This Ramadan, DWF has formed its first Ramadan and Eid Working Group. The aims of the group are awareness of the Muslim faith, integration of Muslim and non-Muslim colleagues alike during the holy month and client engagement.
Ramadan morning
The Muslim day is organised by its 5 prayers, which are Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghreb (sunset) and Isha (nightfall). In Ramadan, the fast lasts from Fajr until Maghreb. There is a common misconception where during fasting a Muslim should only stay away from eating or drinking however it is much more than this. It also involves giving up bad habits, increasing acts of worship, and showing empathy for those who are less fortunate. It is a time for self-discipline, reflection, and community.
This year, Fajr is around 05:00 – 06:00 am depending on where you are in the UK (this will also change around the world). I usually wake up at 04:30 am in the morning to prepare for the day. It is important to remember that the fast lasts for around 12 hours so you need to eat the right foods to keep you going, give you energy and keep you hydrated (yes... not even water). Things like oats, porridge, fruits and eggs are the best options. This morning, I ate yoghurt topped with granola, fruit and honey. A recommended food from our Prophet (peace be upon him) are dates for its nutritional qualities. I'll have my brew and some water and then as the time for Fajr approaches, get ready to pray.
Before praying, Muslims must perform ablution, which is a methodical washing of the hands, mouth, face, arms, hair, ears and feet. To be honest, this does wake me up. My normal day starts around 06:00 am so there would be no point going back to sleep. After performing my prayer, I like to read a few pages of the Quran, our holy book, and then get ready for my commute.
Everyone is different, and there are some members of my team at DWF who are working from home or adjust their working hours. Line managers are available to speak to about any adjustments required and the firm has Ramadan policies which can be easily accessed.
I would like to give a massive thanks to everyone at DWF involved in the Ramadan project, especially those who are not Muslim. Being a first-year apprentice and joining my first real job it can be daunting to show my faith, but DWF has shown so much support. Helping organise this project has made many of my colleagues feel more open about their faith and helped non-Muslims understand the meaning behind what Ramadan is. It has been humbling to see the enthusiasm from our non-Muslim colleagues to learn and get involved, and to see the Working Group's aims come to life.
The next blog in this series delves deeper into a working day for a Muslim.
Read Iffat's blog