Describe Ramadan to Non-Muslims

[كونزيت]

What can we expect from our Muslim co-workers who are fasting?




For the first couple of days they will be grouchy, like anyone who is hungry, so I would say be very gentle with your Muslim co-workers. After that they’re fine, there’s no hunger pains, but from then until the end of Ramadan, they get a little more tired and everything moves more slowly. They try to read through the Koran and they will have been up all night. As much as people think about the food aspect, it’s the lack of sleep that affects people. There’s little time to rest during Ramadan because there are extra night prayers, there’s waking up before the morning prayer for sahour [the small meal before sunrise].

[كونزيت]

The whole schedule is different. International and local appointments are a regular part of the government and rulers’ lives. How strictly do they adhere to Ramadan worship, as their daily routine is presumably a lot different to that of a taxi driver or construction worker?

The rulers are doing their job as they usually would, but then I would say a taxi driver and a labourer have a more physical job; they’re all fasting. This is the amusing part of the Muslim community; you have the poor people, the wealthy people, the leaders, and everyone’s fasting – everyone has to do the same, everyone has to give to charity no matter how poor, or how wealthy they are.