Ramadan Explained

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Ramadan Explained
Ramadan Mubarak

• NHS Blackburn with Darwen
• Valuing the Richness that Diversity Brings

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Aims of the presentation

• To provide information, advice and guidance on
  arrangements during Ramadan (Ramzan).
• Based on the organisations values and principles
  of valuing the richness that diversity brings.
• We believe it is important that employees of the
  PCT understand the religious and cultural
  traditions of the people we serve and of those we
  work with in line with Employment Equality
  (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003 and the
  Equality Act 2006.

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What is Ramadan?

• 9th month of the Hijri Calendar (Lunar calendar).
• The Lunar calendar is approx 10 days shorter than
  the Gregorian calendar.
• Ramadan begins at the sighting of the new Moon.
• Commencing 1st / 2nd September 2008
• Ramadan ends at the Waning Crescent.
• Eid Ul Fitr falls at the end of Ramadan
• 1st / 2nd October 2008
• these dates are approximate as commencement of
  Ramada
• and Eid are determined by the Lunar Calendar

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Significance of Ramadan

• It is the 4th pillar of the 5 pillars of Islam.
• It is the month in which the Quran (the holy
  book of Islam) was revealed.
• It is a special month of fasting, repentance,
  increased prayer and increased charity which
  people of the Muslim faith undertake.

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Examples of Current Practice

• Fasting (Roza)
• During daylight hours is an essential element of
  Ramadan. Roza starts at dawn and ends at sunset.
• Involves changing the balance of daily life i.e.
  doing less of the ordinary daily activities to
  practice self restraint and more of the
  spiritual, religious, moral and charitable
  activities.
• The person must not eat, drink, chew, smoke,
  swear, sing or dance, bully or fight with others,
  engage in sexual activity and must refrain from
  things that may be offensive to others.

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Examples of Current Practice

• Fasting continued
• Muslims are expected to start and finish the Roza
  on time.
• Muslims who are fasting will need to break their
  fast at the prescribed time (sunset).
• Deliberately doing anything which is prohibited
  will break the fast and this is seen as bad or
  even worse that not fasting at all.
• All Muslims fast except
• Children, Adults who are unwell or travelling
  long distances, women who are menstruating, in
  post-child birth care, pregnant or breast
  feeding.

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Examples of Current Practice

• Prayer Times and facilities
• Ramadan is a time when Muslims try to spend time
  in prayer and religious contemplation.
• There is an all year round requirement for
  Muslims to pray five times daily at given times.
• The most important prayer for Muslims is the
  Jummah prayer on Friday afternoon, during
  Ramadan Muslims are expected to offer extra
  prayers every evening (Taraveeh prayers).

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Examples of Current Practice

• As Ramadan is the celebration of the giving of
  the Quran to the world many Muslims will try to
  read the whole of the Quran during this month.
• The evening before the 27th Roza is especially
  important as it is believed to be the very first
  day the Quran was revealed to the prophet. Many
  Muslims will stay up very late saying prayers and
  reading the Quran.

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Working with Muslim Colleagues

• During Ramadan
• Try not to invite Muslim Colleagues to meetings
  which include lunch or extend after 5 pm.
• Be understanding that this is the most special
  month in a Muslim's Calendar.
• Be aware that it is common for Muslims to take
  annual leave during the last week of Ramadan, as
  the last 10 days are very important and also to
  take in Eid.
• Eid Day is taken as a day to be spent with family
  and friends.
• Greeting colleagues saying Ramadan Mubarak
  (Blessed Ramadan) is a polite way to greet
  colleagues during Ramadan.

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Working with local Muslim communities

• Consider fasting times when arranging meetings
  and home visits.
• Ramadan is a holy month for most Muslim families.
  This means that families will be waking up during
  the night to eat and pray until the early hours
  of the morning and some families may go back to
  bed. So early morning visits from health
  professionals should be avoided unless they are
  necessary. (presently fasting opens at around
  7.30pm)
• Visiting patterns need to be flexible and
  negotiated with individual families to save
  inconvenience and time.
• Clinic appointments may be better in the early
  afternoons.

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• It is hoped that this information will help
  colleagues to gain more understanding of what
  Ramadan means to our Colleagues who are of the
  Muslim Faith.
• Jules Wall
• Diversity and Equality Manager
• Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Primary Care Trust