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Support MCB

This Ramadan, MCB are asking for your help to continue working towards the common good and the achievement of a successful and cohesive society.

Our projects have received national and international media coverage – VisitMyMosque, the Women in Mosques Development Programme and our National Listening Exercise only forming some of the projects that work towards capacity building and making sure we live in a just and cohesive society!

More recently our Centre for Media Monitoring has not only meant that we’re on the frontline of challenging the perceptions and stereotypes of Muslims in the media, but essentially we’re making sure that the Muslim community is equipped with the skills it needs to become personal agents of change through our media reporting workshops!

Your donation would go a long way towards making sure that MCB can continue to do its work and to introduce more projects that can help build the capacity of British Muslims!

Donate through Muslim Giving here. 

What is Ramadan?

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims will fast from dawn to sunset, offering prayers and gratitude to God.

This blessed month emphasises the importance of spiritual devotion and undertaking good deeds: being truthful, just and caring. In this month the Qur’an was revealed, and at this time Muslims are encouraged to increase their acts of charity. Ramadan is time for sharing. Ramadan is also a time of giving. We are encouraging all Muslims to reach out to neighbours and share their Ramadan experiences.

Key facts about Ramadan

The month of Ramadan lasts on average for 30 days based on the Lunar calendar and ends with the Day of Eid to celebrate.

Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, during summer time in the UK this can sometimes last over 19 hours. Muslims who are fasting cannot eat, drink or engage in sexual relations for the duration of their fast. Children, pregnant women, the old, the sick and travellers do not need to fast.

Tips for Muslims in Ramadan

Ramadan presents a golden opportunity to reach out to fellow human beings and explain this essential practice of Islam to fellow work colleagues.

Of course, without food for long hours, observing Ramadan can be a challenging experience in the workplace. In the UK today, there have been several examples of good practice where considerate employers go out of their way to cater for Muslim employees, and use the time as an opportunity for other employees to understand other faiths.

Staying healthy in Ramadan
Ramadan in the workplace
Can I get time off to break my fast?
Am I entitled to time off for my prayers?
Fasting in schools

Staying healthy in Ramadan

With some 5 hours only available to eat, drink, sleep and pray, Ramadan in the UK will be tough. Please ensure you look after your health during this blessed time. Here are link to resources for more health tips.

If you have any queries regarding your health and fasting this Ramadan, you can contact MCB’s affiliate, British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA), by sending an email to: [email protected]

Ramadan in the workplace

  • Give your employer and colleagues advance notice that you will be fasting
  • Share Ramadan with colleagues by having a conversation or sharing food
  • Honour your workplace duties with patience and good grace to those around you

Download a copy of the Working Muslim Guide to Ramadan – Employers.

Refer to advice from Muslims in the Workplace

Can I get time off to break my fast?

Employees who are fasting may ask to take their lunch break at a later time to break their fast. Employers may be justified in refusing such a request if this would conflicts with legitimate business needs which they are unable to meet in any other ways. However, if they are unable to objectively justify such a refusal, this could amount to unlawful indirect discrimination.

Example

An employee working in a small corner shop asks to take a late lunch break around sunset to break his fast. There are only two employees and the time for breaking the fast coincides with the time when school children are coming out of school and the shop is particularly busy. It may be reasonable to refuse the request if the shop cannot cope without both staff. However, it may not be reasonable for a supermarket with a large number of staff to refuse such a request.

Am I entitled to time off for my prayers?

Your employers are not obliged to provide you with time off to perform your prayers or break your fast; however, under the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, they may be acting unlawfully if they have a policy which prohibits you from taking such time off which cannot be reasonably justified. So if your employer has a policy which states that all employees must take their lunch break at a fixed time, this may disadvantage Muslim men who wish to take their lunch break a little later on Fridays to attend Jumu’ah prayers at the mosque. This policy will amount to indirect discrimination unless the employer can justify that the policy is a reasonable response to a legitimate business aim.

In general, staff are entitled to a rest break of not less than 20 minutes where working time is more than 6 hours. Some employees may be able to use their normal break entitlement to pray or break their fast. However, if extra time is required, you can request that your rest break coincide with your daily prayer times or, if necessary, request extra time off with the offer to make it up later.

Your employer has a duty to consider your request, and should try and be as flexible as possible, so long as it does not interfere with their business requirements. If they cannot meet your request, they should provide reasons for their refusal.

You should discuss a number of factors with your employer, such as the availability of other staff to cover for you if necessary, the possibility of making up the time later on, the resources available to your employer, the nature of your work and whether the business will be adversely affected by your absence at particular times of the day.[

Fasting in schools

Although fasting for the entire month becomes obligatory for practising Muslims at the age of puberty, it is common practice for Muslim children to begin to fast before this age to become progressively accustomed by the age of puberty.

Children from many practising Muslim homes are enthusiastic and get a great sense of achievement in joining their families in taking part in the spirit of Ramadan and often begin at a younger age.

Ramadan in the community

As a faith group, British Muslims are one of the largest charitable givers. During the month of Ramadan millions of pounds will be donated to the poor and needy.

This blessed month emphasises the importance of spiritual devotion and undertaking good deeds: being truthful, just and caring. In this month the Qur’an was revealed, and at this time Muslims are encouraged to increase their acts of charity. Ramadan is time for sharing. Ramadan is also a time of giving. We are encouraging all Muslims to reach out to neighbours and share their Ramadan experiences.

Sharing Ramadan in society

Use this opportunity to share your faith and your fast with Muslim and non-Muslims alike. Open your mosques, centres and homes to the community.

Ramadan is a great month to build bridges with the wider community and local residents. Organise community Iftars and donate food to needy families in your local area. Here some other suggestions:

  • Let people know about Ramadan by sharing this page
  • Put a Ramadan banner on your front door to let neighbours know you’re observing Ramadan
  • Send your neighbours iftar snacks and treat, or better yet invite them to your home
  • Publish Ramadan information in your neighbourhood newsletter/local paper
  • Encourage your children to inform their friends what Ramadan is all about
  • Talk about what Ramadan means to you with colleagues and classmates

British Muslims in Ramadan

Despite challenges faced by long fasts during the summer, British Muslims resume normal life at work and in schools and universities.

Fasting in this blessed month can be challenging for many of us. As we strive to fulfil our religious obligations, we still must continue with modern life, interact with those who may not fast and cope with long hours without food, often in demanding situations.

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