This Saturday, 2 April marks the first night of the holy month of Ramadan*, a month in which Muslims across the world will be observing fasts from sunrise to sunset. In the UK the times of the fast for each day are approximately 3:30am/4.30am (when the fast commences) to approximately 7.30pm/8.30pm (when the fast ends/is opened). Times vary slightly each day and more specific information on the daily timings for the Brighton area can be found at Salah Times.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is prescribed for all Muslims barring those who are unwell, elderly, pregnant, travelling or otherwise unable to do so.
For many, this period aims to be a space for showing gratefulness for all we have, and a space for reflection in individual habits and bettering our characters. You can find out more information on the purpose and significance of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, Muslims across the world gather after nightfall in the mosque for special communal prayers called Taraweeh (night prayers) which are in addition to the five daily prayers that are part of the core of Islam.
With the late-night prayers (Taraweeh), pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and prayers (Fajr), it is likely that staff will have disrupted sleeping patterns. Muslim members of staff will probably have been fasting for years and may be able to continue with their usual daily routine. However, please consider whether some staff may request alternative working hours and try to accommodate them where possible. Muslim staff may choose to work through a lunch break and finish the day earlier to make preparations for breaking the fast (Iftaar) or may request to begin working later in order to get a longer period of sleep after sunrise. Where possible, please make every opportunity to accommodate these requests.
For some, the morning may be better for longer meetings, as the effects of the fast will be felt more strongly as the day goes on; so please consider moving team meetings to earlier in the day and allow the afternoon for routine tasks.
We would advise line managers to have open conversations with Muslim staff, to better understand how you can support them during the month rather than imposing measures without speaking to them. This is to ensure Muslim staff do not feel heightened attention or a disruption in team dynamics which may negatively impact them.
Staff or students breaking fast alone may wish to join the Ramadan Tent Project’s Open Iftar 2022, which will bring people together online to listen to speakers, interact with others and listen to the call for prayers before people break fast together virtually.
Towards the end of Ramadan (and in particular, the final 10 days and Eid-Ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan), Muslim members of staff may request annual leave for a number of days. The last 10 days are days in which Muslims traditionally frequent themselves in prayer and remembrance of god, and Eid is a celebration that brings the family together. Where possible, these requests should be accommodated, provided staff have annual leave.
Further support for Muslim staff and students is offered by the University’s Chaplaincy Team.
From the University of Sussex, Ramadan Kareem to all of our staff and students and to the wider Muslim community across Brighton and Hove.
*We recognise and acknowledge that there are alternate spellings for Ramadan and its associated practices which are reflective of different languages across the world.