Last month, our team members celebrated Ramadan.

Ramadan is the holiest and most-honoured tradition on the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar. Ramadan begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon— during a moon sighting. Ramadan is when the revelation of the Qur’an is commemorated and starts the month of fasting from dawn to sunset. Muslims fast for 30 days— this can vary each year, depending on the lunar calendar. Fasting consists of nothing passing the lips (i.e., no food/water (including no smoking) from sunrise to sunset). Various foods are being prepared, like Sahoor (closing of the fast) and Iftari (Opening of The Fast). When the moon is sighted, people contact each other and greet one another by saying Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which means have a blessed and generous month of Ramadan.

Fasting is one of the most observed pillars in its religion, and it is obligatory for all men and women at the age of puberty. Despite it sounding serious, Ramadan is a period of atonement than it is a time to practice self-restraint. Like Christmas for us, Ramadan is a time of celebration and joy spent together with people you are close to. The religion is flexible as there are exemptions from fasting, such as when people have a long-term illness; old age; and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who cannot fast make up for their fast later but if a person’s illness is chronic, they have to pay for or provide food for a needy person.

Every year, on the prospective eve of what marks the start of Ramadan, our team shared that they head outside to a clearing with night sky visibility to see if they can spot the new crescent moon. “You have to see it with the naked eye,” they insist. And every year, they wait for his call, “Alhumdulilah (Praise be to God), the moon has been sighted. Ramadan Mubarak.” It is one of the most endearing traditions in this modern era of calendars and science.

Many scholars believe that they should wait until the faint crescent moon is visible in the night sky. Religion has a strong sense of reason, knowledge, and science. Most argue that the whole world should follow the official moon-sighting in Saudi Arabia— the birthplace of the religion. This moon-sighting fighting makes it delightful lunacy so much that it has become so culturally significant.

The team would look forward to the end of each day when the fast has broken with a prayer and meal called the Iftar. Not just because they get to eat, but because they can also spend quality time with the family. They don’t usually get to spend dinner time together due to the different schedules and work patterns – be assured that they get a full table every night during Ramadan!

It is significant to get educated on the proper way of celebrating and observing Ramadan in your workplace. Everyone must learn about the holiday and show support to their workmates as it can also be very beneficial as it is a good business practice. Here are some ways to celebrate Ramadan in the workplace.

Once Ramadan fast ends, Eid al-Fitr, or the “Feast of Fast-Breaking,” is celebrated. They offered put henna (mehndi) on the night before Eid when the moon is sighted and wear beautiful, vibrant clothes that are new. Eid is filled with delicious homemade food and exchanging gifts from friends and family. People wish each other a happy Eid by saying “Eid Mubarak” and hugging each other. Eid can last for a varying number of days as some people celebrate it for up to 3 days while others opt for one day only.