Ramadan began over the weekend, marking a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims around the world. As our colleagues observe this sacred time, let’s be mindful of how we can support them in a way that’s considerate and thoughtful.

Understanding Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset, sometimes meaning no food or water during daylight hours. Each day’s fast is broken after sunset with a meal called Iftar. It’s a time of reflection, discipline and connection with family, friends, and faith.

How We Can Support Our Colleagues

• Meetings & Socials – Where possible, avoid scheduling meetings outside of standard work hours. If planning team socials, consider holding them outside of Ramadan so everyone can fully take part. Try to avoid food-based meetings out of courtesy.
• Empathy – One of CloserStill’s core values. Fasting colleagues may experience fatigue, caffeine withdrawal (headaches), and lower energy levels at times – a little awareness and flexibility go a long way.
• Respect for Prayer & Breaks – Ramadan is a time of increased devotion, so colleagues may take regular breaks for prayer, reflection, and reading. If your office has a quiet space, please be mindful before entering, as it may be in use.
• Open Conversations – Everyone experiences Ramadan differently. Rather than making assumptions, check in with your teammates and ask how you can support them.
• Awareness & Recognition – A simple “Ramadan Mubarak” (which means “Have a blessed Ramadan”) is a great way to show support.
• Eid al-Fitr – Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a time of celebration. The CloserTogether Taskforce and local admin teams will share more details on how we plan to celebrate Eid in the workplace closer to the time.

For Managers (Leave Requests and Further Information)

If you have team members observing Ramadan, be proactive in chatting with them about any adjustments that might help. Some colleagues may request time off, particularly towards the end of Ramadan for Eid al-Fitr. As Ramadan and Eid follow the Hijri (lunar) calendar, the dates shift each year. Bear in mind that Eid is a public holiday in some CloserStill regions and in the UK, colleagues can swap certain holidays to align with their religious observances. We encourage you to check in with your regional HR lead for more details on local leave policies and holidays.

Let’s keep being the kind of team that looks out for one another.

Further Reading: Inclusive Employers – Supporting Muslims at Work During Ramadan