Support learners and colleagues during the Holy Month of Ramadan

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During Ramadan, many Muslim staff, learners, and faculty will observe fasting, prayer, self-reflection, spiritual cleansing, community building, and self-improvement. Ramadan is a sacred month in Islamic culture, observed globally by Muslims. This year, it starts on Sunday, March 10, 2024, and ends on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. These dates are determined by the phases of the moon and therefore will vary every year. Participants in Ramadan typically have two meals per day: Suhoor before sunrise and Iftar, the evening meal to break the fast. Prayer occurs five times daily, concluding with Isha’, the final prayer. Some may also participate in the Tarweeh prayer, fostering community unity in mosques after Iftar.

How to support friends/colleagues observing Ramadan?

  • Extend Ramadan greetings such as: Ramadan/Ramzan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem. Arabic sayings that translate to blessed Ramadan and generous Ramadan. Your friends/colleagues will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
  • The end of the month is marked by the new moon and Eid- al – Fitr is celebrated in order to show gratitude for the previous month of reflection. Common greetings are Eid Mubarak and Eid Sa’id which translates to Blessed Eid and Happy Eid.
  • Do not be apologetic for eating in front of your friend/colleague while they are fasting. To be more inclusive, avoid organizing events focusing on food during this time of the year (e.g. “lunch and learns” or “coffee hours”).
  • If you supervise self-identified Muslim staff, be flexible and mindful when scheduling for time off, events and meetings. Consider flex time options.
  • During fasting, Muslims are not allowed to drink water. Be thoughtful of this when scheduling long presentations or meetings.
  • Educate yourself and raise awareness in order to create a more inclusive working/learning environment.
  • Do not assume every Muslim is fasting. If one of your Muslim colleagues/friends is not fasting it might be due to illness, pregnancy, breastfeeding, amongst other reasons. Abstain from asking why.
  • Do not treat fasting as suffering. Many Muslims look forward to Ramadan; it is a sacred and deeply personal practice.

                                                                                                                                                    (Source: redi.med.ubc.ca)

Ramadan Mubarak!

Helpful Links

 

We encourage everyone to learn more about Ramadan and our vibrant Muslim community at Schulich and Western!

Prayer Rooms

Schulich: Kresge Building, room K8

Western: University Community Centre (UCC), Room 38A
Middlesex College, Room 15A
Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Pavilion (CMLP), Room 57 (next to the Spencer Engineering Building)
John Althouse Faculty of Education Building, Room 2001
Mother St. James Building (left of the auditorium)
Natural Sciences Centre, Room 108
Richard Ivey Building, across from Room 3104
Elborn College, Room 2560

Brescia College: Mother St. James Building auditorium, left side

Huron College: Room  A108, across from the Huron Library

Ivey Business School: A new Muslim prayer space has been opened across from room 3104 and adjacent to room 3101. (The prayer space itself does not have a room number.) This space is a pilot project.

King's: At King's, the Muslim Prayer Rooms are on the lower level of the Faculty Building in room FB003. They are open for prayer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for men and women. Washing facilities are located directly across the hall. The Faculty Building is behind Dante Lenardon Hall, and can be accessed from the courtyard.