Living and working with Muslims
How can I support a Muslim colleague during Ramadan?
Short answer
Be understanding about their energy and schedule: they will be fasting from dawn to sunset without food or drink, and a simple 'Ramadan Mubarak' is a kind gesture. You do not need to avoid eating around them.
The fuller answer
Helpful things: be flexible with the timing of meetings and lunch, allow a short break for the sunset meal at the time and, if possible, avoid scheduling events with food at that time. Ask whether they would like to be excused from social meals during the day. Do not ask them to taste food: they will tell you if they do not mind.
Many Muslims enjoy sharing an iftar (the meal after sunset) with colleagues, and an invitation is a nice gesture. At the end of the month, Eid is a good time for time off, and many Muslims would appreciate being able to take that day as leave.
This answer follows the mainstream Sunni understanding and is general learning, not a fatwa. Where Muslims differ, the answer says so. Have a question of your own? Write to us.