Not observing Ramadan? Here’s how you can be respectful toward those who do
It’s the start of Ramadan: the month-long celebration that marks when the prophet Mohammed received the tenets that comprise the Quran. For 30 days, Muslims around the world — more than a fifth of the world’s population and more than 3 million Americans — will observe Ramadan by neither eating nor drinking during daylight hours.
It’s not just about eating or drinking, though: Muslims observing the month are also discouraged from other behavior such as smoking, gossiping, and sex during the fasting period. Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration that concludes the fasting period and is marked by its own prayers, food and rituals.
Here’s how you can be considerate among friends or colleagues who might be observing the holiday:
You can eat even if you’re around someone observing Ramadan
They just can’t eat with you. Even water is not allowed for those observing Ramadan.
You can wish them “Ramadan mubarak”
Ramadan is a celebration, and meant to improve the observer’s spiritual relationship with God. “Ramadan mubarak” means Happy Ramadan.
You can eat with them when they break their daily fast
In fact, it’s encouraged. Muslims observing Ramadan participate in iftar, the daily breaking of their fast after the sun sets, and the meal is often eaten communally.
Side effects of Ramadan might include naps, bad breath
Muslims are encouraged to consume a meal before dawn, meaning they’re rising very early for the first meal of the day. And because Ramadan occurs in the summer, breaking the daily fast doesn’t happen until after the sun sets, often after 9 p.m. So naps are common among those fasting.
Another side effect? Not eating for prolonged periods might result in bad breath, or halitosis.
Ramadan isn’t about losing weight — so don’t act like it is
Ramadan is a spiritual observance, and fasting during the month is meant to demonstrate both faith and sacrifice. It’s not about dieting, so avoid making comments connecting the two.
This story was originally published June 6, 2016 at 10:34 AM with the headline "Not observing Ramadan? Here’s how you can be respectful toward those who do."