Muslim communities across the boroughs will begin celebrating Ramadan on Friday, Feb. 28. While many non-Muslims only associate the holiday with fasting, those who observe say it’s much more and holds different meanings for everyone.
For those who are not Muslim but want to be respectful, we spoke with Rana Abdelhamid, the creator of the NYC Ramadan Night Market and the executive director of Malikah, a Queens-based anti-violence organization.
Be flexible because energy levels will be different
Abdelhamid emphasizes that non-worshippers should understand that those observing Ramadan may have varying energy levels compared to others. For instance, she suggests that if you are a manager, allow flexibility in your employees’ schedules to accommodate their needs for prayer.
“A lot of people worship late into the night during Ramadan, and obviously, they’re not eating anything, they’re not drinking water. And so may need to start their day later or their day earlier, depending on what makes most sense for them. So just having grace and flexibility with those kinds of accommodations,” she says.
Don’t assume every Muslim is fasting
“Some Muslims who have certain health conditions or disabilities or worship in different ways, may choose not to fast. And some Muslims have permission not to fast, for example, if they’re pregnant or if they have their period,” she says.
Ask if worshippers are comfortable with you eating in front of them.
Abdelhamid says it’s considerate to ask because, for some people like her who grew up in America, it might not bother them, but for others, it could be different.
Being accommodating around time off requests
“Because Muslims within the U.S. context are minoritized, we don’t necessarily have the expanded space to express our religious worship in the same way,” she says.
For example, many jobs offer Sundays or Christmas off, which benefits Christians. However, because the U.S. was not built around Islamic traditions, Muslim worshipers don’t have equivalent time off built around their faith.
Abdelhamid says worshippers pray five times a day, with each prayer lasting 15 minutes. Therefore, people may want to be more committed to this during Ramadan.
Be mindful of scheduling things that will clash with Iftar times
If you are planning events or hosting work-related events, she says to be mindful that the scheduled times don’t clash with Iftar times, which is around sunset.
Things to consider if invited to an Iftar dinner
First off, be on time. Abdelhamid says its also considerate to ask your host if they need to finish dinner by a certain time, especially if they plan to go to the masjid or mosque that evening.
Understanding the depth of Ramadan
Abdelhamid says Ramadan isn’t just about fasting; it’s also about being in community with friends and family. “You’re having a Thanksgiving dinner almost every single night,” she says.
While it’s a joyful time, there are other elements that non-worshippers may not realize. Some Muslims, for example, will have less free time because they want to dedicate their time to reading the entire Quran. Others may want to volunteer or increase charitable donations, and some may avoid certain activities. “Some people will not listen to music with curse words or may not want to engage in bickering or gossip.”
The important thing to note is that Ramadan is deeply personal, and your friends and family who are observing will appreciate your support.
Last but not least, saying “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Happy Ramadan” goes a long way.
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