Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan officially began earlier this April! And always the eager students, we wanted to dig into some educational resources to learn a bit more about this holy month and what we can do to support those who are fasting. We’re big believers in not allowing fear of saying the wrong thing keep you from participating in important conversations, so we delved into these resources with a genuine desire to learn how to be a better, more respectful neighbor. As always, we welcome and cherish additional resources or educational opportunities, so please send them our way!
Though observance can vary from individual to individual, Muslims fast from food and drink (water included) when the sun is up, and break their fast after sundown every day of the month during Ramadan. Many families wake up well before sunrise to eat a modest meal, drink water, and perform morning prayers. Once the sun sets, families will gather to break their fast (this is called Iftar) often inviting neighbors and friends to join as well. It is most traditional to break the fast with dates, which are easily digestible and a good source of energy, but naturally it also comes down to personal preference.
There are exceptions to who fasts, including the sick and elderly who are too old or weak to fast as well as people who are pregnant, nursing, or on their menstrual cycle. There are a few other reasons people might not be fasting, even if they typically do, so it’s best to be considerate and abstain from pointing out someone isn’t fasting. Though most Muslims in the U.S. are likely accustomed to others eating in front of them during Ramadan, we can always make the effort to be courteous and try to keep the food smells away from our friends who are fasting by eating in another room. Try to remember not to offer them food too! It can be instinctual to grab some chips when offered, and though they won’t be upset with you, we want to make sure we’re being mindful and supportive.
We should also remember that we don’t need to shy away from asking our friends and colleagues who observe Ramadan questions about their culture! This is an important month for our Muslim neighbors and they may enjoy an opportunity to share a little about Ramadan with others. Of course, it’s important to make sure we’re being respectful of their traditions and appreciative of the time they take to teach us something new. We must each take steps to make sure we are never exoticizing their traditions, and that we’re being mindful of any misconceptions or implicit biases we might have as we’re learning. We don't need to understand every aspect of someone else's traditions in order to be kind.
Ramadan Mubarak from Flock to all observing Ramadan! May the month be filled with peace and love.
Here are some of the resources we dug into:
An Overview of Ramadan and Fasting
How to support your Muslim coworkers who are fasting during Ramadan
Elevating Muslim Voices and Stories #MonthOfGood