in the workplace will abstain from eating and drinking during the month of Ramadan.
- Many Muslims enjoy talking about Ramadan, so an expert says feel free to ask questions in a respectful way.
- Try not to mandate fasting coworkers attend lunch meetings and don’t expect them to be overly talkative.
Many Muslims have entered into their first week of Ramadan, a holy month which they use to purify their souls and become closer to God. From the end of March to mid-April 2023, healthy adult Muslims around the world will participate in Ramadan.
During the month, Muslims eat their meals before sunrise and after sunset, and refrain from eating during the day. If you have a Muslim coworker, you may find yourself nervous to eat in front of them or worry that you may say something that offends them.
But asking questions won’t insult your coworker, Ibrahim Hooper, the communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told Insider. Hooper said Muslims enjoy when coworkers take interest in the month.
“It’s OK to ask questions. In fact, Muslims like to talk about these things,” Hooper said. “It’s always appreciated if you recognize a Muslim coworker is fasting during Ramadan.”
While most questions are all right, there are a few phrases that you should avoid asking a fasting coworker.
